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April 2018 Presidential Elections: Emmanéul Marshélie faces off against Angélica Griliús

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Republican incumbent Emmanéul Marshélie faces off against the Democratic challenger Angélica Griliús. Polls say that Democrats will obtain victory.

Meridia - The race for the Presidential Elections gets closer, day by day.

The battered Republicans face off against their opposition, the Democrats, who are widely expected to win this election. But no one is certain on what margin. Shall it be neck and neck, or a prestigious victory? 

As the two parties campaign, this shall be determined. 

Why are the Democrats in the lead?

Meridia has been hit by a corruption scandal involving various officials and/or families of said authorities, and as D’Maié’s government hesitates to open up an investigation and instead denies everything, his popularity worsens by the hour. Already some high-ranking Republicans have declared their support for Angélica, in a clear-cut show of dissent in protest. These include even D’Maié’s own daughter, Diamantínia, who was one of the main leakers to the press.

And the Republicans’ coalition allies are no better. The Libertarians are to decide soon if they are to stay in the right-wing coalition, and the Nationalists have issued an ultimatum for the scandal to be investigated. 

Are the Coalition allies important?

It cannot be stressed enough how important they are.

Despite the Nationalists only having 2% of the Delegates of the Nation, they are a critical partner, as, without them, the coalition’s majority would be reduced to 50%, losing its mandate to govern the country. If the Libertarians leave, it would be worse, as they control 10.5% of that chamber’s members.

Corruption happens, but are there other reasons why D’Maié is so unpopular that the Republicans are sure to lose?

What has also diminished support for the Republicans has been its foreign stance, as D’Maié’s government has sided with the AU. This is not controversial, but one thing is: unconfirmed rumours suggest that D’Maié is willing to go to war against Akarus if the AU does, indeed, declare it. This would include a 25% increase in military spending, something unpopular with the pacifist Meridian population, and something that angers their main allies, the Libertarians. These are mere rumours, however, and not confirmed by the government or any reliable evidence, other than leaks from what is presumed to be aides.

D’Maié is facing heat after his cuts to education and healthcare as well, and a sluggish economy that, while not in recession and in fair shape, is also not growing much and just “stuck”, with GDP expanding only 0.5% last year. Some fear that this might become a prelude to an actual recession.

And another, yet minor and redundant reason D’Maié’s support is waning is his past remarks towards Parthenians in the 1990s, calling them “foreigners”, “parasites”, “thieves” and “not true Meridians”. D’Maié tearfully apologized for these comments in 2007, even offering to work without pay for a day to both the Atenios and Anatolia regions (in his native Canarto, there is a tradition that you may offer your apologies by working without pay), but the thought still lingers, especially in the regions of Atenios, Anatolia, and, to a lesser degree, Asturia. In Atenios, especially, he is reviled, as shown by the assassination attempt when he officially visited the region in 2016 as Prime Minister. Whilst many, even in Atenios, were horrified by the attack, it showed that Atenios is the region that most hates him.

Wait, why are you focusing on D’Maié and not Marshélie?

Meridia is a parliamentary republic, or so to say. The President is a mere figurehead, and thus has little to no power. Why are they important nowadays? Mostly due to their elections being a general poll of the country.

The Presidential Elections happen in April 18th, and the General Elections occur in October of the same date and year. No matter how nice or clean you are, you, as the President, will be thrown out by the electorate if they hate their current government.

It is also a chance to earn tremendous prestige before October. For example, if the Democrats win by a landslide, that gives them immense legitimacy, and it humiliates their rivals, the Republicans. On the other hand, if the results are very close, the Republicans might go on a counteroffensive, probably kicking D’Maié out and vigorously campaign to convince the nation and stay in power.

All will be determined on the 18th.
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[center][big]D’Maié Shot: Nation in shock after an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister’s life[/big][/center]

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Meridianitáie, Meridia’s military police, stand guard at the Sisilie Hospital, where the Prime Minister is being treated of his wounds.[/center]

Meridia - The country is in shock after Salviné D’Maié, the incumbent Prime Minister, was shot at a rally in Sisilie.

The gunman in question was Fransésco Di Canárto-Royáli, police say, a royalist extremist with mental health issues. It is not known how he obtained a firearm, but it is presumed that he bought it illegally.

Why did he shoot him?

Police aren’t exactly sure. There are two possible motives, very similar in context but opposites if you classify them thoroughly.

One reason might be that this royalist shooter, in his insanity, wanted to take revenge after the Republic of Meridia took away his family’s reason for being: the former Kingdom of Canarto, a state that encompassed the actual region of Canarto. The Di Canárto-Royáli is now poor and destitute compared to its past, as Meridia confiscated all of their estates right after the invasion and humiliated them by even expropriating their personal wealth and possessions. It is plausible that he saw his family as humiliated, and thus wished to exact his personal revenge on the Republic. This is a motive against the government.

Another explanation might be that he wished to punish the D’Maié family. The D’Maié were actually a branch of the former Canarto Royal Family who joined the Meridian Revolution, excelling as military officials and statesmen in their native Canarto and, recently, nationwide. Currently, they are one of the most politically savvy, influential and connected families in Canarto, and increasingly on the national stage. It is noteworthy that the Meridian Revolution ended when Canarto was still a country, and thus the D’Maié were seen as traitors by an entire state. Even more insulting to the Canarto royals was that their hated D’Maié cousins led some campaigns in the Meridian-Canarto War, adding fuel to the flame in this family feud. This died away, mostly, as the Di Canárto-Royáli then integrated into the wider Meridian society, but some few still held that fury. Unlike the other one, this motive is personal, as this is related to the Di Canárto-Royáli and D’Maié family feud.

To add even more insult to injury, some of the confiscated wealth went to the D’Maié, as Meridia rewarded them for their loyalty and Republican example by fighting for the Republic, even if it meant to discard their former blood kin.

Wait...they confiscated everything they had?

That is correct. Not even their most personal possessions were saved if they had value. This was meant to humiliate and punish the Canarto royals, and to force them to be part of the Meridian people like any other. To this day, Meridia has never formally issued an apology, and the Di Canárto-Royáli today languish in working-class poverty, or they belong to the middle class. Not one has become rich after this.

This was also meant to scare the next kingdom over: Tiguria. As the last remnant of a royal and divided Meridia, it was the next and obvious target of the Republic. Indeed, after the war and subsequent confiscations, the Tigurian royals negotiated to retain their property if they surrendered their country without a shot. It had worked, as it frightened the Tigurian royalty to death about what happened, and they were in the nick of time, as Meridia was already mobilizing its forces in secret when the kingdom proposed to negotiate. If they had delayed, even for a week or two, they would’ve been another Canarto.

Have the Di Canárto-Royáli petitioned to recover their property?

A few times, yes.

The first time was in 1874, when the family sued the government. Needless to say, they lost the case quickly, as the judge ruled that the confiscation was “part of the peace settlement” and thus the charge of theft was not valid.

They sued and appealed in other three occasions after that, with one gaining a partial victory after they recovered the few wedding-related possessions that the government still held at a museum in Canarto.

The fifth time was in 1971, when the dictator Maurelíano Acúra ruled in the Modérna Dictaturé. Bad idea. As a show of force, Maurelíano gathered the three men of the Canarto royals who sued and personally shot them. The rest of the family, even little children, were paraded at a humiliating procession, where citizens in Florenzei, Gironde, Sisilie and cities in Canarto were encouraged to mock them, all the while they were forced to publicly apologize for their family’s actions when they ruled over Canarto. After he was brutally murdered by his own armed forces in 1973, the new military junta (which lasted two years, by the way) issued an apology for the ordeal, but did not offer monetary compensation.

After this, they never tried again, as both they recalled the events of 1971, and they had integrated so much that most of the family didn’t care anymore, as they gave up. But a few still did, including the lunatic.

Why doesn’t Meridia apologize?

Modern Meridian society, albeit pacifist, is also deeply proud of its Republican tradition, and often despise Meridia’s former hereditary royalism. So, to attempt to even voluntarily give the Canarto royals their former property back would be political suicide. In fact, this was proposed before.

In late 1984, the Prime Minister of that time, Albérto Floríza, proposed to return their possessions and give monetary compensation, but it never went ahead. The next year, one of the reasons he was voted out by the electorate was because he did this. No other political figure has attempted this since.

Has there been any change on this attitude?

Not really. Either no one is sympathetic to them and don’t care (Try asking in a Republican society: “Hey, could you help me get my estates and palaces back from when my family was royalty?”, and you won’t get any empathy), or they hate the idea.

When is the shooter going on trial?

A trial session is scheduled on May 15th. Due to it being a physical assault on the Prime Minister, it is urgent, and thus no pre-trial hearings are needed to determine if the case is justiciable. Prosecutors are preparing their case, but it is likely that the defendant might plead guilty anyway.
Flash News posts:

The Fornirian and Hanoverian governments have disputed the succession to the throne. Fornoire argues that it should be the chosen Crown Prince, as per the succession code of the royal family, but Hanover has said that Hanoverian law indicates an inherited monarchy, thus any Crown Prince the King chooses is invalid for the Hanoverian throne. Fornirian Crown Prince Peter (the King's cousin) and Hanover's chosen successor, the Hanoverian Crown Princess Elisabeta (the King's sister) are the candidates to the Hanoverian throne.
-2 Dec 2017 16:10

Fornirian nationalists have protested at the Sartoria-Fornoire border, demanding that the lands where "oppressed" Fornirian minorities be ceded to Fornoire, or gain autonomy. Fornirian border guards have prevented protesters from crossing the border, threatening to non-lethally shoot any they catch.
-4 Dec 2017 12:09

Fornirian border patrol have "accidentally" shot at the Sartorian border. They said that they were trying to gun down armed persons crossing a remote part of the border, some of which "unfortunately slipped away". Catherine has officially apologized to Sartoria.
-4 Dec 2017 17:17

Fornoire has warned of "decisive action" if the conflict at Akarus "gets out of hand".
-5 Dec 2017 09:48

Fornoire has fortified the Sartoria-Fornoire border with military personnel and artillery, in order for the previous incident to not be repeated.
-5 Dec 2017 16:24

A son of a millionaire in Fornoire was forced to go to the Perigunami Military Base, as part of his mandatory service. This is the first time a wealthy person's child has had to actually serve. The government has said that it will "legally enforce conscription laws" to the fullest, but the parent has sued.
-7 Dec 2017 12:28

Fornoire has strongly condemned the Keizerin of Akarus, calling her a "power-hungry autocrat rat, slime of democracies"
-8 Dec 2017 13:40

