Political Scene of Korolia and its predecessors

The political scene of the United Commonwealth is really dynamic, with many parties appearing and fading into obscurity in the matter of years.

The 970s
977 ACA marked the Novozemjan independence, and during this period the NZ largely ran on the old provincial government inherited from the times when they were part of Rodinnbrok.

The 980s
The 980s were relatively unremarkable in terms of political life, save for the Red Spring of 983, during which a communist revolution was attempted, led by Jan Gryc and Nada Cvetkovic. Things however quieted down after few protests and rallies. Cvetkovic and Gryc later founded the NAP.

The 990s
In the 990s, the voices calling for democratization sounded out louder than ever, with it looking like a question of when will it happen rather than if.

The Crisis of 993 also took place, resulting in several oustings in the government, including Pavel Letavski, who back then was the Pjervod - appointed by Lord Protector - later leader of the PNU - which was founded in 996.

The 00s
The 1000-1010 ACA decade was dominated by the UC reformation talks. The Second United Commonwealth itself was reformed only in the tail end of the decade - in 1007. Because of that, it was also the time of the Provisional Government, so no elections were held in that decade.

The four parties that existed at the time traced their roots back to the State of Nova Žemja, the UCRP, PNU, NDU and NAP. Back then the centre-right was in full swing, with all three moderate parties being inside that zone.

The 10s
The first half of the 1010s was marked with Provisional Government, with the constitution being finally drafted in 1019. It would've been drafted earlier if not for the annexation of the second member of the UC - Czervoslavia,by Plagatea-Lunaris. The same four political parties dominated the scene.

The 20s
In 1021 the first elections in the new United Commonwealth took place. The elections were a big victory for the Progressive-National Union, which won absolute majority of seats in the United Sejm, and was able to push Matos Slavski-Epitichan for the Pjervod seat. The Sejm was filled in with the NDU, who were in coalition with the PNU, and the UCRP. NAP didn't win any seats.

In 1026 after his coronation, the Csar Slout V Korol was banned from participating in any party under Csar's non-partisanship, so the leadership of the UCRP was passed down to Ludomir Korol.

In the next elections however, which took place in 1027, the result was wildly different, with the National Agricultural Party achieving victory, taking up 40% of the Sejm. The remaining 60% was evenly divided between the remaining four.

The 30s
In the next elections of 1033, PNU recovered, taking up just as much seats as the NAP, which was mildly embarassed by the Constitutional Crisis of 1029. The NDU was out of the Sejm this time. Prior to the elections, UCRP also announced it's dissolution, throwing the country into a short period of two-party system.

After the election, two major parties formed, which will later become both embroiled in controversy - Zerkalo Lands! and the National Democratic Party.

The election of 1039 was won by the Zerkalo Lands! party, who after striking a coalition with PNU, had complete control over the government. NAP and NDP also got seats but they were no match for the ZL-PNU coalition.

The 40s
The 1039-1045 term was marked with the Zerkalo Commonwealth controversy, as it turned out that ZL! party was part of a wider scheme of the organization known as the ZC, to infiltrate democratic governments and take control of them, with later plans of merging the countries into Zerkalo Empire. Luckily, due to the ZC being preoccupied with other locations, all the UC suffered were few years of stagnation until the election of 1045, with the plans of the ZC never succeding.

The election of 1045 saw the victory of the National Democratic Party, which yet again made a coalition with PNU. The country saw major progress, however that was soon to end...

The 50s
In 1055, during the NDP-PNU's term, vassalization agreement with Aurea was signed. However, the public did not like that, and set up foundations for what will become known as the Orange Revolution.

In the period between 1055 and the 1058 - the year of the election, following events took place:


 * National Democratic Party reformed into National Labour Party
 * Conservative Party of National Rebirth was formed and dissolved
 * League of Commonwealth Patriots was formed
 * The anti-vassalization coalition of the LCP, NAP and NDU was formed, known under the names of Anti-Integration League, Free Commonwealth List, and the Free Commonwealth Alliance.
 * The Progressive National Union ceased cooperating with the NLP, and ran in the election as a third party.

