The Head of State and Governor-General

The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a Governor-General, appointed by the Queen as her representative.  The Governor-General exercises ceremonial functions, but residual powers, under the constitution, can be used at the Governor-General's discretion.  The actual power in Saint Lucia lies with the Prime Minister and the cabinet, usually representing the majority party in parliament.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the nominal head of state represented in the country by the Governor-General.   The position of Governor-General was established when Saint Lucia was granted independence on 22 February 1979, prior to which there had existed the equivalent position of Governor of St. Lucia.

In the table below, we provide a listing of the Governors-General of Saint Lucia.

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The Prime Minister and Head of Government

The Governor-General appoints a Representative who appears likely to command the support of the majority of the Representatives as the Head of Government.  With the granting of the new Constitution in 1960, the Head of Government was referred to as the Chief Minister.  After attaining Associated Statehood in 1969, the Head of Government was referred to as the Premier.  Upon attainment of the independence in 1978, the Head of Government was referred to as the Prime Minister.  There have been six Prime Ministers of Saint Lucia since independence.  In the table below, we provide a list of all Head of Government of Saint Lucia.

Learn more about the Heads of Government of Saint Lucia »

The Cabinet

The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister from the members of the House of Assembly, with no more than two members being drawn from the appointed senators.  The main function of the Cabinet is to advice the Governor-General and is collectively responsible to the House for any advice given to the Governor-General by or under the general authority of the Cabinet and for all things done by or under the authority of any Minister in the execution of his office.

The functions of the Cabinet are to advice the Governor-General in the government of the country and the Cabinet is collectively responsible to the House for any advice given to the Governor-General or any action in the execution of office.

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The bicameral parliament consists of an elected 17-member House of Assembly and appointed 11-member Senate.  The House of Assembly comprises 17 seats, corresponding to Saint Lucia’s 17 constituencies.  Single members are elected by popular vote to terms not to exceed five years in a “first past the post” electoral system.  The Senate consists of 11 members, of which six members are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups.

The parliament may be dissolved by the Governor-General at any point during its 5-year term, either at the request of the Prime Minister--in order to take the nation into early elections--or at the Governor-General's own discretion, if the house passes a vote of no-confidence in the government.

Following general elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is normally appointed Prime Minister; a Deputy Prime Minister from the majority party or coalition is also appointed.  The Governor-General, an honorary appointment, represents the UK monarch as Head of State and performs ceremonial functions.

Learn more about the House of Assembly of Saint Lucia »

Learn more about the Senate of Saint Lucia »

Saint Lucia has an independent judiciary composed of district courts and a high court.  Cases may be appealed to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeals and, ultimately, to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.  The island is divided into 10 administrative divisions, including the capital, Castries.  Popularly elected local governments in most towns and villages perform such tasks as regulation of sanitation and markets and maintenance of cemeteries and secondary roads.  Saint Lucia has no army but maintains a coast guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit within its police force.

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