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DispatchFactbookPolitics

by The Pirates Theme Park Ride of The Tsunterlands. . 128 reads.

Politics of the Tsunterlands


Flag of the Republic of the Tsunterlands
Unitary Parliamentary Directorial Republic
  • Total Budget: 123,665, 418,324 IAD

  • Ministry for Law and Justice: 7% (8,656,579,282.68)

  • Ministry for National Finances: 4% (4,946,616,732.96)

  • Ministry for International Affairs: 5% (6,183,270.916)

  • Ministry for the Armed Forces: 13% (16,076,504,382.12)

  • Ministry for Trade: 4% (4,946,616,732,96)

  • Ministry for Energy and National Resources: 10% (12,366,541,832.4)

  • Ministry for Science and Technology Research:8% (9,893,233,465.92)

  • Ministry for Housing, Development, and Transportation: 10% (12,366,541,832.4)

  • Ministry for Public Health: 12% (14,839,850,198.88)

  • Ministry for Education: 12% (14,839,850,198.88)

  • Ministry for Society: 1% (1,236,654,183.24)

  • Ministry for National Minorities and Equality: 1% (1,236,654,183.24)

  • Ministry for Culture and Diaspora: 1% (1,236,654,183.24)

  • Ministry for the Environment: 4% (4,946,616,732.96)

  • The National Bureaucracy: 4% (4,946,616,732.96)

  • Administration: 4% (4,946,616,732.96)

The Politics of the Republic of the Tsunterlands occurs within the framework of a Unitary Parliamentary Directorial Republic. Executive power is invested in a directly elected 7-member Executive Council, which jointly acts as Head of State while legislative power is invested in a bicameral parliament. Parliament is led by the Prime Minister, the leader of the largest political party within the parliament, who in turn appoints a cabinet of ministers from the parliament. The Judicial Branch is headed by the Supreme National Tribunal whose judges are appointed by the Executive Council. The implementation of government policies is carried about the Civil Service, also known as the Lurvagla.

The lower house of the Parliament, the Chamber of Members, has 362 members who are elected via single-member plurality or “First-by-the-post” system. The upper house, the Chamber of Delegates, is composed of 64 members who appointed by Tsunter clans, 6 members who are elected via the Maurician Special District, 1 member elected by the Salimanese Special District and 1 member elected by the Catholic Special District. The Tsunter party system is a multiparty system with two dominant parties, the Cooperative Party and the Romantic Party. Coalition and minority governments are rare. Since 2018, Parliament has been led by Prime Minister Jaygo Aodha of the Cooperative Party.

The politics of the Tsunterlands is outlined in the Constitution of the Tsunterlands which was ratified in 1988, shortly after the restoration of democratic rule in the Tsunterlands following nearly a decade of military rule. This is the Third Constitution the Tsunterlands has used since it gained independence, leading to the contemporary Tsunterlands to be sometimes referred to as the “Third Republic” to differentiate it from previous political eras. The constitution also outlines the national symbols and territory of the Tsunterlands along with the rights of its citizens and its national minorities.

The Tsunter Republic is generally seen as a hybrid or flawed democratic regime. Elections are considered to be free and fair and the power of state is held in accountable by a powerful human rights regime and an independent media. There is a high degree of meaningful public participation in politics. Minority groups have also been granted special voting rights in order to ensure they are represented in government. However, there are some major criticisms of the Tsunter political system, in particular the leadership of the Clans is seen to have an undue influence on politics at the expense of the people. Futhermore the Tsunterlands has been repeatedly criticised for failing to protect the rights of ethnic minorities.

The Executive Council


The Executive Council is a body composed of seven-members, known as Councillors, that collectively serve as the Head of State of the Tsunterlands and wield executive power. Since 2015, a coalition of three Cooperative Councillors and one Maurician People’s Party Councillor have held a governing majority in the Council.

The Executive Council of the Tsunterlands possesses a range of powers outlined in the Tsunter Constitution. These include the power to rule by decree through Article 12 of the Tsunter Constitution, albeit with the unanimous support of all seven members of the Council. Similarly, if there is unanimous support, the Council can dismiss the Prime Minister and their cabinet, dissolve parliament and veto bills passed by parliament.

