Politics of Nauru

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Nauru

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Nauru

Constitution President Ludwig Scotty Political parties Parliament Elections Districts Foreign relations

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Politics of Nauru takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Nauru is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the parliament. 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 Local government 6 Armed forces 7 See also 8 Notes 9 External link

[edit] Executive branch

Main office holders
Office	Name	Party	Since
President of Nauru	Ludwig Scotty		22 June 2004

The Parliament elects a president from amongst its members, who appoints a Cabinet of 5-6 people. The President is both the head of state and head of government.

A series of no-confidence votes, resignations and elections between 1999 and 2003 saw René Harris and Bernard Dowiyogo as President for numerous short periods during a period of political instability. Dowigoyo died in office on March 10, 2003, in Washington, D.C., after heart surgery. Ludwig Scotty was elected President on May 29, 2003, but this did not bring to an end the years of political uncertainty as he was replaced by Harris a few months later.

[edit] Legislative branch

Parliament has 18 members, elected for a three year term in multi-seat constituencies. Each constituency returns 2 members to the Nauruan Parliament, except for Ubenide which returns 4. Voting is compulsory for all citizens aged 20 or more.

[edit] Political parties and elections

The following election results include names of political parties. See for additional information about parties the List of political parties in Nauru. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Nauru.

Nauru does not have a formal structure for political parties; candidates typically stand as independents. 15 of the 18 members of the current parliament are independents, and alliances within the government are often formed on the basis of extended family ties.^[1] Three parties that have been active in Nauruan politics are the Democratic Party, Nauru First and the Centre Party.

[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 23 October 2004 Nauru Parliament election results

	Votes	%	Seats
Non-partisan followers of Ludwig Scotty (including Nauru First)		.	11
Others		.	7
Total			18
Source: Adam Carr

[edit] Judicial branch

Nauru has a complex legal system. The Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice, is paramount on constitutional issues. Other cases can be appealed to the two-judge Appellate Court. Parliament cannot overturn court decisions, but Appellate Court rulings can be appealed to the High Court of Australia; in practice, this rarely happens. Lower courts consist of the District Court and the Family Court, both of which are headed by a Resident Magistrate, who also is the Registrar of the Supreme Court. Finally, there also are two quasi-courts: the Public Service Appeal Board and the Police Appeal Board, both of which are presided over by the Chief Justice. ^[2]

[edit] Local government

Since 1992, local government has been the responsibility of the Nauru Island Council (NIC). The NIC has limited powers and functions as an advisor to the national government on local matters. The role of the NIC is to concentrate its efforts on local activities relevant to Nauruans. An elected member of the Nauru Island Council cannot simultaneously be a member of parliament. ^[3] Land tenure in Nauru is unusual: all Naurans have certain rights to all land on the island, which is owned by individuals and family groups; government and corporate entities do not own land and must enter into a lease arrangement with the landowners to use land. Non-Nauruans cannot own lands.^[4]

[edit] Armed forces

Nauru has no armed forces; under an informal agreement, defence is the responsibility of Australia. There is a small police force under civilian control.^[5]

[edit] See also

• Nauru
• Naoero Amo
• Commonwealth
• UN

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Republic of Nauru Country Brief - November 2005 URL accessed on 2006-05-02.
2. ^ State Department Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs September 2005 URL Accessed 2006-05-11
3. ^ Ogden, M.R. Republic of Nauru URL Accessed 2006-05-02.
4. ^ Nauru Department of Economic Development and Environment. 2003. First National Report To the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) URL Accessed 2006-05-03
5. ^ CIA World Fact Book URL Accessed 2006-05-02

[edit] External link

• Nauru laws and case law

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History	Nauruan Tribal War
Geography	Districts | Cities | Canals
Politics	Constitution | Political parties | Parliament | Elections
Economy	Transport | Communications | Demographics | Companies | Nauru Phosphate Corporation
Culture	Indigenous religion | Languages: Nauruan, Creole, Gilbertese | Sport | Music | Cuisine
Other	Holidays | Operation Weasel