Government of Suverska
 Diagram of the political system of Suverska. Note that this was a proposed representation during the transitional period and is not entirely correct. | |
| Formation | 2013; 8 years ago |
|---|---|
| Founding document | Constitution of Suverska (2014, 2021) |
| Country |  Suverska |
| Legislative Branch | |
| Legislature | National Assembly |
| Meeting place | Paskrai |
| Executive branch | |
| Leader | National Council |
| Appointer | National Assembly |
| Main organ | Ministries |
| Departments | 5 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Court | People's Court |
- Federal parliamentary republic (2014–2019)
- Unitary semi-direct democracy (2021–2022)
* † In addition to provisional governments
from 2013–2014 and from 2019–2021
The Government of Suverska was the body responsible for the administration of the Republic of Suverska. While the Suverian government can trace its origins back to the provisional government associated with the founding of the nation in 2013, the final construct of the government was established in the 2021 Constitution of Suverska.[1]
From 2014 to 2019, the nation was a parliamentary republic with an executive cabinet and a president elected by popular vote. During this time, Suverska’s political scene was dominated by the Liberal-Socialists (initially called the Suwerenny Party), who formed majority governments in 2014 and 2016 followed by a minority government in 2018. Opposition to the Liberal-Socialists included the Canada Party, Prairie Party, and numerous unaffiliated politicians.[1]
Between 2019 and 2021, Suverska underwent a two-year transitional period that was prompted by a national referendum and pressure from opposition parties. On May 3, 2021, the 2021 Constitution of Suverska went into effect. The nation was then a unitary semi-direct democracy in which all citizens of voting age are a part of the nonpartisan legislature and five elected citizens make up the executive National Council. Although the final government was nonpartisan, the Liberal-Socialists continued to operate as Libsoš, and it's leader, Atyko Robijovych, served as the nation's second president until that office was disbanded.[1]
The National Assembly made up the legislative branch of government, while the National Council and People's Court made up the executive and judicial branches, respectively.[1]
Branches of government
Executive
The executive branch was comprised of the National Council, a five-member council that collectively leads the country, similar to the Swiss Bundesrat. Elections to the National Council take place each January, in which members are elected by the National Assembly using instant-runoff voting, and recall legislation exists that can remove an individual of their role on the Fedearl Council through the National Assembly.[1]
The National Council governed as a nonpartisan consensus government, and each of its five members direct one of the government's five ministries. The Ministry of Democracy is responsible for the functioning of democracy in Suverska; the Ministry of Domestic Affairs is responsible for the government's relationship with its citizens and the well being of the citizens; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the government's relationships beyond its borders; the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the government's finances; and the Ministry of Energy and Environment is responsible for the environment and natural resources of Suverska.[1]
The past composition of the National Council (2021–2022) is as follows.
| Council | Democracy | Domestic Affairs | Energy/environment | Finance | Foreign Affairs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2021[a] | Private member | Shaja Kachka | Private member | Private member | Atyko Robijovych | |||||
| 2nd | 2022 | Private member | |||||||||
| Final[b] | Vacant | ||||||||||
Legislative
The National Assembly of Suverska, which was the legislative branch of government, created laws known as Acts. Prior to the 2021 Constitution, the National Assembly consisted of nine partisan members elected to two-year terms using mixed-member proportional representation). Since the implementation 2021 Constitution, the National Assembly was a nonpartisan collective of all voting-age citizens of Suverska. As opposed to the National Council which meets monthly, the National Assembly meets less regularly and votes on laws using liquid democatic means.[1]
- Holova
The Holova (lit. chairman; full title: Holova of the Government of Suverska) is the title given to the presiding officer of the National Council and National Assembly. This role is selected by the National Assembly from the members of the National Council, with the Holova of the previous session of government being granted the right of first refusal to be appointed to the job (which still must be put up to election) if they are re-elected to the National Council. Out of any member of the National Council, the member with the role of Holova best fits the description of head of state.
