Parliament of Barrayar

Vorhartung Castle, Vorbarr Sultana seen from the River.

The Joint Council of the Barrayaran Empire is the highest legislature of the whole Barrayaran Empire. It consists of the Council of Counts and the Council of the Little People. Both Houses are located at Vorhartung Castle, Vorbarr Sultana. When a bill was enacted into law, this process gave it the approval of each estate of the realm: the Emperor, Counts, and Little People. Bills supported by the monarch are often proposed by members of the Privy Council who sits in parliament or directly by the Emperor, who sits in the Council of Counts as Count Vorbarra.

The Council of Counts and the Council of the Little People usually meet separately. Joint sessions are organized when the Emperor delivers his annual address and in some other rare occasions. The Joint Council judges the charges for treason against Ministers; with a three-quarters vote of impeachment by the Council of Counts and the Council of the Little People in full joint session assembled appointments made by the Emperor could be revoked and dismissed.

The Council of Ministers and the Council of Counts rule directly Barrayar, although with the limits and constraints originated by autonomy of the Count Districts, while rules indirectly both Sergyar and Komarr. The Council of Counts includes Barrayaran Counts. The Council of the Little People is an elected chamber with elections held every five years.

Council of Counts

Ceremonial robes for members of Council of Counts.

The Council of Counts in the Barrayaran Empire is the upper house of the Barrayaran legislature and the main legislative body of the State, the secondary one being the Emperor alone. The Council of Counts headquarters is located in central Vorbarr Sultana, at Castel Vorhartung, Vorbarr Sultana, a few yards from Star Bridge. Its members are the District Counts or their delegates, who meet bi-monthly.

The Council of Counts is the ultimate debating body on Barrayar. Comprised of hereditary Counts (and their immediate heirs when exercising Counts' Voice), the Council of Counts is the primary law-making body, with a secondary role in conducting trials of its' members for any and all criminal and honour charges brought against them – unless they decline to hear such charges, in which case the lower court system is used.

The Council of Counts also has a series of committees. They submit their findings and reports to the various Ministers, the Council itself and the Emperor. One of the most important functions of the Council of Counts is to approve money and levy taxes. Without money the Imperium cannot pursue its policies and so this is one of the major checks on Imperial power, alongside passing or dismissing laws, decrees and legislative decrees. The Council of Counts has special powers:

• Hearing annual reports from the Government of the Empire on the results of its work, including on issues raised by the Council;
• Appointment and dismissal of the Chairman of the Central Bank of Barrayar;
• Dismissal (alone) of some officials appointed by the Council of Ministers;
• Announcement of Amnesty;
• Controlling its own membership by approval or dismissal of Counts' Heirs Apparent;
• Judging Counts and their Heirs: the Council of Counts is a body that is highly intolerant of Imperial intervention in a Count's District or against Count's own life.

The Council of Counts voting order is strictly alphabetical.

While during most of Gregor Vorbarra's reign the Council of Counts was divided into a Progressive Party and a more traditional-minded Conservative Party, currently it is politically fragmented. Conservatives and Progressives still exist, but they are only two among other factions, and they are not the largest ones. Nowadays, it mainly exist a big centre-right faction, which calls itself "Loyalist" (consisting of hard-liner supporters of Emperor Serg Vorbarra). These centre-right loyalists are flanked a centrist "Moderate" faction and an hard-liner traditionalist faction, the "Conservatives" themselves. There are also Progressives and Technocrats.

Acts of Treason

An Act of Treason and Subsequent Punishment is the act of a the Council of Counts fully assembled declaring a person or group of persons (in practice mainly Vor aristocrats, although no restriction is set) guilty of some crime and punishing them without privilege of a judicial trial. The effect of such an Act is to nullify the targeted person's rights: the right to own property (and thus pass it on to heirs), the right to any position of authority, and the right to life itself. The use of these acts is very rare, by being potentially very dangerous for those who pass it themselves: every usage of such an act strengthens the possibility that a similar act will be passed in future.

Acts of Treason must be voted by the Council of Counts in a plenary session; if the target is a Count, he is permitted to be present at the Session under a safe-conduct, although he is not entitled to vote. The Quorum needed is 45 if there are up to 15 Counts targeted; if there are more than 15 Counts targeted, the Quorum falls to the absolute majority (i.e. 31). The Act of Treason can be presented to the Council of Counts only by the Emperor, or by the Regent.