The Executive Council also has powers relating to foreign policy and defence which only require majority support in the council. These include the power to negotiate, ratify and repeal treaties and the power to declare war. The Executive Council is also responsible for appointing a Chief of General Staff, who acts as Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of the Tsunterlands Armed Forces.

The Executive Council exercises oversight over the Civil Service, including appointing restricting the departments of the Civil Service and appointing senior Civil Servants with majority support within the Council.

Along with their ability to dismiss the government and dissolve parliament the Executive Council has other powers over parliament that only require majority support, such as approving or rejecting the national budgets proposed by parliament. The Executive Council can also enact Article 13 of the Tsunter Constitution which compels the Chamber of Delegates to pass legislation endorsed by the Chamber of Members within a designated timeframe, which typically ranges from 3 to 12 months. Finally, the Councillor can also cast a single vote in either the Chamber of Members or the Chamber of Delegates in order to break parliamentary deadlocks.

Each year, one seat within the Executive Council is held for election, meaning that each councillor serves a seven-year term. Six of the Seven seats are directly elected by the whole electorate of the Tsunterlands while the seventh is elected by the Maurician special voting district, where on Mauricians can vote. The election uses a run-off voting system where two rounds of voting are held. Any candidate can run in the first round, if no candidate receives more than 50% of the total vote a second round of voting is held between the two most popular candidates.

The Prime Minister and the Cabinet


Prime Minister Jaygo Aodha

The Prime Minister is the Head of Government of the Tsunterlands and leads the Cabinet. The Prime Minister is officially appointed by the Executive Council, however in practice the Prime Minister has always been the leader of the largest party within the Chamber of Members. The Prime Minister’s formal powers include nominating members of parliament to the Cabinet, although appoints must be approved by Chamber of Members and formally confirmed by the Executive Council, chairing cabinet meetings and deciding who will chair parliamentary committees. The Prime Minister also has weekly official meetings with the Executive Council in order to inform them about the state of parliament. The powers of the Prime Minister mean that they can effectively set the legislative agenda of parliament.

The Prime Minister is supported by their cabinet of ministers, each with responsibility over a different area of governance. The cabinet is responsible for formulating and shaping government policies and for introducing the government-sponsored bills into parliament. The cabinet also oversees the implementation of laws and policies approved by the parliament and ensures that government programs and initiatives are carried out by the relevant ministries and agencies in a coordinated fashion. Cabinet members are collectively responsible for the decisions made by the government. This means that they must publicly support and defend government policies, even if they personally disagree with them. If a cabinet member strongly opposes a decision, they may be expected to resign from the cabinet. Cabinet Ministers can also introduce secondary legislation into law immediately through statutory instruments although these can be more easily challenged by courts.

The current positions in the Cabinet are the following

  • Minister for Law and Justice: Responsible for upholding and administering the legal system, ensuring justice is served, and protecting the rights of citizens.

  • Minister for National Finances: Manages the financial affairs of the nation, including budgeting, revenue generation, and fiscal policies.

  • Minister for International Affairs: Oversees foreign relations, diplomacy, and international cooperation, representing the Tsunterlands on the global stage. Minister for Domestic Affairs: Focuses on internal affairs, including governance, public administration, and the well-being of citizens within the Tsunterlands.

  • Minister for the Armed Forces: Responsible for matters pertaining to national defense, security, and the welfare of the armed forces.

  • Minister for Trade: Promotes and regulates trade relations, formulates trade policies, and facilitates economic growth through international commerce.

  • Minister for Energy and National Resources: Manages the distribution of energy resources within the Tsunterlands, ensuring sustainable utilization and resource management.

  • Minister for Science and Technology Research: Encourages scientific research and technological advancements, fostering innovation and promoting the development of cutting-edge technologies.

  • Minister for Housing, Development, and Transportation: Oversees urban planning, housing initiatives, infrastructure development, and transportation systems within the Tsunterlands.

  • Minister for Public Health: Focuses on healthcare policies, public health initiatives, and ensuring the well-being of the population.

  • Minister for Education: Develops and implements educational policies, promotes access to quality education, and supports educational institutions and programs.

  • Minister for Society: Addresses social issues, promotes social welfare, and implements policies related to social justice and equality.

