Type: overseas territory of France since 1946
Capital: Papeete
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there
are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US
Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des
Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent,
and Iles Sous-le-Vent
note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French
Polynesia
Independence: none (overseas territory of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: based on French system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981);
High Commissioner of the Republic Paul RONCIERE (since 8 August 1994)
head of government: President of the Territorial Government of French
Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 10 May 1991); Deputy to the French
Assembly and President of the Territorial Assembly Jean JUVENTIN
(since NA November 1992); Territorial Vice President and Minister of
Health Michel BUILLARD (since 12 September 1991)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of
the Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers
Legislative branch: unicameral
Territorial Assembly: elections last held 17 March 1991 (next to be
held March 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41
total) People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 18, Polynesian Union
Party 12, New Fatherland Party 7, other 4
French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held
September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1
total) party NA
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993
(next to be held NA March 1998); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (2 total) People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2