Constitution of Salanda

(Constitution of the Kingdom of Salanda)

 (Basic Foundation Laws)

[ ] = Explainer not included in the original constitution document

    ~ Kingdom of Salanda BFL Constitution ~

 ~  Preamble  ~

Ever since declaring independence from the UK on the 22nd of June 2018, the people of the Kingdom of Salanda had willed to become a democracy after abolishing the Absolute Monarchy on the 1st of November 2020, the Kingdom of Salanda had become a democracy and got an uncodified constitution which was on many documents however, due to their displeasure now on the 12th of October 2021 almost a year later, due to the will of the Salandarian people they will now have a codified constitution which shall be written and interpreted on one document only.

This has been bound around Salandarians hearts and this Constitution outlines the will of the Kingdom of Salanda that the people will abide and keep the will and culture outflowing from here and all people who join regardless of skin-colour, gender, ethnicity or religion will be welcomed with open arms into the Salandarian Nation.

                        Article One - The culture of the Kingdom of Salanda

The Kingdom of Salanda defines itself as a Jewish state and will keep all of Judaism though the Kingdom of Salanda lets all religions practise their religions freely. The Kingdom of Salanda will also uphold Salandarian holidays such as Independence Day (celebrated yearly on the 22nd of June) and uphold its own made national holidays. The Kingdom of Salanda’s official and national languages are; Salandan, Hebrew and English, recognised languages are Spanish. The Kingdom of Salanda’s state anthem is ‘Haktikvah’ and the national anthem is ‘Our Great Kingdom’. The Kingdom of Salanda’s currency shall be the Salanda Coins (SC) but the British Pound, Euro and Shekel will be used as well. The Kingdom of Salanda’s national dish is chicken soup. The Kingdom of Salanda’s national animal is the European Collared Dove. The Kingdom of Salanda’s national plant and flower is an Orange Tulip and the Kingdom of Salanda’s national sport is association football. All that is stated in the culture is to be respected by all citizens of the Kingdom of Salanda. Anyone who does not respect the culture could be subject to treason against the Kingdom of Salanda and her people unless they are critical of minor cultural traditions.

                       Article Two - Flag and Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Salanda

The flag of the Kingdom of Salanda shall be orange-white-orange on a portrait tricolour with a yellow sun in the middle of the white and inside the sun shall be two myrtle branches with a red diamond [commonly done with a ruby instead, in the centre]. The flag represents the characteristics of sacrifice and strength, purity and greatness, peace and beauty. The flag shall be designed using a 2:3 flag ratio.

The Coat of Arms shall apply the same design of the flag but it will be a smaller curved version [Coat of Arms of Salanda design expanded further on].

                             Article Three - [Parliament/Tepoelan], Government and Monarchy

The Kingdom of Salanda separates religion and state [in active politics]. The Kingdom of Salanda defines itself as a democracy and a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy meaning that the monarchy does not interfere with the Government and shall remain a constitutional monarchy with no power. Though the [Incumbent] Monarch shall have sovereignty over the Kingdom of Salanda’s land as well as being the head of state and can open Parliament [(Tepoelan)]. From now on the Monarch cannot govern or have anything to do in the Kingdom of Salanda’s politics or institutions of government. [Referring to the Executive, Legislative and Judicial institutions, this isn’t talking about institutions in the sense like the Ministry of the Interior of Salanda etc which are under the Government of Salanda’s control.]

The Parliament of the Kingdom of Salanda [now officially called the Tepoelan meaning Parliament in Salandan] shall be at the Kingdom of Salanda’s capital which shall always remain Salanda City [now officially called Suveste] unless there is something serious where Parliament [Tepoelan] has to be moved away.

The Parliament of the Kingdom of Salanda [Tepoelan] is the ultimate law-making authority of the Kingdom of Salanda, [on this day of this Constitution’s presentation on the days of the twelfth and thirteenth days of October Twenty-Twenty-One until should it be changed] it shall be unicameral [unless amended otherwise which it was as the Tepoelan is now bicameral] with an odd number of seats to ensure a majority with a speaker appointed by a vote in [the] parliament [Tepoelan] at the head. All bills and laws [proposed, meaning proposed Act/Acts of Tepoelan] that are [viewed as of] value and importance [by the Tepoelan] shall require a vote at the Parliament [Tepoelan] and they shall only pass with a majority, if it is 50-50 the bill or law shall not pass thereafter, if it has passed it needs the [Incumbent] Monarch’s signature. There are delegates for each province e.g, 1 delegate per province though the Salanda City Capital Province [now officially known as the Crown Territory of Suveste] shall have twice as many delegates [this can only be implemented and function as such when the provincial framework (which can still apply to Suveste even though it was made a Crown Territory) is in place otherwise the delegates that are elected to the Tepoelan shall be elected via general proportional representation]. 

