B-013: THE CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT ACT, 1674

[Speaker Rejo]

THE CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT ACT, 1674
An Act to ensure and secure the preservation, continuity and resilience of the Government of the Republic of Alduria, among other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the duly elected Parliament of the Republic of Alduria assembled, -

Article 1. Citation.

1. This Act shall be officially cited as the Continuity of Government Act, 1674.
   
2. This Act shall apply to the entirety of the Republic of Alduria.
   

Article 2. Continuity of Parliament

1. In case of permanent vacancy or vacancies in Parliament, a special election may be called by resolution of Parliament or by written order of the President, but the Member or Members elected shall only serve for the expired term. This provision shall not apply for vacancies that are made known within two months before the end of the term of the Parliament.
   
2. In the event that the office of Speaker shall fall vacant during Parliament, with Parliament maintaining a quorum, a new election for the office of Speaker shall be immediately held, presided by the outgoing Speaker, or otherwise the most senior Deputy Speaker who is not nominated for the Office of Speaker, or the most senior Member of Parliament, or otherwise, the Prime Minister.
   
3. Whenever the Speaker of the Parliament is temporarily exercising the office of President of the Republic, their powers, authority, and responsibility with respect to Parliament are held in suspense.
   
4. Whenever the Parliament shall be about to convene, and, from the prevalence of contagious sickness, or the existence of other circumstances, it would in the opinion of the President or the Speaker or the presiding Deputy Speaker, be hazardous to the lives or health of the members to meet at the place to which the Parliament shall then stand adjourned, or at which it shall be next by law to meet, the President shall be, and he hereby is authorized, by proclamation, to convene the Parliament at such other place as he may judge proper.
   

Article 3. Continuity of the Presidency

1. The Parliament shall no later than 72 hours after the vacancy in both the offices of the President and Speaker occurs, convene in accordance with its rules without need of a call, immediately elect a Speaker who shall thereafter act as President, and enact a law calling for a special election to elect a President. Appropriations for the special election shall be charged against any current appropriations. The convening of the Parliament cannot be suspended nor the special election postponed.
   

Article 4. Continuity of the Government

1. When the Secretary of a Department shall be unable to exercise their office due to incapacity, vacancy or death, the senior Undersecretary of the Department shall immediately assume their office and authority as Acting Secretary. 
   

Article 5. Continuity of Military Command Authority

1. When the Chief of Staff of any of the Aldurian Armed Forces shall be unable to exercise their office due to incapacity, vacancy, or death, the Deputy Chief of Staff, or most senior officer in rank, shall immediately assume their office and authority as Acting Chief of Staff.
   

Article 6. Commencement, Severability.

1. This act shall not become law until it has received proper constitutional approval.
   
2. The provisions of this act are severable. If any part of this act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, that declaration shall not affect the part which remains.
   

Parliament will now come to order to consider this bill, presented by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government. 

The Chair now recognizes The Prime Minister.

[Alfonso Velez]

Madam Speaker,

This bill represents an important, common sense protection to ensure that the functions of Government continue whenever there are any disruptions. I commend my honourable friend, the Secretary of the Interior, on his excellent work in drafting this bill. I encourage all members of Parliament to support this need common-sense bill to ensure that our great Republic is always governed and able to respond to threats against it.

[Speaker Rejo]

The Chair now opens the floor for general debate. All members may offer debate or amendments at this time. Debate shall last for no less than 48 hours.

[Seydlitz]

Madam Speaker,

I rise with pride today to speak before this august House, and declare to one and all that the strength of the Republic is due to the strength of its citizens, and in the unfortunate times when we - for whatever reason - lose our leader, our citizens may stand confident in the fact that the Republic endures.

I must stress that this measure is but a stopgap, and I give notice that I intend to propose a constitutional amendment to provide a more comprehensive and more cohesive means of ensuring continuity in the government of the Aldurian Republic. 

Whether recognized by citizens or not, we have enemies here and abroad, and we will always remain a target. Ensuring that we have a leader at all times means that our enemies can never win.

I yield.

[Speaker Rejo]

All time for debate has now expired. The question is: Shall Parliament pass the pending bill? Voting shall last for no less than 48 hours

DIVISION: CLEAR THE LOBBIES!

[Alfonso Velez]

AYE

[Seydlitz]

Seydlitz votes Aye

[Alejandro Campos]

Nat-Lib Alliance: AYE

[Alduria]

Social Democrats: AYE.

Communists: AYE.

[Speaker Rejo]

All time for voting has expired. On this vote, the result is as follows:

AYE: 129

L&D: 80
N-LA: 23
NCSD: 21
CPA: 5

NAY: 0

ABSTAIN: 123

NC: 57
EDP: 55
MFA: 11

So the Ayes have it and the bill is passed. The bill now goes to the President for his consideration. Unlock!