Franzharian Constitution

Preamble
The Imperial Federation of Franzharia's structure is designed to provide a voice for the people and represent all views, as well as create a strong manageable government to lead and organise member states. This document shall be a framework for the Federation.

Article I – Executive
The Office of the Chancellor shall be the final decision-making body on matters of high policy for the Coalition.   The Chancellor is also responsible for amending the constitution. Amendments may be passed by either the Senate or the High Council, but must be ratified by all Consuls and a majority of the Chambers.   Consuls are the heads of state of the Federation. They will have supreme jurisdiction although will tend to their relative spheres of influence (Provinces) unless not possible.   The triumvirate shall consist of the Minister of Defense, as well as the Chancellor and Minister of the State, aided by the Sub-ministers of economic and foreign affairs.   Consuls shall also be chairpersons of the High Council (hithereto referred to as the 'Council'), and so receive two votes. Further, if all Consuls are in agreement the Council shall not vote on an issue. No person may be a Consul unless they have served at least one year’s service in the Federation Beauracracy, and will pledge their service for the foreseeable future.   Consuls serve a life term until retirement or death, except where removed by impeachment.   If a Consul retires and the remaining Consuls are all in agreement, they shall be conferred the title of Pro-Consul.   If the number of Consuls falls below three a replacement shall be sought with all due haste. They shall be appointed by a majority vote of existing Consuls where this is at least two in number. If this is not possible, for example in the case of death, then the Council shall appoint Consuls on a majority basis.   A Consul may be impeached if no less than two-thirds of the Council agrees to such a motion along with at least one Consul. Pending a trial, it takes both two-thirds of the Council and both remaining Consuls to convict a Consul, which may only be applied for high crimes and misdemeanours. <BR> <BR> Praetors shall be the members of the Advisory Council whom the Consuls wish to give a voice in judgements. <BR> <BR> Praetors shall receive one vote in decision-making if there is Consular disagreement. Praetors must have previously served as Advisors, and Consuls must agree by at least 2/3rds to the appointment. <BR> <BR> Praetors serve a life term until retirement or death, except where removed by impeachment. <BR> <BR> Praetors may be removed by an absolute majority of the Chambers for high crimes and misdemeanours or a unanimous Consular decision. <BR> <BR> Advisors to the Chancellor will be members of the Federation whom the High Council has consented to becoming a member after nomination by a Consul. They shall often hold a high position, but this is not a requirement. <BR> <BR> Advisors serve a life term until retirement or death, except where removed by impeachment. <BR> <BR> Advisors may be removed by an absolute majority of the Council for high crimes and misdemeanours or a unanimous Consular decision. <BR>
 * Section I – Chambers
 * Section II – Consuls
 * Section III – Praetors
 * Section IV – Advisory Council

Article II – Senate
The Senate shall be composed of both Senators and a chairperson. <BR> <BR> The Senate shall be responsible for representing the populace, bringing issues to the attention of the Chambers and may pass constitutional amendments or new laws, although these may be vetoed by the Chancellor. <BR> <BR> Section II - Elections No less than three times per standard year, the citizens of the Federation will vote on members of the Senate. <BR> <BR> Any citizen may run as a candidate, except those serving as a Consul or on the Advisory Council, and no person or body may stop another from running. A period of seven weeks is given for campaigning, and then the next seven days are open for polling. Once the polls close, the candidates with the highest points shall be elected for one term. <BR> <BR> Section III – Senators A Senator-elect will serve a term of exactly twelve weeks. If they are unable to complete their term, a by-election shall commence following the standard rules for immediate replacement, whereupon the successful candidate shall serve the remainder of the original term. If the remainder is less than four weeks, no by-election shall be held. <BR> <BR> A Senator may only be removed early for a conviction of high crimes and misdemeanours, following a nomination by Chancellor or a Senator, and conviction by either no less than two-thirds of the Senate or a unanimous Consular decision. <BR> <BR> Each Senator will hold one vote that is used in all Senatorial decisions. <BR> <BR> The Chairperson shall be an unbiased and neutral moderator in the Senate. During the creation of a new Senate they shall be nominated by a Consul and confirmed by the Council by an absolute majority, and must be a person of high standing within the Federation, but may not be a Consul. <BR> <BR> A Chairperson may be removed at any time by a unanimous Consular decision. <BR>
 * Section I – Senate
 * Section IV – Chairperson

Article III – Chief Justice
A Chief Justice shall be appointed by nomination of the Consuls and no less than two-thirds of the Chambers for confirmation. The Chief Justice shall have the final judgement on civil court hearings and will thus also be the final justice of appeals. <BR> <BR> The Chief Justice shall also have the power to launch investigatory commissions into areas of concern, but only for the advice of the Chancellor. <BR> <BR> The Chief Justice serves a life term, until retirement or death, unless impeached for high crimes and misdemeanours. <BR> <BR> The Chief Justice may be impeached by an absolute majority of the Council. It shall require no less than two-thirds of the Consuls and two-thirds of Council to convict the Chief Justice. <BR>

Article VI – Rights of the People
The government shall pass no law that attempts to impose a religion; inhibits neither freedom of expression nor that of the press, nor the right to peacefully assemble or to petition the Government. <BR> <BR> All citizens of the Federation shall be judged not on their race, sex or any other discerning factor except that of ability, judgement and competence. <BR> <BR> All citizens are entitled to a fair trial by jury, composing of no less than six persons, and this shall be fair, speedy and in all due haste. <BR> <BR> The powers not delegated to the Chancellor or Senate by the Constitution are reserved to the people. <BR> <BR> The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. <BR>
 * Section I – Freedom
 * Section II – Equality
 * Section III – Habeas Corpus
 * Section IV – Power of the People
 * Section V – Construction of Constitution

Article VII – Supremacy
This constitution shall be the supreme law of the Federation, and all executive, judicial and legislative officials will be bound, either by affirmation or oath to uphold and serve it.

Article VIII – Amendment
A majority of the Council as well as a unanimous Consular decision shall be required to pass any amendment proposed by either the Council or the Senate.

Article IX – Ratification
Ratification by all serving High Council Members, by popular vote of the senate shall be sufficient for creation of this constitution. Done in convention, by the unanimous consent of each, present on the day 2nd September of Year 2008 and of the independence of the Frederation. In witness, we have hereunto subscribed our names: <BR> <BR> <BR> Lord High Chancellor Ranather Von Duscherer Rukia