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Bill: Constitutional Reform
Details
Submitted by[?]: Rutanian Green Party
Status[?]: defeated
Votes: This bill asks for an amendement to the Constitution. It will require two-thirds of the legislature to vote in favor. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: August 4107
Description[?]:
| People! We need to get these reforms passed. If we don't do, we will be plunged into constitutional crisis! Please, voice your support, and vote for it! This bill would mark the start of a new Rutania as a semi-Presidential Republic. We, the Liberal Democratic Party of Rutania, have rewritten the Constitution and decided on several new laws. We hope that this bill will pass to allow for a more modern Rutania. Our nation's name will change from "The Commonwealth of Rutania" to "The Republic of Rutania", to reflect our new semi-presidential System, we change the name of our Legislature from the "House of Representatives" to the "People's Assembly", and we decide to adopt the following codified constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Rutania Preamble We, the people of the Republic of Rutania, do hereby ordain and adopt this Constitution for the Republic of Rutania. Article 1: The Republic of Rutania (1) The Republic of Rutania is a Sovereign and Democratic Nation and the Sovereign Power belongs to the people of the Republic of Rutania. Sovereign Power shall be exercised in the manner provided for in this Constitution. (2) The Republic of Rutania shall be structured as a semi-presidential, republican democracy with a unicameral legislature, an elected Head of State and an appointed Head of Government. (3) The National Flag and Motto shall be the flag and the motto adopted by two-thirds of the total number of members of the People’s Assembly in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 3. (4) This Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land. Article 2: The People’s Assembly (1) There shall be a legislature for the Republic of Rutania, called the People’s Assembly, in which all legislative powers under this Constitution shall be vested. The People’s Assembly shall have a maximum of 600 members elected by each State in accordance with the provisions of Article 15 for a term of office of 48 months. (2) The People’s Assembly shall have the power to make laws, to pass bills and legislation, to ratify treaties and international agreements, to amend this Constitution in accordance with the provisions of Article 18, and to ratify Cabinet Proposals in accordance with the provisions of Article 9. (3) Each member of the People’s Assembly shall be enlisted in a political party and shall be entitled to one seat only. Political parties shall represent their voters in the People’s Assembly and cast their votes on their behalves. Article 3: Legislative Process (1) All political parties shall have the right to propose Bills. (2) A Bill shall be passed by a simple majority of the members of the People’s Assembly present and voting, except in cases where the Constitution provides otherwise. (3) A Bill shall lapse from voting should an election intervene, in which case it shall be returned to the People’s Assembly for debate. (4) A Bill that has been passed by the People’s Assembly shall enter into effect immediately upon its passage. Article 4: The Executive (1) The executive power ultimately belongs to the President, and he shares his powers as necessary with his cabinet. (2) Executive decisions shall be entrusted in these bodies subject to the approval of the People’s Assembly. Article 5: The President (1) The President shall be the Head of State, and Commander in Chief, of the Republic of Rutania. He shall represent the Nation, guarantee its independence and see to it that this Constitution is observed. He shall represent Rutania abroad. (2) The President shall be elected for a term of office of 48 months in accordance with the procedure set out in this Article and subject to the provisions of the sections 1 and 3 of Article 15. (3) The President shall be elected using a two round system. Each party shall have the right to register one candidate for elections for the office of President. A primary round of election shall be held to select the two candidates for the second round. (4) The two candidates having the largest number of votes in the primary election shall participate in the second round, the candidate having the highest number of votes in the second round shall be declared the new President. Article 6: The Prime Minister (1) The Prime Minister shall be the Head of Government of the Republic of Rutania. He shall be responsible for the everyday tasks of running the nation, conducting public businesses, setting forth the Cabinet’s agenda, and submitting cabinet proposals to the People’s Assembly, subjected to the President’s approval. (2) The Prime Minister shall act as an extension of the President’s power. The two must be in agreement for any cabinet policies to pass, except in the situation outlined in Article 8, section 5. (3) The Prime Minister shall be selected by the President, and shall form part of the Cabinet, subjected to the People’s Assembly’s approval. Article 7: Succession (1) Upon the death, incapacitation, or other factors which disallow the President from continuing his current mandate, his powers shall be transferred to the Prime Minister which he has selected. (2) Should the President not have created a Cabinet before his incapacitation or death, his powers shall be transferred to the current, biggest remaining party in the People’s Assembly. (3) Upon assuming these powers, this successor shall be referred to as the “Acting President”, although they assume all the powers of the President as outlined in this Constitution, and sovereign law. (4) Upon assuming these powers, the Acting President has two options regarding continuity of Government. They may: a) Call for early elections, or b) Submit a new cabinet proposal to the People’s Assembly. 5) Should they decide to submit a new cabinet, this must be approved by the People’s Assembly. If the Acting President fails to form a cabinet after 3 submitted and rejected cabinet proposals, they must resign, and new elections must be held. Article 8: The Cabinet (1) The Cabinet is responsible for assisting the President in exercising his executive power, and to propose policy changes to the President and Prime Minister. (2) The Prime Minister shall be entrusted to handle the everyday business of coordinating the Cabinet, of conducting Cabinet business, and submitting cabinet proposals to the President for his approval. (3) Each member of the cabinet (excluding the Prime Minister) shall direct an administrative department and is responsible for the tasks and functions entrusted to his or her department, subjected to the President’s approval. (4) The President’s approval is required for any cabinet proposals before these may be proposed to the People’s Assembly. Should he be bypassed, and his consent not granted, any bills proposed shall be considered null and void, and shall not take effect. (5) Should the President refuse to approve a cabinet