Trials by Council of Counts

While plebeians and Low Vors do not have a right to trial by a jury of their equals (other commoners), Counts, their spouses and their Heirs have the right to trial by other Counts. No Count of the land can be brought in judgement to lose his goods, lands, tenements and castles, nor to be arrested, imprisoned, outlawed, exiled, nor judged, nor put to answer, nor be judged, but by award of the Council of Counts.

The entire Council of Counts determines both questions of fact and questions of law as well as the verdict. At the end of the trial, peers vote on the question before them by standing and declaring their verdict, proceeding in alphabetical order. For a guilty verdict, a majority of 31 is necessary. The entire Council of Counts also determines the punishment to be imposed, which has to accord with the law. If a Count is convicted of a crime, except treason or murder, he could claim "privilege of Countship" to escape punishment if it is his first offence.

Voting Deputies and Cadet Council Members

Political composition of the Council of Counts. Conservatives: 14 seats; Loyalists: 28 seats; Moderates: 9 seats; Progressives: 6 seats; Technocrats: 3 seats.

Because not all Counts have the sole duty to rule and govern their lands, but instead they can have other Imperial duties, they are not the only persons who can sit in the Council, being supported by Voting Deputies and by Cadet Council Members.

The official Voting Deputy is a very trusted person who is not a Count's Heir but is his appointee voting proxy and his official representative in the Count's District when the Count is in the capital city or wherever out of his land.

A Cadet Council Member of the Council is the Count's Heir who has been pre-approved in the Count's lifetime as his successor. The approved Heir will succeed his Count automatically and instantaneously. Heirs are always entitled to vote in Council if the Count is absent, and act as authorized Voting Deputy if delegated to do so. So all Cadet Members are Count's Heirs (and authorized voting deputies), but not all Count's heirs are yet, necessarily, cadet members.

Counts' formal robes

Counts have special robes that are worn at coronations and during certain special parliamentary occasions, such as the Regent Designation or a Trial by Treason. The robes have special designs based on the house of the Count. Formal robes of Counts include scarlet velvet cloaks extending to the feet, open in the front and trailing behind. The robes also include a hood and a cape of miniver.

Robes are only worn for some occasions: Coronation, Designation of Regent, Trials by Treason, the giving of the imperial assent, and for the introduction of new Heirs or Counts. The Formal Robe is a full-length robe of finely-woven crimson wool cloth, and is in the form of a mantle opening on the right shoulder, with a collar of white miniver fur, guarded with rows of ermine and gold lace round the right shoulder. They are lined with silver silk. The side seams of the robe are closed.

The robe is worn over red-and-blue parade uniform by Counts forming part of a procession with His Majesty on state occasions. On ordinary occasions, such as for the introduction of new Heirs or Counts, it is worn over morning dress or house uniform.

Lord Steward and President of Session of the Counts

The Lord Steward and President of Session of the Counts is the speaker and chairman of the Council of Counts in the Parliament of Barrayar. The Lord Steward and President of Session of the Counts is elected by the Counts for life, and he is expected to be politically impartial in carrying out positional duties.

The main functions of the Lord Steward and President of Session of the Counts are to take the chair in debates held in the chamber of the Council of Counts, to advise the Counts on procedural rules, to speak for the Counts on certain ceremonial occasions, and to represent the Council of Counts as its ambassador. In practice, the only task of the Lord Steward and President of Session of the Counts in the Chamber is to formally put the question before a vote, to announce the result of any vote, and to make certain announcements. Furthermore, the Lord Steward and President of Session of the Counts may end the adjournment of the Council during a public emergency.

Lord Guardian of the Circle

The Lord Guardian of The Circle is the most important official of the Council of Counts as well as a political position, whose job duties included maintaining order within the Council of Counts during sessions and meetings. Primarily, he makes sure the correct person speaks at the correct time. To get peoples' attention, he has a cavalry lance decorated with Vorbarra colours, that he bangs on the wooden panel on the floor. The Lord Guardian is not a Count and therefore does not cast his vote during voting moments, but he has a powerful position, because he regulates discussion during meetings of the Council.

