Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.
Independence (from U.K.): October 1, 1978.
Constitution: October 1, 1978.
Branches: Executive--Governor General is appointed by the British monarch on recommendation of the Prime Minister, who is head of the government. Legislative--unicameral Parliament, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve 4-year term). Judicial--High Court with eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction). Rulings from High Court can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji.
Major political parties: None.

TUVALU GOVERNMENT
Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state, represented by the Governor General, who is appointed by the Queen on advice of the Prime Minister. Members of the Parliament elect the Prime Minister. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The legislative branch is a unicameral Parliament, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve 4-year terms).

Tuvalu maintains an independent judiciary consisting of a High Court and eight island courts. The rulings of the High Court can be appealed to the Tuvalu Court of Appeal.

Principal Government Officials
Head of State (Governor General)--Filoimea Telito
Head of the Government (Prime Minister)--Apisai Ielemia (also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labor)
Ambassador to the United Nations--Afelee F. Pita

Tuvalu maintains a diplomatic mission in New York at 800 2nd Ave, Suite 400B New York, New York 10017 (tel: 212-490-0534; fax: 212-937-0692).

TUVALU POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Democratic values in Tuvalu are strong, with free elections every 4 years by universal adult suffrage. There are no formal political parties; election campaigns are largely on the basis of home island/personal/family ties and reputation.

Members of Parliament have very close ties to the islands they represent. Often the northern islands in the country compete against the southern islands, with the capital isle of Funafuti holding the balance of power. Traditional chiefs and island councils also still play significant roles in influencing island affairs, particularly on the outer islands. A long-held distinction between chiefs and commoners is slowly disappearing, and chiefs are now more often selected on merit rather than by birth.

Tuvalu has had a number of prime ministers. This in part reflects the pressures affecting the small nation, including the transition from an exchange economy to a money economy, an adopted system of government with only limited regard for Tuvaluan traditions of decision making, and the lack of a clear national path to implement Tuvalu's vision for the future.

After elections in August 2006, Apisai Ielemia, a former opposition member of Parliament, became Prime Minister. He replaced Maatia Toafa, who took power in October 2004 after a vote of no confidence against his predecessor. Apisai Ielemia is the tenth Prime Minister of Tuvalu. He also holds the portfolio of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labor.