Barbados Parliament
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The Parliament of Barbados is divided into the House of Assembly and The Senate.
The former, known as 'the lower house' is made up of elected members while the members of the Senate or 'upper chamber' are selected.
There are 30 members in the House of Assembly and they are all elected in a 'first past the post' system of voting.
The Governor General: Dame Sandra Mason (May 30th, 2012). This person is not elected but is appointed by The Monarch (Head of State).
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Investment – Mia Amor Mottley
Speaker-elect of the House of Assembly – Arthur Holder
There are 21 members in the Senate: 12 appointed by the Prime Minister, 7 by the Governor General and 2 by the Leader of the Opposition.
Those appointed by the Governor General are known as independent senators and represent various interests in the community. These members may come from the business community, the labor movement or the church.
Members of the Senate can hold Ministerial office although they have not been elected to Parliament.
The Senate has to approve all matters that come before Parliament with the exception of money resolutions.
Cabinet of Barbados
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History of Barbados Parliament
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