the members of the chambers
sitting jointly. The duties of the President are, among other things,
to negotiate treaties and to represent the nation in its external
relations generally, to appoint and dismiss the ministers and public
officials, to summon the Congress in extraordinary session, to
promulgate the laws of Congress, together with the instructions and
regulations necessary for their enforcement, and to remit and commute
penalties. If two-thirds of the members of the chambers so request,
projected treaties of alliance must be laid before Congress, and the
appointment and suspension of public officials may be effected only on
proposal of the ministers. Every act of the President must be
countersigned by at least one minister, and every minister is
responsible politically and legally for all acts which he countersigns
or executes. One member of the ministerial group, designated by the
President, exercises the functions of premier. Ministers may be
members of Congress, and in any case they are privileged to appear in
the chambers to defend their acts. Among offenses for which ministers
may be held to account in the ordinary tribunals the constitution
specifies all acts which tend to subvert the independence of the
nation, the inviolability of the constitution and of the republican
form of government, the political and legal rights of the individual,
the internal peace of the country, or the probity of administrative
procedure. The penalty imposed for guilt in respect to any of these
offenses is removal from office and disqualification to hold office
thereafter.[883]

[Footnote 883: Provisions relating to the executive
are contained in Arts. 36-55.]

*711. Congress.*--The exercise of legislative power is vested (p. 645)
exclusively in Congress. There are two houses, the Council of
Municipalities, or senate, and the National Council, or chamber of
deputies. The members of both are chosen by direct vote of the people.
Senators are elected for six years, one-half of the body retiring
triennially. Each district returns three members, but to assure the
representation of minorities electors are permitted to vote for but
two. Members of the Chamber of Deputies are chosen for three years.
Senators must be at least thirty-five years of age and deputies
twenty-five. Congress is required to meet in regular session each year
on the second day of December. The period of a session is