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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀


FOURTH CONSTITUTION OF THAECIA


Article I - Supremacy and Amendments
  • Section I - This Constitution is the supreme law of Thaecia, and any law or government action inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution is, to the extent of the inconsistency, of no force and effect.

  • Section II - Amendments to this Constitution may only be passed with a 2/3rds majority in each Chamber of Congress and the approval of the citizenry with a 3/5ths majority vote in a referendum.


Article II - Rights
  • Section I - All Thaecian Citizens are guaranteed the following rights without government interference;

    1. The right to freedom of expression, opinion, and speech, insofar as this right is not exercised in a way that breaches NS rules;

    2. The right to free association; this includes the right to form or join a political group or media organization;

    3. The right to equal protection under the law;

    4. The right to seek legal redress from government actions, including through votes of no confidence and the courts;

    5. The right to stand for all offices elected by the whole citizenry;

    6. The right to vote in elections and referendums unless they became a Citizen during the election or referendum they wish to vote in;

    7. The right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law;

    8. The right to due process of law in all interactions with the government of Thaecia;

    9. The right to representation in a court of law;

    10. The right to a free, speedy, and fair trial;

    11. The right to personal privacy;

    12. The right to protection from ex post facto laws, bills of attainder, double jeopardy, and forced testimony against oneself.

  • Section II - The non-inclusion of a right on this list does not preclude its existence.

  • Section III - This Constitution guarantees the rights set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.

Article III - The Executive Branch
  • Section I - The Government shall be composed of the Prime Minister, and Cabinet Ministers, the latter of which shall be referred to as Ministers for the purposes of this Constitution.

  • Section II - There shall be an elected World Assembly Delegate of Thaecia.

    • Sub-section I - There may be a Vice Delegate serving at the pleasure of the World Asembly Delegate elected on a ticket with the Delegate or confirmed through a simple majority vote in a referendum.

    • Sub-section II - If the position of Delegate is vacant the Vice Delegate shall become the Delegate. A further line of succession may be provided for by law.

    • Sub-section III - To run for or hold the offices of World Assembly Delegate or Vice Delegate, a nation must be a member of the World Assembly.

    • Sub-section IV - The elected World Assembly Delegate must hold the most WA Endorsements in the region during their tenure in office. The Vice Delegate must hold between the second most and fifth most WA Endorsements in the region during their tenure in office.

    • Sub-section V - Should a nation surpass the legal World Assembly Delegate in Endorsements, the Delegate may choose to eject them from the region for the period of one WA Update of the region of Thaecia in order to allow the Delegate to retain power.

  • Section III - The Prime Minister shall serve as the Head of State and Head of Government of Thaecia and shall be charged with the faithful execution of the laws of the same.

    • Sub-section I - The Prime Minister shall have the powers to sign or veto laws passed by Congress, present interregional treaties for ratification by a simple majority of the Senate, and appoint Ministers.

    • Sub-section II - A Prime Ministerial veto may be overridden by a motion approved with a 2/3rds majority of both Chambers of Congress.

    • Sub-section III - There may be a Deputy Prime Minster serving at the pleasure of the Prime Minister elected on a ticket with the Prime Minister or confirmed through a simple majority vote in a referendum.

    • Sub-section IV - If the position of Prime Minister is vacant the Deputy Prime Minister shall become the Prime Minister. A further line of succession may be provided for by law.

  • Section IV - The powers of the Prime Minister may be delegated to Ministries which shall either be created by law, or at the Prime Minister’s discretion.

    • Sub-section I - Citizens nominated for the position of Minister by the Prime Minister must be confirmed by a simple majority vote in the Senate.

    • Sub-section II - Ministers may be dismissed from their position by the Prime Minister or through a motion approved by a simple majority of the Senate.

    • Sub-section III - All Ministers are removed at the conclusion of a Prime Ministerial term. Serving Ministers shall automatically continue to serve as Acting Ministers until they are reconfirmed or their successor is confirmed, or until the Prime Minister formally dismisses them as Acting Minister.

  • Section V - Upon being elected, the Prime Minister shall, at the commencement of their term, nominate a Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, a Minister in charge of Domestic Affairs, a Minister in charge of Legal Affairs, and a Minister in charge of Cultural Affairs.

  • Section VI - If the Prime Minister, and a 2/3rds majority of Ministers agree; the Prime Minister may ban a Citizen posing a significant risk to the sovereignty of Thaecia; any bans made under this section are subject to immediate judicial review to determine the legality of the decision.

Article IV - The Legislative Branch
  • Section I - The legislative branch of government shall be known as Congress, consisting of two individual chambers, and shall have the power to create laws for the peace, order, and good government of Thaecia.

    • Sub-section I - The lower chamber shall be known as the House of Commons and it and shall contain no less than seven Members of Parliament.

    • Sub-section II- The upper chamber shall be known as the Senate and it shall contain no less than five Senators.

