Institutions

International relations

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The Republic of San Marino holds official relations with more than seventy countries. It is a member of the most important international organizations, the United Nations, the O.S.C.E. and the Council of Europe.
With the advent of the European Union, in December 1991 The Republic signed a cooperation and customs union agreement went into effect in 2002.

Centuries-old orders preserve the Republic's independence

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The Republic of San Marino does not have its own written constitution but finds its reference standards in the statutes, laws, common rights and habit.
The 'Declaration of the rights of the population and the principle foundations of the political order in San Marino' was written in 1974 to define the functions and competencies of the constitutional bodies and has reconfirmed the basic choices the Republic has always applied: inalienability of personal rights; equality before the law; universal secret, direct suffrage; recognition of civil and political liberties.
The 'Declaration' was updated in 2002.
The function of Head of State is held by the two Captains Regent who remain in office for six months (1st April and 1st October); they can be re-elected only three years after the have left office.

Great and General Council

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The legislative body of San Marino is the Great and General Council made up of 60 members, selected every five years by universal suffrage of all citizens 18 years of age and older.
The Great and General Council performs political functions.
The executive power is headed by the National Congress, the Government body that implements the political choices made by the Council.
The Captains Regent head the legislative body.
Sanmarinese statutes do not contemplate the function of Head of the Government.

Justice

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The various phases of penal justice is administered by Commissioner of the Laws and by the Judge of Appeals; civil justice is also headed by the Commissioner of the Laws, the Judge of Appeals and, in third recourse, by the Council of XII.
The Judge of 1st degree has jurisdiction over administrative questions, followed by the Judge of Appeals and the Council of XII.

Coat-of-arms and flag

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The Republic's coat-of-arms is made up of a shield with three silver towers on a light blue background, surrounded by a laurel branch on the right and an oak branch on the left, united by a banner bearing the motto 'Libertas'.
Over the shield is a closed crown that terminates with a pearl and cross.
The flag is made up of two horizontal bands: the upper band is white, the lower light blue with the coat-of-arms in the centre.

National Anthem

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The national anthem of San Marino, which stands aside from others because it has no lyrics, was written by Maestro Federico Consolo, eminent violinist, composer and writer.

The Consiglio Principe e Sovrano (Supreme and Sovereign Council), the uppermost legislative body of the Republic, passed a decree adopting it as official anthem in the session of 11 September 1894 and it was played for the first time that same year during the opening of the Government Building.

Today, it is played by the Military Band during the most solemn moments of official ceremonies and occasions, including during the Investiture of Their Excellencies the Captains Regent, every six months (1 April – 1 October).

And it is precisely when the outgoing Captains Regent present the Collar of Grand Master of the Order of San Marino to the new regents that the Military Band plays the anthem before the highest political and diplomatic authorities of the State.

Score

Score
1,6 MB

Download National Anthem of San Marino

Download National Anthem of San Marino

2,11 MB