State in São Tomé and Príncipe

The constitutional framework is the Constitution, whose verified version dates from 2003. The President protects the Constitution, represents the country in foreign and defence matters, appoints the Prime Minister and Government, promulgates laws and may declare a state of emergency under the constitutional rules. Assembleia Nacional adopts laws, approves the State Budget and development plans, examines the State accounts and oversees the Government's programme and administration. The Government and Conselho de Ministros implement public policy, prepare the budget, direct the central administration and supervise the Região Autónoma do Príncipe and local authorities. Courts exercise judicial power. The Tribunal Constitucional reviews constitutional and legal compliance, while the Supremo Tribunal de Justiça and other courts handle judicial proceedings. The Ministério Público, led functionally by the Procuradoria-Geral da República, conducts criminal prosecutions and directs the Polícia Judiciária in its procedural work. São Tomé is divided into the districts of Água Grande, Mé-Zóchi, Cantagalo, Caué, Lembá and Lobata. Each district has an Assembleia Distrital and Câmara Distrital. The Região Autónoma do Príncipe has an Assembleia Regional and Governo Regional under its special political and administrative statute; regional decrees apply only to matters assigned to the region. The State administration includes direct, indirect and autonomous bodies. Public administration is intended to serve the public interest, remain close to people and protect legitimate interests, but responsibility can differ between a ministry, a national directorate, a district body and the regional government. Administrative access is available through the Portal do Cidadão, gov.st, ministry and directorate websites, the Governo Regional, district councils and the Diário da República. A BI-based login and portal access exist, but digital coverage remains fragmented, so some procedures still require contact with an office. Fees depend on the service, and processing times depend on the responsible authority and the applicant's location; travel and island access can affect practical timing. Lei 1/2024 establishes an interoperability framework for the public administration and all State powers, including direct, indirect and autonomous institutions. The Ministério da Economia e Finanças and the Direcção do Orçamento manage central public-finance preparation. The Government prepares the annual State Budget, and Assembleia Nacional approves it; the 2025 budget was approved by Lei 2/2025. Fiscal consolidation, public investment management, energy risks, State-owned enterprises and reliance on external financing affect public finances. The Tribunal de Contas is the independent supreme financial-control body. It performs prior and subsequent checks, rules on public accounts and may establish financial responsibility; the annual State accounts must be submitted by 30 April, after which Assembleia Nacional examines them. The Constitution protects equality, freedom of expression, information and the press, the right to petition and access to public office under the law. It also provides for tax duties and a duty to defend the State. Foreign nationals generally have the same rights and duties except for political rights, public functions and duties reserved by law. The Ministério da Defesa e Ordem Interna oversees the security sector. The Forças Armadas protect independence, territorial integrity and democratic institutions. The Polícia Nacional handles public order and first response, the Bombeiros respond to fires and rescue situations, and the Polícia Judiciária conducts autonomous criminal investigations under Lei 1/2018 while remaining subject to the procedural direction of the Ministério Público and the courts.