Difference between revisions of "Kelssek"
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leader=President Joseph Sutter | leader=President Joseph Sutter | ||
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| − | The '''Federation of Kelssek''' is a large country located in the [[The East Pacific|East Pacific]]. It is a centralised federation of | + | The '''Federation of Kelssek''' is a large country located in the [[The East Pacific|East Pacific]]. It is a centralised federation of 9 provinces and 3 territories, governed as a republic. |
The capital of Kelssek is Neorvins (metro population 14,824,056), home to the nation's Parliament and the Presidential Palace. Kelssek is a member of the [[International Fair Trade Agreement]] and the Commonwealth of Nations. | The capital of Kelssek is Neorvins (metro population 14,824,056), home to the nation's Parliament and the Presidential Palace. Kelssek is a member of the [[International Fair Trade Agreement]] and the Commonwealth of Nations. | ||
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Kelssek is also known for its liquor exports, especially Wenerderian wines and beer. Extensive microbrewery operations can be found in the Kirkenes metropolitan area (known as "Kelssek's financial and beer capital" for the profileration of both financial institutions and breweries), and the Kirkenes Microbreweries Union helps its members bargain collectively with retailers and exporters. | Kelssek is also known for its liquor exports, especially Wenerderian wines and beer. Extensive microbrewery operations can be found in the Kirkenes metropolitan area (known as "Kelssek's financial and beer capital" for the profileration of both financial institutions and breweries), and the Kirkenes Microbreweries Union helps its members bargain collectively with retailers and exporters. | ||
| − | ==Geography== | + | ==Geography and Climate== |
| − | Kelssek's coastal situation moderates temperatures, although it can be very cold in the mountainous interior. The capital Neorvins, on the coast, sees winter temperatures averaging at -2ºC, while Arlingsdale, at 1243m elevation in the interior, has average winter temperatures of -14ºC. The southernmost province of Weneredere has the most fertile soils in the country and the mildest climate, and thus accounts for | + | Kelssek's coastal situation moderates temperatures, although it can be very cold in the mountainous interior. The capital Neorvins, on the coast, sees winter temperatures averaging at -2ºC, while Arlingsdale, at 1243m elevation in the interior, has average winter temperatures of -14ºC. The southernmost province of Weneredere has the most fertile soils in the country and the mildest climate, and thus accounts for 65% of the entire agricultural sector. Fertile grasslands also exist in the provinces of Konoha and Haligonia. |
| + | |||
| + | Kelssek's tourism industry benefits from its abundance of natural beauty, which has historically been fiercely protected by environmental laws. Wenerdere in particular attracts visitors to the Crystal Mountains and the Rocky Coast, and national forest reserves in many parts of the country exist. | ||
<table border=1 align=right><tr><td align=middle> | <table border=1 align=right><tr><td align=middle> | ||
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The head of state is President Joseph Sutter, who came to power after serving as Justice Minister for several years and a career as a Green Party MP. He has governed over the biggest-ever era of economic expansion and pushed for many socially progressive policies. Among his accomplishments were complete drug legalisation and legally enshrining gay marriage. | The head of state is President Joseph Sutter, who came to power after serving as Justice Minister for several years and a career as a Green Party MP. He has governed over the biggest-ever era of economic expansion and pushed for many socially progressive policies. Among his accomplishments were complete drug legalisation and legally enshrining gay marriage. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Provincial Government=== | ||
| + | Although the federal government is able to set national policy, by the [[http://kelssek.tripod.com/laws/legislative.html Legislative Act]] provincial governments are able to control local health, education, and law enforcement issues, infrastructure, property, judiciary, and taxation, as well as "Generally all Matters of a merely local or private Nature in the Province." | ||
==Politics== | ==Politics== | ||
| − | The major political parties are the Green Party, the Liberal Party, and the Conservative Party. With the addition of the province of Etnier, the United Communist Party has also become a power. The | + | The major political parties are the Green Party, the Liberal Party, and the Conservative Party. With the addition of the province of Etnier, the United Communist Party has also become a power. The moderate-left Freedom Party has also emerged as a minor player. The collapse of the Republican Party before the September 2004 elections due to an embezzlement of party funds by treasurer Martin Holmes, which left the party without funds to launch a campaign, led to a vaccum in right-wing politics which the Conservative Party has struggled to fill, especially as Kelssekians have become more liberal. |
