List of leaders of Mava Council

Chairman of the Government Council of the Republic of Mava Kiiqkausaaktaagiktaapiit Kaatitatiikamat Maava Yakiinaigaalu
Coat of arms of the Republic of Mava
Incumbent Kausaanek Malaati since 22 March 2023
Style	Chairman (address) The Honourable (formal) His Excellency (diplomatic)
Member of	Government Council
Residence	Kausaakagaagikakitat
Appointer	President of Mava
Inaugural holder	Paaliuk Kaasatok
Formation	1925
Deputy	Deputy Prime Minister
Salary	MPL 415,000 annually
Website	http://kiiq.mv/

The Chairman of the Government Council of the Republic of Mava (Mavean: Kiiqkausaaktaagiktaapiit Kaatitatiikamat Maava Yakiinaigaalu), also known as the Prime Minister of Mava (Mavean: Kiatutmaitigik), is the head of government of the Republic of Mava. The chairman is responsible for presiding over meetings of the Government Council, coordinating its activities and representing it internationally. The officeholder is always a member of the Assembly of the Islands (the confederal parliment) and is appointed on its nomination - usually as the leader of the largest party or political grouping. The current chairman - Kausaanek Malaati - has served since 22 March 2023.

Unlike in most republics, the chairman - as head of government - does not have the power to appoint or dismiss ministers. Because of the requirement that there be two cabinet members from each of the four jurisdictions, it is the responsibility of the Assembly to put forward nominees for appointment. The chairman's principal role is to coordinate the activities of the Government Council; although they theoretically have the power to direct its proceedings and to determine the direction of policy, it is usual that decisions are reached unanimously or with an overwhelming majority.

As with most political offices in Mava, the tenure of the chairman and of the other ministers is tied with that of the Assembly. On the dissolution of the Assembly, the chairman serves in a caretaker capacity until the Assembly reconvenes and confirms the government. In general practice, this does not affect the chairman's authority.

Nomination and appointment

The Chairman of the Government Council is appointed by the Presidency on the nomination of the Assembly of the Islands. Delegates to the Assembly may nominate anyone of their number as a candidate, with a minimum of 10 members representing at least three of the four jurisdictions required for a valid nomination. Candidates are formally nominated on the first Monday following a general election, or at the command of the President of the Assembly should nominations occur between elections. Voting occurs on the penultimate Monday of May, or on another date appointed by the speaker. A candidate requires a majority of members of all four jurisdiction delegations.

Voting is held in secret, with successive rounds of voting continuing until an outright winner is elected. There is no requirement for candidates to be party leaders, and a number of backbench members have been nominated in the past. However, it is generally accepted that the Assembly approves the nomination of the largest party.

According to precedent, outgoing chairmen serve until the end of the term of the Assembly. Mid-term nomination processes are generally avoided unless the chairman dies or is removed from office. The last chairman to leave office between elections was Paqtuq Maagamarak, who resigned in March 2023 ahead of the elections in May that year. Prior to this, the most recentl mid-term resignation was Teeqaat Nuisaat, who resigned half way through the 36th Assembly (1996) because of ill-health.

Role

The Chairman is head of government but enjoys significantly fewer powers than comparative positions in other countries. Because the Government Council operates de facto on the basis of collegiality, the position is officially first-amongst-equals and is responsible only for presiding and for overseeing its operations. Despite this, it is common practice for the Chairman to hold seniority over other ministers as a practical measure. Along with chairing duties, the office is also responsible for ensuring the preparation of reports to the Assembly and the publication of all confederal laws.

The Chairman also carries out some representative duties. The Chairman has, on occasion, spoken at the United Nations and is usually the member of the council who greets other heads of government. This duty, however, they may delegate to another minister.

The Great Seal of the Republic of Mava is held by the Chairman. However, the chairman does not hold the position of Keeper in their own right but rather on behalf of the council as a whole. Consequently, they exercise the powers of Keeper of the Great Seal only in consultation with and by the consent of the council as a whole.

List of office-holders

#	Tenure	Chairman	Portrait	Birth–death	Party		Jurisdiction
1	1925-1933	Paaliuk Kaasatok		1880–1962		Anuvik	North Mava
2	1933-1941	Kiigiak Taaquyok		1889-1976		Anuvik	North Mava
3	1941-1943	K.N. Mukkauniatok		1888-1968		Anuvik	South Mava
4	1943-1953	Pusiaarak Siminuk		1891–1980		Anuvik	Taak
5	1953-1972	Kussilaakug Kagaaq		1912–1980		Anuvik	Tokuksiagak
6	1972-1975	Pigaqamituuk Okulivaat		1925-2013		Anuvik	Tokuksiagak
7	1975-1983	Naasukkit Mikanaark		1929-2001		Anuvik	North Mava
8	1983-1990	Niqimuyaak Maait		1939-1990		Anuvik	South Mava
9	1990	Kiqoona Saarnerk		b.1959		Anuvik	Tokuksiagak
10	1990-1996	Tiiqaat Nuisaat		b.1955		Anuvik	South Mava
11	1996-2007	Kiqoona Saarnerk		b.1959		Anuvik	Tokuksiagak
12	2007-2013	Akinvik Sipputi		b.1968		Anuvik	North Mava
13	2013-2015	Nitigak Issitaunimaakok		b.1968		Anuvik	South Mava
14	2015-2023	Paqtuq Maagamarak		b.1958		Anuvik	North Mava
15	2023-present	Kausaanek Malaati		b.1952		Anuvik	North Mava

See also

• Politics of Mava
• Culture of Mava

External links

• Prime Minister of Mava. Government of Mava