Government and Politics
The capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is Kingstown. The country is a sovereign parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth Realm. The executive branch of government includes the Governor General (representing the head of state Elizabeth II), the prime minister (head of government) and the cabinet. The current Prime Minister is Ralph Gonsalves.
The legislative branch of government is the unicameral House of Assembly of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, seating 15 elected members representing single-member constiuencies and six appointed members known as Senators.
The judicial branch of government is divided into district courts, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, and the Privy Council in London being the court of last resort.
The parliamentary term of office is five years, although the Prime Minister may call elections at any time. The political parties with parliamentary representation are the New Democratic Party NDP and the Unity Labour Party (ULP).
Read more about this topic: Saint Vincent (island)
Famous quotes containing the words government and/or politics:
“I am really sorry to see my countrymen trouble themselves about politics. If men were wise, the most arbitrary princes could not hurt them. If they are not wise, the freest government is compelled to be a tyranny. Princes appear to me to be fools. Houses of Commons & Houses of Lords appear to me to be fools; they seem to me to be something else besides human life.”
—William Blake (1757–1827)
“One might imagine that a movement which is so preoccupied with the fulfillment of human potential would have a measure of respect for those who nourish its source. But politics make strange bedfellows, and liberated women have elected to become part of a long tradition of hostility to mothers.”
—Elaine Heffner (20th century)