Queen Elizabeth II’s death could hasten efforts by some countries to reassess their relationship with the British Crown
could hasten efforts by some countries to reassess their relationship with the British Crown, and provide momentum to activists who have long argued that their nations shouldn’t have a foreign ruler as head of state., is the official head of state in 14 countries outside of the United Kingdom. They include Australia, New Zealand and Canada, as well as several Caribbean and Pacific island nations.
In an interview published Sunday, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, told British television network ITV News that he wants to hold a referendum on his country becoming a republic, possibly within three years. Antigua and Barbuda is a former British possession in the Caribbean.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lays a wreath next to Queen Elizabeth II’s statue at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia.The debate has intensified in Australia, where voters in 1999 rejected a constitutional amendment to abolish the monarchy. Recent polls have shown more Australians support establishing a republic than keeping the monarchy, though many are undecided.
One issue in Australia would be how to choose its head of state if it isn’t the British monarch. The 1999 referendum suggested that parliament appoint a president by a two-thirds majority, which some Australians believed gave too much power to politicians. One new proposal from the Australian Republic Movement suggested that each Australian state and territory, and the federal parliament, nominate candidates who would then be put to a popular vote.
“If we look at democracies around the world, the most stable democracies are constitutional monarchies,” he said. “Australia will support our new king.”
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