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Politics of Freice

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Freice
Coat of arms of Freice.png
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Freice

As of January 2022, the politics of Freice takes place within the framework of a unitary provisional government and constitutional monarchy. Previously, following the approval of a new constitution, the Senior Council was the collective head of government in a dominant-party system. Legislative power was vested in the government and the Nuejel, the unicameral legislature. The judiciary was officially independent of both branches.[1] However, the Common Wealth Party's governance was widely seen to be authoritarian, with control over media and widespread gerrymandering meaning that opposition groups were prevented from having greater influence.[2]

In December 2021, following a successful motion of no confidence in the government of Tēse Gajāl, Ediā Kiārdx́ā assumed power as head of government and initiated the process of constitutional reform.[3] Legislation to create a new constituent assembly and provisional government were passed by the Nuejel the same month, with elections to be held in January 2022.[4]

Offices

Office Name Party Since
Sovereign of Freice Diana II TBD
Chief Executive Ańiāra Neḡdx́a Independent 2022-present
President of the Island Meeting Tāqaḿē Nātnodx́ē Independent 2022-present

The Sovereign of Freice is Diana II, Queen of Riamo.

The Prime Minister (Biāqa Radx́iā), officially called the Prime Minister of the Constituent Island Meeting Government is appointed by the President of the Constituent Island Meeting following their election by the Meeting.[5] The Government (officially the Constituent Island Meeting Government) operates on the basis of collegiality, with ministers collaborating with one another in the running of their departments rather than there being strict allocations of responsibility.[6] Ministers, like the Prime Minister, are elected by the Constituent Island Meeting and may only be removed by the Meeting; the Prime Minister has only the power to allocate responsibilities.[7]

The President of the Constituent Island Meeting is the presiding officer of the Constituent Island Meeting, responsible for overseeing its sessions, deciding who speaks, and maintaining order.

Constitution

The 1972 Constitution serves as the interim constitution, replacing the Schedules of Government that was adopted in September 2021 as a replacement itself. The constitution, which has been since amended to provide for a new provisional government, sets out the basic principles of Freician political life, defines individual and collective rights and freedoms, and outlines national symbols and cultural practices.

Another important constitutional document is the External Association Act, which governs the relationship between Freice and Riamo. Freice is nominally under Riamese sovereignty, being an associated republic and federal subject.[8] The agreement was signed in 1969 and is the foundation of contemporary relations between the two countries.

Legislative branch

Legislative power is vested in the unicameral Constituent Island Meeting, which is composed of 11 members (or 'delegates') elected popular vote. The Constituent Island Meeting is headed by a President, who manages the business of the legislature and oversees its sessions.[9]

Delegates are elected from thirteen single-member constituencies. Under the first-past-the-post system, voters can choose one candidate, with a plurality required. If a delegate is removed, dies, or resigns, a by-election is held. Delegates can be recalled at any time if ten percent of their constituency electorate signs a recall petition calling for a recall.[10] If more than four or more delegates are recalled, then a fresh general election is held automatically.[11]

The Meeting is where discussion of all proposed legislation is held. Both delegates to the Meeting and the ministers of the government can propose legislation, although it is only through a vote in the Meeting that any piece of legislation is adopted.[12] In most cases, a simple majority (50%+1) is required, although any vote on decisions relating to the drafting of the new constitution requires a two-thirds majority (66.6%+1) to pass.[11] 7 members (excluding the President) are required in order for a quorum to be reached and for business to be conducted. The Meeting can also review the actions of KNAT, including interrogating ministers and calling for a formal statement from the government on its actions.

As a constituent assembly, the Meeting is also responsible for drafting a new constitution for Freice. Under the legislation granting it this responsibility, the Meeting has 9 months to draft and implement a new constitution, which may be extended to 12 months if necessary.

