Reforming a nation
I propose that the current system be rejected, and that the citizens of Francisville come together to establish a new political order through common consensus. On public consent, new elections ought to be put off, and a national forum on political change created in their place, headed by the incumbent deputies
His Grace James 1, Grand Duke of Francisville
On 3 June 2011, James I issued a declaration calling for the dissolution of the Fourth Constitution of the Democratic Duchy of Francisville and the transition to an alternative model of government. The declaration was endorsed by the Chamber of Deputies and later became known as the Declaration of the Republic. 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 Francillian Constitutional Convention, also known as the June Convention or Constitutional Assembly, was the constitution convention established in order to draft the constitution of the new proposed constitution. Although predominantly led by members of the Duchy's government, the convention was a deliberative assembly of all citizens with all proposals being ratified by referendum. Following the deliberation of a citizens assembly, publicly open to all Francillians, the entire population would be further consulted by means of a series of national surveys. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Francisville was finally adopted by a binding national referendum on 31 August 2012.
The Convention
Constitutional referendum, june 2011
The convention followed from a referendum held on 1 June 2011. The referendum proposed a full revision of the constitution based on what was called for in the Declaration of the Republic. Voters were asked "Do you approve of the Grand Duke's proposal for constitutional reform?" The referendum returned 100% in favour (turnout 45%)
National Survey, June 2011
The first national survey was conducted between the 3rd and 7th June 2011, consulting the Francillian public on the basic provisions underlying the form of state which should be created by the reforms of the June Convention. The results of the survey established the following principles to be adopted by the constitution:
- The title of the country shall be the 'Federal Republic of Francisville'.
- The federated units of the country shall be known as the 'Cantons of Francisville'.
- The federated units should have powers either equally balance with the federal authorities or in greater proportion to them, such division to be determined by later consultations.
National survey, november 2011
The second national survey was conducted on 13th November 2011, consulting the Francillian public on the newly drafted first chapter of the constitution, entitled 'Title 1 - General Provisions'. The following was established:
- The approval of 'Title 1- General Provisions'.
- The adoption of the flag of the Democratic Duchy within the Federal Republic.
National Survey, December 2011
The third national survey was conducted on 4th December 2011, approving the first two full titles of the constitution, including the establishment of all fundamental rights granted by 'Title 2 - Fundamental Rights and Freedoms'.
Constitutional referendum, january 2012
The Convention Council called for a binding national referendum to be held to establish the geographic structure of the Federal Republic. The approval of the first two Titles of the Federal Constitution provided the framework for the Cantons of the new Republic to be determined. The referendum took place over the period between 6th and 13th January 2012. The following provisions were accepted by the Francillian public:
- On the proposal to divide the Democratic Duchy of Francisville into the Canton of Wasserbrueck and the Canton of New Scireland (Accepted. 100% in favour)
- On the proposal to incorporate the Canton of North Llabdey (Approved. 100% in favour)
- On the proposal to incorporate the Canton of Rudno (Approved. 100% in favour)
- On the proposal for provisional membership in the Micronational German Language Society (Approved. 80% in favour)
National Survey, February 2012
The third national survey took place between 11th and 15th February 2012, consulting voters on 'Title 3 - Federation, Cantons, and People'. This was the first survey which included voters in Rudno and North Llabdey. The general provisions outlined the relationship between the federation and the cantons.
Constitutional referendum, march 2012
A constitutional referendum took place on 14th March 2012. The results declared were as follows:
- I think that there should be a Federal Legislative Assembly (Rejected. 50% opposed)
- I think that the voting age should be 14 years old (Approved. 66.67% approved)
- I think that legal personality should be limited to mutuals (Approved. 100% approved)
- I think that membership in international organisations should require a federal referendum (Approved. 66.67% approved)
- I think that membership in military alliances should be prohibited (Approved. 84% approved)
- I think that membership in supranational unions should be prohibited (Approved. 66.67% approved)
- I think that Francisville should have permanent observed membership in the Grand Unified Micronations (G.U.M.) (Rejected. 66.67% opposed)
- I think that Francisville should apply for full membership in the Grand Unified Micronational (G.U.M.) (Rejected. 84% opposed)
A New ERA
The June Convention allowed for the drafting of a national constitution from scratch through the direct deliberation of the entire citizenry of a micronation. The process took over a full year in total to achieve but it produced one of the most robust constitutional arrangements then seen within the MicroWiki community, invigorating the Francillian publics democratic instincts within an entirely new political arrangement than had been seen. Francisville was transformed from a unitary constitutional monarchy into a highly decentralised federation under a directorial executive with heavy elements of direct democracy
constitutional referendum, august 2012
The full Constitution of the Federal Republic of Francisville was presented to the public in August 2012. A binding national referendum on the adoption of the constitution was held on 21st August 2012. The constitution was approved by 100% of participating voters with a national turnout of 57%. The Democratic Duchy was thereby declared to be official dissolved and the new era of the Federal Republic began.