<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 13 August 1960 (from France)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of the republic)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 21 November 1986
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on French law
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 21 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> President Felix (Ange) PATASSE (since 22 October 1993) election last held 19 September 1993; PATASSE received 52.45% of the votes and Abel GOUMBA received 45.62%; next election schelduled for 1998
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Dr. Jean-Luc MANDABA (since 25 October 1993)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
<item><hi format=bold>National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):</hi> elections last held 19 September 1993; results—percentage vote by party NA; seats—(85 total) MLPC 33, RDC 14, PLD 7, ADP 6, PSD 3, others 22
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<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional Council (Conseil Economique et Regional); when they sit together they are called the Congress (Congres)
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), the party of the new president, Ange Felix PATASSE; Central African Democratic Party (RDC), Laurent GOMINA-PAMPALI; Council of Moderates Coalition includes; Union of the People for Economic and Social Development (UPDS), Katossy SIMANI; Liberal Republican Party (PARELI), Augustin M'BOE; Central African Socialist Movement (MSCA), Michel BENGUE; Concerted Democratic Forces (CFD), a coalition of 13 parties, including; Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP), Francois PEHOUA; Central African Republican party (PRC), Ruth ROLLAND; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Enoch DERANT-LAKOUE; Civic Forum (FC), Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA; Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), Nestor KOMBOT-NAGUEMON; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), Felix (Ange) PATASSE
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band