'Politics of the Republic of the Congo' takes place in a framework of a
presidential republic, whereby the
President is both
head of state and
head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system.
Executive power is exercised by the government.
Legislative power is vested in both the
government and the two chambers of the
parliament. Before the 1997 civil war, the
Republic of the Congo's system of government was similar to that of the French. However, after taking power,
Denis Sassou-Nguesso suspended the constitution approved in 1992 upon which this system was based. The new constitution (adopted by popular vote in 2002), returns to the earlier model with a seven-year presidential term and a bicameral
national parliament.
Executive branch
|
President
|
Denis Sassou-Nguesso
|
PCT
|
25 October 1997
|-
|
Prime Minister, Coordinator of the Action of the Cabinet and of Privatisations
|
Isidore Mvouba
|
PCT
|
7 January 2005
|-
|
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation
|
Rodolphe Adada
|
|
November 1997
|}
Legislative branch
The
Parliament (''Parlement'') has two
chambers. The
National Assembly (''Assemblée Nationale'') has 153 members, for a five year term in single-seat
constituencies. The
Senate (''Sénat'') has 66 members, elected for a six year term by district, local and regional councils.
The Republic of Congo is a
one party dominant state with the
Congolese Labour Party in power.
Opposition parties are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power.
Political parties and elections
International organization participation
ACCT,
ACP,
AfDB,
BDEAC,
CCC,
CEEAC,
ECA,
FAO,
FZ,
G-77,
IBRD,
ICAO,
ICFTU,
ICRM,
IDA,
IFAD,
IFC,
IFRCS,
ILO,
IMF,
IMO,
Intelsat,
Interpol,
IOC,
IOM (observer),
ITU,
NAM,
OAU,
OPCW,
UDEAC,
UN (
Security Council member for 2006/2007),
UNCTAD,
UNESCO,
UNIDO,
UPU,
WFTU,
WHO,
WIPO,
WMO,
WToO,
WTrO