The Free Nations Region is a parliamentary democracy and a crowned republic which will strive to promote freedom, peace, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in all it does.

DEFINITIONS

“Majority”: A vote in which more than 50.00% of the votes are in favor.

“Supermajority”: A vote in which at least ⅔ (66.667 %) of the votes are in favor.

“Citizen”: A Nation that holds citizenship within the Free Nations Region.

“Legal Code”: The Constitution, passed laws, and Executive Orders.

“Legislation”: Laws, amendment, or repeals, considered collectively.

Article I - Civil Rights

1. Every nation is guaranteed the right to the freedom of expression, assembly, religion, petition, and speech unless in violation of the criminal code or other legislation..

2. Every nation is sovereign and has the right to control the domestic affairs of their nation, including World Assembly membership and giving or receiving endorsements in accordance with governing law.

3. Every citizen is guaranteed the right to submit legislation to the legislature and to vote on legislation.

4. Every nation is guaranteed the right to a fair, public, and impartial trial and shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Decisions of innocence are irreversible.

5. Every nation is guaranteed the right to be free of governmental abuse, including abuse of positions, bans, ejections, or banjections.

6. Every nation is guaranteed the right to be governed by a free, transparent, accepting, and accountable government.

7. No nation can be found in violation of a law that was not in force at the time.
   

Article II - Citizenship

1. Any World Assembly nation who has endorsed the regional delegate shall receive citizenship.

   1. This form of citizenship shall be revoked if that nation leaves the region, World Assembly, or withdraws endorsement from the delegate.
      

2. Residents not in the World Assembly must apply for citizenship through an application made publicly available by the government.

   1. During elections, only Justices and the Acting Founder may accept applications.

   2. If applicable, the NationStates Verification API should be the primary way to confirm citizenship.

   3. Applicants, regardless of where they apply, are required to state the name of their World Assembly nation if they have one.

      1. This shall be verified using the VAPI, if reasonable.
         

3. Military applicants may be granted citizenship if desired on their application.

   1. Applications for citizenship via the military shall be subject to the same verification process as prescribed by Article II: Citizenship of this Constitution.

   2. If no other method of citizenship was acquired, their citizenship
      shall be revoked within 24 hours of leaving the military.

4. If it is found that a citizen has received citizenship illegally, citizenship shall be revoked immediately.

   1. The Judiciary shall determine any additional penalties in accordance with governing law.
      

Article III - The Government

1. The Government of the Free Nations Region shall consist of an executive branch, a legislative branch, and a judicial branch.

   1. The World Assembly (WA) Delegate, President, Vice President, and their Cabinet represent the executive branch.

   2. The Citizens’ Assembly represents the legislative branch.

   3. The Supreme Court represents the judicial branch.
      

2. No members of the government may hold multiple elected offices within the region.

   1. No Justice may concurrently hold an elected position.
      

3. Any elected or appointed member of the government who does not post on an FNR-affiliated site for a period of 14 days without notifying the region beforehand shall be removed from office.

   1. Any member of the government found to be using puppetry or coercion to make any sort of gain shall be immediately removed from office.
      

4. In case of a vacancy in the government, a President may appoint a replacement with the approval of the Legislature within seven (7) days of the vacancy of the post.

   1. The Legislature may invoke the Vanguard Protocol or the Cromwell Protocol to fill the vacant position.

   2. In the event of a conflict of interest, when the President nominates a replacement and the Legislature starts an activation vote for the Vanguard Protocol or the Cromwell Protocol or both. There shall be a referendum in the Legislature in which the citizens shall be given the choice to approve the replacement nominated by the President or activate one of the Protocols.

Article IV - The Executive Branch

1. The President is the Chief Diplomat and Commander in Chief.

   1. The President serves a three month term (90 days) or until the next election season. The presidency has a limit of two consecutive terms.

   2. The President shall receive regional on-site permissions to handle Appearance, Communications, Polls, Embassies, and Border Control.

   3. The President reserves the right to grant additional regional permissions, except Executive and World Assembly, to the offices of Vice President, WA Delegate, Chief Justice, and Speaker as they see fit.

      1. These permissions may only be removed upon the President or officer leaving or being removed from their office.
         

   4. The President may declare an Executive Order when the normal legislative process would not be sufficient to resolve an urgent situation.

      1. Executive orders are subject to judicial review.

      2. Executive orders may be annulled by a referendum of the Citizens' Assembly.

      3. The president may repeal any executive order at any time.
         

2. The Vice President is second in command to the President.

   1. The Vice President serves a three month term (90 days) with a limit of two consecutive terms, or until the next election season, or if replaced in a Presidential Special Election, whichever comes first.

