Difference between revisions of "Government of Westarctica"

Revision as of 00:25, 6 December 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

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.

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.

Commissions

Commissions are a group of departments created for ad-hoc purposes by the Grand Duke as needed. They generally function for a limited period of time and once their business is complete, the department is dissolved.

These commissions are headed by the High Commissioner of Westarctica, although in November 2024, Grand Duke Travis dissolved all existing commissions and began the process of folding the role of High Commissioner into the Royal Household. It is expected to be eliminated completely in 2025. The current High Commissioner is the Count of Discovery Ridge.

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. As Head of State, the Grand Duke is responsible for the Viceroys who govern the colonial possessions of Westarctica. Because they hold the authority of the Crown within their domains, the Viceroys answer directly to the Grand Duke.

Current Colonial Viceroys

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.

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

Royal Council

Originally, the Royal Council was an integral part of the executive branch and reported directly to the Grand Duke. However, after the post of Prime Minister became an elected position, it was decided that the ministers should report directly to him, with the Grand Duke serving an oversight capacity as needed.

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. In general, the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs have been continually held since the inception of Westarctica.

Current ministries in the Royal Council

The Honorary Consular Corps

Inside the Royal Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directs the various 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.

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.

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 * 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 [[Laws of Westarctica|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 Portrait.jpg|200px]]
-|21 September 2012
-|}
-==The Prime Minister==
+===The Peerage of Westarctica===
-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.
+::''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 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.
+===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.
-{| class="wikitable"
+===Commissions===
-!Position
+Commissions are a group of departments created for ad-hoc purposes by the Grand Duke as needed. They generally function for a limited period of time and once their business is complete, the department is dissolved.
-!Current Appointee
-!Portrait
-!Since
-|-
-|[[Prime Minister of Westarctica]]
-|[[Baron of Hull Bay|Brendan Cook]]
-|[[File:Baron Hull Bay.jpg|200px]]
-|20 February 2023
-|}
-==Ministers==
+These commissions are headed by the [[High Commissioner of Westarctica]], although in November 2024, Grand Duke Travis dissolved all existing commissions and began the process of folding the role of High Commissioner into the Royal Household. It is expected to be eliminated completely in 2025. The current High Commissioner is the [[Count of Discovery Ridge]].
-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===
+===Colonial Viceroys===
-{| class="wikitable"
+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. As Head of State, the Grand Duke is responsible for the Viceroys who govern the colonial possessions of Westarctica. Because they hold the authority of the Crown within their domains, the Viceroys answer directly to the Grand Duke.
-!Position
-!Current Appointee
-!Portrait
-!Since
-|-
-| [[Minister of Defense]]
-| [[Duke of Waesche|Duke Wolf of Waesche]]
-| [[File:Dukewaesche.jpg|200px]]
-| 29 July 2005
-|-
-| [[Foreign Minister]]
-| [[Count of Dorchuck]]
-| [[File:Foley Foreign copy.jpg|200px]]
-| 12 November 2024
-|-
-| [[Minister of Communications]]
-| [[Countess of Carter]]
-| [[File:Danni Michele - Minister of Comms.jpg|200px]]
-| 29 June 2018
-|-
-| [[Minister of Culture]]
-| [[Duke of Fox Grove]]
-| [[File:Duke August of Fox Grove.jpg|200px]]
-| 28 January 2020
-|-
-| [[Minister of Colonial Affairs]]
-| [[Duke of Tapley]]
-| [[File:Duke of Tapley.jpg|200px]]
-| 2 November 2021
-|-
-| [[Minister of Sports]]
-| Dame Kristina Sullivan
-| [[File:Kristina Sullivan Min-Sports.png|200px]]
-| 2 November 2021
-|-
-|}
-===Vacant Ministry positions===
+===Current Colonial Viceroys===
-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:
+* [[Balleny Islands]]
+* [[Calsahara]]
+* [[Principality of Kolios|Kolios]]
+* [[Raphania]]
-*[[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]]
-*[[Minister of Transportation]]
-*[[Minister of Education]]
-*[[Minister of Conservation]]
-==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]].
-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"
+The current Prime Minister, the [[Duke of Steventon]], was [[2023 Prime Minister election|elected in February of 2023]] to a term of four years.
-!Position
-!Current Appointee
-!Portrait
-!Since
-|-
-|[[High Commissioner of Westarctica]]
-|[[Count of Discovery Ridge]]
-|[[File:Michael-Alenroux.jpg|200px]]
-|2 November 2021
-|}
-==Council-Level positions==
+===Royal Council===
-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 in November 2024, they were phased out completely.
+Originally, the [[Royal Council]] was an integral part of the executive branch and reported directly to the Grand Duke. However, after the post of Prime Minister became an elected position, it was decided that the ministers should report directly to him, with the Grand Duke serving an oversight capacity as needed.
-==Executive roles outside of the Royal Council==
+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. In general, the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs have been continually held since the inception of [[Westarctica]].
-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===
+====Current ministries in the Royal Council====
-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.
+* [[Minister of Defense]]
+* [[Foreign Minister]]
+* [[Minister of Communications]]
+* [[Minister of Culture]]
+* [[Minister of Colonial Affairs]]
+* [[Minister of Sports]]
-====The Balleny Islands====
+===The Honorary Consular Corps===
-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.
+Inside the Royal Council, the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] directs the various [[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]].
-{| class="wikitable"
+===The Senate of Westarctica===
-!Position
+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 Appointee
-!Portrait
-!Since
-|-
-|Viceroy of the Balleny Islands
-|[[Prince Ashton Roman]]
-|[[File:Ashton Portrait 2023.jpg|200px]]
-|15 March 2024
-|}
-====Calsahara====
+The current Senate Leader is the Duke of [[Denfeld Mountains|Denfeld]].
-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]].
+==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.
-{| class="wikitable"
+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.
-!Position
-!Current Appointee
-!Portrait
-!Since
-|-
-|Viceroy of Calsahara
-|[[Prince Daniel Nicholas]]
-|[[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"
-!Position
-!Current Appointee
-!Portrait
-!Since
-|-
-|Royal Viceroy of Raphania
-|Prince Charles I
-|[[File:Prince Charles Official.jpg|200px]]
-|19 November 2022
-|}
-===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===
+The current Chief Justice is [[Christine McPhee]].
-::''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]]