Politics of Antigua and Barbuda
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Politics of Antigua and Barbuda takes place in a framework of a federal parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the Parliament. Since 1949 the party system is dominated by the personalist Antigua Labour Party. Antigua and Barbuda has a long history of hard fought elections, two of which have resulted in peaceful changes of government. The opposition, however, claimed to be disadvantaged by the Antigua Labour Party's longstanding monopoly on patronage and its control of the electronic media. However, in 2004 the United Progressive Party won the elections.
Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the eastern Caribbean court system. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Jurisprudence is based on English common law.
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[edit] Executive branch
As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II is represented in Antigua and Barbuda by a governor general who acts on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet.
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II | 6 February 1952 | |
| Governor-General | Sir James Carlisle | 10 June 1993 | |
| Prime Minister | Baldwin Spencer | UPP | March 2004 |
[edit] Legislative branch
Antigua and Barbuda elects on national level a legislature. Parliament has two chambers. The House of Representatives has 19 members, 17 members elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies, 1 ex-officio member and 1 Speaker. The Senate has 17 appointed members. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in the House and conducts affairs of state with the cabinet. The prime minister and the cabinet are responsible to the Parliament. Elections must be held at least every five years but may be called by the prime minister at any time.
[edit] Political parties and elections
- For other political parties see List of political parties in Antigua and Barbuda. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Antigua and Barbuda.
| Parties | Votes | % | +/- | Seats | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Progressive Party | 21,892 | 52.9 | +8.5 | 12 | +8 |
| Antigua Labour Party | 16,544 | 41.7 | -11.2 | 4 | -8 |
| Barbuda People's Movement | 400 | 1.0 | -0.3 | 1 | - |
| Barbuda People's Movement for Change | 400 | 1.0 | - | - | - |
| Others | 391 | 1.0 | - | - | - |
| Total | 39,627 | 100.0 | 17 |
[edit] Administrative divisions
6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip
[edit] Judicial branch
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia) (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)
[edit] Political pressure groups and leaders
Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]
[edit] International organization participation
ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
