Prime Minister of the Bahamas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas |
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Flag of the prime minister
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Seal of the prime minister of the Bahamas
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| Government Cabinet |
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| Style | The Most Honourable |
| Abbreviation | PM |
| Seat | Nassau |
| Appointer | Governor-General |
| Term length | At the governor-general's pleasure (normally 5 years) |
| Precursor | Premier of the Bahamas Islands |
| Inaugural holder | Sir Lynden Pindling |
| Formation | 10 May 1969 |
| Deputy | Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas |
| Salary | 86,000 BSD annually |
| Website | bahamas.gov.bs |
The prime minister of the Bahamas is the main leader of the government in the Bahamas. Think of them as the head of the team that runs the country. The prime minister is officially chosen by the Governor-General of the Bahamas. The Governor-General represents Charles III, who is the King of the Bahamas and the country's head of state.
This article shares a list of all the prime ministers of the Bahamas. It starts from 1955, when the position was called "chief minister," and goes up to today.
Contents
How the Prime Minister is Chosen
The Constitution of the Bahamas explains how the prime minister is picked. Section 72 says that the Governor-General of the Bahamas must choose a person. This person must be a member of the House of Assembly. They also need to be the leader of the political party that has the most support from other members in that House.
If no single party has a clear majority, the Governor-General picks the person most likely to get support from the majority. This makes sure the government can work well.
What the Prime Minister Does
The prime minister of the Bahamas leads the country's government. They have many important jobs and responsibilities. These duties help to manage the country and its different parts.
Some of the key things the prime minister and their office are in charge of include:
- Overseeing the main Office of the Prime Minister.
- Managing land and surveys across the islands.
- Running the government's printing services.
- Collecting and sharing important statistics about the country.
- Handling public information services for the Bahamas.
- Leading the National Economic Council to improve the economy.
- Encouraging and making it easier for new businesses to invest in the Bahamas.
- Helping with development and growth in the Family Islands.
Several government agencies also work under the prime minister's guidance:
- The Department of Lands and Surveys.
- Groups that handle land ownership and buying land for public use.
- The Department of Local Government, which works with local councils.
- Building good relationships with local government groups.
- Supporting local improvement projects in communities.
Leaders of the Bahamian Government (1955–Present)
Here you can see a list of the people who have led the government of the Bahamas. The title of the leader has changed over time.
- Political parties
United Bahamian Party (UBP) Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Free National Movement (FNM)
Chief Ministers of the Bahamas Islands (1955–1964)
| No. | Portrait | Name (Born–Died) |
Election | Time in Office | Political Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | Ended | Length of Time | |||||
| 1 | .svg) |
Sir Roland Symonette (1898–1980) |
1962 | 1955 | 7 January 1964 | 9 years | UBP |
Premiers of the Bahamas Islands (1964–1969)
| No. | Portrait | Name (Born–Died) |
Election | Time in Office | Political Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | Ended | Length of Time | |||||
| (1) | .svg) |
Sir Roland Symonette (1898–1980) |
— | 7 January 1964 | 16 January 1967 | 3 years, 9 days | UBP |
| 2 |  |
Lynden Pindling (1930–2000) |
1967 1968 |
16 January 1967 | 10 May 1969 | 2 years, 114 days | PLP |
Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Islands (1969–1973)
| No. | Portrait | Name (Born–Died) |
Election | Time in Office | Political Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | Ended | Length of Time | |||||
| 1 | |
Lynden Pindling (1930–1992) |
1972 | 10 May 1969 | 10 July 1973 | 4 years, 61 days | PLP |
Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (1973–Present)
| No. | Portrait | Name (Born–Died) |
Election | Time in Office | Political Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | Ended | Length of Time | |||||
| 1 | |
Lynden Pindling (1930–2000) |
1977 1982 1987 |
10 July 1973 | 21 August 1992 | 19 years, 42 days | PLP |
| 2 |  |
Hubert Ingraham (born 1947) |
1992 1997 |
21 August 1992 | 3 May 2002 | 9 years, 255 days | FNM |
| 3 | .jpg) |
Perry Christie (born 1943) |
2002 | 3 May 2002 | 4 May 2007 | 5 years, 1 day | PLP |
| (2) | |
Hubert Ingraham (born 1947) |
2007 | 4 May 2007 | 8 May 2012 | 5 years, 4 days | FNM |
| (3) | |
Perry Christie (born 1943) |
2012 | 8 May 2012 | 11 May 2017 | 5 years, 3 days | PLP |
| 4 |  |
Hubert Minnis (born 1954) |
2017 | 11 May 2017 | 17 September 2021 | 4 years, 128 days | FNM |
| 5 |  |
Philip Davis (born 1951) |
2021 | 17 September 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 277 days | PLP |
Timeline of Prime Ministers
This is a chart that shows how long each prime minister of the Bahamas lived and when they were in office. They are listed by when they first became prime minister.
Deputy Prime Ministers
The role of Deputy Prime Minister was officially created on February 20, 1968. This person helps the prime minister and can step in if needed.
Here is a list of the people who have served as Deputy Prime Minister:
- Arthur Dion "A.D" Hanna (1968–1984)
- Clement T. Maynard (1985–1992)
- Orville Turnquest (1992–1995)
- Frank Watson (1995–2002)
- Cynthia A. Pratt (2002–2007)
- Brent Symonette (2007–2012)
- Philip Davis (2012–2017)
- Peter Turnquest (2017–2020)
- Desmond Bannister (2020–2021)
- Chester Cooper (2021–present)
See Also
In Spanish: Primer ministro de las Bahamas para niños
- Governor-General of the Bahamas
- Lists of office-holders
- List of prime ministers of Elizabeth II
- List of Commonwealth heads of government
- List of Privy Counsellors (1952–2022)
