The Government

The **Government** or **Government Monarchy of Game City**, is the central government or ruling body of the Kingdom of Game City. They hold the executive power in the Kingdom.

The Government headquarters is located at 1 Main Street and is known as the "Government House".

## Hierarchy

* The kingdom is led by the **King**, the head of state, who possesses ultimate power and reigns over the land by divine right according to the Church of Notch. The sovereign holds governing rights above all other individuals, and can therefore veto any decision held regarding the kingdom's domains — though a democratic approach is still the preferred resolution, even by the King.
* The **President of the Government** is the head of government and second most powerful position in the State, who is directly elected by the citizens of Game City during elections hosted every two years. Their term lasts up to two years, but their term length can be cut short for malpractice, misconduct or general disapproval. However, a campaign runner can be elected an infinite number of times. The President selects all the other ministers who are in charge of specific sectors and duties within the kingdom (for example, the Minister of Architecture or the Minister of the Economy); though the King has the final say, and the President must always have royal assent (the King's permission). By a curious technicality, the President is also considered Mayor of Game City County, and must therefore prioritise the capital's necessities. The President is also freely allowed, without any restriction from the King, to choose his running-mate in the elections, who upon their victory would become Vice President. Presidents sign away their rights to vote for the duration of their careers.
* The **Vice President** is the third most powerful figure in the Government Monarchy. They are chosen by the President of the Government as their running mate in the elections. The Vice President must by law be a member of the same political party as the President of the Government, and acts as their substitute in the event of their inability to attend to their duties (falling ill, for instance). During these temporary positions of power, the Vice President is allowed only to maintain stability, and is not allowed to make new changes unless it is a necessity (a demand from the public, for instance). Outside of this, the Vice President acts as an assistant and advisor, as well as the connecting bridge between the people and the Government, much like the Vice Mayors. In the event of a President's removal, resignation or inability to govern, the Vice President takes over the "powers and duties" of the presidency of the government. Vice Presidents sign away their rights to vote for the duration of their careers.
* The **Mayors** are the head authorities of the counties, serving and having power only over their designated regions. There is a Mayor for Steelborough County and Sylvves County. There used to be a Mayor for Game City County, but the position has since merged with that of the President in order to simplify bureaucracy. Mayors primarily tend to the needs of their people, serving as a dedicated guide and serving to the benefit of their population; constructing where needed, approving county-specific laws, dissuading riots and disturbances and acting as the operators for the very first line of defense in the event of an invasion or terrorist threat. Mayors are often chosen by the people of their county through a democratic-like event held at the leisure of each community, with terms that last for indefinite periods or for those previously established by past Mayors. However, regardless of the people's choice, it is ultimately the King's veto that may or may not allow a new Mayor to surface. Mayors are entitled to a singular Vice Mayor whom they may choose freely, however this choice must not be swiftly made, for these shall stake their executive's career in the event they are needed during a time of absence. They are also entitled to vote during the presidential elections.
* The **Vice-Mayors** are the final and least significant positions of power in the Government Monarchy, serving to the needs of their respective Mayors, working as their personal assistants and acting as the nexus between the Mayor and his/her people, playing the 'citizen's ally' and directing the wishes of the community straight to the ears of their authority. While Vice-Mayors may act as stand-ins in the event a Mayor isn't able to fulfil their duties *temporarily*, a Vice-Mayor is not entitled to mayoral status in the event the current Mayor abdicates or is forced to leave their position.

### Other positions.

* The **Lord Harbourmaster** is a title exclusive to the regional governor of the Crown Dependency of the Cane Islands, an overseas colony of the Kingdom. The Cane Islands are the last remainder of absolute monarchy in Game City, with no one else but the King having absolute power over the islands. The Lord Harbourmaster therefore, as the representative of the Crown in this region, has almost supreme authority over the islands, but nowhere else in the Kingdom (on the mainland they are treated as an average citizen).
* The **Secretary of State** is the political delegate entrusted with caring for and managing the Kingdom's paperwork and bureaucracy. They shall supervise affairs such as player's passport renovation, land management and documents of the royal household. The position is apolitical and anyone can be chosen to possess this title, though it must absolutely be an individual of extreme trust. The Secretary of State is chosen by the King and shall serve until their voluntary retirement or their dismissal.

## Role in Parliament

For more information, please read ***Parliament***.

While the Government Monarchy has the executive power, they also sit in Parliament, holding the legislative power together with the Official Opposition. In a collective debate, the Government Ministers all sit in Parliament, specifically on the left side of the Debate Chamber (on the King's right). On the other side of the chamber sits the Opposition, which is formed by the opposite political party which is not currently in power. In the middle sits the King, acting as the neutral arbiter.

In a debate about a law which is proposed by the Government, the Opposition would be allowed to stand against the new law idea formally giving good reasons why. At the end of a debate, the whole of Parliament (both the Government and the Opposition) would vote upon the law to determine if it is to be passed or not (with the final say from the King).

General elections are held every two years to elect a new government. After an election, the King (currently Aston I) selects the leader of the winning party as President of the Government, and his running mate as Vice President. In the event of both a President and Vice President being unable to perform their government duties, the King (and only the King) can call for a snap election to elect a new government (and if there are no candidates, the King will hand-pick a President).

## Assistance to the citizens

For any inquiries, questions for the Government or complaints, the citizens of Game City may use the open **Government Consultation Office** on Main Street. Be it passport renovation, licences, property trouble or complaints about the Government's practices, the building is open in the daytime every day.