Parliament of Vilia
The Lords' Parliament of the King and Citizens of Vilia is the unicameral supreme legislative authority of the kingdom, responsible for signing into law all orders of the king and carrying out legislative oversight of all lower council bodies.
The Parliament of Vilia is unique in that it rarely passes laws of an original nature; this council has a long tradition of acting as an overseer of lower legislative organs whose local authority is respected, rather than as a source of top-down legal authority, excepting royal decrees, which the parliament must approve before they become national law.
Structure
Any member of the noble class of Vilia ranking equal or higher to a count (the sixth of seven noble ranks) is entitled to a seat in the parliament, though not all choose to claim this right. Also technically entitled to seats are the non-noble elected mayors of "major settlements, and minor settlements of a distinct economic class." However, those of this station usually elect to sit in their local assemblies rather than the national parliament, as their duties prohibit them from making the journey to the capital.
The parliament is led by a grand councilman (or woman), who is usually the longest-serving member of the body. Their duties fall in line with those carried out by a general speaker: Calling meetings of the parliament to order, maintaining that order, reading out daily public agendas, introducing legislation and decrees, among others. They are not strictly required to be apolitical, but it is generally expected that a grand councilman will refrain from offering advice or opinion on matters of specific legislation. The grand councilman is distinct from the Prime Minister of Vilia, whose office is appointed by the king.
The parliament maintains the right to veto royal decrees under certain circumstances. These include:
- If the decree violates previously passed legislation (said legislation must be repealed before the decree can go into effect)
- If the decree violates a previous decree made by the same monarch, unless the intent is to repeal that previous decree
- If a decree of similar effect had previously been struck down by the Supreme Judiciary of Vilia
- If the decree would place "undue strain on the finances of the Kingdom"
Public Agenda
The parliament traditionally takes a special role in the financing of Vilian government institutions. On the occasion that legislation originates in the national parliament — rather than being referred there from a lower body — it is often of a monetary nature, intending to redirect funds from one organ to another or to finance a new government project. Whereas Vilia is known as the Mouse's Purse, its parliament truly serves as the purse strings.
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