View source for Government of Meridon

{{Infobox government
| government_name  = Meridonian federal government
| image            = meridcoa.png
| caption          = Coat of Arms of the Federal Republic of Meridon
| date             = {{Start date and age|1749|06|11}}
| country          = Meridon
| document_type    = Founding document
| document         = [[Articles of Federation (Meridon)|Articles of Federation]]
| url              = 
| legislature      = [[Meridonian Federal Council]]
| meeting_place    = Federal Council Building
| leader_title     = [[President of Meridon|President]]
| main_body        = [[Executive Council (Meridon)| Executive Council]]
| appointed        = 
| headquarters     = [[Launceton Hall]]
| departments      = [[Meridonian Federal Executive Departments|12]]
| court            = [[Judiciary system of Meridon]]
| seat             = 
}}
The '''federal government of Meridon''' is the [http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Government national government] of [[Meridon]] and its territories. Established by the Articles of Federation in 1749, the modern annals of government were formally put in place with the [[Masserat Constitution]] being passed in 1761. Meridon is a {{wpl|parliamentary republic}} with an {{wpl|executive presidency}}.

It is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The Constitution is the primary constituting sources for the powers, duties and authorities of these three branches of government, which have been further expanded on by various acts of the Federal Council, Executive orders, and court rulings. 
==Legislative branch==
{{main|Meridonian Federal Council}}
The Federal Council is the unicameral legislature of Meridon. It consists of a single house, a popularly-elective parliamentary body consisting of 364 seats, with delegates elected to represent both the territory at large and electoral groups. Councilors are elected to 5-year terms. The current Council President is TBD. While the Federal Council is not involved in electing the President it may conduct a vote of no confidence to initiate a recall of the president, forcing a resignation or new elections.

==Executive branch==
{{main|Executive branch of Meridon}}
===President===
The [[President of Meridon]] is the head of state and government of Meridon, elected to a five-year term by the popular vote. Article Two of the [[Articles of Federation]] establishes the powers, responsibilities, and privileges of the office of President, which include conducting foreign diplomacy, signing bills passed by the Council into law or vetoing them, serving as Commander in Chief of the [[Meridon Defense Forces]], name the heads of the Federal Executive Departments with Council advice and assent,  and offer pardons to criminals.

The current President of the Federal Republic is Yui Townley, a member of the [[Federal Party of Meridon|Federal Party]] who has held the office since 2023.

===Vice President===
The [[Vice President of the Federal Republic of Meridon]] acts as the President's deputy, elected alongside the President for a 5-year term. Their responsibilites include acting as the President should the President being incapable of discharging their duties, overseeing the operations of the [[Executive Council (Meridon)|Executive Council]], and performing any such duties that the President designates.

The current Vice President of the Federal Republic is vacant.

==Judicial branch==
{{main|Judiciary system of Meridon}}
The federal judiciary system of Meridon is composed of four {{wp|supreme court|courts of last resort}}. These are:

===Federal Court of Justice===
The Federal Court of Justice is responsible for the hearing of criminal cases and violations of criminal law, including appeals to the court. The Federal Court of Justice will hear some of the more serious federal crimes including treason, espionage, crimes against humanity and warcrimes, and other such offenses. Since 1964, all sentences of capital punishment issued at any inferior level are automatically sent to the Federal Court of Justice for review. The court is composed of 7 judges, including the Supreme Justice, the chief court judge. These judges are nominated by the President, and subject to Council approval. These judges hold office for 8 year terms and may be re-elected indefinitely.

===Federal Court of Arbitration===
The Federal Court of Arbitration is responsible for the hearing of all civil cases, primarily as to settling disagreements between two parties, including appeals of decisions of lower courts. This includes such cases as breach of contracts, breaches of civil law, labor disputes and other such areas. The court consists of 12 members including the Chief Arbitrator, who serves as the court's chief judge. His vote counts for 1 and a half votes to ensure that there is not an even split in decisions among the body. These judges are selected by the President who must receive approval from the Council, hold office for 8 year terms, and may be re-elected indefinitely.

===Federal Constitutional Court===
The Federal Constitutional Court is responsible for the oversight and review of laws passed by the legislative branch and how they are enforced by the executive, and to determine their constitutionality. The Constitutional Court in this vein also serves to interpret the Constitution, making it a highly influential legal body. The Constitutional Court consists of 5 judges and has no chief judge. The Court instead has a Speaker of the Court, considered first among equals, who serves on an annual and rotational basis. These judges are popularly elected for 12 year terms. 

===Federal Court of Audit===
The Federal Court of Audit reviews and audits the executive branch and its officers, including members of the Federal Executive Department and the President and Vice President, to determine their legality. Though these decisions may be appealed to the Court of Arbitration, the Court of Audit's decisions are considered final if they are passed with a unanimous vote. The Court of Audit is composed of 6 judges including the Chief Auditor, whose vote counts for one and one half. The Federal Court of Audit may find that an offense committed by an officer is impeachable, however it is not empowered to initiate or overhear impeachment proceedings. The impeachment of executive officials is conducted by the Federal Council, overseen by the Chief Auditor.

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[[Category:Meridon]]
[[Category: Meridonian politics]]