President of the Compact

May 9, 2025

Affiliation: Compact of Humanity in Assembly
Status: Active
Type: Executive Office

Overview

The President of the Compact is the ceremonial and diplomatic head of state for the Compact of Humanity in Assembly. The office was established in 430 IE as part of a constitutional revision that separated the functions of head of state and head of government, which had previously both been held by the Secretary-General.

While the President does not lead the legislature or the Cabinet, they serve as a unifying figure, final authority in matters of state recognition, and crisis leader during exceptional circumstances.

Powers and Responsibilities

  • Head of State: Represents the Compact across the human sphere and in all diplomatic relations with non-human polities.

  • Commander-in-Chief (Ceremonial): Formally oversees Compact military forces; actual command resides with the Joint Chiefs and Secretary-General.

  • Treaty Authority: Signs treaties ratified by the Compact Assembly; may reject or return proposed treaties for further debate.

  • Succession Authority: Appoints interim Secretary-General (with Assembly approval) if the office is vacated during crisis or war.

  • Crisis Powers: During states of emergency, may assume temporary authority to override standard legislative procedure (subject to Security Council review).

History and Formation

  • The office of President was created during 430 IE reforms to the Compact of Humanity, prompted by widespread concern that the Secretary-General held too much unilateral authority as both executive leader and symbolic representative of the Compact.

  • The first President, Baker ibn-Aziz, was elevated from Secretary-General and served provisionally during the transition. He eventually became president in his own right in 431.

  • The Presidency provides a symbolic check on legislative overreach and a permanent office through which diplomatic continuity can be maintained.

Notable Officeholders

  • Baker ibn-Aziz – First president of the Compact; led during the transition period and worked to stabilize the Compact following the Gelt Incursion.

  • Marcus Leitman – Ascended to the presidency after ibn-Aziz became incapacitated. Originally Secretary-General, Leitman became acting president before formally assuming the title.

Line of Succession

While the office of Vice President exists, it has historically been a ceremonial or advisory role. Under the original 430 IE succession rule, the Secretary-General—not the Vice President—is first in line to assume the presidency, making the vice presidency a virtual political dead end.

Succession Order (per 430 IE reforms):

  1. President of the Compact

  2. Secretary-General

  3. Vice President of the Compact (only if both President and Secretary-General are incapacitated)

  4. Deputy Secretary-General

This succession protocol was heavily criticized in later years, as many came to believe that Marcus Leitman—who became president through this rule—intentionally designed it to bypass the vice presidency and secure the office for himself. The loophole was corrected in a later constitutional revision, though not before it significantly impacted Compact political dynamics.