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  | native_name  = ''Maskillischer Reichssenat''
  | native_name  = ''Maskillischer Reichssenat''
  | logo_pic          = Mascyllary Reichssenat logo.png
  | logo_pic          = Mascyllary Reichssenat logo.png
  | logo_res          = 150px
  | logo_res          = 250px
  | legislature  =
  | legislature  = 233rd year of business
  | house_type    =  
  | house_type    = ''De facto'' {{wp|parliamentary system|upper house}} of the {{wp|legislature}} of [[Mascylla]]
  | houses        =  
  | houses        =  
  | leader1_type  = [[Reichssenat|President]]
  | leader1_type = [[Monarchy of Mascylla|Monarch]]
  | leader1       = [[Egon Weidmann]], [[Social Democratic Party of Mascylla|SDP]]<br>since 2 March 2019
| leader1      = [[Dorothea I of Mascylla|Dorothy I]]<br>since 25 November 2005
  | leader2_type = Vice President
| leader2_type = [[Reichssenat|President]]
  | leader2       = Dietmar Kranz, [[RU/ABP|ABP]]<br>since 17 November 2018
  | leader2       = [[Egon Weidmann|The Viscount Weidmann of Wietzen]], formerly [[Social Democratic Party of Mascylla|SDP]]<br>since 2 March 2019
  | leader3_type = Deputy President
  | leader3       = Lara Gohnich, formerly [[RU/ABP|RU]]<br>since 11 January 2022
  | party2        =  
  | party2        =  
  | election2    =  
  | election2    =  
  | members      = 163
  | members      = 163
  | house1        =  
  | house1        =  
  | structure1 = MaskReichssenat.png
  | structure1 = Composition of the Mascyllary Reichssenat, 2022.png
  | structure1_res = 230px
  | structure1_res = 250px
  | house2        =  
  | house2        =  
  | structure2 =  
  | structure2 =  
  | structure2_res =  
  | structure2_res =  
  | political_groups1 =  
  | political_groups1 =
'''{{colorbox|#1AC400}} [[First Falkner cabinet|Government]] (29)'''<br>
'''Chairing officers (2)'''<br>
* Elpsland (6)
* {{colorbox|#000000}} President and Deputy President (2)
* Gothern (6)
'''[[First Falkner cabinet|Royal Government]] (34)'''<br>
* Langquaid (8)
* {{colorbox|#1B4F72}} [[RU/ABP|Centre Party]] (20)
* Therunder-Welsbach (9)
** {{colorbox|#1B4F72}} [[Rehunion]] (15)
'''{{colorbox|#C2C2C2}} Neutral (129)'''<br>
** {{colorbox|#38ACFF}} [[RU/ABP|Adwinian Citizens’ Party]] (5)
* Adwhin (10)
* {{colorbox|#E60012}} [[Social Democratic Party of Mascylla|Social Democratic Party]] (14)
* Aldia (9)
'''Royal Opposition (43)'''
* Eystrun (10)
* {{colorbox|#FFD800}} [[Liberal Party (Mascylla)|Liberal Party]] (16)
* Falia (7)
* {{colorbox|#267F00}} [[National Democratic Union (Mascylla)|National Democratic Union]] (11)
* Flussmund (8)
* {{colorbox|#FB8A00}} [[People's Party (Mascylla)|People's Party]] (6)
* Fohlnern (10)
* {{colorbox|#12C038}} [[The Greens (Mascylla)|The Greens]] (5)
* Halstein (5)
* {{colorbox|#D46A4C}} [[Free Voters (Mascylla)|Free Voters]] (3)
* Hohnern (9)
* {{colorbox|#7661A5}} [[Social Reform Party (Mascylla)|Social Reform Party]] (2)
* Ihlarn (7)
'''Neutral (82)'''<br>
* Jusland (5)
* {{colorbox|#DDDDDD}} {{wp|Independent politician|Non-inscrits}} (61)
* Kreshen (8)
* {{colorbox|#B2B2B2}} Non-affiliated (21)
* Kronlande (8)
* Laurenz (5)
* Nelgern (10)
* Sigismund (5)
* Tudonia (6)
'''{{colorbox|#F20000}} Opposition (5)'''<br>
* Shwesia (5)
  | political_groups2 =  
  | political_groups2 =  
  | last_election2= 1 October 2016
  | last_election2=  
  | next_election2= February 2021
  | next_election2=  
  | voting_system1 = {{wp|Mixed-member proportional representation}} (MMP)
  | voting_system1 =  
  | voting_system2 =  
  | voting_system2 =  
  | session_room = Riksdagshuset_Stockholm_2011.jpg
  | session_room = Cámara_Alta_de_Prusia,_Berlín,_Alemania,_2016-04-22,_DD_49-51_HDR.jpg
  | session_res = 230px
  | session_res = 250px
  | meeting_place = Former Elbgau Council building, [[Königsreh]], [[Mascylla]]
  | meeting_place = ''Reichssenat'' Building, [[Königsreh|Lorenz-Prinzwald]], [[Königsreh]], [[Mascylla]]
  | website      =  
  | website      = www.maskillischer-reichssenat.ma
}}
}}
{{Template:PoliticsofMascylla}}
The '''''Reichssenat''''' (<small>{{wp|German language|Hesurian}} pronunciation</small>: {{wp|Help:IPA/Standard German|[ʁaɪ̯çse:na:t]}}, lit. ‘Senate of the Realm’) is the ''{{wp|de facto}}'' federal {{wp|parliament}} of the subnational divisions and {{wp|parliamentary system|upper house}} of the {{wp|legislature}} of [[Mascylla]]. The ''Reichssenat'' is a legislative body that represents the 21 [[Mascylla#Politics|''Reichsländer'' and ''Freie Städte'']], consisting of 163 members known as Representatives of the ''Reichssenat'' (''Repräsentanten des Reichssenats''; RdR) or ''{{wp|peerage|Paire}}''.


