Government and Politics of Micronesia

Government Type

constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986; economic provisions of the Compact are being renegotiated

Administrative Divisions

4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap

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 FSM dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023); Vice President Aren B. PALIK (since 12 May 2023); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023); Vice President Aren B. PALIK (since 12 May 2023); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the eight executive departments elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four at-large senators for four-year terms; election last held on 12 May 2023 (next to be held in May 2027) election results: Wesley W. SIMINA elected president by Congress; Aren B. PALIK elected vice president by Congress

Legislative Branch

unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote) elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007); elections for two-year term seats last held 8 March 2005 (next to be held March 2007) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court

Political Parties

no formal parties

Head of State

President Emanuel Mori

Head of Government

President Emanuel Mori

Cabinet

Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the eight executive departments

Elections

president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 May 2007 (next to be held May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed

Election Results

Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA

Constitution

10-May-79

Independence

3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)

National Holiday

Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

International Organization Participation

ACP, AsDB, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Suzanne K. HALE embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186

Capital City

Palikir note: Palikir became the new capital of the country in 1989, three years after independence; Kolonia, the former capital, remains the site for many foreign embassies; it also serves as the Pohnpei state capital

Location

6 55 N, 158 09 E

Time Difference

UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Micronesia has two time zones

History

islands name comes from the Greek mikros ("small") and nesos ("island").

U.S. Embassy Kolonia 1286 U.S. Embassy Place, Pohnpei (near the movie theater) P.O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 Telephone: (691) 320-2187 Duty Officer: (691) 920-2369 Facsimile: (691) 320-2186

Military Branches

no regular military forces