Since the inception of the role in 2021, the Holova has been Atyko Robijovych.
| No. | Name | Term of office | Duration | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atyko Robijovych | 3 May 2021 | 23 Feb 2022 | 296 days | Libsoš | |
| 2 | Private member | 23 Feb 2022 | 24 Feb 2022 | 1 day | Libsoš | |
Judicial
The 2021 Constitution of Suverska was the supreme law of the country, followed by the Acts of the Government (together they make up Suverian Law). The constitution is a short, dynamic document that is changed by the populace via mandatory referendums. The laws that govern the country consist entirely of the 2021 Constitution and law-related acts made by the National Council (executive) and National Assembly (legislative). Laws are consistent and uniform across the nation, and the laws of Canada and Saskatchewan still apply in the country.[1]
Civil law prevailed in Suverska, and the nation's laws are interpreted by the People's Court, which, in each case, consists of a random selection of two National Council members plus three other citizens, in which the highest-ranking National Council member directs the session. Cases settled by the People's Court are non-binding outside of that specific case, meaning that they only apply on a case-by-case basis unless the decision is later adapted into an act or amended into the Constitution.[1]
In the case that the Constitution conflicts with an act made by the National Council or National Assembly, the words of the Constitution (which are written by the people, therefore giving the people the ultimate power) are supreme, which is decided at the discretion of the People's Court. In order for a constitutional amendment to be voted on by the people in a referendum, the idea must either collect at least 10 signatures in an official petition or be organised by the National Council or National Assembly in their regular meetings.[1]
Ideology
Non-partisan, direct democracy
The government of Suverska was structured to encourage direct, individual participation and nonpartisan, consensus governance. Implementations that promote direct democracy in the Suverian government include universal suffrage, an elected executive council with recall legislation, and a legislative assembly assembly comprising of all adult citizens which functions via liquid democratic means.
- Parliamentary groups
Suverska’s three parliamentary groups—Canada, Libsoš, and the Prairie Party—effectively functioned as political parties, thus making the country a de facto multi-party system. Libsoš, the oldest and most historically successful of the three groups, also operated a political party, the Libsoš Party outside of government, though not all Libsoš Councilmember Group members are members of the party. Suverska avoids polarized pluralism and experiences ideological stability by collaborative efforts between all three parties. Generally, political scientists have noted that Canada Party and Libsoš members work together against privitisation, Libsoš and Prairie Party members collaborate on decentralisation, and Prairie Party and Canada Party members work together on economic growth; while, on their own, Libsoš focuses on environmental issues and the Prairie Party focuses on issues concerning Meteora.
| Name | Symbol | Founded | FCMs (2022) | Largest result | Ideology | Member organisations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Канадський |
|
2014 | 2 / 5
|
2 / 5 (2022)
|
Big tent, Canadian liberalism |
||
| Libsoš Лібсоц |
|
2014 | 2 / 5
|
3 / 5 (2014)
|
Left-wing populism, environmentalism |
| |
| Prairie Party Прерія Партія |
|
2018 | 1 / 5
|
2 / 9 (2018)
|
Right-wing populism, Meteoran regionalism |
||
Decentralisation and devolution
According to Article 30 of the 2021 Constitution of Suverska, Meteora’s “unique status” as a less-integral region of Suverska “has called for the devolution of powers to be given to the region.” Though subordinate to the National Council and national government, the executive branch of Meteora is comprised of the Meteora Council, a three-member council similar in function to the National Council. The National Council governs as a nonpartisan consensus government, though has been heavily dominated by the Prairie Party. Each of its three members hold a title that make them responsible for a different aspect of Meteora’s devolved powers—that of the region’s agriculture, infrastructure, and finance and goods.[1]
The past composition of the Meteora Council (2021–2022) is as follows.
