Tuvalu--Government

CIA FactbookThe World Factbook 1993: Tuvalu Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tuvalu former: Ellice Islands

Digraph: TV

Type: democracy; began debating republic status in 1992; referendum expected in 1993

Capital: Funafuti

Administrative divisions: none

Independence: 1 October 1978 (from UK)

Constitution: 1 October 1978

Legal system: NA

National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1978)

Political parties and leaders: none

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Elections:

Parliament: last held 28 September 1989 (next to be held by NA September 1993); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (12 total)

Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Palamene)

Judicial branch: High Court

Leaders:

Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Toaripi LAUTI (since NA 1992)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Bikenibeu PAENIU (since 16 October 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Alesana SELUKA (since October 1989)

Member of: ACP, C (special), ESCAP, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant)

US diplomatic representation: none

Flag: 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