Article (160)
In case the President of the Republic is temporarily prevented from assuming his powers, the
Prime Minister shall act in his place.
If the President of the Republic's office becomes vacant due to his resignation, death, or
permanent inability to work, the House of Representatives shall announce the vacancy. If such
vacancy is attributable to any other reason, such announcement shall be made by a majority of at
least two thirds of the members of House of Representatives. The House of Representatives shall
then notify the National Electoral Commission, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
shall temporarily assume the powers of the President of Republic.
In case the House of Representatives has not been elected, the General Assembly of the Supreme
Constitutional Court and its Chairman shall replace the House of Representatives and its Speaker
with respect to the above.
In all events, a new President must be elected within a period not exceeding ninety (90) days as
of the date of vacancy. In such a case, the presidential term shall start as of the date of
announcement of the election results.
The interim President may not run for presidency or request any amendment to the Constitution
or dissolve the House of Representatives or dismiss the Government.
Article (161)
The House of Representatives may propose to withdraw confidence from the President of the
Republic and hold early presidential elections upon filing a reasoned motion to be signed by at
least the majority of the members of the House of Representatives and upon approval of twothirds of its members. The motion may only be filed once for the same reason within the
presidential term.
Upon approval of the proposal to withdraw confidence, the matter of withdrawing confidence
from the President of the Republic and holding early presidential elections shall be put to public
referendum to be called by the Prime Minister. If the majority approves the decision to withdraw
confidence, the President of the Republic shall be relieved from his office, the office of the
President of the Republic shall be deemed vacant, and early presidential elections shall be held
within sixty (60) days as of the date of announcing the results of referendum. If the result of the
referendum is in the negative, the House of Representatives shall be deemed dissolved, and the
President of the Republic shall call for election of a new House of Representatives within thirty
(30) days as of the date of dissolution.
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