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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

As of January 2022, the politics of Freice takes place within the framework of a unitary provisional government and constitutional monarchy. Previously, following the approval of a new constitution, the Senior Council was the collective head of government in a dominant-party system. Legislative power was vested in the government and the Nuejel, the unicameral legislature. The judiciary was officially independent of both branches.[1] However, the Common Wealth Party's governance was widely seen to be authoritarian, with control over media and widespread gerrymandering meaning that opposition groups were prevented from having greater influence.[2]

In December 2021, following a successful motion of no confidence in the government of Tēse Gajāl, Ediā Kiārdx́ā assumed power as head of government and initiated the process of constitutional reform.[3] Legislation to create a new constituent assembly and provisional government were passed by the Nuejel the same month, with elections to be held in January 2022.[4]

Offices

Office Name Party Since
Sovereign of Freice Diana II TBD
Administrator Brigadier General Liam George 2021-present
President of the Island Meeting Ańiāra Neḡdx́a Independent 2022-present

The head of state is Diana II, Queen of Riamo.

The President of the Island Meeting (Freician: Tēdreqē ē'gx́i ḡurā Nā’iuēja ḡurā Pāruqe'ē), alternatively and commonly referred to as the President of Freice (Tēdreqē ē'gx́i Frīs) is the presiding officer of Freice's legislative, the Island Meeting, and also the political leader of Freice. Unique amongst democracies, the office combines the roles of legislative speaker and head of government, elected by and from amongst the legislature to oversee and direct proceedings.[5]

The Government (officially the Council of Government) operates on the basis of collegiality, with ministers collaborating with one another in the running of their departments rather than there being strict allocations of responsibility.[6] Ministers, like the President, are elected by the Island Meeting and may only be removed by the Meeting; the President has only the power to allocate responsibilities.[6]

Constitution

The 1972 Constitution serves as the interim constitution, replacing the Schedules of Government that was adopted in September 2021 as a replacement itself. The constitution, which has been since amended to provide for a new provisional government, sets out the basic principles of Freician political life, defines individual and collective rights and freedoms, and outlines national symbols and cultural practices.

Another important constitutional document is the External Association Act, which governs the relationship between Freice and Riamo. Freice is nominally under Riamese sovereignty, being an associated republic and federal subject.[7] The agreement was signed in 1969 and is the foundation of contemporary relations between the two countries.

Legislative branch

Legislative power is vested in the unicameral Island Meeting (Freician: Nā’iuēja ē'gx́i ḡurā Tx́oqāqo), often known as the Meeting, which is composed of 11 members (or 'delegates') elected popular vote.[8] The Island Island Meeting was established through the Constitutional Reform (Assembly and Elections) Act 2021 and confirmed with the Constitution (Continuity and Confirmation) Act 2022, replacing the Nuejel as Freice's legislative branch.[9].[10]. It meets at the Sūrjā ē'gx́i ḡurā Iētx́āl (House of the Nation) in the Freician capital Qx́ēkūeqe, with the current Island Meeting elected on 16-17 January 2022.

The Island Meeting is responsible for making laws for any matter, subject to the Freician constitution and the Freice Autonomy Act. The Riamese federal government may override its decisions only in limited circumstances, subject to the association act.[11] The Island Meeting's powers are comparable to those found in other legislatures. It has the power to enact legislation, amend the constitution, approve the budget, and oversee the administration of government.[12] The courts provide judicial oversight.

The President of the Island Meeting is the chief officer and highest authority of the assembly.[13] The president presides over debates within the assembly and determines who can speak and which bills can be put forward for debate. They are also responsible for maintaining order within the assembly and are empowered to sanction members (including expelling them from the sitting) if they breach its rules.[14]

As a constituent assembly as well as permanent legislature, the Island Meeting in its current form is also responsible for drafting a new Freician constitution.[11]

Composition

The current membership of the General Kiuva, following the 2023 Freician general election, is as follows (after the merger between KTM and the MURO Alliance and the renaming of the Faio'i Senoka Party to Faio Ekaitaki’e ka Orpasa’e):[15]

