<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> the administrative centers of the autonomous republics are included in parentheses; there are no oblasts—the rayons around T'bilisi are under direct republic jurisdiction
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 9 April (1991)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> adopted NA February 1921; currently amending constitution for Parliamentary and popular review by late 1995
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on civil law system
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> Chairman of Parliament Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (since 10 March 1992); election last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA 1995); results—Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 95%
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Otar PATSATSIA (since September 1993); Deputy Prime Ministers Avtandil MARGIANI, Zurab KERVALISHVILI (since NA), Tamaz NADARISHVILI (since September 1993), Teimuraz BASILIA (since NA)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers
<item><hi format=bold>Georgian Parliament (Supreme Soviet):</hi> elections last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA 1995); results —percent of vote by party NA; seats—(225 total) number of seats by party NA; note—representatives of 26 parties elected; Peace Bloc, October 11, Unity, National Democratic Party, and the Greens Party won the largest representation
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> Merab Kostava Society, Vazha ADAMIA, chairman; Traditionalists' Union, Akaki ASATIANI, chairman; Georgian Social Democratic Party, Guram MUCHAIDZE, chairman; Green Party, Zurab ZHVANIA, chairman; Georgian Popular Front (GPF), Nodar NATADZE, chairman; National Democratic Party (NDP), Gia CHANTURIA, chairman; National Independence Party (NIP), Irakliy TSERETELI, chairmen; Charter 1991 Party, Tedo PATASHVILI, chairman; Peace Bloc; Unity; October 11
<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> supporters of ousted President Zuiad GAMSAKHURDIA (deceased 1 January 1994) boycotted the October elections and remain a source of opposition and instability
<item><hi format=bold>Member of:</hi> BSEC, CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IBRD, IDA, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, IOC, ITU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
<item><hi format=bold>Diplomatic representation in US:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of mission:</hi> Ambassador Petr CHKHEIDZE
<item>• <hi format=ital>chancery:</hi> (temporary) Suite 424, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below