Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional
monarchy with Queen
Elizabeth II as head of state, bearing the title Queen of Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines. The Queen does not reside in the islands and is
represented in the country by the Governor
General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, currently Sir Frederick
Ballantyne.
The office of Governor General has mostly ceremonial functions including the
opening of the islands' House of
Assembly and the appointment of various government officials. Control of the
government rests with the elected Prime
Minister and his or her cabinet. The current Prime Minister is Ralph Gonsalves.
Parliamentary opposition made of the largest minority stakeholder in general
elections, headed by the leader of the opposition. The
current opposition leader is Arnhim Eustace.
The country has no formal armed forces, although the Royal Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force includes a Special Service Unit as
well as a militia that has a supporting role on the island.
In 2013, Saint Vincent called for European nations to pay reparations for the
slave trade.