College of the Holy Athonite State: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox legislature | {{Infobox legislature | ||
| name = College of the Holy Athonite State | | name = College of the Holy Athonite State | ||
| native_name = {{small|Kollegio di Sanctus Athoniki Chora}} | | native_name = {{small|Kollegio di Sanctus Athoniki Chora}} | ||
| legislature = | | legislature = 27th College of the Holy Athonite State | ||
| coa_pic = File:KDSAC.png | | coa_pic = File:KDSAC.png | ||
| coa_res = | | coa_res = | ||
Revision as of 23:46, 30 April 2019
College of the Holy Athonite State Kollegio di Sanctus Athoniki Chora | |
|---|---|
| 27th College of the Holy Athonite State | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | College of Cardinals Civil College |
| History | |
| Founded | 8 March 1800 |
New session started | 8 August 2016 |
| Leadership | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 1,354
|
 | |
College of Cardinals political groups |
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Civil College political groups |
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| Elections | |
Civil College last election | 8 April 2016 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Paleá Voulí Athos | |
| Website | |
| www | |
The College of the Holy Athonite State (Athonite: Kollegio di Sanctus Athoniki Chora) is the bicameral legislature of the Holy Athonite State. It consists of two chambers: the College of Cardinals and the Civil College.
The Congress meets in the Paleá Voulí in Athos. Cardinals are appointed by the Sanctus Basileus and representatives are chosen through direct election. Vacancies in the College of Cardinals are filled by the Sanctus Basileus and by a special election in the Civil College. The members of the College of Cardinals serve life terms and members of the Civil College serve eight-year terms representing the people of a single constituency, known as a "district".
To be eligible for election, a candidate must be aged at least 25 and have been a citizen of the Holy Athonite State for eight years.
The College was created in 1800 by Pithonius II. College members are typically affiliated with the Conservative Faction or with the Liberal Faction and occasionally independents.
History
The College of the Holy Athonite State was created by an order issued by Sanctus Basileus Pithonius II on 8 March 1800 after he decided it would be best to have legislature for the Holy Athonite State after decreeing the executive authority of the Holy Athonite State upon the Secretary of the Council of Cardinal Advisers, head adviser to the Sanctus Basileus, Pietro Semeraro. The idea of having a chamber for representatives of the people didn't come into fruition until the mid to late 19th century and even then the College of Cardinals was considered superior to the Civil College both in theory and in practice.
1800–1840s: formative era
Pithonists, supports of the order and of Pithonius II and Anti-Pithonits, supporters of the plan but had supported Pithonius' older and more experienced brother for the position of Sanctus Basileus, jostled for power in the early years as factions in the College became more pronounced. With the passage of the Fundamental Law of Holy Athonite State and the Fundamental Rights of Athonites, factions in the College were more important than ever
Composition and powers
Religious Assent of the Sanctus Basileus is required for all Bills to become law, and certain delegated legislation must be made by the Sanctus Basileus by Order in the Council of the Lord. The Sanctus Basilieus also has executive powers which do not depend on College but must be decided by the successors of Jesus' messengers, members of the College of Cardinals to have the approval of the Lord, through prerogative powers, including the power to make treaties, declare war, award honors, and appoint officers and civil servants.
The Sanctus Basileus also appoints the Dean, who must be a member of the majority party in the Civil College. The speaker, who is elected by members of the majority party, forms a government from members of the chambers of the College.
Since the Collegiate Acts, the powers of the College of Cardinals have been increased in some areas and decreased in others than the Civil College. All bills except money bills are debated and voted upon in the College of Cardinals; however, by voting against a bill, the College of Cardinals can only delay it for a maximum of two collegiate sessions over a year before they have to decide to pass or veto the bill. The College of Cardinals can also hold the government to account through questions to government ministers and the operation committees. The highest court in the Holy Athonite State used to be the College of Cardinals, but it became an independent justice system under orders from Sanctus Basileus Pope Anterus XX in 1923.
The College of Cardinals includes all senior clergymen of the Athonite Catholic Church—archbishops, bishops, and prelates.
All legislation must be passed by the College of Cardinals to become law except for money bills which is up to the Civil College where it controls taxation and the supply of money to the government. Government ministers (including the Prime Minister) must regularly answer questions in the College of Cardinals and there are a number committees that scrutinise particular issues and the workings of the government. There are also mechanisms that allow members of the Civil College to bring to the attention of the government particular issues affecting their constituents.
Procedures of Congress
State Opening of the Collegiate
The State Opening of the collegiate is an annual event that marks the commencement of a session of the College of the Holy Athonite State. It is held in the College of Cardinals chamber. The Sergeant at Arms will announce the commencement of a session and the Sergeant at Arms along with the Keeper of the Door will go to the doors of both chambers, unlock them, and members of the Athonite military will hold them open.
The Sanctus Basileus reads a speech, known as the Speech from the Lord, which is prepared by the Speaker, Dean and the Cabinet, outlining the Government's agenda for the coming year. The speech reflects the legislative agenda for which the Government intends to seek the agreement of both chambers of the College.
Sessions
A term of the Collegiate is divided into two "sessions", one for each year; the Collegiate has occasionally been called into an extra or special session. A new session commences on 26 July, unless the Collegiate decides differently.