- Executive
| Council | Agriculture | Finance | Infrastructure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2021 | Private member | Private member | Shaja Kachka | |||
- Holova
Like that of the national government, Holova (full title: Holova of the Government of Meteora) was the title given to the presiding officer of the Meteora Council, with the role being selected by the three councilmembers themselves.
Since the inception of the role in 2021, the Holova had been Shaja Kachka.
| No. | Name | Term of office | Duration | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shaja Kachka | 3 May 2021 | 24 Feb 2022 | 297 days | Unaffiliated | |
Elections and referendums
National elections
- Presidential elections (2014–2018)
In the 2014 election immediately following Suverska’s declaration of independence, John of Flosia was unanimously elected to the office of president. Two years later in the 2016 election, John of Flosia was re-elected as president with 89% of the vote. In the May 2018 election, John of Flosia was re-elected to a third term as president, while Taras of Meteora received significant support from voters in Meteora. Finally, in the October 2018 election, Atyko Robijovych becomes the second president of Suverska after defeating Taras of Meteora in the second round of voting.
| Election | John of Flosia |
Taras of Meteora |
Atyko Robijovych |
Karol of Veskrai |
Other | Elected | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 100% | 0% | John of Flosia | ||||
| 2016 | 89% | 11% | |||||
| 2018 I | 66% | 29% | 5% | ||||
| 2018 II | 32%, 38% | 36%, 62% | 25%, 0% | 7%, 0% | Atyko Robijovych | ||
- Parliamentary elections (2014–2018)
In 2014, the Suwerenny Party, led by Atyko Robijovych, win 3 of 5 total seats. Independent candidates win seats in Paskrai and Flosia. In 2016, all incumbent members are re-elected while two Canada Party members are newly elected. The Suwerenny Party is now called the Liberal-Socialistsy. In 2018, the Liberal-Socialists and the Canada Party their previous seat counts while three Prairie Party members are newly elected in Meteora. The Liberal-Socialists form a minority government.
| Election | Lib.-Soc. | Canada | Prairie | Other | Government | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 55.6%; 3 | 44.4%; 2 | Libsoš majority | |||
| 2016 | 47.3%; 4 | 36.9%; 2 | 15.8%; 1 | |||
| 2018 | 34.5%; 4 | 24.1%; 2 | 28.0%; 2 | 13.4%; 1 | Libsoš minority | |
- National Council elections (2021–2022)
| Election | Libsoš | Canada | Prairie | Other | Government | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 37.1%; 2 | 22.9%; 1 | 25.7%; 1 | 14.3%; 1 | Nonpartisan | |
| 2022 | 43.3%; 2 | 30.0%; 2 | 16.8%; 1 | 9.9%; 0 | ||
National referendums
Major governmental decisions were made in Suverska on the basis of mandatory national referendums. The final national referendum, in 2021 April 11, enacted the 2021 Constitution and brought an end to the transitional period. Since the 2021 Constitution, such decisions are made by National Assembly using liquid democatic means. If a constitutional change is proposed in the National Assembly, all members are required to vote (which is thus very similar to the previous policy of mandatory national referendums and so are on this list as well).[1]
| Date | Question | For | Against | Abstain | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Mar 31 | 2014 Constitution enactment | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Approved |
| 2017 May 7 | Capital city change to Paskrai | 64.7 | 23.5 | 11.8 | Approved |
| Meteoran integration | 52.9 | 29.4 | 17.7 | Approved | |
| 2019 Apr 5 | Government reforms | 62.1 | 20.7 | 17.2 | Approved |
| Local currency | 75.9 | 10.3 | 13.8 | Approved | |
| Meteoran autonomy | 51.7 | 27.6 | 20.7 | Approved | |
| Renaming to Suverska | 69.0 | 13.8 | 17.2 | Approved | |
| 2019 May 3 | Transitional Constitution enactment | 58.7 | 10.3 | 31.0 | Approved |
| 2021 Apr 11 | 2021 Constitution enactment | 79.3 | 6.9 | 13.8 | Approved |
Regional elections
- Meteora Council elections (2021–2022)
| Election | Prairie | Other | Government | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79.4%; 2 | 20.6%; 1 | Nonpartisan | |
Opinion polling
- National party support, 2014 to 2022
This chart also shows notable events in Suverian political history.
