Edolia
02-10-2004, 16:51
<<OOC: This is a continuation of an RP that I started some time ago. I’ve been inactive for a bit now, and I would like to pick it up where I left off. It was mostly a story-RP, without much outside work, so I don’t think it’s a big deal. I just want to make a lot of changes in Edölia and I don’t want to just say that they’re done, but rather RP them.
If you’re terribly interested in what happened before, you make find the previous thread here (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=351084). Otherwise, this basic summary should do the trick:
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 Edölia 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.
A long-standing Member of the Edölian parliament, Vanderbul von Hërtz, has made a break with his Red Flag Party, accusing it of compromising traditional communist values of equality, liberty and democracy, as well as being too soft in areas of defense. Its status as a junior member in the ruling Imperial Coalition in Parliament has caused a great amount of annoyance amongst a growing number of Red Flag loyalists, who would see their party strike out on its own and abandon its ties to the Imperial family.
I left off at the People’s Plaza speaking hall in Blätterschplitt City, where Vanderbul von Hërtz was about to give a formal speech, announcing his future political plans. A security guard had secretly let a man in a dark suit and large suitcase into the building. The man’s purpose is unknown…
Please feel free to jump in. Though please don’t do anything drastic unless you consult me first (by TG or AIM).>>
The People’s Plaza, Blätterschplitt City
August 4th, 20??
“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 speaking hall.
The silence was deafening. Von Hërtz couldn’t hear a whisper, and felt 200,000 eyes on him. This was indeed his moment. He placed a number of papers on to the podium in front of him and adjusted the microphone slightly. He wasn’t the most stylistic of speakers, but he got the job done. Now, this speech would need more than just good old-fashioned substance.
“Friends.” He began. “Comrades. Edolians.” In most other countries, this would have been a cue for applause, but in this case, von Hërtz’s audience followed traditional Edolian custom of waiting until the end before cheering. “On January 15th, 1674, the modern state of Edölia was founded. After hundreds upon hundreds of years of conflict and war between different groups within the land of Edölia, the first real step towards lasting peace was taken. On that date, revolution swept Edölia, and a new age of freedom and liberty was ushered in. Or so it was said. Today we look at this period of our history with embarrassment and revulsion. The ‘liberators’ of Edölia were not true Edolians in the sense we have now. They were members of the Cult of the Christ, and, if they lived now, we would consider them some of the worst reactionaries in the world. Regardless of our feelings today, though, the Revolution of 1674 that lasted only four days but saw over half a million dead Edolians was a turning point in ourn history. Whether or not they would be considered to be progressives today, the Reverend-King Hubertus von Blätterschplitt and his followers were a good sight better than the Catholics that had ruled Edölia with an iron first for the previous 400 years, and who, I might add, were considered great progressives when they first took control of Edölia in 1263. The point is the time of the Catholic Archbishops was over. Later, when Hubertus IX declared an end to the Baptist control of the Royalty in 1921, we knew that the time of the Cult’s control of Edölia was passed as well. Finally, in 1975, Erik von Blätterschplitt announced a new policy of Edölian progressivism and the following year, upon his death, the Socialist Empire was brought into existence by his son and our current Impërator, Erik von Blatterschplitt. Like all those before him, Erik von Blätterschplitt was a true progressive, and made great strides towards a better future for all of Edölia. But, like all those before him, his time would come to an end.”
---
Aplören Qian looked down at the speaker, from his position on an electrical wire perch, far above the floor. “Ridiculous,” he sneered. “Pathetic.” He, like many other loyalists to the Imperial Family and Erik von Blätterschplitt, considered von Hërtz a dangerous threat. “But I’m the only one who is going to do anything about it,” the ex-Rabid Gerbil operative whispered to himself. He had seen the other man in the hallway, following him, and was pretty sure that he had been able to lose his pursuer. Years of training in Edölia’s most elite military outfit had given him all the skills he had needed. If only my gun in up to standard he thought. He had only so much time until the other man caught up with him, so he would have to make the job quick. Kneeling down, he unlocked the large, black suitcase at his feet and pulled out the disassembled rifle inside. It was an illegal import –it was almost impossible to get a rifle as high powered as this legally in Edölia. An Allanean M-16 variant, it wasn’t the best sniper rifle, but in this case, it would have to do. Putting the pieces of the gun together quickly, the assassin nodded to himself. It was time. Quietly, he raised the rifle to his shoulder and peered through the sight. He had the target directly in his line of fire. It was only a matter of squeezing the trigger…
---
”…and it is time to move forward!” came the voice from the television set. ”For far too long have Edolians –free Edolians- lived under the tyranny of von Blätterschplitt. How can we call ourselves free and equal if our unelected leader squanders unseemly amounts of money on personal luxuries?” Vestx von Grïsbit was liking the speaker more and more, and it was as that thought ran through the computer engineer’s mind that his new-found political leader’s arm exploded. As confusion spread through the hallway, figures rushed onto the stage to see to the downed man. As more shots ran out, figures crumpled to the ground on the stage. Von Grïsbit leaped into the air in surprise and fear. An assassination! In Edölia! How terrible!
---
Aplören Qian was enjoying his advantageous position, as he continued to fire down into the podium. He believed he had gotten a pretty good shot at von Hërtz, although he had missed the man’s head. Unfortunately, von Hërtz had fallen in such a way so that the podium blocked his body from further sniper fire. Regardless, he would soon bleed to death if not taken care of quickly, and Qian was making sure that no one would be able to make it on to the stage any time soon. Already three more bodies lay on the speaker’s platform, and the ex-special operative had another of von Hërtz’s men in his sights. It was then that he heard the footsteps behind him. Shit, he thought. He turned around on the balcony. Standing before him was the man he had seen tailing him before. “Who the hell are you?”
