Juliani Marfano

Marfano in 1974

18th Prime Minister of Greja

**Juliani Marfano** (January 3, 1934 - June 24, 2020) was a Grejan politician and 18th Prime Minister of Greja from 1974 to 1980. Marfano also served as the 20th Governor of Katino from 1966 to 1970. Marfano was a more conservative right leaning politician. Having supported laws to expand the Grejan Military and strengthen the economy. Marfano is most famous for being Prime Minister during the Fourth Grejan-Chian war, as well as the last Prime Minister to support Gerano II.

Marfano was born in Hedici on January 3, 1934. Marfano would attend Hedici City High School from 1948 to 1952. Marfano went to Bezzao University in law, and soon became a lawyer, operating his own law firm from 1958 to 1965. In 1965 Marfano would enter politics, campaigning for the reestablishment of the rights of the monarchy, as well as supporting conservative values of family and economy.

Having quickly became a strong leader in Grejan politics, Marfano would join the Conservative Party and go on to become governor of Katino from 1966 to 1970. And later win the 1974 election. After serving as Prime Minister, Marfano would become more progressive on his political beliefs, supporting democratic movements and the establishment of Parliament. As well as the extension of rights of minorities and LGBTQ+ in his later political career. Retiring from politics in 2002 and living the rest of his life in Yanikdor until his death in 2020.

## Early Life

Marfano was born on January 3, 1934 in Hedici, Katino. An only child, Marfano was born to well-off parents, his father, Danikos Marfano, was an influential lawyer within the early Grejan judicial court systems of the 1910s. Marfano gained an interest in law from his father, and helped transcribe court cases with him. Following the economic downturn during the early 1940s, Marfano would begin to be a proper apprentice to his father. Marfano would later go on to high school at the Hedici City High School where he would participate in forming the school's Debate club before moving on to study law at the Bezzao University.

Becoming involved with law very early into his studies at Bezzao University, Marfano would be influential among the alumni of his class. Where he would spend long hours discussing school and governmental policy. Marfano during this time was very much against the increase in power that the House of Lords was being given by King Janari. Becoming an outspoken critic of the great reviver, Marfano would lead several strikes against the school in attempts to prevent the school from accepting funding from the monarchy.

### Lawyer (1958-1965)

Marfano would graduate from Bezzao university in the spring of 1958, later opening his own law firm with support from his aging father, he would take on many of his father's old clientele, where Marfano would eventually grow his law firm to be the most prominent one in Katino. During the early years of the law firm, Marfano would rally against the monarchy, being a critic of Janari and refusing to serve any clients whom supported the monarchy directly.

#### Marfano v. Tanikao

In the Summer of 1961, Marfano would take on a case against infamous politician Semokis Tanikao in a case of fraud and corruption. Marfano v. Tanikao would be a turning point in the politics of mid-century Greja, as it exposed major corruption and fraud within the House of Lords, leading to the decision by House Regulation Act in 1964. The case would lead to the prominence of Marfano and his law firm within Greja, quickly growing the popularity of his law firm during the 1960s. Marfano v. Tanikao was also important in Marfano's anti-house agenda, which gave Greja a taste of the then state of the country's legislature due to a lack of regulation since it's founding in 1918.

#### Interest in Politics and Later Years as Lawyer

Marfano would following the Marfano v. Tanikao ruling, begin to take interest in politics of Greja, supporting local regulatory organizations within Hedici. Marfano would move his law firm's headquarters to Janrao in early 1963. In late 1963 Marfano would take on the important case of Marfano v. Parao where another case of fraud within the House of Lords was discovered. Marfano would eventually step back from an active role in his law firm before retiring in 1965.

## Entry into Politics

In late 1965, Marfano would enter into politics following his retirement from his career as a lawyer. Marfano would begin to quickly build up a campaign for the 1966 gubernatorial election of Katino. Marfano would support more conservative values, being an out spoken critic of government influence in the lives of the average person, and supporting community and family whilst being against progressive movements during the time such as minority rights and homosexuality. Despite being seen as an extremist by most of the public,

#### 1966 Katino Gubernatorial Election

Marfano ran as the conservative party leader of the province. Running against well-known politician Thenso Nemikos, Polling lasted from April 10 to April 15, 1966. Marfano managed a slim margin over Nemikos, managing to win over the more conservative base of the province. Critics of Marfano claimed fraud, and several accounts of fraud had been found but not directly linked to Marfano. Overall the votes managed 1,301,409 in favor of Marfano and 1,291,900 in favor of Nemikos.

