Commissioner of Mava

Presidency of the Republic of Mava
Mavean: Kaatitatiikamatigup Maava Yakiinaigaalu
Arms of the Presidency
Presidential Standard
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	MPL 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

Unlike many parliamentary republics, the president is not nominal chief executive, with executive power explicitly vested in Parliament. The constitution vests the president with only powers "undertaken for the due execution of the government" and which are to be exercised "in the name of, and by consent of the Parliament." This latter point is interpreted as relating to the Executive Committee of the Legislative Assembly, rather than the whole Parliament. The principal role of the president is to represent the nation and the people, and to serve as a focal point for national unity and continuity. Although the president has limited political power, they are responsible for maintaining constitutional government and the rule of law. Under the Constitution, the president's formal duties include the following:

• Executive authority: Certain executive functions are exercised by the president on the advice of the Council of State.
• Appointment of the Cabinet: the Prime Minister is appointed by the president following a confirmatory vote in the Legislative Assembly; ministers are appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister.
• Summoning and dissolution of the legislature: The president summons and dissolves Parliament on the advice of the Council of State.
• Promulgating laws: The president is formally one of the two components of the Parliament of Mava, along with the Nominated Assembly and the Legislative Assembly. No bill becomes law until it has been promulgated by the president. The president does not have the power to veto legislation, although they may refer laws for judicial reviews. Laws ruled to be unconstitutional are automatically vetoed without the action of the president.
• Appointment of judicial officers: All judges and senior judicial officers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Minister of Justice. The Mavean Law Society makes recommendations to the Minister.
• Fount of honour: The president is responsible for the awarding of all honours bestowed by the Mavean state.

The president weilds no direct influence in the government, but may exercise informal influence by power of their reputation and personality. The relationship between the president and the prime minister often determines the president's influence.

Privileges

Salary

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

Symbols

The president uses their 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 the president. The presidential coat of arms is not the personal arms of the incumbent and cannot be used in a personal capacity, but rather only as a symbol of presidential authority.

Akitatyakii is the official residence of the President, having been designated as such in 1931.

The president is ex officio Grand Master of the national orders, with the rights and privileges coming from membership.

Precedence and title

In the Mavean order of precedence, the president outranks all other individuals. The president of the Assembly is deputy to the president by virtue of their status as second in the order of precedence. The president and their spouse are accorded the style of "His/Her Excellency" during their term of office, with the president further entitled to use this style for life.

In legislation the president is referred to be the more formal title:

His/Her Excellency The Honourable [Name], President and Head of State and Nation of the Republic of Mava

Residence

The official residence of the president 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, it is the president's official residence, although some presidents have opted to live elsewhere.

Oath of office

The President of Mava is required to take an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of Mava as well as to the Mavean people before being permitted to assume their office. The oath of allegiance is as follows:

"I, [Name], do promise faithfully, in the presence of the Elders, Representatives, and Guests of the Republic, that I will well and truly serve the People of Mava to the utmost of my Power; that I will duly execute the functions of the office of President of the Republic of Mava in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of the Republic; that I shall ensure that Justice and Equity be kept and maintained for all, and preserve the rights, liberties, and privileges of Citizens and Aliens; and that I shall oppose and injure any and all conspiracies against the Republic or against the Laws and Customs of the same. [So help me God]."

See also

• Politics of Mava
• Culture of Mava

External links

• President of Mava. www.kt.mv