Constitution of New Batavia

The Islamic Republic of New Batavia is the successor state of the Virtual United Provinces, the Republic of the Netherlands and the Islamic Internet Republic. The First Republic was established in 2007. The nation had four constitutions in its history. With every new constitution, the nation received a new name as well.

Constitution of the First Republic

First Republic Era 2007-2008
Constitution name	Union of Utrecht
Nation name	Virtual United Provinces
System of government	presidential system
Executive
- head-of-state	Stadtholder
- head-of-government	Stadtholder
Legislative	bicameral system
- upper house	First Chamber
- lower house	Second Chamber
Judiciary
- highest court	Supreme Court

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The constitution of the Virtual United Provinces (Virtuele Verenigde Provinciën or VVP) dates from January 20th, 2007 when both the Free State of Antwerp as well as the Free State of Ghent had signed the Union of Utrecht.

It was a federal state, with three provinces with an active system of government: Antwerp, Ghent and the Federal Kingdom of New Batavia. Those provinces which did not have a sufficient population level, were managed by the central authorities as territories (generaliteitslanden).

The federal level featured a presidential system. Executive power was vested in the Stadtholder (Stadhouder). It had a bicameral legislature, the Lower House representing the provinces proportionate to their size, and the Upper House having one representative for each active province. The judiciary was entrusted to the Supreme Court.

Constitution of the Second Republic

Second Republic Era 2008-2010
Constitution name	Staatsregeling
Nation name	Republic of the Netherlands
System of government	parliamentary democracy
Executive
- head-of-state	President
- head-of-government	Prime Minister
Legislative	unicameral system
- house name	National Assembly
Judiciary
- highest court	Supreme Court

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On June 11th, 2008, the country became a unitary state under the name of the Republic of the Netherlands (Republiek der Nederlanden). The new constitution was unanimously accepted by a joint session of the States General and later ratified by the two remaining provinces, Antwerp and Ghent.

The Republic became a parliamentary democracy, with a unitary legislature, the National Assembly. The head-of-state became more ceremonial in nature. The title was changed to Voorzitter van de Republiek (President or Chairman of the Republic). He would appoint a Prime Minister as head-of-government. The government was responsible to the National Assembly.

Constitution of the Third Republic

Third Republic Era 2010-2020
Nation name	Islamic Internet Republic
System of government	parliamentary democracy
Executive
- head-of-state	Sadr
- head-of-government	Grand Vizier
Legislative	unicameral system
- house name	Majlis-al-Shoera
Judiciary
- highest court	Supreme Court
Advisory
- advisory council	Islamic Diwan

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After the Islamic Revolution the country renamed itself to Islamic Internet Republic (Islamitische Internetrepubliek). The constitution came into effect after a referendum on June 11, 2010. The parliamentary system of the Second Republic was largely retained, some islamic features were added. A novelty was the fourth branch of government, the so called "advisory power" vested in the Islamic Diwan.

The head-of-state is called Sadr, and is elected for a six months term. The Sadr appoints the Grand Vizier (Grootvizier), in whom executive power is vested, with the approval of the Majlis-al-Shoera. The Grand Vizier, then, appoints the other members of the executive, called viziers. Legislative power is vested in the Majlis-al-Shoera, an elected body, comprised of 100 members (or, more correctly: 100 votes, distributed amongst its members). Its sessions are presided over by the Sadr.

Before a law is passed, it needs the advice of the Islamic Diwan, although this advice is non-binding. The Islamic Diwan is composed of ordinary members (apppointed by the Majlis-al-Shoera at the Sadr's proposal), extraordinary members (the former heads of state) and coopted members (chosen by the ordinary and extraordinary members). At least half of the ordinary members need to be muslim.

This constitution also incorporated the NEVO's Universal Declaration on the Micronational Rights of Man and of the Citizen as a bill of rights.

The Constitution during the time of the Government-in-Exile and Restoration Era

On July 4, 2011 the government went into exile. As a result, the constitution was partially suspended. Nevertheless, the government was still headed by a Sadr, who appointed a Grand Vizier. The Majlis-al-Shoera did't convene in this period.

On October 31, 2020 the Government-in-Exile's claim to resettle the island of New Batavia was accepted by the MCS. New elections were held according to the 2010 constitution and 2010 electoral code.

Fourth Republic

Fourth Republic Era 2020-present
Nation name	Islamic Republic of New Batavia
System of government	parliamentary democracy
Executive
- head-of-state	President
- head-of-government	Grand Vizier
Legislative	unicameral system
- house name	Majlis-ash-Shoera
Judiciary
- highest court	Supreme Court
Advisory
- advisory council	Islamic Diwan

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A new constitution was approved by referendum on November 30, 2020.

The general lay-out and form of government of the Islamic Internet Republic was retained. The main amendments were:

• Renaming the country from Islamic Internet Republic to Islamic Republic of New Batavia
• Renaming the office of Sadr to President
• Removing the Holy Quran from the legislative hierarchy
• Reducing the Preamble to just one Quranic verse, thereby leaving the general provisions
• The provinces are no longer named in the constitution, leaving more room for the establishment of new provinces and new place names

The head-of-state is called President, and is elected for a six months term. The President appoints the Grand Vizier (Grootvizier), in whom executive power is vested, with the approval of the Majlis-ash-Shoera. The Grand Vizier, then, appoints the other members of the executive, called viziers. Legislative power is vested in the Majlis-ash-Shoera, an elected body with 100 seats. Its sessions are presided over by the President.

Before a law is passed, it needs the advice of the Islamic Diwan, although this advice is non-binding.

This constitution continued to incorporate the NEVO's Universal Declaration on the Micronational Rights of Man and of the Citizen as a bill of rights.

On March 12, 2021 a referendum was held to amend the constitution to be able to ratify multilateral treaties in another language than Dutch. The Islamic Diwan gave negative advice on this amendment, but the Majlis-ash-Shoera approved the proposal nevertheless.

See also

• Provincial Constitution of the Free State of Antwerp
• Provincial Constitution of the Free State of Ghent
• Provincial Constitution of the Federal Kingdom of New Batavia