Akina

Union of Northern Ophionese States Союз Cеверных Oфионских штатов
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "God is With Us!"
Anthem: Славься Ceddin Deden
Capital	Sorovsk
Largest	Kashiwa
Official languages	Russian
Government	Monarchy
• Tsar of All-Akina	Khorkov Olegovich
• Grand Marshall of Akina	Bulat Vasilyev
Legislature	National Duma
Population
• 2019 estimate	223,755,799
• 2017 census	221,688,778
GDP (nominal)	2018 estimate
• Total	$3,574,435,345
Gini (2018)	.53 low
HDI (2018)	.823 very high
Currency	Ophionese Yen
Date format	yyyy.mm.dd CE
Driving side	left
Internet TLD	.oph

The Union of Northern Ophionese States more commonly known as Akina is a Eurasianist federation of states to the east of Ophioneus. With a population greater then 200 million it is one of the most populated states in Sunalaya, as well one of the largest by land area. Akina however remains merely a regional power and not a great power due to a weak economy hampered by rampant corruption. Akina is infamous for being one of the most militarized states in Sunalaya, with a corrupt government notable for human rights abuses. Akina is seen as a pariah state, with an isolationist authoritarian government, and it's overambitious aggressive geopolitics.

Akina was founded in the 1920s with the closing of the Jasonian Civil War. Reactionary military officers banded together in Sorovsk creating the Union of Northern Ophionese State via the Treaty of Sorovosk. A distinct relative of the former Tsar was installed as Tsar, and a semi-representive government was formed as per the demands of their sponsors in Ventismar. Military generals were allocated provinces within the former Iason Empire, forming so called "Cliques". The Union soon broke apart as the big tent "White" movement had numerous disagreements over policy, entering into a so called "Warlord Era" where generals had separate warring states, under an informal unity from the Church and Tsar.

This period was marred with significant social turmoil as various generals fought each other for power. By the mid 1930s a certain degree of stability had been achieved with the consolidation of the States, albeit constant skirmishes on the frontier. The Union would see unification again with a USO invasion, allowing the State of Akina to raise an united Union army to successfully fend away the Reds along with Western support. Akina after the invasion did not disband the federation but began the process of Akinac Unification, using diplomacy, coercion, and political meddling to achieve the Unification of the Union. The Union underwent a population and economic boom with the Unification, with the centre implementing economic plans that vastly modernized the country.

With the collapse of the USO in the 70s Akina worked to unify many entities that fell under Red control. Similar tactics were used to that of the original unification, and by the 90s all the areas east of the !Urals were under Akinac rule. Akinac technocrats launched shock therapy programs in the Red areas, seeing most of the economic assets sold to the wealthier regions or a new military dominated oligarchy. Without the threat of USO intervention, Akina moved it's prospects south hoping to secure the frontier with Yanabad. It also utilized existing security arrangements with Engleberg to push for joining it's alliance and oppose Western Lutetianism.

Today Akina is a upper middle income economy with a resource reliant economy. It's primary exports include natural gas, copper, aluminum, timber, and wheat. It is a member of the USA, ODB, and ACIS. Akina has one of the largest militaries in Sunalaya, albeit utilizing older technologies. It is seen by many as a potential great power, held back by it's corruption, militarism, and a radical state ideology.

Politics and Government

The Kashiwa Summer Palace

Akina is a federation of semi autonomous states, who "see each other as sovereign equals". The political system according to the Articles of Akianc Reunification is so called "Masterocracy" where each state is held by a master, representative of their local culture and conditions. They mutually agree to an All-Union Government to safeguard the interests of the whole and defend the country. The responsibilities of the All-Union Government should in theory be limited to issues of defense, intrastate commerce, national infrastructure, and safeguarding of national interests. This All-Union government is controlled by a National Duma which represents the whole country.

Akianac states have developed unique models of governance; the cities of Akina ruled by joint stock govcorps, Turkic states led by populist Turanist military leaders, Slavic states controlled either by local assemblies, or the church. Akina is commonly seen as a patchwork united by a strong military apparatus in Kashiwa, as well as a united national elite centered around the military industrial complex. The National Duma also acts as an important forum for cooperation between the states.

The sovereign of Akina is the Tsar, who is seen as the protector and unifying force of the nation as well as giving the state legitimacy from God. He however possess limited actual power and acts more as a figurehead of the nation. Most national power in Akina is vested in the Central Cabinet (Akina), who control the Central Bank, power of the purse, the military apparatus, hold stake in many so called municipal govcorps, and can assume dictatorial powers in the event of a state of emergency. The Central Cabinet has 5 members; the most powerful of which is the Grand Marshall of Akina. The Central Cabinet is commonly seen as the nucleus of the executive along possessing control over the armed forces, and some powers nominally allocated for the legislature, such as drafting the national budget. While the Constitution in theory gives it lower status than the Duma in practice it is the most powerful organ of the state.

The countries ruling political organizations are united around the National Self Defense Front an association of "nationalistic organization united to protect the union from foreign forces". The Front controls much of the economy, owns most of the media, and allows in some respects to allow Akina to be seen as a one party state. The Front is quite different from other one party states in the sense that it is a decentral forum for discussion among elites not an official organization with any legal backing.

Duma

The Akianac Duma is the unicameral legislative assembly of the country, with 1/2 of the seats picked by the states, 1/4 directly elected, and 1/4 selected by special interests. It is equal in status to the Tsar officially and is one of the nation's only institutions of representative democracy. The Duma appoints the members of the Central Cabinet (Akina) every 5 years, along with a seperate Standing Duma that meets with more regularity. The Duma is seen as the supreme organ of the nation, deciding on national policy, economic plans, state projects, and new laws. It also confirms the National Budget after being written by the Central Cabinet.

While the National Duma meets every 6 months; having over 1000 members, the Standing Duma with 150 members meets weekly; discussing the nation's pressing issues. Parties are not allowed within the legislature itself however 'blocs' exist denoting the different issues of the states. Some simply see it as a rubber stamp assembly, however other scholars note "there is very real differences, just the rules and methods of lawfare than what is commonly seen in Ventismar". Regardless it stands as some of the most unique legislatures in Sunalaya.

Judiciary

Akina has a complex court system based on civil law, although court cases can provide 'non binding guidance'. States are free to have their own courts and legal system as long as they don't "heavily contradict accepted federal practice", allowing some states to utilize such law as Shar'ia. Most states however have little religious influence in their legal system, with a mostly secular criminal code.

The federal government maintains it's own system of courts for the purposes of anti-corruption and putting into force federal laws. At the lowest level exists the summary courts, then the district courts, and finally the High Courts. Family affairs and other civil matters are managed by local state courts with different policies. Akina is infamous for a shoddy legal system when you go past the cities of the east, with rampant judicial corruption and show trials.

Akina has a separate system of corporate courts which are known for their rampant corruption, allocating favors towards various businesses. It has been one of the primary things reducing ease of doing business in the country after reforms reduced much of the red tape for permits and such. Akina's legal system has been the subject of much controversy with many looking to reform the system.