Characters / TNO Europe

Main Character Index Superpowers: Großgermanisches Reich (Heydrich's Germany) | The United States of America (1964-1968 American Presidents | 1972 American Presidents) | Dai-Nippon Teikoku Major Powers: Regno d'Italia | Iberian Union | Republic of Turkey | Ordensstaat Burgund Other Countries By Region: Africa: Northern & East Africa | West Africa | Southern Africa | Post-Colonial Central Africa Asia: Mainland China & Oceania (State of Guangdong | 1964-1972 Guangdong Chief Executives | Guangdong Flavor Characters) | Southeast Asia (Republic of Indonesia) | South Asia | Middle East | Central Asia Europe: Northern & Western Europe (British Isles | French State) | Southern Europe | Eastern Europe (Reichskommissariat Ukraine | Reichskommissariat Moskowien) Americas: North America | South America (United States of Brazil | Argentine Republic | Oriental Republic of Uruguay) The Russian Anarchy: West Russia (West Russian Revolutionary Front | Komi Republic | Communist Party of Komi | Passionariyy Organization | Taboritsky's Russia) | Southern Urals | Western Siberia | Central Siberia (Siberian Black Army) | The Far East (Harbin Three) | After Midnight Miscellaneous: Antarctica | Miscellaneous Content | Non-Canon Content

Western Europe

French State

Official Name: French State, Kingdom of France (Monarchy Restored), French Fourth Republic (Pinay)

Ruling Party: Parti National - Pétainistes^note National Party - Pétainists

Ideology: Fascism

Germany's client/puppet state in France. For its tropes, see the dedicated French State subpage.

Reichskommissariat Niederlande

^{Flag of Dietsland}

^{Flag of SS-Staat-Niederlande}

^{Flag of the Dutch State}

^{Flag of the Netherlands (Democratic)}

Official Name: Reichskommissariat Niederlande^Tr.Reich Commissariat of the Netherlands, Dietsland (van Geelkerken, Independent Rochemont), Dutch State (Biesheuvel, Despotist), Netherlands (Biesheuvel, Paternalist), SS-Staat Niederlande (Feldmeijer)

Ruling Party: Duitse Bezettingsmacht in Nederland^note German Occupation Forces in the Netherlands

Ideology: National Socialism

Nazi Germany's occupation regime of the Netherlands.

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• Dystopia Is Hard: As part of their campaign to clamp down on the Netherlands, Germany has practically tried transforming the Dutch social order by reversing their trend of pillarization, a social stratification that has persisted for nearly a century. As a result, not many of the natives are eager to give up these social ideas and have even begun demanding for its restoration.
• Hyper-Competent Sidekick: Niederlande is one of the Reich's smaller Reichskommissariat, but if it weren't for their valuable ports, Germany wouldn't be trading nearly as much with the rest of the world.
• Right Hand Versus Left Hand: Various factions in RK Niederlande's government run rampant and attack each other while Reichskommissar Seyss-Inquart watches from the distance, believing it's the best way to deal with them.

Arthur Seyss-Inquart

Role: Head of State

Party: Duitse Bezettingsmacht in Nederland^note German Occupation Forces in the Netherlands

Ideology: National Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Artur Seyss-Inquart is the leader of the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, but a farmer could probably do the same job and maybe even better.

An Austrian Nazi that helped reduce Austria to a mere province of Germany during the Anschluss, he got the job of Reichskommissar because the Nazis believed that the Netherlands wouldn't need a blood-thirsty general or a fanatic politician to run the occupation government. His friendship with Hitler helped too, of course.

He has been in the civil administration business his whole life and that's probably the only positive thing he has done for the Netherlands; as the former Dutch territory now has an enviable bureaucratic system that ensures a smooth running of the occupation.

However, that's probably the only positive thing Amsterdam can report back to Berlin because Seyss-Inquart's political character couldn't be more dull; when asked about which probable pretender he thinks it's the best for the Reich, he just answers that Hitler is doing a fine job and the next Führer will also do as fine. This neutrality affects his Dutch domain as the various government factions run rampant and attack each other while Seyss-Inquart watches from the distance, believing it's the best system to deal with them.

As the years has gone by, he has limited himself to sign orders to arrest and execute people while ensuring the NSB doesn't get into positions of power. But it looks like Seyss-Inquart's understanding of the term "position of power" differs from the rest of the world, as most of the low-level bureaucracy is run by members of the Amsterdam Group of the NSB while the higher posts are occupied by Musserites and Volchists, leaving the NSB two steps away from the control of the government.

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• Pen-Pushing President: As the years go by, Seyss-Inquart now only signs orders to arrest and execute people while ensuring the NSB doesn't get into high positions in the government.
• Retired Monster: Seyss-Inquart is still a Nazi, and continues to oversee the Nazi occupation regime in the Netherlands. However, he has given up doing anything other than watching his underlings fight each other and signing some orders here and there; a farmer could probably do his job and maybe even better.
• We Hardly Knew Ye: Shortly before the German civil war erupts, Seyss-Inquart dies of old age, setting off a power struggle in the Netherlands.

Cornelis van Geelkerken

Role: Military Commander, Head of State (Seyss-Inquart succession)

Party: Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging (Musserites)^note National Socialist Movement

Ideology: Corporatism^note Fascism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}With the Reich ravaged by the Bürgerkrieg, the vacuum of power following Reichskommissar Seyss-Inquart's death has been filled by the Dutch 'National Socialist Movement', led by Cornelis van Geelkerken. Involved in the Movement since its founding in 1931, van Geelkerken worked dutifully under Anton Mussert as chief of the Nationale Jeugdstorm, and later proved his loyalty to the Germans occupiers by serving as the Inspector-General of the Nederlandsche Landwacht.

Now the self-styled Leider of Dietsland, van Geelkerken models his authoritarian government after Mussolini's branch of Italian Fascism, and demands greater autonomy for the Dutch people. Whether his open respect towards the German Reich is forged from ideology or political necessity remains to be seen.

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• A Lighter Shade of Black: While still a hateful fascist of the Italian model, he does showcase more leniency than Seyss-Inquart and many of the other German collaborators, such as granting greater economic autonomy and abolishing slavery.
• Know When to Fold 'Em: After declaring Dutch independence after the German Civil War, van Geelkerken will return back to their fold if Bormann or Speer win, knowing that further resistance against them would be pointless.
• The Starscream: If van Geelkerken, formerly the Inspector-General of the Nederlandsche Landwacht, seizes power in the aftermath of Arthur Seyss-Inquart's death, he proclaims himself Leider of the Netherlands, declaring total independence from the Einheitspakt and promising to implement 'Dutch National Socialism' in his country.

Barend Biesheuvel

Role: Head of State (Seyss-Inquart succession)

Party: Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging (Amsterdam Group)^note National Socialist Movement, Overgangsregering^note Transitional government

Ideology: Civilian Dictatorship^note Despotism, Controlled Democracy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Barend Biesheuvel is the epitome of a career politician. Eventually graduating with a Masters of Law degree from the Amsterdam University (once it had been re-opened by the Germans), the young Bieshevuel became a civil servant for the Dutch section of the Reichskommissariat administration, serving the Ministry for Food and Agriculture. His political career began to expand, and he soon found himself leading an influential faction of Dutch reformist politicians.

This Dutchman now finds himself as leader of the Netherlands, a position he will likely exploit to achieve reforms for his people. Whispers have drifted towards the Führer's ears regarding these so-called 'reforms'. Some say he desires to rule his nation as a benevolent dictator, while others claim he wishes to reintroduce a system of democracy. Whatever the truth may be, the political scene under Barend Bieshevuel is destined for dramatic change.

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• Allohistorical Allusion: Biesheuvel, the OTL Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1971 to 1973, can take power in TNO Netherlands, but under completely different circumstances.
• Internal Reformist: Biesheuvel is the leader of an influential faction of Dutch reformist politicians. If he becomes the Netherlands' dictator during the German Civil War, he'll allow some limited and regulated free press and independent trade unions, turning the Netherlands into the freest Reichskommissariat if he subsequently accepts Martin Bormann's offer to return to the Reich.
• Know When to Fold 'Em: If Bormann wins the German Civil War, he'll send an ultimatum to Biesheuvel, demanding his submission and threatening invasion if he doesn't. Biesheuvel, recognizing the hopeless situation, can accept and may even make some compromises with Bormann like permitting the existence of some free trade unions and outlawing slavery.

H. A. Sinclair de Rochemont

Role: Head of State (Seyss-Inquart succession or Bormann appointment)

Party: Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging (Volkisch)^note National Socialist Movement

Ideology: National Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}For the last two decades, Reichskommissariat Niederlande has been ruled under the thumb of an Austrian. With the rise of Reichskommissar de Rochemont, a true Dutchman through and through, the region may yet return to political and cultural stability.

A former Fascist along Italian lines, de Rochemont grew to admire German National Socialism and served dutifully as a collaborator, and he has spent the last twenty years leading the Völkish faction of the NSB. Filled with unbound loyalty to the Party and the Führer, de Rochemont supports increased efforts of Germanization and desires the eventual integration of the Netherlands into the Reich.

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• The Quisling: Sinclair, a collaborator since 1940, leads the Völkish faction of the NSB, has spoken of his willingness to hasten Germanisation in the Netherlands, and desires the eventual integration of the Netherlands into the Reich. He'll gladly join Führer Martin Bormann if he seized power after Arthur Seyss-Inquart's death; otherwise, Bormann can appoint him the new Reichskommissar of the Netherlands.
• Villain with Good Publicity: Unlike Ritterbusch, Rochemont is respected and even admired by most of the Dutch because his appointment gives them some sense of self-rule.

Wilhelm Ritterbusch

Role: Head of State (Bormann appointment)

Party: Duitse Bezettingsmacht in Nederland^note German Occupation Forces in the Netherlands

Ideology: National Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Apart from being born into rather humble beginnings and being one of the Old Guards from the early years of the NSDAP's rise, Wilhelm Ritterbusch at first glance seems to just be another colourless party functionary. Rising through the ranks of the party he eventually found himself appointed to the Netherlands as a subordinate of the then Commissioner-General for Special Duties Fritz Schmidt, where he was quickly regarded as a competent if submissive administrator.

Hence when Schmidt was bedridden from a train accident under unknown circumstances, Ritterbusch quickly filled the temporary vacancy with recommendations from both Martin Bormann and Heinrich Himmler. Even after Schmidt's return, Wilhelm would stay on as Head of the Dutch NSDAP thus becoming the third most powerful man in the Reichskommissariat.

After that however the stories diverge: One story says that in the wake of Operation Silbertanne Ritterbusch became an obedient tool of SS ambitions in the RK, right until such was no longer feasible after Himmler's attempted coup. The other side says that Ritterbusch only worked with the SS as long as necessary in the context of the Weltkrieg and then soon returned to his loyal bureaucratic self. And indeed there hasn't been any evidence that Ritterbusch has any further contacts with the SS and that his loyalty to Bormann is unconditional. And it is that loyalty that allows Ritterbusch to now finally reach his highest post yet as Reichskommissar of the Netherlands.

Now the most powerful man of the Dutch Lands, the question remains: Is Ritterbusch weak? Is he the loyalist bureaucrat Bormann believes him to be? Or has his severing ties with the SS not been as permanent as it was thought? Time will tell, sooner or later, time will tell.

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• 0% Approval Rating: None of the Dutch citizens like Ritterbusch, viewing him as another German overlord to tyrannize them. However, neither he or Bormann care, since the people still obey him out of fear and his presence reminds them of the consequences of rebellion.
• Ambiguous Situation: Ritterbusch's connections to the SS are unclear. Some say that he's always been loyal to Himmler and served his interests in the Netherlands until the failed SS coup made any further relationship unfeasible. Others say that he only worked with the SS for the duration of World War II and returned back to being a loyal bureacrat when the conflict was over. Even when he's appointed as Reichskommisar by Bormann, it's still ambiguous how loyal he is to the Reich.
• Dragon Ascendant: When Fritz Schmidt was mysteriously injured in a train accident, Ritterbusch was promoted to Head of the Dutch NSDAP, becoming one of the most powerful men in the Reichskommissariat.

Henk Feldmeijer

Role: Military Commander, Head of State (Seyss-Inquart succession)

Party: Nederlandsche SS^note Dutch SS

Ideology: National Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} "The empty throne left by the death of Reichskommissar Seyss-Inquart has been filled by Henk Feldmeijer, who took advantage of the Bürgerkrieg to seize power and declare independence from the Reich. One of the earliest members of Anton Mussert's 'National Socialist Movement', Feldmeijer drifted towards its Völkish wing and supported the German Occupation of 1940. Proving his loyalty to Seyss-Inquart, he was appointed to establish and command the Nederlandsche SS.

Time has only radicalised Feldmeijer, who looks to the Reich in shame and towards Ordensstaat-Burgund with envy. With greater loyalties to Nanzig than Germania, the new dictator of the Netherlands may be seeking to integrate his nation into Himmler's secretive realm.

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• Decapitated Army: If Heydrich conquers Feldmeijer and his forces during the SS Civil War, the Dutch army will surrender itself immediately after Feldmeijer's arrest.
• Paper Tiger: If Heydrich wins the German Civil War, during the SS Civil War, Feldmeijer will take over the Netherlands, but his forces are so weak, that it is feasible for Karl Dönitz to just invade his territory with just two Kriegsmarine units.
• The Quisling: Out of all the possible leaders for the Netherlands, Feldmeijer is the most fanatical collaborator, believing that his own country should be outright annexed for the greater destiny of a unified Germanic state.
• Renegade Splinter Faction: After seizing power following Arthur Seyss-Inquart's death, Feldmeijer breaks away from the Reich and aligns the SS State of the Netherlands with Himmler's Burgundy.

Switzerland

Official Name: Swiss Confederation

Ruling Party: Government of Switzerland - Full Powers Regime

Ideology: Anocracy^note Paternalism

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• Arcadia: Invoked as a traditional, conservative agrarian ideal to aspire to by the conservative BGB coalition, which can be elected to replace the Full Powers Regime in the Switzerland paths teaser.
• Broken Win/Loss Streak: In the Switzerland paths teaser, the unpopularity of the Full Powers Regime can propel the Socialist Party into achieving a parliamentary majority for the first time in Swiss history, on the promise of ending the emergency decrees, renegotiating existing treaties, investing in welfare.
• Bystander Syndrome: As in OTL, Switzerland had a dishonorable pragmatism in World War II when they rejected Jewish refugees fleeing the Holocaust.
• Cooperation Gambit: If the Full Powers Regime manages to retain power in the Switzerland paths teaser, elements of the agrarian BGB and the left of the SP are brought in as support. Even though they still disagree ideologically, it's the only reason why the Full Powers Regime isn't toppled.
• Crapsaccharine World: Switzerland is seen as a prosperous nation with a healthy multi-party democracy, maintaining its independence amongst a continent of expansionist fascists. In reality, Switzerland's democracy has declined with the Full Powers Regime enacting a state of emergency ever since the Second World War, enabling the formation of paramilitaries, use of surveillance, secret police, and a rise in corruption. The population can almost never relax either because of a possible German invasion, which almost happened in the Alpine Crisis of 1955. Furthermore, Switzerland's position as a financial powerhouse has been shattered by the embargo placed by Germany since 1955, crashing many of its banks and leaving much of the population in poverty. Many professions have also been forbidden to go on strike in the years leading up to 1962. With the economy showing little signs of recovery, austerity measures becoming deeply unpopular and the state of emergency becoming tiresome, many across the political spectrum have begun demanding change.
• Dark Horse Victory: The coalition that makes up the Full Powers Regime, despite all odds mentioned in the Switzerland paths teaser, can maintain their power. Many are shocked at this victory, as their increasingly authoritarian and unpopular policies made their downfall expected by many.
• Did You Just Flip Off Cthulhu?: As shown in the Switzerland paths teaser, the BGB can oust the Full Powers Regime, under a platform of protectionist and nationalist policies directed at Italian economic dominance. This is widely seen as a risky move, since Italy is a guarantor of Swiss independence and can easily take it away to let Germany get a shot at invading them.
• The Federation: Switzerland is a confederation with much of its powers delegated to regional Cantons and Communes, encouraging extensive self-governance and compromise to help maintain a sense of stability and unity. Much of this is attributed to Switzerland's origins as a self-defense pact of eight cantons in late medieval era within the Holy Roman Empire. This has been downplayed by the Full Powers Regime, which has centralized government power and eroded its democratic structure, but Switzerland’s diverse federal entities continue to rule with self-autonomy.
• Internal Reformist: In the Switzerland paths teaser, James Schwarzenbach leads a right-wing populist, grassroots branch of the BGB that can potentially take leadership of the party, which is traditionally dominated by moderate conservative agrarians.
• Lesser of Two Evils: Switzerland begrudgingly accepted Italy's terms at the Treaty of Lugano, placing much of the economy under control of Italian businesses and granting exceptional tax breaks in exchange for debt relief. The conditions are unfair, but the alternative would involve accepting Germany's ultimatum of becoming a protectorate, enslaving Switzerland to Germany and eventually being annexed like Bohemia and Moravia.
• Neutral No Longer: Switzerland has rescinded their longstanding neutrality and now relies on Italy for protection against Germany. By game start, Switzerland is an observer in the Triumvirate◊, though not formally Italy's ally.
• Patriotic Fervor: The victory of the BGB over the Full Powers Regime in the Switzerland paths teaser can be partially attributed to a wave of nationalist sentiment sweeping over Switzerland, in response to Italian economic domination
• Properly Paranoid: Nearly suffering a German invasion in the Alpine Crisis, Switzerland has extensively militarized with vast defences, mandatory service for men and a plan to mobilize the entire population to fight a guerrilla campaign in the event of war.
• The Remnant: Switzerland is one of the last nations in Europe to have a significant Jewish population at 15,000. However, about 5,000 left for the Levant since the Second World War.
• Sinister Surveillance: Switzerland implemented the Full Powers Regime to protect national security following the Second World War. This expansion of power also comes with increased government surveillance and the use of secret police to stifle dissent, particularly against Nazis, but also against leftists and the impoverished.
• State Sec: Fearing German expansionism in the wake of the Alpine Crisis, General Guisan massively expanded the military and trained paramilitary defense armies to act as La Résistance in case of a German occupation. However, some of these paramilitaries became more powerful than expected, exerting influence on politics and crushing dissent.
• Unluckily Lucky: Switzerland has been a repeat, proposed subject of German invasion, but each time the Reich is about to act on them, luck and some outside factor keeps sparing them. Germany first planned to invade and annex Switzerland in Operation Tannenbaum, but Operation Barbarossa and the brutal fight against the Soviet Union shelved these plans. In the immediate post-war period, a decline in relations with Italy renewed Hitler's interest in subjugating Switzerland and, in 1955, sent an ultimatum that they become a protectorate or else face invasion, along with forcibly annexing Liechtenstein. Italy, seeing Switzerland as a useful buffer state, mobilized their forces to guarantee them. The escalation sparked the Alpine Crisis and nearly started a war that would've destroyed Switzerland, had Germany not been caught up in the West Russian War.
• Voluntary Vassal: Seeking Italian military and economic support, the Treaty of Lugano forgave Swiss debts but placed much of the economy under Italian control. The Swiss economy is still in trouble and many are furious to have handed their autonomy to foreign oligarchs. If the Full Powers Regime survives in the Switzerland paths teaser, they plan to diversify investment into the country to reduce their dependence on Italy.