Elections of 1058
The elections of 1058 we're quite possibly one of the most polarized in Commonwealth history. The subjugated nation was divided over continued vassalisation under Aurea or independence. With minor pro-independence opposition parties uniting under the Free Commonwealth Alliance, polls indicated that they were in the lead for the election. The NLP, to secure their power, used questionable vote gathering methods. These methods included granting immediate citizenship to foreigners, usually from Aurea, so they could influence the election in pro-Aurean favor. These methods also included using family connections to siphon votes for the pro-Aurean camp. The NLP also portrayed the pro-Independence camp FCA as extremists and radicals, when in reality the camp was ideologically diverse, representing communists, nationalists, liberals, and centrists alike.

Accusations of corruption, political violence, and conflict at the polls made the election extremely difficult to complete. The Free Commonwealth Alliance represented the grassroots pro-independence minor parties, with the majority of members supporting peaceful post-independence relations with Aurea, however it should be noted that the FCA was tolerant of more extreme nationalists and anti-Aurean rhetoric. The National Labour Party represented the establishment pro-Aurean political force in the nation, being an associated party to the New Banners Conspiracy. Following the election and arrest/death of the NLP leader, the NLP would be disbanded. The PNU ran as a third party in the election, positioning themselves as moderate on the issue of independence, supporting a soft pro-Aurean policy, and supporting a "Let's get back to work" mentality to campaigning. The PNU would attract moderate voters, however the PNU's track record of cooperating with the NLP, ZL!, and then their participation in the New Banners Conspiracy resulted in this election being the beginning of the PNU's slow demise.

Results:


 * Free Commonwealth Alliance - 44% (2 seats in the sejm)
 * National Agrarian Party - 17%
 * National Democratic Union - 11%
 * League of Commonwealth Patriots - 16%


 * National Labour Party - 43% (2 seats in the sejm)
 * Progressive National Union - 13% (1 seat in the sejm)

Due to archaic laws of the constitution (that we're later amended), even though the NLP lost the election, Alexei Vargas still became Pjervod.

After the elections of 1058, the Orange Revolution took place. The Orange Revolution summarized was a political reformation and birth of new Korolian nationalism in Commonwealth society. The FLA achieved a tight victory, and proceeded to reveal evidence of a plot to coup the United Commonwealth. What ensued was chaos, with several politicians from the NLP-PNU coalition arrested, military trying to enforce martial law to prevent the country from collapsing but then withdrawing and more. After that, the country stabilized under the Interim Government, with the Alexei Vargas and Matos Slavski-Epitichan respectively dying and facing trial for treason (ultimately declared innocent).

In the aftermath of the Orange Revolution another event took place, the "Springtime of Parties" with about half of the active parties being formed during, or after the Revolution. This springtime can be attributed to the minor party victories in the election boosting confidence of electoral success, and the subsequent death of the two-party PNU/NLP system.

The 60s
The elections to finish the Interim Government period are planned for early 1060s. The parties have already announced their programs, with some notable things happening, such as the PNU switching their logo, and the NDU switching from centre-right to centre-left.

Then, another crisis shaken the country of UC - Veridian secession - the people living in the south - ethnically the same as the north - dissatisfied with the Interim Government declared their independence as the newly created Kingdom of Veridia. After negotiations the United Commonwealth let them go, with the most of Svalmarc Voivodeship ceded to them.

This, multiplied the already sky-high lack of trust and belief in the government, resulting in several events:


 * Foundation of the Change Party - a reactionary left-wing populist party, one could say a left-wing clone of the League of Commonwealth Patriots, as both seem to have authoritarian leanings.
 * The Novozemjan independence referendum, where Nova Žemja - the main constituency of the union, without which the union would virtually collapse, tried to break away from the UC, seeing the need to sort it out themselves.
 * As the Lukasz Dvorák was crowned King of Veridia, he left the CRP to the Snake Oganesan.

