Garden of Laws Councils
Overview
The legislative body is the large council, which is then overseen and managed by the small council. Members of the large council fluctuate between 400 and 500 and only a majority is necessary for government business to proceed forward. From these, members of the small council are elected by the large council itself. These people become ministers, vice ministers, and other high officials overseeing various governmental departments. Originally, the powers of the Councils were spread over the heads of departments on the small council. However, the supervisory and agenda roles of the luzhasvumekt have caused many powers to become centralized, granting the head of state greater and greater authority.Large Council
Consisting of between 400 and 500 members, the large council is a quasi-elected body which serves as the link between the people and government. However, in practice, each province sets their own methods for electing council members. For example, some elven tribes hold elections within their territories for who shall be sent to the capital to represent their interests. However, in others, the clan leader will appoint those sent. Some have a mix, with a few elected and another set appointed. The number of representatives for a province is based purely on population numbers and is to be reevaluated every hundred years based on census data. In terms of powers, the large council hears national judicial cases, although in highly important cases the small council and luzhasvumekt will preside as judges, with the latter having ultimate authority over the verdict. The large council also proposes legislation, which is then debated and voted on, before being presented to the small council and luzhasvumekt for final approval. While on paper, the large council votes for the small, in practice, authority was slowly transferred to the luzhasvumekt, who ultimately approved those wanting to run for a particular small council position.Small Council
The small council consists of fifty members, elected from those among the large council. In order to be considered for the small council, a potential member must have the approval of the luzhasvumekt, have served on the large council for at least one term or be recommended by someone currently on the small council should they be a freshman to the overall council. Duties of the small council include proposing legislation for debate in the small council (generally regarding high level government issues or ones of secret information), approving legislation presented from the large council, presenting magistrate candidates, and command of the military. They also hold a great deal of power over the purse of the nation, with broad control of funding residing with the small council. The large council may propose ideas for funds and gather support, but cannot directly control allocation of money. The main function of individual members is to manage their respective departments, ultimately reporting to the luzhasvumekt.Luzhasvumekt
The luzhasvumekt acts as the head of the small council and, by extension, the head of state for the entire council. This office has only ever been held by Daervulen Bahrlethier. Its literal translation is 'first councilman', but could more accurately be described on paper as a prime minister. However, over the years, the role has expanded as Daervulen accumulated more power. Powers of the luzhasvumekt include the ability to propose legislation, approval of appointments to the small council, judicial authority on cases of extreme importance, pardon of the convicted, approve provincial judicial appointments, begin removal proceedings for council members, preside as final judge over national trials, and propose allocation of funds. The office also holds control over the military through authority as the head of the small council, although in practice, the armed forces are loyal to Daervulen himself. As the head of the council chambers, the luzhasvumekt may speak in the large or small council at any time and may propose legislation for immediate vote. Originally, many powers of the luzhasvumekt were divided among members of the small council. However, over the last century, they have been steadily concentrated in Daervulen's hands. This has led to a situation where much of his power is similar to that of a monarch without anyone truly acknowledging what has happened.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Democracy, Parliamentary
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Market economy
Legislative Body
The Large and Small Councils
Judicial Body
The Large Council and outlying divisions among provinces
Executive Body
The Large and Small Councils
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Related Ethnicities
Comments