Dominica is a democratic country which has enjoyed universal adult sufferage since the 1950's. It follows the Westminster model of Government. Elections are held every five years to elect twenty-one (21) members of Parliament. Nine (9) senators are then appointed and together they sit in a unicameral legislature. The Head of State is a President who is elected by Parliament and holds office for a term of five years. His role is essentially ceremonial. The current Prime Minister is the Honourable Pierre Charles who was selected in 2000 following the death in office of Prime Minister Roosevelt Douglas; and the President is His Excellency Mr. Vernon Shaw who was elected in 1999.

There are three (3) main political parties in Dominica. They are the United Workers Party, the Dominica Freedom Party and the Dominica Labour Party. The present government is a Labour/Freedom party coalition.