Chancellor of Chisei

The Chancellor of Chisei (Chiseian Yashiman: 宰相 Saishō) is the de-facto and  in Chisei, as well as Commander-in-Chief of the Chiseian Armed Forces.

The Chancellor is appointed via a national election under a two-round system. However, as the Chancellor executes their duties as a direct representative of the Grand King of Chisei, the chancellor-elect may only enter office with the consent of the monarch, and a sitting chancellor may also be unilaterally removed by the monarch, though this is a rare occurrence.

The current officeholder is Seikōjo Chika, who succeeded Makino Shikayu on 8th of June, 2016.

Role
The Chancellor possesses relatively broad authority, and Chisei closely resembles a or  of government. Although the Prime Minister of Chisei oversees many of the nation's day-to-day affairs (especially in domestic issues), the Chancellor wields significant influence and authority, especially in the fields of and foreign policy. For example, the chancellor directly appoints the ministers of War, Justice, Foreign Affairs and Ceremonies, who are together commonly known as the Royal ministers. These ministers belong to the Great Council of State, but are considered to be directly accountable to the monarch and chancellor over the prime minister and assembly, and in fact are commonly not necessarily partisan officials, but previously senior members of the civil service.

The most important power of the chancellorship is the ability to appoint the prime minister. However, as the prime minister serves only at the confidence of the Heavenly Assembly, the prime minister is almost always the leader of the largest party in the assembly.

It is possible for a chancellor to refuse the appointment of the prime minister outright, and call new elections, but this is typically both politically volatile and limited, as the deliberate obstruction of the formation of a government is explicitly outlawed in the Chiseian constitution. Consequently, it is possible and reasonably common for a chancellor and prime minister of different parties to hold office simultaneously. In the event of such cohabitation, it is typical for the prime minister to exert control over domestic matters and the legislative agenda, while the chancellor oversees matters such as foreign relations, defence and justice.

Among the powers of the Chancellor:
 * The chancellor grants to new laws.
 * The chancellor has a suspensive veto: when presented with a law, they may request another reading by the Heavenly Assembly, but may only do so once per law.
 * The chancellor may refer a law for review to the Supreme Constitutional Court of the Shihōin.
 * The chancellor may dissolve the Heavenly Assembly.
 * The chancellor may refer treaties or laws to popular, with the agreement of the Prime Minister.
 * The chancellor appoints new members to the Royal Council.
 * The chancellor directly appoints the ministers of War, Justice, Foreign Affairs and Ceremonies, who are together commonly known as the Royal ministers - that is to say they are accountable not to the Assembly and the Prime Minister, but to the chancellor and the monarch.
 * The chancellor appoints the officials of the Kōshīn, Tosatsuin and Shihōin, with the approval of the Heavenly Assembly.
 * The chancellor is the Chief of the Armed Forces.
 * The chancellor may authorise the use of nuclear weapons.
 * The chancellor names most officials (with the assent of the Great Council).
 * The chancellor receives and accreddits foreign ambassadors.
 * The chancellor may grant a to convicted criminals, and may also lessen or suppress criminal sentences.

Many of the powers of the Chancellor require the counter-signature of the prime minister, except for direct appointments of officials (including the Prime Minister) and the dissolution of the Heavenly Assembly.

Official Residence and Offices
The official residence of the Chancellor is at Kurowashi Castle, a large fortified manor located in the Northern District of the Royal City in Eito, which also acts as the meeting place of the Great Council of State.