Government and Politics of Cape Verde

Government Type

republic

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

Legal System

derived from the legal system of Portugal

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cabo Verde dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Jose Maria NEVES (since 9 November 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Ulisses CORREIA SILVA (since 22 April 2016) 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; election last held on 17 October 2021 (next to be held in 2026); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president election results: Jose Maria NEVES elected president; percent of vote - Jose Maria NEVES (PAICV) 51.7%, Casimiro DE PINA (independent) 11.6%, Gilson ALVES (independent) 11.2%, other 25.5%

Legislative Branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 52.3%, MPD 44%, UCID 2.7%; seats by party - PAICV 41, MPD 29, ADM 2

Judicial Branch

Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia

Political Parties

African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change or ADM [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID); Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES, chairman]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO, president]; Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES, president]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO, president]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES, president]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM, president]

Head of State

President Pedro Verona PIRES

Head of Government

Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES

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 in February 2011); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president

Election Results

Pedro PIRES reelected president; percent of vote - Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 51.2%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 48.8%

Constitution

new constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing the powers of the president, and a further revision in 1999, to create the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)

Independence

5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

International Organization Participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Jose BRITO chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 consulate(s) general: Boston

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Roger D. PIERCE embassy: Rua Abilio m. Macedo 81, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 261 56 16, 261 56 17 FAX: [238] 261 13 55

Capital City

Praia

Location

14 55 N, 23 31 W

Time Difference

UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

the earlier Portuguese name was Villa de Praia ("Village of the Beach"); it became just Praia in 1974 (prior to full independence in 1975)

Embassy Praia Address: Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia, Santiago, Cabo Verde Telephone: 238-260-8900 (general switchboard), 238-260-8948 (American Citizen Services) Emergency after-hours telephone: 238-991-3325 Facsimile: 238-261-1355

Military Branches

Armed Forces: Army (also called the National Guard, GN), Cabo Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV; includes naval infantry)

Service Age and Obligation

18-35 years of age for male and female selective compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; 17 years of age for voluntary service (with parental consent)