Political Profile
Country's NameRepublic of Moldova
Type of GovernmentRepublic
National Holiday(s)Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
Chief of StatePresident Nicolae TIMOFTI
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Capital City(ies)Chisinau in Romanian (Kishinev in Russian)
Independence Date27 August 1991
Suffrage18 years of age; universal
Head of StatePrime Minister Vladimir FILAT
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Description of Executive Branch
president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 16 March 2012 (next to be held in March 2016); note - prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister (re)designated on 31 December 2010; the prime minister and cabinet received a vote of confidence 14 January 2011
Description of Legislative Branch
Unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; members elected on an at-large basis by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Description of Judicial Branch
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature)
Ambassador to U.S.Ambassador Igor MUNTEANU
Location of Embassy (City) in U.S.Washington, DC
Location of Consulates (cities) in U.S.N/A
Representative to the United NationsVladimir Lupan
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U.S. Ambassador to themAmbassador William H. MOSER
Location of U.S. Embassy (city) thereChisinau
Location of U.S. Consulates (cities) thereN/A
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Description of Symbolism within Flag
Three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized aurochs head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; based on the color scheme of the flag of Romania - with which Moldova shares a history and culture - but Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag does not display any coat of arms
note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia
note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia