Empire of Lehmark

Empire of Lehmark
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Community. Dedication. Kindness. Acceptance. Teamwork.
Anthem: The National Anthem
Map of the Capital Province of Lehmark 2024
Capital and largest city	Imperial City of Lehmarkia
Official languages	English
Religion	Freedom of Religion
Demonym(s)	Lehmarkian
Government	Senatorial Imperial Autocracy
• Emperor and Autocrat of Lehmark	William I
• Imperial Chancellor of Lehmark	Wald Friedli, Duke of the Frontier
Legislature	Imperial Senate
Establishment	19 June 2024
Area
• Total	0.038 ha (0.094 acres)
Population
• Estimate	6
GDP (nominal)	2024 estimate
• Total	$10,000
Currency	Lehmark Digital Token, Imperial Florin
Time zone	UTC+9:30 - Adelaide Time
Website Official Website

Lehmark, officially known as the Empire of Lehmark, is a micronation founded by His Imperial Majesty William I, Emperor and Autocrat of Lehmark on 19 June 2024. The Empire of Lehmark originally existed from 19 April 2019 to its dissolution on 20 April 2023. The Empire is a Senatorial Imperial Autocracy whereby the Head of State is the Emperor and Autocrat and the Head of Government is the Imperial Chancellor. The Capital Province is located in Adelaide, South Australia.

History of the Empire of Lehmark

See Empire of Lehmark (2019) for history of the original version of the Empire.

On 19 June 2024, William I, Emperor and Autocrat of Lehmark published Imperial Decree 00001 - Founding Document, re-establishing the Empire after its dissolution 12 months prior. The Empire was re-established as a Senatorial Imperial Autocracy, a parliamentary-autocracy hybrid, whereby the Imperial Government is headed by the Imperial Chancellor.

Between 19 June 2024 and 6 July 2024, the Emperor and Autocrat worked to rebuild the website, establish a Discord Server, and regain access to old premium accounts on Discord as well. Part of this time was spent rebuilding the Google Drive which contains the various Spreadsheets, Forms, Templates and Documents used by the Imperial Government to run the Empire. The Emperor and Autocrat used this opportunity to pass many of his old administrative responsibilities to the Imperial Government.

On 4 July 2024, the Emperor and Autocrat Granted Titles of Nobility to 5 original Citizens of Lehmark who had returned to the project to thank them for their loyalty and support. On this day the Emperor and Autocrat also published 3 Imperial Decrees, including:

• Imperial Decree 00002 - The Nobility of Lehmark
• Imperial Decree 00003 - Styles and Forms of Address
• Imperial Decree 00004 - National Symbols

On 11 July 2024, the Emperor and Autocrat concluded negotiating a Treaty of Annexation with a Citizen in the United Kingdom. As a result the Province of Twilight was annexed into the Empire, with Anni being granted the Title of Duchess of Twilight. She also received a Certificate, Flag and Coat of Arms. This announcement was made on the Empire's Discord Server much to the joy of the Empire's Citizens.

On 13 July 2024, the Emperor and Autocrat sucessfully recovered files from the original Imperial University and was able to relaunch the Imperial University on 13 July 2024, and as such the Empire can now provide education for free as it had done so previously. The Imperial University offers the following:

• Associate Degree in Residential Horticulture
• Associate Degree in Healthy Nutrition
• Associate Degree in Mental Wellness

On 20 July 2024, the Emperor and Autocrat successfully negotiated a second Treaty of Annexation. This time, annexing the Province of Wildwood in Michigan State in the United States of America. Ernest was granted the Title, Duke of Wildwood and was given a Certificate, Coat of Arms and Flag. An announcement was also made on Discord, the Empire rejoiced at this expansion.

Between 21 July 2024 and 12 August 2024, the Imperial Government begun working to establish the Imperial Government Directive 2024, with Development Plans for each Minister and Department, providing clear and concise direction for development and Government focus for progression and growth of the Nation.

On 13 August 2024, the Emperor and Autocrat announced via Discord that the Imperial Bank Bot of Lehmark was launched. By leveraging the Stellar Network, a decentralized and efficient blockchain designed for fast and low-cost transactions, the Bank facilitates transactions using our exclusive cryptocurrency, the Lehmark Digital Token (LDT). This ensures that people of all ages can access the Stellar Network, maintaining Lehmark’s financial independence.

Between 14 August and 7 September 2024, the Emperor and Autocrat of Lehmark made extensive changes to the Empire's Discord Server, which included integration with all Citizen Services and large swathes of the website, allowing better and more efficient access to the Imperial Government and Citizen Services.

On 15 September 2024, after a few weeks of work, the Emperor and Autocrat announced the creation of the Empire's self-defence force, the Imperial Legion. The Legion consists of 19 separate ranks. The Emperor and Autocrat will serve as Marshal of the Imperial Legion. A new Department of Defence was also announced which will be headed by the Minister of Defence, who doubles as a General in the Imperial Legion. Finally, it was also announced that the Imperial University will be supplying a new Associate Degree in Imperial Legion Training which will cover all areas of military training across 10 Lessons - all new Recruits will need to successfully pass the Training in order to be promoted to a Private and full member of the Imperial Legion.

On 5 October 2024, the Empire launched the Imperial Commonwealth of Lehmark, this Commonwealth is an extension of the Empire of Lehmark and doubles as an organisation intend to support and expand Member States. Member States are granted access to numerous Lehmarkian Government Services such as the Imperial Bank and the Imperial University. In exchange Member States recognise the Emperor and Autocrat as Head of State, while maintaining their original structure, leader, constitution and the like. At any time the Member State could declare independence with little objection from the Emperor and Autocrat. The Structure and Organisation of the Imperial Commonwealth is outlined in the Imperial Decree 00006 - On the Imperial Commonwealth

Imperial Government of Lehmark

The Empire of Lehmark is a Senatorial Imperial Autocracy whose Head of State is the Emperor and Autocrat of Lehmark and whose Head of Government is the Imperial Chancellor.

His Imperial Majesty's Government or simply the Imperial Government is the centralised national government of the Empire of Lehmark. Being responsible to the Emperor and Autocrat and headed by the Imperial Chancellor, the Imperial Government governs the Empire of Lehmark by which it ensures the enforcement of law, development of the nation and societal progression.

Emperor and Autocrat of Lehmark

The Emperor and Autocrat is the absolute ruler of the Empire. While the Emperor and Autocrat possesses significant power, the day-to-day governance of the Empire is largely delegated to the Imperial Chancellor, who oversees the Imperial Government on behalf of the Emperor and Autocrat.

Despite this delegation, the Emperor and Autocrat retains several key powers to ensure the government remains functional and can respond to emergencies.

Powers of the Emperor and Autocrat:

• Absolute Veto: The ability to block any Imperial Act from becoming law.
• Dissolution of Government: The power to dissolve the Imperial Government and call for new elections.
• Appointment and Removal: The authority to appoint or remove the Imperial Chancellor and other ministers.
• Override Authority: The capacity to override the Imperial Chancellor and direct the government.
• Issuance of Imperial Decrees: The power to issue Imperial Decrees that can override Imperial Acts. These decrees do not require approval from the Senate or Government and are issued at the Emperor’s discretion.

The Imperial Chancellor of Lehmark

The Imperial Chancellor serves as the Head of the Imperial Government, managing its operations on behalf of the Emperor and Autocrat.

The Imperial Chancellor determines the course and direction of the Imperial Government and National Development by implementing the Imperial Government Directive. This Directive, allocates Development Plans to each Department and their respective Minister to execute.

Responsibilities and Powers of the Imperial Chancellor:

• Determines and oversees the execution of the Imperial Government Directive.
• Regularly seeks updates from Ministers on their Development Plans.
• Can introduce or modify Government Policies, Procedures, and Forms.
• May propose Imperial Decrees to the Emperor and Autocrat for enactment.
• Manages the Imperial Government and its Ministers/Agency Leaders.
• Can present Imperial Acts to the Imperial Senate for debate and voting.
• Can advise the Emperor and Autocrat on the removal or appointment of Ministers.
• Holds the authority to dissolve the government and call for an election, resigning in the process.

Ministers and Agency Leaders

• The Imperial Government comprises various Departments and Agencies. Departments are led by Ministers, while Agencies, which handle specific areas within a Department’s jurisdiction, are overseen by Agency Leaders, commonly known as Directors.
• Ministers and Agency Leaders are responsible for maintaining and expanding the services and opportunities provided by their respective Departments and Agencies to their constituents.
• The Imperial Government Directive, implemented by the Imperial Chancellor, allocates Development Plans to each Department. It is the responsibility of each Department’s Minister to ensure the necessary work is carried out to complete their Development Plan.

Membership in the Imperial Government

Membership in the Imperial Government is exclusively defined as the Imperial Chancellor, Ministers and Agency Leaders.

The Imperial Senate of Lehmark

The Imperial Senate, the unicameral legislative body of the Empire of Lehmark, whose Members are the Imperial Government. Each member has the right to propose Imperial Acts, which are then debated and voted upon. Once passed, these Acts become Imperial Law and are fully enforceable.

Elections in the Empire

In the Imperial Government, the positions of Imperial Chancellor, Ministers, and Agency Leaders are elected every six months. All citizens aged 16 and older are eligible to vote and run for these positions. Voting is mandatory for all Citizens, failing to vote results in a 50LDT fine.

