Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986
National capital: Palikir
Administrative divisions: 4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk), Yap
Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN
Trusteeship)
National holiday: Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia, 10 May (1979)
Constitution: 10 May 1979
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacob NENA (acting president since NA July 1996, president since 9 May 1997); Vice President Leo A. FALCAM (since 9 May 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Vice President Jacob NENA became acting president in July 1996 after President Bailey OLTER suffered a stroke; OLTER was declared incapacitated in November 1996; as provided for by the constitution, 180 days later, with OLTER still unable to resume his duties, NENA was sworn in as the new president; he will serve for the remaining two years of OLTER's term head of government: President Jacob NENA (acting president since NA July 1996, president since 9 May 1997); Vice President Leo A. FALCAM (since 9 May 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Vice President Jacob NENA became acting president in July 1996 after President Bailey OLTER suffered a stroke; OLTER was declared incapacitated in November 1996; as provided for by the constitution, 180 days later, with OLTER still unable to resume his duties, NENA was sworn in as the new president; he will serve for the remaining two years of OLTER's term cabinet: Cabinet elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators-at-large for four-year terms; election last held 11 May 1995 (next to be held NA May 1999); note-because of the vacancy to the post of vice president created after NENA left to become acting president, a new election to fill the position for the remaining two years of the term was held on 9 May 1997 (next to be held NA May 1999) election results: Bailey OLTER reelected president; percent of Congress vote-NA; Leo A. FALCAM elected vice president; percent of Congress vote-NA
Legislative branch: unicameral Congress (14 seats; members elected by popular vote; four - one elected from each of state-to serve four-year terms and 10-elected from single-member districts delineated by population-to serve two-year terms) elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 7 March 1995 (next to be held NA March 1999); elections for two-year term seats last held NA March 1997 (next to be held NA March 1999) election results: percent of vote-NA; seats-independents 14