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| {{Politics of Freice}} | | {{Politics of Freice}} |
| The '''politics of [[Freice]]''', a ''country'' of the [[Riamo|Federation of Riamo]], takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic country with an executive presidency, whereby the [[President of Freice|president]] serves as head of government and chief executive.<ref name=": PresidentintheParliament">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Government Council > President"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 14 April 2022.</ref> The largest party or coalition within the Kivunna forms the government. Legislative power is vested in the government and the [[Kivunna]] (parliament), the members of which are elected in multi-party elections. The judicial branch is independent of the executive and legislative branches. | | 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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| Freice has full autonomy in near-all areas, with the federal Riamese government maintaining responsibility only for some foreign affairs, defence, and monetary and fiscal policy.<ref name=": FedGov1">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Federal relations with Freice"]. ''Federal Government of Riamo''. Retrieved 11 June 2019.</ref> The Freician government, however, has assumed many foreign policy-related powers, and is recognised as having an independent personality in international relations.<ref name=": FedGov1">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Federal relations with Freice"]. ''Federal Government of Riamo''. Retrieved 11 June 2019.</ref> The most recent constitution was enacted in April 2022.<ref name=": Electi1on1">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Meeting approves constitution draft"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 6 April 2022.</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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| | [[Monarchy_of_Riamo|Sovereign of Freice]]
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| | [[Monarchy_of_Riamo|Diana II]]
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| | {{n/a}}
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| | 8 January 1983
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| | [[President of Freice|President]]
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| | [[Aniara Neileka]]
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| | [[List of political parties in Freice|MURO Alliance]]
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| | 11 April 2022{{efn|''Acting'' from 11 April to 10 June 2022}}
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| | [[Kivunna|President of the Kivunna]]
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| | Siega Pokigna
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| | [[List of political parties in Freice|MURO Alliance]]
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| | 13 June 2022
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| |}
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| The head of state is Diana II, Queen of Riamo, who is styled ''Sovereign of Freice''. | |
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| The President of the Country of Freice (Freician: Raioa oe te ma Mulo oe te ma Landua oe Faio) alternatively and commonly referred to as the ''President of Freice'' (Raioa oe te ma Mulo oe Faio) is the head of government and de facto head of state. They are directly elected alongside members of the Kivunna, in which they are permitted to sit (but not vote), and lead the Government Council.<ref name=": President">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Government Council > President"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 14 April 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 Government (officially the Government Council) 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=": About">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Government Council"] ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 25 January 2021.</ref> Ministers are nominated by the President from amongst delegates in the Kivunna, and are approved by the Kivunna by a majority vote. The president cannot remove ministers without the approval of the Kivunna, enjoying the power only to allocate responsibilities.<ref name=": About">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Government Council"] ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 25 January 2021.</ref><ref name=": President">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Government Council > President"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 14 April 2022.</ref> | | 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 [[Constitution of Freice, 2022|Constitution of Freice]], enacted in April 2022, outlines Freice's political and economic system. It provides for a democratic representative state in a broadly republican form, in which a president directly elected by the people is chief executive, held to account by a democratically-elected legislature.<ref name=": ConstitutionOfFreice">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Constitution of the Country of Freice"] (PDF). ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 15 April 2022.</ref> It also provides for an independent judiciary, as well as the protection of a number of rights and freedoms. | | 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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| Freice's first constitution - the Constitution Act - was enacted in 1972, with a number of subsequent amendments. In 2021, following the July coup d'état, the Schedules of Government was enacted, replacing the 1972 constitution. However, following the downfall of the government in December of that year, the 1972 constitution was restored. A number of constitutional amendments were subsequently made to provide for a new constituent assembly to draft a new document. These were the Constitution (Continuity and Confirmation) Act 2022, the Constitution (Amendment no.19) Act 2022, the Constitution (Draft) Act 2022, and the Island Meeting (President and Government) Act 2022.<ref name=": aaaaaa Association">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Assembly votes for dissolution"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 18 January 2022.</ref> The current constitution replaced the 1972 constitution on 11 April 2022.
