Rally for Lecistani Sovereignty
Rally for Lecistani Sovereignty | |
|---|---|
| File:ZSL-logo.png | |
| Chairman | Łukôsz Grzéskowicz |
| Founded | September 8, 2015 |
| Split from | Moderate Front |
| Headquarters | 212 ul. Kùmiéga, Nowi Szimóngôcz |
| Newspaper | The Tricolor Trzëfarwa |
| Student wing | Patriotic Students of Lecistan Nórôkòchaczi Sztudiérzów Lekkëbô |
| Youth wing | Patriotic Youth of Lecistan Nórôkòchaczi Młodi Lekkëbô |
| Ideology | Progressive liberalism Nationalism Social democracy Crowned republicanism Self-determination Populism Internal Factions • Secularism • Republicanism • Democratic socialism • Revanchism • Lec irredentism |
| Political position | Centre-left to left-wing |
| National affiliation | Solidarity Alliance |
| Colors | Navy Gold |
| Slogan | For my homeland and yours, I will not rest! Dlô swój Tatczëzna ë wë, jô nié czej spac! |
| Royal Chamber | 16 / 50
|
| Party flag | |
| File:RallyFlag.png | |
| Website | |
| http://www.zsl.lk | |
The Rally for Lecistani Sovereignty (Lec: Zjôzd Samòstójnotã Lekkëbã, ZSL), sometimes referred to simply as the Rally (Lec: Zjôzd), is a left-wing nationalist political party in the Grand Duchy of Lecistan, created on 8 September 2015 during the campaign for the October 2015 elections, and a member of the Solidarity Alliance political camp. It was formed from former members and supporters of the Moderate Front angered at the party's weakness and disorganization after the split of the Society of Socialists from the Front in July.
The Rally was founded by former Moderate Front members who were both left-leaning and nationalistic, felt that insufficient action was being taken to guarantee the wellbeing of the Lecistani people and nation, and believed that many of the country's troubles had begun or escalated after Juhani III of Nevanmaa inherited the ducal throne from Krësztof II. The Rally became part of a slew of new parties founded amidst instability and discontent across the spectrum in Lecistan, alongside several other newly-founded parties that would contest the October 2015 elections. It was also a founding member of the Solidarity Alliance, alongside the Lecistan Social Democrats, Great Reform Party, Party for Freedom and Progress, and Lecistan for a Democratic & Peaceful Change.
Platform
The ideology of the Rally for Lecistani Sovereignty mixes social democratic principles with Lec nationalism. The party's platform advocates the creation of a stronger social welfare program in Lecistan, greater equality for women and minorities, the expansion of the country's armed forces "to guarantee the defense of the Lec people", a reduced role for the country's grand duke, and significantly increased political independence from Nevanmaa.
Domestic
Domestically, the Rally supports the vast extension of the right to vote in Lecistan, with party leader Łukôsz Grzéskowicz calling for the abolition of wealth and gender restrictions on voting rights and for the universal enfranchisement of all Lecistani citizens over the age of eighteen, as well as increasing the frequency of national elections. It also supports reducing the power of the country's grand duke and increasing the power of the country's legislature and presidency; the official party platform of the Rally in the upcoming October 2015 elections maintains that "the future of the nation of Lecistan must be returned to the hands of the Lecistani people." However, the platform also states that the country would retain the grand duke, arguing that "Lecistan must remain a sort of constitutional monarchy... a crowned republic would bring the liberty of democracy and the stability of monarchy to Lecistan." However, Rally policy maintains that the throne should be held by a member of the House of Òłówski or another prominent Lecistani family, not by foreign royals. The group has also spoken in favor of the military as "a tool that can and must be used to defend the sovereignty and rights of the nation of Lecistan." Rally politicians have urged for the expansion of the country's military.
