Acima

Acima
Luzelese name	Acima
Esmeiran name	Arriba
Visegan name	Acima
Tosuton name	Amunt
Abbreviation	Acima/Ac
Chairperson	Isilda Cerqueira
General Secretary	Selena Caprichoso
Deputy Leaders	Paulo Sérgio Lima António De Armas Horácio Pacau
Founders	Isilda Cerqueira Selena Caprichoso Paulo Sérgio Lima António De Armas Horácio Pacau
Founded	July 2, 2022 (2022-07-02)
Student wing	Student Victory Front
Youth wing	Acimitas
Women's wing	Senhoras Acima
Ideology	Right-wing populism Social conservatism Paretian nationalism Eucloscepticism Big tent
Political position	Center-right to far-right
Religion	Solarian Catholic
Euclean Affiliation	Movement for a New Democratic Euclea
Colors	Violet
Chamber of Deputies	191 / 360
Chamber of Peers	62 / 120
Regional Presidencies	3 / 4
Regional legislatures	197 / 435
Euclean Parliament	16 / 65
Election symbol
Political parties

Acima (Luzelese: Acima; Esmeiran: Arriba; Visegan: Acima; Tosuton: Amunt), sometimes abbreviated Ac, is a right-wing populist political party in Paretia. It was created after the unification of the populist O Povo political alliance, made up of the Patron League and Independence Movement, formerly the Alt Party, in July of 2022. It is lead by Paretian Premier Isilda Cerqueira, and co-led by Selena Caprichoso and Horácio Pacau. It formed during the middle of the 2022 Paretian constitutional crisis. It is commonly referred to as a successor to the Patron League and mainly meant to function as a unification of the O Povo alliance.

The party takes heavy inspiration from the Tribune Movement in Etruria. It is the largest right-wing populist political party in the Euclean Community.

History

Isilda Cerqueira, leader of Acima

In 2022 the Patron League and Alt Party had been together in government for almost a year, both in the O Povo Alliance. The far-right policies began to sway away some members of the Alternative Party who began to criticize Premier Isilda Cerqueira and her government, as well as their party's leader Horácio Pacau. After the passing of the Jimeno Carazo Literature Law in June of 2022 many members of the Alt Party would meet with their leader over disagreements within the party beginning to grow.

A few days after the meetings the party announced plans to split into two new parties, one being centre-leaning populist and the other far-right populist. These became the National Reform Party and Independence Movement respectfully. The majority of the O Povo alliance fell, as only the Independence Movement stayed, with a small portion of it's members having left into the PRN. In late June they began to meet with Premier Cerqueira and the Patron League, as the two parties realized their platforms were extremely similar.

In July of 2022 the parties decided that the Independence Movement would not last as it was, deciding to merge the two parties into a new singular party. Premier Cerqueira stated that the Patron League had plans to rebrand in some fashion in the near future and that the merger was the perferct chance to do so, becoming the new Acima party which united the right-wing populists in the country into a singular party.

Ideology

Paretian nationalism

Patron League rally in Herança, 2020

Nationalism is a core belief of Acima, and has consistently had it's members state that alongside populism, it has been an integral stance of the party. The party believes that "Paretia comes before all others" on foreign issues, with the promotion of what the party calls "Paretia first" policies. Critics of the League have made comparisons of Paretias's nationalism to the Functionalist Paretian state ruled by Carlos Palmeira from 1925 to 1935. The party has denied these accusations, Selena Caprichoso has said that the comparisons are "disrespectful to the victims of the actual functionalist authoritarian state we all wish to forget."

Acima has promoted various Paretian nationalist concepts such as one that they call "Nationalism of Sovereignty" (Nacionalismo de Soberania), which they believe that nationalism in Paretia is founded on the nation's struggle to unify and claim independence as a free nation against outside forces. This idea originated during the Euclean Spring and the Paretian Rervolutionary Conflict and rose to prominence during and between the Great War and the Solarian War. Using rhetoric that outside forces have continuously sought to subvert Paretian independence, and that the only way to fight against it is within nationalism and promoting Paretian culture.

