Imperial Parliament of Directionland
The Imperial Parliament of Directionland is the lower house of the empire’s bicameral legislature. It is the popularly accountable chamber from which the Government (Executive) is formed, led by the Chancellor and Cabinet. Parliament debates and votes on legislation; bills that pass the Parliament proceed to the Imperial Senate for a final vote, and, if approved, are presented to the Imperial Crown for royal assent.
| Parliament of Directionland | |
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 Seal of the Imperial Parliament of Directionland
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| Full title | The Imperial Parliament of the Empire of Directionland |
| Type | Branch of Government (Legislative) |
| Headquarters | Ironwood |
History
At the Great Unification (c. 450 cycles ago) the former unicameral chamber of the Kingdom of St. Stylinson was repurposed as the first seat of the imperial legislature. Because that building had only one chamber, the newly created Parliament (lower house) and Senate (upper house) took turns using it until a permanent arrangement was found. With the later capital shift to Ironwood (c. 350 cycles ago), the Parliament established its own chamber there, while the Senate continued to sit in St. Stylinson—physically separating the houses. A famous moment in parliamentary lore records a courier rushing into session to announce the outbreak of the War of the Empires: “Federation forces have engaged the Imperial Army. We are at war!”
Composition and elections
- Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected from local city councils across the provinces.
- City Council Members (CCMs) are eligible to run for MP to represent their city at the imperial level.
- Representation is organized by province and city, providing direct municipal linkage between local councils and the imperial legislature.
Relationship to the Government (Executive)
The Government is drawn from Parliament. The Chancellor (head of government) is selected from the parliamentary majority (or a governing coalition) and appoints Ministers to the Cabinet. The Government proposes bills to Parliament; MPs debate and vote on these proposals before they advance to the Senate.
Legislative process
- Introduction & Debate (Parliament): Government or members introduce bills; MPs debate and vote.
- Review (Senate): If a bill passes Parliament, it moves to the Imperial Senate for review and a final vote.
- Royal Assent: Approved bills are sent to the Imperial Crown; royal assent is required for enactment.
- Judicial Review (as invoked): The Supreme Court may consider a bill or case only when brought by a member of Parliament or the Senate, ensuring conformance with the constitution.
Officers and styles
- Lord Chancellor — head of government, drawn from Parliament.
- Minister — member of the Cabinet.
- Member of Parliament (MP) — elected representative of a city/provincial constituency.
Seat and facilities
- Current seat: Ironwood (dedicated lower-house chamber).
- Historical seat: St. Stylinson (shared use of the former single-chamber hall during the founding years).
- Upper house location: Imperial Senate sits in St. Stylinson, maintaining the separation of the two houses.
Role in constitutional balance
Parliament provides popular representation and fiscal accountability, initiates legislation through the Government, and serves as the political forum where national policy is scrutinized before it advances to the Senate and the Crown. Its design—paired with an upper house representing provincial leadership, a Crown that grants assent, and a Supreme Court that can review matters brought before it—anchors Directionland’s system of checks and safeguards.