The Assembly of the Republic (Kresi: Skupstina Republike) is the unicameral national legislature of the Divine Republic of Kresimiria. Established by the 1921 Constitution, it is the central institution of Kresimirian democracy.
Composed of 20 Senators elected for ten-year terms, the Assembly holds the power to propose and pass legislation, approve all senior government appointments, and amend the Constitution. While its authority is checked by the veto power of the Divine Chancellor, the Assembly remains the primary arena for political debate and the source of all state law.
While the Divine Chancellor serves as the ceremonial head of state, the Chair of the Assembly functions as the de facto leader of the Republic. The Chair controls the legislative agenda, presides over the passage of all laws, and exercises significant influence over executive appointments through the Assembly’s confirmation powers. By constitutional convention, the leader of the largest party in the Assembly is always elected as Chair, effectively making the position equivalent to a prime minister in other parliamentary systems.
This arrangement has resulted in remarkable political continuity. Since the founding of the Republic in 1922, the Chair has always been the leader of either the Revolutionary People’s Party (1922–1952) or its successor, Blue Dawn (1952–present). From Filip Novak to the current Chair Ari Stov, Blue Dawn and its predecessor have maintained an unbroken century of governance, making it one of the longest-ruling political parties in any democratic system. This dominance has been challenged in recent years, particularly after the 2022 election, where Blue Dawn’s reduced majority has made the party’s continued control of the Chairship increasingly dependent on coalition management.
History
The Assembly’s political makeup has transformed significantly over its century of existence, evolving through four distinct eras. (See List of Elections in Kresimiria).
The RPP Hegemony (1922–1952)
In the inaugural 1922 election, the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) of Divine Founder Filip Novak won a commanding 16 of 20 seats. For the next decade, the Assembly was effectively a rubber stamp for the RPP’s nation-building agenda. This unity shattered with the schisms of the Sons of Kresimir (1924) and the Civic Renewal Front (1932), which cost the RPP its majority. For the remainder of his tenure as Chair, Novak governed a fractured Assembly, relying on coalitions with the SoK to pass key authoritarian measures like the 1933 National Security Act.
The Blue Dawn Establishment (1952–1981)
Following the reformation of the RPP into Blue Dawn, the Assembly entered a long period of stable, center-right governance. Under leaders Luka Matar, Leon Rukavin, and Ante Brov, Blue Dawn consistently held the largest bloc of seats. The most consequential act of this era was the ratification of the 1961 Treaty of Brod Moravice, which passed despite the furious opposition of the nationalist parties. The Assembly’s influence peaked under Ante Brov, who commanded a 10-seat caucus after the 1979 special election.
The Era of Challenge (1981–2013)
The statist policies of Blue Dawn leader Ljubo Sanjakorin coincided with a long period of decline for the party. The defining moment of this era was the 1992 election, when the resurgent CRF under Mia Marija Pavlovic surged to 6 seats, creating a historic tie with Blue Dawn. This marked the end of the establishment’s unquestioned dominance. Although Blue Dawn recovered under Stoyan Vasilis, the Assembly became a more competitive arena, with the regionalist Northern Power party slowly building its influence.
The Modern Multi-Polar Assembly (2013–Present)
Under the leadership of Ari Stov, Blue Dawn’s grip on power has weakened significantly. The 2022 election produced the most fragmented Assembly in history, with six parties represented. Blue Dawn (6 seats) holds only a one-seat advantage over the CRF (5 seats), with Northern Power (4 seats) acting as a powerful third bloc. This delicate balance of power has given smaller parties and individual senators unprecedented influence, making coalition-building and compromise essential for passing legislation.
Powers and Functions
The Assembly’s powers are defined by the Constitution:
- Legislation: Proposing, debating, and passing laws (Proposals) which, upon Chancellery approval, become Acts.
- Constitutional Amendments: The Assembly can amend the Constitution with a majority of 12 votes.
- Oversight: The Assembly must confirm all appointments made by the Chancellor, including Justices for the Superior Tribunal and Councillors for the Federal Councils, by a two-thirds majority.
- Removal of Officials: It can remove a Chancellor or a Justice via a “Resolution of Replacement” with a two-thirds majority.
- District Governance: Senators serve a dual role as the chief executives of their home districts, giving them significant local and federal power.
Relationship with Other State Bodies
The Divine Chancellor
The balance of power between the Assembly and the Chancellor has shifted over time. The 1942 Constitutional Amendment granted the Chancellor veto power over any bill passed with fewer than 16 votes, drastically curtailing the Assembly’s power under Chancellor Kresimirovic II. However, since 1958, Chancellors Kresimirovic III and Kresimirovic IV have used the veto sparingly, restoring a de facto parliamentary-focused system.
The Federal Councils
The Assembly exercises oversight over the executive departments. All Councillors must be confirmed by the Assembly, and Senators can summon them to committee hearings to answer for their actions. This creates a constant tension, particularly between opposition parties and powerful bodies like the Council for Internal Affairs.
The Assembly Building
The Assembly meets in the Great Hall of the Republic, located within the imposing Assembly Building in Sinj’s Government Quarter. Constructed in 1925, the building is a masterpiece of Kresimirian architecture. Its facade is meant to project strength and permanence. It stands on the north bank of the Kambel River, directly opposite the Chancellory Palace.
Inside, the Great Hall is a semicircular amphitheater. Senators are seated according to their political alignment, from the far-left (Northern Power) to the far-right (Sons of Kresimir), facing the ornate marble rostrum of the Chair.
Procedures and Traditions
- The Chair: The first order of business after every election is to elect a Chair of the Assembly from among the 20 Senators. By constitutional convention,every party votes for their own leader, and thus the leader of the largest party is always elected Chair of the Assembly. The Chair presides over debates, sets the legislative calendar, and serves as the de facto head of government.
- The Archives: The Federal Archive serves as the official clerk of the Assembly. It is responsible for recording votes, publishing passed Acts, and maintaining the official record of debates.
- The Call to Order: Each session begins with the Chair striking a gavel and reciting the traditional invocation: “In the name of the Divine and for the strength of the Republic, let this Assembly be called to order.”
List of Chairs of the Assembly
See List of Blue Dawn leaders, as, accurate as of 2025, these lists are the same.