Editing Governor-General of Belize (section)

==Functions==
{{External media |float=left |headerimage=[[File:Colville Young Embassy 2011.jpeg|250px|border]] |caption=Governor-General [[Sir Colville Young]] (left) attending a diplomatic function at US Embassy Belize, 2011 |video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06cFKdYfVL8 Role of the Governor General in Belize's Government] Source: ''Channel 5 Belize''}}
The governor-general's powers and roles are derive from the Constitution of Belize's Part IV, sections 30 to 35 and set out certain provisions relating to the governor-general.<ref name=ggbz/>

{{rquote|right|<small>''I intend to carry out the constitutional role of this office with the required diligence. It is also my hope that time will permit me to carry out more than my constitutional duties. This is an institution with its own culture, however, like all institutions, it is inhabited by people.''</small>|Governor-General [[Dame Froyla Tzalam]], 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/219267|title=Froyla T’zalam Installed as Governor General|date=27 May 2021|work=Channel5Belize|access-date=15 October 2022|archive-date=18 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018044433/https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/219267|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

===Constitutional role===

The governor-general is responsible for dissolving parliament and issues writs for new elections. After an election, the governor-general formally requests the leader of the political party which gains the support of a majority in parliament to form a government. The governor-general commissions the prime minister and appoints other ministers after the election.<ref>[https://www.belizelaw.org/web/e_library/constitution_05.html Part V: The Executive]</ref>

The prime minister keeps the governor-general fully informed concerning the general conduct of the government of Belize and furnishes the governor-general with such information as the governor-general may request with respect to any particular matter relating to the government of Belize.<ref name=ggbz/>

The governor-general, on the Sovereign's behalf, gives [[royal assent]] to laws passed by the National Assembly of Belize.<ref>[https://www.belizelaw.org/web/e_library/constitution_06.html Part VI: The Legislature]</ref>

The governor-general acts on the advice of government ministers, to issue regulations, proclamations under existing laws, to appoint state judges,<ref>[https://www.belizelaw.org/web/e_library/constitution_07.html Part VII: The Judiciary]</ref> ambassadors and high commissioners to overseas countries, and other senior government officials.

The governor-general is also responsible for issuing Royal Commissions of Inquiry, and other matters, as required by particular legislation; and authorises many other executive decisions by ministers such as approving treaties with foreign governments.

The governor-general may, in certain circumstances, exercise without – or contrary to – ministerial advice. These are known as the reserve powers, and include:
*appointing a prime minister if an election has resulted in a 'hung parliament'.
*dismissing the prime minister after the prime minister lost the confidence of the parliament.
*dismissing any minister acting unlawfully.
*refusing to dissolve the House of Representatives despite a request from the prime minister.

===Ceremonial role===

{{multiple image
| total_width = 220px
| perrow      = 1/1
| image1      = GG Tzalam with US charge d'affairs.jpg
| caption1    = Governor-General [[Froyla Tzalam]] with Leyla Moses-Ones, US Chargé d'Affaires, 2021
| image2      = 08.17 「同慶之旅」總統拜會貝里斯總督.jpg
| caption2    = Governor-General [[Sir Colville Young]] with President Tsai of Taiwan, 2018
}}

The governor-general's ceremonial duties include opening new sessions of parliament by delivering the [[Speech from the Throne]], welcoming visiting heads of state, and receiving the credentials of foreign diplomats.

The governor-general attends military parades and special occasions, and presents Colours and other insignia to units of the [[Belize Defence Force]] and the Police Force.

The governor-general also presents honours at investitures to persons for notable service to the community, or for acts of bravery.