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The '''government of Westarctica''' is the system by which [[Westarctica|Westarctican]] rule is implemented. Westarctica is a constitutional monarchy with the nation's ruler, [[Grand Duke of Westarctica|the Grand Duke]], as the national sovereign. The Sovereign is assisted in these duties by a number of people in positions that, as a whole, make up the [[Royal Council]]. | The '''government of Westarctica''' is the system by which [[Westarctica|Westarctican]] rule is implemented. Westarctica is a constitutional monarchy with the nation's ruler, [[Grand Duke of Westarctica|the Grand Duke]], as the national sovereign. The Sovereign is assisted in these duties by a number of people in positions that, as a whole, make up the [[Royal Council]]. | ||
As mandated by the [[Constitution of Westarctica]], the government is comprised of three branches: | |||
* Executive: [[Grand Duke of Westarctica|The Sovereign]] and the Royal Council | |||
* Legislative: [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|The Prime Minister]] and the [[Senate of Westarctica]] | |||
* Judicial: [[Grand Ducal Court|The Grand Ducal Court]] | |||
==The Sovereign== | ==The Sovereign== | ||
The role of sovereign is to serve as the head of state. The current Sovereign, [[Grand Duke Travis]], currently retains many of the rights of an absolute monarch, including the personal power to enact laws, appoint members of government, and function as the judiciary. The role is primarily hereditary, although Westarctican law dictates that the Sovereign may choose their successor. | The role of sovereign is to serve as the head of state. The current Sovereign, [[Grand Duke Travis]], currently retains many of the rights of an absolute monarch, including the personal power to enact laws, appoint members of government, and function as the judiciary. The role is primarily hereditary, although [[Laws of Westarctica|Westarctican law]] dictates that the Sovereign may choose their successor. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 12: | Line 17: | ||
|[[Grand Duke of Westarctica]] | |[[Grand Duke of Westarctica]] | ||
|[[Grand Duke Travis]] | |[[Grand Duke Travis]] | ||
|[[File:Grand Duke Travis.jpg|200px]] | |[[File:Grand Duke Travis Portrait.jpg|200px]] | ||
|21 September 2012 | |21 September 2012 | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 19: | Line 24: | ||
The role of [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|Prime Minister]] is currently the only elected position within Westarctica's government. The Prime Minister's primary function is to represent the citizens of Westarctica to the Crown and to speak on their behalf during sessions of the [[Royal Council]]. In accordance with the Charter of Westarctica, the Prime Minister is responsible for presenting laws and ordinances to the Crown for approval. The Prime Minister is also responsible for suggesting new and replacement Ministers to the Grand Duke. | The role of [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|Prime Minister]] is currently the only elected position within Westarctica's government. The Prime Minister's primary function is to represent the citizens of Westarctica to the Crown and to speak on their behalf during sessions of the [[Royal Council]]. In accordance with the Charter of Westarctica, the Prime Minister is responsible for presenting laws and ordinances to the Crown for approval. The Prime Minister is also responsible for suggesting new and replacement Ministers to the Grand Duke. | ||
The current Prime Minister, [[ | The current Prime Minister, [[Baron of Hull Bay|Brendan Cook]], was [[2023 Prime Minister election|elected in February of 2023]] to a term of four years. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 28: | Line 33: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Prime Minister of Westarctica]] | |[[Prime Minister of Westarctica]] | ||
|[[ | |[[Baron of Hull Bay|Brendan Cook]] | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:Baron Hull Bay.jpg|200px]] | ||
| | |20 February 2023 | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 43: | Line 48: | ||
!Since | !Since | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Minister of Defense]] | | [[Minister of Defense]] | ||
|[[Duke of Waesche|Duke Wolf of Waesche]] | | [[Duke of Waesche|Duke Wolf of Waesche]] | ||
|[[File:Dukewaesche.jpg|200px]] | | [[File:Dukewaesche.jpg|200px]] | ||
|29 July 2005 | | 29 July 2005 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Minister of | | [[Minister of Communications]] | ||
|[[ | | [[Countess of Carter]] | ||
