South America > Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) > Government

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Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Capital city	Stanley
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	51 42 S, 57 51 W
Constitution 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998
Executive branch > Cabinet Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor
Executive branch > Chief of state Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Executive branch > Head of government Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006); Chief Executive Dr. Tim THOROGOOD (since 3 January 2008)
Flag description blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
International organization participation	UPU
Judicial branch Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Legal system	English common law
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor
Legislative branch > Elections last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009)
National holiday	Liberation Day, 14 June
Political parties and leaders	none; all independents
Political pressure groups and leaders Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from external causes)
Status dependent democracy
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks

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