This leads to the next tenet of Paretian nationalism in the party, "Protect the Culture" (Proteja a Cultura), a phrase created by Caprichoso in 2014 that believes, similarly to Nacionalismo de Soberania, that outside forces actively are trying to destroy Paretia's culture and make it more "malleable" by the elites. Acima believes in promoting Solarian Catholicism and the idea the nations of Paretia are "children of the great Solarian Empire". Paretia believes in promotion of a unifying Paretian cultural identity to combat separatism while also protection the unique cultures of the many ethnicities of Paretia. Acima Member Rafa Peixoto once stated that "Paretia is a nation, a nation of four united in kinship, we will support and protect each other through all time, that is Paretia's identity, that is who we are."

Economic policy

Tax reform

On taxation the Acima has been in support of tax cuts on the middle and lower classes, but has continuous made the point that they will refuse to lower taxes on the upper class. They have stated that they are purely "populist" and "anti-elitist" on taxation.

The party believes in cutting taxes especially on the lower class, which they believe is "burden heavily" by taxes. The party while in coalition with other right-wing groups have rejected to pass various bills that cut taxes on the upper class the most, stated that it is "self-enrichment" of the elite.

In August 2021 Premier Cerqueira announced the "People's Tax Reform" (Reforma Tributária Popular), a tax reform bill that cut taxes on middle and lower class earners by nearly half. However, the bill refused to cut taxes on the upper class of Paretia, and even on the highest 1%, raised taxes. The LP has made a stance on that they believe that trickle down-economics is an "elitist lie". The bill also removed various taxes such as inheritance tax and raised the tax brackets on the lowest earners. LP Economic Minister Rafa Peixoto has stated that the goal of the bill is to "show the world what Paretia has become, a nation for the people, not for the elitist snobs that rob them."

Many experts believe that the Acima approach on taxes is one that appeals to the populist ideas of "us vs them" and anti-establishment politics. With calling taxing the upper class as "punishment" for robbing Paretians.

Infrastructure and energy

Acima supports growing nuclear energy in Paretia

In February 2022 the Patron League passed a bill lead by Minister of Energy Lígia Fernandes Fragata, the €120 Billion "National Infrastructure and Energy Plan". The bill focused on infrastructure and energy greatly. The bill would greatly fund expanding nuclear energy, which had been trending downward before in Paretia, Fragata said that "Nuclear is the single best alternative outside of carbon-producing forms of energy, previous governments have tried to slow down efforts in nuclear, our government will revive these efforts". The bill also would fund fossil fuels greatly, such as exploration for natural gas sites in Paretia, as well as subsidizing the coal industry, which the Patron League stated needed to be revived. It also had plans on expanding gas pipeline infrastructure in the country.

The National Infrastructure and Energy Plan also would fund creating new suburban public housing for affordable one-family homes, it created the "Outward Expansion Development Commission", which would be focused on greatly increasing the scale of the suburban areas of the country and zoning new neighborhoods for a growing suburban population. It also funded road infrastructure in suburban and rural areas of the country as well as road repair. It would also fund the expansion of Paretia's high-speed rail lines and repairs for the existing railways, which the Patron League believes needs to "modernize".

The bill would also fund repairs and expansion to military and border security infrastructure, such as airbases and the border patrol bases, it focuses on "Defense-oriented infrastructure" including roads and railway connections between bases and military installations. As well as expanding upon the Revamped Law and Order Package. It also would increase funding for repairing law enforcement stations in Paretia's towns, including local, regional, and national law enforcement agencies.

In 2022 the Acima passed massive deregulation bills on fossil fuel companys such as coal mining, and in particular the gas industry in order to combat gas price increases. Acima calls for a energy independent Paretia and will use any forms of energy to do so.

