Faethalria

The Republic of Faethalria
Flag
Location	A Map of Faethalria in Aurora
Capital and largest city	Rivendale
National languages	Ethalrian Staynish
Ethnic groups (2017)	Human
Demonym(s)	Faethalrian, Ethal
Government	Unitary parliamentary republic
• President	Jane Augusta
Legislature	Parliament of Faethalria
Establishment
• Independence from Ethalria	1 November 2017
Population
• 2021 estimate	59,235,558
• Census	-
• Density
GDP (nominal)	2021 estimate
• Total	♅1,205,621,311,974
• Per capita	♅20,353
Currency	Kirib (♅)
Date format	DD/MM/YYYY
Driving side	the left
ISO 3166 code	FAE
Internet TLD	.eth

Faethalria, officially the Republic of Faethalria is a sovereign state in the Ethalns, Aurora. Its provisional government was set up by the Government of Great Morstaybishlia before the actual government took its place, led by President Jane Augusta. Being host to the former capital of Ethalria, Rivendale; Faethalria was considered the strongest both diplomatically and economically of the Ethaln nations until the establishment of the North Ethalrian Confederacy in 2019. Faethalria borders Sarentria, Durentrus, Vothetria, Kothalria, Thalria and Tuvaltastan.

In 2019, Faethalria was struck by several devastating terror attacks by the Southern Auroran Front, a regional nationalist group based in Kostoria-Obertonia, leading to a joint intervention sanctioned by the K-O government. Soon afterwards, the Kostoro-Obertonian Nationalist party lead a coup against president Karl Strasser, establishing control and killing him several months later. With this, Faethalria lead a UNAC coalition force into the nation. The invasion lasted several months but was ultimately successful, resulting in the dissolution of the Nationalist party government and an end to SAF activity in the area.

In early 2020 a referendum by the provisional government lead to Kostoria-Obertonia being unified with Faethalria, ending a century of independence. Polls taken afterwards show mixed feelings about the merger, with 49% for and 42% against, with the other 9% being indifferent. With the nations industrial heartlands now having unobstructed coastal access, there has been a surge in economic activity focusing on improving overseas exports. This briefly made Faethalria the fastest growing economy on Aurora before it began to stabilise in early 2021.

Geography

Faethalria is a largely cool, temperate country host to deciduous forests. The country features 6 large freshwater lakes, notable for the unique species of fish present and the natural beauty of the area, the river valleys surrounding them hosting much of the nations economically productive industrial areas.

Politics

Confronted with the trauma of the defeat of the Auroran-Pacific War, Faethalrian politics have been shaped by a desire to eliminate the fascistic, militaristic, imperialistic, hyoerfeministic and dictatorial tendencies of the Ethalrian government. In October 2017, the Occupation Authority was set up by the Bursil Alliance to oversee the partition of Ethalria and the first stages of the enforcement of reparations, basic reconstruction, withdrawal of military forces and refugee management. It gave way to a Transitional Authority in November 2017, that comprised Faethalrian leaders appointed by Bursil to administer a referendum and oversee the drafting of the Constitution. Its leaders secured the country's future by representing its interests at the Auroran Reunification Summit. In January 2018, it that gave way to the Republic of Faethalria.

The primary political agenda is led by the Democratic Movement, a broad front composed of parties that subscribe to a center to left political agenda focusing on demilitarization, environmentalism, cosmopolitanism and egalitarianism. The small National Coalition represents a more Conservative approach but ventures far from the radical fundamentalist jingoistic ideas that pervaded Ethalria in its final hours. Despite concerted efforts at reeducation and reform, a small minority of totalitarian sympathisers, ethnic-purist and expansionists under the Unification Alliance remain in obscure political circuits and attract limited intrigue.

Government

The political system of Faethalria takes place in the framework of a unitary constitutional semi-presidential multi-party democratic republic. The Constitution of Faethalria, as the highest law in the land, provides for a three-branch government with checks and balances as well as the fundamental rights of citizens and organization and structure of state institutions. Passed in January 2018 via a referendum and drafted jointly by representatives of the newly established Faethalrian state and the Bursil Alliance (which won the Auroran-Pacific War), the Constitution exudes liberal democratic values which characterize Bursil Alliance nations specifically Great Morstaybishlia.

At the apex of the political system is the President (currently Jane Augusta since 2017) who is elected by the public every 3 years to a maximum of two terms. As the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, she is bequeathed with the powers to veto laws (subject to an override of the Parliament), to appoint the Prime Minister (with the consent of the Parliament) as well as the Ministers who form the Cabinet (with the recommendation of the Prime Minister). Furthermore, she represents the country abroad and directs its geopolitical strategy. The day to day running of the state lies with the Cabinet and the Prime Minister. As the highest deliberative and decision-making body in the executive branch, the Cabinet administers and proposes most legislation while individual ministers control executive government departments and advise the Cabinet on policies specific to their portfolio.

