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Government of Barbados
The Barbados Government is headed by the monarch, Queen Elizabeth II as head of state which is represented in the country by the Governor General, Dame Sandra Mason. Fair elections and equal voting rights form the basis of the bicameral legislature and political party system in the Barbados government. The Barbados government was a Crown colony up until 1961 when Barbados achieved full self-governance and elected its government.
How Barbados Government Work
A senate forms part of the Barbados government and includes 21 members, appointed by the Governor-General on behalf of the monarch out of which 12 are appointed on the advice of the Prime minister, two on the recommendation of the Leader of the Opposition, and the Governor-general selects the rest of the seven members. The house of assembly has 30 members all of which are elected.
Parliamentary Democracy & Constitutional Monarchy
The Barbados government has evolved into an independent parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy where the power is enjoyed by the Parliament, and the Monarch is only a non-political head of state. The supreme law of the country is the Constitution of Barbados which was implemented in 1966 as the basis of Barbados government. It is this very Constitution that protects the rights and freedom of the individual. The Barbados government has a cabinet that elects a Prime Minister, and the current Prime Minister is Ms. Mia Mottley. Five years is taken as the maximum duration for a Parliament and after which it is dissolved by the Governor-general, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister.