Part 79: Bonus Congress of Cádiz - Part 5

The Congress of Cádiz

Part 5: The Iberian Question


This time around, the Majlis is a bit more divided, with opinions split between Options C and D. After days of furious debate, however, the assembly breaks decisively in favour of Crusader Egypt - a decision that truly marks the end of the era where religion largely conducted foreign policy.



Loudly championing the rights of Egypt, the Russian Empire also votes in favour of granting the Levant to them, only to be firmly opposed by Morocco, who determinedly insist that the Muslim-dominated Levant will only find peace when under Muslim rule.



The other congress powers are not so sure, however. Nobody votes in favour of restoring the status quo, and it’s obvious to all that granting the Levant to either Armenia or Egypt only serves as yet another proxy war between Morocco and Russia, leading to more suffering and misery for the people of the Levant.

So the representatives of Hannover, France, Bavaria and Hungary all agree to form a mini-bloc within the Congress, opposed to granting the Levant to either Armenia or Egypt. Instead, they propose that two new monarchies be set up as buffer states between the rivalled powers, with the Emirate of Syria ruling from Aleppo, and the Kingdom of Outremer from Acre.



This is met with anger and hostility from the representatives of both Egypt and Armenia, predictably, but the two-state bloc press onwards and submit their proposal to the Congress. And after another round of voting, the final tally comes to zero votes for Option A, three votes for Option B (Morocco, Armenia), four votes for Option C (Russia, Egypt, Al Andalus) and five votes for Option D (Hannover, France, Bavaria, Hungary).

And so the motion narrowly passes, with a committee quickly organised to begin drafting plans for Syria and Outremer.



And with that, we come to the last item on the agenda: the Iberian Question.

The Iberian Question revolves around the ‘legitimate’ borders of Al Andalus, as the representatives of Morocco put it. Since Grand Vizier (and now Sultan) Raed Zulfiqar had stormed into northern Iberia in the last days of the Tirruni Wars, some have claimed that Al Andalus has no rightful claim to these captured lands, which suffered greatly under the rule of the Mahdiyyah and now deserve to have their independence recognised.

Furthermore, there are many in the Majlis al-Shura who insist that Catalonia also ought to be returned to Al Andalus, stretching its borders across the entirety of Iberia. As several diplomats rightfully insist, however, Qattalun has been independent for almost 70 years now, and is equally deserving of sovereignty and freedom.



So the Congress convenes to decide this matter, with countless diplomats, mediators and emissaries all taking to the floor over the next few hours. What stance do the Majlis take?

Option A - We demand northern Iberia and Qattalun!

Effects: We suffer a large infamy hit (which makes it much harder to form alliances or expand early on in vicky).
There will be Andalusi cores in northern Iberia and Catalonia.
If this option wins, we will receive the territories of northern Iberia and Catalonia.
Other countries that pick this option receive a big relations boost with us (but there is overall a smaller chance of it being picked over the other two options).

With this option, we start with cores on the entire Iberian peninsula.

Option B - We demand northern Iberia!

Effects: We suffer a moderate infamy hit.
There will be Andalusi cores in northern Iberia.
The independence of Qattalun is guaranteed.
If this option wins, we will receive the territory of northern Iberia.
Other countries that pick this option receive a small relations boost with us.

With this option, we will receive cores on various Iberian territories if and when we conquer them.

Option C - We demand nothing.

Effects: We suffer no infamy hit.
An independent kingdom is set up in northern Iberia, and Qattalun’s independence is guaranteed.
If this option wins, we will receive nothing, and our borders return to the pre-Tirruni invasion boundaries.
Other countries that pick this option suffer a relations hit with us.

With this option, we will receive cores on various Iberian territories if and when we conquer them.


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Reminder that we (Al Andalus) will have 1 vote in this matter, alongside France, Bavaria, Hungary, Armenia, and Egypt. The great powers of Morocco, Russia and Hannover will have 2 votes apiece. So keep in mind that even if our chosen option doesn’t win overall, the relations boost/hits will still take effect, and the other powers will remember how we voted.

Also, in the event of a stalemate, the tie is decided in favour of the side with more great powers.