The National Assembly became a virtual rubber stamp for Quezon's policies, and government appointments were all made with Quezon's approval or at his behest. Quezon further worked to unite some of the political factions to produce what he called a "party-less democracy." As international conditions deteriorated because of the rise of German, Italian and Japanese militarism and the outbreak of war, Quezon asked for, and was granted, emergency power by the National Assembly.