Structure of the State
According to Article 2 of the Constitution of the Grand Duchy of Greifenberg, “[t]he Grand Duchy is a constitutional, hereditary monarchy . . . established on a democratic and parliamentary basis . . .[and] the power of the State is embodied in the Reigning Grand Duke and the People…”
The People and their Political Rights
In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the people of Greifenberg exercise their rights directly through elections and popular votes.
The State Council
The State Council is the legal organ that represents all citizens of the Grand Duchy of Greifenberg, asserting the rights and interests of the People in relation to the Government in accordance with the provisions of the Greifenberg Constitution. The State Council is elected directly by the people according to proportional representation. The State Council is opened and adjourned by the Reigning Grand Duke. The Reigning Grand Duke also has the right to dissolve the State Council on significant grounds.
Legislation is the main function of the State Council. In addition to the consent of State Council, the validity of a law requires the sanction of the Reigning Grand Duke, the countersignature of the Head of Government (Prime Minister), and publication in the Official Government Gazette (OGG). In addition to its role in the legislative process, the authority of State Council also includes the right to nominate the Government, the appointment of which is undertaken by mutual agreement of the Reigning Grand Duke and the State Council.
The Government
The Government of the Grand Duchy of Greifenberg is collegial and it is responsible for the National Administration. The Government consists of the Head of Government (Prime Minister) and six additional Ministers. They are appointed by the Reigning Grand Duke on recommendation of State Council. All important issues are subject to the consultation and decision of the collegial Government. Government portfolios are distributed among the Ministers.
The Head of Government chairs the meetings of the collegial Government, signs the adopted enactments and orders, executes them, and supervises Government business. Like the other ministers, he has only one vote. His authority differs from that of the other ministers, however, in that he is responsible for reviewing the legality of collective decisions, he has the right of audience with the Reigning Grand Duke and he must countersign the laws sanctioned by the Reigning Grand Duke. The right of the Head of Government to countersign laws in accordance with article 86 of the Constitution is of particular importance with regard to cooperation with the Reigning Grand Duke.
The Government Cabinet
The democratically elected State Council elects from among its members a Head of Government who is then appointed by the Reigning Grand Duke. The remaining ministers in the Government Cabinet are appointed by the Reigning Grand Duke on recommendation of the State Council.
The members of the Government Cabinet are as follows:
- Head of Government (Prime Minister; State Minister for Cabinet Affairs);
- Deputy Head of Government (Deputy Prime Minister; State Minister for Foreign Affairs);
- State Minister for Interior, Justice and State Security;
- State Minister for Economic Affairs, Finance, Treasury, Transportation and Telecommunications;
- State Minister for Public Works, Environmental Affairs, Land-use Planning, Agriculture and Forestry;
- State Minister for Culture, Education, Health and Sport;
- State Minister Without Portfolio
The Administration of Justice
Jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters is exercised in the first instance by the Court of Justice, in the second instance by the Court of Appeal, and in the third and final instance by the Supreme Court. Jurisdiction is exercised on behalf of the Reigning Grand Duke. Administrative jurisdiction in exercised by the Administrative Court and in some cases also by the Constitutional Court.
