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The '''neoliberal conspiracy''' was a {{wpl|list of political conspiracies|political conspiracy}} that affected [[Akashi]], [[Meᵹelan|Megelan]], [[Nordkrusen]], [[Delkora]], and [[Gylias]] in 1989–1990. It involved linkages between right-wing politicians, rich businesspersons, organised crime, and clandestine organisations seeking to gain power and pursue right-wing economic policies.

It emerged from the confluence of several factors: the [[List of political parties in Akashi#1980–1990|"''kibi''-''yuru'' war"]] in Akashi's {{A-CNP}}, the growing popularity of neoliberalism in [[Meᵹelan|Megelan]], and the [[Delkora]]n [[List of political parties in Delkora|Conservative]]–[[List of political parties in Delkora|Agrarian]] attempts to reverse the [[Economy of Delkora#New Kingdom program|New Kingdom Program]]. One crucial link in the conspiracy was the clandestine {{wpl|Masonic lodge}} ''Propaganda Massonica'', whose "Plan of Democratic Rebirth" advocated media consolidation, suppression of trade unions, and creating an authoritarian {{wpl|guided democracy}}.

The conspiracy managed to depose [[Prime Minister of Akashi|Prime Minister]] [[Ran Tsukuda]] through an internal party coup, replacing her with [[Ichirō Kondō]] in December 1989. His attempts to carry out the neoliberal program caused mass protests and a {{wpl|general strike}}, and it was rejected decisively in a referendum. A similar [[Dérive au droite|radicalisation of right-wing parties]] in Gylias caused the {{G-UFP}} to split from the {{G-NB}} in 1989, causing a voter backlash that humiliated them in the [[Gylian federal election, 1990|1990 federal election]].

The neoliberal conspiracy caused profound political realignments. In Akashi, the ''yuru'' faction split from the CNP and founded the {{A-MPP}}, while voters alarmed by the conspiracy produced a "red wave" in [[Akashian general election, 1990|1990]], making {{A-CP}} leader [[Shinobu Furukawa]] Prime Minister. In Megelan, the debacle disgraced neoliberalism and caused nationwide investigations, resulting in indictments for corruption, a major crackdown on the ''Ligéra'', and a shift in public policy to strengthen safeguards against market concentration. In Delkora, investigations combined with other scandals ultimately collapsed the [[Ulrik Andersen]] government, and produced a left-wing victory in the 1994 federal election.

==Terminology==
"Neoliberal conspiracy" is the standard term for the conspiracy, popularised by investigative journalist Haruna Konno's book ''A Conspiracy Against Democracy''. Some writers replace "neoliberal" with synonyms like "capitalist".

The term is translated in [[Miranian language|Miranian]] as ''shinjiyūshugi inbō'' (新自由主義陰謀), {{wpl|Italian language|Italian}} as ''conspirazione neoliberista'', {{wpl|Swedish language|Swedish}} as ''nyliberal konspiration'', {{wpl|Danish language|Delkoran}} as ''neoliberal konspiration'', and {{wpl|French language|French}} as ''complot néolibéral''.

==Background==
===Akashi===
During the 1970s, Akashi was governed by leftist governments, who took advantage of the [[Economy of Akashi#"Siege economy"|"siege economy"]] to push for far-reaching changes to the [[Economy of Akashi#Yurikaranomics|previously dominant Yurikarist order]]. These included breaking up large companies, growing the [[Economy of Akashi#Cooperatives|cooperative sector]], strengthening trade unions and {{wpl|economic planning}}, and attacking wealth concentration through fiscal and monetary policy.

Despite the atmosphere of stagnation and high government turnover, the left remained in power aided by divisions among the Akashian right. The {{A-CNP}}, perceived as too hardline, lost ground to more moderate parties like the {{A-NDP}}, {{A-RP}}, and {{A-UA}}, which refused to work with it due to its reputation. At the same time, it was pressured for the {{wpl|right-wing populism|right-wing populist}} vote by the {{A-TCP}} and {{A-ARP}}.

