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THE SENATE.

The Senate holds part of the legislative power. It has five hundred seats, half of which are elected by the Silver and Gold citizens every five years, while the other half are appointed by the Pope.

Any senator, or group of senators, from any party may set in motion the process of creating a law.

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• If a bill proposed by a senator from The Cross affects state citizens ONLY, no debate takes place in the Senate: the bill goes straight to the Pope for final approval. Once approved, the law is carried out by the Concistoro (the government). If, however, the bill affects corporate citizens as well — whether or not corporate senators had a hand in drafting it — the debate is extended to the corporate senators. If it passes, the law is then executed by the Concistoro.

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• If a corporate senator introduces a bill affecting corporate citizens ONLY, it is debated among the corporate senators alone. If it passes, the law is promulgated and enforced by the government without the Pope's approval. If, however, the bill affects state citizens as well — whether or not The Cross's senators had a hand in drafting it — the debate is extended to The Cross's senators. If approved, the matter goes to the Pope for the final word, and he may accept or reject it at his discretion.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT.

An independent institution made up of ten politically unaffiliated judges, evenly split between five state citizens and five corporate citizens, all elected by the parties.

The Constitutional Court is responsible for determining whether a bill affects both categories of citizens or only one.

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THE PARTIES.

There are currently four parties in the Senate:

 

• The Cross: the party of two hundred and fifty senators, half appointed by the Pope and half elected by the citizens of the state.

• The Golden Triangle: holding 20% of the seats, it maintains that a liberal corporatocracy is the best form of government.

• Italy Reborn: a liberal party holding 18% of the seats.

• Associazione Pro-Metaumani (APM): the only left-wing socialist party, holding just 12% of the seats. It fights for the working class and holds dear the rights of non-humans, in fierce opposition to the current theocracy. (These seats now sit vacant, ever since the Pope outlawed the party, holding it responsible for numerous terrorist attacks.)

THE CONCISTORO.
The executive branch, composed of thirty cardinals appointed by the Pope.

 

• It commands the police forces.

• It provides the Pope with technical support in the lawmaking process.

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Within the Concistoro is a smaller circle of cardinals who form the Small Council: six Papal Councilors, each heading one of the six ministries, who advise the Pope.

 

THE POPE.

The spiritual ruler and King of the Papal States, elected by the Conclave. He may enact or reject any bill concerning the regulation of state citizens.

 

In addition:

• He oversees the diplomats.

• He commands the army and is the only one who can declare war.

• He appoints and removes the members of the Concistoro and of the Small Council.

• He enacts laws of his own, which may govern state citizens but never corporate citizens.