Constitution of St Vincent and the Grenadines

Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II

Legislature: Parliament of St Vincent and the Grenadines

Independence: 27 October 1979

St Vincent and the Grenadines is a constitutional monarchy and representative democracy, with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, represented by a governor-general. The legislature is unicameral, with a House of Assembly of 23 members comprising 15 members elected at least every five years by universal adult suffrage (plus speaker and attorney-general) and six senators appointed by the governor-general (four on the advice of the prime minister and two on that of the leader of the opposition). The leader of the majority party in the House of Assembly becomes prime minister and selects and heads a cabinet.