The inhabitants are called "Finuks".Welcome, Flying Squirrel Forumites, to the Republic of Finukland!
State flag of Langobardian Autonomous Region
Music of National State Anthem {Live forever, glorious Finukland}
Population (possible subject of change)
The Republic of Funikland is a Parliamentary Democracy located in the east of the continent of Aropa, along the Saltic Sea. Funikland is divided in provinces, each electing their own (weak) parliament and districts, each electing their own mayor. The only exception is the Autonomous Region of Langobardia, a large mountainous province located between two rivers, whose parliament has considerable more power in matters of finance, education, health and infrastructure. In the north is the Carlosian Island group; though ethically and historically the islands were always very intertwined with each other, the islands were split between different provinces and being very lightly populated (40.000 people) they have no political significance on national level - They do not like that, and some have talked about the creation of their own province. The southern provinces are more rural while the northern provinces have both larger populations and more industrial and corporate presence.
History:Finukland originally came to be as a state in 1849, but became (after being military invaded) a part of the Communist 'Socialist Union of States" (SUS) in 1924. As a border state, she was one of the first regions to be attacked at the wake of World war 2 and saw intense fighting especially in the final years of the war. After the war, the region of Langobardia was added to the nation, to compensate for losing a small part of her western border to Polsva. Funikland finally became independent when the SUS fell apart in 1991, transforming to a capitalist and presidential system. From 1991 to 2002, Funikland knew a period of instability and rather corrupt series of president. In 2002, large-scale protests led to the downfall of that system; a new constitution was written, with a powerful parliament and a purely ceremonial president. Funikland became a member of the Central Atlantic Defensive Alliance (CADA) (NATO-ish) in 2003 and a member of the Aropian Union (Identical to the EU) in 2004.
Political SystemCurrent division of Parliament, the Senate and the AP
Current government - ClearlyInvsible I
Quote
Member parties:
People's Democracy Party (60 seats)
True Actual Socialist Party - Bolshevik (9 seats)
National Christian League (10 seats)
Citizen's Revolutionary Party (11 seats)
Total number of seats in parliament - 90
Prime Minister (PDP)
- Finance (PDP)
- Foreign Affairs (PDP)
- Security and Justice (TASP)
- Education, Culture and Science (CRP)
- Health, Welfare and Sport (TASP)
- Social Affairs and Employment (PDP)
- Defense (CRP)
- Economic Affairs (PDP)
- Interior Affairs (NCL)
List of Events
7th of April (one day after election) - Election fraud in Ferand
It has come to light that there have been several cases of election fraud in an Election Office in the Ferand region. Votes have been recounted, and it has been discovered that a large amount of votes went from other parties to the PPSR, especially from the TASP (b). Though this does not change the outcome of the elections, and no proof has been found that the PPSR is responsible for this fraud, there have been some public outcry for a general recount of the entire Ferand region, and possibly the entire nation, by disgruntled TASP and PDP voters
9th of April (three days after election)
A recount has been done in the entire region. Though no great cases of obvious fraud have been discovered, due to what we can only see as 'counting errors', the TASP (b) receives one extra seat while the PRSS loses one. It was a close call, but the scale was tipped by mere two dozen votes.
In the regional capital, the FAC has organized a demonstration, protesting the fraud and claiming these events will continue to happen in a system like this. The crowd, largely radical-left, some students and artists, never numbered more than a few hundred people, but it has helped the FAC to some publicity.
One TASP (b)-MP had resigned his membership, saying he could not look his voters in the eyes if he did not. He keeps his seat in the parliament, continuing as an Independant. The other two MP's have stated they will stay in the fraction, though, as a matter of principle, vote against the proposed government.
16th of April - Dissolution of the Monarchist Movement
With the recent death of the originally founder of the Monarchist Movement, it has come to no surprise that the Party has decided to dissolve itself today. This only adds to political confusion of the recent week - though with the very small margin of support and the general indifference of the people towards the party, the effect is small. One MP decided to continue as a independent, the other resigned and donated his seat to the PPSR for reasons we will probably never realize.
