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The Constitution of Vekllei, also known as the Floral Constitution, was the foundational text for a new Commonwealth after British administration ended in 2015. It was developed by the Council of Roses and ratified in August 2015.

Constitution of Vekllei #

PREAMBLE #

THE PUBLIC OF THE OCEANS ATLANTIC RESOLVES

• to bring peace to Commonwealth sovereign constituents twice destroyed in the pursuit of war, and
• to establish a new way of living worthy of a commitment in peace, and
• to protect the equal rights of men and women, and the dignity and worth of the human person, and
• to achieve equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms, and
• to provide for the material and spiritual needs necessary in the aim of a commitment to dignity,

AND IN SERVICE OF THESE AIMS

• to unite the languages, culture, and races of the Public under a democratic and prosperous society, and
• to protect the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law, and
• to guarantee universal adult suffrage, and
• to defend these values unwaveringly by all means available to its councils and government.

THE COMMONWEALTH — THE PUBLIC POWERS #

Article 1 #

1. The Commonwealth of Vekllei is one sovereign, democratic state within the framework of international law, founded on the following values:
   1. Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms.
   2. Supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law.
   3. Universal adult suffrage, a national common voters roll, regular elections and a nonpartisan system of democratic government, to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness.
2. The territory of the Commonwealth is inviolable.

Article 2 #

1. The federal government of the Commonwealth comprises:
   1. The Consilia, a paired office serving as head of state and presiding over the Mandatory Ecclesia.
   2. The Mandatory Ecclesia, the federal deliberative chamber comprising one delegate from each constituent republic.
   3. State Secretaries, officers commissioned for specific cross-ministerial programmes of defined scope and duration.
   4. The ministerial parliaments, self-governing service institutions governing their professional domains through industrial democracy.
   5. The devolved ministries, permanent administrative departments led by First Ministers elected from within.
2. No single institution or officer holds supreme executive authority. Political authority is exercised through commissions, elections and deliberative procedures as prescribed by this constitution and distributed across the bodies named in sub-article 1.
3. The Commonwealth is a state under the rule of law, committed to fundamental freedoms and rights.

Article 3 #

1. Executive authority is vested in no single officer or body.
2. Federal executive functions are carried out by State Secretaries commissioned for defined programmes under Articles 20 to 23.
3. Administrative authority over permanent government functions is held by the devolved ministries, each led by a First Minister elected from within by professional staff.
4. The Consilia holds no executive authority. It may not direct the ministries, commission State Secretaries or initiate legislation.

Article 4 #

1. Legislative authority is distributed by subject matter:
   1. Domain legislation within the remit of a single ministerial parliament is initiated, reviewed and passed by that parliament, subject to citizen referendum as prescribed by law.
   2. Legislation crossing ministerial boundaries may be introduced only by a commissioned State Secretary; it is reviewed, amended and passed or rejected by the Mandatory Ecclesia, and requires citizen referendum approval before promulgation.
   3. Constitutional amendments require a citizen referendum with a sixty per cent majority of Commonwealth votes cast.
2. No body other than a commissioned State Secretary may introduce cross-ministerial legislation.

Article 5 #

The judiciary power is exercised by the courts and tribunals. The independence of the judiciary is guaranteed.

Article 6 #

The separation of the administrative, legislative and judiciary functions is guaranteed.

Article 7 #

1. The standard of the Commonwealth is the Sovereign Crown.
2. The Commonwealth Flag consists of an arctic rosette, depicted as six petals, printed in gold on a crimson background.
3. The official anthem of the Commonwealth is “Advance, Veletia.”
4. The use of the flag, standard and official symbols of the Commonwealth is governed by the Flag Ordinance dated 4th March 2015.

Article 8 #

1. The Commonwealth has 16 official languages, with protections for their use and preservation.
2. The official written language is English.
3. The official language of international commerce and business is English.

Article 9 #

The Commonwealth is a secular state and has no state religion. Religion is separated from public life and affairs. Protections are included for traditional and folk religions of Commonwealth communities.

1. Recognised traditional faiths include folk Oslolan spiritualism, Kalina local faiths and the Catholic, Apostolic and Roman religions.

