Politics of A1

A1 had a diverse and active political climate, with multi-party elections, a representative parliament-like entity, full constitution as well as other aspects of politics.

Historical politics

From the foundation of A1, January 1 2008, until February 2009, A1 was a single-party state, with only the A1 People's Party in power.

After criticism from within the party, as well as from other micronations, the government allowed for the formation of two other political parties, of differing ideologies and policies; the A1 Party for Pert and the A1 Democratic Socialist Party.

A1ism

See main article: A1ism

The workings of the politics of the now-defunct Federated Republics of A1 were based around A1's own political system, 'A1ism'.

It is based around the combination of the democratic, fascist and communist ideologies, in that A1 operates with a representative parliament (the A1 People's Congress), it holds free, fair and frequent elections and the government type is essentially fascist. To be put simply, the citizens of A1 elect a communist dictatorship every 3–4 years.

Following the transition to the Federated Republics of A1 in November 2010, A1ism was dropped as the guiding political ideology by the governing Cirrus Party.

A1 National Liberation Front

The A1 National Liberation Front was regarded by the A1 government as a "terrorist organisation", and aimed to destroy the current legitimate A1 government then led by Her Gloriousness Dame Janice Domone.

The A1NLF claimed that the current government is "driving A1 into the ground" in every aspect under the sun, before finally falling inactive in around October 2010.

A1's response

The A1 Civil Security Service uncovered evidence against the A1NLF in the YouTube Crisis and the organisation was officially classified as a "terrorist organisation" by the A1 Government. It was rumoured that investigations are also underway to discover the true identity of Colonel Moller, however, this turned out to be false as the A1NLF fell into inactivity towards the end of 2009, and again in 2010.

2009 Resurrection and demise of the A1NLF

In June, the A1 National Liberation Front announced that it was "reactive" and called for new members. They eventually registered a political party, the National Party of A1 with the A1EC, to contest the August 2010 A1 General Election.

Support from the Kingdom of Starland

The Kingdom of Starland, following direct communication later admitted to, began publicly supporting and assisting the registered terrorist organisation, despite an OAM resolution condemning them (No. 88) and encouraging a diplomatic embargo, the effects of which still persist today.

The Kingdom then admitted the organisation to the Micronational and International Committee for Peace and Democracy, and made a political advertisement for the National Party, and claimed that it was "not a violation of sovereignty...just expressing an opinion". Chairman Gribbon responded to these events with a lengthy essay published on the A1 News Service.

With the abdication of King Nik I of Starland in mid-August, their support of the A1NLF ended, and the organisation once again declined into inactivity.

Declaration of government

The A1NLF, in late 2010, declared themselves to be the "legitimate government of A1" by declaring the A1 Government in Exile. At the beginning of the declaration, no micronation recognised them. However, in time, three micronations publicly recognised it as the government of A1, with many others apparently secretly supporting them.

The People's Congress

The People's Congress operated based on the Ancient Greek form of democracy, in that every citizen of A1 was given a seat on the People’s Congress. However, there was required to be an odd number of citizens in the Congress at any given time, so that a 50-50 split of the vote was rendered impossible.

Elections

See main article: A1 Elections

The Prime Minister of the FRA1 is the leader of the political party which gains a majority in the lower house of Parliament, the Chamber of Electorates. The current party in power is the Cirrus Party, made up entirely of citizens from Lichthalzen.

A1 held multi-party elections every year under the MGPRA1. The Chairman of the incumbent executive government decided on the date(s) for the next elections, which were required to be held one year after taking office.

Political crisis of 2010

See main article: 2010 A1 Political Crisis

The crisis began publicly on the 15th February 2010 when Chairman Dame Janice Domone announced the upcoming trial of then Deputy Chairman, Tomas Caulfield, on a number of charges, the most serious being High Treason.

Following this, support for Caulfield soared from 8% to 32%.

On the 23rd February, tensions came to "boiling point" and Caulfield was stripped of all powers and all posts. This left a power vacuum which was filled on the same day by Gribbon, appointing Minister for Propaganda, David Massarde to the position of Deputy Chairman and Peter Williams to the Treasurer's post.

Support continued to decline for Gribbon, especially within his government, with a number of government appointees, such as then Minister for Culture, Lynette Cooper, leaving the government and the A1 People's Party, and switching over to Alexei Borja's newly created United A1 Party.

Following this, the charges against Caulfield, due to be heard in the High Court on the 26th, were dropped, and Caulfield joined the United A1 Party, shortly after it released its first policy, entrenching themselves as a pro-fascist party.

On the 2nd March, following pressure from the Electoral Commission, Donald Sunderland declared a State of Emergency and used his constitutional powers as Chairman to bring the August elections forward to March.

In April, following the separation of the Federal State of A1 from the MGPRA1, run by the United A1 Party, the 'Caulfish Convention' was signed following the Great Patriotic War, establishing a cease-fire that persisted for some months, before the Federal State fell into inactivity towards the end of 2010 and the war officially ended by default.

March 2010 A1 General Election

Election campaigns

This timeline outlines the election campaign in chronological order from the 3rd March to the 10th March:

Day 1: Communist Party formed by Viktor Kirponos; Tomas Caulfield named as United A1 Party's candidate
Day 2: Donald Sunderland outlines administrative reform plan if elected
Day 3: Tomas Caulfield says that if elected he would "…change A1 from the oppressive communist dictatorship that prevails” and install his own "fascist government""; A1NS poll shows Rob Gribbon far in the lead at 60% of the vote
Day 4: -
Day 5: Gribbon challenges Caulfield to a videotaped debate; Alexei Borja announces that if elected the UA1P would involve A1 more in macronational affairs
Day 6: -
Day 7: Caulfield attacks the protectorate of Lichthalzen and promises to expel it from A1 if elected, stating that its citizens "...are not true citizens of A1"

Central Committee Membership Crisis

In October 2010, when New Central shed 95% of its citizenry, including former Foreign Minister Harry Newboll and Treasurer Peter Williams, the National Government had many positions unfilled. Only Deputy Chairman David Massarde, Chairman Dame Janice Domone and Defence Minister Marka Mejakhansk remained in the National Government.