17th of April - complaints from a environmental group
A environmental group has called up opposition parties not to support the mining program of the government. In their eyes, it's nothing but a shabby half-done project that is doomed to fail, leading to not only high costs of the tax-payer, but also much damage to the environment of the districts
22nd of April - Coal mining project accepted
3rd of May - Soldiers on strike
"Somewhat surprising news from the military today, as we have received information from sources within the military that a general strike has occurred this morning on a military base in north-Namen. Our sources claim that the enlisted men of the base are refusing to follow orders and have gone on strike, remaining within their barracks. Our media crew tried to visit the military base, but where stopped outside of the gates by MP's, though their presence does signal that there is a disturbance going on within the compound. The base is home to a few hundred infantrymen, located on the outskirts of the Namen Regional Capital.
It is possible that the strike is a reaction on the government's inability to come up with a modernization plan for the military - though the lower-then-average wage and living conditions might also play a part. With Victory day coming up, the government might be in a very awkward spot.
5th of May - Strike turns into a hunger strike
Today, the strike has entered his third day, but with an interesting development: News has been brought forward that the strike has turned into a (forced) hunger strike, as the militairy has refused to feed the soldiers until they give up their strike. When confronted by one of our journalists, the Prime Minister confirmed that he had given the order, and further commented:
"Let it be clear that we're doing out best to fix this issue, but they must understand that both sides need to come to a compromise here. We are modernizing this military, but we cannot give them everything."
The minister of Defense could not be interviewed due to the fact he was not present at parliament today.
all levels explained
Parliament:
Spoiler
The Parliament is elected by a nation-wide party list-system and has 180 seats. From the parliament, the government is chosen amongst them. Members of the government lose their seat in the parliament (another party member take it). A government usually consists of a coalition of 91+ seats, though it is theoretically possible to form a minority government. The Parliament issues and votes over new legislation and can pass a vote of no confidence against individual members of the government (ministers) or the entire government. If a vote-of-no-confidence against the government carries, it must resign and new elections are called. The maximum period of any government is four years, though it is technically possible to instate an identical government if re-elected. Mind you, no government has ever made it pass three years.
Senate:
Spoiler
A fairly weak institution in which every province has a certain amount of seats which are divided in provincial elections. Senators usually only meet once a week. They can not initiate new legislation, as their job is to review laws that have passed parliament and check if they are in order with the constitution and if they are practical. They can send it back to the parliament with a simply majority, but parliament can simply re-vote and send it back again. In that case, the senate can only stop legislation with a 2/3 majority. If the senate stops a law with the 2/3 majority, it is completely cancelled and parliament has to write a whole new law and go trough the process again. The senate is elected for 4 years and can not 'resign' prematurely. Senators who die or resign are replaced with a party member. Senators are elected by relative majority in a district - In every provinces, districts are clustered together to form 'constituencies', the same number in a province as there are seats in the senate for that province. When constituencies are formed, it's attempted to have a similar amount of voters in every constituency.
Provincial:
Spoiler
The second government level. Every provincial has a small miniature parliament of between the 20 and 34 seats that can pass laws and rule on a limited amount of fields. They are mostly powerful on infrastructure, environment and local economics policies. The game does not show the exact make-up of the provincial parliaments, only which party or parties forms the government.
District:
Spoiler
The lowest governments level. Every district elects a mayor. It has no law-making abilities and is based around executive powers - A mayor of a different political color can be a thorn in the side of any provincial or national government. Mayors are elected by a two-round majority system and are elected for three years, and in case of resignation or death replaced by the deputy-mayor.
Current state policies
Defence
- The Armed forced of Finukland is divided in the Finukland Land Forces, the Finukland Naval Forces and the Finukland Military Police. The very small air-force is part of the Land Forces.
- Conscription has been abolished since 1991. A part-time Militia called the Patriotic Guard has been abolished since 1995.
