Constitution

[StateCraft]

PREAMBLE​

Whereas the people of the Kingdom of Alexandria, through their elected Representatives in Parliament, hereby establish the following Constitution for the Kingdom.

PART I - THE PARLIAMENT​

1. Legislative Power​

Legislative power is vested in the Parliament, consisting of one chamber, hereinafter called the Parliament.

2. Role of Parliament​

The Parliament has the following roles and responsibilities:

Spoiler: ”Roles of Parliament”

• Legislation: Parliament passes laws by debating, scrutinizing, and voting on bills.
• Representation: Members represent the interests and concerns of their constituents.
• Scrutiny and Accountability: Parliament holds the government accountable through questions, debates, and committees.
• Budget and Financial Control: Parliament approves government spending and taxation policies.
• Formation of Government: The majority party in the Parliament forms the government.
• Amendment of the Constitution: Parliament initiates and organizes referendums to amend the Constitution.
• Protection of Rights and Freedoms: Parliament ensures laws protect citizens' rights and freedoms.
• International Relations and Treaties: Parliament ratifies treaties and international agreements.
• Conflict Resolution: Parliament provides a forum for debating and resolving national issues.
• Constitutional Checks and Balances: Parliament ensures no branch of government has unchecked power.

3. Powers of Parliament​

The Parliament has the following powers:

Spoiler: ”Powers of Parliament”

1. Legislative Power: Parliament has the authority to create, amend, and repeal laws.
2. Financial Power: Parliament controls government spending, taxation, and the budget.
3. Power to Form the Government: Parliament selects the Prime Minister and forms the executive government.
4. Power to Amend the Constitution: Parliament can initiate constitutional changes through referenda.
5. Power to Approve Treaties: Parliament ratifies international treaties and agreements negotiated by the government.
6. Power to Investigate: Parliament can create committees to investigate issues and government actions.
7. Power to Impeach: Parliament has the authority to remove Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Officers for misconduct.
8. Power to Control Immigration: Parliament can regulate immigration policies and laws.
9. Power to Declare War: Parliament has the power to declare war and authorize military engagement.

4. Speaker of Parliament​

The parliament elects a Member of Parliament to be presiding officer of the parliamentary chamber, who is a the sole Legislative Officer, and who has the following responsibilities and powers:

Spoiler: ”Responsibilities and Powers of the Speaker of Parliament”

1. Preside over the Parliament: The Speaker oversees debates and ensures that parliamentary procedures are followed.
2. Maintain Order: The Speaker ensures that debates are conducted in an orderly manner and may call members to order if necessary.
3. Impartially Enforce Rules: The Speaker remains neutral and does not participate in debates or vote, except to break ties.
4. Represent the Parliament: The Speaker represents the Parliament in all matters outside of Parliament, including during official ceremonies.
5. Facilitate Debate: The Speaker manages the order of business, calls on members to speak, and ensures everyone has the opportunity to participate.
6. Safeguard Parliamentary Privilege: The Speaker protects the rights of Members of Parliament to speak freely within the Parliament.
7. Ensure Parliamentary Procedure: The Speaker ensures that the Parliament follows the rules of procedure and upholds parliamentary traditions.

5. Electoral Terms​

1. Minimum Seats. The Parliament will have no fewer than nine seats.
2. Representation Ratio. One seat in Parliament is allocated for up to twenty players each.
3. Adjusting Seats. The number of seats will be amended based on the number of active players, following the rule of one seat per twenty active players, but no fewer than nine. The number of unique players is determined based on the date that the election was called.
4. Session Length. Parliamentary terms must be no longer than 90 days. Elections must be conducted no more than 2 days prior to the end of the term, and if not called before the 80th day, elections will take place on the 88th day.
5. Voting System. Members will be elected according to a closed party list voting system defined by Parliament.

PART II - THE EXECUTIVE​

6. Executive Power​

Executive power is vested in the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Executive branch, consisting of the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and Government Ministries administer and enforce the law, as written by the legislature and interpreted by the judiciary.

7. Prime Minister​

The Prime Minister is the Head of Government, and is responsible to the Parliament for the following:

Spoiler: ”Responsibilities and Powers of the Prime Minister”

1. Head of Government: The Prime Minister is the chief executive of the government, the first among equals, leading the administration and overseeing the implementation of laws and policies.
2. Leadership of Cabinet: The Prime Minister selects and leads the Cabinet, guiding the decision-making process on national issues.
3. National and International Representation: Represents the Kingdom of Alexandria both domestically and internationally, engaging with other nations and international organizations.
4. Policy Direction: Sets key government priorities and drives the development of national policies.
5. Confidence of Parliament: The Prime Minister’s Government must maintain and demonstrate the confidence of Parliament in order to form government and to govern.

