Cape Verde: Government

Principal Government Officials

Chief of State: President Jorge Carlos Fonseca
Head of Government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira Neves

The Cape Verde constitution--adopted in 1980 and revised in 1992, 1995, and 1999, 2009, and 2010--forms the basis of government. The president is head of state and is elected by popular vote for a 5-year term. The prime minister is head of government and proposes other ministers and secretaries of state. The prime minister is nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president. Members of the National Assembly are elected by popular vote for 5-year terms.

Cape Verde enjoys a stable democratic system. The Movement for Democracy (MPD) captured a governing majority in the National Assembly in the country's first multi-party general elections in 1991. The MPD was returned to power with a larger majority in the general elections held in December 1995. In 2001 legislative elections, the PAICV regained power. Nationwide municipal elections were held March 21, 2004.

In February 2011, Cape Verde held a successful round of parliamentary elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) judged election free and fair. Three parties now hold seats in the National Assembly: PAICV 39, MPD 31, and the Cape Verdean Independent and Democratic Union (UCID) 2. A first round of Presidential elections was held on August 7, 2011. The top two contenders, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, of MpD, and Manuel Inocêncio Sousa, of PAICV, received 37.4% and 32.8% of the vote, respectively. A run-off election is scheduled for August 21, 2011.

The judicial system is comprised of a Supreme Court of Justice--whose members are appointed by the president, the National Assembly, and the Board of the Judiciary--and regional courts. Separate courts hear civil, constitutional, and criminal cases. Appeal is to the Supreme Court.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
Cape Verde pursues a nonaligned foreign policy and seeks cooperative relations with all states. Angola, Brazil, China, Cuba, France, Portugal, Russia, Senegal, Spain, and the United States maintain embassies in Praia. Several others, mostly European countries, maintain honorary consulates. In addition, Cape Verde maintains multilateral relations with other Lusophone nations and holds membership in many international organizations. On July 23, 2008, Cape Verde became the 153rd member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), in hopes of opening its markets for imported goods and services.

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