Difference between revisions of "Government of Westarctica"

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As mandated by the [[Constitution of Westarctica]], the government is comprised of three branches:
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
* Executive: [[Grand Duke of Westarctica|The Sovereign]] and the Royal Council
* Legislative: [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|The Prime Minister]]
* Legislative: [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|The Prime Minister]] and the [[Senate of Westarctica]]
* Judicial: [[Grand Ducal Court|The Grand Ducal Court]]
* Judicial: [[Grand Ducal Court|The Grand Ducal Court]]


==The Sovereign==
==Executive branch==
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.
[[File:Grand Duke Travis Portrait.jpg|thumb|200px|Grand Duke Travis, current Head of State of Westarctica]]
The executive branch of Westarctica's government is headed by the Sovereign, the [[Grand Duke of Westarctica]]. Since 2012, this role has been held by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. The role is primarily hereditary, although [[Laws of Westarctica|Westarctican law]] dictates that the Sovereign may choose their [[Succession to the Crown and Throne of Westarctica|successor]].


{| class="wikitable"
Duties of the Grand Duke include managing the offices of the [[Royal Household of Grand Duke Travis|Royal Household]] and oversight of the [[Peerage of Westarctica]]. He is responsible for making appointments to these institutions as well as bestowing honors in the [[Orders of Westarctica]].
!Position
!Current Appointee
!Portrait
!Since
|-
|[[Grand Duke of Westarctica]]
|[[Grand Duke Travis]]
|[[File:Grand Duke Travis.jpg|200px]]
|21 September 2012
|}


==The Prime Minister==
===Royal Council===
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 [[Royal Council]] is jointly headed by the Grand Duke and the [[Prime Minister of Westarctica]]. The size of the Royal Council varies considerably from year to year as ministries are deemed redundant and their positions are retired; or, alternately, as the need for new ministries arises and these offices are created.


The current Prime Minister, [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]], was [[2019 Prime Minister election|elected in February of 2019]] to a term of four years.
====Current ministries in the Royal Council====
* [[Minister of Defense]]
* [[Foreign Minister]]
* [[Minister of Communications]]
* [[Minister of Culture]]
* [[Minister of Citizenship]]


{| class="wikitable"
====The Honorary Consular Corps====
!Position
Inside the Royal Council, the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] directs the [[Honorary Consular Corps]], whose members serve as overseas diplomatic representatives of Westarctica's government. They are a key part of Westarctica's [[Foreign relations of Westarctica|foreign affairs program]] and, with more than a dozen members, comprise the government's largest group of volunteer workers.
!Current Appointee
!Portrait
!Since
|-
|[[Prime Minister of Westarctica]]
|[[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]]
|[[File:PM Farmer OP Jul 21.jpg|200px]]
|11 February 2019
|}


==Ministers==
===The Royal Household===
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.
The [[Royal Household of Grand Duke Travis]] is responsible for all functions of monarchy associated with the Crown. The bestowing of Orders of Chivalry, Peerage titles, and management of the Royal Guards are the three primary institutions of the Royal Household. It is headed by a Chief of Staff, who is currently the [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula]].


===Current Ministers===
====The Peerage of Westarctica====
{| class="wikitable"
::''Main article: [[Peerage of Westarctica]]''
!Position
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 [[Voting in Westarctica|vote]].
!Current Appointee
!Portrait
!Since
|-
|[[Minister of Defense]]
|[[Duke of Waesche|Duke Wolf of Waesche]]
|[[File:Dukewaesche.jpg|200px]]
|29 July 2005
|-
|[[Foreign Minister]]
|[[Baron of Dorrel]]
|[[File:Baron-Dorrel.jpg|200px]]
|12 February 2021
|-
|[[Minister of Communications]]
|[[Countess of Carter]]
|[[File:Danni Michele - Minister of Comms.jpg|200px]]
|29 June 2018
|-
|[[Minister of Conservation]]
|Duchess of [[Eights Coast|Eights]]
|[[File:Min-Conservation.jpeg|200px]]
|16 May 2019
|-
|[[Minister of Culture]]
|[[Duke of Fox Grove]]
|[[File:Duke August of Fox Grove.jpg|200px]]
|28 January 2020
|-
|[[Minister of Transportation]]
|[[Count of Discovery Ridge]]
|[[File:Michael-Alenroux.jpg|200px]]
|14 March 2021
|}


===Open Ministry positions===
====Westarctican Royal Guards====
As of 2020, 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:
As Commander in Chief of Westarctica's military, the [[Westarctican Royal Guards]], the Grand Duke has ultimate control over the nation's military forces, although this is also managed by the [[Minister of Defense]] and the Captain of the Guards. The [[Minister of Defense]] is simultaneously in the [[Royal Council]], making him part of the legislative branch, but also in the Royal Household, making him part of the executive branch.