Fornoire has counterattacked, saying "the actions being taken by Keizerin Adelaide of Akarus will inevitably lead to an absolute monarchy, a dictatorship with a crown. She has death's scythe, killing democracy at her selfish will"
-8 Dec 2017 13:57

Fornoire has condemned the coup in Nolvik, urging the military to return to civilian rule immediately
-12 Dec 2017 13:25

Fornoire "formally wishes to apply to join the Artemian Union" - Foreign Ministry
-13 Dec 2017 11:45

Fornoire has warned of "consequences" if the "constitutional and legal order" of the Eastern Kapelgian Archipelago is "disturbed".
-14 Dec 2017 11:56

The military has court-martialed an officer for commanding his troops to execute supposed nationalist fighters via firing squad, without trial. The officer has been sentenced to death, and the soldiers who dissented were given a pardon for mutiny.
-18 Dec 2017 16:00

The King has sacked the Fornirian Prime Minister and his cabinet, calling for elections. He has called the government an "inefficient and belligerent nightmare"
-18 Dec 2017, 16:43

Parliament has voted for all but a 100 troops to return from the Sartorian-Fornirian Border.
-19 Dec 2017 13:03

A Royal Guard has shot a paparazzi trying to take a photo of the King's daily life, thinking that he had a gun from far away. The affairs of the royal family are heavily censored, and so is this report, as it is censored on Fornoire.
-20 Dec 2017 15:50

Police in the Sartorian-majority municipalities of Montagna di Fornoire and Sole have arrested 4 people for trying to spread Sacurism. Fornoire has asked Sartoria for cooperation against the Sacuri, fearing that its Sartorian minorities may become Sacuri, and/or clash with their neighbouring Solunanese minorities in Fornoire.
-23 Dec 2017 10:17

In a nationwide police crackdown, swathes of plotting rebel cells, determined to breach the border and fight in Sartoria, have been arrested. Their trials are now classified as urgent, meaning that these cases take priority over non-urgent cases.
-28 Dec 2017 20:07

Fornoire and Hanover have announced a trade embargo on Crowlonia, and will support any anti-government rebels.
-29 Dec 2017 10:03

Fornoire would like to cooperate in any blockade efforts.
-30 Dec 2017 14:54

The Centrists have said that their negotiations with the Conservatives are "bearing fruits", whilst talks with the Social Democrats are at risk of breaking down.
-2 Jan 2018 17:00

3 prostitutes have been sentenced to death by firing squad in the western region of Aissur. Aissur is one of two regions in Fornoire who offer the death penalty to prostitutes and pornography makers, the other being Moritania.
-3 Jan 2018 17:10

The Regional Government of Aissur has spoken out, saying that "Crowlonia has no claim to any moral standing. In fact, their government is a sadistic murderer".
-4 Jan 2018 15:20

The Regional Government of Aissur has countered, saying that "Aissur nor Fornoire are the governing bodies who drop biological weapon bombs on their own civilians, and who satanically murder innocent children. This governing entity is the Crowlonian government. Shame, shame to you, Satans of this Earth"
-4 Jan 2018 18:11

Talks with the Social Democrats "seem to be going better", say the Centrists.
-4 Jan 2018 19:05

Trials have begun for the accused of the raids against rebel cells. Those found guilty of high treason (which is being a leader or mastermind of a rebellion) face death, whilst all other members who commited treason (all other treasonous acts, or just participating in a rebellion while not being the leader or a mastermind) face life in jail.
-7 Jan 2018 11:19

The Centrists have agreed on a Confidence-and-Supply agreement with the Conservative Coalition. The PM-to-be, Ayun Marai, is expected to be approved by the King tomorrow.
-7 Jan 2018 22:39

In his inaugurational speech, Ayun Marai, the new Prime Minister, has acknowledged his respect for the opposition, and called Crowlonia's Donuld Trumpet "a stupid, rabies-infested monkey with an IQ lower than that of a bacteria. Even cholera is more respectable than this absurd excuse for a skunk". Parliament almost unilaterally applauded this insult.
-8 Jan 2018 17:09

Hanover has offered Volgorod temporary coal and/or $20 million to aid the freezing civilians.
-9 Jan 2018 15:04

Fornoire's new Conservative minority government has begun drafting a plan for the fiscal year, which includes massive tax cuts and cuts on spending in order to "fix the abhorrent deficit and colossal taxes created by the previous administration". Military expenditures are at risk of being cut, which has made some military officers and government members nervous due to last year's events.
-11 Jan 2018 12:12

Fornoire has banned abortions after 6 months of pregnancy.
-11 Jan 2018 22:37

The new Prime Minister, Ayun Marai, has met with business leaders, insisting that, if Fornoire passes tax cuts, that they would invest and grow the economy. If not, taxes will be as they were if this strategy does not work.
-13 Jan 2018 22:05

The Royal High Court of Catherine has ruled that the ban on Sacurism is illegal, as the Fornirian constitution protects freedom of belief and religion. The government will now decide on whether to concentrate on passing an amendment to make Sacurism illegal, or to appeal.
-15 Jan 2018 13:53

Protests have erupted in Aissur and Soluna, demanding that the government ban the Sacuri. Soldiers are being sent to Solunanese-Sartorian mixed municipalities, fearing violence could occur.
-17 Jan 2018 12:54

