Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Wallis and Futuna

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Wallis and Futuna.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: NA
Administrative Divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis
Legal System: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Citizenship: see France
Executive Branch: chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON of France (since 14 May 2017), represented by Prefect Blaise GOURTAY (since 2022) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Munipoese MULI'AKA'AKA (since March 2022) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are three traditional kings — the kings of Uvea, Sigave, and Alo — who hold customary authority with limited formal powers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the prefect (high administrator) is appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly
Legislative Branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 11 March 2002 (next to be held March 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR and affiliates 13, Socialists and affiliates 7 note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate - elections last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held by September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats - RPR (now UMP) 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 16 June 2002 (next to be held by NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats - RPR (UMP) 1
Judicial Branch: none; justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu
Political Parties: Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) [leader NA]; Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG [leader NA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR (UMP) [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Socialist Party or PS [leader NA]; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF [leader NA]
Head of State: Nicolas SARKOZY
Head of Government: Pesamino TAPUTAI
Cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly
Elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Independence: none (overseas territory of France)
National Holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
International Organization Participation: FZ
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: none (overseas territory of France)
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: none (overseas territory of France)

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
Location: 13 57 S, 171 56 W
Time Difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag Symbolism: a large white modified Maltese cross - shifted a little off center toward the fly and slightly downward - on a red background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Flag History: Originally a red flag with a white cross pattee was used in the 19th century in Uvea. The cross was introduced by the first Marist Brothers, the French missionaries who established the missions. When, in 1886, the Queen of Wallis accepted the French Protectorate it was agreed to charge the canton with the French tricolore.
Date of Adoption: 1985

National Anthem

Anthem History: a French overseas territory

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