Carucerean National Rally
Carucerean National Rally Rassemblement National Caruquèrais Rasablema Nasyonal Karukais | |
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Abbreviation | RNK |
Leader | David Jonas |
Chairperson | Jacques Bangou |
Secretary-General | Sophie Péroumal |
Presidium | National Executive Committee |
Spokesperson | Johnathan Bhengu |
Founders | Patrick Serres Cyril Rivette Jacques Delores |
Founded | 13 February 1974 |
Headquarters | Green House 92 Grand Avenue Kingston Carucere |
Newspaper | RNK Weekly Report |
Youth wing | RNK Youth League |
Women's wing | RNK Women's League |
Membership (2020) | 36,510 |
Ideology | Progressivism |
Political position | Centre-left |
Colours | Green Red Black |
Slogan | For Our Free Land |
Senate | 17 / 79
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Party flag | |
The Carucerean National Rally (Gaullican: Rassemblement National Caruquèrais; Papotement: Rasablema Nasyonal Karukais), commonly abbreviated as the RNK, is a catch-all political party in Carucere. The party was founded by President Jean Preval to contest the 1974 legislative elections and provide him with a supportive party in the Senate. During Preval's Presidency, it was the largest party in the Senate and the leading party in governing coalitions. Although its political influence has declined from its dominant position in the 1970s and 1980s, it still remains an influential political movement today and remains the main ideolojis or ideological party.
The RNK was founded in 1974 by President Jean Preval to organize his supporters into a cohesive political force ahead of the legislative elections that year. The first major party in the country to have a stable base of support across different ethnic groups, the RNK won a decisive majority and Preval was re-elected President. The party supported President Preval throughout the remainder of his Presidency, approving his new constitution and attempts to begin a land reform program. The party was often accused of being a personalist political movement wholly revolving around Preval. In 1981 Preval announced that he would not stand for a fourth term and hand picked Henri Temin to succeed him as de facto party leader. A lackluster campaign led to the RNK falling to second place behind the United Progressive Party, and the party suffered from infighting for years afterwards. It would not be until 1998 when the RNK reemerged as a political force after it rebranded itself under the leadership of Tony Miller. In recent years, the party has had a political renaissance by attracting voters from all ethnicities tired of ethnic politics.
Today the RNK remains a major force in Carucerean politics at all levels of government. The Rally is supported by a coalition of the Creole population with additional support from mixed race people, Gosas and Bahians. The Rally has its strongest support in cities and urban areas. It is often described as a coalition of factions representing political ideologies rather than the interests of ethnic and religious groups. The party has a long-standing alliance with the National Federation of Carucerean Trade Unions that goes back to Preval's presidency. Although the RNK lacks any cohesive ideology beyond the basic principles of Carucerean progressivism, its factions have generally supported the labour movement and economic interventionism. David Jonas, the incumbent Premier, has served as the President of the RNK since the 2023 Carucerean legislative election. The RNK currently supports the incumbent President of Carucere, Neil Gaubina.
Name and symbols
In Papotement, the party's name is Rasablema Nasyonal Karukais, generally translated as Carucerean National Rally in Estmerish. Rasablema, derived from Gaullican rassembler + -ment (“gathering” “assembly”), originally served to differentiate it from existing political parties that represented a particular ethnic group. It described itself as a political movement, instead of a traditional political party, where all Carucereans are able to participate.
The logo of the RNK uses a goaboabanga as its primary motif, a prominent symbol of the opposition movement due to its simplicity. It is overlaid by the Torch of Freedom, a hand raising a lit torch with a red and black flame, symbolizing the historical and ongoing struggle of all Carucereans against oppression. Green represents the land of Carucere itself, while the red and black are pan-Arucian colors, representing international solidarity and collective experience. The red and black, widely considered to be Carucere's national colors, are prominently used in the country's national symbols.
History
Origins
Preval period
After Preval
Ideology
The party was founded around the principles of Carucerean progressivism but otherwise is a big tent party. The party has been described as progressive, socially liberal, or social democratic, with sotirian democratic, conservative, far-left, and economically liberal elements. Nevertheless the party's factions shares support for the principles of Carucerean progressivism, particularly non-racialism. The party explicitly rejects racism and racial politics and opposes racial or ethnic exclusivism or chauvinism.