The Government is elected by the people for the people every two years unless the Government of Salanda decides a vote is needed so it can call an election [even before the two years is up in what is known as a snap election]. Then after it [the Government] is elected it is appointed by the [Incumbent] Monarch [of the Kingdom of Salanda] to serve the Kingdom of Salanda and her people. At the head of government is the Prime Minister who shall lead and govern the Kingdom of Salanda. The Prime Minister shall be able to make minor laws and bills [known as an Executive Order of Salanda] without the need for a vote in Parliament [Tepoelan, provided it is in the framework within an Act of Tepoelan or an explicit mention from this Constitution or a Supreme Court of Salanda ruling]. The Prime Minister shall represent the Kingdom of Salanda diplomatically and the Head of State [normally the Incumbent Monarch of the Kingdom of Salanda] shall represent [ceremonially] the Kingdom of Salanda at domestic and international events. The Government may not have control over the [fundamental framework] over the Institutions of Government [such as the basic structure of the Executive Branches, Legislative Branches and Judicial Branches of Government, this does not apply to Institutions under the Government of Salanda’s control].

The Government must not use its influence [in controlling and using dictatorial policies] over the people or they could be subject to treason and thus an election would be automatically called by the speaker of parliament [Tepoelan now the Speaker of the Chamber of Provincial Emissary, who is neutral]. The Prime Minister and [their] government could be subject to impeachment if found guilty by the Supreme Court [of Salanda].

The Speaker of Parliament [Tepoelan, meaning the speaker of what is now the Chamber of Provincial Emissary], must not have any bias with the government or opposition; if the speaker does, the speaker will be removed by the Supreme Court [of Salanda]. The speaker [of what is now the Chamber of Provincial Emissary] can also be expelled by a 60% vote of the delegates of the Parliament [Tepoelan, this has to be done in both houses of the Tepoelan with a 60% vote or more, in the People’s Channel and the Chamber of Provincial Emissary].

The Government may also be able to appoint ministers and the [political] party [or political parties] in power can replace the Prime Minister [with a new Prime Minister] within the 2-year fixed term.

The leader of the official opposition [as agreed on by the Tepoelan in the Chamber of Provincial Emissary which is the upper house of the Tepoelan] may also appoint shadow ministers should the leader of the official opposition become Prime Minister. 

Other smaller [political] parties [if there are] may not appoint shadow ministers unless they are part of the Government [in the case of confidence and supply] or win a vote that makes them the party in charge.

                                     Article Four - Voting Rights and Age

Everyone [who is] Salandarian is allowed to vote, except if they are in prison or have been tried for treason.

The voting age is what the Salanda Parliament [Tepoelan] decides.

  

                                    Article Five - The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court shall have one supreme court judge [as a framework possibility if needed] who shall be elected by the people [if needed], separate from government elections, the purpose of the Supreme Court Judge [and/or justices in the framework in what is used] is to interpret the Constitution of Salanda [Basic Foundation Laws (of Salanda)] fairly and truthfully. The Supreme Court Judge [or Chief Justice and the Associate Justices] can also make laws [known as Constitutional Inferences, that are based directly off an inference from the Constitution of Salanda] to protect the people of the Kingdom of Salanda. [In the other framework the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Salanda shall be appointed by the Government of Salanda with the other Associate Justices being either elected or appointed by the people, Government of Salanda and Opposition with the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices serving for two years until they are re-elected or re-appointed.]

The Supreme Court Judge [or Chief Justice and Associate Justices if they are in the framework that is used] can be removed by a vote and expelled by the people without a vote should they commit serious crimes of high treason or immoral crimes.

The Supreme Court [of Salanda] shall be seated in the capital of the Kingdom of Salanda which shall remain Salanda City [now officially known as and called Suveste] unless something serious occurs where the Supreme Court [of Salanda] will have to be moved.

                              Article Six - Armed Forces and Secret Services

The Armed Forces and Secret Services of the Kingdom of Salanda shall only be used for defensive purposes and not offensive purposes. They will serve the Kingdom of Salanda and a portion of the annual budget will go to them. The Commander in Chief [in that they shall have control and give directives to the Armed Forces and Secret Services] is the Prime Minister and the army and secret service [ceremonial] Governor [of the Armed Forces and Secret Services] is the [Incumbent] Monarch of the Kingdom of Salanda.

