Astrum/ Constitution
Contents
Constitution of Astrum
Ratified on 29/06/2022 by a free vote of all the nobles of the Democracy of Astrum:
Preamble
We the Nobles of Astrum, in order to secure the Blessings of Liberty for ourselves and for our future, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Democracy of Astrum.
Article 1:
This document is the supreme legal authority in Astrum. No Law or Government changes may be enacted which are not in accordance with the provisions herein. All legislative Powers granted herein shall be vested in the Realm Council of Astrum. If the Realm Council attempts to override the provisions of this constitution or to change the constitution without recourse to the Referendum provisions herein, and refuses to correct its action, the Nobles of Astrum are authorized to rise up and overthrow the Realm Council by means of protests. Once the Realm Council is overthrown the realm must hold fresh elections for a new Realm Council in a timely manner.
Amendments to the Constitution may be made legally by means of a Referendum. The change must be proposed by a Realm Council member and must be seconded by another Realm Council member. The Referendum must last 6 days in which a simple majority of the Nobles of Astrum are required to assent in order to make the change valid. The change must be properly documented in the Constitution.
Article 2
Full Realm Name is to be: Democracy of Astrum
Title System is to be: Democratic
Article 3
Government (Realm) Council organization is to be as follows:
| Position | Title | Term | Voting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruler | First Consul | Quarterly | All Nobles equal |
| General | Field Marshal | Monthly | All Nobles equal |
| Judge | Chief Justice | Monthly | All Nobles equal |
| Banker | Chief Financier | Monthly | All Nobles equal |
In order to periodically renew the leadership of the realm, the First Consul may serve no more than two consecutive terms in that role. Then that individual may not enter in the next election for that role. After relinquishing the role of First Consul for at least one term, the same individual is eligible to enter in future elections for the role of First Consul.
Any Realm Council member is not required to step down from a regional lordship or a ducal position as a result of winning an election for a Realm Council position. Similarly any Realm Council member is not barred from holding a regional lordship or ducal position.
Article 4
The method of selecting regional Lords / Representatives is, by default, an election will be automatically initiated when a lordship becomes available and all nobles of the Realm are to have an equal vote in the election. However, the Duke presiding over the region has the authority to override this election process by appointing a particular individual to the role before the election runs its course.
The method of selecting Dukes is, appointment by the First Consul.
Article 5
No deliberate military action can be taken against another realm without declaring war on that realm. The power to declare war on another realm lies solely with the Realm Council. A vote must be taken within the Realm Council and war can be declared if a simple majority of Council members vote for it. The First Consul has the authority to veto any declaration of war.
Article 6
Every noble normally has the right to a trial if accused of a crime. However, and only in case of an emergency, such as a traitor maybe absconding with a region, where both the First Consul and the Chief Justice agree action needs to be taken immediately, the trial may be waived and action taken against the noble.
The trial will be conducted by the Chief Justice, collecting evidence from all available sources. The defendant will have the right to present evidence in defense. When the evidence is collected, the Chief Justice will weigh the evidence and give a verdict of guilty or not guilty. If the verdict is guilty, a sentence is pronounced.
Penalties for crimes are not prescribed herein. The penalty is always at the discretion of the Chief Justice taking into account such factors as intent, repeat offenses, seriousness of crime etc.
The sentence will then go to the First Consul who has to assent to it before the sentence is carried out by the Chief Justice.
The First Consul has the power at any time to pardon a guilty noble, if he or she deems a miscarriage of Justice has occurred or the interests the Realm supersede the sentence.
Article 7
Laws of Astrum
Stated herein are actions illegal under the law. However, it is not an exhaustive list. The Chief Justice may still prosecute a noble if he or she thinks an action not specifically on this list amounts to a crime and merits prosecution.
1. Bribery & Corruption: Offering or Accepting gold in return for voting for an individual in a public election.
2. Treason: Purposeful and Documented betrayal of the realm to any entity.
3. Treason by Secession: Transferring a region or regions to another realm or creating a colony, without proper authorization by the First Consul.
4. Attacking any Realm without agreement of the Field Marshal. Attacking may include but is not limited to attacking nobles, attacking militia, damaging infrastructure, damaging temples and shrines, looting regions or temples etc.
5. Preaching or building a temple or shrine in any foreign Realm without the agreement of the Realm and region Lord.
Article 8
The Realm will maintain a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) for infrastructure or other Realm uses, to be held and disbursed at the sole discretion of the First Consul. Upon leaving the post, a retiring First Consul will hand the SWF over to the new First Consul, making a public accounting of the wealth transferred. The funds will be stored as bonds for safety. The First Consul will attempt to grow the SWF by means of donations. The First Consul will from time to time make a public accounting of the SWF. The aim is to grow the fund to a reasonable limit as defined by the First Consul of the time.
