Actually, forget democracy.
We need to do a Technocracy/Meritocracy with a democratically elected council leader so everything we do is in the people's interest (kinda) while we have smart people doing the things they need.
Yep, technocracy. Or we have different advisors for different purposes (the Consulate) so we don't have one person trying to master several fields. For example, an Economic Advisor, Scientific Advisor, Diplomatic Advisor, Military Advisor, etc. Obviously those are fitting for a later time period, but you get the idea. The office is to be granted by election and any conflicts are to be resolved by a vote between the Consulate, or, if necessary, a referendum.