Calathrinan State Council

The Calathrinan State Council is the upper house of the Calathrinan Parilament in the Calathrinan Empire. As such, the Council apporves all Duma laws, regulates military funding, and oversees government ministers.

Composition


The State Council has about one hundred members. Fifty are appointed by the emperor on basis of civil or military service. Nine are elected by a universal ballot, one from each Governorate, 2 from Poland, 2 from Finland, 10 from the Assemblies of the Noblility, 6 from the Orthodox Churhc, 3 senior clergy, 3 junior clergy, 12 from businesses, chambers of commerce, and stock exchanges, 6 for the Calathrinan Academy of Sciences, and 3 for the other religious groups (Muslims, Christians, Jews), one for each group.

The State Council is more democratic then the British House of Lords, because while most of the Lords are appointed by the Crown or automatically recieve their offices, half of the Council are democratically elected from the different sections of society.

Proceedings
The Emperor is the leader of the Council, calling and dissolving them at will. As such, he has aboslute power over the proceedings. A Council aide or "vice-president" is usually appointed to lead the Council and supervise it's proceedings in the Emperor's absence. The Council follows strict rules of discpline, organization, and honor.

Powers and functions
The Council examines the policies of the government and the plans of the Duma. As such, it can revise parts of the law. The Council grants the military funding and helps to organize the budget. State expenditures are declared and reviewed by the Council. Taxes and laws are also apporved or proposed by the Council. The Council also advises the Emperor and can deny the Prime Minister's requests. The Council also supervises the Duma.