The Government of Micronesia

Micronesia - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Micronesia, it was the term "Micronesia" is a 19th-century construct of two Greek words, "micro" (small) and "nesoi" (islands), and refers to thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. The Government system in this country is the federal republic in free association with the US type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap

National symbols

Four, five-pointed, white stars on a light blue field, hibiscus flower; national colors: light blue, white.

The flag

The National flag of Micronesia has light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the stars represent the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap.

The National Anthem

Title	"Patriots of Micronesia"
Lyric/music	unknown/August Daniel BINZER

note: adopted 1991; also known as "Across All Micronesia"; the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben", which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes BRAHMS' "Festival Overture" and Gustav MAHLER's "Third Symphony"

More about the government of Micronesia

Constitution
Date of Independence	3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday	Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Legal system	mixed legal system of common and customary law
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
History	Drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979
Amendments	Proposed by Congress, by a constitutional convention, or by public petition; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote in at least three fourths of the states; amended 1990; note – at least every 10 years as part of a general or special election, voters are asked whether to hold a constitution convention; a majority of affirmative votes is required to proceed; amended many times, last in 2019 (approval by referendum to hold a constitutional convention)
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	no
Citizenship by descent only	at least one parent must be a citizen of FSM
Dual citizenship recognized	no
Residency requirement for naturalization	5 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state	President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023)
Head of government	President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023)
Cabinet	Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments
Elections/appointments	president and vice president indirectly elected by Congress from among the 4 'at large' senators for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 May 2023 (next to be held in 2027)
Election results	2023: David W. PANUELO elected president by Congress; Yosiwo P. GEORGE reelected vice president 2019: David W. PANUELO elected president by Congress; Yosiwo P. GEORGE reelected vice president
Legislative branch
Description	Unicameral Congress (14 seats; 10 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms and 4 at- large members directly elected from each of the 4 states by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
Elections	Last held on 7 March 2023 (next to be held in March 2025)
Election results	Percent of vote - NA; seats by party - independent 14; composition - men 11, women 2; percentage women 15.4%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and not more than 5 associate justices and organized into appellate and criminal divisions)
Judge selection and term of office	Justices appointed by the FSM president with the approval of two-thirds of Congress; justices appointed for life
Subordinate courts	The highest state-level courts are: Chuuk Supreme Court; Korsae State Court; Pohnpei State Court; Yap State Court
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Jackson T. SORAM (since 27 February 2024)
Chancery	1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Telephone	[1] (202) 223-4383
FAX	[1] (202) 223-4391
Email address and website	[email protected] https://fsmembassy.fm/
Consulate(s) general	Honolulu, Portland (OR), Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Jennifer JOHNSON (since 13 September 2023)
Embassy	1286 US Embassy Place, Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941
Mailing address	4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120
Telephone	[691] 320-2187
FAX	[691] 320-2186
Email address and website	[email protected] https://fm.usembassy.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites	1 (cultural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales	Nan Madol: Ceremonial Center of Eastern Micronesia