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Congress to discuss on the AU-mandated increase on military spending

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Republicans want to improve on the military's quality; the Democrats wish to give existing personnel a generous raise.

Meridia - As Meridia is expected to join the AU, there is a debate in Congress on what to do with the additional military spending the country is expected to incur.

The Republicans have pushed for an upgrade to the military's existing equipment, training and tactics with this money in order to meet AU standards. But the Democratic opposition refuse this idea, insteading proposing new benefits and a juicy pay hike for troops.

The measure has proven to be controversial, even within the coalition government. Whilst the Nationalists are firmly behind the Republicans' calls for a boost on military spending, and even pushing to exceed the AU's standards, the Libertarians are staunchly opposed, something the opposition can use to incite a Libertarian rebellion and, in a best-case scenario for them, break up the ruling government entirely. The latter is unlikely, however.

Meridian society is polarized on the issue. The Republicans themselves justify themselves not on a love for armed prowess, but that this is a small price to pay to join the prestigious organization. Indeed, some Republicans have a chance, however slight, of rebelling and voting with their archrivals. The Democrats have accused the government of wishing to turn Meridia into an "armed regional power" and truly desiring to elevate the military's standing and capibilities, something unpopular with the pacifist Meridian society.


Why is funding the military more out of a genuine belief of a strong army so unpopular?

You must understand the Meridian populace to comprehend why this thought is so rare.

As the country found itself in peace after the 19th century, the military's standing in society began to wane. The population began to adopt a pacifist, even isolationist stance, wishing to preserve Meridia and its democracy. This is why the armed forces have been designed in the modern era to fight purely defensive campaigns, lacking any capibilities to go on the offensive.

Furthermore, the role the military had on L'Emergénsia d'Sacurí and Maurelíano's dictatorship in the 20th century accelerated the decline of the military's prestige, and dealt a near-fatal blow to its reputation. There are people who lived those regimes, and those who suffered them often tell of the brutality the army dealt them, crucially in Maurelíano's Modérna Dictaturé, where ethnic and political minorities were routinely oppressed and, especially in the case of the Faranze and the communists, utterly dehumanized in military campaigns against rebels.

Thus, the military's honour is so low, having an honest intention to increase its budget will definitely guarantee you a loss in the national elections, with only some in society actually supporting it, such as the minor Nationalists in the ruling coalition. This is why the Republicans are saying that, although they "don't agree with the concept", this is but a small fee to join the AU.

So, most Meridians don't want an increase to the army's budget?

One word: Yup

That's why political opinion is so split? Some seeing an upgrade as something that has to be done, and others wanting to keep the army as is, but almost no one really wants this?

Pretty much.

The Republicans think of this as a sacrifice, and the Democrats just want to technically meet the quota by dumping the excess money into soldiers' wallets?

Aye

(OOC:...You're not going to stop this, will you...)

(What can I say, it's a fun game)


(Alright, I'll stop)

How's the political landscape looking?

Whilst the government may be facing a major Libertarian revolt, not all things are unicorns and rainbows in enemy-land.

Some Democrats and other opposition parties concur with the Republican majority, seeing the AU's policies as a package deal, not something Meridia can just cherrypick.

Particularly in the Senate there is also additional opposition, with the anti-military Faranze Independence Party and Union for Ossitania holding the one seat allocated to both the Faranze and Ossitania regions each, respectively. These only have a small presence in the Delegates of the Nation compared to their augumented power in the Senate. Their two Senators will most certainly vote against any improvements to existing military capibilities.

Luckily for the Republicans, their possibly rebellious partner, the Libertarians, have a diminished presence in the Senate, as delegates there are sent from each region, not elected nationwide like the Delegates of the Nation are. This method tends to benefit larger parties there. If they sway a few opposition Senators, they have this chamber in the bag.
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Overview Series: Flourentína

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The city has a vibrant blend of Meridian and Wakokan culture. Picture: the Blossom Pass, a small park in the city.

Flourentína Leased Territory, Meridia - Welcome to our Overview Series, where we pick certain areas of Meridia and describe them factually.

Flourentína is a leased island territory under Meridian control. Immediately east of Wakoku, this was once an uninhabited island before Meridia and Wakoku mutually leased territories on the other's country to facilitate their attempts on trade in their respective target regions.

