State in Antigua and Barbuda

The constitutional order rests on the Constitution Order 1981, Cap. 23, including the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda (Amendment) Act 2025. The territory comprises Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda, with no federal or provincial level. The Crown is represented by the Governor-General; the Governor-General appoints the Prime Minister based on majority support in the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister leads Cabinet, which directs and controls government policy, while ministers are appointed from the House or Senate. Permanent Secretaries supervise departments, and the Attorney-General serves as the government's principal legal adviser. As of 2026, Gaston A. Browne is Prime Minister and Sir Rodney Williams is Governor-General. Parliament consists of the Crown, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 17 appointed members: 10 on the Prime Minister's advice, 4 on the Opposition Leader's advice, 1 at the Governor-General's discretion, 1 on the advice of the Barbuda Council and 1 Barbuda resident on the Prime Minister's advice. The House is elected in single-member constituencies; the government describes its composition as 17 elected members, 1 ex-officio member and a Speaker, making 19 positions. A Bill must pass through the Senate and House before the Governor-General gives assent and the measure is published in the Official Gazette. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority in the House. Antigua and Barbuda has one national administration rather than separate provincial governments. Ministries and departments cover areas such as finance, legal affairs, public safety, labour, foreign affairs, immigration, agriculture, lands, tourism, transport, education, housing, public works, social transformation and utilities. Government portals provide forms, electronic services and access to citizen services such as Certificates of Character, traffic permits, passports, legal aid and Ombudsman complaints. The responsible department, eligibility, documents, fees and processing time depend on the particular service and on whether the applicant is a citizen, resident or non-citizen. No general service deadline applies across all departments. Barbuda Council is the constitutional principal organ of local government for Barbuda under the Barbuda Local Government Act 1976. Its functions include agriculture and forestry, public health and sanitary services, electricity and water utilities, roads and local revenue. Cabinet may issue general or specific policy directions, but statutory protections apply to the Council's functions; changes to protected provisions require the Council's consent. Antigua and Redonda do not have a general local self-government body evidenced in the reviewed primary sources, so national ministries and departments remain the main public-service access point there. The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court system includes the High Court and Court of Appeal, while Magistrates' Courts handle matters within their jurisdiction. The Director of Public Prosecutions, appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, may institute, take over or discontinue criminal proceedings. The Attorney-General's directions to the Director of Public Prosecutions are constitutionally limited to matters such as official secrets, mutiny, incitement and international-law obligations. A person alleging a constitutional rights violation may seek redress in the High Court, and the Legal Aid Advice Centre may provide assistance where its services apply. Public money is managed through the Ministry of Finance, the Financial Secretary, the Treasury, Inland Revenue, Customs and public-debt functions. Government revenue generally enters the Consolidated Fund, and withdrawals require a constitutional or statutory charge or parliamentary appropriation. The financial year lasts 12 months. Estimates should be presented before the financial year begins or, at most, within 90 days after it starts; an Appropriation Bill follows House approval. If no appropriation is available, temporary expenditure may be authorised for up to four months, and the Constitution also provides for a Contingencies Fund. The 2026 Budget reported revenue and grants of $1.51 billion, expenditure excluding amortisation of $1.44 billion, amortisation of $636.6 million and a net financing requirement of $567.1 million; these figures are tied to that budget year. Oversight is shared among several bodies. The Director of Audit examines public accounts, government authorities, courts, constitutional commissions and state-controlled enterprises, then sends the report through the Finance Minister to the House within the constitutional timeframe. The Public Accounts Committee examines audit findings and unauthorised or excessive expenditure. The Public Service Commission handles appointments and discipline within its constitutional remit, while the Police Service Commission and Public Service Board of Appeal have their respective functions. The Ombudsman is an officer of Parliament appointed by both Houses and can investigate unfair administrative decisions by government or statutory bodies under the Ombudsman Act 1994. The Integrity in Public Life Act 2004, Freedom of Information Act 2004 and Information Commission provide additional accountability mechanisms, subject to statutory conditions and exceptions. Constitutional protections include life, liberty, personal security, property, protection of law, freedom of conscience, expression including the press, peaceful assembly and association, and privacy. The Official Gazette publishes legal instruments, while laws.gov.ag, Government releases, Cabinet Notes and official electronic services provide public information. Information submitted through electronic services may be shared for necessary government purposes under the applicable privacy policy; official communication does not represent the entire media environment. The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda is the main law-enforcement service for public order, protection of life and property, crime prevention and detection, and peace. The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force protects territorial integrity and sovereignty and also supports civil authorities, fisheries protection, drug interdiction, humanitarian relief, maritime safety, search and rescue and law enforcement. The Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy, Financial Intelligence Unit, Immigration, Customs, port and airport authorities and the National Office of Disaster Services have specialised responsibilities. During multi-agency emergencies, the National Office of Disaster Services coordinates government disaster management. Police, emergency medical services or disaster authorities are the relevant first contact depending on the situation. A public emergency is proclaimed by the Governor-General in the Official Gazette. Unless both Houses approve its continuation, the proclamation lapses after seven days when Parliament is sitting or after 21 days in other circumstances. Restrictions on rights must have constitutional or statutory justification, and public authorities remain subject to law. Citizens and other persons in Antigua and Barbuda are subject to the Constitution and valid laws.