Post by Viktor l Aleksandr on Jan 15, 2007 6:01:42 GMT 2
Constitution of the Empire of Thrace
PREAMBLE
The Thracian Nation, desiring to establish justice, liberty, and security, and to promote the well-being of all its members, in the exercise of its sovereignty proclaims its will to: guarantee democratic coexistence within the Constitution and the laws in accordance with a just economic and social order;
consolidate a state of law which insures the rule of law as the expression of the popular will;
protect all Thracians and peoples of Thrace in the exercise of human rights, their cultures, traditions and institutions;
promote the progress of culture and the economy to insure a dignified quality of life for all;
establish an advanced democratic society; and
collaborate in the strengthening of peaceful relations and effective cooperation among all the peoples of the earth.
Therefore, the Sovereign approves, and the Thracian people ratify the following Constitution:
ARTICLE I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.) The name and style of this political entity shall be the "Empire of Thrace".
2.) National Sovereignty belongs to the Monarch together with the Thracian people from whom emanate the powers of the state.
3.) The Form of Government, established by this Constitution shall be a constitutional monarchy possessing a government consisting in form of a parliamentary democracy.
4.) The Head of State shall be vested in the person of the Emperor, and in the event of a female occupant of the Throne, the Empress. The Head of State shall be the final arbiter in all matters, overseeing the actions of His Government.
5.) The powers of the Government shall be divided among three distinct branches, the legislative, executive, and judicial. No person or persons belonging to or constituting one branch shall exercise any of the powers properly belonging to either of the others, except as expressly provided in this Constitution.
6.) Citizenship shall endow an individual with all rights, privileges and duties as defined in this document, and is determined by an individual being a member of the Thracian nation from the inception thereof, or in petitioning the government for naturalization.
7.) Political parties express democratic pluralism, assist in the formulation and manifestation of the popular will, and are a basic instrument for political participation. Their creation and the exercise of their activity are free within the observance of the Constitution and the laws. Their internal structure and operation must be democratic.
8.) Trade unions and associations of employers contribute to the defense and promotion of their own economic and social interests. Their creation and the exercise of their activity are free within the observance of the Constitution and the laws. Their internal structure and operation must be democratic.
9.) The citizens and public powers are subject to the Constitution and the legal order.
10.) It is the responsibility of the public powers to promote conditions so that liberty and equality of the individual and the groups he joins will be real and effective; to remove those obstacles which impede or make difficult their full implementation, and to facilitate participation of all citizens in the political, economic, cultural, and social life.
11.) The Constitution guarantees the principle of legality, the normative order, the publication of the norms, the non-retroactivity of punitive provisions which are not favorable to, or which restrict individual rights, legal security, and the interdiction of arbitrariness of public powers.
12.) In all instances, wherein this document makes reference to the masculine pronoun, shall not exclude, the feminine gender, and shall be construed as implying inclusiveness.
ARTICLE II. CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES
The dignity of the person, the inviolable rights which are inherent, the free development of the personality, respect for the law and the rights of others, are the foundation of political order and social peace. The norms relative to basic rights and liberties which are recognized by the Constitution shall be interpreted in conformity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international treaties and agreements on those matters ratified by the Empire of Thrace. Specifically, this Charter declares the following rights and liberties:
1.) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, age, or mental or physical disability.
2.) Every person may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right. No law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press, unless the extreme abuse of this right constitutes a substantial and clearly definable danger to the security of the State.
3.) The people have the right freely to assemble together, to consult for the common good, to make known their opinions to their representatives, and to petition for redress of grievances.
4.) Freedom of ideology, religion, and cult of individuals and communities is guaranteed without any limitation in their demonstrations other than that which is necessary for the maintenance of public order protected by law. No one may be obliged to make a declaration regarding his ideology, religion, or beliefs. No religion shall have a state character. The public powers shall take into account the religious beliefs of Thracian society and maintain the appropriate relations of cooperation, with the formerly established Bulgarian Orthodox Church and other denominations.
5.) All persons are by nature free and independent, and have certain natural and unalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness, none of which can be taken from a person unless through the due process of law.
6.) The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue except upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the papers and things to be seized.
7.) The right of trial shall remain inviolate, in all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have the right to a speedy and public trial; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and to have the assistance of counsel in his defense.
8.) No person shall be compelled to incriminate himself.
9.) No person shall, after being acquitted of an offence, be tried subsequently for the same.
10.) No person shall be imprisoned for debt.
11.) The right of suffrage shall not be denied unless to individuals convicted of such crimes that designate the person becoming deprived pursuant to law, however, upon pardon or sufficient restoration by law, the right of suffrage shall be enjoyed.
12.) The right of individuals to defend themselves with force against unjust aggression or assault shall not be infringed.
13.) Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
14.) This enumeration of rights and privileges shall not be construed to impair or deny others retained by the people.
