The Deihuit (Rihannsu Senate) is the supreme governing body of the Empire and is composed of two houses: the Lower Senate and the Upper Senate. It maintains complete control over the appropriation of the Empire's resources, approves and disapproves legislation, as well as the elections of tribunes and governmental officials, makes and ratifies treaties, and it determines who will be entrusted with the powers of the Galae. This structure seems to have provided a stable legislative base which prevents the passing of large amounts of revolutionary legislation and promotes stability.
The Deihuit is a descendant of the Grand Council, established shortly after the Landing on the Two Worlds. The Grand Council was a representative body to which each local clan, tribe, or city was to send representatives. When the Grand Council was reformed as the deihuit 100 years later, this unique districting structure remained in effect. While the situation remained tolerable through the planetary history of the deihuit, the settlement of other worlds has put a serious strain on it. Districts on newly settled planets are assigned rather haphazardly, coinciding largely with major centers of initial colonization and the political favor of whatever group currently dominates the Deihuit.
It is also a center of political intrigue and infighting. The most ancient and noble families of the Empire struggle daily to further their own causes, for the glory of the Empire, and often for their own personal advancement. The Senate is composed of many factions that bring many voices into Rihannsu politics and these factions provide a system of checks and balances in the continual struggle for personal power.
Many Senators (Deihu) are from ancient families, and candidates for an open senatorial seat are chosen from the previous Senator's family. Candidates openly campaign for the positions, appearing in public and making alliances with key senators and coalition (party) members. Before the final choice, each candidate makes a final speech before the entire senate, the speeches broadcast throughout the Empire.
Deihuit'rhoi
The Deihuit'rhoi, or lower senate, comprises almost 700 Senators from across the Star Empire. The lower senate is the core of the Senate's power since it is in this lower chamber where legislation is debated and enacted.
- Eisn is the most represented system in the Deihuit'rhoi with 360 Senators allotted between the two core worlds of Ch'Rihan (240) and Ch'Havran (120).
- The Deihuit'lleifven (Senate Speaker) is the most powerful person in the Deihuit and the second most powerful person in the Empire (directly behind the Chief Praetor). Elected by the body of the Dehuit'rhoi the Deihuit'lleifven has complete control over what legislation and policies will be brought to the floor for a confirming vote. He also determines who will chair the various Senate committees.
Deihuit'aerrh
The Deihuit'aerrh, or Upper Senate, exists explicitly to veto legislation. However, the veto threshold is quite high since a three-fourths majority vote of the upper body is required to confirm a veto. Members of the Deihuit'aerrh also hold the title of 'Deihu' though the body is mainly comprised of Military Officials and Planetary Governors.
The Deihuit'aerrh is comprised of over 300, below are the positions that give one a seat in the Deihuit'aerrh:
- Director of the Galae
- Chairman of the Tal Diann
- Chairman of the Gai'Shain
- Chairman of the Science Fleets
- Minister of Temporal and Spatial Investigations
- Minister of Exploration Command
- Minister of R&D
- Chairman of Engineering Corps
- Minister of Ship Design and Construction
- Minister of Facility Design and Construction
- Minister of Logistical Engineering
- Chairman of the Galae Academies
- Director of the Tal Shi'ar
- Chairman of the Internal Security Division
- Chairman of the Military Affairs Division
- Chairman of the Special Operations Division
- Chairman of the Intelligence Analysis Division
- Chairman of the Research and Development Division
- Chairman of the Mind War Division
- Director of the Rei'Krannsu
- Chairman of the Ta'Pakrsh
- Regents- System Lords
- Governors- Planet Lords (for highly populated systems)
- Mayors- District Lords (for extremely populated systems, such as ch'Revillion)
- Civilian Education Rep
- Civilian Civil Logistics
- Civilian Peoples' Rep
- Inquisition and Judicial Reps
- Civilian Civil Trade reps
- Civilian Colonial reps