Fornoire has banned all commerce with and visits to Eridani Theta.
-19 Jan 2018 14:46

500 Nationalists have gathered to protest outside the Sartorian Embassy, but were repulsed by armed security guards, who refuse to let anyone in the Embassy District of Catherine. 160 have been arrested.
-19 Jan 2018 20:39

Riots have erupted in the Sartorian-majority municipality of Sole. Police and soldiers have been sent to control what might become racial violence.
-20 Jan 2018 20:09
Fornoire has formally launched a protest towards Messelia, accusing Sartoria of "threatening a sovereign nation". However, the same protest also says that the Government "is trying to ban the Sacuri cult, so Sartoria's threats are warmongering nonsense".
-21 Jan 2018 17:35

Attacks on Sartorians have been committed by Solunanese radicals. Fornoire's Parliament is discussing implementing martial law on the area.
-22 Jan 2018 14:47

Fornoire will send 10,000 troops to help the Crowlonian resistance.
-23 Jan 2018 14:06

Fornoire has declared martial law on the municipality of Sole, after Solunanese and Sartorian radicals began a campaign of violence based on ethnic hatred.
-24 Jan 2018 11:45

Fornoire has condemned the "senseless slaughter" by the Bjarnstian government.
-26 Jan 2018 07:48

30,000 troops and security fences will be stationed and built respectively across the Fornirian side of the Fornirian-Kalosian border.
-26 Jan 2018 07:51

A radical Solunanese group, the Protectors of Soluna, have started a rebellion in the Sole municipality, attempting to capture Sartorian areas of this municipality and set them ablaze. The Fornirian Army and the PS have met in battle in the municipal district of Laterana.
-26 Jan 2018 14:58

The Fornirian Prime Minister has called the Grand Commander a "barbarian savage with no sense of civility"
-27 Jan 2018 08:37

Fornirian Army units in Sole, after being reinforced by professional personnel and tanks, have surrounded the PS at the municipal district of Chamouile. Despite repeated offers for surrender from the Government, the PS has replied that it will fight "until the last man". They are expected to be wiped out in hours, if not days.
-29 Jan 2018 10:00

Reports of the atrocities at Sole are coming out, with an estimated 800-3,000 of its Sartorian population slaughtered by the fighting and violence. Sartorians all across Fornoire have protested, and some have initiated riots against Fornirian and Solunanese officials and civilians.
-29 Jan 2018 13:29

Hanover has attacked Fornoire for its "lack of commitment towards its civilian populace, especially those of ethnic minority backgrounds. The Butchering of Sole only happened due to Fornoire's response with conscript regiments, but if any of its Fornirian-majority towns were occupied by rebels, professional forces would be sent in immediately"
-29 Jan 2018 18:38

The PS in Sole have been quashed. Only two of the estimated 200-1,000-strong PS force survived. All other fighters are dead.
-29 Jan 2018 20:31

Protests across the Sartorian municipalities have spread, occupying town centres. Due to martial law, the Army might clear them.
-30 Jan 2018 21:24

The Royal Fornirian Oceanic Guard and the Fornirian Navy have been instructed to go to the site of the Septiman destroyer, in hopes of rescuing anyone alive.
-31 Jan 2018 07:30

Fornoire has threatened to attack the Sartorian armies if they cross into its territory, as Sartoria has not been authorized military access into the country.
-31 Jan 2018 15:13

Fornoire has condemned the bombing of the Septiman aircraft carrier
-31 Jan 2018 20:48

Solunanese terrorists have bombed and shot at Sartorian protesters in the municipality of Montagne Calde, a popular spa and hot springs resort in the region. 53 are estimated to be dead, with hundreds injured. The Sartorian mayor and his staff have also been taken hostage at the town hall, and police are being sent to end the hostage crisis.
-1 Feb 2018 08:45
Note: All posts about Fornoire are non-canon, except the religions that are being recycled for Meridia
Meridia is celebrating the Sovénto Festival, where, traditionally, Valianists praise their deity, but non-Valianists also celebrate it. The festivities usually consist of a feast to thank the Valianist god (and for non-Valianists, just a feast), and street parties, where Meridians drink wine and dance in traditional attire.
-16 Mar 2018 19:27

Prime Minister Salviné d'Maié has praised the "fast, exciting and growing" Government chemical facilities, which attempt to forge and experiment with various chemicals for research, or for the creation of new products. He has requested that Parliament grant a 10% budget increase for the Meridian Chemical Research Ministry.
-18 Mar 2018 09:59

In solidarity with Parthenopias, Meridia has halted all commercial activities with Adler for two months.
-18 Mar 2018 16:19

Opinion polls show that there could be a neck-and-neck race between the Republican incumbent Emmanéul Marshélie and Democratic challenger Angélica Griliús on the April Presidential Elections. Despite the President being a mere figurehead, the presidential elections are seen as a general poll on the Prime Minister's approval.
-18 Mar 2018 19:05

Meridia's Foreign Ministry express "grave concern" over the Akarusian refusal to accept peace, and that it wishes to see the conflict "swiftly resolved". Some in the Meridian political circles even express that Akarus's casus belli is no longer justified, and thus this arctic kingdom wages a war of aggression towards Vallen.
-18 Mar 2018 21:08

Meridia will cooperate with Parthenopias's request in solidarity.
-18 Mar 2018 22:35