Federal Council

Party: Government of Switzerland - Full Powers Regime

Ideology: Anocracy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}In one of its many peculiarities, Switzerland does not have a head of state, instead their representation is collectively vested in a council of eight. These eight politicians are elected from the Swiss legislature, from varied parties and regions. Though the Federal Council may hold a diversity of background and political opinion, its members must abide by any policies the council has decided on, encouraging compromise and consensus. Nonetheless many criticize the council's opaque operations and the way more unorthodox views can be subsumed into a moderate consensus.

The Full Powers Regime is the nickname given to the coalition that has ruled Switzerland since the outbreak of European war in the 1939, and took on emergency powers. What started out as a continuation of Swiss consensus politics within unprecedented times has now turned into widespread surveillance, political repression, and erosion of democratic norms are now commonplace. While the FPR is composed of a varied coalition of the FP, KKP, and SP, in practice it maintains a conservative politics representing the interests of businessmen and the military. Moreover economic malaise in part caused by the acquiescence to Italian economic domination and austerity policies have made them deeply unpopular. Many hope that the FPR’s days are numbered, but their sheer power and influence remain a formidable obstacle.

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• Emergency Authority: Since the outbreak of World War 2, Switzerland has been in a constant state of emergency, the negative effects of which can be seen in the erosion of Swiss democracy and invasive measures such as the introduction of secret police and pervasive surveillance.
• Gameplay and Story Integration: The head of state position in Switzerland is uniquely held by the Federal Council instead of one individual, representing how the country is governed by a council of eight figures.

Paul Chaudet

Role: President of the Swiss Confederation, Head of the Department of Home Affairs^note Head of Government

Party: Liberal Democratic Party - Institutionals

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}It is perhaps fitting that the prime mover of the borderline-authoritarian clique running Switzerland’s liberal democracy would be a man of equally baffling contradictions. Despite his lifelong membership in the FDP Paul Chaudet has always had a close association with the right wing. Entering politics in the fight against a hated wine tax, he forged an alliance with the agrarian fascist pressure group, the Ligue Vaudios to secure its repeal and the everlasting gratitude of wine growers across the land.

His idiosyncratic policies served him well in the conflict averse realm of Swiss politics, eventually leading to his election to the Federal Council. In the almost decade since assuming office, Chaudet has consolidated the power of the Full Powers Regime and oversaw years of austerity and repression. But just like so many years ago, sometimes it takes hard choices to serve the common good.

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• Enemy Mine: Chaudet, a lifelong member of the FDP, entered politics to fight against a wine tax where he forged an alliance with the fascist pressure group, the Ligue Vaudoise, to secure its repeal.
• Necessarily Evil: Known for his idiosyncratic policies, Chaudet has overseen the consolidation of power behind the Full Powers Regime which has eroded Switzerland's democracy and repressed its political enemies. Chaudet views this as a necessary action to protect Switzerland's national security in the face of German aggression.

Fritz Grütter

Role: Head of the Federal Political Department^note Foreign Minister

Party: Social Democratic Party of Switzerland - Institutionals

Ideology: Progressive Liberalism^note Liberalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}As a lifelong member of the Socialist Party, Fritz Grütter saw firsthand the systematic repression his party faced for decades. It is then unsurprising that Grütter considers the entrance of SP into the Federal Council to be the shining achievement of his career. However, many in the party see the price to enter the mainstream as being far too high. His participation in the suppression of labor and the austerity policies of the Full Powers Regime that made him an extremely divisive figure on the left. He now faces the increasingly powerful contingent on the left who want to throw out the current coalition in its entirety. As foreign minister, Grütter was obliged to sign the hated Treaty of Lugano. Many hope that in the closed door negotiations, he offered at least a token resistance.

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• Broken Pedestal: Grütter is a lifelong member of the Social Democratic Party who witnessed the systematic repression of his party for decades and considers its entrance into the Federal Council to be the highlight of his career. However, becoming a member of the council means partaking in the government's suppression of labour rights and its unpopular austerity measures, dividing his image amongst the Swiss left, with people seeing his actions as betrayal and many in his own party seeking to undo the current coalition entirely.

Henri Schmitt

Role: Head of the Department of Finance and Customs^note Economy Minister

Ideology: Classical Liberalism^note Liberalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Despite his modest upbringing in Geneva, Henri Schmitt’s charisma and intelligence made him one of the most dynamic voices for the FDP in local city politics. His rise to the role as federal councillor, despite only being 33 years of age, has been seen by many as a cynical attempt to improve the Full Powers Regime's reputation with the alienated youth.

The young councillor has quickly set to work trying to prove his critics wrong. Under Schmitt’s leadership the Department of Economic Affairs have been developing a plan to diversify the Swiss economy away from Italian control by attracting investment from the OFN and Sphere particularly in the realm of tourism. Whether this will be enough to turn around the fortunes of the increasingly unpopular Full Powers Regime in the eyes of voters remains to be seen.

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• Dude, Where's My Respect?: Schmitt was made federal councilor when he was just 33 years old, with many interpreting it as a cynical attempt by the Full Powers Regime to appeal to the youth. Schmitt is sore about this reputation and is determined to prove his critics wrong through a very drastic plan; diversify the Swiss economy away from Italian control by focusing on tourism and investments from the OFN and the Sphere.

Ludwig Von Moos

Role: Head of the Department of Justice and Police^note Security Minister

Party: Swiss Conservative People's Party - Nationalists

Ideology: National Conservatism^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}From his early days as a judge to his rise to power in the KKP, the preservation of the Swiss way of life has always been at the forefront of Ludwig Von Moos’s mind. Entering the Federal Council in the aftermath of the Alpine Crisis in 1956, Von Moos has overseen the slow shift in Switzerland towards a police state with the Regime’s increasingly draconian approach to law enforcement and surveillance as well the sponsoring of various paramilitary organizations. Indeed many fear Von Moos’s creations have gained a life of their own, forming a shadowy network of extralegal soldier spies bending Switzerland to their will.

While Von Moos’s commitment to liberal democracy may be up for debate, his drive to see Switzerland come out of the 20th century in one piece has never been in question.

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• Necessarily Evil: Von Moos is one of the most prominent Swiss nationalists seeking the preservation of the Swiss independence against Germany. He entered the Federal Council in 1956 and has used his position to turn the Full Powers Regime into a police state watching the population and supporting oppressive paramilitaries, which he justifies as a means to save Switzerland.

Microstates

Andorra

Official Name: Principality of Andorra

Ruling Party: Consell General d'Andorra^note General Council of Andorra

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

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• Artistic License – History: Andorra uses their OTL modern flag, which they only adopted in 1993, decades past the mod's timeframe.
• Bilingual Bonus: Their flag's coat of arms has the words "Virtue United is Stronger" inscribed in Latin, which is their national motto.
• Out of Focus: Of the microstates, Andorra gets the least amount of attention, having no national spirits or leader description of its own.

San Marino

^{Flag of San Marino (Communist)}

Official Name: Republic of San Marino

Ruling Party: Partito Fascista Sammarinese^note Sammarinese Fascist Party

Ideology: Fascism

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• Bilingual Bonus:
  • "Libertas" is inscribed on their flag, which translates to "freedom" and is ironic to the reality that they are chained to their larger neighbor, Italy.
  • The communist flag for San Marino has text translated to "Commune", an instant sign of what their ideology is.
• Puppet State: San Marino is technically a puppet to Italy, as their economy has grown increasingly reliant on them and have to avoid angering them too much, lest they face repercussions from the Italians. After the Verona Congress, whichever political path San Marino follows depends on whether Italy remains fascist, becomes a capitalist democracy, or undergoes a socialist revolution.
• Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters: The Partito Comunista Sammarinese has enflamed proletarian discontent against the current fascist government, and is in turn perceived as terrorists by the latter.

Leonida Suzzi Valli

Role: Head of State

Party: Partito Fascista Sammarinese^note Sammarinese Fascist Party

Ideology: Fascism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}His Excellence Leonida Suzzi Valli is the newly elected Captain Regent of the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, the tiny republic nested on the Monte Titano, in the Apennine mountains. A mathematics and physics high school teacher by trade, Valli also later became involved in the political life of the Republic, pursuing a diplomatic career and becoming the envoy of San Marino to Italy and Germany during WWII. Despite resenting fascism and its negative effects on the once free and democratic life of his small nation, Valli was forced into joining the Partito Fascista Sammarinese in order to continue his political career.

After WWII, Valli continued his political activity, despite the country being dominated by the fascists and the powerful Gozi family, which placed its members in the position of Captain Regent multiple times. Over the years, Valli became the most prominent members of the opposition against the Gozi, finally managing to become Captain Regent with the goal of reverting the undemocratic and illiberal policies of the past and restore a semblance of freedom to the ancient Republic.

Despite having its ancient tradition of democracy tarnished by the stain of fascism, San Marino developed greatly in the last few decades, and new troubles afflict the old republic. With industrialization and urbanization increasing ever faster, the economy of the country depends more and more from Italy, chipping away at San Marino's prized independence, and the workers and proles are becoming more and more resentful towards the institutions of the Republic. Now, Valli and his allies have to navigate this tangled web of problems ensnaring the Monte Titano, being careful not to draw too much unwanted attention from their Italian neighbors.

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• Gameplay and Story Segregation: Valli is classified as a fascist, even though he hates the ideology and is trying to move San Marino away from it without angering Italy too much. The ideology is more suited to describing the party he represents, which is composed of legitimate fascists.
• Hero with Bad Publicity: His reform programs of industrialization and urbanization have caused San Marino's economy to become more dependent on Italy, earning the ire of workers and proles who prize their country's independence.
• Internal Reformist: Although Valli is a member of a fascist party, his goal is to reverse the undemocratic policies of his predecessors and restore democracy.
• Punch-Clock Villain: He personally despises fascism and only adopted the ideology to continue his political career, thereby being in a position to dismantle the fascist dictatorship.

Ettore Sozzi

Role: Head of State (Military coup)

Party: Forze Armate Sammarinesi^note Sammarinese Armed Forces

Ideology: Interim Government^note Despotism

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• Cincinnatus: In the San Marino teaser, Sozzi sets up a temporary provisional government after overthrowing the PFS, where he'll step down from power once the first elections have been set up.
• Know When to Fold 'Em: In the teased socialist revolution in San Marino, Sozzi nearly mobilizes the military to topple the radical left-wing government. However, upon receiving word that a communist Italy is backing the uprising in San Marino, Sozzi stands down, knowing that a countercoup would incite a retaliatory Italian invasion.
• Military Coup: If Italy democratizes, a teaser event shows Sozzi initiatiating a military coup against the PFS to transform San Marino from a democracy free from fascism and oligarchical rule.

Ezio Balducci

^{Democratic Portrait}

Role: Head of State (Fascist coup, Election)

Party: Partito Fascista Sammarinese^note Sammarinese Fascist Party, Partito Democratico Cristiano Sammarinese^note Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party (Democratically Elected)

Ideology: Fascism, Right-Wing Populism^note Paternalism (Democratically Elected)

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• The Coup: In the San Marino teaser, Balducci initiates his own coup if the Quadrumvirate overthrow Ciano in Italy, commanding the Squadrisit "New Guards" to storm the Palazzo Pubblico and arrest everyone in the Princely and Sovereign Council.
• Evil Virtues: In his teased coup event, Balducci opposes the current, status quo of Sammarinese fascism because he thinks it's become degenerated by kleptocratic interests, wishing to realign the ideology to a more "pure" direction and expunge it of corruption.

Ermenegildo Gasperoni

Role: Head of State (Communist Revolution, Election)

Party: Partito Comunista Sammarinese^note Sammarinese Communist Party

Ideology: Bolshevism^note Communism

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• Chummy Commies: If a socialist revolution takes place in Italy, the San Marino teaser reveals that Gasperoni leads a coalition of Sammarinese left-wing groups to topple the crippled PFS administration and liberate San Marino from the shackles of fascism.

Federico Bigi

Role: Head of State (Election)

Party: Partito Democratico Cristiano Sammarinese^note Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party

Ideology: Christian Democracy^note Liberal Conservatism

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• Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: In OTL, Bigi held several political positions after World War II, such as being Secretary for Foreign Affairs. However, the San Marino teaser shows that he can be outright elected as a head of state in this timeline, if Italy turns democratic.

Alvaro Casali

Role: Head of State (Election)

Party: Partito Socialista Democratico Sammarinese^note Sammarinese Democratic Socialist Party

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

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• Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: Throughout the OTL 1960's, Casali served as a minister in numerous cabinets, such as the Minister for Education and Justice from 1961-1964 and the Capitano Reggenti from 1965-1970. The San Marino teaser shows that Casali can become far more powerful as an elected head of state, if Italy turns democratic.

Monaco

Official Name: Principality of Monaco

Ruling Party: Royal Family

Ideology: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy^note Paternalism

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• Crapsaccharine World: For Grimaldi, at least. To the rest of the world, Monaco is either ignored or a paradise of extravagant wealth, beaches, and casinos. To Grimaldi, it's a prison in all but name, in which she's given a crown that she never wanted and holds no real authority of her own.
• Fatal Flaw: Ironically, Monaco's former greatest strength, the allure of Casino de Monte Carlo, was also its greatest weakness, as that casino was Monaco's fundamental source of revenue. Once it was destroyed during World War II, Monaco's financial stability is now on the line and unless a solution can be found, Monaco's reputation of glamour and hedonism will be lost to history.
• Oh, No... Not Again!: The Société des bains de mer de Monaco, the dominant economic institution in Monaco, will inevitably collapse, sparking a massive financial crisis that forces Princess Charlotte to abdicate the throne. More than a few international observers draw parallels to Japan's economic troubles.
  It's like Yasuda all over again!
• Puppet State: Monaco's independence is only nominal, as the country is under heavy oversight by Italy and any act of defiance against them may lead to dire consequences.

Charlotte Louise Juliette Grimaldi

Role: Head of State

Party: Royal Family

Ideology: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Princess Charlotte Louise Juliette Grimaldi is the current ruler of the Principality of Monaco, but most days she really wishes she wasn't. Her path to rulership was fraught with strife and conflict since her very birth in 1898: an illegitimate child of prince Louis II, who had no siblings nor legitimate children, she was only made the heir apparent (despite this being against Monegasque law) to prevent the Principality from being inherited by the legal successor, a German prince, in order to avoid an international crisis between France and the German Empire.

The young princess married a French count: however, as he was homosexual, her marriage was unhappy and she had a well known affair before finally divorcing. During WWII, when Monaco was occupied by Mussolini's troops, Charlotte asked prince Louis II to let her renounce her succession rights, allowing her son Rainier to become the heir. Prince Louis refused this proposal, as Rainier was a well known sympathizer for the Allied cause, and with the Axis triumphing across the world, the Prince feared that having him as the heir would seal the doom of the tiny nation.

Despite the Axis's final victory, doom did not come: Monaco bent itself to the new European overlords, and when Louis died in 1949, Charlotte became Princess. However, her role in politics was very limited, and most power ended in the hands of a clique of ministers and administrators revolving around her son, the ever more energetic Rainier. With Monaco growing ever richer and more glamorous, as foreign stars and businessmen come to squander their wealth in its beaches and its Casino, the Princess sits in her palace, gazing at the luxurious hotels and rivieras. To some, a speck on the European map, an oversight of history; to others, a wonderland of excess and refined hedonism; to the Princess, Monaco will always be a cage, no matter how gilded.

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• Abdicate the Throne: In the Monaco teaser, Princess Charlotte will always abdicate in the aftermath of the fall of the Société des bains de mer de Monaco.
• The Exile: After Lepri, backed by a fascist Italy, overturns Rainier's claim to the throne and installs Antoinette instead, a teaser shows Charlotte being exiled to the United States, along with her son.
• Reluctant Ruler: Princess Charlotte, an illegitimate child, never wanted to rule and even asked her father to make Prince Rainier his successor, but is forced to remain on the throne since she fears that her son's reformist and pro-OFN leanings might provoke an Italian invasion.
• Voluntary Vassal: Even though she has zero interest in ruling, Charlotte remains on the throne because she fears that her son will try to leave the Italian sphere of influence and invite an invasion from them. Thus, she keeps Monaco subservient to their much larger neighbor and the Monaco teaser shows that she only abdicates when Italy democratizes (and thus no longer poses a threat to Monaco).

Rainier III

Role: Head of State (Charlotte abdicates)

Party: Royal Family

Ideology: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy^note Paternalism

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• The Exile: A Monaco teaser event demonstrates that if Italy remains fascist, Lepri manipulates events so that Antoinette succeeds Charlotte over Rainier. This forces the prince to flee to the United States, where he continues to proclaim that he is the rightful claimant.
• Honor Before Reason: During World War II, Rainier openly sympathized with the Allies, even though Monaco was practically surrounded by Axis countries. Ultimately, his sympathy nearly led to Monaco's demise, as Axis troops occupied the country for some time.
• Internal Reformist: Rainier plays a greater role in reforming Monaco than his own mother.
• Overly Long Name: His full name is Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi.
• Royals Who Actually Do Something: Unlike his mother, prince Rainier is very politically active, and leads a clique of bureaucrats and ministers opposed to Italian rule.

Antoinette I

Role: Head of State (Fascist Coup)

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• Unexpected Successor: In the Monaco teaser, Antoinette is stated to not be Princess Charlotte's heir apparent, and can only ascend to the throne if Stanislao Lepri, under the auspices of the Duce of Italy, orchestrates a coup against her mother and brother.

Stanislao Lepri

Role: Minister of State^note Head of State (Fascist Coup)

Party: Consolato Italiano^note Italian Consulate

Ideology: Fascism

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• Blatant Lies: His rise to power, depicted in the Monaco teaser, is fuelled by a massive lie. If the PNF retains its hold over Italy, Lepri announces that Rainier renounced his claim to the Principality and left Antoinette as the true successor to Charlotte, claiming that he's just as disinterested in politics as his predecessor. Given how wildly out-of-character this is for the reformist, it's no surprise that this is a total lie and Rainier contests for his birthright from his exile in the United States.
• Dragon-in-Chief: Though Antoinette is Princess of Monaco, Lepri was the one who manipulated her into power in the first place and the Monaco teaser establishes him as they one really running the country under Italy's thumb.

Charles Soccal

Role: Head of State (Socialist revolution)

Party: Union des Syndicats de Monaco^note Union of Trade Unions of Monaco

Ideology: Syndicalism^note Socialism

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• Chummy Commies: According to the Monaco teaser, Soccal leads a series of strikes and an eventual revolution in protest to the Monte Carlo Casino's wage cuts and layoffs in the face of the SBM's economic woes.

