European Federation
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European Federation | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Motto: A Common Future | |
 Location of European Federation (dark green) in Europe (dark grey) | |
| Largest city | Coŕalios |
| Official languages | 15 Official Languages |
| Government | Mixed intergovernmental directorial parliamentary confederation |
• President of the Council | Liam Steichen |
| Formation | |
• Treaty of Conston | 1 January 1932 |
| Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 883,555,000 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2022 estimate |
• Total | $23.842 trillion |
• Per capita | 26,973 |
| Time zone | UTC0 - +3 |
| Internet TLD | .ef |
The European Federation is a supranational defense and economic union of 15 European member states. The federation has a total area of 5,391,606 km2 and an estimated total population of over 883 million. One of the largest economies in the world, the EF generated more than $US23.8 trillion in 2022. Established in the aftermath of the Great Continental War, the organization was formed with the signing of the Treaty of Conston in 1932 by the founding Core Four members (Bering, Greater Ergonia, Ithra and Scotatrova) to start the process of modern institutionalized European integration, and to prevent further conflicts on the continent. Ever since its founding, the federation has grown in size through a number of accessions, adding 11 new members. Common EF policies include the maintenance of trade, agriculture, and regional development; ensure the free movement of people, goods, services and capital within the internal market; and member states agree to defend each other against attacks by third parties.
The main goal after the end of the Great Continental War was aimed at reviving the economies of western Europe. This led to the Treaty of Conston in 1932, formed by the “core four”: Bering, Greater Ergonia, Ithra and Scotatrova. Member states’ governments were represented by the Council of Delegates and was composed of 5 delegates from each nation. The representatives were to be elected by their Parliaments to the Council, or directly elected. A High Court was also established, to ensure the observation of EF law along with the interpretation and application of the Treaty. Following shortly after the establishment of the EF was the European Defense Accords, which would combine national armies and pledge to defend any other member state should they be attacked. After some negotiations, Lotheria joined the European Federation on May 1, 1933. This would be the first of several enlargements to the EF, which would become a major policy area with the organization going forth. Izmedu would join on September 1, 1934, and a further enlargement saw the entry of Estland, Fordwic and Fyrland on January 1, 1936. Vistula joined in the fourth enlargement on January 1, 1937. 1940 saw the first major revision of the Treaty of Conston since its implementation. The text dealt with institutional reform, including extension of powers – in particular regarding foreign policy. It was a major component in completing the single market and came into force on November 1, 1940. Aelvenia also formally applied to join in 1940 and began a long application process that saw the Federation divided. Scotatrova and Greater Ergonia began to reject membership of Aelvenia and would give their veto to Aelvenian admission. This would lead to a period of deadlock where Scotatrovian and Ergonian representatives were withdrawn from the Council and the Federation moved from a policy of unanimity to one of majority vote. A compromise would be agreed to on March 17, 1941. Negotiations then took two years and Aelvenia acceded as the 11th member on January 1, 1944. By 1950, the nations of Gorica, Pralea and Urmenia were admitted to the federation, along with Osphen in 1952, who had applied in 1945. This would be the final enlargement of the EF, as Tarazed and Vaeltunsk had both rejected membership throughout the 60s and 70s.
Over the next few decades, the European Federation grew in many aspects. The European Free Movement Area, EFMA, came into effect in 1981, which effectively abolished internal border checks among member nations. There would also be institutional reforms to make the Union more democratic. The EF’s defense clause was finally put to the test during civil unrest in Gorica in the mid to late 1980s. After intervening in the conflict and forcing the combatants to the negotiating table, the desire for greater EF effectiveness in foreign affairs heightened. All of this would then be hampered by a global financial crisis during the early 1990s. Many EF members had to bail out several of their most affected banks with some supporting recapitalization loans, because of the strong linkage between their survival and the financial stability of the economy. By 1993, banks from 10 of the 15-member states had already asked for a bailout. To fight the crisis some governments focused on raising taxes and lowering expenditures, which contributed to social unrest and significant debate among economists, many of whom advocate greater deficits when economies are struggling. Despite sovereign debt having risen substantially in only a few countries, with the most affected countries being Pralea, Lotheria and Vistula, it became a perceived problem for the area as a whole, leading to concerns about further contagion of other European nations. In total, the debt crisis forced four out of 15 countries to seek help from other nations by the end of 1995. Due to successful fiscal consolidation and implementation of structural reforms in the countries being most at risk and various policy measures taken by EF leaders and the United Bank of Europe, financial stability improved significantly, and interest rates fell steadily. By 1999, only Urmenia still needed help from third parties. The crisis also spurred consensus for further economic integration and a range of proposals such as a federal treasury. Moving into the 21st century, the European Federation has been tested by several issues, including increased migration from Africa and Asia, increasing euroscepticism and growing calls for a common currency. Scotatrovian president Iago Íase said of the EF; “It was made clear the Great Continental War demonstrated the need for a new Europe. Today, war between Scotatrova and Aelvenia is unthinkable. This shows how, through well-aimed efforts and by building up mutual confidence, historical enemies can become close partners.”