Politics of North Supreria

The **politics of North Supreria** take place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy and a decentralised unitary state. **North Suprerian politics** and governance are characterised by a common striving for broad consensus on important issues, within both of the political community and society as a whole.

## Constitution

###### *Main article: Constitution of North Supreria*

The North Suprerian Constitution lists the basic civil and social rights of the Suprerian citizens and it describes the position and function of the institutions that have executive, legislative and judiciary power.

The Netherlands does not have a constitutional court and judges do not have the authority to review laws on their constitutionality. International treaties, however, overrule Dutch law and the constitution, and judges are allowed to review laws against these in a particular court case. Furthermore, all legislation that is not a law in the strict sense of the word (such as policy guidelines or laws proposed by provincial or municipal government) can be tested on their constitutionality.

Amendments to the constitution must be approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate twice. The first time around, this requires a majority vote. After parliament has been dissolved and general elections are held, both Houses must approve the proposed amendments with a two-thirds vote.

## Political Institutions

The major political institutions in North Supreria are the cabinet, the House of Representatives, the Senate and the judicial system. There are three other High Colleges of state, which stand on equal foot with parliament but have a less political role, of which the Council of State is the most important. Other levels of government are the municipalities and the provinces. Although not mentioned in the Constitution, political parties and the social partners organised in the Social Economic Council are important political institutions as well.

It is important to realise that North Supreria does not have a traditional separation of powers: according to the Constitution the House of Representatives, the Senate and the government share the legislative power. All legislation has to pass through the Council of State for advice and the Social-Economic Council advises the government on most social-economic legislation. The executive power is reserved for government. The Social-Economic Council also has the special right to make and enforce legislation in specific sectors, mostly in agriculture. The judicial power is divided into two separate systems of courts. For civil and criminal law the independent Supreme Court is the highest court. For administrative law the Council of State is the highest court.

### Cabinet

The Government of North Supreria constitutionally consists of the Prime Minister and the cabinet ministers. The ministers together form the Council of Ministers. This executive council initiates laws and policy. It meets every Friday in Superdam, the capital of North Supreria. While most of the ministers head government ministries, since 1939 it has been permissible to appoint ministers without portfolio. The Prime Minister of North Supreria presides over the cabinet and is the major political figure of the government.

The government is formed by all ministries, the implementing organizations that fall under the responsibility of a ministry, inspectorates and High Councils of State, and is involved in the preparation and implementation of plans of the government and parliament.

### Parliament

The North Suprerian Parliament, consists of a House of Representatives and a Senate. Both chambers are housed in Superdam and discuss proposed legislation and review of the actions of the cabinet. Only the House of Representatives has the right to propose or amend legislation while the Senate discusses its value regarding the North Suprerian law since North Supreria have no constitutional court. Currently there are 300 members of the House of Representatives and 150 Senators.

Members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate are elected directly every four years with a list proportional representation. Representatives are chosen on personal title, so in the relatively rare case that a member no longer agrees with his or her party, the member can decide to stay in the chamber, either as an independent representative, or connected to another parliamentary party. If a member decides to resign, the empty seat falls to the original party collecting the votes, and can be filled by a member of that party, the highest placed on the party's electoral list that was not elected. Coalition governments may fall before their term ends, which usually results in early dissolution of the House of Representatives and new elections.

### Political Parties

###### *Main article: Political parties in North Supreria*

The system of proportional representation has resulted in a multiparty system. North Supreria have a lot of political parties competing for seats in the House of Representatives, the Senate, Provincial governments and municipalities.