Al-Shamaria
The Kingdom of Al-Shamaria
A semi-constitutional monarchy with an oil-focused economy. Al-Shamaria has a population of 29 million and operates under a dual governance structure. Executive power is held by a Prime Minister, part of the cabinet appointed by the Crown, while domestic affairs are managed by a bicameral parliament that includes a directly elected lower chamber. Citizens also directly elect a High Commissioner to independently handle public grievances.
The Crown begins the construction of the Palace of al-Nurayn in the mountainous east of Al-Shamaria, a massive project that would end up costing three times its original budget.
After the Crown was forced to default on loans used to build the Palace of al-Nurayn, the construction is halted and cancelled, leaving the project abandoned. These loans were owed to wealthy merchant families, who demanded constitutional reform.
After protests from the wealthy merchant families, the Crown finally ceded to their demands and established the National Assembly. Originally, its 425 seats are elected directly by the merchant families and guild heads who are owed money as a way to pay back the loans in the form of power.
A tribal uprising in northern Al-Shamaria leads to the Crown suspending the National Assembly in 1762 AD. After 4 years, by the time that the tribal uprisings had already been crushed, the Crown officially abolished the National Assembly and Al-Shamaria went back to being an absolute monarchy.
A large rural exodus into the major cities of Al-Shamaria decreases agricultural production, leading to The Great Famine, in which approximately 1 million died of starvation, from 1871-1872. This led to political chaos and anti-royalist uprisings.
Merchants and farmers unite against the Crown to launch the Republican Revolution, establishing a short-lived republic and reestablishment of the National Assembly.
After some tribal uprisings, the governing Arab Republican Party seizes power to fight them, creating a parliamentary dictatorship in the hands of the executive.
The Arab Republican Party uses the ongoing tribal emergency to arrest and exile remaining opposition figures inside the National Assembly, leading to large-scale opposition by merchant families.
The merchant families form the New Democratic Society and royalists form the Royalist Brotherhood. Both unite against the Arab Republican Party leading to a civil war.
The merchants and royalists reach an agreement after winning the civil war and arresting major ARP figures to restore the monarchy and create a constitutional monarchy.
The National Assembly meets after a great election victory for the Liberal Party which advocated for more democracy in Al-Shamaria to pass the Power Reorganization Act. This act gave democratic institutions more power, established the Supreme Council of State and the office of High Commissioner.
After the Crown granted rights to a Broadlands-based oil company to search for oil in the northern region of Al-Shamaria, the company discovered the Umm Sahra oil field, one of the largest in the world. Shortly after, a state-owned oil extraction company was created (originally Umm Sahra Oil, later renamed PetroShamar), and lifting the small village of Umm Sahra into an international oil industry hub and major city.
House of Al-Zahrani begins its reign as King Abdullah I is crowned under the laws of Al-Shamaria.
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National Mood
The political mood of this country is shaping how citizens feel about the issues. Click a mood to learn more.
Constitutional Convention
Temporary
Called by the head of government or the monarch, or held automatically in a new country's first year. For one year the usual constitutional-change cooldown is suspended, so a new package can be opened as soon as the previous one closes, and the cost of opening a constitutional change package is capped at 75 PP however many changes it contains. Only one package can be open for voting at a time and voting thresholds are unchanged. Once the convention ends, another cannot be called for 10 years. It does not skew elector positions or change salience — its effects are purely on the constitutional change mechanics.
Bread and Circuses
A country where politics is about the cost of living, full stop. Voters care intensely about wages, welfare, prices, and whether the trains run — and tune out the culture wars almost entirely. Bread and Circuses doesn't pick a side on any issue; it changes which fights matter. Material questions dominate every election, while debates about identity, faith, and values struggle to get a hearing.
The Great Disillusionment
A country in the grip of political fatigue. Voters haven't shifted their views — they still hold positions — but they've stopped caring as much. Low salience across the board means elections are less about conviction and more about who turns up. The Great Disillusionment doesn't pick a side; it just dims the signal. The practical effect is that elections become noisier: strong positions count for less because fewer people feel strongly about anything.
Strength through Strength
A country that prizes military capability and sovereign control above internationalism. Voters lean toward strong defence spending, strict immigration enforcement, and national cohesion. Cultural confidence tips into wariness of outside influence. Doesn't say anything about the economic settlement — a Strength through Strength nation can be a welfare state or a free-market one.
- ⚔️ Military Strength — pulls toward military strength
- 🌍 Immigration — pulls toward border security
- 🎭 Multiculturalism — pulls toward national identity
- 👮♂️ Law and Order — pulls toward law and order primacy
Traditional Culture
A country whose social fabric leans on inherited norms. Voters skew socially conservative on identity and family issues, and are more sympathetic to religious framing in public life. Doesn't say anything about economics — a Traditional Culture nation can be capitalist or socialist.
- 🙋♀️ Gender Equality — pulls toward traditional gender roles
- ⛪ Role of Religion in Society — pulls toward religion in government
- 🎭 Multiculturalism — pulls toward national identity
- 🌍 Immigration — pulls toward border security
- 👮♂️ Law and Order — pulls toward law and order primacy
- Raise retirement spending Failed
Political Parties
3 of 7 possible parties in country
Parties in opposition
Parties without a cabinet position.
Elected Offices
Upcoming electionsHigh Commissioner Veto
Elections occur every 12 months. Next election on 10 June 2025 · First past the post (in 5 months)
Candidates & endorsementsExecutive Actions
Powers the executive can wield against rivals — and the autocracy score each act leaves behind.
Cabinet Status
Legislatures
Current legislative bodies and their seat allocations
Legislative Assembly
425 total seats
Criteria for proposals to pass:
- 50.1% of those voting must vote in favour
Seat Distribution
Party seats
Elections occur every 12 months. Next election on 6 September 2025 · Proportional (D'Hondt) (in 8 months)
Supreme Council of State
100 total seats
Criteria for proposals to pass:
- 50.1% of those voting must vote in favour
Seat Distribution
Party seats
Elections occur every 24 months. Next election on 16 November 2026 · Proportional (D'Hondt) (in 1 year)
Election History
Historical election results and democratic milestones
Recent law changes
Invited by Belvaria · Sent 15 Nov 2024 · Expires 13 Feb 2025