Honduras: Government Structure

Honduras operates as a presidential representative democratic republic, with its constitution establishing a formal separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The current constitution, promulgated in 1982 and amended numerous times since, describes these three branches as complementary and independent, with none subordinate to the others. Eight of its articles are explicitly designated as unamendable, including the provision limiting the presidency to a single four-year term.

Executive authority is held by a president elected directly by popular vote, serving as both head of state and head of government. The legislature is a unicameral National Congress of 128 members, elected through proportional representation for four-year terms; beyond passing legislation, Congress elects certain judicial officials, confirms presidential appointees, and holds the power to impeach the president and other officeholders. Historically, the National Party and the Liberal Party have dominated the political landscape, though newer coalitions such as Libertad y Refundacion have reshaped competition in recent elections.

The judiciary is appointed by the National Congress rather than through direct election, a structure that has periodically drawn scrutiny over judicial independence. Together, these institutions form a multi-party constitutional framework that has endured coups, contested elections, and constitutional crises since its adoption, remaining the country's operative system of government into the present day.