Factions
Although the Rally party is considered to be the main "ideological" party as contrasted with the gosant, it frequently adopts a functional big tent party strategy to win elections. Since the founding of the party, but especially after the Preval era, it is made up of many factions; mostly center-left (including liberals, progressives, and social democrats) as well as quasi-conservatives and leftists:
- Right Progressivism: the main faction when the Rally party was created and which was dominant throughout the Preval era. Right progressivism adopts a degree of centrist and leftist populism and support a cross-class political strategy. The faction generally supports neo-corporatism and a degree of economic protectionism, but otherwise supports free-market economic policies for Carucerean businesses. It is generally supported by middle-class blue-collar workers and middle-low class workers.
- Left Progressivism: Similar to non-Nemtsovite social democracy. Left progressivism emphasizes social justice, particularly on ending systemic injustice and economic inequality, instead of just focusing on ethnic issues. They support government intervention in the market economy particularly against large international corporations.
- Liberalism (classical and social): generally more pro-market and business-friendly as well as supporting a smaller government and more individual freedom. The degree to which the liberal faction supports these policies separates the social and classical liberals. Due to the connotations of liberalism with the Democratic Party and the plantation economy, they rarely associate with the Democrats or use the term "liberal".
- Sotirian democrats: generally consists of Catholic and Amendist Sotirian democrats who don't fit into the traditional bases of the National Party of Carucere and Reformed Social Party respectively. They serve as the main conservative faction of the party.
- Socialists: a broad faction which includes Councilists, Sotirian socialists, eco-socialists, left-wing populists and other far-left ideologies. The faction has an informal alliance with the West Arucian Section of the Workers' International.
- Neo-Prevalists: the faction includes supporters of Jean Preval's approach towards Carucerean nationalism and identity as well as those linked to the Prevalist tradition.
- Centrists: pragmatic and hold no concrete stance on ideological issues outside of the RNK's fundamental principles.
Organization
National Party Congress
The highest organ of the Carucerean National Rally is the National Party Congress which meets every two years. The typical session lasts for two weeks, during which the Party Congress elects the National Executive Committee and determines the Party's program and policy guidelines. The National Party Congress also conducts reviews and evaluations of the party's policies and strategies done between the sessions. After decisions taken at the National Congress are ratified, the congress is dissolved. The Party Congress mostly consists of delegates elected by party members by proportional representation to ensure that all ethnic and political groups of the party are represented. In addition the National Party Congress includes representatives from the party's affiliated organizations including the Federation of Carucerean Trade Unions and the RNK Youth League.
National Executive Committee
The National Executive Committee, or just the Committee, is the Rally’s executive body that serves as its most powerful institution. The Executive Committee is the primary decision-making body between Party Congresses. It consists of about 50 elected officials and various appointed officials, led by the President of the RNK. The body functions as a cabinet, with its members tasked with heading the Rally’s key offices. The Committee’s main duties include carrying out the decisions and instructions of the Party Congress, overseeing the administration of all parts of the party and its affiliated organizations, and appointment of officials in other party institutions. Although the Executive Committee in theory is solely an administrative body, in reality it wields significant influence over the RNK's institutions, and functions as the Rally’sleadership.
National Working Committee
The National Working Committee (NWC) is the day-to-day executive arm of the Rally, responsible for implementing the decisions of the Party Congress and the National Executive Committee. The NWC is headed by the President and consists of 10 other senior members appointed by the Executive Committee. It largely serves to carry out decisions and instructions of the NEC; however since the Working Committee includes the party's top offices, it gives the NWC major influence in decision making.
The President of the RNK is the top leader of the Carucerean National Rally. The Rally’s constitution establishes the position as the party's head administrator and the party’s chief diplomat to Carucere and the world. The President's duties include overseeing the activities and duties of the Executive Committee, attending sessions of Rally institutions, proposing policy decided by the Committee, and cooperating with the leaders of other parties. The President’s authority is broad, but in reality, power is shared with the Executive Committee and the Working Committee.
Subcommittees
The National Working Committee includes the following major subcommittees:
- Domestic Affairs Subcommittee (DAS): The DAS is responsible for developing and drafting party policy, coordinating with local and state-level governments, and managing relations with other political parties. The Commission is also responsible for ensuring the implementation of the party's policies and programs at the local and regional level. The Secretary of the Domestic Affairs Commission is an important position within the party, focused on policy implementation.
