Caragachi Commonwealth

[Voice of Caragach]

CARAGACHI CONGRESS

SUMMARY
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The Caragachi Congress is the legislative body of the Caragachi Commonwealth, responsible for the appointment of Prime Ministers, approval of annual budgets, and ratifying of bills into law by simple majority vote. Members of Congress (MECs) are elected to office by the people of their congressional districts once every five years, with no term limits. In theory, the Caragachi Congress functions very similarly to the High Republic’s Senate or the UK’s House of Commons.

In practice, Caragachi democracy is neither free nor fair.

THE PRINCIPLIST PARTY
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Formed out of a union of conservative, militaristic, and Imperial sympathizing political parties, the Principlist Party has been the overwhelmingly dominant force in Caragachi politics ever since they seized power in a coup. Led by the current Prime Minister of Caragach, Alfin Guodi, the Principlists directly control 137 of Congress’ 150 seats, guaranteeing that there will always be an insurmountable supermajority to pass their agenda. The remaining thirteen MEPs are all independents relying on the goodwill of the Principlists to stay in office.

The core values of the Principlists are order, patriotism, and unfiltered meritocracy. Having come to power through a coup, the Principlist Party places great stock in the ability of strong laws backed by a formidable military to maintain legitimacy while cracking down on criminals and resistance cells alike. The Principlists view Caragachi traditions as superior to all others, legitimizing their rise towards becoming a major power in the Unknown Regions. Opposing quotas and extensive welfare as unfairly benefiting the unqualified, the Principlist Party promotes a strict meritocracy.

Real opposition to the Principlists in Congress was wiped out in the aftermath of the coup that brought them to power. Dozens of former Progressive MECs have been tried on dubious charges of treason and either sent to labor camps or executed while their financial assets have been dismantled or repurposed to the benefit of the Principlists. The remnants of anti-Principlist opposition are confined to dwindling cells of resistance fighters in the Caragachi countryside.

Yet for all its flaws, democracy still exists in Caragach, if only within the ranks of the Principlist Party.

PRINCIPLIST BLOCS
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Inside the Principlist Party, there are three distinct groups officially tolerated by party leadership:

• Radical Patriots: Deeply prideful about Caragach’s accomplishments and viewing its future growth as a moral imperative, the Radical Patriots seek to increase the Commonwealth’s power at all costs. Radical Patriots support greater military spending, exporting of Caragachi values, and investment in native goods.​
• Neo-Imperials: Admirers of the Galactic Empire and most or all of its successor states, the Neo-Imperials seek to transform the Commonwealth into a truly Imperial state. Neo-Imperials support much greater military spending, an increase in the power of the Prime Minister, and alliances with Imperial remnants.​
• Industrialists: Preferring economic domination over ideological agendas or military campaigns, the Industrialists seek to turn Caragach into a business paradise. Industrialists support deregulation of industry, construction of regional megaprojects, and significant extraction of resources from other planets.​

These three blocs are at odds nearly as often as they are allied against non-party opposition, allowing for real debates even in a Congress dominated by a single political party. Nonetheless, all three blocs operate with the understanding that they support the Principlist Party’s core values and will readily cooperate against any potential threats to the party.

Not all MECs are part of one of the three blocs, nor are they required to be. However, joining a bloc gives a MEC additional benefits such as greater access to party finances and a guarantee of support for certain issues.

MINISTRIES​

Ministries are independent agencies created by the Caragachi Congress responsible for different areas of governance. For example, the Foreign Ministry handles diplomacy with other states, the Ministry of Defense manages the military, and the Ministry of Commerce regulates trade. Each ministry is run by a Minister who is also a MEC that has been appointed by the Prime Minister for their position. Ministers are aided by a Vice Minister, a deputy that is a civil servant in smaller ministries while being a junior MEC appointed by the Prime Minister for larger ministries.

ROLES IN CONGRESS
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The Caragachi Congress offers a wide variety of roles in ministry or party posts, including the following:

• Prime Minister: The most powerful post in the Caragachi Commonwealth. Appoints ministers, signs treaties, brings together ministries to achieve national priorities, and directs national policy.​
• Foreign Minister: Chief representative of Caragach abroad. Responsible for the creation, revision, and enacting of foreign policy.​
• Minister of Defense: Responsible for the defense budget, military equipment purchases, and resolving inter-branch rivalries in the Caragachi Armed Forces. Cooperates with the CAF through the General Staff.​
• Minister of Commerce: Regulates domestic industry and trade with outside entities.​
• Minister of the Treasury: Responsible for the state budget, creates draft budgets to be approved by Congress.​
• Minister of Intelligence: Maintains and supervises Caragach’s intelligence agencies.​
• Party Whip: MEC responsible for ensuring all Principlist MECs do not deviate from the party line.​

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