  • Section II - Either chamber may be expanded or reduced by a motion passed with a 3/5ths majority in each chamber and the approval of the citizenry with a 3/5ths majority vote in a referendum.

  • Section III - Each chamber shall, by simple majority vote, elect a member of the chamber to lead their respective chamber during their legislative tenure. Further procedures for the election of a chamber leader may be provided for by law.

    • Sub-section I - Each chamber leader shall have the power to set the docket for their respective chamber, manage debate, call and administer votes, and maintain decorum and may delegate this authority to other members at the discretion of the chamber leader.

    • Sub-section II - If at least 1/3rd of the seated members of a chamber sponsor a motion of no confidence against a chamber leader or if the chamber leader puts one to vote, all business shall be stopped and the Electoral Commissioner shall preside over debate and voting on the motion.

    • Sub-section III - If the motion of no confidence passes with simple majority support, the chamber leader shall be immediately removed and elections for a new chamber leader shall commence.

    • Sub-section IV - Motions of no confidence may specify a new chamber leader who would be elected if the motion is passed, if a motion specifying a new chamber leader is passed, no election shall take place and the specified chamber leader shall take office immediately.

    • Sub-section V - If a motion of no confidence vote fails, for the next 15 days in the case of the House of Commons or 30 days in the case of the Senate, at least 1/2 of the seated members of a chamber must sponsor a motion of no confidence in order for the motion to be considered.

  • Section IV - In order for a bill to become law, it needs to have passed each chamber with a simple majority vote and attain the signature of the Prime Minister.

    • Sub-section I - If the Prime Minister has neither signed nor vetoed a bill within seven days of being notified of it having passed both chambers by a chamber leader, the bill shall become law.

    • Sub-section II - In order for a treaty to be ratified, it must be presented to the Senate by the Prime Minister and be ratified by the Senate with a simple majority vote.

  • Section V - In order for any vote of either chamber to pass, at least half of its members must have voted.

    • Sub-section I - Only aye, nay, abstain, and votes for chamber leader candidates shall count as votes for the purposes of this section.

  • Section VI - Each chamber shall have the authority to call a snap election for their own chamber by a motion passed with a 2/3rds majority.

  • Section VII - A simple majority shall be defined as there being more ayes than nays, or in the case of chamber leader elections, having more than half of the votes cast. A 2/3rds majority shall be defined as at least 2/3rds of the aye or nay votes cast being aye.

  • Section VIII - Congress may, by law, provide further rules and regulations on its functioning.

  • Section IX - When voting on their own nomination to any appointed office, such as Minister or Justice, a Senator or MP must abstain or not vote.


Article V - The Judicial Branch
  • Section I - The judicial branch of government shall be led by the High Court of Thaecia, composed of three Justices: the Chief Justice and two Associate Justices.

    • Sub-section I - The three Justices shall elect one of themselves to serve as the Chief Justice of Thaecia.

    • Sub-section II - If a Justice is unable to hear a case for any reason, including conflict of interest, or being unavailable, a Deputy Justice shall be chosen by the remaining Justices to hear the case in their stead.

  • Section II - Other courts may be established by law to serve in the judicial branch of government, but the High Court of Thaecia shall remain the court of final appeal and its rulings shall be binding to all other courts.

  • Section III - The Prime Minister shall nominate Justices and Deputy Justices of the High Court and Judges of all lower courts, nominated Citizens require confirmation by a simple majority vote in the House of Commons in order to serve.

  • Section IV - Justices shall serve for 180 days before they must be reconfirmed by the House of Commons. Deputy Justices shall serve until removal or resignation;

    • Sub-section I - During the reconfirmation process the Justice maintains their position;

    • Sub-section II - The reconfirmation hearing follows the same process set out in Section III, and the hearing must occur immediately after current business has concluded;

    • Sub-section III - The Prime Minister may choose to veto any Justice reconfirmation at any time during the process, vacating the Justice's office.

    • Sub-section IV - If a Justice's reconfirmation fails, they will automatically vacate their office.

  • Section V - A Justice may choose to decline reconfirmation in the four weeks before the expiry of their term. During this period a successor may be nominated and confirmed, when the Justice's term expires their successor takes their seat;

    • Sub-section I - A Justice may also choose to decline reconfirmation during the process, aborting their own reconfirmation and allowing a successor to be confirmed.

  • Section VI - During the first 18 days of a Justice's term ending and whilst there is no successor confirmed or the incumbent reconfirmed, the incumbent Justice shall retain their seat.

  • Section VII - If a successor is not confirmed or the incumbent Justice is not reconfirmed after 18 days of the incumbent Justice's term ending, the incumbent Justice shall vacate office.

  • Section VIII - Any court established by law may hear criminal cases and legal reviews.

