The Republic of San Marino is a multiparty democracy. The popularly elected unicameral Great and General Council (parliament) selects two of its members to serve as captains regent (co-chiefs of state). They preside over meetings of the council and the Congress of State (cabinet), which has no more than 10 other members (secretaries of state) selected by the council. Parliamentary elections, last held in 2008, were considered free and fair. Security forces reported to civilian authorities.
There were no widespread or systemic human rights abuses.
The government took steps to prosecute officials accused of abuses, and impunity was not a problem. There were some reports of violence against women, and government health and safety standards were not enforced in the informal labor sector.