Prime Minister of Guyana

The prime minister of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is an elected member of the National Assembly of Guyana who is the principal assistant and advisor to the president as well as the leader of government business in the Assembly, but is not the head of government in Guyana. The prime minister assumes the office of president if the presidency becomes vacant. Background The office of Prime Minister of Guyana was established in 1966 upon Guyana becoming independent. The office is the direct successor to that of the Premier and Chief Minister of British Guiana. In 1964 the last elections in British Guiana were held, and with the next elections slated to occur after independence, the Premier of British Guiana automatically became Prime Minister of Guyana on independence day. From 1966 to 1980 the prime minister was the head of government, who exercised executive power and general direction and control of the government. During this time the country’s head of state was Elizabeth II (represented by a governor-general) from 1966 to 1970, and then a ceremonial president from 1970 to 1980 after Guyana became a republic. The 1980 constitution abolished the ceremonial presidency and created an executive president who became head of state and head of government. Under the constitution the prime minister before the commencement of the constitution became the president with full executive powers. The office of Prime Minister was retained and now included the permanent subsidiary office of First Vice-President to further highlight the constitutional role of the prime minister as the president’s successor. However the powers and influence of the office and of individual prime ministers has varied depending on the responsibilities delegated by the president.