Prime Minister of Georgeland

The Prime Minister of the United Islands of Georgeland is the head of the Georgeland government and the de facto leader of the country's executive, though he usually acts through the President. The Prime Minister, according to the Constitution must have the confidence of the House of Commons. In practice this means he is the leader of the majority party in that house, but this is not strictly required by the Constitution. Only one Prime Minister, Michael Fisch, has served without commanding a majority in the House as a party leader, and that was because Fisch was a caretaker PM appointed during a constitutional crisis. Since July 6, 2007, the office has been held by Luke Macaulay of the Conservative Party of Georgeland.

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Hon. Luke Macaulay, MP, current Prime Minister

The Prime Minister is the national leader, and has the highest profile of all national political figures, including the President. The Prime Minister appoints the Cabinet (though the President makes the formal appointment) and chairs that body's meetings. In theory, the Prime Minister is 'first among equals' in the Cabinet - in practice, modern Prime Ministers have tended to dominate cabinet and have their personal views endorsed by the body.

The Residence, the official home of the Prime Minister

The Prime Minister lives and works at The Residence in Topstad. He or she also has an office in the Houses of Parliament and a country retreat, referred to as The Lodge, located in the Chipwich Mountains.

The Prime Minister recieves a salary of G$216,953 a year, somewhat low compared to other world leaders. This is compensated for by exclusive perks, including a chauffeur-driven limousine, an Air Force jet to carry him or her around the country, two houses and no living expenses due to domestic staff.

The Prime Minister must be a member of the House of Commons. Previously this was not strictly required, but in 1958 this provision was added to the Constitution. The Prime Minister is almost always from a safe seat - either because voters like having the Prime Minister as their local MP or because safe seats tend to be occupied by long-standing party devotees.

The Prime Minister is in theory chosen by the President. In practice, he or she is chosen by his or her party. Prior to 2005, all Prime Ministers were elected leader by their party room, that is, the MPs and Senators of their party. In 2005, the Liberal Democrats elected their leader by a vote of all party members nation-wide, a first for Georgeland. The current Prime Minister, Luke Macaulay, was chosen as leader by only his parliamentary colleagues.

Prime Ministerial Facts

• Longest serving: Noel Quarton served 12 years, 4 months, 9 days as Prime Minister, longer than any other person. Second is Sir Robert Pearce, who served exactly three months longer, with a total of 12 years, 1 month and 18 days. Pearce, however, served his entire term concurrently, while Quarton served his over two periods.
• Shortest-serving: Michael Fisch served as Prime Minister for just 27 days in 1999, making him Georgeland's shortest-serving Prime Minister. Among the permanent (as opposed to caretaker) Prime Ministers, Eric Edge was Prime Minister for just 8 months and 8 days. Stanley Baynes served as Prime Minister for 7 months 1 day, but he was also Prime Minister for another 7 years later in his career.
• Youngest: Campbell Rhodes became Prime Minister in 1995 at the age of 32. He is the youngest person to become Prime Minister.
• Oldest: Upon his death in office in 1932, Frederick Eccles was 75 years old. He is the oldest person to be Prime Minister; becoming PM for the second time at the age of 71, he is also the oldest person to be appointed to the office.
• First woman: Zoe Parker (2005-2007) was the first woman to hold the office.

List of Prime Ministers of Georgeland