Long Awaited Changes in Lavalon

Lavalon - The Citizen's Legislative Assembly has aproved the new 'Second Lavalonian Charter' in a historic vote. The passage of the new charter concludes three months of discussion and debate surrounding the new form of the Lavalonian state. The measure passed with barely 75% in favour in a dismal turnout.

In light of recent dulldrums due to the absence of Sovereign Prince Kieran Bennett and the holiday period, the new charter brings hope to Lavalon as well as establishing a uniquely Lavalonian democratic system.

According to the Charter's primary archetect Kieran Bennett "This system is unique in that it provides for a strong popular control, ensures the ability of all citizens to participate, can accomodate large numbers of people and yet still operate satisfactorily with a mere three active citizens."

The new charter provides for a directly democratic Assembly of Citizens, a democraticly elected Sovereign Prince and a unique third elected power known as the national ombudsman.

The judicual function is performed by the National Court, who's judges are appointed as neccisary by the National Ombudsman for periods of thirty days. Appointments must be announced three days in advance and can in this time be vetoed by the Assembly of Citizens.

the only two elected officials, the Ombudsman and the Sovereign Prince, can be recalled at any time by a fifty percent majority of the Assembly of Citizens. To prevent a situation of 'Tyranny of the Majority' acts of the Assembly require assent from the Sovereign Prince which is considered automatic if the bill was passed by a consensus in the Assembly (the SP does not vote in the assembly).

Citizens may challange the legality of laws, treatys and government actions in the National Court.

Kieran Bennett, speaking on the new Charter had this cautious advice "whilst the new charter does indeed contain a unique system of checks and balances to prevent abuses by any arm of government and to ensure the rights of all citizens to participate, what ensures political freedom is the vigilance, participation and at times activism of each individual citizen".


The Motion to Pass the Charter
http://www.lavalon.t9x.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=148

Lavalon's Website
http://www.lavalon.tk