Kesslerstaadt

Urban Community of Kesslerstaadt
Capital	Kesslerstaadt (city-state)
Official languages	English
Ethnic groups	30% Sayongese 24% European 20% Potomiakian 19% Wenchuan 5% Nifonese 3% Other
Demonym(s)	Kesslerstaadter New Sodomite (pejorative)
Government	Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic
• Prime Minister	Lumban Reitz
Establishment
• Independence from the Potomiak Sultanate	1962
Area
• Total	719 km2 (278 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate	5,000,000

Kesslerstaadt, officially known as the Urban Community of Kesslerstaadt (UCK) is an island city-state located in the Southern Furukuran Sea. A unitary parliamentary constitutional republic, Kesslerstaadt is composed of four islands; of which three are inhabited, with an area of 790 square kilometres (278 sq mi). Land reclamation projects have extended Kesslerstaadt's land area somewhat, notably in the heavily populated West Side. It is positioned south of the Potomiak Sultanate. Due to its extremely socially liberal reputation, it is often referred to derisively internationally as New Sodom after the biblical city of the same name. It is a densely populated country, with an estimated population of 5,000,000 in 2019. Kesslerstaadt is an extremely multicultural nation, with large communities of Sayongese, Europeans, Potomiakians and Wenchuans, as well as various other ethnic groups originating from the nations bordering the Southern Furukuran Sea and western side of the vast Musgorocian Ocean. Owing to its status as a city-state, its population is overwhelmingly urban dwelling, though a few residents live in the main island's hilly interior.

Kesslerstaadt was founded in the seventeenth century by members of the cult known as the Temple of Balesh, who were escaping from persecution in their homeland. Initially split into two settlements named New Sodom and New Gomorrah respectively, they merged together in the eighteenth century to form Kesslerstaadt, named after the founder of the Temple of Balesh, Lucian Kessler. In the 1830s it was annexed by the Empire of Krymark, coinciding with a huge increase in immigration to Kesslerstaadt from surrounding countries. Following the defeat of Krymak by Nifon in the 1950s, the Potomiak Sultanate gained its independence in the Treaty of Minamitsuru. In 1962, following a breakdown in relations between the leadership of the Sultanate and the administration of Kesslerstaadt over the latter's socially liberal attitudes, the city-state broke away and formed the Urban Community of Kesslerstaadt. Under the over forty year leadership of Jakoobus Boshoff, the country experienced a massive economic boom, becoming a major centre of sex tourism and international business. Clashes with the Potomiakian military over territorial issues occurred in 1978 and 1994.

Going into the twenty-first century, Kesslerstaadt has joined many multinational organisations. Among traditionalists and conservatives internationally, it has become notorious as a hub of international crime, prostitution, terrorism, cults, political dissidents, narcotics, sexual openness, euthanasia and abortion. Its skyline was once dominated by the Babeel Tower, a nearly kilometre-tall skyscraper, however it was demolished after being damaged by a terrorist attack carried out by the Crown Royal Guard in 2016. A smaller albeit still tall structure now stands in its place.

Etymology

Kesslerstaadt derives its name from the founder of the Temple of Balesh, Lucian Kessler.

History

Early twenty-first century (2000–present)

In retaliation for attacks conducted by Homofront against SACTO-aligned countries, the Commoner terrorist organisation known as the Crown Royal Guard attacked the Pink Arrow nightclub, Balshaman Temple and Babeel Tower, killing 270 people and wounding 610. The structural integrity of the kilometre tall Babeel Tower was compromised and was subsequently demolished. A smaller tower has since been built in its place.

Politics

Parties and elections

Since independence, the left-wing Social Party of Revolutionaries (SPR) has dominated Kesslerstaadt's politics. The main opposition is the Liberal Republican Party (LRP), which supports free market economics but maintains extremely socially liberal views, much like the SPR. The minor but increasingly influential Men Freedom Party (MFP) also exists and believes in the 'eradication of conservatism' by military action.

Law and criminal justice

Kesslerstaadt primarily uses the civil law legal system, inherited from its time as a colony of Krymark.

Economy

Kesslerstaadt's economy is dominated by sex tourism, fuelled by the hundreds of nightclubs, brothels and legalisation and commercialisation of all narcotic substances. Its most famous nightclub, Pink Arrow, is itself one of the largest in the world.

Historically, manufacturing was an important element of Kesslerstaadt's economy, however it has declined hugely since independence. Much of this was centred on the second largest island, close to Potomiak, and has been the centre of disputes between the two countries. Many factories here lie abandoned and the island has now become a slum area, largely populated by Potomiakian immigrants.

International business and finance is also an important element of the Kesserstaadter economy. Russel Financial was based in Kesslerstaadt.

Demographics

With a a fertility rate of 0.8 children per woman, Kesslerstaadt has one of the lowest birth rates in the world and has increasingly relied on immigration to stop its population from collapsing.

Ethnic groups

Kesslerstaadt is extremely ethnically diverse. The largest group is the Sayongese at 30%, followed by Europeans at 24%, Potomiakians at 20%, Wenchuans at 19% and Nifonese at 5%. 3% identified as other ethnicities.

Religion

As of 2019, it is estimated that Kesslerstaadt's population was 25% Baleshian, 25% Hindu, 21% Irreligious, 20% Muslim and 7% Christian, while the remaining 2% were of other religions.

Healthcare

Kesslerstaadt has a publicly funded health system. Abortion is legal on request at any point in pregnancy. It is estimated that up to 20 million abortions are carried out in Kesslerstaadt ever year. As a result, it is often the destination of choice for women internationally who cannot get an abortion in their home countries and go abroad to procure one. Due to the scale of the demand, a handful of large facilities called 'abortionplexes' have been built, often housing night clubs, shopping centres and various recreational services, in addition to providing abortions. Euthanasia is also legal on request, with no restrictions as to age. Many come to Kesslerstaadt seeking assisted suicide in one of the city's many dedicated centres, often referred to as 'Euthanasia Emporiums'.