The Nuejel approves all nominations for courts put forward by KNAT.[11]

Composition

The current membership of the General Kiuva, following the 2023 Freician general election, is as follows (after the merger between KTM and the MURO Alliance and the renaming of the Faio'i Senoka Party to Faio Ekaitaki’e ka Orpasa’e):[13]

Constituency Name Party Serving since
Dukorane Barqia Iege   Faio'se Ekaitaki'e ka Orpasa'e 2022-present
Kamoa Ielika   Faio'se Ekaitaki'e ka Orpasa'e 2022-present
Koimuke Taraqa Ieqol   Faio'se Ekaitaki'e ka Orpasa'e 2022-present
Oisa Tona   Faio'se Ekaitaki'e ka Orpasa'e 2022-present
Marana Pratsa Tanoma Malikina   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Seime Etu   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present
Tamalu Valapaima   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Mopeta Pratsa Kiso Toma   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Fuoa Kaleki   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present
Peka Kana Tenqel   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Mulone Uota   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present
Ritora Iisa Kiama Nalosa   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Eietu Mekapate   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present
Roheo Radei Oratite Seuia Siotefe   Faio'se Ekaitaki'e ka Orpasa'e 2023-present
Sekapa Avama Siotefe   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Taina Makama   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Aniara Neileka   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Ara Naganori   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Sekapa Seiva Manuatamu Miane   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2023-present
Kuisa Saima   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present
Neota Kaioni   Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa 2022-present

Executive

File:Official Portrait of Aŋịarǡ Ne̩ḡą.png
Ańiāra Neḡdx́a, current Chief Executive since 2022. She previously served as President of the Assembly of Delegates from June to July 2021.

The Constituent Island Meeting Government (Freician: Kūmidx́ēnā ē'gx́i ḡurā Nā’iuēja Anqīajāa ē'gx́i Tx́oqāqo; KNAT) is the executive branch, consisting of ministers who work for the implementation of the political, economic, social, cultural, and other such activities of the state.[14] It directs the activities of the state, oversees the management of the country's finances, and ensures the effectiveness of the administrative structure and bureaucracy. KNAT is appointed by the Constituent Island Meeting.

The head of KNAT is the prime minister (officially Prime Minister of the Constituent Island Meeting Government). The Prime Minister is elected by the Constituent Island Meeting and exerces executive functions alongside and on behalf of the wider cabinet. Ministers within KNAT make key decisions collectively, responsible as one for the consequences of these decisions.

Constituent Island Meeting Government

As of January 2022, the makeup of KNAT is as follows:[15]

Portfolio Minister
Chief Executive Hon. Ańiāra Neḡdx́a
Director of Finance Hon. Ediā Kiārdx́ā
Director of Health Hon. Bo'ōńi Iāzōqeē
Director of Communities Hon. Siēgi Poḡikńa
Director of Lands Hon. TBD

Judiciary

The Freician judiciary consists of the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Summary Court, and the Village Court. The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislative branches, maintaining links with the government and legislature through the Law Services Committee.[16]

The courts' system is regulated by the Constitution of Freice. The Court of Appeal has unlimited jurisdiction in all civil and criminal proceedings, consisting of the Chief Justice and three other justices.[17] The Chief Justice is usually a Riamese barrister or solicitor, appointed by the Administrator to serve a renewable three-year term. The Chief Justice does not permanently reside in Freice, traveling to the island to hear cases when necessary. Sometimes, when there is unanimity amongst the other justices, the Chief Justice is not consulted.[17]

The High Court is the main court for most serious criminal and serious matters, with the Court of Appeal usually hearing appeals rather than acting as a court of first instance.[18] Defendants may choose to be tried by either a jury or solely by a bench of three judges. Crimes such as murder and manslaughter, rape, treason, and arson must be tried before the High Court.[19]

Summary Courts are intermediate courts that deal with serious cases not requiring the attention of the High Court or Court of Appeal. These cases usually involve cases such as robbery, sexual assault, and certain driving offences. Cases are heard by a bench of Lawgivers, who are appointed by the Administrator on the advice of the Island Meeting.[20] Judgments made in Summary Courts may be appealed to the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Village Courts are similar, hearing only low-level offences such as petty theft, criminal damage, and breach of the peace. [21]

Law enforcement is undertaken by Freice Police Service, which primarily consists of officers that constitute the national police force.[22] The Freice Police Service is responsible to the Policy Council and to the Island Meeting.[23] The Commissioner is the agency executive, appointed by the Administrator on the advice of the Island Meeting.[24]

The continued problem of community justice outside of the court system has plagued the Freician legal system, and has been addressed with only limited success by successive governments.[25][26] Such high incidents of justice being administered outside of the court system have raised questions about the transparency of law enforcement and the equal application of human rights and other significant protections to all citizens.[27]

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.[28] Suffrage is also granted to all persons who have resided on the island for at least three years.[29][30]

Elections are held every year to the Meeting. Voters choose one candidate in their constituency; the candidate with the most votes is elected to represent the constituency.

