Valenciennes Provincial Constitution
Enacted Oct. 2005

Preamble

We, the people of Valenciennes Province, in acknowledgement that the highest point of law in our province is the Constitution of the Empire of the Alexandrians, seeking only to compliment the Imperial Constitution and to make clear the specific institutions of our Province, hereby submit, His Imperial Majesty and to the reader, the Valenciennes Provincial Constitution.


Article One – Valenciennes Province

1. THE EMPIRE. The Province of Valenciennes reaffirms their position, although acting in deep federation, as a part of the Empire of the Alexandrians.
1.1. The citizens of the province, despite participating in institutions acting in deep federation, reaffirm their status as loyal subjects of His Imperial Majesty.
1.2. The citizens of the province, despite the freedom to organise as they see fit, understand that they must act in a way that does not contravene the Imperial Constitution.

2. LANGUAGE. The province is bilingual recognising both English, for everyday business and French, for more formal occasions.

3. RELIGION. Citizens of our province are free to practice any religion they wish, without fear of reprisals.


Article Two – The Valenciennes Provincial Parliament

1. GENERAL. The Provincial Parliament has the power to legislate over all issues relating to the province itself.
1.1 Everybody who is a citizen of the province may participate in parliamentary discussions, unless serving a suspension for breaking the law.
1.2 The Emperor is allowed to comment in the discussions but no other member of the Royal Family or citizen of Alexandria may participate without the unanimous consent of the parliament.

2. OFFICERS OF THE PARLIAMENT Before the start of each session a member must be elected to the position of First Minister of the Valenciennes Provincial Parliament. It is the role of the First Minister to lead and co-ordinate the government of the Province.
2.1 The First Minister must not be an elected member of the national legislature but may be partisan.
2.2 The First Minister is elected to a three [3] month term, upon the expiration of said term elections shall be held, as per statute, to fill the Office of the First Minister.
2.3 The location and method of election for the First Minister shall be determined by statute.
2.4 The Speaker of the Provincial Parliament is vested with the power to keep order and conduct the business put before the Parliament.
2.5 The Speaker is elected to fill the office until the end of the Provincial Parliament's session.

3. LEGISLATING. This Constitution hereby vests the powers of legislation in a Provincial Parliament of Valenciennes comprising of all its registered residents, excluding those serving suspensions for law-breaking and members of the Royal Family.
3.1 A bill of law introduced to the Provincial Parliament shall be allowed no more than ten (10) days for discussion and consideration, and no less than two (2) days unless a special motion is passed by seventy-five percent (75%) of the Parliament in favour of fast-tracking a bill of law.
3.2 Unless moved by a member of the Parliament, voting is commenced by the Speaker of the Provincial parliament for no less than one (1) day and no more than three (3).
3.3 Members of the Parliament are allowed one vote for each measure or bill of law introduced, these votes being either '[oui]' in favour, '[non]' in opposition or '[abstain]' as a vote neither in favour or opposition.
3.4 A bill of law is enacted by the Provincial Parliament when it receives more than fifty-one percent (51%) of its membership in favour of it, unless the content of the bill, by it's own provision or by the National or Provincial Constitution, require the support of more.
3.5 Only three items of business may be before the Provincial Parliament at one time.

4. EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY. This Constitution hereby vests the powers of executive authority in the First Minister of Valenciennes.
4.1 The First Minister has executive authority over the Acts of Parliament.
4.2 The First Minister has the power to appoint members to a Provincial Executive with the confidence of the Parliament.
4.3 Members of the Provincial Executive may be removed with a vote of no confidence by no less than sixty-six percent (66%) of the Provincial Parliament.


Article Three – Judiciary

1. TEMPORARY PROVISIONS. Until such a time that the province can organise its own judiciary, it will be relying upon the support of the Interior Ministry and the Imperial Judiciary to enforce local laws.


Article Four – Amendments

1. AMENDMENTS. The Provincial Constitution may be amended whenever necessary.
1.2 Amendments are to be conducted in the same manner as a normal legislative bill, as stated in article 2.3.-2.3.3, but when being voted upon are subject to the provisions of article 4.2.

2. VOTING. In order to pass a constitutional amendment there must be obtained a two-thirds plus one [citizen] majority.