Qusen Plan

The Qusen Plan was a radical plan for the complete transformation of the Sanaman political system introduced in 1685 by the Chancellor Yon Qusen, with the tacit support of the Alliance for Prosperity and President Keysa Nur Pinito Caprici. The plan was seen as a continuation of the nationalist policies of the Alliance and aimed to transform Sanama from a federation to a unitary Sanaman nation-state. The seven Sanaman-majority provinces would cease to be sovereign federal entities and instead become provinces within a united Amarra-Sanilla polity, while Cisamarra, Thanatos and Highpass would gain additional autonomy as autonomous areas within Sanama. The plan also called for the abolishment of the remaining federal territories, with the Federal Capital Territory becoming a special district, and Western Shimmerspring becoming a special territory.

History

When Sanama gained independence in 1671 following the Kalirion Fracture, the ruling Sanaman Liberation Front formed Sanama into a federation of 69 cantons, in line with its communalist and federalist ideology. The weakness of the federal government contributed to the military coup lead by Adalwolf Hiedler. As a response to this, the Second Republic became a federation between nine provinces, a compromise between the SLF and the center-right United Nationalist Alliance and Sanaman National Party. This provided Sanama with a stronger federal government, but the popular support for the system plummeted following the passage of the new constitution. Implementation was irregular, with the governments of Cisamarra and Thanatos forming quickly, while the Amarra and Sanilla provinces experienced sluggish implementation of the reform. In 1685, the new constitution was still not fully implemented, and the lack of functioning government especially across Amarra and Sanilla was having negative economic, legal and other consequences. As a response to this, and in line with the ethno-nationalist views of the Alliance, the Qusen Plan was formulated and presented in 1685, following the electoral victory of the Alliance and the reelection of President Nur Pinito Caprici.

Outline

The plan contained several provisions that would radically alter the structure of the Sanaman state. The federation would be abolished and Sanama would be transformed into a unitary state, with the seven central provinces becoming provinces with limited powers, according to regular law. Primary responsibility for the provincial competences listed in the federal constitution would be transferred to the new national government. Cisamarra, Highpass and Thanatos would become autonomous areas with powers defined in the national constitution. The constitution would also recognise the Cisamarrese, Passikaans and Thanatossian nations as integral and constituent parts of the Sanaman state. The competences delegated to the autonomous areas would be explicitly listed in the new constitution, with the national government responsible for all other policy areas. The plan also called for either the abolishment of the Senate, or its reform into a body for revision and review, noticeably weaker than the Llusan. The plan was silent on the representation of the autonomous areas in the national legislature, leading people to interpret the plan as favouring the status quo, with members of the Llusan elected from the provinces and the autonomous areas.

Reception

The plan was initially panned by the Democratic League as nationalist, divisive and dangerous. The provincial governments of Cisamarra and Thanatos on the other hand were tentatively positive, primarily due to the increased autonomy guaranteed and the recognition of the Cisamarrese and Thantossian nations within Sanama. The territorial government in Highpass was strongly in favour as the proposed status would be an improvement over the status as a federal territory. The people across Amarra and Sanilla, generally fed up with ineffectual and disorganised provincial government, was also largely positive to the general themes in the plan.