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The National Party of Lingang (NP or NPL), also referred to as the Eternal Party, is the dominant and sole legal party of the Dictatorial Federation.

The party originated from a merging of the Crown Land Guards (CLG), a far-right monarchist semi-militia group, and several other militias and Christian groups that competed for power during the First Linganese Civil War in 1884. The founder, Vincent S. Lawford, served as the Vice Deputy of Lingang before the outbreak of the war. Lawford was among many in the nation’s inner circles of power who were concerned with increasing attempts by the then-current President and head of state, Harrison T. Orwell, to push for democratic reforms. It was widely believed that any reforms or changes to the existing political system would disrupt the vast privileges enjoyed by the upper and ruling classes.

Lingang in the 19th century was already plagued with instability and growing dissent among the poor and working classes. With the possibility of total societal upheaval approaching, Lawford and groups like the Crown Land Guards seized on the opportunity to gain more power. In the summer of 1884, as various factions had risen up in rebellion across the nation, some organized and others simply led by angry peasants, the CLG began to organize a coup attempt. Lawford was chosen as the new leader of the CLG and was declared by the group to be the rightful President. In response, the Grand Congress impeached Lawford and removed him from office. He was later charged with treason. However, the perceived legitimacy of the Grand Congress, and of President Orwell himself, had been greatly compromised due to many defections within the ruling political apparatus. Many prominent and powerful figures in the country no longer recognized President Orwell’s regime as legitimate, and sided with whatever faction they had more interests in (most joined had joined the CLG). Lawford was briefly imprisoned, but was freed in what came to be known as the Storming of Strautenburg, when CLG/Lawford loyalists attacked the capitol and attempted to siege the Grand Congress Palace. They initially came short of these ambitions, but the movement was far from dead. The army itself was divided between Orwell Loyalists and those wanting to see the CLG and Lawford take control of the nation. Thus, the First Civil War had begun.

The war would last for seven years and ultimately resulted in a victory for the CLG. On 14 February, 1891, former President Orwell was stripped of his remaining powers and temporarily imprisoned. There were originally plans made to execute him publicly, however Lawford allowed him to flee the nation in exile as a show of mercy. Lawford was declared to be the Supreme Lord of Lingang on 15 April, 1891, a very powerful position that replaced the presidency. The CLG set to work in making itself the dominant ruling force of Lingang. The former ruling faction, Orwell’s own Union Party, was outlawed and forcibly disbanded. The CLG declared itself to be the one and only political party of the nation, and merged with the Linganese Christian Union (LCU) to become the National Party of Lingang. The merger with the LCU was in part an attempt to placate the masses by convincing them of the party’s righteous morality and Christian nature. The National Party initially focused on consolidating its power and position in society, as well as focusing on pro-business and religious themes.

Over the decades that followed, the National Party was used as tool to slowly increase the power of the Supreme Lord. By the time of the Second World War, the Supreme Lord was already a de facto autocrat and made all decisions involving governance, with the legislative and judicial branches essentially serving as rubber stamps for the policies and desires of the executive. Public opposition to the Supreme Lord or the National Party was unheard of, and any private opposition was stagnated by distrust of other party members and fears of retribution. The advent and conclusion of the Red Revolution from 1964 to 1975 virtually cemented the status of the National Party and Supreme Lord as the one true power of Lingang. The identity of the party would take the characteristics of whomever held the office of Supreme Lord. The regime of Lord Tyrus Welburg from 1956 until 2012 was defined by policies of national autarky, complete control of information, total disenfranchisement of the populace, brutal suppression of dissent and oppression of minorities.

Today the party, led by Lord Hanna Welburg, has taken a far more lax stance on the autarky policies of the preceding regime, and some international business has been allowed. Lord Welburg has also made attempts to put a more friendly outward face on the party, though this is mostly to try and encourage more foreign business and economic activity. There has even been some talk among the party of re-introducing some state-level elections (with no intention of any being free or fair), but Lord Welburg has not publicly stated her opinion on the matter so far.