The Rhinelandes

The Confederacy of the Rhinelandes The Rhinelandes
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "In der einheit stehen wir"
Anthem: Long Live the Confederacy Royal anthem: God Save the Emperor
Map of the Rhinelandes
Capital	Kaiserstadt
Largest	Wohlstands
Official languages	English, German
Recognised national languages	English, German
Ethnic groups (2018)	86.5% White, 6.4% Black, 3.9% Asian, 5.2% Other
Demonym(s)	Rhiner
Government	Federal, Parliamentary, Constitutional Monarchy
• Emperor	Wilhelm IV
• Crown Prince	Prince Frederick
• Chancellor	Lutz Kleiber
• Bundestag President	Lennart Roth
• Lord Chief Justice	Irene Hagel
Federal, Parliamentaray, Constitutional Monarchy
• Acts of Confederation	5th October 1759
• The Imperial Declaration	14th June 1803
Population
• 2020 estimate	94,216,864
• 2018 census	92,167,179
HDI	0.914 very high
Currency	Frank ($)
Time zone	CRT (Central Rhinelandes Time)
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+18

The Confederacy of the Rhinelandess, commonly called the Rhinelandes or the Confederacy, is a country consisting of 16 states, a Federal District of the Capitol and several free imperial cities (self-governing autonomous cities). With an estimated population of over 94 million, the Rhinelandes is one of the most populous countries in the region. The capital of Kaiserstadt is located in the Federal District of the Capitol, and the most populous city is the free imperial city of Wohlstands.

[brief history overview]

Ever since Confederation in 1759, the Confederacy of the Rhinelandes has been a military, technological and industrial global power. A highly developed country, The Rhinelandes is one of the region's largest economies and is a hub for business and trade with the Wohlstands financial district being the national hub for business and trade.

Etymology

The name 'the Rhinelandes' comes from the geographical area over which the nation resides. The river Rhine runs through the entire country and has been a major resource for the nations that resided in the area prior to confederation. The river is also a centre for the local culture with the prior-confederation nations that residing along the path of the river having a similar culture to one another. Due to the significance of the river economically and culturally, upon confederation, the name of the Rhinelandes was chosen to show the equality of all the new states that made up the confederacy.

The correct term for a citizen of the Rhinelandes is a "Rhiner" or a "Confederate".

Politics and Government

The Confederacy of the Rhinelandes is a federal, parliamentary, constitutional monarachy. The head of state is the Monarch, since 2004 it has been Emperor Wilhelm IV. The head of government is technically also the Emperor however this role is carried out on a day to day basis by the Federal Chancellor, since 2010 that has been Chancellor Lutz Kleiber of the Conservative Party.

Federal legislative power is vested in the Imperial Parliament consisting of the Bundesrat (Federal Council) and Bundestag (Federal Diet). Members of the Bundestag (lower house) are called Members of Parliament, and are elected through direct elections using a first past the post system for individual constituencies. Members of the Bundesrat are called Senators and represent the States of the Confederacy and are nominated by the executive state governments and then confirmed by the legislatures of these states.

Since 1977, the Conservative, Democratic Social Democratic, Liberal, Green, Labour and Rhineland National Parties have always had members in the Bundestag. However, in the Bundesrat, only the Conservatives, Social Democrats, Democrats and Liberals have been staples of the upper chamber. Labour lost its last Senator in 2009 whilst the Rhineland Nationals gained their first Senator in 2010.

The Monarch, currently Emperor Wilhelm IV, is the head of state and invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. The second-highest official in the order of precedence is the President of the Bundestag, who is elected by the memebers of the Bundestag and responsible for overseeing the daily sessions of the chamber and presiding over debates. The President of the Bundestag is required to be impartial and non-partisan and as such must resign any political party membership before assuming their role as President. The third-highest official and the head of government is the Federal Chancellor, who is appointed by the Emperor after being elected by the party or coalition with the most seats in the Bundestag. The Chancellor, currently Lutz Kleiber, is the head of government and exercises executive power through their Cabinet.

Federal Government

The federal government is led by the Chancellor who is the leader of the largest party / coalition in the Bundestag. The Chancellor appoints Ministers who lead government departments and agencies. These Ministers must be members of the Bundestag. The Chancellor anad Federal Ministers are directly responsible to the Bundestag (Federal Diet). The Bundesrat (Federal Council) does have the right to summon Ministers and the Chancellor for hearings but this requires the approval of the President of the Bundestag.

Within the Cabinet itself, there are 4 great offices of state: - Minister of the Interior - Minister of Foreign and Imperial Affairs - Minister of Finance - Minister of Defence For urgent and important matters of State, the Chancellor may often only call upon these 4 officers of state for advice and consultation instead of summoning the entire cabinet which itself consists of over 25 ministers.

Government Formation and Coalitions

Due to the wide range of political parties and their varying strengths across the States of the Confederacy, it is extremely unlikely that any one party secures a majority in the Bundestag and form a government on their own. As a result, nearly every government in Rhiner history has been a coalition one which means that after General Elections, there is often a period of 1-2 months where there are extensive negotiations between political parties which try to find compromises in order to form a coalition government. The leader of a coalition which can secure a majority in the Bundestag is then invited by the Monarch to form a Government. Because of this, groups have developed over the decades between political parties. On the right of the political spectrum, the usual coalition partners are the Conservatives and Democrats, with the Conservatives often being the largest party. The name given to the coalition when the Conservatives and Democrats are in government is the 'Grand Coalition'. On the left of the political spectrum, the usual coalition partners are the Social Democrats and Labour, with the SDP often being the largest party. The name given to the coalition when the SDP and Labour are in government is the 'Progressive Coalition'.

Military

The Confederacy of the Rhinelandes does not possess nuclear weaponss.

Foreign Relations

The Confederacy of the Rhinelandes is not a member of the World Assembly.

Economy

Energy

The Confederacy of the Rhinelandes is a world leader in green energy. The Rhinelandes operates one of the largest wind farms in the region and is also home to 20 nuclear power plants which supply over 30% of the nation's energy demands.

Transport

Public transport is free for the elderly and discounted for students, the disabled and members of the armed forces.

Demographics

Religion

Since 1978, the Confederacy of the Rhinelandes does not maintain a state religion. This was cemented in 1984 by the 23rd Ammendment which was adopted to the Constitution and enshrines the seperation of Church and State.

Culture

Sports

The national sport is Football (Girdiron football).