Romulan Political System

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FEDERATION DIPLOMATIC DATABASE

Subject: Romulan Government

Date: Current of 2397

 

Legislative

Over the years, the Rihannsu political system has undergone several incarnations with various configurations; for example, during the reign of Shinzon, there was no Senate. His rule was followed by the rule of Galae Command Council, and then by a traditional Senate until the Rule of the Tal’Shiar, which hearkened more to the old imperial era.

 

Following the defeat of the Tal’Shiar in 2393, a provisional government was put in place until a new system could be adopted. In 2395, that system came into place:

 

The governing body of the Empire is actually three bodies, the Tri-Cameron: The Praetorian Council, the Higher Senate and the Lower Senate.

 

Praetorian Council:

Elected by the people for 10 year terms, they represent selected regions of the Empire, eleven in total. Their main function is as the supreme judiciary of the Tri-Cameron and of the Empire. All judicial power stems from this body, and all legislation must pass before them before becoming law; however, the Council can only reject law based on it’s constitutionality, and only interpret law that is unclear, they cannot originate legislation. If a law is deemed to be unconstitutional, it returns to the Senate for further consideration. The Praetorian Council also serves as the Chief Advisory board to the Praetor himself (discussed latter in this document).

 

El’Deihuit (Higher Senate):

Gone are the days where most of the members of this body are appointed based on their other social standing. All Members of the Higher Senate are now elected to 5-year terms with each system in the Empire represented, each receiving three Senators per system regardless of population.

 

The primary original legislation introduced in this body pertain to matters of Foreign Affairs, Treaties, Trade Agreements, and approval of all legislation coming from the Lower Senate. Legislation that is initiated in the El’Deihut does not have to be approved by the lower senate, but does have to meet approval of the Praetorian Council.

 

The head of this body, elected from the membership, is the Proconsul. The Proconsul sets the agenda and runs the day-to-day operations of the Higher Senate. As well, he posses veto power of legislation coming from the Lower Senate, though a simple majority vote from both bodies can override this veto.

 

The Proconsul is assisted by the Vice-Proconsul who serves much as a “whip” for the Proconsul as well as a go-between for the Upper Senate and the other two bodies. The Vice-Proconsul is elected by the body.

 

Senators elected to the El’Deihuit serve five year terms and are not term-limited.

 

Khre’Deihuit (Lower Senate):

Traditionally the body of the people, in the newest incarnation it continues that way. All members are elected, and represent each system; each system is given representation based on population, regardless of ancestry, a first in Rihan history. Each system is guaranteed at least one member in the Lower Senate and additional representation is given for every 100 million inhabitants in the system.

 

Being a much larger body, the Lower Senate actually meets in three different places: the larger chamber on ch’Rihan and two smaller chambers, one on ch’Revellion and another in Teral Prime in the far East of the Empire. Each Senator may choose which chamber they attend, but edict holds that members meet in the chamber closest to their home system. Each member of the Lower Senate is elected to a two year term.

 

The Lower Senate handles all matters of internal policy and fiscal policy. In addition to a wide range of subjects. Any issue can be brought before the chamber, and they may vote on any issue they wish. Laws that are approved by this body, done so by a simple majority, are subject to approval by the Higher Senate, and ultimately the Praetorian Council. The leader of the Lower Senate, elected by the people for one term (2 solar years) is known as the hru’Aefvriha (Head Administrator) and does not represent any one system. The position contains many of the same duties as the Proconsul, but the hru’Aefvriha does not have any specific voting power or the ability to veto legislation. The hru’Aefvriha is not term limited.

 

Executive:

Praetor

The History of the Rihannsu Executive branch is actually more convoluted than that of the legislative branch, undergoing many changes over the years. From 2393 till the present, the Praetorship was the highest office in the Empire. That will continue; however beginning in 2398, the process of selecting a Preator will under go significant changes. For the first time in the history of the Empire, the Praetor will be an elected official. This new officer will be the Chief Executive of the Rihan Empire, elected directly from the people for a 5 year term.

 

The Praetor shall be the chief legislative initiator and will have the power to represent the people in Intergalactic affairs; the power to make war pending approval of the Praetorian Council; and will have final veto power of all legislation, though a 2/3 majority vote in two of the three legislative bodies can override this veto.

 

System Governors

Each system in the Empire will have one governor elected by the system’s populace for a 5 year term. Governance of each system will be left to the purview of Senate rules, but for the majority of all issues, local Governors are given a fair amount of autonomy.