Meridia has announced an expansion regarding the train lines that connect the northern and southern sides of the Miradié Mountains that split the country.
-19 Mar 2018 15:36

Meridia has expressed "severe concern" over the Akarusian blockade. In order to keep Meridian trade safe, all commerce with Vallen is forbidden until the blockade is lifted.
-22 Mar 2018 13:25

Meridia urges Akarus and Vallen to "reach a common understanding on this war, and sign peace". It also condemns Akarus for their "reckless actions"
-22 Mar 2018 14:14

Meridia has condemned Akarus's "lack of care for human life and sovereignty of other nations, plus a brutal abundance for warfare". It is reported that Meridia is outraged at Akarus for refusing to make a decent peace, and for blockading Vallen. Meridia urges Akarus to "redeem itself to the international community" by at least letting humanitarian aid pass through the blockade.
-26 Mar 2018 12:20

When reportedly asked by an aide about the possibility of Keizerin Adelaide's death, the Prime Minister reportedly said: "Yes, what about my scheduled lunch?"
-28 Mar 2018 15:06

In an official government release, Meridia has expressed "deep worry" over "potentially destabilizing" events in Akarus, and has urged all parties to "achieve a peaceful conclusion"
-28 Mar 2018 20:51

Meridia has invited the "various factions in Akarus", plus Vallen, for a series of peace talks.
-31 Mar 2018 11:29

Valianist priests from the Roushian, Katolian, Minaan and Protestant churches have all gathered in Gironde at the "Ecumenical Summit of Valianity", held every three years. The aim of it is to finally unify the Valianist faith under one institutiin, but it has been criticized due to it not including Reformed faithful, as this sect does not have priests.
-3 Apr 2018 22:06

The Prime Minister has been shot as he was giving a campaign speech. Police reports that the shooter was an extremist with mental health issues from the Di Canárto-Royáli, a former royal family that now lives in poverty or middle class. D'Maié's condition is stable, doctors say.
-6 Apr 2018 19:35

Meridia's Delegates of the Nation will discuss gun control in its next few sessions. Albeit it does not maintain gun ownership as a right, Meridia has laxer gun laws compared to the rest of the region, attributed to a rise in the popularity of hunting and self-defense after the Modérna Dictaturé.
-8 Apr 2018 20:34

Anti-Meridian Parthenians have sent a letter to the Parthenian government, begging them to use military force to annex the regions of Atenios and Anatolia as part of Parthenopias. When the Senate was read out the letter, almost every member in the chamber, including the Democratic Parthenian Senator representing his native Atenios, laughed.
-9 Apr 2018 19:30

The Metropolitan Government of Florenzei has decided to impose a license plate rule to cut traffic, and has begun to expand the cyclist sidewalks across the city. Public transportation will also be improved.
-11 Apr 2018 21:56

Meridia is "concerned over increasing violence and instability in Akarus", and wishes "peace as soon as possible"
-12 Apr 2018 12:39

Meridia urges Akarus to "restore democratic institutions at haste", or "be condemned to absolute tyranny and misery of their fault"
-14 Apr 2018 13:22

The Prime Minister "is recovering quickly", says the Hopitélio di Sisílie.
-14 Apr 2018 18:17

The issue of Seravano has come up in the campaigns of both sides, with the Republicans favouring the current free trade with the city-state, and the Democrats calling it a "slimy little thief slowly gobbling up Meridia's tax revenues"
-15 Apr 2018 12:33

Meridia's Executive Office has condemned "the Democratic Party's harsh slander towards the Principality of Seravano", and offers its assurances that "as long as this Seravano-friendly government is in power, we shall not condone this conduct"
-15 Mar 2018 14:43

As the polls show a dramatic shift in Democratic approval, risking the Presidential election, the Democratic Party has formally apologized to the Principality of Seravano.
-16 Apr 2018 09:57

Meridia's Foreign Ministry has sent a letter to the usurper, saying these words: "The Meridian Foreign Ministry thanks you eternally for your comedic acts today. It provided a funny and brief respite to our most stressed staff. Please, continue providing us with laughter, and do consider expanding your ventures to a circus company of some sort. It might be a wise investment"
-16 Apr 2018 19:20

Meridia's Army has commenced training exercises and war games, mainly concentrated on what to do and strategies for the defense of the country in the event of an invasion. This is held every two years.
-17 Apr 2018 22:27

The Presidential elections have begun. Polls have opened at 6:00 and will close at 20:00 across the nation.
-18 Apr 2018 09:36

Meridia urges Septima to restore Herzog's citizenship, and instead have him tried for treason, rebellion, or any other similar charge applicable.
-24 Mar 2018 17:57

Meridia has offered to mediate between Sizhou and rebel forces in its territories, as it "wishes a peaceful resolution to the crisis unfolding"
-24 Mar 2018 17:59

Meridia has condemned the "autocratic rule" of the junta, and supports the "righteous people of Akarus, attempting to decide their own free destiny"
-25 Mar 2018 20:16

The Monarchist Party, a tiny and irrelevant party in Meridia, has supported Herzog's claim to the throne. A rally in Florenzei to support Mr. Herzog has been planned, with 80-200 people possibly attending.
-29 Mar 2018 17:29

Police and the city government have placed Florenzei under a state of emergency, as May Day riots strangely continue to a second day.
-2 May 2018 22:36

