Politics of Mava

The politics of Mava (officially the Republic of Mava; Mavean: Maava Yakiinaigaalu) takes place within the framework of a confederal constitutional republic, in which sovereign political entitites are united by common political institutions capable of making and enforcing law. The Constitution of the Republic of Mava, which establishes the general structure of the confederal system, political power between a central legislature, executive, and judiciary, and enshrines their role in relation to the sovereign jurisdictions.

The four jurisdictions of the Republic of Mava are the principal political units and which voluntarily pool sovereignty to central political institutions. These jurisdictions (North Mava, South Mava, Tokuksiagak, and Taak) agree to grant these institutions the right to make laws in certain areas, and which are supreme over their own laws. These laws are limited to those required for the "equal application of relevant law and the equal application of the rights, privileges, and duties pertaining to them." The jurisdictions maintain their own legislatures elected according to their own rules and practices, their own governments and judicial systems, and may pursue their own external representation in areas not exclusive to central authority.

The common institutions (officially "Organs of the Confederation") consist of the Assembly of the Islands, the Government Council, the Presidency, and the confederal courts (the Court of Justice and the Court of Arbitration). The Assembly forms the legislative arm, consisting of 61 delegates elected to make laws that apply across the confederation. The Government Council, elected by and from amongst the Assembly, possesses executive power and some legislative functions alongside the Assembly. The Presidency is the collective head of state, primarily responsible for ceremonial and representational functions.

Mavean politics is heavily influenced by geography. The four jurisdictions are largely formed out of the natural divisions in the land, which hase created separate but interlinked political cultures. Because of these divergent practices and the need for near-unanimity in most areas of policyaking, Mavean politics has been characterised as consociational, with political cooperation across different social groups on the basis of broad consensus. Political parties are comparatively weak on a confederal level, although are stronger at a jurisdictional level.

Executive branch

Office	Name	Party	Since
President	Nua Kiuiaakii	Independent	11 January 2023
Prime Minister	Kausaanek Malaati	Anuvik	22 March 2023

The Presidency of Mava is the collective head of state, composed of the four civic heads (Puuaqats) of the constituent jurisdictions. The main role of the presidency is ceremonial and symbolic, serving as a unifying presence and symbolising the equality of all jurisdictions. As a political institution, the presidency exercises certain constitutional responsibilities, including appointing and dismissing ministers, dissolving the Assebly, and the promulgation of laws. The President of the Presidency is the presiding officer and first-amongst-equals and is always the Puuaqat of North Mava, the largest and most populous of the jurisdictions.

The Chairman of the Government Council is the head of government. They are nominated by the Assembly and are appointed by the Presidency. The chairmanship is comparatively weak compared to other prime ministers; they do not nominate ministers and cannot dismiss them on their own initiative. The Government Council, consisting of eight ministers (two from each jurisdiction) is responsible for carrying out policies and decisions in the fields of diplomacy, economy, inter-jurisdictional relations, and other matters as agreed to by the jurisdictions. The current Chairman, since 22 March 2023, is Kausaanek Malaati.

Current government

Following the resignation of Paqtuq Maagamarak, the Presidency appointed Kausaanek Malaati as Mava's 15th head of government. A new Government Council under his leadership was created.

Office	Minister	Party	Serving since
Senior officers of state
Chairman	Kausaanek Malaati	Anuvik	22 March 2023
Vice Chairman	Anaayak Nelagak	Anuvik	22 March 2023
Ministers
Minister of Finance and the Economy	Anaayak Nelagak	Anuvik	22 March 2023
Minister of Foreign Affairs	Vaak Tagaaniok	Anuvik	22 March 2023
Minister of Public Security	Nilitayoq Saujuak	Anuvik	22 March 2023
Minister of Health	Kaanik Kuviigat	Anuvik	22 May 2023
Minister of Education	Saumagut Naanuluk	Anuvik	22 March 2023
Minister of Transport	Taarakpii Nanaatik	Anuvik	22 March 2023
Minister of Justice	Asiyulak Tiyik	Anuvik	22 May 2023
Also attending cabinet
Attorney General Public Prosecutor	Mavatak Saamik	None	9 June 2022

Legislative branch

Legislative power is vested in the Parliament of the Republic of Mava. The constitution also vests limited legislative powers in the government, although this is largely limited to areas granted to it by laws passed by parliament rather than being independent of the legislative oversight. Parliament is where all laws are to be proposed and debated, and its approval is necessary for laws to be presented to the president for promulgation. The government is appointed from amongst the members of the legislative branch, and it is the duty of parliament to hold the government to account. Parliament is responsible for approving the formation of a government and may also remove a government through a constructive motion of no confidence.

