Since its independence in 1962, New Courland is a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth of Nations. The British head of state is also Duke or Duchess of New Courland, but he or she is represented in New Courland by a Governor General with mostly ceremonial tasks. The executive consists of the prime minister and his government. The legislative is a unicameral parliament of 29 members, the Diet.

Elections
Elections for the Diet occur at least every four or five years by Single Transferable Vote. Each municipality is represented by a certain number of members in the Diet, based on population. Currently, Louise Charlotte has 10 seats, Zelta Kalni 6, Yeovil 4, Jauna Piltene 3, Penllergaer 2, Kettler's Port 2, Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Dolor 1 and Maza Osta/Little Harbour 1.

There are not many political parties, the two most important currently being the Conservative Party and the Progress and Development Party. The Independence Party, big in the 60's and 70's, still gets some seats in the Diet and is generally considered a likable coalition partner if one party doesn't get an absolute majority. However, since 1998 there have been only majority governments.

Other parties include the National Freedom Party, Constructive Vision, the Legal Union, the Social Consideration Party, the Citizen's Alliance and the Labour Party, but these don't always gain seats with every election. In recent years, the Baltic Action Front has gained popularity among right wing Balts; the party claims sovereignty over the island for historical reasons and considers all other ethnic groups inferior.

The last elections were held on 7 June 2015. The new Diet was installed on 15 June. The new government was approved on 19 June 2015. The latest date for the next parliamentary elections to be held is 15 July 2019.

Themes
The most important themes in the last few elections were the growing emigration figures and how to keep New Courland sufficiently attractive for people to stay, the increasing popularity of the right wing Baltic Action Front and how to deal with it, as well as the unemployment rate, which has been brought down in the past few years. Both the Conservative Party and the Progress and Development Party claim that it was their politics that helped the rate to decrease.

The Duke
Since New Courland became independent in 1962, the country has had only two heads of state: duchess Elizabeth, who is known as Queen Elizabeth (II) in other Commonwealth Realms, until her death in 2022, after which she was succeeded by her son, Duke Charles, who is otherwise known as King Charles (III) in other realms of the Commonwealth. He is, as said, represented by the Governor General of New Courland.

The official residence of the Governor General is Easter House, which is sometimes unofficially called 'the Ducal Palace'. The current Governor General is Sir Satyavant Bhandare, who took office on 1 June 2013.

The government
The government consists of the prime minister and the ministers. After being elected by the Diet and confirmed by the Governor General, the prime minister appoints the ministers of his government. Although it is not mandatory for the prime minister to have his or her ministers approved by the Diet as well, it is common custom to do this anyway. Governments of New Courland were generally quite large, with some administrations having up to 30 ministers. The current government however, in office since 26 October 2011, is rather small in comparison, with only 13 portfolios.

The official residence of the prime minister is Matheson House in the centre of Louise Charlotte.

Judiciary
There are three levels of cours in New Courland. The Magistrates' Court is the lower court, dealing with civil, family and criminal matters. Each municipality has a Magistrates' Court, but only the Magistrates' Court of Louise Charlotte deals with criminal matters.

The High Court, located in Louise Charlotte, deals with more serious civil and criminal matters and acts as a Court of Appeal for matters coming from the Magistrates' Courts.

The London-based Privy Council is recognised by New Courland as its final Court of Appeal. A discussion has been going on to recognise the Caribbean Court of Justice instead, but the last comment by the justice ministry on the matter was, that it needs 'further investigation'. Additionally, New Courland accepts judgements by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

The highest punishment in New Courland is life sentence; the death penalty was abolished in 1986.
 

Lists

Seat division since the last elections on 12 March 2023

Dukes and Duchesses
 

15 09 1962 - 08 09 2022	Elizabeth
08 09 2022 - present	Charles

Governors General

Prime ministers