Fostana
The Fostana is the upper appointed chamber of the Caropsyne Pontanore's parliament. It is made up 60 appointed Pantolaré (singular Pantolaro/a) led by a Chair who has traditionally appointed officers including a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Master of Ceremonies. The passage of the Fostana Reform Act 2020 brought an end to the medieval dominance of aristocracy and religious control and changed into a meritocratic body consisting of notable individuals from the political, bureaucratic, and academic spheres of Pontanore society.
The body acts as an check independent of the electoral process. Legislatively, the body scrutinises, and in some cases amends, bills that have been approved by the lower elected chamber, the Pontiana. The Fostana cannot prevent bills from being passed into law, except in certain limited circumstances, they can delay bills and force the Pontiana to reconsider their decisions. Outside of their legislative duty, the body has limited executive functions and fulfills prescribed ceremonial roles as dictated by historical precedent. The Fostana, by law, serves as the Pontanore's highest judicial court. Its members are immune from prosecution unless the body votes to remove it from the respective individual.
The Fostana has convened in its grandiose building located in the heart of Fornænda for over 400 years old and has been rebuilt six times since its original foundation.
History
The Fostana has held an important place in Caropsyne history and has been a part of the political fabric of the nation for over seven-hundred years. From its creation in 1281, the monarchy often relied often relied upon for tax-raising measures and legal guidance. The chamber was originally made up of 60 members consisting of a complex mesh of political, aristocratic, and religious appointments. Although the monarch had the ability to recommend individuals to the chamber, only the existing membership could accept their admission by a majority internal vote. The Fostana held considerable influence over the affairs of the monarchs and the rising Kingdom but everything changed in the mid-1800's.
King Aldrand, the Kingdom's last executive monarch, passed away in 1842 and was succeeded by his liberally-minded son Olimand. He had observed the changing political tides and after serving only one year as the formal head of state, he met with pro-democracy representatives from the lower classes and agreed to downgrade the monarchy from a Royal Family to merely a Royal House. In doing so, he would transfer the responsiblity of running the country's affairs to a democratic government. While the ordinary Caropsyne populace rejoiced, the aristocratic Fostana were collectively outraged at what would result in a dramatic curtailment of their historical power and authority. The Pontiana was created and elections were held for the first time ever. Melthred Consvané, a popular lawyer and one of the representatives who had met with the King, was elected Premier. This symbolized the end of the Unified Kingdom and the formation of the First Pontanore. To ensure sufficient check on the new far larger lower chamber, the Fostana retained an extensive array of the King's former executive functions and powers. These were codified in the Articles of State, the governing instrument.
Relations between the Fostana and the Pontiana immediately started off tense as the newly-empowered democratic government began chipping away at the longstanding medieval structures and pollicies that had existed for generations. The Fostana would see its power weaken over the next ninety years until the country was deep in the grips of the economic depression of the late 1920's and early 1930's. Premier Dorias Rormold would be elected by the people in 1931 but he was considered too radical by the reactionary Fostana and was overthrown by the upper chamber. Immediately following this, the Fostana, then led by Chair Eremas Morclin, proclaimed a National Emergency and shut down the Pontiana.
This marked the end of the First Pontanore and the start of sixty years of Fostana Rule. Neighboring Ardalia and other countries including Corsimenia, Latagon, and Loslakia condemened the seizure but it fell on deaf ears. Some believe that this event is one of many secondary factors that preciptated the Great War of 1938-1942 of which the Fostana assembled an erstwhile coalition to victory over Loslakia and its bloc. It was during the four-year long war that the Fostana would created the brutally efficient Damosca. They would engage in conflict with Loslakia and Ardalia during the late 1970's and early 1980's in which they would oversee the inclusion of new territories. Rolmand Roth would succeed Morclin as Fostana Chair in 1984. He would appoint Jenas Svarmond as Secretary, High Prelate of Carops Phodric Glothmer as Treasurer, and Firnan Olimandas as Master of Ceremonies. Professor Gethman Tormian would be tapped as the Council's Economic Advisor the following year.
