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{{Template:Politics of Mava}}
{{Template:Politics of Mava}}
The '''politics of Mava''' takes place in the framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency as set out in the Mavean Constitution. Under this system, the [[Governor of Mava|Governor]] exercises the duties of head of state in the absence of the [[Atitlan|Tlatoani of Atitlan]], with an elected [[Mava Council]] proposing laws, national policy, reviewing and approving the budget and finance, and holding the government to account. The Leader of the Mava Council is elected by the council to lead the 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.


Mava, an archipelago in the Sarosan Ocean, is a self-governing territory that is officially described as an unincorporated territorial area of Atitlan. Executive power is exercised on behalf of the government of Atitlan by an Atitlanese-appointed Governor acting on the advice of the Executive Council. The Governor is non-resident and their powers are usually exercised by an Administrator, who is almost always a resident Mavean. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Council. The judiciary is independence of the executive and legislative branches. Military defence and foreign policy remains the responsibility of Atitlan.
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==
== Executive branch ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Main office-holders
!Office
!Name
!Party
!Since
|-
|-
! Office !! Name !! Party !! Since
|Monarch
|Macuilxochitzin
|
|1 March 2019
|-
|-
| Tlatoani || Macuilxochitzin || (None) || 11 March 2021
|Representative of the Government
|Jose Miguel Artigas
|
|29 June 2022
|-
|-
| [[List of leaders of Mava|Leader of the Council]] || [[Kausaanek Malaati]] || (None) || 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. Executive power is exercised by the Council Cabinet in her name. A semi-permanent resident Commissioner represents the interests of the Atitlanese government, although exercises little executive power.  
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 head of government is the Leader of the Mava Council. The leader is a member of the Mava Council elected by a majority of councillors to head the cabinet. Generally, the council elects as leader the councillor who received the most votes in the preceding election, although this is not a formal requirement. The Mava Council Cabinet is the executive branch of government, consisting of the leader and other councillors nominated by the leader and approved by the Council.
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.


Proposals to have a directly-elected leader were proposed in 2008, although they were never implemented.
=== 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
|-
|Kausaanek Malaati
|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
|-
|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.


===Cabinet===
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 council's cabinet has, as of March 2023, the following members, with the following portfolios:
* Kausaanek Malaati - Leadership of the Council
* Nukavik Piitaaq - Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Islands' Economy, and Performance; ''responsibility for the functions of the Island Resources Departmnt: finance, property, human resources, as well as delivery of public services, taxation, public accounts, transport policy, and employment''.
* Akteenalak Tiivuq - Cabinet Member for Families, Communities, and Lifelong Learning; ''responsibility for children and families, policing, homelessness, education and training, religion and faith, and equalities.''
* Iilirluk Attanuk - Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing; ''responsibility for public health, environmental policy, waste management, mental health services, welfare services, and sport and leisure.''
* Alaqajaq Suujuat - Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Ways of Work, and Commerce; ''responsibility for business policy, employment regulations, relations with business, trade, major projects, and communications and infrastructure.


====Ex officio members====
== Legislative Branch ==
There are three ex officio members of the cabinet. The Cabinet Secretary serves as the most senior civil servant and is responsible for advising the cabinet and liasing with the Atitlanese government. The Legal Secretary is responsible for judicial matters and providing administrative support for lawyers and other legal officers; they advise the cabinet on the law, drafting legislation, and revising and publishing any laws applied in the islands.
[[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.


Ex officio members may not be elected councillors and, since 2021, are required to be Mavean residents. Talutuk Pukiiq has served as Legal Secretary since 2021, with Kipvituk Aanaqavik serving as Cabinet Secretary since 2022.
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.


==Legislative branch==
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.
The [[Mava Council]] (''Maava Taapiit'') is the legislative branch, consisting of 16 seats. All members (''Maakaatlaani''; Councillors) are elected in one at-large constituency via the block vote method. Eight members are elected every four years, with electors voting for up to eight candidates. The eight candidates with the most votes are elected. In addition to the 16 elected members are a number of unofficial attendants appointed by the Administrator. These include the Auditor and the Commander of Atitlanese Forces in Mava. The Administrator may also sit as an unofficial attendant. Unelected members are not counted amongst the members of the council, and they may not speak or vote.


The Council passes two types of laws: ordinances (officially an Ordinance under Section 31 of the Mava Constitution Act 2009) and regulations. All require the approval of the Council and the assent of the Administrator in the name of the Governor. Ordinances are issued by right of the Mava Constitution Act rather than by authority of the Atitlanese federal constitution, and may be revoked by the federal government. This, however, has never been done.
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.