In addition to this, the election, predicted onto 1062, was pushed even further due to the crisis, locking the United Commonwealth in a political limbo.

So far the referendum failed, so the country stays as the United Commonwealth, but that may change soon.

Elections of 1064
2 years later, after the Veridian Secession, the UC held the early elections - the results were a landslide victory for the younger Alliance of Social Democrats and League of Commonwealth Patriots, with the older parties losing support.

Results:


 * Alliance of Social Democrats - 28% (2 seats in the sejm)
 * League of Commonwealth Patriots - 36% (3 seats in the sejm)
 * Democratic Commonwealth Party - 19% (1 seat in the sejm)
 * National Democratic Union - 9% (1 seat in the sejm)
 * Progressive National Union - 6% (0 seats in the sejm)
 * The Change Party - 2% (0 seats in the sejm)

The ASD and LCP founded a coalition, despite their ideological differences, appointing Tim Lucid as Pjervod and Halprin Deitsch as the VP. They also divided the Cabinet 50/50.

Elections of 1066
Following the snap elections of 1064, the official elections were announced and completed by the Csar. In the election, the National Agrarian Party returned from its hiatus, and all parties besides The Change Party participated again. What occurred in this election was a left-wing vote split, and the crushing defeat of the NDU and PNU. The election result showed the electorates desire to move forward from the older political establishment. The election was marked by historically high turnout, following alongside a trend of ever increasing turnout after each election.

Results:


 * League of Commonwealth Patriots - 57% (4 seats in the sejm)
 * Democratic Commonwealth Party - 20% (1 seat in the sejm)
 * Alliance of Social Democrats - 11% (1 seat in the sejm)
 * National Agrarian Party - 10% (1 seat in the sejm)
 * Progressive National Union - 2% (0 seats in the sejm)
 * National Democratic Union - 1% (0 seats in the sejm)

The result came as a shock to political pundits, as the far-right League of Commonwealth Patriots won enough seats to have a non-coalition governing majority, and went up 21% in votes compared to the last election. On the left, the divided electorate resulted in vote splitting and ideological infighting, leading to the left-wing parties underperforming. The only pre-existing non-LCP party to have gained anything was the DCP, which went up 1% compared to last election. The astonishing result for the LCP is primarily based on the pre-existing party structure, LCP appeal to Ryzani/Korolian international arrivals, and their position as one of the few right-wing parties in the race.

Progressive-National Union
The party was originally started in 996 by Pavel Letavski as a group of right-wing nationalists, however it really quickly became much more moderate, staying in the centre-right zone ever since. The party laid fundaments in the UC, dominating the scene throughout the first decades of it's existence, however recently it fell down in popularity due to its involvement in loud scandals (specifically being a coalition member backing the ZL - involved in ZC controversy and later the NLP - main perpetrator of the New Banners Rebellion). The party has been slowly declining following the election of 1058, in which they received 13% of the vote then 6% of the vote in 1064. The party received it's worst ever election result with 2% of the vote in 1066. The Progressive National Union has recently done the best in lower-income conservative regions such as the northern part of Primozan Voivodeship (with the exclusion of the inner city of Rodinno.

National Agrarian Party
The party, oldest in the whole country, was founded as a result of the worker strikes of the Red Spring in 983 - it was founded by the leaders of the revolution - Nada Cvetkovic, who believed in Agrarian Socialism - in particular she was strongly against formation of the UC and Jan Gryc, who had more general socialist views. After Gryc died and the leadership was passed onto Olsevski, the party again put more focus on agriculture, however still clinging to general socialism. After not participating in the election of 1064, the party participated in 1066, garnering 10% of the vote and splitting the left-wing vote. The National Agrarian Party has done well in poor rural regions, and industrial regions such as the cities of Rodinno and Lipanovo.