THE CONSILIA #

Article 10 #

1. The Consilia is the combined federal office of one man and one woman, elected jointly by popular referendum across all 83 constituent republics. The two members constitute a single undivided office and may not act independently of one another.
2. The Consilia serves as the ceremonial head of state and public representative of the Commonwealth. It holds no executive authority, may not initiate legislation and may not direct the civil service or ministries.
3. Candidates for the Consilia stand jointly as a pair and may not stand under any party affiliation. Each pair presents policy positions directly to the electorate.
4. No person may serve as a member of the Consilia for more than two complete terms.

Article 11 #

1. The term of the Consilia is bounded by the Atlantic humpback whale migration. Each term begins upon the first confirmed sighting of Atlantic humpback whales in the northern coastal waters of Oslola, as declared by the designated coastal community, and concludes upon the first confirmed arrival of southbound whales at the designated southern declaration point off South Georgia.
2. Sighting declarations are matters of public record, administered by designated coastal communities under procedures established by law.
3. The Seat of Commonwealth Government is Comet, in the Meteor Federal Territory.

Article 12 #

1. The Consilia presides over the Mandatory Ecclesia: giving voice to decisions, maintaining procedures and representing the chamber’s outcomes outward.
2. The Consilia holds no vote within the Mandatory Ecclesia and may not introduce legislation or motions within it.
3. The presiding function depends upon the continuing confidence of the Mandatory Ecclesia. A Consilia unable to maintain that confidence creates a constitutional condition requiring remedy as prescribed by law.

Article 13 #

1. The Consilia represents the Commonwealth in diplomatic matters by convention. It receives foreign representatives, attends international forums and speaks for the Commonwealth in ceremonial and general contexts.
2. The Consilia holds no power to ratify treaties, commit federal resources or bind the ministries. Substantive negotiations are conducted by the relevant State Secretary or First Minister.
3. After consultation with the relevant State Secretary or First Minister, the Consilia exercises the right of pardon and amnesty as well as the right of naturalisation and restoration of nationality.

THE MANDATORY ECCLESIA #

Article 14 #

1. The Mandatory Ecclesia is the federal deliberative chamber of the Commonwealth, comprising 83 delegates, one from each constituent republic.
2. Each delegate is appointed by the First Secretary of their republic and acts as the First Secretary’s representative in federal matters. Delegates are not independently elected federal members.
3. Delegates serve staggered three-year terms; the chamber is never fully renewed at once.
4. The Consilia presides over the Mandatory Ecclesia under Article 12. The Consilia is not a member of the Ecclesia and holds no vote within it.

Article 15 #

1. On constitutional questions and appointment matters, each republic holds one equal vote.
2. On legislative matters, votes are weighted by republic population.
3. A quorum requires the presence of delegates representing at least two-thirds of the constituent republics.

Article 16 #

1. The Mandatory Ecclesia holds the following powers:
   1. Confirmation of State Secretary appointments and definition of commission scope.
   2. Review, amendment and passage or rejection of cross-ministerial legislation introduced by State Secretaries.
   3. Constitutional arbitration between the federal government and republic governments, subject to referral to the Supreme Constitutional Court.
   4. Formal closure of State Secretary commissions upon civil service certification of completion.
   5. Petitioning for citizen referendums on federal matters.
2. The Mandatory Ecclesia may not introduce legislation on its own motion.

Article 17 #

1. The Mandatory Ecclesia meets in ordinary session at least four times per year.
2. Extraordinary sessions may be convened at the request of at least one-third of the member delegates or by the Consilia in the presiding capacity.
3. Sessions are public unless the chamber decides by two-thirds majority to sit in closed session.

STATE SECRETARIES #

Article 18 #

1. State Secretaries are federal officers holding authority over cross-ministerial programmes of defined scope and duration, commissioned under this constitution. They are the sole officers empowered to introduce cross-ministerial legislation before the Mandatory Ecclesia.
2. A State Secretary holds authority only within the scope of their confirmed commission and may not direct ministries, civil servants or ministerial parliaments outside that scope.
3. Re-commissioning for a continuing or related programme is permitted, subject to the same confirmation process. No re-commissioning is automatic.

Article 19 #

The following routes to commissioning a State Secretary are prescribed by this constitution:

1. Petition Cascade. A petition requesting the commissioning of a State Secretary for a defined programme may be initiated by a municipal assembly. If endorsed by the relevant republic assembly, it proceeds to the Regional Commonwealth Assembly. If endorsed by the Regional Commonwealth Assembly, it is submitted to the Mandatory Ecclesia for confirmation. The Mandatory Ecclesia confirms the commission and defines its scope by majority vote.
2. Civil Service Proposal. The senior civil service may propose the commissioning of a State Secretary directly to the Mandatory Ecclesia where a cross-ministerial coordination requirement has been identified within no existing commission. Confirmation requires a majority vote of the Mandatory Ecclesia.
3. Constitutional Trigger. Where this constitution or enabling legislation prescribes circumstances requiring commissioning of a State Secretary, the Mandatory Ecclesia confirms the commission and scope within thirty days of the triggering event.

