Micronesia

The three branches

Head of state and government — President of the Federated States

Elected by Congress from among the four at-large senators; the office rotates in practice between the states.

Executive — Cabinet of national departments

Appointed by the President with congressional advice and consent.

Legislative — Congress of the Federated States

14 senators: four elected at large for four-year terms, ten from single-member districts for two years.

State — Four state governments

Each with an elected governor, legislature and judiciary under its own constitution.

Traditional — Councils of traditional leaders

Constitutionally recognised; in Yap they may disapprove legislation affecting custom.

How legislation is made

Bills pass Congress and are signed by the President, who has a veto that Congress may override. Because the four at-large senators serve longer terms and are the pool from which the President is drawn, national politics is structured around balancing the states rather than around parties — there are no formal political parties. Constitutional amendments may be proposed by Congress, by a convention, or by popular initiative, and require ratification by three-quarters of the voters in three of the four states.

Enforcement institutions

FSM National Police

Maritime surveillance, immigration and national offences; state police handle general policing.

Department of Justice

National prosecutions and legal advice to the federal government.

State attorneys-general

Each state has its own prosecution and legal advisory service.

FSM Trial Division public defenders

Criminal defence, supplemented by state public defender offices.