Magizhatsti

Liberal Coalition (218)
**Opposition (89)**

     Conservative Front (89)
**Other (59)**

     National Party (30)
     Green Party (23)

The **Magizhatsti**, constitutionally the **Chamber of Representatives**, is the unicameral legislative body in Salva.

The Magizhatsti is a democratically elected body where members are known as representatives. The members of the chamber are elected by popular vote in their respective district to four year terms, with a maximum of three terms. Until 2023, members were subjected to a six year term. There are currently 366 seats in the Magizhatsti, approximately one seat per 50,000 people, plus one seat due to the majority clause. Members are elected by a simple plurality in their respective districts under a first-past-the-post system. The most recent election was held on 1 August 2022. On 20 February 2023, the Magizhatsti passed constitutional amendment CM18 to lower term limits for parliamentary sessions from six years to four years, rescheduling the next election to 1 January 2026. It passed again in a public referendum on 1 March 2023.

## Composition

The Magizhatsti is formally headed by the Salvanian monarch, whom of which holds no power unless in emergencies, and is in practice headed by the prime minister, who serves as speaker and is appointed by the president and confirmed by the chamber. As a unicameral chamber, it comprises of a total of 366 members, with 365 being voting members. The prime minister only votes to break a tied vote, typically in favour of the government. The current prime minister is Nazim Ashabarov, who assumed office on 10 January 2015.

### Monarch

The sovereign's place in the Magizhatsti is to override rulings in a case of a constitutional or political emergency, or if the government is attaining too much power. Since independence, the monarch has not been required to act on a motion. As such, the monarch's power is largely symbolic.

### Jurisdiction

The power of the Magizhatsti extends over all of Salvanian jurisdiction and by the constitution, over other foreign entities that are in Salvanian territory. The power of the Magizhatsti is restricted in several forms by the constitution, limiting it in practice. The duty of the Magizhatsti is to provide votes on bills and legislation that are presented by members, which may be regarding education, healthcare, spending, taxation, et cetera. Laws that are deemed unconstitutional are either vetoed by the president or the monarch. The right to establish legislation, known as the right to initiative, is granted to the people through the electorate, allowing the people to propose laws and the Magizhatsti to vote on them via petitions.

### Procedure

Voting in the Magizhatsti is conducted via either vocal or electronic voting following a debate period on the proposed legislation. Each representative is allowed to one vote per legislative session. A simple majority is required for most actions to be passed, though legislation requiring a two-thirds majority is more difficult to pass, typically regarding constitutional amendments.

## History

### Foundation and construction

The Magizhatsti was established on 20 August 1997, following the formal passage of the Salvanian constitution. It is defined in the constitution as "the unicameral power vested in the electorate by the people of Salva". The Magizhatsti chamber was under construction from 1 September 1997 to its completion on 15 December 1997, in the east end of the Federal Complex.

### Redistribution

Originally, the Magizhatsti consisted of 158 seats, which, due to redistribution, has since increased to 366. Redistribution in Salva occurs every ten years and states that for each fifty-thousand people is one seat in the Magizhatsti.

## Notes and references

1. ↑ On 20 February 2023, the Magizhatsti passed constitutional amendment CM18 to lower term limits for parliamentary sessions from six years to four years, and was ratified 1 March 2023.
2. ↑ The Magizhatsti contains 366 member seats, plus one for the seat of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister vacates their seat to the Prime Minister's seat after being confirmed, leaving 365 occupied member seats.