Politics of Kiribati


Politics of Kiribati takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Beretitenti, President of Kiribati, is both the head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government, Beretitenti and his cabinet, all MPs. Legislative power is exercised by the House of Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
The Constitution, promulgated at independence on 12 July 1979, establishes the Republic of Kiribati as a sovereign democratic republic and guarantees the fundamental rights of its citizens and residents.

Executive branch

After each general election, the new Maneaba ni Maungatabu nominates not less than three nor more than four of its own members to stand as candidates for President. The voting public then elects the Beretitenti from among these candidates. On 22 June 2020, for the first election ever since 1979 Independence, two candidates only have been nominated — unless Section 32 of the Constitution writes “not less than 3”. On 17 June 2020, Judgment of the Chief Justice on Civil Case 56, allowed this reading of the Constitution. The elected Beretitenti appoints a Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti and up to ten other Cabinet Ministers from among the members of the Maneaba.
OfficeNamePartySince
PresidentTaneti MaamauTobwaan Kiribati Party11 March 2016
Vice PresidentTeuea ToatuTobwaan Kiribati Party19 June 2019

Cabinet

is the top decision-making body in Kiribati, through which all functions of the government get their authority. Parliament can undo Cabinet decisions through a vote of no confidence, triggering a new election.
The current Cabinet consists of the following Ministers:
OfficeOfficeholder
Beretitenti and Minister of Foreign Affairs and ImmigrationTaneti Maamau
Vice President and Minister of Finance and Economic DevelopmentDr Teuea Toatu
Minister of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy Willie Tokataake
Minister of EducationAlexander Teabo
Minister of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development Ruateki Tekaiara
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources DevelopmentRibanataake Tiwau
Minister of Health and Medical ServicesDr Tinte Itinteang
Minister of Internal Affairs Boutu Bateriki
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives Booti Nauan
Minister for Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs Martin Moreti
Minister of Employment and Human Resources Taabeta Teakai
Minister for Line and Phoenix Islands DevelopmentMikarite Temari
Minister of Justice Tarakabu Tofinga
Minister of Information, Communications, Transport and Tourism Development Tekeeua Tarati

The first nine ministers sworn-in on 2nd July 2020 at the State House in Bairiki and include Dr Teuea Toatu, Willie Tokataake, Ruateki Tekaiara, Ribanataake Awira, Dr Tinte Itinteang, Boutu Bateriki, Booti Nauan, Martin Moreti and Taabeta Teakaiao.
The remaining four ministers who are stranded in the outer islands, at their respective island, which include Alexander Teabo, Tarakabu Martin, Tekeeua Tarati and Mikarite Temari, will be sworn later.

Attorneys-General of Kiribati

In Kiribati, the Attorney-General is defined by section 42 of the Constitution as "the principal legal adviser to the Government." The Constitution specifies: "No person shall be qualified to hold or to act in the office of Attorney-General unless he is qualified to practise in Kiribati as an advocate in the High Court."
The Attorney-General of Kiribati was also until 2016 a member of Cabinet. According to a 2005 source, the Attorney-General "is designated by the Republic of Kiribati as the Central Authority who shall have the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance."
NameYears of Service
Michael Jenningsc. 1980-1984
Michael N. Takabwebwec. 1984-2002
Titabu Tabanec. 2002-2016
Natan Brechtefeldc. 2016
Tetiro Semilota c. 2016-

Legislative branch

In a Westminster system, the unicameral House of Assembly has 46 members since 2007: 44 elected for a four-year term in single-seat and multi-seat constituencies; one appointed member from the Banaban community on Rabi Island in Fiji, and, previously, the Attorney general in an ex officio capacity until 2016. The elected members of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu serve four-year terms. The Speaker of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu is elected by the members of the Maneaba from outside of its membership.
All citizens of Kiribati are eligible to vote at the age of 18.

Judiciary

The Chapter VI of the Constitution of 1979 describes the Judiciary of Kiribati.
The judicial system consists of magistrates' courts, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission, makes all judicial appointments, and amongst them, the Chief Justice, the main judge of the High Court. The High Court is in Betio. Sir John Muria is the actual Chief Justice of Kiribati.
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, England has jurisdiction only if a case involves constitutional rights. Appeals are taken directly to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council itself.
The Court of Appeal of Kiribati is otherwise the supreme court in Kiribati.

The People's Lawyer of Kiribati

The People's Lawyer of Kiribati represents disadvantaged residents and those who are unable to access legal representation. Accordingly, the office represents clients in "Land, Civil and Criminal Matters and act for them in the Magistrates and High Court as well as the Court of Appeal." The position had long been filled by expatriate lawyers who were volunteering from either Australia or New Zealand with the "role...funded by the Australian Government through Australian Volunteers International." In 2015, the role of The People's Lawyer changed in that it was now filled by a Kiribati citizen: Raweita Beniata.
NameTerm
Roger Bell c. 1980-1982
Michael Lodgec. -1986
David Lambournec. 1995-1999
Jackie Hustonc. 2003-2004
Jennifer Troupc. 2004-2006
Joelle Groverc. 2006-2007
Aomoro Amtenc. 2007-2008
Daniel Webbc. 2010-2011
Debrah Mercurioc. 2011-2012
Nancy Walker
Andrea Hadaway		c. 2012-2013
Jessica McLarenc. 2013-2015
Raweita Beniata c. 2015-

Political conditions

have existed since 1965 but are more similar to informal coalitions in behaviour. They do not have official platforms or party structures. Most candidates formally present themselves as independents, then they joined one party at the first meeting of the House. The website of the House of Assembly explains that in this way:
Kiribati Tabomoa Party and Christian Democratic Party merged into Maneaban Te Mauri in 2003, which later merged with Kiribati Independent Party into Karikirakean Te I-Kiribati in 2010, which later merged with Maurin Kiribati Party to form Tobwaan Kiribati Party, the only one facing Boutokaan Te Koaua.
A major source of conflict has been the protracted bid by the residents of Banaba Island to secede and have their island placed under the protection of Fiji. The government's attempts to placate the Banabans include several special provisions in the constitution, such as the designation of a Banaban seat in the legislature and the return of land previously acquired by the government for phosphate mining.

Political parties and elections

There is no solid tradition of formally organized political parties in Kiribati, even if the 2 first political parties were founded in 1965; they are more closely resemble factions or interest groups with no formal platforms:

2016 presidential election">2016 Kiribati presidential election">election

2015-16 legislative election">Kiribati parliamentary election, 2015-16">election