The Constitution of the United Provinces of Lilaris

To be enacted by popular referendum, upon the assent of the Twin Thrones

Preamble

We, the people of Lilaris, descended from sovereign blood and bound by shared future, do establish this Constitution to enshrine liberty, accountability, and unity under law.

Guided by the enduring legacy of the Twin Thrones, and with honor to the age of noble rule that brought us here, we now entrust our destiny to the hands of the citizenry.

This Constitution replaces the Imperial Charter and establishes a democratic Republic. Let the Empire's memory be not undone, but fulfilled.

Article I — The Form of the State

§1: Democratic Republic

Lilaris is established as a democratic republic, founded on the principles of popular sovereignty, the rule of law, and equality before the law. All governing authority derives from, and remains answerable to, the people of Lilaris. No title, office, or position shall possess inherent authority except as granted by this Constitution or by laws made in accordance with it.

§2: United Provinces

The Republic shall be composed of Provinces, Districts, and Cities, each forming an integral and equal part of the national union.

• Provinces are permanent, self-governing entities whose powers are guaranteed by this Constitution and may not be revoked, diminished, or altered without the consent of the affected Provincial Council and a majority of its citizens in referendum.
• Districts shall be subdivisions within Provinces, created for purposes of administration, governance, or representation.
• Cities shall be recognized as municipal entities within Provinces or Districts, enjoying local self-government as provided by law.

All Provinces, Districts, and Cities shall be governed by elected councils under the framework of national law, and their powers shall not exceed those granted to them by this Constitution or by the National Assembly.

§3: Federal Capital

The City of New Terranova shall serve as the permanent federal capital of the Republic and the official seat of national government.

• The National Assembly, the High Court, and the Office of the Chancellor shall be headquartered in New Terranova, in districts reserved for federal use.
• The federal district of New Terranova shall not form part of any Province, and no Province shall exercise legislative authority over it except as provided by national law.
• The governance, administration, and security of the federal district shall be regulated by the National Assembly, ensuring the impartial functioning of the national institutions located within it.

Article II — The Twin Thrones

§1: Symbolic Sovereignty

The Scions of House Ehrveil and House Alvaldi shall jointly serve as the symbolic heads of unity of the Republic. The role of this office is ceremonial and shall consist of:

• Representing the unity and shared heritage of the people of Lilaris,
• Presiding over state ceremonies and cultural observances, and
• Providing ceremonial assent to enacted legislation without any binding authority.

§2: Dominion Hall

Dominion Hall shall remain the historic seat of the Twin Thrones and the official residence of this symbolic office, preserved as part of the Republic's cultural heritage.

§3: Succession

Each House shall designate its Scion according to noble tradition and submit the name to the Assembly for ceremonial acknowledgment.

Article III — The National Assembly

§1: Composition

The National Assembly shall be the primary legislative authority of the Republic, composed of Representatives elected by the citizens of the Provinces.

• Each Province shall be entitled to one Representative by default.
• A Province shall elect a second Representative if it has four (4) or more active citizens.
• A Province shall elect a third Representative if it has eight (8) or more active citizens.

For the purposes of this Article, active citizens are those who reside in the Province and regularly participate in the civic life of Lilaris, including but not limited to voting in elections, attending public assemblies, or contributing to recognized public endeavors.

The total number of seats in the Assembly shall grow automatically as Provinces meet the established thresholds, without requiring additional legislation.

Newly established Provinces shall be entitled to one Representative immediately, with additional seats awarded as thresholds are reached.

§2: Authority

The Assembly shall have the sole authority to:

1. Draft, debate, and enact national legislation;
2. Ratify treaties and approve the national budget;
3. Declare war and authorize major military actions;
4. Oversee the use of national defense forces in peacetime;
5. Establish by law such ministries or departments as are necessary for the administration of the Republic, all of which shall report to the Chancellor.