Direct Fostana rule began to collapse at the start of 1990 due to a number of controversies involving improper member conduct and damaging social policies placed upon the country. The Fostana would supress the Hermalas Socialist Uprising in 1991 and would subsequently ban the party afterwards. But it would be the Ariatra Protests of 1992 that would mark the end of the Fostana's unilateral control of the country. The council ordered the military to disperse the protesters but senior commanders would not comply. Without the armed forces, the Fostana had no choice but to capitulate to the demands of the protesters several weeks later. Fostana Chair Rolmand Roth decreed that the Pontiana would be reopened during the early months of 1993. On 4 April 1993, elections were held resulting in Phodric Dormond's election to Premier and the Fostana formally surrendering its heightened authority and power back to the lower chamber. Fostana rule is considered to be a generally negative period in the country's history but one in where Carops was prouder and more assertive. For the remainder of the decade, the council would observe the nation making one extreme foreign policy decision after another by both the Dormond and Maldian Governments.
Chairman Roth was secretly invited to meet with Miria Seranoda, Goriath Moscana, and Alza Permentanna of the Pontiana in April 2000 to form an alliance to remove Maldian. The former Foreign Minister had compiled damning evidence confirming the Damosca's involvement in influencing the decisions being made by Maldian's Government. She was also able to prove the agency had been responsible for committing a string of terrorist attacks upon numerous nations and for the attrocities carried out during the failed Jaj Revolution in 1997. Aligned, they formented the downfall of a government. On the afternoon of 3 July 2000, in an unprecedented move, the entire 60-member chamber stopped their proceedings mid-session and invaded the Pontiana, thus sparking the Caropsyne Constitutional Crisis of 2000. The events of that week (3-7 July) would leaving lasting marks upon the country that remain to this day. This resulted in the downfall of Haldric Maldian's Government.
Miria Seranoda was elected as Premier in the aftermath of the crisis and both she and Fostana Chair Roth pledged to work together to build better relations between their respective chambers even though they were on two opposite sides of the political spectrum. During the early days of her tenure, she had designs to reform the Fostana's membership to be more meritocratic but neither she nor her successors would be able to achieve this goal as they all believed they needed the upper chamber's support in the fight against Dormondism.
For nearly the next two decades, the Fostana would continue to be the last bastion of wealth and privilege. The end of the old ways of the Fostana would be set in motion with the release of a joint report in early 2019 by Cadriana Speaker Ilmer Yutrias and then-Pontiana Executive Chairman Marias Gatto outlining a wide range of reforms to the ancient body of over seven-hundred years including transforming the composition of the chamber to be made up of notable individuals from the political, bureucratic, and academic spheres of society appointed by the Pontiana. Members of the council reacted negatively to the proposals but it would matter little as Ilmer Yutrias would become Premier on 3 March 2020 on a platform which included implementing the recommendations he and Chairman Gatto had published the year before. Reform was inevitable.
Within the first six months of his Government Yutrias put before the Pontiana the Fostana Reform Act 2020 which would keep the Fostana as an appointed body consisting of legal and political experts, nominated on merit by the Civil Directorate's Secretarial Committee and approved by the Premier. Fostana members (Pantolaré) would be required to hold a doctorate degree, preferably in Pontanore Law, or have held one of the major offices of the State, in order to seek nomination. To further ensure the standards of Fostana rulings, members would be expected to have a wide-ranging experience of Pontanore politics. The Governemnt made an arrangement with the existing Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Master of Ceremonies that they could remain on the Fostana in exchange for not delaying the reforms (even though they were all advised to retire). The Act was passed by overwhelming numbers across the Pontiana with only the Moderate and Conservative Party members voting against the motion. 47 of the Fostana's members would be removed from office and their positions would be filled by the Premier.
To be reviewed
Pontanore Judicial Directorate
Notice of Summons regarding the trial of:
THE PONTANORE VS. DR. PHODRIC DORMOND
The Judicial Directorate announces the impending commencement of the trial of Dr. Phodric Dormond for the State Offence of Treason against the Pontanore Government, which is listed in the Pontanore Judicial Code (Article IV, Subsection ii).
