Thought: Appointed cabinet?

mr_sniffles:
We don't need a bureaucracy! I've worked in two different ministries and creating Bureaucracy only delegates important tasks that consitutionally, we voted officials to do. To narrow the ministers to political buddies only leaves the door open to incompetence (Good job, Brownie comes to mind) and also eliminates choice in the direction of each ministries.
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We've got a bureaucracy! I'm simply suggesting that we create a proper one so that it can be controlled!

Why should I settle for a PM and Cabinet who I agree with half of the time, or the guy with the appointed cabinet that I hate less than the other guy? When I can my true choice for the direction in every ministry.
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Because your true choice might not be the best choice for running the ministries? It could be that your choice is simply a pick of whomever hasn't been disqualified by the term limitations and have been elbowed into running to stop us from looking like idiots.

It's Bureaucratic handing off jobs to others that led to this Intelligence debacle if you ask me.
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Managers call it delegation, and it's an important part of working on large tasks because it prevents you from having to do everything yourself. If you show a little faith in your workers to organise and plan things for themselves, you'll get the best out of them.
It also means that the jobs can continue when the minister is gone.
 
Lord Valentine:
Why should I settle for a PM and Cabinet who I agree with half of the time, or the guy with the appointed cabinet that I hate less than the other guy? When I can my true choice for the direction in every ministry.
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Because your true choice might not be the best choice for running the ministries? It could be that your choice is simply a pick of whomever hasn't been disqualified by the term limitations and have been elbowed into running to stop us from looking like idiots.
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So no term limits? Or was that just a clear expression of your complete distaste for the values and passions of the democratic region we've fought so hard for?

It's Bureaucratic handing off jobs to others that led to this Intelligence debacle if you ask me.
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Managers call it delegation, and it's an important part of working on large tasks because it prevents you from having to do everything yourself. If you show a little faith in your workers to organise and plan things for themselves, you'll get the best out of them.
It also means that the jobs can continue when the minister is gone.
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Yeah. they're called deputies. And the managers/Ministers? We elect them for more than just vision, but also to enact the vision. If they're not willing to get their hands dirty and prove their competence in enacting the policies they've fought hard to be elected on and are legally obligated to do, then why elect them at all? Or was that your plan all along?

Other than running their respective ministries, they also vote and advise the PM on very important cabinet discussions. Without a variety of opinions, we're just settling for lackluster leader and his group of yes-men.
 
mr_sniffles:
So no term limits? Or was that just a clear expression of your complete distaste for the values and passions of the democratic region we've fought so hard for?
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Well, you have to agree we've had some pretty poor turn-outs for our elections in the time since Pixiedance. We're hardly doing the ideals of democracy justice if we have to force people to run for positions.

Yeah. they're called deputies. And the managers/Ministers? We elect them for more than just vision, but also to enact the vision. If they're not willing to get their hands dirty and prove their competence in enacting the policies they've fought hard to be elected on and are legally obligated to do, then why elect them at all? Or was that your plan all along?
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Never said they couldn't enact their vision, but why should it all stop and go in another direction once a new minister comes into power? The ministries should have the power to continue with projects regardless of who is running the show, which they can't at the minute.

Other than running their respective ministries, they also vote and advise the PM on very important cabinet discussions. Without a variety of opinions, we're just settling for lackluster leader and his group of yes-men.
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You're assuming that a Prime Minister would just select his/her friends for the role? How long do you believe they'd stay in power for if that were the case! Who would it be any different from a tight-knit group of long-term members just passing ministries between each other?

There are inherent dangers in any system of government, but we must be prepared to work over, past and around them.
 
Well, you have to agree we've had some pretty poor turn-outs for our elections in the time since Pixiedance. We're hardly doing the ideals of democracy justice if we have to force people to run for positions.
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I believe that this is more due to term limits than anything else. If we were to relax the rules, then more people would run and the system would work a lot better.
 
Emperor Matthuis:
Well, you have to agree we've had some pretty poor turn-outs for our elections in the time since Pixiedance. We're hardly doing the ideals of democracy justice if we have to force people to run for positions.
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I believe that this is more due to term limits than anything else. If we were to relax the rules, then more people would run and the system would work a lot better.
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But then you run the danger of someone consistently in power :P hardly democratic is it
:eyeroll:
 
Maybe so, but I said relaxing not abolishing, which would still prevent monopolising of Cabinet positions but at the same time encourage more people to run.

