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| {{Template:Politics of Freice}} | | {{Politics of Freice}} |
| As of January 2022, the politics of Freice takes place within the framework of a unitary provisional government and constitutional monarchy. Previously, following the approval of a new constitution, the Senior Council was the collective head of government in a dominant-party system. Legislative power was vested in the government and the Nuejel, the unicameral legislature. The judiciary was officially independent of both branches.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Schedules of Government of the Country of Freice]. ''Island Government of Freice''. Archived 9 December 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.</ref> However, the Common Wealth Party's governance was widely seen to be authoritarian, with control over media and widespread gerrymandering meaning that opposition groups were prevented from having greater influence.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Enduring problems for Freician democracy]. ''Guri Telegraph''. Retrieved 18 September 2021.</ref>
| | The '''politics of Freice''' takes place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy with aspects of mixed government. The head of state of Freice is Queen Diana II in right of the Riamese Federation. Domestically the [[Maaita of Freice|Maaita]] is the local ruler and de facto head of state, serving at the apex of the indigenous government. Both are hereditary positions. |
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| In December 2021, following a successful motion of no confidence in the government of Tēse Gajāl, Ediā Kiārdx́ā assumed power as head of government and initiated the process of constitutional reform.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Gajāl Out, Kiārdx́ā In"]. ''Taɱą ǡduƞe̩ frɨs''. Retrieved 28 November 2021</ref> Legislation to create a new constituent assembly and provisional government were passed by the Nuejel the same month, with elections to be held in January 2022.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Freice: January elections to draft constitution]. ''Riamese Broadcasting Corporation''. Retrieved 16 December 2021.</ref>
| | Freice's government consists of a number of committees through which decisions are made. Executive power is exercised by all elected representatives through these committees. The Policy Development Committee is the senior committee and is responsible for the overall direction of government policy; the president of the committee serves as de facto head of government. The council consists of the chairs of each committee and the district mayors. |
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| ==Offices==
| | The constitution vests executive and legislative power in the Representative Council, a unicameral body consisting of twenty elected representatives. Prior to 2009, the Maaita chaired its sessions, but now one of its members is elected president. The Council is elected every three years via universal suffrage. When convened as the executive branch, it is called the "Committees of the Representative Council." |
| {| class=wikitable
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| !Office
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| !Name
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| !Party
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| !Since
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| | Sovereign of Freice
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| |colspan=2| Diana II
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| | TBD
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| |-
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| | Prime Minister
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| | Ańiāra Neḡdx́a
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| | Independent
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| | 2022-present
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| |-
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| | President of the Island Meeting
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| | Tāqaḿē Nātnodx́ē
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| | Independent
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| | 2022-present
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| |-
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| |}
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| The Sovereign of Freice is Diana II, Queen of Riamo. | |
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| The Prime Minister (''Biāqa Radx́iā''), officially called the Prime Minister of the Constituent Island Meeting Government is appointed by the President of the Constituent Island Meeting following their election by the Meeting.<ref name=": Who">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "About the Freician Government > Members > Prime Minister".]. ''Island Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref> The Government (officially the Constituent Island Meeting Government) operates on the basis of collegiality, with ministers collaborating with one another in the running of their departments rather than there being strict allocations of responsibility.<ref name=": Ministries">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "About the Freician Government > Members".]. ''Island Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref> Ministers, like the Prime Minister, are elected by the Constituent Island Meeting and may only be removed by the Meeting; the Prime Minister has only the power to allocate responsibilities.<ref name=": Constitution">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Constitution of the Country of Freice".]. ''Island Meeting of Freice''. Retrieved 2 February 2022.</ref> | | == Executive branch == |
| | === Maaita === |
| | {{main|Maaita of Freice}} |
| | The Maaita of Freice is the local head of Freice, fulfilling most of the duties of head of state. Until 2009, the Maaita was the head of government and was required to preside over legislative sessions, but these powers were diluted following constitutional amendments. The Maaita is the most senior position amongst the local institutions, and arose from an agreement between three chiefs that the role should rotate amongst them. The descendants of these chiefs continue to hold the office on rotation. |
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| The President of the Constituent Island Meeting is the presiding officer of the Constituent Island Meeting, responsible for overseeing its sessions, deciding who speaks, and maintaining order. | | The current Maaita, since 30 January 2023, is [[Kaana Tenkel]], who is the sole inheritor of Tuaa Savou's share of the office. Since 22 December 2023, his wife [[Makeeia Taaguvigi]] serves as regent. |
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| ==Constitution== | | === Policy Development Committee === |
| The 1972 Constitution serves as the interim constitution, replacing the Schedules of Government that was adopted in September 2021 as a replacement itself. The constitution, which has been since amended to provide for a new provisional government, sets out the basic principles of Freician political life, defines individual and collective rights and freedoms, and outlines national symbols and cultural practices. | | The Policy Development Committee is the senior committee within the Freician system of government. The committee is responsible for the broad development of policies and programmes and for coordinating the work of the other committees. It's main functions are the co-ordination of the work of committees; fiscal, economic, and financial matters; external relations and constitutional affairs; and any other matters not explicitly vested in another committee. |
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| Another important constitutional document is the [[External Association (Freice) Act|External Association Act]], which governs the relationship between Freice and [[Riamo]]. Freice is nominally under Riamese sovereignty, being an [[Riamo#Subjects|associated republic and federal subject]].<ref name=": External Association">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "External Association"]. ''Island Government of Freice''. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2016.</ref> The agreement was signed in 1969 and is the foundation of contemporary relations between the two countries.
