Hasanistan

Hasanistan, officially the Sublime and Peaceful Turanian Republic of Hasanistan (Hasani: Hasanistan Yüje ve Barışçıl Turanlı Jumhuriyeti), is a self-proclaimed state with territorial claims situated across the Greater Middle East region. Hasanistan has been described as a micronation or an alternative government by external observers due to its lack of international recognition and the minimal control over the regions it holds territorial claims upon.

Hasanistan unilaterally seceded from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Bahrain on 7 September 2011. Following the secession, an autocratic government led by the country's founder, Hasan Çakar, ruled the country for three years. The authoritarian government collapsed on 9 June 2013, following a political crisis between the government and elements of the military, and democratic reforms were implemented transforming Hasanistan into a democratic republic. On 11 August 2016, Hasanistan became a territory of the Empire of Pavlov, where it remained until Pavlov dissolved in 2017. Following the dissolution of Pavlov, Hasanistan experienced an unstable period of independence for two months until it joined the Expansive Realm of Khorașan. Hasanistan remained a territory of Khorașan for nearly a month until it unilaterally seceded due to instability and infighting within the Khorașani government. Hasanistan became a monarchy under former Pavlovian emperor Deñiz in late 2019 and was incorporated among other realms he ruled over into the Tsardom of Montescano in early April 2020. Later in the same month, during a political dispute between the Monarchy and Prime Minister, Hasanistan seceded from Montescano, abolished the monarchy and re-established itself as an independent republic.

Hasanistan is a culturally Turco-Persian nation-state and regards itself as the successor state of the Seljuk Empire, an aspect of the state that is established within its Constitution. Islam is the predominant religion of its citizenry and the role of religion in the politics of the country has often varied, ranging from being officially secular to having a state religion. It is an active and founding participant state in the Batyr Bloc and has long practised a diplomatic tradition of neutrality.

Etymology
Hasanistan is intended to be literally translated to mean the "Land of the Hasanis". The name of Hasanistan can be divided into two components: the ethnonym "Hasani" and the Persian "-stan" suffix.

The ethnonym Hasani is derived from the Arabic word "ḥasuna" (حَسُنَ) which means beautiful. The etymological origin of Hasani has been a heavily disputed topic. The most popular theory is that the ethnonym itself is derived from the name of the founder of Hasanistan Hasan Çakar. A revisionist theory pushed during the Qaragüliyyâh period posited that the ethnonym derived from the name of Hasan ibn Ali, an Imam of Shia Islam and one of the sons of Ali.

First Republic
Hasanistan was established on 7 September 2011 by Hasan Çakar, who also declared himself Supreme Leader, claiming territory in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Bahrain. Hasanistan did not interact with the wider world until it developed its initial online presence with the creation of its government website in May 2012, following which, the nation began to substantially develop itself with the planning and development of a constitution, the creation of new government institutions such as its first armed force and cultural developments such as its first national anthem and sports organisations. It also began its interaction with the wider micronational community, developing bilateral relations with other nations and joining the World Union.

Supreme Leader Hasan Çakar's style of governance during this period had been authoritarian. On 2 May 2013, the political system was develop into one-party rule and the Secessionist Party was established as Hasanistan's first political party to serve as the party of power. On 9 June, the Supreme Leader stepped down and allowed for the eastablishment of a multi-party system following pressure from Admiral Tanju Çakar.

Second Republic
Hasanistan held its first democratic election on the following day of the democratic reforms for the newly-established office of President, an election in which former Supreme Leader Hasan Çakar did not run and was won by Tanju Çakar with a large majority. During the first term of his presidency, he would promote a progressive and social democratic agenda  and developed the Second Constitution of Hasanistan which expanded human rights in Hasanistan and would serve as the base for all future Hasani constitutions. Despite Tanju Çakar serving as head of state, Hasan Çakar continued to wield significant influence and controlled Hasanistan's foreign policy.

In December 2013, Hasanistan significantly expanded its territorial claims to include new areas such as Greater Batyr, North Hasanistan and South Hasanistan. It further expanded in 2014, following the annexation of Srijina. Hasanistan became a federal republic in March 2014.

Despite successful reforms under his presidency, President Tanju Çakar's rule also began to experience growing tensions as Shady Morsi's Northern League began to form a strong opposition to him and separatist sentiments in the pro-Morsi territory of Northern Hasanistan increased. He would later face a failed coup attempt known as the Pamukli affair. However, despite increasing polarisation within the country, Tanju Çakar successfully defeated Shady Morsi in Hasanistan's second presidential election in 2014 and managed to serve another term.

Hasanistan attempted a few short-lived attempts to form multi-national states with other nations during this period, including Kekropia, Snežanopol, Güldağ and the Karaafsharid Empire.

