History of Valrun
Valrun has a long and complicated history rife with instability, regime changes, and corruption.
While there have been efforts by every President to limit the scope and strength of these undesirable elements of the State, it was only by a great political upheaval after a great calamity that change was brought forth.
Here, you will be able to read about that history.
(Please note that until actually mentioned, Valrun will be referred to as "The Institute" given how this was the name of the Micronation, until a referendum and subsequent coin flip changed the name to Valrun.)
Early History of Valrun
Early Days of Valrun
Valrun began it's time as "The Institute", which began on 20 June 2019 when the nation's founder, Cynthia MacKeigan first coined the name as a joke (Research Institute - shortened to Institute) to describe the small cliques that had developed in a now defunct Instagram Group Chat (IGC for Simplicity sake).
As time progressed, the name of the IGC was changed to "The Institute" with names changing and morphing around this name.
The joke that was the Institute would come up multiple times between it's first coining, until September 2020 when six members of this IGC would meet up during a lunchtime meeting outside their High School and form the first Government of the Institute, commonly referred to as the High Council or Head Council.
It would be here in this meeting that one of the now High Councilmen ((Councilman Marsh) Everyone was given a fake 'Councilman/woman Name that fit to personality, last names, etc.) would take the Acronym of the Official Name of the High Council (House of Lords in the High Council of the Institute) and make it into a religion, due to the fact everyone in the meeting agreed that it sounded like an Aztec Deity.
It was also here in this meeting that a Head of State was decided upon. He was chosen and granted by Councilman Marsh the title of 'God-Emperor', the direct link between Holithcotl and Mankind. While agreed upon by the majority of Citizens, two Councilmen and women, Councilman Scottish (Cynthia MacKeigan) and Councilwoman London both discouraged the introduction of a religion and argued it's validity.
Democratic coup
In the late hours of 7 November 2020, the Nation's Founder, Cynthia MacKeigan led a pro-Democratic Coup against the Autocratic High Council, with large support from the People.
The subsequent election that night would then bring forth the first Head of Government, Lewis Johnson, the first President and first Black President in the Institute.
With the large turnout in the Election and popular support behind the new Government, the High Council relented and allowed the formation of Democracy, but maintained it's position as a senate-like body.
Beginning of political instability
During the Second Election, on 7 December 2020, the First Female President, President Wilson, was elected due to pandering to the People's sympathy, due to claiming things in a vain similar to "I've had a bad go at it, please vote for me."
The following Election, 7 January 2021 had President Wilson removed and Founder Cynthia MacKeigan and Councilman Marsh won the Election with a coalition Government, the first in Institute History. However, President Wilson refused to step-down and instead opted to cause chaos, by adding Donald Trump's Instagram, PETA's Instagram and the late Betty White's Instagram pages to the IGC. Despite this chaos, the legitimate Government carried on and focused on with the popular policy of not doing anything.
In February 2021, Former President Lewis wins the election, becoming the first President to be re-elected, and then the nation temporarily forgot about our Democracy and Lewis retained power until May 7, 2021, where the youngest President, President Parr was elected. This election was the first to host foreign meddling as a Nation not known to the Institute was playing with the strings of Democracy.
Leadup to the First Inglish-Institute Cold War
In May and June 2021, representatives of the Inglish Republic, a Constitutional Monarchy with a Military Junta, reached out to Cynthia MacKeigan in an attempt to get her on board with a potential Coup D'état with the final goal to integrate the Institute as a Vassal or Puppet Government of the Inglish Republic. While she adamantly rejected the offers, the Inglish Representatives were not finished, they would draft plans for a much more likely to succeed scenario, involving the June Seventh Federal Election.
June Seventh Incident
On 7 June 2021, Communists, posing as moderates won the election with a substantial majority, and then immediately lost the façade of being Democratic Moderates, by banning the Democratic Process, making sure no one could easily vote in election with a voting requirement of being 25 Years of Age or Older, being from Bosnia-Herzegovina, and being a Landowner.
A Dictatorship of the Proletariat was installed and the Institute became the Soviet Socialist Republic of the Institute.
Behind the scenes, the Right-Hand Woman of the Emperor of the Inglish Republic approached the Communist Dictator with a deal. Declare your loyalty to the Inglish Republic, bring the Institute into the fold as a Inglish Puppet Government, and the Inglish Republic will back up and legitimize the current regime.
The Communist Dictator agreed and then immediately announced it to the Nation. Elements of the People's Nationalist Party of the Institute and Holy Regency Party then overthrew the Communist Dictator after a brief three day period of political upheaval, ending finally with the withdrawal from the agreement with the Inglish Republic.