The Green Party currently is the ruling party, with the Liberal Party forming the Opposition. The Conservative Party does hold the plurality in the Congress of Lords by a narrow 2-seat margin. | The Green Party currently is the ruling party, with the Liberal Party forming the Opposition. The Conservative Party does hold the plurality in the Congress of Lords by a narrow 2-seat margin. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Green Party, United Communist Party, and Freedom Party tend to vote together. The three are often referred to as the "Lefty Alliance", though this probably due more to ideological agreements than to any formal alliance. The Liberal Party has often been referred to as schizophrenic because it tends to take a pro-business side while at the same time often voting with the left-wing parties erractically. The Conservative Party is relatively right-wing, though it would likely be a centre-left party in most other nations, while the small Christian Democrat Party tends to be neutral. | ||
==National Anthem== | ==National Anthem== | ||
Revision as of 22:52, 7 January 2005
Flag | |
| Flag of Kelssek | |
| Motto: Omnis Invito Libertas | |
| Map | |
| Region | The East Pacific |
|---|---|
| Capital | Neorvins |
| Official Language(s) | English, French (both official) |
| Leader | President Joseph Sutter |
| Population | 1.5 billion |
| Currency | Dollar |
| NS Sunset XML | |
The Federation of Kelssek is a large country located in the East Pacific. It is a centralised federation of 9 provinces and 3 territories, governed as a republic.
The capital of Kelssek is Neorvins (metro population 14,824,056), home to the nation's Parliament and the Presidential Palace. Kelssek is a member of the International Fair Trade Agreement and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Contents
History
Originally Kelssek was the Kingdom of Guedia. The first King, Kenneth I, was crowned in 1522, and his descendants ruled the kingdom in relative peace until the popular revolt of 1887.
The Federation was established in 1889 after the overthrow of the Guedian Kingdom. The three principalities of Conroy, Beaulac and Noua Cymru formed a federation where the three princes would take turns at being federal head of state, ruling over the transition to democracy in 1896, with democratic elections for the House of Commons, although the nobility retained control of the Congress of Lords until 1968 following widespread civil unrest sparked by a pro-democracy movement and by alleged price gouging following utility deregulation, forcing amendment to the Legislative Act.
Kelssek today is relatively peaceful, and known for its lack of drug laws, the high value it places on environmental protection and civil rights, and its generally liberal and socialist policies - it is one of the world's top 5% most liberal nations. It has, however, been plagued by internal terrorism caused by a fundamentalist anti-abortion group calling itself Sanctity of Life. The group was destroyed in a military operation in 2004, although rumours of survivors plotting attacks persist.
Economy
As an affluent, high-tech, socialist society, Kelssek has a good economy which has led to a high standard of living for its residents. An extensive social welfare system keeps poverty levels low. The government also operates a national health insurance program.
Kelssek's economy is reliant on its natural resources, although in recent years there has been a large shift to tourism and service industries. Kelssek is noted for its strong environmental laws and its strict enforcement of workplace and product safety laws. Although it operates a capitalistic economy, all utility, energy, transport (excluding airlines) and primary industry companies are either nationalised or strictly regulated.
Most of the government revenue comes from taxes on recreational drugs, which are fully legalised, corporate income, gambling, and capital gains. Income taxes are kept at around 30% for middle-income and low-income earners, while the high-income earners pay around 40%.
Trade
Kelssek opened trade links after signing the IFTA in September 2004. Kelssek exports airframes, agricultural produce, motor vehicles, household appliances and electronics and several of its natural resources such as refined metal ores. Kelssek's primary trading partner is its northern neighbour Nouveau Bretagne.
Kelssek is also known for its liquor exports, especially Wenerderian wines and beer. Extensive microbrewery operations can be found in the Kirkenes metropolitan area (known as "Kelssek's financial and beer capital" for the profileration of both financial institutions and breweries), and the Kirkenes Microbreweries Union helps its members bargain collectively with retailers and exporters.
