Type: overseas department of France

Capital: Saint-Denis

Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)

Independence: none (overseas department of France)

National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)

Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system: French law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
head of government: Prefect of Reunion Island Hubert FOURNIER (since
NA)
cabinet: Council of Ministers

Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional
Council
General Council: elections last held March 1994 (next to be held NA);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) PCR 12, PS
12, UDF 11, RPR 5, others 7
Regional Council: elections last held 25 June 1993 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (45 total) UPF 17,
Free-Dom Movement 13, PCR 9, PS 6
French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1992 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (3 total) RPR 1,
FRA 1, independent 1
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993
(next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (5 total) PS 1, PCR 1, UPF 1, RPR 1, UDF-CDS 1