How are new laws passed in your nation?
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 1:08 pm
In Lenzum, the process is still as it was in the days of the Republic, at least on paper.
Firstly, a new bill can be proposed by any member of either house of the Imperial Parliament.
The lower house, the House of Debate, is 'elected' every 5 years, but only the Imperial Party of Lenzum has appeared on the ballots since the return of the Empire. The upper house, the House of Reason, is entirely appointed by His Imperial Majesty, and is supposedly filled with 'the best and brightest', but you are far more likely to earn a seat through loyalty and service. 86% of the House of Reason are ex-HoD members, whilst the rest are nobility.
First, the House of Debate discuss the new bill. As the IPL control the entire house, actual debate only occurs when a member of the House has been allowed to present a 'personal' bill. Once the discussion is finished, HoD members are asked to move through either the 'Yes' or 'No' lobbies, much like in the British House of Commons. This usually leads to the entire membership shuffling through the 'Yes' lobby, and it is said that the 'No' lobby isn't even dusted unless a free vote, allowed only on personal bills, is being held.
Once the HoD has approved the bill, the House of Reason examine it, again with the intent having been for experts in whatever the law relates to be in attendance. Again, however, the illusion of democracy is shattered because the House of Reason would rather concern itself with how fast it can approve the bill. There is a similar voting system to the HoD, again with deviation into the No lobby only allowed on personal bills.
Final approval rests with the Emperor. He also has the right to bypass the Imperial Parliament entirely and change any law at a whim, but the current Emperor, Lenzar III, has been doing this less and less as he grows older and seemingly less interested in the affairs of state.
Once the bill is formally signed by the Emperor, it becomes law.
Firstly, a new bill can be proposed by any member of either house of the Imperial Parliament.
The lower house, the House of Debate, is 'elected' every 5 years, but only the Imperial Party of Lenzum has appeared on the ballots since the return of the Empire. The upper house, the House of Reason, is entirely appointed by His Imperial Majesty, and is supposedly filled with 'the best and brightest', but you are far more likely to earn a seat through loyalty and service. 86% of the House of Reason are ex-HoD members, whilst the rest are nobility.
First, the House of Debate discuss the new bill. As the IPL control the entire house, actual debate only occurs when a member of the House has been allowed to present a 'personal' bill. Once the discussion is finished, HoD members are asked to move through either the 'Yes' or 'No' lobbies, much like in the British House of Commons. This usually leads to the entire membership shuffling through the 'Yes' lobby, and it is said that the 'No' lobby isn't even dusted unless a free vote, allowed only on personal bills, is being held.
Once the HoD has approved the bill, the House of Reason examine it, again with the intent having been for experts in whatever the law relates to be in attendance. Again, however, the illusion of democracy is shattered because the House of Reason would rather concern itself with how fast it can approve the bill. There is a similar voting system to the HoD, again with deviation into the No lobby only allowed on personal bills.
Final approval rests with the Emperor. He also has the right to bypass the Imperial Parliament entirely and change any law at a whim, but the current Emperor, Lenzar III, has been doing this less and less as he grows older and seemingly less interested in the affairs of state.
Once the bill is formally signed by the Emperor, it becomes law.