Satavia

Satavian Federation Asteriaans: Satawiese Federasie Hennish: Satavisch Federatie
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem:  All Earthly Things Above
Capital and largest city	Port Hope
Official languages	Estmerish
Recognised national languages	Asteriaans Hennish
Ethnic groups (2015)	By race: 60% White/Euclean (or of Euclean descent, paticularly Estmerish and Hennish) 22% Black/Bahian (or of Bahian descent) 8% Native/Indigenous 7% Mixed (paticularly of Coian descent) 3% Others
Demonym(s)	Satavian
Government	Federal Parliamentary Republic
• President of Satavia	Jago Elliot
• Prime Minister of Satavia	Arthur Warwick
Legislature	Parliament of Satavia
• Upper house	County Court
• Lower house	House of Representatives
Independence from Estmere
• Federation, Dominion	1 October 1816
• Occupation	9 April 1928 - 15 March 1934
• Proclamation of the Union	21 September 1936
• Satavia Act, Independence	23 September 1936
Area
• Total	663,130 km2 (256,040 sq mi)
Population
• 2018 estimate	21,537,500
GDP (nominal)	2015 estimate
• Total	$462.2 Billion
• Per capita	$21,500
Gini (2015)	39.7 medium
HDI (2015)	0.761 high
Currency	Satavian Guilder
Time zone	UTC+ 11 (Satavian Standard Time)
Date format	dd.mm.yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+51
Internet TLD	.sv

Satavia, officially the Satavian Federation, is an Island Nation in Western Asteria Inferior, and shares a Maritime Border with Nuvania. The capital, largest city and biggest financial center is Port Hope. Satavia is made up of 5 semi-autonomous provinces, namely Balleyleigh, the Central Territory, the Hope Province, the Orange Province and the Northern Hope, each with an elected legislature and premier, and Naua Roa, an associated state of Satavia.

Satavia was first colonised briefly by various trade companies, most notably by the South Asterian Company, with the first trade post being set up in 1548. Various other settlements and trade posts were set up but then abandoned, with many companies favouring Nuvania due to it's rich natrual resource reserves. The first permanent settlements were established in 1649, all the way until 1719, and the creation of Flamian Asteria. Growth was stunted; and due to the relative prosperity of neighbouring Nuvania, many left Satavia. In 1747, following the Estmerish-Hennish War, in which Satavia and Nuvania were the sight of several major battles, the colony was ceeded to Estmere, who continued Flamian Asteria in the form of Estmerish Asteria. In 1778, the two colonies were once again split up, with Satavia becoming the Estmerish Hope. In 1811, Nuvania gained home rule, thus becoming a self-governing colony, whilst Satavia would also achieve home rule in 1816 following the Federation of Satavia. Post-federation, Satavia was elevated to Dominion Status, entering into a personal-union with Estmere as the Dominion of Satavia.

Estmerish rule would continue in Satavia until 1936. During this period, Satavia would see massive economic growth, along with the Satavian Population growing enormously and mass immigration. The period is often referred to in Satavia as the "Estmerish Miracle". Following the War of the Arucian and Nuvania's independence, Satavia remained a dominion of Estmere. Many of the colonists felt more in common with Estmere than the rest of the Asterias, and so politicians at the time didn't feel the need to seak independence from Estmere. During the Great Collapse, Satavia was impacted significantly hard, and continued to struggle well into 1922. The struggling dominion's Prime Minister, Sydney Warwick, appealed to Estmere for help, and, despite Estmere's own economic struggles, significant aid packages were sent to Satavia. Warwick would stear Satavia through the Collapse, and emerge stronger than ever.

During the Great War, Satavia's relatively small Armed Forces stood no chance against the greater powers of Nuvania and Satucin. Following Satavia's invasion, the Satavian Armed Forces made one last stand in Port Hope during the Defence of Port Hope. Satavia would remain occupied untill the Liberation of Satavia towards the end of the Great War, when Estmerish, Satavian and Hallandic forces landed to relatively little resistance.

Satavia's Prime Minister, Edward Limes, returned with members of the Exiled Government in February 1935. Limes arrived to find some of Satavia in ruins physically, and much in ruins economically, and in March unveiled the Five Year Rejuvination, designed as an economic stimulus package that would, in five years, rebuild Satavia. In 1936, Limes was informed by King William III that due to the unfolding situation in Estmere, he planned to abdicate. Upon the abolition of the monarchy in Estmere (which in turn also abolished the monarchy in Satavia and terminated the personal union between the two states), Edward Limes proclaimed the formation of the Union of Satavia, which would only last for three years before it's abolition. Limes won the 1936 General Election in a landslide victory, and served until 1939, when following the viewed "ineffectiveness" of the Union, and proposals to slash the Armed Forces Budget, lead to the Army, under the control of Field Marshal Oscar Harrison, to occupy the country and proclaim the Republic. Limes was put under house arrest, and died two years later. Harrison would only hold the position for two years, before he was asssainated in March 1941.

Harrison was a National Party member, a far right political organisation, and so became the first National Prime Minister. The Nationals would control politics for the next 40 years, however, Harrison would only remain in control for two years, before he was assassinated.

Following the 1973 Constitutional Ammendments, which removed the right to a fair trial, one of the last remaining civil liberties held by Satavians, started three years of disturbances in the country, that culminated in the 1976 Satavian Riots that lead to the collapse of the last National Government, lead by Dick Bleum. Following the 1976 General Election, the left-wing SDP won a landslide result. Angered by what was percieved by right-wing groups as the fall of Satavia to the left, many of these Paramilitaries took up arms against the new government, starting the Satavian Crisis, in which an estimated 7,400 people died, with just over 4,100 of them being innocent civilians. Initially, Satavian forces failed to beat back the paramilitaries, and in January 1978, the government made an appeal for help to the Organization of Asterian Nations, and by march an OAN Peacekeeping force had arrived, largely comprised of Hallandic and Nuvanian Forces. The crisis made headlines internationally when a NLM Flight from Pietersburg to Port Hope was blown up over the town of Lingbury, resulting in the deaths of 59 people. The Nuvanian Government alleged De Volksmilitie involvement, but the group never confirmed nor denied wether they planted the bomb on the airliner. The crisis ended in 1983, with a decisive government victory.

Satavia is a developed nation, with the country seeing rapid growth from the end of the Satavian Crisis. Satavia is a member of the Community of Nations, International Council for Democracy, the Organization of Asterian Nations, the Estmerish Council and the Asteria Inferior Common Market, in addition to being an associate member of the North Vehemens Organization.

History

Union of Satavia

Main article: Union of Satavia

1939 February Coup

Main article: February Coup

Republic of Satavia

Main article: Republic of Satavia

End of the National Government

In 1971, following the premature death of Satavia's new Prime Minister James Creak, a leadership election began in the National Party. By 20 July, no clear winner had emerged and factional divides threatened to disunite the party. Consequently, President Thawker suggested that a military commander could be a good choice to unite the party. On 22 July, Hendrik Botha was appointed Prime Minister.

Thawker retired later that year, and Willem Pieters was chosen to succeed him. Pieters was a hardliner and would clash constantly with Botha. Botha believed that the only way the National Government to continue existing for the foreseeable future was reform, and in February 1972, the first of the Botha Bills was debated in the House of Representatives. Pieters was vehemently opposed to any reforms and gave an impassioned speech decrying Botha's reforms, commonly known as the 7th of February Address. Despite fierce opposition from Botha and the ultra-right hardliners, the first bill passed, and by the end of 1972, the freedom of association had been restored, in addition to freedom of the press. The press began to openly criticise the government and its economic policy, which had been a catastrophic failure: unemployment had been at it's highest in 1971, reaching 17.8%. International pressure and sanctions also contributed to the poor state of the Satavian economy.

Protestors march through Port Hope's Old Town, 1973

In 1973, protests began surrounding the rising living price and growing unemployment; despite the right to assembly having been returned a year earlier, Botha ordered the Provincial Guard to fire upon a crowd of students on the University College Port Hope campus. 12 students were killed, in addition to a further 29 injured. A huge public backlash saw thousands take to the street, with a crowd of nearly 36,000 protesters taking to the streets of Port Hope two days later; neither the armed forces nor the police disturbed the crowd.

As the economic situation worsened even further, protests became riots and in 1974 riots became a daily occurrence in some cities, with the provincial guard in New Furland switching sides, and joining protesters in one incident in December 1974.

Despite the protests, Botha's reforms continued to be pushed. Freedom of Speech was returned in 1975: and soon chaos descended across Satavia on an unprecedented scale. Clashes between left-wing and right-wing organisations saw open street battles, with whole districts of major cities turned into battlegrounds. In a government report from 1975, obtained by the Satavian Broadcasting Corporation's Investigative division, areas of Port Hope are designated "no-go areas" where law enforcement refused to enter. Hope Province Provincial Guard, commanded by Johannes Klopper, refused to fire upon rioters and blocked the entry of Federal Forces into the city.

On 11 September, rioters broke into the Parliament Complex, damaging and looting the buildings. Nationwide curfews were not being adhered to, and military and police forces had largely withdrawn from the streets in fear, and many units disobeyed direct orders. Two days later, on 11 September, Botha was shot in an apparent assassination attempt. Two bullets hit Botha in the chest, and he was rushed to hospital.