|[[File: | | [[File:Danni Michele - Minister of Comms.jpg|200px]] | ||
| | | 29 June 2018 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Minister of | | [[Minister of Culture]] | ||
|[[ | | [[Duke of Fox Grove]] | ||
|[[File: | | [[File:Duke August of Fox Grove.jpg|200px]] | ||
| | | 28 January 2020 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Minister of | | [[Minister of Colonial Affairs]] | ||
| | | [[Duke of Tapley]] | ||
|[[File: | | [[File:Duke of Tapley.jpg|200px]] | ||
| | | 2 November 2021 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Minister of | | [[Minister of Citizen Affairs]] | ||
|[[ | | Baron of [[Hull Bay]] | ||
|[[File: | | [[File:Baron of Hull Bay.jpg|200px]] | ||
| | | 2 November 2021 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Minister of Sports]] | |||
|[[ | | Dame Kristina Sullivan | ||
|[[File: | | [[File:Kristina Sullivan Min-Sports.png|200px]] | ||
| | | 2 November 2021 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Minister | | [[Foreign Minister]] | ||
| | | [[Sir Charles Ross]] | ||
| [[File:Charles Ross FM.jpg|200px]] | |||
| 12 November 2022 | |||
|[[File: | |||
| | |||
|} | |} | ||
===Open Ministry positions=== | ===Open Ministry positions=== | ||
As of | As of 2024, several governmental positions remain without a personal appointment. Until such an appointment occurs or as long as that appointment remains open, the Grand Duke is the offices' ''de facto'' holder. These vacancies are: | ||
*[[Minister of Finance]] | *[[Minister of Finance]] | ||
*[[Minister of the Treasury]] | *[[Minister of the Treasury]] | ||
*[[Minister of Citizenship & Immigration]] | |||
*[[Minister of Technology]] | |||
*[[Minister of Commerce]] | |||
*[[Minister of Transportation]] | |||
*[[Minister of Education]] | |||
*[[Minister of Conservation]] | |||
==The High Commissioner== | ==The High Commissioner== | ||
The High Commissioner is a role that is largely advisory. It is intended to serve as a sort of "right-hand person" to the Grand Duke. The High Commissioner's role is also intended to act as an occasional liaison between the Grand Duke and his council-level appointments, much as the Prime Minister does with the Ministers. | The [[High Commissioner of Westarctica]] is a role that is largely advisory. It is intended to serve as a sort of "right-hand person" to the Grand Duke. The High Commissioner's role is also intended to act as an occasional liaison between the Grand Duke and his council-level appointments, much as the Prime Minister does with the Ministers. Much of the minutiae of the role's responsibilities are unclear. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
!Position | |||
!Current Appointee | |||
!Portrait | |||
!Since | |||
|- | |||
|[[High Commissioner of Westarctica]] | |||
|[[Count of Discovery Ridge]] | |||
|[[File:Michael-Alenroux.jpg|200px]] | |||
|2 November 2021 | |||
|} | |||
==Council-Level positions== | ==Council-Level positions== | ||
These positions, often called "Commissioners," are ad hoc appointments, usually for a limited and specific purpose. These roles are created and filled solely at the discretion of the Grand Duke, and are not subject to direct oversight from the Prime Minister. While these are members of the [[Royal Council]], they are distinct from ministries, as they report directly to the Grand Duke and often have a much smaller scope and area of responsibility. There are currently | These positions, often called "Commissioners," are ad hoc appointments, usually for a limited and specific purpose. These roles are created and filled solely at the discretion of the Grand Duke, and are not subject to direct oversight from the Prime Minister. While these are members of the [[Royal Council]], they are distinct from ministries, as they report directly to the Grand Duke and often have a much smaller scope and area of responsibility. There are currently two such positions. With the creation of the [[Royal Household of Grand Duke Travis]] in April 2023, several of these positions were absorbed into the royal household and it is anticipated that the rest will be phased out completely. | ||
===Current Council-Level positions=== | ===Current Council-Level positions=== | ||
| Line 105: | Line 121: | ||
!Since | !Since | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[ | |[[Commissioner of Economic Development]] | ||
|David Eckhard | |||
|[[File:David Eckhardt - Commissioner.png|200px]] | |||
|2 November 2021 | |||
|- | |||
|[[Commissioner of Elections]] | |||
|[[Baron of Abele]] | |[[Baron of Abele]] | ||
|[[File:Baron Abele1.jpg|200px]] | |[[File:Baron Abele1.jpg|200px]] | ||