The Rally has argued that the Lecistani government has "too often defaulted on its duty to protect the individuals who need assistance most," saying that "the people of Lecistan should do everything to guarantee the well-being of one another, for the benefit of each other and for the nation as a whole." The party has argued in favor of greatly expanding the scope and improving the state of Lecistan's welfare system. It has argued in favor of ensuring easier access to healthcare, legal representation, and all levels of education for Lecistani citizens, as well as the expansion of unemployment assistance, pensions for public employees, housing assistance, food stamps and vouchers, and veterans benefit systems.
Other domestic positions taken by the Rally include increasing regulation to protect working individuals while protecting private enterprise, the expansion of the rights to unionization and collective bargaining, the creation of a minimum wage, promoting warm and equal relations between Lecs and minority groups such as Odissian Lecs, and an expansion of environmental protections. Some Rally politicians have spoken in favor of increased secularization in Lecistan and in favor of Lec irredentism, though neither of these stances are official party policy.
Foreign
The party's foreign affairs stance is described by the party as "a policy stance focused on guaranteeing the independence of the Lecistani nation from all foreign powers", though opponents of the party have criticized it as isolationistic or xenophobic. The Rally rejects claims that it is xenophobic, with official statements from the party maintaining that "the Rally believes that Lecistan can and should exist as a nation valuing its many cultures and histories, but we do not believe that Lecistan must kowtow to foreign heads of state or proffer up its sovereignty as a concession to foreign regimes."
The Rally's official platform has called for the gradual distancing of Lecistan from Nevanmaa, including the abandonment of the Nevan markka in favor of a new Lecistani florin, the severance of treaties between the two countries such as the Nevan-Lecistani Friendship Treaty, and ultimately handing the ducal throne over to any surviving Lecistani relatives of the House of Òłówski or, failing that, a member of a different prominent Lecistani family. The party has also condemned statements and court rulings in Odissia describing the independence of Lecistan as illegitimate. According to a statement on the party's website, "Lecistan needs leaders who know the wants and needs of the Lecistani people; this duty cannot be fulfilled by Nevans, Odissians, or any other foreign nation... no foreign leader will ever be able to truly be the leader of Lecistan."
History
Discussion of a potential split from the Moderate Front amongst some of its more nationalistic leftist leaders began in July, when the Society of Socialists broke off from the main party. The remainder of the Moderate Front was left disparate and disorganized in the wake of this schism, leading to discontent among many party members. Łukôsz Grzéskowicz, a province-level Moderate Front official who would become leader of the Rally, proposed a "Popular Unity Party" for the leftist nationalist faction of the party to several other members of the party while at a party event in Szimóngôcz. Grzéskowicz and the group also contemplated joining the Society of Socialists. At the time, however, nothing came of the proposals as the individuals contacted by Grzéskowicz mostly agreed that another fracture in the party would not solve the issues facing it. They agreed to wait several months and then reconsider the concept of forming their own party.
Two months later, in early September, Grzéskowicz once again made the proposal for "a party focusing on the independence of Lecistan and the success of her people." The situation in Lecistan had seriously worsened following continued instability, a region-wide economic collapse, and a military coup. In contrast to the July discussion, the group this time chose to split from the Moderate Front and form their own party. A new name, the Rally for Lecistani Sovereignty, was chosen instead of the name proposed in July. The logo of the party, a simplified map of Lecistan in a variant of the national colors, and the party flag, based on the Kùmiéga Flag used by the short-lived State of Lecistan, were also adopted. On September 8, the party was formally created and announced that it would be nominating candidates to stand in the upcoming elections in October.
October 2015 elections
The October 2015 elections in Lecistan were the first elections to be contested by the Rally for Lecistani Sovereignty. The party formed close relationships with the Lecistani Social Democrats, which the Rally campaigned alongside, and to a lesser extent with the Society of Socialists. The election began smoothly, with Grzéskowicz formally kicking off the campaign with a speech in his home town of Brzny. Supporters of the party began distributing fliers and pamphlets nationally, and the party bought advertising space to display posters and billboards nationwide. The party reported a surge in popularity, largely composed of former members of the Moderate Front, especially after Jùlian Król dropped the party's opposition to the ruling National Union for the Resurgence of Lecistan, widely despised by the Moderate Front's voting base. Large rallies were held in cities across Lecistan. The Rally also campaigned alongside the Lecistan Social Democrats in many areas.