A soldier with reported mental problems has entered the Senate, threatening to kill Senators if he is not given a ransom. The government has begun to plan a strategy to storm the building if negotiations fail, but is engaging in negotiation for the time being.
-8 May 2018 12:20

The Government has stormed the Senate after negotiations have broken down. Miraculously, no Senators were hurt.
-8 May 2018 19:40

Meridia's Senate will vote on the recognition of the Kapelgian Republic
-9 May 2018 08:30

The Senate has voted to recognize the Kapelgian Republic as a sovereign state. The President is undecided on whether to sign the bill or not.
-9 May 2018 13:49

The President, after negotiations with the bipartisan coalition, has signed the bill. Meridia now recognizes the Kapelgian Republic.
-9 May 2018 20:53
[center]Modérna Dictaturé
1970-1973
[/center]

Before 1970

In the 60s, corruption was endemic for Meridia, and minorities were rebelling. The Ossitanians and the Faranze independence rebels were conducting a bloody terrorism wave, making the south incredibly dangerous. At the same time, communists in the Miradié mountains stubbornly fought the government, restricting travel from regions like the Trentosta Valley or Caleion. It was safer to take a plane than to traverse the mountains to go to the rest of the country.

In this political environment, populism, which was often racist, grew and grew, culminating in the election of Maurelíano Acúra in 1965. Campaigning for a new party, the big tent, populist Popular Front, his election was certain.

During the first years of his reign, Maurelíano attempted to push for corruption reform, but also began to spend wildly, creating an untennable deficit. This money was used to give people public sector jobs, cut taxes, and other populist pledges, which could not be sustained for long. Maurelíano defended himself, saying that "the people deserve the wealth of the nation, and it is a stimulus for the people". His popularity grew massively, the people not knowing exactly what he was doing.

But, in 1968, he began to show a glimpse of his true colours. He demanded that a newspaper that had been critical of him to "shut it", and raided their offices with police. Maurelíano proceeded to justify his actions by accusing the paper of "spying for the enemies of Meridia" and of "corruption", but this was not proven. In 1969, he led a military campaign against the rebels in the south, but was extremely brutal. The army was given way to act however it wished, often leading to violations of human rights, and the air force bombed any town remotely suspected of harbouring rebels. The Ossitanian people call him "Lo Demòni", or The Devil; the Faranze, practicioners of the Firineire faith believed that he either had an evil spirit that never went to the Spiritual Realms, or that he did not have a soul at all.

But it seemed to have effect: the terrorism waned, but it was out of desperation, as the rebels were so horrified and scared that they stopped fighting in order to save their people from further devastation.

The ethnic Meridian peoples in the south, however, revered him. As Acúra had been careful to not strike any Meridian populations, he earned great praise in this area for finally bringing down the terrorists that had plagued them for so long.

In early 1970, he ordered the military to crack down on the communists in the Miradié mountains. Again, he used the cruel tactics he used in the south. The resulting bloodbath for the communists became horrific when they fled to the Trentosta Valley, hoping that Maurelíano would not dare to strike Sartorians. And they were correct: unlike in the south, Sartorians and Meridians lived together in mixed settlements. It was not uncommon to find completely bilingual communities in the area. But Maurelíano quarantined the area, imposing a media blackout. He justified this as "an action to prevent the communist dogs from deceiving the world. We are righteous in our cause, and we will kill all who made us suffer". It looked more justified when local militias formed, fighting the communists. Some militias were formed out of pure intentions, the fighters determined to kill the communist pigs. Others wanted to avoid a repeat of the southern massacres, and fighting for the government could dissuade them from all-out butchery.

Indeed, this turned out to be true. Acúra did not repeat his sanguine strategy, but killed communists left and right, violating their human rights.

1970: The Coup

Acúra was popular, but, as reports of the massacres carried out by his forces began to emerge on a nationwide scale, his approval waned. Seizing the moment to prevent a collapse of his regime, Maurelíano ordered his most loyal army units to stage "communist" terrorist attacks in major cities. As the people were terrified, Maurelíano declared a state of emergency, declaring that "the current constitutional order prevents me from eradicating the communist swine, and thus, the constitution is hereby suspended indefinitely".

Popular support allowed this to be a bloodless coup. The army didn't have to capture anything, although it did restrict access in the capital while he got his affairs in order, and to arrest opposition legislators.

As the coup deepened, in the coming months, the army seized opposition newspapers, and detained Maurelíano's critics. In show trials, the accused were either convicted of corruption, treason, or any other charge applicable. As the death penalty was legal at the time, many were shot.

1970-1975: Modérna Dictaturé and L'Crisé d'Militarié

In 1971, his power was cemented. The army and police ruled in his name through an iron fist. Corruption skyrocketed, but everything was censored. However, as his rule became more cruel by the end of 1972, even forcing minorities to abandon their culture and language, senior leaders in the military began to entertain the possibility of a coup. They feared that his policies would trigger a war with Sartoria or Parthenopias, or both.

So, in early February of 1973, Maurelíano was deposed. He was sadistically murdered by troops, as the group that was supposed to detain him resulted to have Ossitanians in it. The other soldiers in the unit did take notice, but they did not stop them, as their group knew of the Ossitanians' miseries. It is reported that one of the Ossitanians kept a piece of his intestines in a bag and blood on a water bottle, but this has not been confirmed.