In 2016, former Supreme Leader Hasan Çakar returned to power after a controversial landslide victory in the 2016 presidential election. Two days after the election, Hasanistan approved an offer of annexation by the Empire of Pavlov and became a territory of Pavlov.

Pavlovian Hasanistan
Immediately following the Pavlovian annexation, Hasanistan continued to operate as a republic under Pavlovian authority. This arrangement ended on 7 October and republicanism was abolished in favour of establishing Emperor Iskender IV as Shahanshah of Hasanistan. On 14 October, Hasanistan was further integrated as a unitary province within Pavlov following the enacting of the 2016 Shahdom Act and saw a significant loss of much of its autonomy and the establishment of the rule by a viceroy in line with wider structural reforms in Pavlov.

On 26 November, Pavlov ratified an agreement with the Chiefdom of Dachenia which handed control of the enclaved territory of Kazakhizia to the Pavlovian Hasanistani administration. Hasanistan further expanded territorially under Pavlovian rule on 4 February 2017, when the Pavlovian government allocated the neighbouring territory of Köktughluk to the Hasanistani province.

The Empire of Pavlov dissolved on 12 May 2017, following which Hasanistan regained independence.

Third Republic and Khorașan
Following the collapse of Pavlov, a provisional council under Hasan Çakar took power and began writing a new constitution. On 17 May, the council held a poll on various matters related to a future Hasanistani constitution. The Second Constitution under the previous republican era was established as the interim constitution until the new one was formally completed and approved.

Əsgər Rzayev won the 2017 presidential election, the first election since Pavlov's collapse and the re-establishment of Hasanistani democracy, and appointed Hasan Çakar as Prime Minister. However, immediately following Rzayev's inaguaration, self-declared general Kaab el-Qasentini launched a coup d'état attempt. The attemped coup d'état eventually failed and Qasentini was exiled.

The Third Constitution of Hasanistan was finally completed and ratified on 24 June. The new constitution declared Islam as the state religion and gave significant political power to the Qaragüliyyâh tariqah. Qaragüliyyâh leader Isa Musa al-Hussaini, who was the new identity of the former Pavlovian Emperor Iskender IV, was given control of the judiciary and became the ceremonial figurehead of Hasanistan (in a similar manner to the Supreme Leader of Iran). However, a constitutional crisis soon arose after Isa Musa al-Hussaini renounced his citizenship in protest of the passing of a controversial law unilaterally recognising certain states and lead to President Rzayev to declare a state of emergency. This additionally led to the Hasanistani government holding a referendum on 28 July, in order to decide how to proceed following the effective dissolution of the previous constitutional arrangements.

Khorașani period
The results of the referendum showed mixed opinion on a potential merger with another state under the authority of Isa Musa al-Hussaini known as Qök Qoyunlu Beglïqï, however the Hasani government proceeded ahead with negotiating a potential unification and the two entities formally merged on 1 August to establish the Expansive Realm of Khorașan. Hasan Çakar was elected by its legislature as Vali of Khorașan, effectively becoming de facto head of government. Soon after, Khorașan further merged with Nedland to form the Empire of Nedlando-Khorașan on 23 August. However, the Hasanistani segment of Khorașan's government were sceptical of this decision. Following instability within Nedlando-Khorașan as disputes arose between the Nedlandic administration and Khorașan, Hasanistan became dissatisfied with the entity and unilaterally seceded on 7 September.

Fourth Republic
Following the secession from Nedlando-Khorașan, Hasan Çakar established himself as the Provisional President and the Fourth Constitution was adopted. In July 2018, he was re-elected as President unopposed and appointed Shady Morsi as his Premier. On 3 August, the region of Konraq-Kazakhizia which had been annexed during the Pavlovian period was granted independence from Hasanistan. On 7 September, the Fourth Constitution was amended to establish a semi-presidential executive and bicameral legislature following approval by a constitutional referendum.

Hasanistan suspended its constitution and merged with the former Pavlovian territories of Nazir and the Lordship of the Isles to re-establish the Pavlovian Empire on 11 December. However, Hasanistan's participation in the reformed Pavlov was short-lived and it ceded in March 2019 citing inactivity as the reason.

Hasan Çakar announced the Hasanistan 2021 Vision in April, a series of goals which were planned to be met by Hasanistan's decennial anniversary of its establishment.

On 25 November, Hasanistan ratified a new constitution which re-established the monarchy and re-appointed former Pavlovian Emperor Iskender Karapavlovic as Shahanshah. By virtue of Iskender also being the Sovereign Prince of Montescano, Hasanistan also entered into a personal union with Montescano.

