The Council of State

The executive authority of the Kingdom of Jerusalem is exercised by the The Council of State. It is responsible for the practical administration of the realm, the implementation of laws enacted by the Diet, and the preparation and execution of decisions made by the King.

The King exercises his governing authority through and together with the The Council of State. Although the King is the head of the realm, the daily administration of the Kingdom does not rest upon the decisions of one person alone, but upon cooperation between the Sovereign and his Council. The The Council of State therefore serves both as the King’s council of advisers and as the government of the Kingdom.

The Constitution provides for the formation of the The Council of State as follows:

The King appoints the The Council of State. The Diet elects three members to the The Council of State from among its members and the King two members. The The Council of State is headed by the Chancellor of the State, whom the King elects on the proposal of the Diet. The King assigns the members of the The Council of State (ministers) their offices.

The composition of the The Council of State brings together the Crown and the representatives of the people. Three of its members are chosen from among the Diet, while two are selected directly by the King. The appointment of the head of the The Council of State likewise requires the participation of both institutions: the Diet nominate the Chancellor of the State, and the King formally appoints him.

This arrangement ensures that the The Council of State is neither merely the King’s personal council nor solely a government appointed by the Diet. It stands between these two centres of authority and brings their different perspectives together in the common administration of the realm.

The Chancellor of the State

The The Council of State is led by the Chancellor of the State, whose position broadly corresponds to that of a prime minister in many other countries. The Chancellor directs the work of the Ministers, coordinates the administration of the Kingdom, and serves as the principal link between the King, the The Council of State and the Diet.

It is the Chancellor’s duty to ensure that the The Council of State acts as a united body and that the decisions of the different ministries support the common purposes of the Kingdom. The Chancellor does not, however, govern in place of the King, but leads the government under the authority of the Crown and within the limits established by the Constitution.

The Ministers and their duties

In addition to the Chancellor of the State, the The Council of State consists of five Ministers. The King assigns each member of the The Council of State a particular office and area of responsibility.

The Minister of Finance is responsible for the economy of the realm, including public revenue, expenditure and the preparation of the state budget. The Minister must ensure that the funds of the Kingdom are used in accordance with the decisions of the Diet and that the finances of the realm remain on a sustainable foundation.

The Minister of Defence is responsible for preparing matters concerning the defence and security of the Kingdom. The Minister oversees the administration of the armed forces and ensures that the realm possesses the means necessary to protect its citizens and territory.

The Minister of the Interior is responsible for internal administration, public order and the safety of the citizens. The office may also include matters relating to local government, public authorities and the maintenance of official population and civil registers.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs conducts relations with foreign states and other communities. The Minister prepares international agreements, maintains diplomatic relations and represents the Kingdom abroad in accordance with the instructions of the King and the The Council of State.

The Minister of General Affairs is responsible for those matters of government that do not fall directly within the jurisdiction of the other Ministers. The Minister’s responsibilities may include culture, education, public communications, citizenship matters and the implementation of common projects undertaken by the Kingdom.

Preparing and implementing decisions

One of the principal duties of the The Council of State is to prepare matters concerning the government of the realm. It may draft legislative proposals for consideration by the Diet, prepare the state budget and present proposals for the development of public administration and the Kingdom as a whole.

Once the Diet have enacted a law and it has been duly confirmed, the The Council of State is responsible for putting it into effect. A law must not remain merely a document bearing a signature and seal. Its provisions must be transformed into practical measures, administrative decisions and instructions for the authorities of the realm.

The The Council of State is also accountable for its own decisions. The Diet have the right to examine the actions of the The Council of State and to supervise the use of public authority and the funds of the Kingdom. Executive power is therefore always accompanied by the duty to explain decisions and to bear responsibility for them.

Cooperation between the Crown, the The Council of State and the Diet

Within the constitutional order of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the King, the The Council of State and the Diet are not separate institutions acting in isolation. Together they form a system in which each has its own distinct purpose.

The King represents the continuity of the realm and exercises the governing authority entrusted to the Crown. The Diet enact laws, determine the use of public funds and represent the citizens of the Kingdom. The The Council of State, in turn, transforms these laws and decisions into practical government.

The purpose of the The Council of State may therefore be summarised in three words: to prepare, to advise and to implement. It brings together the expertise needed to assist the King, administers the daily affairs of the Kingdom and maintains the connection between the Crown and the representatives chosen by the citizens.