constitutional power
[ˌkɑːnstɪˈtjuːʃənəl ˈpaʊər]
nounpl: constitutional powers
poder constitucional
1. Authority granted to a government branch or official by the constitution to exercise specific governmental functions
The president's constitutional power to veto legislation is a crucial check on the legislative branch.
O poder constitucional do presidente de vetar a legislação é um controle crucial sobre o poder legislativo.
2. A legal right or authority that derives directly from and is limited by constitutional provisions
Congress exercises constitutional powers over taxation and interstate commerce.
O Congresso exerce poderes constitucionais sobre tributação e comércio interestadual.
3. The aggregate of powers delegated by the constitution to the different branches of government
The separation of constitutional powers ensures a system of checks and balances.
A separação dos poderes constitucionais garante um sistema de pesos e contrapesos.
This term is fundamental to both American and Brazilian political systems, as both nations are constitutional democracies. In Brazil, understanding 'poderes constitucionais' is essential to comprehending the 1988 Federal Constitution (Constituição Federal de 1988). The concept reflects the principle of limited government where all governmental authority must be grounded in constitutional provisions, representing a safeguard against authoritarianism.
Related Idioms & Phrases
within constitutional powers
exercise constitutional power
exceed constitutional powers
constitutional powers of the state
inherent constitutional power
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