Antigua and Barbuda has a bicameral legislature and multiple political parties, with universal adult suffrage and elections held every 5 years. The Senate has 17 members appointed by the Governor-General, with 10 being appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, 4 on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, one on the advice of the Barbuda Council, one resident of Barbuda on the advice of the Prime Minister, and one at the discretion of the Governor-General. The House of Representatives with 17 members are all elected.[2]
The highest law in Antigua and Barbuda is the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda. Officers of each house (President, Vice President; Speaker, Deputy Speaker) are all elected by members of those houses. The Cabinet is appointed by the Prime Minister, and members of the Cabinet must be either a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives. Elections are held every 5 years, however, elections may be called earlier by the Prime Minister.[1]
History
The government has been elected since 1984, which was the first election after independence in 1981.[3] Before independence, the Antigua and Barbuda had previously been an associated state, and earlier a British colony.[4] The first universal adult suffrage elections in Antigua and Barbuda were held in 1951.[5]
The constitution's section 68 establishes the executive branch of government, which is headed by the monarch. The Governor-General appoints the prime minister, who heads the executive branch. The prime minister must be a member of the House of Representatives and the leader of the political party that has the support of the majority of House members. Alternatively, if the Governor-General believes that a party does not have an unquestionable leader in the House or that no party commands the support of such a majority, he may designate as the member of the House who is most likely to command the support of the majority of House members. The candidate should also be willing to take on the role of prime minister.[1]
Not all ministers hold cabinet positions, though historically and today the majority of ministers have held cabinet positions. Every member of the cabinet is a minister, save for the Attorney General. The Governor-General, acting on the Prime Minister's advice, may create additional offices of Minister (including Minister of State) within the Government in addition to the position of Prime Minister, subject to the provisions of any laws passed by Parliament. This is governed by subsection (4) of section 69 and section 82 of the Constitution.[1]
Rather than serving in the cabinet, parliamentary secretaries assist the ministries. On the Prime Minister's recommendation, the Governor-General may designate members of the House and Senate to be Parliamentary Secretaries in order to support Ministers in their duties.[1]
Permanent secretaries help ministries instead of sitting in the cabinet. A Minister is in charge of providing guidance and oversight to a specific government department after being assigned to it. The department is headed by a Permanent Secretary, a public official, who is subject to this direction and oversight. Any government department assigned to a minister may be supervised by two or more permanent secretaries for the purposes of section 78 of the constitution, as well as two or more government departments under the direction of one permanent secretary.[1]
Cabinet
Antigua and Barbuda appointed its newest cabinet on 20 January 2023.[9]
Office
Office Holder
Constituency
Prime Minister
Minister of Finance, Corporate Governance, and Public and Private Partnerships
The Constitution's Section 27 creates the Parliament. As long as the laws follow the provisions of the Constitution, Parliament is empowered to pass legislation for Antigua and Barbuda's peace, order, and well-being. Any provision of the Constitution or the ruling of the Supreme Court may be amended by Parliament in compliance with section 47's requirements. At least two-thirds of House members must vote in favor of a bill in order for it to be deemed passed by the House, even if it amends the Constitution or a Supreme Court decision. The Senate, the House of Representatives, and the King of Antigua and Barbuda make up the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda.[1]
The Senate is Antigua and Barbuda's upper chamber of Parliament. The Governor General appoints its seventeen members. Ten members are appointed on the Prime Minister's recommendation, four on the Leader of the Opposition's recommendation, one on the Barbuda Council's recommendation, one on the Prime Minister's recommendation for a resident of Barbuda, and one at the Governor General's discretion.[1]
The lower house of Antigua and Barbuda's bicameral parliament is called the House of Representatives. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, each of the constituencies established in line with section 62 of the Constitution shall elect one representative to the House through a direct election, following the processes prescribed by or under any applicable law.[1]
The Antigua and Barbuda judiciary is a separate part of the government and is governed by the Antigua and Barbuda Constitution. The judicial branch is mostly independent of the other two institutions, despite the fact that magistrates are appointed by the Office of the Attorney General in the executive branch. The judiciary is made up of the High Court for significant offenses and the Magistrate's Court for minor ones.[11]