In accordance with the law, Dr. Phodric Dormond was subject to charges filed by the Pontanore Prosecution Service with the Central Court of Arbitration, Terese Molda. The provisions of the Articles of State of the Caropsyne Pontanore (Article XX, subsection v) allow for the trial of the accused before the full panel of the Fostana in its capacity as the Highest Court of State.
The trial will commence on Monday of next week at 09:00 AM (Pontanore Central Time) at the Fostana Building, Terese Fostana.
Dr. Hariman Josmer, Pontanore Advocate-General
A hush fell over Terese Molda as the crowds looked curiously to the direction of the oncoming sirens. No Premier, past or present, had ever been brought to court. Dormond, everybody believed, was about to pay the price for aggravating the Yutrias Government for far longer than was wise.
For years, he had been a prominent tacit support of the cause of the 'Dormondists' who had so decisively been expelled from the Pontanore's political culture. It was common knowledge that he had engineered the oil crisis which had backfired in bringing his own government down, and that his role had been crucial in the seizing of the Pontiana Palace by the Damosca, an event which had led to the suicide of Premier Dr. Haldric Maldian, his successor and loyal supporter.
Dormond's popularity was non-existant. The Moderate Party, the organ which bore his name, was led by Dr. Olimand Kossroth, whose junior position as Dormond's transport minister reflected the lack of talent in the movement of the present day. The party's share of the voteh ad now dropped below 10% of the electorate, and Dormond himself was widely regarded as a criminal.
However, it was only with the wounding up of the investigation in Gen. Pholomir Zarmal's attempt to install a 'Caropsyne Republic' in Phosmara, an event which caused the collapse of the Second Pontanore, that Dormond could finally be implicated with treasonous activities. It was now known that he had funded and advised the foetal Republican movement, and had been selected as its Head of State in a meeting held with Zarmal. The public had been kept unaware of this, but it was about to be revealed with explosive effect.
The Fostana Buildings, on the eponymous Terese Fostana, were surrounded by police and military officials as the black saloon carrying Dormond enterred the square. There was booing and cheering from the assembled crowd as he was escorted by the gowned Fostana Guards into the chamber.
The Officers of the Fostana enterred in their judicial gowns to begin proceedings once Dormond had been sat down in front of them. Now 87 and increasingly infirm, there were concerns that the overcrowded Fostana chamber was unsuitable for the hearing of his trial. A cumbersome, ceremonial start to the trial began which was the cause of even greater discomfort in the overheated confines of the chamber.
"The matter before the Fostana in its capacity as the Supreme Judicial Authority of the Caropsyne Pontanore is as follows: The trial of Dr. Phodric Valanas Dormond for Treason against the Pontanore," Read out the Fostana Master of Ceremonies, Pntlo. Firnan Olimandas.
"The Officers of the Fostana, duly assembled," Replied Pntlo. Rolmond Roth, Chair of the Fostana from his position on the bench, "Will hear this case."
"The whole body of the Fostana will hear this case, which will be presided over by their officers, duly elected."
"Salumes Inmares."
There was a pause whilst Dormond's legal representatives and the State's lawyers were permitted to enter with their papers and to gather their resources together.
"The Fostana will now present itself by name, in the knowledge that justice will be observed..." Roth announced.
"Pntlo. Rolmond Roth, Chair." "Pntlo. Jenas Svarmond, Secretary." "Pntlo. Phodric Glothmer, Treasurer." "Pntlo. Miria Seranoda, Committee." "Pntlo. Dr. Alza Permentanna, Committee." "Pntlo. Dr. Goriath Moscana, Committee." "Pntlo. Dr. Haldric Jarvalde. Committee." "Pntlo. Firnan Olimandas. Committee."
"Pntlo. Dr. Baras Alpa. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Dr. Haldric Pramo. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Gen. Larimas Folmer. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Admiral Eremas Cosmond. Ordinary Mmber." "Pntlo. Soria Maldian. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Dr. Kolman Folmer. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Dr. Olimand Harriman. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Prof. Gethman Tormian. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Prof. Casimera Volm. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Dr. Almas Josc. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Gen. Lenas Ethmer. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Dr. Darmas Promold. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Dr. Alia Drea. Ordinary Member."
