Politics of Montserrat

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Montserrat

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Montserrat
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Politics of Montserrat takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency, whereby the Chief Minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Montserrat is an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The United Nations Committee on Decolonization includes Montserrat on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Legislative Council. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Military defence is the responsibility of the United Kingdom.

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[edit] Executive branch

Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
Queen Elizabeth II 6 February 1952
Governor Peter Andrew Waterworth 2007
Chief Minister Lowell Lewis MDP 2 June 2006

The governor is appointed by the monarch. The chief minister is appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council. His cabinet, the Executive Council, is appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the Legislative Council and consists also of the Executive Council of the governor, the attorney general, and the finance secretary. The current Chief Minister of the island is Lowell Lewis, of the Montserrat Democratic Party, replacing the outgoing Chief Minister, John Osborne of the New People's Liberation Party. The New People's Liberation Party, after losing its majority in the Legislative Council of Montserrat because of its poor showing in the 2006 election, supported Lewis for Chief Minister Moves towards full independence have been effectively halted by the volcano and the consequent evacuation.

[edit] Legislative branch

Montserrat elects on territorial level a legislature. The Legislative Council has 9 members, elected for a five year term in one constituency.

[edit] Political parties and elections

For other political parties see List of political parties in Montserrat. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Montserrat.
[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 31 May 2006 Legislative Council of Montserrat election results
Parties Votes % Seats
Movement for Change and Prosperity 36.1 4
New People's Liberation Party 29.4 3
Montserrat Democratic Party 24.4 1
Independents 10.1 1
Total (turnout: %) 100.0 9

[edit] Judicial branch

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consists of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of Montserrat.

[edit] Administrative divisions

Montserrat is divided in 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, and Saint Peter.

[edit] International organization participation

Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCL

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