NationStates Jolt Archive

Background: Edolian Politics
There are two major branches of the Edolian government. The Impërator -a hereditary position, currently Erik von Blätterschplitt- controls what in most countries would be deemed the executive duties, appointing ministers, dealing with most foreign polices and acting as the Head of State. He also controls the military and is granted broad powers to command them independently of Parliament. Parliament is the second branch of the Edolian government and is elected representatively by the Edolian people every five years. The Chancellor, elected by the 500 members of Parliament has the responsibility of nominating judges to the High Court when necessary, who serve life terms. Because Edolia is strictly Socialist, donations to political parties is banned, and they receive funding from the government each year based on party polling, which takes place every year. Depending on the percentage of the vote that supports each party, they will receive a certain amount of funding each year, with a large amount extra on election years.

The Parties: A Breakdown of Parliament (as of January 1, 20??)
Edolian Socialist Party (S): 23.7% -- 119 MPs
Edolian Imperial Party (I): 20.5% -- 102 MPs
The Red Flag Party (I): 19.8% -- 99 MPs
Edolian Communist Party (I): 14.4% -- 72 MPs
The Green Party (S): 8.7% -- 43 MPs
Christian-Capitalist Coalition (S): 5.6% -- 28 MPs
Freedom Party (S): 2.8% -- 14 MPs
Other Independent Socialist Supporters (I): 2.6% -- 13 MPs
Other Independent Imperial Supporters (S): 1.9% -- 10 MPs

Imperial Coalition: 283 Ministers (56.6%)
Socialist Coalition: 217 Ministers (43.4%)

Parliamentary Politics
The Edolian Imperial Party leads the ruling Imperial Coalition, along with the Red Flag Party and the Edolian Communist Party. The Imperial Party tends to echo its Communist and Red Flag allies on most issues, but stresses the importance of the Impërator, advocating greater power for the ruling family. The Red Flag and Communist Parties share almost identical political views, although the Red Flag Party tends to be much more confrontational internationally, advocating that the Scarlet Empire aggressively work to bring democracy and socialism to foreign countries.

Although the Edolian Socialist Party was able to gain a plurality vote in the elections held ten years ago, an increase that plurality slightly some four and a half years ago, they have never been able to gather the sufficient votes necessary to form a ruling coalition and elect and Chancellor. While the Edolian Socialist Party in most countries would be significantly left and liberal, in the comparatively extreme Edölia, it serves as the main rightist-conservative party, and advocates a relaxation of economic restrictions, as well as reductions in government spending. Its main political ally at this time is the Green Party, which came over from the then Communist Coalition ten years ago. The Green Party’s members have a variety of different viewpoints on most issues, although they all share the belief that the environment –an issue generally ignored in Edölia- must be more carefully safeguarded. The other major members of the Socialist Coalition are the Christian-Capitalist Coalition –considered radically right-wing for Edölia, while in most countries it would be considered quite moderate- and the Freedom Party, which advocates forming an Allanean-style libertarian state. The latter party is increasingly unpopular in Edölia, and has been declining in popularity since the Allanean-UnAPS War.

---

The Red Flag Party Headquarters; Blätterschplitt City
July 17th, 20??
Four and a half months until elections
“…and it is for those reasons that we must place our full support behind the budget proposed by Comrade von Hornstüdl. To do otherwise would be a break in long-standing Red Flag tradition, and would be a betrayal of our Imperial allies.” As Assistant General Secretary Portugo von Quetz took his seat once again, the room was abuzz with the noise of ministers conferring. To an outside observer, it was clear which way the Red Flag Party would go.

Vanderbul von Hërtz was not pleased. The veteran member of Parliament listened with increasing annoyance as his party’s Assistance General Secretary read his statement. ’Long-standing Red Flag tradition’ indeed! The bastard was just repeating the same old shit. Looking to his left, von Hërtz noticed another MP, Ernzt von Altrox with a similar expression on his face. It was no question that von Hërtz wasn’t the only member of the Red Flag Party to feel that way. Turning to his neighbor, he mumbled “something must be done about this.” Von Altrox nodded, but resumed listening.

