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Politics of Freice

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Freice
Coat of Arms of Freice.png
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Freice
Constitution
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Administrative divisions
Foreign policy
  • Department of Neighbourhoods,
    Strategic Relationships and Cultural
    Services
    • Councillor: Rǡrɉe Neɱịesǡ
  • Foreign Relations
Elections

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.[1] Legislative power is exercised by the Nuejel, elected annual. 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.

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.[2] Freedom of the media is curtailed, with critical media outlets under pressure from the government.[3] Elections are held in Freice, but gerrymandering and other such practices favours the ruling party.

Constitution

The Constitution of Freice is the Schedules of Government, which sets out the basic principles of Freician political life, defines individual and collective rights and freedoms, and outlines national symbols and cultural practices. The Schedules was enacted in September 2021 following the August 2021 Freician legislative election, after being drafted in the wake of the 2021 Freician coup d'état.

Another important constitutional document is the General Agreement on Co-operation and External Association, which governs the relationship between Freice and Riamo. Freice is nominally under Riamese sovereignty, being an associated republic and federal subject.[4] The agreement was signed in 1989 and is the foundation of contemporary relations between the two countries.

Executive

File:Rarje Nemjiesa official legislative portrait.jpg
Rarje Nemjiesa is the current Leader of the Senior Council.

The Senior Council (Freician: Derɉadịa rǡjɨa) is the collective head of state and government in Freice, consisting of Councillors who work for the implementation of the political, economic, social, cultural, and other such activities of the state.[5] It directs the activities of the state, oversees 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 and chaired by the Leader.

Members of the Senior Council officially act as one. No member is more senior than another. The Leader of the Senior Council (Freician: Ue̩ƞeɉǡl ġiḡurą derɉadịa rǡjɨa) is the presiding officer of the Senior Council, elected by the Nuejel every year, but has no additional political power nor authority over other councilors.[6] The Leader may assume some extra powers by virtue of their private or political relationships and connections with the other Councillors, however. The Leader is also a councilor with a portfolio, which is where most of their day-to-day political activities are focussed.

Senior Council

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

Senior Council (2021-present)
Deputy Leader of the Senior Council
Councillor for Regulatory Services, Standards and Audits, and Safer Communities 		Common Wealth Party Te̩se Gaɉȧ 2021-present
Councillor for Conservation, Land Protection, and Resources Common Wealth Party Kutǡ Nedɉja 2021-present
Leader of the Senior Council
Councillor for Neighbourhoods, Strategic Relationships, and
Cultural Services 		Common Wealth Party Rǡrɉe Neɱịesǡ 2021-present
Councillor for Communities, Planning, and the Economy Common Wealth Party Amje̩ Ŋaqe̩sal 2021-present
Councillor for Families, Education, and Skills Common Wealth Party Jeke̩ Qagǡ 2021-present
Councillor for Public Health, Social Care, and Wellbeing Common Wealth Party Iŋǡ Qịguqư 2021-present
Councillor for Commissioning, Resources, and Performance Common Wealth Party Ge̩ra Ie̩ja Yurjǡl 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 Kieɟeșɨ (Presiding Officer), who manages the business of the legislature and oversees its sessions.[7]

Delegates are elected from thirteen single-member constituencies. 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 the winning party selects a replacement. Delegates can be recalled at any time if ten percent of their constituency electorate signs a recall petition calling for a recall.[8] If more than four or more delegates are recalled, then a fresh general election is held automatically.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11] 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 councilors 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.

Aŋịarǡ Ne̩ze, who served as President of the Assembly of Delegates from June to July 2021.

Composition

The current membership of the Nuejel is as follows:

Constituency Name Party Serving since
Northwest A Iɱɟẹ Inigi Bȧjɨ Common Wealth Party 2021-present
Northwest B Arjaɭ Bȧju Common Wealth Party 2021-present
Northwest C Kǡŋe Bijonȧ Common Wealth Party 2021-present
Northeast A Piɉȧl Birǡqu Common Wealth Party 2021-present
Northeast B Keɱue̩ Boȧ Common Wealth Party 2021-present
Northeast C Tiɱi Enquɉȧ Freice Independents 2021-present
Southeast A Tene̩l Ieɖeɭ (Kieɟeșɨ) Common Wealth Party 2021-present
Southeast B Eɖia Kiȧrɉǡ Freice Independents 2021-present
Southeast C Bǡrɉia Odiege̩ Common Wealth Party 2021-present
Southwest A Siegi Pogikŋǡ Common Wealth Party 2021-present
Southwest B Soƞe Tɨekie (Kieɟeșɨ sȧqẹ) Common Wealth Party 2021-present
Fris ujteqal A Bojidȧ Tiqeqaɭ Freice Independents 2021-present
Fris ujteqal B Iqe̩ Tưniǡ Common Wealth Party 2021-present

Judiciary

The judicial branch is composed of the courts, which administer Freician law. The Principle Law Officer advises the government on all legal matters and the constitutionality and legality of its actions.[12] 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 Fourth Band 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 Fourth Band was established through the Legal Order in 2021, which reconstituted the old Supreme Court following the 2021 coup d'état.[13] The Fourth Band is composed of four Authorities, including one Chief Authority, who are approved by the Nuejel and appointed by the Senior Council.

The Third Band is the penultimate court of appeals and also serves as the court of first instance in all constitutional cases, unlike in most other countries where the supreme court is the court of first resort.[14] Below the Third Band are Second Band sessions, which deal with serious criminal cases, and Tekbo Community Legal Meetings, which address local civil cases and minor criminal infractions and constitute the First Band. These are headed by Peace Makers.

