Political: Arnland

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Political Overview

Arnland’s capital is Alsstad and the language spoken is Arnish. Arnland has an area of 52,300 square kilometers (km2), bordering Torrike to the north, Denmark to the south, the Baltic Sea to the east, and the Kattegat to the west. The coast line is 12,900 km long.

Politics: Arnland is a multi‐party democratic republic with open elections. While there are now currently six political parties with varied representation in the Alltinget (National Assembly), two political parties have dominated the political landscape in Arnland since 1991. These two parties are Arnland Prosperity Party (APP) representing the center‐right and the Arnland Socialist Party (ASP) representing the social democrat segment of the population. The new constitution was ratified in 1992.

Government: Arnland’s unicameral Alltinget consists of 135 seats which are held by members of multiple parties; a First Past the Post system determines the composition of the representation. All members of the Alltinget serve four‐year terms. The President is the Head of State and is elected by an electoral college made up from the six Arnish Counties (Län). The Prime Minister is appointed from the majority party in the Alltinget and has two deputies who assist him in leading the Executive Branch of the government and ensuring influence and oversight of the Legislative Branch.

Foreign Relations: Diplomatic relations with most countries.

Legal System: Civil law.

Legal System: Civil law.

International Agreements: Arnland is a member of the United Nations (UN) and a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which was ratified in 1994. It joined the Skolkan Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2001. At the April 2014 Council of Heads of Government the Arnish Prime Minister announced Arnland’s withdrawal from the SCO.

Historical Summary

The Skolkan Empire coalesced slowly during the late 14th and early 15th Centuries, expanding and contracting as circumstances permitted. In its heyday in the mid‐19th Century, it comprised all of what are now the countries of Arnland, Framland, Bothnia and Otso and had over lordship of Norway. Periodically, the Skolkan Empire attempted to extend its power into Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, but its influence was always tenuous and despite the expenditure of considerable effort and resources, never amounted to much.

Towards the end of the 19th century it became more and more obvious that the cohesion amongst the Skolkan nations was rapidly degrading. Arnland felt that their contribution to the Skolkan Empire far exceeded the return. Consequently Arnish leaders raised their voices strongly for independence. These arguments were reinforced as Framland declared independence, and finally Arnland followed on 11 December 1917.

In the first years of independence Arnland kept the political structure inherited from Torrike. Alexander the First (Optimistic Alexander) was elected as the first king of Arnland. Arnland had a fairly strong economy based on agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Arnland was at that time self‐sufficient, and had good relations with Germany, Poland, Denmark and the Baltic countries. Fish and agricultural products that in former times were consumed in the Skolkan Empire (mainly Torrike) became important export articles, and Arnland’s main source of income. Alexander ruled for 13 years until the monarchy was abolished in 1931 after a communist state coup.

The global economic crisis in the 1930s had a dramatic effect on Arnland. The economy collapsed, and people lost confidence in the government. Arnland had also neglected the technological development that took place in the rest of Europe which also contributed to economic decay as Arnland no longer was able to compete on the European market.

During World War II, Arnland maintained her neutrality. After the war, Communist Party leader Lars Peterson, through a combination of ruthlessness, effective control of the State Security Services and strategic alliances, managed to preserve Arnland's territorial integrity. Arnland adhered to a strict communist philosophy. During this period, the governing elite enriched themselves at the cost of ordinary people. This resulted in increased poverty in the country as a whole. Anger and mistrust in the government ultimately led to the assassination of Lars Peterson 1 May 1991 and the subsequent violent fall of communism in Arnland in that same year.

Arnland reorganized itself into a multiparty democracy in 1992. Arns were extremely wary of creating a government structure that centralized power. Their fear of returning to a system where regional interests were ignored at the expense of the political elite caused them to create a Republic which balanced power across national and regional lines. Further, it placed the judicial power with the Presidency, the executive power with the Prime Minister and the Government and the legislative power with the Alltinget.

Arnland sought closer ties with the rest of Europe in order to improve economic conditions. It instituted a government structure that would facilitate Arnland's need for foreign investment in the nation's financial future. Arnland‘s efforts to overcome its historical isolation and underdevelopment saw it make initial strides in the areas of public infrastructure and public services as Arnland's fragile democratic structures were developing. During this transitional period from 1992‐1996, the center‐right Arnland Prosperity Party (APP) formed the government.