   2. Should the Presidency become vacant, the Vice President shall assume the Presidency.

      1. The Vice President shall remain as President for the remainder of the term or until a special election has been concluded.

      2. If a new President is elected through a special election, the Vice President’s term shall end.
         

   3. The Vice President shall receive regional permissions to handle Appearance, Communications, and Polls.

   4. In case of a Vice Presidential vacancy, the President may nominate a new Vice President who must be confirmed by the Citizens' Assembly in a supermajority.
      

3. The President may create, modify, and remove ministries per the following rules.

   1. The President may create a ministry at any time.

   2. The President may only remove ministries when the minister office is vacant and an election has not yet begun,

   3. The President shall assign the necessary regional permissions to a minister to carry out the ministry’s function.

   4. The President may assign additional regional permissions to a minister at any time upon their discretion.

   5. The President may remove regional permissions at their discretion.
      

   1. The President must define each ministry's function.

      1. Each ministry’s name and minister title must accurately reflect the ministry’s function.
         

   2. Each ministry shall be led by an elected minister.

      1. Ministers serve until removed from office, or replaced due to a new presidency.
         

   3. Each ministry shall consist of staff members appointed by the Minister

      1. Ministry staff shall assist in performing the ministry's function.

      2. Ministry staff must be citizens of the region.

      3. Ministers may not fire ministerial staff for personal or political reasons.

      4. The judiciary may remove a ministerial staff member upon conviction of a crime.
         

   4. Each Minister may appoint one Deputy Minister, subject to approval by a majority vote of the Citizens’ Assembly.

      1. A Deputy Minister will act as the second-in-command of their ministry.

      2. A Minister may request that the President grant their Deputy Minister any or all of the regional permissions granted to the Minister, at the President’s discretion.

      3. A Minister may dismiss their Deputy Minister at any time, for any reason.

         1. The former Deputy Minister may remain as ministerial staff.

         2. Any regional permissions granted to the Deputy Minister will be lost and must be re-requested.
            

      4. The Deputy Minister assumes the office of the Minister in a vacancy until, if applicable, through means of a special election a new Minister is elected.

         1. The Acting Minister shall be returned to their initial position of Deputy Minister after the conclusion of a Special Election.
            

   5. Each Minister shall be responsible for the recruitment of their ministerial staff.

      1. Ministers may advertise open staff positions using any FNR controlled means, including regional telegram, RMB, forum, and Discord.
         

   6. The President may choose to appoint citizens to serve in his cabinet. This is not classified as a ministerial position.

      1. Citizens must first be subject to a majority legislative approval vote before attaining their position.
         

4. The World Assembly Delegate is the region’s representative to the World Assembly (WA).

   1. The World Assembly Delegate shall receive regional permissions to handle World Assembly, Communications, and Polls.
      

5. The Roleplay Delegate shall serve as a representative of the Roleplay Community in the President's Cabinet.

   1. The Roleplay Delegate shall have full responsibility over the Roleplay Community of the Free Nations Region.

   2. The Roleplay Delegate shall receive regional permission to handle Communication and Polls.

      1. The Roleplay Delegate shall receive regional permission to handle Appearance, Communication, Polls, Border Control and Embassies in the Free Nations Realm.

   3. The Roleplay Delegate shall have full authority over the Free Nations Realm.

      1. The Roleplay Delegate shall nominate Staff Members and Moderators to assist them in overseeing the Roleplay.

      2. The nominated staff members and moderators will be then confirmed by the Roleplayers through a majority vote in a referendum.

      3. Roleplay Moderators hold their position permanently unless

         1. Roleplay Moderators may be dismissed by the Roleplay Community through a majority vote in a referendum.

         2. Any Roleplay Moderator who is inactive for a period exceeding two weeks (14 days) without prior notice shall be immediately dismissed by the Roleplay Delegate.

      4. The Roleplay Delegate shall assign the necessary regional permissions to the Staff Members and Roleplay Moderators in the Free Nations Realm.

      5. The Roleplay Delegate may assign additional regional permissions to a Staff Member and Roleplay Moderator at any time upon their discretion.

      6. The Roleplay Delegate may remove regional permissions of the Staff Members and Roleplay Moderators at their discretion.

   4. The Roleplay Delegate may appoint a Deputy Roleplay Delegate.

      1. Deputy Roleplay Delegate will act as the second-in-command in Roleplay Administration.

      2. Deputy Roleplay Delegate shall receive regional permission to handle Appearance, Communication and Polls in the Free Nations Realm.

      3. The Deputy Roleplay Delegate shall assume the office of the Roleplay Delegate in a vacancy until the Special elections are held.

      4. The Acting Roleplay Delegate shall return to their initial position of Deputy Minister after the conclusion of a Special Election.

