Greece (American Union)

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Byzantine Empire Βυζαντινή Aυτοκρατορία Bizans İmparatorluğu Timeline: American Union OTL equivalent: Greece

Flag of Byzantium
Capital:	Constantinople/Istanbul
Largest city:	Constantinople/Istanbul
Other cities:	Athens, Ankara, Smyrna/Izmir, Thessaloniki
Language:   official:	Greek, Turkish
others:	Minority languages
Emperor:	Constantine XIII
Prime Minister:	Kostas Karamanlis
Established:	1923
Currency:	Byzantine drachma
Organizations:	International Conference, Alliance of Nations

The Second Byzantine Empire is a state covering most of Anatolia and the Greek peninsula. A federal state composed of the Province of Hellas, Province of Turkey, and the Imperial Capital Province, the Second Byzantine Empire has been upheld as an example of successfully uniting two ethnic groups under one federal government.

Names of the EmpireEdit

The Greeks tend to refer to the Empire as the "Roman Empire" or as "Romania", similar to what the inhabitants of the First Byzantine Empire called themselves and their nation. The Turks, on the other hand, prefer "Byzantine Empire" or "Turkey". Internationally, the country is most commonly referred to as "Greece" or "Byzantium".

National Flag of the Byzantine Empire. This flag is used nationwide by civilians, government, and the military.

Added by Jeffrbenn

Naval Jack of the Byzantine Navy.

Added by Jeffrbenn

Ensign of the Byzantine Empire. This ensign is used by the Byzantine Navy.

Added by Jeffrbenn

Flag of the Province of Hellas. Used by the government and citizens of that province, as well as by the Greek merchant marine.

Added by Jeffrbenn

Flag of the Province of Turkey. Used by the government and citizens of that province, as well as by the Turkish merchant marine.

Added by Jeffrbenn

Flag of the Imperial Capital Province. Used by the government and citizens of that province. Merchant marine from Constantinople/Istanbul use the respective flags of their nationality, although some do choose to use this flag if they have a mixed Greek/Turkish crew.

Added by Jeffrbenn

Government of the EmpireEdit

The Second Byzantine Empire is a constitutional monarchy, nominally ruled by an Emperor who resides in the Dolmabahçe Palace in Constantinople/Istanbul. The Empire is governed by a Senate (Σύγκλητος/Senato), a unicameral 175-member body consisting of 75 members from Hellas, 75 members from Turkey, 20 members from the Imperial Capital Province, and 5 members appointed by the Emperor (who can not be appointed to the office of Prime Minister). Customarily, a Greek PM is followed by a Turkish one, and vice versa. The deputy Prime Minister is always of the opposite nationality as the Prime Minister.
There has been some controversy historically about the Ottoman Sultan being replaced by a Greek Emperor. To resolve this matter, the Sultan (Ertuğrul Osman V) has retained the title of Caliph and is the legal head of state of the Province of Turkey, while the Emperor is the head of state of Hellas (under the title of King Constantine II of Greece). The Head of State of the Imperial Capital Province is the Mayor of Constantinople/Istanbul (Kadir Topbaş). Together these three Heads of State form the State Council, which technically must approve all bills passed by the Senate.