Commissioner of Mava

Presidency of the Republic of Mava
Mavean: Kaatitatiikamatigup Maava Yakiinaigaalu
Arms of the Presidency
Flag used by members of the Presidency
Incumbent Nua Kiuiaakii (President) Kaatanajaq Nuvagaai Alaqajaq Suujuat Kipvituk Aanaqavik
Status	Head of state
Seat	Akitatyakii, Paas
Appointer	Details
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Mava
Formation	1 September 1925
First holder	Kuraava Tanigak Sanaguk Tunaktok Maqriganagok Paamag Simugka Ikat
Salary	MVP 600,000 annually
Website	http://www.kt.mv/

The presidency of the Republic of Mava (Mavean: Kaatitatiikamatigup Maava Yakiinaigaalu) is a four-member body which collectively serves as the head of state of Mava. Established in the Constitution of Mava, the presidency comprises the four civic heads (Puuaqats) of the confederal jurisdictions: the Puuaqats of North Mava, South Mava, Tokuksiagak, and Taak. The Puuaqats of South Mava, Tokuksiagak, and Taak are the hereditary heads of state of their respective jurisdictions, whereas the Puuaqat of North Mava is elected by the North Mava Legislative Assembly to a three year term.

The body is unsubdivided and all members are equal in status and power. One member, by convention the Puuaqat of North Mava, is designated as the President of the Presidency. This position is akin to a chairman and does not entitle the holder to any additional powers or responsibilities. As a collective body, actions taken by its members must be done unanimously and no member can act independent of the others.

The powers of the presidency are largely ceremonial, with the office created to provide a forum for the heads of state of the jurisdictions and to encourage unity amongst them. Nonetheless, the presidency is an important component within the confederal system, being responsible for appointing confederal officeholders and exercising responsibility for ensuring the equal status of all jurisdictions.

History

The presidency was established in the 1925 Constitution of Mava, following the Paas Agreement. Under the agreement, the four "constituent peoples of the Mavean Islands" agreed to form a union of states and to create common institutions for the pursuit of common goals. The presidency was consciously created to emphasise the equality of the jurisdictions within the confederation, whilst also providing a safeguard for those concerned about a centralised political system.

The first four members of the presidency are credited with perfecting the body's workings. In particular, discontent over the disproportionate power of the Puaaqat of the less-populated Taak compared to the Puaaqat of the populous North Mava were solved through the Taak Formula, which agreed a voting system within the presidency. As such, matters of constitutional importance or otherwise considered important require unanimity, whereas other specified matters require only a majority of members. Political scientists have identified this formula as an important stepping stone towards the formation of a common Mavean identity and the movement from a confederal to a quasi-federal system.

The development of the presidency mirrors that of the confederation. As internal divisions have weakened and a common sense of Mavean identity has grown, the practical power of the presidency as decreased. Although it still retains the principal responsibility of representing the interests of the jurisdictions, it now balances this with the pursuit of common ambitions and the expression of a common identity. As such, it has moved from a largely intergovernmental body to one with a distinctly Mavean character.

Appointment

Officially, members are appointed to the presidency in accordance with the methods used for their respective office. Each jurisdiction retains the right to determine for itself how its Puuaqat is appointed and may amend or change this method without need for confederal approval.

The Puuaqats of South Mava, Tokuksiagak, and Taak are hereditary positions held for life or until resignation. These positions derive from the pre-colonial chieftains that ruled the areas, and which retained ceremonial significance under Atitlanese rule. In accordance with constitutional practices in each jurisdiction, the hereditary Puaaqats are not heads of government and have only ceremonial functions. Because of its larger population, the Puuaqat of North Mava is indirectly elected, being appointed by the North Mava Legislative Assembly for a three-year term.

Puuaqats are automatically members of the presidency from the beginning of their term, and there is no need for an independent appointment to the body.

Role

The Presidency is considered the supreme office of the Confederation and representative of the equality and sovereignty of the constituent jurisdictions. The Presidency is head of state and collectively enjoys the precedence and status therein, although this does not extend to individual members.

Despite the preeminent position of the body and its significance within the Mavean political system, the presidency today is largely symbolic. The main duty of its members is to embody the confederal nature of the republic and to symbolise the sovereignty and free participation of the constituent jurisdictions. However, they also have a duty to the confederation as a whole and to guarantee the constitutional order and maintain the rule of law. They appoint confederal officers (such as the Government Council) and may dissolve the Assembly of the Islands should no government be formed. The presidency also has the power to promulgate laws and have a reciprocal right of veto.

Duties of the presidency and the powers arising from them are exercisable only via unanimity, although the Taak Formula provides that certain matters are unanimously agreed even if only three of the four members agree.

Privileges

Salary

The president receives an annual salary of MVP 600,000, as of 2023.

Symbols

The presidency uses its own coat of arms, consisting of the national coat of arms of Mava surrounded by a wreath. The arms in its present form was established in the National Symbols Act 2004 and is used as part of the "Symbols and Status of the Presidency of the Republic", which also includes titles and honours bestowed on members. The presidency's coat of arms is not the personal arms of the members and cannot be used in a personal capacity, but rather only as a symbol of the body's authority.

Akitatyakii is the official seat of the Presidency, having been designated as such in 1931.

Members collectively serve as Grand Master of the national orders and are inducted into them on becoming a member.

Precedence and title

In the Mavean order of precedence, the presidency outranks all other individuals. Members, when referred to collectively, are known as "Their Excellencies The Members of the Presidency in Assembly." This title is used in legislation as part of the enacting formula. Individual members are not styled as "Excellency", being instead styled according to the conventions of their home jurisdiction.

Seat

The official seat of the presidency is Akitatyakii, previously known as Government House when it was used by the colonial governors and administrators The house is open to visitors during select periods throughout the year, and is used for national awards, swearing-in ceremonies, and diplomatic receptions. For the duration of their tenure, members may use the building for official duties and it is their residence when in Paas.

Oath of office

Members of the Presidency do not make an oath of office, but are expected to affirm a series of commitments. These are:

• To uphold the confederal system
• To maintain the sovereignty of the jurisdictions
• To further the common ambitions of the peoples of the republic
• To commit to respect all people, regardless of their home jurisdiction
• To maintain the rule of law
• To support and defend the democratic rights of all people

See also

• Politics of Mava
• Culture of Mava

External links

• Presidency of Mava. www.kt.mv