Long-form name: Republic of San Marino

Type: republic

Capital: San Marino

Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (castelli, singular--castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Monte Giardino, San Marino, Serravalle

Independence: 301 (by tradition)

Constitution: 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitution

Legal system: based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

National holiday: Anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic, 3 September

Branches: the Grand and General Council is the legislative body elected by popular vote; its 60 members serve five-year terms; Council in turn elects two captains-regent who exercise executive power for term of six months, the Congress of State, whose members head government administrative departments, and the Council of Twelve, the supreme judicial body; actual executive power is wielded by the secretary of state for foreign affairs and the secretary of state for internal affairs

Leaders: Gabriele GATTI (Christian Democrat), Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs and for Information (since July 1986); Alvaro SELVA (Communist), Secretary of State for Internal Affairs and Justice (since July 1978); Clara BOSCAGLIA (Christian Democrat), Secretary of State for Finance and Budget (since May 1988)

Suffrage: universal

Elections: election of members to the Grand and General Council required at least every five years; last election held 29 May 1988

Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (DCS), Gabriele Gatti; Communist Party (PCS), Gilberto Ghiotti; Socialist Unity Party (PSU), Emilio Della Balda and Patrizia Busignani; San Marino Socialist Party (PSS), Antonio Volpinari; San Marino Social Democratic Party (PSDS), Augusto Casali; San Marino Republican Party (PRS), Cristoforo Buscarini

Voting strength: (1988 election) DCS 27 seats, PCS 18 seats, PSU 8 seats, PSS 7 seats

Communists: about 300 members; the PCS, in conjunction with the PSS, PSU, and PSDS, has led the government since 1978

Other political parties or pressure groups: political parties influenced by policies of their counterparts in Italy

Member of: ICJ, International Institute for Unification of Private Law, International Relief Union, ITU, IRC, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WTO; observer status in NAM

Diplomatic representation: none; US--no mission in San Marino, but the Consul General in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino; Consul General Diane DILLARD; Consulate General at 38 Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, Florence, Italy; telephone 298-276

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word @m5LIBERTAS (Liberty)

NOTE: The information regarding San Marino on this page is re-published from the 1989 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of San Marino Government 1989 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about San Marino Government 1989 should be addressed to the CIA.