Chief Minister of Nuvania
| Chief Minister of Nuvania | |
|---|---|
| Hoofminister van Nuwanië | |
 Coat of Arms of Nuvania | |
| Style | The Right Honourable |
| Abbreviation | CM |
| Member of | Cabinet of Ministers House of Assembly |
| Reports to | State President and the House of Assembly |
| Residence | Normal residence: Government House summer residence: Clairmont Park (optional) |
| Seat | Inner West |
| Appointer | State President on the condition that they command a majority in the House of Assembly |
| Term length | Four years no term limits |
| Precursor | First Minister of Nuvania |
| First holder | V.F Caulfield |
| Deputy | Deputy Chief Minister |
| Salary | 5.6 million shillings |
| Website | www.officeofthechiefminister.gov.nu |
The Chief Minister of Nuvania (Asteriaans: Hoofminister van Nuwanië) is the head of government of Nuvania. They are appointed by the State President of Nuvania and must remain in command of a majority within the House of Assembly in order to remain in their position. In addition to their role as head of government, the Chief Minister is also an elected Member of Parliament (MP) and participates in sessions within the House of Assembly in accordance with Northabbey parliamentary tradition.
The role of Chief Minister is principally advisory and administrative, with the Chief Minister able to appoint cabinet ministers and other similar government officials, as well as make recommendations to the State President on the appointment of independent officials, such as judges to the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court, as well as the governor of the Reserve Bank of Nuvania. In addition, the Chief Minister may also make recommendations on other affairs as well, including those of national security.
The incumbent Chief Minister is Andrew Bohn, the leader of the Social Democratic Labour Party (SDLP), who was sworn into office on January 16, 2021 after winning the 2020 general election.
History
The office of Chief Minister is the direct successor to the office of First Minister, which was established following the passing of the Home Rule Act in 1811, with the First Minister's role as the primary administrator of domestic affairs, directly accountable to the Governor of Nuvania and later, the Governor-General. The office was similar to the role of Prime Minister of Estmere, and many of the roles and powers that the Prime Minister possessed were transferred to the First Minister of Nuvania. First Ministers were political offices and elected by limited suffrage, although this was gradually expanded.
Roles and Powers
The Chief Minister’s role is predominantly the management of government affairs and the execution of the government’s agenda through policy. In this role, the Chief Minister has the power to appoint and dismiss members of the Cabinet of Ministers as well as Secretaries of State, who serve as deputies to cabinet ministers. In addition, the Chief Minister can also independently appoint the Attorney General and State Treasurer, both of which are considered positions within the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as appoint or approve appointments of, leadership positions within government departments and agencies. The Chief Minister, in turn, has the power to dismiss anyone appointed to these roles by either themselves or previous Chief Ministers.
The Chief Minister also acts as Nuvania’s foremost diplomat in international affairs and can conduct official state visits with other heads of government and heads of state.
Outside of direct political powers, the Chief Minister advises the State President on matters of state, such as the appointments of members of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, as well as formalising the calling of general elections, including the dissolution of both houses of Parliament.
Requirements
Entitlements
Protection
Chief Ministers and their families are entitled to the protection of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), a branch of the National Police Service charged with protecting the head of state, head of government, and senior government officials.
Residency
The Chief Minister is entitled to reside in two of four official residences owned by the government of Nuvania: Clairmont Park and Government House. Clairmont Park was originally completed in 1886 and was a private residence for five years until being acquired by the government in 1891 for use as a private official residence for the Chief Minister. Located in Avington, Clairmont Park serves as the “summer” residence for the Chief Minister in the event that they do not wish to remain in Pietersburg during the wet season. It is considered to be more private and less accessible than Government House.
Government House was built by the Nuvanian government in 1904 to serve as an official residence for the Chief Minister while in Pietersburg. It is notable for its use of Estmerish Baroque architecture and its inclusion of private botanical gardens. In addition to private offices and living quarters for the Chief Minister, Government House also includes offices for the Chief Minister’s Chief of Staff and facilities for members of the Diplomatic Security Service of the National Police Service. It also includes a private library and health area, including a swimming pool and gym. Part of Government House is open to the public when the Chief Minister is not in residence.
The Chief Minister may choose to live in both or either residence during their term in office, but this is not obligatory, and this has been refused in the past, notably during the government of John Keaton between 1981 and 1989, Keaton preferring to reside in his own private residence to reduce government expenses.
Unlike other official residences, both Clairmont Park and Government House is not the seat of political power or primary office of work for the Chief Minister, who maintains an office inside Parliament Building in central Pietersburg. Official state visits are also hosted at Clairmont Park when foreign dignitaries meet the Chief Minister.
Salary
The salary of the Chief Minister is set by the Treasury, who approves the overall salary as well as monthly costs and claims of each Chief Minister. Historically one of the best paid roles in either the public or private sector in Nuvania, each Chief Minister has set their salary subject to approval from the State Treasurer, as inidividuals may receive additional supplementary income.
The current salary of the Chief Minister is currently 5.6 million shillings and has been so since it was set by former Chief Minister Robert Marten in 2013.
Style
In keeping with its Estmerish heritage, the Chief Minister receives the title "Right Honourable" upon being sworn into office. The title is used on all official documents and is also in use for the remainder of the Chief Minister's life, remaining even after they leave political office.
Previously the Chief Minister was known by "His/Her Excellency", a title introduced after independence in 1886. Following the restoration of civilian rule in 1937, this title was instead conferred to the State President, and the Chief Minister assumed the title the office has today.
Transport
Chief Ministers are afforded the use of a range of transportation owned by the government of Nuvania or the Nuvanian Armed Forces. 21 Squadron of the Nuvanian Air Force provides executive air transportation for dignitaries and important persons and alongside the State President, the Chief Minister is entitled to fly on any of the executive transport aircraft operated by 21 Squadron where available, with the official government aircraft for both the State President and Chief Minister being a single BBJ.
Ground transportation is primarily provided by a vehicle pool owned and operated by the government. The official state car for the Chief Minister is a long wheel base 2019 TMG 7 Series, with four of these vehicles available. The Chief Minister also has the option of using one of the Takahashi Land Cruiser 200 vehicles that provide escort and guard duties in convoy with the official state car, or a Sheaford Vito passenger van. Both vehicles are usually components of the convoys of the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister can also claim expenses for commercial travel if they use trains or fly commercially, with the costs covered from funds reserved for government travel.
List of Chief Ministers
Main article: List of Chief Ministers of Nuvania
As of 2023, there have been 20 individuals who have served as Chief Minister.
Living former Chief Ministers
There are four living former Chief Minsters of Nuvania. Johnathan Keaton is the oldest and the one who held office the earliest while Joesoef van Lingen left office most recently. The most recent death of a Chief Minister was that of Philip Henning, who served between 1997 and 2005. He died in February 2021, age 83.
Johnathan Keaton: served 1982-1989 (born 1939 age 83)
David Maritz: served 2005-2013 (born 1957 age 64)
Robert Marten: served 2013-2020 (born 1945 age 77)
Joesoef van Lingen: served 2020 (born 1956, age 66)