| | The committee is presided over by a president, who is elected by the Representative Council. The president of the committee serves as the de facto head of government as the most powerful single political figure. However, unlike in most parliamentary systems, power is decentralised; as such, the president's power is largely determined by their individual relations with other figures and committees. Other members include the chairs of the other committees and the mayors of each district. |
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| ==Legislative branch== | | === Council Committees === |
| Legislative power is vested in the unicameral [[Constituent Island Meeting of Freice|Constituent Island Meeting]], which is composed of 11 members (or 'delegates') elected popular vote. The Constituent Island Meeting is headed by a President, who manages the business of the legislature and oversees its sessions.<ref name=":ON">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Officers of the Meeting]. ''Island Meeting of Freice''. Retrieved 19 January 2022.</ref>
| | Decision-making in Freice's government is undertaken by committees. Instead of government departments or ministries, power is delegated to a number of committees made up of councillors. These committees are tasked with a specific policy area, with a chair elected amongst them to guide its activities and to represent the committee to the wider Council. Each committee has between four and six councillors, with councillors permitted to sit on (but not chair) multiple committees. |
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| Delegates are elected from thirteen single-member constituencies. Under the first-past-the-post system, voters can choose one candidate, with a plurality required. If a delegate is removed, dies, or resigns, a by-election is held. Delegates can be recalled at any time if ten percent of their constituency electorate signs a recall petition calling for a recall.<ref name=": AAA">"Recall Act". ''Island Government of Freice''. 2019. Archived November 9, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.</ref> If more than four or more delegates are recalled, then a fresh general election is held automatically.<ref name=": Const.">.[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Constitution of the Country of Freice"] ''Island Government of Freice''. 1972. Retrieved 25 November 2013.</ref>
| | The current committees are as follows: |
| | * Finance and Economy Committee |
| | * Social Affairs and Culture Committee |
| | * Federation and External Affairs Committee |
| | * Education and Families Committee |
| | * Health and Social Services Committee |
| | * Home Affairs and Justice Committee |
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| The Meeting is where discussion of all proposed legislation is held. Both delegates to the Meeting and the ministers of the government can propose legislation, although it is only through a vote in the Meeting that any piece of legislation is adopted.<ref name=":LEG">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Legislative procedure]. ''Constituent Island Meeting of Freice''. Retrieved 5 February 2022.</ref> In most cases, a simple majority (50%+1) is required, although any vote on decisions relating to the drafting of the new constitution requires a two-thirds majority (66.6%+1) to pass.<ref name=": Const.">.[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Constitution of the Country of Freice"] ''Island Government of Freice''. 1972. Retrieved 25 November 2013.</ref> 7 members (excluding the President) are required in order for a quorum to be reached and for business to be conducted. The Meeting can also review the actions of KNAT, including interrogating ministers and calling for a formal statement from the government on its actions. | | ==Legislature== |
| | The legislative branch of the Freician government is the Representative Council, which is elected every three years with a universal franchise. Until 2009, senior landowners and district leaders also held seats in the council with voting powers, but constitutional changes removed this automatic right and extended the franchise so that all women, rather than just married women, could vote. The amendments also removed the requirement for the Maaita's presence, with the role of presiding officer now undertaken by the President of the Council in the Maaita's absence. |
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| As a constituent assembly, the Meeting is also responsible for drafting a new constitution for Freice. Under the legislation granting it this responsibility, the Meeting has 9 months to draft and implement a new constitution, which may be extended to 12 months if necessary.