Pưe̩rąqǡ

The Pưe̩rąqǡ of Freice is the traditional Freician monarch, an historic office that precedes colonisation and which has been formally recognised as a cultural position within the government since the enactment of the first constitution in 1972.[15] The Pưe̩rąqǡ is a hereditary position passed along the matrilineal line, although the individual is elected from the eligible descendants rather than determined purely by the position of birth.[16] The current Pưe̩rąqǡ is Ke̩bɨȧqǡɭ, who has retained only one name in accordance with historic Freician naming practices. Ke̩bɨȧqǡɭ is officially referred to as the Thirtieth Pưe̩rąqǡ.[17]

The Pưe̩rąqǡ is defined as a "position of cultural significance within the Freician nation, embodying its proud history and representing the interests of the people and their cultural heritage."[18] The official duties of the Pưe̩rąqǡ involve preserving Freician culture and serving as a 'physical embodiment' of this culture. The Pưe̩rąqǡ and her family regularly take part in traditional ceremonies and provide patronages for a number of organisations and causes. Furthermore, the Pưe̩rąqǡ is the official head of the Unitarian Church of Christ in Freice, and appoints its bishops and vicars accordingly.[19] The Pưe̩rąqǡ is supported by the Pưe̩rąqǡ's Household, a formal body that consists of the Pưe̩rąqǡ's immediate family and staff.[20] The spouse of the Pưe̩rąqǡ is the Seɉe̩ ġiḡurą pưe̩rąqǡ, often referred to in Common as the 'King Consort'.[21]

Officially, Freice is a republic and the Pưe̩rąqǡ is not head of state, with little formal political power beyond an advisory role to help raise and address concerns relating to cultural issues. However, the Pưe̩rąqǡ retains significant informal political power and plays a regular part in day-to-day government activity, to the extent that she has been called an 'unofficial eighth member' of the Senior Council.[22] Consequently, there is significant debate about the extent that Freice can be called a monarchy, with some political scholars arguing that the role of the Pưe̩rąqǡ, although not codified, constitutes a de facto constitutional monarchy.[23] This position is further supported by the official recognition of the office of the Pưe̩rąqǡ, state financing of the Pưe̩rąqǡ's activities, official days of celebration related to the Pưe̩rąqǡ, and a constitutionally-defined position for the Pưe̩rąqǡ. Moreover, the Pưe̩rąqǡ frequently undertakes diplomatic duties on behalf of the Senior Council, supporting the Department of Neighbourhoods, Strategic Relationships, and Cultural Services and working on its behalf.[24]

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.[25] Suffrage is also granted to all persons who have resided on the island for at least three years.[26][27] 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 the main opposition party taking only a small number of seats.[28]

In tekbo elections, voting is conducted in public by a show of hands. In these elections, parties do 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.[29] Freice's foreign policy is largely determined by its membership of the Saltstil Pact as well as its status as a subject of 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 Maricoen, of which Freice is a former colony.[30] Economic and cultural interactions have continued after independence, although relations have remained strained over the colonial legacy of the Maricoenian empire in Freice. 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.[31]

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.[32] 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:[33]

  • 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

References

  1. ↑ Schedules of Government of the Country of Freice. Original available here.
  2. ↑ Enduring problems for Freician democracy. Guri Telegraph, 2021.
  3. ↑ Freician govt. comes under pressure in media reforms. Marcosberg Guardian, 2021.
  4. ↑ External Association (Common).derjadia-rajia.kum.fr.
  5. ↑ About (Common). derjadia-rajia.kum.fr.
  6. ↑ Leader and Deputy Leader (Common). derjadia-rajia.kum.fr.
  7. ↑ Officers of the Nuejel (Common). www.nuejel.kum.fr
  8. ↑ Recall Act 2019 (Common). Original available here.
  9. ↑ Schedules of Government of the Country of Freice. Original available here.
  10. ↑ Legislative Procedure (Common). www.nuejel.kum.fr
  11. ↑ Schedules of Government of the Country of Freice. Original available here.
  12. ↑ Office of the Principle Law Officer (Common). derjadia-rajia.kum.fr.
  13. ↑ Legal Order (2021) (Freician). Original available here.
  14. ↑ Band System (Common).derjadia-rajia.kum.fr.
  15. ↑ Constitution of the Country of Freice (1972). Original available here.
  16. ↑ Succession. pueraqa.kum.fr.
  17. ↑ The Thirtieth Pưe̩rąqǡ (Common). pueraqa.kum.fr.
  18. ↑ Schedules of Government of the Country of Freice. Original available here.
  19. ↑ The Pưe̩rąqǡ and the Church (Common). tubal.fr
  20. ↑ Household and Staff (Common). pueraqa.kum.fr.
  21. ↑ Freician Queen and king consort visit Guri University. Guri Telegraph, 2019.
  22. ↑ Freice Profile. Riamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  23. ↑ Controversy over Freice queen powers. Guri Telegraph, 2015.
  24. ↑ Thirtieth Pưe̩rąqǡ speaks at Teachers' Summit. Taɱą ǡduƞe̩ frɨs, 2017.
  25. ↑ Schedules of Government of the Country of Freice. Original available here.
  26. ↑ Voting Rights Act (1999) (Freician). Original available here.
  27. ↑ Freice Profile. Riamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  28. ↑ Is Freice a democracy again? Marcosberg Guardian, 2021.
  29. ↑ External Relations (Common). derjadia-rajia.kum.fr.
  30. ↑ Iqe̩, Pe̩gȧ, A. (2007) The National Encyclopedia of Freician History and Culture, 2nd edition. p.197
  31. ↑ Analysis of Census 2021 Data. derjadia-rajia.kum.fr. Original available here.
  32. ↑ Tekbo. Visit Freice, 2020.
  33. ↑ Local Government Amendment Act (2021) (Freician). Original available here.

External links

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