High Kingdoms of Alaxia
High Kingdoms of Alaxia altes reinados alaxianos | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
 | |
| Capital | Esperiy |
| Largest city | Inysta |
| Demonym | Alaxian |
| Membership | 5 states
|
| Leaders | |
• King | King Albert I |
| Viktoria Brandst | |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| Establishment | |
• Death of Joana I | 4 January 2447 |
• Empherias joined | 1 December 2448 |
• Peryzium joined | 15 December 2448 |
• First elections | 2449 |
• Constitution finalised | 25 May 2452 |
| Area | |
• Total | 11,284,037.04 km2 (4,356,791.06 sq mi) (4th) |
| Population | |
• 2500 estimate | 615 419 932 (5th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2500 estimate |
• Total | $12,603,673,641,863 (4th) |
• Per capita | $20,480 (6th) |
| Currency | Alaxian Crone |
| Driving side | left |
| Internet TLD | .hk |
The High Kingdoms of Alaxia (Exteras: altes reinados alaxianos /haɪ ˈkɪŋdəmz ɒv ɑlæksiɑ/), abbreviated as HKA (Exteras: hka), and sometimes referred to as the High Kingdoms, is a union of five countries in eastern Alaxia. It is made up of the constituent countries of Kiavalar, Ahitereira, Koresa, Empherias and Peryzium alongside several outlying islands and federal territories, such as the capital Esperiy. It is the fourth largest country in the world by land area, and fifth by population with over 700 million people. In terms of economy, It has the fourth largest gross domestic product in the world, but sixth per capita. The country borders Karkuss and Fazar to the west; Livyirin to the northwest; Saki-Bussi and Ladros to the north; Fazar again, and the Hveden Federation to the east; Palakkinen to the southeast, and the Southern Hvede Polar Territory to the south.
The country formed officially in 2447 upon the death of Joana I of Ahitereira-Koresa, which brought them into personal union with Kiavalar. This union then expanded in 2448 to include Empherias and Peryzium while Koresa became an equal constituent country. An official constitution came into effect in 2452. There are three separate branches of the federal government: the Supreme Court, which is the highest court above all constituent high courts, forming the judiciary; the House of Representatives forming a single chamber legislature headed by the Premier; and the executive government led by the President and cabinet, elected independently of the legislature. The most important parts of the federal government are imposing checks and balances on local governments, foreign policy, and military decisions, while the constituent countries' governments focus more on domestic policy including laws, public services, etc.
Etymology and Terminology
History
Kloresan Unity
Several key movements were vital to the creation of the High Kingdoms due to political manoeuvring throughout the 2430s and 2440s. Five members of the 20s generation: Chris Harcey, Oliver Mendes, Elle de Pink, Gene Stewart, and Stephen John; would establish the What Next Group in 2424 following the end of the Great War. This group would eventually grow and become more concerned with Ahitereira-Koresan politics after the death of Joana I. Many in the group were hard line libertarians and republicans, although some were content with being parliamentarians and wished to grow their influence to Kiavalar, where the possibility of a personal union grew. Other groups did exist, such as the 'Valar Into East' group, led by Finlay George, who pushed for Kiavalari integration with east Alaxia; the 'Joana's Legacy' group led by Alexander Burke which often discussed post-Joana interests. However, none of the groups would become relatively known until the 2430s.
The What Next Group gained notoriety in Ahitereira after famous journalist Arthur Barboza came out in support of them and their views on a hypothetical personal union. He claimed that the union provided great benefits to all Alaxians. Over the next decade, he would continue to release pro-unification works including several best-selling books such as 'The Eye of Alaxia' in 2433. In Kiavalar, Jake Russell and Valorie Ward co-authored several articles which pandered to the educated left and many liberals which saw integration with an Ahitereiran-led state as a quick way to introduce better forms of democracy into the country - as well as better economic equality. The What Next Group released a joint declaration on the positive interests of such a personal union in 2435.
