Senate of Oportia
| Senate of Oportia | |
| Federal Congress of Oportia | |
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Type |
Upper house |
| Leadership | |
Majority Leader |
|
Minority Leader |
|
| Seats | 35 |
| Elections | |
Voting system |
Direct popular vote |
Last election |
1730 AN |
Next election |
1734 AN |
| Motto | |
| Unity, Equality, Prosperity | |
| Meeting place | |
| Palais Federal, Vanie, Oportia | |
The Senate of Oportia is the upper house of the Federal Congress of Oportia, the bicameral legislature of Oportia. Established in 1707 AN alongside the Chamber of Deputies of Oportia, the Senate serves as a chamber of "sober second thought," providing equal representation to each of Oportia's 15 city-states.
Composition and Election
The Senate consists of 35 members, with each of Oportia's 15 city-states represented by two Senators, regardless of population size. Senators are directly elected by the citizens of their respective city-states to serve four-year terms. Elections for the Senate are held concurrently with those for the Chamber of Deputies, with the most recent election taking place in 1730 AN.
To be eligible for election to the Senate, candidates must be at least 30 years old, hold Oportian citizenship, and have been resident in their city-state for a minimum of ten years preceding the election.
Current composition
The Liberty Now! Movement currently holds the majority, with 16 Senators, followed by the Liberal Progressive Party with 14 Senators. The Federal Conservative Union has 4 Senators, and the Nationalist & Humanist Party has 1 Senator.
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Now! | 5,764,641 | 50.3 | 16 | New |
| Liberal Progressive | 4,102,913 | 35.8 | 14 | -4 |
| Federal Conservative | 1,004,308 | 8.8 | 4 | -6 |
| Nationalist & Humanist | 500,056 | 4.4 | 1 | -2 |
| Green | 101,164 | 0.9 | 0 | -3 |
| Total | 11,473,082 | 100.0 | 35 | Maj: 18 |
Functions and Powers
The primary function of the Senate is to review and revise legislation passed by the Chamber of Deputies. While the Chamber of Deputies is the primary source of legislation, the Senate has the power to amend, delay, or reject bills. This role as a check on the lower house is intended to ensure that legislation receives thorough scrutiny and that the interests of smaller city-states are protected.
In addition to its legislative functions, the Senate has several exclusive powers, including:
- Ratifying treaties and international agreements.
- Confirming presidential appointments to key positions, such as cabinet members and judges.
- Serving as a court of impeachment for federal officials, including the Federal Representative of Oportia.
The Senate also plays a role in constitutional amendments. Proposed amendments must be approved by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies before being submitted to the Federal Electorate of Oportia for ratification.
Leadership and Organization
The Senate is presided over by the President of the Senate, who is elected by the Senators at the beginning of each legislative session. The current President of the Senate is Élise Moreau of the Liberty Now! Movement, who assumed the position following the 1730 AN election. The Senate is organized into various committees, each responsible for reviewing and refining legislation within specific policy areas. These committees mirror those found in the Chamber of Deputies, ensuring that both houses of the Federal Congress have the expertise necessary to effectively legislate on a wide range of issues.
