GOVERNMENT
The country is governed by a unicameral Parliament consisting of 18 members elected at least triennially from 8 constituencies. Parliament elects the president, who is both chief of state and head of government, from among its members. The president appoints a cabinet from among members of Parliament.
For its size, Nauru has a complex legal system. The Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of Nauru, is paramount on constitutional issues, but other cases can be appealed to the two-judge Appellate Court. Parliament cannot overturn court decisions, but Appellate Court rulings can be appealed to Australia's High Court; in practice, however, this rarely happens. Lower courts consist of the District Court and the Family Court, both of which are headed by a Resident Magistrate, who also is the Registrar of the Supreme Court. Finally, there also are two quasi-courts--the Public Service Appeal Board and the Police Service Board--both of which are presided over by the Chief Justice.
There is a small police force of 109 members under civilian control. There are no armed forces.
POLITICAL
CONDITIONS
In recent decades, as turmoil grew over Nauru's uncertain future and economic failures, no-confidence votes that spurred changes of government became commonplace. In 1997 Nauru had four different presidents in as many months. Following the election of Ludwig Scotty in October 2004 and the naming of a reform-minded government, Nauru enjoyed a period of political stability. The Scotty team was re-elected to Parliament in August 2007. However, in December 2007 that team split and a no-confidence vote removed Scotty from power. Marcus Stephen assumed the presidency, and Nauru has experienced political volatility in the months following the installation of a new government.
Principal
Government Officials
President--Marcus Stephen
Foreign Minister--Kieren Keke
Ambassador to the United States and United Nations--Marlene Moses
Nauru
does not currently have an embassy in the United States but does
have a UN Mission at 800 2d Ave, Suite 400D, New York, New York
10017 (tel: 212-937-0074, fax: 212-937-0079).
Type: Republic.
Constitution: 1968.
Independence: January 31, 1968.
Branches: Executive--president and cabinet. Legislative--unicameral Parliament. Judicial--Supreme Court, Appellate Court, District Court, and Family Court.
Administrative subdivisions: 14 districts.
Political party: Naoero Amo (Nauru First) Party.
Central government budget (2007 est.): $14.96 million.
Suffrage: Universal at age 20.
