Politics of the Oan Isles: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Content added Content deleted
VisualWikitext
(Edited the administrative divisions)
Line 7: Line 7:
'''''Main article:''''' ''[[Emperor of Polynesia]]''
'''''Main article:''''' ''[[Emperor of Polynesia]]''


The head of state, nominal head of government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces is the '''Emperor of Polynesia'''. In the Oan language, his title is ''Rangitanga-a-te-Moana'' which directly translates to Ruler of the Sea. He is referred to by the style of His Serene Majesty. The position originates in Mauist legend which holds that Ahua the Great, the first Emperor and founder of the Royal House of Ahua, was divinely empowered by the deity Maui to rule the Oan Isles and unite the Pacific Island people’s. This has been used throughout history to justify the expansionism of the Oan people. While the Emperor is not required to be religious, Mauist religious traditions and spiritual leaders play a large role in the Imperial Court.
The Emperor is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Succession is by male primogeniture where male line descendants of Emperor Ahua I ascend to the throne. The incumbent Emperor is [[Oahoanu]] who succeeded his father, [[Ehe]], in 2017. He is the head of the House of Ahua, the royal family of the Oan Isles.


Succession has changed throughout history, but according to the current law, the Crown passes down through absolute primogeniture, meaning direct descendants of the reigning Emperor inherit the throne in order of age regardless of sex. The reigning Emperor is Oahoanu, who inherited the throne from his father, Emperor Ehe. The heir to the throne is called the Crown Prince, currently His Royal Highness, Moana. The reign of the Emperor ends when he dies, is declared permanently incapacitated or abdicates. The Emperor can be required to abdicate if the Supreme Court finds him guilty of treason and other high crimes. Nevertheless, the Emperor cannot be compelled to appear in court or be arrested.
Although the Constitution invests all government power and sovereignty in the Crown of Polynesia, the Emperor is a ceremonial figurehead with very limited power. He signs the instruments by which bills become laws, judges, cabinet ministers and other senior government officials are appointed, treaties are ratified and so on. Through his personal celebrity, wealth and proximity to the government, the Emperor has served as a representative during negotiations on behalf of the government or he has participated in official discussions and offered his advice to the government.


The Emperor wields numerous powers vested in the Crown of Polynesia such as appointing government ministers, promulgating laws, dissolving the Council of the People, declaring war, bestowing chieftaincies, receiving the accreditations of foreign ambassadors, conferring chivalric orders, granting pardons and signing treaties. Additionally the Emperor appears on stamps, coins and notes. The powers of the Emperor, while nominally vast, are constrained by democratic traditions. In weekly meetings, the Emperor consults with the Prime Minister on state affairs and seeks his counsel on the exercise of imperial powers. The exercise of these powers has proven controversial for instance during the Second Auroran Imperial War when Oahoanu and Ehe played a large role in the crisis.
⚫
== Executive ==


⚫
== Executive==
The executive branch is comprised of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Prime Minister is the head of government. He is invited by the Emperor to form a Cabinet after the election of a new National Assembly. The Emperor appoints an individual who can maintain the confidence of a majority of the Parliament. Usually this person is the leader of the largest political party or coalition in the National Assembly. Because neither of the two major political parties could form a government after neither got more than 50% of votes in the 2017 elections, they agreed to support Maui Uye-Ahua to form and lead the government.


The Emperor is the nominal head of the executive branch. He appoints and heads the Council of Elders. The '''Council of Elders''' (''Tuhinga o Mua'') consists of eminent persons in society such as spiritual leaders, business people, activists and intellectuals. The Council of Elders counsels the Emperor on the exercise of Imperial powers and on matters within the remit of the Crown. The '''Council of Ministers''' (''Kaunihera o nga Minita'') is an autonomous sub structure of the Council of Elders which controls and directs the executive branch.
Maui Uye-Ahua is a proponent of Pan-polynesian unity and was a supporter of the personal union between the monarchies of the Asian Pacific Islands and the Oan Isles and the subsequent formation of the [[Polynesian Union]]. He was the head of the Konoa People's Party and supported autonomy for the island of Noa and the Konoan people.


The Emperor has the power to appoint and dismiss the '''Prime Minister''' (''Pirimia'') and the '''Ministers of the Crown''' (''Nga Minita o te Karauna'') . If the Council of the People passes a motion of no-confidence in the Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister and the Ministers of the Crown are required to tender their resignations to the Emperor. The Prime Minister and the Ministers of the Crown comprise the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister is the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers. He has the power to control and supervise the work of the executive branch and to advise the Emperor on the exercise of some Imperial powers. Each Minister heads an executive department and oversees an area of government policy.
The Cabinet is made up of 10 ministers of the Crown who head up government departments. He appointed the head of the Progressive Party, accountant and former director of the Metatron Corporation, Kia Uye, as the Minister of Finance. He appointed the head of a non-profit organization, Arana Marama, to replace veteran diplomat Locklyn Le Roy, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He retained General Oahuoa Uye, as the Minister of Defence.