Vatican City

Official Name: Vatican City

Ruling Party: Holy See

Ideology: Papacy^note Despotism

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• Meaningful Rename: Whenever a new Pope is elected, they rechristen themselves under a new papal name to signify the shift in leadership.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: With each passing day, the Catholic Church grows increasingly divided over what role the Church should play in the dangerous world of geopolitics. Most debate over whether the church should submit to tyrannical governments to ensure Catholicism's continued existence, take a stance against fascism and imperialism, or distance themselves from world politics altogether to tend to their own populace.
• The Theocracy: The Vatican is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Pope who is elected by the Papal Conclave.

John XXIII

Role: Head of State

Party: Holy See

Ideology: Papacy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}His Holiness John XXIII, baptized Angelo Maria Roncalli, is the current pope of the Catholic Church, vicar of Christ on Earth and spiritual leader to the millions of Catholics of the globe. Born into a family of sharecroppers in northern Italy, Angelo joined the Franciscan Order: once ordained as a man of faith, young Angelo showed his talent as an administrator, rapidly climbing the priestly ranks. Serving in WWI as a chaplain in the Regio Esercito, Angelo later became an emissary of the Holy See: when WWII began, Angelo, now a bishop, was in Bulgaria, secretly helping the local Jews escape persecution and flee to the Levant.

After the war, Angelo was recalled to Rome and elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope Pius XII. In 1958, when Pius XII died, the Church was bereft of the man who had led it across the turbulent years of WWII. Bitterly divided between opposing political factions, the Conclave opted to elect an uncharismatic, old Pope who'd do next to nothing during his pontificate, allowing the cliques of the Church to continue their squabbles: thus, they picked the humble former Nuncio, Angelo Roncalli, and they couldn't have been more wrong.

Pope John XXIII proved himself to be an energetic and charismatic reformer; despite his doctrinal traditionalism, the new Pope became a harsh critic of the fascist regimes of Europe, speaking in favour of democracy and denouncing those in the Church who collaborated with oppressive policies. As a symbol of hope, inspiring even non-Catholics, he became universally loved among the populace, with the Italian people even nicknaming him "the Good Pope" despite his frictions with the fascist government. However, the Church John XXIII leads is still divided, and with his age growing and his health declining, no one knows whether the path set forth by the Good Pope will be followed by his flock - perhaps, only God, in his infinite wisdom, knows.

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• Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: When he was elected, most expected that he would be a frail, humble Pope who would do nothing to quell the Church's squabbles. Instead, Roncalli proved to be an energetic reformer who openly supports democracy and denounced those within the Church that supported fascism.
• Hope Spot: As shown in the first Vatican teaser, a spirit of eagerness awaits the upcoming Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, as Roncalli prepares to update the Church's agenda and continues its path towards reformism. However, before the meeting can commence, Roncalli dies of natural causes, leaving a vacancy in the papacy and bringing greater uncertainty to the outcome of the Vatican II.
• Internal Reformist: Roncalli is a charismatic and energetic reformer, and also supporter of democracy. However, his doctrine is still traditional by papal standards.
• Puppet King: Subverted. Roncalli was initially elected because Conclave thought that he would be weak compromising leader, but the Pope managed to eventually gain power for his reforms.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Unlike his predecessor, Roncalli is close to the common man and critical of fascist regimes around the world.
• Universally Beloved Leader: After controversial papacy of distant and solemn Pius XIII, Angelo's reforms managed to gain adoration of almost every Vatican citizen to the point where he has gained nickname "il Papa buono", which means "good pope" in Italian.
• We Hardly Knew Ye: Pope John XXIII dies in June 1963, merely a year and a half after game start.

Gregory XVII

Role: Head of State (John XXIII succession)

Party: Holy See

Ideology: Papacy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}You will be a priest, a bishop, and a patriarch."
That is what Pope Pius X is said to have told Ghazaros Aghajanian, then a student at the Urbaniana in Rome. Whether a true story or not, Ghazaros has more than fulfilled that prophecy - he has surpassed it by becoming His Holiness, Pope Gregory XVII. Born under the Russian Empire in 1895 to an Armenian family Akhaltsikhe, Aghajanian was ordained a priest in Rome just in time for the October Revolution in Russia. In 1921 he fled back to Rome from Tbilisi as the Soviet Union advanced into Georgia, leaving behind his community and his family. He has not seen either since that fateful day.

In 1937 Aghajanian was elected as the fifteenth Patriarch of Cilicia - in effect becoming the head of the Armenian Catholic Church. He took Gregory Peter as his patriarchal title and led his community with distinction even as the world was once again plunged into chaos during the Second World War. Gregory Peter could do little but watch in horror as the Soviet Union collapsed, only to be succeeded in its rule of the Caucuses by the German Reich and the Turkish Republic, neither of which were inclined to treat the Armenians with any kindness, much less the Armenian Catholics.

It was thought by many that the liberal Patriarch was the top contender entering the Papal Conclave of 1958, but this was not to be. It was claimed in subsequent years that the Italian government, afraid of offending their Turkish allies, applied pressure to ensure that Peter Gregory, an outspoken critic of Armenian oppression, would not sit on St. Peter's Throne. That concern seems to have ended however, as for the first time the Conclave has elected an Armenian to serve as the Vicar of Christ on Earth. Gregory XVII sees a faith both divided and under pressure across the globe, and while he may not command armies of soldiers to solve such crises, the armies of the faithful may accomplish what bombs and bullets cannot.

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• Breaking the Glass Ceiling: If Aghajanian is elected, the second Vatican teaser mentions that he will become the first pope from Armenia.
• Passing the Torch: The second Vatican teaser reveals that Aghajanian will die of natural causes in 1971, so he entrusts Baggio as his favored successor.
• Refused by the Call: In his teased biography, Aghajanian was a strong candidate to become Pope in 1958, but his outspoken criticism towards Turkey's oppression of Armenians made Italy fearful that his appointment would offend their major ally. As such, Italy pressured the Papal Conclave to reject Aghajanian's papabile, though he can recover from this setback and become Pope after John XXIII's death.
• You Can't Go Home Again: His teased biography mentions that Aghajanian left his family and community behind in Armenia in 1921, and has been unable to come back since Germany and Turkey invaded the USSR and divided Armenia between them.

John XXIV

Role: Head of State (John XXIII succession)

Party: Holy See

Ideology: Papacy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Giacomo Lercaro believes in Christ, he believes in the Catholic Church, and perhaps most importantly to understand his goals as pope, he believes in the mission left to him by John XXIII.

Born in 1891 to a large Genoese family, he was one of three brothers to enter the clergy. Ordained in 1914, young Father Lercaro became a military chaplain in the Italian army. Lercaro has always been a staunch foe of fascism and Nazism within the Church, a stance that has put his safety at risk on more than one occasion.

In 1947 Giacomo was made Archbishop Lercaro of Ravenna. Promotion to Archbishop of Genoa followed in 1952, and to cardinal in 1953 - signs of the high esteem he was gaining within the Church. He was even considered one of the leading papabile of the 1958 Conclave, although a desire for a merely "transitional" pope led him to be passed over for Cardinal Roncalli. He worked closely with John XXIII, both sharing an interest in modernizing and reforming the Church. Cardinal Larcero was a major supporter of the Second Vatican Council and became the chairman of the Body on Liturgy when it opened in 1963.

As pope, John XXIV has vowed to carry on the work of his predecessor, including the continuation of Vatican II and efforts to bring the Church into line with the realities of a rapidly changing world. The signaled changes have already aroused a good deal of traditionalist backlash, but behind Pope John XXIV stand many in the Church, clergy and laymen alike who agree that the legacy of reform begun by John XXIII must be fulfilled.

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• Internal Reformist: According to his teased biography, Lercaro supported many of his predecessor's reforms and goes even farther in denouncing subtler forms of oppression, such as the Church's prejudice against non-European Catholics.
• Suspiciously Similar Substitute: In the second Vatican teaser, Lercaro continues many of the same liberal, reformist policies that his predecessor espoused, to the point that he even rechristens himself with the same name when he becomes Pope.

Paul VI

Role: Head of State (John XXIII succession)

Party: Holy See

Ideology: Papacy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Born Giovanni Montini in 1897, Pope Paul VI has been close to the centers of Church power for decades. Now, finally, he has the power to make use of his vast experience and connections.

Montini began his rise to prominence within the Vatican in 1937, when he was named Substitute for General Affairs under Cardinal Secretary of State Pacelli. When Pacelli was elected to the Papacy as Pius XII in 1939, Montini quickly became a close friend and confidant of His Holiness, as well as his informal personal secretary. During the war Montini was often criticized by the Duce's government for failing to steer clear of political matters. Had the Holy See not defended him against such attacks, Montini's position would certainly be very different today.

By the time of Pius XII's death and the Conclave of 1958 there were already suggestions that Montini was in consideration for the position of Pontiff, although in the end it would be Cardinal Roncelli who would emerge Pope John XXIII. By then the Archbishop of Milan, Montini was a natural pick for elevation to Cardinalship in the same year.

Five years later the name "Montini" would once again be whispered amongst the Cardinals of the Conclave, and this time it was more than a simple passing interest.

There are many theories as to why Montini left the Conclave of 1963 as Pope Paul VI. Many point to his close relationships with both of his predecessors, others to his decades of diligent work at the highest levels of the Church's bureaucracy. Still others note that, despite his well established reputation as a progressive theologian and Cardinal, Montini never suffered from accusations of radical reformist tendencies. Accurate or not, Paul VI is believed to be an excellent choice to negotiate between the various camps now vying for power within the Church. How even the most prudent of men might be able to maintain the peace between reformists, moderates, and reactionaries will be a question that His Holiness will be forced to confront in the coming years.

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• Number Two: Montini was one of the closest confidants to a previous Pope, Pius XII, forging a tight friendship with him and informally working as his personal secretary.
• Reconcile the Bitter Foes: Of the revealed Popes in the second Vatican teaser, Montini is a relatively moderate reformist, which makes him a suitable Pope to balance and compromise the interests of the reformist and traditionalist factions in the Church.

Pius XIII

Role: Head of State (John XXIII succession)

Party: Holy See

Ideology: Papacy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}There are those who believe that just because an institution is old and values its traditions, it cannot be compatible with the modern world. Giuseppe Siri - Pope Pius XIII - knows otherwise.

Siri was born in Genoa in 1906 and was ordained in 1928 at the young age of 22. By 1930, Siri had become an academic professor of theology alongside other public duties. During Pius XII's papacy Siri became the auxiliary bishop of his home city and during his tenure he showed a willingness to tolerate the facist regime that concerned his liberal peers.

When Pius XII died in 1958, Siri, now Cardinal and Archbishop of Genoa, was widely seen as a natural successor and was said to be the late pope's personal preference. This was not to be, however, as Cardinal Roncalli was elected and became John XXIII - an outcome Siri was far from satisfied with given Roncalli's highly liberal and reformist tendencies. Now however, Pius XIII will have a chance to undo many of the mistakes of his predecessor's papacy.

While Siri has never publicly tied himself to any ideological camp within the Curia, it is hardly a secret that his views are firmly against the sort of modernizing sentiments that led to the opening of the Second Vatican Council under John XXIII. Where many of his peers suggest that the Church must adapt to a swiftly changing world, Siri counters that to do so would only debase two thousand years of tradition in favor of misguided innovation. Whether Pius XIII is merely swimming against the tides of history or is to be the herald of a traditionalist ascendency remains to be seen.

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• Appeal to Tradition: From the second Vatican teaser, Siri plans to roll back the reforms carried out by Roncalli and urge the Church to stay true to its old traditions and avert the temptation of "misguided innovation".
• Just Ignore It: From his teased biography, Siri is not keen with adapting the Church to the outside world and denouncing the human rights abuses carried out by fascist nations, believing that it would destabilize the Church's traditions that have survived for over two-thousand years.

Clement XV

Role: Head of State (Gregory XVII succession)

Party: Holy See

Ideology: Papacy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Even had he never been elected pope, Sebastiano Baggio would certainly have left an indelible mark upon the Catholic Church. Born in Venetia in 1913, Baggio soon found his calling in the Church and was ordained at the young age of 22. From there, he became a member of the Church's diplomatic corps, with his first posting being to the Austrian Apostolic nunciature in the fateful year of 1938. As the years passed, so too did Baggio's experience and capabilities grow. He was sent to Chile, Canada, and Brazil in turn. Then, in 1965 he found himself appointed Cardinal by pope Gregory XVII, the honor coming as a surprise to none more than Baggio himself due to his relatively young age. The rise of his fortunes did not stop there though, as after the unexpected death of Cardinal Confalonieri that same year, Baggio was elevated to the position of prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, giving him extensive influence in shaping the foundations of the Church as a whole. He held a great deal of knowledge about prospective candidates, knowledge that gave him no small amount of leverage over the men he dealt with.

As pope, Clement XV has continued to take an interest in the appointment of bishops, working closely with his own successor as prefect to ensure that only the best men are chosen to represent the faith around the globe. Doctrinally, he is much more, of a moderate than either Gregory XVII or John XXIII were, although he has shown no desire to abandon their legacy to any real degree. For this pope, it seems that organizational soundness is more of an immediate concern than either reform or reaction.

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• The Perfectionist: In the second Vatican teaser, Baggio values the Church's organization above all else, carefully considering who to appoint as bishops and ensuring that only the best are chosen to represent the Catholic faith.
• Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Downplayed, as shown in his teased biography. He'll stick to the agenda chartered by his predecessors, Roncalli and Aghajanian, but he has more moderate ambitions than them, preferring to keep the Church stable rather than commit to reformism or traditionalism.

Lawrence

Role: Head of State (Gregory XVII succession)

Party: Holy See

Ideology: Papacy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}"In a world as divided and chaotic as ours, it falls upon good Christians of all denominations to come ever closer together and forget the disputes and squabbles of the past."

So says his Holiness Pope Lawrence, formerly known as Cardinal Johannes Willibrands, Primate of the Netherlands. Hailing from a region that had been a major battleground of the Reformation, it is perhaps fitting that the pope has been at the forefront of the Eucumenical movement for years prior to his election at the Conclave. The fostering, of stronger ties between the various branches of Christianity was also a personal project of Gregory XVII, Lawrence's predecessor. Whereas he focused on cooperation with the autonomous eastern Churches however, Willebrands has greater connections with the Protestants in Northern and Western Europe.

This has not come without controversy however, as while Lawrence is far from sympathetic to the Nazis, the same cannot always be said for the Protestant groups he is attempting to reconcile with. This has given rise to no small amount of discomfort within and without the Catholic Church from those who fear that it may lead to a softening stance on National Socialism. For the Pope and his supporters however, the prospect of pulling their fellow Christians away from Germania's corrupting influence is too great an opportunity to pass up.

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• Hero with Bad Publicity: From his teased biography, some Protestant groups accuse Willibrands of being too soft against Nazism, even though he has no sympathy for the ideology and actually sees them as a negative influence on Christianity.
• Odd Name Out: The teased newspaper event of his ascension mentions that he is the only Pope to pick a new papal name rather than assume one from a previous Pope.
• Reconcile the Bitter Foes: In the second Vatican teaser, Willibrands' personal project is to foster stronger ties with other Christian denominations.
• Suspiciously Similar Substitute: As shown in the second Vatican teaser, Willibrands carries on the legacy of his predecessor's mission to unite the Christian denominations, but now with a greater focus on the Protestant groups in northern and western Europe.

Innocent XIV

Role: Head of State (Gregory XVII succession)

Party: Holy See

Ideology: Papacy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Coming on the heels of popes John XXIII and Gregory XVII, Innocent XIV is striking in that he is so un-striking. Having by far the lowest profile when compared to the other papabiles at the 1971 Conclave, Cardinal Corrado Ursi's election came as a surprise to many who were not well versed with the internal politics of the Curia. It is only when one puts together various pieces of information, supposition, and rumor do explanations emerge.

It must be remembered that Innocent XIV's two predecessors, Gregory XVII and John XXIII were, both liberal reformists, the latter to an exceptional, degree. Before them, however, came Pius XII, whom Ursi served as chamberlain to and was confirmed to the bishopry by. While reformist sentiments are now a major force in the Church, it is not yet the overwhelming majority opinion. It is just possible, according to the rumors, that Ursi was chosen as, if not reaction, then as a counterweight to the developments of his predecessors.

If the pope is aware of the role he has seemingly been cast to play, he has certainly been silent on it - but that is only to be expected. With such a quiet man as Pontiff, the direction of the Church has become a good deal more inscrutable.

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• Dark Horse Victory: According to his teased biography, most haven't even heard of Ursi's name before his election and there are theories that he was only chosen as a compromise candidate between the reformists and traditionalists in the Church.
• The Quiet One: The second Vatican teaser characterizes Ursi as a quiet man, making him relatively obscure to the public eye compared to the other potential Popes.
• Ridiculously Average Guy: The only noteworthy traits that his teased biography makes is that he is a silent and low profile man.

Gregory XVIII

Role: Head of State (Gregory XVII succession)

Party: Holy See

Ideology: Papacy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Paul-Émile Léger, now Pope Gregory XVIII, is an evangelist and missionary through and through, determined to bring the Gospel of Christ to all the peoples and nations of the Earth. Born in Quebec in 1904, Léger might also be called a pope of "firsts" - the first North American pope, the first Canadian pope, the first Quebecois pope. Many are already speculating that his ascension, following as it does on the heels of the first Armenian pope, suggests that the Church is finally shedding off the Eurocentric domination of its leadership and may be entering into a new period of greater global perspective.

Even from his earliest days as a priest Léger has been concerned with spreading Catholicism around the globe. He spent much of the 1930s in Japan, engaged in missionary work and the difficult task of organizing a "grand séminaire" for the training of local clergy. At the start of the Second World War in 1939, the exhausted Léger was recalled to Montreal where he would remain until he was called to Rome in 1948. He was soon made Archbishop of Montreal and then Cardinal at the relatively young age of just 48.

For much of his proceeding career, Léger had been aligned with the views of Pius XII, but this had begun to change in the 1960s and by the time of the opening of the Second Vatican Council in 1963, the Archbishop of Montreal had become a firm believer in the vision of "updating" the Church in line with then pope John XXIII. This change of attitudes cost him more than one friend and made him several enemies amongst the conservative wing of the Church. All the while he continued his missionary work, especially in Africa, work that he considered even more important than time spent in Rome at the Council.

Clement XV firmly believes that just as Christ came to save all of mankind, so does all of mankind have the right to hear His word and to be able to accept them without coercion or threat. Even as pope he maintains a more hands on approach than many of his predecessors. Regions traditionally seen as on the periphery of the Church's reach are experiencing a good deal of attention under his papacy, and missions to areas ravaged by the victors of the Second World War have dramatically increased in volume.

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• All-Loving Hero: As mentioned in his teased biography, Léger values his missionary trips as the most important work of his life and believes that everyone deserves to hear the Lord's word without being forced to do so. He specifically commits the Church's attention to regions that are still ravaged by the end of World War II, offering any reassurance and comfort he can give them.
• Breaking the Glass Ceiling: The teased newspaper event of his ascension note Léger as a pope of "firsts" – becoming the first Pope from the Americas, the first Canadian Pope, and the first Quebecois pope. Given that his predecessor was Armenian, many begin to think that the Church is shifting away from Eurocentrism for a more globalist perspective.
• The Idealist: In the second Vatican teaser, he fundamentally believes that all of mankind can be redeemed and that humanitarian aid can heal the damage left by an Axis victory in World War II.

