President of the States of Alderney
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The President of the States of Alderney, also known as the President of Alderney, is the elected head of Alderney's legislature, the States of Alderney and the Leader of Alderney. The Presidency is the latest of a variety of political positions to govern the island. The office was established in 1949 after a new constitution establishing Alderney as a subordinate part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.[1]
| President of Alderney | |
|---|---|
since 28 June 2019 | |
| Member of | States of Alderney |
| Seat | States of Alderney |
| Appointer | Popular vote |
| Term length | No term limit (average 2 - 4 years between elections) |
| Precursor | Judge of Alderney |
| Formation | 1 January 1949 |
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Since 1949
Before the office of President was established, the leaders of Alderney were the Judges of Alderney, who were appointed as representatives of the Crown in Alderney.[2] During the Second World War, the majority of the population of Alderney was evacuated. In the Occupation of the Channel Islands by Nazi Germany, Alderney was used by the Nazis as a location for two concentration camps.[3] After the Liberation, less than 50% of Alderney's population returned, leading to an urgent discussion taking part in the Parliament of the United Kingdom because land boundaries and property documents had been destroyed.
In 1947, His Majesty's Privy Council decided that Guernsey might take over administration of Alderney. In 1948 the Alderney (Application of Legislation) Law was passed by both the States of Guernsey and the States of Alderney, which provided financial administration responsibility for certain public services to be assumed by the States of Guernsey. The law provided for the establishment of the office of President of Alderney to be the elected leader of Alderney in civil life under the Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey.[1][4]
The President is elected for a four-year term and is also the chairman of the States of Alderney. The President also holds the right to vote in the States of Alderney; however, this is only used to make the deciding vote in the event of a tied vote.[5] The next election for president will be in 2028.
Duties
The President's Office is responsible for the following:
- Production and issue of the Billet D'Etat, Deliberations and Hansard Reports
- Dealing with Members of the Public and other Government offices
- Official Flag Flying
- Organising civic and social events including Vin d'Honneurs and visits by dignitaries
- Honours and Awards