Government and Politics of Antigua and Barbuda

Government Type

constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament

Administrative Divisions

6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip

Legal System

based on English common law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor General Sir Rodney WILLIAMS (since 14 August 2014) head of government: Prime Minister Gaston BROWNE (since 13 June 2014; reelected 21 January 2021) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve five-year terms). Elections: House of Representatives - last held on 18 January 2023 (next to be held in 2028). Election results: percent of vote by party - ABLP 47.5%, UPP 45.7%, BPM 1.4%, other 5.4%; seats by party - ABLP 9, UPP 6, BPM 1, independents 1.

Judicial Branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)

Political Parties

Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three opposition parties - Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, Progressive Labor Movement or PLM, United National Democratic Party or UNDP)

Head of State

King CHARLES III, represented by Governor General Sir Rodney WILLIAMS

Head of Government

Prime Minister Gaston BROWNE (since 13 June 2014

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Elections

House of Representatives - last held on 18 January 2023 (next to be held in 2028).

Election Results

Percent of vote by party - ABLP 47.5%, UPP 45.7%, BPM 1.4%, other 5.4%; seats by party - ABLP 9, UPP 6, BPM 1, independents 1. Results reflect the January 2023 general election, in which the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party retained its parliamentary majority under Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

Constitution

1-Nov-81

Independence

1 November 1981 (from UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)

International Organization Participation

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah Mae LOVELL chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador to Barbados, Ambassador Mary E. KRAMER, is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda

Capital City

Saint John's

Location

17 07 N, 61 51 W

Time Difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

named after Saint John the Apostle

U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown Wildey Business Park Wildey St. Michael, Barbados Telephone: (246) 227-4399 Emergency after-hours telephone: (246) 227-4000 Facsimile: (246) 431-0179 Email: BridgetownACS@state.gov Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Barbadian and U.S. holidays. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy maintains a Consular Agency in Antigua. The Agent can assist with routine U.S. Citizens Services and with U.S. citizen emergencies taking place in Antigua and Barbuda. Consular Agency Suite #2 Jasmine Court Friars Hill Road, St. John's. Telephone: (268) 463-6531 Cell Phone (268) 726-6531

Military Branches

Ministry of National Security, Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (includes Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard)

Service Age and Obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; Governor-General has powers to call up men for national service and set the age at which they could be called up