Imperial Senate (Derthalen)
The Senate of the Holy Empire ๐๐ฐ ๐๐น๐ป๐๐น๐๐๐ผ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฏ โ๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐๐ฑ :แแจ.แฑแแฒแแแแบแแพแท: | |
|---|---|
| 4,250th Session | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | The Senate of the Holy Empire |
| Leadership | |
Emperor | Heinrich Johannes Fleischmann III of the Kingdom of Derthalen. |
Minister of State | Karl Helgi Drake |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 60 |
 | |
Imperial Senate political groups | Government
Supported by
Opposition
|
Length of term | Until death or dismissal |
| Elections | |
Imperial Senate voting system | Instant-Runoff Voting |
Imperial Senate last election | The 23rd of January, 1975 |
Imperial Senate next election | Upon the death of the Emperor |
| Motto | |
| Niemals vereint, nie geteilt. | |
| Meeting place | |
| The Imperial Senate Chamber within the Imperial Palace | |
| Constitution | |
| The Constitution of the Holy Empire of Derthalen (Adopted A.I. 001.M1) | |
The Senate of the Holy Empire, commonly known as the Imperial Senate, is the second highest legislative body in Derthalen, below the Emperor and his Ministers. It is tasked with the running and day to day operation of the Empire, with each state bowing to the authority vested in it by the Emperor. The head of the Imperial Senate is whomever might be the reigning Emperor at the time, and its seat resides within the Imperial Palace. The Senate maintains no lower house and is as such considered to be unicameral in nature. All members of the Imperial Senate are appointed by the Emperor from pools of candidates provided by the Imperial States, all those that serve, serve for life or until dismissal.
It should be noted that while the Imperial Senate may set legislation, it may not go against the Emperor's Ministers directly.
Composition and Powers
As well as its normal functions, the Imperial Senate acts as a vital organ of government during times of emergency, such as during a succession. Only the Imperial Senate is entrusted with electing a new Emperor upon the death of the last. The Senior Senators are given the task of voting on a new Emperor from the Monarchs of the Member States, and to do so quickly. During this time, three Senior Ministers are required to take on the responsibilities of the emperor; if the Ministers fail to cooperate, the Senior Senators and a majority of Ministers are allowed to determine who will run the Imperial government. In the long history the Empire, there have been only five such instances where due to infighting, the Senate was forced to appoint a dictator to ensure stability during the election of the next Emperor.
The Imperial Senate usually chooses to meet for two five month sessions a year, with two months in-between where they return to their homes for holidays or to attend to business. That said, the Imperial Senate may be called into session at any time should the Emperor demand it, with its members obliged to either return swiftly or appoint another member to exercise their power for them. A Senator may only hold the power of up to three others, so that at least one Senator from each State may be present at all times. This works, as each state is allowed to have three Junior Senators and one Senior Senator to represent their interests.
When in session, it has been tradition for either the Minister of State or the Emperor to sit in and monitor to the proceedings. If matters become too hectic, they are expected to bring the proceedings back to order.