Empherias

Overview
the Kingdom of Empherias, commonly known as Empherias, is a landlocked nation in southeast Alaxia. It is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with the head of state Rijkse or Rijkdottir, and a Parliament of 325 MPs (as of 2412), and the Prime Minister presiding over the government as whoever wins the popular vote. Large changes to the nation must be approved by a point majority (over fifty percent) and not exclusively by the government. The capital city of the nation is Wynnoa, located in the south central region on the river Ervyn. Cities such as Rhequons, Rommes or Esthullen also have high influence and have been historically very important cities.

It contains the semi-autonomous state of Tbekien, ruled by a First Minister elected and contributing 25 MPs to the total Parliament. Half of the region is covered in uninhabitable lava fields and rock creatures which means it's population and influence has never been high. It's capital city is Kaaradwynn located in the south west of the region.

On top of this, the nation also has leased a port from it's neighbour Ahitereira-Koresa to allow for better trade with the outside world. It was originally setup, when Koresa was independent, to trade with it's largest neighbour and strongest ally the Hveden Federation. Empherias recognises the Nieuwbourg port that it leases as sovereign Empherias territory, whereas Ahitereira and the rest of the world does not.

History
To be written

Politics
The head of state of the nation is the Rijkse or Rijkdottir. They are the chosen descendant of the royal family to rule. When the current monarch dies, their eldest child will take on the throne. In some rare cases, the monarch will abdicate or retire or even choose their successor themselves. They are theoretically an absolute monarch but have not used executive power unless in emergencies such as the Empherias Political Schism in 2395. The royals are much beloved by the people.

The Parliament is made of up 401 members of Parliament (MPs) which represent local counties in the nation of similar population. Each MP can run as part of a political party or independent, however an independent MP hasn't been placed into power since the Third Constitution was written in 2397 declaring the new rules for Parliament. The party with the most MPs in Parliament have active control over major bills. The Prime Minister, and in turn the Government at large is created based on the winner of the popular vote. In case of a tie, a coalition or new election is needed. There have been no cases of the Government party and Parliament party being different, but if this were the case then the Government could still pass laws and address issues but would need Parliament's consent on larger issues affecting the nation.

Prior to 2397 and the Political Schism of 2395, the Parliament would be made up of 100 appointed noble and lords by the royal family. During the Political Schism, many populist ideals were introduced by politicians and the current monarch, Rijkse James VII had to flee to the Hveden Federation. His successor, Rijkdottir Abigail I appointed herself and was in favour of the populists and the people and abolished this system. She appointed the first Parliament (of 30 MPs) in 2397 to write up a constitution published later that year and to cement stability in the new nation and voting system. From then on, the Rijkdottir became a self-applied figurehead in practice.

The first Prime Minister of the Third Constitution was political commentator and activist, Felix D'laminet. He was appointed for the job in 2397 by the Rijkdottir for his advocation of equal voting rights amongst classes and the creation of a people's represented Parliament, and as an apology for his imprisonment by the previous regime between 2394 and 2397 for treason. He led the People's Populist Party to victory in the 2402 and 2407 elections, winning 144 seats and 139 seats respectively, both out of 300 seats. For each of his three terms, he maintained the largest party but not a clear majority, although this gave him no real issues.

D'laminet remained as Prime Minister until his resignation on 10th April 2411 after twelve years due to old age and retirement. His immediate successor as Prime Minister was leader of the Socialist party, Elizabeth Rose, the first female Prime Minister. She was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister after the 2402 election where the Socialists and Populists created a coalition. As the Deputy, she became the Prime Minister immediately. She continued as PM until the 2412 election, where her party won 131 seats to the Populist's 141 seats and so lost the role to her Populist rival.

D'laminet's successor as leader of the Populist party was less clear. Due to nightmares in management, the successor to D'laminet wasn't decided until the 27th January 2412, nine months after his departure. After three rounds of leadership voting, former Lord of the Treasury Henry Watford rose to the leadership of the party. He used the popularity of the Populists to easily win 141 seats in the 2412 election and become Prime Minister on 18th April 2412. Due to winning a minority and unable to secure a coalition partner like in previous minority governments (2402 and 2407), the Prime Minister agreed to hold an election within three years of winning the 2412 election, and then scheduled it for national Empherias day, 21st December 2414. The 2412 election would be the first to increase the Parliament's size. It went from 300 MPs in the 2402 and 2407 election to 325 MPs to accommodate for Tbekien's integration.

The 2414 election would increase the Parliament's size yet again from 325 to 371 MPs to accommodate for Weskynn's integration into Empherias. In the election itself, it would be the first time a split government occurred. The popular vote determined the Prime Minister to be the leader of the Populist party, Henry Watford, but they won it by the slimmest margin ever of 1.28%. This also put the populists in government. Meanwhile, the most amount of seats were won by the Socialists, and former Prime Minister Elizabeth Rose became Head of the Parliament. This is also the first time a party controlled more than 50% of the seats in Parliament, meaning they could practically win any challenge to the government. Henry Watford didn't mention this massive loss, except his resignation as Prime Minister and leader of the Populist party on 28th December 2414, one week after the election.

Immediately, Robert Webber became Prime Minister and acting populist leader. The Populist leadership race would begin in June 2415 however Webber cannot be replaced until an election. Robert Webber, attempting to continue his political career, sets a new election to take place on national Empherias day 2415, a year after the previous election. By then, the economic situation should have improved and the populists should have a new leader.

Before the 2415 election, the Liberal Centrists winning just 0.79% of the popular vote and 1 MP announced they were not running. They put their support behind the smallest of the three largest party, the Conservatives. A small bloc jumped ship and formed their own new party, the Empherias Liberal Party (ELP) which intended to stand in the election. An act to annex Norsair was passed by the socialists in Parliament in September 2414 adding 30 MPs to the Parliament. The 2415 would be for 401 MPs.

The first six elections and participating parties list of seats and share of the vote. Strikes-through names mean the party no longer exists. For the full list of elections: Following these six elections, each election would be split between the Representative vote (MPs) and General vote (Popular vote) which would occur at different intervals and different dates.

A different party being in control of Parliament and the Government has happened under three different Prime Ministers. During Elizabeth Rose's interim, she ruled a semi-Socialist government against a Parliament controlled by Populists. This split occurred from the 10th April 1911 until the 18th April 1912 for 374 days, or just over a year. The next split was following the 1914 election where the Populists won the popular vote but won less seats than the Socialists. Elizabeth Rose became Leader of the Parliament from the 21st December 1914 until the next election on 21st December 1915, a full year. The split was under Henry Watford for 7 days, and then Robert Webber for the remaining 358 days.

Trivia
