The Fundamental Law

The State of Eldoria is a sovereign, indivisible and neutral state. Its motto is ‘By Fire, by Steel, by Time’. Its political capital is Aldara, and its judicial capital is Tavisky.

Sovereignty rests with the people. They exercise it through their representatives in the National Assembly, in their local authorities and regions, and through the institutions established by this Act.

The State guarantees the nation’s security, the freedom of its people and the common good. It cannot demand greater authority without offering greater security.

No one, whatever their position, is above the law. Every holder of public office is personally accountable for their decisions.

Corruption on the part of a public official is a betrayal of the nation. It is punished as such.

All citizens are born and remain equal before the law, without distinction as to origin, sex, clan or religion.

There is freedom of speech and of the press. Anyone may criticise the government, its laws and its leaders. The only offences punishable by law are incitement to violence, defamation and the disclosure of defence secrets.

Conscience is free. Everyone is free to believe, not to believe, and to practise their religion in private or in public, provided they respect public order. 3 religions — Christianity, Buddhism and Shinto — have official status; none is imposed. (1997 version.)

Private property is inviolable. No one may be deprived of it except where there is a public necessity established by law, and in return for fair and prior compensation. The unauthorised occupation of another person’s property does not create any rights.

A person’s home is inviolable. Anyone who defends their home, family, pets or property against an intrusion is presumed to be acting in self-defence.

Any adult citizen with no serious criminal convictions may possess and carry a weapon, subject to the conditions laid down by law.

Everyone is free to start a business, engage in trade and own the means of their labour. The State protects competition and strategic sectors relating to national defence.

Citizens may assemble and form associations freely, without prior authorisation, provided they do so without weapons or violence.

Education is free and compulsory from the age of 5 to 18. Healthcare is free for all nationals. Public transport is free.

Everyone is presumed innocent until their guilt has been established by a final judgement. They have the right to a lawyer from the moment of their arrest and to be tried within a reasonable time.

The Supreme Head of State leads the government, commands the armed forces, conducts foreign affairs, appoints senior judges and holds sole authority over the use of nuclear weapons.

His successor is chosen from a shortlist of candidates drawn up by the World Intelligence Service. The Head of State makes the selection; the Conseil Exécutif de Continuité (Executive Council of Continuity), known as the succession chamber, confirms it.

In the event of death or incapacity without a confirmed successor, the succession chamber shall assume interim leadership and shall itself select the Head of State from the shortlist drawn up by the SRM.

The Head of State either enacts laws passed by the National Assembly or vetoes them. He may dissolve the Assembly; new elections must be held within 60 days.

The government consists of the Head of State and the ministers appointed by him. It is responsible for the nation’s policy.

The government draws up the national budget on its own, so that it can act swiftly. It presents it each year to the National Assembly, which may question it.

Taxes are introduced, amended or abolished by an Act passed by the National Assembly and promulgated by the Head of State. No tax may be levied without this dual approval.

The National Assembly comprises 300 members, elected for a five-year term by direct universal suffrage by citizens of mainland France and the Overseas territories.

Only those parties that have obtained at least 5% of the votes – and no more than the top 6 – are represented. Seats are allocated amongst them on a proportional basis. No party may hold more than 80 seats; any excess seats are distributed amongst the other represented parties. Parties not represented may attend sittings, speak in committees and table motions, but have no right to vote.

The party that comes out on top chairs the Assembly. The order of votes determines speaking time and the order in which proposals are considered.

The Assembly proposes and passes laws. A law vetoed by the Head of State may be resubmitted an unlimited number of times.

The Member of Parliament who drafted a law that has been passed is liable for it. If that law causes serious harm through carelessness or negligence, he or she may be declared ineligible for election and ordered to pay compensation, in accordance with the law.

The territory is organised into regions and municipalities. There are no other levels of administration.

Each local authority elects its council and mayor for a five-year term. It governs itself freely and approves its own budget. The State may intervene to provide funding, offer support or restore its financial stability.

The regional assembly brings together all the mayors in the region. It elects a mayor from amongst its members to chair the assembly for a five-year term.

Aldara, the nation’s capital, has no local council. It is administered directly by the government.

Each overseas island or territory — Socotra, Aden, the Andaman Islands, Cape Verde and others — constitutes a region governed by the same system as the metropolis. The overseas states — Katanga, Zambia, Gabon — retain their own institutions, governed in part by Aldara; they delegate defence, currency and strategic resources to it and do not elect members of parliament. (2001 version.)

Justice is administered on behalf of the people of Eldoria by independent judges. The Tavisky General Court is the supreme court.

The Constitutional Chamber, which is separate from the trial divisions of the General Court, ensures compliance with this Act. It may annul any law or act that contravenes it, including those issued by the Government.

The death penalty may only be imposed for the most serious crimes, on the basis of evidence that leaves no room for doubt, and following confirmation by the General Court. It is never carried out in public.

Any miscarriage of justice is a disgrace to the nation. The victim or their family shall receive a public apology from the government and full compensation. The judge who failed in their duty shall be held to account.

Eldoria practises armed neutrality. It declares war only in response to an attack against itself or against a treaty ally.

Every citizen completes one month’s military service between the ages of 38.

In a state of war, the Government may, by decree, take any measures necessary for the defence of the country. These decrees cease to have effect upon the restoration of peace. The rights set out in Articles 6, 8 and 15 may never be suspended.

Elected representatives and serving ministers receive an allowance ranging from the minimum wage to twice the minimum wage, depending on the post held and the result of the election. They are provided with a driver and only the resources necessary for their expenses.

At the end of their term of office, elected representatives revert to being ordinary citizens. They retain an honorary title, but receive no benefits, no allowance and no services.

Years spent in office do not entitle the holder to any special pension. Like any other citizen, a former elected representative receives the basic pension, which is equal to four-tenths of the minimum wage, plus any pension entitlements accrued through work outside politics.

This Act may be amended on the proposal of the Head of State or the National Assembly. The amendment must be adopted by two-thirds of the Members of Parliament and promulgated by the Head of State.

Articles 4, 5 and 36 may not be amended in any way.