Micronesia (Federated States of)

Congress

Political system: Presidential system
Structure of parliament: Unicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s): 07 Mar 2023
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: No information available
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections: 04 Mar 2025
Number of seats at stake: 14
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election: Not applicable
Not applicable. There is no party system or candidates stood as independents.: Yes
Total number of candidates: 29
Number of male candidates: 26
Number of female candidates: 3
Percentage of women candidates: 10.3%

Results

About the election: As there are no political parties in Micronesia, all candidates to the 14-member Congress stand as independents. Twelve outgoing members were re-elected. They include the outgoing Speaker Wesley W. Simina, former Speaker Isaac Figir as well as former President Peter Christian. A record two women were elected (see note). Shortly after the election, the incumbent President David Panuelo, who lost his seat in the Congress, suggested severing diplomatic ties with China in favour of Taiwan. The outgoing legislature subsequently reaffirmed the country’s diplomatic ties with China.

On 11 May, the newly elected Congress held its first session and elected Mr. Esmond B. Moses as its new Speaker. It then elected the outgoing Speaker, Mr. Wesley W. Simina, as the new President of the Republic.

Note:

No women were elected in the previous elections held in March 2021. In November 2021, Ms. Perpetua S. Konman won the by-election to fill the seat vacated by her late husband, thereby becoming the first-ever woman to be elected in the history of the FSM Congress. She was re-elected in 2023 along with another woman candidate.
Percentage of parties winning seats: Not applicable
Number of parties in government: Not applicable

Members elected, by sex

Women Directly Elected: 2
Other notes on the elections: Note on the expected date of next elections:

All general elections for the Congress are held biennially in each odd-numbered year on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in March.
Sources: Congress (22.03.2023, 17.05.2023)

https://gov.fm/index.php/component/content/article/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/707-certified-unofficial-results-of-the-2023-fsm-election?Itemid=177

https://www.rnz.co.nz

https://www.forumsec.org

https://thediplomat.com/

https://www.abc.net.au

https://www.voanews.com/

New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 12
Total number of women after the election: 2
Percentage of women after the election: 14.3%
First-term parliamentarians: 2
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: 14.3%
Date of the first session: 11 May 2023

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Esmond B. Moses (Male)
Date of birth: 1974
Date of election: 11 May 2023