8. Election of the Prime Minister​

The Prime Minister is the leader of the party or coalition that wins the majority of seats in the Parliament after a general election. The Prime Minister is typically the party leader with the support of the majority of MPs in the Parliament.

The Parliament shall also elect a Deputy Prime Minister, who will act as Prime Minister in the event of the Prime Minister's absence.

9. Cabinet​

The Cabinet is the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and a group of Ministers appointed by the Prime Minister to make decisions on national policies and legislation. Each minister oversees a specific portfolio of ministries. Cabinet operates under collective responsibility, meaning all members must support its decisions. Members of Cabinet are Executive Officers.

Spoiler: ”Responsibilities and Powers of the Cabinet”

1. Key Decision-Making Body: Composed of ministers, Cabinet is responsible for making major government decisions on policy, law, and administration.
2. Policy Approval: Discusses and approves significant government initiatives and legislative proposals.
3. Ministry Oversight: Each Cabinet member heads a specific government ministry, managing its functions and operations.
4. Collective Responsibility: All members must publicly support Cabinet decisions, ensuring unity in government actions.
5. Government Implementation: Implements laws and policies through government ministries and agencies.
6. Budget and Resource Allocation: Manages the national budget and allocates resources for public sector programs.

10. Ministers​

A Minister is a Member of Parliament who is appointed by the Prime Minister to lead a specific government ministry portfolio. A Minister is responsible for implementing policies, managing public services, and making decisions within their delegated areas of responsibility.

Spoiler: ”Responsibilities and Powers of Ministers”

1. Executive Power: Ministers have the authority to make decisions regarding the administration of government policies and programs within their portfolio.
2. Legislative Power: Ministers can propose, introduce, and advocate for legislation related to their portfolio in Parliament.
3. Regulatory Power: Ministers can issue regulations and rules within their areas of responsibility, enabling the effective implementation of laws.
4. Budget Control: Ministers have the power to allocate resources and manage the budgets for their respective government ministries.
5. Appointment Power: Ministers have the authority to appoint officials within their ministry.
6. Decision-Making Authority: Ministers can make policy decisions, issue directives, and take action within their ministry to address national issues.
7. Public Representation: Ministers hold the power to represent the government in public, in Parliament, and in discussions with stakeholders, media, and the public.

11. Opposition​

The Opposition is the political party or coalition of parties that holds the second-largest number of seats in the Parliament, after the government. The Opposition's primary role is to scrutinise, challenge, and provide alternative policies to those of the government. It plays a critical role in holding the government accountable through debates, questioning government decisions, and proposing alternative solutions.
The Leader of the Opposition is typically the head of the largest party in the Opposition and is considered the alternative Prime Minister. The Opposition also has its own shadow Cabinet, consisting of members who mirror the government's Cabinet and offer counter-policies and proposals.

12. Confidence of Parliament:​

The Government must maintain the confidence of Parliament to govern. Should the government lose this confidence, they must immediately resign.

If a confidence is not regained by any party within 72 hours, an election is immediately triggered.

13. Minority Government:​

In the absence of a clear majority, the largest coalition may form a minority government. A confidence agreement may be made with these parties and members to ensure support on key financial and no confidence votes.

PART III - THE JUDICIARY​

14. Judicial Power​

Judicial power is vested in the courts, consisting‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ High Court and the Magistrates Court. These institutions interpret‌ ‌the‌ ‌law‌ ‌as‌ ‌written‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌legislature‌ ‌and‌ ‌administered‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌Executive.‌

15. High Court​

The High Court is the highest court of the nation, with exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional questions, including the interpretation and application of the Constitution, as well as disputes returns arising from elections, including challenges to election results and qualifications of elected members of Parliament.

The High Court has appellate jurisdiction over all other matters from lower courts.

16. Magistrates Court​

The Magistrates Court shall have jurisdiction over all criminal and civil matters, except those explicitly reserved for the High Court by this Constitution or other specific laws. All cases shall initially be heard in the Magistrates Court, unless otherwise specified by law or granted special leave by the High Court.

17. Judicial Officers​

Judicial Officers of the High Court and magistrates shall serve for life, subject to removal by Parliament through impeachment.

1. High Court Appointments. The Parliament shall appoint justices to the High Court.
2. Magistrates Court Appointments. The Chief Justice shall appoint magistrates to the Magistrates Court.
3. Lower Court Cases. Judicial Officers of a higher court can hear cases in a lower court.

PART IV - THE CROWN​

18. Royal Power​

Royal power is vested in the Crown. The Crown is held by a Monarch, who is an apolitical, ceremonial Head of State with strictly limited ceremonial powers and functions.

