Government and Politics of Dominica

Government Type

parliamentary democracy; republic within the Commonwealth

Administrative Divisions

10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter

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: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Sylvanie BURTON (since 2 October 2023) head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004); note - originally assumed post following the death of Prime Minister Pierre CHARLES cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 2 October 2023 (next to be held in 2028); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Sylvanie BURTON elected president; she became the first woman to hold the office in Dominica's history

Legislative Branch

Unicameral House of Assembly (32 seats; 21 members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies, and 9 senators appointed by the president — 5 on the advice of the prime minister and 4 on the advice of the leader of the opposition; members serve five-year terms; the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, who may be elected from outside the House, account for the remaining 2 seats) Elections: Last held on 6 December 2022 (next to be held by 2027); the election must be held within five years of the previous polling date or within 90 days of the dissolution of parliament. Election results: Percent of vote by party — Dominica Labour Party (DLP) 81.97%, United Workers' Party (UWP) 17.82%; seats by party — DLP 19, UWP 2.

Judicial Branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)

Political Parties

Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT]; United Workers Party or UWP [Edison JAMES]

Head of State

President Sylvanie BURTON

Head of Government

Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT

Cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Elections

Last held on 6 December 2022 (next to be held by 2027); the election must be held within five years of the previous polling date or within 90 days of the dissolution of parliament.

Election Results

Percent of vote by party — Dominica Labour Party (DLP) 81.97%, United Workers' Party (UWP) 17.82%; seats by party — DLP 19, UWP 2.

Constitution

3-Nov-78

Independence

3 November 1978 (from UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 3 November (1978)

International Organization Participation

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

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Judith Anne ROLLE, Third Secretary chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791 consulate(s) general: New York

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Dominica

Capital City

Roseau

Location

15 18 N, 61 24 W

Time Difference

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

History

The name is French for "reed"; the first settlement was named after the river reeds that grew in the area

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.

Military Branches

No regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Coast Guard)