I would also ask where our Speaker has got to these last few days.
 
Emperor Matthuis:
Maybe so, but I said relaxing not abolishing, which would still prevent monopolising of Cabinet positions but at the same time encourage more people to run.

I would also ask where our Speaker has got to these last few days.
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It wouldn't encourage more people to run, it would just mean that the same people could run again. It would create the problem of incumbents that are hard to unseat. My system allows for a natural selection of Ministers unhampered by the democratic process (in a nutshell, you get picked if you're good enough at what you do) whilst allowing the lead minister to be selected by the people.

The people elect a representative to do them justice; if they pick a bad one then it is not the fault of the legislators.
 
Emperor Matthuis:
Well, you have to agree we've had some pretty poor turn-outs for our elections in the time since Pixiedance. We're hardly doing the ideals of democracy justice if we have to force people to run for positions.
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I believe that this is more due to term limits than anything else. If we were to relax the rules, then more people would run and the system would work a lot better.
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I disagree with both notions as I feel the best turnouts we've had so far was when we used mass mailing (and yes I hate to recieve it too but if it gets one more vote or one more candidate, why?)

The only other source for low turnouts is quite simply decrease in interest in NS and intimidation. Some new people are still shy, especially when facing a well known candidate.

Forced to run? More like drafted.

Let's see how this recruitment team does in getting more RA members, then we'll see how allowing the affairs on the region being ran by a bunch un-elected officials.

... but why should it all stop and go in another direction once a new minister comes into power? The ministries should have the power to continue with projects regardless of who is running the show, which they can't at the minute.
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What? Why can't they? If the Ministry isn't running then it's the fault of deputy and minister and we have recall and impeachment. As for the "why does the direction have to change with the election..." um... because the voters have demanded the candidate on a platform of change over the incumbent?

You're assuming that a Prime Minister would just select his/her friends for the role? How long do you believe they'd stay in power for if that were the case!

There are inherent dangers in any system of government, but we must be prepared to work over, past and around them.
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Um... very very long because of Cabinet secrecy, especially with a buddy AG in their pocket. (Read Bush Administration, and that's with term-limits.) And by the by, other than that this was exactly the way Pixiedance's regime was run.

There's inherent dangers in democracy and one of them is one that is in name only.
 
mr_sniffles:
Um... very very long because of Cabinet secrecy, especially with a buddy AG in their pocket. (Read Bush Administration, and that's with term-limits.) And by the by, other than that this was exactly the way Pixiedance's regime was run.
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Pfft. That wasn't what was wrong with PD's regime, and you should know it. The problem was that PD or one of her close cronies was judge, jury, and executioner. She could make up her own rules and enforce it or flout it as capriciously as she wished.

The delegate, the various ministries as a body, and the judicial branches should be kept separate in such a system that LV is proposing so that we do not have such concentrations of power.
 
Monte Ozarka:
mr_sniffles:
Um... very very long because of Cabinet secrecy, especially with a buddy AG in their pocket. (Read Bush Administration, and that's with term-limits.) And by the by, other than that this was exactly the way Pixiedance's regime was run.
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Pfft. That wasn't what was wrong with PD's regime, and you should know it. The problem was that PD or one of her close cronies was judge, jury, and executioner. She could make up her own rules and enforce it or flout it as capriciously as she wished.

The delegate, the various ministries as a body, and the judicial branches should be kept separate in such a system that LV is proposing so that we do not have such concentrations of power.
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Exactement! :winner:
 
I think it's a little disappointing that some people seem to react instantly to this idea without thinking about it rationally. You know, the sort of "ZOMG! Dictatorshipz! Pixiez!" response.

Firstly, don't forget that the Prime Minister WILL STILL BE ELECTED. Evidently that needs emphasising. Don’t forget as well that potential PM’s will have to... campaign... as well. Which might mean that you have a choice of candidates (well with less elections we might get more people to stand so that we actually have contested elections for a change. In fact you could argue this would be more democratic as our current system means someone running unopposed essentially wins automatically, but I digress.). So I think you’re overstating the problem. The people they intend to appoint to the cabinet will certainly become a feature of the election campaign, so it will be down to the Regional Assembly to decide which PM and cabinet they prefer.

And it terms of getting new people into the cabinet, don’t forget that you still have deputies and electable positions outside the cabinet to allow people to prove themselves- and it maybe that someone might run for PM with new people in their cabinet and they will be elected if that is what the RA wants.