There are no political parties on the island and all councillors sit as independents. Mava operates on the basis of a consensus government, with decision making reached on the basis of reaching a broad consensus.
In the most recent general election, the sixteen elected members are:


====Current membership====
# '''Kausaanek Malaati*''' (370 votes)
Following the 2022 council elections, the current councillors are:
# '''Nukavik Piitaaq*''' (329 votes)
{| class="wikitable sortable"
# [[Akteenalak Tiivuq|'''Akteenalak Tiivuq''']] (261 votes)
|-
# '''Mauka Urraakitilaq*''' (137 votes)
! Name !! Since !! Notes
# '''Tilurut Qurlivitaneq*''' (103 votes)
|-
# '''Anaayak Nelagak*''' (93 votes)
| Kausaanek Malaati || 9 May 1997 || Leader of the Council (2023-present)
# '''Asier Briones''' (92 votes)
|-
# [[Kana Tukeelat|'''Kana Tukeelat''']]* (86 votes)
| Anaayak Nelagak || 9 May 2005 ||
# '''Talkupiq Kaquk*''' (69 votes)
|-
# '''Sinagaktok Quinapuq*''' (63 votes)
| Nukavik Piitaaq || 7 May 2018 || Deputy Leader of the Council (2023-present)<br>Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources (2022-present)
# '''Qinijak Turuk*''' (59 votes)
|-
# '''Iilirluk Attanuk*''' (58 votes)
| Sara Escrivá || 8 May 2006 ||
# '''Nuluktuk Aanuluk''' (57 votes)
|-
# '''Taarjut Niunak''' (54 votes)
| Alaqajaq Suujuat || 9 May 2005 || Cabinet Member for Business and Commerce (2021-present)
# '''Sara Escrivá*''' (48 votes)
|-
# '''Talkupiq Kaquk''' (47 votes)
| Tilurut Qurlivitaneq || 9 May 2005 ||
|-
| Mauka Urraakitilaq || 7 May 2018 ||
|-
| Asier Briones || 9 May 2005 ||
|-
| Nuluktuk Aanuluk || 7 May 2018 ||
|-
| Akteenalak Tiivuq || 9 May 2022 || Cabinet Member for Public Health (2023-present)
|-
| Bruno Acin || 8 May 2014 ||
|-
| Iilirluk Attanuk || 8 May 2014 || Cabinet Member for Operations and Public Services (2023-present)
|-
| Sinagaktok Quinapuq || 7 May 2012 || Leader of the Opposition
|-
| Talkupiq Kaquk || 9 May 2022 ||
|-
| Taarjut Niunak || 7 May 2012 || Chairman of the Council (2021-present)
|-
| Qinijak Turuk || 9 May 2022 ||
|}


==Judicial branch==
==Judicial branch==
The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Island Court, and the Summary Court. The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislature, although it has links with the other branches through the Advocate General. The courts hierarchy is structured as follows:
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.
* Supreme Court: the highest court in the hierarchy, responsible for hearing appeals and ruling on disputes over the constitution. It may also hear any civil or criminal case of legal signifiance. It is an ad-hoc body with justices appointed when required. Only the Chief Justice is a permanent appointee.
 
* Court of Appeal: the first court of appeals. In the absence of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal is the highest court in the hierarchy. It is a semi-permanent body, with three justices appointed to serve on a permanent basis and further justices appointed to sit only for one or more trials.
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.
* Island Court: the main criminal court, responsible for holding trials for criminal violations. It also hears more serious civil cases.
* Summary Court: the lowest court, which hears minor infractions and less-serious civil cases. Most trials end only in fines or community service rather than imprisonment.
The courts system resembles the system in Atitlan, although there are strong local influences. The Supreme Court has unlimited jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil or criminal proceedings, although it has largely limited these to appeals and cases of "significance to the state" (e.g., treason or terrorism). The Chief Justice is the highest legal officer in Mava and is usually an advocate or retired judge. The Chief Justice is not resident but travels to Mava if and when necessary to hear cases.


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 has only two administrative divisions, which are largely ceremonial and have no local government function. These are Inner (Itiqip) and Outer (Mtakip). Inner consists of the town of Mava and its surrounding areas, which is the only major populated area. Outer covers the rest of the territory, including the remainder of Great Mava and the islands of Little Mava and Taak.
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.


==Political and civic pressure groups==
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.
# Mavean General Workers' Union
# General Assembly of Mavean Employers
# Assembly of Churches of God
# Union of Fishermen


==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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