CapitalAvarua Independencianone (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 Agosto 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) Feriado nacionalConstitution Day, first Monday in Agosto (1965) Constitución4 Agosto 1965 SufragioNA años de edad; universal adulta Poder Executivojefe de estado: Queen ELIZABETH II (desde 6 February 1952), represented by Apenera SHORT (desde NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Jon JONESSEN (desde NA January 1998), representative of New Zealand
jefe de gobierno: Prime Minister Dr. Terepai MAOATE (desde 18 November 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Norman GEORGE (desde NA)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats usually becomes prime minister
note: ten years of rule by the Cook Islands Party (CIP) came to an end 18 November 1999 with the resignation of Prime Minister Joe WILLIAMS; WILLIAMS had led a minority government desde October 1999 when the New Alliance Party (NAP) left the government coalition and joined the main opposition Democratic Alliance Party (DAP); on 18 November 1999, DAP leader Dr. Terepai MAOATE was sworn in as prime minister |
