Proxies of Terranova

### Status

Non-Active (Activated in times of temporary absence or incapacity of the President or Vice President)

### Term length

Variable (Lasts until the President or Vice President resumes duties or a new election is held)

### Formation

Established under the Terranovan National Governance Act in 1937

### Inaugural holder

Murphy W. Blackwood (PPoT)Lawrence W. Blackwood Jr. (PVPoT)

### Latest holder

Samuel M. Blackwood (PPoT)Timothy J. Gonzales (PVPoT)

### Salary

$2,540 daily

The **Proxies of Terranova**, also known as **Proxy President of Terranova** or **Proxy Vice President of Terranova**, is a temporary individual appointed to temporarily assume either the presidency of Terranova or vice presidency until a new president or vice president is elected or if a president or vice president is unable to fulfill their duties. The proxies is responsible for performing duties, exercising the executive's powers, making important decisions, and taking actions that impact the country during the few days of their temporary appointment.

They do not have the full authority of a regular president or vice president, but they do have "proxie power," which was established by the Blackwood Executive Advisory Board and President Michael Blackwood in 1937 to ensure the smooth functioning of the government in times of temporary absence or incapacity. Put directly under the Terranovan National Governance Act, the proxie power is granted to the proxies, allowing them to act as the highest authority in the country during their temporary appointment. This does not include the ability to sign executive orders, make diplomatic decisions, or declare war, as those powers are reserved for the regular president or vice president. Proxies can make crucial administrative decisions, manage government operations, maintain stability, implement policies, establish protocols, and oversee the day-to-day functioning of various government departments. They are responsible for ensuring that the government continues to operate smoothly and efficiently, even in the absence of the regular president or vice president.

The role of proxies is crucial in maintaining stability and continuity in the government during the transitional period between presidents. They can still make important decisions and take actions that impact the country. Appointments can occur in various situations, such as when the president or vice president is unable to perform their duties due to illness, injury, or other reasons, or when the president dies or resigns before their term is up. The Proxies are responsible for upholding the Terranovan National Governance Act, ensuring smooth functioning, and working closely with other government officials and agencies. They may also be involved in the process of drafting and implementing new policies and legislation.

The qualifications for proxies are the same as those for the office of president or vice president. The Proxy Presidential Act of the National Governance Act prescribes three eligibility requirements for the presidency. At the time of taking office, one must be a natural-born citizen of Terranova, a member of the Blackwood family, at least twenty-two years old, a degree holder, and a resident of Terranova for at least five years. The Proxy Vice Presidential Act of the National Governance Act prescribes The Vice President must be a natural-born citizen of Terranova, at least twenty-seven years old, a resident of Terranova for a minimum of ten years, and have a minimum of five years of experience in a leadership role.

The Proxy Presidential succession and the Proxy Vice Presidential succession are two different processes outlined in the Terranovan National Governance Act. In the event of a vacancy in the presidency, the Proxy Presidential succession is either picked by the Blackwood Executive Advisory Board, or is the Federal Minister of Terranova, or within the President's cabinet, the Terranovan Federal Executive Cabinet, which ensures that there is a seamless transition of power. Similarly, the Proxy Vice Presidential succession is picked within the Terranovan Vice Presidential Cabinet or the Federal Minister of Terranova to ensure a smooth transition in the event of a vacancy in the vice presidency. These processes aim to maintain stability and continuity in Terranova's government by providing clear guidelines for selecting temporary replacements for the highest positions of power.

The Federal Minister of Terranova is the only officeholder named in the National Governance Act as both a presidential successor and vice president. The succession acts authorize the National Assembly to designate which federal officeholders would accede to the presidency or vice presidency in the absence of the Federal Minister of Terranova. The National Assembly has the authority to determine the order of succession for other federal officeholders, such as members of the Terranovan Federal Executive Cabinet and Terranovan Vice Presidential Cabinet, ensuring a smooth transition of power in case of a vacancy in the presidency or vice presidency.

To date, three federal ministers—Abdul-Nasser Esam Said, Walton C. Blackwood, and Samuel M. Blackwood—have served as proxy presidents. The rest were picked by the Blackwood Executive Advisory Board. Only one federal minister, Lawrence W. Blackwood Jr., has served as proxy vice president; the other four were chosen from either the Cabinet or the Blackwood Executive Advisory Board.

