Argentina

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 71
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 99 §4, 7 et 13
Number of written questions asked, per year
431 (2012)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
154 (2012)
See historical data for this field.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 75 al. 32
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
(2008)
See historical data for this field.

Head of State and/or Government

Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament does not play a role
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 94-98
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
Yes
Parliament’s role

Impeachment and confidence motions

Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The Head of Government
Other (please specify)
Notes
"Other" refers to the Chief of Cabinet, who, along with Ministers, is considered a civil servant that acts in the realm of the executive power/executive branch. The Senate President, who also is the Vice-President of the country, is considered part of the Executive branch and thus is subject for impeachment by Parliament.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 53 and 59
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Upper chamber
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The Head of Government
Individual members of the Executive
Other (please specify)
Notes
The Chief of Cabinet is a coordinating minister responsible for the public administration.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 101
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber