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	MILITARIST PARTY

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The Militarist Party was a party dedicated to the promotion of the military. Besides the obvious issues of defence spending, the party supported a greater formal role for the military in government, the introduction of conscription, special privileges for military personnel and ex-personnel, and legal measures against "the promotion of pacifism and cowardice". The party contested eight elections, but did not win any seats.

Colour and Emblem

The official colour of the Militarist Party was teal, which was the colour of the Lendian Empire's military uniforms at the time of the party's foundation. The party used a pair of crossed swords as its emblem. It initially wished to use the military's traditional diamond insignia, but was denied permission.

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The party's official name in Lendian was "lo Partido Militaristo". 

Quote

"There is no higher calling than the defence of one's country, and thus no better citizens than those serving in our military. The values, courage, and discipline of the army should serve as a model for the entire country."

History of the Party

The Militarist Party was founded in 254 AP by a committee of ten former military officers. Some had held various posts in the Veterans' Association, although they did not have the Association's formal support for the venture. Others had been members of the Fascist Party, which had been banned in 251 AP. The party's founders were concerned about a perceived rise in anti-military sentiment in politics, with the Socialists and Utopians on the rise and the Communist Party being legalised. They believed that the military, with its "discipline, courage, and nobility", represented the only force capable of protecting society from subversion and treason.

The Militarist Party never gained a great deal of public support, even from members of the military (who often regarded the party as doing more harm than good to its reputation). It contested six elections without success before being deregistered in 282 AP for failing to meet the minimum requirements for a political party. It continued as the non-party Militarist Association until 287 AP, when it was able to register again, but did not win any seats in the two subsequent elections.

In 294 AP, the Militarists joined forces with the Nationalist Party and several others to form the Loyalist Party, which had the primary aim of saving the Empire from dissolution. In 298 AP, one of the successful Loyalist Party candidates was from the Militarists, although most of his support came from other quarters. When the Loyalist Party dissolved in 301 AP due to internal tensions (and having failed to accomplish its goal, the Militarists attempted to re-establish themselves as an independent party, but once again did not meet the official requirements - they currently exist as the Militarist Association, and cannot contest elections.

List of Leaders

• Posdumo da Ripa (254 - 266)
• Astorono Miseo (266 - 280)
• Sebastiano Varo (280-282)
• [party deregistered] (282-287)
• Dauido Luro (287-294)
• [party not independent] (280-301)