- The Armed Forces almost exclusively use ex-SUS gear (Soviet).
- The Armed Forces are organized as such; (Yellow signals that these units are inactive and while the men and vehicles are there, in case it is activated, it will take several weeks to organize and thus takes no part in training. Only the 1st Tank Squadron is currently 'ready for orders'.
Budget
- Finukland has a small budget that runs on a 2.9% deficit. The budget is currently within AU-guidelines, but has crossed the line a few times before and it's very unlikely the AU will allow you to break the 3% rule.
- Yearly budget is around 22 billion euros.
- Most of the budget is spend on health and education, with security and state financing well behind.
- Funikland does not use the Euro yet - instead, it uses the Funikdollar (FD).
Minorities
-Finukland has no same-sex marriage, though discrimination is forbidden under AU-law.
-Only 9% of the entire population is foreigner (born or one parent born outside the nation from non-Finuk parents)
-The number of immigrants without a Finuk passport is estimated to be around the 80.000.
-Finukland has a very small Muslim and Jewish minorities, making up less then 2% of the population.
Justice
- Police answer to the Minister of Security of Justice
- Special force teams and riot squads fall under the Police, while security tasks of airfields, airports, government buildings and emergency situations is handled by the Military Police.
- Police are armed with pistols and pepper spray, but not with batons or electric weapons.
- Death penalty is abolished.
Civil liberties
- Right to free speech is protected in constitution
- It's legal to own hunting rifles rifles, revolvers and pistols with a license, for which a background check will run. Criminals are not allowed to buy weapons. All other weapons are forbidden under all circumstances.
Labour
- Minimum wage is set very low, on eastern Aropean standards.
- Safety laws have been improved thoroughly due to AU law.
- There are several Unions in the country, nearly one for every sector from teachers to low factory-employees. It has been attempted time and again to organize (some of) these into one big federation, but apart from a few loose coalitions under the NCL and PSRR, this has not yet succeeded.
Education
- Primary eduction (aged 4-12) is free, no levels, the same for all kids.
- Secondary education (high school) has three levels, from more practice-oriented to highly theoretic. Lots of standardized tests. Free, though many schools ask some tuition to pay for extra activities
- Labour Colleges is a college based on practice-oriented employment.
- College/University is organized like the rest of Aropa. It's mostly based around theoretic learning. Every province has a Provincial university in the regional capital and a few (labour) colleges.
- Labour Colleges, Colleges and Universities are not free, nor do students receive a benefit. They have to borrow or have their parents pay for them.
- Of all people coming from High schools, 33% go to Labour Colleges, 24% to Colleges and 9% to universities. The rest, 34%, do not follow any adult education and enter the job market directly.
Health
- Free healthcare has been abolished with the fall of the SUS
- It's mandatory for all citizens to have a health insurance
- Citizens with special health needs can apply for an additional 'Personal health budget', paid with taxes
Economy
- Finukland has a small economy with a low average income.
- There is a noticeable split between the northern regions (North Veska, Carpas, Astaras and Ferand), with economics based more on services and industry, and the southern regions (South Veska, Eastern Kator, Zavak and Gurtland) with economies based more in low-level industry, farming and some tourism. Namen and Zovakas are split inbetween, and Langobardia, due to her mountainous nature has several coal and iron mines and extended tourism, takes a separate position.
- Finukland controls very little natural resources, mostly based around Langobardia (Iron/coal) and some gas fields of the coast. There may be much more potential, but due to lack of financing this has never been explored
- Finukland gets more money back then it pays to the AU, which largely goes to the southern regions who rely on farming industries.
- Due to low educational level, the Funikland economy isn't very competitive and she experiences a brain-drain of people leaving for richer countries in the AU.
- The economy of the Carlosian islands is based nearly solely around fishery and some tourism. More then 75% of all fishery is based on those islands.
- 9.5% of the labor force works in agriculture, 28% in industries and 62,5% in services (including government service).
