Heilige Stoel Gouvernement Profiel 2008

Hoofdstad

name: Vatican City
geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Onafhankelijkheid dag

11 Februari 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 Februari 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century

Nationale feestdag

Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24 April (2005)

Grondwet

new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 Februari 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929)

Stemmen

limited to cardinals less than 80 years old

uitvoerende macht

chief of state: Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19 April 2005)
head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE (since 15 September 2006)
cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope
elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope
election results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI