The president and vice-president are elected by direct secret popular vote for a period of five years. The president appoints the ministers of state that work as counselors to the president and make up the Cabinet Council. There are thirteen ministries: Ministry of the Presidency, Ministry of Government and Justice, Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), Ministry of Canal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Relations, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MICI), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Works (MOP), Ministry of Labor and Job Development (MITRAB), Ministry of Housing (MIVI), and Ministry of Youth, Children, Women and Family.
The legislative branch consists of a unicameral legislature composed by 71 members and is known as the National Assembly. Its members are elected by direct secret popular vote from electoral districts for five years terms. The legislative branch must approve all president nominations for ministers of state and high court judges. The National Assembly has the power to create, modify, or repeal laws, ratify treaties, and approve the national budget among other