People and Culture

Settled by mainly Wakokan and Meridian peoples, the city is majority Wakokan, albeit barely, with 50% of the citizenry identifying as such. 40% are ethnic Meridians descended from migrants original to, of course, Meridia, and the other 10% are a plethora of other groups, from international expats, historical immigrant communities that are neither Wakokan or Meridian, or Meridian minority groups who either moved recently, or fled discrimination from times now long gone. The few interracial descent of the city may identify with one group sometimes, but the vast majority pick "Mixed".

The leased territory boasts a population of 200,000 people, with a vibrant culture that has been the result of a mix from the ethnic groups that populate the island. The populace is mostly bilingual, with a vast majority of civilians knowing both Meridian and Wakokan since childhood. Indeed, for the Meridian population, the dialect of Meridian that they speak has been influenced by the Wakokan language over time, giving the locals slang or full-fledged, accepted words not found anywhere else in Meridian territory, and that have roots on mainly Wakokan vocabulary.

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Meridians from Flourentína drink Wakokan or Meridian tea recipes as a staple beverage; mainland Meridians instead drink coffee daily

The traditions from both cultures have seeped in the other. Meridians, over the years, began to drink tea and hold the Wakokan tea ceremony, but they adapted the latter and transformed it into a "tea party" sort of gathering with friends and family. Cultural researchers speculate that this particular custom had roots when Meridians became more open and less racist, and, crucially for their children who had Wakokan friends, began to learn from their Wakokan neighbours, either in their early childhood, or in adulthood.

This is one example of cultural blending. Here is another, but for the Wakokans.

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The Meridian recipes of the iconic baguette are not only consumed by Meridians, but by Wakokans in Flourentína as part of their daily breakfast, or sometimes even as a snack.

Unlike the Meridians, Wakokans did not mix at the same rate as their counterparts due to their fierce pride on their traditions and culture, and because of the close distance they were from Wakoku. Still, some Meridian concepts did slip in, like the Meridian recipes of the baguette.

Most residents eat this Meridian pastry daily, either at breakfast, or even as a snack of some sort. This includes the Wakokans, who, along with their traditional cuisine, have included this type of bread into their morning routine. This can also be attributed to inter-cultural contact, experts say, especially when Meridian children may have invited Wakokan friends for sleepovers or just to eat breakfast, or shared it in their school snacks. Meridian and Wakokan adults sharing this baked good at cafés and restaurants may also have significantly contributed to this feature in the Wakokan society residing in the city.

There are other examples: Meridian-Wakokan mixed cafés, which serve a concoction of various dishes, both the few domestic that exist and those belonging to their respective cultures; non-Wakokans also seeing the cherry blossom as a prized symbol, although it is more of a "city pride" characteristic; a local temple of the Valianist religion was built in the Wakokan style of architecture, as a way to signify the Wakokan presence in the island and its society, as well as for the few Wakokans that converted; local laws and infrastucture (like the subway or the school system) were built in the Meridian style, with bilingual accomodations, of course; non-Wakokans sometimes practice Wakokan martial arts; parks and many gardens are in the Meridian style, with some Wakokan influences or plants; streets having mostly Meridian names; among others.

Politics and Administration

As Flourentína is technically a leased territory, it does not participate in national elections. However, all residents regardless of ethnic background have Meridian citizenship, and the city is highly autonomous.

Governor-General: Annelís Lacantére

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Named to her position in 2010, Annelís Lacantére is expected to be the territory's last Governor-General.

The role of Governor-General was powerful in the past. They effectively ruled the city on Meridia's behalf. But, with increasing democratic freedoms being granted and as Meridia had near-instantaneous communicative access to the city due to advances in technology, this office is now more as a direct enforcer of Meridia's will in the island. However, Meridia only intervienes sporadically, only getting involved if it is absolutely necessary, or to implement national legislation to the leased territory, most of which do not automatically apply.

An example of this was when Meridia restricted the death penalty to serial rapists and serial murderers in extreme circumstances, but Flourentína had a differing version of capital punishment on its local penal code, which was allowed to exist as long as Meridia did not object to it. The one who signed that order from the mainland was the Governor-General of the time.

The Governor-General is the one who also signs all the laws passed by the local legislature, but this is mere protocol, as it is extremely rare for the Governor-General to veto any bills.

The current Governor-General is Annelís Lacantére, a former Democratic Cabinet member appointed in 2010. She succeeded Giorgé Ultramáre, a former Republican Senator who resigned due to old age. Governor-Generals can be sacked by the central government back at Florenzei, but this has not happened in a long time. It is a gentleman's agreement between political parties in Meridia and the city to not heavily politicize the position, so as to maintain stability and order, and to not politicize the city proper.

