Politics of the Federated States of Micronesia

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.

Federated States
of Micronesia
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
the Federated States of Micronesia

The internal workings of the Micronesia 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.

Executive branch
Main office holders[1]
Office Name Party Since
President David W. Panuelo Independent 11 May 2019
Vice President Yosiwo George Independent 11 May 2015

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.

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]

Cabinet of Micronesia[2]
Department Dept. Head's Title Department Head
Department of Education Secretary: The Honorable Kalwin Kephas 87 Palikir, Pohnpei State, FM 96941 Phone: (691) 320-2643 Fax: (691) 320-5500
Department of Finance and Administration Secretary: The Honorable Eugene Amor PS158, Palikir, Pohnpei State, FM 96941 Phone: (691) 320-2640 Fax: (691) 320-2380
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary: The Honorable Kandhi A. Elieisar Deputy Secretary: Mr. Ricky F. Cantero PS123, Palikir, Pohnpei State, FM 96941 Phone: (691) 320-2641/2613 Fax: (691) 320-2933 Email: foreignaffairs@mail.fm
Department of Health and Social Affairs Secretary: The Honorable Livinson A. Taulung PS70, Palikir, Pohnpei State, FM 96941 Phone: (691) 320-2872 Fax: (691) 320-5263
Department of Justice Secretary: The Honorable Joses R. Gallen PS105, Palikir, Pohnpei State, FM 96941 Phone: (691) 320-2644/2608 Fax: (691) 320-2234
Department of Resource & Development Secretary: The Honorable Marion Henry PS12, Palikir, Pohnpei State, FM 96941 Phone: (691) 320-2646 Fax: (691) 320-5854 Email: fsmrd@dea.fm
Department of Transportation, Communication, and Infrastructure Secretary: The Honorable Carlson D. Apis PS2, Palikir, Pohnpei State, FM 96941 Phone: (691) 320-2865 Fax: (691) 320-5853
Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management Secretary: The Honorable Andrew Yatilman Palikir Station, Pohnpei State, FM 96941 Phone: (691) 320-8815
Office of Public Defender Chief Public Defender Lorrie Johnson-Asher
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 Peter Sitan
National Oceanic Resource and Maritime Authority (NORMA) Executive Director Eugene Pangelinan

Legislative branch

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.

Judicial branch

The judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court, 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 Supreme Court 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]

Political parties and elections

A head of state (the President) and a legislature are elected on a national level. As far as available, at the last elections, 8 March 2005, 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.

 Summary of the 8 March 2011 Micronesian Congress election results
Members Seats
Non-partisans 14
Total (turnout %) 14

Government Agencies

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.

Government Agencies[1][5]
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

Administrative divisions

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.

Current Governors and Lt. Governors[6]
State Governor Lt. Governor
Chuuk State Johnson Elimo Ritis Heldart
Kosrae State Carson K. Sigrah Arthy G. Nena
Pohnpei State Reed Oliver Feliciano M. Perman
Yap State Henry S. Falan Jesse Salalu

International organization participation

Micronesia is a member of the following international organizations:

See also

References
  1. "FSM National Government". www.fsmgov.org. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  2. "Cabinet Members". www.fsmpio.fm. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  3. "Press Release for CJ Yinug" (PDF). fsmsupremecourt.org. September 1, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  4. "The Honorable Dennis K. Yamase Takes Oath to Allow Work to Begin as New Chief Justice" (PDF). October 8, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  5. "agencies". www.fsmpio.fm. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  6. "State". gov.fm. Retrieved 2020-10-11.

Government

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