Politics of Montserrat
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Politics of Montserrat takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency, whereby the Premier 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 Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Military defence is the responsibility of the United Kingdom.
Executive branch
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II | 6 February 1952 | |
| Governor | Elizabeth Carriere | 5 August 2015 | |
| Premier | Donaldson Romeo | PDM | 12 September 2014 |
The Governor is appointed by the Monarch. The Premier 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 Premier of the island is Donaldson Romeo, of the People's Democratic Movement (Montserrat), replacing the outgoing Premier, Reuben Meade of the Movement for Change and Prosperity, who was the island's first Premier of Montserrat
Legislative branch
Montserrat elects on territorial level a legislature. The Legislative Council has 9 members, elected for a five-year term in one constituency.
Political parties and elections
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| People's Democratic Movement | 11,591 | 50.02 | 7 | New |
| Movement for Change and Prosperity | 8,193 | 35.36 | 2 | –4 |
| Alliance of Independent Candidates | 965 | 4.16 | 0 | New |
| Independents | 2,422 | 10.45 | 0 | –3 |
| Total | 23,171 | 100 | 9 | 0 |
| Valid ballots | ||||
| Invalid/blank ballots | ||||
| Total votes cast | 2,747 | 100 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,866 | 71.06 | ||
| Source: Elections 2014 | ||||
Judicial branch
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consists of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal.
Administrative divisions
Montserrat is divided in 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, and Saint Peter.
International organization participation
Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCL