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{{Template:Politics of Mava}}
{{Template:Politics of Mava}}
The politics of '''Mava''' (officially the '''Republic of Mava'''; [[Mavean language|Mavean]]: ''Maava Yakiinaigaalu'') takes place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy and republic. The political system is governed by the Constitution of the Republic of Mava, which delineates political power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. From this, an indirectly elected [[President of Mava|president]] serves as head of state while the [[Prime Minister of Mava]] serves as the head of government.
The '''politics of [[Mava]]''' takes place in a framework of limited self-government as a dependent territory of [[Atitlan]], whereby the Monarch of Atitlan is constitutional head of state and the [[List of leaders of Mava|Leader of Mava Council]] is head of government.


Mavean politics has emerged from the country's geographical, cultural, social, and historical influences. Political scientists have described Mava as a consociational state, with political cooperation across different social groups on the basis of broad consensus. Politics in the modern era have been influenced by the dominance of the Progressive Party of the Mavean Islands, which has won every election since independence. The Political Congress of the Mavean Labour Movement (alternatively known as the Mavean Labour Congress) is the main alternative party and has served as the principal opposition party since its founding in 1946.
Under the islands' Organic Act, enacted in 1961, executive and legislative power is vested in the 16-member [[Mava Council]], which delegates its executive functions to a smaller cabinet called the Executive Board (Mavean: ''Taapiitmatiikiuta''; Almagrian: ''Comité Ejecutivo)''. The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislative branches. Military defence is the responsibility of Atitlan; the islands are largely demilitarised, with the Kingdom of Atitlan Air Force operating only a scientific base.


Despite the dominance of one party, Mavean politics is nonetheless characterised by comparatively loose party allegiances and a significant degree of cross-party cooperation on major national issues. Mavean political scientists Kaarava Tiigikavalak and Nalikit Kaatak have characterised the Progressive Party as a "broad church gentleman's club", with its pre-eminent position "by no means signifying the dominance of any particular idea or policy."
== Executive branch ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
==Executive branch==
|+Main office-holders
{| class=wikitable
!Office
!Office
!Name
!Name
Line 13: Line 12:
!Since
!Since
|-
|-
|[[President of Mava|President]]
|Monarch
|Nua Kiuiaakii
|Macuilxochitzin
|Independent
|
|11 January 2023
|1 March 2019
|-
|-
|[[Prime Minister of Mava|Prime Minister]]
|Representative of the Government
|Jose Miguel Artigas
|
|29 June 2022
|-
|[[List of leaders of Mava|Leader of the Council]]
|[[Kausaanek Malaati]]
|[[Kausaanek Malaati]]
|Progressive Party of the Mavean Islands
|
|22 March 2023
|22 March 2023
|}
|}
The [[President of Mava|President of the Republic of Mava]] is the constitutional head of state of Mava, elected by Parliament for a three-year term. The main role of the president is ceremonial and symbolic, serving as a unifying figure and as a representation of Mavean identity and nationhood. As a political figure, the president exercises certain constitutional responsibilities through the Council of State, the formal body of advisors. These responsibilities include appointing and dismissing governments, dissolving parliament, and the promulgation of laws. These duties are not discretionary and the President is required to seek the "advice and recommendations" of the Council of State. In practice, the president acts in accordance with the elected government and rarely acts contrary to its wishes. The incumbent president, Nua Kiuiaakii, was elected on 11 January 2023.
The Tlatoani of Atitlan is head of state. The monarch appoints a Representative of the Government to oversee and supervise the local government, although without any political power in their own right. Executive power is de jure vested in Mava Council, although it is de facto exercised by an Executive Board of six members, led by the council's leader.


The leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president, after being proposed by Parliament following a confirmatory vote. This vote is generally held on the penultimate Monday of May, a week following the election, giving time for newly-elected Members of Parliament to travel to Paas. During the vote, the party with the most seats is given the first opportunity to propose a government, which is put to the wider Parliament for approval. Should Parliament reject the proposed government, the second-largest represented party is given the opportunity to propose a government. This process continues until a government is approved. Parliament has never voted to reject the largest-party's proposed government. Following parliamentary elections on 11 May 2023, the Progressive Party formed the 50th Executive Committee (Government), with [[Kausaanek Malaati]] appointed prime minister for a full term on 22 May 2023.
The Executive Board is appointed as a whole by the wider Council and deals with the day-to-day running of the government. The Leader of the Council is not as powerful as state governors. This is partly because governors are popularly elected and are confirmed to be head of government in their respective state constitution. The Executive Board (including the council leader) is responsible to the wider council and generally work collegially and collectively. It's members are officially "Officers of the Council" and derive their powers from the council rather than from law.


Unlike in most parliamentary republics, the government of Mava (officially the Executive Committee of the Parliament) is formally defined as an "executive organ of the Parliament of the Republic." As such, the government does not possess any independent powers, with no clear separation between the executive and legislative branches. Ministers (including the prime minister) possess their powers by right of Parliament and it is ultimately at the pleasure of Parliament that they continue to possess these powers. Consequently, ministers are often formally unable to act independently; new portfiolos require the approval of parliament, as does the removal of a minister.
=== Current Executive Board ===
 
The current Executive Board was appointed by the Council on 24 March 2023. It's members are:
==Legislative branch==
{| class="wikitable"
Legislative power is vested in the Parliament of the Republic of Mava. The constitution also vests limited legislative powers in the government, although this is largely limited to areas granted to it by laws passed by parliament rather than being independent of the legislative oversight. Parliament is where all laws are to be proposed and debated, and its approval is necessary for laws to be presented to the president for promulgation. The government is appointed from amongst the members of the legislative branch, and it is the duty of parliament to hold the government to account. Parliament is responsible for approving the formation of a government and may also remove a government through a constructive motion of no confidence.
|+
 
!Name
Voters elect 45 members in single-member constituencies by universal sufferage according to the first-past-the-post electoral system. Elections are held every two years, although the president may dissolve parliament earlier and call for new elections. Parliament is unicameral. Until 1994,  it was organised as a de facto bicameral body, with a "Grand Committee of the Parliament" responsible for a final review of all laws passed by the wider parliament and for presenting it to the president. The Grand Committee was appointed by the president along technocratic lines, with members selected for their knowledge and experience. Reforms in 1994 abolished the Grand Committee and ensured the equality of all members.
!Portfolio
 
!Since
====Political parties in legislative elections====
|-
{{Election results
|Kausaanek Malaati
|+ Summary of the 12 May 2022 parliamentary elections results
|Leader of the Council
|2023
|-
|''Vacant''
|Deputy Leader of the Council<br>Economy and Finance
|2024
|-
|Akteenalak Tiivuq
|Communities
|2022
|-
|Bruno Acin
|Public Services
|2020
|-
|Iilirluk Attanuk
|Health
|2022
|-
|-
|image=[[File:Mavean Parliament 2023.png|360px]]
|Asier Briones
|Commerce
|2023
|}
There are three ex officio members of the Executive Board. The Clerk is the most senior civil servant and is responsible for the administration of the council's non-political functions. The Legal Secretary is responsible for legal matters, overseeing the judiciary, and providing administrative support for lawyers and other legal officers. They advise the Council on law, the drafting of legislation, and revising and publishing laws applied in the island, working alongside the clerk. The Medical Officer for Health advises the Council on matters of public health importance, and is generally an Atitlanese physician.


|party1=Progressive Party of the Mavean Islands
Ex officio members may not be elected councillors. Kipvituk Aanaqavik has served as Clerk since 2010, Maria Del Mar Villegas has served as Legal Secretary since 2021, and Daniel Abarquero has served as Medical Officer for Health since 2019.
|votes1=14291
|seats1=39
|sw1=-1.21
|sc1=0
|color1=#4f819d


|party2=Political Congress of the Mavean Labour Movement
== Legislative Branch ==
|votes2=11102
[[Mava Council]] (''Taapiit Maava'') has 16 members, all elected for a three year term by popular vote in a single at-large constituency. Prior to 2020, there were also four ex officio members: the Legal Secretary, the Medical Officer for Health, and the Representative of the Government. However, now these individuals have a right of attend but are not recognised as members, ex officio or otherwise.
|seats2=15
|sw2=+4.33
|sc2=+1
|color2=#9b1d3a


|party3=Democracy and Renewal
The Council does not have right of initiative for primary legislation. Laws passed by the council are formally secondary legislation, enacted by right of the Organic Act. This legislation (formally titled an "Ordinance under Section 31 of the Mava Organic Act 1961") may be struck down by the federal government or, in limited circumstances, a state government.
|votes3=3755
|seats3=5
|sw3=-1.71
|sc3=+1
|color3=#ffa200


|party4=Mavean People's Party
The Council's administration is overseen by the Clerk to the Council, an office which combines the roles of chief executive and treasurer. Acting as Proper Officer of the Council, the clerk enacts the Council's decisions, signing formal proclamations of laws and other legislation it has passed and giving notice of their entry into force. As Responsible Financial Officer of the Council, the clerk also oversees financial monitoring and reporting.
|votes4=1921
|seats4=0
|sw4=-1.24
|sc4=-1
|color4=#316b7f


|party5=Independents
Mava does not have any active political parties, operating as a non-partisan democracy. There have been a small number of political parties operating on the island, but they never achieved electoral success.
|votes5=3920
|seats5=2
|sw5=-0.17
|sc5=-2
|color5=#dcdcdc


|total_sc=0
In the most recent general election, the sixteen elected members are:


|valid=31989
# '''Kausaanek Malaati*''' (370 votes)
|invalid=491
# '''Nukavik Piitaaq*''' (329 votes)
|electorate=51072
# [[Akteenalak Tiivuq|'''Akteenalak Tiivuq''']] (261 votes)
|source=Mavean Elections Office
# '''Mauka Urraakitilaq*''' (137 votes)
}}
# '''Tilurut Qurlivitaneq*''' (103 votes)
# '''Anaayak Nelagak*''' (93 votes)
# '''Asier Briones''' (92 votes)
# [[Kana Tukeelat|'''Kana Tukeelat''']]* (86 votes)
# '''Talkupiq Kaquk*''' (69 votes)
# '''Sinagaktok Quinapuq*''' (63 votes)
# '''Qinijak Turuk*''' (59 votes)
# '''Iilirluk Attanuk*''' (58 votes)
# '''Nuluktuk Aanuluk''' (57 votes)
# '''Taarjut Niunak''' (54 votes)
# '''Sara Escrivá*''' (48 votes)
# '''Talkupiq Kaquk''' (47 votes)


==Judicial branch==
==Judicial branch==
{| class=wikitable
The territory is part of the jurisdiction of the High Court of Atlalilico (''Tribunal Superior de Atlalilico'', TSA). Due to the islands' location, local magistrates are appointed to hear most cases. The Magistrates' Court in Paas is not an independent court, however, but part of the TSA's magistracy. More serious cases are heard, either, by a judge present in the islands, or in Atlalilico itself.
!Office
!Name
!Party
!Since
|-
|President of the Supreme Court
|Puunanak Qaat
|None
|18 May 2018
|-
|President of the Court of Appeal
|Kualaatit Puagaatok
|None
|21 October 2017
|}
The Mavean legal system operates as a common law system. The judiciary is independent, with the constitution forbidding political interference or the active participation of law officers in lawmaking (apart from in determining the legality of a law). Judicial power is spread across a hierarchical system of courts, with different levels dealing with different areas of law, different degrees of crime, and increasing seriousness of offences. The hierarchy culminates in the Supreme Court: the "''Kaaiakateikivuuni''", whose judges are appointed directly by the President on the advice of the Mavean Law Society.


The Court of Appeal is a second instance court responsible for hearing appeals from lower-tier courts, and which exercises a supervisory role over all other lower courts. The court hear cases in its own right, but rather deals with appeals from lower courts. In the majority of cases, the Court of Appeal is the de facto final court of appeal, with the majority of further appeals to the Supreme Court not heard. The Supreme Court judges the constitutionality of laws passed by parliament and is responsible for interpreting the constitution and ordinary laws and regulations. When ruling on matters relating to the constitution, the court sits as the ''Constitutional Panel of the Supreme Court'', with its decisions binding on parliament. Since the passage of the current constitution, the decisions of the Constitutional Panel cannot be overturned by parliament.
A chief magistrate is appointed to oversee the administration of the local magistracy. Although some have referred to the position as Mava's "chief justice", their role is purely administrative and does not entail any additional power. The current chief magistrate is Alujut Saujak.
 
