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Palau: Government

Key Figures

Chief of State:
President Surangel Whipps Jr.
Head of Government:
President Surangel Whipps Jr.

Overview

Government Name:
Republic of Palau
Constitution:
Adopted: 1979; Outlines territory, sovereignty and supremacy, citizenship, fundamental rights, traditional rights, responsibilities of the national government, suffrage, the branches of government, state governments, and finance.
Government Type:
Presidential Republic in Free Association with the United States
Republic of Palau Flag
Coat of Arms of Republic of Palau

Index of Economic Freedom

There is no Index of Economic Freedom rating for Palau

Country Risk Rating

There is no Country Risk Rating for Palau

Government Branches

Main Powers Election Process Election Cycle 1
Executive

President is chief of state and head of government for Palau. Vice president assumes role of president when/if necessary.

Elected by absolute majority vote through a two-round system.

4 years
Judicial

Supreme Court is divided into trial and appellate divisions and also handle disciplinary and other special proceedings.

Supreme Court judges nominated by a 7-member independent body consisting of judges, presidential appointees, and lawyers and are then appointed by the president.

Mandatory retirement age of 65
Legislative

National Congress is main legislative body of government while the Senate is the upper house.

Senate members are elected by plurality vote in multi-member constituencies. House of Delegates members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies.

4 years

Regional Trade Blocs

No Regional Trade Blocs

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/