| Date | Type | Lib.-Soc. | Canada | Prairie | Others | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Mar 27 | The Republic of Suwerenny declares independence. | |||||
| 2014 Mar 31 | The Suwerenny Party is founded. | |||||
| 2014 Apr 6 | Poll | 57.1 | 42.9 | 14.2 | ||
| 2014 May 19 | Election result | 55.6 | 44.4 | 11.2 | ||
| 2014 Jun 13 | The Canada Party is founded. | |||||
| 2014 Jul 20 | Poll | 63.1 | 19.6 | 17.3 | 43.5 | |
| 2014 Nov 9 | Poll | 51.4 | 36.3 | 12.3 | 15.1 | |
| 2015 Aug 9 | Poll | 53.5 | 32.4 | 14.1 | 21.1 | |
| 2016 | The Suwerenny Party rebrands as the Liberal-Socialists. | |||||
| 2016 | Election result | 47.3 | 36.9 | 15.8 | 10.4 | |
| 2018 Jan 7 | Meteora joins Suverska. | |||||
| 2018 Mar 10 | The Prairie Party is founded. | |||||
| 2018 | Poll | 40.9 | 28.4 | 14.3 | 16.4 | 12.5 |
| 2018 | Election result | 34.5 | 24.1 | 28.0 | 13.4 | 5.5 |
| 2019 Feb 18 | Poll | 31.4 | 26.1 | 33.8 | 8.7 | 2.4 |
| 2019 Apr 19 | Poll | 35.2 | 26.5 | 29.4 | 8.9 | 5.8 |
| 2019 May 3 | The transitional period begins. | |||||
| 2020 | The Liberal-Socialists rebrand as Libsoš. | |||||
| 2020 Mar 29 | Poll | 39.3 | 29.1 | 25.1 | 6.5 | 10.2 |
| 2021 May 3 | The transitional period ends. | |||||
| 2021 Jun 25 | Election result | 37.1 | 22.9 | 25.7 | 14.3 | 11.4 |
| 2021 Sep 19 | Poll | 31.8 | 25.5 | 29.4 | 13.2 | 2.4 |
| 2021 Nov 28 | Poll | 35.8 | 23.6 | 30.6 | 10.0 | 5.2 |
| 2022 Jan 7 | Election result | 43.3 | 30.0 | 16.8 | 9.9 | 13.3 |
| 2022 Feb 24 | The nation dissolves. | |||||
- National government approval, 2014 to 2022
| Date | Approve | Disapprove | No opinion |
Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Apr 6 | 85.7 | 0.0 | 14.3 | 85.7 |
| 2014 Jul 20 | 78.1 | 8.8 | 13.1 | 69.3 |
| 2014 Nov 9 | 61.6 | 22.2 | 16.2 | 39.4 |
| 2015 Aug 9 | 74.0 | 11.3 | 14.7 | 62.7 |
| 2018 | 53.9 | 18.3 | 27.8 | 35.6 |
| 2019 Feb 18 | 36.5 | 45.0 | 18.5 | 8.5 |
| 2019 Apr 19 | 43.7 | 39.4 | 16.9 | 4.3 |
| 2020 Mar 29 | 58.9 | 25.5 | 15.6 | 33.4 |
| 2021 Sep 19 | 43.3 | 31.0 | 25.7 | 12.3 |
| 2021 Nov 28 | 54.8 | 20.3 | 24.8 | 30.0 |
- Meteora party support, 2014 to 2022
| Date | Type | Lib.-Soc. | Canada | Prairie | Others | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Jun 25 | Election result | 79.4 | 20.6 | 58.8 | ||
| 2021 Sep 19 | Poll | 6.4 | 4.7 | 67.7 | 21.2 | 46.5 |
| 2021 Nov 28 | Poll | 8.5 | 5.8 | 72.4 | 13.3 | 59.1 |
Timelines
- National – heads of state
| No. | Name | Term of office | Duration | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John of Flosia | 31 Mar 2014 | 25 Sep 2018 | 4 years and 179 days | Unaffiliated | |
| 2 | Atyko Robijovych | 1 Oct 2018 | 3 May 2021 | 2 years and 215 days | Lib.-Soc. | |
| No. | Name | Term of office | Duration | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atyko Robijovych | 3 May 2021 | 23 Feb 2022 | 296 days | Libsoš | |