The situation deteriorated on September 16, when Lecistani police arrested several leaders of not only the Rally but also those of the Social Democrats and Society of Socialists on charges of conspiracy. The government alleged that they "were plotting to overthrow the Grand Duke after the elections." Vice-Chairman Cyryl Gniewek, Communications Director Władësłôw Niemczyk, Lower Rzëszù Regional Chairman Matéùsz Czãkowski, irredentist faction leader Janusz Adómkówski, and Trzëfarwa Chief Editor Gúglelmo Jóvannesci were all arrested; Łukôsz Grzéskowicz only escaped arrest because, as a sitting member of the Earldom Council for Brzny-Lùtórowo, he held parliamentary immunity that had not been revoked. Several civilian volunteers were also arrested. Gniewek, Niemczyk, Jóvannesci, and many of the other Rally leaders arrested went on hunger strike, vowing to continue the strike until released. The lawyers for many of the arrested reported that they were unable to speak to their clients, sparking fears that their trials would be rigged.
The members of the National Committee who were not arrested released a short statement afterwards, saying that "It is obvious that these charges are falsified and fabricated in a blatant attempt to influence the outcome of the upcoming elections in a fashion that will silence the opposition and further the forces of oppression, repression, and foreign colonization in this country... with their actions, Juhani Kaarenmaa-Hennala and Jóvanne-Márco Sáltucéri have effectively declared an all-out war against the people and nation of Lecistan, their rights, their opinions, their families, and their security," adding that "we will not bow to anyone who seeks to silence us. Instead, we will rise up in protest, no matter the risk." They also highlighted several unnerving errors and contradictions within police documentation, as well as several unfeasible accusations, to back up the allegation that the charges were fabricated. Grzéskowicz and his family went into hiding at an undisclosed location for a few days to avoid his potential arrest. The government of Odissia offered several Rally leaders, including Grzéskowicz, asylum in Odissia in spite of the party's opposition to Odissian rule over Lecistan.
The arrests of opposition party leaders also triggered mass outrage among Rally supporters, many of whom went onto the streets to protest. Large numbers of protesters gathered in Szimóngôcz, Brzny, Ricérzów, Lùtórowo, Úchoj, and Jelénik, calling for the release of the imprisoned individuals and the dropping of all charges. In Nowi Szimóngôcz, in front of the Rally's headquarters, thousands of supporters held an all-night vigil for those held as prisoners of conscience. As of September 18, many of these protesters remained in the streets, campaigning against the decision.
On September 22 and September 23 respectively, a government-controlled poll and an independent poll were released. While both polls predicted that the Rally would win seats in the Royal Chamber, the government-controlled poll predicted a win of only four seats in contrast to nearly fourty-four seats to be won by the National Union for the Resurgence of Lecistan. In sharp contrast, the independent poll predicted a win of seventeen seats- the most of any single party listed in the independent poll. The Rally's National Committee released a short statement in which it said that it felt the independent poll was more trustworthy than the government-controlled poll, and urged that "there be no attempts to falsify results by the Lecistani or Nevan governments", saying that "to lie about the will of the people is to try and silence them." Jérémía Tíbériáti, a regional representative in the Lower Rzëszù Regional Convention, wrote an opinion piece in Trzëfarwa in which he predicted that the Rally would win the vote, but that the election would be heavily rigged to guarantee a National Union victory.
On the 22nd, Grzéskowicz represented the party at a national debate held at the Grand Duke Krësztof I Òłówski Concert Hall in Szimóngôcz. He spoke over many of the planks of the party's platform, including guaranteeing Lecistani independence from Nevanmaa and Odissia, taking action to create a social security net and stimulate the economy, and making sure that Lecistan's foreign partners treated it as an equal.