Article 20 #

1. The scope and duration of each commission is defined by the Mandatory Ecclesia at the time of confirmation. Scope may be amended by majority vote of the Mandatory Ecclesia on application from the State Secretary or on the Ecclesia’s own motion.
2. A commission concludes upon civil service certification that the programme is complete, upon expiry of any term defined at confirmation, or upon revocation by the Mandatory Ecclesia by two-thirds majority vote.
3. Upon conclusion, the Mandatory Ecclesia formally closes the commission. A State Secretary whose commission has closed holds no further federal authority.

MINISTERIAL PARLIAMENTS #

Article 21 #

1. Ministerial parliaments are self-governing service institutions of the Commonwealth, each governing a defined professional domain through industrial democracy. Each ministerial parliament both administers its domain and holds legislative authority within it.
2. Ministerial parliaments are constitutionally independent and subject to no political direction from any other institution of the Commonwealth within the scope of their mandated domain.

Article 22 #

1. Each ministerial parliament comprises 28 members:
   1. Fourteen members elected through professional structures within the sector by practitioners, workers and associated professionals.
   2. Seven members selected by sortition from the users of that parliament’s services across the Commonwealth.
   3. Seven Commissioned Secretaries, who are simultaneously serving Mandatory Ecclesia delegates and hold an internal brief within the parliament by appointment of their First Secretary.
2. The composition of each parliament is reviewed every six years to ensure professional and user representation remains proportionate to the domain it governs.

Article 23 #

1. Each ministerial parliament:
   1. Initiates, reviews and passes domain legislation within its remit.
   2. Administers the Commonwealth’s services in its domain.
   3. Sets professional standards, qualifications and accreditation within its field.
   4. Maintains financial independence, subject to Commonwealth audit under Article 50.
2. Domain legislation passed by a ministerial parliament proceeds to citizen referendum where required by that parliament’s enabling legislation or on petition as prescribed by law.

Article 24 #

1. A ministerial parliament may be dissolved only by a citizen referendum of the Commonwealth requiring a majority of sixty per cent of votes cast.
2. Referendum for dissolution may be petitioned by a majority of the parliament’s professional members, by petition cascade from the republic level, or by the Mandatory Ecclesia by two-thirds majority vote.
3. Upon dissolution, the Mandatory Ecclesia appoints an interim administration to maintain essential services pending reconstitution of the parliament under Article 22.

DEVOLVED MINISTRIES #

Article 25 #

1. The devolved ministries are the permanent administrative departments of the Commonwealth, each responsible for a defined domain of federal administration.
2. Each ministry is led by a First Minister elected from within the ministry by its professional staff. No political body may appoint or remove a First Minister.
3. First Ministers are accountable to their ministry’s professional staff through the internal electoral process. They may be recalled by a majority vote of professional staff as prescribed by law.
4. Ministries are devolved; each Regional Commonwealth maintains its own branch of each ministry, coordinated by a federal secretariat and adapted to regional conditions.

FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS #

Article 26 #

1. All Commonwealth citizens are equal before the law. There is no privilege among them.
2. The Commonwealth recognises the inherent dignity of all people and commits to promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms.
3. No person may be unfairly discriminated against on grounds of race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language or birth.

Article 27 #

1. The circumstances in which Vekllei nationality may be acquired are laid down by law.
2. The circumstances in which naturalised citizens may be deprived of nationality are laid down by law.
3. Loss of Vekllei nationality may occur only, as prescribed by law, following intentional acquisition of another nationality or unlawful service in foreign military forces.

Article 28 #

1. Individual freedom and security are guaranteed. No one may be prosecuted except in cases provided for by law, before legally appointed judges and in the manner prescribed by law.
2. Apart from cases of flagrant offence, arrest may be carried out only pursuant to a well-founded judicial order, which must be notified at arrest or within twenty-four hours.
3. Any detention must be preceded by examination before a competent judicial authority.

