Editing Belarum (section)

==Government and politics==
Belarum is a constitutional federal republic which drew its government from many examples, most notably Ancient Greece and the Roman Republic. Voting is not compulsory, and the Federal Republic has suffered a relative decline in voter participation since 1984, although the 2008 Elections attracted 76% of those eligible to vote. Those 18 and older who are citizens of the Federal Republic are eligible to vote.

The capital city of the Federal Republic is Bastia, which was built in the early years of Belarum's existence in order to accommodate the executive, legislative, and judicial branches as an administrative zone.

===Executive branch===
All executive power at the federal level is vested in the President of the Federal Republic, who selects a cabinet of ministers to aid him or her in running the government with the "advice and consent" of the Senate. The President of the Federal Republic is elected by popular vote with a running mate who serves as Vice President to a four year term, and is eligible to serve for three consecutive terms. The President is the head of state and government, as well as chief citizen, chief diplomat, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

The President of the Federal Republic is tasked by the Constitution to "carry out the laws passed by the Senate in good faith". The President has veto power, which he or she may exercise at his discretion. If the President uses a veto, it takes 2/3 majority in the Senate to override it. The President also has the power to appoint judges to the High Courts of the Federal Republic.

===Legislative branch===
The legislative branch of the Federal Republic is a bicameral body made up of a lower house and upper house: Parliament and the Senate respectively. The legislature is made up of 600 members (480 members of Parliament and 120 senators) directly elected by the people through first past the post simple majority. Parliament elects a speaker, who presides over that body and sets the legislative agenda and is also the second in the line of Presidential succession. The Senate is led officially by the Vice President of the Federal Republic, although the office is vested with little actual power. In the event of a tie, the Vice President is brought in to cast a vote.

Members of Parliament propose bills, which if voted for by a simple majority move to the Senate. The Senate may vote to either pass a bill, which sends it to the President's desk for his signing, or may vote to reject a bill. If the President vetoes a bill, the veto can be overridden by a 2/3 majority vote in both Parliament and the Senate. The Senate also has to confirm important nominations to the executive and judicial branches made by the President of the Federal Republic. Nominated candidates for such positions are confirmed by a simple majority.

===Judiciary branch===
The judicial branch is made up of the High Court, the highest legal authority in the Federal Republic. The High Court is made up of seven judges, one of whom is elevated to the position of Chief Justice. The other six are usually referred to as Associate Justices. It is the duty of the High Court to interpret the constitutionality of the laws passed by the Senate and carried out by the President, also known as "judicial review". Cases on which the High Court adjudicate set legal precedent throughout Belarum, and their decisions are binding.

Justices of the High Court are appointed by the President of the Federal Republic and must be confirmed by simple majority by the Senate before they can take their appointed position. Once appointed, justices serve for a one term period of ten years, after which they are required to leave the High Court.

===Political parties===