The '''Reichssenat''' (<small>Hesurian pronunciation</small>: {{wp|Help:IPA/Standard German|[ˈʁaɪçsse:na:t]}}, ‘Imperial Senate’) is the federal {{wp|parliament}} of the subnational divisions and {{wp|parliamentary system|upper house}} of the {{wp|legislature}} of [[Mascylla]]. The Reichsrat is a legislative body that represents the 21 [[Mascylla#Politics|''Reichsländer'' and ''Freie Städte'']], consisting of 163 members known as Representatives of the Reichssenat (''Repräsentanten des Reichssenats''), which are decided through a chosen delegation of the represented state, and or a {{wp|democracy|general election}} every six years. The composition of the delegation varies from the state's population, political makeup and ruling majority (or coalition) of each state legislature.
Membership of the chamber is by appointment of the state government; a majority of the sitting members are {{wp|life peer|appointed}}, {{wp|hereditary peer|hereditary}}, and official noble {{wp|peerage|peers}} by virtue of their position, such as representatives of universities and cities, although the chamber also has {{wp|commoner|common}} members. The peers may include adult {{wp|prince|princes}} of the royal [[House of Ahnern]], members with hereditary right such as {{wp|duke|dukes}}, {{wp|marquess|marquesses}}, {{wp|count|counts}}, and {{wp|viscount|viscounts}}, holders of the major Court Appointments (''Hofämter'') such as the Lord Chamberlain (''Oberkämmerer''), the Lord Steward (''Oberhofmeister''), the Lord Marshal (''Obermarschall''), and the Lord Burgrave (''Oberburggraf''), peers appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister, and peers chosen by public representation. Therefore, the institution is often referred to as the '''Mascyllary House of Lords''' (''Maskillisches Herrenhaus'') by foreign legal scholars.


Since its foundation in 1789 under the Kingdom of Aldia in Augusthal, it has met in various location, and today sits at the former Elbgau Council building in [[Königsreh]]. It is represented by the office of the [[Reichssenat|President of the Reichssenat]] (''Präsident des Reichssenats''), currently occupied by [[Egon Weidmann]] since 2019, of which its holder is directly voted from the Reichssenat itself. Representatives of the Reichssenat are usually chosen by a state-own delegation, but can be partially subject to popular vote by the state's population as well. The Reichssenat can operate with a minimum number of 160 seats, whith the number of delegation seats per state dependent on its population to achieve proportional representation. An unique occasion where an Election Day can be called earlier than two years after the last election arises when the [[Prime Minister of Mascylla|Prime Minister]] loses a {{wp|motion-of-no-confidence|vote of confidence}} and asks the President of the Reichssenat to dissolve the parliament in order to allow new state elections afterwards.
The composition of the delegation varies depending on the state's population, the incumbent makeup of the state government, and the ruling majority (or coalition) of each state legislature, though they may or may not be publicly partisan. The chamber is able to operate at a minimum of 180 members, who are the peers with their guaranteed seats but can vary greatly in maximal size if needed to achieve popular {{wp|proportional representation}}. However, no assembly of the ''Reichssenat'' in history was solely comprised of noble representatives.


During the [[Mascylla|War of the Five Kings]], the Reichssenat was the offical assembly of the sovereigns and elected commoners of the states which were part of the [[Elbau Confederation]] (1793–1798). When Mascylla was founded, it became the established, sometimes described, {{wp|parliamentary system|upper house}} of parliament.
During the [[Mascylla|War of the Five Kings]], the ''Reichssenat'' was the official assembly of the sovereigns and elected commoners of the states which were part of the [[Elbau Confederation]] (1793–1798). Since its establishment in 1789 under the [[Kingdom of Aldia]] in Augusthal, it has met in various locations, and today sits at the former Elbgau Council building in [[Königsreh]]. It is represented by the office of the President of the ''Reichssenat'' (''Präsident des Reichssenats''), currently occupied by [[Egon Weidmann|The Viscount Weidmann]] since 2019, of which its holder is directly elected by the ''Reichssenat'' itself.
 
The ''Reichssenat'' is able to review and scrutinize {{wp|bill|federal and state law}} that was drafted by the [[Reichsrat (Mascylla)|''Reichsrat'']] without the ability to block their passing, but can significantly delay approval of the {{wp|legislation}} and consult the ''Reichsrat'' with advice and recommendation. Moreover, the members of the chamber cannot influence the Prime Minister nor their government, and traditionally do not take on positions as government ministers. The ''Reichsrat'' is defined within the [[Politics of Mascylla|political system of Mascylla]] as the only legislative institution by the [[Constitution of Mascylla|Constitution]] directly elected by the people of the country, but is, in essence, sharing its constitutional duties with the ''Reichssenat''. The chamber is the product of long-established {{wp|convention}} to {{wp|checks and balances|check and balance}} the ''Reichsrat'''s legislative power.


==Tasks and duties==
==Tasks and duties==


The role of the Reichssenat is described by Article 43 and 44 of the [[Constitution of Mascylla]] as follows: "Through the Reichssenat, the states and free cities participate in federal legislation and administration and in matters relating to governmental policy and decisionmaking." The states, represented by their respective governments and legislatures, operate in the Reichssenat and are able to shape and influence the aforementioned fields, while the styles of such participation are not determined and therefore ambiguous.
Through the ''Reichssenat'', the states and free cities participate in federal legislation and administration and in matters relating to government policy and decision-making. The states, represented by their respective governments and legislatures, operate within the ''Reichssenat'' and are able to shape and influence the aforementioned fields, while the styles of such participation are not determined and therefore highly ambiguous.


