Government of Drambenburg

Overview

The Holy Empire of Drambenburg is a Federal Parliamentary Semi-Constitutional Monarchy. Its government is structured with seven distinct branches, ensuring a balance of power and responsibilities among various entities. The head of state is the Obergruppenkaiser, or emperor. The chief executive of Drambenburg is the Oberkanzerlin, or chancellor.

Monarchy

The Emperor of Drambenburg, officially titled the Obergruppenkaiser, is the elected monarch and ceremonial head of state of the nation. The emperor is elected from one of the seven noble Oberfamilien—Wettin, Podzbrad, Von Lerbin, Von Welf, Stauffen, Henneberg, and Julich-Henegbach—upon the death of the previous emperor. This election is conducted by the House of Lords in a process known as the Electoral College, where the Lords convene behind closed doors to hear from the heirs of each royal family and select the new emperor.

The emperor's duties are both ceremonial and functional, encompassing oversight of the Low Judicial branch, having the final say in civil cases, and the power to declare war in conjunction with the Obergeneralfeldmarschall. As the head of state, the emperor represents Drambenburg in foreign affairs, hosting dignitaries and leading state ceremonies. The emperor also oversees agriculture and conservation efforts and commands the Geheime Staatspolizei, the nation's police force responsible for internal security and counter-terrorism. During an interregnum, the Chancellor is granted "supreme executive power" by Parliament to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of governance until a new emperor is elected.

Executive

The Executive Branch of Drambenburg is headed by the Oberkanzlerin (Chancellor), who is elected by the upper and lower houses of the Legislative branch. The Chancellor serves a term of three years and can be re-elected for a maximum of four terms, with a limit of two consecutive terms.

The primary responsibilities of the Chancellor include engaging in foreign diplomacy, overseeing the Stormtrumpen (a specialized force that functions as both police and special operations), and collaborating with private corporations to prevent legislative corruption. The Chancellor is also tasked with signing bills into law once they have passed through the legislative process and been ratified by the House of Lords and deemed constitutional by the Supreme Court.

Upon election, the Chancellor appoints a cabinet to advise on various aspects of governance and selects a Kanzerlin (deputy) who serves as the administrator of the Senate. The executive branch also plays a crucial role in the country's manufacturing sector, working closely with private corporations to ensure economic stability and growth. The Chancellor's office is integral in maintaining diplomatic relations, carrying out covert special operations, and addressing domestic and international challenges. Importantly, the Chancellor holds the authority to dissolve Parliament in cases where governmental deadlock or crises threaten the nation's stability. This power ensures the executive branch's ability to navigate challenges effectively and maintain the functionality of the government in the interest of the nation and its citizens.

Legislature

The Legislative Branch of Drambenburg is a tricameral body consisting of the Senate, the House of Representatives (HR), and the House of Lords. This unique structure ensures a comprehensive and balanced approach to lawmaking, with distinct roles and responsibilities assigned to each chamber.

Senate

The Senate comprises three senators from each state, elected through a direct runoff vote that allows citizens to rank the candidates. Senators serve six-year terms with no term limits, fostering experienced and professional politicians within the federal government. The Senate is overseen by the Kanzerlin, who ensures orderly conduct and oversees final votes on all issues brought to the floor. Senators cast their votes verbally, stating "aye" or "nay."

House of Representatives (HR)

The House of Representatives is composed of members elected through a first-past-the-post vote, with one representative for every 100,000 residents in a state. Representatives serve two-year terms with a limit of three terms, ensuring that ordinary citizens have the opportunity to participate in the federal government without becoming career politicians. The HR is led by the President pro Tempore (PPT), who maintains order during debates, breaks tied votes, and assigns representatives to various House Committees responsible for drafting new bills.

House of Lords

The House of Lords, also referred to as the Parliament, is composed of the nobility of Drambenburg. This includes barons and other noble ranks who inherit their titles by the rule of primogeniture. There are 50 total seats in Parliament, of which seven are permanently held by members of the Oberfamlien. The House of Lords is overseen by the Prime Minister, who is elected from the general population and cannot be a member of the Oberfamilien or a close relative of any member of the nobility.

Duties of the Legislative Branch

The primary function of the Legislative Branch is to create and pass legislation. House Committees draft bills, which are then voted on anonymously in the HR. Bills approved by the HR are sent to the Senate, where they undergo a public vote. To pass either house, a bill must receive at least 55% of the votes. Once approved by both houses, bills are sent to the House of Lords for further ratification. The House of Lords requires a vote of 40% from its members to pass a bill before it is forwarded to the High Judicial branch for constitutional review.

In addition to standard legislation, the Senate has the authority to propose and vote on constitutional amendments, which require a two-thirds majority before being forwarded to the House of Lords. The House of Lords also ratifies constitutional amendments with a total vote of at least 50% from its members. The Legislative Branch plays a crucial role in overseeing the executive branch, ensuring that the laws and policies enacted align with the nation's constitution and the citizens' rights to life, liberty, and property.

Furthermore, the House of Lords sets the budget and handles declarations of war, collaborating with the executive branch and the Khakus to ensure national security and fiscal responsibility. This tricameral legislative process ensures thorough scrutiny and debate, maintaining a balance between the interests of the states, the populace, and the nobility.

Founding Documents

Charter of Rights

We the Nobility of the Holy Empire of Drambenburg do herein ratify the following rights and subsequent limitations on the imperial crown:

First, we grant to God and confirm in this charter to ourselves and our heirs in perpetuity that the Church of Drambenburg be free to have all its liberties and rights. We furthermore grant and give to all the freemen of our realm for ourselves and our heirs in perpetuity the liberties written below to have and to hold to them and their heirs from us and our heirs in perpetuity.

Second, if any lord or landowner die while holding service to his majesty's military, and his heir is of the rightful age, the heir shall be guaranteed his inheritance, and not deprived unjustly by tax or withholding.

2.a: If, however, the landowner dies without an heir of age, his lord is not to take custody of the heir until he has taken homage from the heir. Then, after the heir has been in custody, and comes of age, he is to have his inheritance without relief.

2.b: The keeper of the land of such an heir has only leniency to take from the land such as is needed for upkeep. If a keeper is found lay waste to the inheritance, the land will be removed from him and placed in custody of two others who are known to be law-worthy and will respond to us.

2.c: Heirs are to be married without disparagement.

3. A widow, after the death of her husband, is immediately and without difficulty to have her inheritance. Neither is she required to pay taxes on her dower, inheritance, or marriage portion.

4. Neither we, nor our bailiffs, will seize any land or rent for any debt; unless the debtor refuses to pay.

5. The port cities and free-holds are to have all their ancient liberties and customs preserved.

6. No-one can be restrained to do more service for a knight's fee than that which is required therein.

7. Freemen pleas are not to follow our courts but to meet at an appointed time and place.

8. Court is to be held in counties regularly by ourselves, unless we are unable, whether by disability or location, from holding court, in which case they shall be held by our justiciars.

9. Court of church appointment is always to be held before the Bench of justiciars in which the parish sits.

10. A freeman is not to be sentenced for a small offence save in accordance with the manner of the offence, and for a major offence according to its magnitude, saving his sufficiency, and a merchant likewise, saving his merchandise, and any peasantry other than one of our own is to be sentenced, saving his necessity should he fall into our mercy. Barons are not to be sentenced except by their peers, and only in accordance with the manner of their offence.