Difference between revisions of "President of the United States of Mars"

Revision as of 09:34, 17 February 2006

The President of the United States of Mars is the Chief Executive of the country, being Head of State and of Government. The President is also the Commander-In-Chief of the Military and Space Fleet. There have been 9 President's in the United States of Mars since it's independence in 2045.

Because of the USM's large diplomatic presence in Mars, the President is a major figure in politics in the region.

Unlike most countries with a President, the system used to elect a President is quite different. The USM uses a Westminster style election system unlike the United States of America and does not have a Prime Minster or Chancellor, unlike several European Countries.

The 9th and current President is Jay Daniels. His first term was 2075-2079; his second term was in 2079-2083 and his third term which began in 2083 will end in 2088 however an election will proberbly called in 2087. It is not yet known if he will serve a forth term but if he does he will be the longest serving President.

Requirements to hold office

The United States of Mars Constitution states that, to become eligible for the the Presidency, one must be a Citizen of the United States of Mars and eighteen years of age. It also states that a candidate cannot have been convicted of a Class-A crime.

The President is the leader of their Political Party and not an Constituancy Representative. The leader of a political party may enter the Chamber of Representatives, however, if their party won 500 votes in a General Election or Bi-Election.

The President may serve as many 5 year terms as they wish however most serve 4 year elections. The President to serve in office for the shortest time was Henry Game who served for five months after the resignation of President Howard. The President with the longest period in office was Christine Leverton who held office for three four year terms spanning over 12 years, however Jay Daniels will also have served for 12 years if he completes his current term. Aside from President Leverton, President Tom Jackson and current President Jay Daniels are the only presidents to have served two terms.

Election

The President is the leader of the incumbent political party. Elections are held at a maximum of every 5 years but most Presidents usually call an election after 4 years. The party which wins the most seats in the Chamber of Representatives comes into power and the leader of that party becomes President.

Inauguration

Although there is no official time set for inaugration or enterance into office, by tradition, a newly elected President should deliver a letter to the outgoing President the day after an election which states their intentions to take office and requests that the outgoing President vacate Kantar House and the Presidential Office on a specified date. Usually, the President is given 5 days to conclude their affairs before leaving Kantar House.

Since Tom Jackson was elected to office, the new President walks up North Avenue, to Kantar House where they meet the outgoing President before walking together to the Chamber of Representatives. In the Chamber, the new President holds the United States of Mars Constitution and says the following:As elected by the people of this nation. I will, on my honour, defend them and protect them from enemies external and internal. I will stay true to the values of the United States of Mars and stay true to it's constitution.The President then signs the Constituion before asking the Leader of the Chmaber of Representatives to swear in the elected Constituancy Representatives (Members of Parliament).

A President who has been re-elected will do the same, however will go directly to the Chamber of Representatives.

Succession

The United States of Mars Presidential Line of Succession is designed so that there will never be a time which there is not a President. The line of succession is made up of Cabinet members who take on the role of President if all other members above them on the list are unable to exercise their duties as President. If a President has died, the next person on the list is immediatly made Acting President until they are sworn in. This system has come under some criticism since it is possible for someone to be President without knowing it. Below is the Line of Succession.

If everyone on the list is unable to exercise their duties then the highest ranking military leader is made Head of State in the role of "Executive General" until an election is held. During this time, the country is placed under martial law. To date, there has not been an Executive General in the United States of Mars.

Presidential Benefits

Salary

The President is traditionally the highest paid government employee but because of the 2049 Power Act., the President cannot be paid more than double the salary of the second highest paid government official. This was designed to make sure that, when the country was founded, people did not run for the Presidency for money.

The average Presdential salary is around 400,000 Credits (US$200,000) but the President can also recieve up to 100,000 Credits (US$50,000) more for expenses.

Often, the President earns more from book deals etc. after they leave office.

Residences

The President gets the benefit of living in Kantar House, Kantar, the official home of the President. The house is unique because, unlike the official homes of other leaders, no government offices are in the house. All the government offices are located in Parliament City which is several hundred metres away from the house.

The President also gets the use of the River House mansion in the north of the country as another residence and Presidents often uses this house as a weekend or holiday retreat.

Travelling

The President has the use of several vehicles designed to be secure and practical. The most well known are the two "Space-Jets", Discovery and Trecker. The two jets are identical and are capable of space travel as well as travelling across Mars. The jets are several hundred metres long and have three levels. The jets also each have their own contingent of figters designed to protect them from atatck.

The Presidnt also has a number of other vehicles including the Presidential helicopter and a fleet of limos.

IS6

IS6 (Intelligence Service 6) is the service designed to protect the President and other government officials. It is similar to the US Secret Service. After the President leaves office, IS6 is charged with protecting them and, after they die, their partner.