 

Judicial:

With the exception of the addition of the Praetorian Council (see Legislative) the Rihan Judiciary has remained unchanged for centuries. Each district in the empire has at least one General Tribunal which hears all legal inquiries and is made up of one elected Judge who decides the case. If a citizen chooses to appeal that ruling, they may go before the System Tribunal, composed of three Judges elected by the people, and request arbitration. Above that is Regional Tribunal, made up of 5 Judges; originally appointed by the Preator now appointed by the Praetorian Council, they serve almost exclusively as an appellate court. (The Regional Tribunal hears some original cases in inter-system disputes.) The next to last appeal a citizen has (formerly this was the last body of appeal), is the Imperial Tribunal, which has original jurisdiction in all cases but is the first body to hear high crimes of treason and Imperial Interest. The 9 members of this body, appointed by the Praetor and approved by the Praetorian Council, serve for life. The final Tribunal of appeal and the ultimate judicial authority is the Praetorian Council, whose rulings are final and cannot be overturned. The Praetorian Council serves only as court-of-last resort and only takes up the most sensitive of criminal and civil cases, and those in which the merit or constitutionality of a law is in question. Only citizens of the Empire are granted the right to appeal any ruling and non-citizens guilt or innocence is considered final upon judgment from the court of original jurisdiction.

 

Political Parties and Issues:

 

Issues: Several common issues that Rihans face have to do with class and general foreign policy. Rihans have long accepted governmental control of health care, and freedom of religion.

 

Traditionally, there have existed few political parties in the definition sense. However, with the opening of the Political system, Parties have began to take larger role in Imperial Politics. As of 2397, several major political parties have emerged:

 

 

The Rihan People’s Party:

Most liberal of the major Rihan parties, the RPP’s power base is in the Nothern sectors of the Empire, long the most outgoing and accepting of all Rihans (also the most Vulcan in philosophy.)

 

The RPP’s main platform includes abolishment of slavery, extension of citizenship to all peoples of the Empire, revitalization of the labor movement (structured worker’s unions),monetary redistribution of wealth, and continued diplomatic and political cooperation with the Federation and Klingons. The RPP supports further expansion of the Treaty of Versailles

 

Currently, the RPP holds a slim majority in the Lower Senate, but is a minority in the Higher Senate, and holds only two seats in the Praetorian Council. Additionally, beyond the Northern Sectors where they hold every System Governorship, the hold few Governorships.

 

Rihan Unity Party:

One of the more Conservative of the mainstream Rihan parties, the UP’s power base is in the more traditional Eastern sectors (these areas are less developed and more agrarian in nature and also have less contact with the Federation) as well as a strong base in the Esin (Romulus) system. They also have isolated pockets in the more Moderate Southern sectors along the border with the Klingon Empire.

 

The main platform of the UP is one of staunch traditionalist values combined with progressive economic reforms. The UP, along with the RPP, supports the abolishment of slavery (though most in the party maintain that emancipation should be for Vulcanoids only) as well as a greater incorporation of non-vulcanoids into the political system. The UP maintains a socially moderate stance on most other issues. Their economic platform calls for greater attention to the heavy industries in the North, with less governmental control over said industries. Also it calls for greater Agrarian reform for embattled Rihan farmers who have struggled with the influx of foreign goods.

 

Additionally, the UP supports a reconstruction of the Rihan Galae.

 

Further, the UP calls for modification of the Versailles agreement, in effect re-establishing the old neutral zone for military purposes, but would continue to allow political and economic interaction between the three powers.

 

Currently, the UP holds a majority in the Higher Senate, but is the largest minority in the Lower Senate. It holds both of the leadership positions in both. As well, it controls 8 of the seats in the Praetorian council, and a majority of the system governorships, including Esin.

 

Imperialist Party

The Imperialist party is made up of those Rihans who are loyal to the ideals of the royal family, long since relegated to the political back door of the empire, they have began to assert themselves. They hold only a handful of seats in the Higher Senate, but are the number three minority in the lower Senate. The hold no governorships or seats in the Praetorian Council. Their main power base is in the elder systems of the Empire. They maintain an active coalition with with the UP.

 

Alien Liberty Union

The ALU is comprised, mostly, of non-vulcanoids. They support a doctrine somewhere between the RPP and UP, but their main goal is the granting of rights and citizenship to all people of the empire. As one can imagine, their power base is limited to those systems where the majority of the population is of non-Vulcan descent. As such, they have several members of the Higher Senate, and are the number two minority in the lower senate. Additionally, they control all of the Governorships in system where the majority of the population is non-Vulcan, and even have a seat on the Praetorian council. As such, they are beginning to become more potent political force, and have formed a coalition with the RPP.

 

Alliance Party

The AP’s main goal is the movement of the Rihan people into a full Alliance (membership) in the Federation. Scattered through out the Empire, this party has no real political clout and holds only one seat in the Higher Senate and only three in the lower senate, with no seats on the Praetorian Council or System Governorships. They have joined in loose coalition with the ALU and the RPP.

 

Tal’Shiar Loyalists Confederation

A small isolated group of former Tal’Shiar loyalists who seek to return the Empire to the reign of the Tal’Shiar. With the memories of the Civil War still fresh in the minds of many Rihannsu, this party is deemed dangerous and untrustworthy. Until the 2397 elections, they were banned, and have been allowed to participate in that and subsequent elections on a highly monitored basis.

 

Others:

Foundation Party

United Alien Coalition

Free Union Party

Social Liberty Foundation Party

League of Nonaligned Parties

Independent Union