Marquetien Charter

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The Marquetien Charter (MO: *Каррадоре Монтессано'но)*serves as the constitution of the Crown Republic of Marquette and was ratified by the nine principalities on April 28, 1682. The charter contains three articles: the Principles of Stability, the Execution of the Rule of Law, and the Senatorial Commission.

## History

The Marquetien Charter was ratified just eight days after the Treaty of Fuerteventura, which ended the Marquetien Civil War between House of Vedoys and House of Montero. Prince Frédéric of Besançon was the leading force behind its ratification, and was unanimously selected as king of Marquette in September of 1682.

Some historians debate whether the charter was a necessity for the future of the Marquetien political system, but most, if not all, Marquetiens will agree that there was no other option that would ensure the long-lasting stability that the country has seen in the centuries following its ratification. Prior to its adoption, Marquette was ruled by a council of princes led by a king, most of whom treated the position as merely a means by which to achieve their own personal ends, rather than ruling for the good of the country. The introduction of a senate based permanently in Besançon with shared power between elected and unelected officials was a radical change in Marquetien politics, but one that was met with overwhelming positivity.

## Principles of Stability

The Principles of Stability is the first and shortest section of the charter. In it, the core Marquetien values for leadership are laid out as follows:

* Keep taxes low to ensure economic mobility and stability

* Rule with an even hand. Government shall not be overly involved in the daily lives of citizens.

* Maintain a powerful military with the sole objective being to prevent conflict

* Respect the autonomy of the principalities, lest they threaten disunity

* Listen to the priests

## Execution of the Rule of Law

The Execution of the Rule of Law is the longest section in the entire charter, and lays out the country's legal code. It is very easiliy amendable and has been amended hundreds of times since the original ratification.

## Senatorial Commission

The Senatorial Commission establishes the 175-seat parliament based in Besançon. It directs that each principality will have four guaranteed seats: a prince whose seat is hereditary and three members appointed by the various organizations of the region's gentry. The remaining 139 seats are elected every four years by proportional representation. The chancellor is the head of government, and in order to receive a mandate from the king to form a government, a senator must have the backing of 88 senators. The duties of the senate are outlined as overseeing subordinate levels of government, ensuring the stability of the economy, collecting taxes, overseeing the military, and establishing laws that are necessary in upholding the principles of stability.

The charter states that every elected seat in the senate will be up for election every four years on August 1, and the unelected seats are redistributed every ten years. The senate must meet every year between March 21 - June 21 and September 1 - December 1.