The Quashing Minority Decisions Act

[Lüc da Schir]

WHEREAS, some months ago, a very well known former Talossan was blocked from receiving a citizenship petition; and

WHEREAS, that block was entirely lawful; and

WHEREAS, nevertheless, a healthy discussion arose about the state of the current law, which allows as little as 1/3 of either House to unilaterally block a petition; and

WHEREAS, there was broad agreement that the current law was a bug rather than a feature; and

WHEREAS, obviously no proposal was later made to the Ziu to address that; so

THEREFORE Lex.E.8's first sentence, which reads:

8. At any time before a Grant of Citizenship is conferred, the Sovereign, or members representing at least one-third of the Cosâ by seats, or members representing at least one-third of the Senäts, or any single Justice of the Uppermost Cort may petition the Chancery that the said Grant of Citizenship shall not be issued until such issuance shall be ordered by an act of the Ziu. [...]

is amended to read:

8. At any time before a Grant of Citizenship is conferred, members representing at least an absolute majority of the Cosâ by seats, or members representing at least an absolute majority of the Senäts, or at least half of the sitting Justices of the Uppermost Cort may petition the Chancery that the said Grant of Citizenship shall not be issued until such issuance shall be ordered by an act of the Ziu. [...]

Ureu q'estadra så:

Lüc da Schir (Senator-BE)

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

I heartily oppose. The 1/3 provision to refer a petition to the full Ziu is a necessary provision to keep Talossa safe for its citizens. Not to "block" a citizenship petition - the conflation of a call to "wait, let's discuss this properly" with an actual veto is an attempt to shame and invalidate the feelings of people who have real concerns about a citizenship application. If I had it my way, I'd actually make it wider, by allowing such a petition to be made by any 5 citizens.