Res'públika josévyana

Republic of Josevia

res'públika constitusionalí federatí

federal constitutional republic

Capitiolí Josévyana

Capital Josevia

Population 7,372,907

Motto Patrya út Mert

              Motherland or Death

Official Language Josévyani

Coat of Arms

I. Overview

The Republic of Josevia is a federal, constitutional republic primarily located in Europe and composed of 20 states and one federal city, the capital Josevia. With a population of 6,463,773 living in a space about the size of Suriname, (60,500 square miles), Josevia is a rather compact yet dynamic economy with a GDP worth approximately $10,483,891,353.00. The Republic uses this wealth to provide excellent living standards to its citizens, with basic needs being assured by the state via a mix of public policy and free market incentives. The Republic ensures adequate and affordable housing for all citizens, as well as free, universal healthcare and tuition-free higher education. 

Human rights are enshrined in the supreme law of the land, the Constitution. These rights apply to citizens and non-citizens alike, and the government may not in any form, via any law or executive action, violate the right to free speech, to assemble, and to practice one's religion, among many others. Property rights are strong, and the government may not seize property by eminent domian unless national security is at risk, illegal activity is being conducted, or the owner consents to the purchase. Consequently, property taxes on individuals are minimal in Josevia, and repossession for failing to pay property tax illegal; citizens that cannot afford property tax for valid reasons may volunteer their time, if possible. If a citizen can neither pay tax nor volunteer their time, for valid reasons, then property tax is waived for reason of disability. This applies to individual citizens, as corporations and businesses are expected to meet the minimal tax burden on private property. 
 

II. Government 

The government is composed of two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both elected by popular vote, each state has two Senate seats, while House Representatives correlate to state population. The executive office is composed of the President and his cabinet, who are subject to Senate confirmation. The Supreme Court of Justice, composed of seven Justices, is responsible for interpreting and upholding the Constitution and checking the powers of the legislative and executive branches by striking down unconstitutional laws and or illegal executive orders. The Court's most vital role, however, is ensuring the rights of citizens are not being violated by local, state or the federal government. Justices are selected by the President and confirmed by the Senate and hold their positions until retirement or death. Justices can be impeached for unethical behavior, such as corruption or treason, and or for failing to uphold Constitutional law. The President too must enforce the law of the land, both the Constitution and laws passed in Congress; failure to uphold the law, and in cases of Presidential misconduct, the House may vote to impeach the President via simple majority, after which the House must present articles of impeachment to the Senate. The Senate must then try the President. The Supreme Court Justices preside over the impeachment trial, where the President is allowed to have a defense. The Chief Justice will deliver the Court's recommendatory verdict, though other Justices may offer dissenting statements. After listening to the Supreme Court's verdict, the Senate must vote a supermajority to remove the President from power. Failure to reach a supermajority means the President retains office and may not be tried for the same offense again for the duration of his term. If a Senate supermajority is reached, the President is removed effective immediately, and the Vice President assumes the role. The Chief Justice will then immediately after the trial administer the Oath of Office to the Vice President, who then assumes the office of the Presidency for the rest of the term. 
 

The President of the Republic stands as the chief executive and commander-in-chief, entrusted with the solemn duty of upholding the Constitution, ensuring the faithful execution of all federal laws, and the common safety of the Republic. The office is deliberately constrained by the intricate system of checks and balances, and the President may not serve more than two terms, each for five years. The President directs the operations of the executive branch, overseeing all federal agencies and departments, and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the government, ensuring that policies are implemented efficiently and effectively. The President holds the power to propose legislation to the Congress, thereby influencing the national policy agenda, and is obligated to deliver an annual "State of the Republic" address, outlining the nation's condition and recommending legislative priorities. The President possesses the power of veto over legislation passed by Congress, which can be overridden by a supermajority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. As Commander-in-Chief of the Josevian Armed Forces, the President directs military operations, and has ultimate authority as the supreme commander of the military, though he is advised by a General Staff, and the power to formally declare war resides exclusively with the Congress. The President is the primary representative of Josevia in international relations, negotiating treaties (subject to Senate ratification) and conducting diplomatic affairs. The President may issue executive orders provided they remain consistent with the Constitution and existing federal statutes, and these orders may be challenged in the Supreme Court of Justice. The President retains the power to grant pardons and clemency for federal offenses, except in cases of impeachment, and Congress may not override pardons.

Presidential & Military Chain of Command

The President is the Supreme Commander of the Defense Forces and has ultimate authority on all military affairs, for all branches, including domestic and military intelligence and counterintelligence, but only Congress may declare war. Supreme command flows from the President to the Vice President, and if both are incapacitated, the Speaker of the House, and after him, the Secretary of State. If all four are incapacitated, the Secretary of Defense followed by the Secretary of the Treasury must accept supreme command; none are allowed to reject supreme command if their turn in the chain arises, and it is against federal law for any replacement to violate the order of command, meaning these men would assume the office of the Presidency without delay, let or hinderance.

III. History and Culture 
 
Centuries of autocratic rule by the Josevian monarchy bred discontent. The elite lived lavishly while the majority struggled to afford bread. The monarchy issued a royal edict seizing surplus grain, though this would have catastrophic consequences when a famished farmer named Elias Cordero, working with bleeding hands and skipping meals to feed his children, raised his scythe against the royal guards, desperation and defiance in his eyes. His neighbors rallied around him, but all were mercilessly slaughtered, along with their families, and their properties burnt to the ground. At that point the furious cry of a heroic people resounded across the nation. The monarchy attempted to maintain control but found itself overwhelmed by violent rioting. Brothers took up arms against brothers, fathers against sons. The monarchy, desperate to maintain control, resorted to brutal tactics: mass arrests, summary executions, unmarked graves where bodies were stacked in the hundreds. The war raged for five long years, draining the nation's resources and leaving a mountain of bodies and a river of tears. Josevia would lose more than half of its male population to war. 

Bilingualism is commonplace, with most citizens speaking both English and Spanish due to cultural mixes. Both languages are freely interspoken and used by a majority of the population on a regular basis. However, the Republic does not have a de juré official language, and will refrain from showing favoritism, instead promoting the learning and use of both languages.