ARTICLE III: THE RENUNCIATION OF WAR
Whereas the essence of war is not in keeping with our virtues as a peaceful people, the people renounce acts of war and provocations to war, and likewise refuse to resort to war and acts of aggression.
ARTICLE IV: THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CROWN
1.) The Crown shall be personified through the person of the Emperor, or in the case of a female holder of the Throne, the Empress as Head of State, and include the persons of the Imperial Family and the Imperial Household. The Emperor, as Head of State, is the symbol of the unity and permanence of the State.
2.) The person of the Emperor is inviolable and is not subject to responsibility. His ministers are responsible.
3.) The Emperor shall consult the Prime Minister before traveling abroad, or brief periods which he must be away from his duties. If the absence is extended beyond two weeks, the Lord Chancellor shall perform the duties of the Head of State in that temporary capacity.
4.) The Emperor shall have the power to enact Laws by Imperial Decree, however, all Imperial Decrees must be countersigned by a Cabinet minister. A Imperial Decree transmitted to the cabinet for countersignature must be published in the public forums by the Prime Minister or by the cabinet minister responsible for countersigning it within twenty-four hours if it is signed. If A Imperial Decree is not signed it shall be returned to the Head of State within twenty-four hours. A two-thirds vote of the Parliament in disapproval shall nullify a Imperial Decree.
5.) The Emperor, through the process of the Imperial Assent, may approve or disapprove of an Act of the Parliament. Only acts that receive approval through the Imperial Assent shall be made into Law. Acts that do not receive the consideration of the Crown within 15 days after being dispatched to the Emperor for his Assent, shall be passed into Law with the Imperial Assent being automatically assumed.
6.) The Emperor shall convoke and dissolve the Parliament and call elections under the terms provided for in the Constitution.
7.) The Emperor may convoke a referendum on the advice of the Cabinet or Parliament.
8.) The Emperor may declare a state of emergency during which time he may dissolve the Parliament and rule by decree should it become clearly apparrent that the Parliament is no longer able to function, thus endangering the survival of the state. The Emperor shall call a national election within two weeks of declaring a state of emergency, thereby restoring the Parliament. In the event that the Parliament cannot be restored, the Emperor shall rule the land independently until such time as the people manifest an ability to govern themselves.
9.) The Emperor shall appoint and dismiss members of the government on the advice of the Prime Minister.
10.) The Emperor excercises supreme command of the forces and instruments of national defence.
11.) The Emperor accredits ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives. Foreign representatives in Thrace are accredited before him.
12.) It is incumbent upon the Emperor to express the consent of the State to obligate itself internationally through treaties in conformity with the Constitution and the laws.
13.) The Emperor may execute Imperial Warrants, and Letters Patent to associations and corporate bodies within the Realm.
14.) The Emperor has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, and amnesty to convicted persons.
The Emperor, as the fons honorum, has sole power to elevate citizens to the nobility, grant and bestow orders of chivalry, and present honours.
15.) The Emperor may declare national holidays of a temporary or of a fixed permanent nature by proclamation.
16.) The Emperor, upon his coronation, investiture, or enthronement, will swear to faithfully carry out his functions, to obey the Constitution and the laws and ensure that they are obeyed.
17.) The Emperor shall address a session of the Imperial Parliament at least once a year to deliver an Imperial Address as to the State of the Realm. This address by the Emperor to Parliament shall be delivered by the Emperor between January and March of each calendar year. Should the Emperor for some reason be unable to deliver this Address then he may designate the Address to be delivered by the Empress or Crown Prince. (Amendment)
18.) The Sovereign shall have the power to name his or her spouse as co-ruler on the Imperial Throne so that an Emperor and Empress may rule jointly as sovereigns and heads of State. - (Amendment)
ARTICLE V: SUCCESSION
Section 1: The Emperor may designate a successor to the throne from among the Imperial Family or from among the nobility. That successor shall immediately assume the Throne in the event of the death, abdication, or permanent incapacitation of the Head of State.
Section 2: Should the Throne not designate a successor, or for other reasons a successor not be available, the following procedures are in place:
A.) Should the Imperial Family become extinct, the High Court shall act in the capacity as Head of State until such time as an individual is nominated by the said High Court, and selected by public plebescite to assume the throne, or an heir to the Throne comes of age as defined in subsequent statute.
B.) If the Emperor has been continuously prevented for a period of two months from carrying out his duties, or has failed to carry them out, the Government shall notify the matter to the Parliament. The Parliament shall resolve whether the Emperor shall be deemed to have abdicated. In the interim period, commencing with the Government notification to Parliament, the procedure outline in Clause A, shall be implemented.
ARTICLE VI: REGENCY
1.) In the event of the Emperor’s declared incapacitation, the Lord Chancellor shall be named Regent for as long as it can be determined that the Emperor lives and wills to remain upon the throne.
