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Tuvalu - Government and Political Conditions (Notes)

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).