Difference between revisions of "Politics of the Confederation of Dannistaan"

Revision as of 11:02, 28 August 2006

The politics of Dannistaan are based on the Westminster System of the United Kingdom with some differences. Firstly, it is adapted to cope with the fact that the Confederation of Dannistaan is not a single unitary state but, in theory, a union of five seperate sovereign states. In practice it is run along the lines of a Federal state. Each of the constituent parts of Dannistaan reserve the right, under the 1987 constitution, to secede from the Confederation. This "Escape Clause" was placed in order to prevent a second civil war breaking out (Disputes over secession and state responsibility). The constitution itself is left deliberately vague in many areas as the Westminister system is partly based on unwritten conventions and customs which have been used for many years. It does leave provision for certain areas to be defined by appropriate acts passed by the Central Parliament.

The islands nominal Head of State is the British Monarch, represented by a Governor-General. In practice the Governor-General does not interfere in the day to day running of the nation and the real power lies with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.

Legislative

The Central Parliament of Dannistaan is the supreme legislative body of the entire Confederation. The Prime Minister and his Cabinet are answerable to it. It is bicameral and consists of the Tribal Assembly (Ti'volas As'embola) and the Tribal Overseers/Senate (Ti'volas O'varnos). Both houses conduct their business in the Central Parliament Hall, which is situated in the city of Dannistra Onn.

Ti'volas As'embola/Tribal Assembly

This is the lower house of the Central Parliament and currently consists of 310 members, refered to as Kha'mon Ti'volas As'embola, (lit: Clansman of the Tribal Assembly, abbreviated as KTA). However the term Member of Parliament or MP is also used as the official English term. The members are all voted by a form of Proportional Representation (Single Transferable Vote). Because of the voting habits of the electorate, there tends to be one majority party despite the system. However coalitions have been common in the past and any majority turns out to be very small, often a difference of one or two seats. The Ti'volas As'embola is the more powerful of the two houses and most, if not all, legislation originates from this house in the form of bills, either by Government Bills, Private Member's Bills or Public Bills. The backbenchers (MPs not in the Cabinet) have the power to overrule direct orders from the Government, known as Executive Orders, if they feel it will endanger the country and it's people. The Ti'volas As'embolas chamber is coloured green, taking it's colour scheme after the British House of Commons.

Ti'volas O'varnos/Dannistrian Senate

This is the upper house of the Central Parliament and consists of 155 members. The members are all voted by the Single-Member District Plurality or "First Past the Post" system. It acts as the house of review and has the power to block legislation if it violates any of the articles of the Constitution. Otherwise it may delay for a maximum of 3 sessions if they do not agree with the legislation being passed. After which the Ti'vola As'embola may force the legislation through using Article 20 of the Constitution. However the Ti'volas O'varnos may block legislation indefinitely if it is unconstitutional, this being decided by the High Court of Dannistaan. The Ti'volas O'varnos chamber is coloured red, taking it's colour scheme after the British House of Lords.

Executive

The Executive branch of the Government consists of the Dannistrian Cabinet, refered to as the "Dannistrian Central Government", which is a group of MPs, usually 8 plus the PM and DPM, plus the Prime Minister and his Depute. In common with nations using the Westminister System, there is no separation of the branches of Government. The Executive is drawn from members of the Legislature. The MPs are usually assigned as heads of the ministries which deal with different areas. Some of the ministries have two or more head ministers due to the large area of responsibility. The current ministries and their heads are:

• Arts, Broadcasting, Culture, Entertainment and Sports
  • Karen Haddow-Ghi'mon
• Constitutional and Governmental Affairs Ministry
  • Sar'raah Kii'ns
• Defence Ministry
  • U'nid Mak'ossui
• Depute Prime Ministers Office
  • Kol'in Ool'on-McKenzie
• Department of Economy, Industry and Trade
  • Yan'id Ol'lu
• Department of Environment, Health and Safety
  • Johnathon Stanton
• Foreign Office
  • Tr'valis No'oonsoko
• Home Office
  • Sir Patrick Winslow OBE
• Prime Ministers Office
  • P'aanil F'orrlason-Smith
• Department of Transport
  • Sir Joh'naa Uil'opeia CBE

The Cabinet have a set of wide ranging, but very strictly controlled, emergency powers, most of which take the form of a "Class 8 or 9 Executive Order". These are direct commands from the Cabinet which can request that a legally binding action be carried out, such as imposing martial law or the sealing of an area for quarantine or riot control purposes. However, to actually issue the order the Cabinet must have the approval of the Ti'volas As'embola. This is granted by a vote on the order, which must have at least a 75% majority in favour before the order can be issued and have a legally binding status. The order can only have a maximum duration of one month before it has to be renewed in front of Parliament once again. The Ti'volas As'embola also has the right to rescind any Class 8 or 9 Executive Order in force with a 60% minority. If a large proportion of the Cabinet or Parliament is incapacitated, all Class 8 or 9 Executive Orders are instantly rescinded.