You say that this will lead to a cabinet of “yes men”. Only if the Regional Assembly elected a crap Prime Minister. In which case that would be the decision of the democratic body of the region. But I don’t think the RA is that stupid, and in any case there are procedures for removing the PM and cabinet from office. I think you also overstate the effect this would have on cabinet discussion, mainly because there is so little cabinet discussion as it is, as you should know, the cabinet forums are used very little and each minister just gets on with his (or hers) only little bit of government. This seeks to change that, to make better government by uniting the government. The Prime Ministerial position doesn’t work very well when he can’t lead the cabinet, and none of our previous PM’s have really done so. And that isn’t really blaming them, it’s the nature of our current system. Don’t forget the only real big issue the cabinet votes on, that has been brought up in this thread, is judicial nominations. Which don’t exactly tend to be controversial that often, do they? And if they are, um, well doesn’t the RA vote on them next anyway?

There are two parts to this proposal, the first is to make roughly half of the current cabinet appointed and confirmed rather than directly elected.

The second part is to remove the other half of the cabinet from the cabinet, but these positions will continue to be directly elected.

I’ll try to get some language up soon. If it would assuage some concerns we could just go with the first part so that we would have a full cabinet but with a mix of appointed and elected and then look at cabinet voting separately (as it probably needs an overhaul/changing anyway).
 
The suggestion that appointed cabinet members can be dismissed at the whim of the PM gives the PM a pretty big stick. In order to avoid pressure on appointed cabinet members to become the PM's yes-men, I think it would be wise to include language which places limits on that power. There should have to be just cause, over and above "irreconcilable differences" or "loss of consortium."

Please note that I am still not comfortable with the entry barriers to participation the proposal would place on newer nations. I prefer a system designed to encourage fresh talent.
 
Great Bights Mum:
The suggestion that appointed cabinet members can be dismissed at the whim of the PM gives the PM a pretty big stick. In order to avoid pressure on appointed cabinet members to become the PM's yes-men, I think it would be wise to include language which places limits on that power. There should have to be just cause, over and above "irreconcilable differences" or "loss of consortium."

Please note that I am still not comfortable with the entry barriers to participation the proposal would place on newer nations. I prefer a system designed to encourage fresh talent.
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It only places a barrier on those wishing to be Prime Minister. Newer members have as good a chance as any of being in the cabinet.

I do agree that some limitations should be placed on the prime minister's powers to reshuffle the cabinet.
 
Great Bights Mum:
The suggestion that appointed cabinet members can be dismissed at the whim of the PM gives the PM a pretty big stick. In order to avoid pressure on appointed cabinet members to become the PM's yes-men, I think it would be wise to include language which places limits on that power. There should have to be just cause, over and above "irreconcilable differences" or "loss of consortium."

Please note that I am still not comfortable with the entry barriers to participation the proposal would place on newer nations. I prefer a system designed to encourage fresh talent.
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I agree with FL in that I think that the RA should at least have the power to approve or deny removals of Ministers. Furthermore, the RA should also have the same power in the appointment of Ministers. No picking--just an AYE or NAY with a smaller percentage to pass than may be needed for a typical piece of legislation.

As to your second point, GBM, I think that that issue is another matter altogether. Attracting new members and encouraging them to take an active role in our governmental processes should be a vital concern to us at all times, as it does not stem from the power for the PM to appoint ministers. Most of the high-ranking members of our government first had to distinguish themselves in the bureaucracy before running for public office. I feel that newcomers should do the same and that if any such problem exists, it lies in how our various bureaucracies are set up and the lack of opportunity for upward advancement.
 
with regards to MO's first point (not just because she agrees with me :P)

As LV mentioned before, it may also lead to new and interesting political avenues, parties prehaps
 
Fulhead Land:
make removal of ministers by RA vote?
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A vote of non-confidence would be nice but we have recall and only if a judge signs off on it with proof of wrongdoing, that is if the judges weren't appointed by the PM and the MoJ isn''t subservient to being appointed.
 
mr_sniffles:
Fulhead Land:
make removal of ministers by RA vote?
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A vote of non-confidence would be nice but we have recall and only if a judge signs off on it with proof of wrongdoing, that is if the judges weren't appointed by the PM and the MoJ isn''t subservient to being appointed.
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Once again, we make make the Judiciary independent of the cabinet, and we replace the MoJ with an attorney general.
 