The Lord Guardian of the Circle is also responsible for maintaining the building of Vorhartung Castle, as well as services and security. Lord Guardian's official duties also include responsibility as the personal attendant of the Emperor and Keeper of the Doors of the Council, in charge of the admission of strangers to the Council of Counts. Either the Lord Guardian or his deputy, the Gentleman Usher, is required to be present when the Council of Counts is in session. The Lord Guardian also keeps out any Count or Deputy guilty of excessive contempt or disorder.

The Lord Guardian is formally appointed by the Crown based on a recruitment search performed by the Clerk of the Parliaments, to whom he reports. The office is usually held by retired senior officers. His deputy is the Gentleman Usher of the Circle, who in turn is assisted by the Yeomen of the Circle.

Clerk of the Council

The Clerk of the Council is the chief clerk of the Council of Counts. Duties include preparing the minutes of Counts proceedings, advising on proper procedure and pronouncing the Imperial Assent.
The Clerk of the Council is appointed by letters patent from the Emperor, who also holds the sole power to remove him. The Clerk has a variety of tasks within the Council. Appointees are usually legal profession figures, such as retired high rank judges. He is assisted by two other clerks - the Clerk Assistant and the Reading Clerk. The Clerk of the Council sits in the Chamber during sittings, and calls on items of business. At the start of a sitting all three Clerks are normally present.
As well as providing advice on procedure, the Clerk also prepares the minutes of proceedings in the Counts, signs all official documents and communications and pronounces the Imperial Assent. The Clerk also supervises several offices, including his own Clerk of the Council's Office, Lord Guardian's Department and the Judicial Office, which advises and assists the Counts during trials.

Council of Government Delegates of Their Lordship the Counts

The Council of Government Delegates of Their Lordship the Counts groups and represents the executive governments of the Northern District. While formally a subordinate organ of the Council of Counts, over the years has gained considerable autonomous power. The primary purpose of the Council is to act as technical consultative and coordination chamber.
The Council meets in 9 different configurations of 60 government officials (one per District). The precise membership of these configurations varies according to the topic under consideration; for example, when discussing agricultural policy the Council is formed by the 60 district officials whose portfolio includes this policy area (with the related Imperial Ministers contributing but not voting).
The Presidency of the Council rotates every six months among the Counts, with the relevant official of the respective District holding the Presidency at any given time ensuring the smooth running of the meetings and setting the daily agenda. Its decisions are made by qualified majority voting in some areas, unanimity in most others.
The General Secretariat of the Council of Government Delegates of Their Lordship the Counts assists the Council of Government Delegates of Their Lordship the Counts, the Presidency of the Council of Government Delegates of Their Lordship the Counts. The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General of the Council of Government Delegates of Their Lordship the Counts. The Secretariat is divided into seven directorates-general, each administered by a director-general.

Configurations

Legally speaking, the Council is a single entity, but it is in practice divided into several different council configurations. Each council configuration deals with a different functional area, for example agriculture and fisheries. In this formation, the council is composed of officials from each District government who are responsible for this area: the agriculture and fisheries ministers. The chair of this council is held by the member from the District holding the presidency. The Councils meet irregularly throughout the year (usually twice a month). There are currently nine formations:

• General Affairs (GAC): General affairs co-ordinates the work of the Council and deals with issues crossing various council formations.
• Economic Affairs (Ecofin): Composed of economics and finance officials of the Districts. It also includes budgetary matters.
• Agriculture and Fisheries (Agrifish): Composed of the agriculture and fisheries officials of the member states. It considers matters concerning the Continental Agricultural Policy, the Planetary Fisheries Policy, forestry, organic farming, food and feed safety, seeds, pesticides, and fisheries.
• Justice and Internal Security (JIS): This configuration brings together Justice and Interior officials of the Districts. Includes civil protection.
• Labour, Welfare, Health and Consumer Affairs (LAWEHCA): Composed of labour, social protection, consumer protection, health and consumer officials.
• Industry and Research (Indure): this formation is composed of officials responsible for areas such as industry, tourism and scientific research.
• Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE).
• Environment (ENV): Composed of environment officials, who meet about four times a year.
• Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYC): Composed of education, culture, youth, communications and sport officials, who meet around three or four times a year. Includes mass-media issues.

Council of the Little People

Political composition:
Unionist and Loyalist Party: 230 seats;
Liberal Party: 98 seats;
League for the Promotion of Businesses and Trade: 65 seats;
Autonomism and Federalism Initiative: 25 seats;
People's Defence League: 20 seats.