On October 3rd, the Rally announced it would be joining the Solidarity Alliance alongside the Lecistan Social Democrats, Great Reform Party, Lecistan for a Democratic & Peaceful Change, and Party for Freedom and Progress. The Solidarity Alliance would focus on increasing the powers held by elected officials in Lecistan, expanding protections for groups such as women, ethnic minorities, and the poor, and guaranteeing the country's right to self-determination. Grzéskowicz was named as the party's presidential candidate in the upcoming elections.
thousands of people jailed by nevanmaa, saltuceri, rally is unhappy; trzefarwa editor dies in prison; gov't results show 2 seats to rally and solidarity winning 4 seats, real results show 17 to rally and solidarity winning 43 seats; rally vows to continue peaceful civil disobedience, fighting for release of jailed individuals, campaigning against nevanmaa
Second Lecistani Civil War
solidarity alliance declares own government, grzeskowicz named president; lecistani republican government controls north, which largely voted for solidarity; republic used popular support in many nevan-controlled and triumvirate-controlled areas to foment protests and strikes that slowed and crippled the enemy; many rally prisoners freed
2016 elections
massive victory, grzeskowicz president
Organization
The Rally for Lecistani Sovereignty is led by a chairman, presently Łukôsz Grzéskowicz, who oversees a group known as the National Committee of the Rally for Lecistani Sovereignty. The fifteen-person National Committee serves as the party's top decision-making authority, and is responsible for overseeing the articulation of the Rally's policy, the promotion of Rally candidates, fundraising and the commissioning of polls, strategy coordination, and the selection of replacements for vacancies for certain committee positions. The twelve present members of the National Committee are Chairman Łukôsz Grzéskowicz, Vice-Chairman Cyryl Gniewek, Treasurer Włodòmierz Michôłski, Secretary Iszydòr Kedłierski, Communications Director Władësłôw Niemczyk, Research Director Miłosłôw Rudawski, General Advisor Swiëtopełka Dobrosłôwski, General Advisor Jean-Paul Simonisère, General Advisor Czésłôw Kowałdziëj, General Advisor Florión Sikora, Szimóngôcz Regional Chairman Mieczysłôw Pióntek, Lower Rzëszù Regional Chairman Matéùsz Czãkowski, Upper Rzëszù Regional Chairman Jerzy Ricérzówski, Jelénik Regional Chairman Zenón Sówkã, and Brzny-Lùtórowo Regional Chairman Ziemowit Sokólski.
Underneath the national party organization are five regional chapters, one for each of Lecistan's earldoms. These chapters are led by regional chairpersons who both sit on the National Committee and oversee Regional Conventions of the party. Unlike the other positions on the National Committee, the regional chairpersons are selected by the Regional Conventions should a vacancy arise. Regional chairpersons, due to their membership in both, serve as a vital link between the national party organization and regional party authorities. Regional Conventions are composed of anywhere between one and two hundred members- themselves leaders of local party branches within the region- and serve a role similar to the National Committee at a local level, both carrying out policy guidelines from the national organization and coming up with local strategies. The leaders of local party branches are the individuals who make up the Regional Conventions and oversee the day-to-day operations of party members in holding rallies, handing out flyers, putting up posters, and building grassroots support.
This organizational structure was created with the explicit purpose of being an alternative to the fractured and disordered structure of the Moderate Front, which shattered easily, and the leader-centric structure of the Society of Socialists, which struggled after the assassination of Janusz Mëdzerz. It was also structured so that, according to an official party statement, "a volunteer in a small town could bring their concerns or ideas to the leader of their local branch, who could bring them before the Regional Convention, who could bring them to the National Committee," creating a structure where the national party could respond to local concerns and would be flexible to the adoption of new strategies and ideas. In addition, party membership is not restricted based on gender, wealth, ethnicity, or religion, allowing for the rise of non-Lecs, poorer individuals, and women to prominence within the party organization and helping the party appear more interested in and more capable of alleviating the concerns of historically marginalized groups.
