Parliament of Überstadt

Parliament of Überstadt
Parliament of Überstadt
6th Parliament
Type
Type	Unicameral legislature
Leadership
Moderator	King Adam I ; since October 2013
Prime Minister	Prince Aaron
Seats	4
Meeting place
	Chambers of Parliament, Rosewood

The Parliament of Überstadt is the unicameral legislature of the Kingdom of Überstadt. It meets monthly in the Chambers of Parliament at the Barony of Rosewood. At its head is the Moderator of Parliament, an office held by the Überstadti monarch, presently King Adam, unless another member is elected by the body. As a direct assembly, all citizens of Überstadt are members, excepting the High Chancellor owing to their role as constitutional and appellate judge.

History

Early Überstadt had no legislature. The constitution provided some basic laws, but extended judicial authority to the people. This direct democracy was replaced over a year later with the establishment of the Senate of Überstadt, designed to be a unicameral legislature of three freely-elected citizens. The Senate only existed on paper, however, and was never elected.

During the November Revolution, the failure of direct democracy in Überstadt was noted, and it was decided that an elected legislature would be necessary. The form of the British government was very influential in designing the Überstadti monarchial system, and a parliament modeled similarly to one of the Westminster system was chosen as a legislative body.

The First Parliament was elected on 10 January 2011, led by a coalition of the Centrist Party and two conservative factions. Theron of Edmount (CDP) was appointed Prime Minister. His first administration was quite inactive, with one law being passed. His second administration, during which he led an all-conservative coalition, also saw limited legislative activity, due in part to the national slowdown which occurs during Überstadt's summers. The final action of the Second Parliament was to change the size of the institution, shrinking it to three Members of Parliament.

Prince Aaron, heir apparent to the throne, became the second Prime Minister following the election of the Third Parliament, leading the third coalition, comprising his own Renaissance Party and the Cat Party. This session was not only elected late, but additionally did not pass any laws during the first month and a half of the term. Despite this, the Third Parliament has already passed more laws than the other two combined. The Fourth Parliament consisted of only the prince, as the law regarding the number of representatives per duchy had once again been decreased, the most recent time to one.

With the ratification of the Third Constitution of the Kingdom of Überstadt on 25 October 2013, direct democracy was adopted, and all citizens except the High Chancellor, due to the office's unique position in determining constitutional law, gained the right to legislate in Parliament. The Fifth Parliament was opened on 4 January 2014 and dissolved in July 2014, when the Sixth Parliament was opened.

Composition and powers

All Überstadtis excepting the High Chancellor are members of Parliament. This includes the Monarch, who is by default the Moderator of Parliament, possessing the power to enforce rules of order and procedure. The Moderator may debate and vote, but may be replaced should the assembly come to lack confidence in them. Parliament may pass any statute pertaining to the governance of the Kingdom, including the overruling of military orders and diplomatic directives by the Monarch.

State Opening

All sessions of Parliament since the third began their terms of service with a State Opening of Parliament. The State Opening features the presentation of the Royal Regalia and the reading of a speech by the Monarch. In all openings but that of the Fifth Parliament, when it was a general expression of a desire for development, the speech has outlined the executive's policy agenda. Although the State Opening is not legally required, it has become a customary way of providing a ceremonial start to each new legislature.

Members

The Sixth Parliament of Überstadt is composed of the following:

King Adam, Moderator
Prince Aaron, Prime Minister
Kara von Friedech
Dominique Montour

Former elected members

The following are all individuals who were ever elected to Parliament:

Prince Aaron, Renaissance Party and Theodorist Party
Daniel of Korea, Fascist Party
David of Edmount, Partying Communist Party
Sir Diamond, Cat Party
Sir Michael of Edmount, Cat Party
Sir Theron of Edmount, Contractors' Democratic Party
Stephen von Washington, Theodorist Party

List of sessions

First, in which the Treason Act was passed and the Conspiracy Scandal broke out
Second, in which the Colony Act and Constitutional Amendment I were passed
Third, in which Constitutional Amendment II was passed, the Free Public Market was established, and major cultural and environmental laws were passed
Fourth, in which two new constitutions were established and socialist reforms were enacted
Fifth, which was the first Parliament in the direct democratic system
Sixth, the present session