   5. Roleplay Delegate and Deputy Roleplay Delegate may be impeached by a supermajority in a referendum initiated by the Roleplay Community.

Article V - The Legislative Branch

1. The Citizens’ Assembly is the sole house of the legislative branch.

   1. Any Citizen that has resided in the region for at least one week shall be a member of the Citizens’ Assembly.

   2. The Citizens’ Assembly is responsible for voting on legislation and discussing the progress of the region.
      

2. The Citizens’ Assembly is led by the Speaker.

   1. The Speaker serves a 3-month term (90 days) with no term limit, or until the next applicable election season.

   2. The Speaker is responsible for guiding debate and administering votes.

   3. The Speaker shall receive regional permissions to handle Communications and Polls.
      

3. Any member of the Citizens’ Assembly may write and propose legislation for submission.

4. All proposed bills are brought to the Floor of the Assembly to be discussed and voted on.

   1. After submission to the Speaker, the legislation must be presented within 24 hours.

   2. Discussion may last a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 72 hours.

   3. The Speaker may extend the discussion time by up to 72 hours as often as necessary.

   4. Following discussion, the Speaker shall have 12 hours to begin the voting period.

   5. Legislation is passed by a simple majority vote in the Citizens’ Assembly.

      1. The President may veto a passed bill.

      2. A veto can be overridden by a Supermajority vote of the Citizens’ Assembly.
         

   6. The voting period for legislation shall last 72 hours.

   7. Every legislation that has been voted on shall be archived.
      

Article VI - The Judicial Branch

1. The Supreme Court shall consist of five justices.

   1. The President shall nominate Justices to vacant positions on the Supreme Court, approved with a simple majority vote of the Citizens’ Assembly.
      

2. Justices shall select, from among themselves, a Chief Justice to lead and represent the Supreme Court on the fifteenth of January each year.

   1. The Chief Justice may be dismissed by the Supreme Court through a Vote of No Confidence.

   2. The Chief Justice shall receive regional permissions to handle Communications, Embassies, and Border Control.

   3. If the Supreme Court cannot come to a verdict due to a tie, the Chief Justice shall break the tie.

   4. In case of a vacancy of the Chief Justice, they shall select a new one among themselves.
      

3. All Justices are required to serve the constitution. They serve for an unlimited amount of time until they resign or get impeached.

4. Justices are expected to treat all citizens equally in the eyes of the law and remain unbiased during any trial or investigation.

5. Justices may recuse themselves from specific cases if they believe they cannot be unbiased when handling it.

6. No Justice can be a member of a political party.

7. The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review.

8. The Supreme Court supersedes all jurisdiction on any case that involves the Constitution, inter-regional issues, or the government.

9. The Supreme Court is the trier of fact and of law in all civil and criminal cases, with all verdicts made by majority vote.

Article VII - Foundership

1. The legal owner of the Crystalsummer nation shall be the only Acting Founder of this region. No other government officer or person thereof may claim the responsibilities laid out.

   1. The Acting Founder is appointed to serve for an unlimited amount of time.

   2. If for some reason, the Acting Founder is unable to maintain their position, the Cabinet and Acting Founder will agree on a responsible, trustworthy, and appropriate person to become their successor, at their discretion. Once a consensus is reached, the Acting Founder passes access of the Crystalsummer nation and the ownership of the regional Discord server to the successor. Once completed, the change must be publicly announced.
      

2. The Founder is the ceremonial Head of State, with no other power except when granted additional powers in a time of emergency by the Supreme Court. During a time of crisis, the Acting Founder shall be under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court.

3. The Acting Founder holds the same rights as all citizens.

4. The Acting Founder may issue ceremonial decrees.
   

Article VIII - Electoral System

1. A voter is required to have citizenship for seven (7) days prior to 00:00 UTC on the day of the election.

   1. An eligible voter in the RP Delegate Election must be an Active Roleplayer for at least fourteen (14) days prior to 00:00 UTC on the day of the election.

2. Citizens shall have 72 hours to declare their candidacy during the Declaration Period.

3. No candidate may declare candidacy if citizenship was obtained later than two (2) weeks before the start of the election.

4. Elections shall be run by three (3) Electoral Commissioners who are appointed by the Supreme Court.

   1. Only nations not running for office may serve as an Electoral Commissioner.

   2. The Electoral Committee shall elect a Chairman from among their number.

   3. If no Electoral Commissioners are found, this function shall be executed by a justice of the Supreme Court. Provided unanimous agreement of all justices.

   4. Electoral Commissioners shall be sworn to secrecy and be prohibited from sharing or publishing the results, either in part or in full, before the end of the election.

