The First Councillor is the leader of the Sivadian Parliament and also, by tradition the First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service, though during the interregnum following Queen Paulette II's abdication, the title was changed to Treasury First Secretary. The First Councillor's unique position of authority derives from the support of the majority of the 25 member Council of Equals, and his ability to appoint and dismiss cabinet ministers. By modern convention, the First Councillor always sits in the Council of Equals, but under Sivadian law, this does not prevent him from being a peer, provided he disclaims his seat in the Council of Peers for the length of his Council of Equals term.