Government of Drambenburg

Overview

The Holy Empire of Drambenburg is a Federal Parliamentary Semi-Constitutional Monarchy. Its government is structured with seven distinct branches, ensuring a balance of power and responsibilities among various entities. The head of state is the Obergruppenkaiser, or emperor. The chief executive of Drambenburg is the Oberkanzerlin, or chancellor.

Monarchy

The Emperor of Drambenburg, officially titled the Obergruppenkaiser, is the elected monarch and ceremonial head of state of the nation. The emperor is elected from one of the seven noble Oberfamilien—Wettin, Podzbrad, Von Lerbin, Von Welf, Stauffen, Henneberg, and Julich-Henegbach—upon the death of the previous emperor. This election is conducted by the House of Lords in a process known as the Electoral College, where the Lords convene behind closed doors to hear from the heirs of each royal family and select the new emperor.

The emperor's duties are both ceremonial and functional, encompassing oversight of the Low Judicial branch, having the final say in civil cases, and the power to declare war in conjunction with the Obergeneralfeldmarschall. As the head of state, the emperor represents Drambenburg in foreign affairs, hosting dignitaries and leading state ceremonies. The emperor also oversees agriculture and conservation efforts and commands the Geheime Staatspolizei, the nation's police force responsible for internal security and counter-terrorism. During an interregnum, the Chancellor is granted "supreme executive power" by Parliament to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of governance until a new emperor is elected.

Executive

The Executive Branch of Drambenburg is headed by the Oberkanzlerin (Chancellor), who is elected by the upper and lower houses of the Legislative branch. The Chancellor serves a term of three years and can be re-elected for a maximum of four terms, with a limit of two consecutive terms.

The primary responsibilities of the Chancellor include engaging in foreign diplomacy, overseeing the Stormtrumpen (a specialized force that functions as both police and special operations), and collaborating with private corporations to prevent legislative corruption. The Chancellor is also tasked with signing bills into law once they have passed through the legislative process and been ratified by the House of Lords and deemed constitutional by the Supreme Court.

Upon election, the Chancellor appoints a cabinet to advise on various aspects of governance and selects a Kanzerlin (deputy) who serves as the administrator of the Senate. The executive branch also plays a crucial role in the country's manufacturing sector, working closely with private corporations to ensure economic stability and growth. The Chancellor's office is integral in maintaining diplomatic relations, carrying out covert special operations, and addressing domestic and international challenges. Importantly, the Chancellor holds the authority to dissolve Parliament in cases where governmental deadlock or crises threaten the nation's stability. This power ensures the executive branch's ability to navigate challenges effectively and maintain the functionality of the government in the interest of the nation and its citizens.

Legislature

The Legislative Branch of Drambenburg is a tricameral body consisting of the Senate, the House of Representatives (HR), and the House of Lords. This unique structure ensures a comprehensive and balanced approach to lawmaking, with distinct roles and responsibilities assigned to each chamber.

Senate

The Senate comprises three senators from each state, elected through a direct runoff vote that allows citizens to rank the candidates. Senators serve six-year terms with no term limits, fostering experienced and professional politicians within the federal government. The Senate is overseen by the Kanzerlin, who ensures orderly conduct and oversees final votes on all issues brought to the floor. Senators cast their votes verbally, stating "aye" or "nay."

House of Representatives (HR)

The House of Representatives is composed of members elected through a first-past-the-post vote, with one representative for every 100,000 residents in a state. Representatives serve two-year terms with a limit of three terms, ensuring that ordinary citizens have the opportunity to participate in the federal government without becoming career politicians. The HR is led by the President pro Tempore (PPT), who maintains order during debates, breaks tied votes, and assigns representatives to various House Committees responsible for drafting new bills.

House of Lords

The House of Lords, also referred to as the Parliament, is composed of the nobility of Drambenburg. This includes barons and other noble ranks who inherit their titles by the rule of primogeniture. There are 50 total seats in Parliament, of which seven are permanently held by members of the Oberfamlien. The House of Lords is overseen by the Prime Minister, who is elected from the general population and cannot be a member of the Oberfamilien or a close relative of any member of the nobility.

Duties of the Legislative Branch

The primary function of the Legislative Branch is to create and pass legislation. House Committees draft bills, which are then voted on anonymously in the HR. Bills approved by the HR are sent to the Senate, where they undergo a public vote. To pass either house, a bill must receive at least 55% of the votes. Once approved by both houses, bills are sent to the House of Lords for further ratification. The House of Lords requires a vote of 40% from its members to pass a bill before it is forwarded to the High Judicial branch for constitutional review.

In addition to standard legislation, the Senate has the authority to propose and vote on constitutional amendments, which require a two-thirds majority before being forwarded to the House of Lords. The House of Lords also ratifies constitutional amendments with a total vote of at least 50% from its members. The Legislative Branch plays a crucial role in overseeing the executive branch, ensuring that the laws and policies enacted align with the nation's constitution and the citizens' rights to life, liberty, and property.

Furthermore, the House of Lords sets the budget and handles declarations of war, collaborating with the executive branch and the Khakus to ensure national security and fiscal responsibility. This tricameral legislative process ensures thorough scrutiny and debate, maintaining a balance between the interests of the states, the populace, and the nobility.

Founding Documents

Charter of Rights

We the Nobility of the Holy Empire of Drambenburg do herein ratify the following rights and subsequent limitations on the imperial crown:

First, we grant to God and confirm in this charter to ourselves and our heirs in perpetuity that the Church of Drambenburg be free to have all its liberties and rights. We furthermore grant and give to all the freemen of our realm for ourselves and our heirs in perpetuity the liberties written below to have and to hold to them and their heirs from us and our heirs in perpetuity.

