April 2016

Vol 1 Issue 1

Government in the Bahamas

Background:
The Bahamas government is one of the
most stable in the world. It is set up
consisting of three branches: the
executive branch, the legislative branch,
and the judicial branch. It runs on a fully
functioning democratic system. The
Bahamas government is a member of
the Commonwealth of Nations. Meaning
Queen Elizabeth II acts as head of state.

Executive Branch
The cabinet consists of at least nine
ministers, including the Prime
Minister and Attorney General. The
cabinet is what is considered to be
the executive branch. The Prime
Minister is Perry Gladstone
Christie. Christie has been Prime
Minister since May 2012 and is the
fifth Prime Minister of the
Bahamas.

Legislative Branch
Parliament acts as the legislative branch. It
has to comprise of a Senate and a House of
Assembly. Parliament make laws for the
good of the government of the Bahamas.
The functions of the Parliament is to alter or
amend any of the parts of the Constitution,
regulate procedures by making rules, and
approve the Governments budget. The
Senate consists of 13 Senators and 4
Opposition Senators, and 1 Senior Quasi
Government Official. Currently the Senior
Quasi Government Official is Frank E. Smith.

Judicial Branch
The judicial authority is composed of the
Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
There are 12 Supreme Court justices, 15
Magistrates Court justices, and 3 justices in
the Court of Appeals. The authority of these
members may be granted by the
constitution or by any other law. Members
of the Supreme Court are appointed by the
Governor-General acting on the advice of
the Judicial and Legal Commission. Criminal
matters are usually heard by the Queen in
the Supreme Court and taken down to vote
in the Magistrates Court. As of today the
Governor General is Marguerite Pindling.