The fact we have recall doesnt hold us back, if we change the cabinet system we can change and/or remove the recall system too if it doenst fit
 
Lord Valentine:
mr_sniffles:
Fulhead Land:
make removal of ministers by RA vote?
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A vote of non-confidence would be nice but we have recall and only if a judge signs off on it with proof of wrongdoing, that is if the judges weren't appointed by the PM and the MoJ isn''t subservient to being appointed.
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Once again, we make make the Judiciary independent of the cabinet, and we replace the MoJ with an attorney general.
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The last time I looked the judiciary is independent of the Cabinet and has been for two years.

And the Attorney general replaced the Minister of justice two years ago.

Both were adopted at the Constitutional Convention.
 
Grosseschnauzer:
Lord Valentine:
mr_sniffles:
Fulhead Land:
make removal of ministers by RA vote?
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A vote of non-confidence would be nice but we have recall and only if a judge signs off on it with proof of wrongdoing, that is if the judges weren't appointed by the PM and the MoJ isn''t subservient to being appointed.
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Once again, we make make the Judiciary independent of the cabinet, and we replace the MoJ with an attorney general.
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The last time I looked the judiciary is independent of the Cabinet and has been for two years.

And the Attorney general replaced the Minister of justice two years ago.

Both were adopted at the Constitutional Convention.
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Except the PM has a hand in the selection of the Judiciary doesn't he?
 
The Prime Minister proposes a nominee, the Cabinet has to endorse the nomination, and the RA has to approve the nominee.

Keep in mind that the Prime Minister, the majority of the Cabinet and the Regional Assembly act on the nomination during the last month of the term immediately before the general election. The justices serve for six months that cover the two succeeding terms after the Prime Minister and Cabinet invobled in the nomination have left office. I think the system we currently have tends to place better qualified people on the bench, and avoids turning the judicial selection process into a popularity contest. Also, by having the normal appointments take place at the end of a Prime Minister's term, it avoids the issue of a "buddy, buddy" effect in the following terms since the incoming Prime Minister and Cabinet would have no direct control over who is nominated for the Court.
 
Anyway. I've starting look at the legalese necessary, and I think it might get a bit complicated. To make it easier I thought we could work through it in sections. This is the first bit, feel free to rip a part as I'm not very good at writing legalese.

ARTICLE III. Elections and Elected Offices.

Section 1. Election and Confirmation Procedures.

A - Procedures for the election of the UN Delegate, the UN Vice Delegate, the Prime Minister, the other directly elected Ministers of the Cabinet, the Speaker of the Regional Assembly, the Security Council and for the confirmation of appointed Cabinet Ministers shall be as provided by this Constitution and by law in The North Pacific Legal Code.
B - Elections and referendums shall take place on The North Pacific Regional off-site forum. Elections for the UN Delegate, the UN Vice Delegate, the Prime Minister, the other elected Cabinet Ministers, the Speaker of the Regional Assembly, and the Security Council, shall be held every three calendar months in the months of February, May, August, and November. Voting shall commence at 12:00 am GMT on the first day of the designated month and end at 11:59 pm GMT on the seventh day of the designated month. Voting in any necessary runoff election shall commence at 12:00 am GMT on the tenth day of the designated month and end at 11:59 pm GMT on the sixteenth day of the designated month. Nations take office when a certificate of results of an election are published.
C-Confirmation votes for the Prime Ministers Cabinet Minister appointments shall be held in the Regional Assembly two days after the Prime Minister assumes office. The voting will last for 4 days and will require a majority (50%+1) to pass.
C - All Nations who have joined the Regional Assembly under the provisions of Article II, Section 2, of this Constitution and who reside in The North Pacific, or are active members of The North Pacific Army or The North Pacific Intelligence Agency, shall be entitled to submit a single vote for each general election regardless of UN status. Any such Nation who is both resident in The North Pacific or are active members of The North Pacific Army or The North Pacific Intelligence Agency, and is also a member of the United Nations may vote in elections for UN Delegate and Vice Delegate. No person shall be permitted to cast more than one vote, through one or more Nations.
D - Only Nations who are members of the Regional Assembly when the voting period commences shall be entitled to vote, which shall take place exclusively at the Regional off-site forum.
E - Nations that join the Regional Assembly after a voting period commences shall not be able to vote in the election of offices or positions under this Constitution, or on referenda as to any other matter subject to a vote of the Regional Assembly as provided in this Constitution, or The North Pacific Legal Code, until the next election or referendum that occurs after that Nation's registration is validated and accepted.
F - The quorum requirement for Regional Assembly members in referenda on motions to approve, ratify or confirm actions, nominations or appointments, and on bills to enact laws, do not apply to the elections of the UN Delegate, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Ministers, the Speaker of the Regional Assembly, and the Security Council for a full term, or for any necessary runoff elections.
G - Candidates must adhere to the provisions on term limitations provided in Article III, Section 3, of this Constitution. If and when elected, candidates automatically resign any office they may then hold, other than as a member of the Regional Assembly, unless they have been elected to a consecutive term in that same office.

