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Following the Imperial Inquest that was so dramatically sprung on Albaer Ravenstad's administration during an Undercrown Diet, the government remained quiet in the anticipation of what was to come. It would in fact not be from the Sovereign Prince Xavier that change would present itself, but from the Emperor, entirely unexpectedly. The Emperor had remained quiet for the better part of both Undercrown's tenures, silently watching as events unfolded and only steering occasionally when a situation presented itself that he could not ignore. This was after all, a continuation of the previous Emperor Alexander's government model with minor adaptations. This time however, the Emperor decided to remodel the government in an intrusive way he had not done before. An effective "Hard-Reset". Additionally, Xavier Kade declared the Imperial Inquest in the previous Undercrown and his administration null and void. The Emperor's proclamation was presented as followed to all Noble Houses and all major public buildings.
"To the gathered nobility, common folk, allies and sovereigns of the Empire. No doubt, the past few days has given birth to many speculations and rumors on the fate of the Undercrown, Albaer Ravenstad, and his administration. The conclusion will however not be drawn from the Imperial Inquest itself, but rather from the fact that an inquest had to take place at all. Ever since the tenure of the late Charles Montagaard, issues have presented themselves with the existence of a central leadership figure in the whole of the Empire. When this rule is applied by the Crown, the rule is accepted. When this rule is applied in the name of the Crown however, sentiment turns against said authority on a whim, and forces within the Empire itself start undermining said authority. The Empire is too large for one Emperor to control it, so it stands to reason that it is also too large for one Undercrown.
Recently, I repealed the title system by implementing the New Model Nobility, a title peerage aimed at creating a large upper layer of society with competent skills and power projection befitting their status. Unfortunately, in present day, the government was rarely a reflection of this. It was true that the Undercrown candidates were always high ranked members of the peerage, but the rest of the government was less so, Ministers mixing between Counts and untitled blue blood. Decisions at the head of the Hydra, as such, were not taken with the full competence of the Empire's peerage, but just by whoever happened to be in a position of power.
My design for the New Model Government, which reconnects governance with the New Model Nobility, aims to eliminate this problem by vesting proportional power in the nobility, while reforming a Noble Assembly called the Imperial Assembly. From this moment onwards, with the formation of the Imperial Assembly, we decree the creation of the New Model Government which shall replace the old. The position of Undercrown is hereby disbanded and all appointments in the civilian government are revoked. Ministerial positions will disappear in favor also of this Imperial Assembly. Our hope is that, with the Assembly, the most competent, fair and strong peers of the Empire will steer the Government to new heights and increase the efficiency of governance over all of Regalia's Sovereign Territories."
A more in-depth explanation was quickly sent out to all Noble houses and pinned on boards to all major establishments across the city. The two notable creations were the offices of the Consuls, which there were two, and the Imperial Assembly.
The Imperial Assembly shall consist of all titled nobility for life-term terms, as long as they bear a noble title from Imperial Knight all the way up to Sovereign Prince. Untitled nobles and relatives of titled nobles can attend the Imperial Assembly, but may not speak, propose or vote. Imperial Knights can vote but not propose, and only speak to the Assembly when called to speak by someone who is Baron and up, to defend or criticize a proposal or implementation before a vote takes place.
The Imperial Assembly shall function as the ultimate judicial, administrative and military authority in the sovereign territories of the Empire (thus barring the suzerain states that are nominally subject to the Emperor, such as Ithania and Nordskag). They can issue declarations, remove/appoint general and admirals and allocate or diminish troops/ships/state finances pending their decisions. They additionally also have the right to declare and negotiate war, and have the right of official annexation and governor appointments for newly acquired terrain.
The Imperial Assembly may only rule and make law during Conventions of the Imperial Assembly, which are called by the Consuls. Such Imperial Conventions may see titled nobility of Baron and up making proposals, or debating an implementation. Additionally, Imperial Assembly members may also call a Lesser Convention (a Convention without any Consuls present) at which debates over all subjects may be had, but no actual decisions may be taken without a Consul or Proconsul present.
The Imperial assembly shall vote for proposals which may pass with a half 51% vote majority, counted from the start of the Convention. This means that is nobles with voting power are not present during the start of a Convention, or leave after the start, they will not affect the total passing requirements of a vote. There can be no substitute voters for either the Consuls or the Assembly members. Voting power is proportional to title size, meaning lesser titled individuals have less voting power than higher ranked individuals. At the top is the Sovereign Princes, who have 6 voting power. Followed by the Archdukes with 5, Dukes with 4, Counts with 3, Barons with 2 and Imperial Knights with 1. All voting power is summarized at the start of a Convention, after which the clearing number for vote approval will be determined.
