Ocean Volks Union

The Ocean Volks Union, commonly abbreviated as OVU, is a nation in southeastern Eldham. It straddles the border between the continents Serrona and Leifmyrr. The country separated from Morladron Mysterlu after an internal conflict.

Conflict Within Morladron (141 - 209)
In the winter of 141 TE, after Pennsevik elections in the nation of Morladron Mysterlu, the ticket of Breizhcoin and Leon Leuge emerged victorious and formed the latest in a long line of Morladron leaders. After Morladron's defeat in the Morladron-Sylvania War, a rift rapidly formed between supporters of former Pennseviks Pringle and Trelanganack, and the supporters of Breizhcoin and Leon.

After Alvertex became acting Pennsevik, national divisions escalated quickly. Supporters of Breizhcoin accused Trelanganack and Pringle of undermining Morladron democracy and picking a fight with Sylvania. Conversely, supporters of Trelanganack maintained that Breizhcoin and his supporters were being used as Sylvanian puppets and undermining democracy themselves.

Trelanganack held a popular vote regarding the situation. Breizhcoin and Leon, who were warned prior about an alleged attempt by Trelanganack's supporters to gain control of the country, quickly moved to seize Morladron territory in Mesara and Port Venys.

Trelanganack formed an interim government of supporters called the Civil Provisional Officers (CPO). Their stated goal was to maintain national order and save the country from Breizhcoin, who they believed to be turning the country into a Sylvanian-backed dictatorship.

Formation of the OVU (209 - 215)
Breizhcoin and Leon began to prepare from an expected invasion of Mesara from the Morladron-controlled Vallava islands. A rival government was formed in the spring of 209 TE, called the Ocean Volks Union, which claimed to be the legitimate and democratic government of Morladron. A series of negotiations between the CPO and OVU failed. As the conflict escalated, nations across Eldham began backing one side or the other. The CPO was supported by Samora and Eleanor, while the OVU was allied to the Eldian Republic, Sylvania, and Vankria.

The stalemate quickly evolved into open warfare between the two governments, with espionage and subterfuge committed by both sides. The Battle of Survy Shores ended in a joint OVU-Sylvanian victory over disorganized CPO forces. The city of Porthegnys fell soon after. By the summer of 215 TE, the OVU forces had prevailed, and declared independence from Morladron.

After the rest of Morladron territory was occupied by Sylvania, the Sylvanians began a "de-Morladronization" program, erasing cultural symbols and past leaders from the region. These actions were criticized by both the CPO and the OVU. Soon after, the CPO reorganized itself as an insurgency in the Sylvanian-controlled regions; Partisan Morladron was born.

The Interim Government (215 - 219)
After the end of the war, the OVU set about repairing the extensive damage that had been caused by the war. In the winter of 215 TE, a triumvirate of Breizhcoin, Leon, and army leader Wilhelmina was organized formally as the OVU Interim Government. The official goal of the Interim Government was to consolidate control over Mesara, Vallava, and Port Venys, and to prepare the country for free elections.

Over time, the OVU population began to grow as citizens invited their friends and new people joined. By 218 TE, the population had reached about 18 citizens. Notable arrivals during this time were new player Murilo "Wicky" Skywalker and Redorivian politician Alexios Roussakis.

The Interim Government period was not without its controversies. Throughout several weeks the Interims stripped the citizenship of several newer OVU citizens on the grounds of sympathies to Partisan Morladron. Michael Imperium in particular was accused of being part of a plot to overthrow the Interim Government and replace it with one that was friendly to Morladron. During this time the mayor of Port Venys declared that his city was allied with Morladron, and exited the OVU. The OVU government continues to claim Port Venys as part of its territory, while Morladron asserts that the OVU has no claim to Venys and that the local population is in favor of Morladron control.

Elections and Transition (219 - 223)
By 219 TE many citizens began to express irritation and concern at the lack of elections and the perceived ineffectiveness of the Interim Government. Development on the OVU Charter remained stalled until the intervention of the Redorivian politician Alexios Roussakis, who had recently emigrated to the country. With advice from the Interims and from prominent Redorivian statesmen Zuko and Ferdiadh, the Charter was reworked into a Federal and Presidential Republic system, and formally announced to the citizens in 221 TE.

After a period of open candidacy for all citizens of the OVU, general elections were held the winter of 222 TE. The entire legislature was open, as was the position of Chancellor. The two rival tickets of Jack Inhaftiert/Bright Zerkalo and Jam Traveler/Alexios Roussakis competed for the Chancellorship in what was a relatively uncontroversial and quiet election. The Inhaftiert-Zerkalo ticket prevailed with 5 votes to 4. Inhaftiert and Zerkalo took office along with the 6 members of the new Trident Vanguard legislature in the spring of 223 TE.

Inhaftiert Government (223 - Present)
The Inhaftiert Government was formed and all government institutions were formally declared operational by the Trident Vanguard in its first ever legislation. The Inhaftiert Government has focused on filling all government positions, rebuilding the country, and increasing population through advertisement.

In 222 TE, negotiations were opened between OVU and Morladron to end the dispute over Port Venys and normalize relations. The negotiations are currently ongoing.

Government
The Ocean Volks Union is a devolved unitary republic with a presidential system, like most Eldham republics. The supreme document of the nation is the Charter of the Ocean Volks Union.

Structure
The head of state is the Chancellor, who serves along with a Vice-Chancellor. The Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor is elected on a joint ticket by the citizens of the OVU every eight weeks. The Chancellor appoints the Martial of the Army and the Councilors of the Trident Council, which serves as the executive cabinet. The Vice-Chancellor assists the Chancellor and breaks certain ties in the Trident Vanguard.

The Trident Vanguard serves as the unicameral legislature of the OVU, elected every four weeks using a mixed-member system. Two Governors are elected by the two Provinces, and five Representatives are elected by the citizens at-large. These seven Legislators collectively compose the Trident Vanguard. In the first general elections only four citizens ran for Representative, so the current session of the Trident Vanguard only has six members. The High Court is the supreme and only judicial body of the OVU. It is composed of three Justices, which serve for six months or until retirement. Vacancies are filled through appointment by the Chancellor and confirmation by the Trident Vanguard.

The OVU is composed of two provinces, Volksstadt and Vallava. Each province is ruled by a Governor, which oversees the province under the supervision of the Union Government in addition to their legislative duties. The majority of OVU citizens live in Volksstadt.

Members

 * Chancellor - Jack Inhaftiert
 * Vice Chancellor - Bright Zerkalo
 * Martial - Vacant
 * Trident Council
 * Councilor of Foreign Relations - Alexios Roussakis
 * Councilor of Citizenship & Immigration - Mr. Jam
 * Trident Vanguard
 * Governor of Volksstadt - Wicky Skywalker
 * Governor of Vallava - Mr. Jam
 * Representatives - Alexios Roussakis, Breizhcoin, Leon Leuge, Pawnch
 * High Court - Vacant

Important Links
Charter of the Ocean Volks Union

OVU Server Invite