Government

Tunisia is a republic, composed of 23 provinces called governorates. It is governed under the constitution of 1959 and its amendments. The head of government is the president, who is elected for a five-year term and who may succeed himself. He appoints the prime minister and cabinet. The legislature is called the National Assembly; members are elected for five-year terms. In an emergency the president may rule by decree.

The judicial system is composed of two kinds of courts—general and special. General courts are, in ascending order of authority, cantonal courts, courts of the first instance, courts of appeal, and the Court of Cassation. Special courts include the High Court, which considers cases of treason involving high office, and the Council of State, which resolves conflicts between citizens and government authorities.