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==Membership== | ==Membership== | ||
The Fundamental Statute requires only that Councillors must be resident citizens of the Federacy and of the states that they represent, be at least 35 years of age, and not hold any other | The Fundamental Statute requires only that Councillors must be resident citizens of the Federacy and of the states that they represent, be at least 35 years of age, and not hold any other public office. Enlisted members of state guards may be Councillors, but officers may not. Councillors serve at the pleasure of their state legislatures, and can be appointed, recalled, or replaced at any time for any or no reason, provided that the President and Recording Secretary of the Council are duly informed. The Federal Consistory case ''Kilkennan v. [[Ilfenóra]]'' determined that the states are not obligated to seat a Councillor, and may leave their seat vacant for any duration of time they wish. Long-term vacancies were very common historically, when lengthy and difficult journeys between the more distant states and Kartika often resulted in Councillors spending many months in transit. Additionally, gridlock in state legislatures has been (and continues to be) a cause of long-term vacancy. | ||
Modern Councillors usually vote according to instructions from their legislatures, especially on votes with legally binding consequences. However, the degree of control that legislatures exert over Councillors varies by state, over time, political landscape, and the individuals involved. A few states require that their Councillors vote only according to instructions voted on by the legislature or as directed by the legislative leader, forcing them to abstain if instructions are not sent. Most states, however, permit their Councillor to vote according to their own judgement in the event that the legislature does not send instructions, cannot agree on any, or is not in session. Legislatures have also been known to "punt" decisions on controversial or contentious votes to their Councillors to avoid electoral backlash. Councillors from states whose legislatures are not in session year-round, such as [[Kyllera]] and [[Koskenkorva]], frequently vote on their own initiative. | Modern Councillors usually vote according to instructions from their legislatures, especially on votes with legally binding consequences. However, the degree of control that legislatures exert over Councillors varies by state, over time, political landscape, and the individuals involved. A few states require that their Councillors vote only according to instructions voted on by the legislature or as directed by the legislative leader, forcing them to abstain if instructions are not sent. Most states, however, permit their Councillor to vote according to their own judgement in the event that the legislature does not send instructions, cannot agree on any, or is not in session. Legislatures have also been known to "punt" decisions on controversial or contentious votes to their Councillors to avoid electoral backlash. Councillors from states whose legislatures are not in session year-round, such as [[Kyllera]] and [[Koskenkorva]], frequently vote on their own initiative. | ||