Difference between revisions of "Politics & Government of Niploma"

Revision as of 06:36, 14 May 2006

This article refers to the politics and government issues in Niploma.

Introduction

The Social Democratic Republic of Niploma's current political situation was created by the revolution of the 1930's, preceeded by the civil war. The victors of this war, the Socialist Resistance, creeated a fair democratic republic. The SR party was known as the Socialist Internationalist Party and dominated politics until the early 1990's and was finally replaced by the People's Coaliton in 2006 (by)election, although SIP is a member of the People's Coalition.

Since creation of the 'first republic' Niploma has been a multi-party parliamentary democracy. There are tow legislatures, the lower house and upper house. The lower house is the 'ruling chamber' and is the Democratic House. The upper house is the 'scrutinising chamber' and is named the Niplomian Senate. The Head of State is the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is also the head of the largest party in the Dmocratic House, ergo ruling the country and Democratic House. The current PM is Odhrán Torin from the People's Coalition.

Executive Branch

The Niplomian Government, especially the Cabinet, peforms excecutive functions in Niploma. The Government's highest grouping is the Cabinet. The Cabinet is formed of around fifteen Deputies each with a certain job (i.e. Cabinet Deputy for Health). These high ranking Deputies are known as CD, Cabinet Deputies or (although unfrequently) Ministers.

As with nearly all parliamentary-democracies the Niplomian Government can be toppled in a vote of no confidence. This vote can be peformed if, 'half, or more, opposition leaders express support towards the motion.' It has only been attempted once in 2005 by Opposition Leader McKibben (Libertarian Reform Party) and failed. It did, however, cause the national by-election in 2006.

This of course means all governemnts are seceptible to votes of no confidence. To ensure all support is gathered in the party there is a space in the Cabinet for the Chief. Chiefs are normally party fantatics but also need to be well-respected and level-headed. Their key job is to convince both Senators and Deputies to vote in support of the Government.

Essentially it is the executive branch that drafts bills, legislature that votes for it and (if the bill is passed) the executive branch implements the law.

Cabinet

The following Cabinet, as chosen by PM Torin, was selected in March 2006 after the 14th Niplomian General Election.

• Prime Minister - Ohdrán Torin
• Deputy Prime Minister - Adrián Robert

• Cabinet Deputy for the Enviroment - Éibhear Elwes
• Cabinet Deputy for Health - Rachel Murphy
• Cabinet Deputy for Social Welfare - Martin Gallagher
• Cabinet Deputy for Education - Kulap Pakpao
• Cabinet Deputy for Homeland Matters - Jonathon O'Ryan
• Cabinet Deputy for Immigration - Andrew Collins
• Cabinet Deputy for International Affairs - Desmond Scott
• Cabinet Deputy for the United Nations & Anumist Alliance - Sarah Martin
• Cabinet Deputy for Culture & Religion none as no money is in the actual Department
• Cabinet Deputy for Taxation & Administration - Kat Quinn
• Cabinet Deputy for Defence - Ben Clarke
• Cabinet Deputy for Law & Order - Douglas Dunne
• Cabinet Deputy for Agriculture, Business & Commerce - Matthew O'Brien
• Cabinet Deputy for Public Transport - Steve Campbell
• Cabinet Deputy for Social Equality - Aden Daly

• Chief Mikhail Dhyamnov

Legislative Branch

Niploma's legislative branch is two tier. There is the ruling lower house and the scrutinising upper house. Each house has its own duties and powers.

In Niplomian politics it is the lower house that has the most power. Democratic House is the official name for the chamber. It holds 750 Deputies and is the chamber the Government sits in. Elections for the Democratic House are held every four years, although it is customary to be held at mor regular intervals. These elections are named General Elections with the last being the 14th Niplomian General Election. Effectively, the winning party at a General Election is the largest party in the Democratic House and forms a Government.

Deputies are elected proportionally through the SIngle Transferable Vote under universal suffrage (18 years, living in Niploma and not in a prison or other related asylum). To be a Deputy one must be a holder of a Niplomian Passport and be over the age of twenty-one. To be eligible to be a Prime Minister one must have the same 'qualifications' as a Deputy. However, the youngest PM was 32 years of age so it is seen as better to be older than the borderline twenty-one.

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The Democratic House seen from inside during a debate. At the forefront of the photo are the adjudicators who ensure smooth debate. To their left is traditionally the largest party and to the right the Official Opposition - the largest opposition. Further down the photo is the Secondary Opposition - the other parties.

The Democratic House is the debating and voting chamber for Bills presented by the Government. When a Bill is presented the House will debate and then vote on the bill. Any majority will win a vote, which sometimes results in very close votes. There are several Bills that require certain majorities though. Namely these include a Dissolution of the Senate peformed once in 1974. This requires 66% support. Vote of No Confidence requires 55% support (and is the only vote that can be started by the Opposition). Finally the Dissolution of Republic requires 85% support and would install a one-Party state and dictatorship.

Voting and debating is held every weekday from 10am to 4pm. At 12noon Wendesday an hour is reserved for Question Time. Question Time is a session where questions are fielded by any Deputy to the Cabinet and Prime Minister. It is usually used to seriously question and/ or ridicule actions by the Government.