|18 December 2018 | |18 December 2018 | ||
|} | |} | ||
== | ==Executive roles outside of the Royal Council== | ||
There are a number of additional roles in Westarctica's government that do not have a place on the Royal Council. These roles are typically very limited in scope or may even be largely honorary, with no actual responsibilities required of the holder. | There are a number of additional roles in Westarctica's government that do not have a place on the Royal Council. These roles are typically very limited in scope or may even be largely honorary, with no actual responsibilities required of the holder. | ||
===Territorial and Regional Governance=== | ===Territorial and Regional Governance=== | ||
Westarctica currently has three territorial claims on areas not within the area of [[Marie Byrd Land]] addressed within the [[Claimant Letter]]. Each of these | Westarctica currently has three territorial claims on areas not within the area of [[Marie Byrd Land]] addressed within the [[Claimant Letter]]. Each of these are ruled by a [[Viceroy]] holding the authority of the Grand Duke within their colony. | ||
==== | ====The Balleny Islands==== | ||
[[ | The [[Balleny Islands]] became a colony when Westarctica formally annexed it from New Zealand on 14 January 2005. Westarctican citizen [[Duke of Sherman|Jorge-Fernandez Vidal]] was made Governor of the new territory and subsequently made the Count of Sturge. This was made both in recognition of his new role as the Minister of the Treasury, and his related permission to mint [[Coins of Westarctica|Westarctican coins]]. The vast majority of these coins were minted as currency of the Colony of the Balleny Islands. On 15 March 2024, [[Grand Duke Travis]]' eldest son was appointed Viceroy of the Balleny Islands, making him the senior executive of the colony. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 146: | Line 147: | ||
!Since | !Since | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Viceroy of | |Viceroy of the Balleny Islands | ||
|[[Prince Ashton Roman]] | |[[Prince Ashton Roman]] | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:Ashton Portrait 2023.jpg|200px]] | ||
|15 | |15 March 2024 | ||
|} | |} | ||
==== | ====Calsahara==== | ||
In October 2017, [[Grand Duke Travis]] became concerned that the leaders of [[Colony of Calsahara|Calsahara]] weren't taking a big enough role in managing the internal or external affairs of the nation. Rather than see the country he founded continue to stagnate until it descended into oblivion, Travis made the strategic decision to [[Invasion of Calsahara|liberate Calsahara]] from its absentee landlords. | |||
On 29 October, the Grand Duke led a coalition force comprised of the [[Westarctican Royal Guards]] and the [[Kingdom of Shiloh|Knights of Shiloh]] to Calsahara, liberating it from negligent rule. He subsequently set up a Colonial government, comprised of a [[Viceroy]] and a [[Captain-General of Calsahara|military governor]] to oversee the transition from an independent kingdom to a colony of [[Westarctica]]. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 161: | Line 164: | ||
!Since | !Since | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Viceroy of Calsahara | ||
|[[ | |[[Prince Daniel Nicholas]] | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:Nicholas Portrait 2024.jpg|200px]] | ||
| | |29 October 2017 | ||
|- | |||
|[[Captain-General of Calsahara]] | |||
|[[Captain-General Kramer|Damien Kramer]] | |||
||[[File:Captain-General Kramer1.jpg|200px]] | |||
|18 March 2021 | |||
|} | |} | ||
==== | ====Raphania==== | ||
On 19 November 2022, following the conclusion of the [[Westarctica-Raphania War]], the [[micronation]] of [[Raphania]] became a colony of [[Westarctica]]. Its previous Grand Emir was made a Royal Viceroy with the title Prince of Raphania while Grand Duke Travis gained the additional title Sultan of Raphania. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 178: | Line 184: | ||
!Since | !Since | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Viceroy of | |Royal Viceroy of Raphania | ||
| | |Prince Charles I | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:Prince Charles Official.jpg|200px]] | ||
| | |19 November 2022 | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 195: | Line 196: | ||
===The Peerage of Westarctica=== | ===The Peerage of Westarctica=== | ||
::''Main article: [[Peerage of Westarctica]]'' | ::''Main article: [[Peerage of Westarctica]]'' | ||