Nordic Countries

Denmark

^{Flag of Denmark (Despotism)}

^{Flag of Denmark (National Socialism)}

^{Flag of Reichskommissariat Dänemark}

Official Name: Kingdom of Denmark, Reichskommissariat Dänemark (Bormann Denmark)

Ruling Party: Departementchefstyret^note Board of Permanent Secretaries

Ideology: Oligarchy^note Paternalism

"Peacefully" occupied by Germany in 1940, Denmark was formally given back independence by their German "benefactors" in 1952. While Danish democracy has been restored, Danish sovereignty remains under German thumbs, as German security forces continue to operate in the country, and Denmark's foreign policy remains at the mercy of the Pakt.

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• Les Collaborateurs: Denmark is the least troublesome of Germany's satellite states and many are content to continue collaborating with them. In exchange, Denmark was given more autonomy to keep them loyal.
• Vestigial Empire: Denmark lost all of its overseas territories (Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands) as a result of WWII; the Western Allies occupied them during the war, with Iceland and the Faroe Islands having since declared their independence under the watch of the Western Allies (or their successors the OFN).

Werner Best

Role: Head of State

Party: Departementchefstyret^note Board of Permanent Secretaries

Ideology: Oligarchy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Werner Best was a staunch German nationalist who bounced between several far-right parties, so it was little surprise that he eagerly joined the Nazi Party in 1930. He became a part of the SS, using his legal and administrative skills to help organize the nascent Gestapo and coordinate the Night of the Long Knives in Munich. After rivals forced him out of his Gestapo position in 1940, he served in the military occupation of France, and was appointed as the Reich's Plenipotentiary to Denmark in 1942. Best found himself in an odd position, as Denmark was still permitted to retain its monarchy, a cabinet and a semi-democratic parliament. Many compromises were struck, and Best even advised against deporting Denmark's Jewish population to the concentration camps for the sake of maintaining stable relations with the Danish government. An attempt at organizing free elections and a series of labor strikes in 1943 led to Best placing the country under German military occupation and dissolving parliament, but the Danish monarchy, cabinet, and much of the bureaucracy was left intact. Best was also oddly ineffective in stopping the majority of the nation's Jews from escaping to Sweden, and rumors of being a Jewish sympathizer have clung to him for decades.

After the war, Denmark stayed in its strange limbo. It remained nominally independent, but still under close supervision, and with the threat of a return to German martial law constantly looming. Best still retained his office, and he briefly attempted to implement wide-reaching Germanization programs. The economic collapse of the 1950s caused funding to dry up and the programs were shuttered, but Best still hopes that his dream of turning Denmark into part of a Greater Germanic Reich will one day be reality.

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• Pet the Dog: Oddly, Best is ineffective in stopping Denmark's Jews from fleeing to Sweden, which has led to rumors that he's a Jewish sympathizer who's purposely letting them escape from certain death by the Reich.
• Pragmatic Villainy: During the war, in order to maintain stable relations between Germany and Denmark, Best struck many compromises, allowing Denmark to retain its monarchy, a cabinet and a semi-democratic parliament, and advised against sending Danish Jews to the concentration camps, all while dreaming of formally integrating Denmark into the Reich.

Nils Svenningsen

Role: Head of Government (Best succession), Head of State (Best succession)

Party: Konservativtt Folkeparti^note Conservative People's Party

Ideology: Conservatism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Nils Svenningsen is the personification of the loyal cog in the vast machinery of state, working diligently to keep everything running as smoothly as possible. While some in Germania claim that the former Foreign Minister's loyalties lie more with Denmark than the Reich, his diplomatic record is not to be scoffed at. With a streak of liberal pragmatism matched only by his strict diligence, many are hoping that Svenningsen's ascension to ruler of Denmark following the failed coup by Martinsen's National Socialists may finally herald a period of relative stability in the Protektorat.

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• The Ace: Svenningsen is a diligent and skilled diplomat who has kept the collaborationist government afloat in Denmark.
• Failure Is the Only Option: Svenningsen’s dream of a democratic Denmark is not possible to achieve, since he always get couped by either Hanneken or Martinsen.
• Token Good Teammate: Despite being a collaborator, Svenningsen does work for the benefit of his country, to the point that many claim that he's more loyal to Denmark than Germany.

Hermann von Hanneken

Role: Military Commander, Security Minister (Best cabinet), Head of State (Best succession)

Party: Wehrmacht Abteilung Dänemark^note Wehrmacht Department Denmark

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}As with most militarists, patience is not a virtue respected by Hermann von Hanneken. Since 1942, he has served the Reich as the chief of police and supreme commander of the Wehrmacht garrison in Denmark, cracking down on dissent and treason. While his strict militarism does not reach the fervent frenzy of Schörner, the officer's concern for the security of the Großgermanisches Reich has led him to take swift action in securing the leadership of Denmark.

Von Hanneken and his loyal clique believe that the complex bureaucracy of Werner Best has created a tight knot around Denmark's throat, a fact well known by Germania. This knot has restricted progression of the nation's Germanization and left it hanging limply as a mere Protektorat in the north. Like Alexander the Great, von Hanneken is ready to sever this rope in one swift motion so that Denmark and its Germanic people at last be integrated into the Reich.

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• General Ripper: While not to the same level as Schörner, Hanneken has still spent much of his time in Denmark crushing dissenters and plans on swiftly integrating Denmark with Germany by force.
• Military Coup: When Germany falls into civil war, Hanneken can launch a coup, asserting the authority of the Wehrmacht garrison onto the Danish government on the basis of maintaining stability.

Knud Børge Martinsen

Role: Military Commander, Head of State (Best succession)

Party: Nationalsosialistisk Folkeparti^note National Socialist People's Party

Ideology: National Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Knud Børge Martinsen's loyalty to the Reich is only superseded by the love for his nation. He has long acted as the Fører of the National Socialist Party of Denmark, serving as the face of the Party while his trusted ally Carl Popp-Madsen acts as its brains. A man of infamous cynicism, Martinsen's rise to power in the Party can be traced back to his actions in the West Russian War of the 1950s. He led his military units to important victories in the chaotic struggle against the Russian advance, his temperament as cold as the snow they fought and bled upon.

Despite serving the Reich as a loyal collaborator for the last two decades, Martinsen's desire for an independent Denmark has been no secret to Germania. With a successful coup cementing his Party's rule over the nation, the Fører's demands for an independent but loyal Denmark may yet come to fruition.

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• The Coup: If Svenningsen takes over, Martinsen will lead a National Socialist coup to take over Denmark for himself.
• Dragon with an Agenda: Despite serving the Reich as a loyal collaborator for the last two decades, Martinsen's desire for an independent Denmark has been no secret to Germania.
• The Stoic: Martinsen's cold demeanor is well-known, even when he fought in the West Russian War.
• The Quisling: Martinsen dreams of creating an independent, but loyal Denmark in service to Germany.

Gustav Meissner

Role: Head of State (Best succession)

Party: Departementchefstyret^note Board of Permanent Secretaries

Ideology: Oligarchy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Gustav Meissner's bureaucratic career has seen him rise through the ranks of the Protektorat's government, and his tenacious loyalty has finally paid off. Formerly a functionary under Werner Best, the death of his boss has propelled him to the position of German Plenipotentiary and effective head of state for Denmark. Meissner is a man who knows how to listen and obey, and his government will doubtless dedicate itself to continuing Best's work without question or delay.

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• Dragon Ascendant: Meissner has been a loyal functionary under Best's government and will take the reins if Hanneken launches coup, but Bormann forces him to step down.
• Meet the New Boss: If he takes power, Meissner will resume Best's work, bringing Denmark back to the status quo.

Carl Popp-Madsen

Role: Head of State (Bormann appointment)

Party: Dansk Nationalparti^note Danish National Party

Ideology: Corporatism^note Fascism

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• The Quisling: If Bormann is forced to invade Denmark after Martinsen refuses to submit, he'll appoint Popp-Madsen as it's new Reichskommisar, who will happily bring Denmark under the Reich's sphere of influence.

"Europas Narben" Update

Upcoming content coming with the Denmark rework in the "Europas Narben" update.

Ruling Party: SDF - F

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

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• Crapsaccharine World: In their rework teaser, Denmark seems to be a good place to live within the Pakt; it's got an extensive welfare system and functioning, democratic elections. While it is better relative to other states in the Pakt, it's still no paradise in Denmark. Lurking in the shadows, the HIPO Corps and the Efterretningstjeneste spy the streets for any dissidents, where they will be taken and tortured in the Shellhouse, a facility now owned by the SS. Even the currently reining social-democratic government is a fragile coalition, barely surviving the twin crises of Germany's invasion and Thorvald Stauning's death, yet still in danger of falling apart.
• How the Mighty Have Fallen: In the Denmark rework teaser, the Social Democrats used to be a goliath in Danish politics under Thorvald Stauning, but the Nazi invasion and Stauning's death ended this era of domination. Even upon returning to power in 1960, the party is divided on how to handle Germany and various social issues, along with having to govern in a coalition with Radikal Venstre
• Puppet State: Downplayed. In their teaser, the Danish state is largely left to its own devices in terms of domestic policy and keep its own democratically elected government, though not without certain concessions, such as allowing the Germania-aligned HIPO Corps and Efterretningstjenesten (both local front-organisations for the Orpo and the Gestapo respectively) to operate on Danish soil with legal impunity. The Reich has only granted the Danish people this nominal degree of independence because the Danish government so far has proven a loyal member of the Pakt that will always jump at Germania's call and have no interest in rocking the boat. At the time of World War II, the Nazis were more interested in invading and colonizing eastern Europe, not spreading their ideology to Western Europe, hence why they pragmatically prefer collaboration in Denmark.^note  The Nazis would rather not overthrow existing western European governments in general because doing so would mean installing local Nazi-regimes in places like Norway and the Nederlands, spending a lot of resources propping up these governments because the Norwegian and Dutch Nazi parties have little-to-no public and popular support.
• Secret Police: Numerous policing organizations patrol Denmark to crush anti-German dissent in the Denmark rework teaser, such as Efterretningstjenesten, an extension of the Danish Gestapo focused solely on political crimes.
• State Sec: The Denmark rework teaser shows that the SS are active in the country, particularly infamous for their use of the Shellhouse to torture captured dissidents.
• La Résistance: With the Großgermanisches Reich staggered by Hitler's death and the Succession War in the Denmark teaser, the Danish Communist Party (DKP), long since thought destroyed by crackdowns and repression by the German occupation forces, has seen a resurgence, waging a guerrilla war against them. Fortunately, they seem only interested in targeting the German occupation forces and not the Danish collaboration government. For the time being, at least.
• Villainous Legacy: As shown in the Denmark rework teaser, Departementschefstyret used to rule Denmark until mounting public pressure led to free elections in 1952. However, the legacy of occupation remains a decade on, as German-aligned security forces trample on political opponents and Danish society lives in fear of their pressure.

Viggo Kampmann

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of State

Party: SDF - F

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}At the helm of a nation sits a canary trapped within a cage. It longs to sing songs of freedom instead of sitting still in taciturn resistance, but should it open its mouth, it could be silenced forever.

That canary is Viggo Kampmann, an orphan abandoned out of poverty and left into a military officer's home in Fredericia, where he would find his nationality and pride. He would study as an economist and a heavy drinker at Copenhagen University, becoming influenced by left-radical circles and soon joining the Social Democrats.

When war came to Denmark, many took up arms in resistance, with rumors circulating that Kampmann was and still is a member. His quiet and gentle demeanor allowed him to deflect these accusations, yet his ability to tap into anti-Pakt sentiments to a tee in politics keeps this gossip alive. In 1960, this skill and his economic expertise allowed him to become Prime Minister as his party took power in a coalition with Radikal Venstre.

Kampmann's ideal Denmark is a hub of quiet resistance, sporting a welfare state aptly capable of caring for those who can't care for themselves. All this is easier said than done, as a well-kempt facade hides a chronicle of alcoholism, anxiety, and bipolar issues. Still, he marches on, resolute in his belief that "it's lovely to be a Social Democrat".

Kampmann is the current Chairman of the Danish Social-Democratic Party, the sitting Prime Minister of Denmark, and very reluctant collaborator of the Nazi government in Germania, tasked with keeping the Danish state and people in line with the German Reich's policies.

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• The Alcoholic: As mentioned in his teased biography, Kampmann has been a heavy drinker since his youth, with the consumption of coupious amounts of alcohol being his primary way of dealing with the stress his position puts on him.
• Beneath the Mask: As Prime Minister in the Denmark rework teaser, Kampmann maintains a public persona of being a quiet and gentle statesman. Behind it, he is notorious amongst his friends and closest allies for being a heavy drinker and serial womanizer. He also puts on the role of a perfectly loyal and obidient vassal of Germania, but in reality there is nothing he yearns for more than a Denmark that is truly free and independent of the German Reich.
• The Casanova: In the Denmark rework teaser, Kampmann is infamous in his inner circle of leading social-democrats for his seemingly unquenchable lust for the opposite sex, with his many trysts with various women meaning that he has a tendency to suddenly go AWOL for a couple of days every now and then.
• Kavorka Man: Kampmann is a podgy, bespecatled, balding, middle-aged politician. In spite of this, he maintains several affairs and trysts with various women in his orbit.
• Mole in Charge: Discussed in the Denmark rework teaser. Rumors circulate that Kampmann was a member of the resistance during the Second World War, hence his ability to appeal to anti-Pakt voters and his passive resistance to Germany. That being said, Kampmann has managed to deflect these accusations for the most part. Once the Bornholm crisis occurs, this becomes a major talking point again, as the government is placed in a precarious position.
• Parental Abandonment: The Denmark rework teaser mentions that Kampmann was an orphan abandoned due to poverty, until he found himself in the home of a military officer.
• The Quiet One: His teased biography mentions that Kampmann is a quiet individual, which allows him to deflect accusations that he is a secret member of the resistance.
• The Quisling: Downplayed in the Denmark rework teaser. Much as he doesn't like the Pakt, he sees no choice but to work and collaborate with the Germans. However, Kampmann turned Denmark into a welfare state as a form of passive resistance to the Pakt's ideals.

Jens Otto Krag

Role: Foreign Minister (Kampmann cabinet), Head of State (Kampmann succession)

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}What took six hours to destroy in 1940, has taken over ten years to restore to a semblance of its former glory and standing over once-proud Ozymandias, is Jens Otto Krag. Where others across Europe wept at the feet of the mangled corpses of their Motherland, Denmark watched. When partisans and native collaborators butchered and mutilated one another, in the name of their concrete vision, Krag stayed silent. But he did not stay still. Climbing up the byzantine labyrinth of Social Democratic politics, Krag was determined to shield the common Dane from the torrent of Hitler's abomination of an ideology. Even if it meant standing with the Führer, hand in hand.

Kneeling at the great monument to the Pharaoh, the winds bite at his back. He knows that he will never get back the innocence of peace that they lost. One day, he will fade into the dunes, leaving but the flesh-picked bones of his achievements as the only signs of Krag's existence. It does not matter. Everything, from the dissolution of the Danish government to the establishment of "Permanent Secretaries" in 1943, will not mean a thing if the Prime Minister can guide his people out of the Desert and out of the shackles of bondage. Standing up, Krag looks upon Ozymandias. Not with disdain or dread, but with hope. For it is here, upon the bitter ashes of failure, shall Denmark's greatest victory unfold.

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• Beware the Quiet Ones: As mentioned in his teased biography, Krag doesn't say much, but he is a smart man who knew how to climb the ladder of Social Democratic politics and has a good chance of becoming Prime Minister.
• Cooperation Gambit: In the Denmark rework teaser, Krag cooperates with Germany as much as possible to ensure Denmark's relative independence and facilitate an expansive welfare state for the Danish people, even if it means working alongside the Nazis.
• I Did What I Had to Do: In his teased biography, Krag is aware that his collaboration with the Nazi government in Germania probably means that history and the Danish people won't look too kindly back on his legacy, but he feels that it is an acceptable price to pay, as it ensures that the Danish state mantains its current level of autonomy from the Reich, limited though it may be.
• The Quisling: Of the trio heading the Danish Social-Democratic Party, Krag is the most open to collaborating with the Germans. As stated in the Denmark rework teaser, he sees the Pakt as a tool to support Denmark's welfare state and eliminate poverty as a problem.

Axel Ivan Pedersen

Role: Head of State (Kampmann succession)

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Television, alcohol, and feminism - to Axel Ivan Pedersen, these are all symptoms of a broken society, defects of modernity that must be cured.

Born in Skive, Pedersen is a veteran Social Democrat, if a more recently elected member of parliament. Yet for many of his fellow centrist and right-wing party men, he is a pillar of strength against the tides of liberalization that seek to tear apart the nation's social fabric. A Christian man who will not be silenced by urban intellectuals against family and fatherland.

This led Pedersen to ride a wave of social reaction to form a new party faction - the Centrist Bloc, standing against Kampmann's hopeless idealism and Krag's European obsessions. His clique is firmly against raising taxes and for a friendlier Danish infrastructure and an expanded welfare state with a family focus, with Pedersen's more fringe views on restricting alcohol, TV, and radio also influencing the Bloc.

Now Prime Minister, Pedersen sees his nation on the road to Damascus, and now more than ever, knows he must convert Denmark back to the Christian values she once cherished.

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• Dry Crusader: According to his teased biography, Pederson has ambitions to prohibit alcohol.
• Moral Guardians: Television, alcohol, and feminism are vices in his eyes. In the Denmark rework teaser, Pedersen forms the Centrist Bloc of the Social Democrats in opposition to the more progressive Kampmann and Krag, pushing for a greater focus on the family and Christian values, while eliminating objects he considers non-traditional, like the radio and television.
• Start My Own: Downplayed in the Denmark rework teaser. Pedersen forms a faction within the Social Democrats called the Centrist Bloc, in reaction to the liberalization of social issues advocated by the rest of the party.
• Stay in the Kitchen: In the Denmark rework teaser, Pedersen considers feminism a terrible symptom brought on by a "broken society", thinking that a woman's place is in the household.

Hans Berger

Role: German Ambassador to Denmark

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• Allohistorical Allusion: Hans Berger was also a German diplomat who worked as an ambassador to Denmark during the early 1960s in OTL. Albeit as a representative of West Germany.
• Moral Myopia: In one event from the Denmark rework teaser, Berger speaks about how much Germany and Denmark have had a prosperous friendship. But, when a mob attacks his car and are brutally beaten by the Hilspolizei in another teased event, Berger doesn't bear any thought to the violence and is only glad that he can get to the Christiansborg Palace safely.
• Team Spirit: Invoked by Berger as he tours Denmark in the rework teaser. During a speech at the Danish-German Friendship Society in Schleswig, Berger proclaims that the two nations are brother nations walking towards a united and prosperous future, earnestly wishing that every European nation would be as willing to follow Germany without question. However, Berger must be careful about how to deliver this message; it might not be as hard of a job in eastern Europe, but it is still a job.
• Torn Apart by the Mob: Subverted in the Denmark rework teaser. As Berger visits Copenhagen during the ten year celebration of Departementschefstyret's end, his car gets mobbed by protestors trying to break in. A panicked Berger is only saved when the Hilfspolizei arrives, and deploys a generous helping of Police Brutality to keep the protestors at bay.

