Foundation (2008)
Francisville was founded by James Stewart by the adoption of the First Constitution on 28 November 2008. The form of state adopted differed considerably from model of constitutional monarchy which later developed. Founded provisionally as a powerful elective monarchy, the roles of head of state and nominal head of government were merged into the office of the Archduke (or Grand Duke, if some National Honour was held by the office holder) who acted as an executive prince-president. The constitutional structure was based on a modified semi-presidential system. Executive power rested primarily with the Archduke but it was partly shared with a Prime Minister elected by the lower house. Legislative power was vested in a bicameral legislature consisting of the lower House of Representatives, elected every two years by the method of open list proportional representation, and the upper House of Peers, appointed by the Archduke upon the recommendation of a Grand Appointments Committee comprised of the Members of the House of Representatives and selected local officials. All legislation had to originate in the House of Representatives before being placed before the House of Peers for secondary review. Any legislation referred back to the lower house could be passed with a two-third majority of the Representatives. The House of Peers also had the authority to impeach the Archduke by unanimous vote. However, Emergency Article I.vii. of the constitution granted the Archduke executive authority over all non-consitutional affairs in circumstances of war, political disfunction, or low citizenship.
The founding political system had been intended to provide a basic model of stable government during the founding months of the Democratic Duchy. Early criticism of this model was the lack of purpose or principle it gave to the nation during this foundational period. James I, serving as the first Archduke of Francisville, pursued policies which focused primarily on establishing the nation within the international community and the gradual transition to a functioning parliamentary democracy. Francisville gained membership of the recently founded Grand Unified Micronational on 8 January 2009 with the Archduke assuming his position as Delegate to the Quorum. Following the First Constitutional Assembly on 16 January, the Second Constitution was adopted and the political system transitioned towards a model of constitutional monarchy in the form of a Grand Duchy whereby the Grand Duke served as head of state and a more powerful Prime Minister was elected to serve as the head of government. The bicameral parliament was abolished in favour of a unicameral National Assembly. The emergency clause was not removed from this updated constitution thereby allowing the Grand Duke to assume the office of de facto Prime Minister during the subsequent session of the National Assembly.
The founding political system had been intended to provide a basic model of stable government during the founding months of the Democratic Duchy. Early criticism of this model was the lack of purpose or principle it gave to the nation during this foundational period. James I, serving as the first Archduke of Francisville, pursued policies which focused primarily on establishing the nation within the international community and the gradual transition to a functioning parliamentary democracy. Francisville gained membership of the recently founded Grand Unified Micronational on 8 January 2009 with the Archduke assuming his position as Delegate to the Quorum. Following the First Constitutional Assembly on 16 January, the Second Constitution was adopted and the political system transitioned towards a model of constitutional monarchy in the form of a Grand Duchy whereby the Grand Duke served as head of state and a more powerful Prime Minister was elected to serve as the head of government. The bicameral parliament was abolished in favour of a unicameral National Assembly. The emergency clause was not removed from this updated constitution thereby allowing the Grand Duke to assume the office of de facto Prime Minister during the subsequent session of the National Assembly.
MODERN ERA (2009-2010)
The First Constitution had not established the right of Francisville to establish territorial claims on the grounds that nationhood was based on the sovereign rights of the people as a national community rather than on the basis of territorial borders. The Archducal Executive had merely established a system of national parks whereby protected land areas could be used as a base for the nation's activities. The Second Constitution broke with this philosophy and allowed established territorial areas to be claimed by the Duchy, beginning with the establishment of the Municipalities of Dalcross and Dallaschyle. These territories were later reformed into two municipalities and one province. The Franillian Franc was also established as the official currency. Francillian domestic politics otherwise focused on the perceived deficiencies of the Second Constitution leading to the Third Constitution being brought into force on 5 March 2009. Reforms introducted including more extensive constitutional protections of individual rights, the restructuring of the judiciary, and the introduction of layers of local government. Inspite of the reforms, a proposed General Election in April 2009 was cancelled. A consensus was reached that further reforms should be introduced to streamline the constitutional structure of the national government and end the Grand Duke's emergency powers.
