Council of State
The Council of State is the name of an organ of government in many states, and especially in republics. The name Council of State is applied to different types of bodies in different states, from the formal name for the cabinet to a non-executive advisory body surrounding a head of state. It is sometimes (arguably erroneously) regarded as the republican equivalent of a privy council. The French for Council of State is "Conseil d'État".
Contemporary
- British Council of State - This body is the group of people who rule the United Kingdom when the Queen is on a short-term absence, e.g. Commonwealth tours, short-term illness, etc.
- Cuban Council of State
- Danish Council of State - this body is similar to a privy council. Its role is largely ceremonial and includes granting the royal assent and approving King's activities as head of state. It consists of all cabinet ministers and the Crown Prince or Heriditary Princess when he or she is of age.
- Dutch Council of State - this is an advisory body to the government which consists of members of the royal family and Crown appointed members generally having political, commercial, diplomatic, or military experience. The Council of State must be consulted by the Dutch cabinet on proposed legislation before a law is submitted to the parliament and also serves as a channel of appeal for citizens against decisions of the executive branch.
- Finnish Council of State - this is the Finnish cabinet. It consists of the prime minister and other ministers, and must enjoy the confidence of the Finnish parliament.
- French Conseil d'État - this is a judicial and advisory body. It assists the executive with legal advice and is the supreme court for administrative justice.
- Irish Council of State - this body advises the President of Ireland in the exercise of most of her reserve powers. In practice it meets only rarely. The President is not obliged to heed its advice but must consult the body in certain circumstances.
- Portuguese Council of State - an advisory body to the President of the Republic in the exercise of most of his or her reserve powers. It is summoned by the President whenever he wishes, and is obliged to do so in case he dissolves the Assembly of the Republic or in case he declares war or peace. He or she is not bound by it.
- Swiss Conseils d'État - In Switzerland a Conseil d'État heads the cantonal government of each French speaking canton.