The Ministers of the executive branch are as follows:
Other ministers include Justice (which handles the judiciary and oversees law enforcement agencies), Security (which oversees intelligence services), Infrastructure (which manages state property and public infrastructure like roads and telecommunications), the Home (which manages home affairs), the Interior (which oversees environmental conservation, eco-tourism, water resources, agriculture and fishing), Trade (which oversees commerce and labour issues) and Cooperative Government (which oversees administrative divisions and tribal communities).


* The Finance Minister oversees government finances and prepares the national budget. The Foreign Minister oversees diplomatic relations.
⚫
== Legislature ==


*The Education Minister oversees the education system.
The National Assembly comprises the unicameral legislature. It is made up of 121 seats each allocated to a single-member constituency. It is elected every four years by the eligible adult population. The presiding officer is the Speaker, who is currently a veteran legislator and acclaimed jurist Pounamu Kateha.
* The Defence Minister administers the armed forces.
* The Justice Minister administers the judiciary and police.
*The Home Minister oversees public registration and state security services.
*The Health and Welfare Minister oversees the healthcare system and state welfare.
*The Public Works Minister oversees public housing, state infrastructure and urban development.
*The Interior Minister oversees agriculture, environmental and rural affairs.
*The Commerce and Workers Minister protects workers, promotes commercial activity and oversees international trade.
*The Natural Resources and Energy Minister oversees maritime affairs, mining and electrical power.
* The Cultural Heritage Minister protects cultural heritage, promotes the rights of cultural communities and oversees tourism.


⚫
==Legislature==
The two largest parties are the Liberal Party and the Progressive Party. Neither party won a majority in the 2017 elections nor were they able to form coalitions with the other minor parties such as the Greens, Socialists, and Konoan People's Party. Maui Uye-Ahua negotiated with the two large parties to form the government. He received their support and was invited by the Emperor to form His Serene Majesty's Government. Therefore, there is no official opposition party to form His Serene Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition.


The legislature of the Oan Isles is called the '''National Assembly of the Oan Isles''' (''Huihuinga Motu''). It consists of two houses - the the '''Council of the People''' (''Kaunihera o te Iwi'') and the '''Council of the Chiefs''' (''Tuhinga o nga Rangatira'') – and the Emperor. The more powerful house is the Council of the People. The Council of the People has the power to pass laws, the Council of Chiefs has the power to review legislative proposals and the Emperor has the power to promulgate laws, dissolve the Council of the People and open annual sessions of the Parliament. Every year, the Emperor reads the Speech from the Throne, to the Council of Chiefs - which is prepared by the Prime Minister – during the opening of the Parliament.
⚫
== Judiciary ==


The Council of the People consists of 120 members elected by the people every four years via proportional representation. The people vote for a political party which is allocated seats according to the proportion of votes it receives. Only parties which receive a voting share above 5% are allowed to deploy representatives to the Council of the People. Elections in the country typically attract large voter turnout and people are able to freely participate in politics.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. It has the right to strike down decisions made by inferior courts and the power to strike down laws which do not conform the constitution. The Chief Justice, the presiding officer of the court and head of its supporting administration, is the veteran judge and among the most acclaimed jurists in Aurora, is Ihame Pahalo.


The most recent election is the 2018 election, where 5 parties were elected as follows:
Below the Supreme Court is the High Court which is divided into provincial courts that have provincial jurisdiction. It has both appellate and trial powers (over issues such as bankruptcy, mental illness, murder and children's rights). Magistrate courts have trial jurisdiction and no appeals powers. There are regional courts which handle cases for larger areas such the Leeward Sand Dune Islands Magistrate Court and share trial powers with the High Court (such as over domestic violence, and financial cases above 200,000 tāra).


*The '''Pacifist Party''' has 54 seats. It promotes a smaller armed forces, multilateral foreign policy, stronger international trade and free market capitalism. The Kohatu Liberation Movement is an ally of this party.
⚫
== Administrative divisions ==
*The '''Green Party''' has 48 seats. It believes in protection of the environment and promotion of green industry, better worker rights, universal basic income and health care.
*The '''Konoa and Allied People’s Party''' has 18 seats. It promotes decentralization of power and more rights for minority communities.