                           Article Seven - Salanda Police and Border Force

The police and border force of the Kingdom of Salanda shall serve and protect the Kingdom of Salanda [and her people]. They are authorised by the Constitution [of Salanda] to use force when they feel necessary but are forbidden if it breaches Moral Law or has discrimination. The Commander in Chief [in that they shall have control and give directives to the Salanda Police and Border Force] is the Prime Minister and the ceremonial Governor [of the Salanda Police and Border Force] is the [Incumbent] Monarch of the Kingdom of Salanda.

  

                                       Article Eight - Salanda Agencies  

The Kingdom of Salanda’s agencies such as transport and space agencies are to be under direct control of the Kingdom of Salanda’s government or local governments, should they be implemented. They will receive a portion of the annual budget.

                                     

                                      Article Nine - Freedom of Speech

The Kingdom of Salanda will respect freedom of speech and non-violent protests but will only accept in the terms that it does not go into racism and violence, if it goes into racism and violence, action will be taken.

                                  

                                             Article Ten - Education

The education in the Kingdom of Salanda will be managed by the Kingdom of Salanda’s education ministry [which is under the Government of Salanda and is an institution and a Salanda agency]. Salandarians who get education from the Kingdom of Salanda will learn about its Culture and History, Maths, Science, English, Salandan, Geography and History (not including Salandarian History which is a different topic [as mentioned earlier in this Article]), Art and Cooking. There will be optional lessons as well such as [politics, which is now offered,] coding and dancing offered by the Education Ministry of the Kingdom of Salanda.

The education of the Kingdom of Salanda is not compulsory, to not Kingdom of Salanda born citizens, there is an age requirement of six years [old], but no age limit.

The Education Ministry [of the Kingdom of Salanda] shall be funded by the annual budget of the Kingdom of Salanda.

                                          Article Eleven - Healthcare

The health and hospital sector [of Salanda] will look after the wellbeing of Salandarian Citizens [in Salanda and foreign peoples in Salanda] and Salandarians will and have the right to free healthcare [which shall be covered by taxes issued by the Government of Salanda], it will also maintain Salandarian Hospitals [should they be set up].

The health and hospital sector [of Salanda] shall be funded by the annual budget of the Kingdom of Salanda.

                                         Article Twelve - Treasury

The Treasury of the Kingdom of Salanda shall be responsible for the economy and budget of the Kingdom of Salanda, its head shall be the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is chosen to serve by the Prime Minister and [who] shall be appointed in [the] position ceremonially by the [Incumbent] Monarch of the Kingdom of Salanda. [The Treasury of the Kingdom of Salanda shall hold the annual budget of the Kingdom of Salanda.] 

                                       Article Thirteen - Budget

The Budget of the Kingdom of Salanda shall usually be passed by the Government of the Kingdom of Salanda [known simply as the Government of Salanda] on each Independence Day on June 22nd at 23:59 pm, if the budget fails to pass, new elections shall be held the following week.

The budget’s portions shall be decided by the Government [of Salanda] and be acted on, the budget will fund ministries and agencies [the Institutions of Salanda] such as the education ministry and the transport agency, the army and ministry of defence for example. 

An emergency add-on can be passed should there be a crisis in the Kingdom of Salanda, it can be added automatically by the Government of the Kingdom of Salanda [known simply as the Government of Salanda].

                         Article Fourteen - Provinces and Territories 

A new province can be added to [Salanda] in the Salanda Parliament [Tepoelan] by a 60% vote in favour, a province is ceremonial and will have no government, the central government will be responsible for the provinces [though the framework of a province’s governance can be changed].

Once a province is added it cannot be removed [ever, in any circumstances from Salanda’s sovereignty] even if the Salanda Parliament [Tepoelan] wants it to, though they can downgrade it to a territory [of Salanda].

A territory cannot be removed [ever, in any circumstances from Salanda’s sovereignty] either from the Kingdom of Salanda, even if the Salanda Parliament [Tepoelan] wants it to.

A territory can be upgraded to a province of the Kingdom of Salanda, should the Salanda Parliament [Tepoelan] want it to. [Other territorial acquirements under Salandarian protection that do not have the status of province or territory such as protectorates of Salanda can be removed, though now province or territory cannot ever under any circumstances be downgraded to a protectorate of Salanda.]

