Government of Cape Verde Islands
Long Conventional Name
Republic of Cape Verde
Short Conventional Name
Cape Verde
Long Local Name
Republica de Cabo Verde
Short Local Name
Cabo Verde
Government Type
Republic
Capital City
Ssese Islands
Administrative Divisions
17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal
Independence Day
Saturday, 5th July 1975
Constitutional History
New constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing the powers of the president; a 1999 revision created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)
Legal System
Derived from the legal system of Portugal
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch
Chief of State
President Pedro Verona PIRES (since 22 March 2001)
Head of Government
Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001)
Cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
Elections
President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 12 February 2006 (next to be held February 2011); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president
Legislative Branch
Unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Judical Branch
Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia
Flag Description
Three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands
