Senate (Montecara): Difference between revisions
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| new_session = {{Start date|2020|10|05}} | | new_session = {{Start date|2020|10|05|df=yes}} | ||
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| leader1 = [[Everàrd Torsièl]] | | leader1 = [[Everàrd Torsièl]] | ||
Revision as of 04:36, 5 September 2022
Senate il Senàt | |
|---|---|
| 29th Convocation | |
| File:MontecaraCoA.png | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | None |
| History | |
| Founded | 9 July 1936 |
New session started | 5 October 2020 |
| Leadership | |
President | Everàrd Torsièl since 5 October 2020 |
First Vice President | Metelo Adorno since 5 October 2020 |
Second Vice President | Aurelia Corxiòn since 5 October 2020 |
First Secretary | Olivia Casèl since 5 October 2020 |
Second Secretary | Albìn io Saco since 5 October 2020 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 129 |
| File:Senate-MC.svg | |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
| Single transferable vote | |
Last election | 21–25 September 2020 |
Next election | 25–29 September 2023 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Emiçìcolo, Palaço Capitolìn | |
_September_2015-1.jpg) | |
| Palaço Capitolìn | |
| Website | |
| senat.go.mc | |
| Constitution | |
| Constitution of Montecara | |
The Senate (Montecaran: il Senàt) is the upper house of the legislature of Montecara. Its members are elected from a combination of social constituencies representing various socioeconomic groups in Montecaran society and local constituencies representing everyone in a limited geographic area.
The Senate elects the Colegio, Montecara's collective executive, at the beginning of every three-year mandate. It considers legislation proposed by the Colegio as well as initiatives made directly by the Popular Assembly, and has the power to approve, reject, or amend proposals. It cannot initiate legislation, though it can issue its own resolutions which do not carry the force of law.
Unusually, the Senate mostly operates on the basis of consensus and deliberation rather than strict majoritarianism. While the Senate does take recorded votes, the preferred method of decision-making is to obtain the general consent of the chamber whenever possible.
The Senate meets in a purpose-built seat, the Palaço Capitolìn, that was substantially completed in 1315 and underwent major renovations in the 1550s and 1890s.
History
Montecara's Senate traces its lineage to the ancient Senate of the Solarian Republic, the ultimate source of state authority. As an independent state after the fall of the Solarian Empire, Montecara's leading patrician families constituted their own deliberative assembly to fill the power vacuum that was created when central state authority receded. In time, this body came to be seen as the reconstitution of the original Senate, and it is still regarded as such by Montecaran state.
As it existed from the fall of the Latin Republic through the late 18th century, the Senate was largely an aristocratic body that served the interests of Montecara's ruling class. It was a forum for leading families to smooth out friction created by competing business interests, promote trade, provide for a navy and an army that would defend them and their property, and create laws that kept the plebeians in check. It also performed the crucial function of choosing the Doxe, the head of state of the crowned republic, who ruled for life. Elections of senators were sporadic and perfunctory, with certain families guaranteed that their candidate of choice would be elected by his fellows. Although this system was undemocratic by modern standards, it provided an essential mechanism for preventing the internecine conflicts that plagued other medieval city-states and forced the wealthy to work together to promote their, and the state's, best interests.
Membership
According to the Constitution of Montecara, membership in the Senate is apportioned based on a combination of social constituencies representing groups with specific connections to the labor market and local constituencies representing all inhabitants of a given geographic subdivision.
Social constituencies are represented by senators elected by and from a particular electoral body representing that social group. For example, the Montecaran Trade Union Center is responsible for electing 30 senators from among its members.
Local constituencies are represented by senators elected by and from among the citizens of one of eight geographic areas. These areas are intended to form coherent and distinct communities and territories and to ensure broad geographic representation in national decision-making.
Senators are elected to a three-year mandate. There are no term limits.
| Social constituencies | Jurisdiction | Represented group | Electoral body | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade unions | Unionized workers | Montecaran Trade Union Center | 30 | |
| Industry and commerce | Enterprise ownership/management | Montecaran Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 15 | |
| Small business ownership/management | Federation of Montecaran Employers | 15 | ||
| Professions | Architects and engineers | Montecaran Society of Architects and Engineers | 2 | |
| Financial professionals | Montecaran Society of Financiers | 2 | ||
| Lawyers | Barreau Montecarà | 2 | ||
| Medical professionals | Medical Society of Montecara | 2 | ||
| Psychologists and social workers | Psychological Society of Montecara | 2 | ||
| Trades and crafts | Artists and artisans | Guild of Artists and Artisans | 5 | |
| Self-employed trades | United Guilds of Montecara | 5 | ||
| Cooperatives | Cooperative workers | Montecaran Congress of Cooperatives | 5 | |
| Outside labor market | Persons with disabilities | LEGA | 1 | |
| Retirees | United Pensioners | 1 | ||
| University students | Student Union of the University of Montecara | 1 | ||
| Total social constituencies | 88 | |||
| Local constituencies | District | Population (2020) | Seats | |
| 1 | 74,805 | 2 | ||
| 2 | 290,876 | 7 | ||
| 3 | 187,803 | 4 | ||
| 4 | 84,305 | 2 | ||
| 5 | 173,498 | 4 | ||
| 6 | 359,040 | 8 | ||
| 7 | 278,854 | 6 | ||
| 8 | 338,431 | 8 | ||
| Total local constituencies | 41 | |||
| Total Senate | 129 | |||
Officers
The Senate is presided over by a council of five officers collectively known as the Bancone. This consists of the president, two vice presidents, and two secretaries. The president is responsible for convening the Senate for regular debate and presiding at its sessions; the vice presidents assist in these functions and preside in the absence of the president. The secretaries are responsible for organizing and reading out documents, maintaining the Senate's calendar and files, and generally attending to day-to-day operations. Officers are elected at the first meeting of each new convocation.
Committees
Standing committees
- Committee on State Affairs
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Committee on Finance
- Committee on Defense and Security
- Committee on Trade and Industry
- Committee on Social Protection
- Committee on Planning and the Environment
- Committee on Education and Culture
Special committees
- Executive Committee
- General Committee