proposal, he may be overruled if a total majority of his cabinet agrees to overrule him, including the Prime Minister. Article 9: Formation of the Cabinet (1) There shall be a Cabinet to assist the Head of State in the proper discharge of executive powers. (2) Any cabinet must be ratified by the agreement of more than a half of the People’s Assembly, according to Article 3 of the Constitution, including those not present or otherwise voting. (3) The President is solely responsible for picking his Cabinet, except in cases where Article 7 has been invoked, and forming a coalition which is acceptable to most parties. This proposal must be submitted to the People’s Assembly within 4 months. (4) The President has the power to dissolve the Cabinet, and pick a new Cabinet. He may also dismiss a specific minister. However, this new Cabinet must be approved by the same procedures outline in this article. (5) If an election is held, and the position of President's changes to another individual, the current Cabinet must dissolve itself, and all ministers must resign, to allow the President to pick a new Cabinet. (6) Until such a time as a cabinet is formed, the President will hold executive power alone, except where an objection is raised by the People’s Assembly, according to Article 3 of the Constitution. (7) Political parties may propose to the President their choices for the Cabinet members in the form of private correspondence, but ultimately both the President and the People’s Assembly must agree on the Cabinet formed for it to assume its responsibilities. Article 10: The Judiciary (1) The judicial authority shall be vested in a system of courts, both lower and constitutional. These courts shall have absolute power to ensure enforcement of the laws and constitution of the Republic of Rutania. Article 11: Political Parties (1) Political parties shall ensure that the will of the people prevails and, for this purpose, shall represent their voters in the People’s Assembly. (2) A political party shall be registered in accordance with the sovereign laws, and may be dissolved in cases of inactivity or for violations of sovereign law. (3) Representation in the People’s Assembly shall be determined through a general election in which all political parties may participate in accordance with the provisions of Article 13. Article 12: Opposition Parties (1) The opposition parties shall play a constructive role to ensure that the government and the ruling parties function in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, provide good governance and strive to promote national interest and fulfil the aspirations of the people. Their aim must be to make the Government responsible, accountable and transparent. (2) The opposition parties shall have the right to oppose the elected Government and to question the Governments conduct of public policy. Article 13: The States (1) The territory of the Republic of Rutania comprises of the states of Ardinia, Bozarland, Delvar, Khodor and Kragusrov. The national territory and the international territorial boundary of the Republic of Rutania is inviolable. Article 14: Local Governments (1) Certain powers may be devolved to the Local Governments by the People’s Assembly in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 3. Article 15: Elections (1) Under this Constitution, the general will of the people shall be the basis of government and it shall be expressed through periodic elections in which all political parties shall have the right to participate. (2) The method used to determine the number of seats each State receives in the People’s Assembly shall be laid down by law in accordance with the provisions of Article 3. (3) All political parties shall have the right to call for an early election at any time. A call for early elections shall require the vote of a majority of the total number of members of the People’s Assembly in order to pass, including those not voting or otherwise present. Elections shall be scheduled within 1 month after the bill passes. (4) An election will be held every 4 years from the date of a previous election, whenever this is a regular or early election. Article 16: The Rights of Citizens (1) Our Citizens shall enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom to strike, freedom to create political parties, the guaranteed secret nature of post and internet communications and the right to non-government interference in these and the freedom to appeal criminal sentences in a timely manner. (2) These rights are guaranteed to every citizen of the Republic of Rutania, and cannot be denied, no matter the circumstances. (3) Anyone who conspires to deny these rights to an individual shall be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Article 17: Executive Decrees (1) The President, as the person entrusted with Executive authority, shall be able to issue decrees. These shall be divided into administrative, legislative, and emergency decrees. Each Presidential decree shall be labeled as such, and the People’s Assembly may challenge the “labelling” of said decrees, and modify under which label such a decree fits in, by a simple majority vote. The “label” defines what rules apply to said decree. (a) Administrative decrees are those that modify existing national policy to a limited extent, including ministry funds within the current budget, and which do not modify current legislative laws. For example, the legislature passes a law which says the state must subsidize agricultural businesses, and the cabinet sets the current subsidy as 10,000 RUT. Over time, a budget surplus accumulates in the respective ministry. The President may then issue a decree which modifies the amount of subsidy handed out if the current minister refuses to do so. These may be overruled by a simple majority vote in the People’s Assembly. (b) Legislative decrees are those that seek to modify existing national laws, or modify the expenses of the Government. This decree is issued under the signature of the President, and is presented to the People’s Assembly for ratification. It may pass, or be defeated, by a simple majority vote. (c) Emergency decrees are those issued in times of great crisis. If the Prime Minister does not object, an emergency decree may be passed. These decrees can implement temporary policies which would normally violate national law; under the Emergency decree, the contradicting law is temporarily suspended, but it is not struck from the rooster of active laws. While an emergency decree may deviate from national laws, it may not deviate from the Constitution. If the Prime Minister objects during the introduction of the Decree, or if the People’s Assembly votes against it by a simple majority, the Decree is defeated, and shall stop being into effect. Article 18: Amendment (1) Subject to the provisions of Article 3, the People’s Assembly shall have the power to amend this Constitution. Amendments shall require a vote of two-thirds of the total number of members of the People’s Assembly, including those not present or voting, in order to pass. |
Proposals
Article 1
Proposal[?] to change The official title of the legislative assembly.