Usually the leader of the largest party or coalition in the Cabinet, the Prime Minister influences the legislative and political agenda of the government. Although the Prime Minister and Cabinet are appointed by the President, the Parliament can force them to resign via a vote of no-confidence which the President can either accept or reject and in turn dissolve the Parliament. Comprised of two chambers, the Parliament passes legislation and holds the executive branch accountable through regular question times and powers of subpoena. The upper house, the Senate, comprises 46 senators who are elected by the legislatures of their respective provinces with an equal proportion of seats allocated to each province. In contrast the House of Representatives is elected by the people every 3 years via 345 electoral districts of roughly equal population represented by a single member who has occupies a single seat. Nevertheless, the House of Representatives wields most of the legislative power with the Senate being restricted to province-specific issues.

The judicial system draws from Ethalrian civil law but through Morstaybishlian influence, has adopted procedural and substantive law of that nation specifically Staynish common law. The Constitutional Court, appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister following the recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission, reviews laws for their constitutionality and is the highest court of appeal for constitutional matters. The Supreme Court of Appeal, appointed via the same process, is highest court for non-constitutional matters. Below which lies the High Court which consists of divisions seated in major cities and has appellate powers and acts as a court of first instance in severe cases. Barring cases reserved for the High Court, Magistrate Courts are courts of first instance and handle the bulk of the judicial load. Largely independent, impartial and well-resourced, the judiciary acts as a bulwark for democracy.

Foreign relations

Responsibility for foreign relations falls within the scope of the powers of the President, Cabinet and Parliament. The President represents the nation abroad including hosting foreign leaders and concluding treaties and international agreements. Under the leadership and direction of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet deliberates on and decides on foreign policy. Specifically, the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Minister of Foreign Affairs (currently Greta Strömberg) oversees the implementation of foreign policy and operation of the diplomatic service. Treaties become binding on Faethalria when they are adopted by the Parliament via statute, thus the Parliament has the sole authority to Ratify treaties with foreign nations.

Faethalria is a member state of the United Nations of the Auroran Continent, the Intercontinental Regional Security Accords, Auroran Central Bank, the Ethaln League, and the International Forum. It is also the seat of the Auroran Science and Technology Research Agency. Faethalria's closest allies are North Ethalria, Great Morstaybishlia, Asilica, Tuvaltastan and Axdel. As a former member of the the Grand Matriarchy of Ethalria, it has, to some degree inherited foreign relations with former Ethalrian colonies especially in Novaris. Faethalria is allocated approximately 44 representatives in the Auroran Parliament. Faethalria is a signatory to international agreements namely the Treaty of Sani Bursil (which ended the APW), and the Treaty of Aura (which founded the UNAC). Prior to ascending to the UNAC, Faethalria was a member state of the Auroran Continental Assembly, having inherited a seat via the Matriarchy of Ethalria until that body was dissolved.

Military

The military of Faethalria consists of the Faethalrian Defense Forces (FDF). The Faethalrian Defense Forces in turn consists of the Faethalrian Army, the Faethalrian Air Force, the Faethalrian Navy. The Faethalrian Navy contains two sub-branches: the Faethalrian Marines and the Faethalrian Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is under the authority of the Minister of the Interior during peacetime but is integrated into the FDF during war. Furthermore, the Faethalrian Army contains the Faethalrian Military Police, a paramilitary law-enforcement body. The President (the commander-in-chief), the Prime Minister and Cabinet are responsible for developing defense and strategic policy. The Department of Defense, under the authority of Inga Brünn, is responsible for administering the day to day affairs of the military. The Chief of the Defense Staff, currently General Heidi Blaustein, is the highest professional officer and heads the Office of the Defense Staff. Since the annexation of Kostoria-Obertonia, integration efforts are at an advanced stage and predicted to be completed in 2024.

The FDF has a total manpower of 150,000 active professional volunteers and 75,000 reservists. Faethalria does not practice conscription. Due in part to stigma surrounding the military due to the expansionist policies of the Matriarchy of Ethalria, most of the military consists of veterans (many of whom were granted amnesty by the Bursil Alliance) and it has struggled to attract the youth or ethnic minorities. As part of affirmative action policies, the FDF has set a target on the minimum amount of males and ethnic minorities. Furthermore, Faethalria allows transgender, non-binary and homo- and bisexual individuals to serve openly without fear of reprisals with training programs and protections in place to prevent discrimination and abuse. Despite these reforms, the FDF remains dominated by Ethalrian women. While it benefits from the experience brought by veterans, it has faced controversy for its highly aggressive and hyperfeministic environment that new recruits have often described as "toxic" and "out of touch with modern political realities". There are about 1 million people coming of military age every year and about 20 million available to serve.

