General Secretary of State of the Socialist Union of Nemkhavia and Pristinia

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General Secretary of State of the Socialist Union
No picture available
Incumbent
Mark Meehan

since February 18th, 2010
Term length1 year
FormationJanuary 31st, 2010
Last holderMark Meehan
Term endFebruary 18th, 2011
SuccessionElection
Socialist Union of Nemkhavia and Pristinia

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
the Socialist Union


SUNP Portal

The General Secretary of State of the Socialist Union of Nemkhavia and Pristinia (Pristinian Latin: Praesidator SUNP, Nemkhav: Rijuna Stjatsa Genralska, Prschtenyakh: Пpcийδoнт CYHП Prsiydont SUNP) is the Head of State of the same nation. The office of President is regarded as the highest achievable office in the entirety of the SUNP political system, followed by the position of General Secretary of State and Chancellor.

A President's term – like the terms for almost every other Pristinian governmental office – lasts exactly one year, at the end of which the next General Elections are held. As President, the holder of the office is Head of State of the SUNP and thus obliged to carry out certain duties, entitled to certain privileges, and, naturally, holds a whole variety of additional offices. These include for example the presidency of the People's Assembly of the Socialist Union or also the commandature in chief of the SUDF. A full list can be found below.

Duties

"To serve the People of the SUNP and their Constitution in both times of Peace and Conflict, to commit life and love to carrying out the People's will, to stand as a beacon of hope where there is none left."

In essence, the President is expected to act on the People's accord while giving them a leadership figure and informing them about important events and giving them his opinion so that they may have some ground knowledge to base their votes in the People's Council on. This is regarded as fundamental for the principles of Direct Democracy (and thus Dresnerism) to function properly.

Rights

  • Martial law: The President may declare Martial Law if this is in accordance with the General Secretary of State. In the unlikely event that both positions are held in personal union by a single citizen, it requires the Chancellor's approval, and in the even more unlikely event that all three offices are filled by the same person a vote from the Ministerate is required. This has been labelled as blatantly undemocratic, but the government states that it is "necessary for the protection of SUNP integrity."
  • Representation: The President as Head of State of the Socialist Union is entitled to act on behalf of the People and represent the Union in Foreign Affairs for example. This has been criticized as undemocratic, causing the government to issue a response to the criticism: "Sure, we could let everyone vote on everything. But that would just cause red tape. Also, the People ratified our current system, so it is democratic after all. Lastly, if the People do vote on a certain action, the President may still not act against their will and must comply with the plebiscite."
  • Decision vetoing: The President may veto some important decisions which are regularly made, such as the compiling of a Cabinet which, notably in vast difference to many other micro- and even macronations, is made by the General Secretary of State and the Chancellor only. This right was implemented into the constitution when the point of realistic doability of presidential routine came to the debate – it was unanimously found that it would be difficult for a President who disagrees with his own cabinet to cope with his duties appropriately. Thus, while not being allowed to influence the decision itself, he may veto the decision made as often as he wishes.
  • Expropriation: While only a de facto right, certainly one of the most powerful ones. Since nothing can be owned, everything belongs to the community, i.e. the state. The President in turn represents the state. Thus, the President may use any land or object which he needs to use. However, a person who feels intimidated or disturbed by the President's actions in this regard (for example because they previously occupied the land, or because it is their usual residence) may refuse the President's seizure of the land for up to a month, in which said citizen can either change their residence or file a complaint against this land seizure.

Positions

  • Commander-in-Chief – Similarly to the heads of state of many macronations and micronations (such as the USA or New Europe), the President of the Socialist Union is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Socialist Union Defense Forces. Upon entering office, the rank of Field Marshal is also bestowed upon the new President, making him one of the few to bear this rank (among the Adjutant-in-Chief and the SUDF Departmental Managers).
  • Member of the People's Assembly – The position of President is one of the three positions (the other two being those of the General Secretary of State and the People's Chancellor) entitling their holder to a seat in the People's Assembly for their entire period in office. This means that the President is allowed to vote on existing matters concerning the People's Assembly and also bring such matters up in People's Assembly meetings.
  • Chairman of the People's Assembly – Although the People's Assembly is very small, it does require a person leading the meetings, keeping the members on track and on topic, ensuring a smooth flow of the meetings, making the members keep to meeting agendas, and organising meetings in the first place. This is done by the President, who is hierarchially the highest member of the Assembly anyway, and whose legislative authority is bolstered by granting this position to him.
  • Supreme Justice Commissioner – Additionally to his legislative and executive powers, the President is the head of the Judiciary branch. While infamous government critic Corin Sterask has brandmarked this as "Castroist de-democratization", the government explains that Centralism like this is an essential part of leading a Socialist government. There is, of course, a democratic branch to the Judiciary as well, the Justice Committee

List of Presidents

Order No. Term No. Image Name Affiliation Term start Term end Notes
01 01 Mark Meehan Dresnerist 31.01.2010 18.02.2010 Provisional and appointed by Mark Dresner, former President of the Autonomous Socialist Republic of Pristinia. Meehan himself used to be the President of the Socialist Federal Republic of Nemkhavia.
02 Mark Meehan Dresnerist 18.02.2010 Incumbent
(18.02.2011)
Elected in the first ever elections in the Socialist Union.





SUNP