Country profile
San Marino
Repubblica di San Marino
Europe · Southern Europe
SM · SMR
- Capital
- City of San Marino
- Population
- 34,132
- Area
- 61 km²
- Democracy index
- 94
- Regime type
- Robust Democracy
Events
Ballots from San Marino
The latest elections, referendums, and opinion polls from San Marino. Community totals are not official results.
No published ballots yet
No public ballots yet
Check back later or explore the global feed.
Classification
Democracy profile
The score and regime label are assigned by Porto Voto using our in-house democracy index and classification framework, not ratings from governments or external agencies.
Democracy index
94/100
Regime type
Robust Democracy
San Marino maintains a highly stable and transparent democratic system based on its historic parliamentary model. Executive power is exercised by the Captains Regent who serve short six month terms, ensuring a unique and effective system of shared power and institutional accountability. The legislative process is conducted through the Grand and General Council where multi party competition is robust and peaceful. The rule of law is strictly upheld by an independent judiciary and the small scale of the state facilitates high levels of civic participation and direct accountability between elected representatives and the public. Civil liberties and fundamental rights are robustly protected, and the country remains an example of a mature democracy where political stability is reinforced by strong institutional traditions and a deep commitment to consensus based governance.
Last evaluation:
How we classify regimes →World Factbook
Country background
A concise introduction to San Marino, together with notes on how power and law are organized, to put local ballots in context.
Geographically the third-smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco), San Marino also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named MARINUS in A.D. 301. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of the EU, although it is not a member.
San Marino is negotiating an Association Agreement that is expected to allow participation in the EU’s internal market and cooperation in other policy areas by late 2024. Social and political trends in the republic track closely with those of its larger neighbor, Italy.