"The following members make their apologies."
"Pntlo. Dr. Yemit Brana. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Dr. Ludomir Gresc. Ordinary Member." "Pntlo. Armand Zecco. Ordinary Member."
"The member, Pntlo. Dr. Phodric Dormond, who is before this chamber on a trial before the State, will be subject to a vote of dismissal from the Fostana, in order for proceedings to begin."
"Those who are content with the dismissal of the member will say 'Content.'"
A loud chorus of 'Contents' rose from the chamber."
"Those who are opposed, 'not content.'"
Silence.
"Therefore, Dr. Phodric Dormond is dismissed from this chamber and is required to relinquish his seat within it, which shall be awarded by the Pontanore Government to a deserving individual."
"The trial is begun. I invite the Advocate-General to begin his prosecution."
Three weeks of evidence were then heard, with each side presenting an admirable case. However, the weight of evidence was soon revealed to be in the favour of the prosecution and Dormond's lawyers struggled to prove otherwise.
It was an extremely testing time for the Fostana's members. Most were forced to accommodate themselves in nearby hotels for the duration of the trial, under orders not to be released back into the public until it was over. For several of the members of this comparatively-elderly chamber, it was particularly trying. However, nobody expected what was about to come next.
The morning valet opened the curtains of the bedroom in the Chair of the Fostana's chambers to find that Pntlo. (formerly Lord) Rolmand Roth had died in his sleep aged 97.
In the process which would have to occur by law, under which a new chair would be chosen, the trial would be delayed by several weeks at the least.
The Fostana has elected Pntlo. Dr. Haldric Jarvalde as its new Chair following a three-day internal vote process. Pntlo. Dr. Jarvalde won the third of voting in a contest against Pntlo. Dr. Haldric Pramo, and the traditonalist candidate Pntlo. (formerly Lord) Svarmond. Svarmond, formerly Secretary of the Fostana, along with Pntlo. Phodric Glothmer, former Treasurer, and Pntlo. Olimandas, former Master of Ceremonies, has agreed to go into retirement. Had they remained in their positions, it is likely that the Fostana would have voted to dismiss them from their positions as members, given new entrance criteria which disqualify the few remaining former aristocratic peers from taking part in the Chamber.
With Jarvalde's election, the last remnants of the Fostana Period's ruling class have been removed. In keeping with tradition, the new Chair has appointed the remaining officers of the Fostana, the Secretary, Treasurer, and Master of Ceremonies, who have all been approved by a vote of the chamber. They are as follows:
Secretary of the Fostana: Pntlo. Dr. Baras Alpa Treasurer of the Fostana: Pntlo. Prof. Gethman Tormian Master of Ceremonies of the Fostana: Pntlo. Dr. Olimand Harriman
Jarvalde Elected as Fostana Chair
Esteemed Former Diplomat to head Chamber
Above: Dr. Haldric Jarvalde thanks fellow Pantolaré on his election.
Fornænda, Carops
The Fostana has elected Pntlo. Dr. Haldric Jarvalde as its new Chair following a three-day internal vote process. Pntlo. Dr. Jarvalde won the third of voting in a contest against Pntlo. Dr. Haldric Pramo, and the traditonalist candidate Pntlo. (formerly Lord) Svarmond. Svarmond, formerly Secretary of the Fostana, along with Pntlo. Phodric Glothmer, former Treasurer, and Pntlo. Olimandas, former Master of Ceremonies, has agreed to go into retirement. Had they remained in their positions, it is likely that the Fostana would have voted to dismiss them from their positions as members, given new entrance criteria which disqualify the few remaining former aristocratic peers from taking part in the Chamber.
With Jarvalde's election, the last remnants of the Fostana Period's ruling class have been removed. In keeping with tradition, the new Chair has appointed the remaining officers of the Fostana, the Secretary, Treasurer, and Master of Ceremonies, who have all been approved by a vote of the chamber. They are as follows:
Secretary of the Fostana: Pntlo. Dr. Baras Alpa Treasurer of the Fostana: Pntlo. Prof. Gethman Tormian Master of Ceremonies of the Fostana: Pntlo. Dr. Olimand Harriman Pontanore Premier Ilmer Yutrias described today's election as a 'historic day,' stating that he was 'truly proud to see a reformed, representative Fostana assuming its rightful place as a component of the democratic Pontanore government.'
