Amendment to the Constitution for the Neutralization of the Council Speaker and Deputy Speaker
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Councillor Helhuan stands up, and opens up a folder. She spends one split moment to peer over notes and then sighs
This might be an unpopular opinion in the Council, considering most of you are EPA members-- surprise, surprise, by the way, that this legislation is not well received. But anyways, I do actually think that Councillor Van Allen's Amendment does have some merit and touches on some problems that the EU Council is plagued by. That being said, there is one thing in this piece of legislation that I do not think is necessary. For example, this Amendment reduces a Speaker's term to 6 months. Why? I do not see the need to reducing the office's term if we are already weakening the position to begin with. And more importantly, isn't 18 months a short term to begin with? Council meetings do not need to be cluttered up by constant Speaker elections.
Similarly, term limits may sound like a good idea at first, but I ask the Councillor from Reitzmag what that will truly accomplish. Even if the current Speaker is removed, it is likely that an EPA candidate will take his place. And to the eye of an ELDR Councillor, I assume that this change will bear little distinction. No, term limits are simply not practical for this Council.
Next I would also like to address some of Councillor Firoux's points. The speaker claims that we are all equals in this Council, but is that really true Mr. Speaker? Because the Speaker has obligations and responsibilities that not every Councillor has. If I remember correctly, the Speaker has the power to remove people from the chamber. Now if I am having a bad day in the chamber, I will confess that I wish I had that power, but I don't. Because I am not the Speaker, but Mr. Firoux is. So no, we are not all equal. It is crucial that the Speaker act with impartiality and fairness. And if being in a Eurogroup gets in the way, I cannot help but say that Mr. Van Allen has a point.
Perhaps the strongest argument the Speaker brings forth is concerning the constituencies going unrepresented. Political Groups are not the sole factor in electing a Councillor-- we should keep this in mind. Correct me if I am wrong but as far as I can tell, the Speaker still can vote on behalf of its constituency. I am not in a Political Group, Mr. Speaker. And I am doing quite fine representing the Ruthenish people. The only agenda I see being hindered is the maintenance of EPA hegemony in the Council.
Overall however, I am in support of this Amendment. Should the 18 month term with no term limits be reinstated, you will have my full support.
Helhuan Zihuruthstukur
EU Councillor, Ruthund -
I am happy to see that someone in this chamber understands my point. And I am glad if the honorable gentleman from Ruthund will submit an amendment for this.
Friedrich van Allen
Councilor, Kingdom of Reitzmag -
Amendment I-- Authored by Cllr. Helhuan
Section IV. Speaker of the European Council
IV. The Speaker is elected for a period of eighteen months with unlimited terms
6 months with a limit of 3 terms. There is a seven day period for nominations and debate, followed by a seven day period for voting. Voting shall follow the Alternative Vote system. -
Debate has now closed. It is time to vote on amendments. Voting on amendments begins NOW and will last until 09:15 GMT on August 16th, 2020.
There is one amendment, proposed by Councillor Helhuan:
Amendment I
Section IV. Speaker of the European Council
IV. The Speaker is elected for a period of eighteen months with unlimited terms6 months with a limit of 3 terms. There is a seven day period for nominations and debate, followed by a seven day period for voting. Voting shall follow the Alternative Vote system.
I vote FOR the amendment.
Edward Firoux
Council Speaker and Councillor for Inquista -
I vote FOR the amendment.
Friedrich van Allen
Councilor, Kingdom of Reitzmag -
On behalf of the Kingdom of Spain, I vote FOR the amendment proposed by Cllr. Helhuan.
Donald D. Tusk
Councillor for Spain -
On behalf of the Kingdom of Montenbourg, I vote FOR the amendment proposed by Cllr. Helhuan.
Emma Granger
Councillor for Montenbourg -
On behalf of the Kingdom of Fremet, I vote FOR the Amendment.
Charles Michel
Councillor for the Kingdom of Fremet -
On behalf of the Realm of Great Ruthund, I vote FOR all amendments
Helhuan Zihuruthstukur
EU Councillor, Ruthund -
On behalf of the Archrepublic of Vayinaod, I vote FOR the amendment.
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On behalf of the Republic Nofoaga I vote FOR this amendment.
Mrs. Azaya Dubecq
EU Councilor for the Republic of Nofoaga -
On behalf of the United Kingdoms of Mennrimiak i vote AGANIST the amendment
Adam Karlssen
Councillor for Mennrimiak -
With 8 votes for and 1 vote against, Councillor Helhuan's amendment has passed. The legislation has been updated to reflect the passed amendment.
Final voting begins NOW and will last until 21:00 GMT on August 19th, 2020.
On behalf of the Microstate of Inquista, I vote AGAINST this amendment.
Edward Firoux
Council Speaker and Councillor for Inquista -
On behalf of the Kingdom of Spain, I vote AGAINST this amendment.
Donald D. Tusk
Councillor for Spain -
On behalf of the Kingdom of Fremet, I vote AGAINST this amendment.
Charles Michel
Councillor for the Kingdom of Fremet -
On behalf of the Republic of Nofoaga, I vote AGAINST this amendment.
Mrs. Azaya Dubecq
EU Councilor for the Republic of Nofoaga -
On behalf of the Archrepublic of Vayinaod, I vote AGAINST this amendment.
Carita Falk
Archrepublic of Vayinaod -
On behalf of the Realm of Great Ruthund, I vote FOR this admendment.
Helhuan Zihuruthstukur
EU Councillor, Ruthund -
On behalf of the Kingdom of Reitzmag, I vote FOR this amendment.
Friedrich van Allen
Councilor, Kingdom of Reitzmag -
On behalf of the United Kingdoms of Mennrimiak, I vote AGANIST this amendment.
Adam Karlssen
Councillor for Mennrimiak
The Kingdom of Spain
