<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Estonia<nl>Government</hdr><body>
<list>
<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> Republic of Estonia
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> Estonia
<item>• <hi format=ital>local long form:</hi> Eesti Vabariik
<item>• <hi format=ital>local short form:</hi> Eesti
<item>• <hi format=ital>former:</hi> Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> EN
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> republic
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> Tallinn
<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> 15 counties (maakonnad, singular—maakond) and 6 municipalities*: Harju maakond (Tallinn), Hiiu maakond (Kardla), Ida-Viru maakond (Johvi), Jarva maakond (Paide), Jogeva maakond (Jogeva), Kohtla-Jarve*, Laane maakond (Haapsalu), Laane-Viru maakond (Rakvere), Narva*, Parnu*, Parnu maakond (Parnu), Polva maakond (Polva), Rapla maakond (Rapla), Saare maakond (Kuessaare), Sillamae*, Tallinn*, Tartu*, Tartu maakond (Tartu), Valga maakond (Valga), Viljandi maakond (Viljandi), Voru maakond (Voru)
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> county centers are in parentheses
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 24 February (1918)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> adopted 28 June 1992
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> President Lennart MERI (since 21 October 1992); election last held 20 September 1992; (next to be held NA 1997); results—no candidate received majority; newly elected Parliament elected Lennart MERI (21 October 1992)
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Mart LAAR (since 21 October 1992)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister, authorized by the legislature
<item><hi format=bold>Parliament (Riigikogu):</hi> elections last held 20 September 1992; (next to be held NA); results—Fatherland 21%, Safe Haven 14%, Popular Front 13%, M 10%, ENIP 8%, ERP 7%, ERL 7%, EP 2%, other 18%; seats—(101 total) Fatherland 29, Safe Haven 18, Popular Front 15, M 12, ENIP 10, ERP 8, ERL 8, EP 1
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> National Coalition Party 'Pro Patria' (Isamaa of Fatherland), Mart LAAR, president, made up of 4 parties: Christian Democratic Party (KDE), Aivar KALA, chairman; Christian Democratic Union (KDL), Illar HALLASTE, chairman; Conservative People's Party (KR), Enn TARTO, chairman; Republican Coalition Party (VK), Leo STARKOV, chairman; Moderates (M), made up of two parties: Estonian Social Democratic Party (ESDB), Marju LAURISTIN, chairman; Estonian Rural Center Pary (EMK), Ivar RAIG, chairman; Estonian National Independence Party (ENIP), Tunne KELAM, chairman; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Paul-Eerik RUMMO, chairman; Safe Haven, made up of three parties: Estonian Coalition Party (EK), Tiit VAHI, chairman; Estonian Rural Union (EM), Arvo SIRENDI, chairman; Estonian Democratic Justice Union/Estonian Pensioners' League (EDO/EPU), Harri KARTNER, chairman; Estonian Centrist Party (EK), Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman; Estonian Democratic Labor Party (EDT), Vaino VALJAS, chairman; Estonian Green Party (ERL), Tonu OJA; Estonian Royalist Party (ERP), Kalle KULBOK, chairman; Entrepreneurs' Party (EP), Tiit MADE; Estonian Citizen (EKL), Juri TOOMEPUU, chairman