Progressive Socialists of Alterra

Logo of PSA

Factions: Third Way, Libertarian Socialism

## Introduction

The Progressive Socialists of Alterra, also known as PSA for short and formerly Socialist Democrats' Movement, is a mainstream center-left to left-wing political party in the Federal Republic of the Alterran Islands, based on the ideals of democratic socialism, progressivism, welfare and social justice for all.

## History

In 1991, the old traditional parties of Alterra collapsed or dissolved due a period of rapid political change. This gave rise to newer parties with the establishment of the "Fifth Republic", who continue to exist up to the modern day. During this time, a small party, called the "Leftist Democratic Union" would rise to prominence among moderate leftist voters. However in 1998, with an already growing divide in the party, the debate on how it should handle the quickly blooming economy became the catalyst for the split. The LDU fell apart, and new parties came out of it; these being the Social Democratic Alterran Party, The Left and of course, the Progressive Socialists of Alterra, then known as the Socialist Democrats' Movement. The Party gained prominence after 2013 as it began growing to replace the older, more traditional left-wing parties. Following the 2019 the party entered government as part of a national unity coalition with CAD & UPC. In early 2020 the party rebranded itself from SODEM to PSA.

## In the Present

Today, PSA is one of the major parties in Alterra, having gained an increasing number of supporters since its creation, PSA typically rivals either the Conservative Alterran Democrats or the Nationalist Party of Alterra, though it entered a coalition with the first in 2019.

PSA is a registered member of the Progressive Alliance, Socialist International and it sits with the Party of European Socialists in the European Parliament. It attracts mainly young, urban voters and those in similar situations.

## Political Agenda

### Social Issues

PSA runs on a socially progressive platform, supporting things such as LGBT rights, abortion, workers' rights and other personal freedoms. It supports LGBT adoption, but only if the couple is shown to have a stable, loving relationship. It believes abortion is the natural right of every woman, but also that a fetus should be aborted only before its nervous system fully develops (exceptions can occur in cases such as rape). It also supports euthanasia with legal consent. The party supports the legalisation of drugs for medical and personal recreational use. Finally, it believes prostitution should be legal but regulated and facilities such as brothels should have legal permits to operate and respect women's rights. PSA opposes the death penalty for any case.

### The Economy

The Progressive Socialists of Alterra believes in the ideas that everyone should have opportunities but, unlike traditional socialism, thinks everyone needs to follow the work they do best and get paid according to it. However, it also believes in state subsidies and welfare policies for the disadvantaged and poor, as well as workplace democratization and a strengthened representation of the working class to counteract the influence of the top 1%. Finally, it believes in controlling big enterprises and fighting corruption directly to its root.

### Education

PSA believes that the key to a better society is a good educational system. It considers that the current educational system of Alterra should change to allow for the curriculum to be more fluid. It supports a system like Western Europe's where children are divided after elementary depending on their abilities. Universities should also receive more funding and cooperate with the government. Additionally, it supports a system of more democratic schools and encourage equal cooperation between teachers and students.

### Healthcare

PSA supports universal free/cheap healthcare for all Alterrans. It believes the government should finance healthcare as it is a basic human right and have no direct fee for most medical treatment. "Hospitals should be open to all and patients should not need to worry about the price when in the emergency room" said Markus E. Floch in a speech once.

### International Relations

PSA believes that alliances are key to the success of Alterra as a nation, however it does not support Alterra's membership in NATO due to American interventionism in the Middle East and Africa in recent decades. PSA is against US military action in Iraq and Libya, believes Jerusalem should remain a neutral ground between Palestine and Israel and thus opposes the latter's actions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It is supportive of the blockade against Qatar but also points out Saudi hypocrisy due to their authoritarian regime. Finally, it supports aiding African countries in developing and stabilizing as part of the greater recovery from colonialism. PSA supports officially declaring Alterra militarilly neutral.

### Stance on the European Union

PSA fully supports the European Union as an entity, seeing it as a positive influence on Europe that promotes peace and cooperation. However, it also believes that the EU should reform in order to be more democratic and let its people have a stronger voice in choosing members of the European Parliament, European Commission and the Council of the EU. It agrees with the European Army proposal. As for the integration and unification of the alliance, the party supports a confederate system for Europe, where each state will have high autonomy and cooperate with each other to accomplish common goals.