## Governor of Katino (1966-1970)

### 1966

After winning the election, Marfano was inaugurated on May 25, 1966 as governor of Katino. Marfano's term started out strong. Marfano started out his term with the opening of Highway 14 through Hedici. Marfano focused most of his time into issues of the province's largest city, Hedici. Expanding police and provincial service funding, opening the first provincial operated bus network within the city, and helped expand access to television and other radio broadcasting to the province's rural areas. Marfano would in December of 1966, pass the Katino Provincial Legislature Act, where the provincial government would usurp the legislative power of many of the towns and cities within province, allowing for all proceedings to be carried out through the provincial legislature.

### 1967

Marfano would begin 1967 with the opening of the Hedici Arts Center. In Early March Marfano would invest into infrastructure and expand the industrial economy of the province, expanding electrification into the rural areas and building water purification plants by the end of July. Later into the year Marfano would express admiration to the young new King, Gerano II, whom he respected for going hard on the House. The year would end with the provincial legislature passing an redevelopment act for the town of Manao-Ressimisos.

### 1968

Backlash from progressive leaders on Marfano's position of minority racial and people groups would be criticized, with mass protests during the months of February and March against Marfano's law to ban immigration centers within the province. This would cause an action by the house and then Prime Minister Ferao Muluti to veto Marfano's Law, and later pass the 1968 Grejan Immigration Act, to protect immigration within Greja. The later part of the year would end with Marfano deciding not to call for reelection in 1970.

### 1969

Marfano would come into the year with low polling, beginning to focus more on the growing military focus by Gerano II. Marfano would help construction of a naval base at the Mafariao Bay. Most of the later half of his governorship would be spent focusing the province's resources of developing the growing port of Mafariao, which had grown to surpass Hedici as the province's largest city. In late 1969, Marfano would begin a purge of his potential political opponents from the province, causing further backlash from the people of Katino.

### 1970

With his term ending, and no desire to attempt reelection, Marfano would focus on developing the province's developing technology and service industries. Marfano would formally end his term as Governor of Katino on May 25, 1970. Marfano, having a taste of what leadership was like, as stated in an interview, thought that he could bring change to Greja through the House of Lords.

## Attempts at Prime Minister and other Political Ventures

### Grejan National Committee (1970-1974)

Following his outing as governor of Katino, Marfano would enter politics as a member of the Grejan National Committee, winning over a position as a representative of his home province, Katino through his connections as a former lawyer and former governor. Marfano would be a vocal advocate for the creation of a House sponsored diplomatic office, especially with the poor administration issues created by Gerano II.

Marfano would continue in support of more right-wing laws, being against immigration, and supporting the deportation of cultural minorities within Greja. Marfano was also critical of then Prime Minister Segio Cerelio, stating that his policies were weak and that he was an ineffective ruler for Greja. Rejecting the ideas of supporting racial minorities within the primarily white Greja.

### May 1972 Election

Marfano would poll himself as the idea conservative leader in the minds of the people. Marfano attempted himself at the election in an attempt to become Prime Minister. Marfano worked on a core ideal of the people and economy are first. Marfano would be going up against Segio Cerelio of the Janrao Royal Party. Ultimately Cerelio would maintain the position as Prime Minister, winning the election and maintaining power. Marfano would begin to create a more appealing basis to the massively growing younger base of the country, changing his campaign for the next election later in the year.

### December 1972 Election

Called by Gerano II again, Marfano took the initiative and came back with a campaign of education, economy, and development. Still going against Cerelio alone, Marfano managed to decrease the support of the more democratic Janrao Royalists and towards more conservative leaders. Despite not winning, Marfano managed to pull in a lot of support, losing the election by 1.4%.