In local council elections, voting is conducted in public by a show of hands.

Foreign policy

Foreign policy in Freice is directed through the Ministry of International Affairs.[31] Freice's foreign policy is largely determined by its membership of the Saltstil Pact as well as its status as an associated state of Riamo. It aligns itself with and maintains support for the decisions made by the Saltstil Pact, even more so those decisions made by Riamo.

Riamo represents Freice in states where Freice does not have official diplomatic representation itself, with Riamese foreign policy an unofficial cornerstone of Freice's foreign policy decision-making. However, Freice maintains economic and cultural offices that act as de facto embassies.

Administrative divisions

File:Administrative divisions of Freice.png
Administrative divisions of Freice.

Freice is divided into four land areas, which have local government, electoral and statistical functions: Qx́ēkūeqe, Kēkńā, Gx́ērī, and Uqe'eḡriā.[32] Each land area nominates a mayor, who is appointed by the national government to oversee local administration. Mayors may attend meetings of the Island Meeting, although they are not members nor do they have any speaking or voting rights.[33]

Land areas have a number of local government functions, overseeing the management of roads, local policing, environmental protection, and waste removal. Land areas are governed through a form of direct democracy, in which local Land Area Meetings approve laws which are then put to the people for final assent.[32]

Land areas are further divided into 17 parishes, which are largely ceremonial and used for some statistical purposes.[34]

Following the 2021 coup, land areas were abolished and their powers divided between the national government and new tēkbo community governments.[35] This arrangement was confirmed in the Schedules of Government, although the land areas themselves were never formally abolished. Tēkbo were abolished following the removal of the Common Wealth government in December 2021.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Schedules of Government of the Country of Freice. Island Government of Freice. Archived 9 December 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  2. ↑ Enduring problems for Freician democracy. Guri Telegraph. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  3. ↑ "Gajāl Out, Kiārdx́ā In". Taɱą ǡduƞe̩ frɨs. Retrieved 28 November 2021
  4. ↑ Freice: January elections to draft constitution. Riamese Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  5. ↑ "About the Freician Government > Members > Prime Minister".. Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  6. ↑ "About the Freician Government > Members".. Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  7. ↑ "Constitution of the Country of Freice".. Island Meeting of Freice. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  8. ↑ "External Association". Island Government of Freice. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  9. ↑ Officers of the Meeting. Island Meeting of Freice. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  10. ↑ "Recall Act". Island Government of Freice. 2019. Archived November 9, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 ."Constitution of the Country of Freice" Island Government of Freice. 1972. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  12. ↑ Legislative procedure. Constituent Island Meeting of Freice. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  13. ↑ "Members". General Kiuva. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  14. ↑ "About" Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  15. ↑ Current members Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  16. ↑ Ralingsborough, Andrew P. (1999) Freician Law. Guri: University of Guri Press. p. 141. ISBN 192-4-12012-451-7.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Services > Judiciary > Court of Appeal". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  18. ↑ "Services > Judiciary > High Court". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  19. ↑ Ralingsborough, p. 88
  20. ↑ "Services > Judiciary > Summary Court". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  21. ↑ "Services > Judiciary > Village Court". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  22. ↑ New police services inaugurated. Tāma Āduńe ē’gx́i Frīs. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  23. ↑ "About". Freice Police Services. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  24. ↑ "About > Governance". Freice Police Services. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  25. ↑ Ferrant, Victor R. The Forgotten Island, p.304.
  26. ↑ Ralingsborough., p. 55.
  27. ↑ Report on the Administration of Justice in Freice (PDF). Government of Riamo. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  28. ↑ Schedules of Government of the Country of Freice. Original available here.
  29. ↑ "Voting Rights Act". Island Government of Freice, 1999. Archived 18 May 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  30. ↑ Freice profile Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Riamese Federation. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  31. ↑ "External Relations". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Land Areas > About". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  33. ↑ "Land Areas > Mayors". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  34. ↑ "Land Areas > Parishes". Island Government of Freice. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  35. ↑ Local Government Amendment (Culture) Act (PDF). Island Government of Freice. Retrieved September 15, 2021.

External links

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