Overview
The Imperial Congress is a group of nobles, commoners, monks and sages under the guidance and direction of the empress. A 200 person group, the Congress decides on new laws, votes on treaties, war declarations, and cease-fires. Each person in the Congress is selected not just based on their status but by what they have accomplished in the name of the people.
First Estate
The First Estate is made up of the Nobility of the empire. The Nobility only constitute 5% of the total population and therefore only have 5% of the power in the Congress. The Nobility has the unique position to propose new laws for the empire. These laws MUST be in keeping with the desires of the general population and not for the sole benefit of the nobility.
Second Estate
The Second Estate is made up of the sages and monks of the empire and make up the other 5% of the population, giving them the other 5% of the power in Congress. The Second Estate is the sole authority in all religious affairs, including Mangaist, Christian, and Trekist groups. The Second Estate can easily be found scattered among the churches, synagogues, mosques and temples of the empire when not in a Congressional session.
Third Estate
The Third Estate makes up the largest group in Congress, with the most power. This group consists of merchants, artisans, bankers, and average citizens. The Third Estate always have the interests of the general population in mind when voting on a new law proposed by the nobility. Under the terms of the Nuriko Protocol, the Third Estate can exercise their right to choose not to vote on any new law which does not serve the general good of the nation. The Third Estate is often courted by the nobility seeking support for new law proposals. To date, there has been no dispute between the nobility and the Third Estate.