Section 2. Elected and Appointed Offices of the Regional Government.

The following offices shall comprise the Cabinet of The North Pacific Regional Government. Except for the UN Delegate for the Region, the Prime Minister and each Cabinet minister shall have a vote on any Cabinet action. The UN Delegate for the Region, the UN Vice Delegate, each Cabinet-level position, and all other positions established in the Regional Government, has the responsibility to uphold and enforce this Constitution, and to implement and comply with the actions taken by the Regional Government pursuant to this Constitution or The North Pacific Legal Code. Each Cabinet-level position shall have the duties and responsibilities as listed in this Section or as provided elsewhere in this Constitution or in The North Pacific Legal Code. Each Cabinet-level position shall have such authority as is necessary and proper to exercise the powers granted to, or to execute the duties imposed upon, that position under this Constitution, or by The North Pacific Legal Code, or by the other laws enacted pursuant to this Constitution, and subject to such limitations on those powers and duties established under this Constitution.
1) UN Delegate for the Region and Vice Delegate.
A - The UN Delegate for The North Pacific and the UN Vice Delegate shall be elected through the process described in Section 1 of this Article and the North Pacific Legal Code. The Delegate shall be considered as the ceremonial head of state, but not as head of government, for The North Pacific. The Vice-Delegate shall be considered as the deputy for the Delegate, and who may, where circumstances warrant, act as the Delegate.
B - The UN Delegate for the Region shall maintain the Delegacy in accordance with this Constitution. The UN Delegate for the Region shall securely hand over the Delegacy to the Nation that is duly elected as the successor to the office of UN Delegate in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. The Delegate's primary role shall be to represent the interests of The North Pacific's UN member Nations through votes on UN resolutions at quorum; it shall be understood that this objective can be best achieved through open and regular communication with member Nations at The North Pacific off-site forum, via private message at that forum, or by telegram through NationStates.net. The Delegate shall have authority to approve proposals submitted by UN member Nations for consideration in the UN at the discretion of the Delegate.
C - The UN Delegate for the Region shall vote on UN resolutions in accordance with the majority of UN member Nations in the Region as determined by a canvass of votes cast concerning each specific UN resolution on the floors of the UN on the Regional off-site forum, or through the other specified means of communication. The Delegate shall be required to post the names of all UN member Nations and their votes the Delegate has received or noted as to each resolution at vote on the floor of the UN. Each such canvass shall be posted on the Regional off-site forum in an appropriate thread, so that the votes of each UN member Nation may be confirmed and verified by the UN member Nations of the Region. The Delegate shall maintain and modify the World Factbook Entry on the Region's homepage at NationStates.net from time to time in accordance with the wishes of the Regional Government.
D- In certain specified circumstances, the UN Delegate for the Region may vote to break a tie between candidates included in a runoff election for the UN Vice Delegate, the Office of Prime Minister and for the Offices of the other Ministers of the Cabinet. The Delegate shall have no vote in meetings of the Cabinet, however, the Delegate is authorized to participate in Cabinet discussions and to attend such meetings.
E - The UN Delegate and Vice Delegate for the Region shall have no authority to act in any other manner with respect to the Regional Government, unless such authority is expressly granted to the Delegate or Vice Delegate through process of Amendment of this Constitution, and not by implication. The North Pacific Legal Code may not alter the powers or authority of the office of Delegate or Vice Delegate.
F - At all times during the term of office, the Vice Delegate shall have the second greatest number of endorsements in the Region which shall be exceeded only by the number of endorsements held by the Delegate. The Vice Delegate may be authorized, by a vote of the Security Council on grounds of regional security, to temporarily assume the Delegacy under NationStates procedures whenever the Delegate may be unable to act or is not recognized within NationStates as the UN Member with the greatest number of endorsements within the Region or for other similar reasons of regional security. Upon the subsequent formal posted declaration of the Delegate that he or she is able to again act as Delegate of the Region within NationStates, the Delegate and Vice Delegate shall take any necessary action to cause the transfer of the Delegacy back to the elected Delegate.
2) Prime Minister.
