The Constitution of Meridenn

Notice: Meridenn is a virtual civic community and creative project. It is not a sovereign state, confers no legal nationality, citizenship, or rights under any real-world law, and none of its documents (passports, IDs, business registrations) have legal force in any country. Membership is voluntary and free at any time.

Preamble

We, the founders and citizens of Meridenn, believe that young people deserve a real say in how their community is governed — not as a simulation of adulthood, but as genuine practice in democracy, responsibility, and civic life. Meridenn exists to give teens a voice: a place to run for office, start a venture, propose laws, and be heard by peers who take them seriously.

We establish this Constitution as the foundational law of Meridenn, binding on all citizens and institutions of the nation.

Article I — Citizenship

1. Citizenship is open to any person aged 13 and above, regardless of nationality, location, background, or belief.
2. To become a citizen, an applicant must:
3. Provide a citizen name (a real or chosen display name)
4. Provide their full legal name (private, encrypted, never displayed publicly)
5. Pass age verification (13+) via Yoti
6. Optionally provide their country of residence
7. Read and sign the Citizen's Pledge
8. Citizenship is free and may be renounced at any time by the citizen, with all personal data deleted upon request.
9. The Citizen's Pledge:

   "I join Meridenn freely. I will treat my fellow citizens with respect. I will not use this platform to harass, deceive, or harm others. I understand Meridenn is a civic community project, not a legal nation, and its documents carry no legal authority. I accept the Constitution and laws of Meridenn as the terms of my citizenship."

10. Citizenship may be suspended or revoked by the Council of Ministers, with the right of appeal to the Citizens' Assembly, for violations of the Code of Conduct.
11. Every citizen has the right to hold, run for, and vote in elected office, subject to the age and residency rules set for each office.

Article II — Structure of Government

Meridenn is a democratic republic composed of three bodies:

1. The President

• Head of state and government, elected by all citizens for a term of 24 months.
• Appoints Ministers directly to lead each portfolio of the Council of Ministers. Appointments take effect immediately and are recorded publicly, and remain subject to recall by the Citizens' Assembly (Article II.2).
• May be recalled by a two-thirds vote of the Citizens' Assembly.
• Term limit: 4 consecutive terms.

2. The Council of Ministers

• Appointed directly by the President. Each Minister leads one portfolio: e.g. Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Culture, Justice, Communications, Languages.
• Any Minister may be removed by the President at any time, or by a majority vote of the Citizens' Assembly.
• The President must fill and keep filled: a Minister of Justice (oversees the Code of Conduct and citizen appeals) and a Minister of Commerce (oversees business registration).

3. The Citizens' Assembly

• Open to all citizens; Meridenn's direct-democracy chamber.
• Any citizen may submit a proposal (law, policy, event, amendment) for debate.
• Proposals pass with a simple majority of votes cast, unless otherwise specified in this Constitution.
• The Assembly may recall the President or any Minister by the votes specified above.

Article III — Elections

1. Presidential elections are held every 24 months.
2. Any citizen may declare candidacy during the two-week Nomination Period.
3. A two-week Campaign Period follows, during which candidates may post platforms and participate in public debate.
4. Voting is open for one week. Every citizen gets one vote. The candidate with the most votes wins.
5. In case of a tie, a runoff vote is held within 48 hours.
6. Election integrity is overseen by an independent Electoral Commission, appointed by the outgoing Assembly and ineligible to run in the election they administer.
7. Ministers are not elected — see Article II.2 for appointment.

Article IV — Rights of Citizens

Every citizen of Meridenn has the right to: 1. Freedom of expression, within the bounds of the Code of Conduct. 2. Vote and stand for elected office. 3. Submit proposals to the Citizens' Assembly. 4. Register and operate a business under Meridenn law. 5. Access and delete their personal data at any time. 6. A fair hearing before any suspension or removal of citizenship. 7. Petition for constitutional amendment (Article VII). 8. Participate in Meridenn's civic life in any of its official languages (Article IX).

Article V — Commerce & Business Registration

1. Any citizen may register a business with the Ministry of Commerce by providing: business name, type, description, and owner(s).
2. Registered businesses receive a Meridenn Business Certificate (digital, non-legal).
3. The Ministry of Commerce maintains a public registry of active businesses.
4. Meridenn may host a citizen marketplace, directory, or showcase for registered businesses at the Council's discretion.

Article VI — Code of Conduct

1. Citizens must not harass, bully, threaten, or deceive other citizens.
2. Citizens must not impersonate real people or public officials.
3. Citizens must not use Meridenn to solicit, share, or arrange anything illegal or unsafe.
4. All citizens have access to a confidential reporting tool, reviewed by the Ministry of Justice.
5. Violations may result in warnings, suspension, or (for severe or repeated violations) removal of citizenship.
6. Conduct that is illegal under real-world law (e.g. threats, harassment, exploitation) may be reported to real authorities as required by law, in addition to a permanent ban from Meridenn.

Article VII — Amendments

1. Any citizen may propose an amendment to this Constitution via the Citizens' Assembly.
2. An amendment requires a two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly and Presidential assent.
3. If the President vetoes an amendment, the Assembly may override with a three-quarters majority.
4. Every citizen remains subject at all times to the laws of their actual country of residence. Meridenn's Constitution and Code of Conduct apply only within the platform itself, alongside — never in place of — real-world law.

Article VIII — National Symbols

1. The Flag, Coat of Arms, Anthem, and Motto of Meridenn shall be adopted by the founding Council and may be changed only by constitutional amendment.
2. The national motto is "Vox Omnium" — "The Voice of All."
3. National symbols are creative and ceremonial; they carry no legal significance outside Meridenn.

Article IX — Official Languages

1. Meridenn recognizes English, French, and German as its official languages.
2. All founding documents, government communications, and platform interfaces shall be made available in all three languages.
3. Citizens may conduct civic business — proposals, elections, reports — in any official language.
4. The Ministry of Languages (or an appointed Minister covering this portfolio) is responsible for maintaining translation quality across all three languages.

Adopted on [founding date] by the Founding Council of Meridenn.