Circumstances

A vote of no confidence against one or up to four ministers may originate in the Congress following an interpellation (Article 166 of the Constitution).

Modalites

Any deputy may address additional questions that he/she deems pertinent and related to the matter or matters underlying his/her interpellation to a minister. It is from the latter that a vote of no confidence may originate, which must be petitioned by four deputies, at least, and carried out without delay, in the same session or in one of the two immediately subsequent ones. A vote of no confidence must be approved by no less than an absolute majority of all deputies.

Consequences

If a vote of no confidence in a minister is taken, the minister will immediately present his/her resignation. The President may accept it, but if he/she considers in the Council of Ministers that the censored act or acts are consistent with the national interest and policy of the Government, the interpellated minister will be able to appeal to the Congress within eight days. Otherwise, he/she is considered dismissed from his/her position and disqualified from exercising the duty of minister for a period of not less than six months. If the minister affected appeals to the Congress after hearing the explanations presented and the matter discussed, a vote will be taken on the ratification of no confidence, whose approval will call for the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of deputies. Should the no confidence vote be ratified, the minister is dismissed from his/her position immediately. If a vote of no confidence is passed against several ministers, the procedure will be the same.