However, without the experienced structures and processes in place to provide proper oversight of these efforts, both legitimate and illegitimate business entities at the Län level exploited these opportunities and a system of corruption and organized crime took root. Government agencies did not have enough depth or span of control to oversee government spending and national government efficiency and effectiveness was perceived by the population to be nonexistent.

Unscrupulous investment companies, fronts for organized crime and defrauded investors all over Arnland used pyramid schemes in the early days of capitalism. In early 1996, during the run‐up to the elections, several of these pyramid schemes collapsed, leaving thousands of people bankrupt, disillusioned, and angry. Armed revolts broke out across the country, leading to the near‐total collapse of government authority. Arnland's already inadequate and antiquated infrastructure suffered tremendous damage, as people looted public works for building materials. Weapons depots all over the country were raided. Torrike and Bothnia, vying for the role of conciliator in Arnland’s internal struggles, both made unsuccessful attempts to calm the situation (in an effort to increase their influence in the region). However, the Arns had no desire to cede any of their independence.

Organized crime (OC) had infiltrated the political system on all levels and influenced political decision‐making to their own advantage. Through a mixture of brute force, political status, and social leadership, the OC gangs imposed themselves as middlemen between the local community and bureaucrats and politicians at the national level. They granted privileges and protection and intervened in favor of their clients in return for their silence and collusion against local authorities and the police. With their political connections, the heads of the OC groups became power brokers in local and national political contexts, providing politicians with broad electoral support and in return receiving benefits for their constituency. Worryingly there was a general belief that someone can do a good job as a politician but have a disreputable private life. Also the system of ‘exchanges’ in which public officials provide support in return for certain privileges was intricately woven, and accepted, in the social system. At a lower level OC syndicates exploit local business enterprises (food processing and trade, gas stations, retailers, property market) to influence the daily life of Arns. Through this they can easily influence the political processes and voting results, by “suggesting people” for whom they need to vote.

Arns blamed the inability of the APP to start and successfully enforce the required political and economic reforms during the transition period and that manifested itself in a 1996 election victory for the Arnland Socialist Party (ASP); gaining control of the office of the Prime Minister (Kasper Bro), the Council of Ministers and the Alltinget. They were not successful in unseating the President, Sture Pallesson. The leader of the APP succeeded in gaining the Electoral College votes from the six Län and remained as the Head of State for a second term. With change slow to take hold, people were forced to explore other possibilities to maintain the standard of life that they had been used to in the past. Corruption and illegal sources of income increasingly became an important part of the economy and Arns continued to see this as the easiest way to succeed. As the national economy decayed, Arnland’s six Län, each under the rule of a Landshövding (Governor) developed into semi‐autonomous regions that primarily took care of their own interests. The Län also competed with each other on a variety of social and economic and cultural issues as Arnland’s new democracy slowly took root.

The continued presence of poor national administration, and flaws in the electoral process as a result of manipulation by business and OC interests continued to block public confidence in the national government system. Progress on economic and political reforms suffered noticeably due to political infighting and a government structure that was not suited to allow change. Arns’ apathy with the political system and their distrust of the electoral process caused them to pay little attention to the election in 2000. With Sture Pallesson unavailable for re‐election and thus unmotivated to empower a successor his party, the APP focused on regaining control of the office of the Prime Minister’s and the legislature. While successful in doing so, forming a coalition government with the Arnland Republican Party (ARP), it lost control of the Presidency to the Arnland Socialist Party (ASP) (Kasper Bro). Arns once again ensured political stalemate by distributing the balance of power and this held true for the elections in 2004 as well.

In 2008, the Arnland Socialist Party (ASP ‐ Prime Minister Bror Jeppessen) formed a minority government, passing government legislation based upon support from other parties on an issue by issue basis. This created a delicate balance of power in the Alltinget. The Arnland Socialist Party (ASP) pledged to fight crime and corruption, decrease the size and scope of government, and promote economic growth by exploring membership of the EU. The Arnland Prosperity Party regained control of the Presidency with Sture Pallesson returning to his previously held position. Corruption, regional influence and manipulation of the political and legal systems remained firmly rooted in the daily lives of Arns. The lack of a cohesive will, and the adherence to party and individual interests caused the executive and legislative branches of the government to struggle to bring about real reform in its efforts to demonstrate to the EU and other international organizations that it was ready to be taken seriously.