“…and following the Assistant General Secretary, we have the Party Finance Secretary, Comrade Ulrit von Krüg. Please give your attention to Comrade von Krüg.” A short, balding man stood up in his seat and began to read another statement.
“It is in the interest of the Red Flag Party to keep our allies, the Imperials and the Communists strong. This new budget provides us with everything we had hoped for, except for some of our new military and security programs. All in all, I see this budget as a potential victory for our Coalition.” As the Finance Secretary talked, Vanderbul von Hërtz nodded to himself. Yes, something had to be done. Drastic measure needed to be taken if the party was to keep from going down, as it seemed to be. Almost on a whim, von Hërtz pressed the few buttons on his desk-board to get his name added to the speaker’s list. It was empty, so he was up next. As von Krüg began finishing up his statements, von Hërtz realized that he had no idea what he would say. He rapidly jotted down some notes.
“Comrade Vanderbul von Hërtz. You have two minutes.” The member of parliament got out of his seat and stood for moment, allowing the silence to wash over him. He studied the eyes of the other party officials, many of whom were facing him. He took a deep breath before speaking.
“This. Sickens. Me.” He waited for his words to make an impact. Suddenly, everyone who hadn’t been paying attention was. He felt some five hundred eyes on him. “What was our party founded on? Were we founded to act as the little brothers to the Imperials and Communists –who, I might add, control a smaller portion of Parliament than we do? Were we founded to act as the running dogs of the Impërator? We were not. Comrades. The Red Flag Party was founded to work towards building up Edolian strength. We were founded to promote freedom, democracy and socialism throughout the world. We were most certainly not founded to help perpetuate the rule of the family von Blätterschplitt, the last vestige of our imperialist past. I do not believe that I am the only one within this party who believes that the time has come to shed our allegiance to the Imperials, nor am I the only one who believes that we must hold strong on our commitment to ensuring the peace and security of the Edolian people. Therefore, I issue a challenge to the Red Flag leadership: Reform or fall. I do not believe that the General Secretary wants to see this party fractured, but I for one will not hesitate to change my affiliation if I believe that that is what is best for Edölia.” As the member of Parliament sat down, the other party members stared at each other before the hall was filled with the sound of quick, urgent chatter. It had begun.

<<OOC: I'm not done yet. Feel free to make comments. I'll be adding more later, but if anyone is interested in jumping in, they can post something. If you're not sure about anything though, telegram me or contact me via AIM.>>

OOC: This seems interesting - I'll jump in, if you don't mind.

IC:

32 year old Jack Dale, one of the younger Red Flag MPs and originally an Allanean refugee, sat through the beginning of the meeting basically twiddling his thumbs. The speeches had been pretty much along the traditional bull; keeping our Imperial allies friendly, a great victory for the coalition; Jack wasn't really listening to any of this; this rubbish was what his family had left Allanea to avoid in the first place.

As the Finance Secretary began his praising of the budget, Jack's mind began to wander. He found himself remmembering one of his grandfather's speeches when he had been a member of the Red Flag Leadership. The words echoed in his mind as a phrase hit back at him from a corner of his mind...

"...to strengthen the bonds between our fellow comrades, and move towards true Communism in our time!" Peter Dale had been speaking to the Red Flag National Convention seventeen years earlier. Jack had sat transfixed as he listened to his Grandfather bellow across the auditorium across the wall-length speaker systems either side of him, his eyes glaring as red as the background of the hammer and sickle draped above the speaker's podium. It had took some guts to join the party, being as Allanea was traditionally capitalist. Perhaps some people assume that all Allaneans were from that political background. Pete Dale had proved them wrong.

"Fellow comrades, it is a sad day when we see our great nation moving to help the political elite; to pamper to their every whim, to hold their needs over the needs of the worker - home, work, medical care. It is time to shake off the former bonds of our imperialist past, and move away from the direction our nation is leaning. As I see the centralists and right-wing extremists run to the call of our so-called hereditary rulers, I have to declare..."

