A Federation of "Equals" - A Danubian Federation Interative AAR

[Dadarian]

Popa brings up a piece of paper

Apparently the Hungarians are revolting against the will of the government again. I motion for the complete dismissal of any and all Hungarian troops in the Federal Armed Forces. They obviously cannot be trusted after two secessions. I'm of half a mind to go out and shoot some traitors myself.

 

[99KingHigh]

((A Quick Note: My Post earlier appears more widespread then it is, but it is important to note that it is just a contained group (though still reasonably large) of Loyalist Hungarians who sided with the Federation, its been edited for that reason.))

 

[Ab Ovo]

Popa brings up a piece of paper

Apparently the Hungarians are revolting against the will of the government again. I motion for the complete dismissal of any and all Hungarian troops in the Federal Armed Forces. They obviously cannot be trusted after two secessions. I'm of half a mind to go out and shoot some traitors myself.

This obviously will not occur; and anyone attempting to make sure it does is an imbecille. Half our army is Hungarian, and soon half our army will be Cis/Transdanubian. We will not immensely weaken our military might merely to satisfy your own petty vendettas; Councillor Popa.

 

[Jako473]

((Since when would people call them selves 'of Herman' . Just nitpicking you can ignore.))

((Herman means soldier or army man (i planned on making him part of the army at first) they also did have quite a notable presence in 13th century prussia. It is not that uncommon but I see your confusion))

 

[Ab Ovo]

((Herman means soldier or army man (i planned on making him part of the army at first) they also did have quite a notable presence in 13th century prussia. It is not that uncommon but I see your confusion))

(('von Herman' would be technically incorrect, though...))

 

[Somberg]

((I'm officially retconning Vertucci's opposition to and then support of the Republic Act and have deleted my last two posts regarding it. I would recommend that Plank delete his post in response to Vertucci's announcement of his opposition to the Republic Act. As of this moment, Vertucci has not yet announced his support or opposition to the Republic Act. Anybody saying that he has will be promptly denied, and shown that he has not.))

I support the Republic Act. I thought that constitutional monarchies could work in the Federation but the civil war has proven that this idea is wrong. Monarchies have only led to instability, as shown by Silesia, and are simply not compatible with our republican Federation.

~ Rodrigo Vertucci, Councillor for Lombardia

 

[Jako473]

(('von Herman' would be technically incorrect, though...))

((That is why I never put it on any of my letters, except for that one time when everyone was fighting over kraus for his titles and I drew some attention to myself by including all of mine into one signature, most of which were meaningless and didn't affect much however.))

 

[Ab Ovo]

As most of the support for my act seems to be based on the assumption that it ban monarchies; whereas in reality it still provides for them, I present an edited version that corrects that mistake by eliminating the referendum portion of Article I:

The Republic Act​

I. Henceforth, all hereditary positions of leadership, titles of royalty, and awards or positions relating to royal or imperial trappings are banned from use by the Federal and state governments.

II. Each state of this Federation shall be a republic. A republic may be defined as follows:
(a. A 'populist' republic wherein executives, legislators, etc. are elected directly by the people of their state or representatives of the people for defined term limits; and with universal male suffrage.
(b. A 'crowned' republic wherein the executive, along with a variety of government offices, is restricted to members of specifically defined families having been in service of the state; but where there also exists a popularly-elected civilian legislature as a legislative and advisory body. The executive retains many ceremonial prerogatives, but is practically limited in almost all aspects; and is elected by the 'patrician' legislature in the best interests of the state. Crowned republics within the Federation must maintain a written constitution clearly defining the rights and duties of the government.

III. Within the Federation, all titles of nobility and noble honors are to be considered largely ceremonial and may not be incorporated into Federal law. No family position or hereditary entitlement may be used to determine eligibility for election or appointment to federal government. No government may use titles or honors deemed to bestow royal or imperial status. All members of nobility are to be considered equal before the law, and may not be permitted legal exemptions based purely on their status.

IV. Any state government not in compliance with the terms of this act within ninety days of its ratification shall be abolished and replaced with an interim democratic government by Federal authorities, with state representatives to be elected during the next Federal election cycle; followed by an optional referendum.

V. Attempting to enforce royal or imperial authority, or attempting to subvert democracy with the imposition of a royal or imperial government within the Federation, shall be considered an act of high treason against the Federal government.

 

[Guilu]

I must ask for clarification on the Republic Act : Would the old Consiglio Maggiore of the Serenissima be legal under this act, in conjunction with a popular parliament ? I'm worried that men who do not have the approval of the people could be leading a state, with little provision to have them removed.

 

[Ab Ovo]

I must ask for clarification on the Republic Act : Would the old Consiglio Maggiore of the Serenissima be legal under this act, in conjunction with a popular parliament ? I'm worried that men who do not have the approval of the people could be leading a state, with little provision to have them removed.

Yes, and no. The Consiglio would be legal; but more akin to the First Republic rather than the Second wherein it would be mostly an electoral body for the Doge than a legislative body and hemmed in by the councils and Signoria of old rather than the omnipotent body it so recently was. The popular assembly would take up many of the legislatuve duties.

Carlo glances at the observers drom the government in exile

I believe a paper on the workings of a theoretical Third Republic will be published shortly by the Most Serene Venetian Government in Exile; you may look there shortly. As for the Act itself I believe Clause B is clear enough for the general purposes of defining a crowned republic.