Internal groups and affiliates
Authorized groups
The Rally for Lecistani Sovereignty does have an official newspaper, known as Trzëfarwa. "Trzëfarwa" translates as "tricolor", in reference to the party's tricolor flag, and publishes information about the party's stances and both recent and upcoming party events, as well as major news stories with the official response of the Rally and an opinion column. Trzëfarwa also has its own website, in addition to recent articles being available on the party's official website, and its own motto, "For the People!"(Lec: Dlô Lëdowô!). Trzëfarwa's chief editor is Filimon Lecistani Mikel Roderiquëz, who in turn reports to Communications Director Władësłôw Niemczyk.
The Rally also has a youth wing, the Young Lecistani Patriotic Association, and a student wing, the Patriotic Students of Lecistan. The Young Lecistani Patriotic Association was formed in order to rally support and allegiance for Rally campaigns from potential future members, also serving as a discussion forums for younger members and supporters of the organization to debate policy and ideology. The Patriotic Students of Lecistan serves a similar role, but focuses more on students who are young adults. Both are also seen as a potential training ground for future campaigners and leaders of the party.
Some individuals in the Rally have proposed the creation of a paramilitary force for the party, with the goal of preventing potential attacks on party leadership, events, and members by rival political parties and foreign intelligence agencies. However, there are no serious advocates of the creation of a paramilitary at the party's national level and discussion about the concept has been overwhelmingly limited to local and occasionally regional levels. An official statement from the National Committee on the subject stated that "it is our belief that the creation of a paramilitary force for the Rally would run contrary to our values of promoting brotherhood and cooperation among Lecistanis."
Factions
One of the larger and more organized factions in the Rally is its irredentist and revanchist faction, known to its members as the National Rally for a New Lecistan(Lec: Zjôzd Nôródowi dlô Nowi Lekkëbë, ZNdNL) and led by Deputy Regional Chairman for Jelénik Janusz Adómkówski. This faction argues that "to truly take constructive action for Lecistan, we must guarantee that all of the true territory of Lecistan is under the control of the Lecistani nation, and not under the boot of foreign regimes." This faction argues that the Rally's policies of ethnic cooperation, political liberalization, and Lecistani nationalism independent of ethnicity make it "ideal for the final reunification and liberation of Lecistan." The National Rally is well-organized, with many members at the regional and local levels and its own organized structure.
There is also a democratic socialist faction advocating for outright republicanism and for the radical democratization and secularization of Lecistan, in the "interest of promoting unity and democracy among all peoples of Lecistan." This faction is sometimes known as the Lecistani Republican Reformist Community(Lec: Panistwò Lekkëbi Repùbliczi Refòrma, PLRR). Initially unorganized with no formal leadership, the movement has since coalesced around two individuals: Pioter Andrzéjski, a regional representative in Upper Rzëszù, and Jérémy Tibériat, a regional representative in Lower Rzëszù, are often considered two prominent figures within the movement. The faction has also grown in size, possibly as a reaction against Nevan and Lecistani actions targeting dissidents.
The official stance of the Rally on the existence of such factions is to "tolerate them within reason," according to a statement from Vice-Chairman Cyryl Gniewek. "We want to emphasize that, even within the framework of our comprehensive and extensive policy proposals, there is room for independent thought- in the same way that we want to create a Lecistan where dissent and independent thought are also welcome." However, a statement from the National Committee issued at self-described members of the factions has emphasized that "all such self-declared factions should place the success, the unity, and the platform of the Rally before the platforms of their own factions at all times." Responses from members of the two major factions have expressed a general compliance with this directive, saying they would work within the Rally while continuing to function as internal factions.
Elections
| Election | Seats | +/– | Government |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2015 | 2 / 50
|
 1
|
in opposition |
| 2016 | 16 / 50
|
14
|
in government |
Party leaders
| Nº | Portrait | Name | Term of office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | File:LukoszGrzeskowicz.JPG | Łukôsz Grzéskowicz | 8 September 2015 | Present |
