h law with special adaptations for local
conditions, such as housing and taxation

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of
France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Remi THUAU (since
NA)

head of government: President of the General Council Bernard LE
SOAVEC (since NA 1996)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a
seven-year term; election last held 7 May 1995 (next to be held NA
May 2002); prefect appointed by the French president on the advice
of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the General Council
is elected by the members of the council

Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General
(19 seats - 15 from Saint Pierre and 4 from Miquelon; members are
elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: elections last held NA April 2000 (next to be held NA
April 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
NA

note: Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect 1 seat to the French Senate;
elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September
2004); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR
1; Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects 1 seat to the French
National Assembly; elections last held 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to
be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - UDF 1

Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Superieur
d'Appel

Political parties and leaders: Rassemblement pour la Republique or
RPR [leader NA]; Socialist Party or PS [leader NA]; Union pour la
Democratie Francaise or UDF [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders: NA

International organization participation: FZ, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territorial collectivity
of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territorial
collectivity of France)

Flag description: a yellow sailing ship facing the hoist side rides
on a dark blue background with a black wave line under the ship; on
the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top
part is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners
overlaid by a white cross dividing the square into four sections;
the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the
third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions
outlined in black, one on top of the other; the f