Constituency Name Party Serving since
Dukorane Barqia Iege   Faio'se Ekaitaki'e ka Orpasa'e 2022-present
Kamoa Ielika   Faio'se Ekaitaki'e ka Orpasa'e 2022-present
Koimuke Taraqa Ieqol   Faio'se Ekaitaki'e ka Orpasa'e 2022-present
Oisa Tona   Faio'se Ekaitaki'e ka Orpasa'e 2022-present
Marana Pratsa Tanoma Malikina   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Seime Etu   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present
Tamalu Valapaima   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Mopeta Pratsa Kiso Toma   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Fuoa Kaleki   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present
Peka Kana Tenqel   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Mulone Uota   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present
Ritora Iisa Kiama Nalosa   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Eietu Mekapate   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present
Roheo Radei Oratite Seuia Siotefe   Faio'se Ekaitaki'e ka Orpasa'e 2023-present
Sekapa Avama Siotefe   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Taina Makama   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Aniara Neileka   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Ara Naganori   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Sekapa Seiva Manuatamu Miane   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Kuisa Saima   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present
Neota Kaioni   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present

Executive

File:Official Portrait of Aŋịarǡ Ne̩ḡą.png
Ańiāra Neḡdx́a, current President of the Island Meeting since 2022. She previously served as President of the Assembly of Delegates from June to July 2021.

The Council of Government (Dērdx́ǡdia ē'gx́i Kūmidx́ēnā) is the executive branch, consisting of ministers who work for the implementation of the political, economic, social, cultural, and other such activities of the state.[6] 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 council is appointed by the Island Meeting.

The head of the Council of Government is the President of the Island Meeting, who concurrently serves as ex officio chair of the council. Members of the council make key decisions collectively, responsible as one for the consequences of these decisions.

Council of Government

As of January 2022, the makeup of the Council of Government is as follows:[16]

Portfolio Minister
President of the Island Meeting
Chair of the Council of Government 		Hon. Ańiāra Neḡdx́a
Director of Finance Hon. Ediā Kiārdx́ā
Director of Health Hon. Bo'ōńi Iāzōqeē
Director of Communities Hon. Siēgi Poḡikńa
Director of Lands Hon. Tāqaḿē Nātnodx́ē

Judiciary

The Freician judiciary consists of the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Summary Court, and the Village Court. The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislative branches, maintaining links with the government and legislature through the Law Services Committee.[17]

The courts' system is regulated by the Constitution of Freice. The Court of Appeal has unlimited jurisdiction in all civil and criminal proceedings, consisting of the Chief Justice and three other justices.[18] The Chief Justice is usually a Riamese barrister or solicitor, appointed by the Administrator to serve a renewable three-year term. The Chief Justice does not permanently reside in Freice, traveling to the island to hear cases when necessary. Sometimes, when there is unanimity amongst the other justices, the Chief Justice is not consulted.[18]

The High Court is the main court for most serious criminal and serious matters, with the Court of Appeal usually hearing appeals rather than acting as a court of first instance.[19] Defendants may choose to be tried by either a jury or solely by a bench of three judges. Crimes such as murder and manslaughter, rape, treason, and arson must be tried before the High Court.[20]

Summary Courts are intermediate courts that deal with serious cases not requiring the attention of the High Court or Court of Appeal. These cases usually involve cases such as robbery, sexual assault, and certain driving offences. Cases are heard by a bench of Lawgivers, who are appointed by the Administrator on the advice of the Island Meeting.[21] Judgments made in Summary Courts may be appealed to the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Village Courts are similar, hearing only low-level offences such as petty theft, criminal damage, and breach of the peace. [22]

Law enforcement is undertaken by Freice Police Service, which primarily consists of officers that constitute the national police force.[23] The Freice Police Service is responsible to the Policy Council and to the Island Meeting.[24] The Commissioner is the agency executive, appointed by the Administrator on the advice of the Island Meeting.[25]

The continued problem of community justice outside of the court system has plagued the Freician legal system, and has been addressed with only limited success by successive governments.[26][27] Such high incidents of justice being administered outside of the court system have raised questions about the transparency of law enforcement and the equal application of human rights and other significant protections to all citizens.[28]

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.[29] Suffrage is also granted to all persons who have resided on the island for at least three years.[30][31]

Elections are held every year to the Meeting. Voters choose one candidate in their constituency; the candidate with the most votes is elected to represent the constituency.

In local council elections, voting is conducted in public by a show of hands.

