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Sao Tome and Principe: Government

Key Figures

Chief of State:
President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada

Overview

Government Name:
Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
Constitution:
Adopted: 1990; The new Constitution allowed for multiparty elections for the first time since independence was declared. The document also limited the President to two terms.
Government Type:
Republic
Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Flag
Coat of Arms of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

Index of Economic Freedom

Grades each country on a scale of 0 to 100, based on ten freedoms, with 100 representing the greatest amount of economic autonomy from government intervention. Source: Heritage Foundation (2023)

Country Risk Rating

D
A high-risk political and economic situation and an often very difficult business environment can have a very significant impact on corporate payment behavior. Corporate default probability is very high. Source: Coface (2022)

Government Branches

Main Powers Election Process Election Cycle 1
Executive

President serves as the head of state and approves members of the Cabinet of Ministers. Prime minister serves of the head government and also is responsible for proposing Cabinet of Ministers to the president.

President is elected by absolute majority vote through a two-round system, while prime minister is elected by parliament.

5 years
Judicial

Supreme Court was formerly responsible to the National Assembly, but is now independent under the latest constitution. Constitutional Court reviews for the constitutionality of laws.

Supreme Court judges are nominated by the president of the republic and elected by the National Assembly. Constitutional Court judges are nominated by the president of the republic and elected by the National Assembly.

5 years
Legislative

National Assembly is the supreme organ of the state and highest legislative body.

Elected through a closed-list proportional representation system.

4 years

Regional Trade Blocs
ECCAS

International Organization Participation [2]

Environmental Agreements [3]

Tax Information [2]

Tax Authority:
Information not available
Tax Name:
Information not available

Sources:

  1. ElectionGuide http://www.electionguide.org/
  2. EY, http://www.ey.com
  3. CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
  4. U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/