Bornholm

Ruling Party: Danmarks Kommunistiske Parti - Pragmatists^note Communist Party of Denmark

Ideology: Bolshevism^note Communism

With the Reich falling into chaos after Hitler's death, the Danish resistance, led by the Communist Party of Denmark, takes the opportunity to seize the Danish island of Bornholm. Despite their initial victory, the resistance remains in a precarious position, and the future of Danish freedom remains uncertain.

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• Allohistorical Allusion: Just like how in real life Bornholm found itself temporarily occupied by the Soviet Union in the immediate aftermath of World War II, an armed force fighting under the banner of Communism occupies the island ITTL too, albeit a homegrown and signifactly less impressive one.
• And Then What?: With Germany in chaos and the local Kriegsmarine garrison leaving to handle the crisis, the Danish resistance seize Bornholm and take the remaining personnel hostage in the Denmark rework teaser. Unfortunately, they never thought about what to do after that, having relied on pure luck rather than skill for their plan to succeed and seeing no good way to win the fight long-term.
• Bilingual Bonus: The writing on their flag means "Liberated Bornholm" in Danish.
• Curb-Stomp Battle: In the Denmark rework teaser, the poorly equipped and organized partisans only manage to take over Bornholm through sheer luck, so are doomed to fall one way or the other. Either the Danish government reasserts control over the island or Germany militarily intervenes, the latter of which dramatically increases Germany's influence over Danish politics.
• Do Not Go Gentle: Soon after taking Bornholm in the Denmark rework teaser, despair rises over the resistance as they realize how limited their equipment and training is, not helped by Ømann fleeing. Despite this, they vow to fight and be freed from Nazi control for as long as they can, preferring death over collaboration.
• The Dreaded: In the Denmark rework teaser, the Danish urbanites have learned to fear the communist resistance, due to their willingness to commit civilian collateral damage. Many are so afraid that they impose a self-curfew to avoid trouble.
• Enemy Mine: While there are still plenty of committed communists in the DKP, Ømann's compromises with non-communists have lead to the party becoming a big tent of resistance figures, regardless of ideology, as shown in the Denmark rework teaser.
• Island Base: The island of Bornholm is used as a major Kriegsmarine base in the Baltic Sea. When the island is taken over by the Danish resistance in the Denmark teaser, there is major concern within Denmark that Germany may directly intervene, in violation of Danish sovereignty.
• La Résistance: The Danish Communist Party is the strongest resistance movement seen in Denmark's rework teaser, always evading capture by the police. Eventually, they gather the strength to take over the island of Bornholm, a base of high strategic value.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Though united in their hope and opposition against Nazism, the Danish Communist Party is otherwise divided. In the Denmark rework teaser, the party is an eclectic band of communists, liberals, and nationalists who ideologically disagree with each other. If these conflicts are not carefully managed, the resistance might be doomed.
• Wide-Eyed Idealist: Taking over Bornholm in the Denmark rework teaser, the Danish resistance fighters have an admirable level of bravery and optimism. Unfortunately, their defenses can't match their spirit; many of their weapons are stolen, outdated guns from the World Wars, the soldiers are amateurs, and the commanders are inexperienced tacticians. With all these disadvantages, the odds are heavily stacked against them.

Sigurd Ømann

Role: Head of State

Party: Danmarks Kommunistiske Parti - Pragmatists^note Communist Party of Denmark

Ideology: Bolshevism^note Communism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}When Sigurd Ømann arrived in Bornholm, he tore down a stained flag and raised a new banner. Like Napoleon in Elba, he will return to his homeland - only not as a king, but as a liberator.

The Copenhagen collaborators may attempt to blot it out wherever they can, but Ømann remembers a time without the constant need to worry about the wolf at the door. He remembers the salad days when a nation could breathe freely without a Nazi jackboot on their throats. Another freedom surrendered to Germany, all to maintain a grotesque parody of what once was.

Ømann remembers it all, but he can not afford to be a witless nostalgic when it comes to undoing - only ruthlessness can achieve results. His more theory-addled comrades whispered venom behind his back for the party's turn to the more pragmatic, even lashing out at him for his deals with anti-communists. But at the end of the day, when he hears each traitor soldier killed, he smiles, knowing he made the right decision.

Now he and his people make their stand, against the Nazi murder machine and its Danish puppet, in the name of everyone and everything they have lost to it. Ømann can't predict what will happen next but remains unbowed, knowing it is better to be free for a day than a slave for eternity.

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• Category Traitor: Much to the chagrin of some of his colleagues, Ømann is willing to cooperate with anti-communists in his war against Germany. However, his teased biography mentions that Ømann has no regrets about this, considering the liberation of Denmark a greater good.
• Rebel Leader: Ømann leads the Danish resistance in the Denmark rework teaser, liking to harken back to a time when Denmark didn't have to worry about German intervention and the freedoms that came with it.
• Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Despite his initial determination to liberate Denmark from Bornholm, Ømann can flee to America at the dead of night to live another day, once the reality of their situation begins to settle in. The resistance takes a significant morale loss when this occurs in the Denmark rework teaser.
• Unperson: As shown in the Denmark rework teaser, Ømann's name has been erased from the Danish history books, ensuring that he won't inspire others to follow his footsteps.
• Well-Intentioned Extremist: As mentioned in his teased biography, Ømann is committed to a free Denmark that is independent of Nazi suppression, but he believes that this can only be achieved through ruthlessness and a willing to engage in terror tactics.

Ole Geisler

Role: Head of State (Ømann fled)

Ideology: Partisan Movement^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Ole Geisler is a man whose life has been measured by an hourglass. The sand pours from end to end as he lives like prey, hiding from the Germans, his countrymen, and cancer. Now on Bornholm, he sighs with remorse as time dwindles each day, the victim of a faltering uprising.

He sits on the rock, regretting having ever left his engineering studies so long ago for a life of adventure, bringing him into close contact with the British. When World War Two came for his nation, he became Britain's top operative in its liberation, trained and equipped to do his patriotic duty. In 1943, he was sent with three other dedicated men, but when Sealion came, he was cut off.

Despite these circumstances, Geisler would become a glue for the resistance, an apt administrator who would spearhead the reorganization of dozens of Danish resistance groups into DKP's umbrella. A wanted man, his luck was unparalleled in buying him extra time by warding off close calls from the Gestapo and Efterretningstjeneste seeking his head.

Now, with Sigurd Ørmann having flown the coop, Geisler is left holding down the fort as life finally catches up to him. He has accepted his fate, be it at the hands of the Nazis or cancer, with the only worry left on his mind as the sands of time seep away is whether or not the resistance will survive after his passing.

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• Be Careful What You Wish For: His teased biography mentions that he left his engineering studies so he could find adventure in the military, becoming Britain's top operative in Denmark and organizing the Danish resistance under the DKP. However, with Ømann gone and the Germans pounding on Bornholm, Geisler regrets the fate he's found himself in.
• Face Death with Dignity: Knowing that he is already dead at the hands of either the Nazis or his cancer, Geisler accepts his fate in the Denmark rework teaser, only hoping that the resistance can survive past his demise.
• Rebel Leader: According to his teased biography, Geisler has been a capable leader of the resistance since 1943, having reorganized dozens of resistance groups into the DKP and evading capture through luck.
• You Are in Command Now: When Ømann disappears during the Bornholm War of the Denmark rework teaser, Geisler is the only one left to hold the resistance's ground, even though he is already a doomed man.
• Your Days Are Numbered: Even if he were to evade German capture, Geisler is doomed to perish anyways, since he has cancer, as said in the Denmark rework teaser.

Reichskommissariat Norwegen

^{Flag of Norway (Lunde, Lie)}

^{Flag of Free Norway / Norway (Borten)}

Official Name: Reichskommissariat Norwegen^Tr.Reich Commissariat of Norway, Norway (Collaborationist), Provisional Norwegian Government (Milorg interim Norway), Kingdom of Norway (Free Norway)

Ruling Party: Nasjonal Samling - Mainstream^note National Gathering

Ideology: Fascism

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• Les Collaborateurs: As occurred during World War II, Germany administers Norway with the help of collaborators who have betrayed their homeland in favor of the Reich.
• Forced from Their Home: Following the Allies' evacuation, the Svalbard archipelago is now populated with teams of slaves who were deported from other countries, working alongside the Norwegian miners.
• The Quisling: The Trope Namer himself is still alive in Norway, but his incompetence has gotten him sacked and reduced to political irrelevance, until he gets assassinated by several Milorg agents.
• La Résistance: The Milorg resistance movement has remained active despite Josef Terboven's efforts to squash them.
• Rightful King Returns: When the Okkupasjon begun, King Haakon VII staunchly refused to recognise the Quisling regime, and eventually was forced to flee to Great Britain and then Canada along with his family. He never abdicated until his death, and neither has his son, Olav V, who will be invited back home and crowned by the Milorg after they take over.
• Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: The government's policy of forced agrarianism, mockingly labeled as an "agricultural devolution", has been largely unsuccessful because Norway lacks arable land and can't possibly specialize in farming. Worse, rural farmers are often alleged to have ties to Norwegian resistance cells, creating even more controversy towards an ineffective policy that has only wrecked the economy.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: For twenty years, the shaky government of RK Norwegen has tried its best to turn Norway into a model colony, led by an equally shaky triumvirate consisting of Reichskommissar Josef Terboven, the increasingly disloyal nationalist Gulbrand Lunde, and the brutal police chief Jonas Lie.
• Video Game Cruelty Punishment: Inverted. Picking more lenient policies in the focus tree will weaken the collaborators' hold over Norway and strengthen the Milorg until they overthrow them.
• Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters: The Milorg regularly launches industrial sabotages against the collaborationist government, in which they praised by many as a liberation force, while the collaborators condemn them as violent terrorists.

Josef Terboven

Role: Head of State

Party: Nasjonal Samling - Mainstream^note National Gathering

Ideology: Fascism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}The Reichskommissar of Norway, Josef Terboven, has lived a charmed life for the past 20 years out of Germania's sight. Norway has acted as a vital part of the Reich's strategic defense network, but the autonomy afforded to the natives to ensure that peace is maintained has always grated somewhat on Terboven, who views the Norwegians, Aryans though they may be, as lazy and incompetent due to the many issues with industry, lack of progress in Germanization, and the consistent inability to squash the traitorous Milorg organisation.

Norway has found a renewed prosperity under the Reich, but the prosperity hides a distinct conflict between the native Fascists of the National Union party and the German military forces, reluctantly ceded by von Falkenhorst in the aftermath of the 50s economic collapse. The National Union party aims to keep a form of Norwegian culture alive within the Reich, something that Terboven views as unacceptable, and further disagreements over the ideal German agricultural lifestyle and the desire of some politicians for a more urban Norway have led to heated, albeit not yet irreversible, clashes.

A more insidious issue for Terboven is the presence of one of Europe's last remnant states, the Kingdom of Sweden, a parliamentary democracy that many think ought to have gotten the hint decades ago and surrendered itself to the dustbin of history. The Swedes are alleged to hide Norwegian dissidents, spread propaganda and insidious lies about the Reich's intentions to loyal Norwegian citizens, and worst of all fund the insidious Milorg terrorists, who have thus far eluded destruction.

Yet these are all issues that Terboven views as solvable, provided the Reich remain stable enough to act as a bigger stick when negotiating with the National Union for more concessions to limited Germanization. Norway under Terboven is loyal province of the Third Reich. For now.

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• Cincinnatus: Subverted. Terboven's oversight of Norway was intended to be temporary, but this promise has gone unfulfilled for over twenty years and the Norwegians are growing impatient.
• Pragmatic Villainy: Terboven has reluctantly preserved the autonomy afforded to the natives, but he personally holds them in racist contempt and only upholds their status to maintain what little peace the collaborationist government can afford.
• Screw This, I'm Outta Here: When the German Civil War begins, Reichskommissar Terboven abandons his post, disbands the garrison and empowers the native collaborator government, turning Norway into a free nation overnight.
• We Hardly Knew Ye: Terboven will always abandon Norway when the German Civil War starts, opening up opportunities for someone else to take over.

Gulbrand Lunde

Role: Head of Government (Terboven cabinet), Head of State (Terboven succession)

Party: Nasjonal Samling - Mainstream^note National Gathering

Ideology: Fascism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}When Terboven and his men abandoned Norway, heading back to their rapidly disintegrating homeland, the civilian government quickly disintegrated with them. Cliques of reformists, hardliners, and moderates splintered from the corpse of the National Assembly and spread over Oslo, sewing chaos and confusion across Norway. In the end, order prevailed, and the mainstream finally steadied the ship of state. At their head? One of the longest-lasting, most tenured members of the NS- Gulbrand Lunde.

Lunde was once simply a chemist, specializing in biochemistry. However, his scientific pursuits would be placed on hold in favor of Vidkun Quisling and his party, the National Assembly. One of its earliest members, Lunde proved himself a capable, loyal, hardworking administrator. This loyalty would boost Lunde to the ministries of Norwegian politics when the NS finally took power. Throughout this time, Lunde frequently attracted the ire of the German garrison for his nationalist views, as he tried to distance what he called the Norse people from the rest of the Germans. Indeed, it is widely theorized that the Germans kept Lunde from the highest posts of the civilian government because of his views on race. However, with no Germans around to stop him, Lunde finally has the control he's worked so hard for.

Lunde's policy does not emphasize much in the way of change for Norway. While he has a few policies planned, such as the end of Germanization, it's no secret that Lunde would not mind re-entering the Pakt as a collaborator state. For much of Norway, it almost seems like Terboven never even left.

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• Meet the New Boss: Lunde's policy changes very little for Norway, with only a few exceptions, like the end of Germanisation. For much of Norway, it almost seems like Terboven never even left.
• Pragmatic Villainy: While still a German collaborator, Lunde is willing to end some of the more disastrous policies of Terboven's administration, like the ending of Germanization in favor of Norwegian nationalism.
• The Quisling: Lunde was one of the earliest Norwegians to collaborate with the Reich, in which his loyalty and hard work allowed him to rise through the ranks of the government.

Per Borten

Role: Head of State (Terboven succession)

Party: Nasjonal Samling - Moderate^note National Gathering

Ideology: Civilian Dictatorship^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}In the chaos of Terboven's departure from Norwegen, the NS tore itself to shreds fighting over who would gain power. Radicals, moderates, and reformists turned the streets of Oslo into a chaotic battleground as the resistance massed in the mountains. For a time, there was no faction in the NS who seemed posed to win, and a resistance takeover seemed inevitable. Finally, a miracle- the reformists, led by Per Borten, seized the reigns of the government just in time to repulse the resistance, saving the collaborationist regime.

Borten was born in 1913 as the son of a farming family. His rise through the political establishment was considered unexpected, due to his moderate views on many issues that the German government pushed heavily on. However, his relative popularity took him from simply a mayor to the leader of the reformist wing of the NS, where he unsuccessfully advocated for numerous governmental and social reforms. Finally, Borten's 20 year political journey has reached its end, with him seizing power over all of Norway.

Though Borten could be considered a liberal in comparison to his counterparts, he is not a full-blown reformist. Many of his proposed changes to Norway only go so far, stopping whenever they reach the prickly issue of the NS's constitutionally-mandated stranglehold on the Storting. In effect, Borten still runs a dictatorship- a more accepting, less autocratic dictatorship, but a dictatorship. Another major change is his usage of Norwegian nationalism in his doctrine, advocating for independence from Germany- however, some question whether Borten will hold that policy when push comes to shove.

In the end, Borten certainly has a lot of bark. What remains to be seen is how much of that bark is backed by his bite.

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• Internal Reformist: Downplayed; though Borten became the leader of the reformist wing of the NS due to his more liberal position, he's not willing to fully embrace reformism yet. If he comes to power, he will continue the NS dictatorship, but he will scale back its autocracies and implement restrained Norwegian nationalist doctrines.
• A Lighter Shade of Black: Borten can be considered a liberal to his peers, but he'll still run Norway as an autocratic dictatorship, if he succeeds Terboven.

Jonas Lie

Role: Security Minister (Terboven cabinet), Head of State (Terboven succession)

Party: Nasjonal Samling - Radical^note National Gathering

Ideology: National Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Ask any man, woman, or child in Norway about their thoughts on Jonas Lie, and one will receive a ridiculously varied number of responses. To the radical collaborators, Lie is a hero, the only man in Norway who works for their interests. To the moderates, Lie is dangerous, a friend of Himmler who wishes to replace the idea of Norway with a bastardized, German version. To the resistance, Lie is a disgusting pig, a cowardly traitor who bends over backwards to lick the soles of the German boot stomping on Norway. However, there's one fact about Lie that is undeniably true- he holds the reigns of Norway with a firm grip.

Born to the famed author, Jonas Lie Sr., Lie was one of the top police authorities in Norway, as well as a popular author himself. His writing experience would serve him well, allowing him to write numerous political papers. However, once captured by the Germans, Lie's views significantly shifted into a pro-German stance, correctly betting that Germany would eventually win the war. From there, he would serve in the German Army, founding the Norwegian SS and serving as a high member of the NS. When the war eventually concluded, Lie returned to Norway as a rabid pro-German politician, assuming the role of Police Minister. From there, he bided his time, waiting for his moment to shape Norway as he sees fit. With Terboven gone, Lie seized the opportunity and overpowered his opponents, taking full command of Norway.

Now, Lie has control over all of Norway, and the nation trembles at the thought. Indeed, it seems that Lie believes that Germany is not gone for good, but only temporarily indisposed, and he is hell-bent on keeping everything, including Germanization, in order for their inevitable return. Though he may be unpopular, it seems to most that Lie is too powerful to overcome.

For Lie, Norway's future is bright, tinged with the crimson of Nazism. For most everyone else, the future seems bleaker than it's ever been.

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• Dirty Coward: When he was captured by the Germans, Lie was quick to adopt a pro-German stance and kiss up to his new masters, betraying his home country to cowardly work for his new masters.
• Evil Reactionary: Whereas Lunde and Borten are willing to implement reforms to keep the NS regime afloat, Lie intends on doubling down on the Reich's policies, if not strengthening some of its policies.
• The Quisling: Lie has spent two decades loyally collaborating with the Reich through Josef Terboven's administration. After Terboven's resignation, he believes that Germany is not gone for good, but only temporarily indisposed, and he is hell-bent on keeping everything, including Germanisation, to prepare for their inevitable return.

