Latao
"We make the World go around | Region | Atlantian Oceania | Population | 1.5 Billion | Official Language | German, English | Capital | Luciaria | Leader | National Executive Committee | State Type | Democracy | Government | Right-winged | Currency | Latinum | National Anthem | "Latao above Everything!" | National Animal | Scooby-Doo | Internet TLD | .cl | Dial Code | 007 | Country Code | CL | Map | Confederacy of Latao | Stats: NSEconomy XML | Contents
Latao at a GlanceThis Book of Facts on Latao provides official information about the Congederacy of Latao. You are introduced to political and cultural specialities about the country which might be of interests when dealing or negotiating with Latao. OverviewLatao is a moderate-sized country in the sunny south of Atlantian Oceania with Mediterranean flair. Its strong economy and the abolition of income tax, made Latao to the Monaco of Oceania. The country is an economic powerhouse of the entire region and it still has a stunning environment to offer, that is appreciated by many tourists from all over the world. Facts
UN-ClassificationThe Confederacy of Latao is a huge, economically powerful nation, notable for its complete absence of social welfare. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population enjoys a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct. There is no government in the normal sense the word; however, a small group of community-minded, pro-business individuals juggles the competing demands of Commerce, Law & Order, and Education. Income tax is unheard of. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Book Publishing industry, followed by Automobile Manufacturing and Gambling. State OrganizationThe Confederacy of Latao consists of 15 Districts, each formed by numerous Municipalities and the island Nyssa as special-autonomy zone. ConfederacyThe Confederacy of Latao is the administrative top level of the nation. It concentrates the base State leading authorities, which enjoy some exclusive special privileges over Districts and Municipalities. The Confederacy operates the centralized Executive, Legislative and Judicative authorities, which form the final instances of the governing bodies. It deals with all matters of national interest and releases authoritative laws for all Districts and Municipalities, based on the Confederacy-Constitution (federal Constitution). Some of the most important competences of the Confederacy are federal law, military & financial management on the State level and the exclusive privilege of international relationships. Capital CityCapital of Latao is the city of Luciaria, located in the Luciara-District, which is quite in the middle of the country. DistrictDistricts form the actual parts of the land that makes up the Confederacy of Latao. As the nation’s pre-title tells, Latao is a federal State. This means, every District has wide independence within the country. That’s why a District is also often referred to as a State. Therefore, every District has its own Executive, Legislative and Judicative authorities, which operate on District/State level. The District (or State) has competence over most matters that affect it. Every District has its own Constitution and may inherit laws from it, as long these laws and the underlying District-Constitution do not violate the federal Constitution of the Confederacy or federal laws. Districts have also control over their law enforcement authorities (such as police) and their tax authorities, as well as financial management and numerous local administrative privileges. Names and FactsThe 15 Districts of Latao can be found in this article. NyssaThe small island in the Secocian sea, located eastern of Latao’s mainland named Nyssa is a special autonomy region. For more information, please see the ‘Foreign Policies’-section related to Nyssa-Island. MunicipalityMost Municipalities have their own Executive and Legislative authorities – some of them even their own Judicative. In some Districts, several Municipalities centralize all of these authorities (which is based either on historical inheritance or simple financial optimization). This administrative local form of State Organization is called a Region. The Municipality or Region has competence over many local matters, such as tax authorities, financial management and numerous local administrative privileges. State InstitutionsThe Federal Constitution demands the separation of powers within the entire nation. Therefore, the State of Latao is founded on three fundamental institutions: ExecutiveThe Executive authorities of all levels of the nation are elected directly by the people for a period of four years. It leads together with the Legislative by releasing laws and directives and giving orders to the Legislative. After the seven members have been chosen directly by the citizens of Latao, both chambers of the parliament elect one of them to the Federal President. This election must take place within the first week after the election. The Executive authorities on District and Municipality level consist of five members, including a president. There are a few differences in the organization of the federal Executive authority, which is named the National Executive Committee (NEC) as described below:
Federal PresidentRoger Omsec, Secretary of TaCom-Ministry (Traffics / Communication / Environment) MinistriesThe Ministries of Latao are the basis for the administrative organization of the Confederacy and operate on Federal State Level. LegislativeThe Legislative authorities of all levels of the nation are elected directly by the people for a period of four years. It leads together with the Executive by releasing laws and giving orders to the Executive. There are a few differences in the organization of the authorities of the State levels as described below: On the Confederacy Level:
