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THE CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT ACT, 1674
An Act to ensure and secure the preservation, continuity and resilience of the Government of the Republic of Alduria, among other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the duly elected Parliament of the Republic of Alduria assembled, -

Article 1. Citation.

1. This Act shall be officially cited as the Continuity of Government Act, 1674.
   
2. This Act shall apply to the entirety of the Republic of Alduria.
   

Article 2. Continuity of Parliament

1. In case of permanent vacancy or vacancies in Parliament, a special election may be called by resolution of Parliament or by written order of the President, but the Member or Members elected shall only serve for the expired term. This provision shall not apply for vacancies that are made known within two months before the end of the term of the Parliament.
   
2. In the event that the office of Speaker shall fall vacant during Parliament, with Parliament maintaining a quorum, a new election for the office of Speaker shall be immediately held, presided by the outgoing Speaker, or otherwise the most senior Deputy Speaker who is not nominated for the Office of Speaker, or the most senior Member of Parliament, or otherwise, the Prime Minister.
   
3. Whenever the Speaker of the Parliament is temporarily exercising the office of President of the Republic, their powers, authority, and responsibility with respect to Parliament are held in suspense.
   
4. Whenever the Parliament shall be about to convene, and, from the prevalence of contagious sickness, or the existence of other circumstances, it would in the opinion of the President or the Speaker or the presiding Deputy Speaker, be hazardous to the lives or health of the members to meet at the place to which the Parliament shall then stand adjourned, or at which it shall be next by law to meet, the President shall be, and he hereby is authorized, by proclamation, to convene the Parliament at such other place as he may judge proper.
   

Article 3. Continuity of the Presidency

1. The Parliament shall no later than 72 hours after the vacancy in both the offices of the President and Speaker occurs, convene in accordance with its rules without need of a call, immediately elect a Speaker who shall thereafter act as President, and enact a law calling for a special election to elect a President. Appropriations for the special election shall be charged against any current appropriations. The convening of the Parliament cannot be suspended nor the special election postponed.
   

Article 4. Continuity of the Government

1. When the Secretary of a Department shall be unable to exercise their office due to incapacity, vacancy or death, the senior Undersecretary of the Department shall immediately assume their office and authority as Acting Secretary. 
   

Article 5. Continuity of Military Command Authority

1. When the Chief of Staff of any of the Aldurian Armed Forces shall be unable to exercise their office due to incapacity, vacancy, or death, the Deputy Chief of Staff, or most senior officer in rank, shall immediately assume their office and authority as Acting Chief of Staff.
   

Article 6. Commencement, Severability.

1. This act shall not become law until it has received proper constitutional approval.
   
2. The provisions of this act are severable. If any part of this act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, that declaration shall not affect the part which remains.