Geography and Climate
Kelssek's coastal situation moderates temperatures, although it can be very cold in the mountainous interior. The capital Neorvins, on the coast, sees winter temperatures averaging at -2ºC, while Arlingsdale, at 1243m elevation in the interior, has average winter temperatures of -14ºC. The southernmost province of Weneredere has the most fertile soils in the country and the mildest climate, and thus accounts for 65% of the entire agricultural sector. Fertile grasslands also exist in the provinces of Konoha and Haligonia.
Kelssek's tourism industry benefits from its abundance of natural beauty, which has historically been fiercely protected by environmental laws. Wenerdere in particular attracts visitors to the Crystal Mountains and the Rocky Coast, and national forest reserves in many parts of the country exist.
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People and Culture
Kelssek has always had a very socially liberal society. This is probably traceable to its coastal situation, which has allowed a great deal of immigration and cultural exchange to take place since the time of the Guedian Kingdom. Immigrants are generally welcomed as adding to the rich diversity and flavour of Kelssek's culture.
Kelssekians as a rule observe religion but are not very devout, and value reasoned debate over faith, and almost one fifth of the population profess no religion leading some religious leaders to criticise this as a lack of a moral foundation. Religion, or lack thereof, is a very sensitive topic due to what many Kelssekians see as an effort by internal and external religious extremists to impose their values on Kelssek's society.
Although there is a sizable French-speaking minority, English is the common language for communication between the different language groups in Kelssek. Much of the cultural divide between Anglo- and Francophones has been eroded over time, although some cultural tensions do spring up from time to time. Besides English and French, significant immigrant populations speaking many different languages reside in Kelssek. Notable language groups include Hindi, Arabic and Chinese.
Government
Kelssek is a federation under a system of parliamentary democracy. The head of state is the President and the head of the government is the Prime Minister. Although typically the President does not take much of a hand in politics, since the 1970s Presidents have become more active.
Kelssek's Parliament is biamercal, with 7,014 members forming the lower House of Commons and 150 members, 25 for each province and the Neorvins Federal Territory, forming the upper Congress of Lords.
Kelssek's leader is Prime Minister Alan Kerk, who was elected in September 2004 as leader of the Green Party, which won the first majority government in 44 years after a voter backlash over an extradition dispute caused the Liberal Party to lose much support and caused almost a third of its members to defect to the Green Party in protest. Previously, the Liberals had formed the government in coalition with the Greens.
The head of state is President Joseph Sutter, who came to power after serving as Justice Minister for several years and a career as a Green Party MP. He has governed over the biggest-ever era of economic expansion and pushed for many socially progressive policies. Among his accomplishments were complete drug legalisation and legally enshrining gay marriage.
Provincial Government
Although the federal government is able to set national policy, by the [Legislative Act] provincial governments are able to control local health, education, and law enforcement issues, infrastructure, property, judiciary, and taxation, as well as "Generally all Matters of a merely local or private Nature in the Province."
Politics
The major political parties are the Green Party, the Liberal Party, and the Conservative Party. With the addition of the province of Etnier, the United Communist Party has also become a power. The moderate-left Freedom Party has also emerged as a minor player. The collapse of the Republican Party before the September 2004 elections due to an embezzlement of party funds by treasurer Martin Holmes, which left the party without funds to launch a campaign, led to a vaccum in right-wing politics which the Conservative Party has struggled to fill, especially as Kelssekians have become more liberal.
The Green Party currently is the ruling party, with the Liberal Party forming the Opposition. The Conservative Party does hold the plurality in the Congress of Lords by a narrow 2-seat margin.
The Green Party, United Communist Party, and Freedom Party tend to vote together. The three are often referred to as the "Lefty Alliance", though this probably due more to ideological agreements than to any formal alliance. The Liberal Party has often been referred to as schizophrenic because it tends to take a pro-business side while at the same time often voting with the left-wing parties erractically. The Conservative Party is relatively right-wing, though it would likely be a centre-left party in most other nations, while the small Christian Democrat Party tends to be neutral.
National Anthem
Kelssek's national anthem is the theme song to Hockey Night In Canada.
Foreign Relations
Kelssek is a member of the International Fair Trade Agreement, the World Capitalist and Communist Consortium, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the United Nations.
Kelssek is active in regional politics and also serves in the East Pacific regional government as a member of the East Pacific Grand Senate.
