Editing User:Bill/Hyperstructure Aurora (section)

==Government==
Aurora is presided over by an oligarchy composed of 13 appointed ministers called the civil governance council. These 13 men and women represent broad divisions, such as the military and public health, in the society of Aurora. It is intended to be a meritocracy, however many of these seats are gained at least as often through political maneuvering as they are by skill in the area that the minister is supposed to represent and manage. Ministers are appointed for life by a two-thirds majority vote of the other 12 ministers. By tradition, members of the civil governance council of Aurora step aside after a term of 20 years. The prime minister, who is empowered to act without council approval in emergencies and who's vote breaks ties in council decisions, is elected by simple majority every five years. 

The civil governance council has been extremely conservative since the global disaster that caused the enormous loss of life on earth and the collapse of most governments. For the last 13 years it has been led by Prime Minister Konrad Brewer, a former general in Aurora's armed forces. Brewer is nearing the end of his 20 year term on the civil governance council. It's rumored that he's planning to break tradition and continue to holding his seat. Other members of the council are jockeying for support in their bid for his seat while simultaneously grooming candidates among the military to take Brewer's seat as minister of defense. This has some interesting consequences as high ranking officers in the military attempt to distinguish themselves by backing new hardware projects, engaging in sweeping counter terrorist operations, and otherwise pushing the boundaries of what would be considered normal and acceptable behavior.