Juan Costa

Juan Costa
6th President Of Slokais
In office January 2nd, 1951 – May 19th, 1967
1st Leader of the Reform Party of Slokais
Personal details
Born	(1901-04-06)April 6, 1901 New Liverpool
Died	(1971-08-20)August 20, 1971 New Liverpool
Cause of death	Public Execution
Political party	National Reform Party
Children	Alan Costa, Mary Costa, Lucas Ramon Costa
Mother	Harriet Carrengo
Father	Mitchell Costa
Residence	1800 High Rd
Alma mater	Rollins School of Economics

Juan Costa was the 6th President of Slokais and the first and last from the Reform Party, He was couped in the Second Slokasian Civil War in 1967

Early Life

Juan Ramon Costa was born on April 9th, 1893 in Northrock, New Liverpool. His family worked primarily in service to the wealthy Wilson Family, and so was Juan, whose first job was as a butler to the younger Wilson children. Costa would describe the experience as "enlightening to a world of wealth and power" in his novel "Reformed Nation". He eventually became an assistant to Horace Wilson, the head of the household. When Horace died in 1907, Costa ended up benefiting from the Wilson family's generosity as his education included attending the well-known Kenworth Boarding School and then graduating and attending the Rollins School of Economics. While at university, his family was released from their service to the family, and thus his scholarship was cut off. According to alleged sources, this is when Costa began dealings with the powerful Hove Street Gang acting as a supplier of illicit drugs to the deprived students of Rollins. His work for Hove Street would continue to benefit him throughout his life and many Hove Street Gang leaders would eventually be appointed to government ministries.

Politcal Career

At age 25, he started his first business, MHO Grain Distributors, it was through this experience that Costa's political ideals began to form. MHO operated in the San Fernando Valley, and Costa noticed a lack of political outreach to rural farmers. In 1927 he published his first manifesto "National Reform" A new vision for Slokais was outlined in the novel, and the book became successful due to Costa's promotion of the book in various public spaces throughout San Fernando. In 1930 he created the National Reform Party of Slokais along with a few of his supporters and began to campaign directly for farm workers, blaming foreign influence and government corruption for economic hardship. In 1931 he was elected to Parliament in the 12th District, due to a by-election triggered by the death of its previous holder. Costa's membership in Parliament would only grow his political base as more people would be exposed to his vision of National Reformism, additionally, he had his own radio show broadcast across Slokais every day where he would spread his message.

Runs for President

Of the breakout success of his radio show, Costa began a campaign for President in 1933 traveling across Slokais via an army surplus vehicle. This image helped his supporters gain the nickname the "Idioacy's Army" by his opponents, although Costa would embrace this term as a populist sentiment. In the end, he achieved 4.2% of the vote primarily among evangelical farmers in rural Slokais. He alleged the establishment was "against him" though ended up going back to being a controversial MP. Costa would run again in 1936 though with much less success only getting 2.8% of the vote, primarily from the growing success of the Left Party in rural areas. Around this time, Costa changed his policy and statements, his opinions were the same although he embraced a more serious image as a "protector of the nation". This general seriousness led to him making political dealings with the declining Center Party, combining the two political bases with a new mix of economic liberal policy. The new image paid off as his party made significant gains in the 1942 Election becoming the third largest party in Parliament with Costa finishing with 20.2% of the vote due to dissident Conservatives. In 1945, Costa was the leader of a parliamentary inquiry into alleged Left Party political dealings related to the Minjian Temple. This inquiry although not leading to any credible allegations grew public distrust in the politically powerful, leading to Costa launching a presidential campaign this time to much fanfare.

Juan Costa speaks to farmers in Silverado Province during the 1946 Election.

1946 Election

1946 was the first election where "Costamania" was a nationwide movement. Costa had built a cult of personality around his image even though a large number of supporters didn't fully understand his policy of National Reform. Costa specifically campaigned in economically depressed areas to gain support from those disaffected by the Left Party. At the same time, Costa courted the political support of the urban upper class by making backroom deals promising government roles and funding for private ventures. Seeing the political success of Costa, the Left Party formed the Republican Alliance to organize left-wing and center political support. The 1946 Election also saw an increase in the activity of the Red Guard for Reformation which targeted left-wing political leaders at various events, although Costa denied any connection, he publically praised the RGR. In the end, Costa gained 42% of the vote in the first round and 49.3% in the second round, the narrow victory led to Costa claiming fraud, a claim that was verified in small amounts although it would not have changed the outcome.

1950 Election

In the 1950 Election, Costa acquired a key electoral alliance with the Conservative Party, the Conservatives had only received 7% in 1946, but it was enough to prevent Costa from being elected. Additionally, Costa had a large base of funds due to successful personal investments in several companies, the funds allowed Costa to expand his media reach through both radio and TV, becoming the first politician to use widespread political TV ads. Additionally, 1950 was the first election to feature a debate, a format that gave an advantage to Costa. After initial polling at over 60% eventually declined although Costa maintained a lead over Howard Reminez throughout the election cycle. On October 18th, mobsters raided Left Party Headquarters before eventually burning it down, the raid is believed to have been carried out by the RGR. The raid was the first instance of political violence used by the Costa regime. In the end, Juan Costa won the election in one round with 53.1% of the vote. It's estimated around 4-5% of ballots in this election were spoiled or incorrect due to corruption and local voter intimidation by the RGR.

Presidential Era

After winning the 1950 election Costa released his guide to a "Better Living in a Reformed System", this was his personal opinion, and was soon made a national standard for education. After being inaugurated as President, Costa moved to suspend Parliament with a motion to do so narrowly passing. Additionally, Costa changed the constitution to extend his term to 8 years, this was met by protests that were quickly put down. With nothing stopping him, he took complete executive control of the government and placed all legislative power in the new National Reformist Council. He also closed the country and then began a massive economic push, encouraging "all people to learn their place in the new reformist state". The National Reformist Council began a series of "Reforms of Work, People, and Values". These included both social and economic policies such as industry becoming nationalized, as well as the arrest of Minjian people, and the establishment of educational policy that promoted "respect for authority, and the rule of law and justice". Costa also removed many government and private institutions such as the Institute for the Slokasian Language. Additionally, large tracts of rural land were cleared before being designated as "State Plots" only available to party members.