### Growing Support and 1974 Election

Marfano would rapidly gain support from his party members, quickly becoming the face of the Grejan Conservative Party. With the population of Greja quickly growing, Marfano continued his support of education and access to healthcare. His new stance on education, healthcare, and economic woes would become vital when it came to his support. With the National Committee acting as a non-royal legislature, Marfano would support many conservative leaders in local elections.

By 1974, Marfano had gained a large support base and forced the House of Lords to call for an election, bringing his party into the election. Using his support, he campaigned on education, healthcare, and economic well being. With the eastern economic crash just a year prior, Marfano would use the damaging effects on the Grejan economy to gain large support for his party, using examples from his economic development as governor of Katino. Marfano would also use the defeat of Greja to the hands of Chi as an example of why Cerelio was an ineffective leader.

The election ended in Late September, with Marfano winning the election with a landslide against Segio Cerelio, with 19,342,955 in favor of Marfano against 8,490,031 in favor of Cerelio. With Marfano being inaugurated in mid October as the 18th Prime Minister of Greja, and first Grejan Conservative Party Prime Minister since Tagmag Zariano.

## Prime Minister (1974-1980)

### 1974

Marfano began his term as Prime Minister during a time of economic and social unrest in Greja. During this time, the Grejan economy was in a recession due in part of the larger economic crisis abroad, as well as poor management of national funds by King Gerano II and the massive economic penalties sustained after the 1974 Grejan-Chian War earlier in the year. Marfano was relatively young when he took office, being only 40 years old. Marfano also spent a lot of his time away from the capital, visiting towns and cities and giving speeches to gain further support for his legislature. Being more open, Marfano was able to gain a sizeable majority within the National Committee and secure any future policy changes.

Marfano started off strong, investing in the development of technology and agrarian industries, and focusing the state's limited resources on suppressing unrest within the northern provinces. Marfano would pass the 1974 Grejan Tax Acts, which would dramatically cut taxes for less-off folk in Greja. Marfano would use his majority in the National Committee to repeal the 1968 Grejan Immigration Act, following it up with the 1974 Grejan Immigration Regulatory Act, effectively banning all immigration to the country.

Marfano would go on several diplomatic ventures during this time, developing Grejan-Nevedian relations, and helping expand the ease of access for foreign shipping companies to use Grejan ports. Marfano would also visit several other countries before the year was over, making strides in improving relations with Fentshu and Xanadu.

### 1975

1975 began with tensions flaring up within the northern provinces due to an ongoing genocide by the monarchy. Seeing this, Marfano was forced to deport many of the Chi within the northern provinces. Despite this, protests and riots continued for months afterwards in the region. Marfano would focus most of the state's resources on Greja's domestic issues, ignoring the economy in an attempt to make Greja stable again. This lead to Marfano passing the 1975 Grejan Deportation Act, which allowed Greja to deport any person without any reason.

Marfano spent most of 1975 trying to keep the country together, with the economy being ignored, the economic recession had begun to take full effect with the Grejan economy beginning to drop significantly faster near the end of the year. Marfano attempted to invest into infrastructure such as railways and roads, as well as further water infrastructure for the growing population. Near the end of the year, he would pass the 1974 Grejan Water Regulation Act, allowing the state to regulate the amount of water allocated to the public.

### 1976

Marfano began 1976 with a campaign he called the "Social Correcting" where Greja would segregate non-Grejan persons. Despite attempts at preventing the genocide of minorities by the monarchy, Marfano's attempts at preventing the monarchy's genocide of non-Grejan people groups is considered by historians the last time a Prime Minister supported then monarch Gerano II, as from this point onwards, Marfano would be actively against Gerano II.

Marfano would pass the 1976 Grejan National Security Act, giving the army further autonomy from the National Committee. Marfano would greatly invest into the army during this time. With relations continuing to sour with Chi, Marfano would attempt several diplomatic ventures to Chi to attempt to prevent another war. Chi began to deeply criticize Greja, threatening to seize Chian majority lands in Northern Greja should Greja not stop its genocide.

Marfano would spend the later half of 1976 passing minor legislature, passing the 1976 Grejan Naval Acts, the 1976 Grejan Gun Control Acts, and the 1976 Grejan Business Regulatory Act. Greja would end up banning all firearms, greatly regulate free business, and give the Grejan Navy special permissions.