These are the nobility, and they are sometimes consulted by the Grand Duke on important national issues. While they have no formal decision-making power, their voices may have a large influence over national decisions. | These are the nobility, and they are sometimes consulted by the Grand Duke on important national issues. While they have no formal decision-making power, their voices may have a large influence over national decisions. Occasionally the Grand Duke may invite them to express their desires in a one-peer-one-vote system, though he is not legally bound by the outcome of such a vote. | ||
==The Grand Ducal Court== | |||
::''Main article [[Grand Ducal Court]]'' | |||
The Grand Ducal Court is comprised of four justices who serve as the primary adjudicators of Westarctica's constitutional law and law in general in the nation. It is the highest court in the nation, and is analogous to the United States Supreme Court. | |||
[[Category: Government of Westarctica]] | [[Category: Government of Westarctica]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:54, 16 March 2024
The government of Westarctica is the system by which Westarctican rule is implemented. Westarctica is a constitutional monarchy with the nation's ruler, the Grand Duke, as the national sovereign. The Sovereign is assisted in these duties by a number of people in positions that, as a whole, make up the Royal Council.
As mandated by the Constitution of Westarctica, the government is comprised of three branches:
- Executive: The Sovereign and the Royal Council
- Legislative: The Prime Minister and the Senate of Westarctica
- Judicial: The Grand Ducal Court
The Sovereign
The role of sovereign is to serve as the head of state. The current Sovereign, Grand Duke Travis, currently retains many of the rights of an absolute monarch, including the personal power to enact laws, appoint members of government, and function as the judiciary. The role is primarily hereditary, although Westarctican law dictates that the Sovereign may choose their successor.
| Position | Current Appointee | Portrait | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Duke of Westarctica | Grand Duke Travis | 
|
21 September 2012 |
The Prime Minister
The role of Prime Minister is currently the only elected position within Westarctica's government. The Prime Minister's primary function is to represent the citizens of Westarctica to the Crown and to speak on their behalf during sessions of the Royal Council. In accordance with the Charter of Westarctica, the Prime Minister is responsible for presenting laws and ordinances to the Crown for approval. The Prime Minister is also responsible for suggesting new and replacement Ministers to the Grand Duke.
The current Prime Minister, Brendan Cook, was elected in February of 2023 to a term of four years.
| Position | Current Appointee | Portrait | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister of Westarctica | Brendan Cook | 
|
20 February 2023 |
Ministers
The largest group of government appointments are those that make up the higher tier of the Royal Council, which include the title "Minister," as they are each respectively the head of a Ministry. There are currently seven Ministers on the Royal Council.
Current Ministers
| Position | Current Appointee | Portrait | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minister of Defense | Duke Wolf of Waesche | 
|
29 July 2005 |
| Minister of Communications | Countess of Carter | 
|
29 June 2018 |
| Minister of Culture | Duke of Fox Grove | 
|
28 January 2020 |
| Minister of Colonial Affairs | Duke of Tapley | 
|
2 November 2021 |
| Minister of Citizen Affairs | Baron of Hull Bay | 
|
2 November 2021 |
| Minister of Sports | Dame Kristina Sullivan | 
|
2 November 2021 |
| Foreign Minister | Sir Charles Ross | 
|
12 November 2022 |
Open Ministry positions
As of 2024, several governmental positions remain without a personal appointment. Until such an appointment occurs or as long as that appointment remains open, the Grand Duke is the offices' de facto holder. These vacancies are:
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of the Treasury
- Minister of Citizenship & Immigration
- Minister of Technology
- Minister of Commerce
- Minister of Transportation
- Minister of Education
- Minister of Conservation
The High Commissioner
The High Commissioner of Westarctica is a role that is largely advisory. It is intended to serve as a sort of "right-hand person" to the Grand Duke. The High Commissioner's role is also intended to act as an occasional liaison between the Grand Duke and his council-level appointments, much as the Prime Minister does with the Ministers. Much of the minutiae of the role's responsibilities are unclear.