Article 29 #

1. No penalty may be introduced or applied except by law.
2. Criminal law must ensure respect for individual personality and dignity. No one may be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
3. Capital punishment is abolished unless applied to grave and numerous offences against human rights that outrage the conscience of mankind as determined by international law.
4. Criminal law cannot have retroactive effect.

Article 30 #

1. The domicile is inviolable. No entry or search can take place except in cases and manner prescribed by law.
2. Everyone has the right to privacy, which includes the right not to have their person or home searched, their property searched, their possessions seized, or the privacy of their communications infringed.

Article 31 #

Every individual has the right to respect of private and family life, dignity, and confidentiality of correspondence.

Article 32 #

1. Freedom of religion, belief and opinion; freedom of expression; and freedom of assembly, demonstration, picket and petition are guaranteed.
2. No one may be compelled to participate in religious rites or ceremonies or to observe religious days of rest.
3. These rights do not extend to propaganda for war, incitement of imminent violence, or advocacy of hatred based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion.

Article 33 #

1. Property rights are protected. No one may be deprived of property except for public benefit as established by law, subject to compensation as determined by law.
2. Property is not absolute and may be subject to such general limitations as prescribed by law for the common good.

Article 34 #

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the Commonwealth.
2. Everyone has the right to leave the Commonwealth and to enter, remain in and reside anywhere in the Commonwealth.
3. Freedom of movement may be restricted by law only where necessary for public order, public health or national security.

Article 35 #

1. Freedom of work is guaranteed. Its practice is determined by law.
2. Everyone has the right to fair labour practices and to form and join trade unions.
3. Priority may be granted to Commonwealth citizens for public positions as prescribed by law.

Article 36 #

1. Commonwealth nationals are entitled to assistance from the state in cases of destitution, unemployment, sickness, disability, old age and maternity as prescribed by law.
2. Everyone has the right to access social security, including social assistance and social insurance.

Article 37 #

1. Commonwealth nationals are entitled to free primary and secondary education.
2. Everyone has the right to basic education, including adult basic education.
3. Everyone has the right to further education which the Commonwealth must make progressively available and accessible.

Article 38 #

1. Everyone may defend their rights and interests through trade union action.
2. The right to strike is recognised, subject to regulation by law.
3. Essential services may be defined by law with appropriate limitations on strike action.

Article 39 #

1. Commonwealth nationals have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
2. Everyone has the right to freedom of association.
3. These freedoms may be regulated by law but may not be subjected to prior authorisation except for public meetings.

Article 40 #

1. Everyone may address petitions to public authorities.
2. Everyone has the right of access to information held by the state or any other body exercising public functions.

Article 41 #

1. Foreigners enjoy all public and private rights in the Commonwealth that are not formally reserved to nationals.
2. Everyone within Commonwealth territory enjoys the protection of the fundamental rights contained in this constitution.

Article 42 #

1. Everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing.
2. Everyone has the right to have the environment protected for present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures.

Article 43 #

1. Everyone has the right to access adequate housing.
2. No one may be evicted from their home or have their home demolished without an order of court made after considering all relevant circumstances.

Article 44 #

1. Everyone has the right of access to healthcare services, including reproductive healthcare.
2. No one may be refused emergency medical treatment.

PUBLIC DOMAIN AND FINANCE #

Article 45 #

1. The Commonwealth’s economic system is a hybrid moneyless system known as the commons for its domestic market.
2. Money is used in a separate industrial and financial market called the financialised commons, which subsidises the domestic market.
3. The Commonwealth government collects taxes on industrial imports and exports.

Article 46 #

1. Public domain is inalienable and imprescriptible.
2. Public domain property may be disposed of or change purpose only as prescribed by law.
3. Public domain consistency and regime are determined by law.

Article 47 #

1. All vacant and ownerless property belongs to the Commonwealth, subject to traditional claims and environmental protection.
2. In demonstrating claims of ownership, private parties may petition for use rights as prescribed by law.

Article 48 #

1. The national budget comprises all public revenue and expenditure of the Commonwealth and its constituents.
2. The national budget expresses the Commonwealth’s economic and financial policy.

Article 49 #

1. The budget is subject to budget legislation voted and promulgated as law.
2. Revenue surplus over expenditure is credited to constitutional reserve funds.
3. Excess expenditure may be covered by withdrawal from reserve funds subject to law.

