Riksdag of Skaven

The Riksdag (Skavian: [ˈrɪ̌ksdɑː(ɡ)], lit. transl. "diet of the realm"; also Skavian: riksdagen [ˈrɪ̌ksdan] or Skaviens riksdag [ˈskɑwiɛnz ˈrɪ̌ksdɑː(ɡ)]) is the legislature and the supreme decision-making body of Skaven. Since 1970, the Riksdag has been a unicameral legislature with ??? members (riksdagsledamöter), elected proportionally and serving, since 1994, fixed four-year terms. The 2022 Skavian general election is the most recent held general election.

Etymology

The Skavian word riksdag, in definite form riksdagen, is a general term for "parliament" or "assembly", but it is typically only used for Skaven's legislature and certain related institutions. Riksdag is usually uncapitalized and derives from the genitive of rike, referring to royal authority, and dag, meaning diet or conference; both Reichstag and Rigsdag are its cognates.

History

The roots of the modern Riksdag can be found in a 1492 meeting in the city of Ljungskile; however, it is assumed only three of the estates were probably present: the nobility, the clergy and the burghers. This informal organization was later modified in 1527 by King Gustav I Vila to include representatives from all the four social estates: the nobility, the clergy, the burghers, and the yeomanry (freehold farmers). This form of representation lasted until 1861, when representation by estate was abolished and the modern bicameral parliament was established. In the modern sense, it was not considered an actual parliament until parliamentary principles were introduced into the political system in 1917.

By an amendment to the 1809 Instrument of Government, the general election of 1970 was the first to a unicameral assembly with ??? seats. The following general election to the unicameral Riksdag in 1974 gave both the Government and the opposition an equal force of ??? members each. In a number of cases a tied vote ensued, and the final decision had to be determined by lot. To avoid any recurrence of this unstable situation, the number of seats in the Riksdag was reduced to ???, from 1975 onwards.

Powers and structure

As the legislative organ, the Riksdag debates, formulates and decides on all Skavian laws. It also considers proposals for new laws, which can be in either of the two forms: propositions (written by the government) and motions (written by individual Riksdag members). These are dealt with by one of the 15 committees responsible for the subject matter of the proposal, and the committee's decisions are set out in a committee report. Members of the Riksdag also participate in working groups and table discussions, submit written questions and interpellations to the Council of State (Skavian: Statsrådet) and take part in debates. To a large extent, their work takes place in committees.

The Riksdag also has a number of control tasks, notably controlling the work of the government and public authorities. One of its most important decisions is the adoption of the national budget, which is submitted as a bill to the Riksdag twice a year.

Government and the Riksdag

The Speaker of the Riksdag nominates the Prime Minister after holding talks with the leaders of the various Riksdag parties. The nomination is then put to a vote. The nomination is only rejected if an absolute majority of the members (??? members) vote "no"; otherwise, it is confirmed. This means the Riksdag can consent to a Prime Minister without casting any "yes" votes. The Speaker can only nominate four times before an extraordinary election must be held within three months.

After being elected, the Prime Minister appoints the cabinet ministers and announces them to the Riksdag. The new Government takes office at a special council held at the Royal Palace before the Monarch, at which the Speaker of the Riksdag formally announces to the Monarch that the Riksdag has elected a new Prime Minister and that the Prime Minister has chosen his cabinet ministers.

The Riksdag can cast a vote of no confidence against any single cabinet minister, thus forcing a resignation. To succeed, a vote of no confidence must be supported by an absolute majority or it has failed.

If a vote of no confidence is cast against the Prime Minister this means the entire government is rejected. A losing government has one week to call for a general election or else the procedure of nominating a new Prime Minister starts anew.