| Position | Current Appointee | Portrait | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Commissioner of Westarctica | Count of Discovery Ridge | 
|
2 November 2021 |
Council-Level positions
These positions, often called "Commissioners," are ad hoc appointments, usually for a limited and specific purpose. These roles are created and filled solely at the discretion of the Grand Duke, and are not subject to direct oversight from the Prime Minister. While these are members of the Royal Council, they are distinct from ministries, as they report directly to the Grand Duke and often have a much smaller scope and area of responsibility. There are currently two such positions. With the creation of the Royal Household of Grand Duke Travis in April 2023, several of these positions were absorbed into the royal household and it is anticipated that the rest will be phased out completely.
Current Council-Level positions
| Position | Current Appointee | Portrait | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioner of Economic Development | David Eckhard | 
|
2 November 2021 |
| Commissioner of Elections | Baron of Abele | 
|
18 December 2018 |
Executive roles outside of the Royal Council
There are a number of additional roles in Westarctica's government that do not have a place on the Royal Council. These roles are typically very limited in scope or may even be largely honorary, with no actual responsibilities required of the holder.
Territorial and Regional Governance
Westarctica currently has three territorial claims on areas not within the area of Marie Byrd Land addressed within the Claimant Letter. Each of these are ruled by a Viceroy holding the authority of the Grand Duke within their colony.
The Balleny Islands
The Balleny Islands became a colony when Westarctica formally annexed it from New Zealand on 14 January 2005. Westarctican citizen Jorge-Fernandez Vidal was made Governor of the new territory and subsequently made the Count of Sturge. This was made both in recognition of his new role as the Minister of the Treasury, and his related permission to mint Westarctican coins. The vast majority of these coins were minted as currency of the Colony of the Balleny Islands. On 15 March 2024, Grand Duke Travis' eldest son was appointed Viceroy of the Balleny Islands, making him the senior executive of the colony.
| Position | Current Appointee | Portrait | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viceroy of the Balleny Islands | Prince Ashton Roman | 
|
15 March 2024 |
Calsahara
In October 2017, Grand Duke Travis became concerned that the leaders of Calsahara weren't taking a big enough role in managing the internal or external affairs of the nation. Rather than see the country he founded continue to stagnate until it descended into oblivion, Travis made the strategic decision to liberate Calsahara from its absentee landlords.
On 29 October, the Grand Duke led a coalition force comprised of the Westarctican Royal Guards and the Knights of Shiloh to Calsahara, liberating it from negligent rule. He subsequently set up a Colonial government, comprised of a Viceroy and a military governor to oversee the transition from an independent kingdom to a colony of Westarctica.
| Position | Current Appointee | Portrait | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viceroy of Calsahara | Prince Daniel Nicholas | 
|
29 October 2017 |
| Captain-General of Calsahara | Damien Kramer | 
|
18 March 2021 |
Raphania
On 19 November 2022, following the conclusion of the Westarctica-Raphania War, the micronation of Raphania became a colony of Westarctica. Its previous Grand Emir was made a Royal Viceroy with the title Prince of Raphania while Grand Duke Travis gained the additional title Sultan of Raphania.
| Position | Current Appointee | Portrait | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Viceroy of Raphania | Prince Charles I | 
|
19 November 2022 |
The Honorary Consular Corps
- Main article: Honorary Consular Corps
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs directs the various Honorary Consuls, who serve as overseas diplomatic representatives of Westarctica's government. They are a key part of Westarctica's foreign affairs program. In the future, some of these Consuls will likely be allowed to enter into official negotiations on behalf of Westarctica.
The Peerage of Westarctica
- Main article: Peerage of Westarctica
These are the nobility, and they are sometimes consulted by the Grand Duke on important national issues. While they have no formal decision-making power, their voices may have a large influence over national decisions. Occasionally the Grand Duke may invite them to express their desires in a one-peer-one-vote system, though he is not legally bound by the outcome of such a vote.
The Grand Ducal Court
- Main article Grand Ducal Court
The Grand Ducal Court is comprised of four justices who serve as the primary adjudicators of Westarctica's constitutional law and law in general in the nation. It is the highest court in the nation, and is analogous to the United States Supreme Court.