The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) consists of more than 600 islands spread over four states being Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. The individual states remain to hold considerable powers for example budgetary policymaking. State governors and lieutenant governors are elected and take up position in the federal parliament. Below the state level, 74 municipalities exist, sometimes spread over multiple islands. Municipalities form the most important layer of government in Micronesia and often takes precedence over national or federal representation. Local leaders are often tribal chiefs and they can even veto some decisions from the state level. Although the election of tribal chiefs is not official in the country’s state legislature local leaders play a pivotal role in government. State and federal level elections are held every two years more recently in 2011 and the next one is planned for 2013.
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The three levels of government; federal, state and local are enshrined in the FSM constitution. Although no other legislative texts exist in the federal and state government adhere to the important role local governments play in the Constitution. For example the FSM have extensive legal provisions that enable direct democracy, including citizens’ initiatives and recall of draft laws by the people.
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The federal government as such fulfills a more facilitative role in the overall FSM government structure. Cooperation is applied where functional, for example in case of tackling water or environmental issues. On the other hand devolvement and local accountability is encouraged. The FSM federal government for example attended the fourteenth Micronesian Chief Executives' Summit. Also a nationwide development plan focused on the period 2004-2023 puts local authorities at the centre of its policies. Also the involvement of international organizations in cooperation with the federal and states governments work on improving localities such as the CLGF Pacific Project.
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