Appointment by the Senate
Overview
The Imperial Senate has the authority to make a number of important appointments. The most significant is The Throne, but the Senate is also responsible for appointing the generals of the Imperial armies. In addition it is common for the Senate to create new Imperial titles which are in turn appointed by the Senate.
There are two traditions for Senate appointments, depending if an appointment is an Imperial position, or a National position. It is possible for the Senate to create an Imperial title which is appointed in a different way, but varying the mechanism from the traditional forms ensures that the motion will require much greater scrutiny to ensure it is compatible with the Imperial Constitution. Appointments that follow these "well worn paths" are far less likely to be classed as unconstitutional or require a constitutional vote to pass.
Imperial Position
Imperial positions are usually the most important positions made by the Senate. These titles can have far reaching powers that affect everyone in the Empire and are likely to have responsibilities that concern the Empire as a whole.
Appointment
To elect a citizen to an Imperial position appointed by the Senate requires a Member of the Senate to raise a motion of appointment for that position. After the proposer has finished their opening address, the Speaker will invite every Member of the Senate with the power of proposal to nominate a candidate of their choice and once all nominations are concluded then the Speaker will oversee the debate as normal and conclude with a vote of those present.
Because of the constitutional implications, election to the Throne require a two-thirds majority vote of the Senate, as does any Imperial position appointed by the Senate which required a constitutional vote to create. Any other position appointed by the Senate only requires a simple majority.
If an Imperial position is vacant, then it remains vacant until a new motion is raised to hold an election and appoint a candidate. Some titles, especially ceremonial titles, effectively lapse when the holder dies because of this rule. If a new Imperial title that is appointed by the Senate is created, then it is traditional for the Speaker to immediately raise an Administrative vote to carry out an election for the position.
Selection
Any Imperial citizen may hold an Imperial position, provided it is the only Imperial title they control.
Removal
A few Imperial appointments last for a single year, they must be reassigned by the Senate otherwise the title lapses but most appointments are permanent, the incumbent serves until they die or are revoked. This arrangement is considered superior by constitutional magistrates as it give citizens appointed by the Senate the ability to pursue their responsibilities without being subordinate to the Senate that appointed them.
Almost all Imperial positions are subject to revocation by the General Assembly and Assembly of Nine of the Imperial Synod
Current Positions
The Imperial positions appointed by the Senate currently are:
- The Throne
- Admiral
- Auditor of Senatorial Accountability
- Bursar of the Imperial Academy
- Captain of the Senate Guard
- Imperial Master of Works
- Quartermaster General of the Imperial Armies
National Position
National positions are only eligible to citizens of that nation and usually they have responsibilities that concern only that nation. They are usually less important than most Imperial positions and less likely to concern the Senate as a whole. Consequently there are mechanisms in place to allow the nation to choose the title holder without recourse to the entire Senate.
Appointment
A vacant national position may be appointed at any time by a unanimous vote of the senators of that nation. To succeed, the vote requires the support of a senator of every territory of that nation in the Empire. If a senator is not available, or one has not been appointed, then the position cannot be filled in this way.
There is no time-limit for the senators to make a decision, they may continue to deliberate and arrange matters amongst themselves for as long as they wish. The appointment takes place at the point where all the senators confirm a single agreed candidate with the civil service.
The alternative is that any Member of the Senate may raise a motion suggesting a candidate for a national position at any time, exactly as if it were an Imperial position being appointed. If the motion is passed by the Senate, then the approved individual receives the position.
Selection
Only Imperial citizens of the appropriate nation are legally entitled to take up an Imperial title that is a national position, regardless of how the position is elected. A Freeborn senator may raise a motion to appoint a Highborn general - but to be constitutionally legal, the candidate they put forward must be Highborn.
Removal
Most national positions, particularly sinecures, are for life, the incumbent serves until they die or are revoked.
Almost all national positions are subject to revocation by the General Assembly, Assembly of Nine, and the appropriate National Assembly of the Imperial Synod.
Current Positions
The national positions appointed by the Senate currently are:
- General
- Spider's Tollkeep
- Advisor on orc affairs
- Advisor on the Vallorn
- Guardian of Britta's Shrine
- Minister_of_Historical_Research