Official name

Republic of Maldives

Form of state

Presidential republic

The executive

The president is elected by direct popular vote; a cabinet is appointed by the president and approved by parliament

Head of state

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (president)

National legislature

Unicameral parliament with 87 members. Legislators are elected by a simple majority in single-seat constituencies, and serve five-year terms

Legal system

Each inhabited island has a magistrate's court. There is also a network of other courts with varying specific responsibilities (such as a family court or a juvenile court), as well as a High Court. The country's top judicial body is the Supreme Court

National elections

The last presidential election was in September 2018 and the next is due in September 2023; the last parliamentary election was in April 2019; the next is due in April 2024

National government

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) controls both the presidency and the legislature

Main political parties

MDP, led by a former president and current speaker of the People's Majlis (the legislature), Mohamed Nasheed; Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM); Jumhooree Party, allied with the current government

Key ministers

President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

Vice-president: Faisal Naseem

Defence: Uza. Mariya Ahmed Didi

Economic development: Uz. Fayyaz Ismail

Finance & Treasury: Ibrahim Ameer

Foreign affairs: Abdulla Shahid

Health: Abdulla Ameen

Home affairs: Sheikh Imran Abdulla

Tourism: Abdulla Mausoom

Central bank governor

Ali Hashim