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Prime Minister of the Bahamas

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Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Seal of the prime minister of the Bahamas
Flag of the prime minister
Incumbent
Philip Davis
since 17 September 2021
Government
Cabinet
StyleThe Most Honourable
TypeHead of government
AbbreviationPM
SeatNassau
AppointerGovernor-General
Term lengthAt the governor-general's pleasure (normally 5 years)
PrecursorPremier of the Bahamas Islands
Inaugural holderSir Lynden Pindling
Formation10 May 1969
DeputyDeputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas
Salary86,000 BSD annually[1]
Websitebahamas.gov.bs
Politics of The Bahamas
Executive
Legislature
Law
Local government
Elections
Foreign relations
map Caribbean portal

The prime minister of the Bahamas is the head of government of the Bahamas. The prime minister is formally appointed into office by the Governor-General of the Bahamas, who represents Charles III, the King of the Bahamas (the Bahamian head of state).

The following article contains a list of prime ministers of the Bahamas, from the establishment of the position of chief minister of the Bahamas Islands in 1955 to the present day.

Constitutional basis

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Under section 72 of the Constitution of the Bahamas, the Governor-General of the Bahamas must appoint "the member of the House of Assembly who is the leader of the party which commands the support of the majority of the members of that House". In the event of a hung parliament, the governor-general should appoint the member who is "most likely to command the support of the majority of members of that House".[2]

Official oath of office

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I, _________________________, being appointed Prime Minister, do swear that I will to the best of my judgment, at all times when so required, freely give my counsel and advice to the Governor-General (or any other person for the time being lawfully performing the functions of that office) for the good management of the public affairs of the Bahamas, and I do further swear that I will not on any account, at any time whatsoever, disclose the counsel, advice, opinion or vote of any particular Minister or Parliamentary Secretary and that I will not, except with the authority of the Cabinet and to such extent as may be required for the good management of the affairs of the Bahamas, directly or indirectly reveal the business or proceedings of the Cabinet or the nature or contents of any documents communicated to me as Prime Minister or any matter coming to my knowledge in my capacity as such, and that in all things I will be a true and faithful Prime Minister. So help me God.

Office of the Prime Minister

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The prime minister of the Bahamas is the head of the government of the Bahamas. The duties of the prime minister include:

  • Office of the Prime Minister
  • Department of Lands and Surveys
  • Government Printing Department
  • Department of Statistics
  • Bahamas Information Services
  • National Economic Council
  • Promotion and facilitation of investment
  • Development in the Family Islands

Agencies under the prime minister include:

  • Department of Lands and Surveys
  • Lands and Surveying
  • Acquiring Land
  • Department of Local Government
  • Relations with Local Government Agencies
  • Local improvement associations

List of heads of government of the Bahamas (1955–present)

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Political parties
  United Bahamian Party (UBP)
  Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)
  Free National Movement (FNM)

Chief minister of the Bahamas Islands (1955–1964)

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No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death) 		Election Term of office Political party
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Sir Roland Symonette
(1898–1980) 		1962 1955 7 January 1964 9 years UBP

Premiers of the Bahamas Islands (1964–1969)

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No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death) 		Election Term of office Political party
Took office Left office Time in office
(1) Sir Roland Symonette
(1898–1980) 		— 7 January 1964 16 January 1967 3 years, 9 days UBP
2 Lynden Pindling
(1930–2000) 		1967
1968 		16 January 1967 10 May 1969 2 years, 114 days PLP

Prime minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Islands (1969–1973)

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No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death) 		Election Term of office Political party
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Lynden Pindling
(1930–1992) 		1972 10 May 1969 10 July 1973 4 years, 61 days PLP

Prime ministers of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (1973–present)

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No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death) 		Election Term of office Political party
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Lynden Pindling
(1930–2000) 		1977
1982
1987 		10 July 1973 21 August 1992 19 years, 42 days PLP
2 Hubert Ingraham
(born 1947) 		1992
1997 		21 August 1992 3 May 2002 9 years, 255 days FNM
3 Perry Christie
(born 1943) 		2002 3 May 2002 4 May 2007 5 years, 1 day PLP
(2) Hubert Ingraham
(born 1947) 		2007 4 May 2007 8 May 2012 5 years, 4 days FNM
(3) Perry Christie
(born 1943) 		2012 8 May 2012 11 May 2017 5 years, 3 days PLP
4 Hubert Minnis
(born 1954) 		2017 11 May 2017 17 September 2021 4 years, 128 days FNM
5 Philip Davis
(born 1951) 		2021 17 September 2021 Incumbent 3 years, 102 days PLP

Timeline

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This is a graphical lifespan timeline of prime ministers of the Bahamas. They are listed in order of office (Ingraham and Christie are shown in order of their first premierships).

Philip Davis (Bahamian politician)Hubert MinnisPerry ChristieHubert IngrahamLynden PindlingRoland Theodore Symonette

Deputy prime ministers

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The position was formally established on 20 February 1968.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Parliamentarians (Salaries and Allowances) Act (PDF) – via laws.bahamas.gov.bs.
  2. ^ "Constitution of The Bahamas" (PDF). Constitute Project. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  3. ^ Bahamianologist, The (15 December 2023). "Deputy Prime Minister post created by Pindling to help save Majority Rule - 20th February 1968 · Bahamianology". Bahamianology.
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