Knut Møyen

Role: Head of State (Coup)

Party: Militær Organisasjon^note Military Organization

Ideology: Provisional Government^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Knut Møyen has held a dream for many years now- the liberation of his home nation, Norway. His dream has been achieved. He never really held the aspiration of leading this new Norway- in his own words, he's only a businessman- but it seems that the situation has called for him to take the mantle as well. Now, Knut Møyen has the unenviable task of preparing Norway for its transition to a true democracy, and in the eyes of his many supporters, there's nobody better for the job.

Born in 1907, Knut was only an athlete and a businessman before the Germans came and tore down everything he loved. In such a terrible situation, Knut did what every brave son of Norway did and joined the resistance, choosing the Milorg in particular. Within a year, Møyen rose through the ranks of the resistance, becoming the head of Milorg. Under his rule, Milorg's activities crippled and hindered German movements across all of Norway, turning much of the nation into a no-go zone for the Heer and swelling Milorg's numbers to 20,000 strong in his tenure as its head.

Unfortunately, Møyen would be forced to escape to Sweden by a Gestapo raid, leaving for London soon afterwards. When England fell to the German invaders, he fled to Scotland. Finally, he made his perilous return to his home, retaking the reigns of command from his subordinates. It is of the opinion of most Norwegians that Møyen's leadership is the main reason as to how the Milorg remained active in the decades since the war ended. However, even with his leadership, it was the opinion of many that Milorg, and the resistance in general, was reaching its last legs by the early 60's, with slowly shrinking numbers and an increasingly apathetic population.

That is, until Germany collapsed in on itself in a spectacular implosion, and Terboven and his men left for home. In the chaos that followed, Møyen and Milorg swept into Oslo, throwing out the weak collaborators that remained and proclaiming a new Norway, free of German influence. Now, Møyen's focus switches to reversing the laws and regulations the Germans dared to impose on Norway, reinstituting the Kingdom, and returning the nation to what it was before the war. Once this is finished, Møyen will take his leave, having left his mark as a hero to all Norway.

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• Cincinnatus: Once he's done reversing what the Germans did to Norway and inviting the King back, Møyen will hold democratic elections and peacefully hand power to the winner.
• The Coup: After Josef Terboven abandons Norway and empowers the collaborator government, Møyen can lead a coup against it and establish a provisional government.
• The Dreaded: As the leader of the Milorg, Møyen is feared by the Germans and their collaborators, who regard him as a violent terrorist who cares little for the collateral damage he causes.
• The Purge: Møyen enacts a widespread purge against the collaborationist leaders within Norway, whom he views as treacherous filth.
• Rebel Leader: Møyen has spent years fighting for the liberation of his homeland and may seize the chance when the German Civil War starts.

Einar Gerhardsen

Role: Head of State (Election)

Party: Arbeiderpartiet^note Labour Party

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}After decades of oppression under the Nazi boot, democracy has finally returned to Norway. Møyen has departed from the top office gracefully and smoothly, and it's said by many that the man replacing him could not be a better fit for the new Norway. If Møyen was the father of the post-German Norway, than Einar Gerhardsen is certainly the ideal son.

Einar Gerhardsen was born in 1897, spending his early years bouncing from profession to profession before finally joining the Labor Party, becoming a top party official all the way up to the German invasion. The war years would not be kind to Gerhardsen, as he lost his positions, was captured after he joined the resistance, and remained in prison for the next 9 years. When he was released, he would soon rejoin the resistance, working with Møyen to rally the general population through propaganda and resistance newspapers. This work would lead to great reward, with Gerhardsen riding next to Møyen in the victory parade after the Milorg takeover. With his Labor Party relegalized, Gerhardsen would quickly retake the mantle of the Party, leading it to a great electoral victory and becoming Norway's new Prime Minister.

Gerhardsen's policies in office are ambitious, western, and not too dissimilar from neighboring Sweden. Progressive taxes, social security, industrialization- all are major domestic goals for the new Labor platform. Unsurprisingly, Gerhardsen's foreign policy is heavily pro-OFN, as he seeks to expand ties with the west to protect the Kingdom from the German eagle.

With Gerhardsen in charge, Norway takes its first full steps forward into a new era- one not of fear and subservience, but one of progress and freedom.

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• All-Loving Hero: Gerhardsen deeply loves the people of Norway and not only wants to protect them from future invasion, but also implement progressive policies similar to the ones in Sweden for the benefit of the common citizen.
• Propaganda Machine: Gerhardsen assisted the Milorg by printing and distributing propaganda and resistance newspapers for their cause.

Alv Kjøs

Role: Head of State (Election)

Party: Høyre^note Conservative Party

Ideology: Liberal Conservatism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}The first election in the new Norway's history was expected to mainly be a contest between the center-left factions in Norwegian politics, with the Conservative party only expected to play as spoiler. However, the polls clearly underestimated the charisma of Alv Kjøs, the man who took the Conservatives from disaster to victory, the man who now takes over from Møyen as leader of Norway.

Kjøs was born into a farming family, but quickly set his sights on a military career. His decision seemed destined to bear fruit, as he was promoted to major by 1940, but all plans would be thrown aside when the Germans landed on Norwegian shores. Kjøs was captured early on, and could only watch helplessly from behind the barbed wire as his beloved nation was crushed beneath the Nazi boot. When the war came to an end, and POWs were finally released, Kjøs quickly joined the resistance, fighting tirelessly for Norway's freedom. As with his military career, so did his tenure with the resistance bear fruit, as he rode triumphantly into Oslo alongside his counterparts. Finally, as he entered politics on the side of the Right, his message of economic liberalism, state protestantism, and industrialization caught fire with the Norwegian people, who elected him to their highest office.

Kjøs now gets to work on fulfilling his promises. Already, curious businesses sniff the air in Norway for new opportunities, and factories already lay their foundations from Oslo to Narvik. The religious right celebrates the return of Protestantism as a state religion. Questions still surround Kos on whether he can keep the momentum of the Right going, or how well his new Norway will actually do, but for now, all of Norway can sleep soundly knowing that a steady hand controls the ship of state.

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• Boring, but Practical: Kjøs doesn't advocate as much radical change as Gerhardsen or Garbo, but his administration is a stable one and likely to lead Norway to a better future than their previous occupation by the Germans.
• Dark Horse Victory: After elections are reopened, few expected that the conservatives would be politically relevant enough to sway the outcome, yet Kjøs' charisma can lead the party to a surprising victory.

Gunnar Garbo

Role: Head of State (Election)

Party: Venstre^note Liberal Party

Ideology: Liberalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Gunnar Garbo is a walking puzzle. His policies and positions have stumped many analysts. He claims to be a centrist, moderate choice for Norway, yet holds more socially progressive positions than his other moderate contenders. He represents the Left, a liberal party, but decries what he calls an "excess of economic liberalism". It's a common joke that he looks more to the left than he does to the Left, his own party. However, these questions have captured the interest of the public, as now Garbo takes the reigns of a new Norway.

Born in 1924, Garbo was only a teen when the Nazi's landed on Norway's shores. He joined his father as an active resistance journalist. His father would lose his head for his work, and Garbo was forced to flee to Sweden for a period of time before returning to Milorg during the 50's. From there, he made his way up through the Left's apparatus, finally taking the chairman's position as Milorg marched on Oslo. After a fierce electoral competition, Garbo reached the top of the mountain, becoming Prime Minister.

Garbo's policies are an eclectic mix of social progressivism and restrained economic liberalism. His policies also have taken a surprisingly environmental turn, with multiple movements to protect Norway's natural beauty. Many of his economic policies are mixes of the regulations of the Social Democrats and the free market economics of the Conservatives. Overall, Garbo's policies are confusing, exciting, and highly experimental.

Garbo is many things, but as long as he stays around in Norway's politics, there will always be one thing that all can be sure of- he's a very interesting man.

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• Crazy Enough to Work: Garbo's ideological alignment is...unclear, to say the least. He advocates socially progressive laws, but simultaneously decries economic liberalism and attempts to reduce state interventionism in the economy. Despite these interesting views, many of his policies can have a positive impact on the country, especially compared to the policies advocated by the collaborationist government.

Knut Løfsnes

Role: Head of State (Election)

Party: Sosialistisk Folkeparti^note Socialist People's Party

Ideology: Revolutionary Front^note Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Knut Løfsnes should not be where he is today. He was not a member of Milorg, or any of its affiliates. His political positions, in the eyes of almost all analysts, were well to the left of what even a nation like Norway would accept. His base consisted solely of students and communists. To any reasonable person, Løfsnes stood no chance against the other titans he was running against.

And yet, Løfsnes has won.

A teacher before the war, Løfsnes joined the resistance quickly. He was captured, released, and fled to Sweden before anything else could happen to him. Once in Stockholm, Løfsnes would work with the XU unit, feeding information to the Allies, even when all hope of victory was lost. Finally, with the war over, Løfsnes returned to Norway to continue the fight. He would participate in the march on Oslo, though nowhere near the front of the parade, and set up his own Socialist People's Party to run in the upcoming election. Despite the odds being stacked so heavily against him, the Socialists would pull out a victory in the final election, stunning Norway.

Løfsnes's policies have brought much speculation onto the future of Norway. Unlike any other candidate, Løfsnes has demonstrated a reluctance to join with the OFN, instead preferring a neutral approach that some may fear is impossible.

However, the most worrying- or, in his supporter's eyes, appealing- aspect of Løfsnes's positions is his total refusal to even consider a deal with the Germans. For some, this shows Løfsnes's dedication to keeping Norway free. For others, it spells the certain doom of the restored Kingdom. Norway's future, as much as it is speculated about, rests on shaky ground. Can it survive the German century?

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• Choosing Neutrality: In terms of foreign policy, Løfsnes advocates neutrality, unlike the other democratic candidates who want to align with the OFN.
• Dark Horse Victory: Unlike the other possible democratic candidates, Løfsnes was not a member of Milorg, which makes his election shocking to many observers.
• Stupid Good: His staunch refusal to align with either the Pakt or the OFN makes it likely Germany will invade the country again and end their short-lived independence.

Henrik Rogstad

Role: Foreign Minister (Lie cabinet), Head of State (Bormann-backed coup)

Party: Fedrelandsgarden^note Fatherland's Guards

Ideology: National Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Unlike his many Nasjonal Samling comrades harbouring secret resentment towards the Reich, Henrik Rogstad is a proud Pan-Germanist through and through. Determination and loyalty saw this former leader of the NS youth movement rise through the Norwegian political scene until he settled into a modest administrative position under Josef Terboven, a platform he used to openly endorse the radical wing of his Party. With the bureaucratic skills accumulated throughout his political life and the strict discipline drilled into him by his service in the Hirden, Rogstad harshly reigns as the new Fører of Norway.

Since the dismantlement of Terboven's administration, Rogstad's fervent dedication to the German Reich has only strengthened, leading to an infamous reputation among Norwegians all across the political spectrum - and even within his own Party. The Fører's cohorts praise him as the only man strong enough to haul Norway back into greatness, while his opponents decry him as little more than a tinpot dictator dancing on German strings to the tune of the Führer's demands.

A highly pro-German bureaucrat in the Nasjonal Samling. If Bormann took over Germany while the Milorg couped the NS government in Norway, Bormann can secretly fund a coup headed by Rogstad to bring Norway back to Germany's side.

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• The Coup: Rogstad can take over Norway in a paramilitary coup secretly backed by Bormann.
• Puppet King: Proudly pro-German, Rogstad follows Führer Bormann's orders without second thoughts.
• The Quisling: Rogstad is fervently dedicated to Germany and wants to bring Norway back into the German sphere.

Kingdom of Sweden

Official Name: Kingdom of Sweden

Party: Sveriges socialdemokratiska arbetareparti - Mainstream^note Swedish Social Democratic Workers' Party

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

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• Crapsaccharine World: Downplayed. Sweden may be one of the few prosperous, democratic nations left in Europe, and maintain several public welfare programs which has signficantly raised the average Swede's standard of living, but it also maintains a eugenics program that sterilizes the disabled and addicts deemed unfit to be parents. To the public, it's viewed as nothing more than a public health program.
• Heroic Neutral: Subverted. While Sweden is officially neutral, it is still firmly in Germany's camp, having fought with them against the Soviets in WW2 and in the West Russian War. German influence over Sweden is overbearing and has become normalised it its day-to-day governance, even if individual Swedes try to help victims of Nazism.
• Neutral in Name Only: While the Swedish government officially states that it is neutral, in reality, it has been closely aligned with Germany since WW2.
• Protagonist-Centered Morality: Sweden's Fokhemmet program has been hailed by many as a successful social program that grants generous social benefits to the downtrodden, ignoring the fact that it's built from German and Ostland business deals and enabling the mass slavery prevalent in the rest of the Unity-Pakt.
• Realpolitik: Sweden’s de-facto collaboration with Germany has been particularly fruitful, allowing it to enter an economic golden age in the fifties much like in our timeline while remaining one of the few states left in Europe with an intact industrial base while remaining democratic. However, this freedom and prosperity is the by-product of German conquests and goodwill. If Sweden were to go against their wishes, they will experience a rude awakening from the master of Europe.
• Token Good Teammate: Sweden is a Pakt observer at the game's start and out of all the German-aligned states, Sweden is the most democratic and free one. Its collaboration is also lighter than other Pakt-aligned countries, with it involving tolerating Germany's use of slavery in Swedish factories and military cooperation where Sweden supplies Germany with specialized winter vehicles and training for their Arctic missions and acting as a bulwark against Russia.

Tage Erlander

Role: Head of State

Party: Sveriges socialdemokratiska arbetareparti - Mainstream^note Swedish Social Democratic Workers' Party

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} In 1946, Prime Minister Per Albin Hansson died from a sudden heart attack as he stepped off a train in Stockholm. In his wake, a nation stood that was almost unrecognizable from what it had been when he took office. Leaving behind a mixed legacy of immense social and economic progress on hand, but also a myriad of failures and an impossibly complex diplomatic situation following Sweden's entry into the Second World War. The unenviable task of picking up the pieces fell to the Minister of Education Tage Erlander as he took the reins of both the Social Democratic Party and Sweden itself in a time of uncertainty. Europe was gone; replaced by Germany's New Order, one that Sweden had helped create by fighting alongside her Finnish allies in the war that forged it.

With Sweden's relationship to the west remaining frosty after the war, Erlander maintained the nation's cooperation with Germany established by Hansson. Built with riches gained from trade with Germany, the Folkhem advanced like nothing ever seen before - with health care and pensions for all. While Sweden remains independent and prosperous 1964 looks to be an uncertain year as the fallout from the West Russian War, constant government gridlock and the slow progress of social change, have left people hungry for change. Only time will, determine if the price paid for the Folkhemmet can still be justified to the masses.

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• I Did What I Had to Do: As Europe was brought under the German boot and Sweden was the only Scandinavian country not aligned with them, Erlander opened Sweden to trade and cooperation with the Reich. While Erlander and the Social Democratic party may argue that it was a necessary move to preserve Sweden's independence and economic prosperity, other pro-American parties will use this fact to criticize them as collborators to the Nazis.
• You Are in Command Now: His predecessor Per Albin Hansson suddenly passed from a heart attack in 1946 as he was stepping off a train in Stockholm, leaving it up to Erlander to take up his reins.

Iceland

Official Name: Republic of Iceland

Ruling Party: Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn^note Independence Party

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

A former Danish Realm territory that has declared its independence. It has been continuously occupied by the Western Allies—later the OFN—since 1940.

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• Inciting Incident: The anti-OFN frustrations in Iceland finally boil over when evidence is uncovered of drunk American soldiers beating an Icelandic college student to death and covering the story up. By the time the White House learns about this leak, massive riots amass outside the American embassy and the Icelandic government ends up collapsing, creating a delicate power vacuum in the 1971 elections for the United States and Germany to back the pro-OFN or anti-OFN coalitions, respectively.
• Kick the Dog: To really show how detrimental the American occupation is, several events detail American soldiers harassing innocent women and making perverted comments toward them out of naked lust, which really reaches its climax when several drunk soldiers try to rape a passerby and then beat her friend to death when he tries to intervene.
• Powder Keg Crowd: The anti-OFN protests reach a new height when they raid the Keflavik Airbase and come to an impasse with the American MPs. The crowd gets broken up when the airmen fire tear gas at them.
• Protectorate: Iceland is completely, and even legally mandated to be, reliant on the United States for its protection. This status in the OFN both works for and against Iceland. On one hand, they don't need to finance a standing army of their own and they can rely on the United States to intervene on their behalf in international disputes—provided that it doesn't contradict American interests. On the other hand, it also means the American military can appropriate their land with no repercussions and thus extract whatever benefits they want from the island.
• Puppet State: Iceland has a 'special' relationship with the US. Those who support it credit the presence of US troops with economic benefits, the preservation of stability and the defence of Iceland's interests, while detractors complain that this is little more than an occupation and accuse US troops of stealing Iceland's resources, leaving little for Icelandic citizens. Some even go so far as to compare it to the Nazi jackboot.
• Rebellious Spirit: Some Icelandic teenagers are ballsy enough to flash a Nazi salute in front of several American patrols.
• Small Role, Big Impact: Iceland isn't a huge player on the geopolitical stage, but their membership in the OFN allows the United States to exert its influence into the North Atlantic and contain the German sphere of influence. When anti-OFN sentiments flare up, a major proxy conflict flares between the United States and Germany in the 1971 election, which will determine Iceland's status in the OFN and tip the scales for either of them.

Ólafur Thors

Role: Head of State

Party: Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn^note Independence Party

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

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• We Hardly Knew Ye: Thors will only be leader for a year and a half before he is succeeded by someone from his own party or a rival party in the 1963 Icelandic elections.

Bjarni Benediktsson

Role: Head of State (1963 and 1967 election)

Party: Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn^note Independence Party

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

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• Resigned in Disgrace: If Benediktsson is the Prime Minister by 1970, he will be forced to resign in the midst of anti-American demonstrations.
• Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Coming from the same political party and wishing to maintain ties with the OFN, Benediktsson is the most similar successor to Thors.

Eysteinn Jónsson

Role: Head of State (1963 election)

Party: Framsóknarflokkurinn^note Progressive Party

Ideology: Agrarianism^note Conservatism

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• Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: In OTL, Jónsson never served any higher position than a ministerial one, whereas he can become an elected Prime Minister in this timeline.

Emil Jónsson

Role: Head of State (1963 and 1967 election)

Party: Alþýðuflokkurinn^note People's Party

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

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• Resigned in Disgrace: If Jónsson is the Prime Minister by 1970, he will be forced to resign in the midst of anti-American demonstrations.

Hannibal Valdimarsson

Role: Head of State (1967 election)

Party: Alþýðubandalagið^note People's Alliance

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

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• The Dog Bites Back: Valdimarsson is one of two Prime Ministers who will withdraw Iceland from the OFN after decades of discontent under their rule.
• Let No Crisis Go to Waste: Valdimarsson is only Prime Minister who will encourage the anti-American demonstrations to withdraw Iceland from the OFN.

Ólafur Jóhannesson

Role: Head of State (1967 election)

Party: Framsóknarflokkurinn^note Progressive Party

Ideology: Agrarianism^note Conservatism

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• Resigned in Disgrace: If Jóhannesson is the Prime Minister by 1970, he will be forced to resign in the midst of anti-American demonstrations.

