Parliament of Arbya
Parliament of Arbya | |
|---|---|
| 1st Parliament | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Senate Estates General |
Term limits | None |
| History | |
| Founded | 4 July 2023 |
| Preceded by | Senate of the State |
| Leadership | |
Oswald I since 4 July 2023 | |
Senate Speaker | Vacant |
Estates Speaker | Vacant |
Vacant | |
Opposition Leader | Vacant |
| Structure | |
Length of term | Five Years |
| Constitution | |
| Constitution of Arbya | |
The Parliament of Arbya is the legislative body of the Kingdom of Arbya. Parliament is bicameral but has three parts, consisting of the monarch (King-in-Parliament), the Senate, and the Estates General.
The Estates General is the lower chamber. It consists of members elected to represent single member constituencies which represent areas within the kingdom. Majority of senior cabinet ministers are members of the Estates General.
The Senate is the upper house. It consists of members elected to represent dual member constituencies which represent counties, crown dependencies and overseas territories.
History
Arbya's Parliament is preceded by the Senate of the State of Arbya. Both bodies were established on 4 July 2023, but parliament came after the Senate of the State when the state was disbanded.
Composition and Powers
The legislative authority, the King-in-Parliament, has three separate elements: the Monarch, the Senate, and the Estates General. No individual may be a member of both Houses.
Royal Assent of the Monarch is required for all Bills to become law. The Crown also has executive powers which do not depend on Parliament. The Prime Minister and government are directly accountable to Parliament, through its control of public finances, and to the public, through the election of members of parliament.
The Monarch also appoints the Prime Minister, who then forms a government from members of the Houses of Parliament. This must be someone who could command a majority in a confidence vote in the Estates General.
Duration
The constitution sets parliamentary terms at five years, but general elections can be called sooner. There are no term limits for any member of parliament.
Parliamentary sessions last for one year.
Legislative Functions
Laws can be made by Acts of Parliament.
Laws, in draft form known as bills, may be introduced by any member of either House. A bill introduced by a Minister is known as a Government Bill whereas one introduced by another member is called a Private Member's Bill.
Each Bill goes through several stages in each House. The first stage, called the first reading, is a formality. At the second reading, the general principles of the bill are debated, and the House may vote to reject the bill, by not passing the motion "That the Bill be now read a second time."
After the second reading, the principles of the bill may be amended based on the debate. The then house it is passing through votes on the bill, it needs to receive a simple majority to pass.
After it has passed in the house first considering it, it then goes through the same process in the other house of parliament.
After passing in both Houses of Parliament, it is given to the monarch where the bill will either be vetoed or given royal assent.