Government and Politics of Marshall Islands

Government Type

constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986

Administrative Divisions

33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje

Legal System

based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

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 Marshall Islands dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Hilda C. Heine (since 3 January 2024); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hilda C. Heine (since 3 January 2024); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 3 January 2024 (next to be held in 2028) election results: Hilda C. Heine elected president by Parliament, defeating incumbent David Kabua; Heine previously served as president from 2016 to 2020, making her the first female head of state in the Pacific Islands region

Legislative Branch

unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 November 2003 (next to be held by November 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court; High Court

Political Parties

traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two “groupings” have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Aelon Kein Ad Party [Michael KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]

Head of State

President Jurelang Zedkaia

Head of Government

President Jurelang Zedkaia

Cabinet

Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of the legislature

Elections

president elected by a resolution of the House of Representatives for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 January 2009 (next to be held by April 2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Election Results

George ABELA elected president by the House of Representatives

Constitution

1-May-79

Independence

21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

National Holiday

Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)

International Organization Participation

ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, ITU, OPCW (signatory), PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUM chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general: Honolulu

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Greta N. MORRIS embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012

Capital City

Majuro; note - the capital is an atoll of 64 islands; governmental buildings are housed on three fused islands on the eastern side of the atoll: Djarrit, Uliga, and Delap

Location

7 06 N, 171 23 E

Time Difference

UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

Majuro means "two openings" or "two eyes" and refers to the two major northern passages through the atoll into the Majuro lagoon

The U.S. Embassy in Majuro (no street address) Located on the ocean-side of the island's major road, approximately two miles east of the airport. P.O. Box 1379 Majuro, MH 96960-1379 Telephone: (692) 247-4011 Facsimile: (692) 247-4012 Email: MAJConsular@state.gov

Military Branches

no regular military forces; Marshall Islands Police