The [[Elbgau Confederacy|National Council]] (''Nationsrat'') in 1793 frst proposed the name ''Länderkammer'' ('Chamber of States'), in tandem with the also proposed name ''Volkskammer'' ('Chamber of the People') for the [[Reichsrat]], but it was later rejected in favor of its current terminology. Today still the Reichssenat is referred to as an "second house" or "''Länderkammer''" and in some cases as a full fledged {{wp|parliamentary system|upper house}} of legislature internationally. However, the Reichssenat is described as a sovereign constitutional body according to the constitution and in opposition to most countries "is not a second chamber of a uniform legislative body that would be set equal to the 'first chamber' regarding lawmaking."
The [[Elbgau Confederacy|National Council]] (''Nationalrat'') in 1793 first proposed the name ''Länderkammer'' ('Chamber of States'), in tandem with the similarly proposed name ''Volkskammer'' ('Chamber of the People') for the ''[[Reichsrat (Mascylla)|Reichsrat]]'', but it was later rejected in favor of its current terminology. Still, nowadays the ''Reichssenat'' is referred to as a "second house" or "''Länderkammer''" and in some cases as a full-fledged {{wp|parliamentary system|upper house}} of legislature domestically and internationally. However, the ''Reichssenat'' is described as a sovereign constitutional body according to the constitution and is, in opposition to most countries, "not a second chamber of a uniform legislative body that would be set equal to the 'first chamber' regarding lawmaking."


===Legislation===
===Legislation===
The Reichssenat has the valified right of {{wp|legislative initiative}} together with the [[Government of Mascylla]] and [[Reichsrat]]. If the body decides on a {{wp|law proposal}}, it will first be forwarded to the government, which is then entitled to comment and suggest changes to it. As a rule, the draft and the opinion regarding it must be submitted to the members of the Reichsrat within six and in certain cases more than nine weeks after the initial proposal. Law proposals of the government are first submitted to the Reichsrat, who also review and state their opinion on it. Here, the deadline of six to nine weeks still applies. The government can also counter a statement of the Reichssenat by a counter remark, before it submits the proposal to the Reichsrat for review.
The involvement of the Reichssenat in the so-called 'second round' differs in terms of whether the law passed by the Reichssenat requires the consent of the Reichsrat in order to be approved. One such law is called the "''Zustimmungsgesetz''" ('approval-required law'). All other laws can be rejected or called into question by the Reichssenat through a {{wp|jury}} of delegates, the ''Vermittlungsausschuss'' ("Mediation Committee"). These laws are therefore called "''Einspruchsgesetze''" ('objection laws').
The necessity of a law to be approved is made apparent by the constitution and names three kinds of {{wp|law|laws}}:
* Laws regarding the rewriting or change of an article of the constitution (here a {{wp|two-thirds majority}} is required),
* laws able to influence the economies or {{wp|finance}} of the states, for example taxation laws and production standards, and
* laws affecting the sovereignty and {{wp|autonomy}} of the states
According to the "uniform thesis" (''Einheitsthese'') confirmed by the High Court of the Realm, the need for consent always extends to the law in its legal entirety and not just to individual provisions that trigger the need for consent, having been introduced by the High Court in 1968 following a constitutional amendment change.
====Consent and opposition laws====
====Consent and opposition laws====
In the case of laws requiring approval, the constitution provides the Reichssenat members with three choices:
* He/she agrees to the law,
* he/she demands that the Mediation Committee be summoned, and
* he/she doesn't agree to the law.
If no agreement can be reached in the Mediation Committee and the Reichssenat doesn't agree to this result or if the Reichssenat decides on a rejection without the Mediation Committee, the law has failed, if further appeals to the Committee, either by the government or Reichsrat, lead to the same result. The Mediation Committee can therefore be convened three times (by the Reichssenat, Reichsrat and government) and has to state its decision within a "reasonable frame of time".
In the case of laws that do not require the approval of the Reichssenat in order to come into force, the Reichssenat has less influence, since its vote can be overruled by the Reichsrat. If it does not agree with the proposal, it can convene the Mediation Committee and try to reach and agreement with the Reichsrat. If the Committee itself proposes changes, these must first be decided by the Reichssenat before the Reichsrat decides whether or not to object to the newly amended law. If the Mediation Committee does not propose changes or if an agreement can not be achieved, the Reichssenat decides on an objection to the still unchanged legislative resolution without the participation of the Reichsrat then. The Reichssenat must agree on an objection within two weeks though, the set period beginning with the receipt of the amended resolution of the Reichsrat or with the chairman of the Mediation Committee about the result of the process.
However, an objection by the Reichssenat can be overruled by the Reichsrat though. If the Reichssenat resolves the objection with an absolute majority, the objection can only be rejected with another absolute majority from the Reichsrat. If the Reichssenat submits its rejection with a two-thirds majority, two-thirds of the cast votes must come together to reject the objection of the Reichsrat. IF the Reichsrat does not reject the objection, the law proposal has failed.
===Exceptions===
===Exceptions===
In certain exceptional constitutional situations, the Reichssenat has additional tasks, powers and rights that only arise sporadically and have therefore only rarely or not yet been applied.
====Cases of defense====
On the basis of {{wp|emergency law|emergency laws}}, the government has the right to compete with legislation in the event of national defense, including the areas that belong to the sovereignty of the legislative power of the states and free cities and the post-poning of regional elections of the state parliaments. Corresponding laws require the approval of the Reichssenat. The legislative process can be accelerated by jointly deliberating on a draft law by the Reichssenat and Reichsrat.
If the Reichsrat is unable to perform its duties in the face of defense however, a Joint Commission (''Gemeinsame Kommission'') takes its place. Two thirds of this body are members of the Reichsrat and one third of members of the Reichssenat. Each states sends a delegate of the Reichssenat, who unlike its counterparts, is not bound by any instructions. In addition to the 21 members of the Reichssenat faction, a further 40 members belong to the Reichsrat within the Commission, accounting to a total of 61 members. If the prerequisites for the meeting of the Joint Committee are met, it shall exercise the tasks and powers of the Reichssenat and Reichsrat in a uniform manner. The Joint Committee can also determine the state of defense. Laws of the Joint Committee are repealed by resolution of the Reichsrat with the consent of the Reichssenat; the Reichssenat can demand that the Reichsrat pass a resolution on this.
====Internal emergencies====
In the event of an internal emergency, for example in the event of natural disasters or if there is a threat to the existence of a state or the government or their free democratic basic order, thegovernment can deploy [[Reichswehr (Mascylla)|armed forces]] to support the [[Imperial Police (Mascylla)|police forces]] of the state in protecting civilian objects and in fighting organized and militarily armed {{wp|insurgency|insurgents}}. In this case, a country can request police forces from other countries as well as forces and facilities from other administrations and the imperial police. The government can submit the police of one country and the police forces of other countries to their instructions and deploy units of the imperial police if the endangered country is not ready or able to combat the danger itself.
The deployment of armed forces as well as the subordination of the police forces of the states to the authority of the government are to be stopped at any time if the Reichssenat so requests.
===Other tasks and responsibilities===
===Other tasks and responsibilities===


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{{multiple image|total_width = 300
{{multiple image|total_width = 300
| caption_align = center
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Secretary_Kerry_Meets_With_Turkish_Foreign_Minister_Davutoglu_(2)_(cropped).jpg
| image1 = Lammert,_Norbert-0829.jpg
| caption1 = '''[[Egon Weidmann]]'''<br>{{small|President of the Reichssenat}}<br>since 2016
| caption1 = '''[[Egon Weidmann|The Viscount Egon Weidmann of Wietzen]]'''<br>{{small|President of the ''Reichssenat''}}<br>since 2019
| image2 = Iveta_Grigule.jpg
| image2 = Pressefoto_2_Anne_Spiegel_11-15_nahe.jpg
| caption2 = '''Lara Gohnich'''<br>{{small|Vice President of the Reichssenat}}<br>since 2018
| caption2 = '''Lara Gohnich'''<br>{{small|Deputy President of the ''Reichssenat''}}<br>since 2022
}}
}}


