Wallis and Futuna: Government#

Country nameconventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands
conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna
local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna
local short form: Wallis et Futuna
etymology: Wallis Island is named after British Captain Samuel WALLIS who discovered it in 1767; Futuna is derived from the native word "futu," which is the name of the fish-poison tree found on the island
Dependency statusoverseas territory of France
Government typeparliamentary democracy (Territorial Assembly); overseas collectivity of France
CapitalMata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions3 administrative precincts (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription) Alo, Sigave, Uvea
Independencenone (overseas territory of France)
National holidayBastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal systemFrench civil law
Citizenshipsee France
Suffrage18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: President Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012); represented by High Administrator Marcel RENOUF (since 26 January 2015)
head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Mikaele KULIMOETOKE (since 26 November 2014)
cabinet: Council of the Territory appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly
elections/appointments: French president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly elected by assembly members

note: there are 3 traditional kings with limited powers
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation to serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 22 March 2012 (next to be held in March 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS 4, UMP 4, centrist, 3, other 9

note: Wallis and Futuna elects 1 senator to the French Senate and 1 deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate - elections last held on 28 September 2014 (next to be held by September 2017); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP 1; French National Assembly - by-election last held on 24 March 2013 (next to be held by 2017); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - independent (backed by UMP) 1
Judicial branchhighest resident court(s): Court of Assizes or Cour d'Assizes (consists of 1 judge; court hears primarily serious criminal cases); note - appeals beyond the Court of Assizes are heard before the Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel, located in Noumea, New Caledonia
judge selection and term of office: NA
subordinate courts: courts of first instance; labor court; note - justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the 3 traditional kings administer customary law, and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu
Political parties and leadersLua Kae Tahi (Giscardians)
Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG
Rally for the Republic or RPR (UMP) (Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU)
Socialist Party or PS
Taumu'a Lelei (Soane Muni UHILA)
Union Populaire Locale or UPL (Falakiko GATA)
Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF
Political pressure groups and leadersNA
International organization participationPIF (observer), SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the USnone (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the USnone (overseas territory of France)
Flag descriptionunofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant
note: the design is derived from an original red banner with a white cross pattee that was introduced in the 19th century by French missionaries; the flag of France is used for official occasions
National symbol(s)red saltire (Saint Andrew's Cross) on a white square on a red field; national colors: red, white
National anthem
note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)