| | The Representative Council consists of 20 members, including a president who serves as its presiding officer. The council meets for three sessions per year, with each session lasting a minimum of 7 working days. The Representative Council is responsible for passing laws, levying taxes, and maintaining the "peace, order, and good government of Freice." |
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| The Nuejel approves all nominations for courts put forward by KNAT.<ref name=": Const.">.[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Constitution of the Country of Freice"] ''Island Government of Freice''. 1972. Retrieved 25 November 2013.</ref>
| | Riamese federal law does not automatically apply to Freice except from in a small number of cases provided for in constitutional law or in bilateral agreements. No law passed in the Riamese federal parliament has ever been extended to Freice without its consent, with a total of 29 laws having been agreed on since 1972. |
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| ===Composition===
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| {{Template:CompositionFreice}}
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| ==Executive==
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| [[File:Official Portrait of Aŋịarǡ Ne̩ḡą.png|thumb|Ańiāra Neḡdx́a, current Prime Minister since 2022. She previously served as President of the Assembly of Delegates from June to July 2021.]]
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| The Constituent Island Meeting Government (Freician: Kūmidx́ēnā ē'gx́i ḡurā Nā’iuēja Anqīajāa ē'gx́i Tx́oqāqo; KNAT) is the executive branch, consisting of ministers who work for the implementation of the political, economic, social, cultural, and other such activities of the state.<ref name=": About">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "About"] ''Island Government of Freice''. Retrieved 25 January 2021.</ref> It directs the activities of the state, oversees the management of the country's finances, and ensures the effectiveness of the administrative structure and bureaucracy. KNAT is appointed by the Constituent Island Meeting.
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| The head of KNAT is the prime minister (officially Prime Minister of the Constituent Island Meeting Government). The Prime Minister is elected by the Constituent Island Meeting and exerces executive functions alongside and on behalf of the wider cabinet. Ministers within KNAT make key decisions collectively, responsible as one for the consequences of these decisions.
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| ===Constituent Island Meeting Government===
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| As of January 2022, the makeup of KNAT is as follows:<ref name=": Current members">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Current members] ''Island Government of Freice''. Retrieved 2 September 2021.</ref>
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| {| class="wikitable"
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| ! Portfolio
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| ! Minister
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| | Prime Minister<br>Minister of International Affairs
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| | Hon. Ańiāra Neḡdx́a
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| | Minister of Finance and Development
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| | Hon. Ediā Kiārdx́ā
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| | Minister of Internal Affairs and Justice
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| | Hon. Bo'ōńi Iāzōqeē
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| | Minister of Health, Lands and Education
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| | Hon. Siēgi Poḡikńa
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| |}
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| ==Judiciary== | | ==Judiciary== |
| {{Main|Judiciary of Freice}}
| | The constitution of Freice provides for an independent judiciary subject only to the law. The island's legal system consists of traditional Freician customary law overlaid with principles and practices taken from federal and statute law. The courts of Freice are responsible for the administration of justice. |
| The judicial branch is composed of the courts, which administer Freician law. The Chief Counsel advises the government on all legal matters and the constitutionality and legality of its actions.<ref name=": Embers">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Officers"] ''Island Government of Freice''. Retrieved 5 September 2021.</ref> The Chief Counsel is the chief legal officer in both civil and criminal matters. They also serve as the chief public prosecutor; it is in their name that all prosecutions are made.
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| With the restoration of the 1972 constitution, the former judicial system has been reinstated. As such, the High Court is the highest court in the Freician court hierarchy and the final court of appeal in all cases. It has both original (hearing the case for the first time) and appellate (hearing cases heard by lower courts) jurisdiction and interprets the constitution of Freice.<ref name=": Const.">.[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Constitution of the Country of Freice"] ''Island Government of Freice''. 1972. Retrieved 25 November 2013.</ref> The court is composed of four Justices, including one Chief Justice, who are approved by the Constituent Island Meeting and appointed by the prime minister.<ref name=": 111111">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Courts > High Court > Role"] ''Freice Judicial Services''. Retrieved 15 January 2021.</ref>
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| The Court of Appeal is the penultimate court of appeals and also serves as the court of first instance in all constitutional cases, unlike in most other countries where the supreme court is the court of first resort.<ref name=": deae">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Courts > Court of Appeal > Role"] ''Freice Judicial Services''. Retrieved 5 September 2021.</ref> Below the Court of Appeal are Session Courts, which deal with both criminal and civil cases, and Village Courts, which address local civil cases and minor criminal infractions. These are headed by Peace Makers.
