Imperial Constitution of 2017

The Imperial Constitution of 2017, also know as the Imperial Constitution as the previous constitution or the Imperial and Royal Constitution of 2017 refers to the third and actual Constitution of Karnia-Ruthenia. It is the first constitution granted by the Emperor, not enacted by him.

The inspiration for this Constitution was the German Constitution of 1871, the February Patent and the Meiji Constitution, but also brought legal innovations never before seen in the micronational sector, like the institute of habeas ius. With the greatest legal renewal in the history of the Empire, many of the provisions created or altered tacitly revoked the Karno-Ruthenian Compromise of 2016 and effectively repealed the Imperial Constitution of 2016, paving the way for other reforms that would be made in other legislations.

Background
On 05 January 2017, Wilhelm von und zu Hochbach, Minister of Justice issued the February Manifesto, a document that served as a precursor to the Karno-Ruthenian Empire's third constitution. The Manifesto was a response to the legal confusion that permeated the Legislative Power of the Empire. Oscar I strenuously resisted to the idea of change the constitution for a third time, but gave in after the February Manifesto, promising total reformation of the Empire's structure of government.

After an audience of more than five hours with the Emperor-King on the night of 09 February 2017, on the following day the Constitutional Commission was established. Presided by Hochbach, the commission was formed by Nicolas Grangier, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Christian of Letzembourg, Grand Duke of Letzembourg and Thomas of Cumagne.

Several meetings between the members of the commission and the President of the Commission and the Emperor took place from 10 February 2017 until the last meeting that lasted eight consecutive hours between 27 and 28 July 2017, when the final section of the constitution was published for consideration and approved by the other members of the Commission. On the same day, the final draft was submitted by the Commission to the Emperor, who approved the final text the following day, by decree n. 096-2017.

After the promulgation of the constitution, the President of the Commission extinguished the work of the Constitutional Commission on 30 July 2017 through Ordinance n. 017-2017. On 31 July, the Emperor made a brief patriotic speech about the new constitution, which would take effect the next day, 01 August 2017, a national holiday. Still on 01 August, the Emperor took his solemn oath to protect and enforce the Constitution, making him, in fact, a constitutional monarch.

Later that day, the Imperial Decree n. 099-2017, about the Temporary Constitutional Provisions Act, was published, adapting and giving effect, finally, the new legislature, the Imperial Diet.

Signatories and members
The constitution was signed by Oscar I, the Emperor of Karnia and King of Ruthenia, acting in his capacity as Head of the State. The text approved by the Emperor and delivered by the Constitutional Commission was signed by its members, Wilhelm von und zu Hochbach, Nicolas Grangier, Christian of Letzembourg and Thomas of Cumagne. Guilherme, Duke of Libertia and Anton Wenzel also signed the Constitution, since they were Heads of Government at that time.