Serebryansk

The Republic of Serebryansk (: Серебрянская Республика) is a   in north-eastern Amphia. It is bordered to the south by Cairdeas and Valourium, and to the north by the Federal Republic of Autonomous Unified Territories. The modern republic took shape in 1956 following a civil war, itself precipitated in the aftermath of the Endwar and resultant Zusean occupation.

History
Serebryansk became a constitutional monarchy at the end of the nineteenth century following [Boyar rebellion title], and this survived until the Endwar, though the parliament suffered from far too much power resting in the upper of its two houses and endemic corruption and misadministration. Following invasion and occupation by Zusea during the Endwar, the former Republic dissolved into civil war, with one faction seeking a restoration of the absolute monarchy and the other promoting a more social-democratic approach, heavily influenced by nearby Meriad. The monarchists lost the war, partially on account of international intervention when it became clear they were also pursuing a policy of ethnic nationalism against (Baltic-ethnicity) citizens and indigenous peoples. Consequently the modern Republic took shape following the armistice in 1956; ostensibly following the Meriadnir model on many accounts, though with the royal family having a much less formal role in politics and mostly being a focal point for national pride. Unfortunately the country remains in practise highly decentralised, and regionalist parties have risen in prominence in more recent years, hampering efforts to build up infrastructure to modern standards and fight corruption.

Geography
Serebryansk is a nation split between the mountainous inland republics and the valleys of the Serebryansk and Bol'shaya Kraynyaya rivers, as well as the floodplain surrounding Pristan'. Consequently, while its resource endowments permitted industrialisation at a pace matching that of neighbouring Ordan states, its unity has always suffered, and demographic changes ushered in by urbanisation in the late 1850s precipitated a bloody rebellion of the country's boyars, or landed nobility, that resulted in its conversion to a constitutional monarchy.

Government
For a constitutional monarchy in practise, Serebryansk is unusual in that nowhere in the constitution is the Grand Prince mentioned by name or duties– indeed, the monarchy remains a largely extra-legal and ceremonial structure, and since the civil war monarchs have largely been disinclined to meddle overmuch in national politics. The legislature is unicameral, and consists of deputies elected from all six constituent republics and both federal cities. Terms are three years, and a third of the legislature is elected every year on a rotating basis. The nation has benefited from a particularly strong Supreme Court for the last decade, during which period five of six justices have avowedly pursued anti-corruption action and defended judicial independence and primacy across the country. However, with the death of two of these judges within a four-month span in the winter of 2018-2019, it remains to be seen whether their successors will act as prudently.

With regards to international relations, the country remains aligned with Meriad and Valourium due to historical partnerships, however, in recent years the Dominate has risen to prominence as major source of foreign goods. Relations with Zusea have remained fraught since the Endwar, with Zusea having never formally recognised ostensible war crimes committed during the occupation, and Liberation Day celebrations continue to pick at historical tensions. Serebryansk has tended away from CODEX despite Valourium's best efforts, and tends towards the right end of the Ordan political spectrum, though not as markedly as Zusea.

Religion
Serebryansk maintains a majority population who profess Orthodox faith; the Serebryansk Patriarchate is the most influential patriarchate by number of constituents, and Serebryansk is also the only country in which Orthodoxy retains state religion status. A sizeable plurality are (Protestant? Reformed Orthodox? Think hybridised Calvinism and Orthodoxy: it's based in the not!Greek rite but focuses heavily on individual agency and is a reaction both to the syncretism of traditional Orthodoxy and the Church hierarchy, which was viewed in the 17th and 18th centuries as corrupt and as holding back the population of the country via illiteracy and theologically diffuse shepherding.)

Economy
One of the countries in Amphia with the lowest current account to GDP ratios, Serebryansk was, for much of the twentieth century, a largely autarchic state, though a net importer of food, particularly in the wake of the civil war. The economic boom of the 1990s saw the standard of living rise markedly, particularly in rural areas, but the primary sector remains fairly stagnant. Most growth in recent decades has come from the tertiary, service-oriented sector, particularly with regards to tourism. Major mineral exports are tin, aluminium, and coal; the country is also a net exporter of electricity thanks to its hydroelectric projects, primarily to Valourium.