Politics of Hellona

The politics of Hellona take place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy, a constitutional monarchy, and a unitary state.

Constitution

Hellona has been a constitutional monarchy since 1280 and a full fledged parliamentary democracy since 1728. As such it is one of the longest continuous democracies in the Trident.

Hellona is one of the constituent countries of the Hellonian Realm, of which it is the most populous nation. As such, its national assembly, the Ryksdag, is a member of the Aldag. It delegates its control over military and the monetary policy to this Realm-wide parliament. The Hellonian political sphere is based on three fundamental laws (Hellonian: Grondlegen, Ellandic: Grundlager), which together form the constitution of Hellona; the Instrument of Government, the Fundamental law on Rights, Freedoms and Citizens and the Charter for the Realm. These can only be changed by a two times two-thirds majority in the Ryksdag, separated by a general election, or in case of the Charter for the Realm, an absolute majority in the Aldag.

Political institutions

Monarchy

Hellona is a constitutional monarchy and King-Exalt Kristoffer is the current head of state, but the role of monarch is limited to ceremonial and representative functions. By extension, the King-Exalt of Hellona also acts as the monarch of the entire Hellonian Realm. Under the Instrument of Government, the monarch lacks any formal form of political power. The monarch traditionally opens each parliamentary year, holds regular information councils with the Great Minister and formally chairs the government of the Realm, although this role is often delegated to others. In addition, the monarch pays State Visits abroad and receive those incoming as hosts. The monarch and the Royal Family undertake a variety of other unofficial representative duties in Hellona, the Realm and abroad. The monarch also acts as head of the Asatru faith, hence the title of King-Exalt. Officially both titles are seen as separate and only held by the same person. Within the constitutional framework of Hellona, the monarch must always be of Asatru faith. The State itself is of secular nature constitutionally, although the country is overwhelmingly of Asatru faith.

Ryksdag

Legislative power is vested in the unicameral Ryksdag and its 451 members. General elections are held every four years. Legislation may be initiated by either the Government or members of the Ryksdag. Members are elected on the basis of party-list proportional representation with a chance for a preferential vote for a certain member to a four-year term. The workings of both the Government and the Ryksdag are regulated in the Instrument of Government

Hellona enjoys a healthy multi-party democracy. Its political landscape has however been dominated by the Social Democrats. Post-Great War Hellonian politics has largely been formed on a social democratic platform. The largest opposition party are the Liberals. All Governments after the Great War have included either the Liberals or the Social Democrats. Hellona, however, also has a wide variety of smaller political parties, which ensures Governments can only be formed by alliances of multiple parties. Other active political parties in the Ryksdag include: the People's Party, GREEN, Centre, Our Republic, ONE, the Conservation Party, the Hellonian Party and the Asatru Party.

Government

The Government consists of the Great-Minister, selected after a vote in the Ryksdag, and other ministers selected by the Great-Minister. In this government lies the supreme executive power, and responsible for the actions of the Ryksdag and following legislature. The ministers together form the Council of Ministers. This executive council initiates laws and policy. It meets every Friday in the Oldenburg Palace. The Great-Minister of Hellona presides over the cabinet and is the major political figure of the government.