Political System of Northern Riojania

The political system of Northern Riojania is a unique blend of parliamentary democracy and socialist principles. With a strong emphasis on workers' rights and participatory democracy, the government of the United Socialist States of Northern Riojania (USSNR) aims to represent the interests of all citizens and permanent residents, regardless of their socio-economic status.

At the heart of the system is the concept of "dual power": the idea that political power should be shared between two separate branches, the Council of the Laborers (COL) and the Council of the Union (COU). While the COL is made up of delegates from workers' councils and cooperatives, the COU is elected by the general electorate. Both councils have the power to initiate and vote on legislation, with the final say on all bills resting with the head of state, the Grand Secretary.

In addition to the COL and COU, the political system of Northern Riojania also includes the Chamber of States, a body with the power to veto legislation, and the High Table of the Union, the cabinet of the Chairman of the Union, the head of government. The judicial branch of the government is led by the Revolutionary Court, which has the power of judicial review and the ability to invoke the People's Tribunal, an ad-hoc court for crimes against humanity.

Overall, the political system of Northern Riojania is designed to ensure that the voices of all citizens and permanent residents are heard and represented in the decision-making processes of the government.

## Constitution

The original title of Northern Riojania's constitution was "Charter of the Revolution", but through a law that was passed in 1995, " - Basic Law of the People" was added to the title. The full title of the constitution of Northern Riojania is therefore "Charter of the Revolution - Basic Law of the People." This document serves as the supreme law of the land, outlining the rights and responsibilities of Northern Riojanian citizens and the structure and function of the government. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1979, following the end of the Riojanian Revolution and the establishment of the United Socialist States of Northern Riojania. The Charter of the Revolution has been amended several times since its adoption, but it remains a cornerstone of Northern Riojanian society and is widely respected by the people of the country.

### Legislative branch

The legislative branch of Northern Riojania is made up of two parliamentary chambers: the Council of the Laborers (COL) and the Council of the Union (COU).

The COL is a unicameral parliament made up of delegates elected by 40 regional councils. These regional councils, in turn, are made up of delegates elected by communal councils and city councils. The communal councils and city councils are made up of delegates sent by workers' councils and workers' cooperations, respectively. The COL has the power to elect the head of state, the Grand Secretary, by absolute majority, but this right goes over to a national referendum if the vote fails 4 times.

The COU is a bicameral parliament made up of delegates elected by the general electorate through a mixed electoral system. Approximately half of the seats are filled through party lists, and the other half through preference voting for regional candidates. The COU has the power to elect the head of government, the Chairman of the Union, by absolute majority.

Both the COL and the COU have initiative rights for new legislative bills, which must then be voted on by both chambers. The final step is the signature or veto by the Grand Secretary. The Chamber of States, a third parliamentary chamber, has the power to veto legislation by an absolute majority vote, but does not have the power to propose or vote on legislation.

### Executive branch

The executive branch of the Union of Socialist States of Northern Riojania is led by the Chairman of the Union, who is elected by the Council of the Union (COU). The Chairman appoints the members of the High Table of the Union, which serves as the cabinet of the Chairman. The High Table is responsible for proposing and implementing legislation and policies on behalf of the Chairman.

In addition to the Chairman and the High Table, the executive branch also includes the various state and federal agencies responsible for implementing and enforcing laws and policies within the Union. These agencies are responsible for a wide range of functions, including healthcare, education, transportation, and national defense.

The Grand Secretary serves as the head of state and is the highest ceremonial figure in Northern Riojania. The Grand Secretary is responsible for representing the country at international events and ceremonies, as well as receiving foreign dignitaries and ambassadors. In addition, the Grand Secretary has the power to veto legislation passed by the Council of the Union and the Council of the Laborers, although this veto can be overruled by an absolute majority vote in both legislative bodies. The Grand Secretary also has the power to appoint judges to the Revolutionary Court and to call for the convening of the People's Tribunal.

Overall, the executive branch plays a crucial role in shaping and implementing the policies of the Union. Its powers and responsibilities are outlined in the Basic Law of the People, the constitution of Northern Riojania.

### Judicial branch

The judicial branch of Northern Riojania is headed by the Revolutionary Court, which is the highest constitutional court in the country. The court is made up of 16 judges, who are split into two chambers and are nominated by political parties in the Council of the Union (COU) or by an absolute majority in the Council of the Laborers (COL). The judges are then elected by an absolute majority in the Chamber of States, and are finally appointed by the Grand Secretary.

The main role of the Revolutionary Court is judicial review, and it has the power to declare legislation unconstitutional. The court is not involved in the appeals process, and serves as a regular appellate court. This role is carried out by the Supreme Court of each state in the Union.

In addition to its role in judicial review, the Revolutionary Court has two other main powers. The first is the ability to summon the People's Tribunal, an ad-hoc court responsible for trying cases related to "Crimes against Humanity, crimes of war, or crimes against the revolution". This court has only been summoned three times in the history of Northern Riojania. Every citizen has the right to request a motion to summon the People's Tribunal, which requires a two-thirds majority in the Revolutionary Court to pass. The Grand Secretary also has the right to request a motion to summon the People's Tribunal, which only requires an absolute majority to pass.

The second main power of the Revolutionary Court is the ability to order the mobilization of the Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary force with police powers.

## Parties

Political parties play a significant role in the politics of Northern Riojania. Parties are organized groups of individuals who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government. Parties form the cornerstone of Northern Riojania's democratic system, and their ideologies and policies play a crucial role in shaping the country's political landscape. Parties can be national or regional in nature, and they often align themselves with specific political ideologies, such as conservatism, liberalism, socialism, or nationalism. Political parties in Northern Riojania are regulated by law and are required to follow certain rules and regulations in order to participate in elections.

