a, Ioannina, Irakleion, Kardhitsa, Kastoria, Kavala,
Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Khalkidhiki, Khania, Khios, Kikladhes, Kilkis,
Korinthia, Kozani, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lesvos, Levkas,
Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethimni, Rodhopi,
Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi,
Zakinthos

Independence: 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

National holiday: Independence Day, 25 March (1821)

Constitution: 11 June 1975; amended March 1986

Legal system: based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into
civil, criminal, and administrative courts

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch: chief of state: President Konstandinos (Kostis)
STEPHANOPOULOS (since 10 March 1995)

head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos SIMITIS (since 19
January 1996)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation
of the prime minister

elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term;
election last held 8 February 2000 (next to be held by NA March
2005); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Konstandinos STEPHANOPOULOS reelected president;
percent of Parliament vote - 90%

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300
seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year
terms)

elections: elections last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held by NA
April 2004)

election results: percent of vote by party - PASOK 43.8%, ND 42.7%,
KKE 5.5%, Coalition of the Left and Progress 3.2%; seats by party -
PASOK 158, ND 125, KKE 11, Coalition of the Left and Progress 6

Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal;
all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation
with a judicial council

Political parties and leaders: Coalition of the Left and Progress
(Synaspismos) [Nikolaos KONSTANDOPOULOS]; Communist Party of Greece
or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; New Democracy or ND (conservative)
[Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK
[Konstandinos SIMITIS]

Political pressure groups and leaders: NA

International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,
BSEC, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, G- 6, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO,
NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE,