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

Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party or PS [leader NA];

International organization participation: FZ, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territorial
collectivity of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territorial
collectivity of France)

Flag description: a yellow sailing ship rides on a dark blue
background with a black wave line under the ship; on the hoist side,
a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part is red
with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a
white cross dividing the square into four sections; the middle part
has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a
red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one
on top of the other; the flag of France is used for official
occasions

Economy

Economy--overview: The inhabitants have traditionally earned their
livelihood by fishing and by