Trade

The first bill passed by the Patron League was the Buy Euclean Steel Initiative, a proposal made by social democrat leaders in Caldia and Gaullica. It was passed with much support from both sides of the political spectrum, except for the center and greens. The initiative incentivized companies to buy steel made in Euclea, rather than steel made in other places like Coius. The LP saw the proposal as a unique time where the left and far-right agreed on a major bill. Some considered that the Patron reasons for supporting the bill were more enshrined with xenophobia against Shangea, and not supporting Paretian steel workers. Premier Cerqueira claimed that Shangean steel was "dangerous" and "weak", causing outrage from free trade advocates in Paretia.

In August 2021 he Patron League also created "Iniciativa Comprar Caseiro" (Buy Homemade Initiative), a campaign with the goal to incentivize Paretians to buy locally grown foods, clothes, medicine, materials, and vehicles. The goal was the subsidize Paretian business and help Paretian industries faced with foreign competition, especially farmers.

In 2021 Premier Isilda Cerqueira announced a rise in tariffs against many countries, mostly in Coius and the Asterias. The largest targets were Shangea and Zorasan, who Cerqueira has called "unfair and dangerous trade partners to Euclea".

In 2022 Acima would pass a bill known as IDATA, that would require foreign investors in the automotive, tech, and agricultural industries to register with the government. The bill also would ban offshoring in these industries, exceptions to these new rules would be to countries Paretia is in a trade deal with.

Foreign policy

Euclean Community

The party has been at odds with EC leadership, notably for their overturning of the Tosuton Abortion ruling in the High Court. The EC has ruled that Paretia had been guilty of democratic backsliding in early 2023.

Social policy

Family

Cerqueira announces the creation of new daycare centers

The Patron League considers family to be essential to Paretian society and culture and puts emphasis on celebration of the family. In it's 2021 Proclamation it state that it wishes to "Promote the family. Enourage having children, marriage. Help young citizens start families, support parental leave and aide to new families.

In the "Women's Cultural Reform" bills the Patron League extended maternity leave for Paretian mothers, as well as introduced paternity leave for Paretian fathers. It also increased the punishment for domestic abuse convictions.

In November 2021 the Patron League would introduce Universal Childcare, along with upgrading the standards of childcare facilities in the country. It also would creater a bill to fund policing of abuse of the childcare system by "neglectful parents", as well as investigating abuse by childcare facilities.

The Patron League passed Projecto: Famílias in December of 2021, a program that would give financial aide in monthly payments of €600 to Paretian parents who have a child, and subsequent increase in payments for each child after. It also would give financial aide to newly married couples to pay for things such as weddings. It also mandated a government enforced discount on family products such as supplies for infants or wedding products. It also created new funding for family suburban housing. The goal of Projecto: Famílias was stated as to "rejuvenate the importance of family in the country".

Religion

De Armas visiting a Catholic Church

The party considers Sotirianity, more particularly, Solarian Catholicism, as the national religion of Paretia, and is integral to the nation's culture.

In August 2021 after it's instatement as government, the LP passed a law stated that Solarian Catholic Sotirianity will become the official religion of Paretia. The country had previously been officially secular since the fall of Functionalist Paretia and the creation of the Republic of Paretia. The party followed by creating "minority faiths" to be recognized on a lower level, to ease controversy. After the Patron League began passing laws that greatly increased the relationship between church and state, such as enforcing prayer at schools and government meetings, allowing clergy to work in education, and added mandatory religious scripture classes to school curriculums. In 2021 the Patron government of Visega passed a law that allowed teachers to refuse to teach evolution theory due to faith.

In 2022 the Acima also made Saint James honorarily a General in the Paretian Army.

Law and Order

Selena Caprichoso and Guilherme Seid-Queiroz with local law enforcement in 2021

Acima has called itself a "law and order" party that is against rehabiliation and prefers deterrence when it comes to most criminal punishment. They are supportive of militarization of police forces and expanding the strength of the police agencies of Paretia. They are very much for capital punishment, which has been banned in Paretia since 1995, and have called for bringing it back and legalizing it. An attempt was made by the LP in 2021 to legalize capital punishment but this was blocked by courts.

Disability rights

In December 2021 the Cerqueira government would pass a bill to increase payments for those who have disability aide. It also created government grants that can be awarded to businesses who make changes to accomodate the disabiled, such as making it more accessible for those with disabilities.

