Popular assembly
Popular Assembly Senblèa Popolà | |
|---|---|
| File:MontecaraCoA.png | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | approx. 900,000 (Citizens aged 21 and older) |
Political groups | Non-partisan |
| Elections | |
| Non-elective | |
| Website | |
| senblea.go.mc | |
The Popular Assembly (Montecaran: Senblèa Popolà) is the lower house of the legislature of Montecara. Unlike almost all other extant nations, Montecara is governed mainly as a direct democracy and has no formal political parties. Instead, every citizen aged 20 and older is a member of the legislature, which is responsible for passing all laws, ratifying all treaties, and appointing all government officials. This arrangement results in Montecara, one of the smallest states in the world by population, having by far the largest legislature, with approximately 900,000 members.
Constitutionally, the Assembly is called into being by the Gonfalonièr. There are normally two Assemblies per year, one each during the last full workweeks of March and September. Extraordinary sessions may be called on the request of the Colegio and Senate with the agreement of the Gonfalonièr. The sessions are a five-day open period for voters to receive and return their ballots.
The name "Popular Assembly" originates in the practice of citizens assembling in person to propose and pass laws, a long-standing tradition in Montecara.