However, their positions were controversial. Many believed that reforms promised by the side of the union were unfounded and impossible, or that they had vested interest in the benefits. Some criticised them for anti-nationalist sentiment, others believed that voters in the other countries were stupid and could sway elections negatively for them, while others thought it was an insult to Joana to predict her death.
In Empherias, prominent pro-Kloresans became more and more popular into the late 2430s. George Pierce, a journalist, would become famous after writing an article in 2438 highlighting the positives of such a union. The establishment of an official group in Empherias known as the 'Alaxian Through Kloresa Society' would see Pierce become a member alongside hundreds of aspiring politicians and activists. One of these members was Gregorik Marsh who quickly gained a rivalry with Pierce. Marsh was also a journalist and believed that while union was good, that they shouldn't give up their sovereignty too easily. Marsh and Pierce would have very public fights across 2439, but Pierce would eventually go missing and be declared dead in 2440. Many, including allies such as George Proweur, George Princeley, and Aleksander Treitschke, believed that this a plot by anti-unionists in Empherias to quiet the movement.
Lewes Haarig, an Empheri-Palakkine news reporter, would be the first news reporter of the public broadcasting company of Empherias to speak out as a pro-unionist in 2440. He was eventually fired in 2441 by the incoming Socialist government, and thus moved to join the ATKS later that year. Haarig would become a leading figure of the movement alongside Proweur in Empherias. The Campbell twins, Ellie and Wallace, were descendants of former prime minister Isaac Campbell, and were keen to use their credibility to advocate for the unionists. Ellie Campbell was elected as a Liberal MP in the 2441 general election.
While the ATKS was primarily liberal, an opposing group of Socialists formed a sector within the People's Socialist Party to advocate for unionism. This was named sALAX, although the sK sect opposed it heavily.
Kingdoms prior to joining
Ahitereira-Koresa
Kiavalar
Pre-union Conferences
There were several conferences between future member states held before the death of the monarch that would formally tie the two nations together:
- Inysta Conference 2445 - discussions on the personal union, foreign policy handling, and figuring out internal treaties.
- Esperiy Conference 2445 - discussions on the capital city, the early constitution, and defence spending.
- Kayrin Conference 2446 - discussions on the trade situation and economy.
- Vreimer Conference 2446 - discussions on the inclusion of Empherias or other potential countries for inclusion such as Peryzium, Grensalbourg, and Palakkinen.
Death of Joana, and the Personal Union
The number of seats per parliament would be at a minimum and maximum of 600 seats. Provisional parliaments in Ahitereira, Koresa, and Kiavalar were all formed. Ahitereira's largest party was the Liberal Party, at 243 seats, short 58 of a majority. Second place was the Popular Coalition, made up of several conservative parties, the King's Party, and the Bokanist Values Party, with 232 seats. Third place was the Pink Daphnes with 110 seats. In Koresa, the largest party was the Democratic Movement Coalition consisting of 386 seats, a majority of 172 seats, while the BVP received 106, and the Progressive Bloq just 63 seats. In Kiavalar, the Janvariye Jin party had 390 seats, a majority of 180, with Durbanar Jin, the second place party, at just 43 seats.
Richelieu became the President of the Provisional Government and the legislature would temporarily be on hold until elections could be held.
Creation of Esperiy
The new capital city would be moved to Esperiy, a town in the Yutra region of Ahitereira. This region was classified as a federal territory and therefore independent from any kingdom to ensure no kingdom would be privileged more than others. Government contracts were handed out to various national real estate construction companies to expand the city, with Jonas Gonçal - a modern architect - made Special Adviser to the expansion project.
Union with Empherias
A pan-Kloresan movement sprung in Empherias in the 2440s which led to increased division within the People's Socialist Party over the issue of Alaxian unity. As plans for the upcoming High Kingdoms were being formulated, the Socialist Prime Minister Katelyn Roberts ruled out any involvement of Empherias in any Alaxian political union projects in a public address in June 2445. Despite this, pro-unification Minister of Foreign Affairs Luna Gallagher and several MPs such as Tom James Cook and the notorious Lukas Knight, attended all of the conferences and made promises for Empherias' involvement. Officially, the Socialists won the 2445 general election but the support for the Prime Minister was dwindling amongst the Pro-Kloresan base.
