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-heads 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. Observers considered the 2012 parliamentary elections to have been free and fair. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces.
There were no reports of egregious human rights abuses.
There were some charges of corruption on the part of officials and politicians. Not all public buildings were accessible to persons with physical disabilities. Authorities did not always enforce government health and safety standards in the informal labor sector.
The government took steps to investigate and punish officials accused of abuses.