### Parties on the Union level

These political parties can all be considered relevant on a national level, as they all have held or are currently holding seats in the Union parliaments.

#### Partido Voluntaristo

The Partido Voluntaristo (PV) is a liberal party that advocates opening up Northern Riojanias Market to more capitalist practices. It is mostly made up by two ideology camps: Neoliberalists/Anarcho-Capitalists and Anarcho-Mutualists, who are in the minority.

#### Partido Ciudadado

The Partido Ciudadado is the rebirth of the conservative party, and is Northern Riojanias only centre-right party.

#### Los Verdes

Los Verdes is a union of many old syndicates, and seeks a more ecologically friendly Northern Riojania. Aside of environmental protection, the party is guides by anarcho-communist principles.

#### Sindicato del Socialismo Democratico Riojania del Norte

The Sindicato del Socialismo Democratico Riojania del Norte (SSDRN!) is made up by mostly young former party members of either the SAR or the PCR, who left the parties in order to found this new party. It is Northern Riojanias youngest party.

#### Sindicato Anarquisto de Riojania

The Sindicato Anarquisto de Riojania is the party that led the opposition in the Riojanian Civil War, fought the Monarchists and achieved independence for the workers and people of at least a part of the Kingdom of Riojania. Nowadays the SAR is by far the strongest party in the political system of Northern Riojania, dominating almost every election held in the country.

#### Partido del Socialismo Democratico

The Partido del Socialismo Democratico is a party that broke of the SAR in the early years of the United Socialist States of Northern Riojania. It advocates transforming the economy into a social market economy, and freeing up the political system towards a more parliamentary system, seeing systems such as Swedens or Denmarks as a role model.

#### Partido Communisto del Riojania

The Partido Communisto del Riojania is a marxist party that is made up by mostly Trotskyists and Leninists. In the Riojanian Civil War, it joined the Anarcho-Communists to fight the Kingdom of Riojania. After the white peace was signed, the party members quickly left the SAR to formally reinstate the PCR. The party size drastically shrinked in 2004 when (mostly young) members left the party to found the SSDRN.

### Minor parties on the Union level

These political parties are active on a national level, but have never gained more than 3 seats in Union elections.

#### Frente Popular

The Frente Popular is a left-wing populist party that advocates for the rights of marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ+ community and ethnic minorities. It was formed by a coalition of socialist, communist, and progressive parties in the 1980s and has since become a strong voice in Northern Riojanias politics.

#### Partido Socialista Unificado

The Partido Socialista Unificado is a socialist party that advocates for the nationalization of key industries and the establishment of a planned economy. It is made up of a coalition of Marxist-Leninist, Maoist, and Castroist parties and has a strong presence in the trade union movement.

#### Partido del Trabajo

The Partido del Trabajo is a socialist party that focuses on workers' rights and the defense of labor unions. It was formed in the 1970s by a group of syndicalists who believed that the SAR was not doing enough to protect the rights of workers.

#### Partido Comunista del Norte

The Partido Comunista del Norte is a communist party that advocates for the establishment of a socialist dictatorship of the proletariat. It was formed in the 1980s by a group of hardline Marxists who split from the PCR. It has a small but dedicated following.

### Other notable regional parties

*Partido Indigena de la Selva*

The Partido Indigena de la Selva (PIS) is a political party that represents the indigenous populations living in the rainforests of Northern Riojania. It advocates for the protection of their traditional way of life and the preservation of the natural environment.

*Partido Indigena de la Sierra*

The Partido Indigena de la Sierra (PISI) is a political party that represents the indigenous populations living in the mountains of Northern Riojania. It promotes the cultural traditions and economic development of these communities.

*Partido Indigena de la Costa*

The Partido Indigena de la Costa (PIC) is a political party that represents the indigenous populations living on the coasts of Northern Riojania. It focuses on issues related to marine conservation and the rights of coastal communities.

*Partido Cristiano Democratico*

The Partido Cristiano Democratico (PCD) is a Christian democratic party that operates in Northern Riojania. It promotes traditional values and social justice, and advocates for the rights of religious minorities.

*Partido de la Tierra y la Libertad*

The Partido de la Tierra y la Libertad (PTL) is a regional party that operates in the central and southern regions of Northern Riojania. It is focused on issues related to land rights and economic development in these areas.

*Partido de la Reforma Agraria*

The Partido de la Reforma Agraria (PRA) is a regional party that operates in the eastern regions of Northern Riojania. It promotes the rights of small farmers and advocates for agrarian reform in these areas.

*Partido de la Iglesia Riojana*

The Partido de la Iglesia Riojana (PIR) is a small religious party that represents the interests of the followers of the Iglesia Riojana, a denomination founded in the Kingdom of Riojania. The PIR receives financial support from the Riojanian Crown, but has little influence in Northern Riojania, where the government is critical of the Iglesia Riojana and its teachings. Despite this, the PIR has a small but dedicated following among the 0.4% of the population that follows the Iglesia Riojana. The party is known for its cult-like culture, with a particular emphasis on the worship of King José V. Despite its small size, the PIR has managed to gain a small presence in regional and state politics.

*The Max Stirner Group / "Los Egoístas"*

"Los Egoístas" (The Egoists), official name "the Max Stirner Group", is a movement in Northern Riojania that follows the anarchist-individualist teachings of Max Stirner. While they do not formally enter elections, they often participate in protests and other forms of direct action. The movement is known for its emphasis on individual liberty and the rejection of any form of external authority or hierarchy. Some have criticized the movement for being too extreme and self-centered, but "Los Egoístas" claim that they are simply advocating for the liberation of the individual from oppressive systems.