A - The Prime Minister is the head of the Regional Government. The Prime Minister shall preside at all meetings of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister shall have such authority as is necessary and proper to exercise the powers granted to, or to execute the duties imposed upon, the Prime Minister under this Constitution, or by The North Pacific Legal Code, or by the other laws enacted pursuant to this Constitution, and subject to such limitations on those powers and duties established under this Constitution.
B – The Prime Minister shall appoint the Minister of Internal Affairs and Immigration, the Minister of External Affairs and the Minister of Defence, subject to confirmation votes in the Regional Assembly as outlined in Section 1. The Prime Minister may remove the appointed Ministers from their position by putting them up for a expulsion vote in the Regional Assembly, as outlined in Section 1.
C – In the event of a vacancy in the Office of Prime Minister, an elections will be called to elect a new Prime Minister, to serve the remainder of the term, following the standard electoral practices outlined in the Constitution. the Cabinet shall nominate a new Prime Minister, from among any of the Nations that meet the eligibility requirements for election, within seven days. The designation of the Nation nominated by the Cabinet is to be confirmed in a referendum of the Regional Assembly, in which a quorum participates, through a motion of confirmation. The nomination and referendum election shall be conducted as expeditiously as practicable. The Nation nominated for Prime Minister shall meet all qualifications for the office, and the nominated Nation is subject to any and all limitations for service provided in this Constitution or The North Pacific Legal Code. During the interim period between the creation of the vacancy in the office of Prime Minister and the confirmation and installation of a successor to the office of Prime Minister, the Cabinet shall collectively have the authority to exercise the duties and responsibilities of the office.
C - There is to be a North Pacific Intelligence Agency whose duties are to collect and analyze confidential intelligence information for the benefit of the Regional Government and the region as a whole. The Prime Minister shall appoint the leadership of the North Pacific Intelligence Agency after consultation with the personnel of that agency. Any matter concerning the Agency's activities and personnel, except in the case of a criminal prosecution, shall be discussed in confidence without reference in any public record; however, there may be disclosure of confidential information in connection with a criminal or impeachment proceeding. The Prime Minister shall be responsible to the Cabinet and the Regional Assembly for the ongoing oversight of the Agency.
3) Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs.
A - The Minister shall be responsible for communicating with new member Nations, answering questions and highlighting regional procedures and guidelines.
B - The Minister shall be responsible for compiling domestic intelligence and enforcing Regional guidelines.
C - The Minister shall be responsible for overseeing the Regional Assembly registration process and procedures in conjunction and with the support of, the Prime Minister, the Regional off-site forum administrators, and other support personnel within the Regional Government, as designated by either the Prime Minister and/or the Cabinet of the North Pacific Regional Government.
4) Minister of External Affairs.
A - The Minister shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining relations and alliances between The North Pacific and other regions and multi-regional organizations, in accordance with the wishes of the majority of the registered voters of the Region.
B - The Minister shall recruit, oversee, and direct The North Pacific Diplomatic Corps, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and The North Pacific Legal Code.
5) Minister of Defense.
A - The Minister shall be responsible for recruiting, organizing and directing the North Pacific Army for the protection of the region and its allies.
B - The Minister shall work with the Minister of External Affairs to identify threats to the security of the Region, and to advise the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on proposed strategic alliances for regional protection purposes.
6) Attorney General, serving as Minister of Justice.
A - The Attorney General shall be the chief prosecuting officer in The Court of The North Pacific, and shall exercise those responsibilities and duties imposed on the Attorney General under this Constitution and as provided in The North Pacific Legal Code.
7) Minister of Communications.
A - The Minister shall be responsible for publishing reports, within and outside of the Region, of the actions of the Regional Government and other developments in The North Pacific in conjunction with the Prime Minister or the official with appropriate jurisdiction
8) Minister of Arts and Entertainment.
A - The Minister shall be responsible for moderating the Out-of-Character, Role-Playing and Games forums at the Regional off-site forums.
B - The Minister shall initiate and oversee activities and topics for the general entertainment of The North Pacific's member Nations.
9) Minister of Culture and Education.
A - The Minister shall encourage and promote the Cultural and Educational arts and industries, and protect The North Pacific's heritage in order to maximize their contribution to the region's awareness and social vitality.

