The two Members of the Imperial Council started debating, it was a long one but can be summarized in one or two paragraphs. But before that, one must know what they are fighting here.
The immigrants coming into Manchuria are mostly not undocumented and were able to get through easily as the Manchu-Hanese border is not yet as fortified as the regions that have been part of the Ruthenian Empire for the last ten years. And since Manchuria was in the process of industrialization and urbanization, the Ruthenian Empire required a lot of workers to build infrastructures that made Manchuria the way it is now.
So the problem of immigration wasn't raised for the last five years until the Mayor of Manchuria started noticing an influx of immigrants flowing into his region from the Han Dynasty. And those people started demanding the same rights the Ruthenian Empire is providing to its citizens in the region.
This became a headache and as such, the Mayor of Manchuria pressed its Senator to do something about this, and so he did. He began raising problems brought by the illegal immigrants such as overpopulation, depression of wages, overwhelmed public services, and unemployment.
Serpionov countered this argument by stating immigrants provide advantages to the Ruthenian Empire by filling the gaps in manpower, especially when the Infrastructure Act is still in effect, economic growth in the region, increase cultural diversity, and an increase in government tax revenue.
Serpionov also argued that loosening the strict measures in place for immigration would discourage the need of getting into the Ruthenian Empire through illegal means. Because if it's easy to get into one country by passing certain requirements that can be provided in weeks, then why bother forcing oneself to get into the country?
Of course, both sides refused to yield and the debate went on for over thirty minutes. Alexander sighed, as much as he agrees with the point they are providing, they are missing the larger point here. Like, why did the citizens of the Han Dynasty migrate to Ruthenia? Simple, the country is experiencing one of its major civil wars to date, where the Boxers, or the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, the Nationalist Party Kuomintang, Communist Party CCP, and the internationally recognized government, the Emperor and the Society for Monarchical Constitutionalism are in all-out war, fighting for control, each having their own agenda.
And by agenda, Alexander was able to deduce that the Boxers are the ones responsible for massacring thousands next to the Manchurian border.
He just learned of this incident during his flight on the way here and it's a major conflict that worries even the great powers who have territorial concessions over there, where they are even facing a mass movement of refugees entering their concession for protection.
At this point, it'll be hard for the Ruthenian Empire to differentiate migrants and refugees.
In a country at war where its citizens are being displaced, this is no longer a matter of immigration policy, this is now how each great powers react to such conflict, where they'll choose sides whose interest are aligned with theirs.
So, in conclusion, Alexander wanted this debate to conclude.
"After hearing both sides we will now proceed to the voting procedure. But before that, does anyone wish to add something?" Ludmil looked around, waiting for someone to raise their hands. No one raised so he proceeded with a strike of a gavel.
"The Imperial Council will come to order for the vote on immigration policies. Say yes to those who agree to implement stricter measures on our immigration policies and say no to those who aren't. It will require 51 votes for passage. Once I call your name please respond accordingly."
After debriefing them on how it is going to work, the Chairman began calling names, and one by one, they answered.
Five minutes later, the results were in.
"On this vote, the yeas are 49 and the nays are 51,"
Alexander breathed a sigh of relief. It was closer than he had expected, and not to mention, it was the closest voting he had ever seen in his entire tenure as most often it would be unilateral or unanimous. Well, this means there is division when it comes to taking citizens of another country and making them part of their own.
"With all that concluded, we will now move to the next agenda which is a referendum passed by the Grand Duchy of Finland to become an independent state…"
"Wait a moment!" One of the Members of the Imperial Council suddenly interrupted. "Before we move on to the next agenda, why don't we discuss in just five minutes what's happening in the Han Dynasty?"
Alexander's eyes flickered to the man who interrupted the proceedings. It's Vladimir Lenin.
"Mr. Lenin, you must know that our time is limited, if you wish to discuss that then pass a memo."
"It will only take a minute, Your Honor," Lenin pleaded, his eyes drifting towards the Emperor. "Please, Your Majesty."
"Vladimir Lenin, I'm the head of the Executive Branch of the Ruthenian Empire government. There are lines that I must not cross, one of which is interfering in the legislative procedures of the Imperial Council."
"Your Majesty, if I may interrupt, perhaps we should at least hear him out?"
Alexander rubbed the bridge of his nose before answering. "It is the Chairman's decision."
"Well, if you wish it, Mr. Lenin. But know that the council will vote fairly."
"Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Honor, and Your Excellencies," Vladimir bowed respectfully. "In that case, I will get straight to the point. We all know the reasons why the Han Dynasty is in a hot mess right now. It is because of imperialism that led the anti-foreign and anti-colonial movements in the country. We took Manchuria from them, which was the last straw. Think about this for a second, suppose the great nations of Europa were to put their fleets together, came over here, seized St. Petersburg, move on down to Murmansk, then Krasnodar Krai, then Novorossiysk, and so on down the Black Sea Coast. Suppose they took possession of these port cities, drove our people into the hinterland, built great warehouses and factories, brought in a body of dissolute agents, and calmly notified our people that henceforward they would manage the commerce of the country? Would we not have an anti-colonial or anti-foreign movement to drive those foreign Europan devils out of our country?"
"So what are you saying? That we do nothing?" the Chairman raised his brows.
"No, in fact, we should help them drive out the foreigners. But for that, we will have to choose our side."
"And I suppose that would be the communist party, am I right? Because you are the head of the communist party here in the Ruthenia Empire?"
"Actually, I'm starting to realize that Ruthenia doesn't need communism as long as the country is led by a bright leader," Lenin looked up to Alexander.
Alexander doesn't know how to react. He just got praised by parallel Lenin.
"Well the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists is a no-go since they are anti-christians and don't like foreigners, the Monarchist Party of the Han Dynasty is beyond saving as the Emperor loses his imperial mandate of heaven, this narrows it down to CCP, and the Kuomintang, both are serious of reforming their country and unifying it. Since the CCP doesn't align with the interest of the Ruthenia Empire, let's support the Kuomintang."
Alexander nodded at his proposal, it wasn't a bad idea. In fact, this brought an advantage to the Ruthenia Empire. By helping the Kuomintang to expel foreigners and becoming the sole party to rule the country, they will have inseparable ties similar to the Choson Empire. This means the Ruthenia Empire will have control over Central Asia. But the downside is that Ruthenia will probably be at war with Austrean Empire, Britannia Empire, The United States, Yamato Empire, Deutschland Empire, Francois Republic, and the Sardegna Empire. Well not directly as this will be like a cold proxy war where those nations will aid the opposite side, the CCP, to counter the Kuomintang.
One thing that is stopping them is that this is a huge decision that requires an immediate response. They cannot decide about this on the spot. It needs to be reviewed first.
"Your Majesty? How should we proceed with this?" the Chairman asked.
"I'll talk about it with my ministers, for now, we should hold this discussion and move to the next agenda."
"Understood, Your Majesty," the Chairman bowed and returned his gaze back to Lenin. "We will hold it, for now, Mr. Lenin."
"Thank you for considering such a thought," Lenin bowed before returning to his seat.
"Without any more delays let's proceed to our agenda."