§3: Transparency

All sessions of the Assembly shall be public, and the record of its votes, debates, and proceedings shall be made accessible to the citizens of Lilaris.

At the commencement of each term, the Assembly shall first elect a Speaker from among its currently serving members to preside over its meetings, maintain order, and ensure adherence to its rules of procedure. The Speaker shall serve for the duration of that term and may be re-elected.

§4: Elections and Tenure

Representatives shall be elected by public vote within their Province every forty (40) days.

• Any citizen of the Province in good standing may stand for election.
• Voting shall be by simple majority; in the event of a tie, a runoff vote shall be held between the tied candidates.
• No Representative may serve more than four consecutive terms.

Vacancies shall be filled by a special election held within twenty (20) days, unless a regular election is scheduled to occur within the same period.

Article IV — The Chancellor

§1: Election

The Chancellor shall be elected directly by the citizens of Lilaris in a national vote held every eighty (80) days.

• The candidate receiving the most votes shall be declared elected. If no candidate receives a clear majority, the two candidates with the highest number of votes shall proceed to a runoff election.
• The Chancellor may serve no more than two consecutive terms.
• The Chancellor may be removed from office prior to the end of the term by either:
  1. A resolution of the National Assembly supported by a two-thirds majority of all its members; or
  2. A national referendum conducted in accordance with law.

§2: Powers and Responsibilities

The Chancellor shall be the Head of Government of the Republic and shall:

1. Ensure the implementation and enforcement of laws enacted by the National Assembly;
2. Direct and oversee the national administration and all federal departments;
3. Propose the annual national budget to the Assembly;
4. Appoint and dismiss Ministers or Department Heads, subject to Assembly oversight as provided by law;
5. Serve as the chief diplomat of Lilaris, negotiating treaties subject to Assembly ratification;
6. Represent Lilaris in international affairs and in relations between Provinces;
7. Serve as the civilian commander-in-chief of the national defense forces;
8. Issue executive orders to manage the functions of government, provided such directives do not conflict with this Constitution or statutory law.

§3: Limitations

• The Chancellor shall not enact, repeal, or amend legislation except as expressly authorized by law.
• All treaties, declarations of war, and changes to national law shall require the approval of the National Assembly.
• Executive directives may be reviewed by the High Court for constitutionality or overturned by a vote of the Assembly.

Article V — The Judiciary

§1: The High Court of Lilaris

The High Court shall be the highest judicial authority of the Republic. It shall have jurisdiction to:

1. Interpret and uphold this Constitution;
2. Resolve disputes between Provinces, or between branches or officers of the national government; and
3. Review and determine the constitutionality of laws, decrees, and executive actions.

§2: Appointment and Tenure

High Court Justices shall be appointed by the Chancellor and shall serve for life or until voluntary retirement.

• Justices must be citizens of Lilaris in good standing and possess recognized experience in law, governance, or public ethics.
• The National Assembly may veto an appointment by a vote of at least two-thirds of its members, exercised within ten (10) days of the nomination.

§3: Composition

The High Court shall consist of no more than five (5) Justices.

In the event of a vacancy, the Chancellor shall nominate a replacement within thirty (30) days.

§4: Public Access and Accountability

All rulings and opinions of the High Court shall be published and made available to the citizens of Lilaris.

• A Justice may be removed from office only by a unanimous vote of the other sitting Justices, confirmed by a two-thirds vote of the National Assembly, and only in cases of gross misconduct or incapacity.

Article VI — Civil Rights

§1: Fundamental Rights

All citizens of Lilaris are guaranteed the following rights and freedoms, which shall be protected by law and respected by all branches of government:

1. Freedom of expression, belief, and identity — including the right to speak, publish, and communicate opinions; to practice or decline any faith; and to define and express one's personal identity without discrimination.
2. Equality before the law — ensuring that no citizen shall be denied equal protection or benefit of the law on the basis of origin, identity, belief, status, or opinion.
3. Political participation — including the right to vote in public elections, to stand for public office, and to petition or address the government without fear of reprisal.
4. Due process and legal protection — including the right to a fair and public trial, the presumption of innocence, and protection from unlawful arrest, detention, or punishment.
5. Social guarantees — including access to public education and to emergency medical care as provided by law.

