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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 confederal constitutional republic, in which sovereign political entitites are united by common political institutions capable of making and enforcing law. The Constitution of the Republic of Mava, which establishes the general structure of the confederal system, political power between a central legislature, executive, and judiciary, and enshrines their role in relation to the sovereign jurisdictions.
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.


The four jurisdictions of the Republic of Mava are the principal political units and which voluntarily pool sovereignty to central political institutions. These jurisdictions (North Mava, South Mava, Tokuksiagak, and Taak) agree to grant these institutions the right to make laws in certain areas, and which are supreme over their own laws. These laws are limited to those required for the "equal application of relevant law and the equal application of the rights, privileges, and duties pertaining to them." The jurisdictions maintain their own legislatures elected according to their own rules and practices, their own governments and judicial systems, and may pursue their own external representation in areas not exclusive to central authority.
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.
 
The common institutions (officially "Organs of the Confederation") consist of the Assembly of the Islands, the Government Council, the Presidency, and the confederal courts (the Court of Justice and the Court of Arbitration). The Assembly forms the legislative arm, consisting of 61 delegates elected to make laws that apply across the confederation. The Government Council, elected by and from amongst the Assembly, possesses executive power and some legislative functions alongside the Assembly. The Presidency is the collective head of state, primarily responsible for ceremonial and representational functions.
 
Mavean politics is heavily influenced by geography. The four jurisdictions are largely formed out of the natural divisions in the land, which hase created separate but interlinked political cultures. Because of these divergent practices and the need for near-unanimity in most areas of policyaking, Mavean politics has been characterised as consociational, with political cooperation across different social groups on the basis of broad consensus. Political parties are comparatively weak on a confederal level, although are stronger at a jurisdictional level.
 
==Executive branch==
The [[Presidency of Mava]] is the collective head of state, composed of the four civic heads (Puuaqats) of the constituent jurisdictions. The main role of the presidency is ceremonial and symbolic, serving as a unifying presence and symbolising the equality of all jurisdictions. As a political institution, the presidency exercises certain constitutional responsibilities, including appointing and dismissing ministers, dissolving the Assebly, and the promulgation of laws. The President of the Presidency is the presiding officer and first-amongst-equals and is always the Puuaqat of North Mava, the largest and most populous of the jurisdictions.
 
The [[Chairman of the Government Council of Mava|Chairman of the Government Council]] is the head of government. They are nominated by the Assembly and are appointed by the Presidency. The chairmanship is comparatively weak compared to other prime ministers; they do not nominate ministers and cannot dismiss them on their own initiative. The Government Council, consisting of eight ministers (two from each jurisdiction) is responsible for carrying out policies and decisions in the fields of diplomacy, economy, inter-jurisdictional relations, and other matters as agreed to by the jurisdictions. The current Chairman, since 22 March 2023, is [[Kausaanek Malaati]].
 
===Current government===
Following the resignation of Paqtuq Maagamarak, the Presidency appointed [[Kausaanek Malaati]] as Mava's 15th head of government. A new Government Council under his leadership was created.


== Executive branch ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Main office-holders
!Office
!Name
!Party
!Since
|-
|-
! Office !! Minister !! Party !! Serving since
|Monarch
|Macuilxochitzin
|
|1 March 2019
|-
|-
! colspan=4 | Senior officers of state
|Representative of the Government
|Jose Miguel Artigas
|
|29 June 2022
|-
|-
| Chairman || Kausaanek Malaati || Anuvik || 22 March 2023
|[[List of leaders of Mava|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:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Portfolio
!Since
|-
|-
| Vice Chairman || Anaayak Nelagak || Anuvik || 22 March 2023
|Kausaanek Malaati
|Leader of the Council
|2023
|-
|-
! colspan=4 | Ministers
|''Vacant''
|Deputy Leader of the Council<br>Economy and Finance
|2024
|-
|-
| Minister of Finance and the Economy || Anaayak Nelagak || Anuvik || 22 March 2023
|Akteenalak Tiivuq
|Communities
|2022
|-
|-
| Minister of Foreign Affairs || Vaak Tagaaniok || Anuvik || 22 March 2023
|Bruno Acin
|Public Services
|2020
|-
|-
| Minister of Public Security || Nilitayoq Saujuak || Anuvik || 22 March 2023
|Iilirluk Attanuk
|-
|Health
| Minister of Health || Kaanik Kuviigat || Anuvik || 22 May 2023
|2022
|-
| Minister of Education || Saumagut Naanuluk || Anuvik || 22 March 2023
|-
| Minister of Transport || Taarakpii Nanaatik || Anuvik || 22 March 2023
|-
| Minister of Justice || Asiyulak Tiyik || Anuvik || 22 May 2023
|-
! colspan=4 | Also attending cabinet
|-
| Attorney General<br>Public Prosecutor || Mavatak Saamik || None || 9 June 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.


==Legislative branch==
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.
The Assembly of the Islands is the legislative branch of the confederal government. Its 61 members are elected every two years by universal suffrage and sit according to political allegiance rather than jurisdictional background. The Assembly is responsible for representing all Mavean citizens and is responsible for approving policies applicable across the confederation. The Assembly is where all laws are to be proposed and debated, and it is to the Assembly that the Governent Council is answerable and where it is held accountable.  


