Valkyria (Pacifica)
The Valkyrian Republic Republikken Valkyria (Valkyrian) | |
---|---|
Flag | |
Capital | Ravneby |
Largest city | Gullkysten |
Official languages | Valkyrian |
Recognised regional languages | Eyjamenn Fjellspråk Läntinen |
Religion (2022) | |
Demonym(s) | Valkyrian |
Government | Unitary parliamentary republic |
Kate Murphy | |
Steve Bennett | |
Legislature | Stortinget |
Population | |
• 2020 census | 61,482,379 |
Currency | Valkyrian vekt (VKT) |
Time zone | CCT |
Date format | dd/mm/yyyy (CE) |
Driving side | right |
Internet TLD | .va |
Valkyria, officially the Valkyrian Republic (Valkyrian: Republikken Valkyria), is a country in Cordilia and the Rainbow Islands that encompasses both Qvait and Austurland, which were countries independent of each other until their reunification in 2016.
Etymology
History
Pre-unification
Contemporary history
Geography
Location and borders
The territory of Valkyria is located in Cordilia, encompassing Qvait and Austurland. The country is bordered by mountains and features a coastline that connects to the South Pacific Ocean.
Climate
Biodiversity
Politics
Government
Valkyria is a unitary state that features devolved government, and the national constitution enshrines the principles of republicanism, parliamentary democracy, and forms of direct democracy. The Stortinget is a unicameral legislature of Valkyria. Ragnarsborg Fortress is the jarl or jarlskona's seat and official residence, while the members of Parliament meet at Legislative Valkyria. The seat of government for most agencies is Ravneby, but some agencies are headquartered in Gullkysten or Árborg, depending on their function.
The head of state is the jarl or jarlskona, elected to serve a six-year term and can stand for unlimited re-election. While the officeholder holds responsibilities similar to a figurehead in other states, the jarl or jarlskona can either sign legislation or refer bills to the Constitutional Court for judicial review. Otherwise, the jarl or jarlskona may return bills to Parliament for a fourth reading or submit five bills at most each year for national referendums. The jarl or jarlskona also serves as the commander-in-chief of the Valkyrian Defence Forces.
The head of government is the prime minister of Valkyria, elected by the Storting to exercise the national government's executive power through the Cabinet. The legislative power of the national government is vested in the Parliament, members of which are elected directly and by mixed-member proportional representation. At the most, members of the Storting serve terms of three years before another election.
While Valkyria is a multi-party system in which many political parties can win elections, national politics has seen a division between two blocs since 2017: the Alliance of Social Democrats and the New Conservative Coalition.
Law
Valkyria features a civil law system in which the Parliament or the people by national referendum creates or amends the law, and the Courts of the Valkyrian Republic apply the law as written without judicial interpretation. The national constitution specifies multiple courts, each with their specialisations. The judiciary comprises general courts, appellate courts, and three different courts of last resort depending on the type of litigation: the Supreme Court oversees civil and criminal cases, the Administrative Court handles eponymous cases, and the Constitutional Court determines the constitutionality of laws and referendums.
The National Police enforces the law in Valkyria with assistance from the Gendarmerie in circumstances where crimes occurred on government property or involved military personnel or during states of emergency. Headed by the national chief, the National Police have regional, sectional, and district subdivisions. In enforcing the law, the National Police sometimes cooperate with other government agencies such as the Intelligence Directorate-General or SIEGE as part of investigations, raids, or other operations.
Foreign relations
Valkyria is a member state of the World Forum, League of Cordilia, and Alman Group.
Military
The military of Valkyria — known as the Valkyrian Defence Force — is composed of five branches with unique responsibilities: the Ground Forces, Navy, Aerospace Force, Special Forces, and the Gendarmerie. After the passage of the Expansion of Security Powers Act 2019, a paramilitary organisation called SIEGE was created in order to respond to the most important issues of national security.
The commander-in-chief of the military is the jarl or jarlskona but only serves in this role as a ceremonial figurehead. Most of the day to day leadership is vested in the minister of defence and, consequently, the prime minister. However, military policy is drafted by a fifteen-member body known as the Valkyrian Defence Council, which is comprised of five politicians, three top members of the Civil Service, and the seven members of the Defence Staff.
Economy
Valkyria operates with a mixed economy that allows private enterprise, but features extensive government intervention and state enterprise in economic sectors that are deemed important to the welfare of the state. As such, government influence is strong in industries such as electricity, energy, and healthcare. The government also spends money on improving the infrastructure of the country when it comes to transport and telecommunication.
The country maintains a highly skilled labour force, many of whom are members of trade unions. The service sector comprises the vast majority of the Valkyrian economy at 76 per cent, with 23 per cent coming from the industrial sector, and 1 per cent being the agricultural sector. The economy is primarily led by information technology, but features strong contributions from tourism and publishing.
The currency of Valkyria is the Valkyrian vekt, renamed from the Pacific credit after the passage of Referendum 4 (2020). The currency superseded the Pacific dollar and the Austurland dollar after the unification of Qvait and Austurland. When the currency was referred to as the Pacific credit, it was done so because it was intended to be used as part of a proposed monetary union.