The Union of Free Reformists is the Party of Talossan Democracy, an ideal we place so much importance on that is in the first sentence of our party's platform.
In an era where a party which explicitly does not believe in democracy will be part of the Government, the defense of Talossan democracy is more important than ever. Therefore, as part of our rebuilding towards the 63rd Cosa, the Union of Free Reformists is opening broad debate on a Democracy Agenda.
As the last election shows, simply defending Talossa's current, flawed, democratic procedures won't seize the popular imagination. We must dare something worthy -- dare to dream of a more democratic Talossa. One where the popular will can be expressed freely and fairly; where that will can manifest in an empowered yet accountable Government, able to enact a political program, yet restrained by basic democratic rights and by the ballot box.
A situation of "elective dictatorship" is not a democratic one; nor is one of permanent institutional gridlock, where a determined minority can prevent things from happening forever. Any attempts to repower the monarchy, on the other hand, will revive trauma reactions from anyone who lived under King Robert I, the equivalent of a "Liechtenstein monarchy".
The URL therefore pledges to promote one bill for a major democratic reform on every one of the Clarks of the 62nd Cosa term, even if it manages to last all six. In the event that these bills are not adopted by the Ziu, they will form the basis for our program for the 63rd Cosa election. The "Pseudo-Real Cosa", proposed by URL-affiliate MC-elect Marcel Tafial will be the first of these.
This thread will be for elaboration and discussion on these bills as well as other democratic proposals. Non-URL members will be welcome to participate, although if necessary they will be "moderated with a blowtorch", to borrow one member's phrasing.
An Opposition committed to democracy has to be a good thing for the nation, one assumes. I hope this legislation will get a second wind: https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=4183.0
A few other options have been raised as part of a broader Democracy Agenda. Here are some I'd like to throw in the pot:
- Water down the Royal veto. You guys know that I love His Maj, despite my republicanism, and I trust him to use his veto wisely. On principle, though, I still don't think it should exist. If I had my way, I'd reduce the Royal veto to the discretion to refer a bill to the CpI for an opinion on its Organicity, for ordinary legislation; and nothing for OrgLaw amendments (in the latter case, the people's vote in referendum should be the only veto).
- Repeal of Organic Law XII.4: "Proposed changes to this Organic Law that affect the representation of a province in the Senäts, or of the territory or equal sovereignty of a province, shall not take effect unless approved by a majority of participating voters in that province." There is already a provision that messing with the Senäts requires a 2/3 majority in the Senäts. This provision requires near-total unanimity in the whole nation to make any changes to the provincial basis of Senäts election. That's more than it would require to fully depower that body. Anti-democracy in action, and unjustifiable on its merits. At least fold this provision into XII.1 so the threshold is the same. OR: perhaps you could just put "the equal representation"?