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Bahamas: Government

Key Figures

Chief of State:
Queen Elizabeth II represented by Governor General Cornelius A. Smith
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Hubert Minnis

Overview

Government Name:
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Constitution:
Adopted: 1973; Contains articles which overview citizenship, protection of fundamental rights and freedom, the structure of government, public service, and finance.
Government Type:
Constitutional Parliamentary Democracy and a Commonwealth Realm
Commonwealth of The Bahamas Flag
Coat of Arms of Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Index of Economic Freedom

Grades each country on a scale of 0 to 100, based on ten freedoms, with 100 representing the greatest amount of economic autonomy from government intervention. Source: Heritage Foundation (2019)

Country Risk Rating

There is no Country Risk Rating for Bahamas

Government Branches

Main Powers Election Process Election Cycle 1
Executive

The monarch is mainly a ceremonial and representative role as the queen does not reside in The Bahamas. The governor-general represents the queen ceremonially. The prime minister advises the governor-general, serves as the minister of finance, the member of parliament for Centreville, and presides over the house of assembly.

The queen is hereditary. The governor-general is appointed by the queen. The prime minister is appointed by the governor-general. The senate has 16 members who are appointed by the governor-general.

At Her Majesty's discretion
Judicial

The judicial committee of the privy council a UK based council operating upon these functions. All other courts serve the purposes corresponding to their respective titles.

Judicial elections are separate from other government elections and appointments.

Mandatory retirement age of 65
Legislative

The senate is authorized by the constitution to pass bills in the same way as the house, or it can make amendments if necessary. It can out-rightly reject a bill even if it was approved by the house of assembly. The house of assembly must approve amendments to bills as made by the senate and performs all major legislative functions.

38 house of assembly members is elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies.

5 years

Regional Trade Blocs
CARICOM

International Organization Participation [2]

Environmental Agreements [3]

Tax Information [2]

Tax Authority:
Information not available
Tax Name:
Information not available

Sources:

  1. ElectionGuide http://www.electionguide.org/
  2. EY, http://www.ey.com
  3. CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
  4. U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/