Politics of the Federated States of Micronesia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The politics of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) takes place in a framework of a federal assembly-independent representative democratic republic. The President of the Federated States of Micronesia is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the president and his cabinet, while legislative power is vested in both the president and the Congress. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
The internal workings of the FSM are governed by the 1979 constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights and establishes a separation of governmental powers. The Federation is in free association with the United States; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986.
 | This article needs to be updated. (May 2019) |
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Wesley Simina | Independent | 11 May 2023 |
| Vice President | Aren Palik | Independent | 13 September 2022 |
The president and the vice president are elected by Congress from among the four senators-at-large for four-year terms. The president is both the chief of state and head of government. Their congressional seats are then filled by special elections. The president and vice president are supported by an appointed cabinet.
The President and Vice President are supported in the administration by a Cabinet made up of 9 appointed officials. They are: the Secretaries of the Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management (DECEM), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Foreign Affairs (Foreign Affairs), the Department of Resource & Development (R&D), the Department of Health & Social Affairs (DHSA), the Department of Transportation, Communications, & Infrastructure (TC&I), and the Department of Education (DOE); the heads of the Office of the Public Defender, Office of National Archives, Culture, & Historic Preservations, and FSM Postal Services. Other Cabinet-level officials include the director of the National Oceanic Resource & Maritime Authority, Coconut Development Authority, FSM Banking Board, and National Fisheries Corporation.[2]
| Department | Dept. Head's Title | Department Head |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Education | Secretary | The Honorable Gardenia Aisek |
| Department of Finance and Administration | Secretary | The Honorable Rose Nakanaga |
| Department of Foreign Affairs | Secretary | The Honorable Lorin Robert
Deputy Secretary: Ricky Cantero |
| Department of Health and Social Affairs | Secretary | The Honorable Marcus Samo |
| Department of Justice | Secretary | The Honorable Joses R. Gallen |
| Department of Resource & Development | Secretary | The Honorable Elina Akinaga |
| Department of Transportation, Communication, and Infrastructure | Secretary | The Honorable Carlson Apis |
| Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management | Secretary | The Honorable Andrew Yatilman |
| Office of Public Defender | Chief Public Defender | Vacant |
| FSM Postal Services | Postmaster General | Ginger Porter Mida |
| National Archives, Culture and Historic Preservation Office | Director | Dr. Rufino Mauricio |
| Cabinet-level officials | ||
| Coconut Development Authority | General Manager | Peterson Sam |
| FSM Banking Board | ||
| National Fisheries Corporation | President & CEO | Patricia Jack-Jossien |
| National Oceanic Resource and Maritime Authority (NORMA) | Executive Director | Eugene Pangelinan |
The Congress has fourteen non-partisan members, ten members elected for a two-year term in single-seat constituencies and four members elected for a four-year term, one from each state at large.
The judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia, which is divided into trial and appellate divisions. The president appoints judges with the advice and consent of the Congress. Andon Amaraich was Chief Justice of the Federated States of Micronesia until his death in January 2010. He was succeeded by Martin G. Yinug, who served until his death on August 31, 2014.[3] He was succeeded by Dennis K. Yamase, who continues to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court since his investiture on October 2, 2015.[4]
A head of state (the President) and a legislature are elected on a national level. At the 2011 election, only non-partisans have been elected. The president is elected for a four-year term by Congress. There are no political parties in Micronesia, though they are not banned. Political allegiances depend mainly on family and island-related factors.
The government of Micronesia includes national agencies to serve the Micronesian people. The FSM Social Security Administration, FSM Telecommunications Corporation, Office of the Public Auditor, and FSM PetroCorp are independent agencies.
| Agency | Dept. Head's Title | Department Head |
|---|---|---|
| College of Micronesia-FSM | President | Dr. Joseph Daisy |
| FSM Development Bank | President & CEO | Anna Mendiola |
| FSM Social Security Administration | Administrator | Alexander Narruhn |
| FSM Telecommunications Corporation | General Manager | John Sohl |
| National Election Commission | Director | Kimeuo Kimuo |
| Office of the Public Auditor | Public Auditor | Haser Hainrick |
The FSM is divided in four states: Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Each has its own constitution, elected legislature, governor, and lieutenant governor. The state governments maintain considerable power, particularly regarding the implementation of budgetary policies.
| State | Governor | Lt. Governor |
|---|---|---|
| Chuuk State | Alexander Narruhn | Mekeioshy William |
| Kosrae State | Tulensa Palik | Arthy G. Nena |
| Pohnpei State | Stevenson A Joseph | Francisco Ioanis |
| Yap State | Charles Chieng | Francis Itimai |
Micronesia is a member of the following international organizations:
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