Democracy was immediately restored with the PNPI and HRP at the head. With this marks the beginning of the Inglish-Institute Cold War.
First Inglish-Institute Cold War
Rise in Institute Nationalism
Immediately following the June Seventh Incident, new voter protection laws were put in place causing the lowest voter turnout since November during the July Election, in which former President Lewis Johnson won the election with two votes.
During his term, Cynthia MacKeigan began to call for more Nationalists to come forward to take the mantle of the Nation's Protectors against the Inglish Republic and would develop a strong sense of Pro-Institute Nationalism and began to feel a strong hatred towards the Inglish Republic, and would take these sentiments with her to the polling stations on August 7, 2021 in which she won the Election with 66% of the Popular Vote, and she would begin a Propaganda Campaign aimed at Institute Militarism and Nationalism which continues to this day.
She would run again in September and win again, with 65% of the Popular Vote, becoming the first President to be elected twice in a row, and by far one of the most popular Presidents.
Due to Term Restrictions, she was unable to run in October, and picked an individual who she deemed capable of taking his place. This individual however, began inviting multiple who were not good fits for the Institute. So in the middle of the Election, on October 7, 2021, Cynthia MacKeigan removed her replacement and resumed power in the PNPI, and won the election with 60% of the Popular Vote. It was in this last term, that Cynthia MacKeigan would draft the Inglish-Institute Mutual Relations Agreement (IIMRA) and presented it to the Inglish Government.
Attempts at Peace
When November 7 came around, there was cause for celebration. It was the First Anniversary of Democracy in the Institute, as corrupt and unstable as it was. The Election brought forth the Holy Regency Party with roughly 57% of the Popular Vote. However, Councilman now President Marsh returned the policy of not doing anything during his term. During this month, the Congress of the Institute began to get a bit uneasy given how the IIMRA was not accepted by the Inglish Government yet, and began to feel a sense of mistrust towards the Inglish Government.
By December, the Fornication Party (A Satirical Party) won the Election, adding an NSFW Channel to the Nation's Discord Server. It would also be here where the first of two Anti-Inglish Legislative pieces would be passed, the Inglish Situation Mandate. This would cement Anti-Inglish sentiments within the core beliefs of the Institute Government, and would expand the Cold War that had settled between the two nations.
January 7 saw Cynthia MacKeigan be re-elected with 45% of the Popular Vote, being considered as popular as Lewis Johnson. It would be here that she would extend Term Lengths from One Month to Two Months, with the condition she didn't run in the February Election. It would be under her Presidency that Far-Right Parties would be banned with the passing of the Extremist Party Expulsion Mandate.
February 7 saw Left Wing Populist South Korean Orin Johnson be elected President with 66% of the Popular Vote. Under Orin, the Institute Internal Security Force, an Espionage and Counter-Espionage Agency would be formed, experienced citizen Ethan Winters, CEO of the Cattola Corporation chosen to lead the Force. The Second Piece of Anti-Inglish Legislation would be passed on February 14, the Inglish Sanction and Containment Mandate. The Institute Royal Armed Forces would see an expanded Chief of Staff with a Chief of the Air Force chosen.
The February 18th Incident - End of the First Inglish-Institute Cold War
As an extension of the Cold War, the Inglish Republic and Institute began vying for control over the vast population of the High School both Cynthia MacKeigan and the Inglish Dictator attended, with MacKeigan being Propaganda Minister, she began producing Institute Flags and giving them to people interested, not limited to Dual-Citizens of both the Institute and Inglish Republic, and one of those Dual-Citizens had their flag confiscated and destroyed by Inglish Citizens.
The Inglish Dictator immediately called for a meeting with MacKeigan and demanded Diplomacy finally be considered, despite the fact, it was tried, and ignored with the IIMRA.
So between February 18 and March 4, there was a series of bilateral discussions between the Foreign Affairs Ministries of both nations, working towards an end of all hostilities.
On Friday March 4, 2022, delegations from both the Institute and Inglish Republic would meet and sign the Inglish-Institute Treaty (I-IT, effectively ending any and all hostilities between the two Nations.
After the signing of the I-IT, Cynthia MacKeigan was chosen to head the new Foreign Affairs Ministry, replacing Councilwoman London, and prior to the April 2022 Election, on April 6, the New Constitution of the Institute was passed into effect with a final Congressional Vote of three Votes in Favour, and 2 Abstentions.
