Statute of the Imperial Perpetual Diet This document regulates the rules of the Imperial Perpetual Diet, also known as the Imperial Diet. The Imperial Perpetual Diet includes:
- The House of Imperial States, or Regent's Hall
- The House of Nobility, or Nobility Hall
- The House of the Third Estate
Article 1 - Rights and Duties of the House of Imperial States and the House of Nobility The purpose of these two Houses is written in the Magna Carta, specifically:
- Vote to confirm, modify or abolish Imperial Laws proposed to the Diet;
- Propose laws to the Emperor;
- Discuss other imperial laws which were not proposed into the Diet;
- Advise the Emperor in the governance of the Empire;
- Manage the relations of the provinces of the Empire for its unity;
- Control that the Emperor's decisions do not contradict the Magna Carta, and if it does, cancel it by an official vote.
- In general, serve the role of Consilium that every Noble and Imperial Regent owes to His/Her Imperial Majesty.
Article 2 - The House of the Third Estate CompositionThe House of Third Estate is an assembly of imperial citizens that can be consulted by the Emperor at any time. Citizens can use this room for proposals concerning the stability and improvement of the Empire's provinces and cities.
Election of the Third Estate's Members(1) Members of the Third Estate House are elected at the beginning of an Emperor’s reign by the people in each province according to this paragraph.
(2) Everyone who is not an imperial noble or imperial regent and also not an enemy, traitor, pirate or outlaw may candidate. Vassals of Imperial nobles who are not direct vassals of the emperor may candidate.
(3) The people of each province can elect up to 2 members within the Third Estate
(4) At the beginning of the election procedure, the Imperial Archancellor (or another minister appointed for this work) contacts the provincial regents via the Regent's Hall to commence a period of candidacy of 2 weeks (or 336h) during which a public call is made and imperial citizens are invited to submit their candidacy to their respective regent.
At the end of the period, the list of all candidates is presented by the local regent or the Imperial Archancellor (or the designated minister) in the public place. The vote last 168h.
(5) The vote takes the form of a consultation in the public place of each province (local forum) where inhabitants of each province are invited to take part in the designation of their delegates within the House of the Third Estate. Only InGratibus residents can vote. Imperial nobles and imperial regents are not eligible to vote.
(6) Every imperial citizen has 2 votes, the vote has to be for two different names.
(7) If two candidates competing for second and third place have received the same number of votes, a runoff happens to selects the winner between the two.
(8) If there are only one or two nominations, that province does not need the voting procedure.
(9) In case where a member of the Third Estate resigns or dies, he is replaced by the candidate who attracted the highest number of votes in his province.
(10) A member of the Third Estate who becomes Provincial Regent or direct imperial noble loses his place immediately. The candidate who received the highest number of votes in his province after him in the last election will take his place.
(11) If after any of the previous situations there is no candidate left, a by-election is organized in order to replace the member of the Third Estate House.
Oath of the newly elected members of the Third EstateThe members of the House of Third Estate must take their oath in the Third Estate's House within the Diet. The oath must include a declaration of loyalty to the Empire, and also a promise by the person to contribute and collaborate for the improvement of the provinces and the Empire.
[hrp]I (name and country), as a member of the House of the Third Estate, swear allegiance to the Empire and His/Her Imperial Majesty.
I swear to give my support to this Institution and to always be loyal to the Holy Roman Empire.[/hrp]
Role of the President of the House of Third EstateThe President of the House of Third Estate has the role of presiding over and maintaining order and discipline, as stipulated in this Statute, as well as making sure the members are informed about varous discussions.
Article 3 - Behaviour within the Imperial Perpetual Diet Considering its responsibility the Imperial Diet must be a place of calm and respect in order to work in a peaceful way.
Each member must respect the other members, their ranks, their roles and their ideas.
The President of the Perpetual Imperial Diet can temporarily exclude members from the Imperial Diet for inadmissible behaviour that compromises the works or the ambiance of the chamber for up to 3 days. If the behaviour continues, he can report it to the attention of the Emperor, who will decide either for a longer expulsion period or a punishment.
Article 4 - Duties of the President of the Imperial Perpetual Diet The President of the Imperial Diet must be present and very active and always be available for the nobles and regents.
He has to:
- Manage debates and votes in the Diet:
- The debate in the Imperial Diet lasts at least 7 days;
- The vote in the Imperial Diet lasts at least 168 hours, except in special cases where the terms of the Magna Carta will be respected.
The President of the Imperial Perpetual Diet must also:
- Archive discussions which have been closed or silent for more than a month;
- Inform the members about pertinent informations requiring the councils of the Diet;
- Help each member to contact the Emperor or other Imperial Counselors;
- Listen to each member and report news, complaints or proposals from the Imperial Diet to the Imperial Council;
- Possibility of appointing a Deputy with the agreement of the Emperor. The Deputy has the same duties of the President and he must be an imperial citizen.
Article 5 - Duties of the Members of the Imperial Perpetual Diet All members must be present and active in their respective chambers. Participation in the Imperial Diet is a duty, being part of the oath of Consilium that every Imperial Noble, Regent and members of the House of Third Estate is required to take.
Members have to:
- Participate in discussions;
- Collaborate with the other members by giving their respectful advice (Consilium);
- Obey to Imperial directives (Obsequium) being an active part on them;
- Inform the President of the Imperial Perpetual Diet about problems and dangers in order to obtain help and advice.
Signed and sealed in Strasbourg on ...