The FDF has an annual expenditure of 1% of GDP which is approximately 5% of the annual government budget. The country's primary foreign suppliers of military equipment include Great Morstaybishlia, Axdel and Tuvaltastan. Although Faethalria successfully contested the Oan Isles ban on the sale of military hardware to Ethaln states, arms sales have not resumed. Key corporate suppliers include Ferrus Industries, Trech, Armstech Inc, and National Sentinel Arms. Faethalria inherited the arms manufacturing industry of Ethalria which includes artillery, infantry, and reconnaissance technology. Furthermore, it inherited the military equipment of Ethalria. Due to a deliberate cap on the military budget and reliance on Great Morstaybishlia for protection, military procurement and research and development has stalled. Nonetheless, it remains a competent military as was proven in the highly controversial invasion and subsequent annexation of Kostoria-Obertonia in the 2019 Rivendale Bombings. With access to the sea following the annexation of KO, Faethalria absorbed its navy and shipbuilding industry.

Administrative divisions

The highest level administrative division of Faethalria is the province, known in Ethalrian as the land. Each province is administered by a Premier elected by the people every 3 years and a Provincial Executive Council which they appoint. The Provincial Legislative Assembly known as the Landtag in Ethalria passes laws within the scope of duties allocated to it by the Parliament.

• West-Obertonia
• Ost-Obertonia
• Noord-Kostoria
• Sud-Kostoria
• Hedeberg
• Schönekirch
• Immels
• Duinzig
• Rivental
• Matildingen
• Brumansdorf

Demographics

Ethnic groups

99% of the population consists of Bipedaliforma. By species, the country consists of the following: hominines (84%), elvines (14%) and others (2%). Hominine ethnic groups as a proportion of the total population are as follows: Ethalrian (44%), Kostorian (14%), Obertonian (9%), Altfers (6%) Marish (4%), Staynish (3%), Calthians (2%), Salovian (1%) and others (1%). Of the total population, 13% of elvines are Usprian and 1% are others. Of the non-Bipedaliforma, 1% are Cava (almost exclusively from Axdel), 0.55% are Vulpines (mostly from Stratarin), 0.45% are Felines (mostly from Free Pax States and Packilvania).

Language

The official language is the Ethalrian language but Staynish has special status as a recognised national language. Although government business is conducted in Ethalrian, international commerce and science are conducted largely in Staynish. Ethalrian is compulsory for all non-minority and foreign children to learn. Staynish is the second-language of choice for non-minority and foreign children. Alferic and Marish languages are taught as compulsory first languages in minority dominated communities with Ethalrian being the second language of choice. First language speakers are divided largely along ethnic lines as follows: 81% Ethalrian, 6% Altferish, 4%, Marish, 3% Staynish, 2% Calth, 1% Salovian and 4% other. 99% of the population speak Ethalrian as a second language, and 90% of the population speak Staynish as a second language.

Religion

The distribution of religions is as follows: Reformist Thaerism (35%) Traditional Thaerism (24%), Gadelthene (6%), Verk'ohism (1%), 24% non-religious and 1% other. The level of religiosity is very low with only 20% of people attending religious services frequently. Nevertheless, religious figures, myths and events have significant cultural following even among non-adherents due to commercialisation and secularisation.

Health

99.9% of the population have access to portable water, flush or chemic toilets, electricity and other basic public amenities. Coupled with access to free high quality public healthcare, the average life expectancy is 71 years. Due in part to war-related trauma, noise, air and light pollution arising from urbanisation, as well as high-intensity fast-paced working environments and long working hours, depression, stress, post-traumatic stress disorders and related mental health issues have reached all time highs among adults. Furthermore, the proliferation of salty, fatty and sugary fast food, drinks and snacks, and a lack of exercise due to increasingly sedentary lifestyles, diabetes and heart related health conditions have also seen an increase. The nation faces a very low birth rate (to which the militaristic nature of the nation is partly attributed). Coupled with high life expectancy, the nation has a high old-age care burden with 3 young people supporting 1.5 elderly people putting strain on welfare schemes. Pro-natal policies have thus far proven unsuccessful.

Education

100% of the population is literate, 99% of the population has formal education, 98% of the population has a high school diploma while 34% of the population has a post-school qualification with 27% having bachelor degrees and 7% having postgraduate degrees. Due to opportunities in higher wage economies as well as free movement between UNAC member states, a considerable portion of the educated population migrate to neighbouring countries for work. Although decent at global standards, the mathematical literacy and reading abilities of Faethalrian children fall below the UNAC average. Schooling consists of a compulsory 12 years including 2 years of optional early childhood and 2 years of optional pre-university education. Degrees are standardised along UNAC lines.