The Department of Justice, headed by the Minister of Justice, is responsible for the political administration of the legal system and judiciary. The minister appoints members to the Mavean Law Society on the recommendation of its existing members.


There have been several unsuccessful attempts to hold trials via video link, avoiding the need for travel between Mava and mainland Atitlan. However, due to unstable internet connectivity, this has been abandoned.
==Administrative divisions==
==Administrative divisions==
Mava is divided into 8 districts (Mavean: singular - ''rápaiut'', plural - ''rápaiut'u''). 7 of these districts are on the largest and most populated island, Naik'maké, with the islands of Owurah'maké and Tokuk'maké constituting a single district called the ''Mavean Dependencies of Owurah'maké and Tokuk'maké''.
Mava has only two administrative divisions, which are largely ceremonial and have no local government function. These are Itiqip, which covers the main populated settlements, and M'takp, which covers the rest of the islands.
 
Each district, apart from Owurah'maké and Tokuk'maké, has its own elected government, which operates through a form of direct democracy. Electors vote annually to elect a council. Leaders of the council are appointed by the council. Ordinances passed by the council are presented to residents at the end of the legislative year, usually in the first week of May. Owurah'maké and Tokuk'maké are governed as a ''statutory local authority'', with certain responsibilities overseen by a nationally-appointed governor.
 
==Political and civic pressure groups==
# Mavean General Workers' Union
# General Assembly of Mavean Employers
# Assembly of Churches of God
# Union of Fishermen


==International organization participation==
Prior to the establishment of Mava Council in 1929, the Paas Development Council acted as local government for Paas. The council's powers were transferred to the larger Mava Council on its creation, but was not abolished in its entirety until 1969. There is a council committee responsible for the management of Mava's islands and unpopulated areas, which acts as a de facto local authority.
UN


==See also==
==See also==
* Politics of Mava
* [[Mava]]
* Culture of Mava
* [[Mava Council]]
* [[List of leaders of Mava]]


==Notes==
==Notes==

Latest revision as of 12:20, 17 May 2024

Mava
Emblem of Mava.png
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Mava
  • Monarch
    • Macuilxochitzin
  • Representative
    • Jose Miguel Artigas
  • Leader of the Council
  • Chief Magistrate
    • Alujut Saujak
  • Recent elections
    • Legislative: 2000
    • 2004
    • 2008

    • 2012
    • 2016
    • 2019
    • 2023
    • Next
    • Referendums: 1996

The politics of Mava takes place in a framework of limited self-government as a dependent territory of Atitlan, whereby the Monarch of Atitlan is constitutional head of state and the Leader of Mava Council is head of government.

Under the islands' Organic Act, enacted in 1961, executive and legislative power is vested in the 16-member Mava Council, which delegates its executive functions to a smaller cabinet called the Executive Board (Mavean: Taapiitmatiikiuta; Almagrian: Comité Ejecutivo). The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislative branches. Military defence is the responsibility of Atitlan; the islands are largely demilitarised, with the Kingdom of Atitlan Air Force operating only a scientific base.

Executive branch

Main office-holders
Office Name Party Since
Monarch Macuilxochitzin 1 March 2019
Representative of the Government Jose Miguel Artigas 29 June 2022
Leader of the Council Kausaanek Malaati 22 March 2023

The Tlatoani of Atitlan is head of state. The monarch appoints a Representative of the Government to oversee and supervise the local government, although without any political power in their own right. Executive power is de jure vested in Mava Council, although it is de facto exercised by an Executive Board of six members, led by the council's leader.

The Executive Board is appointed as a whole by the wider Council and deals with the day-to-day running of the government. The Leader of the Council is not as powerful as state governors. This is partly because governors are popularly elected and are confirmed to be head of government in their respective state constitution. The Executive Board (including the council leader) is responsible to the wider council and generally work collegially and collectively. It's members are officially "Officers of the Council" and derive their powers from the council rather than from law.