§2: Limitations on Suspension of Rights

The rights set forth in this Article may not be suspended or restricted except in time of declared war, and only by a resolution of the National Assembly supported by at least two-thirds of its members.

• Any such suspension shall expire ten (10) days after its enactment unless renewed by the same vote threshold.
• The rights to due process, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press are absolute and shall not be suspended.

Article VII — Provincial Autonomy

§1: Provincial Councils

Each Province shall elect its own council in accordance with its provincial constitution. Such councils may legislate on matters including, but not limited to:

1. Infrastructure;
2. Education;
3. Public safety; and
4. Culture and language.

§2: Limitations

Provincial laws and constitutions shall not conflict with this Constitution. In areas not expressly assigned to the national government by this Constitution, provincial law shall have equal and independent authority. In the event of a conflict between national and provincial law in such areas, the High Court shall resolve the matter in accordance with the constitutional division of powers.

Article VIII — Referendum and Initiative Rights

§1. Right of Initiative

Citizens may propose legislation or constitutional amendments through petition.

• To qualify, a petition must gather signatures equal to at least fifteen percent (15%) of the active-citizen vote from the most recent Assembly election, originating from at least one-third (⅓) of the Provinces.
• Once certified, qualified proposals shall appear on the national ballot for a vote of the citizenry.
• Adoption requires a simple majority of votes cast in the referendum.

§2. Referendum (Repeal)

If the Assembly enacts a law, citizens may petition to place that law before voters for approval or repeal.

• Such a petition must gather signatures equal to at least fifteen percent (15%) of the active-citizen vote from the most recent Assembly election.
• Laws referred to a repeal referendum shall be suspended until the vote occurs.

§3. Qualification & Oversight

Petitions shall be reviewed by the High Court to ensure compliance with this Constitution and with established procedures.

• The Court may invalidate petitions found to contain misinformation, fraud, or procedural non-compliance.

§4. Frequency & Limits

No more than two (2) citizen-initiated proposals or referendums may appear on the ballot in any forty (40) day period.

• Proposals addressing identical or substantially similar issues shall be consolidated into a single measure.

Article IX — National Symbols

§1: National Emblem

The Phoenix of Lilaris shall be the national emblem of the Republic, representing rebirth, perseverance, and unity through change.

It may be depicted in official seals, banners, currency, and ceremonial regalia as determined by national law.

§2: National Flag

The flag of the United Provinces of Lilaris shall be a black banner bearing a purple vertical line centered, intersected by a purple horizontal line centered, forming a cross.

This design symbolizes the convergence of all Provinces in shared destiny and law.

§3: Legal Protection

The national emblem and flag shall be protected by law from desecration or unauthorized use.

Modifications to official symbols may only be enacted by a two-thirds vote of the National Assembly.

§4: Other Symbols

The Assembly may by law designate other national symbols, including:

• The national anthem,
• The motto of the Republic,
• National holidays, and
• Official languages or dialects for ceremonial purposes.

Article X — General Provisions

§1: Supremacy of Law

This Constitution shall be the supreme and binding law of the Republic. All laws, decrees, regulations, customs, or practices contrary to its provisions are hereby declared without effect, except where expressly permitted under its terms.

§2: Continuity of Government

All offices, bodies, and institutions established under this Constitution shall continue in the performance of their duties until their lawful successors are duly chosen, appointed, or confirmed, unless otherwise provided by law or regulation.

§3: Public Access to Records

Henceforth, the records, proceedings, and administrative acts of the Republic that are not classified for reasons of national security or personal privacy shall be maintained in a publicly accessible form, subject to reasonable procedures for retrieval, archival integrity, and orderly publication.

