urquiza united the provinces in the san nicolás agreement, seeking consensus for the new constitution. the constituent assembly met in santa fe, and wrote the argentine constitution of 1853. the constitution established a representative, republican and federal government. the legislative power was bicameral, and the executive power was held by a president, elected by an electoral college, with a six-years long mandate and with no chance of reelection. the judiciary was accepted as an independent power. the catholic church was appointed the official religion of the country, but allowing freedom of religion.