Jóhann Hafstein

Role: Head of State (1967 election)

Party: Framsóknarflokkurinn^note Progressive Party

Ideology: Free-Market Conservatism^note Conservatism

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• Resigned in Disgrace: If Hafstein is the Prime Minister by 1970, he will be forced to resign in the midst of anti-American demonstrations.

Geir Hallgrímsson

Role: Head of State (Government collapse)

Party: Umsjónarstjórn^note Board of Supervisors

Ideology: Free-Market Conservatism^note Conservatism, Big Tent^note Liberal Conservatism

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• Short-Lived Leadership: Hallgrímsson is hastily put in charge of an interim government while anti-OFN protests rage across Iceland and force the previous Prime Minister (barring Valdimarsson) to resign. If the anti-OFN coalition wins the parliamentary election of 1971, or if Sigurðsson or Gíslason is elected, Hallgrímsson will step down, having only served for a few months.

Halldór Eggert Sigurðsson

Role: Head of State (1971 election)

Party: Framsóknarflokkurinn^note Progressive Party

Ideology: Agrarianism^note Conservatism

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• Suspiciously Similar Substitute: With Jóhannesson unelected or in resignation, Framsóknarflokkurinn picks Sigurðsson as their replacement, keeping Iceland tied to the OFN.

Gylfi Þorsteinsson Gíslason

Role: Head of State (1971 election)

Party: Alþýðuflokkurinn^note People's Party

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

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• Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Gíslason replaces Jónsson as Alþýðuflokkurinn's Prime Minister candidate, expected to uphold the status quo of an OFN-aligned Iceland.

Adda Bára Sigfúsdóttir

Role: Head of State (1971 election)

Party: Alþýðubandalagið^note People's Alliance

Ideology: Democratic Socialism^note Progressivism

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• The Dog Bites Back: Sigfúsdóttir is one of two Prime Ministers who pushes Iceland to leave the OFN and end the oppressive American occupation.

Faroe Islands

Official Name: Republic of the Faroe Islands

Ruling Party: Tjóðveldisflokkurin^note Republican Party

Ideology: Agrarian Socialism^note Socialism

A former Danish Realm territory that has declared its independence. Like Iceland, It has been continuously occupied by the Western Allies since 1940.

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• Crippling Overspecialization: Fishing has been so ingrained in the Faroe Islands' culture that the industry makes up 90% of their exports to the outside world. The economic prosperity of the nation is entirely dependent on this specialization and will suffer, if it isn't kept healthy or outcompeted by foreign countries.
• Meet the New Boss: Control of the Faroe Islands was passed from the Danes to the British and now the Americans. From the independence movement's perspective, this change in leadership hasn't changed the fact that the Faroe Islands have always been subjugated by a foreign occupier and treated as a disposable vassal.
• Puppet State: After Denmark was defeated by Germany in the Second World War, the Faroe Islands were officially given their independence. However, they act as little more than a military base for the United States to maintain a presence in Europe.

Erlendur Patursson

Role: Head of State

Party: Tjóðveldisflokkurin^note Republican Party

Ideology: Agrarian Socialism^note Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}In his small office in Tórshavn, during the time between meetings with party members and union members, Erlendur Patursson takes time to look out his window towards a vast sea, glittering, as trawlers towards deeper waters. It reminds him what he is fighting for.

Patursson's political career paralleled his work leading the Føroya fiskimannafelag, or Fishermen's union. There, he saw the failures in OFN policy up close, the ways that American agreements corralled fisheries to work around restrictive resource rights and military plans.

Already politically active as the son of nationalist politician Jóannes Patursson, the realization compelled him to found his own party, the Tjóðveldisflokkurin. There, he worked his misgivings into proper policy. With allies new and old, he crafted a vision of a left-wing Faroe Islands, freed from the web of the OFN, ready to work for the citizens that form it.

Now president, Erlendur Patursson is ready to enact that vision. He knows that he dreams big, but he is ready to fight the OFN for whatever scraps they will give. He will do anything to help the fisheries of the Faroes - he always has."

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• Choosing Neutrality: Knowing of the OFN's one-sided relationship with the Faroe Islands, Patursson's main objective is to free his country from their restrictive control, prepared to oppose a much larger foe for the greater good.
• Like Father, Like Son: He's just as politically active as his father, Jóannes Patursson.

Hákun Djurhuus

Role: Head of State (1966 election)

Party: Hin Føroyski Fólkaflokkurin^note Faroese People's Party

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Twenty years ago, the Fólkaflokkurin did all it could to free the Faroe Islands. As the British moved in, the party tried in vain to create an independent state, refusing to work with the occupiers once they recognized the Danish governor. Fólkaflokkurin was powerful, strident, and only growing.

Then the British left, and America came, now with Cold War politics on the mind. Rather than bother with a truly independent nation, they forced through a second occupation, leaving the Faroese to deal with the consequences.

Hákun Djurhuus was a young man then, just entering politics. Yet after twenty years in the party, "independence" has played out just as he expected. The rights and opportunities of the Faroese people are placed behind a foreign military and its foreign market. His countrymen's culture is fading, while Americans run amok on their shores.

Now, there has come a chance to break this inequality. Djurhuus has gathered a coalition from all strains of life, from fisheries to parishes, across multiple leading parties. At last, he has the community he needs to force his occupier's hand.

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• Choosing Neutrality: Gathering a diverse coalition of allies, Djurhuus is determined to force the Americans to leave the Faroe Islands and give proper independence to the Faroese people.

Peter Mohr Dam

Role: Head of State (1966 election)

Party: Javnaðarflokkurin^note Equality Party

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Peter Mohr Dam is one of the Faroe Islands most storied politicians, serving in the Løgting for the last forty years. He has worked under the Danes, under the British, and now under the Americans, dutifully serving the Javnaðarflokkurin party. In that time, he has learned the value of maintaining his nation's ties.

Yes, the Faroe Islands' captors are not always kind. Yet each has left a mark on the state, working to invest in the nation's future. From Vága Airport to Tórshavn, the boons of these ties dot the nation. And even now, there is so much more left to give.

If the Faroe Islands are to grow, they cannot do so from splendid isolation. President Dam promises instead to create something better by working with the OFN. Through focused intervention, the Faroes can develop past their agrarian existence and into a more specialized, modernized economy. The Faroe Islands will become a star in a prosperous constellation, from far-off America to Britain and Iceland at home.

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• Voluntary Vassal: In his long, forty year career, Dam has collaborated with the occupying Danish, British, and Americans. His experience has convinced him that the Faroe Islands needs a more equal relationship with the OFN to develop the country rather than pursue complete isolation.

Atli Dam

Role: Head of State (Dam succession)

Party: Javnaðarflokkurin^note Equality Party

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}To many, Atli Dam appears as the future of the Faroe Islands itself - an astute progressive finding his footing in the wider world, still learning from the wisdom of his father. Whenever his feet land, the rest of the Faroes may follow.

Like his father Peter Mohr Dam, Atli Dam is a Social Democrat, leading under the Javnaðarflokkurin party. The two also share the same core willingness to work with the Americans, even as opponents scoff from both sides of the aisle. Though he hails from a younger generation, Atli intends to carry on his father's work.

Yet there is one core difference: president Atli appears more willing to push his luck. Where Peter Mohr Dam seemed reverent to the ideals that supposedly defined his foreign ties, Atli has thus far imagined them as transactional, leaning on his natural charisma and skill to get needed provisions out of the OFN. So far, it seems to be working - Alti is getting investments that Peter could never manage.

It is an energy and force that no one, domestic or foreign, was quite prepared for. It seems that is the clearest sign of a fruitful career to come.

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• Like Father, Like Son: He is a social democrat and willing to cooperate with the United States, like his father Peter Mohr Dam.
• Superior Successor: Thanks to his natural charisma, Atli is able to squeeze more concessions from the OFN, whereas his father preferred to play it safe. As a result, Atli is able to make even more progress than Peter could.
• Taking Up the Mantle: After his father's death, Atli will take over the Javnaðarflokkurin party and continue championing his ideals.

Finland

Republic of Finland

Official Name: Republic of Finland

Ruling Party: Kansallinen Kokoomus^note National Coalition Party

Ideology: National Conservatism^note Paternalism

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• All for Nothing: Finnish nationalists are dismayed about a Russian victory in the Karelian War, as their decades of colonization and economic investments are undone.
• The Assimilator: Finland mandates that native Karelians must assimilate into their culture, as part of their colonization of the region and attempt to legitimize their claim over the formerly Russian territories.
• Les Collaborateurs:
  • Most parties on the Finnish political scene advocate for this to some degree with Germany. The ruling party, Kansallinen Kokoomus, is the biggest example, having started as a pro-war party that was home to numerous pro-German politicians with German connections. In OTL, the Axis defeat meant that Kokoomus mediated itself to a more center-right alignment to distance themselves from the internationally disgraced Nazis. In this timeline, the German military victories meant that this political shift never happened and thus they've remained in power.
  • Many Finns joined the Waffen-SS during World War II and colluded with Germany in their shared conflict with the Soviet Union.
• Civil War: If Finland doesn't integrate the communists into politics by the time West Russia is unified, the Second Finnish Civil War will begin between the government, the communists, and the Murmansk People's Republic. The conflict escalates further when Sweden, Germany, and the West Russian unifier get involved.
• Crapsaccharine World: To the oblivious, Finland is an anomalous success story in German-dominated Europe, privileged with a strongly developed industrial base, an influx of resources from their territorial gains, and a close trading relationship with Sweden. However, it disguises the active ethnic cleansing campaigns being carried out in Karelia and the far-right's surprisingly wide-reaching influence in the country's politics.
• Crushing the Populace: After conquering Eastern Karelia and the Kola Peninsula from the fallen Soviet Union, Finland has undergone an extensive ethnic cleansing campaign of the Russians still in the region, deporting them to the decaying city of Murmansk or Onega. This comes back to bite them in the ass when West Russia is reunified and the native Russians rise up against the government that has long oppressed them.
• Didn't Think This Through: Their seizure of Karelia during World War II backfired in the long term, as Finland has to pour significant resources to combatting communist partisans in the area and deporting the Russian natives to delegitimize Russian claims on the land. Matters get even worse when tensions finally explode into a civil war.
• Earn Your Bad Ending: The fascist IKL can only rise to power if the Finnish Civil War breaks out and the Whites win. It's a really specific path with events that have a low probability of happening, and is also the worst path for Finland, as the IKL turns the country into a fascist dictatorship.
• Forced from Their Home: Ever since the end of the Second World War, Finland has deported the Russian population in eastern Karelia to Onega or Murmansk, paving the way for Finnish settlers to take their place. The policy may only be reversed after Finland wins the Karelian War, in favor of integrating them, offering more services, and permitting them to organize their own parties.
• History Repeats: The Second Finnish Civil War parallels the first one, with a communist movement in the south pitted against an anti-communist government in the north and in control of Helsinki.
• Know When to Fold 'Em:
  • Should the Karelian War last too long, but slant in favor of the Russians, the Finnish government will sue for an armistice, acquiescing their claims to the Kola Peninsula, in return for West Russia renouncing Eastern Karelia.
  • If Russia wins the Karelian War, Finland will reluctantly cede Onega, the Kola peninsula, and Eastern Karelia for a ceasefire, restorting the 1936 border, with only Viipuri remaining under Finnish control.
  • In a downplayed case, Finland can reach a stalemate in the Karelian War and merely sacrifice Onega in exchange for demilitarizing the region, since prolonging the war would just be a waste of time. The West Russian unifier is forced to accept, due to the growing threat of German involvement and the prospect of encountering greater Finnish resistance.
• Let No Crisis Go to Waste:
  • As the USSR was getting decimated by the Axis in World War II, Finland jumped on the opportunity to seize Karelia and the Kola peninsula. Finland still owns these territories in 1962 and props up Onega as a buffer state to protect them, though many Russians contest these land claims.
  • The 1966 parliamentary elections are heavily affected by the Karelian War and many minor parties try to use the crisis to garner support from those dissatisfied with the establishment.
  • As fears swirl over Russia's unification, the 1972 parliamentary elections are marred by various parties fearmongering the new threat to buy more popular support.
• The Man Behind the Man: On paper, the IKL seems like a minority party, but it's actually very influential in Finnish politics. Using intimidation and violence, they can subtly manipulate Parliament without having a strong explicit presence in it, even possibly taking the presidency if circumstances turn for the worst.
• Proxy War:
  • The West Russian unifier sends military and economic aid to the Murmansk Rebellion against Finland, hoping to retake their former territories. When the rebels take over the Kola peninsula, the West Russian unifier can start sending military units to aid their fight.
  • In the Second Finnish Civil War, the Finnish government will get backing by Germany to quash the communist uprising.
• Red Scare: As punishment for protesting Finland's actions during the West Russian War, the government banned all left-wing political parties and still enforces this policy. In the long term, it's better for Finland to lift this restriction because leaving it be will incite a civil war.
• The Remnant: Even if the communists capture Helsinki and Viipuri, no official surrender is signed by the government forces and many units continue to resist in small numbers.
• Settling the Frontier: After the Second World War, the Finnish government has supported settlement campaigns in Eastern Karelia to solidify their claims to the region.
• State Sec: Paramilitaries loyal to the fascist IKL operate with government approval to suppress communists and Russian insurgents in East Karelia.
• Video Game Cruelty Punishment: The banning of left-wing parties emboldens the socialist movements into armed resistance against the government. If the ban is not lifted, the communists will rise up and start the Second Finnish Civil War.
• You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: When Western Russia is reunified and successfully negotiates with Finland for the return of Onega and the Russian-majority areas annexed during World War II, Finland no longer needs the Anti-Communist Volunteer Guard as a buffer state and will stop guaranteeing them, allowing West Russia's unifier to annex Onega with ease.

Juha Rihtniemi

Role: President^note Head of State

Party: Kansallinen Kokoomus^note National Coalition Party

Ideology: National Conservatism^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}There are two types of politicians - loud, brash showmen who embrace loud and brash policies, and the quiet workhorses without which all world governments would collapse in seconds. Juha Rihtniemi is one such man - intensely patriotic, from a family deeply involved in politics, and focused on the well-being of his people and his own personal interest in fully returning East Karelia to the Finnish fold.

When the roof fell in on the German economy and mud splashed all over the faces of the National Coalition Party's most high ranking, Juha remained clean - and with a reputation as a diligent, experienced functionary who handled the West Russian War calmly and neatly, he was elected President with a whopping 72% of the vote.

Juha's time as President has been spent slowly but surely developing the nation even as it continues to walk the tightrope between the German behemoth and the shattered titan of Russia as it gradually begins to pull itself together once more. Though he has authorised significant funding of Finnish units in Onega as a bulwark against the Russian menace, it is all too self evident that sooner or later, Finland's old enemy will return once more to claw away Karelia from the motherland. To that effect, programs to teach Finnish to the Karelian populace, settle Finns in significant numbers, and deport the Russians still remaining have all received generous support under his administration.

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• Blatant Lies: If Kosola gets elected as Prime Minister, Rihtnimi will call it a "win for all peoples of the Republic", a blatant lie in the face of all minorities being oppressed in Finland's Russian territories.
• Evil Colonialist: Rihtniemi knows that the Russians will one day reunify and come after Karelia. As such, he has enthusiastically supported the colonisation of Eastern Karelia by ethnic Finns and the deportation of the remaining Russians, attempting to legitimize Karelia as rightful Finnish territory.
• Landslide Election: Rihtniemi won the 1960 presidential election with 72% of the vote and can get reelected in the 1967 presidential election with a similar proportion, if he wins the Karelian War, enabling him to continue his hawkish stance against Russia and collaboration with Germany.
• The Quiet One: Rihtniemi is a quiet man who doesn't publicly show much emotion in favor of diligently working behind the scenes.
• Resigned in Disgrace:
  • If the Second Finnish Civil War erupts, Rihtniemi will resign in shame, while the IKL appoint a new President to act as a "unifying" figure.
  • Rihtniemi can resign if the Karelian War ends in a Finnish loss or a Russian-leaning ceasefire that utterly humiliates him.
• Villain with Good Publicity:
  • Many Kok politicians were brought down by the German economic crisis, but Rihtniemi kept a clean public image and his administrative competence during the West Russian war led to his 1960 election with 72% of the vote.
  • Should Finland repel the Russian invasion in the Karelian War, Rihtniemi's approval ratings will skyrocket, easily earning him a reelection in 1967.

Johannes Virolainen

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi cabinet), President^note Head of State (1967 election)

Party: Maalaisliitto^note Agrarian League

Ideology: Liberal Conservatism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}The Finnish tongue has a long and benighted history compared with Swedish, but it is ours nonetheless - Finns all, from Helsinki to Karelia. Especially Karelia - our land, robbed from us for nearly half a century, but no longer. The lone man who fights for the rights of Finn Karelians is Johannes Virolainen - the only man who cares, Vyborg born, who knows their struggle.

He may be controversial to some. However, the need to settle Finns in their native land, and expel the foreigners from land that is not theirs - may not be... palatable to those who care more for foreign responses than actions. Pruning those who care about Finland from those who do not is an entirely different question. One that is guaranteed to be resolved the correct way.

At the end of the day, it is clear that some are born to see the whole picture - and some are born to actually deal with it. Johannes Virolairen is one of those men who will nominate scapegoats for the nation's sake - a patriot thinking only of the nation's greater good. Either way, he needs to enter power...

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• Dragon Ascendant: After being the Prime Minister up to 1963 and potentially 1967, Virolainen can win the presidency himself and continue the status quo left by Rihtniemi.
• Evil Colonialist: Virolainen supports the colonization efforts and Finnish investments in eastern Karelia so that it can be integrated, all at the expense of the indigenous Russians and with the support of Nazi Germany.
• It's Personal: Virolainen is from Viipuri and deported when the city was taken by the Soviet Union in the Winter War. Thus, he's strongly advocated that Finland must control all of Karelia.
• Meet the New Boss: He largely maintains the policies of Rihtniemi, such as his developmentalist economic policies and Finland's cooperation with the Reich.
• Moral Myopia: He is deeply resentful of the Russian deportations of Finns from Viipuri and their assimilation of Karelia. But as head of the Population Transfer Office and a potential Prime Minister, he supports doing the same thing to the Russian population of that territory.

Asko Ivalo

Role: Foreign Minister (Rihtniemi cabinet)

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}The art of diplomacy is a delicate one, and often involves knowing when to draw powerful neighbours close, and when to keep them at arm's length. Asko Ivalo knows this all too well, as one of Helsinki's most experienced diplomats, and one of the architects of Finland's current close relations with the Reich.

Ever since the rebirth of the modern nation of Finland, powerful neighbours have sought to 'rectify' the anomaly of her independence - and the ever-present solution has always been to draw closer to the one nation that never had and never will have territorial designs on even a square metre of Finnish soil. As a member of the SS Voluntary Committee of '42, Ivalo sealed in iron and blood the nation's commitment to Germany's cause by helping organise a Waffen-SS division of Finnish volunteers, and continues to support pro-German policies within the Finnish government, both out of pragmatism and to ensure the continued loyalty of the IKL and the powerful shadows lurking in the corners of power, seeking closer alignment with the Pakt as a whole.

