Governor-General of Belize | |
---|---|
![]() | |
![]() Flag of the governor-general | |
Style | Her Excellency |
Residence | Government House, Belize (former) Belize House, Belmopan (since 1984) |
Appointer | Monarch of Belize on the advice of the prime minister |
Term length | 7 years |
Constituting instrument | Constitution of Belize |
Formation | 21 September 1981 |
First holder | Dame Elmira Minita Gordon |
Salary | BZ$75,000 |
Website | Official website |
![]() |
---|
![]() |
The governor-general of Belize is the representative of the Belizean monarch, currently King Charles III, in Belize. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister of Belize. The functions of the governor-general include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; giving royal assent to legislation passed by the National Assembly; and issuing writs for election.
In general, the governor-general observes the conventions of the Westminster system and responsible government, maintaining a political neutrality, and has to act only on the advice of the prime minister. The governor-general also has a ceremonial role: hosting events at the official residence—Belize House in the capital, Belmopan —and bestowing honours to individuals and groups who are contributing to their communities. When travelling abroad, the governor-general is seen as the representative of Belize and its monarch.
Governors-general are appointed for a seven-year term of office. Since 27 May 2021, the governor-general has been Dame Froyla Tzalam.
The office of the governor-general was created on 21 September 1981, when Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom as a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. Since then, three individuals have served as governor-general.
The governor-general is formally appointed by the monarch of Belize. When a new governor-general is to be appointed, the current prime minister recommends a name to the monarch, who by convention accepts that recommendation. At the installation ceremony, the new governor-general takes an Oath of Allegiance and Office. [1] These oaths are administered by the chief justice of Belize.
External videos | |
---|---|
![]() Governor-General Sir Colville Young (left) attending a diplomatic function at US Embassy Belize, 2011 | |
![]() |
The governor-general's powers and roles are derive from the Constitution of Belize's Part IV, sections 30 to 35 and set out certain provisions relating to the governor-general. [1]
I intend to carry out the constitutional role of this office with the required diligence. It is also my hope that time will permit me to carry out more than my constitutional duties. This is an institution with its own culture, however, like all institutions, it is inhabited by people.
The governor-general is responsible for dissolving parliament and issues writs for new elections. After an election, the governor-general formally requests the leader of the political party which gains the support of a majority in parliament to form a government. The governor-general commissions the prime minister and appoints other ministers after the election. [3]
The prime minister keeps the governor-general fully informed concerning the general conduct of the government of Belize and furnishes the governor-general with such information as the governor-general may request with respect to any particular matter relating to the government of Belize. [1]
The governor-general, on the Sovereign's behalf, gives royal assent to laws passed by the National Assembly of Belize. [4]
The governor-general acts on the advice of government ministers, to issue regulations, proclamations under existing laws, to appoint state judges, [5] ambassadors and high commissioners to overseas countries, and other senior government officials.
The governor-general is also responsible for issuing Royal Commissions of Inquiry, and other matters, as required by particular legislation; and authorises many other executive decisions by ministers such as approving treaties with foreign governments.
The governor-general may, in certain circumstances, exercise without – or contrary to – ministerial advice. These are known as the reserve powers, and include:
The governor-general's ceremonial duties include opening new sessions of parliament by delivering the Speech from the Throne, welcoming visiting heads of state, and receiving the credentials of foreign diplomats.
The governor-general attends military parades and special occasions, and presents Colours and other insignia to units of the Belize Defence Force and the Police Force.
The governor-general also presents honours at investitures to persons for notable service to the community, or for acts of bravery.
The Governor-General (Conditions of Service) Act 1989 defines the salary, pension and other entitlements of the governor-general. [6] The act was amended in 2021 to provide for a fixed seven-year term of office and raise the governor-general's salary to BZ$75,000. [7] [8] This was the first increase in salary since 1989. [9]
The governor-general uses a personal flag, which features a lion passant atop a St. Edward's royal crown with "Belize" written across a scroll underneath, all on a blue background. It is flown on buildings and other locations in Belize to mark the governor-general's presence.
