(adoption of new
constitution)

Constitution: 18 June 1993

Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and
customary law

Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President France Albert RENE
(since 5 June 1977); election last held 20-23 July 1993 (next to be
held NA); results - President France Albert RENE (SPPF) reelected with
59.5% of the vote, Sir James MANCHAM (DP) 36.72%
cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple): elections last held 20-23
July 1993 (next to be held NA); results - SPPF 82%, DP 15%, UO 3%;
seats - (33 total, 22 elected, 11 awarded) seats elected - SPPF 21, DP
1; seats awarded - SPPF 6, DP 4, UO 1; total seats by party - SPPF 27,
DP 5, UO 1
note: the 11 awarded seats are apportioned according to the share of
each party in the total vote

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: ruling party - Seychelles People's
Progressive Front (SPPF), France Albert RENE; Democratic Party (DP),
Sir James MANCHAM; United Opposition (UO), Annette GEORGES - a
coalition of the following parties: Seychelles Party (PS), Wavel
RAMKALAWAN; Seychelles Democratic Movement (MSPD), Jacques HONDOUL;
Seychelles Liberal Party (SLP), Ogilvie BERLOUIS;;

Other political or pressure groups: trade unions; Roman Catholic
Church

Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT
(nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marc R. MARENGO
chancery: (temporary) 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY
10017
telephone: [1] (212) 687-9766, 9767
FAX: [1] (212) 922-9177

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carl Burton STOKES
embassy: 4th Floor, Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe
mailing address: Box 148, Unit 62501, Victoria, Seychelles; APO AE
09815-2501
telephone: [248] 225256
FAX: [248] 225189

Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (wavy), and green;
the white band is the thinnest, the red band is the thickest

@Seychelles:Economy

Overview: Since independence in 1976, per capita output has grown to
roughly seven times the old near-subsist