Federal Commission

The Federal Commission, also known as Supreme Commission or in Terran space simply as the Commission, is the supreme executive body of the Terran Federal Republic. It is made of thirteen anonymous members, randomly chosen among acting senators. Whilst it is the highest Terran institution by power and importance, the Commission rarely appears to the public or in diplomatic events, a role which is filled by the Chancellor of the Republic. Despite having thirteen members, it is not a deliberative body, and instead it announces its final decisions without information of the number of councillors for or against. Members are officially referred to as Lord Councilors.
The Commission has very wide powers, being able to dissolve the Assembly of the People and dismiss the Chancellor. It can also veto any laws and cannot itself be disbanded. It can also issue executive decrees, laws which can last upwards of six months without further parliamentary approval. In effect there are no checks to the Commission's power. Nevertheless traditionally the Commission has had a minimum interference policy. As such, the Chancellor effectively serves as head of the executive, though he still has to answer to the Commission.
The Commission succeeded the European Commission following the Coup of 2055. The Custodian personally headed the Commission for life, until 2088, when it was renamed to the Central Executive Committee. The Committee remained dominated by the Custodian and his political allies who had permanent seats and a complete permanent majority. In 2097 with the Foundation the Committee became the highest body of the technocratic branch and federal government overall. During her tenure, Chancellor Abrams passed a constitutional amendment renaming the Committee to the Supreme Surveillance Commission, a term occasionally used today, but which was changed to Federal Commission in 2598.