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Revolutionary period of Empherias: Difference between revisions
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See also: [[Empherias General Election of 2407|2407 General Election]]
Following a supply and demand agreement with Elizabeth Rose's socialist party, D'laminet set forth establishing the agenda for his third term. Not wanting to maintain total life long political power, he began plans to have his deputies have major support from the party and the country and with similar ideas to maintain democracy in a fresh country. Henry Watford and Robert Webber would begin making more frequent statements to the house of parliament as well as addresses via radio and newspapers.
==== Population growth policies ====
One of the earliest policies of the third term was on a promise they made during the election campaign of sustained population growth. They hoped this growth would lead to inherent economic growth and a rise in productivity. They focused on two types of growth: domestic and foreign. Domestic growth included new policies giving tax breaks to families who have three or more children, a government hand out to subsidise some parts of childcare known as the Childcare Benefit in poorer families, and introduction of strict child working laws which built on the pre-existing act, introducing the Children in the Workforce Act 2408 which redefined certain terms, closed loopholes, and altered some laws. D'laminet also promoted privately to media owners the use of larger families although the effect of this was non-mandatory and likely had little effect.
Foreign growth focused on encouraging immigration into the country. The path to citizenship would be made easier and shorter, an official unemployment office was established to find and give vagabonds proper jobs and keep count unemployment rates. D'laminet also promised the construction of 100,000 new houses to be built by 2412, although the project was cancelled prematurely by Elizabeth Rose, the future Prime Minister, in 2411, after just 86,500 houses had been constructed. These houses would house mostly homeless people and be given out for cheap. They were also built primarily near major cities such as Wynnoa and Esthullen increasing the sizes of their respective suburbs. Nehvedenbourg was founded as new town specifically for Hveden immigrants in the northwest near the Empheri-Hveden Western Railway Line although many houses here were built by the immigrants themselves and local councils and thus not counted in the total statistic by the government. Open borders with Weskynn was established after many governmental meetings - although it's implementation was delayed following their government losing power in late 2409. Furthermore, immigrant-friendly attitudes were forced to be taught in schools as it was expected some prejudice would be brought against them.
Many nationalist members of parliament, such as the Nationalist party, the Conservative party, and some right-wing Populist party members were concerned that the Empheri culture would be somewhat eradicated by this move. Therefore, the government brought back to light the ancient sport of sword-fighting, featured more culturally Empheri dress in media and government, founded the national holiday on 21 December every year in the middle of summer to celebrate the culture.
==== Policy regarding foreign entities ====
In September 2409, the House of Parliament passed the Tbekien Integration Act 2409 which would integrate the Tbekien territory officially into the Kingdom. A local governor was installed and given a cabinet position as the Minister of Tbekien although this office was later abolished during the 2450s in favour of a new Tbekien Assembly headed by a Mayor. The first ministerial position would be represented by Tbekien native Wigfred Eghloreson, a Populist MP.
Early in 2410, the Populist government began deep negotiations with Ahitereira, Karkuss and Hvede, to create an alliance within East Alaxia. The alliance lacked any clear goals and so the negotiating process took a while, went nowhere, and was greatly criticised by opposing political parties and even some party members and coalition members. After nearly a year of negotiations, the Foreign Minister eventually brought back a deal that had been signed with only the Hveden Federation and Kingdom of Karkuss establishing the AHEK Alliance. The name would be an acronym of all signing parties, although it included Ahitereira who didn't sign up in the end. The alliance morphed into a mutual defence alliance with pledges to defend the other with only some other benefits, that of a somewhat open border policy.
Outside of the AHEK Alliance, Empherias and Hvede signed a private deal, the Empheri-Hveden Technology Pact (EHTP). This would be negotiated by the Minister of Defence Henry Alark and Foreign Minister Alice Rettels and would promise the immediate handing over of control of the entire Empheri army to command of the Hveden government in case of a war of either country. The opposition criticised this government agreement as it took away much of Empherias' autonomy in terms of military operations, perhaps removed Alark's command over any forces, and could drag Empherias into any pointless Hveden war - offensive or defensive. This was unpopular after the revolution just ten years earlier had plunged the country into a state of disarray without much fighting itself. The EHTP would also guarantee the sharing of up to date army and naval technologies between the two countries which would keep the Empheri army up to date. Furthermore, both countries would gain military access to each other's territory and naval ports. A notable exception was commercial ports, which did not have free access.
Finally, the Treaty of Nieuwbourg would be amended and ratified with little real changes.
==== Education policy ====
==== Other policies of the government ====
The populists early promised a devotion to industrialisation by committing to having the majority of the country industrialised by 2417 - just ten years. They promised an enlarged railway and transport network, with 15% more railway tracks, newer and up to date trains, safety procedures, and refurbished train stations; house prices that would increase price per year lower than the inflation rate; double the amount of reserve troops and equipment in army by 2413; an increase of 20% in the number of graduating school children leaving school with qualifications; higher average incomes for adults over 25; and better wealth and social equality across classes, gender, and race.
Of these promises, by their midterm of 2410, none had been achieved despite their implemented policies. After three years in office since the election, there had been just 200 metres more railway tracks built serving a line in West Esthullen, no new trains had been deployed since 2406, no safety procedures had been introduced amid fear of becoming overly safe, and no major train station refurbishments. However, of the railway promises, the government did announce an extra $20 million in funding for the government's railway initiative in late 2409, and scheduled refurbishments for three major Wynnoan stations to take place in March 2411. These did have some effects on enlarging the railway network, but overall so no major changes. There also were no changes to overall transport networks and other modes lacked any commitment. House prices did stay relatively stable especially with the planned 100,000 new government houses, of with 62% had been finished by 2410. With inflation at 2.7% and house prices rising just 0.4% on average of the previous three years. The army, apart from commitments in foreign policy, did not grow in size at all, let alone the committed doubling - however there still had another three years before the promise had to be delivered and some couple thousand troops were in minor training as of late 2410. With some education reforms, by 2410 the percentage of graduating school children leaving with degrees increased by a mere 7% instead of the promised 20% although this was a positive step. Higher average incomes, if accurate, did not effect the majority of the working class enough and many still complained of low wages. Overall, wealth and social equality remained relatively the size. In general though, industrialisation seemed to be going smoothly as many new factories were being built alongside companies and consumer goods increased in production.
==== End of D'laminet's premiership ====
Many opposition parties agreed that the government was becoming fatigued after a decade in power and the Socialists pulled out of the coalition agreement in November 2410, leaving the government with a minority government. Furthermore, by January 2411, there were rumours that Felix D'laminet was tired behind the scenes and wanted to resign anyway.
▲# Changes to Education The government wants to take a new approach to education. A new Minister of Education will be appointed from the Socialist party, Liza Veys. Primary education will be until 10 years old. Secondary education would introduce language learning with mandatory Hveden or Ahitereiran or Koresan introduced at age 11, and then an optional third language introduced at age 14. Children could leave school at age 16 and become a legal adult and be able to earn an adult's minimum wage. All children will take an exam at the end of Primary at age 10, and end of Secondary at age 16 to get qualifications. Later education starts at age 17 and will include universities. The first official government university will be Esthullen National College turned into Esthullen University. A child's minimum wage would be set at half of the adult's minimum wage. No child protection laws have been passed yet so all ages can work atm.
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