  • Minister for National Minorities and Equality: Works towards the protection of the rights and interests of national minorities, ensuring equality and inclusivity within society.

  • Minister for Culture and Diaspora: Preserves and promotes cultural heritage, supports artistic and cultural endeavors, and engages with the Tsunter diaspora.

  • Minister for the Environment: Addresses environmental concerns, develops sustainable practices, and implements policies to mitigate climate change and protect natural resources.

  • Minister of the National Bureaucracy: Oversees the functioning and administration of the National Bureaucracy, ensuring effective implementation of policies and coordination among government departments and agencies.

The Chamber of Members


Government
Cooperative Party (197)
Opposition
Romantic Party (106)
Daiómato Límni (29)
Center Democrats (23)
Christian Social Party (6)
Green Party (1)

The Chamber of Members, colloquially known as the “Lower Deck”, is the lower house of the Tsunter Parliament and is generally considered the more prominent of the two chambers. It is composed of 362 members who are elected every 5 years via a single-member plurality voting system – otherwise known as First Past the Post. Individuals elected to the Chamber of Members are known as MPs, or Members of Parliament. Debates within the Chamber of Members are presided over by the Speaker for the Chamber of Members who is selected by the largest party within the Chamber. The timetabling of parliamentary business is controlled by the Leader of the Chamber of Members who is also selected by the chamber’s largest party.

The primary responsibility of the Chamber of Members to vote on whether or not to pass proposed bills into law. Once a bill has been approved by the Chamber of Members it is passed into the Chamber of Delegates for approval are there. Once a bill has received the approval of both chambers it is sent to the Executive Council who enact into law. When discuss budgetary bills however the Chamber of Members has greater authority and immediately sends approved budgets to the Executive Council.

The Chamber is also responsible for holding debates around policies, important issues and for scrutinising the work of government. To this end the chamber is assisted by a number of committees (known as “Tables”) which various from Bill Tables (ad hoc committees who existed to scrutinise a particular bill) to the Permanent Parliamentary Tables which cover a specific area of government policy.

The Chamber of Members also has the power to dismiss the Prime Minister and Cabinet through a vote of no confidence. If a vote of no confidence is successful, the chamber is dissolved, and fresh elections are held.

The Chamber of Delegates


Romantic Party (41)
Cooperative Party (25)
Daiómato Límni (6)
Komiyūnihtli Tzūnta-Zalmanazka (1)
Christian Social Party (1)

The Chamber of Delegates, colloquially known as the “Higher Deck”, is the upper house of the Tsunter Parliament. It is composed of 72 members in total. 64 of these members are appointed by the Tsunter clans. Clans are social unit within the Tsunterlands with a huge degree of cultural significance as most ethnic Tsunters strongly identify with their clan. There are 36 clans within the Tsunterlands, all of which have internal democratic leadership, and each clan is entitled to send 2 members, who are known as Delegates of Parliament of DPs. Each Delegate is allowed to serve for a maximum of fifteen years but can be recalled earlier by their clan. Delegates are expected to represent their clan’s interests and vote according to their clan’s desires. The remaining 8 seats are allotted to the national minority groups of the Tsunterlands: Mauricians, Salimanese and Catholics. Special voting districts allow minority groups to elect members to the Chamber of Delegates. Catholics and Salimanese have 1 seat each while Mauricians have 6.

The Chamber of Delegates has a similar role to the Chamber of Members and, within the legislative process, primarily serves to debate, scrutinise and eventually vote on whether to approve or reject bills passed by the Chamber of Members. Rejected Bills are usually sent back to the Chamber of Members with a list of proposed improvements. The Executive Council can compel the Chamber of Members to approve a particular bill within a given timeframe through its article 13 powers. Likewise, the Chamber of Delegates also has a number of committees to investigate specific areas of governance.

The Chamber of Delegates also serves a unique role in serving as a forum to discuss issues that directly impact the functioning of clans, or issues within minority communities, within Tsunter society. For instance, if a clan was believed becoming internally undemocratic, the Chamber of Delegates can appoint special investigation. Likewise, the Chamber of Delegates is also responsible for protecting democratic and human rights of minority communities within the Tsunterlands.