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• Les Collaborateurs: Ivalo was a member of the SS Voluntary Committee of 1942 and organized a Waffen-SS division of Finnish volunteers. As a foreign minister, he still maintains a close relationship with Germany.
• Realpolitik: Ivalo supports Finland's close relations with Germany on account of the Nazis having no territorial claims on their country and the need to appease the IKL and their paramilitaries. Not entirely comfortable with the arrangement, Ivalo still tries to keep Germany at an arm's distance.

Päiviö Hetemäki

Role: Economic Minister (Rihtniemi cabinet)

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}In a world where the ties between nations have been torn apart, Päiviö Hetemäki seeks to rebuild Finland's link to the global market. In fact, most of his programme can be described in terms of rebuilding - of the relations between employers and workers, of economic ties with both Western Europe and the United States, and of Finnish worker's wages.

Owing to this he also forms part of the bloc supporting further market integration with Europe as a whole, and thus for Albert Speer's reformist group in far-away Germania. It remains to be seen if his moderate, rational policies can survive when it seems the most chaotic years of Finland's history are fast approaching, but for now he marches on, slowly but steadily.

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• Playing Both Sides: Hetemäki's objective is to rebuild Finland's ties with the international community, playing off of the United States and Germany to maximize the country's trading opportunities.

Pekka Malinen

Role: Defence Minister^note Security Minister (Rihtniemi cabinet)

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Once Prime Minister, Pekka Malinen now serves as Defence Minister - an important transition that allows him to ensure the continuation of his policies of ensuring Finland keeps what it has earned, and deserved for so long.

Having served several tours of combat as a member of the SS, Malinen found himself in the political wilderness following his tenure during the West Russian War - until it was realised that he, and his Finnish People's Party, were far too influential to exclude from government - this, despite the relatively small size of the party. Now, his policies revolve around the same three tenets - increasing support for Onega as the vanguard of the nation, increasing the military budget, and expanding the military infrastructure in Karelia to more rapidly deploy forces against the ever-present partisan threat.

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• Les Collaborateurs: Malinen was a member of the SS during the Second World War and West Russian War.
• Consolation Prize: Malinen would be a political outcast under any other circumstance, but he was brought onto the government to appease the far-fight, where he briefly became a Prime Minister and later became a Defence Minister.
• Warhawk: He supports continued aid to Onega as a buffer state, as well as an expanded military presence in Eastern Karelia to crack down on partisans and prepare for eventual conflict with Russia.

Niilo Kosola

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi cabinet - 1963 election)

Party: Kansallinen Kokoomus^note National Coalition Party

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• Foreign Culture Fetish: Kosola is a self-described "Teutophile" and he has a friendly foreign policy with Germany.
• Like Father, Like Son: Invoked by his leftist opponents, who point out that his father was the leader of the fascist Lapua movement, smearing Kosola as another staunch nationalist who is friendly with the Nazis.
• Meet the New Boss: Kosola promises to uphold the status quo, including a pro-German foreign policy and a hawkish stance on Karelia.

Erkki Lindfors

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi cabinet - 1963 election)

Party: Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue^note Social Democratic Party Of Finland

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• Back from the Brink: Many wrote off the Social Democrats as a dying faction after the failed Varjonen cabinet of 1954, but Lindfors election marks a major reversal of fortune for the party.
• Dark Horse Victory: Lindfors' election is a huge upset and comeback for the SDP, as well as a major shift to the left and an anti-German foreign policy. It's so unexpected that the SDP lacks the influence to rule by itself, so it needs to rely on other parties for support.

Veiko Vennamo

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi cabinet - 1963 election, Rihtniemi, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1966, 1969, or 1972 election)

Party: Suomen Maaseudun Puolue^note Finnish Rural Party

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• Bad Boss: Despite being beloved by his rural support base, Venamo is rumored to run his party with near-dictatotrial rule and has violated parliamentary discipline on many occasions.
• Choosing Neutrality: As Prime Minister, Vennamo will adopt a neutral foreign policy and distancing Finland from Germany.
• History Repeats: He was a former Prime Minister from 1957 to 1959 and can take over the Eduskunta Riksdagen again in 1963, 1966, 1969, or 1972.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Vennamo leads an anti-establishment, right-wing populist party, but he also has a coalition with the Social Democrats and other small right-wing parties. The only thing keeping them united is their animosity towards Germany, but their tense and divided on everything else.

Johan Otto Söderhjelm

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi cabinet - 1963 election)

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• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Söderhjelm can take the premiership on account of winning every opinion poll, even though the his party did not win the most votes. He's a mere compromise candidate between the Rural Party and the Social Democrats, balancing a shaky coalition between them.

Kauno Kleemola

Role: President^note Head of State (Karelian War defeat)

Party: Maalaisliitto^note Agrarian League

Ideology: Liberal Conservatism

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• Emergency Presidential Address: Immediately thrown into the presidency after the West Russian unifier pushes into Finland, Kleemola gives an emergency television address to announce Finland's cession of eastern Karelia and the Kola peninsula to Russia.
• Short-Lived Leadership: If the Karelian War ends in a ceasefire or Russian victory, Rihtniemi will resign and leave the presidency to Kleemola, who will only serve until the upcoming 1967 election.

Tuure Junnila

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Kleemola, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1966 election)

Party: Kansallinen Kokoomus^note National Coalition Party

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• Meet the New Boss: Downplayed. Junnila is still anti-communist and anti-Russian. However, he is more moderate compared to the rest of the party and will appeal to those in the party who want a neutral foreign policy.

Veikko Pihlajamäki

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Kleemola, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1966 or 1969 election)

Party: Maalaisliitto^note Agrarian League

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• Meet the New Boss: Pihlajamäki's is the Agrarian League's Prime Minister for the 1966 or 1969 election. While he is a new face that leans further to the right and has no connections to the Continuation War, he'll still maintain close ties with Germany, like his predecessors.
• Warhawk: Pihlajamäki adopts an aggressive stance against Russia, promising to bolster national security, pursue closer ties with Germany, and unite the Nordic countries in an anti-Russian alliance.

Mauno Koivisto

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Kleemola, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1966 or 1969 election)

Party: Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue^note Social Democratic Party Of Finland

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• Landslide Election: Koivisto's election is marked by the SPD gaining a parliamentary majority, due to the discontent of the Karelian War.
• Led by the Outsider: Uniquely, Koivisto can become a Prime Minister without being a member of the Eduskunta Riksdagen; he's a former CEO of the Bank of Finland. Appropriately, he marks a major departure from the status quo, as he pivots Finland's foreign policy to the West instead of Germany, establishes a welfare system, and devolves powers from the President to the Eduskunta Riksdagen.
• Reconcile the Bitter Foes: As Prime Minister, Koivisto will try to reconcile with the Finnish communists, who have long been sidelined and oppressed by the establishment.

Ensio Kytömaa

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Kleemola, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1966 election)

Party: Suomen Kansanpuolue^note Finnish People's Party

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• Meet the New Boss: Though his election is the first time that the national liberal SKP can win, Kytömaa has the support of various right-wing elements in the country and maintains Finland's association with Germany.

Jan-Magnus Jansson

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Kleemola, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1966 or 1969 election)

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• Choosing Neutrality: Brought into the premiership as a compromise candidate from a broad coalition, Jansson pursues a neutral foreign policy that shifts away from the Pakt. In fact, he opposes Finnish membership in any pan-European organization by principle.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Jansson is only elected because he was a suitable compromise candidate for a broad coalition of disparate factions. Once he's in office, the coalition struggles to keep itself united by the day.

Matti Virkkunen

Role: President^note Head of State (1967 election)

Party: Kansallinen Kokoomus^note National Coalition Party

Ideology: National Conservatism^note Paternalism

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• Dark Horse Victory: Virkkunen's election is a shock to the country, since many expected the Kok. to be thrown out of power after losing the Karelian War. Regardless, it enables him to pursue a more conservative agenda than Rihtniemi and cement Finnish ties to Germany.
• Realpolitik: Becoming the National Coalition Party's new presidential candidate after Rihtniemi's disgraceful resignation, Virkkunen pledges to align even more closely with the Reich, using Pakt investments to repair the damage left by a Karelian War defeat.

Karl-August Fagerholm

Role: President^note Head of State (1967 election)

Party: Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue^note Social Democratic Party Of Finland

Ideology: Social Democracy^note Progressivism

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• Dark Horse Victory: Fagerholm can become the first SDP member to become President, which is a major upset to the political status quo.
• Honor Before Reason: Fagerholm protested Finland's instigation of the Continuation War, which led him to being expelled from the government cabinet.
• Realpolitik: Inverted. Fagerholm will sever Finland's ties with Germany in favor of aligning with the OFN, costing them support of the nearest superpower.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Despite his anti-communist views, Fagerholm believes they can be reasoned with and pledges to legalize them back into politics.

Kullervo Rainio

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1969 election)

Party: Kansallinen Kokoomus^note National Coalition Party

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• Red Scare: Rainio is deeply apprehensive of anything he considers socialist and frowns on any kind of state intervention in Finland's economy, marking a sharp turn to the right, despite calling himself a liberal.

Aarne Saarinnen

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1969 or 1972 election)

Party: Suomen Demokraattinen Työväenpuolue^note Democratic Labor Party of Finland

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• Dark Horse Victory: If socialist parties are legalized, Saarinnen can run for the election in 1969 or 1972 and win, shocking many that they could win in a country dominated by the right. Despite this victory, Saarinen will face a major uphill battle in making his socialist policies palatable for the Finnish public.
• Old Soldier: Saarinnen is a veteran of the Finnish Civil War, Winter War, and Continuation War.
• Reconcile the Bitter Foes: In 1972, Saarinnen will make the shocking suggestion to reconcile with the Russian unifier and distance Finland from Germany. It still remains to be seen if this can succeed against the still-fresh memories of conflict that plagues both sides.
• Start My Own: Owing to disagreements on the West Russian War, Saarinnen left the SDP to form his own party. However, if he gets elected, Saarinnen will have to crawl back to the SDP and appeal for a coalition so they can form a government together.

Teuvo Aura

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1969 election)

Party: Suomen Kansanpuolue^note Finnish People's Party

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• Stereotype Flip: He may only be a compromise candidate brought for a tied 1969 parliamentary election, but Teuvo is a unique specimen in the SKP. Unlike most members of his generation, he has no ties to the Nazis and advocates a more social liberal platform instead of a national liberal one.

Eero Lattula

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1972 election)

Party: Kansallinen Kokoomus^note National Coalition Party

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• Meet the New Boss: Lattula represents a continuation of the anti-communist, nationalistic, and pro-German policies of previous Kok. administrations. The most and only noteworthy change is military reform int he wake of Russia's unification.

Taisto Tähkämaa

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1972 election)

Party: Maalaisliitto^note Agrarian League

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• Realpolitik: Subverted. With how much he wants to prepare Finland for a defensive war against Russia and being part of a traditionally pro-German party, Tähkämaa is personally unenthusiastic about cooperating with Germany. Without their backing though, it will be much more difficult for Tähkämaa to balance his militarization efforts with the needs of his agrarian supporter base.
• Warhawk: As a former soldier, Tähkämaa wants to expand Finland's military to stand up against potential Russian aggression.

Pirkko Työläjärvi

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1972 election)

Party: Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue^note Social Democratic Party Of Finland

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• Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Työläjärvi can become the first women Prime Minister in the 1972 parliamentary election.
• The Determinator: Työläjärvi rose to prominence with her determination and charisma. Combined with the strength of the labor and women's movement, Työläjärvi has the momentum to push her social and economic reforms.

Olavi Borg

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1972 election)

Party: Suomen Kansanpuolue^note Finnish People's Party

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• The Idealist: Borg tries to moderate the traditionally right-wing SKP towards a more social liberal and optimistic view. Unfortunately, fears of Russian unification pose a significant risk to Borg and it's uncertain if his idealism will translate into tangible succcess.

Carl Olof Tallgren

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Rihtniemi, Virolainen, Virkkunen, and Fagerholm cabinet - 1972 election)

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• Dark Horse Victory: Tallgren is the Deputy Foreign Minister to Virolainen at game start and most assumed his ambitions would stay within the realm of economics. However, he can surpass their expectatins and become Prime Minister, on behalf of the Swedish People's Party.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Since he leads a coalition, Tallgren is in a tricky position of managing the conflicting loyalties of his parties, which is all the more difficult with the fears concerning a recently unified Russia.

Lauri Törni

Role: President^note Head of State (Finnish Civil War)

Party: Isänmaallinen Kansanliike^note Patriotic People's Movement

Ideology: Fascist Populism^note Fascism

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• Les Collaborateurs: Törni has extensive ties to Germany and fought for the SS during the Continuation War.
• Know When to Fold 'Em: Though it is possible for Törni to win the Second Finnish Civil War, it will not be the same with preserving their claims over Eastern Karelia. As such, Törni concedes the West Russian seizures of the land, knowing he can't do anything about it anyways.
• Make Way for the New Villains: If the Second Finnish Civil War happens, Rihtniemi will resign under the justification that the country needs "a unifying government devoid of political alignment". His replacement is Törni, an open fascist and former SS member who has ties with Germany.
• Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: In real life, Törni was a fanatically anti-communist military officer who joined the Waffen-SS to continue fighting the USSR after his country left the Axis, moved to the US after World War II and met his end in Vietnam. In a timeline where the Axis won, he has stayed in Finland as a war hero and entered politics as a public face of the fascist Patriotic People's Movement, and can eventually become President of Finland in the same way Hitler took over Germany.
• Short-Lived Leadership: Törni only serves as President through the civil war and does not participate in the 1967 presidential election, delegating that position to Simojoki.
• Villain with Good Publicity: After President Rihtniemi resigns in the aftermath of the Second Finnish Civil War's eruption, the IKL nominates Törni as his successor due to his status as an 'apolitical' war hero.
• War Hero: He's hailed as a hero in Finland for his service in the Continuation War.

Paavo Susitaival

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Törni and Simojoki cabinet - 1966 fascist election)

Party: Isänmaallinen Kansanliike^note Patriotic People's Movement

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• The Dragon: Following the IKL's ascension, Susitaival is elected Prime Minister, symbolizing the death of Finnish democracy as he calls for an end to internal disorder and an entry into the Einheitspakt.
• President for Life: Subverted. Many expected Susitaival to hold onto his position indefinitely, so it comes as a surprise when he retires in 1972 and paves the way for Teo Snellman to succeed him.
• Voluntary Vassal: He pushes for Finland to join the Einheitspakt and rely on German companies to rebuild the country following the civil war.

Elias Simojoki

Role: President^note Head of State (Törni succession)

Party: Isänmaallinen Kansanliike^note Patriotic People's Movement

Ideology: Fascist Populism^note Fascism

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• President for Life: After succeeding Lauri Törni as President of Finland, Simojoki and Prime Minister Paavo Susitaival (both of whom are members of the IKL) cancel the 1969 election, putting an end to Finland's democracy and ushering in a fascist dictatorship.
• Sinister Minister: Simojoki is both a Lutheran priest and a member of the fascist Patriotic People's Movement, who will put an end to any pretences of democracy and turn Finland into a fascist dictatorship after he becomes president.

Teo Snellman

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Simojoki cabinet - Susitaival succession)

Party: Isänmaallinen Kansanliike^note Patriotic People's Movement

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• Les Collaborateurs: Snellman is an open National Socialist, who was a former leader of the Swedish-German Friendship Association and so slavishly pro-German that he is dismissed by most as a German puppet. Upon taking power, he is immediately backed by German advisors to chain Finland to the Pakt.

Finnish Socialist Republic

Official Name: Finnish Socialist Republic

Ruling Party: Suomen Kommunistinen Puolue^note Communist Party of Finland

Ideology: Marxism-Leninism^note Communism

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• History Repeats: If Finland does not legalise socialist parties prior to the Karelian War, there is a possibility that the Communist Party will rise up in arms against the government, sparking the start of a Second Finnish Civil that is similar to the first civil war Finland experienced.
• Know When to Fold 'Em: If they win the civil war, they sign away their claims to the Åland Islands, Eastern Karelia and the Kola Peninsula, since all they want is peace with West Russia and Sweden.
• Proxy War: The West Russian unifier will back the communist insurgents against Finland during the Second Finnish Civil War.
• You Cannot Kill An Idea: Finland's continued repression of communist parties does not end up breaking them apart. Instead, they rise up in revolt, deeming violence to be the only avenue left for them to take.

Aimo Aaltonen

Role: Head of State

Party: Suomen Kommunistinen Puolue^note Communist Party of Finland

Ideology: Marxism-Leninism^note Communism

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• Necessarily Evil: After winning the Finnish Civil War, Aaltonen establishes a police state out of necessity to deal with a political scene full of people who have collaborated with Nazis for more than 25 years.

Murmansk People's Republic

Official Name: Murmansk People's Republic

Ruling Party: Murmanskaya Gosudarstvennaya Duma^note Murmansk State Duma

Ideology: Provisional Government^note Paternalism

An ethnic Russian rebellion rising out of Murmansk, the destination of the Finnish deportation of Russians in East Karelia.

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• The Dog Bites Back: After years of abuse suffered by the hands of the Finnish government, the ethnic Russians in Karelia rise up in secession, starting the Karelian War and declaring their intent to join the West Russian unifier, barring the Aryan Brotherhood.
• Occupiers Out of Our Country: The Russians in Murmansk and East Karelia are unified in their hatred of Finnish rule and have been operating an insurgency since Finland annexed these territories in the aftermath of the Continuation War. When West Russia is unified (except by the Aryan Brotherhood), they'll revolt with the help of the West Russian unifier.
• Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: The Murmansk People's Republic is not an ideological state. Due to the decay of the city (most Russians in East Karelia were deported there, resulting in an overpopulated mess in a harsh climate without sufficient resources to support them, while Helsinki has chosen to ignore developing Murmansk in favour of Viipuri and the west) and being discriminated against by the rest of Finland, the Murmansk State Duma is a very pragmatic body, incorporating elements from all sectors of society, including labour unions and criminal elements. When rebelling against Finnish rule, it counts among its ranks everything from communists to liberals and nationalists, all working together to save the city and the ethnic Russians.
• La Résistance: Finland's attempts to subjugate eastern Karelia and the Kola peninsula has inspired resistance from communist and Russian nationalist movements. Eventually, they will rebel from the city of Murmansk and take the Kola peninsula, triggering a war with Finland.
• Throw the Dog a Bone: Even if the Murmansk People's Republic is soundly defeated, there is a chance that Finland could reorient their policies towards the Russian population, legalizing their parties and finally providing public services to them.

Lev Shestakov

Role: Head of State

Party: Murmanskaya Gosudarstvennaya Duma^note Murmansk State Duma

Ideology: Provisional Government^note Paternalism

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• Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: In real life, Shestakov was a Ukrainian-born ethnic Russian flying ace who died in World War II. Here, he's far from home leading the Murmansk State Duma.

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