Politics of Freice

Since the 2021 Freician coup d'état, the politics of the Country of Freice (commonly known as Freice) takes place in the framework of a single-party socialist republic. Under the interim constitution of 2021, the sole legal party is the Common Wealth Party of Freice (Kpp), which is described as the 'preeminent movement for political, social, and cultural activities' in Freice. As a consequence of the Kpp's constitutional position, the party's leadership and the national leadership largely overlap. The incumbent First Secretary of the Kpp, Rarje Nemjiesa, is the current Leader of the Senior Council - the head of state and government in Freice.

Executive power is exercised by the government of Freice - the Senior Council - whilst legislative power is exercised by the Nuejel, elected every three years. The Senior Council is headed by a Leader, who serves as 'first amongst equals' alongside the heads of the individual government departments; Freice is, officially, a directorial republic with a collective head of state and government. Because the Leader is always the Kpp's First Secretary, in reality, the Leader is superior and not equal to other members of the Council, enjoying the power to appoint and dismiss members at his discretion. The judiciary is officially independent of the executive and legislative branches, but falls under the influence of the Kpp, rendering it de facto under state control.

Freice's political system is widely regarded by outside observers as undemocratic and authoritarian; political opposition to the authority of the Kpp is prohibited, and censorship is widespread. Freedom of the media is largely curtailed, with the media largely adopting and promoting the interests of the party. Elections are held in Freice, but candidates must be approved by the Kpp, with no real choice for voters.

Executive

Rarje Nemjiesa is the current First Secretary of the Common Wealth Party and Leader of the Senior Council.

The Senior Council (Freician: Derjadia rajia) is the executive arm of the Nuejel and the collective head of state and government in Freice, chaired by the Leader and also consisting of a Deputy Leader and Councillors, who work for the implementation of the political, economic, social, cultural, and other such activities of the state. It directs the activities of the state, overseas the management of the country's finances, and ensures the effectiveness of the administrative structure and bureaucracy. The Senior Council is appointed by the Leader with the consent of the Nuejel.

Members of the Senior Council officially act as one. No member is more senior than another. The Leader of the Senior Council (Freician: Uenejal gi gura derjadia rajia) is the presiding officer of the Senior Council, elected by the Nuejel every year. In reality, the Leader, as First Secretary of the Kpp's Organising Committee, is elected by the Congress of the Kpp and approved by the Nuejel. This approval is largely symbolic.

Because the Leader is invariably also the First Secretary, they enjoy de facto predominance within the Council. Whilst the Council officially constitutes the collective head of state and government, it is the Leader who undertakes many of the duties normally assigned to these positions. The Leader appoints and (unofficially) dismisses members of the Senior Council, and nominates candidates for the judiciary for the Nuejel's approval. The Leader has significant influence over both foreign and domestic policy, determining to a significant extent any declaration of war and peace or state of emergency.

Cabinet

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

Senior Council (2021-present)
Leader of the Senior Council		Common Wealth Party	Rarje Nemjiesa	2021-present
Deputy Leader of the Senior Council		Common Wealth Party	Tuse Gajal	2021-present
Councillor for Neighbourhoods, Strategic Relationships and Cultural Services		Common Wealth Party	Gera Ieja Yurjal	2021-present
Councillor for Communities, Planning and the Economy		Common Wealth Party	Amje Naqesal	2021-present
Councillor for Families, Education and Skills		Common Wealth Party	Jeke Qaga	2021-present
Councillor for Public Health, Social Care and Wellbeing		Common Wealth Party	Dr. Kuta Nedja	2021-present
Councillor for Conservation, Land Protection and Resources		Common Wealth Party	Ina Qiguqu	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 three years via popular vote. All members of the Nuejel are members of the Kpp and need to be approved by the party leadership in order to stand as candidates. The Nuejel is headed by a Presiding Officer, who manages the business of the legislature and oversees its sessions.

