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The constitution first approved in 1980 and substantially revised in 1992 forms the basis of government organization. It declares that the government is the "organ that defines, leads, and executes the general internal and external policy of the country" and is responsible to the National Assembly. The Prime Minister is the head of the government and as such proposes other ministers and secretaries of state. Members of the National Assembly are elected by popular vote for 5-year terms; the most recent elections were held in 1995. The Prime Minister is nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the President. The President is the head of state and is elected by popular vote for a 5-year term; the most recent elections were held in 2000. The judicial system is comprised of a Supreme Court of Justice--whose members are appointed by the President, the National Assembly, and the Superior Board of the Magistrature--and regional courts. Separate courts hear civil and criminal cases. Appeal to the Supreme Court is possible.
Cape Verde maintains an embassy in the United States at 3415 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, D.C. 20007 (tel. 202-965-6820) and a consulate in Boston (tel. 617-353-0014).
Following independence in 1975, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) established a one party political system. This become the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) in 1980, as Cape Verde sought to distance itself from Guinea-Bissau, following unrest in that country.
In 1991, following growing pressure for a more pluralistic society, multi-party elections were held for the first time. The opposition party, the Movement for Democracy (MpD), won the legislative elections, and formed the government. The MpD candidate also defeated the PAICV candidate in the presidential elections. In the 1996 elections, the MpD increased their majority, but in the 2001 the PAICV returned to power, winning both the Legislative and the Presidential elections.
Generally, Cape Verde enjoys a stable democratic system. The elections have been considered free and fair, there is a free press, and the rule of law is respected by the State
Country name:
conventional long form:
Republic of Cape Verde
conventional short form:
Cape Verde
local long form:
Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form: Cabo Verde
Data code: CV
Government type: republic
Capital: Praia
Administrative divisions:
Cape Verde is divided into 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho): Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros , Paul , Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande , Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos , Sao Filip , Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau , Sao Vicente, Tarrafal
Independence:
5 July 1975 (from PortugalRepublica Portuguesa ( In Detail) National motto: None Official language Portuguese 3 Capital Lisbon President Jorge Sampaio Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes Area Total % water World ranking: 109th 92,391 km²0. 5 % Population Total ( 2004) Density World)National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution: new constitution came into force 25 SeptemberSeptember 25 is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years). There are 97 days remaining. Events 275 M. Claudius Tacitus appointed Roman emperor by the senate. 303 On a voyage preaching the gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona was beheaded in Amiens, Fran 19921992 is a leap year starting on Wednesday. Events January January The Internet Society is formed. January 1 Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General January 1 George H. Bush becomes the fi
Legal system: derived from the legal system of Portugal
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Previous chief of state:
President Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (since 22 MarchMarch 22 is the 81st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (82nd in Leap years). There are 284 days remaining. Events 238 Gordian I and his son Gordian II are proclaimed Roman emperors 1621 The Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony sign a peace treaty with Mass 19911991 like 2002, is a palindromic year. It also has the same calendar as 2002, including Easter on March 31. It is a common year starting on Tuesday. Events January January 2 Sharon Pratt Dixon is sworn in as mayor of Washington, DC becoming the first blac) (until March 2001)
Current chief of state: President Pedro Pires (since March 2001)
Previous head of government:
Prime Minister Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho VEIGA (since 13 JanuaryJanuary 13 is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It is still celebrated as New Year's Eve by those on the Julian calendar. There are 352 days remaining (353 in a leap year). Events 888 Odo, Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks. 1847 1991) (until February 2001)
Current head of government: Prime minister José Maria Neves, since February 2001..
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister from among the members of the National Assembly
elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election held 18 February 1996 (last held 2001); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president
election results in 1996::
Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro reelected president; percent of vote - Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (independent) 80.1%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:
held 17 December 1995 (lastheld NA December 2000)
election results in 199:
percent of vote by party - MPD5: 61.3%, PAICV 29.8%, PCD 6.7%, other 2.2%; seats by party - MPD 50, PAICV 21, PCD 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia
Political parties and leaders:
African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV ( Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES , chairman); Movement for Democracy or MPD (Prime Minister Carlos VEIGA, founder and president); Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD ( Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO , president); Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS ( Dr. Oresimo SILVEIRA , president)International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC , ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, International Maritime Organization, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ferdinand Amilcar Spencer LOPES
chancery:
3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:
[1] (202) 965-6820
FAX:
[1] (202) 965-1207
consulate(s) general:
Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Lawrence Neal BENEDICT
embassy:
Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praia
mailing address:
C. P. 201, Praia
telephone:
[238] 61 56 16
FAX:
[238] 61 13 55
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