The Cabinet can also issue day to day orders, such as the issuing of a statement or foreign communique. These are lower class orders which do not require Parliamentary approval. The Cabinet are ultimately answerable to the Ti'volas As'embola and any member of the Cabinet, as well as the PM and his/her depute, can be dismissed from office, via the Ti'volas As'embolas Disciplinary Committee.

Judicial

The highest court (court of last resort) in Dannistaan is the Dannistrian High Court or High Court of Dannistaan (Ann'try-Daah Dannistra). It consists of 9 of the most senior judges in the country and normally sit at the south end of the Ti'volas O'varnos chamber. They alone can give a final interpretation of the law and can rule it unconsitutional, effectively repealing the act of law in question.

The judges of the Dannistrian High Court normally hear appeals in either the chamber of the Ti'volas O'varnos or the Central Dannistaan court houses across the road from Central Parliament Hall. They also are the only court in the country to reserve the power to completely quash sentences (That is, annul rulings made by any of the lower courts). By tradition, the most senior judge of the 9 judges is a woman, as they were considered by Hal'vo to be the most learned of the people on the island. To be able to sit on the panel of senior High Court judges, the prospective judges must be vetted for security and legal abilities. This was formally done by the remaining judges and the Internal Minister.

However as of 2005 the then Internal Ministry trialing a system where they vet a selection of possible judges, usually 3 or 4 instead of 1, and allowing the electorate to vote whoever they feel is most capable based on their past performance. The judge is elected with a Single Transferable Vote. However, the Internal Ministry can still overrule the results of the vote if fraud is suspected. As of 2006, the seceeding Home Office reported the direct election of judges was sucessful and the system will be used for all subsequent judge appointments.

The other courts are based on the following structure, in order of seniority from lowest to highest:

• District Court (Minor Civil and Criminal cases)
• Magistrates Court (Moderate Criminal cases)
• Court of Appeal and Arbitration (Severe Criminal cases, all Moderate and Severe Civil cases and appeals to both)

The Judicial system, although it is has heavy influences from English Law, has it's basis on traditional tribal law. This means that in all courts, except the High Court in appeals and in certain civil cases, have a jury of 11 who sits with the judge and decides the guilt of the defendant. The trials are held on the basis of "Innocent until proven guilty".

Political Parties

Being a democracy, Dannistaan consists of many political parties. Below is a brief list of political parties and their core policies.

Socialist Democrats of Dannistaan

Centre - Centre Right party. (Traditionally Centre Left). Is currently pro-business but heavily regulates industry with respect to the Environment and Ethical and Moral issues. Has moderate support of Trade/Shop Unions. Considers looking after the older population important and invests large amounts of funding in Social Welfare and Healthcare. Has a controlled immigration policy and prefers to remain neutral in military conflicts. Prefers to use peaceful negotiations to solve international disputes. Is in favour of greater contact with the outside world. Socially liberal and pro-choice. In favour of same-gender relationships but not marriage.

Dannistrian Conservatives

Centre Right party (Traditionally Moderate Right). Anti-immigrantion and more willing to use military force in armed conflicts and international disputes. Is very pro-business and wishes to liberalise the market completely. Also believes in curbing Trade/Shop Union powers. Wishes to privatise the social welfare and healthcare systems and cut taxes. Believes firmly in an isolationist policy. Is very socially conservative, pro-life and wants greater censorship of entertainment mediums. Very strongly against same-gender relationships and marriages.

Dannistrian Democrats

Centre - Centre Left party. In favour of an open door policy on immigration. Prefers negotiation to resolve conflicts and international disputes, but is prepared to deploy armed forces if those break down. Is in favour of market deregulation but not total liberalisation. In favour of universal social welfare and healthcare. Is neutral to the Trade/Shop Unions. In favour of greater international participation. Socially liberal but not in favour of same-gender marriages.

Liberal Party of Dannistaan

Center Left party (Traditionally Moderate Left). In favour of an open door policy on immigration. Prefers negotiation to resolve conflicts and international disputes, but unlike the Democrats, it is not in favour of any armed conflicts. In fact it wishes to disband all the armed forces and replace them with the old system of voluntary militias purely for defence. Believes in market liberalisation but with key industries under Government control to protect the welfare of the citizens. Is strongly in favour of Trade/Shop Unions. Very socially liberal and wishes to abolish all forms of religion. Pro-choice and in favour of same-gender relationships and marriages. In favour of greater international diplomatic links but not total participation.

Communist Party of Dannistaan

Far Left party. Wants Dannistaan to become a republic, abolishing the monarchy as head of state. Neutral immigration policy. In favour of a strong armed forces but will prefer not to use them unless necessary. Practically made up of Trade/Shop Union members. Believes in total industrial nationalisation. Is very socially conservative but not pro-life. Prefers an isolationist policy.

Dannistrian Nationalists Party

Far Right party. Strong anti-immigration policy. In fact wishes to evict all foreigners from Dannistaan. In favour of privitised industries and wishes to create very strong armed forces. Is in favour of total armed conflict with other nations if it is required. Wants to outlaw Trade/Shop Unions. Is very socially conservative and wishes to control all media.

Eccentric Dannistrians

Fringe party with no serious policies. Possible inspiration from fringe UK parties. See Monster Raving Loony Party.