New Batavia

Islamic Republic of New Batavia Islamitische Republiek Nieuw-Batavië
Islamic Internet Republic -- (2020 - present) -- no successor
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: Vrede, Vrijheid, Verdraagzaamheid (Peace, Freedom, Tolerance)
Anthem: Gebed voor het Vaderland (Prayer for the Fatherland)
Map versions	17.0.8 - present
Capital	Lucerne
Largest city	Patriottenbaai
Official language(s)	Dutch
Official religion(s)	Islam
Demonym	New Batavian
- Adjective	New Batavian
Government	parliamentary democracy
- President	Saladin
- Grand Vizier	Redouan van Lucerne
- Legislature	Majlis-ash-Shoera
Establishment	January 14, 2007
Area
Population	active participants: 2 simulated population:17,250,000
Currency
Abbreviation	NBA
Mains electricity
Driving side
Track gauge
Calendar
Time zone(s)	CMT + 6
National website	Portal New Batavia
National forum	Bastion Union
National animal	lion
National food	dates and carbonade flamande
National drink
National tree

The Islamic Republic of New Batavia (Islamitische Republiek Nieuw-Batavië)is the successor state of the Virtual United Provinces, the Republic of the Netherlands and the Islamic Internet Republic. The nation was founded in 2007 and became involved in the Micras sector in 2009. Today, New Batavia is located in the Antarctic region of Micras.

Etymology

Batavians defeating the Romans in 69 AD

During the First Republic Era, a number of citizens of Batavia founded the province of New Batavia (Nieuw-Batavië) and acceded to the Virtual United Provinces. The province was later dissolved, but it continued to be named in the constitutions of the Second and Third Republic. New Batavia was also on the map of the original claim.

The island of New Batavia was later claimed by Mercury and renamed to Lusa. In 2013, the Government-in-Exile was offered sanctuary by Mercury.

The island was eventually resettled by the exiles in October 2020. The constitution of the Fourth Republic then officially renamed the nation to New Batavia.

Etymologically Batavia refers to the Germanic tribe of the Batavi. The Dutch named many places after the Batavi, including the Batavian Republic.

History

History of New Batavia

First Republic (2007-2008) Second Republic (2008-2010) Third Republic (2010-2011) Government-in-Exile (2011-2020) Third Republic Restoration (2020-2020) Fourth Republic (2020-present)

Portal New Batavia

See also: Timeline of New Batavia

On October 31, 2020 the MCS accepted the claim of the Government-in-Exile of the Islamic Internet Republic to the island of New Batavia. The main point of criticism before acceptance of the claim was the name of the nation. It was felt by some MCS members that there were too many real world references and that the nation was not "Micras" enough. Frans stressed he did not want to found an entirely new nation, but "really really" wanted a legal and historical link with the old IIR. The proposed constitution of the Fourth Republic met some of the criticism.

The present day Fourth Republic was established on November 30, 2020 when the new constitution was approved by referendum. Redouan van Lucerne's cabinet stressed the necessity of international co-operation and succesfully negotiated treaties with Hurmu, Thraci Confederation, Mercury and others. This cabinet didn't actively sponsor sport in New Batavia, but there were private initiatives to organize football and ice hockey competitions.

After the restoration, tensions between the former exiles grew. Many returning exiles settled in Southern Corum, but felt neglected by the Lucerne based government. The South Corum Independence Party became the voice of this group. There also remain many descendants of former IIR-citizens in The Green, which is also an issue the cabinet will need to tackle.

Government

See also: Constitution of New Batavia

President Saladin

New Batavia is a parliamentary democracy. The President is the ceremonial head-of-state. He is elected for a six months term.

The president appoints the Grand Vizier (Grootvizier), in whom executive power is vested, with the approval of the Majlis-ash-Shoera. The Grand Vizier, then, appoints the other members of the cabinet, called viziers.

Legislative power is vested in the Majlis-ash-Shoera. This assembly is elected every 4 months. There are 100 votes, proportionally distributed among its members.

Before a law is passed, it needs the advice of the Islamic Diwan, although this advice is non-binding. The Islamic Diwan is composed of ordinary members (apppointed by the Majlis-ash-Shoera at the President's proposal), extraordinary members (the former heads-of-state) and coopted members (chosen by the ordinary and extraordinary members). At least half of the ordinary members need to be muslim. The Islamic Diwan is the so-called advisory branch of government.

Judiciary power resides with the independent Supreme Court (Hooggerechtshof). Lower courts are to be established by law. Judges are appointed for life to ensure their independence.

Religion

The main religion in New Batavia is Islam. The constitution doesn't mention the establishment of a state religion. On the other hand, article 1 of the constitution states that sovereignty belongs to Allah, and that men's 'stewardship' is to be executed as stipulated by the constitution. Except for the Islamic Diwan, all major government institutions are secular in nature.

Freedom of religion is guaranteed by both the constitution and the Holy Quran.

Population

When the Republic was restored in 2020, the government called all exiles back to the motherland. Initially, New Batavian intelligentsia returned and settled in the city of Lucerne. Most middle class families initially resettled in the South Corum areas, which was later also reclaimed via the MCS.

Early 2021, the population saw a steep rise to 15 million people. Most are descendants of former exiles returning. There are also many mixed families through intermarriage with Batavian and Mercurian families. These mixed families often have other languages than Dutch as their first language.

Today, the official population in land claimed by New Batavia is approximately 15 million. It is estimated that many descendants of IIR inhabitants live in The Green in Southern Corum. They are currently not recognized as citizens of the Republic.

Sport

See also: Sport in New Batavia

Association football is a popular sport in New Batavia. There are currently two competing football federations that organize several competitions and cups.

On December 10, 2020 the IJNB was founded to organize professional and amateur ice hockey competitions.

Trivia

The nation received a 2020 FNORD Award in the category "Tis but a Fleshwound" for returning to Micras, with an unbroken history, after so many many years.