The Imperial Assembly shall vote for two Consuls from their own members, who will forego any voting power they have in favor of the power to call forth Conventions, as well as an irrefutable veto power that can overturn any decision made by the Assembly. This vote will proceed somewhat differently than the usual 51% vote majority, as plurality will simply decide the Consuls. In a single voting session, the two highest ranking persons with the most votes will simply be elected as Consuls. Consuls are elected for a total term of 30 days, after which a new voting round will commence for two new Consuls. A Consul cannot be voted out of office, and can only abdicate during their tenure. When a Consul abdicates, a new vote is immediately called to replace the vacant seat, for the remainder of time left in that tenure. Both Consuls hold veto power to throw any assembly proposal out without opposition. There is no way to suspend this veto power, nor can a veto out-veto another. Consuls serve as chairmen to the Imperial Assembly and its Conventions by calling them. This means there are no limitations on freedom of speech or tone at the assembly. Additionally, Consuls can make laws without requiring a vote by the Assembly, though such an implementation can only be made at a Convention, and can be vetoed by the other Consul. Additionally, a Consul also has the power to proclaim a peace negotiate to the Convention, which may be vetoed by the other Consul, but can otherwise be used to circumvent the Assembly's right to make peace. They however cannot declare war by proclamation. Finally, they have the right to pardon judicial crimes of military and state law.
Consuls will each be given 10,000 soldiers by the State Military, which the Convention cannot take away from them. The Assembly can however, allocate more troops to their personal armies as well as appoint additional Generals. The Emperor has spoken high preference for military individuals as Consuls, but has not taken any direct command to enforce this. Consuls also act as the Supreme Judicial authorities in the Empire, presiding over court trials. Additionally, Consuls have automatic charter rights and can unilaterally give and revoke charter rights, a sole right that the Assembly cannot manage.
Finally, the Assembly may, in case of an emergency, declare the appointment of a Proconsul. A Proconsul is a sole ruler that will adopt the power of two Consuls and invest them in the single office of Proconsul to speed up the government's apparatus in times of emergency. There can still be two Consuls, but they cannot veto the Proconsul. They additionally adopt the full power of the Imperial Assembly, and cannot be removed by the Assembly, while retaining the veto right against the Assembly. This person will remain in office for as many days as granted by the initial Assembly vote that put them in power, unless they abdicate from their position, in which case another Proconsul or Consul election is called. They cannot, under any circumstance, utilize their power to prolong their term as Proconsul - that is solely within the hands of the Imperial Assembly.
The first Imperial Assembly Convention shall be presided over by the Emperor, to decide the two future Consuls. As soon as they are elected, the Emperor will bend away from the Conventions, and let the government run itself while His Imperial Holiness focuses on the impending war effort to fight on the front lines.
It should be noted, that as the supreme ruler of the Empire, the Emperor does not need to rule by the Assembly or Consuls or even Proconsul. Ideally the Emperor will never interfere with the Conventions, though maintains an agenda of his own on the Empire wide level should the Assembly form anti-Imperial sentiments, or be considered stagnant and lazy.
These changes have gone into effect immediately. The first Convention shall be called at 11 PM London Time Saturday 02/09/2017
All Charters and Generals/Admirals will remain where they are for now.
Religious and Imperial Curia's and their positions are unaffected.
"To the gathered nobility, common folk, allies and sovereigns of the Empire. No doubt, the past few days has given birth to many speculations and rumors on the fate of the Undercrown, Albaer Ravenstad, and his administration. The conclusion will however not be drawn from the Imperial Inquest itself, but rather from the fact that an inquest had to take place at all. Ever since the tenure of the late Charles Montagaard, issues have presented themselves with the existence of a central leadership figure in the whole of the Empire. When this rule is applied by the Crown, the rule is accepted. When this rule is applied in the name of the Crown however, sentiment turns against said authority on a whim, and forces within the Empire itself start undermining said authority. The Empire is too large for one Emperor to control it, so it stands to reason that it is also too large for one Undercrown.
Recently, I repealed the title system by implementing the New Model Nobility, a title peerage aimed at creating a large upper layer of society with competent skills and power projection befitting their status. Unfortunately, in present day, the government was rarely a reflection of this. It was true that the Undercrown candidates were always high ranked members of the peerage, but the rest of the government was less so, Ministers mixing between Counts and untitled blue blood. Decisions at the head of the Hydra, as such, were not taken with the full competence of the Empire's peerage, but just by whoever happened to be in a position of power.
My design for the New Model Government, which reconnects governance with the New Model Nobility, aims to eliminate this problem by vesting proportional power in the nobility, while reforming a Noble Assembly called the Imperial Assembly. From this moment onwards, with the formation of the Imperial Assembly, we decree the creation of the New Model Government which shall replace the old. The position of Undercrown is hereby disbanded and all appointments in the civilian government are revoked. Ministerial positions will disappear in favor also of this Imperial Assembly. Our hope is that, with the Assembly, the most competent, fair and strong peers of the Empire will steer the Government to new heights and increase the efficiency of governance over all of Regalia's Sovereign Territories."
A more in-depth explanation was quickly sent out to all Noble houses and pinned on boards to all major establishments across the city. The two notable creations were the offices of the Consuls, which there were two, and the Imperial Assembly.
