[IC] The Meridian Journal - Diariú di Merídia

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

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.