{{multiple image
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| image1   = RanTsukuda-small.jpg
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| caption1 = [[Ran Tsukuda]]
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| caption2 = [[Ichirō Kondō]]
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The severely {{wpl|hung parliament}} elected in [[Akashian general election, 1980|1980]] became the turning point for voters' frustration with the political impasse. The CNP saw [[List of political parties in Akashi#1980–1990|an open battle]] between its "soft" (緩い ''yurui'') and "hard" (厳しい ''kibishii'') factions, led by [[Ran Tsukuda]] and [[Ichirō Kondō]], respectively. 

Ran was elected party leader in 1981. She and her faction launched a purge of hardliners and transformed the CNP into a {{wpl|progressive conservatism|progressive conservative}} party, recruiting moderate candidates, and ending its estrangement from the [[List of political parties in Akashi#Alignments|light blue]] bloc.

The reconstituted CNP won general elections in [[Akashian general election, 1982|1982]] and [[Akashian general election, 1986|1986]], forming centre-right governments with support from the centre. Ran's government enjoyed high approval ratings for its pragmatic governance and [[Economy of Akashi#Contemporary|economic revival]], and Ran earned respect for her consensual style and negotiating talent.

Despite Ran's successes, the ''yuru'' faction held tenuous control over the CNP, and resorted to heavy-handed tactics to marginalise the ''kibi'' during the party's transformation. Rich Akashians, having initially expected an end to the [[List of political parties in Akashi#1980–1990|"war against business"]], grew angry with Ran's {{wpl|paternalistic conservatism|paternalistic}} opposition to {{wpl|big business}} and egalitarian fiscal policies.

The "blue wave" of [[Akashian general election, 1986|1986]], which brought the CNP one seat short of a majority alone, heightened ''kibi'' efforts to seize control and ''yuru'' efforts to suppress them. Ichikon began to form links between the ''kibi'' members panicking at the moderate "takeover" of the CNP, rich Akashians frustrated at being cold-shouldered by Ran's cabinet, and the weakened {{A-FL}}.

===Megelan===
The 1980s were a decade of economic growth in [[Meᵹelan|Megelan]]; the rise to national prominence of several businessmen and businesswomen eventually led to their appearance in national politics, as it was hoped that their business acumen would benefit the League as a whole; they ended up pushing for neoliberal reforms, with the most radical among them veering close to {{wpl|anarcho-capitalism}} over time.

The {{wpl|Masonic lodge}} ''Propaganda Massonica'' became clandestine in 1976, when its official charter was withdrawn. It was transformed into an illegal, {{wpl|far-right politics|far-right}} organisation driven by fervent {{wpl|anti-communism}}. It adopted a political programme known as the "Plan of Democratic Rebirth" (''Piano di rinascita democratica''), which advocated media consolidation, suppression of trade unions, {{wpl|neoliberalism|neoliberal}} measures, and creating an authoritarian {{wpl|guided democracy}}.

''Propaganda Massonica'' advocated extensive use of political corruption to achieve its goals. It formed ties with the ''Ligéra'', and began to extend operations abroad and forge links with conservative business interests, including [[Quan Mach]] in [[Quenmin]]; ''Propaganda Massonica'' was also able to recruit several of the businesspeople mentioned above, leading to the formation of a triple alliance between the far right, the neoliberals and organized crime.

===Gylias===
The [[wretched decade]] was a period of protracted crisis in Gylias on all fronts: economically, politically, socially, and in foreign affairs. The [[Conservatism in Gylias|conservative]] {{G-NB}} gained support as a result of the crises, and the fight against authoritarianism of the {{wpl|authoritarian socialist|left}} ({{G-RR}}) and {{wpl|far-right politics|right}} ({{G-FROS}}).

The {{wpl|hung parliament}} elected in [[Gylian federal election, 1985|1985]] and Ossorian war crisis of 1986 galvanised the opposition and toppled the [[Aén Ďanez government]]. It was replaced by the [[Filomena Pinheiro government]], a {{wpl|grand coalition}} including all parliamentary groups except the RR and FROS.