- Current unemployment is 11% average of the labor force, though it runs higher in the southern regions (19% average).
Social security
- Citizens who are unemployed can apply for social benefits after being unemployed for more then eight months. Citizens must continue their job-search in order to receive social benefits. If they choose not to search for a job, they are not entitled to benefits. Social benefits is an absolute minimum amount of money which will JUST enable to you rent a room, buy some clothes and get some food.
- Current pension age is 63.
- Basic pensions are paid by the taxes, but citizens can invest in personal pensions. Basic pensions are relatively low, just two hundred dollars more then an unemployment benefit
Taxes
- Income tax is progressive
- 1st row pays 25% tax (0-27.000$)
- 2nd 37% (27.001$-45.000)
- 3rd row 48% (45.000+)
- Car tax for all cars, based on weight and gas-usage. Bigger cars pay more.
- 10% sales tax. Not split between primary and secondary goods like in most countries
- Taxes on gas and tabacco
- Value Added Tax, tax paid over profit made by a government, is set at 19%, much lower then income tax, to give companies and industry a boost in the wake of the fall of the SUS.
Infrastructure
- Infrastructure is a complete mess
- The railways have been privatized since 1992, leading to less trains and higher prices, but also more effective organization and better service
- Highway speedlimit is set at 100 km/h, due to the terrible state of the highways
Immigration
- Finukland follows Aropian Union rules. All immigrants outside of the AU must be accepted and their case reviewed. Immigrants from within the AU can not be turned down and may work and live freely in the country, though if they apply for citizenship, they must follow the same procedure.
Langobardia
- The Langobardian Parliament has extended powers. They can create their own laws about economics, education, infrastructure and environment. All other matters, such as security, taxation, police, justice and all matters not mentioned, remain with the national government. Whereas other provincial parliaments mostly center around executive power and can only add 'a finishing touch' to National laws, the Langobardian Parliament can create their own laws that differ from National laws, though they cannot go against the Constitution of Finukland nor directly contradict Finukland legislation.
- Examples: It's legal to hunt goose without license (unlike the rest of the country), the speed limit is 20 instead of 30 within urban environments.
- Langobardians speak their own language, called Bardiski. Bardiski is similar to the language spoken in the rest of Finukland, but still different. As the constitutions orders Finuki to be the official state language, Bardiski cannot be used in any other matter then for personal communication. All official documents are in Finuki.
- The Langobardian Parliament enacted a law that has Bardiski thought along with Finuki in school, which they can as it falls under 'Education'. This has led to some debate with more Unionist parties who feel this is contradicting the constitution.
- Langobardians are traditionally Catholic, as opposed to the rest of the country, which is protestant.
- The Langobardian Autonomous Region flag may only be flown from Public buildings, either under the National Flag or to the right on a shorter flagpole, similar to Provincial State flags.. Under no circumstances may the Langobardian flags be flown from any buildings, by persons or vehicles of the security or military forces. Personal use remains free.
The game (Please read!):Players play the party leader of their own party. That's it. You're free to create a party according to your wishes, of any political power and with every possible political standpoint. You want to form a catch-all Christian-Democratic party? Go right ahead. Want to form a Neo-nazi party? Well, if you have to. Want to form a Radical left-party that is secretly also plotting a revolution, aiming to completely abolish the government (hint hint)? Be my guest. Every player will get at least two seats. If there's enough interest in the game, I'll write down in more detail the current governmental policies. Players may then form a party, explaining their background, their viewpoints (in short) and what kind of voters they aim for. According to that, I'll divide parliamentary, senate seats and provincials and district governments. Every player will gain at least two parliamentary seats.
