Salem independence

Salem independence is the political movement for the Georgienstinian state of Salem to become a sovereign state, independent from Georgienstine. From 2 December 2020 to 1 March 2021, Salem was a devoluted area. Political campaigns for Salemite self-government began in May 2021, initially in the form of a faction within the Socialist Labour Party.

The pro-independence Salem National Party first became the governing party in Salem after governor Louis de Blois, a member of Georgienstine First. On 9 May 2021, Lieutenant Governor Renzo Wessels became governor and founded the Salem National Party shortly thereafter. Wessels has shown interest in holding an independence referendum but has stated that he wishes to be recalled before. On 10 May 2021, a recall petition was introduced by Congressional Majority Leader Alexandre Olivier and Wessels was successfully recalled as governor.

On 29 November 2022, Renzo Wessels was elected governor for a second inconsecutive term under the Solidarity Party. Wessels received 33.3% of the vote in the election and won due to a coin toss. The main electoral issue was the proposed merger with the state of Raphaelistan, which was supported by Saionji Kintsune, the Left Bloc's nominee and Alexandre Olivier, Georgienstine First's nominee. Wessels stayed neutral on the issue and when he was elected governor released a statement in which he said that he would stay neutral on the position and listen to others' positions on the issue.

On 15 December 2022, president Raphaël Olivier contacted Wessels to see whether he supported holding a referendum on the merger. Wessels refused, claimed that his position was undemocratic and refused to accept the referendum's results. Afterwards, he made a series of controversial comments such as claiming he would submit a lawsuit against the federal government, threatening to start a civil war in Salem or launching a coup d'état against the president. (despite not lving in Georgienstine).

At 9:29 AM, governor Wessels declared Salem to be an independent state, therefore seceding from Georgienstine. In an interview, Wessels claimed he did so since he feared that Olivier would bribe Federal Electoral Commission officials were a referendum to happen. At 5:51 PM, after bipartisan condemnation, significant pressure and even calls to arrest him, Wessels resigned as governor, therefore ending the unrecognized republic.

On 16 December 2022, the Solidarity was officially deregistered for lack of members.

Parties

Current

• None

Former

• Socialist Labour Party (factions) (2020–2021)
• Salem National Party (2021-21)
• Solidarity Party (2022)
• Left Bloc (factions) (2020–2021)