Central America and the Caribbean > Montserrat > Government

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Administrative divisions 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Capital city	Plymouth
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	16 42 N, 62 13 W
Constitution effective 19 December 1989
Executive branch > Cabinet Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary
Executive branch > Chief of state Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Peter A. WATERWORTH (since 27 July 2007)
Executive branch > Elections the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister
Executive branch > Head of government Chief Minister Lowell LEWIS (since 2 June 2006)
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU, WFTU
Judicial branch Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court)
Legal system English common law and statutory law
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms)
Legislative branch > Elections last held 31 May 2006 (next to be held by 2011)
National holiday Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June
Political parties and leaders Montserrat Democratic Party or MDP [Lowell LEWIS]; Movement for Change and Prosperity or MCAP [Roselyn CASSELL-SEALY]; New People's Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE]
Status dependent democracy
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	none

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