Romulan Government
The government of the Romulan Star Empire is best described as an aristocracy. Rule is by an elite group of upper class citizens who earn their positions through wealth, heredity or military service. Common citizens have little direct say in policymaking. Romulan class structure is fluid, however, and even the most humblest of citizens may find themselves elevated to political power through hard work or service to the Empire.
The government is divided into two spheres of influence: the Imperial House, which plays a largely ceremonial role, and the Tricameron, which directly governs the Empire.
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The Imperial House
The Imperial House, or Hfihar ih'Shiar in the Rihan language, is composed of the Emperor/Empress and the Legate.
Emperor/Empress
The Emperor or Empress of the Romulan Star Empire, or Rhiyrh, serves as the head of state for the Empire. The Emperor is usually ranked first in Romulan society, with his legate and the Praetor ranked behind him. In reality though, the Praetor is the true power in the Empire, with the Emperor and his legate fulfilling ceremonial roles.
The position of Emperor was established after the fall of Queen Rehu to serve as a figurehead for the people. While early emperors often held some degree of power, it is rare in the modern era that they hold any.
The current Empress is N'alae
Legate
The Emperor's Legate, or Hmnial, is the chief aide of the Emperor.
The Tricameron
The Tricameron, or sei Hehhlirh, was established following the defeat of Queen Rehu in a bloody civil war that nearly destroyed the Romulan people after their arrival on Romulus. The Tricameron consists of the Praetorship and the Senate, which for historical reasons, is considered two houses. The Senate also includes the Continuing Committee.
Praetor
The official head of government for the Empire is the Praetor, or Fvillhu. It is an elected position chosen by the members of the Romulan Senate. In order to become Praetor, a candidate must be able to win the support of enough senators to ensure their election. and they must be a full-blooded Romulan. The new Praetor is confirmed by the Continuing Committee.
The Praetor presides over sessions of the Senate and the Continuing Committee and also controls the Romulan Imperial Fleet. Romulan politics is a notoriously dangerous field, however, and it is not uncommon for praetors to suffer abbreviated terms of office in comparison to other heads of government.
Prior to 2276, the office of Praetor was not held by a single individual. The Praetorate was one of the houses of the Tricameron, together with the Senate. At any given time, there were a dozen or so Praetors, a system which was established after the fall of Queen Rehu. In the 2270s, most of the house's power fell into the hands of one individual.
Recent History
On Stardate 20909.04, the Empire entered into a state of civil war after Senator Jisit Hrienteh seized control of the Senate and named herself as Acting Praetor. Deposed Praetor B'Ket, favored by the former ruling s'Tei faction, was placed under house arrest. Hrienteh's faction later joined with the Underground Anna'eri Nuar faction to form a coalition government, and after the Third Romulan Civil War ended, B'Ket was restored as Praetor in a move towards reconciliation. In 2410, B'Ket was voted out of office and Hrienteh was elected as the new Praetor. She has continued to serve in the role to the present day, making her one of the longest serving Praetors in recent years.
Continuing Committee
The Continuing Committee, or Daesn Hwyej'enh, is one of the highest governing bodies of the Empire. Headed by the Praetor, the Committee comprises members of the Romulan Senate as well as other high-ranking officials. One of the Committee's duties is the confirmation of a new praetor. The Committee also serves as a court when criminal charges are brought against members of the Senate. The Committee runs the day to day business of the Empire while the Senate establishes laws and policies.
The Praetor is the only member who is guaranteed a seat on the Committee. All others, even high ranking officials, must compete to be appointed.
The Senate
The Romulan Senate, or Deihuit, is the main governing body of the Empire. It is seated in the Senate Chamber (Deihu'rhe) located in the new Hall of State (Deihu'kri) in the capital city of Del on the planet Eilhaunn. The Senate is headed by the Praetor, followed by the Proconsul and then the Vice-Proconsul. The Senate does not sit on the third day of the Romulan week and often works on a timetable that is difficult to predict.
Senators are elevated to their positions through wealth and nobility, and they often assume broad-ranging duties over areas of state affairs, depending on the amount of political clout they command. The highest position within the Senate itself is that of Proconsul. The highest echelons of the Senate also compose the Continuing Committee. The Senate is typically divided into numerous coalitions.