A viceregal salute —composed of the first verse of "God Save the King" followed by the chorus of the Belizean National Anthem, "Land of the Free"— is used to greet the governor-general upon arrival at, and mark his or her departure from most official events. [10]
The governor general resided at Government House, Belize until 1984, even after the capital had moved to Belmopan in 1970. In 1984, the governor general moved to Belize House in Belmopan, formerly the residence of the British High Commission on North Ring Road and Melhado Parade. [11]
Following is a list of people who have served as Governor-General of Belize since independence in 1981.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Monarch (Reign) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||
1 | ![]() | Dame Elmira Minita Gordon (1930–2021) | 21 September 1981 | 17 November 1993 | 12 years, 57 days | ![]() Elizabeth II (1981–2022) |
2 | ![]() | Sir Colville Young (b. 1932) | 17 November 1993 | 30 April 2021 | 27 years, 164 days | |
– | ![]() | Stuart Leslie (b. ?) Acting Governor-General | 30 April 2021 | 27 May 2021 | 27 days | |
3 | ![]() | Dame Froyla Tzalam (b. ?) | 27 May 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 19 days | |
![]() Charles III (2022–present) |
The governor-general of Australia is the representative of the monarch of Australia, currently King Charles III, and performs many constitutional, ceremonial and community roles in the Australian political system. When performing these roles, the governor-general acts independently and is not the King's delegate or agent. The current governor-general is David Hurley, having been appointed on 1 July 2019. Samantha Mostyn has been chosen by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to be the next governor-general, beginning 1 July 2024.
Belize is a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the king of Belize serves as head of state and the prime minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Belize.
The governor-general of Papua New Guinea is the representative of the Papua New Guinean monarch, currently King Charles III, in Papua New Guinea. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch after their nomination by the National Parliament by vote. The functions of the governor-general include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; and issuing writs for election.
Sir Colville Norbert Young is a Belizean politician who served as the second governor-general of Belize. He is also a patron of the Scout Association of Belize. He was appointed as the Governor-General in 1993, taking office on 17 November of that year, and was knighted in 1994.
The Governor-General of Grenada is the representative of the Grenadian monarch, currently King Charles III, in Grenada. The Governor-General is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Grenada. The functions of the Governor-General include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; giving Royal Assent to legislation passed by the Grenadian Parliament; and issuing writs for election.
The governor-general of Jamaica is the representative of the Jamaican monarch, currently King Charles III, in Jamaica. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister of Jamaica. The functions of the governor-general include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; giving royal assent to legislation passed by parliament; issuing writs for election.
The governor-general of Saint Lucia is the representative of the Saint Lucian monarch, currently King Charles III, in Saint Lucia. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister of Saint Lucia. The functions of the governor-general include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; giving royal assent to legislation passed by parliament; issuing writs for election.
The president of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is the head of state of Trinidad and Tobago and the commander-in-chief of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. The office was established when the country became a republic in 1976, before which the head of state was the Queen of Trinidad and Tobago, Elizabeth II. The last governor-general, Sir Ellis Clarke, was sworn in as the first president on 1 August 1976 under a transitional arrangement. He was formally chosen as president by an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of Parliament on 24 September 1976, which is now celebrated as Republic Day.
The governor-general of The Bahamas is the representative of the Bahamian monarch, currently King Charles III, in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister of The Bahamas. The functions of the governor-general include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; giving royal assent to legislation passed by parliament; issuing writs for election.
The governor-general of Solomon Islands is the representative of the Solomon Islands' monarch, currently King Charles III, in Solomon Islands. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch after their nomination by the National Parliament by vote. The functions of the governor-general include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; giving royal assent to legislation passed by parliament; and issuing writs for election.
Elections in Belize are the duly held elections held at various levels of government in the nation of Belize.
The National Assembly is the bicameral legislature of the nation of Belize. It is divided into the House of Representatives, with 31 members, elected by universal suffrage, and the Senate, with 13 members, appointed by the Governor-General in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The presiding officer of the House is the Speaker, while the Senate is presided over by the President.
H.E., Stuart Leslie is a Belizean public servant and ambassador. He served as Belize's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2000 to 2005. He served as Belize's Chief Elections Officer from September 2005 to December 2006. In January 2006, he took up a new appointment as the Ambassador of Trade in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. He currently serves as the Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Hon. Prime Minister of Belize, John Briceño.
The monarchy of Belize is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of Belize. The current Belizean monarch and head of state since 8 September 2022, is King Charles III. As sovereign, he is the personal embodiment of the Belizean Crown. Although the person of the sovereign is shared with 14 other independent countries within the Commonwealth of Nations, each country's monarchy is separate and legally distinct. As a result, the current monarch is officially titled Kingof Belize and, in this capacity, he and other members of the royal family undertake public and private functions as representatives of the Belizean state. However, the King is the only member of the royal family with any constitutional role.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and introduction to Belize:
His Majesty's Government in Belize, also referred to as the Belizean Government is the democratic administrative authority of Belize, a constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. It was formed in 1981 after gaining sovereignty from the United Kingdom. The constitution is the supreme law of Belize.
The following lists events in the year 2021 in Belize.
Dame Froyla Tzalam is a Belizean Mopan Maya anthropologist and community leader, who has served as the third governor-general of Belize since 27 May 2021.
The following lists events in the year 2023 in Belize.
The following lists events in the year 2024 in Belize.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)