A military junta took control of the country, but, as unrest developed, the armed forces promised free and fair elections under the previous constitution, as long as no military personnel went to prison for any war crimes. Instead, they paid hefty fines and were drafted into infrastructure projects.

Aftermath

After this, racial tensions in Meridia drastically decreased. The new elected government had ethnic classes mandatory for all citizens, so they could understand each other better. The new government also held a referendum to create two autonomous regions: Ossitania and Faranze. A majority of Faranze districts joined the new region, but, surprisingly, more than half of the Ossitanian districts voted against integrating into Ossitania.

These were mainly Canartese Ossitanians, who had felt quite comfortable and happy within the region of Canarto. They saw themselves as fellow Meridians, just with a different background. This was the result of Canarto treating Ossitanians well, and the fact that Ossitanians here were more peaceful with the Meridian majorities. Kareguism, a religion prevalent in Canarto, also held a small sway over the vote, as Canartese Ossitanians are majority Kareguist.

The ones who defected were mostly the Tigurian Ossitanians, who were disenfranchised in Tiguria, even before the dictatorship. Tigurian Meridians and Ossitanians often had hostile relations, and were more perjorative towards each other. Tigurian Ossitanians were also a religious mix of Valianity and Firineire followers, so it did not hold any sway when voting. As a result, all the districts ceded were from Tiguria.

In the case of the Faranze, a considerable majority of their districts flipped to create the new region, but, prevalently in Loreira, some districts refused. This did not have to do with cordial relations or whatever, but either that these Faranze were more connected to their regions economically, and opted to stay, or that the regions campaigned fiercely to convince them to stay, pledging to enfranchise the Faranze. Usually, it was both. Another reason has been recently entertained, and that was that Loreira had set up the districts before to "divide and conquer" their Faranze minorities in certain areas. This was for electoral purposes in the past, and this gave way partially to the result as a directly unintended consequence. Other Faranze are not even natives, but migrants that moved to other areas of Loreira and, in less numbers, Tiguria.

Populism's appeal also plummeted. Today, the Meridian populace is well-informed on average about at least main issues in politics, or as well-informed as the average citizen can be. Many are also critical of deficits, and the government is very transparent (until recently), publishing their monthly transactions online.

Corruption is now seen as such a stigma, that even the most faint accusation has the potential to unseat a politician, unless it is obviously a politically-charged, baseless attack. They rarely engage in it these days, as it can be their downfall. In the national curriculum, there is an entire class dedicated to shaming corruption, and private schools are required to give it too.

One good thing came out of this, though: rebel groups were eliminated. Meridia is a peaceful and prosperous nation nowadays, but the military is underfunded because of its past brutality.
The Myth of Fire

Story of the Valianist faith

Inatalia, the Agent of the Elements. Ever since her creation by God, she has loyally governed the elements as it has instructed.

She governs the properties of soil, which give and receive life. She governs the three stages of matter: air, liquid, and stone. She is entrusted with heat and cold, which provide for the transformations in matter. In her care is also the light, which combined with heat forms the Sun, and which forms the stars and the Moon.

But she is troubled. Whilst she works with Lunasi and Saratiya, the Agents of the Moon and the Stars respectively, to create the moonlight, the humans still do not have enough light for night time.

She begins to think. Luckily, Ateina, the Agent of Intelligence and Emotions, is passing by her house in the Heavens. Ateina is a close friend of Inatalia, and she hears her problem.

Inatalia worries of the wrath of God. Certainly it is caring and understanding, and it adores to see its agents invent new gadgets in order to make its life easier, but Inatalia believes that this could be seen as an insult, challenging God’s supreme craftsmanship.

Ateina does not share this view. As the wisest of the agents, and as the closest confidant of God, she knows that it would not be enraged, as long as they craft something to solve her dilemma. After all, criticizing without a solution is certainly an insult, and an insult to God is treachery.

Treachery translates to punishment.

Thus, they together begin to design a source of light that would be durable for humans. As they failed on their initial blueprints, Ateina, with all of her wisdom, thought of something.

There were two substances on Earth that, when they transformed their stages, they became sources of heat: wood and many rocks. Wood, when melted, would transform into a hybrid between liquid and stone, and many rocks, when melted, became lava. Ateina then thought of the Sun, which gave off both heat and light. Would that not work for humans? Both a source of light and heat?

Inatalia loved the idea. It solved two problems! She called the Agents of the Earth and Sun, Feiti and Korena respectively, and requested their help. They agreed, as they saw the treasure of God, humans, languishing in the night.

They all then poured their powers to create a mix: Inatalia gave her powers of stages and light, Feiti gave his wood and rocks, Korena collected a sample of the sun and presented it, and Ateina began to properly forge it all. They created fire.

They went to God to present their work. God adopted it with enthusiasm. It even changed the rules, allowing for all wood to melt into fire in order to make it more accessible, and the sparks of the rocks allowed for fire to be created.

This had an unforeseen consequence. As the humans melted the wood and used the new properties of rocks to create fire, the clouds, giant clusters of air water that create rain as the sky is colder than the Earth, began to mix with the blackish air fire transformed after it ran out. This created lightning, a mix of water and wood that reigned terror from the clouds. It is a hybrid between liquid and air, just like fire.

