short form: none local long form:
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

Government type: Communist state

Capital: Vientiane

Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural),
1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special
zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai,
Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai,
Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli,
Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang

Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)

National holiday: Republic Day, 2 December (1975)

Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991

Legal system: based on traditional customs, French legal norms and
procedures, and Socialist practice

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since
26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since
27 March 2001) head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit
(since 27 March 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli
(since NA May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since
27 March 2001), and Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26
February 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president,
approved by the National Assembly elections: president elected by the
National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 February
2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister appointed by the president
with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term election
results: KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly
vote - NA%

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (109 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - total number
of seats increased from 99 to 109 for the 2002 election) elections:
last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007) election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved
(independent, non-party members) 109

Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's
Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation
of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the
People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National
Assembly Standing Committee)

Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP