| As is the case in any kingdom, "His Majesty's Government" carries out the business of governing the realm in the name of the Sovereign, who rules. In a constitutional and parliamentary monarchy such as Hanover, the government acts on behalf of the people in the King's name. Hanover's representative form of government underscores the special bond which exists between the people and their King who share joint sovereignty over the nation. The King rules as the chief representative of the people in partnership with the people. The King's ministers, as heads of the various departments of the executive branch, are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the realm. The ministers together form the Cabinet. Each minister is appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is the elected head of government. In addition to the elected government, The Royal Council of State, whose members are appointed by both the King and the Prime Minister,sits as the nation's chief consultative body. The Council is presided over by the Lord Chancellor, who acts as a sort of "Vice-King". |
 |
| The CROWN |
| At the pinnacle of government stands the monarch who, as head of state and commander-in-chief, is charged with the august task of ruling the land. It is the monarch who appoints the members of the Cabinet, the Lord Chancellor, the Royal Council of State, the Justices of the High Court and all civil servants. Together with the monarch, the various officials of the Crown ensure the efficient administration of the kingdom, keeping the peace, administering justice, maintaining the nation's infrastructure and providing for the common good of the country. His Majesty King Thomas I, now gloriously reigning, is the supreme symbol of the State at home and abroad. In addition to Hanover, the King is also Head of the Commonwealth. It is the duty of the King to represent the people as a whole. The King must also stand as champion of those who have no champion, as the voice of those who have no voice, as the defender of those who are helpless, as father of all the orphaned and as the provider for those who are unable to provide for themselves. The Lord Chancellor of Hanover, as president of the Royal Council of State, is the highest ranking civil servant in the nation. As the premier official of the Crown, The Lord Chancellor is the keeper of the Great Seal of Hanover and is empowered by the monarch to seal all Royal Decrees, Letters Patent and other Royal documents, thus making them official. Upon the Lord Chancellor's shoulders falls the great responsibility of acting in place of the King during the latter's absence or incapacitation. |
| The PRIME MINISTER and the CABINET |
 |
| Presiding over the government and his own political party, the Prime Minister is the nation's top elected official. As Head of Government, the Prime Minister is responsible for the day-to-day application of official policy. To this end, he exercises uncontested authority over the ministers whose activities he coordinates. He directs the Government's operations and ensures that legislation is implemented. The Prime Minister reports regularly on the Government's program to Parliament, before which he is accountable on the Government's behalf. The range of portfolios for each Prime Minister's Government varies according to it's priorities. The Cabinet is comprised of the Prime Minister and the Ministers of the various departments of the Government. While each Minister is appointed by the King, it is the Prime Minister who determines the appointments. Furthermore, no Royal Decree maybe issued without the countersignature of a cabinet minister. |
| PARLIAMENT |
| Legislative power is exercised by the nation's unicameral Parliament. Each member of Parliament is elected to sit for a six month term by direct universal suffrage. The party with the greatest number of members in Parliament is known as the majority party, from which the Prime Minister and most likely all of the Cabinet will come. In some cases a majority is not achieved by any party following a general election. In such a case a coaltion government is formed by various factions who are forced to compromise with one another. During the course of their term, the Members of Parliament will debate the merits of legislation introduced by the Government or from within, voting on each bill introduced. Should a piece of legislation be passed by Parliament, it must then go to the Palace where the Monarch will either grant or refuse his Royal assent to the legislation. If the Monarch grants his assent, the bill becomes law. If he refuses assent, it may be presented to Parliament again who can override the Monarch's refusal with a two-thirds majority. Should a bill passed by Parliament not receive any response from the Monarch, it becomes law within fifteen days of being sent to the Palace. This measure is to ensure that the Parliament is not brought to a halt in the event of Royal deriliction of duty. |
| The HIGH COURT |
| According to the Constitution of January 2003, the High Court shall have original jurisdiction in all cases affecting ambassadors, public ministers, impeachment and in which the State shall be a party. In all other cases it shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact. The justices of the High Court, whose can number cannot exceed nine, are appointed by the Monarch. The Monarch's appointments, however, are subject to confirmation by Parliament. Presiding over the Court is the Lord Chief Justice, also appointed by the Monarch. Justices of the High Court are appointed for life unless they step down or renounce their citizenship. |
 |
| GOVERNMENT |
| GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS & OFFICES |
| Office of the Prime Minister 1000 Hollister Street Bergen, Emden B20 34E Lord Chancellor of Hanover 12 Parliament Hill Bergen, Emden B20 43E The High Court of Hanover 20 Edward Street, SE Bergen, Emden B20 44E The Department of State Office of the Minister of State 200 Coronation Street, NW Bergen, Emden B25 30E The Department of Culture Office of the Minister of Culture The Crown Centre 100-D Queen's Quay, SW Bergen, Emden B24 30E The Department of Economic Development Office of the Minister of Economic Development The Crown Centre 100-A Queen’s Quay, SW Bergen, Emden B24 30E The Department of Governmental Finance Office of the Minister of Governmental Finance The Crown Center 100-C Queen's Quay, SW Bergen, Emden B24 30E The Department of Justice Office of the Prosecutor General The Crown Centre 100-B Queen’s Quay, SW Bergen, Emden B24 30E |
 |
| 2003 . The Government of Hanover |
 |
 |
 |