Voters elect 45 members in single-member constituencies by universal sufferage according to the first-past-the-post electoral system. Elections are held every two years, although the president may dissolve parliament earlier and call for new elections. Parliament is unicameral. Until 1994, it was organised as a de facto bicameral body, with a "Grand Committee of the Parliament" responsible for a final review of all laws passed by the wider parliament and for presenting it to the president. The Grand Committee was appointed by the president along technocratic lines, with members selected for their knowledge and experience. Reforms in 1994 abolished the Grand Committee and ensured the equality of all members.

Political parties in legislative elections

Party		Votes	%	+/–	Seats	+/–
	Anuvik	14,291	40.84	-1.21	39	0
	Kiikalakki	11,102	31.73	+4.33	15	+1
	Yaavki	3,755	10.73	-1.71	5	+1
	Maava Naigaalu	1,921	5.49	-1.24	0	-1
	Independents	3,920	11.20	-0.17	2	-2
Total		34,989	100.00	–	61	0
Valid votes		31,989	98.49
Invalid/blank votes		491	1.51
Total votes		32,480	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		51,072	63.60
Source: Mavean Elections Office

Judicial branch

Office	Name	Party	Since
President of the Supreme Court	Puunanak Qaat	None	18 May 2018
President of the Court of Appeal	Kualaatit Puagaatok	None	21 October 2017

The Mavean legal system operates as a common law system. The judiciary is independent, with the constitution forbidding political interference or the active participation of law officers in lawmaking (apart from in determining the legality of a law). Judicial power is spread across a hierarchical system of courts, with different levels dealing with different areas of law, different degrees of crime, and increasing seriousness of offences. The hierarchy culminates in the Supreme Court: the "Kaaiakateikivuuni", whose judges are appointed directly by the President on the advice of the Mavean Law Society.

The Court of Appeal is a second instance court responsible for hearing appeals from lower-tier courts, and which exercises a supervisory role over all other lower courts. The court hear cases in its own right, but rather deals with appeals from lower courts. In the majority of cases, the Court of Appeal is the de facto final court of appeal, with the majority of further appeals to the Supreme Court not heard. The Supreme Court judges the constitutionality of laws passed by parliament and is responsible for interpreting the constitution and ordinary laws and regulations. When ruling on matters relating to the constitution, the court sits as the Constitutional Panel of the Supreme Court, with its decisions binding on parliament. Since the passage of the current constitution, the decisions of the Constitutional Panel cannot be overturned by parliament.

The Department of Justice, headed by the Minister of Justice, is responsible for the political administration of the legal system and judiciary. The minister appoints members to the Mavean Law Society on the recommendation of its existing members.

Administrative divisions

Mava is principally divided into two regional provinces: the islands of Mava and Tokuksiagak, the two most populated of the three main Mavean islands. Each island has its own elected Parliament (officially "Regional Provincial Parliament") responsible for matters relating to the island's governance. These duties involve transport planning, housing, waste disposal, social services, and environmental health. The island of Taak, because of its small population, is included in Tokuksiagak Regional Province. The creation of the regional provinces arose as part of constitutional reforms in the 1990s in response to concerns over the centralisation of power on Mava island.

Mava is further divided into 9 districts, 6 of which are located on the island of Mava, 2 on Tokuksiagak and the final district on Taak. 6 districts have their own elected councils responsible for certain district matters. Three districts do not have local councils due to their small population: Kungaatiibisa, Saayup, and Taak. Those districts without their own councils are directly governed by the regional parliament.

Political and civic pressure groups

1. Mavean General Workers' Union
2. General Assembly of Mavean Employers
3. Assembly of Churches of God
4. Union of Fishermen

International organization participation

UN

See also

• Politics of Mava
• Culture of Mava

External links

• Mava. The Global Factbook. United Nations