Politics of Tuvalu
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| Tuvalu |
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Politics of Tuvalu takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister of Tuvalu is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government.
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[edit] Executive branch
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II | 6 February 1952 | |
| Governor-General | Filoimea Telito | 15 April 2005 | |
| Prime Minister | Apisai Ielemia | 14 August 2006 |
Queen Elizabeth II as the Queen of Tuvalu, is the head of state, represented by the Governor General, who is appointed by the Queen on advice of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is elected by the members of the Parliament. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
[edit] Legislative branch
The legislative branch is a unicameral Parliament also called House of Assembly or Fale I Fono (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve 4-year terms).
[edit] Political parties and elections
There are no formal political parties and election campaigns are largely on the basis of personal/family ties and reputation.
| Members | Seats |
|---|---|
| Non-partisans | 15 |
| Total | 15 |
| Source: Tuvalu News | |
[edit] Current government
As of September 2006, the government of Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia consists of the following officials[1]
- Prime Minister: Apisai Ielemia
- House Speaker: Kamuta Latasi - represents Funafuti
- Home Affairs: Willy Telavi - respresents Nanumea
- Foreign Minister: Apisai Ielemia
- Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Industries: Lotoala Metia - represents Nukufetau
- Communications/Works: Taukelina Finikaso - respresents Vaitupu
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources: Tavau Teii - represents Niutao
- Minister of Education and Sports, and Health: Iakoba Italeli - respresents Nui
- Chairman of the Caucus: Sir Tomu Sione - respresents Niutao
[edit] Judicial branch
Tuvalu maintains an independent judiciary consisting of a High Court and eight islands courts. The rulings of the High Court can be appealed to the Fiji Court of Appeal.
[edit] Political conditions
Democratic values in Tuvalu are strong with free elections every 4 years by universal adult suffrage. Tuvalu does not face serious governance issues. There are no formal political parties in this country of only 11,000 people; election campaigns are largely on the basis of personal/family ties and reputation. The frequent use of the parliamentary vote of no confidence, engendering many changes of government in relatively short periods, has sometimes been on issues which reflect on the relations between personalities rather than on pressing national issues.
Members of Parliament have very close ties to the island they represent. Often the northern islands in the country compete against the southern islands with the center holding the balance of power. Traditional chiefs also still play a significant role in influencing island affairs, particularly on the outer islands. A long-held distinction between chiefs and commoners is slowly disappearing, and chiefs are now more often selected on merit rather than by birth.
After the death of Prime Minister Ionatana in late-2000, Tuvalu had four prime ministers in 2 years. This in part reflects the pressures affecting the small nation, including the transition from an exchange economy to a currency-based economy, an inherited system of government with only limited regard to Tuvaluan traditions of decision making, and the lack of a clear path to implement Tuvalu's vision for the future.
Elections held in July 2002 were, as is the norm in Tuvalu, free and fair.[citation needed] Six of the 15 members elected to Parliament are serving for the first time. Saufatu Sopoanga, a former civil servant, became Prime Minister in August 2002. He replaced Koloa Talake, who had replaced Faimalaga Luka after a vote of no confidence in 2001. It was expected that Tuvalu would have a period of political stability. However, Sapoanga was removed from office after two years and deputy prime minister Maatia Toafa became official prime minister in 2004.
Apisai Ielemia became prime minister following the August 3, 2006 general election. Many of the incumbent government ministers under the previous government of Maatia Toafa lost their reelection bids for the Tuvaluan Parliament.
[edit] Military
Tuvalu has no regular military forces, and spends no money on the military. Its police force includes a Maritime Surveillance Unit for search and rescue missions and surveillance operations. The police have a Pacific-class patrol boat (Te Mataili) provided by Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Program for use in maritime surveillance and fishery patrol.
[edit] References
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