Capital: Saint-Pierre
Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of
France)
note: there are no first-order administrative divisions approved by
the US Government, but there are two communes—Saint Pierre, Miquelon
Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France; has been
under French control since 1763)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
(1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law with special adaptations for local conditions, such as housing and taxation
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May
1995), represented by Prefect Remi THUAU (since NA)
head of government: President of the General Council Bernard LE
SOAVEC (since NA 1996)
cabinet: NA
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year
term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the
French Ministry of Interior; president of the General Council is
elected by the members of the council
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General
(19 seats—15 from Saint Pierre and 4 from Miquelon; members are
elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)
elections: elections last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA
April 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—RPR
15, other 4
note: Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect 1 seat to the French Senate;
elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September
2004); results—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—RPR 1;
Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects 1 seat to the French National
Assembly; elections last held 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to be held NA
2002); results—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—UDF 1
Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal
Superieur d'Appel