Tuvalu
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Government
Country name:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Tuvalu
former:
Ellice Islands
Data code:
TV
Government type:
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy; began debating republic status in 1992
Capital:
Funafuti
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
1 October 1978 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 October (1978)
Constitution:
1 October 1978
Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Tomasi PUAPUA (since 26 June 1998)
head of government:
Prime Minister Ionatana IONATANA (since NA April 1999) and Deputy Prime Minister Lagitupu (of Nanumea) TUILIMU (since NA April 1999)
cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections:
the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament; election last held 27 April 1999 (next to be held NA 2002)
election results:
Ionatana IONATANA elected prime minister; percent of Parliament vote - NA; Lagitupu (of Nanumea) TUILIMU elected deputy prime minister; percent of Parliament vote - NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (12 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:
last held 26-27 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002)
election results:
percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 12
Judicial branch:
eight Island Courts; High Court; note - a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over sessions of the High Court
Political parties and leaders:
there are no political parties but members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings
International organization participation:
ACP, AsDB, C (special), ESCAP, IFRCS (associate), Intelsat (nonsignatory user), ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu
Flag description:
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands
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