                                         Article Fifteen - Moral Laws

Citizens of the Kingdom of Salanda must not do harmful acts or steal from one another especially to children who are [specifically] protected by this Constitution, those who do these harmful acts will have serious punishments [imposed upon them].

Citizens of the Kingdom of Salanda may not do acts on one another that are deemed personal unless they consent, the consenting age is eighteen.

                                    Article Sixteen - Treasonous Crimes

[The following bulleted points are considered treasonous crimes:]

• Spreading secret information of the Kingdom of Salanda to other countries.

• Spying for other countries on the Kingdom of Salanda to other countries.

• Collaborating with enemies and adversaries of the Kingdom of Salanda.

• Breaking Moral Laws

• Jeopardising democracy and judgement.

• Trying to get a Salandarian Province [or territory] to break away, and/or make into another sovereign state. [Trying to get a Salandarian Protectorate to also break away or and/or make it into a sovereign state without authorisation by the Tepoelan also known informally as the Parliament of Salanda, is also a treasonous crime.]

All acts above and that are considered treason by the Supreme Court [of Salanda] shall be acted on accordingly with the state punishments [accordingly] in the next section [article].

                                  Article Seventeen - Punishments

The punishments of breaking the rules and laws of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Salanda [known simply as the Constitution of Salanda or Basic Foundation Laws which this Constitution] vary such as suspension of citizenship [of Salanda] and prison time as well as a permanent expulsion and revocation of Salandarian Citizenship.

A person may be pardoned if they were wrongly judged by the Supreme Court Judge [or Chief Justice and Associate Justices in a vote in the Supreme Court, depending on what framework system is used]. The Prime Minister and the [Incumbent] Monarch of the Kingdom of Salanda [and the Crown of Salanda] may not and do not have the right to pardon people.

                   Article Eighteen - Citizenship

[Salandarian Citizenship is open to all who accept Salanda’s values.] People from other countries can [also] apply to be a representative of the Kingdom of Salanda [to other countries] if approved by the Kingdom of Salanda.

To become a citizen of the Kingdom of Salanda one must declare to protect and defend the Kingdom of Salanda whenever necessary or called upon by the Kingdom of Salanda and to respect by the laws and Constitution of the Kingdom of Salanda [this Constitution]. If they accept, they will officially have become a citizen of the Kingdom of Salanda. [Following the passage of the Twentieth Amendment of the Constitution of Salanda (Basic Foundation Laws of Salanda) this article will have its meaning changed that even if the people gaining citizenship haven’t said those words directly it shall be taken that by gaining citizenship they have affirmed the words of Article Eighteen and will apply it to gain Citizenship of Salanda even if it is indirect].  

 Article Nineteen - Treaties and Foreign Policy

The Kingdom of Salanda will respect all treaties [that do not breach this Constitution] and its foreign policy will not change unless the Salanda Parliament [Tepoelan] or Supreme Court [of Salanda] will otherwise.

The Kingdom of Salanda will establish diplomatic relations with any sovereign entity that wants to establish diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Salanda, [unless they breach this Constitution, of which diplomatic relations with the said entity or entities will be rejected] that is the official foreign policy of the Kingdom of Salanda.

                                               Article Twenty - Notes

The constitution may be amended only if 80% of the delegates of the Salanda Parliament [Tepoelan] agree [this sentence is inferred, on and in the Constitutional Inference later on in the Constitutional Inference on what is a delegate of the Tepoelan]. If this Constitution is to be amended non-government officials [and] all editors to this Constitution must swear to preserve the democracy and will of the Salandarian People, this sentence may not under any circumstances be removed from the Constitution.

The Kingdom of Salanda shall be committed to give charity and aid, including foreign aid, to those the Kingdom of Salanda feels are in need [of charity and aid].

The name ‘Salanda’ may not be changed under any circumstances, though ‘Kingdom of’ can change if the Salandarian people want it to.

                                                     Final Words

The citizens of the Kingdom of Salanda will now follow the Constitution of the Kingdom of Salanda [this constitution] and promise to abide by its rules and laws [as set out by this Constitution], they will make sure to look after it and preserve it for generations to come, to ensure that the Kingdom of Salanda maintains its democracy and freedom.

