05-04-2026, 05:02 PM
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Baatrynsentii - One of the most ambitious constitutional reform packages since the foundation of the 2nd Republic might now have direct consequences for recently inaugurated President Berke. In one of his first interviews on state TV, our new President announced that if the referendum on the new constitution does not pass, he will resign his position and call for early elections. Supporters and opponents of the new reforms have already presented themselves, with the announcement by the President putting more pressure on their passing.
"These reforms are certainly interesting and i think they might actually be more consequential then most of us might realize right now", says constitutional scholar Dayan Kotyan. "First of all, with what is currently proposed, we simply cant classify the system as parliamentary, semi-presidential or presidential. It will grant the presidency powers to oversee the political scene and guide foreign policy, but it gives the cabinet and new Prime Minister broader powers then we usually see in semi-presidential systems. Personally, i think this vagueness is by design."
The new reforms would change several fundamental structures within the state, all meant to prevent a single layer of government taking over power. Firstly is the seperation of the executive, with the new office of Prime Minister created as a head of government, chairing the Cabinet and being in charge of day to day governing. Different from other semi-presidential systems however is that the Prime Minister is not appointed by the President, instead being both nominated and appointed by the Supreme Congress. Additionally, the president holds no sway whatsoever over the PM, with both offices being seperated by design. Ministers of government meanwhile are all nominated by the Prime Minister and confirmed by congress, with the Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs and State Security being the exception with a presidential nomination.
The Presidency, now elected by Congress, will see a election every five years through popular vote, in a single round. A new term limit is also enacted, with no President to be allowed more then two consecutive terms. Powers of the president are severely limited, with most of his influence in the foreign affairs and defense sphere. In the realm of appointments the President still holds unrestricted appointment powers for security related appointments and the Governor of the Reserve Bank, but all other nominations are to be confirmed by the Supreme Congress.
Provincially the reforms also change fundamental aspects of local governance. Governors of the various provinces will no longer be appointed by the President but will instead be elected by their respective Provincial Assemblies. Governors serve a five year term, with their election coinciding with that of the President. Provincial Assemblies, similar to the Supreme Congress, will be elected every four years through a new system for both called "mixed-member majoritan". In it, the current layour of 200 seats drawn from districts remains for congress, all elected in FPTP elections. What is new are the 150 congressional members elected through a closed-list proportional election, elected in one nationwide constituency. For this election, no treshold exists, allowing parties to gain representation more easily and simultaniously expanding the size of congress.
Due to the size of the reforms, the new Berke government has pledged to put them up for a vote by referendum. With a minimum of 50% of eledgible voters required to vote and a majority of 60% of those that voted to be in favor in order for the reforms to pass, the government is likely facing a challenge in trying to convince the population of the necessity of the reforms. President Berke, seeing the reforms as potentially his most important legacy, has thus tied his fate to its succes. Whether this move will improve the government its succes in passing the reforms remains to be seen.
Tsag Altaai is a public broadcaster based in the port city of Altaai
"These reforms are certainly interesting and i think they might actually be more consequential then most of us might realize right now", says constitutional scholar Dayan Kotyan. "First of all, with what is currently proposed, we simply cant classify the system as parliamentary, semi-presidential or presidential. It will grant the presidency powers to oversee the political scene and guide foreign policy, but it gives the cabinet and new Prime Minister broader powers then we usually see in semi-presidential systems. Personally, i think this vagueness is by design."
The new reforms would change several fundamental structures within the state, all meant to prevent a single layer of government taking over power. Firstly is the seperation of the executive, with the new office of Prime Minister created as a head of government, chairing the Cabinet and being in charge of day to day governing. Different from other semi-presidential systems however is that the Prime Minister is not appointed by the President, instead being both nominated and appointed by the Supreme Congress. Additionally, the president holds no sway whatsoever over the PM, with both offices being seperated by design. Ministers of government meanwhile are all nominated by the Prime Minister and confirmed by congress, with the Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs and State Security being the exception with a presidential nomination.
The Presidency, now elected by Congress, will see a election every five years through popular vote, in a single round. A new term limit is also enacted, with no President to be allowed more then two consecutive terms. Powers of the president are severely limited, with most of his influence in the foreign affairs and defense sphere. In the realm of appointments the President still holds unrestricted appointment powers for security related appointments and the Governor of the Reserve Bank, but all other nominations are to be confirmed by the Supreme Congress.
Provincially the reforms also change fundamental aspects of local governance. Governors of the various provinces will no longer be appointed by the President but will instead be elected by their respective Provincial Assemblies. Governors serve a five year term, with their election coinciding with that of the President. Provincial Assemblies, similar to the Supreme Congress, will be elected every four years through a new system for both called "mixed-member majoritan". In it, the current layour of 200 seats drawn from districts remains for congress, all elected in FPTP elections. What is new are the 150 congressional members elected through a closed-list proportional election, elected in one nationwide constituency. For this election, no treshold exists, allowing parties to gain representation more easily and simultaniously expanding the size of congress.
Due to the size of the reforms, the new Berke government has pledged to put them up for a vote by referendum. With a minimum of 50% of eledgible voters required to vote and a majority of 60% of those that voted to be in favor in order for the reforms to pass, the government is likely facing a challenge in trying to convince the population of the necessity of the reforms. President Berke, seeing the reforms as potentially his most important legacy, has thus tied his fate to its succes. Whether this move will improve the government its succes in passing the reforms remains to be seen.
Tsag Altaai is a public broadcaster based in the port city of Altaai