Official name

Republic of Seychelles

Form of state

Unitary republic

Legal system

Based on English common law, the Napoleonic Code and the amended 1993 constitution

National legislature

National Assembly of 34 seats, elected by universal adult suffrage-25 seats are decided by simple majority, nine seats by proportional representation

National elections

July 2006 (presidential); May 2007 (legislative); next elections May 2011 (presidential) and May 2012 (legislative)

Head of state

President, elected by universal suffrage, empowered by the 1993 constitution to rule by decree, serves a five-year term; currently James Michel

National government

The president and his appointed Council of Ministers; last reshuffle in June 2010

Main political parties

The People's Party (also known as Parti Lepep; formerly the Seychelles People's Progressive Front-SPPF), the majority party, holds 23 seats in the National Assembly and was previously the sole legal party; the Seychelles National Party (SNP) holds the remaining 11 seats

President, defence, legal affairs, information & tourism: James Michel

Vice-president & finance, trade, public administration & ICT: Danny Faure

Key ministers

Designated minister, community development, youthKey ministers

Education, employment & human resources: MacSuzy Mondon

Foreign affairs: Jean Paul Adam

Health: Erna Athanasius

Home affairs, environment & transport: Joel Morgan

Investment, natural resources & industry: Peter Sinon

Land use & housing: Jacquelin Dugasse

Social development & culture: Bernard Shamlaye

Central Bank governor

Pierre Laporte