"This. Sickens. Me."

Dale snapped out of his daydream, and looked up along the table. Vanderbul von Hërtz, one of the veteran members of the party, was standing and looking distastefully along the table at the Party Leadership that was present. Just at that moment, von Hërtz's voice had overlapped the exact words of Jack's grandfather, which had brought him back to reality with a bang.

von Hërtz began his speech. Quickly said, and obviously hurried, it was by no means a polished performance. But it wasn't his statesmanship that caught Jack's ear; it was the points he made. He listened for the first time that meeting, and found him sitting up and nodding slightly as von Hërtz chewed into the Party Leadership with everything he had. When he sat down, Jack's mind was racing as the hall burst into urgent discussion.

OOC: Okay, that did little but set the scene, but it's quarter to one in the morning so I'll post something more meaningful tommorow. :)

OOC: Edolia. I wish to get involved... perhaps the best way is to have your Red Party contact our DOECO... although odds are that DOECO had that room bugged anyway, that's not the point...

<<OOC: Euro Switzerland: Not bad. The only problem is the name. Edolian names are always X von Y (unlike German names where only nobles would have that form). Also, the names aren’t English sounding. That being said, it’s possible that this Jack Dale comes from Axackal, which used to be Allanean. There they speak English. That being said, I would include something about his heritage then. Allaneans are strict capitalists… basically libertarians… love guns and have no gun laws whatsoever. Edölia and Allanea have fought quite a number of wars in the past (five all told). Anyway, I’ll write you a telegram telling you more or less what I have planned for all of this. That should help you come up with your next moves.

If anyone else comes in, they can either play as an Edolian, or, better yet, as someone from your country getting involved in the Edolian political process (all covertly of course, since we don’t allow any outside interference generally).>>

Edolian Broadcasting Company (EBC) Channel 73
1630, July 25th, 20??
---“The tone in Blätterschplitt has been excited recently, as member after member of the Edolian Red Flag Party have announced their intentions to break from the party. As of yet, no official leaders of what is being dubbed as the “Red Flag Tear” have emerged, although veteran Parliament member Vanderbul von Hërtz has been playing a major part and is widely regarded as the ringleader of the insurrection. He has scheduled a press conference for later today and is expected to announce the formation of a new political party.

There has been some discussion over the last week regarding the impact of a new party on the Edolian political environment. The main question is whether or not the new Red Flag Party will join the Socialist Coalition. If they do not and remain independent, they will be the only political party in Parliament unaffiliated with a coalition. Depending on their popularity, they could potentially dramatically change the political make-up of Edolia, giving a Socialist majority in Parliament and putting the Imperial Party at a severe disadvantage and causing major difficulties for the Impërator.

We’ll continue to bring you commentary on the situation as it unfolds. Tune in at 2000 hours for live coverage of von Hërtz’s press conference.”---

<<OOC: If anyone is interested in playing a special role here, contact me and I’ll clue you in. I don’t plan on getting to the press conference until a little bit… something else I want to do first. If no one comes forward, I’ll just do it myself.>>

President's office, Trebek City
President Jim Prescott puffed on his cigar while reading over the intel report on the Edolian party schism. It was nice to know that the intelligence services were still operating well since he'd left, as his nation relied on intelligence as a way to stave off potential conflict by getting to the root of the problem diplomatically before things got hot. Looking at this report, it seemed someone in the intel services had done their homework. Turning an Edolian political intern so they could get acess to most of the comittee and party meeting minutes. Prescott hit the intercom button on his phone. "Tell Director Walsh to meet me at the Cloak for lunch please." Taking another drag on his cigar, he went on to something a little more pressing, taxes and the budget.