The presidency is composed of the office of the President of the Reichssenat (''Reichssenatspräsident'') and one vice president. According to the constitution, the Reichssenat elects its president and vice president every two years; the two members of the Reichssenat are often voted unilaterally. They assume their offices beginning at the 1st of September every two years. If a president's position in the Reichssenat is revoked, his term as President of the Reichssenat ends as well. His successor as member of the Reichssenat succeeds him as president as well, diminishing fluctuations of people serving the office in face of changing party landscapes and political instability. Additionally, this enables every state and its members to be able to assume the presidency. Historically, the president had close political and hierarchial links to the monarchy, with first the [[Monarchy of Mascylla|Monarch]] and second the President listed per the protocol order of the constitution, ahead of the [[Prime Minister of Mascylla|Prime Minister]].
The presidency is composed of the office of the President of the ''Reichssenat'' (''Reichssenatspräsident'') and one deputy president. According to uncodified tradition, the ''Reichssenat'' elects its president and vice president every two years; the two members of the ''Reichssenat'' are often voted unilaterally. They assume their offices beginning on the 1st of September every two years. If a president's position in the ''Reichssenat'' is revoked, their term as President of the ''Reichssenat'' ends as well. Their successor as a member of the ''Reichssenat'' succeeds them as president as well, diminishing fluctuations of people serving the office in face of changing party landscapes and political instability. Additionally, this enables every state and its members to be able to assume the presidency. Historically, the president had close political and hierarchical links to the monarchy, with the [[Monarchy of Mascylla|Monarch]] and the President ahead of the [[Prime Minister of Mascylla|Prime Minister]] in the constitutional {{wp|order of precedence}}.


By Article 87 of the Consitution, the President of the Reichssenat assumes the tasks and roles of a Monarch when unable to do so, either by abdication, medical treatment or otherwise. While he or she serves as representative of the Monarch, his office as president remains vacant. For that instance, the vice president temporarily takes over the duties and tasks while the president is unable to do so themself.
The President of the ''Reichssenat'' assumes the constitutional tasks and duties of a Monarch when unable to do so, either by abdication, medical treatment, or otherwise, and sets in motion the assembly of the Federal Convention and the Accession Council. While they serve as representative of the Monarch, their office as president remains vacant. For that instance, the vice president temporarily takes over the duties and tasks while the president is unable to do so themself.


===Members and distribution of votes to the states===
===Members and distribution of votes to the states===
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| {{flagicon image|FlagSigismund.png}} Sigismund || 498,192 || 5 || {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} || 99,638 || VP, Grüne, SDP
| {{flagicon image|FlagSigismund.png}} Sigismund || 498,192 || 5 || {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} || 99,638 || VP, Grüne, SDP
|-
|-
| {{flagicon image|FlagTerunder-Welsbach.png}} Therunder-Welsbach || 3,644,524 || 9 || {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} || 404,947 || RU, SDP
| {{flagicon image|FlagTerunder-Welsbach.png}} Therundy-Welsbach || 3,644,524 || 9 || {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} || 404,947 || RU, SDP
|-
|-
| {{flagicon image|FlagAdwhin.png}} Tudonia || 704,675 || 6 || {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} || 117,446 || RU, SDP, Grüne
| {{flagicon image|FlagAdwhin.png}} Tudonia || 704,675 || 6 || {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} {{colorbox|#710000}} || 117,446 || RU, SDP, Grüne

Latest revision as of 21:57, 17 January 2023

Mascyllary Reichssenat

Maskillischer Reichssenat
233rd year of business
Logo
Type
Type
De facto upper house of the legislature of Mascylla
Leadership
Dorothy I
since 25 November 2005
The Viscount Weidmann of Wietzen, formerly SDP
since 2 March 2019
Deputy President
Lara Gohnich, formerly RU
since 11 January 2022
Structure
Seats163
Composition of the Mascyllary Reichssenat, 2022.png
Political groups
Chairing officers (2)
  •   President and Deputy President (2)

Royal Government (34)

Royal Opposition (43)