Just one week later, on 20 September, a street clash ended in the deaths of 22 people, and the ensuing riot and looting lead to the Second Great Fire of Port Hope, which saw huge portions of the city burn down. The final fires were put out in the early afternoon of 22 September by firefighters from across the country. On 25 September, the city was in open revolt with a popular revolution seeming imminent. Botha still hospitalised, ordered Klopper's Hope Province National Guard to move in and crush the rioters. Klopper's forces entered the city early the next morning; but his forces did not crush the dissenters, and instead headed to the Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the President and the National Parliament. Klopper personally lead a detachment of forces who entered the hospital Botha was being treated in and informed the Prime Minister that he was taking control of the country, and placed him under arrest. President Pieters was also arrested.

Klopper broadcasted to the nation on SBC I that same night, with the leaders of multiple banned democratic organisations, where he asked that people return to their homes. Democratic elections were held within a month of Klopper taking office; and, despite standing himself unsuccessfully, he freely relinquished power and later that year retired from the Armed Forces.

Satavian Crisis

Main article: Satavian Crisis

Government & Politics

Main article: Parliament of Satavia

Satavia is a Federal Parliamentary Republic. For over one hundred years the country was a stable democracy until a coup lead by members of the Military in 1939 lead to the creation of a quasi-dictatorship, which lasted until 1976. Satavia is one of the world's oldest federations, in which power is divided between the federal government and provincial and territorial governments.

Satavia has a partly codified constitution, where the Satavia Act has, since 1816, been replaced and superseded with a new Satavia Act. For example, the Satavia Act, 1994 clarified the position and powers of Provincial and Territorial governments within the structure of the Federal Government. Powers are separated in the federal government between the legislature, executive and judiciary.

The President of Satavia is the head of state and is represented at a provincial level by provincial governors. It is not uncommon for former presidents to be appointed governors, and for former governors to win their party's presidential nomination. The President plays a purely ceremonial role and is appointed by the Senate. The President is elected by the party with the most seats in the Senate. Situations thus have existed where the Prime Minister and President are of a different party, which has most recently lead in 2005 to a second election being held, which resolved the parliamentary deadlock.

The Prime Minister of Satavia is head of government as well as head of the executive. The Prime Minister and his or her ministers are appointed by the President on advice from the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister sits in the House of Representatives and answers to both the Parliament of Satavia and the President. The position of Prime Minister has been continually held for over two hundred years.

The Parliament of Satavia is Satavia's federal bicameral legislative body and is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Satavia largely follows and modified the method of the Northabbey model. Both houses are democratically elected, in elections that occur simultaneously, every four years. A Prime Minister may, however, call an election early in which case both houses are dissolved and a snap election is held.

The House of Representatives is made up of 149 representatives elected from single-member electoral divisions (sometimes known as constituencies or seats) using the first-past-the-post system. Divisions are based upon population, and are drawn up by the Independent Electoral Commission of Satavia (IECS), but are regarded by some to be unfair based on the current allocation of population per division, which ranges from 44,500 (smallest) to 79,800 (largest). Neither of the two territories sends representatives to the House of Representatives, but instead send an advisor appointed by their respective territorial parliaments.

The Senate is made up of 80 representatives (12 from each province, and four from the two territories) elected through the Party-list proportional representation system, whilst seats are allocated through the D'Hondt method. The Senate plays a purely advisory role, and may not amend or throw out legislation, only return it to the House of Representatives to be amended.

Two main political groups normally form a government, both on a provincial and federal level: the Conservative & Country Party and the Liberal Party. The Conservative & Country Party was formed from a merger of multiple small political parties on the right to the centre-right of the political spectrum, whilst the Liberal Party is regarded as centre-left. Other parties gain political representation, but rarely form a government (some have in the past been members of coalition government). The centrist United Party and the left-wing Labour & Social Democratic Party are sometimes regarded as a "third party".

Administrative Divisions

Satavia is a Federation, and has three tiers of local governance: Provinces, which act as semi-autonomous sub-national administrative units, each with an elected legislature and premier, and Territorial authorities, which deal with local governance.

Provinces

Main article: Provinces and Territories of Satavia

Satavia is made up of six provinces, in addition to two territories. Provinces and Territories have the same legislative powers outlined in the Constitution of Satavia, with the main key difference being that territories do not send any members to the House of Representatives (they do, however, send members to the Senate) and that they are constitutionally subordinate to the federal government.

