Potatogate (Olmeria)

Potatogate, also known as the The Canespa Affair, and The Olmeria-Canespa Collusion Scandal, was a diplomatic and political scandal regarding the continuation Olmeria's economic and diplomatic relations with Canespa by then president Kiel Frieden, despite international condemnation of Canespan actions. It was further developed by public threats of Canespan interference in Olmerian elections in favour of the then pro-Canespa Unity Party. The scandal was the leading cause of the 2034 Olmerian Political Crisis, which saw the biggest political upheaval in Olmeria since the start of the 21st century.

Names and Origin

The scandal was widely dubbed Potatogate by Olmerian journalists, in reference to the main industry of Canespa. Additionally, a large part of the scandal related to the signing of a economic trade agreement by which Olmerian companies would be severely disadvantaged if they didn't buy potatoes, along with other related goods, from Canespa.

The origin of the term has been traced back to tabloid newspaper Aurora, in an article on the July 9th 2034 about the developing scandal. By the 12th, most major newspapers were using the term, although notably broadsheet paper the Olmerian Standard refused to adopt it, with the editor claiming it was "unprofessional, sensational, and a disgrace to proper journalism."