However, it was decided by God that it was an acceptable side-effect, as it could now use electricity as a weapon to keep the Agents in line, should they rebel in the future.
The Myth of the Heavenly Strength-Intelligence War

Story of the Kareguist faith

Before humans were banished to the Earth for their subversion to the Gods, there were various wars between the deities. This is one of them.

One time, Darein, God of War, came across the twins of Tirioshue, the Knowledge Goddess, and Mainui, the Intelligence Goddess. Madly in love, he demanded Mainui, the more beautiful of the two, to be his spouse. She refused, and laughed at his face instead, pointing out that Levetia, the Goddess of Love, would never bless their union, and that she did not love him in the slightest.

Darein was undeterred. All he knew was strength and war. His military prowess was known far and wide. However, despite his brilliant skills as a fighter and tactician, he was not as wise as the twin Goddesses. All he knew was force, so he attempted to kidnap and rape Mainui, the first attempted rape in history. The wisdom of the twin deities, however, bested him, as they tricked him and trapped him on a hole, and escaped.

Darein was furious. He was insulted. Then, when he freed himself, he charged towards the residence of the twin Goddesses. He used his flaming sword to break the door, but they were not there. The sisters, with all their wisdom, did not return to their house, and, in open defiance of Darein, they began to muster an army from humans and other Gods alike.

This was the last straw. Among the Gods, only Darein held the privilege of waging war. It was his power, and his right, as he was the military representative of the Gods. Pursuing his special right, other Gods and humans flocked to his banner. The war had begun.

The Heavens were devastated for two centuries. The then-immortal humans and the Gods continued to wage ceaseless war. They could not die, of course, but they could be imprisoned and tortured instead.

Eventually, after the centuries of fighting, the twin Goddesses surrounded Darein's principal forces in a siege, and forced him to surrender. At the peace negotiations, Darein was humbled. He repented not out of pressure, but out of sorrow. He recognized his faults by attempting to force-marry and rape Mainui, and agreed to be punished with two centuries of hard labour in Malugus's Underworld. Darein also recognized the right to war to others only in exceptional circumstances. The twin Goddesses agreed, in turn, to forgive Darein for his misdeeds.

This established that forced marriage and rape were unacceptable, and anyone caught in the deed were to be punished. When the humans became terrestial and mortal, this was translated into one of the darkest sins, along with murder and robbery. Indeed, in Canarto, where Kareguism is most prevalent, rape is punishable by years of forced labour, followed by execution. The central government has tried to rein Canarto, but, everytime they try, the people remember this myth and riot in the streets, seeing Florenzei as a rape apologist of sorts.
The Grand Epic of Merítos

Story of the Valianist faith


Merítos was a craftsman. A devout man, he prayed to God and the agents as was necessary.

One day, God took notice of his piety, and his intellect. So, it tested Merítos. God wanted a drink that would excite it, make it dizzy and weak like a human. Thus, it challenged Merítos with this task.

Merítos laboured for two years. He knew that fruits gave juice, so he tried with fruits. One day, he thought of mixing grape juice with yeast. However, he forgot about this mix, as he thought of using other foodstuffs.

Then, he saw the mix: it was wine. He tasted it, and it certainly made him dizzy and weak.

Merítos, with his new invention, presented it to God, who congratulated him with a prize: twenty bars of gold. However, Merítos neglected the prize, as he merely did as ordered by God as a pious man. God was proud of Merítos for resisting temptation and humbly serving it.

Next, it challenged Merítos. God now wanted something that would make music by blowing into it.

Merítos set out to work, and he took two years. Finally, he invented the flute. He presented this gift to God, and it was, yet again, pleased.

Now God gave him a prize: two thousand cattle that feeded themselves. Merítos, again, rejected this, bowing to the Lord instead.

God now gave another challenge. It created a woman so astonishingly beautiful, and so mad in love with Merítos, that any man would commit adultery. However, knowing that adultery was a grave sin, and he valued his family, he refused the woman's advances. The woman got furious, and went to Sartoria (less prevalent versions say that she committed suicide) in a rage.

God was pleased. It turned his daughters into the most beautiful and desirable in the land, allowing them to easily marry their crushes. As it was technically a gift for his daughters, Merítos did not object, but pleaded with his daughters to be faithful and devoted to God, and they did.

Now, it would test his loyalty. Merítos was a good craftsman, diligently serving it, and he could resist sin, but God wanted to test his piety with one last test.

God punished Merítos, making his business fail, killing his family, and giving him an insatiable appetite. He also gave him a mortal disease. However, despite knowing that God gave him this curse, he continued to be a faithful man.

God was pleased. Now, it restored everything he had, plus gave him the rule over a city. Merítos accepted what was his, as God had deemed it fine again to have what was his, but he rejected to rule, seeing himself as a humble servant.

God, although amazed at Merítos's humility and piety, grew tired. It felt that it had to give a reward. So, it ordered Merítos to accept all the rewards it tried to give him, or he would be comitting a mortal sin. Merítos, ever faithful and obedient, accepted. His family was now the richest in the land.

The city is unknown. Some suggest it was a northern city, as wine is prevalently grown in areas like Caleion. Others suggest that it was in the centre, as gold is found in the southern areas of the Miradié mountains. And some, more recently, suggest that the city did not exist, and that this "gifting of a city" was the representation of the divine right to rule for monarchs. After all, Merítos was pious, and was given the rule to a city. Doesn't it mean that our ruler is also devout, and ordained by God?
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