form a new government; the Fiji Court of Appeals upheld
GATES' decision on 1 March 2001; it ruled that the 1997 constitution
had not been abrogated, Parliament had not been dissolved, only
prorogued for six months, and that the presidency remained vacant
since MARA's resignation took effect 15 December 2000; President
Ratu Josefa ILOILO reinstated QARASE's interim government as the
caretaker government and elections were scheduled for August 2001;
approximately 23 fluid political parties are currently jockeying for
power

chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILO (since NA 2000); Vice
President Jope SENILOLI (since NA 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since NA 2000);
Deputy Prime Minister Epeli NAILATIKAU (since NA 2000)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the
members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note -there
is also a Presidential Council that advises the president on matters
of national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs which consists
of the highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system

elections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a
five-year term; prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Ratu Josefa ILOILO elected president by the Great
Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA%

Finland:
chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March
2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Paavo LIPPONEN (since 13 April
1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sauli NIINISTO (since 13 April 1995)

cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the
president, responsible to Parliament

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;
election last held 6 February 2000 (next to be held NA February
2006); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed from the
majority party by the president after parliamentary elections

election results: Tarja HALONEN elected president; percent of vote
- Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 51.6%, Esco AHO (Kesk) 48.4%

note: government coalition - SDP, Kok, Leftist Alliance (People's
Democratic Union and Democratic Alternative), SFP, and Green Union

France:
chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995)

head of government: Prime Minister Lionel JOSPIN (since 3 June 1997)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the