Vanguard for National Reawakening

Vanguard for National Reawakening
Leader	Ludwig Lewis
Chairman	Tobias Wythe
Founded	Established: 1620 AN As Verionist Union
Headquarters	Shirekeep
Political ideology	Verionism
Political position	Centre right
Colours	Black

The Vanguard for National Reawakening is a Verionist political party and movement active in Shireroth. It is a rebranding of the Verionist Union. Together with the Elwynnese Post-Verionist movement, the VNR is considered one of the flag-bearers of Verionism on the Benacian continent.

Founded as the Verionist Union in 1620 AN, it was part of the Mango-Strengthening Movement between 1716 and 1720. It competed in the 1723 Shirerithian general elections, where it performed well and came in as the 4th party in Shireroth overall, and was one of the largest victors of the election. Subsequently, the Vanguard entered into a coalition agreement with the Ultraroyalist Party, the Mango-Strengthening Movement, the National Movement of Human Ecologists, the Throne Loyalists, the National Development Party and Passibelend to form the Second Thuylemans Government. The coalition agreement reflected many Verionist principles such as withdrawing (in all but name) from the Raspur Pact, upholding the Freedom of the Shirithian, free trade, and the centralisation of government power.

Political Programme for the 1723 elections

• Domestic Policies
  • Return to the "three-year rule" of a rotating Kaisership
  • Return of strong executive powers for the Imperial Advisory Council in line with the Verionist reforms of 1623 during the reign of Kaiser Verion.
  • Centralised goverment and limited powers for local rules. The Imperial Government should be able to keep the Imperial States in check
  • Moderate meritocracy and possibilities for lower classes to advance to better positions. Emancipation of the serfs
  • Support a national Shirithian identity and a patriotic citizenry
  • Freedom for the Shirithian: freedom of speech, gathering and religion, protection of life and property. Highlight and support free enterprise

• Foreign Policies
  • Leave the Raspur pact and actively oppose the grip of the Benacian Union
  • Reclaim the former Shirithian lands, especially occupied Verionia (known as Ransenar), Wintergleam and Agnesia, and Elwynn
  • Reach out to all free countries of Micras
  • Focus on a strong navy
  • Protect and advance free trade

Party Congress of 1734

After the nuclear launch on the Benacian Union by unhinged Shirithian Kaiseress Salome, the Verionists saw themselves facing a new reality. They departed from the Second Thuylemans Government after what they perceived to be a weak stance by Steward Thuylemans with regard to the escalations of violence, and the increased shift of the administration towards the Eastern territories. After the Shiro-Benacian conflict fully escalated, the Vanguard held a Party Congress to evaluate the imminent threats of violence and insecurity, and to draft an agenda for protection of the Shirithian interests. In addition, the Congress set out to elect a new party leader, following the death of Lord Tobias Wythe.