El marc polític de Puerto Rico

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President: Donald J. Trump (since 20 January 2025)
Governor: Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN (since 2 January 2025)

Next Election Dates

Governor: November 2028
Senate: November 2028
House of Representatives: November 2028

Puerto Rico does not have voting rights in the U.S. federal legislature nor in electing its federal head of state.

Main Political Parties

Puerto Rico has five officially registered political parties, although only two - the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) and the New Progressive Party (PNP) - hold significant political power. The five main parties are:

• New Progressive Party (PNP): a centrist to centre-right party that advocates for Puerto Rico to become a U.S. state. It generally supports liberal economic policies
• Popular Democratic Party (PPD): a centrist, liberal party that supports maintaining and enhancing Puerto Rico’s current status as a U.S. commonwealth, with greater autonomy.
• Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP): a centre-left party that promotes full independence for Puerto Rico. It follows a social democratic platform.
• Citizens' Victory Movement (Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana, MVC): a progressive, left-wing party that opposes neoliberalism and colonialism. It advocates for participatory democracy and social justice.
• Dignity Project Party (Proyecto Dignidad, PD): founded in 2020, it is a socially conservative, right-wing party based on Christian democratic principles. It emphasizes anti-corruption, traditional values, and individual liberties.

Executive Power

In Puerto Rico, the executive branch is headed by the Governor, who serves as the head of government and commander-in-chief of the island’s National Guard. The Governor appoints judges, including those to the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Both the Governor and members of the Legislative Assembly are elected by popular vote every four years. While Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, the Head of State is the President of the United States. However, residents of Puerto Rico cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections, although they can participate in presidential primaries.

Legislative Power

The legislative branch of Puerto Rico consists of a bicameral Legislative Assembly, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 27 members, and the House has 51 members; all are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. The Legislative Assembly is responsible for enacting, amending, and repealing the laws of Puerto Rico. However, as an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Rico's laws and governance remain subject to the jurisdiction and ultimate authority of the U.S. Congress under the Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution.