The

constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of Legal entity, entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. When ...

of the

Republic of Nauru Nauru ( or ; na, Naoero), officially the Republic of Nauru ( na, Repubrikin Naoero) and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country and microstate in Oceania, in the Central Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kir ...

was adopted following national independence on 31 January 1968. In 2007 there were political debates in progress with a view to amend aspects of the Constitution, owing to the challenge of widely acknowledged political instability. One notable issue being discussed was the possibility of making the office of

President of Nauru The president of Nauru is elected by Parliament from among its members, and is both the head of state and the head of government of Nauru. Nauru's unicameral Parliament has 19 members, with an electoral term of 3 years. Political parties only p ...

directly elected by the population, instead of the office being indirectly elected by the

Parliament of Nauru The Parliament of Nauru has 19 members, elected for a three-year term in multi-seat constituencies. The President of Nauru is elected by the members of the Parliament.

. Owing to frequent recourse to the

votes of no confidence A motion of no confidence, also variously called a vote of no confidence, no-confidence motion, motion of confidence, or vote of confidence, is a statement or vote about whether a person in a position of responsibility like in government or mana ...

, changes of President have been frequent (i.e.:

Bernard Dowiyogo Bernard Annen Auwen Dowiyogo (14 February 1946 – 9 March 2003) was a Nauruan politician who served as President of Nauru on seven separate occasions. During this time, he also served as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Ubenide. ...

was appointed President of Nauru a total of seven times, prior to his death in 2003). Supporters of making the office of President independent of a Parliamentary vote hope that increased stability will ensure from the adoption of such a measure. Sceptics are concerned that attempts may arise to set aside the elected President through the courts; bearing in mind also that under the Nauruan court system some appeals are actually heard in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

Arrangement of Parts

The Constitution of

Nauru Nauru ( or ; na, Naoero), officially the Republic of Nauru ( na, Repubrikin Naoero) and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country and microstate in Oceania, in the Central Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Ki ...

is divided into 11 parts and 6 schedules: Part I (Articles 1 and 2) - The Republic of Nauru and the Supreme Law of Nauru
Part II (Articles 3-15) - Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
Part III (Articles 16-25) - The President and the Executive
Part IV (Articles 26-47) - The Legislature
Part V (Articles 48-57) - The Judicature
Part VI (Articles 58-67) - Finance
Part VII (Articles 68-70) - The Public Service
Part VIII (Articles 71-76) - Citizenship
Part IX (Articles 77-79) - Emergency Powers
Part X (Articles 80-84) - General Provisions
Part XI (Articles 85-100) - Transitional Provisions

External links

Text of Constitution of Nauru
Government of Nauru 1968 in law

1968 establishments in Nauru {{constitution-stub