Maaita of Freice

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President of the Republic of Freice
Má’ita Fése Tehua á’i e Háma (Freician)
Flag of the President of Freice.png
Presidential Standard
Incumbent
Kána Talá'akel
since 30 January 2022
StyleHonourable President (within Freice)
His Excellency (outside Freice)
AppointerParliament
Term lengthAt Parliament's pleasure; elected at the beginning of the new Parliament by a majority of members, and upon a vacancy during a Parliament.
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Freice
PrecursorKing of Freice
Inaugural holderFápa Kiá'mira
Formation3 April 1921
SalaryPe. 845,940 (36,780 ACU annually)

The president of Freice, officially titled the President of the Country of Freice (Freician: Fése Tehua Má’ita) is the head of state and head of government of Freice. Members of Parliament elect the president from amongst their own ranks, doing so at the beginning of each Parliament. The president serves only as long as the lifetime of the Parliament in which they were elected (a maximum of two years) and ceases to be president upon the dissolution of that Parliament.

The presidency was established in the 1921 Constitution. Initially a largely ceremonial position but, constitutional revisions in 1951 and 1969 established a presidential system. The constitution grants the president the ability to appoint and dismiss public officials, including the prime minister, ministers and justices of the high court.

The current president is Kána Talá'akel, since 30 January 2022.

Eligibility

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Freice, only a born citizen of Freice who is a Member of Parliament and who is "of good and sound character" may be eligible for election to the presidency. There are no term limits and a president may be re-elected by a new Parliament providing that they continue to meet the criteria as established. The Presidency (Eligility) Act 2009 as further qualifications, requiring a president to renounce any position within Parliament (e.g., Speaker) and membership of any representative body of local self-government.