In a public address to the Vreimer Conference 2446, which was held in Empherias, the aforementioned Tom James Cook made the following statement: "Although my government may disagree, the involvement of Empherias is vital in not only the expansion of our economy, but the economy of Alaxia - and to develop the cultural links between our great nations". This led to Cook's public expulsion from the party for disagreeing with the general view of the party. He and Knight would then leave the party all together and reform the People's Populist Party in it's second iteration.
The new party alongside internal pressures from the Socialist party led to Roberts' resignation as Prime Minister on 21 December 2447 although she had delayed the process of union past the death of the monarch. Many in government had secretly negotiated with the now established High Kingdoms. Sofia Hopkins, the replacement PM, announced her intention to run an anti-union campaign in a snap election held in 2448. This election would finally settle whether the nation would join in union with the High Kingdoms or not by which Socialist party wins more seats - furthermore, both parties would agree to form a coalition government until the two parties unite to prevent opposing ideologies from gaining power in the event of a vote split. The 2448 general election saw the Populists win 252 seats to the Socialists' 104 and firmly set unification as a key point of the Socialist's agenda henceforth. However, the pro-Kloresan party still did not have a majority of seats on it's own to issue the mandate of unification.
Lukas Knight, the new Prime Minister, decided to hold a legally binding referendum on 1 July 2448 to decide whether Empherias would join the HKA or remain independent. The PM and ruling party used a lot more campaigning than usual and many more promotions. For the first time ever, there were major political television adverts for both sides. The Liberals, despite being officially anti-unification, didn't campaign for either side and the Socialists under Hopkins underutilised their campaigning skills resorting to more traditional methods. The results were that 54.04% of people voted in favour of unification and Knight now had two mandates for unification.
Immediately after, the process to officially join the High Kingdoms began in September 2448. The coalition government would pass many new laws to create identical systems of government to align with the High Kingdoms law code. Empherias officially joined the High Kingdoms of Alaxia on 1 December 2448. The coalition government previously formed in Empherias would then run the new constituent country under a caretaker government within the High Kingdoms of Alaxia until the first provisional election were then held on 1 September 2449.
Union with Peryzium
Peryzium would join on 15 December 2448.
2449 Federal elections
With all members now having joined the High Kingdoms, the first presidential and house of representative elections were scheduled for 2449. Presidential elections had five year terms, while legislative elections had three year terms.
2449 Presidential election
In the presidential election, Richelieu ran for re-election.
2449 Legislative election
The legislative election was the first and was therefore very hard to predict for pollsters and political parties. Independents could not run in this general election, with only approved political parties being able to be placed on the ballot. To do this, the political party must also hold at least 1 seat in the parliament of the same constituent country as the constituency they want to run in. The election would be held on 11 November 2449, and the requirement would require the seat of parliament to be held on the date of 30 September 2449 regardless of any upcoming elections that may take place between that date and the legislative election.
The primary issues that the campaign was fought on in most regions was the completion of the constitution, the approval rating of incumbent president Richelieu, and on the founding principles of federal law. Because the constitution was unfinished and the federal government new, parties had different approaches on how to take the federal government. The Red Bloq favoured a strong central government which would take control of the welfare state to ensure citizens across the country had equal access to these services, while the Liberals preferred these to be handled by constituent countries, or even provinces in certain cases, so that domestic governments could have different laws for local needs. However, as the President was part of the Liberal party, they were very soft on their wants for the central government and preferred to campaign around their incumbent personality and ride off of the popularity of the Liberals in the nation already. The Liberals actually did not put out a manifesto in order to not tie down their beliefs and change their opinions as needed to give them as much power while in office. The Conservative party were similar to the Liberal approach regarding the constitution and favoured a smaller government with lesser day-to-day running of countries, but with the power to intervene in terms of the judiciary and important matters such as law and order.