A phenomenon of radicalisation known as the ''[[dérive au droite]]'' began among right-wing parties, which caused a growing rift within the NB between its traditional moderates ({{G-CNP/meta/shortname}}, {{G-NPR/meta/shortname}}, {{G-PDU/meta/shortname}}) and parties that grew increasingly critical of the [[Gylian consensus]] and seeking alignment with the broader [[Tyran]]ian right-wing ({{G-FEP/meta/shortname}}, {{G-IFP/meta/shortname}}).

===Delkora===
After a long period of [[List of political parties in Delkora|National Labor]] [[Delkora#Social unrest and National Labor hegemony|hegemony]], the [[List of political parties in Delkora|Conservative]]–[[List of political parties in Delkora|Agrarian]] coalition won federal elections in 1983 and 1987. The government of [[Lars af Vellarand]] pursued a program of economic austerity, social conservatism, and devolution of powers to [[States of Delkora|state governments]]. However, the slender majority and Agrarians' reluctance stymied the government's attempts to repeal the [[Economy of Delkora#New Kingdom program|New Kingdom Program]].

Delkora's part in the neoliberal conspiracy is notable: while Akashi and Gylias had moderate conservative parties that struggled with more right-wing and confrontational factions, Delkora had a classically right-wing Conservative Party that gained a moderate faction reconciled to the New Kingdom Program, known as the [[List of political parties in Delkora#Fourth party system (1998-present)|New Conservatives]].

==Course of the conspiracy==
The conspiracy emerged in the late 1980s, facilitated by the activities of ''Propaganda Massonica''. In Akashi, the ''kibi'' faction under Ichikon formed a secret alliance with rich conservatives and the {{A-FL}}, while in Delkora a group of hardline Conservatives frustrated by the failure to repeal the New Kingdom Program made contact with ''Propaganda Massonica'', agreeing with the {{wpl|oligarchy|oligarchical}} aspects of the Plan for Democratic Rebirth.

The plots were highly secretive, and the leadership of ''Propaganda Massonica'' used several techniques to ascertain the reliability of their international contacts before introducing them to the Plan. Thus, while the organisation unofficially supported the ''[[dérive au droite]]'' in Gylias, they refused to bring any Gylian parties completely in the loop because they considered them unreliable and a risk.

Around 1988–1989, it could be said the conspiracy had consolidated into an international plot, linking right-wingers and rich businesspersons in Akashi, Megelan, Delkora, [[Nordkrusen]], and to a lesser extent the ''dérive au droite'' in Gylias and neoliberals in [[Quenmin]]. Much of the conspiracy targeted [[Common Sphere]] states due to the organisation's broadly leftist economic and social policies and generous {{wpl|welfare state}}s.

The ''dérive au droite'' led to the {{G-NB}}–{{G-UFP}} split of 1989, which threatened to expose the conspiracy. However, the conspirators managed to avoid being directly connected, and much of the foreign media treated the split as simply a Gylian news story typical of its [[Politics of Gylias|unusual politics]].

==Culmination and exposure==
Using coordination and {{wpl|entryism}} tactics, the conspiracy struck on 25 December 1989: while Ran was on vacation abroad during a parliamentary recess, it helped the ''kibi'' faction stage a surprise leadership vote, which Ichikon won. Having become CNP leader and Prime Minister, Ichikon launched an internal purge to rid the party of the ''yuru'' faction, and prepared to implement policies in accordance with the plan.

When the [[National Assembly (Akashi)|National Assembly]] reconvened in January 1990, Ichikon shocked the public by breaking the informal alliance with the centre, and instead sought support from the right-wing {{A-FL}} and {{A-ARP}}. He introduced hastily drafted legislation to implement tax cuts, loosen regulations, privatise {{wpl|state-owned enterprise}}s through asset sales (instead of Ran's cooperativisation), and weaken the [[General Council of Trade Unions of Akashi|Sōhyō]]. He attempted to use surprise to his advantage, moving quickly and calling parliamentary sessions on short notice, when there was a higher chance leftist MNAs would not be in Hirakawa.

