Rhotia

Republic of Rhotia Repubblia Rhotia (Rhotian)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: O Natio! ("Oh Nation!")
Anthem: O Natio!
Location of Rhotia (green) in the Levantine Union (light green) and Levantia (gray)
Capital and largest city	Corcra
Official languages	Rhotian
Religion	Catholic Church
Demonym(s)	Rhotian Rhotes (plural)
Government	Federal constitutional presidential republic
• President	Alexandru Lash
• Upper house	All-States Delegation
• Lower house	All-Rhotian Assembly
Establishment
• Proclaimed	2030
Population
• Estimate	131,396,801
GDP (nominal)	estimate
• Total	$5,214,824,950,803
• Per capita	$39,687.60
Currency	Taler

Rhotia, officially the Republic of Rhotia, is a country in Levantia. It is neighbored by Hollona and Diorisia and Anglei to the west, Urcea to the southwest, Lapody to the east, and Fiannria to the north.

Etymology

Rhotia is named for Rhotian, the language spoken in the northern part of Dericania. It is unclear when this derivation was first used in a geographical sense, with scattered references beginning in the late 17th century. The term did not enter common parlance until the 20th century, when it was used to collectively refer to the northern Deric States.

History

Main article: History of Dericania

Pre-union states

Corcra

Further information: Corcra (City)

Rhotian unification

Main article: Dissolution of the Deric States

Government

Rhotia is a federal, constitutional republic with various democratic values. It is governed by the Fundamental Statute of 2030, which serves as the Republic's constitution. In style, and particularly in nomenclature, it is based partly on the government of Fiannria, the oldest democratic republic in Levantia, although in form it resembles a more straightforward presidential republic. Rhotia is relatively unique among members of the Levantine Union in that its head of state and head of government are the same office, eschewing both the semi-presidential model of Fiannria, the Julian form of governance, as well as the more conventional constitutional monarchical systems employed by states like Lapody and Anglei.

Rhotia is a federal union of five states who retain some degree of local governance and are coterminous with the predecessor states of the Deric States which formed Rhotia.

Executive

The head of state and head of government of Rhotia is the President of Rhotia.

The current President of Rhotia is Alexandru Lash. Lash, who is a self-described non-partisan academic, was selected as provisional President by the All-States Delegation at the time of the constitution's adoption. The first regularly scheduled Presidential election will be held in 2035.

Legislature

Rhotia has a bicameral legislature divided into the All-Rhotian Assembly, the lower chamber, and the All-States Delegation, the upper chamber. The All-Rhotian Assembly is considered the primary legislative chamber and has authority over all laws and has power of the purse inasmuch as all budgets must originate there, while the All-States Delegation has limited authority over foreign trade deals, constitutional matters, and labor laws, similar to the Urcean Gildertach. The All-Rhotian Assembly is elected by a national ballot every five years (with elections in years ending with "0" and "5") by means of a nation-wide party-list proportional representation system. The All-States Delegation, meanwhile, is comprised of individuals appointed by the state legislatures of Rhotia's five constituent states, with apportionment based on population, with the smallest state having three delegates and the largest six.

Local governance

Rhotia is divided into five states, each of whom have a unicameral State Assembly and Governor. These states are coterminous with the pre-unification borders of Allaria, Corcra, Orclenia, Kronenia, and Vinesia, though the territory in and around the city of Corcra itself has been turned into a federal district.

Politics

At present, Rhotia is governed by a national government of all political parties within the All-Rhotian Assembly in conjunction with a provisionally elected non-partisan President of Rhotia, Alexandru Lash. Rhotia, as a new country comprised of five former countries, has four primary "coalitions" rather than political parties; these coalitions are made up of the various local political parties of the five states. All four coalitions have committed themselves to reforming into centrally organized political parties by 2035. The four coalitions, by order of size within the Assembly, are the Pan-Deric National Union League (center-right), the Post-Deric Front (left), the Coalition of Patriotic Democrats (big tent/populist), and the Coalition for the Right Governance of the Kingdom of Dericania (far right).

Economy

Rhotia boasts a unique economic landscape shaped by cooperative ideals and a commitment to shared prosperity. Emerging from its Third Fratricide roots, various component elements of what would become the Deric States - and later Rhotia - adopted experimental economic models throughout the 1950s and 60s. These economic experiments gradually faded in the 1970s and 1980s, transitioning from a rigid command economy to a vibrant market socialist model that values innovation, hard work, and equitable wealth distribution. In Rhotia, the spirit of collaboration permeates the economy. State-operated enterprises, cooperatives, and small worker-owned businesses harmoniously coexist. Cooperative ownership thrives, especially in sectors like construction, finance, mining, and agriculture. Large enterprises, classified as "Publicly Owned Enterprises" (POEs), represent a blend of shareholder investments and public ownership. Foreign involvement is welcomed, yet stringent regulations ensure that the essence of Rhotia’s cooperative vision is preserved. Rhotia is a member of the Levantine Union, and accordingly shares a common market with other LU members, though at times the economic relationship between foreign capital and Rhotian communities can be tense. Despite this, Rhotia heavily engages in trade with its Levantine Union colleagues. Import substitution policies bolster self-sufficiency, ensuring that Rhotia's economy remains robust.

Cooperatives form the backbone of Rhotia’s business landscape, fostering a sense of community ownership. Meanwhile, Publicly Owned Enterprises (POEs) combine public and shareholder interests, ensuring a diverse and inclusive approach to decision-making. The government, Worker's Investment Board, and dedicated Rhotian investors share ownership, ensuring a harmonious balance of power. Rhotians, recognizing the importance of balance, enjoy a comparatively short workweek of 30 hours spread over five days. The workdays are flexible, accommodating various preferences. Some choose the standard 6-hour workdays, while others opt for longer days in exchange for shorter ones, depending on operational needs. This flexibility enhances the overall quality of life, allowing citizens to relish the Mediterranean splendor that surrounds them.

The nation's picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage make tourism a significant contributor, not only boosting the local economy but also fostering international friendships. Corcra - and its significant historical sites ranging from Great Levantine ruins to the former Holy Levantine Imperial palace - is the largest tourism destination in the country and one of the most visited cities in Levantia. Other noteworthy industries in Rhotia include agriculture, renewable energy and renewable manufacturing, and a nascent high-tech sector fostered by the new Rhotian government since unification.