President of the Government Council (Freice)

President of the Island Meeting of the Country of Freice
Tēdreqē ē'gx́i ḡurā Nā’iuēja ē'gx́i ḡurā Tx́oqāqo ē'gx́i ḡurā P'ūnqyā ē'gx́i Frīs
Emblem of Freice
Flag of Freice
File:Ańiāra Neḡdx́a (Cropped).png Incumbent Ańiāra Neḡdx́a since 20 January 2022
Island Meeting of Freice
Style	Madam President (address, domestic) The Honourable (formal, domestic) Her Excellency (formal; diplomatic)
Status	Head of government Presiding officer
Abbreviation	TNP
Member of	Island Meeting Policy Committee
Reports to	Constituent Island Meeting
Residence	Sāqe Nāru, Frɨs ưɟte̩qąl
Seat	Sūrjā ē'gx́i ḡurā Iētx́āl, Qx́ēkūeqe
Nominator	Members of the Island Meeting
Appointer	Island Meeting
Term length	Three years
Inaugural holder	Ańiāra Neḡdx́a
Formation	20 January 2022 (2022-01-20)
Deputy	Assistant President
Salary	Ƕ19,750 per annum
Website	naiueja.fr

The President of the Island Meeting of the Country of Freice (Freician: Tēdreqē ē'gx́i ḡurā Nā’iuēja ḡurā Pāruqe'ē ē'gx́i ḡurā P'ūnqyā ē'gx́i Frīs), 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.

The office was established in 2021 following the passage of the Government (Transitional Measures) Act. Its origins lie in the office of President of the Assembly of Delegates, which served as both speaker and political leader from 1972 until 2021. In its current iteration, the president directs the general policy of the Island Meeting (which acts as both parliament and government) and leads the executive branch. The president concurrently serves as chair of the Policy Council, the de facto cabinet which exists as a committee of the legislature rather than a separate body. Because of the nature of the office, the executive branch is both fused to and subordinate to the legislative branch.

Ańiāra Neḡdx́a, former president of the Assembly of Delegates and leader of Freice at the time of the 2021 coup d'état, assumed the position of president of the Island Meeting on 19 April 2022 after being unanimously nominated by its members. Her election followed an agreement that would saw charges against sitting members involved in the 2021 coup dropped and offers of an active role in government in return for her election.

History

Prior to the establishment of self-government in 1969, the head of the island's executive branch was the colonial governor, who was appointed by the Riamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The creation of a devolved Freician government saw the governor's position abolished and replaced with that of President of the Assembly of Delegates. The Freician constitution of 1972 vested the President of the Assembly of Delegates with the responsibility of chairing and leading the Senior Council (the cabinet) along with presiding over the legislature.

After several attempts to separate the assembly's speaker from the head of government, the 2021 Freician coup d'état abolished both the presidency of the Assembly of Delegates and the legislative body itself. The Schedules of Government - the constitution that was hastily enacted to replace the since suspended 1972 constitution - replaced the position with that of Leader of the Senior Council, separating the head of government from the legislature's presiding officer. The new office was, in theory, largely ceremonial, with the Senior Council officially the collective head of government. In practice, however, the council's leader held significant authority over its members and was largely the sole head of government.

In 2022, following controversial constitutional amendments that saw the Common Wealth Party split and lose its two-thirds majority, the 1972 system (with some amendments) was re-established. The new office of President of the Island Meeting was established to lead the legislature and the government. Ańiāra Neḡdx́a was elected on 20 January to become the first president.

Powers, duties, and responsibilities

According to the Constitution of Freice, the Prime Minister:

• Exercises "supreme executive authority" in the name of and on behalf of the Island Meeting.
• Formally presents bills to the Island Meeting on behalf of the Policy Committee.
• Formally presents reports on domestic and foreign relations to the Island Meeting.
• Appoints judges with the approval of the Island Meeting.
• Declares a state of emergency and oversees relief in the event of a disaster.
  • Declares public schools and government offices closed during civil or weather emergencies.
• Oversees all government offices.

Executive authority remains vested in the Island Meeting, with the president exercising these powers on its behalf rather than independent of it. The president's authority remains responsible to the Meeting and acts only with its permission.

Acting Prime Minister and succession

In the event that the president is unable to perform their duties, their powers are transferred to a presidential deputy elected by the Island Meeting following the president's election. If the president is absent only temporarily, the deputy is officially referred to as Assistant to the President with Administrative Functions; the permanent absence of the president results in their interim successor being titled Assistant to the President with Interim Authority. The title of "assistant president" is not a true vice presidential position, but is designated to the individual selected to deputise and comes into use only in the president's absence. The office is in abeyance until invoked by the Meeting.

Oath of office

The president is sworn in by the Chief Justice of Freice in the presence of the Meeting. In order to assume the office, the president-elect must recite the following affirmation:

I, A B, do solemnly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Constitution and to the people of the Country of Freice, to the laws and customs of the Freician nation, and to the free, democratic order; that I will preserve inviolably the sovereignty of the Freician people, their civil liberties, and their democratic rights to self-government through their elected delegates in the Island Meeting; and that I will faithfully and truly declare my mind and opinion on all matters that come before me without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

Precedence and privileges

The President is third in the Freician order of precedence, behind the Queen of Riamo and the Administrator of Freice. By virtue of this position, they are entitled to attend public ceremonies and receive certain distinctions (such as commemorative medals).

The President is entitled to draw a total salary of £19,750 per annum, composed of their salary as a Delegate to the Island Meeting (£14,500) and an additional salary (£5,250) as President. This makes the President the highest paid official within the Freician state service. The President may also draw on expenses to cover costs associated with their duties as chief executive.

For the duration of their time in office, the Prime Minister resides at Sāqe Nāru in Qx́ēkūeqe, with their office at the Sūrjā ē'gx́i ḡurā Iētx́āl. As chief executive, Sāqe Nāru is an important location for significant events: it is where press conferences are held and where official receptions for visiting dignitaries are hosted. Furthermore, the President is entitled to the use of the style 'Honourable', which they use for life.

Elections

Candidate		Votes	%
	Ańiāra Neḡdx́a	10	100.00
Total		10	100.00
Valid votes		10	100.00
Invalid/blank votes		0	0.00
Total votes		10	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		11	90.91
Source:

List of presidents

No.	Portrait	Name	Term of office		Legislature
1	File:Official Portrait of Aŋịarǡ Ne̩ḡą.png	Ańiāra Neḡdx́a	20th January 2022	present	First Meeting

See also

• Politics of Freice
• Island Meeting (Freice)

External links

• Official website of the Freician government