The Federalist Era
Moderate Corporatist Governance
On April 7, Ethan Winters, Head of the IISF was elected President with Roger "The Can Opener" Johnson becoming Vice President with the second Coalition Government in Institute History, taking 61% of the Popular Vote and potentially giving way to a new age of Capitalist Ventures, with Winters being the CEO of Cattola Corporation, and R. Johnson being the CEO of Slapp Co. This marks the beginning of a Corporatist Age, and with a request from MacKeigan, MacKeigan was replaced as Foreign Minister by former President Orin Johnson.
The Corporatist Government allowed the expansion of scope of the Foreign Ministry, forcing through Legislation which allowed the Institute to reach out to more Micronations.Embassies were been established, and friendship with the Micronational Community is certain.
The Corporatist Government also permitted the formation of The Daily Tutor, a State-Sponsored Newspaper, which focuses on Micronational News, Sports and the Weather.
The Corporatist Government allowed a referendum to be held which saw the abolition of the Monarchy on May 25, 2022.
Abolition of the Monarchy
Starting 1 May 2022, Cynthia MacKeigan began voicing distrust and contempt towards the Monarchy. She constantly, and openly denounced the Monarchy as being useless, unneeded, etc. She went so far as to reform her Political Party, the People's Nationalist Party of the Institute as a Left-Wing Populist Party. In The Daily Tutor, the Institute's State-funded Newspaper, she stated constantly that there should be and would be an end of the Monarchy. MacKeigan went from being a die-hard supporter of the Monarchy and High Council to wanting them both abolished. Even putting forward an opinion poll on the matter where it was determined that at least 2/3 of the Institute would support an end to the Monarchy.
On 24 May 2022, MacKeigan demanded that the President, Ethan C. Winters, sanction a referendum, and so he did, somewhat reluctantly. Within an hour, the vote was already four votes to one, and by the following day, when polls closed, voter turnout was at 25%, with seven votes in favour of abolition and two votes against abolition. It was unofficial, but if unheeded and ignored by the Government, it would be taken to the polls. Later that day, he introduced Legislation that would make the Abolition official.
It would be voted on and pass on 10pm Central Standard Time, on 29 May 2022, 5 votes in favour, and one abstention.
The Institute, as part of the Legislation, renamed to the Federal Republic of the Institute.
First Government of the New Republic
The Federal Election on June Seventh was a symbolic election, for it was held on the First Anniversary of the June Seventh Incident.
The Ministry of Propaganda and Public Enlightenment held a speech for the occasion and an awards ceremony was held for citizens who exemplified what it meant to be a Tutor.
Former Vice President, Roger "The Can Opener" Johnson was elected as President with 75% of the Popular Vote, breaking MacKeigan's record with 66%.
The first month of his Presidency was filled with inactivity, and just preparations for Institute Day, which was observed properly for the first time on June 20, 2022.
Second Inglish-Institute Cold War
National Crisis of June/July 2022 - Start of the Second Inglish-Institute Cold War
The Inglish Ambassador to the Institute approached Cynthia MacKeigan about leaving the Federal Republic of the Institute and joining the Inglish Republic. The Current Situation between the Federal Republic and the Inglish Republic was very tense and was rife with mistrust and hatred on both sides.
The ramifications of the Mother of the Federal Republic defecting to the very nation that swore to destroy the Federal Republic, would've been so irreparable and so devastating, the Federal Republic would have collapsed into stagnation.
MacKeigan went to the Federal Congress and informed them of her decision to resign while she made a decision. However, the Chief of Staff debated fiercely with MacKeigan and they eventually compromised on her taking a simple leave of absence. During this leave of absence, MacKeigan met with the Vice President, Ethan Winters and they discussed the future of the Institute in great length and detail, and during this conversation, MacKeigan decided to abandon any thoughts of treason, opting instead to remain in the Federal Republic.
Upon this decision, she informed the Inglish Ambassador. The National Crisis term was coined in a recent issue of The Daily Tutor, and the nation became united against the Inglish once more..
"Revision" of the Inglish-Institute Treaty
After MacKeigan's return from her leave of absence, the Vice President - Ethan Winters called an emergency Congress Meeting to discuss the Inglish-Institute Treaty, and the Federal Republic's future commitments to it, on top of other, less important topics.
Chief of the Army, Katerina Kask suggested its revocation, and Chief of the Air Force, Lucy Fairley suggested it be burned. Similar sentiments were held by Cynthia MacKeigan.
On June 28, 2022, at roughly 7:30 PM - Central Standard Time, the meeting ended with a vote on whether or not to revoke the Inglish-Institute Treaty. The Motion passed unanimously, and on July 6, 2022, the Inglish-Institute Treaty was literally torn to pieces by Cynthia MacKeigan in front of a camera. Four months of careful balancing, clever politics and tedious discussions.. all gone in under thirty seconds.