*[[Minister of Finance]]
==Legislative branch==
*[[Minister of the Treasury]]
[[File:Baron Hull Bay.jpg|200px|thumb|[[Duke of Steventon]], the current Prime Minister of Westarctica]]
*[[Minister of Citizenship & Immigration]]
The legislative branch of Westarctica is managed by the [[Prime Minister of Westarctica]], which 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]]. The Prime Minister is also responsible for suggesting new and replacement Ministers to the Grand Duke.
*[[Minister of Technology]]
*[[Minister of Commerce]]


==The High Commissioner==
The Prime Minister is also responsible for presenting laws and ordinances to the Crown for approval in conjunction with the members of the [[Senate of Westarctica]]. He is assisted in his responsibilities by a Deputy Prime Minister, currently the [[Duke of Faulkender]].
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. As this role has never been officially filled, much of the minutiae of its responsibilities are unclear.


==Council-Level positions==
The current Prime Minister, the [[Duke of Steventon]], was [[2023 Prime Minister election|elected in February of 2023]] to a term of four years.
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 five such positions.


These positions are also unique in that they may also have limited oversight from a minister with whom the responsibilities overlap or align. Two such example is the Captain of the [[Westarctican Royal Guards|Royal Guards]]. The Captain of the Royal Guards falls under the purview of the Minister of Defense, but since that position is primarily honorary, the Captain answers directly to the Grand Duke, in practice.
===The Senate of Westarctica===
The [[Senate of Westarctica]] is a body of legislators selected from among citizens of Westarctica. It forms the lower portion and general start of the legislative process in Westarctica. Its primary function is to create and pass laws, while aiding in good governance. Senators are selected during the annual Voting Weekend to a term of two years. Senators are limited to service in three consecutive two-year terms, regardless of how much time they serve during those three terms. There is no limit to the total number of terms an individual may serve.


===Current Council-Level positions===
The current Senate Leader is the Duke of [[Denfeld Mountains|Denfeld]].
{| class="wikitable"
!Position
!Current Appointee
!Portrait
!Since
|-
|[[Ellsworth King of Arms]]
|[[Baron of Abele]]
|[[File:Baron Abele1.jpg|200px]]
|25 January 2020
|-
|Captain of the Guard for the [[Westarctican Royal Guard]]
|[[Prince-Consort Dinny|Prince Dinny, the Marquis of Sarnoff]]
|[[File:Prince_Dinny_Background.jpg|200px]]
|29 October 2017
|-
|Commissioner of Elections
|[[Baron of Abele]]
|[[File:Baron Abele1.jpg|200px]]
|18 December 2018
|}


==Executive roles outside of the Royal Council==
==Judicial branch==
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.
For most of its existence, Westarctica did not have a functioning court system and all legal matters were handled by the Grand Duke. The [[Grand Ducal Court]] was brought into existence on 17 September 2019 when Grand Duke Travis signed an ordinance which outlining its composition and duties.


===Territorial and Regional Governance===
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.
Westarctica currently has three territorial claims on areas not within the area of [[Marie Byrd Land]] addressed within the [[Claimant Letter]]. Each of these have their own specific governance, all of which report directly to the Grand Duke.
 
====Peter I Island====
[[Peter I Island]] was formally annexed by Westarctica on 15 January 2005 with a letter sent by the Grand Duke to Norway's polar administration office. Peter I Island was then made the capital of Westarctica. The position of Archduke of Peter I Island was subsequently created as a purely ceremonial recognition of Grand Duke Travis' infant son and heir apparent, [[Prince Ashton Roman]]. As the territory is officially part of Westarctica proper, the need for a specific colonial governance is unnecessary. This role is currently known as Viceroy of Peter I Island.
 
{| class="wikitable"
!Position
!Current Appointee
!Portrait
!Since
|-
|Viceroy of Peter I Island
|[[Prince Ashton Roman]]
|[[File:Prince Ashton Roman.jpeg|200px]]
|15 January 2005
|}


====The Balleny Islands====
The current Chief Justice is [[Christine McPhee]].
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. Though this partnership ended years ago, the now Duke of Sherman has been allowed to retain the title ceremonially out of respect for his contributions, until such time that the Grand Duke deems it prudent to name another Governor.