| | 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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| The Freice Autonomy Act 1969 (amended in 1980) establishes Freice's relationship with Riamo and serves as a de facto constitutional document. It provides for continued Riamese sovereignty over Freice, whilst protecting Freice's right to self-government. The act defines the as a ''country'' within the federation, referring to the "right to autonomy and self-rule of independent nationalities."<ref name=": External Association">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Government Council > Freice-Riamo Relations"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 19 July 2016.</ref> The act also describes the Freician people as constituting a "sovereign personality", allowing for the right to self-determination.<ref name=": External Association2">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Freice Autonomy Act 1969"] (PDF). ''Federal Government of Riamo''. Retrieved 19 July 2016.</ref>
| | === 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. |
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| ==Legislative branch==
| | The current committees are as follows: |
| Legislative power is vested in the unicameral ''[[Kivunna]]'', often known as the ''Meeting'', which is composed of 20 members elected popular vote and the President of Freice.<ref name=": Meeting_Role">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kivunna > About"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 17 April 2022.</ref> The Kivunna was initially established as the Island Meeting through the Constitutional Reform (Assembly and Elections) Act 2021 and confirmed with the Constitution (Continuity and Confirmation) Act 2022, replacing the Nuejel as Freice's legislative branch.<ref name=":Elect">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Nuejel approves new assembly"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 6 December 2021</ref><ref name=":Elect2">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Assembly votes for dissolution"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 23 January 2022</ref> It was renamed the Kivunna by the 2022 Constitution of Freice.<ref name=": Electi1on1">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Meeting approves constitution draft"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 6 April 2022.</ref> It meets at the Kaimo Landua (National House) in the Freician capital [[Sekapa]], with the current Kivunna elected on 16-17 January 2022.
| | * 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 Kivunna is responsible for making laws for any matter, subject to the Freician constitution and the Freice Autonomy Act. The Riamese federal government may override its decisions only in limited circumstances, subject to the Freice Autonomy Act.<ref name=":What">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "What is the Island Meeting?"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 7 December 2021</ref> The Kivunna's powers are comparable to those found in other legislatures. It has the power to enact legislation, amend the constitution, approve the budget, and oversee the administration of government.<ref name=": Proc">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Island Meeting > Procedure"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 28 January 2022.</ref> The courts provide judicial oversight. | | ==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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| The President of the Kivunna is the chief officer and highest authority of the assembly.<ref name=": President2">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Island Meeting > President"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref> The president presides over debates within the assembly and determines who can speak and which bills can be put forward for debate. They are also responsible for maintaining order within the assembly and are empowered to sanction members (including expelling them from the sitting) if they breach its rules.<ref name=":EWA">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Announcements on Provisions, December 19, 2021]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 20 December 2021</ref> | | 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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| ===Composition===
| | 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. |
| {{Template:CompositionFreice}}
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| ==Executive==
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| [[File:Fiji Parliament House1.jpg|thumb|Kaimo Potio, the residence of the President of Freice]]
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| The Government Council (Kaunio Kuwanaara) 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/ "Government Council"] ''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.
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| The head of the Government Council is the President of Freice. Members of the council make key decisions collectively, responsible as one for the consequences of these decisions. Ministers of the Government Council are appointed from the membership of the Kivunna, with nominations made by the floor leaders of each represented party.{{efn|Prior to June 2022, the president nominated ministers from amongst and with the consent of the Kivunna. However, following the Appointment of Ministers (Presidential Powers) Act 2022, this power has ben stripped from the president.}} Ministers are accountable, in law, only to the Kivunna, with the president unable to remove a minister without the Kivunna's approval.<ref name=": Law">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Appointment of Ministers (Presidential Powers) Act 2022"] (in Freician). ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 23 June 2022.</ref><ref name=": About22">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Government Council > Members"] ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 19 April 2022.</ref>
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| The President may appoint a vice president, who is also the Minister of State, who chairs meetings of the Government Council in their absence. They do not serve as acting president automatically when the president is unable to exercise their duties, but serve rather as a principal advisor and chief organiser of government activity.<ref name=": About22">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Government Council > Members"] ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 19 April 2022.</ref> When the President and Vice President come from different parties, it is the individual who's party has the most seats in the Kivunna that generally wields greater power.