International relations

As a Riamese territory, Freice does not pursue diplomatic relations in its own right, represented internationally by Riamo. Freice does, however, maintain representative offices in order to pursue economic, cultural, and certain political interests.[32] However, only Riamo, Hoterallia and Gran Rugido maintain permanent, full-time diplomatic representation in Freice.

Despite not being a sovereign state, Freice is a member of the Saltstil Pact independent of Riamo.[33] The Freician government approved membership in July 2021, with membership widely hailed as an important step in Freice's political development.[34]

Freice's primary economic relationship with the rest of Riamo is governed by the Federal Customs Area, establishing a common external tariff and grants the federal Riamese government the responsibility of negotiating free trade agreements on behalf of autonomous regions.

Administrative divisions

File:Administrative divisions of Freice.png
Administrative divisions of Freice.

Freice is divided into four land areas, which have local government, electoral and statistical functions: Qx́ēkūeqe, Kēkńā, Gx́ērī, and Uqe'eḡriā.[35] Each land area nominates a mayor, who is appointed by the national government to oversee local administration. Mayors may attend meetings of the Island Meeting, although they are not members nor do they have any speaking or voting rights.[36]

Land areas have a number of local government functions, overseeing the management of roads, local policing, environmental protection, and waste removal. Land areas are governed through a form of direct democracy, in which local Land Area Meetings approve laws which are then put to the people for final assent.[35]

Land areas are further divided into 17 parishes, which are largely ceremonial and used for some statistical purposes.[37]

Following the 2021 coup, land areas were abolished and their powers divided between the national government and new tēkbo community governments.[38] This arrangement was confirmed in the Schedules of Government, although the land areas themselves were never formally abolished. Tēkbo were abolished following the removal of the Common Wealth government in December 2021.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Schedules of Government of the Country of Freice. Island Government of Freice. Archived 9 December 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  2. ↑ Enduring problems for Freician democracy. Guri Telegraph. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  3. ↑ "Gajāl Out, Kiārdx́ā In". Taɱą ǡduƞe̩ frɨs. Retrieved 28 November 2021
  4. ↑ Freice: January elections to draft constitution. Riamese Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  5. ↑ "Island Meeting > About". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Island Meeting > Council of Government" Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  7. ↑ "External Association". Island Government of Freice. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  8. ↑ "Island Meeting > About". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  9. ↑ "Nuejel approves new assembly". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 6 December 2021
  10. ↑ "Assembly votes for dissolution". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 23 January 2022
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "What is the Island Meeting?". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 7 December 2021
  12. ↑ "Island Meeting > Procedure". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  13. ↑ "Island Meeting > President". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  14. ↑ Announcements on Provisions, December 19, 2021. Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 20 December 2021
  15. ↑ "Members". General Kiuva. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  16. ↑ "Island Meeting > Council of Government > Members" Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  17. ↑ Ralingsborough, Andrew P. (1999) Freician Law. Guri: University of Guri Press. p. 141. ISBN 192-4-12012-451-7.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Services > Judiciary > Court of Appeal". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  19. ↑ "Services > Judiciary > High Court". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  20. ↑ Ralingsborough, p. 88
  21. ↑ "Services > Judiciary > Summary Court". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  22. ↑ "Services > Judiciary > Village Court". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  23. ↑ New police services inaugurated. Tāma Āduńe ē’gx́i Frīs. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  24. ↑ "About". Freice Police Services. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  25. ↑ "About > Governance". Freice Police Services. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  26. ↑ Ferrant, Victor R. The Forgotten Island, p.304.
  27. ↑ Ralingsborough., p. 55.
  28. ↑ Report on the Administration of Justice in Freice (PDF). Government of Riamo. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  29. ↑ Schedules of Government of the Country of Freice. Original available here.
  30. ↑ "Voting Rights Act". Island Government of Freice, 1999. Archived 18 May 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  31. ↑ Freice profile Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Riamese Federation. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  32. ↑ "Island Meeting > Council of Government > External Relations". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  33. ↑ "Member state governments welcome Freician" representative.Saltstil web portal. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Saltstil membership "important next step".Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Land Areas > About". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  36. ↑ "Land Areas > Mayors". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  37. ↑ "Land Areas > Parishes". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  38. ↑ Local Government Amendment (Culture) Act (PDF). Island Government of Freice. Retrieved September 15, 2021.

External links

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