LaivNFang
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| Flag of LaivNFang | |
| Motto: "Close your eyes... it'll all be over soon" | |
| Region | Antarctic Oasis |
|---|---|
| Capital | LaivNFang Central |
| Official Language(s) | English |
| Government | Semi-Presidential Republic |
| - Prime Minister | Kristian S. Hayes |
| - President | Sarah A. Martini |
| - Minister of Defense | Gen. James B. Barrett |
| - Minister of Treasury | William G. Hallifax |
| Population | 240+ Million |
| Currency | Pound |
| NS Sunset XML | |
LaivNFang, officially the United States of LaivNFang, is a nation situated in the Antarctic Oasis and is home to some 240 million multi-cultural residents. Despite a major increase in European contact in the past 200 years, a majority of LaivNFangems can trace their ancestry to the native tribes who first inhabited the land almost 10,000 years ago, more widely known as the Fangem Tribes. Neighbouring countries include Gruenberg, Omigodtheykilledkenny, Cronaria, The Unionized Stoners, Kivisto, Cluichstan and Queen Fran.
LaivNFang is a member of the United Nations.
Contents
Government
The United States of LaivNFang is a semi-presidential republic, with a parliamentary system of government. Democratic elections are held every six years, in which the people elect members to the 128-seat House of Representatives, where the LaivNFang Liberal Party currently holds the balance of power. The LaivnFang Labor Party and the Fangish Democrats currently serve in Opposition. The Government is led by the Prime Minister, currently Mr Kristian S. Hayes, whose unprecedented popularity has led him win three consecutive elections making him the longest serving Prime Minister of LaivNFang in history.
The Government of LaivnFang consists of a ten cabinet ministers appointed by the Prime Minister, in consultation with the President. The following portfolios are represented by the cabinet:
- Office of Treasury
- Office of Defense
- Office of Foreign Affairs
- Office of Trade
- Office of Social Welfare
- Office of Industrial Relations & Business
- Office of Education & Communications
- Office of Health
- Office of Science & Research
- Office of Transport & Infrastructure
The last election was held on September 28, 2006 in which the LaivnFang Liberal Party won a majority 94 seats, whilst the Labor Party retained 28 and the Democrats, just 6. Kristian S. Hayes stood unopposed during internal party nominations shortly after, as Prime Minister.
An unpopular decision by the Hayes Administration in December 2006, was to introduce tolls for access to the nation's most attractive beaches. Many citizens viewed this as a hostile act by the Government so close to Christmas, but emotions are expected to simmer before the next election is due in 2012.
The judiciary is controlled by the High Court of LaivNFang which has extensive representation throughout the country.
Semi-Presidential Republic
Under the terms of LaivNFang's semi-presidential republic system, it's a matter for the winning party's rank and file to decide which powers and responsibilities shall be made available to the offices of the Prime Minister and the President.
Since the 1988 election, The Office of the President has been largely a representative role and is administered by the incumbent, Miss Sarah A. Martini who is also a member of the Liberal Party of LaivNFang in the House of Representatives and the current Chairperson of the House.
Miss Martini is regularly outspoken on political current affairs, however is believed to have close personal and political affiliation with the Prime Minister.
Executive powers are also retained by the Office of the President, including the ability to dissolve parliament, veto legislation and order immediate elections for the House of Representatives in the case of a vote of no confidence in the appointed cabinet ministry.
Communications
LaivNFang is leading the world in the development of telecommunications. Several competitive low-cost local and long distance carriers are offered to citizens, but the market is clearly dominated by the Government-operated LNFTel, which offers free high-speed broadband internet access to customers who select LNFTel as their primary telephony carrier.
Police & Military
LaivNFang is served by the LaivNFangish Police Association (LPA) a national crime-fighting force which has been extensively effective in reducing the crime rate and deterring criminals. The LPA are also responsible for operating highly-successful community education programmes, designed to assist youth in bridging a better future.
The Armed Forces of LaivNFang largely consists of an elite AirForce contingent, supported by considerable ground forces in the Army. The Navy exists in predominately a support and transport role and is also responsible for sea border control.
A small specialist force of ninjas known as the Special Service Patrol (SSP) are responsible for keeping an eye on LaivNFang's land borders which has remained peaceful in past years.
The Armed Forces are overseen by the Minister for Defense, General James B. Barrett who is also the in-service Head of the Armed Forces of LaivNFang.
Military service is undertaken on a voluntary basis and is open to all male and female permanent citizens who are over the age of 18 and declared fit.
Demographics
LaivNFang has maintained an active immigration program throughout the region to boost population growth. A diverse range of immigrants are granted citizenship with a particular emphasis on previous vocational training. The immigration quota also makes allowances for additional family members and possible refugees, whose cases are heard on an individual basis by the High Court.
English is the national language but the traditional Fangish is also widely used. Thanks to progressive social policies in multi-cultural education, a considerable proportion of the population are bilingual. Consideration is also made in general society for the hearing and visually imparied.
The Supreme Church of LaivNFang is the official state religion, however is adopted by only 44% of the population. The head of the church is the Bishop Paul "Stretch" Hollick, who is best known for his televangelistic preaching and for living a very comfortable lifestyle.
School attendance is compulsory throughout LaivNFang for children aged 6–16 years and education at this level is Government-sponsored. In addition, the Government has established 52 public universities and 627 feeder colleges, at which teachers, instructors and lecturers are tested on a routine basis to ensure their skills are at a premium standard. Approximately 64% of LaivNFangems between the ages of 24 and 68 have vocational or tertiary qualifications.
Economy
LaivNFang's economy has been considered increasingly stronger in recent years, backed by a liberal-minded Government with a distinct passion for the cheese export industry.
The current income tax rate for all LaivNFangems is 44%.
A successful campaign by the Liberal Party before the 2006 national election, led by popular Minister of Treasury, William G. Hallifax, saw the eventual introduction of legislation commonly known as the 'Highly-skilled, Highly-valued, Highly-paid Agenda' responsible for increasing minimum wages for tradespeople and rewarding citizens for updating their vocational knowledge, with increased governmental superannuation donations.
Mr Hallifax was widely praised for his refusal following the 2000 elecion, to allow a vote of no-confidence in his newly-announced budget, to prevent his Government from retaining power. In other circumstances, the President might have called an early election to end the deadlock in the House, however Mr Hallifax successfully lobbied independants to agree to his budget proposal, which in conclusion was viewed as an embarassingly cheap political move by the opposition Labor party.
