Under the constitution that came into force in 1980, Peru is governed by a president with wide executive powers who is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The president appoints the government. The bicameral legislature consists of a Senate (60 members) and Chamber of Deputies (180 members); legisaltors are also elected for a five-year term.
The parties that have dominated the political arena in recent years are Alianza Popular Revolucionaria (APRA), Izquierda Unida (IU or United Left), Accion Popular (AP or Popular Action). Alberto Fujimori Fujimori, who was elected president in June 1990, is the leader of a newly formed Cambio 90 (Change 90) movement.