The Cloak and Dagger Pub, Trebek City
Director of Intelligence Services Regina Walsh slid into her usual booth. In fact, it had been the booth she and Prescott had been meeting in since they were field officers back in the day. It was the only booth in the place from which either occupant could see both doors. Today however, Regina knew PRescott was not looking to relive old times. President Prescott only truly hated three things; people who drive slower than him, running out of ammunition, and agressive communists. Given the size of Edolia, if this new group took power and started acting like agressive communists, the military would very likely run out of amunition. That left only the hope that there was no one in his way on the drive over to keep president Prescott from being in as foul a mood as would be imaginable. Prescott slid in next to her. "Reggie, how good is our insider on this?"
"Not too good sir. College student, half Allanean, from one of the regions taken during the wars, being an intern, they have acess to everything unclassified, and the occasional secret doc that gets left out."

"That's what I was afraid of." Prescott sipping the beer that had been put on the table almost as soon as he got there. "See if they can get active with this splinter group, or better yet, get them friendly with someone who's in, so our agent doesn't burn if this group runs afoul of the government."

"You know sir, there was a time when you hated politicians who told the DIS how to handle agents"

"Yeah Reggie, but that was when I had your job, and the politician was a rich lawyer from the country, not the most sucessful DIS we've had."

"Good point sir. I'll flag the files coming in as 'Unimportant', so you'll know to look at them." That was one of the tricks she'd learned from him when he made her DIS, no bureaucrat marks things 'unimportant', so if someone did, they obviously wanted attention.

"Excellent, I look forward to getting good news. They really could flatten us, if these nut jobs take over, you know." as he walked towards the door, Prescott stopped, and almost as an afterthought said to her "Oh, and the drive over sucked."

While all this was happening within the ranks of the Red Flag Party, something rather similar, but far more subtle was taking place amongst the members of the Communist Party. By this time, the movement was only three MPs strong, and it was quite possible that one was a spy. The three of them had taken to meeting in some of Blätterschplitts more run-down pubs to talk over their ideas. “The Communist Party is really moving in the wrong direction, and the other parties aren’t any better,” one of them would lament. The others would agree. It was only by the third meeting that anything productive was done. It just so happened that that third meeting was to take place on the same day the Vanderbul von Hërtz would give his press conference.
“So it’s decided,” Ardnöld von Sunt said to his companions. “We keep the break with the Party quiet until we can get enough support amongst our own party, as well as the Greens and perhaps the Freedomers. We don’t want the Imperials to see us coming until it’s too late.”
“Yes,” agreed Yuan Tang. “We strike when they don’t know we’re coming. That’s what the Red Flag break-aways haven’t seemed to get.”
“This should be interesting,” commented Alfred von Gernsburn.

OOC: No problem, I will just make him an Allanean refugee or something. :)

I'll post fairly soon once I catch up with what's been posted.

"Come in."

Dale was in his office at the MP housing area of the Parliament. He was currently leant over some papers from his constituency agent detailing problems that had arisen over the latest modifications to the Town Hall.

The door swung open with a violent movement, hitting the bookshelf next to it and unsettling dust that had been resting in one corner of a shelf. In strode a tall, blonde man with a heavyset torso and an angry expression on his face.

"Are you crazy?" He demanded as he set himself in front of Dale's desk and slammed his palms down on the edge of the wood. "Are you actually out of your mind?"

Dale didn't look up. "Hello Peter," he said in a preoccupied tone. "How's the Chief Whip?"

Peter von Graudenburg stared at him for a moment. "Livid! What in the hell do you think you're doing, following this von Huntz..."

"von Hërtz," Dale corrected, still writing notes in the border of the printed letter in front of him.

"Whatever!" von Graudenburg threw his hands up in an exasperated motion. "Following this von Hërtz is political suicide as far as this administration is concerned! The Leadership is screaming at the Whip to control this tear before it gets out of control, and he's screaming at me to keep my people in line!"

"Well, you're not doing that good a job, are you?" Dale scribbled a few sentences at the bottom of the paper, and placed in in his Out Tray. "Jenny, I'm done," Jack called out of the open door to his secretary outside. "See that the reply gets typed up and sent off, then you can have the rest of the afternoon off."

"Thanks, boss."

"Where're you going?" Peter demanded. "We're not done!"