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| ===Government Council===
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| As of January 2022, the makeup of the Government Council is as follows:<ref name=": Current members2">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Government Council > Members"] ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 20 June 2022.</ref>
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| {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
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| ! Portfolio
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| ! Incumbent
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| ! colspan="2" | Party
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| ! Took office
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| ! colspan="6" | Ministers
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| | '''[[President of Freice]]'''<br>''Chair of the Government Council''
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| | '''H.E. Hon. [[Aniara Neileka]]'''
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| | width="1" style="background-color:#516d85" |
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| | [[List of political parties in Freice|MURO]]
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| | 11 April 2022{{efn|''Leader of the Government Council'' from January 20 to April 11, 2022. Served as acting President until 10 June 2022.}}
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| | colspan="6" |
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| | Vice President and Minister of State<br>Minister of Economy and Finance
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| | Hon. Seime Etu MK
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| | width="1" style="background-color:#000000" |
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| | [[List of political parties in Freice|Tke]]
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| | 20 June 2022
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| | Minister of Justice and Interior
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| | Hon. Kita Peqi MK
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| | width="1" style="background-color:#516d85" |
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| | [[List of political parties in Freice|MURO]]
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| | 20 June 2022
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| | Minister of Health, Education and Culture
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| | Hon. Eietu Mekapate MK
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| | width="1" style="background-color:#000000" |
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| | [[List of political parties in Freice|Tke]]
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| | 20 June 2022
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| | Minister of Environment, Resources and Conservation
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| | Hon. Hureta Elemaneria MK
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| | width="1" style="background-color:#516d85" |
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| | [[List of political parties in Freice|MURO]]
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| | 20 June 2022
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| ! colspan="6" | Also in attendance
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| | Leader of the Kivunna
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| | Hon. Edia Kiarai MK
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| | width="1" style="background-color:#516d85" |
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| | [[List of political parties in Freice|MURO]]
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| | 20 June 2022
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| |-
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| |}
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| ==Judiciary== | | ==Judiciary== |
| The Freician judiciary consists of the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Summary Court, and the Village Court. The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislative branches, maintaining links with the government and legislature through the Law Services Committee.<ref>Ralingsborough, Andrew P. (1999) ''Freician Law''. Guri: University of Guri Press. p. 141. ISBN 192-4-12012-451-7.</ref> | | 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. |
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| The courts' system is regulated by the Constitution of Freice. The Court of Appeal has unlimited jurisdiction in all civil and criminal proceedings, consisting of the Chief Justice and three other justices.<ref name=": Cour-App">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Services > Judiciary > Court of Appeal"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref> The Chief Justice is usually a Riamese barrister or solicitor, appointed by the President to serve a renewable three-year term. The Chief Justice does not permanently reside in Freice, traveling to the island to hear cases when necessary. Sometimes, when there is unanimity amongst the other justices, the Chief Justice is not consulted.<ref name=": Cour-App">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Services > Judiciary > Court of Appeal"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref>
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| The High Court is the main court for most serious criminal and serious matters, with the Court of Appeal usually hearing appeals rather than acting as a court of first instance.<ref name=": Hi-Cour">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Services > Judiciary > High Court"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref> Defendants may choose to be tried by either a jury or solely by a bench of three judges. Crimes such as murder and manslaughter, rape, treason, and arson must be tried before the High Court.<ref>Ralingsborough, p. 88</ref>
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| Summary Courts are intermediate courts that deal with serious cases not requiring the attention of the High Court or Court of Appeal. These cases usually involve cases such as robbery, sexual assault, and certain driving offences. Cases are heard by a bench of Lawgivers, who are appointed by the President on the advice of the Kivunna.<ref name=": Summ">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Services > Judiciary > Summary Court"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref> Judgments made in Summary Courts may be appealed to the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Village Courts are similar, hearing only low-level offences such as petty theft, criminal damage, and breach of the peace. <ref name=": Villcourt">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Services > Judiciary > Village Court"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref>
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| Law enforcement is undertaken by [[Freice Police Service]], which primarily consists of officers that constitute the national police force.<ref name=": New">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ New police services inaugurated]. ''Tama Adune oe Faio''. Retrieved 27 January 2022.</ref> The Freice Police Service is responsible to the Government Council and to the Kivunna.<ref name=": Policeabout">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "About"]. ''Freice Police Services''. Retrieved 27 January 2022.</ref> The Inspector-General is the agency executive, appointed by the President on the advice of the Kivunna.<ref name=": Police_agents">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "About > Governance"]. ''Freice Police Services''. Retrieved 27 January 2022.</ref>
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| The continued problem of community justice outside of the court system has plagued the Freician legal system, and has been addressed with only limited success by successive governments.<ref>Ferrant, Victor R. ''The Forgotten Island'', p.304.</ref><ref>Ralingsborough., p. 55.</ref> Such high incidents of justice being administered outside of the court system have raised questions about the transparency of law enforcement and the equal application of human rights and other significant protections to all citizens.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Report on the Administration of Justice in Freice] (PDF). ''Government of Riamo''. Retrieved August 28, 2021.</ref>
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| ==International relations==
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| As a Riamese territory, Freice does not pursue full diplomatic relations in its own right, represented internationally by Riamo. Freice does, however, maintain representative offices in order to pursue economic, cultural, and certain political interests.<ref name=": PolicyCouncilExternal">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Island Meeting > Government Council > External Relations"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref> However, only [[Riamo]], [[Hoterallia]] and [[Gran Rugido]] maintain permanent, full-time diplomatic representation in Freice. The offices, officially ''Representative Offices of the Government of the Country of Freice'', are headed by the ''Representative of the Government of the Country of Freice'', who are appointed by the President.
