Overview (Structure & Process)

Our Formal Head of State

The King
His Majesty King Charles III is the formal head of state of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis. He is also the symbolic head of the Commonwealth comprised of St. Kitts & Nevis and fifty-three other former British colonies. Parliament meets only by royal summons and no bills become law without Royal Assent.

Our Representative of the King

The Governor-General is the personal representative of the King in St. Kitts & Nevis. He is appointed by His Majesty on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and performs the functions of the Monarch in his absence including Royal Assent for all bills and authorization of all government appointments.

Our Head of Government

The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party which won the largest number of seats in the National Assembly in the last general election. He is invited to form a government by the Governor-General. The Prime Minister is the senior minister in the government and is ultimately responsible for all government policies and programmes.

Our Executive Department Leaders and Administrators

The St. Kitts & Nevis Cabinet is comprised of the Prime Minister, other ministers and the Attorney-General. Cabinet ministers are appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister. They control the departments of government and implement, administer and enforce the laws made by Parliament. Cabinet members must stand together on government policy -- a minister who is not willing to do so must resign.

Our Legislative Assembly

The Parliament of St. Kitts & Nevis is comprised of the Speaker, elected members of the Government and Opposition parties (11), appointed Senators (3) and the Attorney-General when not an elected member. Parliament, also called the National Assembly is the sole institution through which laws of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis are passed, taxes imposed, and public expenditure authorized.

Our Parliament Presiding Officer

The Speaker of the National Assembly is elected by the members and is the presiding officer of Parliament. He decides all questions of procedure and order with complete impartiality and protects the privilege of freedom of speech by ensuring that all members, regardless of party affiliation, are given a fair opportunity to speak and express their views. The Speaker may or may not be an elected member of the National Assembly.

Our Opposition Bench

It is the Opposition's role to scrutinize the government's policies and programmes and provide constructive criticism and alternative strategies in those areas where it disagrees with the administration. The Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly is the person who commands the support of the majority of the representatives who do not support the government.

Our Chief Secretary

The Chief Secretary, appointed by the Prime Minister, is Head of the Civil Service. He is also Secretary to the Cabinet where he ensures that Cabinet decisions are implemented by the government bureaucracy in a timely and effective manner.