Following the recommendations of a Second Constitutional Assembly (sometimes referred to as the April Convention) organised by the Grand Duke, the Fourth Constitution was adopted on 15th May 2009. A referendum on the voting system had been held one month prior following the assembly's decision that the National Assembly should be replaced with the reformed Chamber of Deputies. The form of local government was also reformed and the rights of local authorities were enshrined into national law. The Duchy's first election was held between 28 May and 3 June 2009, following which Jeremy Abrahams was elected as the inaugural First Minister of Francisville, an office which replaced the deficient Prime Ministership.
Domestic improvements were accompanied by Francisville's expanding influence on the international stage. Despite condemnation of both conflicts, the Duchy assisted in the resolution of the Siple War and Meissner-Antifan War from her position on the GUM Security Council. During the later conflict, the reputation of the Duchy as a cautious neutral power was established through its direct involvement in the mediation between Scientopia and New Europe. The Francillian delegation formed part of the jury during the Special Tribunal to Investigate Allegations of New European Racismwhich further led to the Grand Duke's election as 2nd Supreme Tribune of the Justice Commission. Francisville received the Chair of the Quorum of Delegates on 13 July 2009, leading the organisation through the transitional period between the Conflict Era and the Peaceful Era. Francisville was a signatory to the Treaty of Peace at the end of the Rhodesian War and the Treaty of Universal Non-Aggression at the close of the New Euro-Erusian War. The first anniversary of the founding of the Duchy was celebrated on 28 November 2009, the date thereafter declared a public holiday and designated Francillian National Day.
Following the recommendations of a Second Constitutional Assembly (sometimes referred to as the April Convention) organised by the Grand Duke, the Fourth Constitution was adopted on 15th May 2009. A referendum on the voting system had been held one month prior following the assembly's decision that the National Assembly should be replaced with the reformed Chamber of Deputies. The form of local government was also reformed and the rights of local authorities were enshrined into national law. The Duchy's first election was held between 28 May and 3 June 2009, following which Jeremy Abrahams was elected as the inaugural First Minister of Francisville, an office which replaced the deficient Prime Ministership.
Domestic improvements were accompanied by Francisville's expanding influence on the international stage. Despite condemnation of both conflicts, the Duchy assisted in the resolution of the Siple War and Meissner-Antifan War from her position on the GUM Security Council. During the later conflict, the reputation of the Duchy as a cautious neutral power was established through its direct involvement in the mediation between Scientopia and New Europe. The Francillian delegation formed part of the jury during the Special Tribunal to Investigate Allegations of New European Racismwhich further led to the Grand Duke's election as 2nd Supreme Tribune of the Justice Commission. Francisville received the Chair of the Quorum of Delegates on 13 July 2009, leading the organisation through the transitional period between the Conflict Era and the Peaceful Era. Francisville was a signatory to the Treaty of Peace at the end of the Rhodesian War and the Treaty of Universal Non-Aggression at the close of the New Euro-Erusian War. The first anniversary of the founding of the Duchy was celebrated on 28 November 2009, the date thereafter declared a public holiday and designated Francillian National Day.
Isolation era (2010-2011)
Francisville's respected international position and internal political development were maintained into early 2010. The state's GUM delegation acted as a negotiator during disputes between Sandus and New Scireland in January 2010. This period witnessed the increasing hegemonous international control of Erusia over the MicroWiki Community which raised concerns amongst Franicsville's Deputies. The country had been recognised as a Special Ideological Friend of the DRPE with worry growing over the influence the country might have over Francisville's foreign affairs. Following the international tenions caused by the establishment of the Organisation of Active Micronations and the Great Ideological Conflict, the government adopted an undisclosed policy of retreat from the community of MicroWiki states. The Duchy ceased to hold any Executive positions within the GUM from January 2010 onwards, focusing its efforts on international cultural development through alternative communities such as the List of Micronations flag tour. The National Archives of Francisville was also founded at the beginning of the year.