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| ==Elections==
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| Suffrage in Freice is extended to all persons who have reached the age of seventeen years, and who are not incarcerated or on probation or severely mentally disabled.<ref>''Schedules of Government of the Country of Freice''. Original available [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ here].</ref> Suffrage is also granted to all persons who have resided on the island for at least three years.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Voting Rights Act"]. ''Island Government of Freice'', 1999. Archived 18 May 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2021.</ref><ref name=": FP">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Freice profile] ''Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Riamese Federation''. Retrieved 2 April 2018.</ref>
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| Elections are held every year to the Meeting. Voters choose one candidate in their constituency; the candidate with the most votes is elected to represent the constituency.
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| In local council elections, voting is conducted in public by a show of hands.
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| ==Foreign policy==
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| Foreign policy in Freice is directed through the Ministry of International Affairs.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "External Relations"]. ''Island Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref> Freice's foreign policy is largely determined by its membership of the [[Saltstil Pact]] as well as its status as an associated state of [[Riamo]]. It aligns itself with and maintains support for the decisions made by the Saltstil Pact, even more so those decisions made by Riamo.
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| Riamo represents Freice in states where Freice does not have official diplomatic representation itself, with Riamese foreign policy an unofficial cornerstone of Freice's foreign policy decision-making. However, Freice maintains economic and cultural offices that act as de facto embassies.
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| ==Administrative divisions==
| | The court structure is composed of four types of court. The highest is the Island Court, which exercises unlimited jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, although its work is primarily limited to hearing appeals. The President of the Island Court acts as the island's chief justice and is the most senior member of the judiciary. The President is usually a Riamese jurist, although the Deputy President is legally required to be an islander. The District Court acts as a criminal court and also hears serious civil matters. Summary Courts are local courts which deal with minor civil cases and some less-serious criminal matters. Land Courts are ad-hoc bodies organised to hear disputes over land. |
| Freice is divided into 4 land areas (''nenqā ē'gx́i ūerērqo''): Qx́ēkūeqe, Kēkńā, Gx́ērī, and Uqe'eḡriā.<ref name=": Loc.">.[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Local government"] ''Island Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref>
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| [[File:Administrative divisions of Freice.png|thumb|Administrative divisions of Freice.]]
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| Land areas have limited autonomy, which is determined by the national government rather than through the constitution. Each area is overseen by a mayor, ware appointed by the national government, who exercise authority within the land area on advice of the local meeting.<ref name=": Loc.">.[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Local government"] ''Island Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref> Local meetings (officially ''Meeting of the Land Area of...'' are directly elected every three years, and are responsible for nominating an individual to serve as mayor. The cmayor and meeting together decide upon matters under their responsibility.<ref name=": Loc.">.[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Local government"] ''Island Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref>
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| The national government is legally obliged to consult with land areas on matters affecting local communities. These matters include planning, development, housing, and environmental issues.<ref name=": Loc11.">.[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Local government > Relationship with the national government"] ''Island Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref> Local meetings do not have any role in the implementation of these laws, nor do they have any veto power. However, local opposition has historically been influential. | | The senior Riamese courts have jurisdiction in a limited number of cases. The Federal High Court and the Federal Supreme Court hear cases relating to good government and human rights, matters agreed through bilateral treaties, and constitutional matters reserved for the federal government. |
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| ==See also== | | ==See also== |
| * [[Prime Minister of Freice]] | | * [[Freice]] |
| * [[Constituent Island Meeting of Freice]]
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| ==References== | | ==Notes== |
| {{Reflist|30em}} | | {{notelist}} |
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| ==External links== | | ==External links== |
| * [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Official website of the Constituent Island Meeting of Freice]
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| * [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Official website of the Government] | | * [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Official website of the Government] |
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The politics of Freice takes place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy with aspects of mixed government. The head of state of Freice is Queen Diana II in right of the Riamese Federation. Domestically the Maaita is the local ruler and de facto head of state, serving at the apex of the indigenous government. Both are hereditary positions.
