Government of Westarctica
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
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
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.
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
- Minister of Defense
- Foreign Minister
- Minister of Communications
- Minister of Culture
- Minister of Colonial Affairs
- Minister of Sports
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.