Voltan government-in-exile

Voltan government-in-exile Exilregierung der Wolten Demokratische Republik (Dolch) Eksīlregīrun dī Voltan Demokrātische Republīk (Voltan) Volta Tlācatlahtohcāyōtl Tlācatēpacholiztli (Tlaloc)
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: Gelübde
Capital	Köstritz (de jure)
Capital-in-exile	Gazallenoa (1924- )
Official languages	Dolch, Tlaloc, Voltan
Government	Government-in-exile
President-in-exile
• 2020-present	Karl Merkel

The Voltan government-in-exile is a Voltan government-in-exile opposed to the Socialist Federal Republic of Volta. It claims legitimacy by maintaining it is a continuation of the former Voltan Democratic Republic. Its stated goal is to regain control of Volta and create a democratic republic that respects basic human rights. It some countries in Eurth recognize it as the legitimate governing authority of Volta

Background

After the Blue Army was defeated in the Battle of Friedburg in February 1923, it became clear that there was no hope left for a victory for them. As a result, the Blue Army shifted their tactics and for the rest of the war fighting retreat. This was to buy enough time for a massive evacuation effort of those in the government of the Voltan Democratic Republic, alongside the evacuation of the soldiers. Alongside these governing officials, soldiers, and their families, many anti-communists also began fleeing the country. The government of San Castellino welcomed the escaping Voltan authorities, and subsequently allowed many to settle in Gazanelloa.

The Socialist Federal Republic of Volta was proclaimed on 14 April 1923. At this point, the Blue Army still controlled a little under a quarter of Volta. President Otto Schmitt rejected this proclamation, stating that it had "no basis in Voltan constitutional law" and declared it illegal. Otto Schmitt escaped Volta in July 1923, taking refuge in San Castellino, alongside his cabinet. The Blue Army would lost all of their holdings in Volta on 21 January 1924 after losing the Battle of Schipe.

History

Formation

By the time Schipe had fallen, Otto Schmitt and his entire cabinet had fled Volta and arrived in Gazallenoa. He quickly set about gathering whoever else he could from the former government into an organization he called the Association for the Liberation of Volta. Through this organization he reached out to as many Voltans based abroad as he could and attempted to organize them into some form of a unified community. This was further helped by the fact that many in the upper classes had also fled Volta fearing reprisals from the communists. This would form the foundation of the executive for the government-in-exile. Much of this groups management was dominated by people loyal to the National Party.

Around the same time, some members of the National Congress of Volta that had managed to flee the country began organizing. They functioned in what they called the "Continuation Congress", and declared themselves an acting legislature-in-exile. This Continuation Congress was dominated by people belonging to the Conservative, Federalist, and Liberal Parties. Some politicians from the National Party took part, but most from the National Party joined Otto Schmitt's group.

This caught the attention of Otto Schmitt, who saw this as a potential dividing force in the Voltan exile community. As such he proposed to meet with the Continuation Congress to discuss potentially merging their two organizations together. During negotiations, the Continuation Congress demanded that Otto Schmitt not seek another term as President when his current one came to an end at the end of that year. Many in the Continuation Congress blamed the National Party and Otto for the start of the Civil War, citing the dictatorship's unwillingness to implement meaningful reforms as contributing to discontent. As a result they sought meaningful concessions and a true commitment to democracy from the National Party. Otto Schmitt initially refused, but relented when the Continuation Congress threatened to appoint their own acting President and form their own government-in-exile at the end of his term.

Otto and the Continuation Congress reached a power-sharing agreement after their meeting. In this agreement Otto recognized the Continuation Congress as the formal acting legislature, and the Continuation Congress recognized Otto as president. Furthermore, Otto agreed and the National Party agreed to rotate the presidency between the four different parties after each term. Otto also agreed not to continue as acting president after his normal term ended. The Continuation Congress agreed to disband at the end of their own term. In its place the Committee for the Provinces was formed, comprised a single elected representative from each province and two representatives from each of the political parties. The Continuation Congress would pass a bill establishing the Committee as the new acting legislature until proper elections could be held in Volta, with Otto agreeing to recognize it and sign the bill into law.

Politics

Executive

The executive of the Voltan government-in-exile is led by the President, who according to the constitution of the government-in-exile is supposed to be elected every four years to a maximum of 3 terms. However, due to the nature of the government-in-exile, the presidency is held in an acting capacity for a single 4-year term by a representative from the Conservative, Federalist, Liberal, or National parties on a rotating basis. This was due to a power-sharing agreement made between the National Party and all of the other parties, who blamed the National Party for the start of the Voltan Civil War and threatened to form a rival government-in-exile unless the National Party agreed to relinquish its absolute power. Under this power-sharing agreement, the presidency is held in this rotating capacity until the government-in-exile's authority in Volta is restored and new elections can be held, at which point the acting president is legally required to resign.

List of Acting Presidents of the Voltan government-in-exile
#	Portrait	Name	Party		Term
1		Otto Schmitt		National	1924
2		Friedrich Luther		Conservative	1924-1928
3		Walter Ebert		Liberal	1928-1932
4		Joseph Scheidemann		Federalist	1932-1936

Committee for the Provinces

Because elections for the Voltan National Congress cannot be held, the Committee for the Provinces is the legislative body of the government-in-exile in an acting capacity. The committee is made up of a single representative for each province, elected by Voltan diaspora who hold citizenship with the government-in-exile and either lived in those provinces or are descended from Voltans who lived in those regions. Additionally, each of the four political parties that make up the government-in-exile also have two representatives each, which are chosen in a separate ballot by the members of each party. These elections are held at the diplomatic missions of the government-in-exile, where Voltans who hold citizenship with the government-in-exile can register either for a postal ballot or vote in-person. The elections for this committee uses a instant-runoff voting system. Though the four political parties can choose whatever method they like to choose their representatives internally, since 1956 all four have used an instant-runoff voting method as well.

Activities

Activism and lobbying

The government-in-exile helps to organize rallies by Voltan diaspora around the globe calling for freedom and democracy in Volta. These protests also sometimes take place around Voltan diplomatic missions. The stated objective of these rallies is to raise awareness of the situation in Volta and to maintain pressure on foreign governments to oppose the communists.

Furthermote, the government-in-exile also engages in political lobbying in several democratic countries. Officials from the government-in-exile meet with foreign politicians whenever they are able to in order to make their case regarding the situation in Volta. Furthermore, they also lobby for and act as an organization representing the interests of Voltan diaspora.

Education

The Voltan government-in-exile manages several private schools in areas with large Voltan diaspora. The stated goal of these educational institutions is to provide education to Voltans who fled the communists, and to preserve the culture and language of the Voltan Democratic Republic. These educational institutions have been the primary way in which the Voltan dialect of Dolch has survived, as the primary language of instructions at these schools has historically been Voltan Dolch.

Starting in the 1950's these institutions began offering Voltan language courses as well. This was in response to Voltan diaspora who did not speak Dolch leaving the country and wishing to take part. In the 2000's, a small number of these institutions have further transitioned to Voltan as the primary language of instruction. This was only done in areas where a majority of the Voltan diaspora were defectors who arrived later after the revolution and who spoke little to no Dolch.

White Book

Voltan diaspora can apply for a "Solidarity Book" (colloquially called a "White Book") from their local Voltan government-in-exile representative office or embassy. This acts as a receipt for their voluntary "tax" contributions to the Voltan government-in-exile, as well as proof of their citizenship with the Voltan government-in-exile. The book logs all of the individuals "tax" contributions that the person has made, and is valid for 5 years.

To obtain the book, a Voltan must prove that they are legally a citizen of the government-in-exile or the Voltan state. This can be done by a number of methods. One is by providing documents proving a familial relationship with a citizen of the Voltan government-in-exile or the Voltan Democratic Republic. Another is by surrendering all identity documents that were issued by the Socialist Federal Republic of Volta, and then swearing an oath of loyalty to the government-in-exile.

Alternative methods to obtain the White Book do exist for those who do not have documents proving their identity or familial connections. However, they are more complicated and involve a number of interviews and investigations into familial ties.

Though there are no restrictions within the government-in-exile's laws prohibiting someone living in Volta from obtaining a White Book, it is impossible to do so. There are no offices representing the government-in-exile within Volta, requiring someone in Volta to travel abroad and surrender all of their Voltan identity documents to obtain it. Furthermore, possession of the White Book is seen as evidence of supporting an overthrow of the government by the Socialist Federal Republic. As a result, being caught in Volta in possession of the White Book leads to criminal charges.

Passport

The White Book is not a travel document, nor was it ever intended to be one. Many Voltans loyal to the government-in-exile hold passports of other countries or other alternative travel documents. However, the Voltan government-in-exile also issues passports to people that are citizens. These passports are intended for use only by those who are unable to obtain any other travel document, but can be obtained by anyone holding citizenship with the Voltan government-in-exile.

In order to obtain a Voltan government-in-exile passport, one must present their White Book and be completely up to date with all their voluntary "tax" contributions at the point of application. Furthermore, the White Book must have been held for at least 1 year before the application is made. Exceptions to this can be made on a case-by-case basis for "extreme and unforeseen circumstances", but often still require some form of proof of citizenship with the government-in-exile.

Diplomacy

The Voltan government-in-exile maintains official diplomatic missions with several countries that recognize it. Within these countries, the government-in-exile functions as the official diplomatic representative of Volta and considers itself responsible for safeguarding the interests of Voltan diaspora in living there.

Countries that recognize the government-in-exile are:

• San Castellino - Has maintained diplomatic recognition since exile, and allows the government-in-exile to be based in its capital of Gazallenoa.