Current Executive Board

The current Executive Board was appointed by the Council on 24 March 2023. It's members are:

Name Portfolio Since
Kausaanek Malaati Leader of the Council 2023
Vacant Deputy Leader of the Council
Economy and Finance 		2024
Akteenalak Tiivuq Communities 2022
Bruno Acin Public Services 2020
Iilirluk Attanuk Health 2022
Asier Briones Commerce 2023

There are three ex officio members of the Executive Board. The Clerk is the most senior civil servant and is responsible for the administration of the council's non-political functions. The Legal Secretary is responsible for legal matters, overseeing the judiciary, and providing administrative support for lawyers and other legal officers. They advise the Council on law, the drafting of legislation, and revising and publishing laws applied in the island, working alongside the clerk. The Medical Officer for Health advises the Council on matters of public health importance, and is generally an Atitlanese physician.

Ex officio members may not be elected councillors. Kipvituk Aanaqavik has served as Clerk since 2010, Maria Del Mar Villegas has served as Legal Secretary since 2021, and Daniel Abarquero has served as Medical Officer for Health since 2019.

Legislative Branch

Mava Council (Taapiit Maava) has 16 members, all elected for a three year term by popular vote in a single at-large constituency. Prior to 2020, there were also four ex officio members: the Legal Secretary, the Medical Officer for Health, and the Representative of the Government. However, now these individuals have a right of attend but are not recognised as members, ex officio or otherwise.

The Council does not have right of initiative for primary legislation. Laws passed by the council are formally secondary legislation, enacted by right of the Organic Act. This legislation (formally titled an "Ordinance under Section 31 of the Mava Organic Act 1961") may be struck down by the federal government or, in limited circumstances, a state government.

The Council's administration is overseen by the Clerk to the Council, an office which combines the roles of chief executive and treasurer. Acting as Proper Officer of the Council, the clerk enacts the Council's decisions, signing formal proclamations of laws and other legislation it has passed and giving notice of their entry into force. As Responsible Financial Officer of the Council, the clerk also oversees financial monitoring and reporting.

Mava does not have any active political parties, operating as a non-partisan democracy. There have been a small number of political parties operating on the island, but they never achieved electoral success.

In the most recent general election, the sixteen elected members are:

  1. Kausaanek Malaati* (370 votes)
  2. Nukavik Piitaaq* (329 votes)
  3. Akteenalak Tiivuq (261 votes)
  4. Mauka Urraakitilaq* (137 votes)
  5. Tilurut Qurlivitaneq* (103 votes)
  6. Anaayak Nelagak* (93 votes)
  7. Asier Briones (92 votes)
  8. Kana Tukeelat* (86 votes)
  9. Talkupiq Kaquk* (69 votes)
  10. Sinagaktok Quinapuq* (63 votes)
  11. Qinijak Turuk* (59 votes)
  12. Iilirluk Attanuk* (58 votes)
  13. Nuluktuk Aanuluk (57 votes)
  14. Taarjut Niunak (54 votes)
  15. Sara Escrivá* (48 votes)
  16. Talkupiq Kaquk (47 votes)

Judicial branch

The territory is part of the jurisdiction of the High Court of Atlalilico (Tribunal Superior de Atlalilico, TSA). Due to the islands' location, local magistrates are appointed to hear most cases. The Magistrates' Court in Paas is not an independent court, however, but part of the TSA's magistracy. More serious cases are heard, either, by a judge present in the islands, or in Atlalilico itself.

A chief magistrate is appointed to oversee the administration of the local magistracy. Although some have referred to the position as Mava's "chief justice", their role is purely administrative and does not entail any additional power. The current chief magistrate is Alujut Saujak.

There have been several unsuccessful attempts to hold trials via video link, avoiding the need for travel between Mava and mainland Atitlan. However, due to unstable internet connectivity, this has been abandoned.

Administrative divisions

Mava has only two administrative divisions, which are largely ceremonial and have no local government function. These are Itiqip, which covers the main populated settlements, and M'takp, which covers the rest of the islands.

Prior to the establishment of Mava Council in 1929, the Paas Development Council acted as local government for Paas. The council's powers were transferred to the larger Mava Council on its creation, but was not abolished in its entirety until 1969. There is a council committee responsible for the management of Mava's islands and unpopulated areas, which acts as a de facto local authority.

See also

Notes

External links

  • Mava. The Global Factbook. United Nations
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