Senate of Sevicia

The **Senate of Sevicia,** known also as simply the **Senate,** is the central governing body of the Empire of Sevicia. Though Sevicia is officially a constitutional monarchy ruled by a single monarchic figure, an Imperator, who rules for life, its Senate both rule over daily matters of lesser importance and collectively vote to elect each successive Imperator. The Senate also holds the power to vote to remove an Imperator from office, though in practice this has only been used twice in Sevicia's 713-year history, and only once successfully.

## History

The Senate of Sevicia was established by Anaeus of Cayna, the founder and first Imperator of Sevicia, in the year 3 A.S. It originally began as a committee of 36 members, all of whom were chosen to rule on the Senate for life. Atfer the death of Anaeus this was changed to a term of no more than ten years consecutively, and eventually was changed to a term of five years. Under Magna III, in the second century, this was yet again changed to a term of two consecutive years per senatorial term, with an unlimited number of possible terms, and has remained that way ever since.

The Senate was expanded in the late first century from 36 members to 60, and then in the second century, again under Magna III, from 60 members to 150 members. Under the social reforms of Mario Mios in the fourth century, this was changed again to 360 members to reflect Sevicia's rapidly growing and diversifying population. Since then, it has remained nominally at 360 elected members.

## Structure

Each senator is elected to a term of two years consecutively, with no limit to the maximum number of terms that can be served. Every two years, on the 2nd day of Tullena I (the second day of the calendar year), a vote is held whereby those of political office, including senators, governors, local neighbourhood leaders, *polex,* and councillors of all positions, vote anonymously on which senators to appoint to office and which to remove. A total of 36 senators are newly appointed every two years, with the least popular 36 senators ousted from office. An official ceremony is held on the 16th day, exactly two weeks later, where the new senators are sworn into office.

Senators must meet a strict set of criteria to be eligible for the role of senator, including but not limited to:

* Must be of Sevician birth, which includes the constituent kingdoms of Lish, Esta, and Maerowyn and all of Sevicia's island territories. Can be of a foreign background or ancestry as long as they are born in Sevicia and have lived there for a minimum of twelve years.
* Can be either male or female.
* Must be at least 23 years of age at the time of appointment (not at the time of election).
* Must speak fluent Sevician, of any dialect.

## Role

The Senate of Sevicia collectively has a great variety of tasks and roles it plays within Sevicia's government structure. As Sevicia's governing body, it may propose and vote on bills and legislation at set meetings, though each passed vote must first be accepted by the reigning Imperator before it may be passed. The Senate also has the power to veto legislation proposed individually by the Imperator, though in practice this too is rarely used.

The Senate convenes daily, excluding religious holidays and festivals, in the House of Nyx, known colloquially as the "senate house," in the Sunset Cliffs district of Morosea, Sevicia's capital city. No less than 60 senators must be present at each meeting, with no limit to the maximum number allowed. The Senate also has the power to declare a state of emergency, which it has done numerous times throughout Sevicia's history, during which time the Senate may - with permission from the reigning Imperator - expressly make decisions without first consulting said Imperator.

Though it has no official power structure, the eldest and longest-running members of the Senate are often considered the senior members, and junior senators and officials will usually delegate matters of importance through these unofficial senate leaders. The only defined role within the Senate is that of the Speaker, who holds the floor during important meetings, delegates to individual members of the senate, guides the orders of business, and verbal confirmation of each piece of legislation. The speaker is often (but not always) an elder member of the senate. Another senator must always serve as a scribe for the speaker, chronicling each meeting in detail and making written confirmation of each discussed policy, bill, or piece of legislation.

## See also

The Empire of Sevicia

Morosea