On the District Level:
Names and Facts
JudicativeThe Judicative authorities of all levels of the nation ere elected directly by the people for a period of four years. It controls the governing bodies (Executive and Legislatives) by wrangling over legal matters and it may cancel laws that are in conflict with constitutional definitions. The first instance for justice cases is the Judicative authority of the Municipality or Region. Adjustments can be taken up to the Confederacy Judicative (Confederacy Court), which then is final. Names and Facts
Electoral SystemThe electoral system of Latao defines basic rules that apply to all institutions at all levels of the nation:
The only indirect election is the Federal President; he is a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and voted by the parliament in the first week after the NEC has been chosen by the people. PeriodsComplete renewal elections for an institution are held on the second Sunday of October, every four years. Renewal elections are held in change every two years: x: Local Elections (Municipality & District) The number of terms is currently not limited by the constitution, although this point is frequently discussed in the country; ideas vary from two up to four terms. Replacement elections are held only for members of the Executive and Judicative (this applies to all levels of the nation) – in case a member quits his/her service due to any reasons, the replacement elections must be held within 60 days from the date of quit. For members of the Legislative, the free seat is automatically taken by the candidate of the same party, who took the second place on the last election. Under any circumstances, the term of the replacement member ends with the next renewal elections (if the replacement member was not elected anymore in the next renewal). VotersEveryone is encouraged to vote who meets the following requirements:
Citizens of Latao, who reside outside the country may participate the election on their own bill. (Before Latao abolished income taxes, the fees were added to the next tax bill, now a payment of 5 Latinums must be made before the official documents are sent to the voter, which incl. a permission check, performed by the Municipality where the voter lived last.) The third paragraph means, that a voter must have a clear relation to the country. For example, children of migrated Latin citizens who never lived in Latao, or other “pure holders of a passport”, that sometimes don’t even know the language, cannot vote. ElectioneersEveryone is encouraged to run for political office who meets the following requirements:
Electioneers must have resided in Latao for at least five years without a bigger interruption (of a maximum of one year). All electioneers must reside in Latao on the date of election and during the entire term, when they hold an office. Candidates for Judicative authorities also need a valid license as judge or lawyer for the Confederacy of Latao, incl. the District they operate. (This is because every District has its own constitution and laws beside federal law). ConstitutionThe Constitution of the Confederacy of Latao defines a democratic federal state with direct-democracy. Citizens and Parliament members, may request to change the constitution and laws using the democratic instrument ‘Referendum’. DogmasWe believe in Democracy, Neutrality, Freedom and Federalism packed into free social-market economy. Our keywords to success are strong political rights for citizens, low tax duties and wide economic freedoms. Constitutional ReferendumThe Constitutional Referendum is the most powerful democratic instrument in the Confederacy of Latao. This type of referendum targets at changing one or more articles in either the Federal Constitution or a District’s Constitution. A Constitutional Referendum can be called either by members of the parliament or by the citizens directly: Constitutional Referendum called by Citizens The Citizens of the Confederacy of Latao may force a poll for changes in the constitution by collecting signatures. 100.000 signatures are required to call a poll on Federal Level. A smaller number of signatures, that is defined by the Districts Constitutions, is required to call a local poll for changes in the constitution on District Level. Constitutional Referendum called by Parliament The Members of the Legislative (Confederacy Council & Senator Council) may force a poll for changes in the constitution by collecting endorsements from other members. 