Espiro-Asturican Empire

The **Espiro-Asturican Empire**, officially the **Empire of the Vispanias**, was a constitutional monarchy and great power in Southern Euteria and North Atria.

## Government

Espiro-Asturica had a complex and unique system of government. Though united, the two constituent crowns retained the right to govern affairs within their territories. Additionally, a joint imperial government independent of both crowns was established at the Treaty of Segarra.

### **Imperial Diet**

The Treaty of Segarra established the "Imperial Diet", a common joint government responsible for the Common Army, navy, foreign policy, and the customs union. The Imperial Diet was composed of two parliaments, each headed by a Prime Minister with their own respective cabinets.

It was led by the Emperor, a title more symbolic than political, who was the face of the empire. The Emperor had the right to veto any kind of Bill before it was presented to the National Assembly, the right to veto all legislation passed by the National Assembly, and the power to prorogue or dissolve the Assembly and call for new elections. In practice, these powers were only used once.

The Imperial Diet was responsible for appointing the Emperor. The nomination process required approval by both parliaments and both monarchies before a nominee ascended to the throne. As part of the treaty, the joint government had control over newly conquered territories, preventing either crown from staking a claim. Most of these territories were from Andalonia and the Nahrain. They played a major role in the forced conversion, deportation, and oppression of the Andalonian peoples.

### **Monarchies**

The two crowns, Espiria and Asturica, were led by their respective head, either a king or queen.

## Dissolution

Towards the end of the empire, the Imperial Diet had become a powerful force, essentially becoming the third state within the union. It passed laws to increase its power and manipulated the constitution to gain more authority. Espiria sought to centralize the empire and aligned itself with the Diet, while Asturica adamantly opposed centralization and preferred the current system. Following the death of Ualdo III, a new Emperor was to be elected. Under Vispanian law, any Imperial nominee and change to the constitution required approval of the Imperial Diet, the Espirian Crown, and the Vispanian Crown. A veto by either Crown would effectively end the process and require a new nominee. However, if both Imperial Parliaments (Espirian and Asturican) were in agreement, a veto could be overruled.

The Espirians used threats and bribery to ensure the Asturican Imperial Parliament voted in favour of the nominee, Inacio II, an avid Vispanian centralist. The Espirians planned to block the Asturican Crown's veto and install an Emperor that would irreversibly move the balance of power in favour of themselves. However, after an impassioned plea by King Amalric of Asturica, the Asturican Imperial Parliament secretly chose to vote against the Emperor-in-waiting. When the Espirian Crown realized their plans would not succeed, and the empire on the brink of secession, they secretly devised a new strategy.

At the Imperial Capital in Centelles, the Diet was set to vote and Inacio II was present.