Ichikon's program caused mass protests and a general strike, the largest since the [[Summer of Freedom]]. He imposed a party line vote and manipulated party lists by expelling MNAs, in order to stack the CNP's parliamentary group with ''kibi'' MNAs. Although his parliamentary chicanery narrowly secured passage of the program, it was vetoed by [[President of Akashi|President]] [[Emi Hanamura]]. Instead of using normal procedure, which would've sent the bills back to the National Assembly, Emi called a referendum on them. It was held on 10 February, and resulted in a decisive defeat.

The defeat precipitated the collapse of Ichikon's government. Ran's faction, having given up on transforming the CNP, instead left to form the {{A-MPP}}, which merged with {{A-UA}}. Ichikon lost a vote of confidence, causing the [[Akashian general election, 1990|upcoming general election]] to be held earlier, in March.

A police raid on the villa of ''Propaganda Massonica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> leader in February led to the discovery and publication of the Plan for Democratic Rebirth. The exposure of the conspiracy caused a scandal and led to more investigations that brought to light ''Propaganda Massonica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> international contacts.

Held in the midst of the scandal, the Akashian general election produced a "red wave", with a massive swing towards the left. The greatest gains went to the {{A-CP}}, whose leader [[Shinobu Furukawa]] had mounted a fiercely anti-neoliberal campaign, including a confrontational performance in the television debate where she had promised to "throw Ichikon and his whole traitorous ilk in jail where they belong!". Much of the centre-right vote previously won by Ran transferred to the MPP, while the CNP were humiliated, falling below the {{wpl|election threshold}} and losing all of their seats.

The [[Gylian federal election, 1990|Gylian federal election]] held simultaneously caused some setbacks for the conservatives due to the scandal, but mainly devastated the {{G-UFP}}, which only narrowly entered [[Gylian Parliament|Parliament]] and became the smallest {{wpl|electoral bloc}}.

==Investigations and trials==
The exposure of the conspiracy was followed by extensive investigations and prosecutions of those involved. It was one of the largest international police operations in [[Tyran]], with Akashian, Delkoran, Gylian, and Megelanese investigators coordinating their efforts.

Akashi and Gylias gained a reputation for meting out the most vicious punishments of the countries involved. Having become Prime Minister, Shinobu directed [[Akashi#Law enforcement|police]] to investigate everything about the accused, and used public statements to keep up pressure. The trials of Ichikon and other participants were heated affairs, with the prosecution engaging in relentless insults and mockery at their expense to humiliate them. 

Although Shinobu's harsh approach to the prosecution discomfited some sectors of the public, the majority of voters approved of the psychological punishment of the conspirators. Those convicted were sent to high-security prisons, and Shinobu denied any requests for {{wpl|compassionate release}} and ordered that medical treatment be withheld, leading to Ichikon and others' deaths in prison from terminal illnesses.

Those arrested and found guilty of involvement in the conspiracy in Gylias were sentenced to [[Law of Gylias#Penal law|"expulsion from the community"]] and sent to [[social quarantine area]]s.

In Delkora, several prominent CEOs were arrested by the [[Federal Police (Delkora)|Federal Police]] in late 1990 on charges of {{wp|wire fraud}} and {{wp|money laundering}} in connection with the conspiracy. Information uncovered during their prosecutions revealed connections to the [[Madsen Group]], as well as six Conservative MPs who had been in contact with ''Propaganda Massonica''. The MPs were subsequently arrested and later convicted of corruption and {{wp|treason}}. 

With an election coming in 1991, the party moved to expel them. However, the Conservative–Agrarian coalition under [[Ulrik Andersen]] continued to be hit by scandals, including the [[Siege of Gothendral]] on the eve of the election. Although they barely remained in office as a precarious minority government, investigations continued for the next three years that further exposed Conservative involvement in corruption. 

