Republic of the Serene Gate

Republic of the Serene Gate
Form	Client State
Established	October 20, 2021
Demonym	Serenian
Population	0
Government	Serene Gate Section Serene Gate Government

The Republic of the Serene Gate is a client state of the Pillow Fortress. Its internal organization is atypical, as the Republic serves a specific purpose in the diplomacy of the Principality, meaning it engages with other foreign states, something usually forbidden within the standard client state relationship.

Purpose

The purpose of the Serene Gate is to serve as a more palatable front to those foreign states which may find one or more aspects of the Pillow Fortress unacceptable, thus allowing for the possibility of trade and other economic deals which might otherwise not be agreed upon or may be agreed upon only in reduced form. Ideally such a system would not be necessary, with all states able to come together and cooperate in a spirit of mutual respect and friendship, but as the Principality has various features, political, symbolic, or other, which may be seen as radical or controversial, anything which might streamline the process of international trade is considered necessary to at least maintain in reserve as a precaution should the need arise.

Framework

The Republic of the Serene Gate is, like all client states, a sovereign and independent country which has chosen to enter into a permanent, perpetual state of subordination to the Principality, whereby the Pillow Fortress is responsible for its defense and foreign relations, as well as exercising some oversight of internal affairs. How does this standard framework square with the Republic's role in Fortressian diplomacy? Simply put, the Serene Gate is an extremely "bare bones" country, maintaining only those laws and structures as are needed to 1) function as a government, and 2) fulfill its tasks in negotiations as a proxy for the Principality. Everything about the Republic is streamlined for these dual responsibilities, and so while the Republic is a state, it is an atypical state.

Citizenship

The Republic of the Serene Gate recognizes two classes of citizenship. First class citizenship is granted to all those who work for the government of the Serene Gate, their spouses, and their minor and/or dependent children. This class of citizenship is what is to be expected of the citizenship in any other state, it grants its holders any privileges afforded to them by Serene law, provides diplomatic protections under the Republic's aegis, comes with a Serene passport, etc. Where first class citizenship differs is that one only holds it while they are employed by the Serene Gate's government, or while their spouse or parent(s) are employed by the government. Once such employment ends, first class citizenship degrades into second class citizenship, which is essentially ceremonial. It comes with no benefits or protections as did the first class, and mainly serves as a mark to distinguish one having had first class citizenship at some time in the past. There is no birthright to second class citizenship.

All those who hold citizenship in the Serene Gate also hold Fortressian citizenship (assuming they don't renounce their citizenship), and Fortressian citizenship is automatically granted to anyone who would otherwise be granted Serene citizenship but who does not have Fortressian citizenship, although there should be no instances of this happening, it remains policy just in case.

Government

The government of the Serene Gate is extremely small, relative to the Pillow Fortress, and is predominately focused on ensuring the Republic serves as a proper proxy.

Executive branch

Department of Citizen Affairs

The Department of Citizen Affairs manages the Republic's citizenry, informing them of their rights and responsibilities, providing their passports and official documents, and maintaining the list of who has first class or second class citizenship.

Department of Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs manages all aspects of foreign relations which fall outside of trade and economic agreements, such as partaking in ceremonial events and engaging in public relation efforts.

Department of Territorial Affairs

The Department of Territorial Affairs manages the Republic's physical territories. While the Serene Gate won't have much territory of its own, it will maintain some in order to, for example, host foreign embassies or operate transit and shipping hubs.

Department of Trade and Commerce

The Department of Trade and Commerce manages the Republic's economic functions, including those of trade with the Pillow Fortress and with foreign states, and the Serene Gate's own internal economy as well.

Office of the Minister-President of the Serene Gate

The Office of the Minister-President of the Serene Gate is the chief executive organ of the Republic, with the Minister-President being the official head of government.

Office of the Princess of the Serene Gate

The Office of the Princess of the Serene Gate is the organ through which the reigning Princess of the Pillow Fortress would carry out any official and ceremonial duties she may have as head of state of the Republic. This arrangement is a necessary precondition of any client state relationship, however as the point of the Serene Gate is to minimize the appearance of the Pillow Fortress and its institutions, this office, while still minimally staffed, remains unused.

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of the Serene Gate

The Supreme Court of the Serene Gate adjudicates laws arising within the Republic's jurisdiction or between the Republic and other foreign states. Serene law is essentially the same as Fortressian law with only those changes as are necessary for the Republic to carry out its responsibilities.

Legislative branch

Senate of the Serene Gate

The Senate of the Serene Gate is both the legislature of the Republic as well as its main governing organ. Membership in the Senate is identical to the membership of the Department of Territory's Serene Gate Advisory and Oversight Committee.