First Minister: Tadamori Matsuzawa

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Flourentína has, for the most part, inherited the parliamentary system of Meridia. Tadamori Matsuzawa is a Wakokan politician from the centre-right Blossom Party, elected by the local legislature as First Minister.

The First Minister is the one who really rules Flourentína. Holding a role resembling a Head of Government, the First Minister and their Cabinet comprise the Executive of this city.

As the local legislature serves a five-year term, the First Minister is at the mercy of it. The First Minister, however, has a term limit of ten years, independent of the incumbent legislature's tenure.

The current First Minister is Tadamori Matsuzawa, a Wakokan Flourentinan of the centre-right Blossom Party, which is the local affiliate of the Republicans back home in Meridia. Despite being so, it is by all means independent, and just essentially sharing this historical origin as a branch of the Republicans.

The Governor-General can remove the First Minister if Meridia consents or requests it, but that has never been invoked since the position's creation in 1976.

Legislature: Assembly of Flourentína

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The Assembly of Flourentína is composed of 71 lawmakers elected by Proportional Representation, the system Meridia uses to elect the Delegates of the Nation, a chamber of its Congress.

The Assembly of Flourentína is the legislative body of the city. Created in 1919, the Assembly has since legislated in domestic issues, and it received more powers during the 1976 reforms.

Currently, the Assembly of Flourentína has the following composition:
Government Coalition
- Blossom Party* (25) (Centre-Right)
- Flourentína Revival (8) (Right-Wing)
- Libertarian Party (5) (Libertarian)

Opposition
- Progressive Party (16) (Centre-Left)
- Liberal Democrats (10) (Centre to Centre-Left)
- Socialist Party (4) (Left-Wing)
- Eternal Destiny (2) (Big tent, Meridian Sovereignty over Flourentína)
- Flourentína First (1) (Big tent, Flourentinan Independence)

The Assembly appoints the First Minister and approves their Cabinet. The Speaker of the Assembly is Albérto Caletezía, of the Blossom Party, and the two Vice Speakers are Yuto Satoshi, of the Progressive Party, and Isabéle Yuriko, from Flourentína Revival.

Justice: High Territorial Court of Flourentína

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The High Territorial Court of Flourentína is the highest court in the city, below national-grade courts.

The High Territorial Court of Flourentína was shaped from the necessity to establish a formal legal system in 1846. It is the highest court in the city, ruling from appeals to various minour cases to requests for a constitutional interpretation of any law in place on the territory.

Its 7 High Territorial Judges are appointed by the Assembly via a two-thirds majority vote, and they must be approved by the Governor-General. This means that Meridia must consent, as the Governor-General is, by all practical means, Meridia's enforcer.

These days Meridia greenlights the local picks, and has only interfiered recently in 2007, when Congress objected to the nomination of a judge who was previously convicted of tax evasion when he lived in the mainland.

The court uses Meridia's own version of the judicial process, another example of Meridia's legacy here. However, all persons related to the law - lawyers, prosecutors, judges, police officers, etc. - are now studying the Wakokan legal system in addition to its laws, should Wakoku refuse to allow Flourentína's legal system to continue after the handover in 2020, and instead alter it to its own.

Languages: Meridian and Wakokan

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Both Meridian and Wakokan are the official languages of the city, with other recognized minority languages including Faranze, Ossitanian, Parthenian, and Sartorian

By local law, both Meridian and Wakokan are the official languages of Flourentína, along with a plethora of minority languages which are recognized due to their usage by historical migrant groups that are not Meridian or Wakokan. These include Faranze, Ossitanian, Parthenian, and Sartorian, and the government is required to offer assistance in these languages as well.

Meridian and Wakokan, however, have far more usage, and this is ensured by law. Any organization - apartments, companies, restaurants, media, etc. - are required to offer both Meridian and Wakokan versions of their products, labels, signs, etc., unless they can't display more than one language properly (like with radio broadcasts), if they are cultural centres, or if they are meant to focus on a certain foreign population or theme (like consulates, foreign restaurants and such).

Further, to get any government position or public sector job, you must know both Meridian and Wakokan. If, for example, your party plans for you to occupy one of their seats in the Assembly but you don't know Meridian, an automatic disqualification instantly follows.

