Nauru

Politics:

• Background

  Nauru: Politics

  FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

  Personality-based politics makes for instability

  Nauru gained its independence in 1968 after being a UN trust territory since the end of the second world war. Its politics have always been personality-based and inherently unstable. The country is ruled by a unicameral parliament of 18 members, elected by popular vote for a term of three years. Voting is compulsory for Nauruans over the age of 20. Politics is influenced by family, clan and religious links, although there are two informal parties, the Democratic Party and the Nauru First. Parliament elects one member to be president, who serves both as head of state and head of government. The president selects four or five members of parliament to serve in his cabinet.

  There have been nearly 20 changes in government since the late 1980s. The current president and head of state, Marcus Stephen, was brought to power in December 2007 after his predecessor, Ludwig Scotty, was removed after he lost a vote of no confidence in parliament. Most parliamentarians are independents. The next election is set to be held in 2010.

  In early 2007, 18 members of a 36-member Constitutional Convention were elected by popular vote (the remaining 18 members were chosen by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Review, or CRC). The convention was established to consider the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Constitutional Review (ICCR), which was appointed by the CRC in 2006. Notable recommendations of the ICCR included the introduction of popular elections for the post of president, stricter and more transparent public accounts, and the establishment of a public service commission.

  November 24, 2009

Economy:

• Background

  Nauru: Resources and infrastructure

  FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

  Infrastructure is basic

  The population was estimated at 8,800 in July 2007. Nauru has limited transportation infrastructure, with just one airport and 30km of roadways. The government-owned airline, Our Airline, serves only one route from Nauru, which goes to the Solomon Islands, with connecting flights to Brisbane, a city in Australia. Nauru does not have a natural port, but has deep-water facilities equipped with large cantilevers for loading phosphate and other cargo. There is also a boat harbour in Anibare Bay. A sealed road circles the island, and another road heads inland to the phosphate-mining areas. A 5-km rail track carries phosphate to the coast. Telecommunication services are patchy.

  November 24, 2009

View detailed map

Country Briefing

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

Land area

21 sq km

Population

8,800 (July 2007 Asian Development Bank estimate)

Major island

Nauru

Capital

There is no designated capital. The town centre is situated in the Yaren district between the airport and the main government offices

Climate

Tropical, tempered by sea breezes. Average temperatures range from 24°-34°C. Rainfall is extremely variable. The wettest period is from November to February

Languages

English and Nauruan (but only English is written)

Measures

Metric

Currency

The Australian currency (A$) is used. Average exchange rate in 2008: A$1.19:US$1. Exchange rate on November 12th 2009: A$1.07:US$1

Time

12 hours ahead of GMT

November 24, 2009