Old value:: House of Representatives
Current: Pàrlamaid (Parliament)
Proposed: People's Assembly
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 17:27:36, October 17, 2016 CET | From | Rutanian Green Party | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | OOC: I'll leave this here for a whole day so everyone can see and comment on it. I will have to move it to a vote afterwards. |
| Date | 18:10:35, October 17, 2016 CET | From | Libertarian Party | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | OOC:-We support this bill |
| Date | 18:57:57, October 17, 2016 CET | From | National Republican Alliance (NRA) | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | i love this finnaly a republic! |
| Date | 01:09:03, October 18, 2016 CET | From | Rutania Conservative Party (RCP) | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | I am against the renaming of our legislature. I believe it is fine as it stands. |
| Date | 01:13:18, October 18, 2016 CET | From | Rutania Conservative Party (RCP) | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | And I REFUSE to vote yes on any Constitution that does not guarantee the citizens of Rutania right to own, purchase, and use firearms. |
| Date | 01:54:20, October 18, 2016 CET | From | Rutanian Green Party | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | "Gun reform? You are going to turn our only chance to finally have constitutional peace in Rutania into a political debate on gun rights?! Are you not aware that the President is missing, countless others are dead, and that everyone is looking at us for hope; and yet you want to stall the whole debate on fucking gun reform?! I am sorry, but I am finding that hard to swallow. I will, however, state that I will in no way ever write that into this constitution, under any damn circumstances. I already hate the fact that guns are allowed to be owned be just about everyone, with no one making sure they know how to use them. It's a disaster waiting to happen." Jackson Ruhr. Chairman of the LDP. |
| Date | 02:10:42, October 18, 2016 CET | From | Rutania Conservative Party (RCP) | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | Constitutional peace? What is the point if our citizens can not defend themselves? There is no point in a Constitution that does not protect the rights of its citizens. You don't give a damn about the citizens if you can't support their rights. And is this not a political debate? To make a new Constitution? I was voted by the citizens of Rutania to defend the right to gun ownership, and that's just what I will do. Bradley Rogers Leader of the Rutania Conservative Party |
| Date | 03:45:49, October 18, 2016 CET | From | Rutania Conservative Party (RCP) | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | A Constitution that does not protect the God given rights of its citizens only allows for the unlimited expansion of a tyrannical government. |
| Date | 15:08:06, October 18, 2016 CET | From | Rutanian Green Party | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | OOC: Alright. Time is almost up, so I'll be submitting this to a vote. Unless anyone else would like to submit other suggestions, I will be sending this to the floor. |
| Date | 17:11:13, October 18, 2016 CET | From | Libertarian Party | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | Wait is the commonwealth to be abolished???? |
| Date | 17:35:49, October 18, 2016 CET | From | Rutanian Green Party | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | OOC: Not the union, no. Just the name is changed. |
| Date | 17:51:11, October 19, 2016 CET | From | Rutanian Green Party | To | Debating the Constitutional Reform |
| Message | May we know why the NLPP is voyinh in opposition? We did have time to propose ammendements, yet none were submitted. What is it that you wish to add? Jackson Ruhr Chairman of the LDP. |
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Voting
| Vote | Seats | |||||
| yes |
Total Seats: 173 | |||||
| no | Total Seats: 121 | |||||
| abstain |
Total Seats: 306 |
| Random fact: The influence a bill has on elections decreases over time, until it eventually is no longer relevant. This can explain shifts in your party's position to the electorate and your visibility. |
| Random quote: "A democracy that does not allow limits is not a democracy. Just as a limitless freedom is not freedom, but prevarication. Indeed, any theory of freedom worthy of this name is first of all a limit theory. If we extend the unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not willing to defend a tolerant society against the attacks of the intolerants, then the tolerants will be destroyed and the tolerance with them! Because, I ask to myself and ask you, given a certain system that we call democratic, which is today the best possible system to allow everyone to live freely and to be able to express their own thoughts, how can the same system admit attacks against its integrity? How can a system refuse the principle of the self-preservation? For this reason, to suppress the apologetics of thalerrism, it's for this reason that the exaltation of exegetes, principles, facts or methods of Thallerism and its anti-democratic aims does not constitute a violation of the freedom of manifestation of thought, but, on the contrary, the celebration of that freedom. The protection of the first premise on which a modern democratic system is based. And this premise must be safeguarded also and above all against itself and its abuses." ~ Malik Astori, Leadership of Liberty and Progress (Istalia) |