| 2 | Private member | 23 Feb 2022 | 24 Feb 2022 | 1 day | Libsoš | |
- National – heads of government
| No. | Name | Term of office | Duration | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atyko Robijovych | 31 Mar 2014 | 25 Sep 2018 | 4 years and 179 days | Lib.-Soc. | |
| 2 | Karol of Veskrai | 1 Oct 2018 | 3 May 2019 | 215 days | Canada | |
- Regional (Meteora) – heads of state
| No. | Name | Term of office | Duration | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shaja Kachka | 3 May 2021 | 24 Feb 2022 | 297 days | Unaffiliated | |
The Gallagher index is a measure of “an electoral system’s relative disproportionality between votes received and seats allotted in a legislature.”
| Year | Parties | Seats | Gallagher index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 general | 2 | 5 | 4.40 |
| 2016 general | 3 | 7 | 5.38 |
| 2018 general | 4 | 9 | 2.30 |
| 2021 National Council | 4 | 5 | 5.69 |
| 2022 National Council | 4 | 5 | 5.95 |
- Parliamentary elections (2014-2018)
| party | % of votes | % of seats | difference | difference squared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suwerenny Party | 55.6% | 60.0% | -4.4 | 19.36 |
| Others | 44.4% | 40.0% | 4.4 | 19.36 |
| total of squares of differences | 38.72 | |||
| square root of (total / 2) | 4.40 | |||
| party | % of votes | % of seats | difference | difference squared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal-Socialists | 47.3% | 57.1% | -9.8 | 96.04 |
| Canada Party | 36.9% | 28.6% | 8.3 | 68.89 |
| Others | 15.8% | 14.3% | 1.5 | 2.25 |
| total of squares of differences | 167.18 | |||
| square root of (total / 2) | 5.38 | |||
| party | % of votes | % of seats | difference | difference squared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal-Socialists | 34.5% | 44.4% | -9.9 | 98.01 |
| Prairie Party | 28.0% | 22.2% | 5.8 | 33.64 |
| Canada Party | 24.1% | 22.2% | 1.9 | 3.61 |
| Others | 13.4% | 11.1% | 2.3 | 5.29 |
| total of squares of differences | 140.55 | |||
| square root of (total / 2) | 2.30 | |||
- National Council elections (2021-2022)
| party | % of votes | % of seats | difference | difference squared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libsoš | 37.1% | 40.0% | -2.9 | 8.41 |
| Prairie Party | 25.7% | 20.0% | 5.7 | 32.49 |
| Canada Party | 22.9% | 20.0% | 2.9 | 8.41 |
| Others | 14.3% | 20.0% | -5.7 | 32.49 |
| total of squares of differences | 81.8 | |||
| square root of (total / 2) | 5.69 | |||
| party | % of votes | % of seats | difference | difference squared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libsoš | 43.3% | 40.0% | 3.3 | 10.89 |
| Canada Party | 30.0% | 40.0% | 10.0 | 100.00 |
| Prairie Party | 16.8% | 20.0% | 3.2 | 10.24 |
| Others | 9.9% | 0.0% | -9.9 | 98.01 |
| total of squares of differences | 219.14 | |||
| square root of (total / 2) | 5.95 | |||
See also
Notes
References
