Editing Governor-General of Belize (section)

===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.