Minister of Defence
The Minister of Defence must be selected by the Elected President from among the serving members of the Chamber of Commons and approved by Parliament. The Minister holds operational command and receives reports from the Chief of Defence Staff.
Current minister: Monica Devalle MP, leader of the Civic Renewal Movement. She was selected by Elected President Rhiannon Tate from the governing coalition and approved by Parliament.
Elected President
Rhiannon Tate is the serving Elected President and is responsible for selecting the ministerial nominee.
Chief of Defence Staff
General Eleanor Ward is Chief of Defence Staff and oversees daily military operations and joint planning.
Commander-in-Chief
HM King Sam I is the ceremonial Commander-in-Chief and exercises no operational control.
Parliamentary oversight
Parliament’s Defence Committee must approve declarations of war or international military engagements and annual military budgets above one billion Links Landic Dimes.
Wartime governance
During a declared national defence emergency, the National Defence Council is chaired by the Elected President and includes the Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Staff and Opposition Leader.