Sublime State and Montescano
In addition to re-establishing the monarchic leadership of Iskender IV, the new constitution replaced the semi-presidential model with a parliamentary model, abolished the office of President and created a system of nobility. Hasan Çakar was appointed as Prime Minister. A provisional cabinet was appointed by Iskender IV on 2 December until elections were held. Hasanistan held its first legislative election on 5 February 2020, which resulted in the People's Unity Party winning a majority and Hasan Çakar continuing to maintain the mandate for his premiership.

In late February and early March, Iskender IV tabled the Tsardom of Pavlov Act in the Mejlis to begin the process of merging with Montescano to begin another attempt to reform Pavlov. The first attempt at promoting the motion ended in failure as the votes were tied. He then proposed a motion which would have allowed him to issue a tie-breaking vote in the case of such legislative stalemates, which was passed due to one of the opponents of the Tsardom of Pavlov Act abstaining. This later allowed a second vote on the initial motion on merging with Montescano, which ended in a tie again but was passed by the Shahanshah's tie-breaking vote. The passage of this Act and the manner in which it was passed caused a rift in Hasanistan, setting the prelude to a future political crisis.

During the month of March, the COVID-19 pandemic became a significant concern for many Hasanistani citzens. This led to the beginning of a government response to the pandemic. However, the first attempt to implement a government COVID response proposed by Hasan Çakar was rejected as the motion was criticised for being dictatorial and there were fears he would use the emergency powers for unrelated matters such as repealing the Tsardom of Pavlov Act. The proposals were later slightly amended to remove previous areas of concern and approved by the Mejlis a few days later.

On 4 April, Hasanistan was formally incorporated into the Tsardom of Montescano as an autonomous dominion. However, relationship between the monarchy and the government privately broke down as opposition to the merger still existed among many significant figures including Hasan Çakar. On 21 April, Hasan Çakar announced his resignation as Prime Minister due to his growing opposition to the situation. An agreement was later reached whereby an independence referendum was planned in Hasanistan in May to finally solve the issue and Hasan Çakar was re-appointed Prime Minister to oversee its implementation. However, the agreement broke down on the following day due to further private disputes and Hasanistan seceded from Montescano.

Fifth Republic
Following the separation from Montescano, Hasan Çakar proclaimed himself as a regent and proceeded to abolish the monarchy, exiled the former royal family and declared the establishment of a commonwealth (effectively re-establishing a republic). Many pro-Montescanin citizens left Hasanistan or were pressured to leave by Montescano's government. This included most members of the Hasanistani legislature, with its remnants known from then until its dissolution as the Rump Mejlis. Iskender IV continued a pretender claim to the Hasanistani throne until 26 May, when he dropped the claim due to pressure from the Hasanistani government.

On 12 May, Hasanistan adopted its sixth and current constitution. Unlike previous constitutions, the details of the system of government were not fully established within itself but rather it solely defined principles by which Hasanistan's government model were to be based upon (those being democratic or elective representation, respect for the rule of law and an independent judiciary). The exact nature of the system of government was instead to be regulated by Acts of the National Parliament, effectively resembling elements of an uncodified constitution on that matter. The Rump Mejlis approved a motion regarding the system of government which re-established the semi-presidential system.

Hasan Çakar won the presidential election in November, the first since the secession from Montescano, although no party achieved a majority in the legislature. A grand coalition government of all parties who had won seats was established and Chase Mahoning was appointed as Prime Minister.

In July 2021, a referendum was held on the nature of a Hasanistani currency.

Socius state of Pavlov
On 24 August 2021, Hasanistan and the re-established Empire of Pavlov signed a treaty reconciling their relations. Under the agreement, Hasanistan returned to Pavlov's sphere of influence as a socius associated state, Iskender IV was reinstated as Shahanshah Hasan Çakar was given the title of Başbuğ in recognition as the founder of Hasanistan and Pavlov committed to respect Hasanistan's sovereignty.

Demography
According to the last census held in 2017, Hasanistan has a total registered citizenry of 8.

Ethnicity
According to the 2017 census, Hasanis are the largest ethnic group in Hasanistan and make up for approximately 38% of the registered population. This is followed by other Turkic peoples who constitute 25% of the population. The rest of the population belong to smaller ethnic minorities such as Slavs, Šlovedks and Ardajani Arabs.

Religion
Islam is the predominant religion in Hasanistan, with the 2017 Census stating that the religion is practised by 75% of the registered population. The census did not collect data on sectarian differentiation and the vast majority of Hasanistani Muslims do not identify with a specific denomination, although it is estimated that the majority of Hasanistani Muslims follow the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam. Christianity is believed to be the second largest religion in Hasanistan after Islam.

Media coverage
Hasanistan was mentioned in the book ''Does it Yurt? Travels in Central Asia Or How I Came to Love the Stans'' by the journalist Stephen Bland.