Candidacy is specific to roles within the Imperial Government, such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, rather than for administrative regions. Candidates can only run for one office during an election period.

If a position lacks a candidate and remains vacant, a job posting will be issued. Citizens can then apply, and the Emperor and Autocrat will appoint someone to the role. The appointed citizen will serve until the next election, at which point they can choose to run as a candidate.

Supreme Court of Lehmark

The Supreme Court is described as the only Court in the Empire of Lehmark and is a separate branch of the Imperial Government.

No Justice is permitted to hold a Judicial Seat whilst holding power in one of the other Branches of Government; this ensures the true separation of government this means the judicial can be independent of the Imperial Government.

Supreme Court Functionality

The Supreme Court is made up of three Justices' - the Chief Justice, Criminal Justice and Civil Justice. The Chief Justice is the de facto leader of the Judicial Branch of Government.

• The Civil Justice reviews Civil Suits and passes judgment on them accordingly.
• The Criminal Justice reviews Criminal Cases and passes judgment using the Criminal Law Code.

The Chief Justice and two Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Emperor and are usually based on recommendations from the Department of Justice.

Appeals can be made to the Chief Justice and then finally the Emperor himself. Appeals must be based on the point of law, material procedural irregularity or severity of sentence.

The Emperor and Autocrat can remove/appoint new Justices as required, can override and amend judgements in both civil and criminal cases.

Culture

National Symbols

The Imperial Flag of Lehmark

The Emperor and Autocrat designed our Imperial Flag and it has remained the same since our founding in April 2019 and in June 2024.

• Tyrian Purple: Represents the Emperor and Autocrat's Imperial Authority and the Empire of Lehmark itself.
• White: Represents the good nature, good will and kindness of the Lehmarkian people.
• Lehmarkian Unity Cross: Represents peace and unity of all peoples. An ode to our multiculturalism and open minded society.

Flag Specifics

• Colours: Tyrian Purple (#66023c), White (#ffffff) and Black (#000000)
• Symbol: Lehmarkian Unity Cross
• Size: 603x1222 mm
• Sided: Single
• Material: Polyester
• Hanging: Grommets

National Plant, Bird, Flower and Animal

• 

  Echeveria

• 

  Phoenix

• 

  Black Cat

• 

  Grape Vine

National Flower: Echeveria

Echeveria also known as Succulents, are our National Flower as a result of the large Succulent Garden in the Imperial Capital.

National Bird: Phoenix

The Phoenix represents Lehmark's fresh start and rising from the ashes to become stronger.

National Animal: Black Cat

The Black Cat was chosen as at the time the Emperor and Autocrat had a Black Cat named Toby, who passed in 2023 aged 4.5 years - related to cancer. RIP Toby.

National Plant: Grape Vine

The Grape Vine is our National Flower given the rich wine region of Adelaide - which is home to the Capital Province and Imperial Capital.

National Calendar

The following are two calendars of festivals celebrated in Lehmark, firstly the Cultural Calendar, a wheel of festivals celebrated by those inside of Lehmark. Second is the Legal Calendar, public holidays taken from country-wide events and the most important parts of the Cultural Calendar. These calendars will evolve as the country evolves, with new citizens comes new needs as a nation and what we celebrate will change as a result.

Cultural Calendar

The Cultural Calendar is a calendar of some of the most important festivals and events around the world. Celebrations of festivals on this list in Lehmark can be supported by the Department of Culture. By no means is this a complete list of all the festivals ever, and as the needs of the citizens change, so will this list.

Start of Year

• New Year’s Day
• Holi
• Spring Equinox
• Easter
• Passover

Mid Year

• Vesak
• Eid al-Fitr
• Summer Solstice
• Eid al-Adha
• Rosh Hashanah

End of Year

• Autumn Equinox
• Yom Kippur
• Diwali
• Hanukkah
• Winter Solstice
• Christmas

Legal Calendar

The Legal Calendar is the calendar of official national holidays that are celebrated across the nation. Celebrations in the cultural side depend on the demographics of the citizens in the nation, and may change depending on the needs of the nation.

Historical Festivals

• Independence Day - 19 June
• National Education Day - 14 August
• Emperor and Autocrat's Birthday - 31 August

Cultural Festivals

• New Year’s Day - 1 January
• Holi - Differs Annually
• Spring Equinox - Differs Annually
• Familia Prandium - 14 March
• Sol Messis - 12–16 April annually
• Lucerna Lumen - 13 June
• Coctum Panem - 20/21 June
• Summer Solstice - Differs Annually
• Twilight Day - 11 July
• Wildwood Day - 20 July
• Arbor Plantationis Ceremonia - 20 September
• Anrontaria Day - 18 October
• Diwali - Differs Annually
• Winter Solstice - Differs Annually
• Christmas - 25 December