Devolution in Roscamistan

In the Roscami Federation, devolution is the National Congress’s statutory granting of a greater level of self-government to the regions, the municipalities, and their organs of government. Previously provincial governments could only be constituted by devolution legislation, however due to the federalisation referendum of 2023, this is no longer the case as their rights are protected by the Supreme Constitution.

Devolution differs from federalism in that the devolved powers of the regional or municipal authority ultimately reside in federal government, thus the state remains, de jure, a federal state with only guaranteed provincial governments. Legislation creating devolved assemblies can be repealed or amended by the National Congress in the same way as any statute.

History

Early history

Roscamistan was founded on 18 February 2021. Originally it was a centralised unitary state, with little powers then granted to the regions, which served as the first level and only administrative divisions. In March 2022, people from the school of Thomas Jacobs joining Roscamistan, and one of them being James Irwin. The administrative division of Province was created on 1 April 2021. Soon after the Province of Mervue was established, and as well Galway City.

This creation of a new first-level administrative division also brought with it the first form of devolution to the nation. The office of Premier of Mervue was created to be the head of the government in the province. A few unincorporated territories were annexed as well, expanding the original claims of Roscam, Oranmore and Doughiska westwards. On 27 April, Mervue and four colonies west of Roscam were combined together as the Province of Mervustan, the Mervustan Authority was formed as the new devolved government for the province, under the Prime Minister of Mervustan. No more developments happened other than the formation of Greater Roscam in May 2021.

Connemara and Aran Islands

On 22 July 2021, the Aran Islands were annexed as a province with nominally devolved government, though in reality it never achieved such status.

The Province of Connemara was granted a devolved government on 29 July 2021. The office of Governor-General (equivalent to a Governor in the modern day) and the Prime Minister of Connemara were created. Evan O'Neill was appointed the Governor-General, and Liam David King as Prime Minister.

In September 2021, Prime Minister David King resigned, and the abolition of his office gave the powers to the Governor-General. The Governor-General was then reformed as the High Commissioner of Connemara, an office appointed by the President of Roscamistan after nomination by the people of the provinces. Another change came with the abolition of the High Commissioner for the separate offices of Governor and the revived office of Prime Minister in October 2021.

Both provinces dissolved after the June 2023 federalisation referendum, therefore they never gained a federally-guaranteed government.

Mervustani reforms of September 2021

On 16 September 2021, First Secretary Doros Patusky, in collaboration with Mervustani prime minister Evan Irwin formed the Mervustan Militia, a pioneering form of military unit which would set the structure of the armed forces. For his efforts, there days later he was appointed as the first holder of the Governorship of Mervustan. The Governor was set up to overlook the Mervustan Authority and prime minister, without need for direct intervention from the President.

Greater Roscam

For six months after its creation, Greater Roscam was directly administered by the Government of Roscamistan. The office of Secretary of State for Greater Roscam was the first attempt at providing some form of provincial government. Thomas Jacobs would on 25 November 2021 establish the Greater Roscam Government was established, under the Prime Minister of Greater Roscam, who was nominated by the Legislative Council. The Superior Court of Greater Roscam was also established with Samuel Newman being appointed Superior Judge.

On 22 February 2022, the office of Secretary of State for Greater Roscam was abolished and the office of Governor of Greater Roscam created. After the referendum of June 2023, the Government of Greater Roscam’s rights were guaranteed by the Supreme Constitution.

Galway City

The province of Galway City was formed in April 2021, as the de jure capital city. As such it was directly administered by the ministerial office of the Chancellor of Galway City. After the abolition of the office in November 2021, it was run by the President and his Cabinet. In March 2022, the office of Governor of Galway City was established as an appointed office under the President.

On 15 May 2022, a devolution charter was granted to the province, establishing an autonomous government under the Governor, now elected, and a Provincial Assembly as the legislature. Elections for both were held on 3 June 2022.

Audoù-an-Arvor

The province of Audoù-an-Arvor located in Brittany, France, was established on 10 April 2022. The Governor of Audoù-an-Arvor was established as an appointed office like other gubernatorial offices at their establishment. The province would recieve a devolution charter in late July 2022. The first election for governor resulted in Nyck Bradaten becoming Governor.

As with most provinces, it dissolved on the 27th of June 2023.

Oranmore

Though not a province originally, Oranmore had been a region of Greater Roscam from May 2021 until February 2023. The then Administrator, Jan Kotoński began to advocate for autonomy in May 2022. His wishes were granted when an act creating an Oranmore Autonomous Region passed the National Assembly on 11 June 2022. The office of President of Oranmore was created, with Kotoński becoming the President. He was re-elected in December 2022.

Oranmore would become a province after the Provinces of Oranmore and Ennis Act passed the National Assembly.

Legislative acts

Two major acts on the topic of devolution were passed by the National Assembly of Roscamistan, those being the Lieutenant Governors Act and the Provincial Government Act . The Lieutenant Governors Act established the office of Lieutenant Governor, present in all provinces, and also allowed for devolved provinces to run their provinces in a presidential system of government. The second act outlines the structure of provincial government.

Charters for devolution have also been issued in the past, for the provinces of Audoù-an-Arvor and Galway City, since are now superseded by the Provincial Government Act. This Act was partially superseded by certain sections of the Supreme Constitution

Structure

Devolved governments all have the same basic features. They are composed of three branches, which are the executive, legislature, and the judiciary.

Executive

The executive branch is composed of an elected official who serves as chief executive, and appoints the cabinet of the devolved government, whose members are heads of executive ministries.

Legislature

Devolved legislatures take the form of unicameral bodies, elected by single transferable vote in every three months, called the Legislative Assembly. In regions, the name Regional Council is used. Legislative Assemblies create legislation on matters that are not exclusive to the Government of Roscamistan. Sessions are presided over by an elected Speaker.

Judiciary

The judiciary of the devolved governments is the Regional Court. Regional Courts are headed by the Regional Judge, appointed by the executive of the region.

Other bodies

The Roscami Civil Service operates a branch in all autonomous regions and provinces. Branches are not present in any other division as the Civil Service as a whole is there.

Federalism

Main article: Federalism in Roscamistan

The topic of federalism has been present in the nation since its inception, with numerous, albeit failed attempts at the implementation of federalism being introduced. Federalism was introduced in June 2023, therefore provinces no longer needed devolution to have a government of their own.