(commonwealth in political union with the US)
Government
Name of country:
conventional long form:
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
conventional short form:
Northern Mariana Islands
Data code:
CQ
Type of government:
commonwealth in political union with the US; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Territorial and International Affairs
Capital:
Saipan
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
National holiday:
Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Constitution:
Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Legal system:
based on US system except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President (of the United States) William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
head of government:
Governor Froilan C. TENORIO (since NA January 1994) and Lieutenant Governor Jesus C. BORJA (since NA January 1994) were elected for four-year terms by universal suffrage; election last held in NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1997); results - Froilan C. TENORIO (Democrat) was elected governor with 56% of the vote
Legislative branch:
bicameral Legislature
Senate:
elections last held NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) Republicans retained a majority of the seats
House of Representatives:
elections last held NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total) Republicans retained a majority of the seats
US House of Representatives:
the Commonwealth does not have a nonvoting delegate in Congress; instead, it has an elected official "resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats - (1 total) Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican)
Judicial branch:
Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court
Political parties and leaders:
Republican Party, Benigno R. FITIAL, leader; Democratic Party, Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO, chairman
International organization participation:
ESCAP (associate), SPC
Flag:
blue with a white five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath
