Communist Oldwitch

The People's Republic of Communist Oldwitch, more commonly known as Communist Oldwitch, was a section of territory occupied by the People's Unified Federation (PUF) to the West of The Ice States. The territory was the remnant of The Communal Union of the Ice States, and employed the same economic system as was employed by the Communal Union. Its border with the Ice States was notably a demilitarised zone, in which the only military forces permitted were those of Morrdh and Lamoni, acting as neutral peacekeepers. Towards its final years, the nation was increasingly subverted by the Unified Authority of Kraven, undergoing the process of conversion into a Fortress thereof. This resulted in an intensive nuclear bombing campaign by multiple nations in Greater Dienstad, ultimately destroying Communist Oldwitch.

Formation

Main article: Devonian-Ice War

During the Devonian-Ice war, the People's Unified Federation, of which Motokata (bordering The Ice States to its west) was a member nation, elected to conduct an occupation of the Communal Union during the Devonian-Ice war. This occupation was performed with the consent of the Communal Union, and eventually the rest of the Communal Union's jurisdiction was occupied by Devonian forces. The signing of the "Treaty of Oldwitch" between Communist Oldwitch, the PUF and the Eternal Union, in response to a deployment of biological weapons by Devonia resulting in the revival of the Orcana species, and conversion of humans into the same, formalised the existence of the People's Republic of Communist Oldwitch. The People's Republic was administrated by the regime in charge of the Communal Union, although all military protection was provided by the PUF.

Economy

The Communal Union maintained a communist system domestically. Either joining a worker's cooperative, or being employed directly by the government, was mandatory for all adult citizens apart from those who were unable to do so (eg retirees). However, all individuals, regardless of whether they were employed, received a certain quota of items they can receive; said quota was spent in the same way as money, except that prices were determined by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and spent quota was not transferred to any other entity. Ministry-sanctioned charitable organisations, as well as the government itself, were exempted from quota requirements. However, the former were subject to annual auditing, while the latter are required to permit itself to be subject to audits.

Foreign trade with capitalist nations, however, was permitted through a special mechanism. Quota may be exchanged by the Ministry of Economic Affairs only into money. Such money may be used directly for the purchase of foreign goods and services, or converted into quota. The domestic selling of goods using currency remained strictly prohibited.

Government

The legislature of the Union entirely served at the pleasure of the President. The legislature, in turn, elected a Speaker from its membership. The President also appointed all other major leadership positions in the Executive. Laws can be passed by a majority vote of the legislature, although where there is no supermajority (>55%) in either direction or when a decision is likely to be generally controversial (enforced on the discretion of the Speaker) a referendum must be held including all registered Ice voters. Only two such referenda were held: one for reentering the World Assembly, and another for abolishing the death penalty. The regime's first, last and only President was Courtney Hazelbush. Meanwhile, the judiciary existed entirely independently of the legislature and executive. All judges were elected each five years, three months after the end of the most recent President election. Judges then elected amongst themselves a Chief Justice, who serves throughout the same five-year term.

Foreign relations

The main relations of Communist Oldwitch have been with the Eternal Union (negative) and the PUF (positive). Given that the PUF provided all military protection for Communist Oldwitch and exerted substantial control over its government, the latter is typically considered a puppet state of the PUF. Relations with Holy Marsh were also notable and included a degree of diplomatic cooperation; however, Holy Marsh would go on to spearhead the nuclear campaign against the Republic upon the discovery of its subversion by the Unified Authority. Despite the hostility of its predecessor thereto, little interaction occurred between Communist Oldwitch and the Golden Throne. However, Communist Oldwitch media, notably the newspaper the People's News, frequently engaged in negative rhetoric towards the Golden Throne.

With the Eternal Union

Communist Oldwitch, since its inception, has maintained a cold relationship with the Eternal Union. Initially this took the form of the Devonian-Ice War; after the conclusion of that conflict, a treaty resulted in the formation of a demilitarised zone on the border of Communist Oldwitch and the Eternal Union, as well as parts of the Golden Throne. This demilitarised zone was enforced by troops from Morrdh and Lamoni, the sole military forces permitted to remain in that area. Upon the revelation of Communist Oldwitch's collaboration with Kraven, this demilitarised zone was disestablished; the Eternal Union went on to participate in the bombing campaign against Communist Oldwitch; despite the Union's lack of nuclear capabilities, it directly engaged in the firebombing of various cities within the land.

With the PUF

Communist Oldwitch was formed through the occupation of the territory by PUF military forces. It is believed that this was for the purpose of creating an effective puppet state as a buffer between the Eternal Union and the PUF's territory of Motokata. However, relations gradually deteriorated due to non-compliance with Mokan directives, as well as the discovery of Communal Union collaboration with the Unified Authority. This resulted in an eventual coup attempt by Mokan forces in the capital city of Oakmouth, which was opposed by Capitol Police forces.

Kravenite subversion

(Likewise consulting with Kraven on this.)