BILEEZ
— Also: Belice.
— Officially: Belize.
— Seat of government: Belmopan.
— Status: Democratic.
— Structure: The parliament (National Assembly) comprises the House of Representatives, elected by plurality in geographical constituencies, which chooses the prime minister, and the Senate, chosen by the parliamentary governing and opposition factions.
— Governing party: People’s United Party.
— Head of government: Johnny Briceño, prime minister (since 2020).
— Chief opposition party: United Democratic Party, led by Patrick Faber.
— Assessment: A stable parliamentary system. In 2008, the UDP won a large parliamentary majority, and Dean Barrow (2008-20) replaced Said Wilbert Musa (1998-2008) of the PUP. The UDP was reelected with a slight majority in 2012. That majority slightly increased in an election in late 2015. In 2020, the PUP won a sweeping victory, and Briceño became prime minister.
— Notes: The territory of Bileez is claimed by Guatemala, though the independent state of Guatemala has never controlled it, and culturally the two are significantly different.
— FH: 1-2, free.
— Updated: 2021 June 17.
O.T. FORD