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The Government and Political System in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as a State assumes governmental framework of the Commonwealth system incorporated with parliamentary and democratic structures. This form of government is observed across the three prevalent branches of government with State’s autonomy nevertheless compromised in governance.

Executive power is vested to the head of the State who happens to be Queen Elizabeth II as the nation is still an affiliate of the British government. Executive authority is delegated to the Governor General who carries out ceremonial and constitutional powers upon the advice of the Prime Minister and cabinet members. These comprise the executive department responsible for the administration of the country on behalf of the Queen.

Legislative power is granted to a unicameral parliament with five-year tenure. The legislation body is referred to as the House of Assembly comprised of 21 members. This sovereign group includes fifteen duly elected representatives and six appointed senators of the Governor General. Appointment is done by picking four from the nominations of the Prime Minister and two nominations from the opposition leader.

Judicial power is awarded to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court composed of a high court and court of appeals. Lower court system consists of eleven courts amongst three magisterial districts. Judiciary is inspired by the English Common Law system that provides for the creation of Her Excellency’s Privy Council authorized to hear cases of final resort although it was later replaced in favour of establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Three major political parties dominate the national scene such as the New Democratic Party, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Green Party, and Unity Labour Party. Also, the highly centralized Vincentian government has six administrative parishes without conferred local autonomy.