Parliament of Gronea
Parliament of the Gronean Empire | |
|---|---|
| 1st Parliament | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Imperial Senate House of Representatives |
Term limits | None |
| History | |
| Founded | 6 September 2023 |
| Leadership | |
Colin I since 6 September 2023 | |
Vacant | |
House Speaker | Vacant |
| Constitution | |
| Constitution of Gronea | |
The Parliament of the Gronean Empire, sometimes internally known as the Imperial Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the supreme federal legislative body of the Gronean Empire. It is bicameral - consisting of the Imperial Senate as the upper house and House of Representatives as the lower house.
While is it bicameral, it consists of three parts - the sovereign (Emperor-in-Parliament) and both Houses of Parliament.
The House of Representatives is the elected lower chamber of parliament. It sits for terms of five years and its members, known as Members of Parliament, are elected to represent single-member constituencies from across the whole empire. Its members are elected via first past the post and sometimes the imperial government originates from the house. The house is presided over by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Imperial Senate is the appointed upper chamber of parliament. Its members, known as Imperial Senators, are appointed by the state governments of Gronean states to represent the states in federal legislative affairs. The Chancellor of Gronea acts as the representative of the Emperor of Gronea to the house as well as its presiding officer.
History
The imperial parliament was first established on 6 September 2023, after establishment in the imperial Gronean constitution.
Composition and Powers
The legislative authority, the Emperor-in-Parliament, has three distinct elements: the monarch, the Imperial Senate and the House of Representatives. No person may simultaneously be a member of both houses. Parliament has the power to legislate for the whole empire, with legislation passed by it taking precedence over state laws.
Imperial assent and the assent of both houses is necessary for bills to become law. The imperial crown also has executive powers which do not depend on parliament to be exercised. The monarch also appoints the Chancellor and all other imperial officials, government and non-government.
According to the constitution, bills may be proposed by members of either house except for money bills which must be proposed and approved first by the House of Representatives.
Legislative Functions
Imperial laws can be made by Acts of the Imperial 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"; one introduced by another member is called a "Private Member's Bill". Even if a government minister does not belong to a house of parliament, they may still propose bills to either house.
Each bill goes through several stages in each house and requires a simple majority in both houses to pass. After passing in parliament, all bills are then either vetoed by the imperial monarch, or assented, executed and published.
Bills become imperial law 14 days after passing in parliament and being assented, unless otherwise specified in the bill.
Relation with Government
Parliament provides scrutiny to the imperial government. By constitutional convention, the Chancellor is usually a member of the House of Representatives but even if they are not, they still report to the Imperial Senate who can provide scrutiny of the government. Parliament provides questions to the government and holds ministers to account for their actions.
As well as this, sometimes the government is appointed from parliament allowing parliament to provide government.
Privileges
Both houses are, by convention, granted and protect a range of parliamentary privileges.
First and foremost, members of both houses are granted absolute freedom of speech within their houses. What is said in either house of parliament cannot be questioned by any institution outside of parliament. Secondly, members cannot be arrested under Gronean law during sittings of their house without the express consent of their house.
Both houses reserve the power to punish breaches of their privilege.