National Democratic Union
The party was founded in 1000 ACA, the year of the first 1000 Novožemjan General Election, as a centre to centre-right party, which is where it stood for most of it's history, until late 1050s, when the party took a leap towards the centre-left instead. The National Democratic Union has slowly been declining in voters, with the party being kicked out of the parliament for the first time in decades, garnering an unenthusiastic 9% of the vote in 1064 and 1% of the vote in 1066. The National Democratic Union garners votes from urban intellectuals, such as those with a degree living in Zlatoport.

League of Commonwealth Patriots
Started in 1057 ACA, is one of the younger parties. It's a group of radical nationalists, founded in response to the Aurean Vassalization, firmly believing in political strength. The League of Commonwealth Patriots has appealed to the discontent of the public, and is known for frequently holding night rallies, and holds some extremists factions under their wing. The party has entered the field of political controversy as political pundits accuse the party of "authoritarian sympathies". The party is generally on the right-wing to far-right, but is economically moderate and has a broad range of factions. In recent years the party has steadily grown in popularity and support, going from 36% of the vote in 1064 to 57% of the vote in 1066, and has become the leading force of the right in Commonwealth politics. The party garners votes from members of the military, many fresh immigrants from the 60s, especially the refugees after the Failed Coup of 1064 in United Crowns of Syltör, the middle class, and rural voters.

Alliance of Social Democrats
Nyan Party reformed into ASD following the need to become more generalized than a minority interest party. The party adheres by classic Social Democracy, pursuing workers' rights' and public investment and welfare programs, at the same time not considering free market as something to get rid of. The ASD grew in popularity as the new anti-establishment left that could combat the rising influence of the LCP in the 1064 election, in which they won the Pjervod position. However, with the return of the NAP in 1065, the ASD's voter base was split, resulting in an LCP landslide. The ASD obtains most of its electorate from lower to middle class industrial voters and the urban intellectual elite, the ASD has the most influence in the Lipanovo Voivodeship

Democratic Commonwealth Party
DCP is close enough to ASD in terms of economic ideas, however they're more focused on the principles of democracy. It's led by Dalerac Slavski-Zerkalo, a man known for being a political free bird, often switching parties, or going independent. The Democratic Commonwealth Party embraces democratic values and has a solid Zerkalo family voter base. They were one of the few parties to gain votes (besides the LCP) in the 1066 election, even though it was only a 1% increase. They achieved second place in that election. The majority of DCP voters comes from members of the Zerkalo family, upper-middle class to wealthy voters, and corporate owners.

Zerkalo Commonwealth
The controversy known as the ZC Controversy, or simply the Zerkalo controversy took place in the Zerkalo Lands! party existence and revolved around them, and specifically their (or rather wider Zerkalo Commonwealth organization's) plans toto infiltrate democratic governments and take control of them, with later plans of merging the countries into Zerkalo Empire. Luckily, due to the ZC being preoccupied with other locations, all the UC suffered were few years of stagnation until the election of 1045, with the plans of the ZC never succeding.

Aurean Crisis / New Banners Rebellion / Orange Revolution
The Aurean Crisis revolved around the Aurean Vassalization of the UC, and the events surrounding it - such as the discontent of the citizens with it, the controversial way of pushing it through, and finally, after the society expressed their discontent, with the planned "coup" of the UC to turn it away from democracy, and towards a more autocratic, although more stable government. The Orange Revolution sparked after the Elections of 1058, when the coup plans were released to the public, and people involved with it got arrested, two prime suspects who were meant to face trial - Alexei Vargas of NLP and Matos Slavski-Epitichan of PNU were later respectively: killed in a murder framed as suicide, and declared innocent by the Supreme Court.

The Aurean Crisis resulted in the dissolution of the National Labour Party, and the ending of the vassalization, setting ground for future lack of trust and rivalry in the region.

Trivia
Both Strana and Partija in Korolian translate to "party" (in context of a political party) but the first one is a native word, and the second one is a loan word from Traveler's Tongue, which explains the fact that it's more frequent in the newer party names.