Delegates are elected from one nation-wide multi-member constituency. Under the first-past-the-post system, voters can choose one candidate; the thirteen candidates who receive the most votes are elected. If a delegate is removed, dies or resigns, then the candidate with the most votes who was not elected is elected to fill the vacancy. Delegates can be recalled at any time if ten percent of the electorate signs a recall petition calling for the recall of one or a number of delegates. If more than four or more delegates are recalled, then a fresh general election is held automatically.

The Nuejel is where discussion of all proposed legislation is held. Both delegates to the Nuejel and members of the Senior Council can propose legislation, although it is only through a vote in the Nuejel that any piece of legislation is adopted. 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. 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 councillors and calling for a formal statement from the Council on its actions.

The Nuejel approves all nominations for courts put forward by the Leader of the Senior Council.

Composition

The current membership of the Nuejel is as follows:

Name	Party		Serving since
Imje Inigi Baji		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Arjal Baju		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Kane Bijona		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Pijal Biraqu		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Kemue Bosa		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Timi Enquja		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Tenel Iedel (Presiding Officer)		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Pete Kiarja		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Barjia Odiege		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Siegi Pogikna		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Sone Tiekie (Deputy Presiding Officer)		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Bojida Tiqeqal		Common Wealth Party	2021-present
Iqe Tunia		Common Wealth Party	2021-present

Judiciary

The judicial branch is composed of the courts, which administer Freician law. The Chief Advocate advises the government on all legal matters and the constitutionality and legality of its actions. 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 High Court 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 High Court was established through the High Court Legal Order in 2021, which reconstituted the old Supreme Court following the 2021 coup d'état. The High Court is composed of four judges, including one Judge President, who is appointed by the Leader of the Senior Council.

As all courts, including the High Court, are founded based on parliamentary legislation, they only have the powers that legislation has granted to them. Only the High Court has the power to strike down legislation; all other courts can only interpret laws.

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. Suffrage is also granted to all persons who have resided on the island for at least three years. Suffrage is granted equally to men and women.

Elections are held every three years to the Nuejel. No political party is allowed to put forward candidates apart from the Common Wealth Party. Elections take place at three levels of government - the tekbo, the regional, and the national level. In each election, a set of candidates approved by the Kpp, but not necessarily being campaigned for by them, is put forward; voters choose one candidate and, depending on the number of seats in a constituency, the relevant number of candidates with the most votes are elected.

In tekbo elections, voting is conducted in public by a show of hands. In these elections, the Kpp does not play a significant role, although its approval is still required to stand. Tekbo Meetings of the Kpp are an important source of influence in the results of elections, and it is often from the members of these meetings that candidates are drawn.

Ideology

Officially governed by a communist party, Freice combines various aspects of left-wing political thought with traditional Freician culture and practices. The official governing ideology is 'The Freician Path to Socialism', which is a broadly evolutionary form of socialism that emphasises the gradual development of a socialist economy. The Common Wealth Party combines various socialist ideologies, but has emphasised the importance of adapting socialism to the conditions of Freice.

The Freician Path to Socialism follows three key beliefs: that Freice is a unique and its cultural way of life needs to be protected; that socialism can only be adopted through a process of development corresponding with the decline of capitalism; and that socialism cannot come at the expense of the environment. Alongside these values, a strong anti-imperialist and broadly anti-western approach is taken, although the latter's application is not always imposed.

Foreign policy

Foreign policy in Freice is directed through the Department for Neighbourhoods, Strategic Relationships and Cultural Services. Freice's foreign policy is largely determined by its membership of the Saltstil Pact. It aligns itself with the decisions made by the organisation and maintains support for the decisions made by it. As an anti-imperialist party, the Kpp has supported increased integration of the Saltstil Pact and the adoption of a more firmly anti-imperialist and broadly socialist ideology.

Outside the Saltstil Pact, Freice maintains a cordial relationship with former colonial master Maricoen. Economic and cultural interactions have continued after independence and, although somewhat disrupted, beyond the socialist coup. 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.

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. 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:

• 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

Before the 2021 coup, there were five local government areas, corresponding with the four regions in addition to Freice City. However, following the coup, these councils were abolished and most of their powers were transferred to the national government.

See also

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Further reading

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External links

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