Neutral (82)

Meeting place
Cámara Alta de Prusia, Berlín, Alemania, 2016-04-22, DD 49-51 HDR.jpg
Reichssenat Building, Lorenz-Prinzwald, Königsreh, Mascylla
Website
www.maskillischer-reichssenat.ma
Crowned Republic of Mascylla
GovernmentMascylla.png
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Mascylla
Constitution
The Crown
MascyllaCoA.png

Dorothy I

Frederick, Crown Prince of Ahnern

Executive
  • Privy Council

Badge of Mascylla.png

Dorothy I

GovernmentMascylla.png

Thomas Falkner (RU)

Wilfried Siege (SDP)
Legislature

GovernmentMascylla.png

Dorothy I

Composition of the Mascyllary Reichssenat, 2022.png

The Viscount Weidmann of Wietzen (formerly SDP)

Mascyllary Reichsrat 2018.png

Walther Steintz (SDP)

Judiciary
GovernmentMascylla.png

Dorothy I


Lukas Pretschgen

Anna-Marie Roth

Administrative divisions
Overseas Territories
Foreign policy
Elections

Rehunion (RU, RU/ABP)
Social Democratic Party of Mascylla (SDP)
Liberal Party (LP)
National Democratic Union (NDU)
People's Party (VP)
The Greens (Grüne)

Left Union (LU)
Related topics

The Reichssenat (Hesurian pronunciation: [ʁaɪ̯çse:na:t], lit. ‘Senate of the Realm’) is the de facto federal parliament of the subnational divisions and upper house of the legislature of Mascylla. The Reichssenat is a legislative body that represents the 21 Reichsländer and Freie Städte, consisting of 163 members known as Representatives of the Reichssenat (Repräsentanten des Reichssenats; RdR) or Paire.

Membership of the chamber is by appointment of the state government; a majority of the sitting members are appointed, hereditary, and official noble peers by virtue of their position, such as representatives of universities and cities, although the chamber also has common members. The peers may include adult princes of the royal House of Ahnern, members with hereditary right such as dukes, marquesses, counts, and viscounts, holders of the major Court Appointments (Hofämter) such as the Lord Chamberlain (Oberkämmerer), the Lord Steward (Oberhofmeister), the Lord Marshal (Obermarschall), and the Lord Burgrave (Oberburggraf), peers appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister, and peers chosen by public representation. Therefore, the institution is often referred to as the Mascyllary House of Lords (Maskillisches Herrenhaus) by foreign legal scholars.

The composition of the delegation varies depending on the state's population, the incumbent makeup of the state government, and the ruling majority (or coalition) of each state legislature, though they may or may not be publicly partisan. The chamber is able to operate at a minimum of 180 members, who are the peers with their guaranteed seats but can vary greatly in maximal size if needed to achieve popular proportional representation. However, no assembly of the Reichssenat in history was solely comprised of noble representatives.

During the War of the Five Kings, the Reichssenat was the official assembly of the sovereigns and elected commoners of the states which were part of the Elbau Confederation (1793–1798). Since its establishment in 1789 under the Kingdom of Aldia in Augusthal, it has met in various locations, and today sits at the former Elbgau Council building in Königsreh. It is represented by the office of the President of the Reichssenat (Präsident des Reichssenats), currently occupied by The Viscount Weidmann since 2019, of which its holder is directly elected by the Reichssenat itself.

The Reichssenat is able to review and scrutinize federal and state law that was drafted by the Reichsrat without the ability to block their passing, but can significantly delay approval of the legislation and consult the Reichsrat with advice and recommendation. Moreover, the members of the chamber cannot influence the Prime Minister nor their government, and traditionally do not take on positions as government ministers. The Reichsrat is defined within the political system of Mascylla as the only legislative institution by the Constitution directly elected by the people of the country, but is, in essence, sharing its constitutional duties with the Reichssenat. The chamber is the product of long-established convention to check and balance the Reichsrat's legislative power.

