Eritrea flagPolitics & Government Guide · Eritrea

Politics & Government Guide in Eritrea

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions

Eritrea is a single-party presidential republic under the totalitarian rule of President Isaias Afwerki and the PFDJ since independence in 1993. No national elections have been held since 1993, the constitution ratified in 1997 remains unimplemented, and the National Assembly has not met since 2002. The regime maintains strict control over all aspects of society, with severe restrictions on freedoms, ongoing human rights abuses, and no legal opposition parties.

Political Stability

Poor

Corruption Index

Poor

Democracy Index

Poor

Government Type

Presidential republic

Legal System

Civil law system influenced by Italian colonial law and customary law

Head of State

President Isaias Afwerki(since 1993)

Head of Government

President Isaias Afwerki(People's Front for Democracy and Justice)since 1993

Political Indicators

Political Stability
3Rank #1

Scale: 0-100

Not free

Freedom House (2025)

Corruption Index
22Rank #176

Scale: 0-100

Transparency International (2024)

Press Freedom
19.2Rank #180

Scale: 0-100

Reporters Without Borders (2025)

Democracy Index
1.98Rank #167

Scale: 0-10

Authoritarian regime

Economist Intelligence Unit (2024)

Legislature

Type:unicameral
Upper House:National Assembly (150 seats)

Major Political Parties

People's Front for Democracy and Justice(PFDJ)

Left-wing

150 seats

Voting Rights

Citizens aged 18 and over; no elections held since 1993

Recent Developments

  • Continued indefinite national service and forced labor reported in 2024-2025
  • Eritrean forces remained in Ethiopia's Tigray region committing abuses through 2024
  • No elections or National Assembly meetings since 2002 as of 2025
Voting Age18
SuffrageUniversal
Constitution1997
Regions6