What is the current status of the Imperial Senate?
The Devolution of Authorities which underpins the Atlantian system of government lapsed in 10509 (1990) when Imperial Senate elections failed to occur within the timeframe specified by the Constitution. All Judicial, Legislative and Executive Authority thereby reverted to the Emperor who afterwards ruled by Decree. In 10520 (2001) the Office of the Emperor announced the progressive appointment of a transitional government, as part of a longer-term strategy to return the Imperium to full representative democracy. Several Ministers were subsequently installed and in Sextarius (July) of that year the Empire’s Judicial Authority was devolved to a new Magister Aequitas (chief justice). Due to sustained rapid population growth, the Transitional Imperial Administration has not thus far been willing to set a date for elections to re-establish an independent legislature, and whilst several Senators-designate have been named, the Imperial Senate itself remains in a state of abeyance.
