State of Portuvera
State of Portuvera Estado do Portuvera | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Flag | |||
| Capital and largest city | Bucovenia | ||
| Official languages | Portuveran Creole | ||
| Demonym(s) | Portuveran | ||
| Government | Constitutional Republic | ||
• First Minister | Christian J. Newton | ||
• Second Minister | Second Minister N/A | ||
• Secretary of State | Kimberly N. Cruz | ||
• Supreme Judge | Supreme Judge N/A | ||
| Legislature | Senate | ||
| Establishment | 3 June 2019 | ||
| Population | |||
• (July, 2019) census | 7 | ||
| Currency | Portuveran Dollar (PD/$) | ||
Website Official Website | |||
Portuvera, officially the State of Portuvera, is a nation claiming 3 territories, two of which are located in the United States, and one of which is located in the United Kingdom, founded on June 3, 2019. Portuvera is a constitutional republic, governed by its First Minister, Senate, and Supreme Court.
Structure and Name
During the first month of its foundation, Portuvera was known as Portutera, being very loosely derived from the Portuguese name for Port Hatteras, but simultaneously meaning Port Land. After extensive research, the name Portutera was then changed to Portuvera, meaning Port True in archaic Portuguese.
Portuvera is organized into three separate administrative regions, North Portutera, South Portutera, and the Portuteran Overseas Territory, with each territory having the same number of seats in the nation's Senate.
History
The State of Portuvera was formed on June 3, 2019, as a sovereign and independent social project, attempting to create a welcoming environment and sense of belonging for its citizens. Portuvera was also intended to be a truly free state, making it possible for any and every citizen to pursue political careers, or work in the private sector. Portuvera actively seeks citizens from all walks of life, regardless of race, ethnic background, or cultural identity.
Governance and Politics
Portuvera is defined as a Constitutional Republic, having elected leadership, and a set code of rules. The Portuveran government is organized into three branches, an Executive branch (the First Minister), a Legislative branch (the Senate, headed by the Second Minister), and a Judicial Branch (the Supreme Court, headed by the Supreme Judge, and Adjutant Courts, headed by their respective Adjutant Judges).
The First Minister
The Executive branch consists solely of the First Minister. The First Minister reserves the right to propose bills, which are then sent to the Legislative branch (the Senate) to be voted upon, for either approval or veto. In the event of a Senatorial veto, the First Minister reserves the right to override the veto, in which the bill becomes law. Aside from the proposal of new legislation, the First Minister also holds many reserved powers, such as the right to enter into relations with other entities, the right to utilize and mobilize the Portuveran armed forces in a time of war, the right to veto bills proposed by the Senate, the right to approve or deny requests for refuge, and the right to grant amnesty or pardon those convicted by the Portuveran Judiciary. The First Minister also reserves the right to hand-pick his or her cabinet. The First Minister holds life-tenure, unless impeached, or he or she resigns. When a First Minister is impeached, resigns, or dies, the Second Minister immediately assumes the position of First Minister of Portuvera. A new Second Minister is then elected by the citizens of Portutera, for the remainder of the previous Second Minister's term.
The Second Minister and Senate
The Legislative branch consists of the Second Minister, and the elected Senators of the Portuveran administrative districts. The Second Minister is the de jure head of the Senate, and is used only as a tie-breaker in the event of a 50/50 vote. Senators are elected by the citizens of their respective administrative district. Senators reserve the right to propose bills, which are then voted upon by the Senate, and sent to the First Minister for either approval, or veto. The Senate does not reserve the right to override a First Ministerial veto. The Second Minister is elected every four (4) years by the citizens of Portuvera. Senators are elected every two (2) years by the citizens of Portuvera. When a Second Minister or Senator is impeached, resigns, or dies, a new Second Minister or Senator is elected by the citizens of Portuvera, or respective administrative district, for the remainder of the previous Second Minister's or Senator's term.