{| class="wikitable"
==Colonial Viceroys==
!Position
Westarctica currently has four 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. Because they hold the authority of the Crown within their domains, the Viceroys answer directly to the Grand Duke; however, starting in 2024, the colonies were granted increased autonomy and although they fall under the domain of the Executive Branch, they are generally treated as an independent institution.
!Current Appointee
!Portrait
!Since
|-
|Governor of the Balleny Islands
|[[Duke of Sherman|Duke Jorge of Sherman]]
|[[File:Jorge-Fernandez1.jpg|200px]]
|14 January 2005
|}


====Calsahara====
===Colonial Viceroyalties===
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.
* [[Balleny Islands]]
 
* [[Calsahara]]
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]].
* [[Principality of Kolios|Kolios]]
 
* [[Raphania]]
{| class="wikitable"
!Position
!Current Appointee
!Portrait
!Since
|-
|Viceroy of Calsahara
|[[Prince Daniel Nicholas]]
|[[File:Nicholas Kingly.jpg|200px]]
|29 October 2017
|-
|[[Captain-General of Calsahara]]
|[[Captain-General Kramer|Damien Kramer]]
||[[File:Captain-General Kramer1.jpg|200px]]
|18 March 2021
|}
 
===The Honorary Consular Corps===
::''Main article: [[Honorary Consular Corps]]''
The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] directs the various [[Honorary Consul Training Program|Honorary Consuls]], who serve as overseas diplomatic representatives of Westarctica's government. They are a key part of Westarctica's [[Foreign relations of Westarctica|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.


[[Category: Government of Westarctica]]
[[Category: Government of Westarctica]]

Latest revision as of 04:45, 21 March 2025

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 branch

Grand Duke Travis, current Head of State of Westarctica

The executive branch of Westarctica's government is headed by the Sovereign, the Grand Duke of Westarctica. Since 2012, this role has been held by Grand Duke Travis. The role is primarily hereditary, although Westarctican law dictates that the Sovereign may choose their successor.

Duties of the Grand Duke include managing the offices of the Royal Household and oversight of the Peerage of Westarctica. He is responsible for making appointments to these institutions as well as bestowing honors in the Orders of Westarctica.

Royal Council

The Royal Council is jointly headed by the Grand Duke and the Prime Minister of Westarctica. The size of the Royal Council varies considerably from year to year as ministries are deemed redundant and their positions are retired; or, alternately, as the need for new ministries arises and these offices are created.

Current ministries in the Royal Council

The Honorary Consular Corps

Inside the Royal Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directs the Honorary Consular Corps, whose members serve as overseas diplomatic representatives of Westarctica's government. They are a key part of Westarctica's foreign affairs program and, with more than a dozen members, comprise the government's largest group of volunteer workers.

The Royal Household

The Royal Household of Grand Duke Travis is responsible for all functions of monarchy associated with the Crown. The bestowing of Orders of Chivalry, Peerage titles, and management of the Royal Guards are the three primary institutions of the Royal Household. It is headed by a Chief of Staff, who is currently the Duke of the Bear Peninsula.

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.

Westarctican Royal Guards

As Commander in Chief of Westarctica's military, the Westarctican Royal Guards, the Grand Duke has ultimate control over the nation's military forces, although this is also managed by the Minister of Defense and the Captain of the Guards. The Minister of Defense is simultaneously in the Royal Council, making him part of the legislative branch, but also in the Royal Household, making him part of the executive branch.

Legislative branch

Duke of Steventon, the current Prime Minister of Westarctica

The legislative branch of Westarctica is managed by the Prime Minister of Westarctica, which 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. The Prime Minister is also responsible for suggesting new and replacement Ministers to the Grand Duke.

The Prime Minister is also responsible for presenting laws and ordinances to the Crown for approval in conjunction with the members of the Senate of Westarctica. He is assisted in his responsibilities by a Deputy Prime Minister, currently the Duke of Faulkender.

The current Prime Minister, the Duke of Steventon, was elected in February of 2023 to a term of four years.

The Senate of Westarctica

The Senate of Westarctica is a body of legislators selected from among citizens of Westarctica. It forms the lower portion and general start of the legislative process in Westarctica. Its primary function is to create and pass laws, while aiding in good governance. Senators are selected during the annual Voting Weekend to a term of two years. Senators are limited to service in three consecutive two-year terms, regardless of how much time they serve during those three terms. There is no limit to the total number of terms an individual may serve.

The current Senate Leader is the Duke of Denfeld.

Judicial branch

For most of its existence, Westarctica did not have a functioning court system and all legal matters were handled by the Grand Duke. The Grand Ducal Court was brought into existence on 17 September 2019 when Grand Duke Travis signed an ordinance which outlining its composition and duties.

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.

The current Chief Justice is Christine McPhee.

Colonial Viceroys

Westarctica currently has four 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. Because they hold the authority of the Crown within their domains, the Viceroys answer directly to the Grand Duke; however, starting in 2024, the colonies were granted increased autonomy and although they fall under the domain of the Executive Branch, they are generally treated as an independent institution.

Colonial Viceroyalties

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