Tuvalu - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Tuvalu, it was "tuvalu" means "group of eight" or "eight standing together" referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 7 island councils and 1 town council*; Funafuti*, Nanumaga, Nanumea, Niutao, Nui, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, Vaitupu
National symbols
Maneapa (native meeting house); national colors: light blue, yellow.
The flag
The National flag of Tuvalu has light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow, five-pointed stars on a blue field symbolizing the nine atolls in the ocean.
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The National Anthem
| Title | "Tuvalu mo te Atua" (Tuvalu for the Almighty) |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Afaese MANOA |
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note: adopted 1978; the anthem's name is also the nation's motto
More about the government of Tuvalu
| Date of Independence | 1 October 1978 (from the UK) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 1 October (1978) |
| Legal system | mixed legal system of English common law and local customary law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| Constitution | |
| History | Previous 1978 (at independence); latest effective 1 October 1986 |
| Amendments | Proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the final reading; amended 2007, 2010, 2013, 2023 |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | yes |
| Citizenship by descent only | yes; for a child born abroad, at least one parent must be a citizen of Tuvalu |
| Dual citizenship recognized | yes |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | na |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Tofiga Vaevalu FALANI (since 29 August 2021) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Feleti Penitala TEO (since 27 February 2024) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the governor general on recommendation of the prime minister |
| Elections/appointments | the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from members of House of Assembly following parliamentary elections |
| Election results | 2024: TEO was the only candidate nominated by the House of Assembly 2019: Kausea NATANO elected prime minister by House of Assembly; House of Assembly vote - 10 to 6 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Parliament (Palamene) |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Chamber name | Parliament of Tuvalu (Palamene o Tuvalu) |
| Number of seats | 16 (all directly elected) |
| Electoral system | Plurality/majority |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 4 years |
| Most recent election date | 1/26/2024 |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 0% |
| Expected date of next election | January 2028 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and not less than 3 appeals judges); High Court (consists of the chief justice); appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Court of Appeal judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; judge tenure based on terms of appointment; High Court chief justice appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; chief justice serves for life; other judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet after consultation with chief justice; judge tenure set by terms of appointment |
| Subordinate courts | Magistrates' courts; island courts; land courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Tapugao FALEFOU (since 19 April 2023); note - also Permanent Representative to UN |
| Chancery | 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1104, New York, NY 10017 |
| Telephone | [1] (212) 490-0534 |
| FAX | [1] (212) 808-4975 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] [email protected] https://www.un.int/tuvalu/about |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Embassy | The US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Tuvalu
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Tuvalu
Want to know more about Tuvalu? Check all different factbooks for Tuvalu below.