Signature of the [Incumbent] Monarch of the Kingdom of Salanda:

Reuben I, Incumbent Monarch of the Kingdom of Salanda (Head of the Constitution of Salanda - Basic Foundation Laws commission)

  ~ Repealed sections of the Constitution of Salanda (Basic Foundation Laws) and [old] semi-constitutional elements of Salanda [(prior to the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Salanda)] ~

Originally Part of Article Eighteen - Citizenship of the Original Document of the Constitution of Salanda (Basic Foundation Laws):

‘The Kingdom of Salanda makes citizenship exclusive to people who live near the Kingdom of Salanda though’ [(repealed by later Amendments to the Constitution of Salanda (Basic Foundation Laws)]

Originally Part of the Sixth Article of the First Amendment to the Constitution of Salanda (Basic Foundation Laws):

‘Legislation passed by the Parliament of the Kingdom of Salanda cannot be struck down by a higher power such as the Supreme Court whose job is to interpret the Constitution of Salanda and the Monarchy, people who try to do this will be punished within the framework of this Constitution’ [(repealed by the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution of Salanda (Basic Foundation Laws) giving the Supreme Court of Salanda the power to strike down Acts of Tepoelan in a court case, though as Salanda is a democracy the Monarchy of Salanda does not have the power to strike down any legislation made or done or proposed by the Tepoelan at all and does not have the power to strike down any Executive Orders of Salanda at all as well)]

Originally positioned Article One of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of Salanda:

‘Crossing the floor is banned as well as defecting to one party from another, if one wishes to express strong disagreement they can only resign and the party they are in can replace them. This will maintain government and parliamentary stability.’ [(repealed by Amendment Twelve to the Constitution of Salanda (Basic Foundation Laws) allowing for crossing the floor)]

Originally part of the Establishing of Two Chambers of the Tepoelan Act of 2022:

‘With the Opposition being able to nominate two’ [(repealed by the Nautical Act of Salanda of 2022 allowing the general public of Salanda i.e, Citizens of Salanda to elect one Supreme Court of Salanda Justice in a special election)]

Originally Article Two (oldly positioned Article Two) of the second amendment of the Constitution of Salanda (Basic Foundation Laws of Salanda:

‘Article Two - Oath of Allegiance - part of the citizenship section

I, {Insert Name}, hereby declare that I will be loyal to the Kingdom of Salanda and rise to protect it whenever necessary, I will keep and respect its Constitution and all its laws and preserve its integrity for generations to come and that I take that I have not taken this oath to escape justice, so now I will be accepted as a Salandarian citizen.’

The paragraph above is essential to become a Salandarian citizen [and to regain Salandarian citizenship] and it is customary for it to be done in the presence of a Salandarian flag [in the room that they are doing it in] however this is not a must [i.e, to have it done in the presence of a Salandarian flag is not obligated] and is tradition.

If people are found to be violating the Oath of Allegiance [i.e, if they are in breach of it intentionally] of (the Kingdom of) Salanda then they are subject to treason [against Salanda and her people] meaning that their Salandarian citizenship will be stripped off them and permanently revoked and they will face severe punishments and be served sentences by the Supreme Court of (the Kingdom of) Salanda.

If someone is taking the oath [of allegiance of Salanda] but in the middle, they decide that they don’t want to be a Salandarian citizen [after all], then they can simply say ‘I {Insert Name} rescind what I have said so far’ it can also be said [and work] if someone decides they [actually after all] want to stay instead of dropping their [Salandarian] citizenship.

If one wants to stop being a [Salandarian] citizen, [traditionally] they have to be in the presence of two people [although this is customary] and it is also customary [in this case] to have a Salandarian flag in the room [that they are doing it in] just [in the chance by tradition] if they have any last thoughts what they say [or think about] to rescind their [Salandarian] citizenship [of which the sentence of the self-revocation of Salandarian Citizenship is below]:

‘I, {Insert Name}, wish to rescind my oath of allegiance to the Kingdom of Salanda meaning I want to end my citizenship to the Kingdom of Salanda.’

After they have said the [sentence] above [this one] their citizenship is automatically revoked. If after they change their mind after their [Salandarian] citizenship is revoked and they want to regain their [Salandarian] citizenship as a Salandarian citizen [then], they will need to apply again but their application [for Salandarian citizenship] will be reviewed fairly by [the state].

As all stated above (the Kingdom of) Salanda will treat all citizen [of Salanda] applications fairly [by reviewing them fairly].

Citizenship applications will be reviewed by the Supreme Court [of Salanda].

If a person has a criminal record their application for Salandarian citizenship will be rejected [by the Supreme Court of Salanda].’