National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
Constitution: 29 January 1968
Legal system: acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 17 June 1998);
note—the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 17 June 1998);
note—the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members
of Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament for a three-year term;
election last held 17 June 1998 (next to be held NA 2001)
election results: Bernard DOWIYOGO elected president; percent of
Parliament vote—NA
note: former President Kinza CLODUMAR was deposed in a no-confidence
vote
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (18 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms)
elections: last held 8 February 1997 (next to be held NA February
2000)
election results: percent of vote—NA; seats—independents 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: loose multi-party system; Nauru
International organization participation: AsDB, C (special),
ESCAP, ICAO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW,
Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Nauru does not have an
embassy in the US
consulate(s): Hagatna (Guam)