"Look, Peter." Jack stood and grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair. "The Red Flag is going downhill and you know it. What the hell is a supposedly Communist Party doing in the Imperial Coalition anyway?" He pulled his jacket on and brushed absently at the hammer and sickle badge on his collar that stood out against the black leather. Jack glanced at his desk once more before walking around his desk towards the exit. He had a few hours until the press conference yet; enough time to go home, get changed and have something to eat before going to the event.

"Jack."

Dale paused at the low tone of Peter's voice, and he turned to look back at the Junior Whip. von Graudenburg looked directly at him. "What're you doing?"

Dale smiled. "Right now, I honestly have no idea." He glanced at the door. "But I'll know by the end of tonight."

von Graudenburg glanced around as if looking for anyone eavesdropping. "Listen, if you find the real thing tonight, come get me, okay?"

Jack looked at Peter for a long moment, and then smiled. "You got it." He then turned, and stepped out of the office, nodding goodnight to Jennifer who was just finishing typing the response and getting ready to go home.

IC:

"Affirmative. It shall be done, Director Poansa." Eric Smanarn pressed the button to end the transmission from the small SISC (secure infrared satellite communicator) he was issued with. It was a simple device, worked anywhere in the world, sending and recieving the data via infrared every few hours as a DOECO satellite passed over.

He was old for a DOECO field operative, and indeed, any Feline citizen. This wasn't because of the lifespan difference between cats and humans- it had been eliminated. No, in a country where the average age is approximately twenty-five, DOECO field operatives averaged in around twenty-four. After that, they usually came in from the cold and took a desk job. He chose to still be out in the field at twenty-eight. That didn't mean he wasn't physically fit- he still scored tops in Department trials. His jet black hair was styled in a normal-looking Edolian haircut, his skin was somewhat pale, but not very much more so than an average person's. His tall and fit frame was covered by the latest Edolian fashion.

His alias was Michael von Torispliz. (OOC: If this isn't a normal Edolian-sounding name, please tell me.) His "job" was a worker at a book store.


He walked back off the balcony of his apartment in Blatterschplitt (OOC: That's the name of your capital city, right?) and into the apartment, where he hid the transmitter. He walked down to the street, where he got onto the sidewalk (Your sidewalks move like a conveyor belt, correct?) and headed to Red Party headquarters.

"So... we're finally taking down the Royal Family. About bloody time." he thought to himself.

<<OOC: All good Feline. We don’t really have major fashions or haircuts, though. Edolian culture is basically a whirlwind of diversity. You’ll find anything here, and it wont be out of place. Regardless, it makes sense. If he wants to look like your “typical Edolian,” he’ll probably wear a tight black shirt with a long, open trench coat (perhaps of some bright, gaudy color) and red jeans (yes, they’re red here). His hair could be anything, including very odd or strange hair styles.

EuroSwiss: Excellent as well. I’ve never RPed any of the parties having whips, but I guess it’s possible. Works for me. :)>>

The scene at Blätterschplitt’s People’s Plaza was impressive. Edölia’s largest speaking hall, it was much more of a massive coliseum than anything else and a game of football or rugby wouldn’t have seemed out of place on the floor. Instead, a stage and a speaking platform were set up on the far side; a massive television screen above the stage, allowing the entire stadium to see the speaker or performers in impressive high definition. In front of the stage, the floor was covered in seats for reporters.

Vanderbul von Hërtz was waiting offstage. “Five minutes until you’re on, Comrade.” Von Hërtz nodded to his secretary.
“Thank you, Comrade.” He checked that his notes were in order and turned to the man standing next to him. “Derk,” he addressed his friend. “It’s nearly time. What do you think?” Derk von Rüstmärker, standing at nearly two meters and clocking in at some 100 kilos, looked like a thug from an old gangster movie. To someone who didn’t know him, his voice –that of an educated, obviously homosexual man- was surprising.
“I think that things are looking up. That crowd out there is big. I’d estimate about 100,000 people.” Von Hërtz thought.
“That’s not quite what we hoped for… but a lot better than we expected.” Von Hërtz patted his old friend’s shoulder. “It looks like this is going to be the big thing!” He paused. “Can you imagine what we can do if this goes all the way? Think of the changes we can make to Edölia!” Derk smiled.
“Let’s win the crowd first.”
“Agreed.”
“You’re on, Comrade.” Vanderbul von Hërtz’s secretary was gesturing for him to come on to the stage. Taking three deep breaths, he walked calmly to the podium in the center of the stage.

