Government and Politics of Bermuda

Government Type

parliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-government

Administrative Divisions

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick

Legal System

English law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the UK dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor Rena LALGIE (since 14 December 2020) head of government: Premier David BURT (since 19 July 2017); Deputy Premier Lawrence SCOTT assists in governing while the Cabinet manages day-to-day administration cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier and appointed by the governor elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor

Legislative Branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms) elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held not later than July 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts

Political Parties

Progressive Labor Party or PLP [William Alexander SCOTT]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Wayne FURBERT]

Head of State

Queen ELIZABETH II

Head of Government

Premier Ewart BROWN

Cabinet

Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

Elections

the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor

Constitution

8 June 1968, amended 1989 and 2003

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National Holiday

Bermuda Day, 24 May

International Organization Participation

Caricom (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCO, Egmont Group, Caribbean Financial Action Task Force

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

none (overseas territory of the UK)

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Consul General Gregory W. SLAYTON consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233

Capital City

Hamilton

Location

32 17 N, 64 47 W

Time Difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

History

named after Henry HAMILTON (ca. 1734-1796) who served as governor of Bermuda from 1788-1794

American Consulate General Hamilton 16 Middle Road Devonshire DV 03 Telephone: (441) 295-1342 Emergency after-hours telephone: (441) 335-3828 Facsimile: (441) 295-1592

Military Branches

Bermuda Regiment

Service Age and Obligation

18-45 years of age for voluntary male or female enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment; males must register at age 18 and may be subject to conscription; the term of service is 38 months for volunteers or conscripts