Politics of Freice

The politics of the Country of Freice (commonly known as Freice) takes place in the framework of a unitary dominant party assembly-independent directorial republic.

Under the Schedules of Government (the Freician constitution), executive power is vested in the Senior Council, a seven-member body that acts collectively. Legislative power is exercised by the Nuejel, elected every year. The Senior Council is the collective head of state and government, with power shared equally between the members (Councillors). However, power is sometimes accumulated by particular figures who become predominant within the Council. The judiciary is officially independent of the executive and legislative branches, but has fallen to a limited extent under its influence.

Freice's political system is widely regarded by outside observers as having adopted some authoritarian features; political opposition to the authority of the ruling Common Wealth government is frustrated, and it is not uncommon for critical journalists to be sued. Freedom of the media is curtailed, with critical media outlets under pressure from the government. Elections are held in Freice, but jerrymandering and other such practices favours the ruling party.

Executive

Rarje Nemjiesa is the current Leader of the Senior Council.

The Senior Council (Freician: Derjadia rajia) is the collective head of state and government in Freice, chaired by the Leader and also consisting of Councillors who work for the implementation of the political, economic, social, cultural, and other such activities of the state. It directs the activities of the state, overseas the management of the country's finances, and ensures the effectiveness of the administrative structure and bureaucracy. The Senior Council is appointed by the Nuejel.

Members of the Senior Council officially act as one. No member is more senior than another. The Leader of the Senior Council (Freician: Uenejal gi gura derjadia rajia) is the presiding officer of the Senior Council, elected by the Nuejel every year. The Leader may assume some extra powers by virtue of their private or political relationships and connections with the other Councillors, however.

Senior Council

As of July 2021, the makeup of the Senior Council (cabinet) is as follows:

Senior Council (2021-present)
Leader of the Senior Council Councillor for Neighbourhoods, Strategic Relationships, and Cultural Services		Common Wealth Party	Rarje Nemjiesa	2021-present
Deputy Leader of the Senior Council Councillor for Conservation, Land Protection, and Resources		Common Wealth Party	Tuse Gajal	2021-present
Councillor for Communities, Planning and the Economy		Common Wealth Party	Amje Naqesal	2021-present
Councillor for Families, Education and Skills		Common Wealth Party	Jeke Qaga	2021-present
Councillor for Public Health, Social Care and Wellbeing		Common Wealth Party	Dr. Kuta Nedja	2021-present

Legislative branch

Legislative power is vested in the unicameral Nuejel of Freice (literally 'Meeting'), which is composed of 13 members (or 'delegates') elected every year via popular vote. The Nuejel is headed by a Presiding Officer, who manages the business of the legislature and oversees its sessions.

Delegates are elected from thirteen single-member constitutencies. Under the first-past-the-post system, voters can choose one candidate, with a plurality required. If a delegate is removed, dies or resigns, then a by-election is held. Delegates can be recalled at any time if ten percent of their constituency electorate signs a recall petition calling for a recall. If more than four or more delegates are recalled, then a fresh general election is held automatically.

The Nuejel is where discussion of all proposed legislation is held. Both delegates to the Nuejel and the Councillors of the Senior Council can propose legislation, although it is only through a vote in the Nuejel that any piece of legislation is adopted. In most cases, a simple majority (50%+1) is required, although amendments to the constitution require a two-thirds majority (66.6%+1) to pass. In 7 members (excluding the Presiding Officer) are required in order for a quorum to be reached and for business to be conducted. The Nuejel can also review the actions of the Senior Council, including interrogating councillors and calling for a formal statement from the Council on its actions.

The Nuejel approves all nominations for courts put forward by the Senior Council.

Composition

The current membership of the Nuejel is as follows:

Constituency	Name	Party		Serving since
Northwest A	Imje Inigi Baji		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Northwest B	Arjal Baju		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Northwest C	Kane Bijona		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Northeast A	Pijal Biraqu		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Northeast B	Kemue Bosa		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Northeast C	Timi Enquja		Democracy and People's Rights Party	2021-present
Southeast A	Tenel Iedel (Presiding Officer)		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Southeast B	Pete Kiarja		Sunrise Party	2021-present
Southeast C	Barjia Odiege		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Southwest A	Siegi Pogikna		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Southwest B	Sone Tiekie (Deputy Presiding Officer)		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Fris ujteqal A	Bojida Tiqeqal		Democracy and People's Rights Party	2021-present
Fris ujteqal B	Iqe Tunia		Common Wealth Party	2021-present

Judiciary

The judicial branch is composed of the courts, which administer Freician law. The Chief Advocate advises the government on all legal matters and the constitutionality and legality of its actions. The Principle Law Officer is the chief legal officer in both civil and criminal matters. They also serve as the chief public prosecutor; it is in their name that all prosecutions are made.

The Juridical Session of Freice is the highest court in the Freician court hierarchy and the final court of appeal in all cases. It has both original (hearing the case for the first time) and appellate (hearing cases heard by lower courts) jurisdiction, and interprets the constitution of Freice. The Juridical Session was established through the Juridical Session Legal Order in 2021, which reconstituted the old Supreme Court following the 2021 coup d'état. The Juridical Session is composed of four judges, including one President Judge, who are approved by the Nuejel and appointed by the Senior Council.

Elections

Suffrage in Freice is extended to all persons who have reached the age of seventeen years, and who are not incarcerated or on probation or severely mentally disabled. Suffrage is also granted to all persons who have resided on the island for at least three years. Suffrage is granted equally to men and women.

Elections are held every year to the Nuejel. Voters choose one candidate in their constituency; the candidate with the most votes is elected to represent the constituency in the Nuejel. Due to the manipulated drawing of electoral boundaries, the Common Wealth Party dominates elections, with opposition parties taking only a small number of seats.

In tekbo elections, voting is conducted in public by a show of hands. In these elections, parties does not play a role, with candidates often supported and endorsed by a party but officially independent.

Foreign policy

Foreign policy in Freice is directed through the Department for Neighbourhoods, Strategic Relationships and Cultural Services. Freice's foreign policy is largely determined by its membership of the Saltstil Pact as well as its external association with Riamo. It aligns itself with and maintains support for the decisions made by the Saltstil Pact, even more so those decisions made by Riamo.

Outside the Saltstil Pact, Freice maintains a cordial relationship with former colonial master Maricoen. Economic and cultural interactions have continued after independence and, although somewhat disrupted, beyond the socialist coup. Trade has remained stable and, with 4.6% of the population being of Maricoenian descent, the country remains an important part of Freician foreign policy.

Riamo represents Freice in states where Freice does not have diplomatic representation itself, with Riamese foreign policy an unofficial cornerstone of Freice's foreign policy decision-making.

Local government

Freice is a unitary state, with the central government being ultimately supreme over all other authorities. The only local government bodies are the Tekbo Community Meetings; these are comparable to local parish councils and mostly serve communities with a population of below 300. These meetings are held in the open, and consist of a panel of four leaders, who hear public concerns, propose solutions, and hold votes amongst those people in attendance. The powers of the Tekbo Community Meetings are of a local nature: they:

• maintain buildings for community use
• manage recreational facilities such as parks and playing fields
• manage cemeteries and other burial sites
• oversee waste disposal
• manage lighting of roads and other public places
• hear planning applications for small proposals

See also

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Further reading

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External links

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