Micronesia is a republic in which the presidency sits at the center of national executive authority. Wesley Simina serves as President of the Federated States of Micronesia, combining the roles of head of state and head of government under the country's constitutional framework.
Micronesia has a parliamentary-derived executive system adapted to its small-state constitutional framework. The national legislature is elected by citizens, and the head of government or executive president is selected directly or indirectly under rules that connect executive authority closely to the legislature. Cabinet government then manages day-to-day administration within that constitutional structure.
Legislative authority is exercised through a unicameral national parliament or assembly. It passes legislation, approves the budget, and performs the oversight and appointment functions assigned to it by the constitution. The judiciary is formally separate from the political branches, with the highest courts responsible for interpreting law and, where the constitutional system provides for it, reviewing constitutional questions.
Micronesia is organized on a federal basis, so constitutional authority is divided between national institutions and constituent states, regions, provinces, or other federal units. Those subnational governments have their own legally protected responsibilities, while defense, foreign affairs, national finance, and other sovereign functions remain principally at the federal level. Political authority is exercised through the constitutional institutions described above, with elections, parliamentary confidence, or other constitutional procedures determining who holds office.
