Mauritania is governed under the constitution of 2006. The
executive branch is headed by a president, who is popularly
elected for a five-year term and is eligible for a second term.
The prime minister is appointed by the president. The bicameral
parliament consists of the 56-seat Senate, whose members are
indirectly elected for six-year terms, and the 95-seat National
Assembly, whose members are popularly elected for five-year
terms. Administratively, the country is divided into 12 regions
and the capital district. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia,
6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights
reserved.