Media

Television

There are four main private channels in Flourentína: Flourentína Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), National Meridian Television, Flourentinan branch (NMT-FL), Skyline TV (STV), and Central Capital Station, Flourentinan branch (CCS-FL). The local government's state-run channel is the Public Flourentinan Broadcasting Service (PFBS), and Meridia's state-run Public Meridian Television (PMT) also is on air.

Citizens can get a variety of other channels by subscribing to TV companies, most of which are Meridian or local in origin. Due to the city mandating the use of both Meridian and Wakokan, Meridian packages differ from the mainland, installing translators into their products in order to translate from either Meridian to Wakokan or viceversa. Most do not use it, however, as people do not care to select the subtitles.

Radio

Flourentína has several radio stations dedicated to both AM and FM frequencies. Often, AM stations focus on news and politics, whilst FM stations specialize in music or religious teachings.

Station Legend:
M: Meridian
W: Wakokan
X: Mixed

Some AM stations of relevance include:
- Public Flourentinan Broadcasting Service, Meridian (PFBS-M, 600)
- Public Flourentinan Broadcasting Service, Wakokan (PFBS-W, 650)
- Flourentína Broadcasting Corporation, Meridian (FBC-M, 710)
- Flourentína Broadcasting Corporation, Wakokan (FBC-W, 760)
- Whirlwind Radio (WP-M, 840)
- One News Station (ON-W, 900)
- Island Radio (IR-M, 1120)
- Newsclub Broadcasting Station (NBS-X, 1300)

Some FM stations of note are the following:
- Frequency Radio (FR-M, 90.1)
- Musical Note Foundation (MNF, 93.3) (MNF does not have an official language, as its broadcasting is classical music, which is often lyricless)
- Popular Melody Station (PMS-W, 96.5)
- Hit It! (HI-X, 99.2)
- Valianity Central (VC-M, 100.7)
- National DJ (NDJ-M, 101.4)
- Melodies of Flourentína (MF-X, 103.8)
- Wakokan Music Station (WMS-W, 105.9)

Newspapers

There are many papers in the city, some from the mainland, some local big ones, and many small providers of news in paper.

Key papers include:
- The Meridian Journal, Flourentinan branch
- The Republic, Flourentinan branch
- The National Post, Flourentinan branch
- Toshi Shinbun
- The Flourentinan Insider
- The Blossom Chronicle
- Shorui Shinbun
- The Island Herald
- Azuma Shinbun

Economy

Due to being one of the main tools of Meridia's attempt at trade in the East in the past, Flourentína has been big on trade since its inception. With low, attractive taxes and a free market-style economy, the city depends on the following industries:

Major:
- Finance (Attractive taxes and an excellent fiscal climate makes it a good investment, especially for Meridian companies and banks doing business in the East)
- Shipping (Flourentína has a superb port, and Meridian ships trading in the East prefer it as a rest-stop or delivery centre for the rest of the area)
- Tourism
- Gambling
- Other Services
- Real Estate
- Retail
- Restaurants
- Hospitaliary

Minor:
- Fishing
- Media Industries
- Public Sector
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Scientific Research

Timeline (So Far) (OOC: Might add more)

1820 - Meridia and Wakoku lease territory in each other's borders, the "Eastern Wakoku Island Territory" is established.

1834 - The growing city is granted the name of "Flourentína", inspired by the cherry blossoms that were brought in from Wakoku or that already existed there.

1820-1921 - In order to boost manpower, Meridia accepts both colonists from the mainland and refugees from Wakoku.

1825-1843 - Meridia's first dictatorship under the Republic. Flourentína is not affected much, other than increased suppression of dissent.

1843 - Dictatorship ends, civil liberties improved.

1919 - Flourentína obtains limited democratic freedoms and a local legislature under the Flourentína Legislature Act.

1920 - Lease renovated by Wakoku.

1928-1935 - Meridia's second dictatorship driven by a hysteria over the Sacuri established. Military rule, Meridian and Wakokan religions alike are subjected to espionage, dissent is suppressed, but not so much that Wakoku would get infuriated. Due to the more lax efforts compared to the rest of the mainland, Meridian intellectuals flee to the city, forging Flourentinan sentiment into a stubborn resistance against military rule, and sparking a dramatic increase of the then-current cultural mixing, especially amongst the intellectual classes, as the new migrants are less racist or "exclusionary".