At the 2012 election the Arnland Socialist Party (ASP), with a reduced percentage of the vote and decreased number of seats again formed a government but this time on a more formal coalition footing (with the Social Democratic Party and Arnland Communist Party) to gain an overall majority of one in the Alltinget. Corruption continues to permeate the Government who have failed to deliver on its previous terms pledges of fighting crime and corruption, reducing central government control or improving services on a national scale. Linked to this were allegations of possible vote rigging but as yet nothing has been proved. On the positive side the Government continued to explore its aspiration of EU membership following initial negotiations in 2010, though was unable to enter into a Stabilization and Association Agreement. This is an issue which is causing a significant rift between Prime Minister Bror Jeppessen and President Sture Pallesson who also secured a second and final term in 2012. All of this coupled with the increasingly powerful role of key Landshövding (Skåne, Jönköping and Kalmar) and the 2014 announcement of withdrawal from the SCO is further weakening central government and fueling growing social unrest over Arnland’s perceived increasing regional isolation.

Strategic Aim

Arnland seeks to maintain her independence and to become a member of the European Union (EU).

Constitutional Framework

In an effort to safeguard these ideals and the future of its democracy, Arns established a republic which physically separated the responsibility for executive, legislative and judicial functions. They further attempted to protect their form of government by requiring a 75% vote in the Alltinget to change the constitution. While the powers of government are physically separated, the articles and processes established to enable government actually served to cripple it. Instead it succeeded in placing the real power in the dispersed regions at the Län level without effective national checks and balances.

The President, as Chair of the Council of High Justice, uses his position to directly influence the local and regional affairs rather than through the ineffective and inefficient national government apparatus. In doing so, he is seen to be more responsive to the needs of the people and their local and regional initiatives than the government. As an individual, his office is most effective when it undermines the other branches of the government and responds to these local interest groups. His control of the High Council of Justice and the Supreme Court enables him to thwart attempts by the executive and legislative branches to re‐balance power or to modify the laws otherwise.

Central Structure

Central Structure of the Arnland Government

Head of State

The head of state in Arnland is the President of the Republic. The President, not necessarily a member of the political establishment, is elected by the people of Arnland every four years through an electoral college. This is based upon representation in ‘clusters’ of five or so electoral districts; there are 35 of these larger electoral districts across the six Län in Arnland (Skåne seven votes, Jönköping, Halland and Blekinge six each, Kalmar and Kronoberg five each). Arns vote for party candidates in their political district to represent them nationally. The President is eligible to stand for re‐election once. Following a term out of office, the President may stand for election again with the same restrictions on re‐election. After a period of eight years out of office from 2000‐2008, Sture Pallesson is again serving as the President of the Republic in his second term.

The President is charged with ensuring that the constitution and all laws are complied with. Constitutionally, he is further charged with the following:

1. Approves the appointment of the Prime Minister (Chairman of the Council of Ministers) from the political party with the most seats in the Alltinget and all of the members of the Council of Ministers;
2. Authority for appointing the Attorney General;
3. Authority for appointing the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and all Supreme Court Justices;
4. Chairs the High Council of Justices;
5. Serves as the ceremonial Commander in Chief of the Arnish Armed Forces in peacetime; and
6. Serves as the Commander in Chief of the Arnish Armed Forces in a state of emergency as decreed by the Alltinget.

There are two types of states of emergency:

1. A non‐military emergency situation which is a governmental declaration, enforced in case of a natural disaster or civil unrest. It also delegates certain powers to the Landshövding in cases of civil emergency.
2. A military state of emergency, debated in the Alltinget, but which can only be enforced by the President. The military comes under the control of the President. The civilian population is subject to strict regulations, imposed by the type of emergency. All private and public non‐crucial activities are suspended. Essential services might be disrupted. This situation can be enforced in case of extreme circumstances, such as war.

Branches of Government

Executive

The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers (cabinet) exercise the executive power in Arnland. The Prime Minister (Chairman of the Council of Ministers) is appointed by the President from the political party with the most seats in the Alltinget. All of the members of the Council are appointed by the President on the basis of the Prime Minister's recommendation. In practice this has tended to be a formality but where, for example, there is a political split between President and Prime Minister it gives the President the opportunity to influence the executive power of the government.

Arnland Council of Ministers

Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers directs and controls the activities of the ministries and other state institutions.