Politics of the Falkland Islands

Country name:\n
conventional long form:\nnone\n
conventional short form:\nFalkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)\n

Data code:\nFA\n

Dependency status:\noverseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina\n

Government type:\nNA\n

Capital:\nPort Stanley\n

Administrative divisions:\nnone (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)\n

Independence:\nnone (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)\n

National holiday:\nLiberation Day, 14 June (1982)\n

Constitution:\n3 October 1985; amended 1997\n

Legal system:\nEnglish common law\n

Suffrage:\n18 years of age; universal\n

Executive branch:\n
chief of state:\nQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)\n
head of government:\nGovernor Donald LAMONT (since NA May 1999); Chief Executive A. M. GURR (since NA); Financial Secretary D. F. HOWATT (since NA)\n
cabinet:\nExecutive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor\n
elections:\nnone; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch\n

Legislative branch:\nunicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms)\n
elections:\nlast held 9 October 1997 (next to be held NA October 2001)\n
election results:\npercent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8\n

Judicial branch:\nSupreme Court, chief justice is a nonresident\n

Political parties and leaders:\nnone; all independents\n

International organization participation:\nICFTU\n

Diplomatic representation in the US:\nnone (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)\n

Diplomatic representation from the US:\nnone (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)\n

Flag description:\nblue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

See also : Falkland Islands

Category:Falkland Islands