1935 - Second dictatorship ends, Flourentína celebrates. Restored civil liberties encourages further cultural blending.

1970-1973 - Maurelíano's dictatorship in full swing. This encourages ethnic minorites in the mainland to immigrate to Flourentína, increasing the non-Meridian and non-Wakokan population substantially. Tales of their hardship make the city a hotbed of political dissent.

1973 - When Maurelíano decides to exterminate the traditions and languages of minorities, this targets the very same minorities who fled, as well as the Wakokan population to a lesser degree. Riots engulf the city, and the military garrison, along with sympathetic locals, rebels against the autocratic regime, restoring civil liberties in full as a renegade territory. Just a week after this event, the military junta put in place after a coup that dethroned Maurelíano agrees to respect the city's rights, in fear of a Wakokan seizure.

1973-1975 - Military junta leaves the island alone for the most part.

1975 - Military junta resigns due to increased pressure for a return to democracy. Flourentína is not affected much, other that the new government considers granting more self-governance to the territory.

1976 - Meridia grants Flourentína the high autonomy it enjoys today, and it extends Meridian citizenship to most Wakokans, who were previously only granted a special Flourentinan citizenship due to not having any blood coming from the mainland.

2019 - New elections will occur, and it is expected that this election will focus on what to do about the handover in 2020.
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D'Maié convenes emergency Cabinet meeting after Sizhouan rebels arrive in Meridia

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The Republicans, along with their coalition partner the Libertarians, are staunch anti-communists. It is expected that the current government may grant asylum to Xin Yian and his colleagues.

Sizhou and Meridia - Meridian authorities, and the entire country as a whole, were in shock when a group of Sizhouan officials, key of which was the former provincial legislator Xin Yian, arrived in the country with fake passports and rushed to apply for Meridian protection.

The press - and extremist socialists and communists, plus their ideological enemies - mobbed the detention centre for answers or protests and counter-protesrs respectively, as this is an unprecedented situation. Due to death threats from radical leftists, and the fear that Sizhou's authorities may kill them, these asylum seekers are now protected by an armed guard of Meridianitaié.

The Prime Minister, Salviné D'Maié, has called an emergency meeting with his Cabinet on what to do over these Sizhouan escapees, but it is highly probable that their request for sanctuary may be accepted, say experts, as the Republicans and their Libertarian coalition partners are known for their negative, intolerant views on communism, and seek to stop it at any opportunity.


Will the former Sizhouan officials be granted asylum?

There is a good possibility. The views of the current government on communism is of a sadistic ideology that is against liberty and the Meridian way of life itself, as well as their natural ideological enemy as right-wing coalition.

Their sympathies may also lie on the goals of the rebels themselves, as they wished to replace the Sizhouan socialist regime with a capitalist, free republic, or as far as Meridian officials know.

But they may give in due to two, related factors: Sizhou's trading sway, and the embarrasment that would be Flourentína formally protesting against the central government.

Despite having a socialist economy, Sizhou is actually a major trading nation in the East, and Meridian businesses may be affected. This is crucial, as it is the imperative of all Meridian governments to help advance economic growth, or they'll be unpopular. And with the coalition facing a possible defeat in October, they want to fight until the very end.

The issue of trade, and any measures Sizhou may take to punish Meridia, has a profound impact on Flourentína as well. And if Flourentinan officials are disgruntled enough, they may lodge in a formal protest against Florenzei, humiliating the incumbent government for having this shining city built on trade bicker with the national authorities over...well, trade.

This is a precarious dilemma that the government will have to traverse carefully. It will most certainly push as much as it can to save these Sizhouan "political refugees", as some sections of the right are already calling them, but if it slips, it may relent and give in to Sizhouan demands.

What has been the Meridian populace's response?

Surprise. Interest. Anger. Sympathy. Ideological fury. These are some terms that describe almost all of the Meridian population right now.

To start with, most Meridians are neutral, have unfavorable view of communism, or are outright anti-communist, refusing to tolerate people and nations of that ideology. As most Meridians are also religious and/or pacifist, the violent message of "class struggle", "revolution", lack of any morality and state atheism that communism espouses alienates them, especially when they already feel free.

Thus, there is not much sympathy for Sizhou's socialist authority, which is ruled by a communist party. Even the Democrats have negative views on communism, and some are even vehement anti-communists, which will not tolerate nations like Sizhou. In both parties also there is concern that toxic relations with Sizhou could seriously disrupt commerce in the East. This could become a bipartisan issue, or something that transcends party lines, with some Republicans and Democrats voting against their party in any proposal regarding these Sizhou asylum seekers.