The Supreme Court and Adjutant Courts
The Judicial branch consists of the Supreme Judge of Portuvera, who is hand-picked by the First Minister. The Supreme Judge is the de jure head of the Supreme Court, and is the final authority when interpreting laws of Portuvera. The Supreme Judge also holds few reserved rights, such as the right to deem laws unconstitutional, and the right to hand-pick his or her Adjutant Judges, who serve under him or her. Adjutant Judges are the de jure heads of the Adjutant Courts, which operate at the administrative district level. The Supreme Judge , as well as Adjutant Judges, hold life tenure, unless impeached, or he or she resigns. When a Supreme Judge is impeached, resigns, or dies, a new Supreme Judge is chosen by the First Minister. When an Adjutant Judge is impeached, resigns, or dies, a new Adjutant Judge is chosen by the Supreme Judge.
Executive Departments
Executive Departments, or the Cabinet, are the primary agencies of the federal government of Portuvera. Department heads are hand-picked by the First Minister. Department heads hold a life tenure unless impeached, or he or she resigns.
Regional Governors
Regional Governors of the administrative districts of Portuvera hold no legislative power in the Senate, however, they do reserve the right to converse with the First Minister on matters concerning their respective administrative district, as well as establish their own system of governance within their respective administrative district, so long that their system of governance and laws are in conjunction with the Organic Law of Portuvera. Regional Governors hold life-tenure, unless impeached, or he or she resigns. When a regional Governor is impeached, resigns, or dies, a new regional Governor is then chosen by the First Minister, from the respective administrative district of the previous Governor.
State Police and Military
Portuvera currently maintains no military force. Instead, state police are used protect and serve the citizens of Portuvera. In a time of conflict, the state police may be federalized and hold the status of a fighting military force. The state police are also used as guards for government buildings, such as the First Minister's Estate.
As Portuvera is primarily situated on a private island property, the State Police maintain a special sub-unit, the Portuveran Coast Guard, often mislabeled as the Portuveran Navy. The Portuveran Coast Guard is primarily responsible for humanitarian, search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement operations.
Languages and Culture
Portuveran culture is considered to be a mix of American, European, and African. There are various customs and traditions practiced by the citizens of Portuvera from these three regions, however, all citizens and non-citizens are free to practice their own customs and traditions as they choose.
Portuveran Language
The Portuveran language, or Portuverão in the language itself, is the officially recognized regional dialect of Portuvera. Portuveran is commonly spoken in the household, as English is the official diplomatic and working language. When leaving the borders of Portuvera, Portuveran is almost never heard, except between Portuveran families. It is not uncommon to hear Portuveran spoken by families when shopping, eating out, or even visiting the beaches and shores of Portuvera. The Portuveran language is considered to be a creole language, and even a portmanteau, incorporating elements predominantly from English, Portuguese, and Spanish, spoken with an Esperanto-like grammar. Some consider Portuveran to be a constructed language, however, all elements of the language are naturalistic. The Portuveran dictionary is relatively small, which is why English words are used in place untranslatable Portuveran words.
The Portuveran Language Institute currently maintains an online forum, used exclusively for conversations in and about the Portuveran language.
Birthing Customs
Giving birth in Portuvera is a very joyous occasion. Any child born within the borders of Portuvera is presented with a Portuveran birth certificate. Children born to a Portuveran parent are given a Portuveran citizenship certificate, free of charge. It s customary to present gifts to the birthing parents of a new Portuveran child.
Religious Customs
The majority of Portuveran citizens are practicing Christians (with the majority being Protestant and Catholic). Holidays such as Easter and Christmas are always celebrated with a family gathering, feasts, attending religious services, and presenting gifts to one another.
Marriage Customs
It is customary to present Portuveran citizens who are married (whether to another Portuveran or foreigner) with gifts to celebrate their joyous occasion. Generally, both sets parents (or close relatives) will present a speech to the newly-weds, wishing each partner good health, and a long-lasting relationship. Divorce, while not illegal, is considered taboo in Portuvera, as each partner is expected grow and strengthen together, even through rough times.
National holidays
There are several holidays, both federally and locally recognized, which are celebrated in order to inspire the Portuveran people to embrace their unique and rich culture.
| Name | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | The first day of the Gregorian year. |
| Easter Day | Between 22 March and 25 April | Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
| Independence Day | 3 June | Celebrates the foundation of the State of Portuvera. |
| Founder's Day | 28 October | The birthday of the original founder of the State of Portuvera. |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Traditional commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. |
| New Year's Eve | 31 December | The final day of the Gregorian year; Saint Sylvester's Day. |