Politics of The Bahamas
Chief of State: Queen Elizabeth II
Head of Government: Prime Minister Perry Christie
Description of Flag: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the rich resources of land and sea
|
Conventional Long Form Name of Country:
Commonwealth of The Bahamas Capital City: Nassau Type of Government: constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Date of Independence: 10 July 1973 National Holiday: Independence Day, 10 July Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Name of Ambassador to the US: Cornelius Smith Location of Embassy in US: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Location of Consulate in US: Name of US Ambassador: Charge d' Affaires John Dinkelmon Location of US Embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence Location of US Consulate: Name of Representative to UN: Paulette A. Bethel National Symbols: blue marlin; flamingo |
Description of Branches
Executive Branchconsists of chief of state, head of government, and cabinet
cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation in the elections, because the monarchy is hereditary: governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister |
Legislative Branchbicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (41 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time
|
Judicial BranchPrivy Council in London; Courts of Appeal; Supreme (lower) Court; Magistrates' Courts
|