The Council of the Little People is the name of the elected lower house of the bicameral parliament of the Empire of Barrayar. It consists of 438 elected representatives: 146 among lesser Vors, 146 among burgesses, 146 among workers and peasants. Three Representatives of the Little People from each non-traditional first-level local authority are to be elected every five years, for a total of 438 representatives, elected by universal suffrage from the age of 21.

Bills may be introduced in either house, though controversial bills normally originate in the Council of Counts. The supremacy of the Counts in legislative matters is assured by the Joint Councils Reform Act, under which certain types of bills may be presented for the Emperor's approval or refusal without the consent of the Council of the Little People. The Council of the Little People may not delay a money bill for more than one month. Moreover, the Council of the Little People may not delay most other public bills for more than one calendar year.

The Council of the Little People scrutinises the Government through "Question Time", during which members have the opportunity to ask questions of the prime minister and of other cabinet ministers. Prime minister's question time occurs once each month, normally for a half-hour each Wednesday. Questions must relate to the responding minister's official government activities. In addition to questions asked orally during Question Time, Representative of the Little People may also make inquiries in writing. In practice, the Council of the Little People's scrutiny of the Government is fairly weak.

Officers

At the beginning of each parliamentary term, the Council of the Little People elects one of its members as a presiding officer, known as the President of the Council of the Little People. A President-elect cannot take office until he or she has been approved by the Emperor; the granting of the imperial approbation is all but a formality. The President is assisted by three Deputy Presidents, the most senior of which holds the title of Chairman of Ways and Means. The two other Deputy Presidents are known as the First and Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.

Whilst presiding, the President or Deputy President wears ceremonial dress. The presiding officer also wear a wig. The President or deputy presides from a chair at the front of the Chamber. The President is also chairman of the Standing Committee, which oversees the running of the Council, and he controls debates by calling on members to speak. If a member believes that a rule has been breached, he may raise a "point of order", on which the President makes a ruling that is not subject to any appeal. The President may discipline members who fail to observe the rules of the Council.

The Clerk of the Council is both the Council's chief adviser on matters of procedure and chief executive of the Council of the Little People. He is a permanent official, not a member of the House itself. The Clerk advises the President on the rules and procedure of the Council, signs orders and official communications, and signs and endorses bills. He chairs the Board of Management, which consists of the heads of the six departments of the Council. The Clerk's deputy is known as the Clerk Assistant. Another officer of the Council is the Sergeant-at-Arms (by law a Vor), whose duties include the maintenance of law, order, and security on the Council's premises. The Librarian is head of the Council's Library, the Council's research and information arm.

Joint Council

The Joint Council on Barrayar is the supreme legislative body in the government of Barrayar. Membership consists of the Council of Counts and the Council of the Little People, sitting together. With 60 Counts and 438 Representatives of the Little People, there are 498 people in all.
The Joint Council consists of three different formations, with three different roles and powers categories:

• The Central Committees of the two Councils is a committee of 4 Representatives of the Little People and 8 Counts which is convened between plenary sessions of the Joint Council and during serious crisis such as wars or major military operations in order to consult the commander-in-chief or the designated commander. The Central Committee is also composed of four ministers selected among Ministers of War, of Interior, of Protection of Imperial Loyalty (as prescribed by 3002 Emergency Act), of Justice and of Foreign Affairs: among these persons, the Emperor chooses which Ministers have to be summoned at each meeting, while the eight Counts and the four Representatives of the Little People are selected with complete freedom by the Emperor.
• The Joint Council in Ordinary is the main formation and has a variety of powers and roles. It supplies extraordinary funding by means of appropriation, removes Imperial Auditors from cases and the other top-level position holders (if appointed by the Emperor) by a 3/4 vote, dictates the general guidelines about tax levies (which are discussed in details by both the individual Councils) and make final rulings regarding recommended laws suites. The Joint Council in Ordinary does not need of all members present.
• The Full Councils Assembled is the most formal formations, and it is summoned only for the most formal events. Basically, it votes for Regent to the Emperor and to judge his crimes of High Treason. It is further convened in order to acclamate the upcoming Emperor.

Related voices

• Vor of Barrayar
• Government of Barrayar