With the economic collapse of Germany in 2027 and its withdrawal from the economic union, France and Italy failed to contain the polarised political developments that divided European unity. During the European political turmoil, the Soviet Empire was re-created in Eastern Europe with the incorporation of the Baltic states, encouraged by Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, which had previously withdrawn from the NATO pact. The Nordic Union was founded as a counter-party to the failed Europe and the Soviet Union. The Union introduced the common Nordic currency, the Crown. Europe's subsequent collapse resulted in massive Chinese acquisitions of key utilities. Unemployment across Europe is high and climate change has led to large uncultivated areas in southern Europe, resulting in massive migrations to the north, where food and basic necessities are scarce. Political systems are undermined by corruption, so maintaining order is governed by cartels across countries. Hunger, lawlessness and chaos are the cause of frequent conflicts and civil war-like conditions that are politically exploited by the Soviets, who are constantly expanding their territory to the west!