      1. A 'result' is considered any data that can be collected about a vote. In particular, but not limited to, data that could influence the voting behavior of other voters.

      2. If violated, the election must be declared invalid. The publishing electoral commissioner shall be impeached immediately. They are also prohibited to act as an Electoral Commissioner for at least four (4) election seasons.

      3. In the case of impeachment, an Electoral Commissioner may only be restored to the position with explicit request of the Citizens’ Assembly and with unanimous approval of the Supreme Court.
         

   5. The following information is excluded from the result data publishing ban defined in Article VIII, Paragraph 4 d:

      1. The voter turnout.

      2. Number of eligible voters.

      3. Number of submitted eligible votes.
         

5. The President, Ministers, Speaker, WA Delegate and RP Delegate are elected offices and shall serve a term lasting ninety (90) days except the WA Delegate, whose term shall last six (6) months or one hundred eighty (180) days or 2 regular terms whichever applies best.

6. An Election Season shall start on the first day of the month, in the months of January, April, July, and October. Beginning with a Declaration period in which candidates shall have 72 hours to register and announce their candidacy according to governing law.

7. Citizens shall have 72 hours to vote during the Voting Period. The Voting Period shall start the next thursday on 22:00 UTC, which is at least 4 days apart from the end of the Declaration Period.

   1. The Electoral Commission may be notified of a vice-presidential running mate chosen by a presidential nominee before initiation of the Voting Period.

8. At the end of voting, the Electoral Committee shall have a maximum of 72 hours to announce the results.

9. In case of a special election the Electoral Committee may take the following actions at its discretion

   1. Reducing the Declaration Period length to a minimum of 24 hours

   2. Reducing the Delay of the Voting Period to a minimum of 24 hours

   3. Combining multiple Elected Offices into a single election to avoid being required to hold multiple special elections in a short amount of time.

   4. Delaying the start of any Period for the purpose of avoiding multiple special elections in a short amount of time.
      

10. The Declaration Period for cabinet positions shall begin at 22:00 UTC the day following the announcement of the results of the General Election.

11. The official voting system of The Free Nations Region is "Instant Runoff Voting" (IRV).
    

Article IX - Referendum

1. Citizens have the right to call for a referendum, which shall be considered valid when at least five additional Citizens support it.

2. A referendum must be announced to the entire region via telegram at its start.

3. The Government may not refuse to announce or organize a valid referendum.

4. Referendums must be approved through a supermajority.

5. A Vote of No Confidence may remove an elected or appointed official from office. Votes of No Confidence shall take place in the form of referendums.

6. A court verdict may be challenged to a second ruling via a referendum. This is known as a Challenge of Verdict. A second Challenge of Verdict may be initiated after the second ruling to annul the verdict.

7. A referendum may annul a piece of legislation.

8. Citizens may petition to appeal the legality of an existing law. The Supreme Court shall review the law and confirm the legality or annul the said law via majority vote upon it’s justices.
   

Article X - Regional Crisis

1. A crisis may occur if there is an emergency within the region.

2. A time of crisis may be declared and ended by a supermajority vote of the Citizens’ Assembly..

3. Should the Founder cease to exist, which is a Regional Crisis that does not require legislative approval, the President shall immediately assume the office of the World Assembly Delegate and shall have the authority to take on the roles reserved for the Founder.

   1. The President shall password the region for a maximum period of two weeks.

   2. If the Founder does not return within the two weeks, the President shall then, at the approval of the Citizens’ Assembly and Judiciary take the best-determined course towards securing and refounding the region.
      

4. In a Regional Crisis, all elections are suspended until the crisis is ended.

5. If a Regional Crisis is determined, the government must act in a manner consistent with the provisions of the legal code.
   

Article XI - Military Forces

1. All nations have a duty to defend the Free Nations Region from those with harmful intentions towards it.

2. The Free Nations Defense Association (FNDA) shall function as the legitimate armed forces of the Free Nations Region.

3. The armed forces shall defend the Free Nations Region against invasions and foreign aggression and shall also participate in defenses of allied regions against raiders.
   

Article XII - Amendments

1. The Constitution may be amended by the Citizens’ Assembly through a supermajority vote.

2. The changes introduced by an amendment shall be applied within 72 hours of becoming law.

3. Amendments may be repealed by the Citizens’ Assembly through a supermajority vote of approval.
   

Article XIII - Supremacy

1. This Constitution is the supreme legal authority of the Free Nations Region.

2. No other legislation shall contravene it. In case of possible contrary interpretation of lesser law, the Constitution is to be considered the highest authority.

3. The Constitution cannot be invalidated, appealed, removed, or abrogated in whole or in part. Any changes must be made through amendments.

4. Any attempt to remove or weaken this article shall be deemed unconstitutional.