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Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 169 KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1974 Population: 106,000 (2013) GDP p.c. growth: 1.8% p.a. 1990–2013 UN HDI 2014: World ranking 79 Official language: English Time: GMT minus 4 hrs Currency: East Caribbean dollar (EC$) Geography Area: 344.5 sq km Coastline: 121 km Capital: St George’s Grenada consists of the island of Grenada, the most southerly of the Windwards in the Eastern Caribbean, and some of the southern Grenadine islands, the largest of which is Carriacou (33 sq km). Its Caribbean neighbours include St Vincent and the Grenadines (which comprises the more northern Grenadines), and Trinidad and Tobago. Constitution Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II Legislature: Parliament Independence: 7 February 1974 Grenada is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, represented by a Governor-General. A parliamentary democracy, Grenada has a bicameral legislature. The House of Representatives has 15 members, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term, and the Senate 13 members, appointed for a fiveyear term by the Governor-General in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The Prime Minister appoints the 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 is responsible for the administration of justice in its member states, including Grenada. 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 the 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: 19 February 2013 Next elections: 2018 Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Dame Cecile La Grenade (2013–) Head of government: Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell Ruling party: New National Party Women MPs: 33% In the general election in January 1999 – called early after a defection left the New National Party (NNP) government without a parliamentary majority – the NNP won a landslide victory, receiving 62 per cent of the votes, and Dr Keith Mitchell continued as Prime Minister. It was not only the first time a party had taken all 15 seats, but also the first time that any party had won two successive elections. In another early election in November 2003 Mitchell and the NNP were returned for a third term. The NNP won eight seats, with 48 Grenada


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