From the notes of Citizen Emilia, Voice of the People

Although I was annoyed with the restrictions on holding executive office, I could live with it, but the afternoon session would be even worse. The legislative compromise entrenched even more elitist elements. Charles began by suggesting a bicameral legislature. We had already decided to have two Directors responsible to parliament, so it made sense to have two houses and let each one pick a Director. His proposal for the lower house was also quite good. A strong democratically accountable body, no restrictions on voting or holding office, and 4 year terms. All elements I could support.

His upper house however, was intentionally elitist, with longer terms,  and restrictions on voting and holding office based on wealth. Robert and Crysta opposed this wretched proposal. Pepe and Aguilo opposed as well, but I misjudged their initial reaction, they were only opposed because it was the wrong kind of elitism for their taste. Pepe proposed an appointed upper house filled with former bureaucrats and soldiers, and Aguilo was quite happy with it. Robert pushed to make the lower house dominant, and the others conceded. Even with this change, I still refused to support it, I had already compromised enough in the morning, but I respect Robert for pulling this proposal toward democratic accountability.

To make matters worse, Oliphaunt cut a deal to make 25% of the upper house appointments come from the privileged nobility, but only for the initial round of appointments. Later appointments would, thankfully, be spared from that requirement. Oliphaunt also got Aguilo, Dauphin and Robert to agree to further concessions for the nobility on future topics in exchange for his support of this proposal. I couldn’t believe Rober went along with this, but I suppose he had his reasons. After that underhanded deal was made, the proposal passed, despite my objections. Crysta voted against it as well, which must have been awkward for Aguilo. I know how much he respects her.

Special Bulletin from Militia Captain Robert, Commander of the Northern Liberation Forces

The legislative negotiations were tense. A bicameral legislature was quickly accepted by all, as was a democratic lower house, which was essential to the legitimacy of the new government. It was the upper house that was the sticking point. Charles had a proposal based on wealth, but we all quickly rejected it. It’s just noble privileges under a new name.

Pepe’s appointed upper house, that he claimed would bring expertise to legislative drafting, was too unaccountable for my taste, but the army and navy leaders were interested. I could see we were at a deadlock, so I tried to be reasonable. I suggested that the lower house be dominant, and I would go along with this proposal. Pepe agreed, but even with this change we could only muster 4 votes in favor. Emilia and Crysta disagreed with the elitism, Charles and Oliphaunt disagreed with the lack of aristocratic privilege. We were at a deadlock.

In fact, it was Oliphaunt who stuck his fingers into this proposal and suggested a temporary carve out for the nobility in the upper house, for the first round of appointments only. He also demanded more concessions for the nobility when we moved on to other topics. His vagueness about these future concessions were troubling, and he was evasive on clarifying what he meant.

I was hesitant to accept, Oliphaunt had already come swinging at me on the first day of debates. Aguilo urged us to stand together. He spoke of our united struggle in the war against the Royalists. I still remember fighting against Oliphaunt in the early days of the revolution, but there is no doubt that his army is currently fighting to defend us against the Royalist Coalition. I wonder if his eagerness to push for concessions is based on his army’s current success against the Kingdom of Rubidia?

I reluctantly made a deal with this snake, taking Aguilo’s call for unity to heart. I also had hopes of being able to minimize aristocratic influence rather than being completely cut out of the deal making process. I sympathize with Emilia, who stuck to her principles and voted against the proposal. I was almost right there with her, but I decided to be practical.

Memoirs of General Oliphaunt, Revolutionary Commander - Northern Front

The attacks on my proposals and my personal character never cease. My compromise, which was accepted by 6 out of 8 members, has been attacked for entrenching aristocratic power. The mere fact that it is temporary should make it clear that this is not an entrenchment, but a transitional measure to ease tensions. I have also been smeared for making underhanded deals because of a very vague agreement that other members would agree to more concessions to the nobility in the future. This agreement was so broad as to be meaningless. I just accepted in good faith that they would make a reasonable attempt at compromise in the future. There is nothing sinister about it.

My push for small noble concessions are reasonable. My Northern Army is filled with officers from noble backgrounds. They have seen the wisdom of toppling Valerius but they also understand the wisdom of upholding tradition. Currently they are driving deeper into the Kingdom of Rubidia, bringing one of our adversaries to its knees. A little concession is reasonable to keep them happy, especially after the service they have given.

Charles gets considerable leeway to make proposals, because he is so terribly concerned about diplomacy, he needs to signal moderation to the Royalist Coalition. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt, while rejecting his proposals. I can’t help but observe that, so far, Charles has failed to pass any proposals. I was the first one to get a real concession for the nobility. If the Royalist Coalition is impressed with our constitution, it will be because of me. Charles and his apologists should be thanking me for doing his job.

From the Office of Chancellor Pepe, Acting Head of Civil Service

Day 2 - Afternoon - Legislative Structure

In the afternoon, Charles stepped forward with another proposal. He’s tenacious, I’ll give him that. He once again drew upon Hibion for inspiration, with a bicameral legislature. He proposed a very democratic lower house and an elitist upper house based on wealth and land ownership. No one was very impressed with his proposal, but I had a far superior suggestion for an elite upper house. Its members are to be appointed by the Directorate, and its qualifications would be retired civil service or retired military members. I made sure to include the military in this, because I anticipated what Aguilo and other military members might be thinking. Indeed, Aguilo and Dauphin were very happy with my proposal.

In order to placate the Emilia, Robert and Crysta, it was agreed that the lower house would be dominant on most matters. This was a debate on overall structure, not every last detail of specific powers, so the true balance between the houses would be settled across later days, but we did broadly outline limits to the power of the upper house. The upper house would make initial drafts of legislation to guide the democratic lower house, but the lower house had final authority to amend and approve laws over the objections of the upper house. Only on specific matters would the upper house be equal to the lower. 

A last minute deal with Oliphaunt guaranteed 25% of the initial appointments to be members of the traditional aristocracy, but this would not apply after the first term. This does dilute the technocratic perfection of my proposal, but it's only temporary. An acceptable compromise for a better future. There was also a promise by certain members, not myself, to give more concessions to the nobility later. With all those deals done, the proposal passed.

Result - Consensus cannot be reached on legislative structure, passed 6-2

In favor: Aguilo, Oliphaunt, Dauphin, Robert, Pepe, Charles

Opposed: Crysta, Emilia

Form: Bicameral Parliament.

Lower House: Directly elected, no voter/candidate restrictions, 4-year terms. Final say on most legislation; amends/approves upper house drafts. Appoints 1 executive council seat.

Upper House: Appointed by Directorate, retired military/civil servants, staggered 8-year terms, half replaced every 4 years. 25% initial seats for nobles (first term only). Drafts legislation; approves amendments/emergencies with lower house. Appoints 1 executive council seat.

Power Balance: Lower house dominant; upper house advisory with initial drafting power.