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Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Estonia
conventional short form:
Estonia
local long form:
Eesti Vabariik
local short form:
Eesti
former:
Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
Digraph:
EN
Type:
republic
Capital:
Tallinn
Administrative divisions:
15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond) and 6 municipalities*:
Harju maakond (Tallinn), Hiiu maakond (Kardla), Ida-Viru maakond
(Johvi), Jarva maakond (Paide), Jogeva maakond (Jogeva),
Kohtla-Jarve*, Laane maakond (Haapsalu), Laane-Viru maakond (Rakvere),
Narva*, Parnu*, Parnu maakond (Parnu), Polva maakond (Polva), Rapla
maakond (Rapla), Saare maakond (Kuessaare), Sillamae*, Tallinn*,
Tartu*, Tartu maakond (Tartu), Valga maakond (Valga), Viljandi maakond
(Viljandi), Voru maakond (Voru)
note:
county centers are in parentheses
Independence:
6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 24 February (1918)
Constitution:
adopted 28 June 1992
Legal system:
based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Lennart MERI (since 21 October 1992); election last held 20
September 1992; (next to be held NA 1997); results - no candidate
received majority; newly elected Parliament elected Lennart MERI (21
October 1992)
head of government:
Prime Minister Mart LAAR (since 21 October 1992)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister, authorized by
the legislature
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament (Riigikogu):
elections last held 20 September 1992; (next to be held NA); results -
Fatherland 21%, Safe Haven 14%, Popular Front 13%, M 10%, ENIP 8%, ERP
7%, ERL 7%, EP 2%, other 18%; seats - (101 total) Fatherland 29, Safe
Haven 18, Popular Front 15, M 12, ENIP 10, ERP 8, ERL 8, EP 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
National Coalition Party 'Pro Patria' (Isamaa of Fatherland), Mart
LAAR, president, made up of 4 parties: Christian Democratic Party
(KDE), Aivar KALA, chairman; Christian Democratic Union (KDL), Illar
HALLASTE, chairman; Conservative People's Party (KR), Enn TARTO,
chairman; Republican Coalition Party (VK), Leo STARKOV, chairman;
Moderates (M), made up of two parties: Estonian Social Democratic
Party (ESDB), Marju LAURISTIN, chairman; Estonian Rural Center Pary
(EMK), Ivar RAIG, chai