§4: Oaths of Office

Before assuming their duties, all elected or appointed officials, military officers, and provincial governors shall swear or affirm to uphold this Constitution, to discharge their responsibilities faithfully, and to serve the people of Lilaris in accordance with law and conscience.

§5: Official Languages

The National Assembly may by law designate official languages for governance, legal proceedings, and ceremonial purposes. Provincial governments may recognize additional languages for local administration and cultural expression, provided such recognition does not conflict with national law.

§6: Transitional Provisions

Laws, charters, decrees, and other legal instruments in force at the time of this Constitution's adoption shall remain in effect until amended, repealed, or superseded in accordance with this Constitution. References to offices or institutions in prior enactments shall be understood to refer to their corresponding offices or institutions under this Constitution.

§7: Constitutional Interpretation

For the purposes of this Constitution, and unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

a. References to "law" shall include statutes enacted by the National Assembly and regulations or orders made thereunder.
b. References to "days" shall mean calendar days, unless expressly stated to be working days.
c. Words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular.
d. References to "writing" or "written" shall include all forms of record capable of reproduction and verification.
e. Titles and headings are provided for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of the text.
f. References to "the Republic" shall be understood to include all its provinces, districts, and territories as recognized by law.
g. Nothing in this Constitution shall be interpreted as limiting or diminishing the functions of the offices entrusted with the unity of the Republic in circumstances requiring the preservation of stability, security, or the continuous operation of the United Provinces of Lilaris.
h. References to "officer" or "official" shall include all persons holding a position established by or under this Constitution, whether elected, appointed, or otherwise duly recognized.
i. References to "public notice" shall be satisfied by publication in the official gazette or equivalent medium established by law.
j. In computing any period of time prescribed by this Constitution, the day of the act or event from which the period begins shall not be included, and the last day shall be included unless it falls on a day officially recognized as a non-working day.

§8: Territorial Boundaries

The boundaries of Provinces and Districts shall be recognized as established at the time of this Constitution's adoption and may only be altered by law with the consent of the affected Provincial Council, following procedures established for that purpose.

§9: Measurement Standards

The Republic shall maintain uniform standards of weights, measures, currency, and calendrical reckoning for use in all official records, commerce, public works, and scientific applications, as provided by law and under the supervision of the appropriate national authority.

Article XI — Amendments

§1. Amending the Constitution

Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by:

• A three-fourths vote of the National Assembly, or
• A citizen initiative as defined in Article VIII.

All amendments require ratification by a majority vote in a national referendum.

§2. Entrenched Clauses

The following principles are recognized as the permanent foundations of the Republic and may not be repealed, diminished, or altered by amendment:

1. The republican form of government, with sovereign authority residing in the people of Lilaris, the equality of all citizens before the law, and the civil rights and liberties guaranteed in Article VI.
2. The preservation of the Republic's founding institutions of national unity and continuity, including its ceremonial offices, historic seats of state heritage, national symbols, cultural traditions and interpretations, and historic estates as recognized at the time of this Constitution's ratification.
3. The stability, lawful governance, and operational capacity of the Republic under all conditions.

Any amendment contrary to these principles shall be null and void.

Article XII — Ratification & Supersession

§1: Referendum

This Constitution shall take effect upon:

• Formal assent by the Twin Thrones, and
• A simple majority vote of the citizens of Lilaris in national referendum.

§2: Supersession of Imperial Charter

Upon enactment, the Imperial Charter of the Second Lilaris Empire shall be retired and preserved as a cultural relic within Dominion Hall.

This Constitution will be considered the supreme law of Lilaris. Any law, decree, or regulation in conflict with it shall be null and void.

Drafted and Proposed at Dominion Hall

Her Imperial Majesty, Kara A. Ehrveil
Scion of House Ehrveil

His High Honor, Nordvik Alvaldi
Scion of House Alvaldi