Shortly after Terranova's second president, Michael C. Blackwood, resigned, he and his older brother and the second spouse of Terranova, who at the time was the Deputy President Blackwood of the Blackwood Executive Advisory Board, Murphy W. Blackwood, decided that he would assume the responsibilities of the presidency under the title "Proxy President." Murphy stated that he believed his experience on the Blackwood Executive Advisory Board made him well-suited for the role of Proxy President. He had himself sworn in as president, thus becoming both the first Proxy and the first Proxy President in Terranova's history. This decision sparked controversy and debate among the members of both the Cabinet and the Blackwood Executive Advisory Board, as some questioned the legitimacy of Murphy's appointment without a formal election process. He served for 3 days, from President Michael Blackwood's absence on November 11, 1937, until President Chistopher Blackwood's inauguration on November 14, 1937. During his three days, he strengthened diplomatic relations with neighboring countries and addressed pressing social issues such as healthcare and education. Despite the short duration of his presidency, Murphy's actions left a lasting impact on Terranova's political landscape, setting the stage for future discussions on the role of proxy presidents in times of temporary absence or incapacitation of the elected leader. The longest-serving Proxy President was the most recent Proxy President, Samuel M. Blackwood, who served for 21 days, from President Charleson Blackwood's absence on January 14, 2028, until President Lazarev Blackwood's inauguration on February 5, 2028.

"The Proxorable" is the revered term encapsulating the temporary leaders of Terranova, the Proxy Presidents, and Proxy Vice Presidents. It symbolizes their commendable qualities and responsibilities during transitional periods, embodying dedication, sound judgment, and a commitment to preserving the nation's stability. These individuals, chosen without the formality of an election, are custodians of governance, ensuring the seamless continuity of leadership until the return of elected officials or the appointment of new ones. The Proxorable stands as a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and unity in steering Terranova through moments of transition.

## Proxy President of Terranova

Proxy Presidential succession is referred to multiple times in the Terranovan National Governance Act within the Proxy Presidential Act: "If the President is removed from office, dies, resigns, or is unable to fulfill the duties of the position, the responsibilities shall pass to the Federal Minister of Terranova or selected by the Blackwood Executive Advisory Board. The National Assembly has the authority to establish procedures for such situations involving the removal, death, resignation, or incapacity of both the President and the Federal Minister. This includes specifying which official within the Federal Executive Cabinet will assume the role of President, and that designated officer shall perform the duties accordingly until the impediment is resolved or a new President is elected, as determined by law."

The Presidential Order of Succession is as follows: the federal minister, the premier of the National Assembly, the speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the president of the Senate, and then the eligible heads of the federal executive departments who form the president's cabinet in the order of creation of the department, beginning with the Secretary of State, Attorney General of Terranova, Secretary of Internal Security, Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals, Secretary of Defense Forces, Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Education, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary of Economic Development, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. These individuals collectively make up the presidential line of succession, ensuring continuity of leadership in the event of a vacancy in the presidency. The order of succession is determined by the Proxy Presidential Succession Act, which establishes a clear hierarchy for who would assume the role of president if necessary.

## Proxy Vice President of Terranova

Proxy Vice Presidential succession is referred to multiple times in the Terranovan National Governance Act within the Proxy Vice Presidential Act: "If the Vice President is removed from office, dies, resigns, or is unable to fulfill the duties of the position, the responsibilities shall pass to the Federal Minister of Terranova or a member of the Terranovan Vice Presidential Cabinet. The National Assembly has the authority to establish procedures for such situations involving the removal, death, resignation, or incapacity of both the Vice President and the Federal Minister of Terranova or a member of the Terranovan Vice Presidential Cabinet. This includes specifying which official within the Terranovan Vice Presidential Cabinet would assume the role of Proxy Vice President in the event of a vacancy until the position can be filled through a special election or appointment process."

The Vice Presidential Order of Succession is as follows: the federal minister, the second spouse, the Secretary of Conservation, the Secretary of Scientific Research, the Secretary of Government Initiatives, the Secretary of Strategic Vision Implementation, the Secretary of Social Welfare, the Secretary of Culture and Heritage, and the Secretary of Future Planning. This order of succession ensures that there is a designated line of individuals who can step into the role of president in the event of a vacancy. Together, these people comprise the presidential line of succession, which guarantees continued governance in the case of a vice presidential vacancy. The Proxy Vice Presidential Succession Act, which lays out a precise hierarchy for who would assume the role of vice president if necessary.