Scandinavian Union

The **United Kingdom of Scandinavia**, commonly known as the **Scandinavian Union** (**SU**) or **Scandinavia**, is a nation is Europe. Like the United Kingdom, it is a union of multiple countries consisting of the nations of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden; the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland; and the autonomous region of Åland with powers to manage internal affairs being devolved from the central government to its constituents. Scandinavia borders Germany to the south via Jutland Peninsula, and borders Russia to the northeast via Scandinavian Peninsula.

Scandinavia is a highly developed country with a high standard of living and ranks very highly in measures of quality of life, education, health care, civil liberties, economic competitiveness, income equality, gender equality, prosperity, and human development. It maintains a social welfare system that provides universal health care and tertiary education for its citizens.

Behind the Germany, Scandinavia is the second-largest country in Europe, spanning over an area of 943,523 square kilometres (364,296 sq mi). Scandinavia is a member of NATO, OSCE and the United Nations as well as a member of the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Scandinavia joined the European Union on January 1, 2023

## History

Before the Dissolution of the European Union in 2007, the Nordic countries had already established a so-called Nordic co-operation act in 2001, which was an alliance between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Frequent military exercises were conducted at the Baltic sea and the Atlantic Ocean in this period of time. The act was based in Stockholm, Sweden, where monthly conferences between the Nordic leaders were held. This would later be know as the Senate of the Union.

During the Second Depression in 2006, Euro's value crashed substantially. At this time, a common currency between the Nordic countries was taken into consideration. Later, when the EU Commission declared that the union didn't exist anymore, in 17.6.2009, Finland's economy was already crashed and unemployment risen over 10%. The alternative currency, Nordic Crowns was quickly established between all Nordic banks by emergency laws.

During 2006-2008, a number of unification parties started appearing across the Scandinavian, prominently the **Scandinavian Party**, originally based in Sweden, but quickly transferred and gained support in Finland also. The party's chairman, Olof Öberg (1989-) was a important character in regards of the formation of the Scandinavian Union.

After the dissolution of the EU of 2007, the Scandinavian Unity Party won Finland's parliamentary election by overwhelming support, especially from the lower class of Finland. By this time the option of a real federation was beginning to be taken seriously in Stockholm.

By 2009, the members of the Co-operation act had already began to grow even closer to each other. Border checkpoints were removed between Sweden, Finland, and Norway. Mandatory passports were also decommissioned. The old parliament building where the conferences were held was slowly transformed into a real senate hall in Stockholm.

In 9.12.2010, the members of the Nordic co-operation act signed a treaty to become autonomous states under the rule of the Scandinavian Senate. Later that day, the formation of a new federal entity was declared.

## Politics and government

Politics in Scandinavia operate under a framework laid out in the Constitution of Scandinavia that establishes a sovereign state in the form of a constitutional monarchy, with a representative parliamentary system. The monarchy is constitutional and as such, the role of the monarch is defined and limited by the constitution. The monarch officially retains executive power and presides over the Council of State (*Statsrådet*), the privy council of the realm. In practice, the duties of the monarch are strictly representative and ceremonial, such as the formal appointment and dismissal of the Prime Minister and other Government ministers.

All three supreme branches of government of Scandinavia (legislative, executive, and judiciary) are housed in the same location: Christiansborg Palace. The palace is located on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark. The name Christiansborg is thus also frequently used as a metonym for the Danish political system, and colloquially it is often referred to as **Rigsborgen** ('the castle of the realm') or simply **Borgen** ('the castle'). Also, several parts of the palace are used by the Scandinavian monarch, including the Royal Reception Rooms, the Palace Chapel and the Royal Stables.

Legislative power is vested in the bicameral Rigsdag (*Rigsdagen*) with 786 members, consisted of an upper house (*Landsting*) and a lower house (*Folketing*). It is responsible for passing acts, adopting the state's budgets, approving the state's accounts, appointing and exercising control of the Government, and taking part in international co-operation. Bills are submitted by the Government to the Folketing or by a member of the Folketing. Members of the Landsting are not permitted to propose legislation by themselves. If it is passed by the Folketing, the bill would be sent to the Landsting for review or revision. Most bills, however, are passed unamended by the Landsting and then sent directly to the Monarch for royal assent.

As the executive branch, the Government of Scandinavia (*Regeringen*) is responsible for proposing bills and a budget, executing the laws, and guiding the foreign and internal policies of Scandinavia. The Government operates as a collegial body with collective responsibility and consists of the Prime Minister (*Statsminister*) and other cabinet ministers. The Prime Minister presides over the Government and is formally appointed by the Monarch. In reality, the appointment of the Prime Minister is determined by their support in the parliament. The Monarch only conventionally select the Prime Minister after a leader has gathered support from a majority in the Folketing and an approval from the Landsting.

Scandinavia has a civil law system with some references to Germanic law. The judicial system of Scandinavia is divided between courts with regular civil and criminal jurisdiction and administrative courts with jurisdiction over litigation between individuals and the public administration. The kingdom does not have a single unified judicial system, with its constituent countries (Denmark, Sweden, and Norway) each have their own system. However, decisions by the highest courts in Greenland and the Faroe Islands may be appealed to the Danish High Courts. The Supreme Court of Scandinavia (*Højesteret*) is the highest civil and criminal court responsible for the administration of justice in the realm.