Uruguay
conventional short form: Uruguay
local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay
local short form : Uruguay

Data code: UY

Government type: republic

National capital: Montevideo

Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular -
departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno,
Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio
Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y
Tres

Independence: 25 August 1828 (from Brazil)

National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1828)

Constitution: 27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27
June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980;
constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 7 January 1997

Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Julio Maria SANGUINETTI (since 1 March 1995)
and Vice President Hugo BATALLA (since 1 March 1995); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government as well as
the Senate president
head of government : President Julio Maria SANGUINETTI (since 1 March
1995) and Vice President Hugo BATALLA (since 1 March 1995); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government as well as
the Senate president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections : president and vice president elected on the same ticket by
popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 November 1994
(next to be held NA November 1999)
election results: Julio Maria SANGUINETTI elected president; percent
of vote - NA

Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General
consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and
Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 November 1994 (next to
be held NA November 1999); Chamber of Representatives - last held 27
November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -
Colorado 36%, Blanco 34%, Encuentro Progresista 27%, New Sector 3%;
seats by party - Colorado 11, Blanco 10, Encuentro Progresista 8, New
Sector 1; Chamber of Repre