FAQs: From Election to Transition

A few months ago, Guatemalans freely exercised our right to vote, electing those who will govern for the next four years.

Between the election and the inauguration, which is when the power transition culminates and the newly elected authorities assume office, many events have occurred. These range from the normal procedures that must be followed for the elected authorities to get acquainted with the institutions they will lead (this is the transition process) to criminal investigations and other events that endanger our republican and democratic system.

All of this can be found in our timeline.

If I am right-wing or left-wing, why is it important for this transition process to be completed for there to be alternation in power?

Guaranteeing alternation prevents the abuse of power or incumbent rulers from trying to concentrate it and remain indefinitely. Authorities must change after a certain period (as established by our Constitution) because if they perpetuate themselves in power, they can become arbitrary or authoritarian, endangering the individual freedom of each of us, the citizens.

Respecting the transition for alternation in power reaffirms the commitment to a system of laws and norms that apply equally to all, that is, the Rule of Law and the constitutional order. That is why it is important to respect the election results and guarantee the transition of power to safeguard our will expressed in the elections.

This is not a matter of ideologies or personal preferences, but of maintaining our constitutional order and thus keeping our Republic alive.

What happens if an effective power transition is not completed?

If the transition process does not culminate with the swearing-in of the authorities elected in the past elections, several essential rights and principles of our Republic would be violated.

On the one hand, the rights of those who were elected and of all Guatemalans who freely voted are violated. On the other hand, it opens the door to non-compliance with our constitution and abuses of power that can then be used in the same way to violate our freedom of expression, association, justice, security, and the development of our lives. A truly republican system guarantees limits to public power so that it does not overstep its bounds or try to concentrate power and use it for its own benefit or against us, the citizens.

Our constitution establishes that citizens must ensure the freedom and purity of the electoral process, as well as defend the principle of alternation, so we must prevent the transition from being interrupted or incomplete.

Some repercussions of the transition process not being completed: a prolonged political crisis that can contribute to social instability, international isolation, economic impact, and serious institutional weakening.

What does the fulfillment of the power transition depend on?

The election results were officialized on August 29, 2023. Therefore, the result cannot be changed.

On January 14, 2024, Congress takes office and swears in the elected duo formed by Bernardo Arévalo and Karin Herrera. The next day, January 15, all mayoralties assume office.

In our republican and democratic system, there is no mechanism that allows for an alteration of these results between now and January 14, 2024.

Why did MCN create the tool and campaign: from election to transition?

We promote this tool because we are committed to strengthening institutions and consolidating the Republic in Guatemala. We believe that a political system with certainty where individual sovereignty (an expression of which is the free vote we cast in democratic elections) and the alternation of power are respected contributes to a solid Republic.

We are at a historic moment where citizen participation is fundamental. Therefore, this tool allows us to jointly oversee the actions of public power.

Just as we ensure the transition of power, we will demand that the new authorities fulfill their duties and functions.