 

[Guilu]

Clause II.B still seems too open to abuse. What prevents a duke from saying that the cabinet is only open to his family members ?

 

[Ab Ovo]

Clause II.B still seems too open to abuse. What prevents a duke from saying that the cabinet is only open to his family members ?

The Head of State would not have the power to do that, rather it is more defined by tradition and custom than anything else. For example, within Venice you have the Patrician families; the Loredans, the Gritti, the Morosini, etc. whom are Patrician and defined as such by the state registry established in the Middle Ages for regulating admission into that body. Any attempt to monopolise such would, I expect, be struck down by both the patrician families unwilling to give up power and the civizens assembly unwilling to give so much power. Not that there would be that much power in the first place.

 

[Guilu]

This isn't Venice, ruled by conventions and hearsay; attempts by counterpowers to prevent a monopoly will need to have legal backing, which this bill unfortunately does not provide. As such, I must remove my support from it until this loophole can be fixed.

((Off for the night, keep on federating!))

 

[Thoctar]

While I am very concerned about the Crowned Republics section, I believe it is the best bill we will get in quite a while, so I support this bill.

 

[Terraferma]

While I am very concerned about the Crowned Republics section, I believe it is the best bill we will get in quite a while, so I support this bill.

I concur. I hope that any lingering doubts brought on by our fellow politicians will be addressed in one way or another.

 

[NikoHoI3]

The people of Bosnia have spoken; they do not like monarchy. I support the Republic Act. Monarchy and nobility have long taken advantage of Bosnia and the Danubian Federation alike, and it is time to end it once and for all.

~ Veljko Vranjković, Acting-President of Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

[Dadarian]

((I'm apologizing publicly to the players of this game. Recently I've been a rather enfant terrible, but not the flair. The reasons do not matter, what matters is that I as a player will calm down (Popa is a drunk you see).))

Popa just gives Camaro a dry look

Then you better get more non-Hungarians into the army. Because the Hungarians currently control a majority of the army. If we do what we plan to do to them, we need more non-Hungarians in the army.

Ever considered a commission Comaro, or that of your attendants?

Popa raises his glass to Comaro, then uses it to point to his attendants

 

[Keperry]

I would normally oppose the Republic Act, or at least clause II.B, because a crowned republic is a ridiculous and absurd fallacy that is little more than a facade for monarchy. However, a crowned republic is such a ridiculous and absurd notion that I cannot believe any state other than Venice or maybe Candia would ever attempt to implement it. If that is the price we must pay to finally stamp out true monarchy once and for all, then I will gladly support the Republic Act.

 

[Ab Ovo]

In order to address concerns about Crowned Republics and their possible monopolisation, I present the following edited version of the Republic Act:

The Republic Act​

I. Henceforth, all hereditary positions of leadership, titles of royalty, and awards or positions relating to royal or imperial trappings are banned from use by the Federal and state governments.

II. Each state of this Federation shall be a republic. A republic may be defined as follows:
(a. A 'populist' republic wherein executives, legislators, etc. are elected directly by the people of their state or representatives of the people for defined term limits; and with universal male suffrage.
(b. A 'crowned' republic wherein the executive, along with a variety of government offices, is restricted to members of specifically defined families having been in service of the state; but where there also exists a popularly-elected civilian legislature as a legislative and advisory body. The executive retains many ceremonial prerogatives, but is practically limited in almost all aspects; and is elected by the 'patrician' legislature in the best interests of the state. Crowned republics within the Federation must maintain a written constitution clearly defining the rights and duties of the government.

III. Attempts to establish dynastic control or monopolisation over the legislative and other branches of a Crowned Republic, or any other Republic within the Federation will be considered High Treason; and in violation of this Act. To prevent corruption or abuse of power within constituent Crowned Republics, their governments will be forced to submit to yearly review by the Ministry of Security for corruption or abuse and if found guilty will be subject to the measures outlined in Article V.

IV. Within the Federation, all titles of nobility and noble honors are to be considered largely ceremonial and may not be incorporated into Federal law. No family position or hereditary entitlement may be used to determine eligibility for election or appointment to federal government. No government may use titles or honors deemed to bestow royal or imperial status. All members of nobility are to be considered equal before the law, and may not be permitted legal exemptions based purely on their status.

V. Any state government not in compliance with the terms of this act within ninety days of its ratification shall be abolished and replaced with an interim democratic government by Federal authorities, with state representatives to be elected during the next Federal election cycle; followed by an optional referendum.

VI. Attempting to enforce royal or imperial authority, or attempting to subvert democracy with the imposition of a royal or imperial government within the Federation, shall be considered an act of high treason against the Federal government.

I admit it may be a little contrived; however I want to put to rest any fears about Clause II.b and yet retain the option. As for you, Councillor Popa, I have not and neither have my assistants to my knowledge. Venetians are not famed for their martial skills, and rightly so.

 

[Damian0358]

Jan sends a letter to the chambers, where the debate regarding the Republic Act is currently going on

Good evening, or should I say morning, considering it is 1 in the morning as of this moment in our beautiful Federation. I have written* this letter to state something in regards of this Act. I abstain from the vote. By now, you all know the reason why I would abstain, so I shall not waste your time writing it here on this letter.*

- Jan Jaromír, Deputy of Croatia

*I am not actually writing this letter, my sibling is. I am currently in bed, asleep and intoxicated due to the high amount of alcohol I have consumed. I have just told my sibling to write a letter to the chambers regarding the Act, writing down what I told him.