Vice President of Chile

The Vice President of Chile, officially known as the Vice President of the Republic (Spanish: Vicepresidente de la República), is a temporary post provided by the Constitution of Chile. The "vice president" is a person who fulfills the duties of the President of Chile when cases of incapacity and vacancy occur. However, the consent of the Senate is required for the "vice president" to exercise the duties of the president. This post is held by the Minister of the Interior and Public Security or by the next minister of the government, in the order of succession, in case of the former's absence.

Vice President of the Republic of Chile
Vicepresidente de la República de Chile
Coat of arms of Chile
Executive branch in Chilean Politics
StatusActing Head of State
Acting Head of Government
Member ofGovernment
Term lengthSituational
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Chile

It was originally a permanent political position in Chile from 1826 to 1833.

In 1826, jointly with the establishment of the title of President of the Republic, the position of Vice President was created, whose function was to replace the President in the cases of illness, absence and others.[1] Agustín Eyzaguirre was elected as the first vice president in the election of 1826. Francisco Antonio Pinto was designated in the position in the election of following year.

The Constitution of 1828, the only Chilean constitution that established the vicepresidency as a permanent position, provided that in case of death or physical or moral impossibility of the president, he would replace him in his post. The required qualities were the same as those required from president. The appointment of Joaquín Vicuña as vice president, after the election of 1829, the first under the rule of the Charter of 1828, was the object of a great controversy and is considered one of the triggers of the Revolution of 1829. The permanent position of vice president was abolished with the 1833 Constitution, Diego Portales being the last to occupy it.

Since then, the title of "Vice President" is only used for the first individual in the order of succession to discharge the duties of the president in case of temporary impediment or vacancy. The "Vice President", in the performance of their duties, has all the powers that the Constitution confers on the President.

Vice Presidents edit

No.PortraitName
(birth–death)
Term of officePartyPresidentNotes
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1 Agustín Eyzaguirre
(1768–1837)
9 July 18269 September 182662 daysIndependentManuel Blanco EncaladaSucceeded to the presidency
2 Francisco Antonio Pinto
(1785–1858)
15 February 18278 May 182782 daysPipiolosRamón FreireSucceeded to the presidency
3 Joaquín Vicuña
(1786–1857)
19 October 18292 November 182914 daysPipiolosFrancisco Antonio Pinto
4 José Tomás Ovalle
(1787–1831)
18 February 18301 April 183042 daysPeluconesFrancisco Ruiz-TagleSucceeded to the presidency
5 Diego Portales
(1793–1837)
18 September 183126 May 18331 year, 281 daysPeluconesJosé Joaquín PrietoNever took oath of office

References edit

  1. ^ Barros Arana, Diego (1897). "Gobierno interino de Blanco Encalada". Historia General de Chile. Santiago de Chile: Imprenta Cervantes. pp. 33–34. ISBN 9789561117877. Tomo XV.