President of Georgeland

The President of the United Islands of Georgeland is Georgeland's Head of State and, in theory, where Georgeland's executive power is vested. In practice, the President is bound by the restrictions and conventions of the Westminster system, and as such has become a figurehead, acting only on the advice of the elected government (with occasional exceptions).

Powers
Broadly, the President's powers, as mandated by the Constitution, are:
 * The power to dissolve the House of Commons, or the Senate when legislation has been rejected by either chamber twice.
 * The power to appoint, and dismiss, any member of the government, including the Prime Minister of Georgeland|Prime Minister]].
 * The power to issue writs to vill any vacant Commons seat (call a by-election).
 * The President is Commander-in-Chief of the United Islands Defence Force. The President has the power to deploy troops without consulting the government, though no President has ever acted in this manner.
 * The power to represent Georgeland in some foreign relations areas - especially to recieve ambassadors and appoint representatives to other nations.
 * The power to sign legislation passed by Parliament and therefore make it law. The President can withhold this assent, thereby vetoing the bill. No President has withheld assent from a bill.

The President is in theory the ruler of the country, and the government acts in his or her name. This is Westminster tradition coupled with constitutional rule, however, and no President has assumed executive power. One President, Susan O'Byrne, arguably held power for one day in 1999.

Selection
From 1929 until 1958, the President was directly-elected in a national vote. This gradually became cumbersome, as Presidential elections were expensive and elected a figurehead only. From 1958, the President was chosen by a 2/3 majority vote of each house of Parliament, generally by agreement between the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. In 2004, constitutional reforms reinstated an elected Presidency, effective in 2008. See Georgeland Presidential election, 2008. Future Presidents will be chosen by an Alternative Vote method in a nation-wide election.

Succession
Between 1929 and 1958, there was no provision for a vacancy in the Presidency. In the rare event a President died or resigned, the Presidency was simply vacant, with the Prime Minister and Chief Justice performing some of the President's duties. In 1958, the Prime Minister was made de facto Vice President, and whenever a vacancy occurred, the Prime Minister would become Acting President until a new one was appointed. In 2003, the Constitution was amended to allow the most senior state governor (the longest serving) to assume the powers of the Presidency until a new President is chosen. This is still the case despite alteration of the presidential selection process.