Laeralian deep state

The Laeralian deep state is a term used by conspiracy theorists as well as some journalists and academics to describe Laeralian government agencies and non-governmental organizations which purportedly manipulate elections and civil society in order to achieve and cement Gramontist control of the country through underhanded means. A purported "Project Fidelis" and a "Secret Order No. 18" are believed to be key aspects in this deep state, which is typically believed to include government bureaucrats and members of the national security apparatus as well as the FLT-OIU's International Solidarity Center and the International Republican Institute.

Although government employees in certain segments of the Laeralian civil service and military have historically exhibited an affinity towards Gramontist ideals, the concept of a Laeralian deep state is almost universally scoffed at by academics and historians. A 2022 poll suggested that approximately 34% of Laeralites believed that a deep state was currently wielding influence in Laeralian government.

History and Use

Belief in shadowy Gramontist forces operating within the government and is believed to have originated in the late 1950s, immediately following the establishment of the Second Allied Provinces of Laeral. The term came into prominence during the 1990s and became substantially more popular with the rise of the internet. Believers in the Laeralian deep state assert that shadowy forces within the Laeralian intelligence community, federal government, as well as ideologically-aligned civil society organizations, either secretly direct or seek to overthrow Laeral's elected government. The 1976 Laeralian parliamentary election, as well as the 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 Laeralian presidential elections, are variously believed to have been manipulated by the deep state.

Notable Tenets

Proponents of the Laeralian deep state conspiracy theory typically claim that the Laeralian deep state includes career bureaucrats in government agencies such as the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs, the Central Electoral Commission, and the Federal Security Bureau, as well as the FLT-OIU's International Solidarity Center, the International Republican Institute, and various criminal triads. The deep state conspiracy theory also often overlaps with other Laeralian conspiracy theories, including the Peichen necromancers, Gynarchist abduction theories, anti-vaccine sentiment, and Xueyan-related conspiracy theories.

The term "Project Fidelis" is often used to describe the plan of the deep state to cement its control over the Laeralian government. "Secret Order No. 18," supposedly signed by René Gramont in 1964 shortly before his death, is believed to guide the operations of the Laeralian deep state.

2022 René Gramont resurrection hoax

In 2022, internet and social media conspiracy theories emerged that advanced technology would be used to resurrect or clone former Laeralian president René Gramont in order to allow him to assume dictatorial control of a "Second Republic of Laeral", which would be founded 100 years after the founding of the original Republic of Laeral. This did not occur.^{[citation needed]}