Politics of Jamaica

The political system of Jamaica is organized in the form of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy. It has a bicameral parliament. The Constitution was drafted in 1962 by the parties present in the Parliament together in a committee established for this purpose. It is based heavily on the state organization of the United Kingdom.

Head of state

The king or queen of the United Kingdom is also head of state of Jamaica. Since 1952, Queen Elizabeth II has held this position. It is represented by the Governor-General, who is appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The tasks are representative nature, the head of government issues policy content as well as the political orientation de facto. At the annual official opening of Parliament the Governor-General announces the throne speech. The current Governor General Patrick Allen, has since February 26, 2009 in office.

Parliament

Jamaica is constructed bikameral. The House of Representatives (lower house or Lower house) has 60 members ( Members of Parliament or MPs), who are elected every five years. The Senate (upper house or upper house) consists of 21 individuals who are all appointed by the Governor-General. 13 of the 21 senators are appointed in consultation with the Prime Minister, for the other eight will be kept by the Governor General consult with the opposition leader. Requirement to be appointed as a Senator is a minimum age of 21, the registration on the electoral list for the House of Representatives as well as a permanent residence in Jamaica. Furthermore, there is an incompatibility between membership in the House of Representatives and the Senate. In principle, all citizens of the Commonwealth of Nations may be appointed senators who have lived for at least 12 months on Jamaica.

The requirements for eligibility for election to the House of Representatives are basically identical with those of the senators. The voting age to exercise the right to vote is 18.

Basically, the legislative activity is for the House of Representatives. The Constitution states: "Parliament june make laws for the peace, order and good government of Jamaica ". In order to introduce such a legislative initiative in the House of Representatives, it needs the support of 15 other parliamentarians to meet the quorum of 16 supporters. Among the most important tasks of the House of Representatives the sovereignty belongs on the budget.

The Senate has mainly the function to review legislation passed by the House of Representatives. Also, the Senate may bring legislative initiatives on the way. Excluded are financial impact projects. In practice, the majority of initiatives arises, however, the House of Representatives. There is only the possibility of a suspensive veto on the part of the Senate. Effective financial acts of the House of Representatives may be postponed for up to one month, all other acts of a maximum of seven months. In forming his cabinet a maximum of four ministers are elected by the Senate.

The elections to the House of Representatives after the relative majority performed ( Constitution Article 66, 67). That is, the country is divided into as many constituencies as there are to choose deputies. Each constituency shall appoint a deputy. Chosen is the one who can unite the most valid votes cast in the first ballot. The consequence of this option is a two-party system.

Legislative process

As is common in many Anglo-Saxon countries, the draft law will be referred to Parliament as Bill, as long as it has not been adopted by the Parliament. The draft law adopted by the Parliament are laws and are referred to as Law.

The Senate or the House of Representatives can initiate Bills. The majority of legislative initiatives originate in the House of Representatives. This can either be a Cabinet member or a group of at least 16 MPs exert such an initiative. Is this first step was successful, the First Reading in the House of Representatives. Here are allowed no substantive debates. The transaction would be assigned a name and it will set a date, will be debated at the first time in the House of content on the topic.

On the date that was specified in the First Reading, is now debating the content on the Bill. This debate is known as the Second Reading. At the end of this debate, a vote is taken. Does not receive the bill by a simple majority of votes, the project has already been completed here. If the thing consented majority, it is passed to a committee.

There is a special committee set up ( the Select Committee), consisting of a small number of MPs. Here, the Bill is discussed and discussed in detail. Changes are deliberated in committee and completed or rejected after a vote. A Bill can not be completely rejected in committee, because this competence solely the responsibility of the House of Commons. Once the committee has come to a conclusion, says a spokesman for the changes that the committee has made.

Now the bill moves out of the committee again to the House. There it is put to a vote. May be made in this third Reading no longer changes. If a majority of the submission is true, it will be referred to the Senate.

There, the procedure of the House repeatedly. If the Senate approves the bill, it needs the Royal Assent. This last act is de facto no longer denied. A last possible refusal fan held under Queen Anne in 1708. As the representative of the Queen here acting Governor-General. After the Royal Assent and the publication of the Bill officially a Law.

Senate Looks need for change, he shall refer the Bill back to the House of Representatives. Is this the Senate amendment to, it now also requires only one Royal Assent. Is not the House, the Senate may appeal suspensive veto be. After this veto the Royal Assent can be granted.

Government

The leader of the largest parliamentary group is appointed by the Governor-General to the Prime Minister. He appoints his cabinet, which must consist of at least eleven people ( Constitution, Article 69, paragraph 1). Each minister ( Minister Cabinst ) are State Secretariat (State Minister ) and parliamentary secretary ( Parliamentary Secretary ) supportive to the side. Each minister is under the responsibility of a particular ministry. For this department he is responsible. The Minister may be dismissed by the Prime Minister through consultation with the Governor-General from office.

Since all Acts of Parliament require only a simple majority and the largest parliamentary faction, due to the two-party system that majority de facto always holds, the prime minister is provided with a large abundance of power. Should a project of the Prime Minister did not receive the required majority for a vote in Parliament, he is dispatched by the Governor-General ( Constitution, Article 71, paragraph 1.2 ).

In addition to the nomination of 13 of the 21 senators by the Prime Minister following points are among his most important tasks:

• He beats the Queen of the United Kingdom before the Governor-General.
• He proposes that the Governor-General (similar to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom ) against the members of the Jamaican Privy Council.
• He proposes that the Governor-General before a candidate for the office of Chief Justice.

As the Prime Minister has to rely on the Parliament and he loses his office in a vote defeat, the dissolution of Parliament is one of his most important printing means. At the proposal of the Prime Minister of the Governor-General may dissolve parliament and schedule early elections.

Jurisdiction

The highest court of appeal in criminal and civil matters, the Court of apeal. It consists of a President ( Chief Justice ), appointed by the Governor-General, together with the Prime Minister and at least three other judges. The exact number will be determined by the Parliament. In addition to the Court of Appeal, there is a Supreme Court, which is responsible for particularly serious offenses and in certain civil matters.

The maximum age of the judges in the appointment is 70. An impeachment is possible. This requires the cooperation of Prime Minister and Governor-General and the Judiciary Committee of the Privy Council, a special judicial facility in London, including jurisdiction over litigation in certain countries of the Commonwealth.