St Vincent and the Grenadines Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 237 KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1979 Population: 109,000 (2013) GDP p.c. growth: 2.5% p.a. 1990–2013 UN HDI 2014: World ranking 91 Official language: English Time: GMT minus 4 hrs Currency: East Caribbean dollar (EC$) Geography Area: 389.3 sq km Coastline: 84 km Capital: Kingstown St Vincent and the Grenadines, one of the Windward Island countries of the Eastern Caribbean, lies near the southern end of the Caribbean chain, about 97 km north of Grenada. The country comprises six parishes, one of these being Grenadines. Constitution Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II Legislature: Parliament of St Vincent and the Grenadines Independence: 27 October 1979 St Vincent and the Grenadines is a constitutional monarchy and representative democracy, with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, represented by a Governor-General. The legislature is unicameral, with a House of Assembly of 23 members comprising 15 members elected at least every five years by universal adult suffrage (plus Speaker and Attorney-General) and six senators appointed by the Governor-General (four on the advice of the Prime Minister and two on that of the leader of the opposition). The leader of the majority party in the House of Assembly becomes Prime Minister, and selects and heads a cabinet. Judicial system Supreme court: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Ministry: Legal Affairs The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court was established (as the West Indies Associated States Supreme Court) in 1967 with its headquarters in Castries in Saint Lucia and it is responsible for the administration of justice in its member states, including St Vincent and the Grenadines. It comprises the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal. The chief justice and the four justices of appeal are based at the court’s headquarters, and the 19 High Court judges reside in the nine member countries and sit in each country’s court of summary jurisdiction. Less serious cases are heard in magistrates courts. The Court of Appeal is itinerant. The High Court’s jurisdiction includes fundamental rights and freedoms, and constitutional issues. Government and politics Last elections: 13 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 Women MPs: 13% The March 2001 general election was won by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) with 12 seats, ending almost 17 years of New
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