Emir ❲Runberi❳
The city-states of the Runberi coast are ruled by emirs, a post that is in most cases elected. All current members of the United Runberi Emirates are elected emirs, though the exact term lengths and legal conditions vary between emirates. Selected from the ranks of the assembly of merchant aristocrats in their respective cities, these emirs are given executive powers over the assets and personnel of the city, as well as the authority to speak on behalf of the city to other Runberi cities, Beirhamin tribes, and other countries, as well as power blocs within the emirate that are not under the umbrella of the assembly. Thus, while the assembly decrees what is to be done, they must embody their authority in the emir. This emir acts as the instrument of their will, executing the assembly's policy.
At least, this is the theory.
Appointment
The emir is elected by their peers for 5 to 8 years depending on the emirate in question. Some emirates allow re-elections, others do not, and others allow only one re-election. The only way to become an emir of one of the 23 emirates is first to meet all the requirements to be raised to the assembly, and then become influential and respected enough that when the time comes, one's fellow councilors decide to raise the hopeful to the post of emir.
Responsibilities
The emir is the supreme executive authority of an emirate, commanding the civil service and the military. They are also the foremost representative of the emirate to both other organizations within the Emirate like the Temple of Nuwa, subordinate cities, or Beirhamin tribes. While they do sit in the meetings of the assembly they are voted in by and are drawn from the ranks of that assembly, in none of the emirates does a sitting emir have a vote. However, they generally do have the power to set agenda and have their motions receive first consideration by the voting assembly.
Benefits
Emirs rarely draw a direct compensation from the state they serve. However, they are granted access to various city assets and generally live in a palace. Their position as the executive enables them to benefit the ventures of their house, though an emir must be careful to limit their greed in this respect, lest they draw the ire of their assembly. Though lacking voting rights, an emir has tremendous formal and informal influence over an emirate. Treaties with the tribes and subordinate cities are made with the office of emir rather than the assembly, giving the emir power over the complex web of alliances every Runberi emirate is at the center of.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
The typical way for an emir to step down is for their term to naturally expire and for the emir to return to the ranks of the voting assembly. Former emirs have no formal privileges in the assembly, but are regarded as a sort of first among equals. The speakers of the assembly will continue to give their motions first place on the agenda. The assemblies can also recall emirs, though how difficult this is depends on the emirate.
History
Emir is a Runberi term for commander or prince, and rulers of the Runberi have named themselves this for hundreds of years. Though having encompassed autocratic forms of rule as well as hereditary monarchy in the past, today the title of emir is a prestige title used for an elected executive.
Type
Nobility, Non-hereditary
Length of Term
5-8 years
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