Corruption reform

Acima has called itself "anti-corruption" many times, it plays a major part in it's populist and nationalist rhetoric. They believe that corruption is a common plague in Paretia's government, saying that it has it's roots in the Euclean Community and the elites hold on the country. Some have called the LP "hypocritical" in their stance on corruption when it comes to their own party.

In August 2021 the O Povo government announced a new branch to be added to the Paretian Civil Guard, called the Corruption Investigations Service, that is specialized in investigation and arresting government officials doing illegal actions. The first tasks of the force was to investigate the 2021 Trovão elections scandal, particular the Trovão High Court and Trovão elections commission. The branch was created by Public Security Minister Terezinha Roque, alongside Justice Minister Dinis Paulo Algarves and Government Affairs Minister Amancio Batista. The leading officer of the force was assigned to Lieutenant Colonel Túlio Borges, a high ranking officer in the Paretian Federal Law Enforcement. Some opposition parties expressed concerns that the branch is used to entrench the Patron League's power in the government and get rid of opposition. In October 2021 the SIC would arrest 4 Trovão judges, the entire Trovão commission and 13 lawmakers in relation the Trovão investigation.

The SIC in 2022 had also been used to investigate corruption in the High Court of Paretia. This lead to the insuing political crisis in 2022 over Tosuton sovereignty.

Paretian unionism

The party is explicitly anti-separatist and Pan-Paretian. During it's government's tenure separatist movements in Tosutonia and other regions began to grow in popularity. The party claims that these separatist movements are a front of the far-left to try and destroy Paretia from within. It focuses on promoting a united pan-Paretian culture, claiming that Paretian culture is a unification of the four nations of Paretia.

Controversies

Name

The name "Acima" itself has cause controversy for the party. During Functionalist Paretia, the PNNP's newspaper was called Acima. The phrase acima Paretia is commonly used by the Paretian right since before functionalist rule.

Paretian far-right

The party and it's predecessor, the Patron League, has a history of allowing the Paretian far-right to rally with them at events. Despite their claims that they disavow far-right functionalist groups they continue to allow them to join their rallies. The party and it's predecessor has often been compared to the New Nation of Paretia Party in the past but rejects the comparisons.

Conspiracy theories

The Patron League and later Acima has commonly used conspiracy theories within it's rhetoric and messaging, usually ones of right-wing origin. The most notable is the idea of a deep state made up of the world's elites, which the LP has accused of trying to subvert the people's will and destroy eastern civilization. The Acima commonly uses terms to describe this group as inherently "evil" and "demonic", and calls them "As Comparsas" (The cronies), "Os sanguessugas" (The bloodsuckers), and "Os inimigo do povo" (The enemy of the people). The Patron League is very euclosceptic, it has accused the Euclean Community of being created by the elites to subvert national sovereignty of the Euclean nations. The Acima says that the elites control the media, political, entertainment, and corporate powers of the world, and that they are using identity politics to make the Paretian people more "malleable" by the elites. The idea of making the people "malleable" is used against the left-wing of Paretia, saying that they are a tool of the elites with a "false message of socialism".

The next conspiracy theory used by Acima is the idea of great replacement theory, that immigration from Coius and the Asterias is all a plan to destroy the Euclean cultural heritage and values, which the Acima believes includes freedom, democracy, and faith. Acima believes that the elites will use immigration and the higher birth rates of immigrants to replace the people of Paretia. The ideal believes that the elites despise the Euclean values. The Acima has claimed that mass immigration will make the Paretian people more "malleable" by the elites, and subsequently, subservient to the elite's will. This rhetoric has lead to massive a anti-immigration and anti-Coian stance among the Acima's supporters.

Another conspiracy theory used by Acima is the idea that the elites and the EC want to divide Paretia into it's four kingdoms, making the nations weaker and divided against each other. The Acima says that the SD and other forces wish to push separatist movements in the country. The Acima says again that the goal of this is to make Paretia weaker and more "malleable" by the elites.