Commonwealth

Commonwealths are the constituencies and de facto first-level administrative units of the Terran Federal Republic. Each commonwealth encompasses a single planet or moon, except for a single exception. There are currently 138 commonwealths within the Republic. Commonwealths have wide powers in matters of taxes, law and infrastructure. 
Each commonwealth is headed by a Consul and a Governor. The Governor, largely ceremonial, is appointed by the Federal Commission for an indefinite mandate to represent the central government. The Consul is elected in local general elections, serving as head of government of the commonwealth. Commonwealths are free to choose as to how they organise their legislature, but the vast majority have a unicameral chamber referred to as the Commonwealth Parliament. Commonwealths are divided into large districts which serve as the Federation's second-level administrative units. 
Traditionally, commonwealths are formed once a planet reaches a population of a million. However this is not always the case, for instance for planets under CSAR administration. Commonwealths gain a seat in the Host of Representatives, the third advisory chamber of the Federal Parliament. Their citizens are additionally entitled to services from all Federal Ministries, where they could have been inaccessible prior. Commonwealths are not obligated to bear the name commonwealth, but it is the most common name due to the Commonwealth of Earth. Some notable commonwealths have renamed themselves to other names to emphasise their autonomy and unique culture, such as the Hiigaran Republic or the Republic of New Sidon. Consuls may also be named differently, for instance the President of Hiigara or Chief Administrator of Mars.