Free Worlds Republic Constitution

*THIS ARTICLE IS A COPY OF THE 'LIVING' GOOGLE DOC AND WILL BE UPDATED TO REFLECT ANY CHANGES THERE*

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OszJK_wqdkz-JMjcTkHB9Z_63U0Z2hy8G2G1jlsfLBc/edit#

Overview

The purpose of this document is to lay out the high level concepts that will guide how the Free Worlds Republic operates as a government. The primary goal of the Free Worlds Republic is to provide a unifying polity for its member systems that will effectively combine their resources in military, foreign policy, and espionage matters as well as resolving disputes between systems. Otherwise non-interference in member systems’ local politics will be the rule.

Government Structure

The Free Worlds Republic will be a presidential republic with a bi-cameral legislature.

Executive

The executive branch will manage the administration of the Republic’s agencies such as the military, civil service, and intelligence agencies. The executive will be headed by a President, elected by the General Assembly, who selects their cabinet ministers. The President serves a 10 years term. If the President leaves office before the end of their term then the General Assembly will elect a new President to finish the term.

Legislature

The legislature will have two bodies: the General Assembly and the Senate. The General Assembly will be elected directly from each member world with seats proportionate to population. The Senate will have two seats per world, with one directly selected by a method decided by the system and the other directly elected by the populace. The General Assembly will elect the President, pass new legislation, regulate interstellar trade, and approve taxes and budget for the Republic. The General Assembly may also impeach a President for High Crimes.
The Senate will arbitrate disputes between member systems, review and approve treaties with foreign powers, declare war, and rule on interpretations of law. The Senate will also be able to veto laws passed by the General Assembly, but not who they select as President nor budgets or taxes. The Senate will judge any impeachment charges against a President.

Judiciary

The Republic will have a limited judiciary to try crimes against the Republic or crimes which happen in Republic controlled territory not under the authority of a member system. The Senate will serve as the final appeal and only act on disputes involving interpretation of Republic law. The Republic judicial system will have authority over interstellar space, Republic facilities and ships, and crimes which occur across multiple systems. An organization like CIS will be created to investigate such crimes.

Principles of the Republic

These are the principles of the Republic which will influence all laws and decisions.

Member Sovereignty

Members of the Republic are sovereign within their system. They may determine their own laws, systems of government, systems of justice, and in all ways determine their own fate. The only restriction is that no member may build an interstellar capable warship larger than a frigate(Removed by Amendment 2), violate the right to leave their system of a Republic citizen, nor establish relations with a foreign power. The member systems of the Republic are free to establish agreements between themselves for economic and other cooperation so long as they are not agreements hostile to the Republic. Members of the Republic cannot choose to leave the Republic.(Removed by Amendment 1)

Protectorates

Systems which do not wish to become full members of the Republic can become a protectorate. Protectorates will pay a tax to the Republic to support the Republic military and will be guaranteed the military protection of the Republic. Protectorates may not establish treaties with any foreign power nor build warships. The Republic Senate may declare a system of vital interest to the Republic which refuses to join the Republic a protectorate. A protectorate can choose to become a member at any time and may not be refused membership. No member can ever be made a protectorate.

Freedom to Leave

All Republic Citizens have the freedom to leave any system unless they have been convicted of a disqualifying crime by that system’s government as determined by the General Assembly. Initially disqualifying crimes will be only violent crimes.

Amendments

The First Amendment

A planet or system that is a current member of the Republic may officially withdraw from the republic after a successful vote of public support of over 75% majority with at least 60% voter turn out.
Planets or Systems leaving will have to pay back with either: A 50% equivalent of all federal funding and social spending received in the past 10 years with a payment plan agreed before separation by the Senate. A Lump Sum as agreed upon before separation by the Senate.

The Planet or System that votes to withdraw shall notify the Senate of its intention, to which the senate shall negotiate and conclude an agreement with that State, setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal (inclusive of the terms in Section 2)

The withdrawal process is nullified if no clear agreement is agreed by the Republic’s Senate 5 years from the notification date.

The Second Amendment

Republic worlds may have their own fleets but each ship must be registered with class and armament with the Republic Military.

The Third Amendment

An office of the Vice President is created which shall replace the President if they die or leave office. The Vice President shall also preside over the Senate and break tied votes.

The Fourth Amendment

This amendment will ensure that all members of the Republic may fill the top executive role of their government by whatever means they wish according to their own laws on their planet. This law ensures that planetary governors may be:

•  Elected by universal suffrage
• Elected by an electoral college
• Elected by a closed door committee
• Appointed by a committee
• Hereditary appointment

This amendment further enshrines the right for a planetary government to be appointed by whatever means is determined by the planet itself. The Republic legislative branch cannot interfere except where:

• The world has risen in rebellion against the Republic
• The governor has been convicted of a serious crime in the Republic courts
• Due to national security of the Republic

Type

Statement, Political (Manifesto)

Medium

Digital Recording, Text

Authoring Date

2498

Ratification Date

30th August 2500

Location

New Berlin

Signatories (Organizations)

• The Terran Republic