### 1977

Marfano would begin to be more outspokenly critical of Gerano II's actions, claiming that he was a scourge on the country and its people. The House of Lords attempted to pass through the 1977 Grejan Right of Assembly Act, which would have allowed people to freely assemble, and reestablish the rights that were taken away back in 1967 by Gerano II. However Gerano II would veto the bill. Angered, Marfano would rally the conservatives to vote for the 1977 Grejan Labour Act, which would give the people the right to unionize against their employers, which would end up passing with a 185/250 seat majority.

#### 1977 Election

With opposition quickly gaining against the incumbent monarch, Gerano II would force call an election into the House of Lords and National Committee. Marfano having given the public reason to oppose the monarch, would poll significantly higher than the opposition of Hedok Zevemos, apart of the quickly growing Grejan Progressive Party. The election would end up with a comfortable margin of victory for Marfano. With Gerano II's attempt at kicking Marfano out of office, Marfano would focus his efforts on attempting to prevent any further conflicts arising from Gerano II.

### 1978

The year began with Marfano attempting to open up Greja more to the outside world, but being curbed by Gerano II. The year was mostly plagued by an increasing of tensions between Greja and Chi, as well as the continued attempts at the National Committee to revoke power from the House of Lords. Marfano placed emphasis on expanding the army due to the rapid growth of the Chian Army during the year. Marfano also began to sought after new trade deals with the recovering powers to the east, such as Dailand or Gliserine.

Marfano would pass the 1978 Grejan Food Regulatory Act, which allowed the government to regulate the kinds of food that was allowed on shelves for safety reasons. Marfano would begin to recluse himself from the public view as the year dragged on. Marfano oversaw the construction of Greja's first nuclear power plant, the Farcini Nuclear Station, as well as the passing of the Homeland Rights Act by the House of Lords, which he gave no attempt at stopping.

#### 1978 Election

Called by Gerano II, an election was called in late October, assumedly in another attempt to kick Marfano out of office. The election began with Marfano going against the young opposition leader Meliki Soroa of the Grejan Progressive Party. By this time the progressivists had gained significant popularity because of the monarchy's attempts at suppressing the voice of the people. The election faced much opposition from both sides of the political spectrum, and resulted in a very small minority win for Marfano.

### 1979

1979 Started with a large escalation of tensions, with skirmishes happening along the Grejan-Chian border during January and February. The state minister, Asios Makyok, and Marfano attempted to quell tensions between Greja and Chi in an attempt to prevent war from breaking out. Marfano requested once again for the army to be funded, and despite the possibility of war, Gerano II denied any major funding to the military during the year.

Marfano began to campaign a more unpopular militaristic viewpoint, attempting to save the country from another military defeat. Marfano would begin diverting funding away from subsidizing major industries such as the automotive and agricultural industries and funnel it into the military. During this time of heightened tensions Marfano would pass the 1979 Grejan Conscription Act, allowing the National Committee and House of Lords to call for a conscription against the wishes of the people and monarchy.

#### Role in Fourth Grejan-Chian War

War broke out between Greja and Chi in May, fighting quickly escalated on both sides. Marfano attempted a more active role in the military, acting as a morale support for troops fighting against the larger Chian Force. The underfunded Grejan army was forced back away from the border, cities such as Pansoa and Karlao quickly fell to Chi during the later half of 1979.

Marfano attempted to rally support for the war, but people were tired of war, and protests erupted following the war's end. Marfano had to evacuate Medici as protests began to become violent. Anti-government riots and infighting within the general staff began to disorganize the structure of the army. Mismanagement within the Grejan economy due to the war also began to cause the Grejan economy to fall into an economic crash.

### 1980

With war calming down into 1980, the country's economy was in active collapse, and the administration was in chaos. Marfano attempted to quell the riots and unrest to no avail. Marfano was forced to declare a state of emergency. With riots and an active war, Gerano II began to fire many of his advisors. Grejan laws preserved the fragile immunity from monarchy intervention in the House of Lords and National Committee.

Marfano fought back against Gerano II, beginning peace talks with Chi and giving the Grejan people whom were harmed immunity and compensation. Marfano sued for peace with Chi, agreeing on a people exchange, and the annexation of half of Greja's northern provinces including the entire province of Rancano, which the remaining half was incorporated into Chicinao. With war over, Gerano II attempted to fire Marfano, but was unsuccessful, leading to the National Committee walking out in protest.

Only a few months later would Marfano call an election via the House of Lords, stating that he will resign and not attempt reelection. After proceedings, Marfano would resign from office in early October following the results and subsequent inauguration of 1980 election winner, opposition leader Meliki Soroa, whom won the election by a massive margin.

## Post Ministry and Later Political Career

### Political Activism Against Gerano II

After leaving office Marfano would become active within the National Committee, acting as the representative of the 92nd District centered around Mafariao. Marfano would become a political activist, criticizing the administration of the King, calling him a "Paranoid coward." Following into later 1980, Marfano would stage a walk out of the House of Lords and National Committee, leading to Gerano II to pass his own legislative act to abolish both houses.

Marfano would lead the Grejan Party for Democratic Change following the staged walk out. Using his political clout to influence the party members and public, Marfano along with then Prime Minister Meliki Soroa would stage large scale protests and riots. Members of the House of Lords would retaliate to Gerano II abolishing the house of lords, using their power as nobility to turn over support of the military and attempt a coup d'état against Gerano II. Following the attempted coup d'état, Marfano would have completely switched his political stance from the start of the term as Prime Minister, becoming a more Liberal leader within the country.

### As Member of Parliament (1981-2002)

Early into 1981, the people of Greja were furious with Gerano II. With no way to force him to resign, a military backed coalition of the main three liberal parties in Greja stormed the Imperial Palace and forced Gerano II to sign the Grejan Acts of Parliament, forcing the creation of the Grejan Parliament, and the extension of democracy within Greja. Marfano would become the chief representative of Katino, and act as one of the leading members of Parliament during his tenner.

Marfano spent most of his time in parliament keeping the democratic structure of parliament separate from the monarchy. Helping to rally for bills such as the 1986 Grejan Parliament Act and the 1991 Grejan Rights Act. Both of which gave parliament more leverage away from the monarchy.

Marfano would eventually retire from politics in 2002 following the transition to a full Parliamentary Monarchy structure under Isidora. Marfano would retire to Yanikdor on the north eastern coast. Many historians do agree that Marfano likely would have been tried for war crimes under his administration of Greja if it wasn't for his protection under the monarchy.

## Later Life and Death

Marfano would retire to his stately home in Yanikdor, Yimini. He spent his later life alone, as Marfano never married or had children during his life. Marfano would remark that had he not been Prime Minister, he likely would have gotten married. However stating that if he had not been Prime Minister, the catalyst for forming Parliament and exposing the wrong doings of the monarchy at the time would likely have never happened.

Marfano would end up writing several books about his life and his time as Prime Minister and in Parliament. Often expressing deep sorrow for the pain he caused when he "didn't know better." Marfano would take up several interviews and travels to spread the word against corruption throughout his later years.

#### Death

Marfano would die of heart complications at 9:32 in the morning on June 24, 2020 at the age of 86. Marfano had been experiencing problems with his heart for years prior before his death. His funeral was attended by most Parliament Members, former Prime Ministers Meliki Soroa, Radia Zeniao, and Meliki Falani, as well as the current Prime Minister Monoma Kinoa and Queen Isidora.

## Impact

Marfano had a large impact on the modern history of Greja, being influential in the creation of Parliament. Marfano is often considered the "Misguided Father of Parliament" for his actions as Prime Minister during the mid 70s. Marfano would ultimately make a large impact on Greja, making immigration harder kept Greja homogenous for years to come, and helping keep together Greja during the late 70s during a time of great hardship.

Historians agree that Marfano's impact on Greja was vital in the transition away from authoritarianism and towards democracy. Marfano caused lots of suffering, but managed to change his ways to turn the tides of history in the favor of democracy. noted one historian.

Ultimately, Marfano made significant contributions to the democratization of Greja as well as the support of traditional ways whilst keeping freedom for the people of Greja. Marfano ended up preventing the Grejan economy from completely collapsing long enough for it to begin recovery under the administration of Parliament during the 80s, which allowed Greja to finally grow its economy after a 25 year long recession.