Palau, officially known as the Republic of Palau, is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is composed of several hundred islands, with the most populous island being Koror. Here is some information about the political system in Palau:
- Presidential Republic: Palau is a presidential republic, where the President of Palau serves as both the head of state and the head of government. The President is elected by the people of Palau for a four-year term through a direct popular vote.
- Palau National Congress: The Palau National Congress is the legislative branch of the government. It is a bicameral legislature composed of two chambers:
- House of Delegates: The House of Delegates has 16 members elected from single-member districts for a four-year term. The number of delegates from each state is based on its population.
- Senate: The Senate has 13 members, with each of Palau’s 16 states electing two senators, except for the state of Angaur, which elects one senator. Senators serve four-year terms.
- Political Parties: Palau does not have a multi-party system. Instead, political affiliations tend to be based on individual candidates rather than formal party structures. Candidates often form coalitions or alliances during elections.
- Judiciary: The judicial system in Palau is independent of the executive and legislative branches. The Supreme Court is the highest court in Palau, and the judges are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.
- Compact of Free Association: Palau has a unique relationship with the United States through the Compact of Free Association. This agreement provides for economic assistance, defense, and other benefits in exchange for certain strategic and military privileges for the United States in the region.