<<OOC: The man is, a DOECO intelligence operative from Feline. I’ll let him RP his next comment. I would ask that no one else make any posts of real substance until I say so. Thank you.>>
If you’re terribly interested in what happened before, you make find the previous thread here (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=351084). Otherwise, this basic summary should do the trick:
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 Edölia 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.
A long-standing Member of the Edölian parliament, Vanderbul von Hërtz, has made a break with his Red Flag Party, accusing it of compromising traditional communist values of equality, liberty and democracy, as well as being too soft in areas of defense. Its status as a junior member in the ruling Imperial Coalition in Parliament has caused a great amount of annoyance amongst a growing number of Red Flag loyalists, who would see their party strike out on its own and abandon its ties to the Imperial family.
I left off at the People’s Plaza speaking hall in Blätterschplitt City, where Vanderbul von Hërtz was about to give a formal speech, announcing his future political plans. A security guard had secretly let a man in a dark suit and large suitcase into the building. The man’s purpose is unknown…
Please feel free to jump in. Though please don’t do anything drastic unless you consult me first (by TG or AIM).>>
The People’s Plaza, Blätterschplitt City
August 4th, 20??
“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 speaking hall.
The silence was deafening. Von Hërtz couldn’t hear a whisper, and felt 200,000 eyes on him. This was indeed his moment. He placed a number of papers on to the podium in front of him and adjusted the microphone slightly. He wasn’t the most stylistic of speakers, but he got the job done. Now, this speech would need more than just good old-fashioned substance.
“Friends.” He began. “Comrades. Edolians.” In most other countries, this would have been a cue for applause, but in this case, von Hërtz’s audience followed traditional Edolian custom of waiting until the end before cheering. “On January 15th, 1674, the modern state of Edölia was founded. After hundreds upon hundreds of years of conflict and war between different groups within the land of Edölia, the first real step towards lasting peace was taken. On that date, revolution swept Edölia, and a new age of freedom and liberty was ushered in. Or so it was said. Today we look at this period of our history with embarrassment and revulsion. The ‘liberators’ of Edölia were not true Edolians in the sense we have now. They were members of the Cult of the Christ, and, if they lived now, we would consider them some of the worst reactionaries in the world. Regardless of our feelings today, though, the Revolution of 1674 that lasted only four days but saw over half a million dead Edolians was a turning point in ourn history. Whether or not they would be considered to be progressives today, the Reverend-King Hubertus von Blätterschplitt and his followers were a good sight better than the Catholics that had ruled Edölia with an iron first for the previous 400 years, and who, I might add, were considered great progressives when they first took control of Edölia in 1263. The point is the time of the Catholic Archbishops was over. Later, when Hubertus IX declared an end to the Baptist control of the Royalty in 1921, we knew that the time of the Cult’s control of Edölia was passed as well. Finally, in 1975, Erik von Blätterschplitt announced a new policy of Edölian progressivism and the following year, upon his death, the Socialist Empire was brought into existence by his son and our current Impërator, Erik von Blatterschplitt. Like all those before him, Erik von Blätterschplitt was a true progressive, and made great strides towards a better future for all of Edölia. But, like all those before him, his time would come to an end.”
---
Aplören Qian looked down at the speaker, from his position on an electrical wire perch, far above the floor. “Ridiculous,” he sneered. “Pathetic.” He, like many other loyalists to the Imperial Family and Erik von Blätterschplitt, considered von Hërtz a dangerous threat. “But I’m the only one who is going to do anything about it,” the ex-Rabid Gerbil operative whispered to himself. He had seen the other man in the hallway, following him, and was pretty sure that he had been able to lose his pursuer. Years of training in Edölia’s most elite military outfit had given him all the skills he had needed. If only my gun in up to standard he thought. He had only so much time until the other man caught up with him, so he would have to make the job quick. Kneeling down, he unlocked the large, black suitcase at his feet and pulled out the disassembled rifle inside. It was an illegal import –it was almost impossible to get a rifle as high powered as this legally in Edölia. An Allanean M-16 variant, it wasn’t the best sniper rifle, but in this case, it would have to do. Putting the pieces of the gun together quickly, the assassin nodded to himself. It was time. Quietly, he raised the rifle to his shoulder and peered through the sight. He had the target directly in his line of fire. It was only a matter of squeezing the trigger…
---
”…and it is time to move forward!” came the voice from the television set. ”For far too long have Edolians –free Edolians- lived under the tyranny of von Blätterschplitt. How can we call ourselves free and equal if our unelected leader squanders unseemly amounts of money on personal luxuries?” Vestx von Grïsbit was liking the speaker more and more, and it was as that thought ran through the computer engineer’s mind that his new-found political leader’s arm exploded. As confusion spread through the hallway, figures rushed onto the stage to see to the downed man. As more shots ran out, figures crumpled to the ground on the stage. Von Grïsbit leaped into the air in surprise and fear. An assassination! In Edölia! How terrible!
---
Aplören Qian was enjoying his advantageous position, as he continued to fire down into the podium. He believed he had gotten a pretty good shot at von Hërtz, although he had missed the man’s head. Unfortunately, von Hërtz had fallen in such a way so that the podium blocked his body from further sniper fire. Regardless, he would soon bleed to death if not taken care of quickly, and Qian was making sure that no one would be able to make it on to the stage any time soon. Already three more bodies lay on the speaker’s platform, and the ex-special operative had another of von Hërtz’s men in his sights. It was then that he heard the footsteps behind him. Shit, he thought. He turned around on the balcony. Standing before him was the man he had seen tailing him before. “Who the hell are you?”
<<OOC: The man is, a DOECO intelligence operative from Feline. I’ll let him RP his next comment. I would ask that no one else make any posts of real substance until I say so. Thank you.>>