<<OOC: Check TGs Feline.>>

President's Office, Trebek City
Prescott looked at the stack of folders on his desk. Every God Damned one of them had a red "urgent" tag on it. He hadn't realized that the Diplomatic corp getting a different brand of ink pen because it was 5 cents cheaper per box was so damned important. This, he supposed was the beauty of bureaucracy. Then he saw it, his salvation, the green "unimportant" tag on a folder at the bottom of the pile. The folder was coded "Top Secret: Lyceum" Whatever the hell THAT meant. Anyway, he obviously had clearance, so he opened the file. Seemed Reggie was being cute today with the random code names. Their intern was now Codenamed Alexander. Had to be something to that. Oh, he got the joke. Reading on, it seemed the girl hadn't been able to dummy up to anyone in this new splinter party, so they'd sent her in instead. Such was life. Probably didn't matter all that much in the grand scheme of things. "Alexander" would be attending some kind of press conference that night to hear the major player, Von Hertz, speak. Good, maybe she could stay active low enough in this party and still get useful intel. Everything looked good, except that their was a transmission received date direct from Alexander. This wouldn't fly.

Reggie,
Send in someone to handle "Alexander" directly. Pick someone damn good. Have him/her get the info and then broadcast it to us. No use having "Alexander" get pinched broadcasting to us.
-Prescott

Prescott than took Reggie's report and a marker. After making sure the whole thing was black, he shredded it, tore up the shreds, and put it in a burn bag. He gave the bag to his secretary along with his note for Reggie. "Have it hand delivered" he instructed, and went back to the pile of bureaucratic self importance on his desk.

OOC: Check telegrams, Edolia.

<<OOC: Alright. I thought Feline was going to do this, but he isn’t. So I shall. Sorry for the delay.>>

Max von Karöt scanned the crowd nervously. He was looking for someone in particular. “Sir?” Max was brought back to the task at hand. After all, he was still a security guard, even if he was a conspirator as well.
“Just place the bag on the conveyer built, please, Comrade.” He waved a woman through the metal detector. Then he saw him. The man in the black Western-style business suit with the large briefcase and the dark glasses caught Max’s eye. “Let’s keep moving, Comrades,” the guard addressed the crowd. “Keep in line. Comrade von Hërtz isn’t going to be speaking for some time now. You’ve all got plenty of time.” His was just one of the many entrances into the speaking hall and he did his job well. What he was about to do would get him fired… hell, it would most likely get him sent to a work camp for life. On the other hand, Max thought, he had principles. He wasn’t going to stand by and watch while fascists stripped the Impërator of his birthright. Just two more people in line. A bead of sweat dropped from his forehead. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his brow. One more person in line; a pretty little blonde in a tight dress. Max didn’t even reach over to slap her ass like he normally would have. The other Edölian came up next and placed his briefcase in the metal detector. Max got a good look at him for the first time. He was tall and dark-skinned. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of sunglasses, but Max could tell that at least one of his parents had been Chinese. Max didn’t know his real name, but thought of him as “Derö.” The other man nodded at him ever so slightly. Max flicked a button down under the desk. The blinking lights in the machine went off.
“Is anything the matter, Comrade?” the other man asked? It was all part of the routine.
“Um… no sir. Nothing the matter.” Max was having difficulty keeping his voice nonchalant. “A slight malfunction with the machine. Just keep going. I’ll work on fixing it.”
“Thank you, Comrade.” “Derö” picked up the bag and walked calmly on. Max realized that his chest was soaked in sweat. As he reached back under the desk and switched the machine back on, he sighed mentally. His job was done. Now it was just a matter of waiting until his shift was over.

"That man looks like he's up to something." Smanarn thought to himself as he looked at Derö. "Better tail him."