Tuhran Bel
The Tuhran Bel is the highest government office in the Centralized Mountain States of Snefaldia, and can be considered both the executive and legislative branch of the higher government. Both an ecclesiastical and governmental body, the Tuhran Bel is made up of 300 religious figures from the nation, termed Bel-Ha'ad, 20 of which comprise a Central Council of leaders, who are termed Bel taungnan. In conventional speech, the Tuhran Bel may be referred to as the Bel, or sometimes the Assembly
History
The first Tuhran Bel was convened in 1352 for use as a forum of arbitration for various Aatem Nal officials who wanted a peaceful way to end religious disputes and strengthen the institutions of the faith. Over time, it became authoritative, and in 1525 became the main ruling body of Aatem Nal upon the dissolution of the previous authority, the Central Council. The Bel grew in strength, size, and prestige until 1701, when secularizing forces forced the end of religious rule and established the Segovan, the first representative body in Snefaldia. In 1835, however, the Segovan was gridlocked by dispute and Aatem Nal stepped in, ordering the body to disband and bringing the Tuhran Bel back as the high chamber of government.
In 1895, the Bel voted to create a Republic, and returned once more to the status of a body of arbitration and administration for Aatem Nal. Replaced by a bicameral legislature composed of an upper house (Sensraad) and lower house (Arsraad), the Bel had no political significance. The Republic underwent huge crises and convolutions, and in 1965 collapsed. Aatem Nal once again stepped in, declaring the Republic at an end.
The first Bel of the Centralized Mountain States, as it was convened in 1965 after the Republican Crisis, consisted of some 900 members of Aatem Nal and some adherents of the Snefaldian Catholic faith, the only organized religions in Snefaldia. This proved to be an untenable position as it was bloated and argumentative. In 1966, under the guidance of key Aatem Nal figures, the Bel voted to establish rules of order, and decreed the Act of Assembly.
The Act of Assembly reduced the total number of Bel-Ha'ad to 300, and remade the Central Council as a sort of steering committee of 20 Ha'ad. The Bel shahry would serve for three year periods, whereupon the Central Council would then either retain or choose new members. To prevent corruption, the Central Council was subject to a term of six years, and would be chosen from the Bel shahry by a vote of the chamber, excluding the current Bel taungnan.
Operation
The Tuhran Bel meets five days a week, and debates on all issues from law to religion to foreign policy. Technically, all power rests with the Tuhran Bel, and government documents often state "By the will of the Tuhran Bel" or "With the blessings of the Bel." They pass laws and issue proclamations, while still serving as a body of arbitration; though only rarely consulted and then only in the most grave of cases.
All members must wear court dress, usually long robes and phelonia, along with a signature tall sable cap or chaperon. Though there is no religious restriction on membership, one must be an ordained member of a religious faith. Thusly, the vast majority are from Aatem Nal, with a few being from the Snefaldian Catholic Church, one Jewish rabbi and one Muslim Imam.
Leadership
The Tuhran Bel is steered by the Central Council of 20. However, among these 20 eminences are a few honored politicans who wield immense power in the prosecution of the government's affairs. Reijihan Herad is one of the longest-serving Bel Ha'ad, often considered to be the "Father" of the Bel. He recently announced that he would be retiring[1].
Other leaders, like Jeroen Seefeikh II and Yu Renzhie are outspoken and influential members of the Council.