Second, if any lord or landowner die while holding service to his majesty's military, and his heir is of the rightful age, the heir shall be guaranteed his inheritance, and not deprived unjustly by tax or withholding.

2.a: If, however, the landowner dies without an heir of age, his lord is not to take custody of the heir until he has taken homage from the heir. Then, after the heir has been in custody, and comes of age, he is to have his inheritance without relief.

2.b: The keeper of the land of such an heir has only leniency to take from the land such as is needed for upkeep. If a keeper is found lay waste to the inheritance, the land will be removed from him and placed in custody of two others who are known to be law-worthy and will respond to us.

2.c: Heirs are to be married without disparagement.

3. A widow, after the death of her husband, is immediately and without difficulty to have her inheritance. Neither is she required to pay taxes on her dower, inheritance, or marriage portion.

4. Neither we, nor our bailiffs, will seize any land or rent for any debt; unless the debtor refuses to pay.

5. The port cities and free-holds are to have all their ancient liberties and customs preserved.

6. No-one can be restrained to do more service for a knight's fee than that which is required therein.

7. Freemen pleas are not to follow our courts but to meet at an appointed time and place.

8. Court is to be held in counties regularly by ourselves, unless we are unable, whether by disability or location, from holding court, in which case they shall be held by our justiciars.

9. Court of church appointment is always to be held before the Bench of justiciars in which the parish sits.

10. A freeman is not to be sentenced for a small offence save in accordance with the manner of the offence, and for a major offence according to its magnitude, saving his sufficiency, and a merchant likewise, saving his merchandise, and any peasantry other than one of our own is to be sentenced, saving his necessity should he fall into our mercy. Barons are not to be sentenced except by their peers, and only in accordance with the manner of their offence.

The Ten Grievances

In 1711, widespread civil unrest erupted in Drambenburg due to perceived overreach by the lords and magnates, leading to the formulation of the Ten Grievances, which highlighted the grievances of the populace against the ruling class:

1. Excessive Taxation: The lords and magnates imposed heavy taxes on the common people without their consent, burdening them unjustly and leading to economic hardship.
2. Land Enclosures: The lords and magnates enclosed vast tracts of land for their personal use, depriving commoners of their traditional rights to use these lands for grazing and agriculture.
3. Monopolistic Trade Practices: Certain lords and magnates monopolized trade routes and markets, stifling competition and driving up prices of essential goods, to the detriment of the common people.
4. Corruption in Legal System: The judicial system was corrupted by the influence of the lords and magnates, leading to unfair trials and unequal treatment before the law.
5. Absence of Representation: The common people had no representation in the decision-making bodies dominated by the lords and magnates, leading to policies that favored the elite at the expense of the majority.
6. Forced Labor and Servitude: Commoners were subjected to forced labor and servitude on the estates of lords and magnates without proper compensation or legal recourse.
7. Restrictions on Freedom of Movement: Laws enacted by the lords and magnates restricted the freedom of movement of commoners, limiting their ability to seek employment or better living conditions elsewhere.
8. Abuse of Feudal Privileges: Feudal privileges granted to the lords and magnates allowed them to exercise arbitrary power over the lives and livelihoods of commoners, abusing their authority for personal gain.
9. Religious Intolerance: Certain lords and magnates imposed religious restrictions and persecutions on commoners, infringing upon their right to freedom of worship and conscience.
10. Military Tyranny: The lords and magnates maintained private armies that exerted military tyranny over the common people, suppressing dissent and enforcing unjust laws through intimidation and force.

These grievances fueled social unrest and agitation among the common people of Drambenburg, ultimately contributing to the demand for constitutional reforms and the establishment of a more equitable and representative government with the adoption of the Constitution of 1720. The Ten Grievances of 1711 serve as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by the populace against the oppressive practices of the ruling elite during this turbulent period in Drambenburg's history.

Drambenburgian Constitution

Preamble: We the Freemen of the Holy Empire of Drambenburg, under the watchful eye of God, and in accordance with the ancient rights of the Free-Holds and Landowners, in order to establish, in perpetuity, free from the tyrany of lords and magnates, promote peace, establish security, and guarantee justice, establish this constitution.

Article I: The Monarchy

Section 1: The Monarch

The executive authority of Drambenburg shall reside in a Monarch, known as the Obergruppenkaiser, who shall serve as the ceremonial head of state.

The Obergruppenkaiser shall be elected by the House of Lords from among the seven Oberfamilien upon the death of the incumbent monarch.

The Obergruppenkaiser shall uphold the constitution, represent the nation internationally, and oversee the Low Judicial Branch.

Section 2: Duties vested in the monarch

The Obergruppenkaiser shall ratify treaties and issue official decrees and proclamations.

The Obergruppenkaiser shall serve as the supreme commander of the armed forces and appoint ambassadors to foreign nations.

Article II: The Chief Executive

Section 1: The Chancellor

The executive authority shall be vested in the Chancellor, known as the Oberkanzlerin, who shall be elected by both houses of the Legislative Branch.

The Oberkanzlerin shall serve a term of three years, with a maximum of four terms, and shall oversee the administration of government agencies.

Section 2: Powers of the Chancellor

The Oberkanzlerin may dissolve Parliament in cases of governmental deadlock, subject to approval by a majority vote in the House of Lords.

The Oberkanzlerin shall sign bills into law after passage by the Legislative Branch and ratification by the House of Lords.

Article III: The Legislator

Section 1: Composition

The Legislative Branch shall consist of a Senate, a House of Representatives, and the House of Lords.

The Senate shall have three senators elected from each state serving six-year terms without term limits.

Congress shall be composed of representatives proportional to state populations and serving limited terms.

The Parliament shall comprise nobility from various ranks, overseeing legislation and national policy.

Section 2: Powers of the Legislative Branch