2.) The Lord Chancellor will attempt to contact the Emperor once every two months during his regency. If the Emperor shall respond and indicate his desire to remain on the throne, the regency shall continue. If the Emperor indicates that he does not wish to remain on the throne, the Lord Chancellor shall inform the government. If there is an appointed heir to the throne, he shall be immediately named Emperor. If there be no apparrent heir to the throne, the procedure outlined in Article V, Section 2, Clause A will be implemented.
3.) The procedures outlined in Arcticle V, Section 2, Clause A will be implemented should the Lord Chancellor, acting as Regent, inform the Government that he has fallen completely out of contact with the Emperor.
4.) If at any point during a regency the Emperor shall communicate that he is once again able to resume his functions and duties, the regency shall come to an end.
ARTICLE VII: THE IMPERIAL COUNCIL OF STATE
1.) The Imperial Council of State shall consist of the Ministers appointed to the Imperial Government. It shall act as an Imperial Cabinet. It’s function is to advise and assist the Emperor in the governing of the realm. Ministers shall hold executive powers relative to their particular Ministries with authority granted them by the Sovereign. .
2.) The Imperial Council of State shall consist of members chosen to represent a broad spectrum of Thracian society. Persons holding national elective office may not sit on the Imperial Council of State.
3.) The Emperor shall appoint persons as Ministers to sit on the Council. Ministers appointed by the Emperor shall sit upon the Council at the Emperor’s pleasure.
4.) The Prime Minister shall act as chief presiding officer over the Imperial Council of State (Cabinet) when the Ministers meet together.
ARTICLE VIII: PARLIAMENT (amendment to the constitution)
1.) The Legislative Power shall be vested in a Unicameral Parliament composed of one House. Members of the Parliament shall be composed of the adult citizens and nobility of the Empire.
2.) The Parliament enacts the laws, determines taxes and decides how public funds shall be used, and shall use all means necessary and proper to do so.
3.) All treaties and foreign agreements must receive the endorsement of the Parliament in order to be valid and binding.
4.) All legislative bills, except matters discussed in Clause 6 of this Article, must be approved by Parliament before they can be submitted to the Crown for the Imperial Assent.
5.) The Parliament will elect a Lord Chancellor from among it’s members to preside over each session.
6.) Parliament may implement its own rules, and in the event the expulsion of a member is necessary, it shall be done by a two-thirds vote of the body.
7.) Legislation must be passed and approved by Parliament before being presented to the Crown for acceptance or veto.
8.) Bills passed by the House of Parliament shall first be presented to the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister approves the legislation he/she will then present it to the Emperor for final approval and enactment as law or Imperial veto. The Prime Minister shall provide recommendations to the Emperor regarding the proposed legislation suggesting that the Emperor approve or disapprove of the legislation. If the Prime Minister rejects the proposed legislation then the proposal shall be sent back to Parliament with a statement from the Prime Minister reflecting his/her reasons for rejection and his/her recommendations for changes. Parliament may then amend the proposed legislation, approve it by another majority vote, and send the amended proposal back to the Prime Minister for consideration and forwarding to the Emperor.
9.) At any point when the Prime Minister feels the Parliament is ineffective in it's duties he may suspend all actions of Parliament and request that the Emperor legislate by Imperial Decree until the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor jointly feel that Parliament is again able to function properly.
10.) Each member in the Parliament shall cast one vote including the Emperor, Prime Minister, and all other citizens of the Empire.
11.) Members of Parliament may propose legislative bills to the House of Parliament.
ARTICLE IX. THE EXECUTIVE POWER
1.) The Executive Power shall be vested in a Prime Minister and a Cabinet of Ministers.
2.) The Emperor appoints The Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, as Head of Government shall be elected from the party-in-majority, or in the event a party possesses a plurality and subsequently forms a governing coalition, the Prime Minister shall come from the majority member within that coalition. In the event that no majority, even within a coalition, is evident, any member may stand for the office of Prime Minister, to be elected by the whole body of the Parliament. He shall set the agenda for the progress of Government for a session.
3.) The Prime Minister may recommend to the Emperor the appointment or dismissal of ministers to head each department within the Government bureaucracy.
4.) The Prime Minister may propose the creation of new departments or the dissolution of existing ones. Their creation or dissolution must be approved by Parliament.
5.) The Prime Minister shall keep the Emperor informed about the affairs of the Realm on a regular basis, and similarly present himself for the examination of Parliament.
6.) In the event of the resignation, death, or permanent incapacitation of the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Parliament shall assume the role of Prime Minister until the next scheduled election.
7.) The Prime Minister or another Minister shall be removed from office for the commission of high crimes or treason, and by the process of Impeachment, and subsequent trial before the High Court. A charge by Impeachment shall require a vote of two-thirds of both houses of the Parliament before the High Court will allow for the trial. Acquittal by result of a trial, or by the insufficiency of the parliamentary vote shall not cause a discharge of any Public Minister.