On 20 February 1994, Andersen's chief of staff and minister of communications were arrested following a series of police raids. The following day, Andersen himself was indicted on charges of {{wp|electoral fraud}}, {{wp|bribery}}, {{wp|obstruction of justice}} and {{wp|abuse of power}} and ousted from office by a vote of no confidence. After being found guilty on nearly all counts, he was sentenced to 37 years in prison.   

In Megelan, ''Propaganda Massonica'' was shut down and its members arrested. The investigations exposed its links to organised crime, leading to a major crackdown on the ''Ligéra''. 

In Quenmin, lawful action against Quan Mach undertook a relatively gradual pace. On 15 January 1990, the [[Three Fields Inspectorate]]<!--- Quenmin's domestic intelligence agency ---> investigated Quan Mach's {{wp|Ponzi scheme}} against its clients [[Green Marsh Alternatives]] and [[Helios Informatics]]. Two weeks later, news surfaced about Quan Mach's participation in the conspiracy, prompting the Inspectorate to immediately consider the imputation. Eventually, they uncovered a trail of {{wp|wire fraud}}, {{wp|securities fraud}} and {{wp|money laundering}} connected with its clients consisting of the "Propaganda Massonica," and the Delkoran and Akashian right-wing conspirators. 

Throughout the investigation, Quan Mach's COO [[Triệu Trung Hiếu]], CIO [[Lâm Hiếu Thông]] and CFO [[Đào Chí Vịnh]] and other employees obstructed the investigation by failing to disclose relevant documents and providing false statements, which consequently lead to both their 4 February arrest and a subsequent scandal that inflicted a detrimental effect on their reputations. The consequent [[1990 Quan Mach Financial Misdemeanors Trial|trial six days later]] resulted in the aforementioned senior executives and employees being incarcerated and the company agreeing to pay reparations totaling Ѧ79.54 million (Ѧ100.02 million in present-day monetary value). 

==Aftermath==
The neoliberal conspiracy was one of the most severe scandals to affect the [[Common Sphere]] since its foundation. Its exposure caused a long-lasting backlash against right-wing politics and neoliberalism, strengthening left parties and the broad [[Common Sphere#Model|agreements]] that existed among major parties on economic policy and {{wpl|social security}}.

The secretive nature of the conspiracy and "shadow government" aspirations exposed by Ichikon's brief tenure served to discredit neoliberalism by associating it with treason and oligarchic attempts to undermine democracy. Shinobu Furukawa, [[Mathilde Vieira]], and [[Emma Jørgensen]] all emphasised their uncompromising opposition to privatisation while in office.   

In Megelan, the aftermath of the conspiracy was similar; the country's hardline stance against organized crime, however, sparked a crisis that led to the sentencing of the Minister of Internal Affairs for crimes against humanity, and their execution — ''after'' a few thousand criminals had already died, and their wealth either seized by the state or given to those in need.

In Delkora, Jørgensen's government passed sweeping anti-corruption legislation shortly after taking office. The visibility of the trials decimated the Conservatives and Agrarians in elections at the federal, state, and local levels throughout the rest of the 1990s. The neoliberal conspiracy, combined with other high-profile political scandals during the decade, contributed to widespread public disillusionment with government and led to a surge in support for leftist anti-establishment parties like Radical Front, the Greens, and the Pirate Party. Meanwhile, the tarnishing of the Conservative Party's reputation led to the emergence of the New Conservative faction, a centrist group reconciled with the New Kingdom Program and opposed to neoliberalism. 

The scandal caused a brief increase in [[Common Sphere#Politics|hard support]] stances towards the Common Sphere, and some argued for a strengthening of the CS to prevent the reoccurrence of a similar international plot.

[[Category:Akashi]]
[[Category:Delkora]]
[[Category:Gylias]]
[[Category:Quenmin]]
[[Category:Meᵹelan]]