Previous Constitution

• State of Steamhappia (Articles 1-2)
• Governor-General (Articles 3-5)
• Prime Minister (Articles 6-8)
• Parliament (Articles 7-11)
• Sovereign Court (Articles 12-15)
• Rights and Freedoms (Article 16)
• Amendment and Transition (Articles 17-19)
• Enactment
• Amendments

State of Steamhappia (Articles 1-2)

Article 1 - Name

The sovereign state shall be known as the State of Steamhappia.

Article 2 - Governance

Steamhappia shall be a constitutional democracy operating under the Governor-General, recognising the rule of law and the sovereignty of its people.

Governor-General (Articles 3-5)

Article 3 - Role and Title

The Governor-General shall serve as the Head of State representing Steamhappia and the values for which it stands.

The Governor-General shall represent national unity and act as a guardian of the Constitution.

The office is non-partisan, and the Governor-General is forbidden from being a member of a political party during their term.

Article 4 - Appointment

If there is a vacancy in the position of Governor-General, Parliament shall appoint a new one with a two-thirds majority vote.

Article 5 - Powers & Responsibilities

• Summons, prorogation and dissolution of Parliament.

• Signing bills into law on advice of Parliament.

• Appoint the Prime Minister on advice of Parliament.

• Appoint members of the Cabinet as prescribed by law.

• Act as the highest ranking General of the National Guard and appoint its Adjutant General.

• Declaring a State of Emergency and/or Martial Law.

• Act in accordance with the Constitution and shall not exercise any powers of governance except as permitted by the Constitution.

Prime Minister (Articles 6-8)

Article 6 - Role and Title

The Prime Minister is the Head of Government and runs the executive branch of the country alongside their Cabinet.

Article 7 - Appointment and Impeachment

The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of parliament.

The Prime Minister may be impeached by a majority vote of Parliament authorising them to face trial for crimes before the Sovereign Court.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet shall remain in office so long as they retain the confidence of Parliament.

Article 8 - Powers & Responsibilities

• The Prime Minister is responsible for the executive of Steamhappia and has the power to run how they deem fit within the bounds of the law and the constitution.

• The Prime Minister can add and remove members of the Cabinet.

Parliament (Articles 7-11)

Article 7 - The Parliament of Steamhappia

The legislative authority of the State is vested in a bicameral parliament consisting of:

• The House of Steam

• The Council of Happia

Article 8 - The House of Steam

The House of Steam is the lower chamber of Parliament, representing the people.

Members are elected by popular election. The amount of seats is controlled by Parliament.

Elections are held every 3 months.

Any Member may introduce legislation, and the House shall hold the Government to account.

The House of Steam shall choose their Speaker.

The House of Steam may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish members for disorderly behaviour, and expel a member by simple majority.

Article 9 - Council of Happia

The Council is the upper chamber of Parliament.

Councillors are nominated by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister, subject to the confirmation of the House of Steam.

The term length is 6 months.

The Council reviews and proposes new legislation pending approval by the House of Steam.

The Council of Happia may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish members for disorderly behaviour, and expel a member by simple majority.

Article 10 - Parliamentary Process

Any bill may originate in either house.

A bill must be passed by both houses and receive assent from the Governor-General to become an Act of Parliament.

A bill from the House of Steam that has been rejected more than 2 times by the Council, may bypass the Council and be sent to the Governor-General for assent.

Article 11 - Appointments

Appointments to roles that are legally subject to parliamentary confirmation must go through the House of Steam. If a majority vote is reached, the appointment is confirmed.

Sovereign Court (Articles 12-15)

Article 12 - Judicial Authority

Judicial power is vested in the Sovereign Court of the State.

The judiciary shall be independent and free from political influence in the exercise of its functions.

Article 13 - Judicial Independence and Limits

The Sovereign Court shall not inquire into or question the validity of proceedings in Parliament, except where explicitly permitted by this Constitution or law.

Parliamentary Sovereignty is upheld, no court shall strike down Acts of Parliament, except:

• Where two or more statutes are in irreconcilable conflict, in which case the Sovereign Court may determine which prevails according to rules of statutory interpretation.

• Where interpretation is required to resolve ambiguity or determine scope and intent.

• Where a law infringes a provision of this Constitution.

In cases where a statute is ambiguous or silent, the Sovereign Court may interpret it in a manner consistent with the intent of Parliament and the principles of justice.

Article 14 - Constitutional Interpretation

The Sovereign Court may rule on the constitutionality of laws only upon application, and its decision shall guide future application, but not invalidate past Acts of Parliament unless clearly unlawful.

Constitutional Review shall respect the primacy of Parliament while protecting fundamental rights and Constitutional coherence.

Article 15 - Appointment

Justices and the Chief Justice of the Sovereign Court shall be appointed by the Governor-General, on the advice of the Prime Minister, and confirmed by the House of Steam.

A 2/3rds vote confirms the permanent appointment. A 1/2 vote confirms the temporary appointment for a week.

Justices shall serve without fear of political impeachment and may only be removed for misconduct, incapacity, or breach of judicial ethics by a 2/3rds vote in Parliament.

Rights and Freedoms (Article 16)

Article 16 - Rights

Every Citizen of Steamhappia is entitled to the following rights:

• Freedom of speech, conscience, assembly and association.

• The right to vote and stand for public office.

• Equal treatment under the law.

• Protection against arbitrary detention or punishment.

• A fair trial before an independent judiciary.

Amendment and Transition (Articles 17-19)

Article 17 - Constitutional Amendments

Amendments to the Constitution require a two-thirds majority in both Houses.

No amendment may abrogate the core democratic principles or fundamental rights which the State is built on.

Article 18 - Continuity of Laws

All existing laws not consistent with the Constitution shall remain in effect until amended or repealed by Parliament.

Article 19 - Election & Reset

Once this constitution has been enacted a General Election is to be triggered and all positions of Parliament, Government and Judiciary are to be reset.

 

Enactment

This Constitution is hereby enacted by the elected representatives of the people of Steamhappia, to take effect on the first day of the new legislative term, and to be supreme law of the State.

 

Amendments