Government (Estonia)
====================


     Long-form name:
         Republic of Estonia
     Type:
         republic
     Capital:
         Tallinn
     Administrative divisions:
         none - all districts are under direct republic jurisdiction
     Independence:
         8 November 1917; occupied by Germany in March 1918 and restored to power in
         November 1918; annexed by USSR 6 August 1940; declared independence 20
         August 1991 and regained independence from USSR 6 September 1991
     Constitution:
         currently rewriting constitution, but readopted the constitution of 1938
     Legal system:
         based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
     National holiday:
         Independence Day, 24 February (1918)
     Executive branch:
         prime minister
     Legislative branch:
         unicameral Supreme Council
     Judicial branch:
         Supreme Court
     Leaders:
       Chief of State:
         Chairman, Supreme Council Arnold R'UTEL (since April 1983)
       Head of Government:
         Prime Minister Tiit VAHI (since January 1992)
     Political parties and leaders:
         Popular Front of Estonia (Rahvarinne), NA chairman; Estonian Christian
         Democratic Party, Aivar KALA, chairman; Estonian Christian Democratic Union,
         Illar HALLASTE, chairman; Estonian Heritage Society (EMS), Trivimi VELLISTE,
         chairman; Estonian National Independence Party (ERSP), Lagle PAREK,
         chairman; Estonian Social Democratic Party, Marju LAURISTIN, chairman;
         Estonian Green Party, Tonu OJA; Independent Estonian Communist Party, Vaino
         VALJAS; People's Centrist Party, Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman
     Suffrage:
         universal at age 18
     Elections:
       Congress of Estonia:
         last held March 1990 (next to be held NA); note - Congress of Estonia is a
         quasi-governmental structure; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
         (495 total) number of seats by party NA
       President:
         last held NA 1990; (next to be held NA); results - NA
       Supreme Council:
         last held 18 March 1990; (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by
         party NA; seats - (105 total) number of seats by party NA
     Other political or pressure groups:
         NA
     Member of:
         CSCE, IAEA, ICFTU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD
     Diplomatic representation:
         Ambassador Ernst JAAKSON, Legation of Estonia, Office of Consulate General,
         9 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1421, New York, NY 10020; telephone (212)
         247-1450