It was then learned on July 9, 2022 that many in the Inglish Republic forgot about the Inglish-Institute Treaty, so it was primarily the Federal Republic upholding the Treaty to the best of its abilities. Four months of peace were for naught. By July 10, 2022, Cynthia MacKeigan was already preparing to push for aggressive actions against the Inglish Republic, taking advantage of the "Inglish Demographic Crisis."
On August 9, the former Inglish Embassy within the Institute's Discord was opened to the Public to allow them to spew insults and hatred towards the Inglish, without any Inglish being aware of the actions taking place within their former embassy. At the same time, Chief of the Army, Katerina Kask coined the term "Inglishophobia" to describe the vehement hatred felt by many in the public towards the Inglish Republic by that point.
MacKeigan Resurgent
Initial Rise to Power
During the Presidency of Roger Johnson, Cynthia MacKeigan took temporary control of the State Apparatus under a temporary dictatorship. Power was handed over peacefully with unanimous consent of the Federal Government.
During this brief time, MacKeigan overhauled the function of Government, by giving it a proper Parliamentary System. All political parties were disbanded and leaders were required to use the less-strict Party Registration System that was put in place, the powers of the Religious Sects were removed and they were abolished and were to remain abolished until the passing of the Constitution of the Federal Republic. Dual-Citizens were granted the right to vote. The Chief of Staff, who once held extreme amounts of political power were placed under a Ministry of Defense, and had all political power stripped and given to the Minister. Government Transparency was brought to fruition. The Social Credit Point was abolished, and the Immigration Board was opened up and streamlined to allow for easier immigration.
After the reforms, the People's Nationalists under Cynthia MacKeigan gained a large support base; when Minister of Defense, Minister of Public Information, and Chief of the Army left Roger Johnson's Party, the then new Primate's Capitalist Party. The PCP was disbanded shortly thereafter.
When the Federal Election was held in September 2022, there was only one party left to rival the PNPI, the Irish Drinkin' Party under Ezekiel Ensor. There was a close race between them until the PNPI was declared the winner by popular vote. Cynthia MacKeigan and the People's Nationalists took 7 out of 13 votes. This victory was MacKeigan's sixth victory at the polling station, and it would prove to be an end to the stable lull in the Second Cold War, given how everyone in the PNPI was staunchly Inglishophobic.
Second National Crisis of October 2022
In Late September - Early October 2022, Cynthia MacKeigan, in a drastic change of Foreign Policy, forgave the Inglish Republic for all past transgressions and sought to peacefully coexist. In the following days, perhaps taking advantage of this change of heart, representatives of the Inglish Republic once again asked MacKeigan to join the Inglish Republic. MacKeigan legitimately considered these more enticing offers and approached her Party and the Government about the offer. There were mostly negative or neutral responses. The Minister of Defense, Lucy Fairley, and former President Orin Johnson both resigned from their positions within the Federal Republic and went into self-imposed exile.
The days following the offer were tense and filled with discussions and debates. Many in the Federal Republic counted down the days until the seemingly inevitable annexation. Although it never came. Cynthia MacKeigan, after much deliberation, declared her intentions to stay in the Federal Republic, and went about fixing the community and making it a better place.
MacKeigan at the Helm
In the days following the declaration, what remained of the Federal Government convened and discussed a difference in Governance to ensure stability and longevity. On 6 October 2022, Legislation was introduced to reform the Government of the Federal Republic, and on 7 October, it was passed with unanimous approval from all Members of Parliament.
The State Apparatus was put under direct control of the People's Nationalist Party of the Institute, elections were suspended indefinitely, and the People's Federal Republic of the Institute was formed. A Left-Wing Dictatorship under MacKeigan was established with aims to grow the Institute under her guidance. It is an ironic twist of fate for the Institute, for the Founder who gave them Democracy took it away and made herself Dictator.
End of Inglish-Institute Relations
The same night that triggered the Second National Crisis was also a pivotal moment in Inglish-Institute Relations, wherein it was revealed to Cynthia MacKeigan, as well as a number of Institute Citizens the scale of differences in Tutors and Inglishires, particularly, Social Issues pertaining to the LGBTQ+ Community.
While it was temporarily overlooked, eventually it became too much of an issue in the eyes of the people that Cynthia MacKeigan stepped in and personally and officially severed all ties with the Inglish Republic and it's Government. Cynthia MacKeigan officially announced the change on 4 January, 2023. The announcement was met with emphatic cries of approval, and while there were celebrations, the Institute - whether due to a lack of an "enemy" to rally the people around a focus efforts on, or general fatigue, the Institute began a steady downhill roll, into stagnation.