Section 3. Term Limitations.

1) No person, through one or more Nations, may hold any directly elected Cabinet-level position for more than two consecutive terms.
2) For purposes of this section, service by a person, through one or more Nations, in a directly elected Cabinet-level position for more than one half of a term to which some other person was originally elected or appointed, shall be treated as a complete term in that office.
3) For purposes of this Constitution, " directly elected Cabinet-level position" is construed to refer to the UN Delegate for the Region, any UN Vice Delegate who has acted as UN Delegate for the Region for more than half of an elected term of office, the Prime Minister,   the Minister of Communications, the Minister of Arts and Entertainment, the Minister of Culture and Education, any Cabinet Minister of the Regional Government, any deputy Cabinet Minister who has acted as a Minister for more than half of an elected term of office, or the Attorney General.
4) The Vice Delegate must be eligible for election as Delegate in order to be elected as Vice Delegate.

Section 4. General Provisions Concerning the Cabinet.

In addition to any requirements or procedures concerning Cabinet elections adopted as part of the Legal Code:
1) A candidate for elective or appointed office must be a member Nation of the Region.
2) A candidate must be an active Regional off-site forum member for a minimum of one month prior to the date of the acceptance of a nomination to, or a declaration of candidacy for, elective or appointed office.
3) Cabinet members shall not hold more than one Cabinet-level position at the same time.
4) The Legal Code may impose additional requirements as qualifications for election or appointment as a specific Minister or Deputy Minister.
5) The Legal Code may provide for the removal of any Cabinet-level position or any Deputy Minister on the grounds of inactivity, as defined by law.
6) The Legal Code shall provide by law for a vacancy whether due to resignation, removal or other cause, in any Cabinet-level position, other than the Delegate, Vice Delegate, and Prime Minister, or for a Deputy Minister.
7) All Ministers are required to appoint a Deputy Minister within seven days of their election, or upon a vacancy in, or a resignation of a Nation from, the office of a Deputy Minister.
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There are two immediate problems:

First, you failed to include a procedure how the office of rime Minister would be filled, (and who specifically or collectively would act as Prime Minister in the interim.)

Second, I would keep term limitations for all Cabinet Ministers whether elected or appointed. The last thing we should have to see is a truly permanent occupants in those Ministries.
 
Grosseschnauzer:
There are two immediate problems:

First, you failed to include a procedure how the office of rime Minister would be filled, (and who specifically or collectively would act as Prime Minister in the interim.)
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Er, wut? I suggest you read through it again, as I'm pretty sure that is covered.

Second, I would keep term limitations for all Cabinet Ministers whether elected or appointed. The last thing we should have to see is a truly permanent occupants in those Ministries.
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That is a difference of opinion, not an immediate problem. ;) Having said that, I take on board your view and I do recognise that there are potential problems with removing term limits. It may be that part is not altered, for the moment though I'll leave it as is so we can get the more technical bits sorted first (if you don't mind) and then address the issues that are reaised afterwards.
 
The only problem is the collective pants-filling of certain members of the RA.

It looks good, HC. Shame we can't clean up a few other bits whilst were at it.
 
C – In the event of a vacancy in the Office of Prime Minister, an elections will be called to elect a new Prime Minister, to serve the remainder of the term, following the standard electoral practices outlined in the Constitution. the Cabinet shall nominate a new Prime Minister, from among any of the Nations that meet the eligibility requirements for election, within seven days. The designation of the Nation nominated by the Cabinet is to be confirmed in a referendum of the Regional Assembly, in which a quorum participates, through a motion of confirmation. The nomination and referendum election shall be conducted as expeditiously as practicable. The Nation nominated for Prime Minister shall meet all qualifications for the office, and the nominated Nation is subject to any and all limitations for service provided in this Constitution or The North Pacific Legal Code. During the interim period between the creation of the vacancy in the office of Prime Minister and the confirmation and installation of a successor to the office of Prime Minister, the Cabinet shall collectively have the authority to exercise the duties and responsibilities of the office.
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pwnt?

Either the constitution's poor grammar and layout have finally got the better of Grosse, or there's some random legal procedure that only two people know about that we've forgotten.

I'm going to go with the latter.
 
Collective pants-filling?

I heard you need a license for that kind of thing...

I like, it is doubleplusgood.

Edit - the proposal I mean, not the pants filling... :unsure:
 
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