A NEW GOVERNMENT was elected on 10 May 2017 in national
elections for The Bahamas Parliament. This year marks the 288th
year of continuous parliamentary democracy in The Bahamas based on
the Westminster model. Independent since 1973, The Bahamas is a
member of the Commonwealth of Nations and Queen Elizabeth II
remains its ceremonial Head of State. The country has a bicameral
parliament with an elected lower house, currently comprised of 39
seats. The upper house, the Senate, is composed of appointed
members.
The Free National Movement (FNM) ousted the previously governing
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) winning an unprecedented majority
of 35 of the seats in the lower house, with the PLP winning the
remaining 4 seats. Hon Dr Hubert Alexander Minnis, leader of the
FNM, is now the Prime Minister, being the fourth since
Independence.