    • Sub-section I - Only the High Court may hear legal reviews involving Constitutional questions and cases on appeal from lower courts.

  • Section IX - Any court established by law may, at their discretion, accept or reject a case application by majority vote.

    • Sub-section I - If a court rejects a case application it shall provide a public reasoning explaining the court's decision as soon as practicable.

  • Section X - In any case heard, a judgement shall be reached by majority vote and delivered as soon as possible.

    • Sub-section I - Any dissenting judgements, if delivering them alongside the majority judgement would be impractical or lead to unreasonable delay, may be delivered separately.

Article VI - Removal and Recall

  • Section I - The people may, by a petition signed by a number of Citizens totaling at least 10, initiate recall on the World Assembly Delegate, Vice Delegate, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, or a member of either Chamber of Congress.

    • Sub-section I - If a qualifying petition naming any recallable officeholder is presented to the Electoral Commissioner in a period other than within 14 days of a regularly scheduled election for their office, the Electoral Commissioner shall start a recall referendum for the named positions as soon as possible with two options, one for the individual being removed from office and one against.

    • Sub-section II - If a majority votes for removal the officeholder shall be removed from office immediately and if applicable a snap election shall occur.

    • Sub-section III - A recalled individual may not run for the position from which they were recalled in the snap election triggered by their recall.

    • Sub-section IV - If a qualifying petition naming the Vice World Assembly Delegate or Deputy Prime Minister is presented to the Electoral Commissioner, the Electoral Commissioner shall start a referendum on whether or not the individual should continue to hold office, if a simple majority votes against the individual continuing to hold office, they shall be immediately removed.

    • Sub-section V - If a recall petition is presented within 14 days of a regularly scheduled election for that position, no snap election or recall referendum shall be held.

  • Section II - Congress may, by a motion passed with a 2/3rds majority in each chamber, remove the World Assembly Delegate, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, a Justice, a Deputy Justice, or the Electoral Commissioner from their office for a specified cause.

    • Sub-section I - A motion of removal shall be debated and voted upon if at least 1/3rd of the seated members of a chamber sponsor a motion of removal against one or more eligible officeholders or if the chamber leader choses to do so.

    • Sub-section II - If a motion of removal vote fails, for the next 14 days at least 2/3rds of the seated members of a chamber must sponsor a motion of removal against the same officeholder in order for the motion to be considered.

Article VII - Citizenship

  • Section I - To be granted legal status as a Citizen, a resident of Thaecia must be in the World Assembly.

    • Sub-section I - The requirement to be in the World Assembly shall be waived if the resident can prove to the Prime Minister or the Minister in charge of Domestic Affairs that their World Assembly nation resides elsewhere and they have a non-WA puppet in Thaecia.

  • Section II - No individual may have more than one nation holding Citizenship.

    • Sub-section I - If the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, and a 2/3rds majority of Ministers agree; the Prime Minister may revoke an individual's Citizenship if the individual has multiple nations holding Citizenship; any revocations made under this sub-section are subject to immediate judicial review to determine the legality of the decision.

  • Section III - Citizenship is a requirement for holding the offices of World Assembly Delegate, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister, Senator, Member of Parliament, Chief or Associate Justice, Deputy Justice, and Electoral Commissioner.

  • Section IV - An individual who is in any capacity prohibited from accessing the region of Thaecia will not be permitted to hold citizenship on their banned nation or any puppet nations. Any such nations must be removed from the region for the duration of their prohibition.

Article VIII - Elections and Referendums
  • Section I - Elections among the whole citizenry shall be held for both Chambers of Congress, the Prime Minister, and the World Assembly Delegate.

  • Section II - Scheduled elections for the House of Commons shall be held approximately every two months and elections for the Prime Minister, and the Senate shall be held approximately every 4 months. The World Assembly Delegate shall be elected every four months, at the approximate midpoint between Prime Ministerial elections at the same time as the House of Commons midterm elections.

    • Sub-section I - The term of any elected office shall end when a successor is duly elected and inaugurated in a scheduled election.

  • Section III - Elections for the World Assembly Delegate and the Prime Minister shall use the instant-runoff voting system, and elections for both Chambers of Congress shall use the single transferable vote system.

  • Section IV - Should an elected office become vacant and without a legal successor for reasons other than expiration of term, a snap election shall be held to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of its regular term.

    • Sub-section I - Offices established by this Constitution may be vacated through expiration of term, a removal procedure established by this Constitution, or resignation.

    • Sub-section II - If a vacancy arises 14 days before a scheduled election for the vacant position, a snap election shall not be held.

  • Section V - The Electoral Commission, led by an Electoral Commissioner appointed by the Prime Minister and confirmed by a simple majority vote in the House of Commons, shall be given the task of organising elections and referendums as called for by this Constitution and the laws of Thaecia.

    • Sub-section I - Additional regulations for the Electoral Commission and election procedure may be established by law.

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