Politics of the Bahamas

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Politics of The Bahamas
)

Legislative power is vested in the two chambers of parliament. The Judiciary
is independent of the executive and the legislature and jurisprudence is based on English common law. The multi-party system is dominated by the Progressive Liberal Party and the Free National Movement. The constitution protects freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association.

Political developments

In the first half of the 20th century, the Bahamas was largely controlled by a group of influential white merchants known as the "Bay Street Boys",

Governor-in-Council
.

The Progressive Liberal Party was formed in 1953 to represent the disenfranchised black majority and this led to the formation of the

Roland Symonette became the country's first premier. In 1967, under the leadership of a young black lawyer named Lynden Pindling
, the PLP were elected and went on to lead the Bahamas into independence in 1973.

A coalition of PLP dissidents and former UBP members formed the Free National Movement (FNM) in 1971 under the leadership of Cecil Wallace Whitfield. After Whitfield's death in 1990, another ex-PLP,

Tommy Turnquest in 2002, but in 2007, due partly to the Anna Nicole Smith
scandal, he returned to lead the FNM to victory again by a five-seat margin.

Due to the inefficiency of the Ingraham government, Christie's PLP regained the government in a massive landslide in 2012. The Christie government was once more libel to charges of massive corruption, and in 2017, there was an even bigger swing back to the FNM, leaving the PLP with a mere four seats in the parliament. general election|in 2002]], when the PLP returned to power under Perry Christie.[2] Ingraham returned to power from 2007 to 2012, followed by Christie again from 2012 to 2017. With economic growth faltering, Bahamians re-elected the FNM in 2017, with Hubert Minnis becoming the fourth prime minister.[3]

In September 2021, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis lost in a snap

Prime Minister of Bahamas.[6]

Executive branch

The Bahamas is a constitutional monarchy based on the Westminster system of parliamentary government. King Charles III is the head of state as King of The Bahamas. He is viceregally represented by the Governor-General of the Bahamas who acts on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet.

The leader of the majority party in parliament serves as prime minister and head of government. The cabinet consists of at least nine members, including the prime minister and ministers of executive departments. They answer politically to the lower House of Assembly.

The governor-general appoints the chief justice of the Supreme Court on the advice of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition. Other justices are appointed on the advice of a judicial commission. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London serves as the highest appellate court for the Bahamas.

Main office-holders
The King of the Bahamas:
Charles III
since
8 September 2022

Legislative branch

Parliament of the Bahamas, located in downtown Nassau

The House of Assembly consists of 38 members, elected from individual constituencies for five-year terms. As under the Westminster system, the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time. The House of Assembly performs all major legislative functions.

The Senate consists of 16 members appointed by the governor-general, including nine on the advice of the prime minister, four on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and three on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition.

Political parties and elections

Movements

International organization participation

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Bahamas: Bad News for the Boys". Time. Time magazine. 20 January 1967. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  2. ^ "New Bahamas Cabinet | Bahamas Financial Services Board". bfsb-bahamas.com.
  3. ^ "Encyclopedia Britannica – The Bahamas". Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Bloomberg". www.bloomberg.com. 17 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Bahamas Election 2021: PLP election victory confirmed | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. 20 September 2021.
  6. ^ McLeod, Sheri-Kae (17 September 2021). "Phillip Davis Sworn in as Prime Minister of Bahamas". Caribbean News.