Freice's government consists of a number of committees through which decisions are made. Executive power is exercised by all elected representatives through these committees. The Policy Development Committee is the senior committee and is responsible for the overall direction of government policy; the president of the committee serves as de facto head of government. The council consists of the chairs of each committee and the district mayors.
The constitution vests executive and legislative power in the Representative Council, a unicameral body consisting of twenty elected representatives. Prior to 2009, the Maaita chaired its sessions, but now one of its members is elected president. The Council is elected every three years via universal suffrage. When convened as the executive branch, it is called the "Committees of the Representative Council."
Executive branch
Maaita
The Maaita of Freice is the local head of Freice, fulfilling most of the duties of head of state. Until 2009, the Maaita was the head of government and was required to preside over legislative sessions, but these powers were diluted following constitutional amendments. The Maaita is the most senior position amongst the local institutions, and arose from an agreement between three chiefs that the role should rotate amongst them. The descendants of these chiefs continue to hold the office on rotation.
The current Maaita, since 30 January 2023, is Kaana Tenkel, who is the sole inheritor of Tuaa Savou's share of the office. Since 22 December 2023, his wife Makeeia Taaguvigi serves as regent.
Policy Development Committee
The Policy Development Committee is the senior committee within the Freician system of government. The committee is responsible for the broad development of policies and programmes and for coordinating the work of the other committees. It's main functions are the co-ordination of the work of committees; fiscal, economic, and financial matters; external relations and constitutional affairs; and any other matters not explicitly vested in another committee.
The committee is presided over by a president, who is elected by the Representative Council. The president of the committee serves as the de facto head of government as the most powerful single political figure. However, unlike in most parliamentary systems, power is decentralised; as such, the president's power is largely determined by their individual relations with other figures and committees. Other members include the chairs of the other committees and the mayors of each district.
Council Committees
Decision-making in Freice's government is undertaken by committees. Instead of government departments or ministries, power is delegated to a number of committees made up of councillors. These committees are tasked with a specific policy area, with a chair elected amongst them to guide its activities and to represent the committee to the wider Council. Each committee has between four and six councillors, with councillors permitted to sit on (but not chair) multiple committees.
The current committees are as follows:
- Finance and Economy Committee
- Social Affairs and Culture Committee
- Federation and External Affairs Committee
- Education and Families Committee
- Health and Social Services Committee
- Home Affairs and Justice Committee
Legislature
The legislative branch of the Freician government is the Representative Council, which is elected every three years with a universal franchise. Until 2009, senior landowners and district leaders also held seats in the council with voting powers, but constitutional changes removed this automatic right and extended the franchise so that all women, rather than just married women, could vote. The amendments also removed the requirement for the Maaita's presence, with the role of presiding officer now undertaken by the President of the Council in the Maaita's absence.
The Representative Council consists of 20 members, including a president who serves as its presiding officer. The council meets for three sessions per year, with each session lasting a minimum of 7 working days. The Representative Council is responsible for passing laws, levying taxes, and maintaining the "peace, order, and good government of Freice."
Riamese federal law does not automatically apply to Freice except from in a small number of cases provided for in constitutional law or in bilateral agreements. No law passed in the Riamese federal parliament has ever been extended to Freice without its consent, with a total of 29 laws having been agreed on since 1972.
Judiciary
The constitution of Freice provides for an independent judiciary subject only to the law. The island's legal system consists of traditional Freician customary law overlaid with principles and practices taken from federal and statute law. The courts of Freice are responsible for the administration of justice.
The court structure is composed of four types of court. The highest is the Island Court, which exercises unlimited jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, although its work is primarily limited to hearing appeals. The President of the Island Court acts as the island's chief justice and is the most senior member of the judiciary. The President is usually a Riamese jurist, although the Deputy President is legally required to be an islander. The District Court acts as a criminal court and also hears serious civil matters. Summary Courts are local courts which deal with minor civil cases and some less-serious criminal matters. Land Courts are ad-hoc bodies organised to hear disputes over land.
The senior Riamese courts have jurisdiction in a limited number of cases. The Federal High Court and the Federal Supreme Court hear cases relating to good government and human rights, matters agreed through bilateral treaties, and constitutional matters reserved for the federal government.
See also
Notes
External links
