Royal Council

From Encyclopedia Westarctica
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The Royal Council or Cabinet is the primary governing body of Westarctica and reports directly to the Grand Duke.

History

The Royal Council is the successor body to the Grand Ducal Cabinet, which was created in June 2004 and dissolved during the 2010 coup.

Although Grand Duke Travis invited several ministers to advise the Crown after returning to power in 2010, it wasn't until March 2018 that His Royal Highness formally created the Royal Council as an actual institution and invested the cabinet ministers with autonomous powers beyond merely serving as advisers.

Composition

The Royal Council is comprised of positions in two categories: Ministries and other Council-Level Positions.

Appointments to Ministry postings are made by the Prime Minister, with confirmation by the Grand Duke. Other Council-Level Positions (often called Directors or Commissioners, but also military appointments) are made solely at the discretion of the Grand Duke. These typically cover, but are not limited to, areas of concern not already addressed by an existing Ministry.

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 Previous Posts Held
Prime Minister of Westarctica Brendan Cook Baron Hull Bay.jpg 20 February 2023 Minister of Citizens Affairs (2 November 2021-20 February 2023)
Deputy Prime Minister of Westarctica (11 March 2021-20 February 2023)

Current Ministries and Council-Level Positions

Position Current Appointee Portrait Since Additional Posts Held
High Commissioner of Westarctica Count of Discovery Ridge Michael-Alenroux.jpg 2 November 2021 Minister of Transportation (14 March 2021 - 16 February 2022)
Foreign Minister Sir Charles Ross Charles Ross FM.jpg 12 December 2022
Minister of Communications Countess of Carter Danni Michele - Minister of Comms.jpg 29 June 2018
Minister of Defense Duke Wolf of Waesche Dukewaesche.jpg 29 July 2005 Prime Minister (2 June 2010 - 24 May 2017)
Minister of Culture Duke of Fox Grove Duke August of Fox Grove.jpg 28 January 2020 Minister of Citizenship & Immigration (29 March 2019 - 28 January 2020)
Minister of Colonial Affairs Duke of Tapley Duke of Tapley.jpg 2 November 2021 Consul to the Southern United States
Minister of Citizen Affairs Baron of Hull Bay Baron of Hull Bay.jpg 2 November 2021 Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Sports Dame Kristina Sullivan Kristina Sullivan Min-Sports.png 2 November 2021 District 4 Honorary Consul (Tennessee)
Commissioner of Economic Development David Eckhard David Eckhardt - Commissioner.png 2 November 2021
Ellsworth King of Arms Baron of Abele Baron Abele1.jpg 25 January 2020 Commissioner of Elections (current, since 18 December 2018)


Former ministries and council-level positions

Position Appointee Portrait Term of Office
Minister of Finance Polly Wilson PollyWilson.jpg 5 December 2014 - June 2016
Minister of Blockchain Hon. Brian Erdelyi Brian-E.jpg January 2018 - January 2020
Minister of Technology Prince Dinny, the Marquis of Sarnoff Prince Dinny Background.jpg January 2015 - 27 February 2020
Minister of Education Ms. Jama Jenkins Min-Education.png 16 May 2019 - 19 May 2020
Minister of Commerce Count of Dendtler Baron of Bastanchury.jpeg 8 May 2019 - 4 March 2021
Minister of Transportation Count of Discovery Ridge Michael-Alenroux.jpg 14 March 2021 - 16 February 2022
Minister of Conservation Duchess of Eights Min-Conservation.jpeg 16 May 2019 - 6 February 2022
Chancellor of the Westarctica Leadership Institute Shannon Sullivan Shannon Sullivan Chancellor.png 2 November 2021 - 2 October 2022