Fjallting
Fjallting | |
|---|---|
| 2022–2026 term | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Presiding Officer | Björn Þórsson, VP since 5 January 2022 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 101 |
Political groups | Government (53)
Other parties (48)
|
| Elections | |
| Party-list proportional representation | |
Last election | 2 January 2022 |
Next election | 4 January 2026 |
| Meeting place | |
| Hverlandic Parliament Building, Hverhöfn | |
The Fjallting is the supreme legislative body of Hverland, composed of 101 members who are elected to four-year terms. Located in the capital city, Hverhöfn, the Fjallting is where national laws are debated and enacted, and it plays a significant role in shaping Hverland's domestic and foreign policies. The name 'Fjallting' translates to 'Mountain Assembly', reflecting the country's unique landscape characterized by its many mountain ranges and islands.
Structure and functions
Each of the 101 members of the Fjallting, known as 'Tingmenn', is elected to represent a specific geographic constituency. The number of Tingmenn per constituency is determined by its population size. The Fjallting operates under a system of proportional representation, ensuring that minority views are adequately represented.
The primary functions of the Fjallting include legislating, scrutinizing the government, and representing the will of the people. As the country's legislative body, the Fjallting has the responsibility of discussing and enacting laws proposed by its members or the government. The Fjallting also approves the national budget and oversees the functioning of the government through various committees.
History
The Fjallting traces its roots back to the early formation of Hverland as a nation. Initially a consultative assembly of local chieftains, the Fjallting evolved into a legislative parliament as Hverland transitioned from a loose federation of islands into a unified state. It has been the cradle of many landmark decisions and has played a pivotal role in shaping Hverland's modern democratic system.
Committees
To facilitate its legislative duties, the Fjallting is divided into several standing committees, each focusing on a specific policy area such as education, health, environment, and foreign affairs. These committees scrutinize proposed laws in their relevant areas before they are debated in the full assembly. Committee membership reflects the political composition of the Fjallting, ensuring balanced representation of all parties in the legislative process.
Below is a list of committees that function within the Fjallting:
- Foreign Affairs
- Constitutional Affairs
- Economic, Monetary, and Budget Affairs
- Employment and Social Affairs
- Industry, Research, and Energy
- Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety
- Transport
- Capital Region Development
- Agriculture and Rural Development
- Fisheries
- Culture and Education
- Legal Affairs
- Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs
- Human Rights and Gender Equality
- Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs
- Internal Market and Consumer Protection
- Development and Cooperation
- Natural Resources and Climate Change
Elections
Elections to the Fjallting are held every four years. All Hverlandic citizens aged 18 and over have the right to vote in these elections. The country uses a proportional representation system, which ensures that the number of seats a political party holds in the Fjallting corresponds to its share of the total national vote. This system ensures fair representation of all political parties and political views within the Hverlandic society.
Current composition
In the Fjallting, the political landscape is complex and diverse with eight political parties currently holding seats. These parties range across the political spectrum, resulting in a broad representation of the Hverlandic population's political views. As of the latest election, the apportionment of the 101 seats is as follows:
Right-wing Bloc (53 seats):
- Centre Party: 23 seats
- Visionaries: 17 seats
- Conservative Nationals: 13 seats
Left-wing Bloc (45 seats):
- Liberals: 16 seats
- Greens: 12 seats
- Social Democrats: 10 seats
- Alternative: 7 seats
Other Parties:
- Moderates: 3 seats
The right-wing bloc, composed of the Centre Party, Visionaries, and Conservative Nationals, currently holds a narrow majority in the Fjallting with 53 seats. The left-wing bloc, composed of the Liberals, Greens, Social Liberals, and the Alternative, holds 45 seats. The Moderates, with a centrist political stance, hold 3 seats.