Politics of the Marshall Islands

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Marshall Islands

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the Marshall Islands

President Litokwa Tomeing Legislature Political parties Elections: 2007 Foreign relations

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Politics of the Marshall Islands takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, and of an emerging multi-party system, whereby the President of the Marshall Islands is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Nitijela (Legislature). The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Contents 1 Executive branch 2 Legislative branch 3 Political parties and elections 4 Judicial branch 5 Political conditions 6 Municipalities 7 International organization participation

[edit] Executive branch

Main office holders

Office	Name	Party	Since
President	Litokwa Tomeing	UPP	7 January 2008

The president is elected by the Nitijela from among its members. Presidents pick cabinet members from the Nitijela. Amata Kabua was elected as the first president of the republic in 1979. Subsequently, he was re-elected to 4-year terms in 1983, 1987, 1991, and 1996. After Amata Kabua's death in office, his first cousin, Imata Kabua, won a special election in 1997. The current president was elected and took office in January 2008.

[edit] Legislative branch

The legislative branch of the government of the Marshall Islands consists of the Legislature (Nitijela) with an advisory council of high chiefs. The Nitijela has 33 members, elected for a four year term in 19 single-seat and five multi-seat constituencies. Members are called senators. The Legislature was last elected 17 November 2003 without the participation of parties, though part of the members could be members of the United Democratic Party.

[edit] Political parties and elections

Traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Kabua Party (Imata Kabua) and the United Democratic Party or UDP (Litokwa Tomeing).

e•d Summary of the 19 November 2007 Marshall Islands Legislature election results

Members	Seats
Independents	33
Total	33
Most of the MPs elected are either members of the United Democratic Party or Aelon Kein Ad.

[edit] Judicial branch

The Republic of the Marshall Islands has four court systems: Supreme Court, high court, district and community courts, and the traditional rights court. Trial is by jury or judge. Jurisdiction of the traditional rights court is limited to cases involving titles or land rights or other disputes arising from customary law and traditional practice.

[edit] Political conditions

Citizens of the Marshall Islands live with a relatively new democratic political system combined with a hierarchical traditional culture. The first two presidents were chiefs. Kessai Note is a commoner.

There have been a number of local and national elections since the Republic of the Marshall Islands was founded, and in general, democracy has functioned well. There have been some incidents of human rights concern, however, such as undue government pressure on the judiciary and the press. The United Democratic Party, running on a reform platform, won the 1999 parliamentary election, taking control of the presidency and cabinet. The new government has publicly confirmed its commitment to an independent judiciary.

The territorial claim by the Republic of the Marshall Islands on Wake Atoll leaves a certain amount of ambiguity regarding the actual or hypothetical role of the US military, responsible under agreement for the defence of Marshallese territory, in the event of any strategic crisis or hostilities involving Wake. The Atoll was formally annexed by the US in the 19th century and is still administered by the US Department of the Interior.

[edit] Municipalities

The Marshall islands is divided into 33 municipalities:

Ailinginae Ailinglaplap Ailuk Arno Aur Bikar Bikini Ebon Enewetak Erikub Jabat

Jaluit Jemo Kili Kwajalein Lae Lib Likiep Majuro Maloelap Mejit Mili

Namorik Namu Rongelap Rongrik Taongi Toke Ujae Ujelang Utirik Wotho Wotje

[edit] International organization participation

AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO

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