Deinglishization
Shortly after the cessation of ties and communication with the Inglish Republic, the People's Federal Republic began a system of "Deinglishization," in which all references to the Inglish Republic were phased out of use and service.
Awards and Medals Revoked
The first things to be "Deinglishized" were the number of Awards and Medals that were made with the Inglish in reference. The list of Medals and Awards are as follows:
The Medal of June Seventh, which was awarded to Citizens and Government Officials who had worked with the June Seventh Coup against the Inglish backed Communist Threat.
The Medal of March Fourth, which was awarded to Government Officials who had worked on the Inglish-Institute Treaty, which was signed on March 4th, 2022.
Legislation
The next thing to be "Deinglishized" was the list of Legislation passed by the Congress of the Institute, in late 2021 and early 2022.
Bill CP-401: The Inglish Situation Mandate: A Government sanctioned "solution" to the Inglish Situation, passed on December 18th, 2021, revoked on January 27th, 2023.
Bill CP-402: The Inglish Sanction and Containment Mandate: An extension of Bill CP-401, which formed the Institute Internal Security Force, shut down the first Inglish Embassy, along with increasingly "Inglishophobic" rhetoric. Passed on February 14th, 2022, revoked on January 27th, 2023.
Miscellaneous Deinglishization Moves
Roles and channels dedicated to the Inglish, Inglishophobia, or whatnot, were removed on the Institute's Official Discord.
Propaganda Posters and Patriotism Posters that referenced the Inglish Republic directly were removed from all facets of Institute Media.
Things that survived Deinglishization
Holidays
The most recognizable holiday when discussing Valrun is June Seventh Day, which celebrates a decisive victory over Inglish Imperialism, survived the Deinglishization process.
The lesser known and far less celebrated Treaty Day which is celebrated on March Fourth, had it's entire character as a holiday changed and by that route, survived the Deinglishization process.
The Valerite Era
Renaming Conventions
Shortly into May 2023, there were calls from Cynthia MacKeigan to revamp the culture of the Institute, and with it came calls from Ministers in the Presidium to first change the name of the Institute, to better reflect the people, developing culture and image of the Nation. With these calls came "The Institute Renaming Convention", which aimed to push for a collective effort from all citizens to find a suitable name for the nation. After about a week of deliberation, between May 13th-14th 2023, a referendum was held to determine the new name of the nation, which after an indecisive vote and a coin flip, the people settled on and agreed upon the name of Valrun, derivative from the joint words 'Valley' and 'Rundle'. Rundle was the neighbourhood in which a number of citizens in Valrun lived, and Valley was derived from the nearby Edmonton River Valley, which acted as the southern border.
Shortly after the referendum was finished, the Ministry of Public Information went to work reworking the various websites, and pages which might've referenced the Institute. All treaties that once held the old name were subsequently nullified, redrafted, and signed. Shortly after the last treaty was signed, Presidium slid into another period of inactivity, as motivation fell to an all time low.
Changes in Leadership
To help with this inactivity, Cynthia MacKeigan called for a snap election for the position of People's National Director (Head of State), a position she had held since October 7th, 2022 when she and the People's Nationalist Party of the Institute/Valrun took over as the sole governing party in Valrun.
A few individuals ran for the position, including Minister of Defense - Roger "The Can Opener" Johnson, Head of the Valrun Internal Security Force - Ethan C. Winters, Minister of National Art and Graphics, E. Ensor, and former President of the Institute, Orin Johnson. After a brief 24-hour voting period in was declared that the vote was a tie between Roger Johnson and Ethan C. Winters, which was seen as a historic first. A second round of voting, only used once before during the voting on June 7th, 2021, was declared and after another 24-hour voting period, on 15 October 2023, Ethan C. Winters gained an election win, taking 57% of the popular vote. Following this, Cynthia MacKeigan took a smaller role as Minister for Foreign Affairs, doubling as the Head of the Immigration Office.
A New Constitution
Following the ascension of Ethan C. Winters as People's National Director on October , Cynthia MacKeigan began working on the Third Constitution in earnest. Within two weeks of Winters' ascension, MacKeigan presented Presidium with the first section of the Third Constitution. What would follow would be a single meeting of Presidium to discuss and revise the first section, and following this meeting, on 30 November 2023, it was ratified and went into effect.
What came to pass was the abandonment of the titles of "People's National Director" and "People's First Secretary", opting to return to "President" and "Prime Minister", elections were reestablished as an annual occurrence for both the President and Prime Minister, occurring in early November, around Democracy Day. A solid foundation was finally set for the nation as it continued to progress onward.