A trickle few Democrats, the socialists, and especially Meridia's small communist community are the only ones showing any support for Sizhou, with small protests all across the country demanding that the "thugs and criminals" are "brought to justice" in their homeland.

How will this end? No one knows. There is uncertainty now on whether to even accept Sizhou's gesture at negotiation, so we shall see.
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Remain, or Reform: the power struggle in Ardinat

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The nobles of Ardinat are fighting over the succession. Pictured: the Majestét Palace, the residence of the Monarch.

Ardinat - The throne is being contested. The King of Ardinat has called for an assembly of all the nobles of the realm, in order to debate and vote on the heir to the Excador dynasty.

Despite what Ardinat's state media may tell of an unified nobility electing a better future, there is an enormous power struggle within the aristocrats on who should be the heir. And for the first time, it is deeply ideological.

Wait, Ardinat elects its heirs?

No. The nobles do, silly.

To be more specific, only the 316 Counts and the 16 Dukes of the realm elect the heir. No Baron (what would you call a Mayor), Lord (in this context it can mean noble agricultural landholders and tycoons, but this title is given to sons and daughters of nobles who did not inherit anything as well), or Chavalier (or Knight) would ever be considered for such an election. That is the lower nobility, silly!

This process is actually historically recent: fearing weak leaders at a time of revolution, especially in Meridia, Ardinatan nobles in 1832 "discovered" (or, more properly said, forged) new texts on the Monotic faith, saying that the heirs to their Monarchs sent from their God are to be elected by their nobles.

So, who are the candidates?

There are three, all the King's children: the Prince Augustús, the Princess Luciánę, and the Prince Loúis.

Prince Augustús

The eldest of the three, Augustús is a fervent advocate for democracy under a constitutional monarchy. Of course, none of the official channels may tell of that, but secret sources in the government repeatedly tell of his efforts in the politics of the nobility.

Now, as is the rule, voting blocs must vote with their parent houses, and they are all in favour of despotism. But, when selecting an heir, everyone can vote as they desire. Democratic Avengnon or Krisiano nobles can finally attempt to reform the country towards a new era of liberty.

But they shall find the going harsh. A majority of the nobility supports the current system in varying degrees, and would not like for a democratic regime to take its place. It is simply unacceptable.

Augustús and his mostly young supporters are enthusiastic and may attempt to win, but analysts say there is little chance of this succeeding.

Prince Loúis

This prince is currently the favourite to win the throne. A staunch supporter of the status quo, Loúis is popular with the establishment. However, there is a gigantic downside to it all: he's a rich playboy.

He flaunts his wealth, going on expensive trips abroad, spending money like nothing in the capitals of the world, buying luxury items, yachts and sports cars like money fell out of trees, and he is, reportedly, also incredibly arrogant. There are even rumours that he engages in the purchase of prostitution and drugs, but this is more unclear, as this may be slander from the democratic factions.

Sources always tell of his pampered upbringing, how, unlike the other two, his Mother indulged this soul with everything he desired, as he was the youngest. Apart from that, he is seen as the least intelligent of the three candidates, and would only make an "okay" ruler. In short, he is the darling of the establishment because there is no other alternative.

Or so would you think.

Princess Luciánę

Now, this nominee is basically an unknown figure. Yes, the existence of the princess has been known, but she has never been involved politically in anything. She is now only being considered as the female nobility have made enormous strides in recent years, getting equal status for women in the country. Sources, and the Meridian Government, tell that she is a recent graduate from the Florenzei Academy, Meridia's top university, but there is nothing else known of her. In short, she was not raised to be a political leader.

However, reports are surfacing that, despite her upbringing, she is building a power base, slowly swaying the establishment to her side. And there are rumours that tell she is very intelligent, more so than the princeling favourite. Loúis will have to face a new rival if this is true. And if it is so, Luciánę is a supporter of the status quo, just like her brother.

There are even rumours that Luciánę is the King's favourite to succeed him, so she may receive the personal support of her father.

Who supports who?

This fight goes beyond any factional disputes. As such, we cannot consider this an "Avengnon vs. Krisiano" type of fight. This is one of the few issues all the cliques can and will work together for a single goal, and so will their democratic dissent. For the Monarchy must be preserved, or reformed.