The dissolution of Erusia in July 2010 prompted a revival of Francisville's presence within the MicroWiki community. In response to the controversy surrounding this event, James Stewart joined other leading figures such as Alexander Reinhardt and Sebastian Linden in condemnation of Erusia's influence. The focus of community discussion switched to the Organisation of Active Micronations within this period. A sense of skepticism towards intermicronational organisations was strong within Francisville at this time and the dominance of an alternative organisation encouraged further pursuit of isolationism by the incumbent First Minister. The government gave serious consideration to attending the 2011 Intermicronational Summit but this proposal was ultimately rejected in March 2011 due to budgetary restrictions and debate over the nation's constitutional future. Francisville once again returned to a largely inactive position in foreign affairs.
The dissolution of Erusia in July 2010 prompted a revival of Francisville's presence within the MicroWiki community. In response to the controversy surrounding this event, James Stewart joined other leading figures such as Alexander Reinhardt and Sebastian Linden in condemnation of Erusia's influence. The focus of community discussion switched to the Organisation of Active Micronations within this period. A sense of skepticism towards intermicronational organisations was strong within Francisville at this time and the dominance of an alternative organisation encouraged further pursuit of isolationism by the incumbent First Minister. The government gave serious consideration to attending the 2011 Intermicronational Summit but this proposal was ultimately rejected in March 2011 due to budgetary restrictions and debate over the nation's constitutional future. Francisville once again returned to a largely inactive position in foreign affairs.
end of the duchy (2011)
Debates concerning Francisville's isolationist foreign policy had a significant impact on the domestic political activity of the government. A general election was due to take place on 28 May 2011 but it had become evident by April that the Chamber of Deputies was unable to arrange a ballot in suitable time. The delay in calling the election raised concerns over the future practicality of the constitution, with one deputy calling for either the greater empowerment of the Crown or the replacement of the constitutional monarchy with a Presidential system, reforming the Duchy into a Republic. In refutation, James I broke with constitutional protocol to argue that the political stagnation had been caused by the de facto centralization of political power in the hands of the Grand Duke through his prerogative over foreign affairs. On 3 June 2011, James I issued a declaration calling for the dissolution of the Fourth Constitution and the transition to an alternative model of government. The declaration was endorsed by the Chamber and later became known as the Declaration of the Republic.
The Grand Duke's constitutional reform proposals were accepted by the population in a referendum held on 10 June 2011. The referendum result returned 100% in favour of constitutional reform but with a voter turnout of only 45%. The declaration called for the reforms to be decided by the process of a citizens' assembly directed by a Convention Council comprised of the incumbent Deputies. The assembly became known as the June Convention. The first assembly, held between 13 and 17 June, moved in favour of Federal Republic composed of largely autonomous Cantons. A further seven national surveys and binding referendums were held until the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Francisville was official adopted on 21 August 2012, being accepted by 100% of voters with a 57% voter turnout. The Democratic Duchy of Francisville was thereafter declared to be officially dissolved.
The Grand Duke's constitutional reform proposals were accepted by the population in a referendum held on 10 June 2011. The referendum result returned 100% in favour of constitutional reform but with a voter turnout of only 45%. The declaration called for the reforms to be decided by the process of a citizens' assembly directed by a Convention Council comprised of the incumbent Deputies. The assembly became known as the June Convention. The first assembly, held between 13 and 17 June, moved in favour of Federal Republic composed of largely autonomous Cantons. A further seven national surveys and binding referendums were held until the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Francisville was official adopted on 21 August 2012, being accepted by 100% of voters with a 57% voter turnout. The Democratic Duchy of Francisville was thereafter declared to be officially dissolved.