Don't all try to become the biggest party. Sure, it may seem logical to write a program that gets the most seats, but that will also mean you will probably have to form a government and carry responsibility, while (smaller) opposition players can lay back and annoy the hell out of you, while being completely safe. The goal of the game is, eventually, to be successful. Success, however, is very subjective. A big liberal party that controls the national government for years but can barely pass any legislation is far less successful then, for example, a Langobardian independence party that manages to break free from the country. The game currently has no 'end-date', nor 'rounds' that are a stuck period of time. Just like in real life, there are very hectic periods where one IG day may take a RL week, or boring periods where we pass a IG month it less then a RL day.
It's up to the players to create new laws, change policies and react upon events - or create their own. Players can define their own goals, work together, betray one another or say 'fuck it' and organize a coup. Players can drop from the national parliament yet remain in power on district level, and new players can show up while the game is busy. Of course, players can stop with the game, in which a new player may take over the party or the party goes down. This creates quite the political crisis, so please, do think for a second about how serious you are about joining the game. Of course, you can be as active or inactive as you wish - Though active players will probably be a liiiiittle more successful.
Questions & Answers
Seriously, Duuring, another forum game?
Yep. I made this map and wrote this all down this afternoon because I was bored.
How do we (start) play(ing)?
The best way is to simply get a list of goals for yourself. Then, after I have showed how power is divided, you go and try to form coalitions and create governmental policies to achieve those goals. You will run into events and effects you never wished for, and then the game runs itself.
Can I pass a law that re-instates slavery?
Yes. Technically. Good luck finding support for that, though.
I want to join, but what is the best political color for a good amount of seats?
Any. I won't write down the political culture or divide the seats until after players have entered the game. You are guaranteed seats. No matter how weird your party is, you'll get in. Make a party according to political viewpoints you find fun or interesting. If players manage to create both left, central, and right parties, that would make the game even more fun.
What's the current law about this/that subject?
I will write down a summary of current government policies after I know people are interested in the game. For specific policies, ask me.
Any questions? Go ahead and ask.
Timeline
Start of the game and national elections: Early 2010
District Elections: Mid-2011
Senate elections: Early 2011
Provincial Elections: Early 2012
National Elections (Unless the Government resigns premature): Early 2014
European Elections: Mid-2014
District Elections: Mid-2014
Senate Elections: Early 2015
Provincial Elections: Early 2016
District Elections: Mid-2017
National Elections (Unless the Government resigns premature): Early 2018
Name of Party:
Abbreviation:
Political background (roughly):
(optional) Short description of goals:
Party suggestions:
Anti-Aropian Union Party
Christian-Democratic Party wishing to restore 'family culture'
USE YOUR FANTASY PEOPLE. Except for Olafson.
Current player list
ClearlyInvsibleName of Party: People's Democracy Party
Abbreviation: PDP
Political background (roughly): Social-Liberal, Populist, Pro-Union
(optional) Short description of goals: To maintain the nation's position in the AU, and to further Government benefits for the citizens of the nation.Colonel HoweName of Party: People's Party for a Socialist Republic
Abbreviation: PPSR
Political Background: Marxism, Populism, Pro-UnionistDescription:
Spoiler
We, the People's Party for a Socialist Republic, realize the corruption of this democracy and the totalitarian power of its corporate, oligarchical rulers. We wish to establish a radical democracy in which all peoples: women, blacks, whites, homosexuals, and all people are treated equally and fairly. We desire an entire liberalization of the People's speech, a society in which symbols of the state can be denied and burned. With these goals, we also intend to:
-Break up the concentration of wealth in the hands of the top margin
-Strengthen the power of unions and the workers
-End the use of ultra-patriotic symbols and practices, such as the Pledge to Funikland
-Declare war under no circumstance except where the direct and immediate survival of the Socialist Republic is under threat (Such as immediate, foreign invasion)
Name of Party: Citizens Revolutionary Party
Abbreviation: CPR
Political background: Equalists, Modernism, militarism
Description:
Spoiler
We are the peoples voice and face, we represent all of Finukland. We wish to revolutionize the country into a more Democratic Country where all man is equal (Homosexuals and Heterosexuals, Men and Women, Black, White and Yellow and any type of religion is to be respected). We will not negotiate with any terrorist threats and Anti-Freedom Parties. We will defend our country with all our might and power without any harm coming to our people. We will push this country forwards into a Golden Era where everyone lives peacefully and gracefully and defend it from any Communist or Imperialist party. Our main goals are:
-Leveling the economy: Equality in salaries, the more you gain the more you pay and vice versa.
