The deal with FR and SA is that it was SA who initially took the regions from Caerwyn with the express intention of establishing a theocracy. This was fulfilled by Kabrinskia. When Kabrinskia was destroyed, SA expected another theocracy to be set up -- reasonable, since SA members still controlled the regions. The SA lords/ladies of the GF duchy, though, wanted a realm where power would be decentralized through a republican government -- reasonable as well, considering Kabrinskia was destroyed in one move of one person.
FR was founded with the idea that it would still be loyal to the SA Church, but with decentralized power through the Senate rather than a central power in the Ruler.
FR is a republic of the SA. This is the one that is missed most often by
both FR and SA. SA is going wild about how being a non-theocracy gives way for non-SA, and then FR is going wild whenever SA cracks down on moves that
do give way for non-SA to take power in FR.
Consider:
There's a law in FR that restricts townsland and city senators to be full members of SA. Laws require the 2/3 majority of senators to pass. However, FR now has 12 regions, only 2 of which are either townsland or city. Theoretically, non-SA members could flood into FR and support each other every time a rural/townsland position opens up. Once they secure 8 senate seats, they could change laws and effectively remove FR from being an SA Republic, like it was envisioned.
FR and SA are at odds regarding the rights of the former as an independent realm, and the integrity of the latter as the power that secured the lands upon which the former lies. Both concerns are valid. Most of the players (as seen in this thread) find it frustrating; personally, it's all very interesting to me.
Now I'm just giving those Kabrinski followers ideas