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| Despite not being a sovereign state, Freice is a member of the Saltstil Pact independent of Riamo.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Member state governments welcome Freician" representative].''Saltstil web portal''. Retrieved July 9, 2021.</ref> The Freician government approved membership in July 2021, with membership widely hailed as an important step in Freice's political development.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Saltstil membership "important next step"].''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved July 14, 2021.</ref>
| | 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. |
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| The relationship with Hoterallia has significantly developed in recent decades, with a large number of Hoterallian and Hoterallian-descended people living in Freice. In 2013, Freice and Hoterallia signed a number of cultural agreements, including student exchange programs and research on Hoterallian occupation of Freice.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Govt signs agreement with Freice region"].''HHK''. Retrieved April 8, 2016.</ref> | | 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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| Freice's primary economic relationship with the rest of Riamo is governed by the Federal Customs Area, establishing a common external tariff and grants the federal Riamese government the responsibility of negotiating free trade agreements on behalf of autonomous regions.
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| ===List of representative offices===
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| As of January 2022, the Freician government maintains representative offices in 4 countries:<ref name=": PolicyCouncilExternal">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Island Meeting > Government Council > External Relations"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022.</ref>
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| {| class="wikitable"
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| ! width=150 | Country
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| ! width=120 | Representative
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| ! width=300 | Notes
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| | {{flagicon image|Gassasinian Flag3.png}} [[Gassasinia]]
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| | Nora Poketina
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| | There is a small Gassasinian community in Freice, constituting the vast majority of the country's Muslim community. The Gassasinian government became an important unofficial ally of Freice in the latter's diplomatic dispute with Riamo in early 2022.
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| | {{flagicon image|Flag Gran Rugido New (1).png}} [[Gran Rugido]]
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| | Ekua Pika
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| | Gran Rugido is Freice's closest Saltstil Pact neighbour. Gran Rugido is an important trading partner; because of Riamo's distance from Freice, Gran Rugido imports most of Freice's food and energy supplies.
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| | {{flagicon image|Flag of Hoterallia.png}} [[Hoterallia]]
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| | Tomasu Korel
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| | Hoterallia briefly occupied Freice for a decade, and a sizeable Hoterallian minority continues to reside in Freice.
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| | {{flagicon image|Riamo flag 2.png}} [[Riamo]]
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| | Anamo Ikenoka
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| | Freice is a ''Country'' of Riamo, with Riamo responsible for Freice's foreign policy and defence. Consequently, diplomatic representatives to Riamo have widely been seen as the de facto foreign minister due to their importance in exerting Freician influence over Riamese foreign policy.
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| |}
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| ==Administrative divisions==
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| [[File:Map of the Districts of Freice.png|thumb|right|The districts of Freice.]]
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| Freice is divided into nine districts, established by the Local Government Act 2022:<ref name=": Newsonthis">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Meeting passes local government reform"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 24 March 2022.</ref>
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| * Dukorane
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| * Koimuke
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| * Marana Pratsa
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| * Mopeta Pratsa
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| * Peka
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| * Ritora Iisa
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| * Roheo Radei Oratite
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| * Sekapa
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| * Sekapa Seiva
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| The districts are used for statistical and administrative purposes, with the national census coordinated separately in each region and [[Welfare in Freice|national welfare provision]] (relief) organised and distributed through district relief exchanges.<ref name=": Land_Areas3">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Districts"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 5 April 2022.</ref>
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| Each district (apart from Sekapa and Roheo Radei Oratite) are further divided into ''ritora'' (lit. 'land'), which each contain roughly 500-750 people. Ritora are used solely for statistical reasons, although some have formed their own local residents' associations.<ref name=": Newsonthis">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Meeting passes local government reform"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 24 March 2022.</ref>
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| ===Local government===
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| Each of the nine districts has their own local government bodies, called ''authorities'' (Freician: 'maotaino'). Authorities are elected by the district's electorate and serve a one-year term. The Local Government Act 2022 grants the authorities the following key responsibilities:<ref name=": Newsonthis">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Meeting passes local government reform"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 24 March 2022.</ref>
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| # to further economic development and regeneration;
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| # to oversee the management of local services;
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| # to promote employment;
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| # to safeguard health and safety;
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| # to implement national legislation;
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| # to encourage and contribute to sustainable development.
