Official name

Republic of Mauritius

Form of state

Republic within the Commonwealth

Legal system

Based on English common law, the Napoleonic Code and the 1968 constitution

National legislature

National Assembly; 62 members elected by universal suffrage every five years, in 20 three-member constituencies on the island of Mauritius and one two-member constituency on Rodrigues, plus up to eight "best losers"

Elections

The last general election was held on May 5th 2010; the next election is due in 2015

Head of state

President, elected by a simple majority of the National Assembly; the current president, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, was elected in September 2008

National government

Council of Ministers appointed and headed by the prime minister

Main political parties

Government: Alliance de l'avenir coalition formed by the Labour Party, Mouvement socialiste militant (MSM), and Parti mauricien social-démocrate (PMSD), plus the Mouvement rodriguais (MR); other parties in parliament: Mouvement militant mauricien (MMM), Organisation du peuple rodriguais, Front solidarité mauricienne

Prime minister, minister of defence, home affairs & external communications: Navinchandra Ramgoolam

Deputy prime minister, minister of energy & public utilities: Ahmed Rashid Beebeejaun

Vice-prime ministers

Finance & economic development: Pravind Kumar Jugnauth

Social integration & economic empowerment: Xavier-Luc Duval

Other ministers

Agro-industry & food security: Satya Veyash Faugoo

Arts & culture: Mookhesswur Choonee

Attorney-general: Yatindra Nath Varma

Business, enterprise & consumer protection: Michael Yeung Sik Yuen

Civil service & administrative reforms: Ashit Kumar Gungah

Education & human resources: Vasant Kumar Bunwaree

Environment & sustainable development: Devanand Virahsawmy

Fisheries & Rodrigues: Nicolas Von Mally

Foreign affairs, regional integration & international trade: Arvin Boolell

Gender equality, child development & family: Sheilabhai Bappoo

Health & quality of life: Maya Hanoomanjee

Housing & lands: Abu Twalib Kasenally

Industry & commerce: Showkutally Soodhun

Information & communication technology: Tassarajen Pillay Chedumbrum

Labour, industrial relations & employment: Shakeel Mohamed

Local government & outer islands: Louis Hervé Aimé

Public infrastructure, National Development Unit, land transport & shipping: Anil Kumar Bachoo

Social security, solidarity & reform institutions: Leela Devi Dookun Luchoomun

Tertiary education, science, research & technology: Rajeshwar Jeetah

Tourism, leisure & external communications: Nandcoomar Bodha

Youth & sports: Devanand Ritoo

Governor of the Bank of Mauritius

Rundheersing Bheenick