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Federal Democratic Republic of Belarus
Федэратыўная Дэмакратычная Рэспубліка Беларусь
Timeline: 1983: Doomsday

OTL equivalent: Eastern and parts of Central Belarus
Flag Coat of Arms
Flag Coat of Arms
Location of Belarus
Location of Belarus
Capital Babruysk
Largest city Mogilev
Other cities Vitebsk, Navapolatsk, Polotsk, Barysaw, Mazyr, Salihorsk
Language
  official
 
Belarusian, Russian
  others Ukrainian, Polish
Religion Russian Orthodox
Demonym Belorussian
Chairman of the Council of Presidents of the Territories Uładzimir Hančaryk
Area approx 100,000 km²
Population approx. 1.8 million 
Independence September 20th, 1990
Currency Belorussian Ruble

The Federal Democratic Republic of Belarus is a federation of city-states based within the borders of the former Byelorussian SSR.

History[]

On Doomsday, the Byelorussian SSR lost its capital, Minsk, to an American nuclear missile. The cities of Brest and Hrodna were hit as well, for their massive train yards and army headquarters, respectively. The Strategic Bomber base at Balbasovo, and the bomber base at Pribytki were also hit, damaging the cities of Orsha and Gomel, respectively. The Missile bases at Lida and the air base at Baranovichi were also struck.

The rest of the republic escaped attack but was inundated by refugees from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic States, especially in the western half. The remaining intact cities of the republic - largely in the east - asserted their independence, securing as much surrounding territory as possible and closing themselves off to the surrounding chaos. Quite quickly, however, the states realized the futility of attempting to brave the storm separately and began to band together. On September 20th, 1990, on the seventh anniversary of Doomsday, the city-states combined into the Federal Democratic Republic of Belarus. The city of Babruysk was chosen as the capital of the federation in a secret ballot, in which no city could vote for themselves.

For the next decade and a half, the central government focused its efforts on coordinating survival efforts. In 2005, contact with the outside world was established in the form of a radio signal originating in Navapolatsk that was picked up by the Nordic Union. Diplomatic ties were soon forged with the Scandinavians. In 2006, contact was made with Prussia, North Germany, and the Celtic Alliance. In 2007, contact was made with the Union of Sovereign Socialist Republics although this contact was fraught with suspicion. By 2009, the FDRB had established contact with the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand and the South American Confederation.

Government and Politics[]

Belarus is divided into 25 territories, consisting of the city-states and their surrounding territories. The central government consists of the Council of Presidents of the Territories, which elects a chairman from among its ranks every four years. Each city-state is at least nominally a constitutional republic with a semi-presidential system. Almost all of the city-states have undergone democratization - the change has been ongoing because dictators have never been elected chairman - since attaining independence after Doomsday, though communism itself has been relentlessly suppressed due to the legacy of the Soviet era and Doomsday.

The chairman is the head of state, though they are also the head of government. Currently, the Chairman is Uładzimir Hančaryk, from the city-state of Lahojsk.

Military[]

The FDRB's military is similar to the Swiss system. All able-bodied males over 18 are required to serve. Those serving in the military are required to keep their personal equipment-including firearms-at home, to ensure readiness if conflict breaks out. This has been seen as especially being necessary in light of recent threats from the Union of Sovereign Socialist Republics.

Economy[]

The economy of Belarus is still largely agrarian, dependent on the farmlands outside the city-states. Agriculture took a hit after Doomsday due to fallout, though it has largely recovered. Energy is of a prime concern to the Belorussian government. A large hydroelectric energy project has been put into motion, and alternative energy sources for motor vehicles have been promoted. Still, there are many citizens who shun dependence on modern technology, feeling that such dependence led to the tragedy of Doomsday.

International Relations[]

Belarus is not a member of the League of Nations. They have considered joining, but they know that the Siberians would block any attempts at national recognition. Plus, many Belorussian politicians have criticized the League for advancing the ANZC's territorial claim to the Cocos Islands, citing the controversy as proof that the LoG lacks objectiveness in dealing with international affairs. SAC diplomatic approaches have also been rejected, for the Belorussian government has said it refuses to play a part in what it calls the "Second Cold War." Relations with the USSR have been very tense since the two nations made contact in 2007. The authorities in Siberia consider Belarus to be a part of the USSR and thus view the FDRB as an illegitimate breakaway state. The Siberians have not actually made any attempts to take back Belarus, due to the lawless lands separating the two nations. The Belorussian government, however, remains wary, and has taken steps to prepare for a possible Siberian invasion in the near-future. The recent Siberian invasion of Aralia has heightened fears of a war between Siberia and the FDRB in the future.

Due to the nature of the state, very little exploration has been done outside of its boundaries, which largely had the effect of finding large parts of the Priypet Marches irradiated and making contact with Ukrainian survivor-nations. With the recent establishment of a Exploratory Division for the Ukraine by the WCRB, based in the Crimea, the government has now begun to explore in that region east of the marshes in concert with them.

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