St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and is represented on the island by a governor general, an office with mostly ceremonial functions. Control of the government rests with the prime minister and the cabinet.
The parliament is a unicameral body with a 15-member elected house of assembly and a six-member appointed senate. The governor general appoints senators, four on the advice of the prime minister and two on the advice of the leader of the opposition. The parliamentary term of office is five years, although the prime minister may call elections at any time.
CURRENT GOVERNMENT
Governor General
Ballantyne, Frederick Nathaniel, Sir
Prime Minister
Gonsalves, Ralph E.
Dep. Prime Minister
Straker, Louis
Min. of Agriculture, Lands, & Fisheries
Miguel, Girlyn
Min. of Commerce & Trade
Straker, Louis
Min. of Education, Youth, & Sports
Browne, Mike
Min. of Finance
Gonsalves, Ralph E.
Min. of Foreign Affairs
Straker, Louis
Min. of Grenadine Affairs & Legal Affairs
Gonsalves, Ralph E.
Min. of Health & the Environment
Slater, Douglas
Min. of Information
Gonsalves, Ralph E.
Min. of Labor
Gonsalves, Ralph E.
Min. of National Security, the Public Service, & Airport Development
Beache, Vincent
Min. of Planning & Economic Development
Gonsalves, Ralph E.
Min. of Social Development, Cooperatives, the Family, Gender Affairs, & Ecclesiastical Affairs
Walters, Selmon
Min. of Telecommunications, Science, Technology, & Industry
