One of my recent blog posts to do with close encounters with the paranormal was featured on a creature and sighting from this country. And now we will see how its government system works.
Belize is a small country on the east coast of Central America, a strip of land containing a number of nations that sits between the North and South American continents, some consider it apart of South America while others specifically just call it Central America.
The small nation of Belize is bordered with two countries, Mexico and Guatemala and its capital city, Belmopan, is located in the central portion of the country. Belize City on the coast is more attractive for tourists though and the country also has a few islands dotted in the Caribbean Sea of which its coast runs along. The country is also known for its jungles and Mayan artifacts and ruins.
The Spanish Empire originally tried to settle the land but were driven off by lack of resources as well as hostile tribes. Eventually the area was incorporated into the British Empire where it was called British Honduras, after World War 2 the land was hit by severe economic problems which led to calls for independence which it eventually achieved in 1981 and became Belize. Neighboring Guatemala has long disputed Belize even while it was under the British Empire, believing it belonged to them, the territorial dispute between the two countries has continued to this day.
The country’s currency is the Belize dollar and its population is just under 374,700 as of 2017. Roman Catholic is the largest religion, but Protestantism is also prevalent, more so than in any other Central American country due to British influence.
Government Type
Belize is part of the Commonwealth Realm meaning it still recognizes the British Monarch as Head of State despite being independent. The British Monarch is represented by an appointed Governor-General in the country, it is mostly ceremonial.
The country is a multi-party system and has a Prime Minister as Head of Government. There is a bicameral parliament with an upper and lower house that forms the legislative government in the country.
Monarchy and Executive Government
The Monarchy includes the British Monarch as Head of State who is represented by a Governor-General that they appoint for life. The Governor-General is mostly a ceremonial position that acts on advice from the Prime Minister or other officials per the constitution.
Such powers the Governor-General has include appointing the Senate (upper house of parliament) every 5-years on advice from the Prime Minister, leader of the Largest Opposition and certain organizations, explained in more detail later on. The Governor-General also appoints the Prime Minister from the largest party after parliamentary elections. They can call a state of public emergency if there is threat of war or if war has broken out or due to unrest or natural disaster or disease outbreak, this can be revoked or extended by parliament.
The Governor-General can remove the Prime Minister from office who refuses to resign after losing a no-confidence vote. They can also dissolve parliament on advice from the Prime Minister per the constitution or for elections. Appoint a Deputy Prime Minister on advice from the Prime Minister. Appoint and remove Ministers or Cabinet members on the advice of the Prime Minister and appoint other officials such as the Attorney General. Also appoints the leader of the Opposition from the largest opposition party. The Governor-General can also strip powers from a Senator of the upper house he deems unfit and replace them on advice of those relevant.
The Governor-General can also grant pardons or give respite from punishment, give less severe punishment or remit length of punishment, on advice from the Belize Advisory Council.
This Advisory Council is appointed by the Governor-General on advice from the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. Members can remain on the council until they reach the age of 75-years although this can be extended. Members can be removed if deemed unfit by a vote of two-thirds of the lower house of parliament. The council advises the Governor-General on decisions and matters. The Prime Minister and National Assembly is kept annually updated on the Advisory Council’s activities.
The Governor-General appoints the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on advice from the Prime Minister who has consulted with the Leader of the Opposition. The other Supreme Court justices are appointed by the Governor-General on advice from the Judicial and Legal Services Commision in concurrence with the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.
The Governor-General gives royal assent to bills passed by parliament.
The Prime Minister is Head of Government and is charged with leading government functions and a Cabinet that determines governing policy and is accountable to the Governor-General and the legislative parliament. Members/Ministers of Cabinet can be appointed from either House of Representatives or Senate, but no more than two-thirds of the elected members of the majority party in the house and no more than four members from the Senate. The Speaker of the House and President of the Senate can also not be part of Cabinet or a Minister.
Legislative Government
The legislative government is made up of a bicameral parliament with an elected lower house called the House of Representatives and an appointed upper house called the Senate.
The lower house, House of Representatives, currently has 31 democratically elected members and is overseen by a Speaker of at least 30-years-old who can either be elected from among themselves or elected from the populace. The number of members can change if constituencies are amended by law.
The upper house, the Senate, has a set 13 appointed members and is overseen by a President that is at least 24-years-old and elected from the general populace and also elect a Vice-President from its own members. The Senate has final say on ratification of treaties and approving military bases for foreign forces, on approval of certain officials appointees and can hold enquiries.
The Speaker and President make sure members follow rules and regulates debate, they also decide on voting agenda and has powers to keep order in the houses.
Altering the constitution has various requirements depending on what part is being amended, such as needing a unanimous vote, a vote of at least three-quarters, two-thirds or in some cases a simple majority, some cases the Senate will also need to give consent.
Both houses can introduce, amend and revoke bills, although certain bills cannot be amended. Money bills cannot be introduced to the Senate, Money bills will also automatically pass through the Senate within 1 month if it isn’t voted through by them. The Senate can also only send back a bill two times before being overruled.
Electoral System
Parliamentary elections happen every 5-years to elect the members of the lower house of parliament, the House of Representatives, who are elected from single-seat constituencies using the first-past-the-post system. The Prime Minister is appointed from the largest party by the Governor-General and the Leader of the Opposition also appointed by the Governor-General from the largest opposition party.
Eligible candidates for the House of Representatives or appointees for the Senate have to be at least 18-years-old, be a Belize citizen and have been living in the country for at least 1-year. Certain conditions can disqualify a candidate such as allegiance to foreign states, bankruptcy, person of insane or unsound mind, under death penalty or prison length over 12 months or being a member of a disqualifying office among others.
The lower house has 13 members who are appointed every 5-years, six members are appointed by the Governor-General on advice from the Prime Minister, three on advice from the Leader of the Opposition, one on advice from the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, one on advice from the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Business Bureau, one on advice from the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee and finally one on the advice from the non-governmental organisations. If an organisation fails to give advice then the Belize Advisory Council will take up the job of advice instead.
To vote in parliamentary elections a person must be a citizen of Belize or of a Commonwealth Country and who satisfies the requirements of the Representation of the People Act and be at least 18-years-old. Voting is not compulsory.
Thank you for reading, next up will be the country of Benin, in Africa.
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