Principles of Democracy Party

Principles of Democracy Party
Leader	Benjamin Wardola
Founded	15 September 1914
Preceded by	None
Headquarters	Sani Bursil, Staynes, Great Morstaybishlia
Ideology	Conservatism Morstaybishlian unionism Economic liberalism
Political position	Centre-right politics
International affiliation	None
Colors	Blue   Coral pink
Seats in the House of Representatives	600 / 1,794

The Principles, officially known as the Principles of Democracy Party and colloquially known as the Podites, is one of the three main political parties in Great Morstaybishlia, along with the Progress Party and the Civic Party. The party sits on the right-wing or centre-right of the political spectrum. The Principles have either formed Government or been in Lead Opposition since 1991, and previously from the formation of Parliament in 1917 to 1935 and then again under Ian Crowcasa as government from 1964 until 1975. They are the current Lead Opposition, having most recently been in government under Walter Johannes from 2005 until 2019.

The Principles began as a political faction in the late 18th century, following the publishing of a manifesto by Crago Terlinsfeld called The Principles of Democracy (from which the party is named). This manifesto proposed a political shift in Morstaybishlia away from an absolute monarchy, instead favouring a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. Inspired by other countries around the world shifting to constitutionalist or republicanism systems, the political faction went underground for majority of the 19th century, notably after the Hanging of the Principles in 1826 where the movement failed a revolution during the Posolic Wars and its leadership, including Crago Terlinsfeld was hanged in Azenor Square, Sani Bursil.

The Principles were officially established as a political party in 1914, although they were not a legal establishment until 1917. They played a central role in the buildup to the Morstaybishlian Revolution, where following the death of King Thadeus I after fourteen years of the Great War, its leader Orson Klarass and many other notables forced sixteen year old King Thadeus II to sign the Great Charter of the Liberties or face the end of the monarchy altogether. This Charter proclaimed a constitutional monarchy and abolished the feudal system of Dukedoms that had existed for over a millennia. Following this, a provisional government led by Klarass began an election period, and he later formed the first government. Among the first laws the Principles passed through government was the abolition of slavery, a reflection of public perception of it by the turn of the 20th century.

The party's tends to promote liberal economic policies, and social conservatism. The Principles enacted some of Aurora's strongest deregulation and privatisation policies in the past thirty years. The party believes that Morstaybishlian unionism provides strong economic stability to itself and the continent, opposing the independence of Marislia and calls for Elzerian independence. It supports the continuance and maintenance of the Morstaybishlian Empire. Walter Johannes was instrumental in the foundation of the UNAC, and as such the party is mostly pro-Auroran economic unionism, though Auroroskeptic factions within the party exist.