Imperial Consul
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The Imperial Consul is an [[Imperial Title|Imperial title]] appointed by the [[Imperial Senate]]. It was [[Create title of High Consul|created]] by the Senate during the Summer 379YE summit, and sparked [[#Constitution|considerable controversy]] leading to a clash between the senators and the civil service over the recommendations of the [[Scrutiny#Constitutional_Court|Constitutional Court]]. | The Imperial Consul is an [[Imperial Title|Imperial title]] appointed by the [[Imperial Senate]]. It was [[Create title of High Consul|created]] by the Senate during the Summer 379YE summit, and sparked [[#Constitution|considerable controversy]] leading to a clash between the senators and the civil service over the recommendations of the [[Scrutiny#Constitutional_Court|Constitutional Court]]. | ||
In Summer 382YE the Imperial Senate voted to [[Amend_Imperial_Consul|provide a stipend]] to the Imperial Consul. | In Summer 382YE the Imperial Senate voted to [[Amend_Imperial_Consul|provide a stipend]] to the Imperial Consul. They further amended during the Spring Equinox 383YE to [[Amend_powers_of_Imperial_Consul|make them a member of the Senate]] - again with a [[Amend_powers_of_Imperial_Consul#Campaign_Outcome|certain amount of controversy]]. | ||
==Responsibilities== | ==Responsibilities== | ||
Revision as of 12:48, 1 August 2019
Overview
The Imperial Consul is an Imperial title appointed by the Imperial Senate. It was created by the Senate during the Summer 379YE summit, and sparked considerable controversy leading to a clash between the senators and the civil service over the recommendations of the Constitutional Court.
In Summer 382YE the Imperial Senate voted to provide a stipend to the Imperial Consul. They further amended during the Spring Equinox 383YE to make them a member of the Senate - again with a certain amount of controversy.
Responsibilities
The Imperial Consul is expected to liaise with Imperial ambassadors and similar positions and report back to the Senate. The Imperial Constitution is clear that authority for negotiation with foreign powers lies with the appointed ambassador- the Consul has no legal right to direct the ambassadors in their work - their role is to liaise with the Imperial ambassadors and help keep the Senate abreast of diplomatic developments.
The Imperial Consul is however responsible for handling diplomatic relations with any foreign and barbarian power with which the Senate has not created a seperate ambassador. The Imperial Constitution grants the power of authority for diplomatic relations to the Imperial Senate - by creating this title, the Senate divests itself of their remaining authority in this area to the Consul. When dealing with such a nation, their responsibilities are similar to those common to an ambassador
Foreign nations have agendas of their own, and may seek to draw the Empire into their intrigues. The existence of the Imperial Consul does not automatically mean that a foreign nation will engage with them - most nations are disinclined to deal extensively with the Empire while there is no embassy. The civil service and the Secretary to the Diplomatic Corps will do their best to appraise such nations of the role of the Imperial Consul.
Limitations
The Imperial Consul can only represent the Empire in dealings with foreign or barbarian nations where there is no existing Imperial ambassador with responsibility for doing so. If an embassy for a foreign nation has been completed then the legal powers of the Consul do not cover dealings with representatives of that nation - even if the ambassador is absent or the post has not yet been filled; the existence of such a title is sufficient.
Powers
Right of Address
The Imperial Consul has the right to make a Senate address once per summit. This is intended to allow them to present important information for the senators consideration. To make an address, the Consul must inform the Speaker for the Senate of their intention, so that the Speaker can add the address to the agenda for the next Senate session.
Member of the Senate
The Imperial Consul is a member of the Senate. They are entitled to enter the Senate chamber at the start of a Senate session and participate in the debates. They do not have the power to raise motions or to vote on a motion.
Representative of the Empire
The civil service provide support to help an ambassador to represent the Empire when dealing with foreign dignitaries from any nation where there is no existing ambassador. They have all the available legal powers of an ambassador; the power to receive a delegation and compose a treaty when dealing with a foreign or barbarian nation.
As there is no existing embassy, there is no mercantile support and no regular briefing.
Stipend
The Imperial Consul receives a stipend of 10 Thrones each season from the Imperial treasury.
Empire to foreign nations.
Appointment
The Imperial Consul is an Imperial position appointed by the Senate. Any Imperial citizen can hold this title, and the consul serves for a year. They can be revoked by the General Assembly and by the Assembly of the Nine.
Constitution
During scrutiny by the Constitutional Court several significant issues were raised with this title. These issues included concerns about the use of the Right of Address, the implicit authority of the title to command other Imperial citizens, and the use of the word "High" in the original title.
The Constitutional Court returned the motion creating the title to the Senate with a series of proposed amendments, leading to extensive and energetic debate between the Senators and Magistrate Karkovich. After spirited discussion, the administrative motion suggesting changes to the presentation of the title was accepted by the Senate.