Republic of Morella

Morella, formally recognized as the Republic of Morella, is a South Merkopa country sharing borders with the Free Cities and Qinal to the southwest, Rizia and the Antacean Sea to the east, and Derdia to the north. Morella operates as a presidential republic currently governed by the recently elected left-wing alliance, the Morellan Unified Front. The current president is Alma Saltana, and Cavette is the country's capital. Initially inhabited by ancient tribes of South Merkopa, the region evolved into a March of the North Xinan Empire with the arrival of the Qinali people in the 8th century. It was later conquered by the Rezenid Empire in the 10th century and the Markian Empire in the 13th century. Following the Markians' downfall in the 17th century, Morella became part of the Moridia Empire, which ruled over present-day Derdia, Morella, and the Free Cities. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Morella evolved into a powerful kingdom within the empire, continually asserting its autonomy through ultimatums and revolts. The empire's defeat in the Mousser-Moridian and Valgo-Moridian wars weakened the kingdom, setting the stage for the Morellan independence movement. Following Moridia's transformation into a republic, Morella was the first to declare independence, establishing the independent Republic of Morella. After the 1920 revolution in the Valgos Empire, the Morellan coasts of the Duchy of Pales were reclaimed by the republic, granting the country access to the Antacean Sea. Between 1920 and 1950, various nationalist coalitions ruled the country, leading to increasingly authoritarian policies. However, the economic crisis of the late 1940s led to a unified front of previously divided left-wing parties. This Morellan Unified Front won the 1950 elections, forming the country's first left-wing government. Despite its rich resources, Morella is considered a middle economic power in Eastern and Southern Merkopa, and its citizens suffer from high levels of poverty. The country's record on civil rights is average, but its political freedoms are below average. Recently, Morella has emerged as a hub for Malenyevist propaganda in South Merkopa. Morella is a member of the Organisation for Merkopan Economic Development (OMEC) and a member of the Alliance of Nations.