The Constitution of the Divine Republic of Kresimiria is the foundational legal document of the nation. Enacted on May 27, 1921, it was drafted by the six members of the Revolutionary People’s Council following their victory in the Kresimirian Unification War.
The document establishes a unique political system that combines elements of a theocracy with a democratic republic, and features both authoritarian state controls and socially progressive individual rights.
History and Enactment
The constitution was proclaimed as part of the establishment of the Divine Republic, formalizing the new state’s existence. It has been formally amended on several occasions to adapt to political developments:
- 1922: An amendment legalizing the formation of political parties, reversing the original ban in Article 6.
- 1937: An amendment to Article 35 expanding the state’s power to restrict freedom of movement for national security purposes.
- 1942: A major amendment to Article 26 granting the Divine Chancellor veto power over most legislation.
- 1961: An amendment, as part of the Treaty of Brod Moravice, that waived the faith-based voting requirement for citizens in District X (Moraviskameja).
Key Provisions
The constitution’s articles lay out the entire framework of the Kresimirian state:
- The Republic (Articles 1-2): Establishes the state’s basis on Kresimirianism and names Sinj as the capital.
- Government (Articles 3-10): Details the structure and function of the Assembly of Senators, the ten electoral districts, the electoral system, and the lifelong Chancellory. It notably contains the Faith Restriction Clause (Article 5).
- Distribution of Power (Articles 11-24): Outlines the roles of Senators as district governors, the creation of Federal Councils (e.g., for Defence, Education, Divinity), and the four-tiered judicial system headed by the Superior Tribunal.
- Citizenship and Rights (Articles 31-43): Contains the document’s most contrasting articles, guaranteeing rights such as absolute bodily autonomy for abortion (Article 31) and marriage equality (Article 33), while simultaneously imposing strict state controls on speech, assembly, and labor, and mandating religious adherence and military conscription.