The Imperial Assembly shall consist of all titled nobility for life-term terms, as long as they bear a noble title from Imperial Knight all the way up to Sovereign Prince. Untitled nobles and relatives of titled nobles can attend the Imperial Assembly, but may not speak, propose or vote. Imperial Knights can vote but not propose, and only speak to the Assembly when called to speak by someone who is Baron and up, to defend or criticize a proposal or implementation before a vote takes place.
The Imperial Assembly shall function as the ultimate judicial, administrative and military authority in the sovereign territories of the Empire (thus barring the suzerain states that are nominally subject to the Emperor, such as Ithania and Nordskag). They can issue declarations, remove/appoint general and admirals and allocate or diminish troops/ships/state finances pending their decisions. They additionally also have the right to declare and negotiate war, and have the right of official annexation and governor appointments for newly acquired terrain.
The Imperial Assembly may only rule and make law during Conventions of the Imperial Assembly, which are called by the Consuls. Such Imperial Conventions may see titled nobility of Baron and up making proposals, or debating an implementation. Additionally, Imperial Assembly members may also call a Lesser Convention (a Convention without any Consuls present) at which debates over all subjects may be had, but no actual decisions may be taken without a Consul or Proconsul present.
The Imperial assembly shall vote for proposals which may pass with a half 51% vote majority, counted from the start of the Convention. This means that is nobles with voting power are not present during the start of a Convention, or leave after the start, they will not affect the total passing requirements of a vote. There can be no substitute voters for either the Consuls or the Assembly members. Voting power is proportional to title size, meaning lesser titled individuals have less voting power than higher ranked individuals. At the top is the Sovereign Princes, who have 6 voting power. Followed by the Archdukes with 5, Dukes with 4, Counts with 3, Barons with 2 and Imperial Knights with 1. All voting power is summarized at the start of a Convention, after which the clearing number for vote approval will be determined.
The Imperial Assembly shall vote for two Consuls from their own members, who will forego any voting power they have in favor of the power to call forth Conventions, as well as an irrefutable veto power that can overturn any decision made by the Assembly. This vote will proceed somewhat differently than the usual 51% vote majority, as plurality will simply decide the Consuls. In a single voting session, the two highest ranking persons with the most votes will simply be elected as Consuls. Consuls are elected for a total term of 30 days, after which a new voting round will commence for two new Consuls. A Consul cannot be voted out of office, and can only abdicate during their tenure. When a Consul abdicates, a new vote is immediately called to replace the vacant seat, for the remainder of time left in that tenure. Both Consuls hold veto power to throw any assembly proposal out without opposition. There is no way to suspend this veto power, nor can a veto out-veto another. Consuls serve as chairmen to the Imperial Assembly and its Conventions by calling them. This means there are no limitations on freedom of speech or tone at the assembly. Additionally, Consuls can make laws without requiring a vote by the Assembly, though such an implementation can only be made at a Convention, and can be vetoed by the other Consul. Additionally, a Consul also has the power to proclaim a peace negotiate to the Convention, which may be vetoed by the other Consul, but can otherwise be used to circumvent the Assembly's right to make peace. They however cannot declare war by proclamation. Finally, they have the right to pardon judicial crimes of military and state law.
Consuls will each be given 10,000 soldiers by the State Military, which the Convention cannot take away from them. The Assembly can however, allocate more troops to their personal armies as well as appoint additional Generals. The Emperor has spoken high preference for military individuals as Consuls, but has not taken any direct command to enforce this. Consuls also act as the Supreme Judicial authorities in the Empire, presiding over court trials. Additionally, Consuls have automatic charter rights and can unilaterally give and revoke charter rights, a sole right that the Assembly cannot manage.
Finally, the Assembly may, in case of an emergency, declare the appointment of a Proconsul. A Proconsul is a sole ruler that will adopt the power of two Consuls and invest them in the single office of Proconsul to speed up the government's apparatus in times of emergency. There can still be two Consuls, but they cannot veto the Proconsul. They additionally adopt the full power of the Imperial Assembly, and cannot be removed by the Assembly, while retaining the veto right against the Assembly. This person will remain in office for as many days as granted by the initial Assembly vote that put them in power, unless they abdicate from their position, in which case another Proconsul or Consul election is called. They cannot, under any circumstance, utilize their power to prolong their term as Proconsul - that is solely within the hands of the Imperial Assembly.
The first Imperial Assembly Convention shall be presided over by the Emperor, to decide the two future Consuls. As soon as they are elected, the Emperor will bend away from the Conventions, and let the government run itself while His Imperial Holiness focuses on the impending war effort to fight on the front lines.
It should be noted, that as the supreme ruler of the Empire, the Emperor does not need to rule by the Assembly or Consuls or even Proconsul. Ideally the Emperor will never interfere with the Conventions, though maintains an agenda of his own on the Empire wide level should the Assembly form anti-Imperial sentiments, or be considered stagnant and lazy.
These changes have gone into effect immediately. The first Convention shall be called at 11 PM London Time Saturday 02/09/2017
All Charters and Generals/Admirals will remain where they are for now.
Religious and Imperial Curia's and their positions are unaffected.
