President of Barbados facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of Barbados |
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| Style | Madam President (informal) Her Excellency (formal) |
| Residence | State House |
| Appointer | Parliament of Barbados |
| Term length | Four years, renewable once |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Barbados |
| Precursor | Monarch of Barbados |
| Formation | 30 November 2021 |
| First holder | Sandra Mason |
| Succession | Line of Succession |
| Salary | BDS $232,047 annually |
The president of Barbados is the country's head of state. This means the president is the official leader of Barbados. The president is also the commander-in-chief of the Barbados Defence Force, which is the country's military.
This important role was created when Barbados became a parliamentary republic on November 30, 2021. Before this date, the head of state was Elizabeth II, the Queen of Barbados. She was represented on the island by a governor-general. The last person to hold that position, Sandra Mason, is now serving as Barbados' first president.
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Becoming a Republic: A History
Barbados has thought about becoming a republic for a long time. A republic is a country where the head of state is an elected president, not a king or queen.
In 1979, a group called the Cox Commission looked into this idea. They found that most Barbadians wanted to keep the Queen as their head of state. So, the plan to become a republic was put on hold.
Later, in 1994, the Barbados Labour Party suggested holding a vote, called a referendum, on the issue. In 1996, another group, the Constitution Review Commission, was formed. They recommended that Barbados become a republic.
In 1999, the government promised to look at this recommendation. A bill for a referendum was introduced in 2000, but it didn't pass before the next election.
Prime Minister Owen Arthur also supported the idea. He said Barbadians believed their head of state should be a citizen of Barbados. He planned a referendum for 2005, and a bill for it passed. However, this vote was delayed in 2007 due to concerns. The plan was then put aside.
In 2015, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart announced that Barbados would become a republic soon. He hoped it would happen around the 50th anniversary of Barbados' independence in 2016.
Finally, in September 2020, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced a firm plan. She said Barbados would become a republic by November 2021. This would remove the Queen as head of state and replace the governor-general with a Barbadian president.
This plan became law on October 6, 2021. Prime Minister Mottley said it showed Barbados' confidence in managing its own affairs. On November 30, 2021, Barbados officially became a republic.
The first person nominated for president was Sandra Mason. She was the last governor-general. She was elected by the parliament on October 20, 2021, and took office on November 30, 2021.
How the President is Elected
The president of Barbados is chosen by the Parliament of Barbados.
Usually, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition agree on one person. This person is nominated 90 days before the current president's term ends. If no one in parliament objects, that person becomes president without a vote.
If someone objects, the two parts of parliament, the Senate and the House of Assembly, vote separately. The candidate needs a two-thirds majority of votes in each house to be elected.
If the prime minister and opposition leader cannot agree on a candidate, other people can be nominated. A candidate can be nominated by the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, or at least ten members of the House of Assembly. The same two-thirds majority vote in both houses is still needed.
What Happens if the President is Away
If the president's office is empty for a short time, or if the president is away or sick, someone else steps in. The prime minister, after talking with the leader of the opposition, appoints an acting president.
However, if the president is suspended from office (for example, during an impeachment process), the president of the Senate of Barbados becomes the acting president.
The President's Role in Government
Barbados has a Westminster parliamentary system of government. This system is based on the one used in the United Kingdom. In this system, the head of state (the president) has important legal and practical duties.
The president has many powers, but usually acts on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet. This means the prime minister and cabinet make the main decisions, and the president formally approves them.
Executive Powers
The president is the formal source of executive power. This means the president officially carries out the laws. However, in practice, the prime minister and cabinet exercise this power.
The president chooses the prime minister. This is usually the leader of the political party with the most seats in the House of Assembly. If no party has a clear majority, the president decides who is most likely to lead the government. The president also appoints other ministers to the cabinet, based on the prime minister's advice.
Legislative Powers
The president is one of the three parts of parliament, along with the Senate and the House of Assembly. The president's main role in making laws is to sign bills into law after parliament passes them.
The president can also refuse to sign a bill, which is like a veto. The president also appoints senators: twelve on the prime minister's advice, two on the opposition leader's advice, and seven at the president's own choice.
The president also calls parliament into session, pauses its work, and officially ends it. After parliament is ended, the president usually calls for a new general election. These actions are almost always done on the advice of the cabinet.
Judicial Powers
The president has the power to appoint judges. This is done based on the joint recommendation of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition. The president can also pardon people who have committed crimes.
Official Oath of Office
When the president of Barbados takes office, they say an oath. This oath is a promise to serve Barbados well.
The oath is:
I, [name], do swear (solemnly affirm) that I will well and truly serve Barbados in the office of President. (So help me God. (to be omitted in affirmation))
See also
- List of heads of state of Barbados
Images for kids
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Simplification of the government structure of Barbados
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