Each province has an elected premier and legislature, and an appointed Governor, who fulfils the role of executive. A provincial legislature has wide-ranging powers in passing legislation, on the condition that it does not undermine existing legislation passed by the federal Parliament. Elections to provincial legislatures are held in tandem with federal elections. Voting methods vary from province to province, but a majority uses the first-past-the-post system, much like in federal elections. Each province also has a separate judicial system, whilst the High Court of Satavia serves as the final court of appeals and retains the power to override a provincial ruling.

Provinces retain full control over certain sectors of governance, including the emergency services, housing and infrastructure. The federal government retains the power to override provincial legislation, either through acts of parliament that supersede them, or unilaterally. A unilateral revocation can be appealed by a province to the High Court of Satavia. No government has ever revoked a piece of provincial legislation unilaterally.

Map	Name	Arms	Capital	Population	Governor	Premier	Type
Western Freestate Central Territory Hope Province Pioneerstaat NCD New Borland Orange Province Gaulegrond	Central Territory		Hondeberg	185,312	Luan Cronie	Kian Thomas	Territory
	Diereplek Provinsie		Reutenberg	2,159,201	Bash De Kok	André Venter	Province
	Groenvelde Vrystaat		Bloemstad	2,401,421	Edward Matthys	Andries De Bruyn	Province
	Hope Province		Burnaby	5,845,762	Johan de Vilock	Dawid de Klerk	Province
	National Capital District		Port Hope	2,421,671	Christopher Marshall	Office vacant	Territory
	New Borland		Talbot	339,209	Ruben De Toit	Eliza Smuts	Province
	Orange Province		Northport	2,703,002	Daniël Vermack	Piet Van Der Westhuizen	Province
	Westerse Vrystaat		Port Arthur	5,481,932	Christiaan De Beer	Bern Kotze	Province

Territorial authorities

Main article: Territorial authorities of Satavia

Within each province, there are territorial authorities, which deal with local governance. There are 42 territorial authorities, of which one is a unitary authority, the National Capital District, which is both a territory and a territorial authority.

Territorial authorities act as the lowest tier of local government, and powers granted to them are decided by the Provincial Government. The federal government, except for the National Capital District, has no direct power in deciding the responsibilities of a territorial authority. The boundaries of territorial authorities are decided by a province's respective boundary commission.

Military

Main article: Satavian Armed Forces

The Satavian Armed Forces comprise of the Satavian Army, the Satavian Naval Service and the Satavian Air Force. In recent years, the combined Armed Forces budget has been slashed by nearly 40%, following decades of unnecessary expenditure, much of it by the Satavian Dictatorship that was in power until 1976.

SNV Johan van Vallier under way

All citizens (except for university students and those employed in certain areas of the public sector) aged 18-22 are eligible to take part in two years of national service, however, many opt not to serve their national service time in the Armed Forces.

During the Satavian Crisis, the previously poorly-trained Armed Forces were given professional training by Hallandic Advisors, and Satavia retains close military ties with Halland, Satavia being an associate member of the NVO.

Satavia's Army consists of nearly TBD men and women, whilst Satavia's Navy maintains a fleet of 17 ships, including a single LPH, which was purchased from Halland in 1999, in addition to a Dock Landing Ship, also purchased from Halland. The Satavian Airforce consists of TBD planes.

Foreign Affairs & International Standing

Satavia retains very close relations with her neighbour Nuvania, due to historical ties (both were Hennish and later Estmerish Colonies), and Satavia remains the only country Nuvania has a free travel agreement, and both were present at the signing of the Kingsleigh Treaty, along with Satucin, that eventually lead to the creation of the Asteria Inferior Common Market. Satavia's relations with Nuvania have rarely been strained, other than the Great War, where Satavia, at that point still a Dominion of Estmere, briefly fought, and then surrendered to Nuvanian Forces.

Satavian Embassy, Montecara

Satavia also retains close relations with other countries in the Asterias, most notably Halland, whose cultural and political impact during their four-year deployment during the Satavian Crisis later lead to closer ties with Halland, and Associate Member status in the NVO.

Further abroad, Satavia maintains close relationships with Estmere, often called "The Mother Country" colloquially. Estmerish remains Satavia's most used language and one of two official languages in the country. Satavia also maintains good relations with other countries in Euclea, such as Caldia and Gaullica.

The Patrick Islands, officially Naua Roa, are, according to the Satavian Government, an independent country in free association with Satavia - however, the CN and the majority of CN member states maintain that the islands are non-self-governing and are involuntarily an associated state of Satavia.

Satavia is a member of the Community of Nations, ASTCOM, International Council for Democracy, the Organization of Asterian Nations and the Estmerish Council, in addition to being an associate member of the NVO.