19. The Monarch​

The Monarch is a King or Queen who acts on the lawful and reasonable advice of the government of the day, and may only in exceptional circumstances refuse or delay actions as advised, with the understanding that any such actions must align with the Constitution and established legal principles.

Spoiler: ”Responsibilities and Powers of the Monarch”

1. State Representation. Representing the Kingdom in ceremonial functions, both domestically and internationally.
2. Royal Assent. Granting royal assent to bills passed by Parliament.
3. Appointments. Formally appointing the Prime Minister, Cabinet members, and other officials as recommended by Parliament.
4. Ceremonial Functions. Presiding over national events and opening each session of Parliament.
5. Prerogatives. Granting pardons or clemencies based on the advice of the government of the day.
6. Parliamentary Powers. Dissolving the Parliament on the advice of the Prime Minister and issuing Electoral Writs to the electoral authority.
7. Advisory Role. While the Monarch’s role is largely ceremonial, they may receive regular briefings and counsel from the Prime Minister and Cabinet, but must not exert influence over political decisions.

20. Appointment and Succession​

The Monarch is appointed by their predecessor for a fixed term of six months, with no individual serving more than one term. The predecessor Monarch shall select and appoint their successor based on the criteria and process defined by Parliament, ensuring the continuity of the monarchy.

The Monarch may be appointed by a supermajority of Parliament where the predecessor is otherwise unable to, or fails to appoint a successor by the expiration of their term.

21. Vacating the Monarchy​

The Parliament may initiate a process to vacate the monarchy through a direct public referendum. The Monarch shall be removed from office if the referendum results in a greater than 80% majority in favor of the referendum.

PART V - RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS​

22. Rights & Freedoms​

The following rights and freedoms are guaranteed, subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law that are justified in a free and democratic society.

1. The right to participate in and run for office
2. The right to vote in elections and referendums provided the player meets the activity requirements set by law.
3. The right to secret ballot in elections and referendums
4. The right to appeal a charge made against them
5. No citizen can be made to produce self-incriminating evidence in a court of law, parliamentary hearing, subpoena, or impeachment trial
6. Freedom of political communication, press, and media
7. The right to a speedy and fair trial presided over by an impartial Judicial Officer and to be informed of the nature of the charges brought against them
8. The right to peacefully assemble
9. Freedom of association
10. Every citizen is equal before and under the law
11. Every citizen has the right to life, liberty, and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof
12. Every citizen has the right to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure
13. Every citizen has the right to be informed of the reason for a subpoena, detention, charge, or arrest made against them

PART V - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS​

23. Changing the Constitution​

A constitutional amendment is any amendment made to the constitution and must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Parliamentary passage with supermajority support
2. Public Referendum with supermajority support

Bills amending the constitution cannot amend any non-constitutional provisions.

PART VI - STAFF RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT​

24. Staff & Government​

Network Staff are the only bridge between Staff and Government.

25. Staff Override​

For the benefit of the server, Network Staff retain the reserve power to completely override any Government decision.

The Network Staff will communicate this override through the Prime Minister where possible.

Staff override cannot be overturned. However, the Network Staff will work with the Parliament to seek an alternative option.

The Network Staff will advise the Parliament where requested and or give input into the country’s efficient running and staff workload.

26. Dissolution of Parliament​

The Network Staff can dissolve a Parliament and trigger a general election.

27. Removal of a Monarch​

The Network Staff can remove a monarch.

PART VII - DEFINING KEY TERMS​

28. Majority​

A vote of more than 1/2.

29. Supermajority​

A vote of more than 2/3.

30. Impeachment​

Impeachment is a constitutional process to address serious offenses committed by an official. Parliament may bring charges against an official or former official, specifying the constitutional provisions violated. If found guilty by Parliament, the individual may face the following penalties:

• Immediate removal from office
• A ban from holding public office for up to 2 months.

31. Confidence​

Parliamentary confidence refers to the support that a government maintains from the majority of the Parliament. If the government loses this confidence through a vote of no confidence, it must immediately resign, leading to the formation of a new government or the calling of general elections.

32. Public Office​

Members holding an Executive, Legislative, or Judicial Officer position are considered to be senior public servants holding public office.

33. Hung Parliament​

When no single political party wins an outright majority of seats at a general election. This means that no party has enough seats to independently form a government, and coalition talks, minority governments, or other negotiations are required to establish a government.

34. Convention​

Alexandria is founded on adherence to constitutional, legal, and parliamentary conventions that support the effective operation of government within the framework of the Constitution. These conventions arise from established practices and provide continuity and clarity in the exercise of public power.