Join the new world

This political history of eAustria will begin at a time when there were only a few eAustrians - perhaps around 10 - in early 2009. Information before this point is scarce, while the time after it is more well known - thus it serves as a good starting point.

As a very brief prologue, it is important to explain why eAustria was so small at that point in time. After a series of PTO’s and betrayals, as well as many players leaving for new countries (late 2008 - early 2009), many began to doubt that eAustria could survive as an independent nation. They proposed Austria join with Germany, to form the Austria-German Union (AGU). But others were insistent on an independent Austria, despite all the hardships that would come with it.

As the union went forward with governmental backing - and Germany conquered all Austrian regions - some continued to fight it - this group was led by Metallon. These few players would find support from Slovenia, Hungary, and Italy - and ultimately, would secure a single region, enabling Metallon to run for president.

Most players who supported the union remained in Germany, while those who were in Austria were committed to building eAustria up as a country despite the challenge - a big task for only a few people (only 17 people cast a vote in the April 2009 presidential race). Times looked quite grim, and you can imagine the type of stubborn player who would be interested in such a mission. Yet it is these few players who began the story of eAustria that continues to this day.

Therefore, this political history will begin in April 2009, with the election of Metallon as president - in what would turn out to be the rebirth of eAustria.



The One Party Era (April 2009 - August 2009)

Presidents: Metallon - Metallon - Lynari - Lynari - Lynari
Defining political battles: Rot Weiss Rot (RWR) Dominated politics
Defining issues: Stabilizing Austria, Returning Regions.
Defining traits: Powerful presidency, weak congress and cabinet.

The defining issue of the time immediately preceding this been settle😛 the few remaining players were committed to an independent Austria. While this task was not disputed, the challenge would be how to accomplish it - returning regions and stabilizing the country. By the end of this era, this would be accomplished.



Rot Weiss Rot

The community that remained in Austria, though small, of course had differing views in politics. But these issues proved secondary towards the central challenges: the community was largely cohesive and willing to work together in these early days. The leader of the anti-AGU effort, Metallon, was a natural choice to act as leader now. He had worked with Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy in the previous war to end the AGU - now he would work with them on securing a responsible return of the occupied regions, using the ties he had built previously.

Metallon founded the first - and for a time only - party in this new Austria - the Rot Weiss Rot. The patriotic name outlined again the main goal of securing an independent Austria. While the RWR would act more or less as a “catch-all” party in its earliest days, allowing all people in the community to run for office, it certainly tilted towards social democracy overall as this was the leanings of the leadership.

While some would call for an immediate return of all regions, Metallon favored a slow return - with just 1 region, only 10 congress seats would be up for a vote. As there was no such thing as citizenship at that time, anyone could move in and run for a seat. If all 40 seats were being contested, regular players could easily be outnumbered by people who simply moved at the last minute to run. Thus it was preferred to deal only with 10 seats at first before eAustria grew.

Metallon would represent the RWR in the first two presidential elections of this era, each time running unopposed (17-0 in April, 43-0 in May). With few people in the nation at all, few were in the government - in fact, for much of his terms he would be listed as the only member of the cabinet. This meant that the president was a very important role, responsible for most tasks. Likewise, the small congress was not very influential at this time: most decisions were deferred to the president.

After his two terms, Metallon chose Lynari to be his successor - who took a different tact to the presidency as Austria continued to grow. The cabinet would be expanded as more players were included - and Lynari struck a more collaborative tone with players. Though undoubtedly, the presidency remained in control of decision-making.

This diplomatic tact was shown abroad as well - Lynari would gain Germany's formal recognition of Austrian independence late in his first term, turning a page and setting the place for what would eventually become an alliance in later months.



New Parties Emerge

While the RWR was undoubtedly the most influential party of this era, it would not stay the only party. This era saw a large amount of growth in the community as regions slowly returned, and as the community grew, divisions became more visible as well. Socialists would be the first to form a new party - the Socialist Party of Austria (SP) - led by Primeminister Keogh, with Ministry of Finance Robert Knotsworth being a prominent member. They favored a more active government, in particular, in the realm of helping new citizens, through the creation of government programs.

Next to form was the Illuminus Austria by Antonio Salgado in July - an expansionist party with an emphasis on experienced players, and closer ties with PEACE GC. While they agreed with the near-term goal of regaining Austria’s regions, they also wanted to expand past these borders and conquer new territories afterwards.

And finally, it would see the Osterreich Independence Party (ÖIP) form in August with Travis James as its founder - a liberal party favoring a peaceful foreign policy and less expansive government. While it would be critical towards the government’s economic policy, it differed greatest with the Illuminus Austria’s vision for expansion.

As these parties grew, towards the later part of this era, there would be more strains showing between the groups. Yet Lynari, leader of the RWR, would remain a popular president. More centrist than Metallon, he was able to diplomatically walk the line between the now growing parties and their different ideals. These other parties would be included into the cabinet, and find an ability to influence policy. After Metallon’s two terms, Lynari would be elected to three terms in this period, each by a large margin in his own right (65.12%, 63.79%, 69.31😵.



The End of an Era

The RWR’s dominant and largely uncontested role defined this period - as did the quest for returning all regions. In late August, this quest would come to its successful end with the return of the final region - Burgenland - to Austria from Hungary. With the defining challenge of the era having been met, the greatest force keeping the different factions together was no more. Austria had begun this era numbering in the 10’s - 17 votes were cast in April - now it numbered in the hundreds (over 100 votes were cast in August).

Fittingly, the “One Party Era” came to a definitive end when the Illuminus Austria (IA) ended its support of the RWR, challenging them for the Presidency in September 2009, and for dominance in Austrian politics.



Next: The Competitive Era