10 endorsements (out of 300) are required to call a poll for changes in the constitution on Federal Level from the Federal Council; 2 endorsements (out of 45, 2 per District) are required to call a poll for changes in the constitution on Federal Level from the Senator Council Administrative ReferendumThe Administrative Referendum targets at changing one or more laws on either Federal or local (Districts & Communities) Level. Since these changes are not deeply reflected in the Constitution, an Administrative Referendum can be held easier than a Constitutional Referendum. An Administrative Referendum can be called directly by the citizens: Administrative Referendum called on Federal Level The Citizens of the Confederacy of Latao may force a poll for changes in laws on Federal Level by collecting 50.000 signatures. Administrative Referendum called on District Level The Citizens of the affected District may force a poll for changes in laws on District Level by collecting signatures. The number of required signatures is defined by the District’s Constitution. Administrative Referendum called on Community Level The Citizens of the affected Community may force a poll for changes in laws on Community Level by collecting signatures. The number of required signatures is defined by the Community’s local government (Execute & Legislative authorities) Internal PoliciesInformation Incomplete Current DiscussionsThere are currently three major issues discussed in the government of Latao: Prime MinisterLatao is currently being ruled by a committee of seven members, including a president. The president of this committee (NEC) only has minor privileges over his colleges; such as planning meetings and representing the country in abroad. When it comes to make a decision, all members of the NEC must participate on an internal vote. The issue currently discussed in the government and the medias (as well as the society) is if this should be changed. The job of the Federal President would then be called Prime Minister and the holder would have clear competences over the NEC. If the issue would pass, the Prime Minister would be elected directly from the citizens of Latao after the other “common” seven members of the NEC have been elected. The elected seven members can then run for the office of the Prime Minister. (Currently, the Federal President is voted indirectly by the members of the NEC) Representative OfficeWhere required, for example in the Atlantian Oceania regional council or the UN, Latao is represented by the Federal President. The issue currently discussed in the government and the medias (as well as the society) is if this should be changed and a new office should be created. This new job would be titled Federal President in case the above issue passes or probably simply President if not. The idea is to create an office that represents the Confederacy of Latao in all other nations or international institutions without being “abused” by the political parties for their interests, to guarantee stability by political independence. The holder of this office would not have permissions to rule, but he/she can support the government with suggestions. Limited TermsThere is currently no limitation for political terms defined by the constitution. The constitution only says, that a term is four years; for all offices on all administrative levels of the nation. We never saw a holder of an office for more than four terms (16 years). The issue currently discussed in the government and the medias (as well as the society) is if terms should be limited. The ideas vary from two up to four terms.
Political PartiesInformation Incomplete Outlawed OrganizationsThe Confederacy Council recently banned the foreign organization Vilitan Antiparticulates as it is considered a foreign power’s manipulation instrument. Foreign PoliciesLatao's primary interests in its foreign policies are the good relations with its regional neighbor countries in Atlantian Oceania. The Latin Confederacy is interested in economy & trade relationships with its neighbors. The country spends most of its attention and political work to its relationship with the new formed Federation of Like-minded States (FLMS) as well as its friend nations Starblaydia and Nova Roma. Latao in the WorldLatao’s interests in the world are usually related to its own benefits and its economy. As we believe in liberty and sovereignty for all people and nations, we are not highly active in international political manners. Latao however participates in several strategic alliances and organizations for co-operation and development as well as security. Embassies (General Info)The Confederacy of Latao does not operate embassies in every country. We do currently not have any embassies outside the region of Atlantian Oceania. Citizens of other countries that wish to get in contact with officials or Latin authorities, please use the embassy that is closest to your location. You may see on the list of embassies, which place that is responsible for you. People living outside of Oceania, are encouraged to send their request directly to the office for International Communication (Ministry of foreign Affairs) to Latao. Please note, that specific terms may apply for a country, even if that country is served by a Latin embassy located in another nation. Regarding services and terms please see the declaimer below. The service times of an embassy may vary, please note, that we can only serve requests made in either the official language of Latao (German) or English – any other documents will be ignored. We do not provide translation services; please contact your local service provider instead. Please use the official forms for any requests and fill them in correctly. Invalid forms or other, “hand-made” documents will be ignored or extra charged. Official embassy buildings are called “Embassy of the Confederacy of Latao”. Since many processed are internally submitted to the responsible ministry in Latao, your request may take up to 10 weeks to proceed – express requests are available in some embassies. Embassies (List)In here you may find the official list of Latin embassies in the world:
Observer Stations
The political observer station for the United Nations Organization is currently not in service. Latao frequently participates inside the region of Atlantian Oceania on UN-votes thru its regional UN-delegate nation, which is currently Abbatoir.