- Labor Relations Subcommittee (LRS): The LRS is responsible for managing the RNK's relations with labor organizations and works to promote the interests of Carucerean workers. It largely consists of party officials and the President of the National Federation of Carucerean Trade Unions.
- Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS): The PDS) is responsible for developing the party's policy platform and works closely with other key offices, such as the Research Commission and Ethnic Relations Commission, to ensure that the RNK's policies reflect the needs and aspirations of all Carucereans. It focuses on developing the overall policy direction of the party, taking into account various perspectives and ideas, and presenting recommendations to the Executive Committee. The PDS is responsible for researching and analyzing key issues and trends in society, engaging with various stakeholders and experts, and synthesizing their insights into coherent policy proposals.
- Anti-Corruption and Ethics Subcommittee (ACES): The ACES is responsible for combating corruption and ensuring that the RNK remains a strict meritocracy. It also works to promote ethnic and religious harmony within the party and has the power to discipline party members who engage in unethical behavior.
- Communications and Media Subcommittee (CMS): The CMC is responsible for managing the RNK's communication strategy and works to promote the party's message through various media outlets. It also works to improve the party's image and public relations.
- Organizational Development Subcommittee (ODS): The ODS is responsible for managing the Rally’s organizational structure and works to ensure that the RNK's activities are carried out effectively and efficiently. It functions as the party's human resources department and works to recruit new members and volunteers.
- External Affairs Subcommittee (IAS): The IAS is responsible for managing the RNK's relations with other political parties and organizations abroad. It also works to promote Carucere's interests on the international stage and is responsible for overseeing the Rally's policy towards Carucere's neighbors.
Other organs
The Rally also includes many institutions that are part of the Executive Committee but not officially part of the Working Committee.
- Central Administration Commission: responsible for solving the organizational problems and implementing the decisions of the Working Committee. The Executive Committee oversees the work of the Departments of the Central Council. It is also responsible for coordinating the Rally’s actions as well as drafting and circulating party directives and internal reports between the tiers of the RNK.
- Central Research Commission: responsible for researching issues of significant interest to the RNK leadership and developing policies and responses to it. It oversees several research arms that manages dozens of think tanks and cooperates with the Security Commission's Office for Intelligence and Research.
- Office of Ideological Development: conceives and develops the party's ideological line. It advises the higher institutions of the RNK and provides political training and ideological indoctrination for members of the Rally.
- Office of Political and Legal Affairs: responsible for handling the RNK's legal affairs within Carucere and abroad.
- ACO Affairs Commission: oversees the RNK's activities overseas within the Arucian Cooperation Organization and supervises and coordinates the Rally’s policy towards Carucere’s neighbors.
- People's Media Group: A media organisation that manages the RNK's media outlets, such as the Weekly Report newspaper, radio stations, and a TV channel. It also functions as the Rally’s public relations department.
Local and Regional Organizations
The RNK has a complex system of local and regional party organizations that are created and managed by party members in each community. Local branches have the power to elect their own leadership and set their own agendas as long as they don't conflict with directives from the leadership. The RNK has regional councils which serves as a platform for local branches to coordinate and collaborate with each other on regional issues. The regional councils are composed of representatives from local branches and affiliated organizations, who will be elected by members of their respective branches. The regional councils have the authority to make policy recommendations to the National Rally and to organize regional campaigns and events. The party provides training, resources, and support to these branches. Today they largely serve as intermediaries between the central leadership and local communities, helping to ensure that the party's policies and decisions are effectively communicated and implemented at the local level.
Leagues
The RNK has three party member wings; the Women's League, the Youth League, and the Overseas League. The Women's League was originally formed to entourage the political activity of women, but today it serves to incorporate women and their issues into the RNK. The Youth League serves to organize the party within universities and cultivate new party members and leaders. Finally the Overseas League represents the party's membership abroad and serves to organize activities outside the country. Under the party’s constitution, these leagues have autonomy with the authority to write their own constitutions and policies. The leagues are part of the RNK’s mass movements and have the ability to send delegates to the National Rally.