The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda is the head of government of the Antigua and Barbuda. The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda is appointed by the Governor-General under the terms of the Constitution.
| Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms of Antigua and Barbuda | |
| Style |
|
| Member of | Cabinet, National Security Council |
| Appointer | Governor-General Prime minister must have support of the majority of members of the House of Representatives |
| Term length | Five years renewable |
| Formation | 1 November 1981 |
| First holder | Vere Bird |
| Deputy | Deputy Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda |
| Salary | 150,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars/US$ 55,555 annually[1] |
| Website | https://opm.gov.ag/ |
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The executive branch of government is established in section 68 of the constitution, and it is vested in the monarch. The prime minister is appointed by the Governor-General. The prime minister must either be a member of the House and the leader of the political party with the support of the majority of the House's members; or the member of the House who, in the opinion of the Governor-General, is most likely to command the support of the majority of members of the House, if it appears to him that such party does not have an indisputable leader in the House or that no party commands the support of such a majority. Additionally, the nominee ought to be open to serving as prime minister.[2][3]
Only the Prime Minister or, in his absence, the Minister the Prime Minister appoints in that regard, may call the Cabinet to order.[2][3] Under section 73 of the constitution, the Governor General must revoke the appointment of the Prime Minister in the event that the House passes a resolution declaring its lack of confidence in the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister fails to resign from office or advise the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament within seven days of the resolution's passage.[2][3] If parliament is dissolved, and a prime minister must be appointed, a person who was a member of the House immediately before the dissolution may be appointed as Prime Minister or any other Minister, and a person who was a member of the Senate immediately before the dissolution may be appointed as any Minister other than Prime Minister.[2][3]
The Governor-General may authorize another member of the Cabinet to perform those functions (other than the functions conferred by section 74(2) of the constitution) when the Prime Minister is not present in Antigua and Barbuda or is unable to do so due to illness or because of the restrictions of section 73(4) of this Constitution. That member may perform those functions until the Governor-General revokes his authority.[2][3]
Appointment and tenure
The Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda regulates that the prime minister must be a member of the House of Representatives who is the leader in the House of the political party that has the support of the majority of members of the House of Representatives. If there is no party that has an undisputed leader, or no party that maintains the support of the majority of the House of Representatives, the Governor-General may appoint a member that is most likely to maintain the support of the majority of the members, and who is willing to hold the role of prime minister.[3]
If a prime minister must be appointed while Parliament is dissolved, then, a person who was a member of the House of Representatives immediately before the dissolution may be appointed as prime minister.[3]
Responsibilities
The prime minister advises the Governor-General on appointments to the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda.
Chief minister of Antigua (1960–1967)
Elizabeth II (1960–1967)
Premiers of Antigua (1967–1981)
Elizabeth II (1967–1981)
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Political party | Election | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| 1 | Vere Bird (1910–1999) | 27 February 1967 | 14 February 1971 | 3 years, 352 days | ABLP | — | |
| 2 | George Walter (1928–2008) | 14 February 1971 | 19 February 1976 | 5 years, 5 days | PLM | 1971 | |
| (1) | Vere Bird (1910–1999) | 19 February 1976 | 1 November 1981 | 5 years, 255 days | ABLP | ||
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Prime ministers of Antigua and Barbuda (1981–present)
Elizabeth II (1981–2022)
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Political party | Election | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| 1 | Vere Bird (1910–1999) | 1 November 1981 | 9 March 1994 | 12 years, 128 days | ABLP | ||
| 2 | Lester Bird (1938–2021) | 9 March 1994 | 24 March 2004 | 10 years, 15 days | ABLP | ||
| 3 | Baldwin Spencer (born 1948) | 24 March 2004 | 13 June 2014 | 10 years, 81 days | UPP | ||
| 4 | Gaston Browne (born 1967) | 13 June 2014 | Incumbent | 10 years, 161 days | ABLP | ||
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Charles III (2022–present)
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Political party | Election | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| 4 | Gaston Browne (born 1967) | 13 June 2014 | Incumbent | 10 years, 161 days | ABLP | ||
References
See also
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