Members of the party must be adults who meet the criteria to vote and have the physical and mental capacity to carry out public duties. Although members are free to vote as they choose, their political fortunes are linked to party loyalty. Thus, party whips maintain party discipline and members tend to vote on partisan lines. Moreover, the party leadership, whether they are members or not exert considerable influence over members, and subsequently the legislative process. As parties rarely get an absolute majority of 61 seats, parties tend to cooperate on legislation.
The highest administrative division of the Oan Isles is made up of provinces. Provinces have limited power to legislate over issues devolved to them by the National Assembly. The Provincial Assembly, which is elected by single member constituencies, exercises law-making powers. It elects the Governor who appoints the Provincial Cabinet which implements legislation. There are regions which act as coordinating structures for managing water, communications, roads and other issues between local governments.


Most of the work of drafting legislation happens in the committees. Each committee focuses on a particular issue and consists of a few members. Every party is guaranteed at least one seat in each committee. The Chairperson of the Council of the People presides over the plenary sessions of the Council of the People and supervises the administration of its affairs. The Council of the People may require members of the executive branch to appear before it to answer questions. All laws require at least half of members to pass. Some laws such as constitutional amendments require over two thirds of the members to pass.
Local governments are in charge of a city, town, villages and surrounding urban settlements, rural farmland and conversation areas. The largest local governments are those of the biggest cities such as the Port of the Rock, La Rochelle and many others. To supplement these structures, there are tribal authorities which promote then cultural heritage of a specific linguistic and cultural community. The Konoan provincial government and tribal authority were fused and given substantial autonomy by the Oan government. Although the Oan government maintains authority over the Asian Pacific Islands and [[Kohatu Isles]], they are not considered administrative divisions of the Oan Isles because they were not formally annexed.

The Council of Chiefs consist of all the Chiefs in the country. Chiefs are traditional leaders. They are all appointed by the Emperor. Chiefdoms are hereditary, meaning that a parent passes their title to their children or closest relative. The Emperor may strip a Chief of their title, create new titles or dissolve titles altogether. Chiefs are usually the symbolic leaders of a tribal group. Members of this council serve for life.

The Council of Chiefs has the power to read and debate bills before they are passed. It’s approval is not required but all laws must be sent to the Council of Chiefs before the Council of the People passes the final version. The Council of Chiefs has the power to pass non-binding recommendations on the bills that appear before it, which are sent to the Council of the People. The Council of Chiefs may also pass non-binding resolutions. These are symbolic proclamations or declarations on an issue.

⚫
==Judiciary==

The '''Supreme Court''' (''Kooti Hupirimi'') is the highest court of law. It is the final court to which cases from other courts can be appeal and its judicial precedent is binding on all courts in the land. It has the power to review laws for their constitutionality and strike them down if they violate the Constitution. It consists of 12 judges including the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice is the head of the judiciary and highest ranking judge in the land. Judges are symbolically confirmed by the Emperor after being chosen by the Prime Minister from nominations from the '''Commission on Judicial Appointments''' and approved by the Judiciary Committee of the Council of the People.

The Commission on Judicial Appointments consists if eminent persons in law from numerous areas and it recommends judges for appointment and dismissal. Whereas the approval of the Council of the People is required for Supreme Court justices, the Chief Justice oversees the nomination of Magistrates. Magistrates administer justice in the rest of the judicial system. Magistrates must be experienced lawyers who have passed a magisterial exam.

'''Magistrate Courts''' are courts of first instance which hear cases. The magnitude of the case and the scale of the judgements it my impose vary based on rank with power diminishing from regional, district to local level. Although cases may be heard in any court, courts of greater will likely ask smaller and less powerful courts to hear smaller and less significant cases. These courts rely on extensive laws, judicial precedent, political conventions and cultural traditions to judge cases and administer judges.

⚫
==Administrative divisions==

The Oan Isles is a highly centralized state. The central government maintains absolute control over the political process. Administrative divisions are an extension of the central government’s authority and coordinate the work of substructure beneath them. Regions are the highest levels of administration. They consist of districts which are further divided into municipalities. Municipalities do the most work and have the greatest control over their internal affairs. The Local Council is elected by the people and has the power to pass ordinances. The Mayor is elected directly and governs the local government with the assistance and advice of a Mayoral Council which he appoints.

The Oan Isles has control over other states which are nominally independent. In practice, the Oan Isles is the mother country. The states of the [[Kohatu Isles]] and Asian Pacific Islands have provisions in their constitutions which require Oan approval for the amendment of their constitutions and which delegate foreign relations, Defence and trade to the Oan Isles. Through the [[Polynesian Union]], they have a personal union with the Crown of Polynesia. This means that they recognized the Emperor of Polynesia as their head of state as well. In the [[Asian Pacific Islands]], Markka IV is the hereditary Viceroy of the Emperor. In practice, he administers all the duties of the head of state. Kohatu Isles do not have a Viceroy.
Retrieved from "https://tep.wiki/wiki/Politics_of_the_Oan_Isles"