Kiribati flagPolitics & Government Guide

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions in Kiribati

Kiribati remains a presidential republic led by President Taneti Maamau of the Tobwaan Kiribati Party, who secured a third term following the party's landslide victory in the 2024 parliamentary elections. The unicameral House of Assembly, with 45 members, supports the government's focus on economic development and foreign relations amid climate challenges. Political stability persists with regular elections, though concerns over one-party dominance have emerged.

Democracy Index

Good

Government Type

Presidential republic

Legal System

Mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

Head of State

President Taneti Maamau(since 2016)

Head of Government

President Taneti Maamau(Tobwaan Kiribati Party)since 2016

Political Indicators

Democracy Index
7.82

Scale: 0-10

Flawed Democracy

Economist Intelligence Unit (2024)

Legislature

Type:unicameral
Lower House:House of Assembly (45 seats)

Major Political Parties

Tobwaan Kiribati Party(TKP)

Ruling party

33 seats
Boutokaan Kiribati Moa(BKM)

Opposition

8 seats

Voting Rights

Citizens aged 18 and over have the right to vote in national elections

Recent Developments

  • Parliamentary elections held August 2024, with Tobwaan Kiribati Party winning 33 of 44 seats
  • President Taneti Maamau re-elected to third term on 25 October 2024
  • New House of Assembly convened on 13 September 2024, electing Willie Tokataake as Speaker
Voting Age18
SuffrageUniversal
Constitution1979
Island councils21