Article 50 #

Control of financial management is ensured by independent audit institutions as prescribed by law.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUMS #

Article 51 #

1. Cross-ministerial legislation passed by the Mandatory Ecclesia must be approved by citizen referendum before promulgation. Referendums occur quarterly, bundling related legislation, and require a simple majority for passage.
2. Domain legislation passed by a ministerial parliament proceeds to citizen referendum where required by that parliament’s enabling legislation or on petition as prescribed by law.
3. Citizen referendums may be petitioned on constitutional questions affecting fundamental rights. A referendum may override a Mandatory Ecclesia decision with a sixty per cent majority.
4. Constitutional amendments require a citizen referendum with a sixty per cent majority regardless of parliamentary or Ecclesia action.

Article 52 #

1. Citizens may initiate a referendum on any matter of federal policy by petition. The petition cascade for a federal referendum proceeds through municipal, republic and regional assemblies before submission to the Mandatory Ecclesia for scheduling.
2. The Mandatory Ecclesia may not decline to schedule a referendum petition that has completed the cascade in conformity with this constitution.

REPUBLIC ASSEMBLIES #

Article 53 #

1. Each republic maintains a Republic Assembly elected by delegates from municipal assemblies within its territory.
2. Republic Assemblies exercise local legislative authority within constitutional limits.
3. Republic Assemblies elect a First Secretary as republic head of government.
4. Republic Assemblies appoint a delegate to the Mandatory Ecclesia who acts as the First Secretary’s representative in federal matters.

Article 54 #

1. Republic sovereignty in matters of local governance is protected by this constitution.
2. Republic law prevails in local matters except where federal law, having passed under Article 4, applies. Federal law prevails within its defined scope.
3. Republic Assemblies may petition for constitutional referendums on matters affecting republic rights through the cascade prescribed in Article 52.

MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLIES #

Article 55 #

1. Municipal Assemblies comprise all citizens within municipal boundaries.
2. Municipal Assemblies exercise direct democratic authority over local affairs.
3. Municipal sovereignty in community matters is constitutionally protected.

Article 56 #

1. Municipal Assemblies elect delegates to Republic Assemblies.
2. Municipal Assemblies may initiate petition cascades for State Secretary commissions under Article 19 and for federal referendums under Article 52.

JUSTICE #

Article 57 #

1. Judicial power vests in the Commonwealth, exercised through courts and tribunals.
2. Courts render justice in the name of the Commonwealth.
3. Independence of judges is guaranteed.
4. Court organisation, jurisdiction and operations are laid down by law.

Article 58 #

1. The Supreme Constitutional Court comprises nine members appointed for nine-year non-renewable terms.
2. Three members are nominated by the Mandatory Ecclesia from candidates put forward by the judicial professions.
3. Three members are selected by sortition from qualified legal professionals across the Commonwealth under procedures established by law.
4. Three members are elected by Republic Assemblies from citizen nominations.

Article 59 #

The Supreme Constitutional Court rules on:

1. Constitutional compliance of laws and government actions.
2. Disputes between governmental levels.
3. Appeals regarding fundamental rights violations.
4. Electoral disputes and constitutional interpretation.

Article 60 #

1. Republic courts exercise jurisdiction over local civil and criminal matters.
2. Municipal tribunals provide community dispute resolution.
3. Court hierarchy and appeals procedures are established by law.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT #

Article 61 #

The Constitution may not be suspended.

Article 62 #

1. Constitutional revision requires a citizen referendum with a sixty per cent majority of Commonwealth votes cast.
2. No amendment may violate the fundamental rights set out in Articles 26 to 44 or the nonpartisan character of elections established in Article 10.

Article 63 #

1. Amendment initiatives require a two-thirds majority of the Mandatory Ecclesia or completion of the petition cascade from republic level under Article 52.
2. Citizens may petition for constitutional amendment through the petition cascade.
3. Republic Assemblies may initiate amendments through Regional Commonwealth coordination.

FINAL PROVISIONS #

Article 64 #

1. Prior constitutional provisions are repealed.
2. This Constitution enters into force immediately upon ratification.
3. Transitional arrangements are established by law.

Article 65 #

1. Existing laws remain applicable where compatible with this constitution.
2. Incompatible laws must be amended within a reasonable time to ensure compliance.
3. Courts may declare laws unconstitutional pending legislative amendment.

Article 66 #

This Constitution is the supreme law of the Commonwealth. Any law or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid, and the obligations imposed by it must be fulfilled.