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| District authorities may pass local ordinances in areas determined by the Local Government Act, which are enforced like national laws but cannot conflict with them. Each authority is led by a mayor (Freician: keomoru), who is directly elected by the district's electorate and is the authority's chief executive.
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| Authorities generally pass ordinances relating to housing, waste collection, local planning, certain licensing affairs, cemeteries and the care of the dead, and certain childcare provisions.<ref name=": Land_Areas2">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Districts > Responsibilities"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 3 April 2022.</ref>
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| Roheo Radei Oratite also functions as a ''regional area'', enjoying fewer powers than other districts. This is because the district is home to the Sete Hills and a substantial part of Freice's protected natural environment. Consequently, the central government maintains a significant presence in the area, with more powers over planning and environmental management.<ref name=": Land_Ar1eas2">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Districts > Roheo Radei Oratite"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 3 April 2022.</ref>
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| | |
| ====Mayoralties====
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| {| class="wikitable sortable"
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| |-
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| !District authority
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| !Post
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| !Current mayor
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| !colspan="2" | Party
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| !First election
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| !Next election
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| !Population (2020)<ref name=":census">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Analysis of Census 2021 Data"] (PDF). ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 20 August 2021.</ref>
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| |-
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| | Dukorane
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| |Mayor of Dukorane
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| | Neia Basima
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| | style="background-color:#968d50" |
| |
| | [[List of political parties in Freice|Independence Party]]
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| |[[2022 elections in Freice|2022]]
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| |2023
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| |1,102
| |
| |-
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| | Koimuke
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| |Mayor of Koimuke
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| | Tupala Saima
| |
| | style="background-color:#3f6c93" |
| |
| | [[List of political parties in Freice|MURO Alliance]]
| |
| |[[2022 elections in Freice|2022]]
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| |2023
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| |1,681
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| |-
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| | Marana Pratsa
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| |Mayor of Marana Pratsa
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| | Tamia Meinoa
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| | style="background-color:#000000" |
| |
| | [[List of political parties in Freice|Kana's Empowered Citizens]]
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| |[[2022 elections in Freice|2022]]
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| |2023
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| |1,452
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| |-
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| | Mopeta Pratsa
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| |Mayor of Mopeta Pratsa
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| | Vemisa Tafugoa
| |
| | style="background-color:#000000" |
| |
| | [[List of political parties in Freice|Kana's Empowered Citizens]]
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| |[[2022 elections in Freice|2022]]
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| |2023
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| |1,107
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| |-
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| | Peka
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| |Mayor of Peka
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| | [[Kana Tenqel]]
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| | style="background-color:#000000" |
| |
| | [[List of political parties in Freice|Kana's Empowered Citizens]]
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| |[[2022 elections in Freice|2022]]
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| |2023
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| |1,503
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| |-
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| | Ritora Iisa
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| |Mayor of Ritora Iisa
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| | Fema Pitioa
| |
| | style="background-color:#3f6c93" |
| |
| | [[List of political parties in Freice|MURO Alliance]]
| |
| |[[2022 elections in Freice|2022]]
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| |2023
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| | 1,343
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| |-
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| | Roheo Radei Oratite
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| |Mayor of Roheo Radei Oratite
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| | Apia E. Umagarema
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| | style="background-color:#968d50" |
| |
| | [[List of political parties in Freice|Independence Party]]
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| |[[2022 elections in Freice|2022]]
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| |2023
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| |1,239
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| |-
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| | Sekapa{{efn|City and District}}
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| |Mayor of Sekapa
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| | Mama Paria Remegaraimo
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| | style="background-color:#3f6c93" |
| |
| | [[List of political parties in Freice|MURO Alliance]]
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| |[[2022 elections in Freice|2022]]
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| |2023
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| |2,810
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| |-
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| | Sekapa Seiva
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| |Mayor of Sekapa Seiva
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| | Iiqa Tuva
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| | style="background-color:#3f6c93" |
| |
| | [[List of political parties in Freice|MURO Alliance]]
| |
| |[[2022 elections in Freice|2022]]
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| |2023
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| |1,921
| |
| |-
| |
| |}
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|
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| ==See also== | | ==See also== |
| * [[Monarchy of Riamo]]
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| * [[Freice]] | | * [[Freice]] |
|
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|
| ==Notes== | | ==Notes== |
| {{notelist}} | | {{notelist}} |
|
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| ==References==
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| {{Reflist|30em}}
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|
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|
| ==External links== | | ==External links== |
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