The political observer station for the FLMS-alliance is not yet in service.
The political observer station for the Atlantian Oceania is currently not in service. Latao in the RegionLatao’s interests in the region are primary of the same nature as its interests in the world. The nation however spends most of its attentions to regional affairs. AlliancesInformation Incomplete FLMSInformation Incomplete MembershipsLatao is a member of most important regional and international organizations:
Regional CouncilInformation Incomplete AORDOInformation Incomplete NyssaThe small island named Nyssa, located in the Secocian sea eastern of Latao’s mainland is currently a special-autonomy region that the Confederacy of Latao claims as its territory. OutlandsAs Latao (currently) doesn’t have any direct members, the so-called Outlands refer to the no-mans land, international simply described as “Spot 17”, which is located in the west of Latao’s mainland. Current DiscussionsInformation Incomplete Sarzonia ConflictInformation Incomplete FLMS-MembershipInformation Incomplete Bilateral ContractsThe Confederacy of Latao concluded agreements with numerous foreign states on trade, development and military co-operation.
MilitaryInformation Incomplete ArmyInformation Incomplete Air ForceInformation Incomplete Information Incomplete Special ForcesInformation Incomplete Intelligence ServicesInformation Incomplete GeographyLatao is located in the south of Atlantian Oceania. It does not have any direct neighbor nations. After the state border of the western Districts lie the outlands. In the north, divided by the Kialiutu Sea, is the nation of the Holy Saints. In the Secocia Sea in the east, is the Nyssa-island located. MapThis chapter provdides a map of Latao including additional information on Districts and cities. HistoryThe entire History of Latao is not explored yet, the known facts of this nation, which's people reside in Atlantian Oceania for millenniums are collected in this article.
People & CultureInformation Incomplete Way of LifeLatao is a nation, which’s society is pretty much into fashion, style and glamour. The Mediterranean land on the southern-west island of Oceania, is loved by the rich and famous from all over the world. Actors, Economy-Bosses, National Leaders, Athletes as well as more or less famous Stars and Starlets regularly celebrate their stands in Latao. Also the political elite of the nation is an active part of this high-society. Even the highest ministers enjoy wild and wet party nights with models and actresses, the rainbow press frequently reports of night-long alcohol excesses, sometimes even with prostitutes, which are celebrated in exclusive dance clubs or huge yachts in Latao’s waters. The fashion and beauty industry therefore is an important and influential economy-branch in the nation. Latao also hosts the headquarters of many large multi-national companies. Its economical strength and the fact, that no one got to pay tax, made Latao one of the richest countries in the world and a place for the international rich and famous, as well as shady figures. Asides numerous beauty contests, show awards and fashion shows held, Latao’s powerhouse is the financial place that contains hundreds of private banks, insurances and stock exchanges. Another powerful branch is gambling and the car-manufacturing industry as well as the so-called new economy. Notable is the deep linkage between the political leading of the state and its economy. It’s obviously widely accepted, that most members of the government also are the bosses of big multi-national corporations. Latao might be the only country in the world, where official secretaries wear Puma, Nike or Coca-Cola clothes while the background is decorated with the BMW and Microsoft logos. This specific feature is what the Latins call their “Network”. Even members of the Executive authorities may run large companies, the Federal President for example, owns Latao’s favorite broadcasting network, the shmoo entertainment group. Impressions from LataoThe following article about Impressions from Latao is a story written by an unknown traveller. |
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