Its seats are allocated according to the population of the jurisdiction. As of 2023, 27 seats are allocated to North Mava, 20 to South Mava, 11 to Tokuksiagak, and 7 to Taak. For a law to be approved, a majority of each delegation is required (a minimum of 35 votes, or 57.8 percent). Despite this, members are expected to represent the interests of their constituents rather than their home jurisdiction, and is one of only two institutions (along with the Government Council) which are expected to disown all jurisdictional allegiances.
== 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.


Although each of the jurisdictions have their own political systems, political parties operate across jurisdictional borders. Each party has a jurisdictional branch, and these branches come together to form a confederal party in the Assembly.  
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.


====Political parties in legislative elections====
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.
{{Election results
|+ Summary of the 12 May 2022 assembly elections results
|-
|image=[[File:Mavean Parliament 2023.png|360px]]


|party1=Anuvik
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.
|votes1=14291
|seats1=39
|sw1=-1.21
|sc1=0
|color1=#4f819d


|party2=Kiikalakki
In the most recent general election, the sixteen elected members are:
|votes2=11102
|seats2=15
|sw2=+4.33
|sc2=+1
|color2=#9b1d3a


|party3=Yaavki
# '''Kausaanek Malaati*''' (370 votes)
|votes3=3755
# '''Nukavik Piitaaq*''' (329 votes)
|seats3=5
# [[Akteenalak Tiivuq|'''Akteenalak Tiivuq''']] (261 votes)
|sw3=-1.71
# '''Mauka Urraakitilaq*''' (137 votes)
|sc3=+1
# '''Tilurut Qurlivitaneq*''' (103 votes)
|color3=#ffa200
# '''Anaayak Nelagak*''' (93 votes)
 
# '''Asier Briones''' (92 votes)
|party4=Maava Naigaalu
# [[Kana Tukeelat|'''Kana Tukeelat''']]* (86 votes)
|votes4=1921
# '''Talkupiq Kaquk*''' (69 votes)
|seats4=0
# '''Sinagaktok Quinapuq*''' (63 votes)
|sw4=-1.24
# '''Qinijak Turuk*''' (59 votes)
|sc4=-1
# '''Iilirluk Attanuk*''' (58 votes)
|color4=#316b7f
# '''Nuluktuk Aanuluk''' (57 votes)
 
# '''Taarjut Niunak''' (54 votes)
|party5=Independents
# '''Sara Escrivá*''' (48 votes)
|votes5=3920
# '''Talkupiq Kaquk''' (47 votes)
|seats5=2
|sw5=-0.17
|sc5=-2
|color5=#dcdcdc
 
|total_sc=0
 
|valid=31989
|invalid=491
|electorate=51072
|source=Mavean Elections Office
}}


==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
|-
|Chief Justice of the Court of Justice
|Puunanak Qaat
|None
|18 May 2018
|-
|Chief Judge of the Court of Arbitration
|Kualaatit Puagaatok
|None
|21 October 2017
|}
Mava does not have a single legal system due to its confederal nature. There are currently four distinct systems of law: North Mava law, South Mava law, Tokuksiagak law, and Taak law. Each law operates in similar ways, but there are slight differences in their operations and are subject to regulation by the respective parliaments.


At a confederal level, the Court of Appeal and the Court of Arbitration constitute the judicial "Organs of the Confederation." The Court of Appeal is responsible for hearing cases relating to the constitution and its application across the confederation. The Court of Arbitration has a similar role, hearing disputes between jurisdictions and between jurisdictions and the confederal government. The main difference between the two courts is that the Court of Appeal advises on the interpretation of constitutional law for an individual or individuals where there may be doubt, whereas the Court of Arbitration judges in disputes over the application of confederal law.
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.
 
All legal systems follow common-law principles, with sitting justices applying their knowledge of legal precedent and their knowledge of the law and of the case before them. Law across all four jurisdictions is therefore considered to be "organic" in as much as its application responds to individual cases and the judgements of judges. In each jurisdiction the courts are headed by a Court of Appeal, which constitutes the supreme court of the jurisdiction. In matters relating solely to the jurisdiction, these courts are the last court of appeal. Below the Court of Appeal are the "senior trial courts." In North Mava, this consists of a High Court and a Criminal Court, trying civil and criminal cases respectively. In the other jurisdictions, a single High Court tries both civil and criminal cases. All decisions made by a court is binding on lower courts within the hierarchy.
 
Each jurisdiction has its own justice ministry and corresponding minister. At a confederal level, the Department of Justice is responsible for ensuring the equal application of law and the protection of legal rights across all jurisdictions.


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 principally divided into two regional provinces: the islands of Mava and Tokuksiagak, the two most populated of the three main Mavean islands. Each island has its own elected Parliament (officially "Regional Provincial Parliament") responsible for matters relating to the island's governance. These duties involve transport planning, housing, waste disposal, social services, and environmental health. The island of Taak, because of its small population, is included in Tokuksiagak Regional Province. The creation of the regional provinces arose as part of constitutional reforms in the 1990s in response to concerns over the centralisation of power on Mava island.
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.
 
Mava is further divided into 9 districts, 6 of which are located on the island of Mava, 2 on Tokuksiagak and the final district on Taak. 6 districts have their own elected councils responsible for certain district matters. Three districts do not have local councils due to their small population: Kungaatiibisa, Saayup, and Taak. Those districts without their own councils are directly governed by the regional parliament.
 
==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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