Parliament of Fatrea
Parliament of the Kingdom of Fatrea | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | House of Peers House of Commons |
| History | |
| Founded | 15 February 2024 |
| Leadership | |
Luke I since 15 February 2024 | |
Peers Speaker | Vacant |
Vacant | |
Vacant | |
Vacant | |
| Constitution | |
| Constitution of Fatrea | |
The Parliament of the Kingdom of Fatrea, commonly known as the Parliament of Fatrea, is the bicameral legislative body of the Kingdom of Fatrea. While parliament is bicameral, it consists of three parts - the sovereign (the King-in-Parliament), the House of Peers, and House of Commons.
The House of Peers is the upper chamber of parliament. Its members are appointed by the monarch usually at their discretion, but can also be on the nomination of the prime minister. Members of the house are all appointed by virtue of the fact they hold a peerage. Royal princes are also permitted to sit in the house. Members of the house serve for life. As well as the upper chamber of the legislature, the House of Peers holds some judicial functions - being granted jurisdiction over trials of high treason by the constitution.
The House of Commons is the lower chamber of parliament and is elected. House terms are five years, unless elections are called sooner. Elections are regulated by law, but are conducted de facto constitutionally by the first past the post system. For practical reasons, the prime minister is usually appointed from the house.
Both houses are equal in their role and power in the legislative process.
History
Parliament was established on 15 February 2024. It was established by the constitution, which determines the body's powers and how each houses members are to be selected.
As well as outlining powers and membership, the constitution also defined parliamentary privileges.
Powers and Composition
Legislative authority in Fatrea has three elements: the monarch, House of Peers, and House of Commons. No person may be a member of both houses at the same time.
Royal assent is needed for all bills to become law. The crown also holds constitutional powers that do not require the assent of parliament to be exercised.
The prime minister and government are politically responsible to parliament and need parliamentary support to be able to legislate. While the dismissal of the government is a power officially held by the monarch, the House of Commons can withdraw their support from the government through votes of no confidence.
The monarch appoints the prime minister who forms a government consisting of members of either house of parliament. For practical reasons, the monarch usually selects a member of the House of Commons to become the prime minister.
The houses are equal in legislative power, with the exception of the proposition of money bills - which is a power solely held by the House of Commons.
All legislation must be approved by both houses of parliament and the monarch to become law.
Legislative Procedure
Both Houses of Parliament are presided over by a speaker. The speakers of both houses are nominated by the house in which they belong and are confirmed by the monarch. Speakers preside for the parliamentary term and can seek the renewal of their term at the start of each parliamentary term. The speakers of both houses preside over debate and ensure house business is conducted in an orderly and effective manner.
Both houses may make decisions through voting. Votes can be taken by shouts of "aye" or "nay", or may be conducted through a show of hands. According to the constitution, votes of each houses are not valid unless a majority of their members are present for the vote.
Business of both houses is public. However, each house can vote to conduct private sittings.
Legislative Functions
Laws are made by Acts of Parliament, which can be proposed by the monarch or members of either house.
Laws in draft form are known as bills. A bill introduced by the monarch is known as a "Royal Bill", a bill proposed by a ministers is known as a "Government Bill", and a bill proposed by another member of either house is known as a "Private Member's Bill".
Bills, with the exception of money bills, may originate from either house. Money bills, however, are constitutionally required to originate in the House of Commons.
Each bill goes through a number of stages in each House before becoming law. The first stage, called the first reading, is a formality in which the bill is proposed and's terms are read out. At the second reading, the general principles of the bill are debated, and the House may vote to reject the bill. After the second reading, the house reviewing the bill can either decide to send the bill to committee if they wish to amend the bill, or to the third reading in which the house's final vote on the bill occurs. If the bill passes the third reading it is passed to the other house of parliament.
If the bill passes in both houses, it is submitted to the monarch for his or her assent. The monarch has the power to assent to a bill, making it law, or to veto it.
If a bill is vetoed by the monarch or either house of parliament, it cannot be re-proposed for the remainder of the current legislative session.
Privileges
Both Houses of Parliament are granted special privileges that are upheld by each house and defended in the constitution. Each house is the guardian of their privileges and possess the authority to punish breaches of them.
The foremost privilege claimed by parliament is absolute freedom of speech. Nothing said during sittings of either house may be questioned by any body outside of parliament. Another privilege claimed by parliament is freedom from arrest. No member of either house may be arrested without the assent of the house in which they belong, or the arrest is ordered by the monarch through royal warrant.
See also
| General |
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| Government and Politics |
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