Tasks and duties

Through the Reichssenat, the states and free cities participate in federal legislation and administration and in matters relating to government policy and decision-making. The states, represented by their respective governments and legislatures, operate within the Reichssenat and are able to shape and influence the aforementioned fields, while the styles of such participation are not determined and therefore highly ambiguous.

The National Council (Nationalrat) in 1793 first proposed the name Länderkammer ('Chamber of States'), in tandem with the similarly proposed name Volkskammer ('Chamber of the People') for the Reichsrat, but it was later rejected in favor of its current terminology. Still, nowadays the Reichssenat is referred to as a "second house" or "Länderkammer" and in some cases as a full-fledged upper house of legislature domestically and internationally. However, the Reichssenat is described as a sovereign constitutional body according to the constitution and is, in opposition to most countries, "not a second chamber of a uniform legislative body that would be set equal to the 'first chamber' regarding lawmaking."

Legislation

Consent and opposition laws

Exceptions

Other tasks and responsibilities

Organisation

President and presidency

The Viscount Egon Weidmann of Wietzen
President of the Reichssenat
since 2019
Lara Gohnich
Deputy President of the Reichssenat
since 2022

The presidency is composed of the office of the President of the Reichssenat (Reichssenatspräsident) and one deputy president. According to uncodified tradition, the Reichssenat elects its president and vice president every two years; the two members of the Reichssenat are often voted unilaterally. They assume their offices beginning on the 1st of September every two years. If a president's position in the Reichssenat is revoked, their term as President of the Reichssenat ends as well. Their successor as a member of the Reichssenat succeeds them as president as well, diminishing fluctuations of people serving the office in face of changing party landscapes and political instability. Additionally, this enables every state and its members to be able to assume the presidency. Historically, the president had close political and hierarchical links to the monarchy, with the Monarch and the President ahead of the Prime Minister in the constitutional order of precedence.

The President of the Reichssenat assumes the constitutional tasks and duties of a Monarch when unable to do so, either by abdication, medical treatment, or otherwise, and sets in motion the assembly of the Federal Convention and the Accession Council. While they serve as representative of the Monarch, their office as president remains vacant. For that instance, the vice president temporarily takes over the duties and tasks while the president is unable to do so themself.

Members and distribution of votes to the states

State Population Votes
(number)		 Votes
(visual)		 Citizens per vote Government parties
Adwhin 5,826,004 10                     582,600 ABP, FB
Aldia 4,924,217 9                   547,135 RU, MLP
Elpsland 841,107 6             140,185 RU, SDP
Eustria 5,208,624 10                     520,862 RU, SDP, Grünen
Falia 1,440,506 7               205,787 RU, NDP, VP
Flussmund 2,061,837 8                 257,730 SDP, Grünen
Folnery 5,246,111 10                     524,611 SDP, MLP, Grüne
Gotia 674,696 6             112,449 RU, SDP
Halstein 535,282 5           107,056 RU, MLP
Holnia 4,724,292 9                   524,921 RU, SDP, Grüne
Ihlarn 916,623 7               130,946 SDP, VP
Jusland 446,190 5           89,238 RU, JW
Kreshia 911,382 8                 113,923 SDP, Grüne, MLP
Kronlande 2,231,326 8                 278,916 RU, SDP, Grüne
Langquaid 815,180 8                 101,898 RU, SDP
Laurenz 658,204 5           131,641 MLP, SDP
Nelgery 5,779,104 10                     577,910 RU, Grüne
Pereuth 581,034 5           116,207 SDP, MLP, Grüne
Shwesia 603,226 5           120,645 NDP, VP
Sigismund 498,192 5           99,638 VP, Grüne, SDP
Therundy-Welsbach 3,644,524 9                   404,947 RU, SDP
Tudonia 704,675 6             117,446 RU, SDP, Grüne
Total 48,972,336 161 263,941

Distribution of votes to the parties

Composition of Mascyllary state government coalitions in 2016

Commissions

Secretariat

Operation

Seat

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