Smaller parties would campaign around larger-scale issues. The Pink Daphnes for example did not have an official stance on the constitution, rather wanting to campaign on enshrining women's rights into law and pushing for reform to countries such as Kiavalar through the central government mechanism. The Bokanists too didn't have an official stance, but wanted protections for Bokanists and pushed for certain laws to be passed nationwide. The Alliance party, only running in Empherias and so had no chance in government, advocated for a coalition government so that the final constitution could be the product of collaboration, as it had been thus far. No party elaborated on any speculation of coalitions, preferring to keep their options open.
Geography
Administrative divisions
Constituent countries
Provinces
Congressional districts
Counties
Politics
National Government
The federal government is split into three sections. The executive is led by the President, elected in presidential elections every five years independently of the legislature, who appoints a cabinet and a vice-president.
The national government is split into four sections. The executive, led by the President and the Council of Viceroys (appointed cabinet ministers), would be completely separate from the legislature and elected via the Presidential Election held every six years. The legislature, would be made up of 600 members of the House of Representatives, formed via the Representative Election held every four years. The judiciary would be non-partisan appointees of the executive, devolved governments, legislature, or independent bodies and courts. Finally, the advisory body would be made up of representatives appointed by the heads of the devolved governments to advise the executive.
The current President of the High Kingdoms of Alaxia is [INSERT NAME HERE] of the [INSERT PARTY HERE] as of
Devolved Governments
Empherias
The current Prime Minister of Empherias has been Valorie Metz of the Liberal Party since 2519. They have been in coalition with the Alliance party since 2524.
Law and Criminal Justice
Foreign Relations
Military
Economy
National broadcaster
The High Kingdoms Broadcasting Company (HKBC) is a federal entity that is controlled by the independent High Broadcasting Union, but funded by the government and is therefore politically neutral and a state broadcaster. It also owns state-level broadcasters in each constituent countries, which then in-turn also control more regional state broadcasters. Due to federal law requiring a state broadcaster, most state-level budgeting is controlled federally, with management being relatively independent and under scrutiny of each devolved government. For example, ENTV is the state-level broadcaster of the HKBC in Empherias and although it is a subsidary of the HKBC and is therefore controlled by the federal government, the Empheri government own the 'Empheri Broadcasting Guidance Regulator' (EBGR) which regulates TV in Empherias and controls general management of ENTV.
Transport
Railway
Railway lines are either publicly or privately owned. Publicly owned railways are controlled by a devolved department (e.g Ministry of Transport in Empherias) with zero shareholders or private competition, while privately owned railways are owned by private corporations for profit. All railway track is owned federally. For lines that cross borders, they may be either privately owned, assigned to the state where the line departs, or owned federally. All high-speed rail is managed by the federal government.
Telecommunications
Federal law demands that guidelines be met on access to the internet, phone lines, public phoneboxes, data, etc with regulations and standards. Furthermore, a part of the GDP is put towards research and development. State law can dictate in which those guidelines are met, and impose additional regulations on them. (e.g in Empherias, a government-owned telecommunications company manages all public phone boxes, provides it's own internet and broadband service for non-profit to rival commercial businesses and subsidies a base level internet access for people on benefits)
Energy
Federal law demands that guidelines be met on safety procedures, energy standards (e.g Hz, plugs, etc), environmental goals and thus the percentages of energy produced by renewable means, etc. The federal law can also issue injunctions to stop any given power plant in which construction is controlled by devolved governments. State law can dictate the construction of new energy plants for renewables, but must gain federal consent for construction of nuclear and non-renewable energy sources. Excess energy in an individual state will be under the jurisdiction of the federal government to transfer to other states or be exported externally to other countries.
Water
Federal law demands that guidelines be met on safety procedures, number of reservoirs built and in use, the quality and upkeep of the sewerage system, environmental standards, drinking quality and water supply. Furthermore, the federal government can issue a state of emergency in regards to the regulation of water during floods and droughts which will allow certain powers to be moved away from the state governments into the federal government. State law can dictate where these reservoirs and sewers are built, where water filtration and pumping systems are built and staffed, and during non-emergency times, can vary in regulation and usage.
2508 Alaxian Drought
The 2508 Alaxian drought impacted the High Kingdoms significantly.