The government would be split up as follows. There would be
1) a Chamber of Deputies,
2) a Senate and
3) a Presidents Office.
1 ) ‘Cantons’
I hope people have seen the map I’ve sent to another discussion, but if not I’ll send it here to.
The country would be split into small ‘cantons’ of predominantly GC or TC ethnic groups of around 15-20,000 people. These cantons would be quite independent over issues such as social services/infrastructure/hospitals etc…They would be run by a Council, who would be directly voted for by the people. In every Council would be a department concerning ‘minority’ groups of that area. The Councils will be accountable to the Chamber of Deputies over things they do. The ‘cantons’ would be designated as either GC or TC cantons (obviously depending on population).
Cities would be run slightly differently. They would have to operate in the same way as the Chamber of Deputies, but have a Council like the cantons.
1a) Property/population
If anyone wants to question how these cantons would be made, I have been ‘sad’ enough to have used the map I found to draw them myself (I will email it if you want it). However the lines have been drawn on data from 1960. I understand that demographics have changed, so I’m suggesting some population movements to around the 1960s model…. (I understand someone said TCs wont want to move back, but if this idea is sold to them, they may change), but this would be gradual, over a period of years, in this time I’m suggesting voting for Deputies in the old way, but the chamber would operate under the new system.
This would mean ALL refugees from both sides would be given their land etc back. ALL settlers who have not married (or the like) Cypriots should go back. If they wish to return, they can apply through the official channels for asylum/residence etc…
2) The Chamber of Deputies
The Chamber of Deputies would all have representatives from one of the ‘cantons’. In the towns, the number of Deputies would be made from population numbers (like constituencies in the UK). Each Deputy would thus represent around 15-20,000 people. There would be around 40-50 of these Deputies.
3) Making/amending legislation:
What would happen is at least 50% of TC Deputies would have to have voted in favour of the law, as well as 50% of the GC Deputies. Then that would mean each ethnic group would have had a say and each ethnic group would thus have approved the law.
GC majoritarianism would not exist, because the TCs would have had the same chance to approve/reject the law. If either ethnic group rejected the law then it would not be passed and either amended or dropped.
4) The Senate
The Senators would each be elected from one canton, and play an advisory role and checks/balance to the Presidents and on the Chamber of Deputies. Senators from towns would be comprised of one TC and one GC.
5) Presidents
They should have a mainly figurative role, not a politically active, much like the Queen.
5a) Election of Presidents
A GC and a TC have to run together as candidates (kind of like in the US, where the Vice/President people know who will be). Only candidates who run together can be elected.
When they are to run for election, what happens would be a TC and a GC would run together and campaign etc together. Between them they would decide who will be Vice/President. When they are being elected, what would happen is that the TCs would vote and the GCs would vote separately. The top two ‘couples’ from each set of votes would then move to the Chamber of Deputies, where both ethnic groups would have to vote on who to become Vice/President. Once this is decided, then the general population would have a vote of confidence, and as long as they have at least ½ in favour, they become the President and Vice President.
The Presidents would both have to sign the law to make it legislation, so TCs still have real authority at the top of government.
6) The Government
The government would be made up of the largest party (with a prime minister, like in the UK). Now what is really clever about this is (I think) is that for legislation to be passed, both the GCs and TCs have to agree to it. The government would have to be made up of TCs and GCs because otherwise the TCs could boycott legislation. Also it could mean that political parties would have to appeal to ALL Cypriots, not just one ethnic group, otherwise they would have to form a weak coalition from possibly 2 or 3 parties.
7) Judiciary
One TC judge and one GC judge
8 ) Military
Either completely demilitarised or a small national guard made up of all ethnic groups. No foreign armies(no Gr/Tur).
For the duration of unification, there should be a UN peacekeeping force, just to help stabilisation, just in case.
The British bases maybe could stay. This is so that Cypriots have something to unify against after reunification…im sure we all agree the UK has no use in Cyprus, so this would be a way of bolstering cypriotness, rather than dividing us all.
I hope this is clear enough. I really believe it could work, but I just find it hard to get what I think onto ‘paper’. I will try to clarify if it is confusing.
