Constitutional Codex of Paravia

	Constitutional Codex of The; Empire
	; Front page of the Constitutional Codex of 2020
Created	30 April 2020 - 2 May 2020
Ratified	2 May 2020
Authors	Patrick Renwick
Signers	Patrick I, Emperor of Paravia

The Constitutional Codex of The Empire (Norwegian: Det Konstitusjonelle Kodeks for Keiserriket) is the fundamental law of the Empire of Paravia. It was adopted on 2 May 2020, as the third constitution of the Empire, enacted by Emperor Patrick.

The constitution lays out the structure of the government and divided it into three, namely the Emperor-in-Council, the Emperor-in-Parliament and the Emperor-on-Bench, and made the duties, functions and powers of each branch clear and concise compared to the previous loose assembly of Imperial decrees, laws and precedents. It also clearly dictated the rights of the citizens. Much of this was carried over from the suspended federal Constitution of 2016.

The Constitution has two versions, one written in Norwegian and one in English. The Norwegian language version of the Codex is authoritative and takes precedence over the English. The Norwegian version is composed of around 2700 words in total, whereas the English is composed of about 3300 words.

Name

The name Constitutional Codex was specifically chosen for the document as opposed to simply Constitution to signify the documents origin; as a combination of the Codex Paravica, Paravia’s first constitutional document, and the 2016 Federal Constitution. It was also to signify its position as a gift from the Emperor granted to the people, as opposed to having been written and enacted by the people themselves.

History

Codex Paravica

The Codex Paravica was Paravia’s first constitutional document. Begun before independence in 2014 and completed in January 2015, the document was hand written and simple, simply outlining the system of government of the empire. In practice the Codex Paravica made Paravia an absolute monarchy, with near-unchecked Imperial Powers. The Codex was in effect until the Treaty of Nyros in mid-2016 transformed Paravia into a federation of other micronations.

Federal Constitution of 2016

The federal constitution, enacted following the Treaty of Nyros, was an uncodified constitution consisting of various traditions and acts by the Riksting. The most important of these being the Constitution Act of 2016 and the Constitution Addendum Act of 2016, which laid out the federal system of government, inter-state relations and civil rights. This constitution was significantly more liberal than the proceeding Codex Paravica, which continued to act as the constitutional document of the Paravian Crown Lands. Especially the role of the monarchy was highly restricted in the federal constitution compared to the proceeding Codex. The Federal Constitution would be suspended by the Emperor in the 2018 coup, following the collapse of federalism at the end of 2017.

Constitutional Codex of 2020

Following the gradual return to low scale activity in the Empire in April 2020, the idea of a new written constitution was brought up. The process of drafting the new document was started on 30 April. Major inspiration was taken from the Constitutional Charter of Demirelia, with many of its articles being incorporated in the new Charter, though some with significant changes. Other inspirations included the federal constitution, the Constitution of Norway and the French Charter of 1814.

The new Constitutional Codex was significantly more conservative than its federal predecessor, vesting the Monarchy with far more powers and privileges, including the power to appoint the members of both chambers of the Riksting.

On 2 May, following final adjustments and additions, the Constitutional Codex was issued through an imperial decree by Emperor Patrick.

The people of the Empire of Paravia;—
Pledging to establish a system of loyalty, liberty and rights for all citizens
Mindful of their responsibilities in order to improve the quality of life, to free the potential of each person, safeguard against mistakes of the past and to build a bright future for the Empire
Dedicated and optimistic to renew and maintain their alliance in order to strengthen liberty, union and solidarity;
Committed to unity, integrity and loyalty;
Acknowledging that freedom is a right that shall be freely granted to all people and that such right should not be abused;

Adopt the following:—

A. THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Title A. of the Codex outlines the form of government of the Paravian state. It encompasses Article 1 and declares the Empire to be “one realm, indivisible and inalienable in perpetuity“, and the form of government to be an Imperial, hereditary monarchy.

B. THE EXECUTIVE POWER, THE MONARCH, SUCCESSION AND THE IMPERIAL FAMILY

Title B. encompasses articles 2 through 15 and outlines the powers of the monarchy, imperial titles and the line of succession.

C. THE LEGISLATIVE

Title C. describes the powers, composition and election of the Paravian legislature, the Riksting. It also lays out the way in which a bill is given imperial assent. Title C. Comprises articles 16 through 25.

D. THE JUDICIAL POWER

Title D. describes the role, powers and duties of the Judiciary of Paravia and the appointment of judges. It constitutes articles 26 through 29.

E. THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS OF THE EMPIRE

Title E. lays out the administrative divisions of the empire into High Imperial Provinces, Provinces, Archduchies, Grand Duchies, Duchies, and Lordships. It defines the titles of their rulers and the special rights of the High Imperial Provinces. It constitutes articles 30 through 34.

F. THE RIGHTS OF MAN AND THE CITIZEN

Title F. lays out human rights and the rights of the citizens within Paravia. Amongst other things it guarantees life, property, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, and the abolition of slavery. It comprises articles 35 through 49.

G. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Title G. constitutes the general provisions of the state, such as the official name, flag, coat of arms, motto, and the capital. It consists of articles 50 through 59.

H. AMENDMENT

Title H. establishes the process of amendment of the Constitutional Codex. It establishes that a 2/3 majority of both houses the Riksting is required to approve constitutional changes during 3 consecutive sessions, and that such changes must receive imperial assent. It consists of the last article of the Codex, Article 60.

External links

Constitutional Codex of The Empire (2020) (English)