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The Government of Belize
Belize’s government is a
parliamentary democracy.
Officially, the head of
state is Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. She is represented in
Belize by Governor General Sir Colville Young (since November 17, 1993).
The head of Belize’s government is Prime Minister Dean Barrow, who took
office on February 8, 2008.
Government heads are not elected. The monarchy is hereditary; the
governor general is appointed by the monarch; and the governor general
appoints the prime minister from the House of Representatives. This is usu-
ally the leader of the majority party. Currently, Barrow’s United Democratic
Party (UDP) holds a majority in the National Assembly. The UDP’s main
rival is the People’s United Party (PUP).
The National Assembly consists of two houses: the Senate (twelve
members, six appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the
advice of the leader of the opposition, and one by the governor general;
members are appointed for five-year terms); and the House of
Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to
serve five-year terms).
Belize has a Supreme Court; the chief justice is appointed by the gover-
nor general, with the advice of the prime minister.
A History Different from the Rest of Central America
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TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS
1. How many Amerindians lived in Belize at the peak of the Mayan civilization?
2. In what year did Belize gain full independence from the United Kingdom?