Roth Dies During Trial
Fostana Chair Passes Away at 97
Above: General Larimas Folmer, General Darmas Josta, Pntlo. Miria Seranoda, and Pntlo. Dr. Goriath Moscana pay their respects as Pntlo. Roth's coffin is removed from the Fostana Building.
Fornænda, Carops
Pntlo. (Formerly Lord) Rolmand Roth, Chair of the Fostana, former Secretary of the Fostana, former Head of State of the State of Carops, has died in his sleep aged 97. Pntlo. Roth was understood to have been suffering from longrunning heart problems before taking part in the high-profile trial of former Pontanore Premier Dr. Phodric Dormond during the past month. The Premier of the Pontanore, Ilmer Yutrias, has expressed his "profound sadness" at the news of the death and has scheduled a three-day period of national mourning to begin as of this afternoon.
A seminal figure in Caropsyne politics, Pntlo. Roth was Carops' Head of State in the final decade of the Fostana Period, noted as a powerful reforming influence in bringing the old regime down. Whilst some never forgave Roth for his role in upholding the State of Carops, many Pontanore premiers came to enjoy fruitful relationships with the Chair of the Fostana, notably left-wing leader Miria Seranoda.
For many, Pntlo. Roth belonged to a bygone political era. Born into an historic, aristocratic family in Fornænda during the reign of the final King of Carops, Olimand the Great, Roth was the last of the old Lindite aristocracy to hold a senior government position. His passing ensures that the reform of the Fostana, which has been awaiting his death, can take place and that, as per the law, the absence of a Chair allows the overturning of membership and the ejection of what remains of the old Fostana Period section of the council. Members including the present Secretary of the Fostana, Pntlo. Svarmond, and the present Treasurer, Pntlo. Phodric Glothmer, are expected to be facing impending removal.
Deeply controversial in some areas of the Pontanore, Roth was subject to several attempts by human rights campaigners to convict the Fostana's members of crimes against humanity committed by the Fostana-controlled Damosca security agency before the beginning of the Second Pontanore. Given that the trial of Dr. Dormond revolves around similar issues, it is considered to be a positve step for the trial that he be removed.
Pntlo. Roth was found dead yesterday morning in his offices at the Fostana Building. He has suffered a stroke and died in his sleep shortly afterwards. He is succeeded by three daughters and one son, who until recently would have received his hereditary title. His body is now lying in State at the Falmar Building, Terese Polminese. A state funeral will be held on monday.
Former Pontanore Premier Dr. Phodric Dormond is among seventeen people who have been arrested today on allegations ranging from corruption to treason. The alleged crimes, linked to the failed attempt by Gen. Pholomir Zarmal to establish a dissident 'Caropsyne Republic.' It is the first time that Dr. Dormond has been directed implicated in the affair, though his backing for the Republican campaign has been widely rumoured.
Among those taken into custody are Dr. Dormond, Gen. Vilmer Zarpalde, Gen. Lenas Gelmer, and Gen. Garel Gormento, all of whom stand accused of treason against the Pontanore, and Gen. Larimas Gresc, Gen. Jenas Malvanzo, Dr. Limia Forno, and Dr. Haldric Caspo, and Dr. Folman Verta, who are accused of corruption. Dr. Larmas Greppa, the former Aviation Secretary of the Civil Directorate, stands accused of industrial terrorism.
Commander Ludomir Zevecca, of the Casmara, called today's events a "serious development in the destruction of a seditious and dangerous group whose intention was to undermine Pontanore democracy and sovereignty." The attempt by Zarmal to establish a 'Caropsyne Republic' was one of several events which led to the collapse of the Second Pontanore in causing the disolution of the government during the administration of Dr. Goriath Moscana. The collapse of the State, leading to 'The Interlude,' led to the loss of Pontanore territories and populations which still remain under foreign control. Dr. Dormond, a wide-known supporter of the Republican cause, was considered to have successfully escaped prosecution for his role in the affair.