CHAPTER TWO#
The Powers and Prerogatives of the Emperor#
Article 6#
In the Ethiopian Empire supreme power rests in the hands of the Emperor. He ensures the exercise thereof in conformity with the established law.
Article 7#
The Emperor of Ethiopia will institute the Chamber of the Senate (Yeheggue Mewossegna Meker Beth) and the Chamber of Deputies (Yeheggue Memriya Meker Beth). The laws prepared by those chambers become executory by imperial promulgation.
Article 8#
It is the Emperor’s right to convene the deliberative chambers and to declare the opening and close of their sessions. He may also order their convocation before or after the usual time.
Article 9#
When the chambers are not sitting, the Emperor has the right in case of necessity to promulgate decrees taking the place of laws, so as to maintain order and avert public dangers. The law determines that these decrees shall in due course be presented to the chambers at their first subsequent meeting, and that they shall be abrogated for the future if the chambers do not approve of them.
Article 10#
The Emperor shall give the necessary orders to ensure the execution of the laws in force, according to the letter and the spirit thereof, for the maintenance of public order and for the development of the prosperity of the nation.
Article 11#
The Emperor shall decide the organization and regulation of all administrative departments. It is the Emperor’s right to appoint and dismiss officers in the Army as well as civil officials, and to decide their respective functions and salaries.
Article 12#
The right of declaring war and concluding peace is legally reserved to the Emperor.
Article 13#
It is the Emperor’s right to decide what armed forces shall be maintained, both in time of peace and in time of war.
Article 14#
The Emperor has legally the right to negotiate and sign all kinds of treaties.
Article 15#
The Emperor has the right to confer the title of prince and other honors, to establish personal estates (reste-guelt), and to institute new orders.
Article 16#
The Emperor has the right to grant pardons, commute penalties, and to reinstate.
Article 17#
If the Emperor is incapable, either by reason of age or sickness, of dealing with the affairs of State, a regent of the empire may be appointed, pursuant to the law of the imperial house, in order to exercise the supreme power on the Emperor’s behalf.