ame of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu
conventional short form: Vanuatu
former: New Hebrides

Data code: NH

Type of government: republic

Capital: Port-Vila

Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma,
Shefa, Tafea, Torba

Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980)

Constitution: 30 July 1980

Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French
and British systems

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jean Marie LEYE (since 2 March 1994) was
elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of
Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils
head of government: Prime Minister Maxime Carlot KORMAN (since 23
February 1996) was elected by Parliament from among its members;
Deputy Prime Minister Donald KALPOKAS (since 23 February 1996) was
appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament;
note - Prime Minister VOHOR resigned 7 February 1996 when faced with
a no-confidence vote in Parliament; Parliament then convened an
extraordinary session and voted 30 to 20 to elect Maxime Carlot
KORMAN as the new prime minister
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister,
responsible to Parliament

Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 30 November 1995 (next to be held NA
November 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (50
total) UMP 17, VP 14, NUP 9, MPP 5, TU 2, Na-Griamel Movement 1,
Friend Melanesian Party 1, independent 1; note - after the election,
a coalition was formed by the Union of Moderate Parties and the
National United Party to form a new government on 14 December 1995,
but political party associations are fluid
note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom
and land

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is appointed by the
president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader
of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the
president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission

Political parties and leaders: Union of Moderate Parties (UMP),
Serge VOHOR; National United Party (NUP), Walter LINI; Unity Front
(UF) includes the Vanuatu Party (VP), Donald KALPOKAS, Melanesian
Progressive Party (MPP), Barak SOPE, Tan Union (TU), Vinc