Vice President of Zinland
| Vice President of Zinland | |
|---|---|
Incumbent Vacant | |
| Office of the Vice President | |
| Style | Mr Vice President The Honourable |
| Abbreviation | VPoZ |
| Member of | Council of Ministers |
| Reports to | President |
| Seat | Eleydon |
| Nominator | Parliament |
| Appointer | Direct Election |
| Term length | Five Years |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Zinland |
| Formation | 14 April 2023 |
| Succession | First |
| Unofficial names | Vice President of the Republic |
The Vice President of Zinland, sometimes the Vice President of the Republic, is the second highest officer in the executive branch of the Government of Zinland, second only to the President, as well as the highest officer in the legislative branch of government. The vice president is elected jointly with the president as their running mate. The vice presidency is the second highest national office in the Republic of Zinland.
The primary duties of the vice president are dependent on what is delegated to them.
History
The vice presidency is the second oldest national office. It was nearly not established, until President Derek Adams decided the office was necessary. The office was established on 14 April 2023.
Duties
While the main duties of the office are dependent on what the president delegates to them, the vice president does have some duties spelled out in the Constitution of Zinland.
Adviser
The vice president is a member of the council of ministers. They are the second highest member after the president and as thus, they are the most senior adviser to the President of the Republic. They can be very influential over decisions made by the presidency and the council of ministers.
Acting President
When the president is incapacitated they may delegate their duties to the vice president with parliamentary approval using writs of incapability. The vice president then becomes Acting President of the Republic until the incumbent president is able to return and assume their regular duties.
Presidential Successor
In the event of a president's death, resignation or impeachment the vice president is first in line for the presidency and is then typically sworn into the presidency.
President of Parliament
The vice president is ex officio President of Parliament. In this role they act as presiding officer over parliament. They also have a tie-breaking vote in the event when a vote is evenly split. However, when the vice president is not presiding over parliament then parliament is usually presided over by a President Pro Tempore. The vice president also may preside over most impeachment trials.
Appointment
The vice president of Zinland is appointed by direct election usually on a joint ticket with the president. The vice president serves for a term of five years which is indefinitely renewable, unless they succeed the presidency in which they shall serve the remainder of the outgoing president's term in office.
By convention, parties in parliament submit their vice presidential candidate to parliament alongside their presidential candidate who submits a list of all candidates to the electoral commission prior to the election.