Dux

The Dux of La Rossa is the head of state of the Republic of La Rossa. Democratically elected to two-year terms by nation-wide popular vote, the Dux holds immense executive power over the island. Although they are joined by an Advisory Council, representing the opinions of the island's city-provinces, and meant to place judgement on the Dux's decisions, the Advisors hold almost no formal power, unlike traditional legislatures, and all power to pass decrees lies in the hands of the reigning Dux. A 4/5ths vote of the Advisors is necessary in order to halt a decree. No term limits have ever been set for Duxes, and most have continued being re-elected until their deaths or retirement throughout the nation's history. Leo Minestrici of Mineria is the current reigning Dux, first elected in 39 PC.

History

The position was first established in 1044 TT, following the unification of the nation. In order to stop bloody skirmishes between the Six Families and cool tensions over territory between the city-states, a single central state was placed over the island. Since then, its ruler has been determined by vote amongst the Families. Giuseppe Giannone di Salino, often hailed as the "Father of the Nation", was crowned the first Dux. Although much power remained in regional hands for many centuries, the state began to centralize over time, and the Dux's power was understood to be more absolute. In 106 TT, the violence of the Spirit Revolution prompted the election of the reformist Dux Michelangelo Giannone di Salino, who expanded voting rights to all men in ownership of property. After the violent period of La Denunzia and the popular installation of Dux Giulio Falcone in 5 PC, the nation underwent several years without any elections, before pressure caused the ruling Dux to step down. Ever since, elections were determined by total nation-wide vote, with universal suffrage for all citizens over the age of 16. The following elections led to the victory of Ducissa Alessandra DeGaio, the only woman to hold such a position.

List

Name	Took office	Left office	Notes
Giuseppe Giannone di Salino	1044 TT	1029 TT	The first man to hold the position over a unified island. The Father of La Rossa.
Francesco Buonestrotti di Buglio	662 TT	652 TT	Introduced the paper argotto as a replacement for silver money, placing the creation of money in the hands of the state.
Giorgio Miglio di Padeno	228 TT	199 TT	Presided over the early years of industrial progress. Decreed five years of mandatory schooling for all children above the age of 8.
Edmondo Giannone di Salino	110 TT	106 TT	The reigning Dux during the Spirit Revolution. Resigned in shame weeks after his second re-election.
Michelangelo Giannone di Salino	106 TT	92 TT	Reformist leader and the nephew of Edmondo Giannone. Introduced suffrage for all men in ownership of property. Created the Advisory Council.
Mario Buonestrotti di Buglio	2 TT	5 PC	Ruled during the Silver Crisis, during which he was ousted.
Giulio Falcone	5 PC	15 PC	Populist firebrand, installed after the popular uprising of La Denunzia. The only Dux to never be elected. Presided during the period of Second Calming. Resigned following public pressure.
Alessandra DeGaio	15 PC	29 PC	First woman to hold office. Previous Advisor and great critic of Dux Falcone. Dismantled the silver standard. The mother of the modern welfare state.
Leo Minestrici di Mineria	39 PC		The first member of the Six Families to be elected after La Denunzia. Opened La Rossa to the wider archipelago.