Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda
| Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda | |
|---|---|
 Emblem | |
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| Viceroy | |
| Style | His Excellency |
| Residence | Government House |
| Appointer | Monarch of Antigua and Barbuda on the advice of the prime minister |
| Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure |
| Formation | 1 November 1981 |
| First holder | Sir Wilfred Jacobs |
| Salary | 108,630 XCD annually[1] |
| Website | https://gg.gov.ag/ |
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|---|
The governor-general of Antigua and Barbuda is the representative of the monarch of Antigua and Barbuda, currently King Charles III. The official residence of the governor-general is Government House.
The position of governor-general was established when Antigua and Barbuda gained independence on 1 November 1981.
Appointment
[edit]Any citizen of Antigua and Barbuda may be appointed as governor-general by the monarch. There is no set term for the governor-general, and the governor-general serves at His Majesty's pleasure, meaning the monarch holds the right to dismiss the governor-general at any time. If there is a vacancy in the position, the monarch is the only person who may fill that vacancy.[2] In 2007, there was a vacancy in the position after the term of Sir James Carlisle ended, and in 2014, the government successfully appealed to the monarch that Louise Lake-Tack be removed from office due to her being "uncooperative".[3]
Constitutional role
[edit]The governor-general has various responsibilities under the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda. The governor-general excercises executive authority on behalf of the monarch, whom all executive powers are vested in.[4]
Role in parliament
[edit]The governor-general appoints all members of the Senate. Ten appointments require the advice of the prime minister, one additional appointment must be a Barbuda resident on the advice of the prime minister, one requires the advice of the Barbuda Council, four require the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one may be appointed under his or her discretion. The governor-general may also declare a seat vacant with the advice of the person that's advice was required to appoint them, or if the Barbuda resident senator ceases to be a resident of Barbuda.[5]
All bills passed by Parliament must receive royal assent from the governor-general on behalf of the monarch. The governor-general may only refuse to assent if he or she deems the bill unconstitutional. The governor-general may prorogue Parliament by proclamation. After a consultation with the prime minister, the governor-general may dissolve Parliament. The governor-general may also dissolve Parliament if a vote of no-confidence passes and the prime minister does not resign after seven days or request a dissolution of Parliament. If Parliament is dissolved, the governor-general may prorogue the previous Parliament with the advice of the prime minister in an emergency. The governor-general may choose the date of a general election within three months after a dissolution of Parliament. As soon as possible after a general election, the governor-general must appoint the seventeen senators.[6]
The governor-general chooses the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies by an order. However, at least one these constituencies must be located within Barbuda. The governor-general also appoints various members of the Constituencies Boundaries Commission with the advice of the prime minister and leader of the opposition. The governor-general, through a notice in the Gazette, may also appoint the Supervisor of Elections.[7]
Role in the executive
[edit]The governor-general may appoint the prime minister, who must be a member of parliament with the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Representatives, in usual circumstances the leader of the majority party. All other ministers must also be appointed by the governor-general with the prime minister's advice. Ministries may be created by acts of Parliament, or, if delegated, by the governor-general under the prime minister's advice. The governor-general may assign ministers a portfolio. The governor-general may also appoint parliamentary secretaries, attorneys-general, and certain members of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.[8]
The governor-general may grant pardons, respites, or order less severe punishments to criminals. The governor-general also must appoint the director of public prosecutions under the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, in addition to various other government commissioners.[9]
See also
[edit]- List of governors-general of Antigua and Barbuda
- Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda
- List of colonial governors and administrators of Antigua
References
[edit]- ^ Laws of Antigua and Barbuda. "CHAPTER 195 - THE GOVERNOR AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S EMOLUMENTS AND PENSION ACT" (PDF). laws.gov.ag.
- ^ Chapter III, Antigua and Barbuda Constituton Order (PDF). 1981.
- ^ Maverick.Derrick (30 October 2017). "Government insists former GG demanding too much money". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ Antigua and Barbuda Constituton Order (PDF). 1981.
- ^ The Senate, Antigua and Barbuda Constituton Order (PDF). 1981.
- ^ The House of Representatives, Antigua and Barbuda Constituton Order (PDF). 1981.
- ^ Delimitations of Constituencies, Antigua and Barbuda Constituton Order (PDF). 1981.
- ^ Chapter V, Antigua and Barbuda Constituton Order (PDF). 1981.
- ^ Chapter V & VI, Antigua and Barbuda Constituton Order (PDF). 1981.
External links
[edit]- Georgetown University
- http://www.rulers.org/rula2.html#antigua_and_barbuda
- Archived Official Website
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