Constitution: 3 November 1978
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO (since 25 October
1993) election last held 4 October 1993 (next to be held NA October
1998); results - President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO was elected by the
House of Assembly to a five-year term
head of government: Prime Minister (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES (since 21
July 1980, elected for a third term 28 May 1990)
cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president on the advice of the
prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 28 May 1990 (next to be held by
October 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30
total; 9 appointed senators and 21 elected representatives) DFP 11,
UWP 6, DLP 4
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Brian
ALLEYNE; Dominica Labor Party (DLP), Rosie DOUGLAS; United Workers
Party (UWP), Edison JAMES
Other political or pressure groups: Dominica Liberation Movement
(DLM), a small leftist group
Member of: ACCT, ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD,
ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, NAM
(observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: Dominica has no embassy in the US
consulate(s) general: New York