-Create new opportunities for everyone in any sector, which includes giving education to everyone, even to those that have no Primary Eduction.
-Introduction of Trade with more countries: This will allow us to expand and gain more wealth
-New Military Academy where technology and tactics are to be improved: New Jets, new tanks, new warships, better trained soldiers, smarter soldiers and more mechanized warfare which includes Drones and the likes and a defensive militia for any hostilities. Aswell as an Intelligence office to keep all foreign activities at bay.
-More security in the country so that our people are safe from any dangers inside the city.
Abbreviation: LP
Political Background: Classic Liberalism, Libertarianism
Goals: "Freedom for the Individual"
A small government which only maintains order in the country.
Minimum taxation.OniiName of Party: Langobardian Justice Party (Partido da Xustiza de Langobardia)
Abbreviation: LJP (PXL)
Political background (roughly): Langobardian Nationalism, Conservative
(optional) Short description of goals: To give Langobardia more autonomy or independance.
Party Colour: Light Green
Party flag:
[/i]
MaxLamName of Party: True Actual Socialist Party (bolsheviks)
Abbreviation: TASP(b)
Political background (roughly): Trotskyism
Short description of goals: The True Actual Socialist Party (bolsheviks) was created in 1999 as a split of the True Actual Socialist Party. The reformist TASP has, since then, merged in broader coalitions and therefore the TASP (b) remains the only actual trotskyist party in Finukland. Although the Party was criticized for its supposed relations with the CIA, it denies the charges and claims to be an actual revolutionary party. Its main goal is to violently overthrow the bourgeoisie of Finukland and establish a socialist society. However, the party believes that it won't manage to overthrow the bourgeoisie of Finukland without breaking the monopoly of reformist and stalinist organizations such as the PPSR.
Frederik:Name of Party: Carlosian Unity Party
Abbreviation: CUP
Political background (roughly):Christian, Nationalism, a little bit on the right side of Center
(optional) Short description of goals: The party wants to create a own province for the Carlosian Islands. In most other questions we aim to do the best for the people.
ViriathusName of Party: Monarchist's Movement
Abbreviation: M
Political background (roughly): Federal Constitutional Monarchy
(optional) Short description of goals: We want to establish the Kingdom of Finukland, that was a Kingdom between 1382 to 1763. The new king will be the current head of the House of Finukburg.
NipplestockingsName of party: Finuk National People's Front
Acronym: FNPF
Political background: Classical fascism, populism, nationalism
Short description of goals:
Spoiler
The FNPF promotes a corporatist economic system whereby employer and employee syndicates are linked together in associations to collectively represent the nation's economic producers and work alongside the state to set national economic policy. This economic system intends to resolve class conflict through collaboration between the classes.
The FNFP opposes classical liberalism, but rather than seeking a reactionary restoration of the pre-French Revolutionary world, which it considers to have been flawed, it has a forward-looking direction. The FNFP is opposed to socialism because of its typical opposition to the national interests of the people, but is also opposed to reactionary conservatism, a fast growing threat in the face of people's reform. The FNFP believes the success of people's reform requires respect for tradition and a clear sense of a shared past among the Finuk people alongside a commitment to a modern and prosperous Finukland.
Flag:
Joer5835Name of Party: National Christian League
Abbreviation: NCL
Political background (roughly): Conservatism, Christian Democracy, Protectionism
(optional) Short description of goals: We want to have a society revolving around true christian morals. This includes the abolition and/or blocking of abortion, euthanasia, drugs and working on sunday. We want a strong central government that will take a key role in internal politics and protects our own economy against foreign competitors
