Government and Politics of Tuvalu

Government Type

constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy; began debating republic status in 1992

Administrative Divisions

none

Legal System

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent: yes; for a child born abroad, at least one parent must be a citizen of Tuvalu dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: na

Executive Branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor General Tofiga Falani IKUPA (since 29 August 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Feleti Penitala TEO (since 27 February 2024) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament following parliamentary elections election results: Kausea NATANO served as prime minister from 2019 until losing a no-confidence vote in October 2023; Feleti Penitala TEO was subsequently elected by Parliament and sworn in as prime minister on 27 February 2024, becoming the first prime minister in Tuvaluan history to be an appointed public servant rather than an elected member of Parliament

Legislative Branch

unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 July 2002 (next to be held in 2006) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15

Judicial Branch

High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction)

Political Parties

there are no political parties but members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings

Head of State

ELIZABETH II

Head of Government

Apisai IELEMIA

Cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister

Elections

the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament; election last held 14 August 2006 (next to be held following parliamentary elections in 2010)

Election Results

Apisai IELEMIA elected Prime Minister in a Parliamentary election on 14 August 2006

Constitution

1-Oct-78

Independence

1 October 1978 (from UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 1 October (1978)

International Organization Participation

ACP, AsDB, C, IFRCS (observer), ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US - the country's only diplomatic post is in Fiji - Tuvalu does, however, have a UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu

Capital City

Funafuti; note - the capital is an atoll of some 29 islets; administrative offices are in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet

Location

8 31 S, 179 13 E

Time Difference

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

History

the atoll is named after a founding ancestor chief, Funa, from the island of Samoa

There is no U.S. Embassy or diplomatic post in Tuvalu. The U.S. Embassy in Fiji provides assistance for U.S. citizens in Tuvalu. U.S. Embassy Suva 158 Princes Road,Suva, Fiji (679) 331-4466 Emergency after-hours telephone: (679) 772-8049 Facsimile: (679) 330-2267

Military Branches

no regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force