Debates within the Chamber of Delegates is presided over by the Speaker of the Chamber of Delegates through an internal selection process where the Chamber votes on who will take on the role. The Speaker also controls the timetabling of parliamentary business within the chamber.

The Council of Ministers also includes the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Speaker for the Clans, who represent the legislative bodies within the Tsunter government. Together, they collaborate to ensure effective governance, policy implementation, and the overall progress of the Tsunterlands.

The Civil Service
The Civil Service of the Tsunterlands serves as the backbone of the country's administrative machinery, implementing and enforcing government policies as determined by the Grand Conclave. Operating on the principles of impartiality and meritocracy, the Civil Service upholds a commitment to serving the nation and its citizens. Comprised of numerous departments and agencies, the Civil Service encompasses a wide range of responsibilities within the government. These departments and agencies are staffed by civil servants who bring their expertise and knowledge to effectively carry out the tasks assigned to them.

The Tsunter Civil Service follows a system of meritocracy, where individuals are selected based on their qualifications, skills, and abilities rather than factors such as political affiliation or personal connections. This approach ensures that appointments and promotions within the bureaucracy are based on the competence and suitability of the individuals. Impartiality is a fundamental principle of the Civil Service. Civil servants are expected to remain neutral and unbiased in the execution of their duties, treating all citizens and stakeholders fairly and equally. This impartiality helps maintain public trust and confidence in the bureaucracy and ensures that government policies are implemented in a consistent and unbiased manner. The Civil Service operates in close coordination with the elected bodies of the Tsunter government. While the Civil Service is responsible for the implementation of policies, it is accountable to these elected bodies, which have the power to scrutinize its actions and decisions.

The Judiciary


The Tsunter judicial system serves as the cornerstone of upholding justice and interpreting the law within the Tsunterlands. Managed by the Ministry for Law and Justice, it ensures fair and impartial adjudication of legal matters.
Judges within the Tsunter judicial system are typically appointed by an independent panel based on their qualifications and expertise. Once appointed, judges may serve until they reach the age of retirement, ensuring stability and continuity in the judiciary.

Prior to 1990, the Tsunter judicial system predominantly operated through clan courts. However, a comprehensive reform led to the establishment of a national court system, where national courts now handle inter-clan cases and cases involving the state. The Tsunter judicial system consists of five types of courts, each specialized in different areas of law:
Civil Courts: These courts handle non-criminal cases between individuals, such as disputes over contracts, property rights, or personal matters.

  • Magistrates Courts: Magistrates courts focus on criminal cases, dealing with offenses ranging from minor infractions to serious crimes. They conduct trials and deliver judgments based on the evidence presented.

  • Industrial Courts: Industrial courts handle non-criminal cases related to corporate entities. These courts address disputes involving labour issues, employment contracts, and workplace regulations.

  • Financial Courts: Financial courts deal with non-criminal but contentious cases involving financial practices. They play a crucial role in resolving disputes related to financial transactions, investments, and commercial activities. Additionally, they are responsible for referring individuals to state Insolvency Centres.

  • Administrative Courts: Administrative courts have jurisdiction over cases involving the exercise of public power. They review and decide on disputes related to administrative decisions, governmental actions, and regulatory matters.

In the Tsunter judicial system, the right to appeal exists for parties dissatisfied with the decision of a lower court. Successfully appealed cases are taken to a Court of Appeals, which serves as an intermediate appellate court. If further appeal is sought, the case is brought before the National Tribunals.

The National Tribunal of the Republic is composed of three courts, each with its specific role:

  • The National Magistrates Tribunal: This tribunal is the highest court of appeals for criminal cases. It typically handles cases with no clear precedent or those in which existing precedents have a high degree of controversy. The National Magistrates Tribunal ensures consistency and fairness in criminal proceedings.

  • The National Civil Tribunal: The National Civil Tribunal serves as the highest court of appeal for all non-criminal cases. It reviews decisions made by lower courts in civil disputes and ensures the correct interpretation and application of the law.

  • The National Constitutional Tribunal: The National Constitutional Tribunal deals with court cases that have constitutional implications. It interprets and reviews laws and legal decisions to determine their compliance with the constitution.

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