C ommo nwe a l t h memb e r c o u n t r i e s Government and politics Last elections: December 2010 Next elections: 2015/2016 Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General, Sir Frederick Ballantyne (2002–) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr Ralph Everard Gonsalves Ruling party: Unity Labour Party The March 2001 general election was won by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) with 12 seats, ending almost 17 years of New Democratic Party (NDP) government and ULP leader Dr Ralph Gonsalves became Prime Minister. In February 2005 the Constitutional Review Commission proposed far-reaching reforms including replacement of the British monarch as Head of State by an indirectly elected President, establishment of a non-partisan ‘council of elders’ to advise on public appointments and issues of the day, and reconstituting the legislature to include representatives of civil society as well as directly elected and appointed members. In the December 2005 general election the ULP was returned, again winning 12 seats, and Gonsalves continued as Prime Minister. The ULP won a third consecutive general election in December 2010, with eight seats; Gonsalves was returned as Prime Minister. The NDP, led by Arnhim Eustace, secured the remaining seven seats. Local government Ministry: Transport, Works, Urban Development and Local Government There are no local government; no local elections; and no provision for local government in the constitution. For administrative purposes the country comprises six parishes, one of which being Grenadines. Local administration is provided for by the Local Government Act 1981. Further information Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines: www.gov.vc Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org Commonwealth Governance: www.commonwealthgovernance.org Governance institutions Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 254 Parliament of St Vincent and the Grenadines: www.assembly.gov.vc Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court: www.eccourts.org Office of the Prime Minister: www.pmoffice.gov.vc Ministry of Legal Affairs: www.legal.gov.vc Ministry of Transport, Works, Urban Development and Local Government: www.transport.gov.vc Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning: www.finance.gov.vc Eastern Caribbean Central Bank: www.eccbcentralbank. org Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange: www.ecseonline.com Bureau of Standards: www.svgbs.gov.vc Financial Services Authority: www.svgifsa.com Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority: www.ectel.int National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission: www.ntrc.vc
CGH13_ebook
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