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[Greater Ale Permars]

Twenty-Second Messianist Communist Party Congress- Report reading transcript.

“Comrades! On this day, October twenty-ninth in the year of our lord two thousand and twenty-two. We come together for the twenty-second Congress of the Messianist Party of Rayvostoka, convened early to address the dramatic and sweeping changes issued forth by the acts of Mikhail Aslanov and his sinister cabal of reactionary fascists. And to celebrate the election of the twenty-second Central Committee, the twenty-second Central Control Commission, and my re-election as General Secretary. But as General Secretary, I am also responsible for the task of giving the report on the twenty-first session/ post cabal period.

*Applause*

I will now detail to you the findings of our report.

As you all know, under the reign of Aslanov, the proletariat suffered under the most repressive regime since the Tsarina and the days of colonial subjugation. During his tyranny, innocent people of all backgrounds were forced at gunpoint back into chains. And Aslanov installed a culture of fear and paranoia prominent from the factory floors to the chambers of the Narodny. It was haunting and cruel, with labor camps and firing squads being his methods, many tried to fight back, and I will now deliver to you some names of those who died opposing his rule and fought to preserve our values as Messianist-Communists.

Vlad Ilin, Klava Nikitina, Daniil Osipov, and Naum Dmitriev are examples. Still, there are more, thousands of men and women who stood against his reign and died with honor and revolutionary spirit in their hearts. For their sacrifice, I, as General Secretary and Chairman of the Council of Ministers, will invoke my powers to posthumously honor them with the highest award I can deliver for such service. The Order of the Revolution and the Champion of the Republic will be bestowed upon them for their service. In addition, they will each be constructed a statue in the capital to thank them for their heroism.

*Applause*

And to erase this repressive mentality instilled in the hearts and minds of the proletariat, the party under my direction, and the new Minister of Culture, Myagkov Stepanovich. We will plant a new and free revolutionary spirit among the people through increased expression in film, television, social media, and all other aspects of life to repair the damage done. These reforms will be swiftly followed by an overhaul of the Party and its relationship to the Orthodox Messianist Church, which we must endeavor to distance ourselves away. Despite being an organization that has served the Proletariat well, the church must be RETIRED and phased out in favor of a new non-denominational Messianism dedicated to promoting Christ’s principles, Picardist ideology, and the Lebedev Doctrine. These changes will be challenging for many of you, but Rayvostoka, to achieve the goal of true communism, we must peacefully dismantle it and build anew.

Continuing with the ideas of change and evolution, we must also begin to retire the out-of-date and inefficient practices of state-run farming enterprises. And restructure them into both communal farming and smaller, private, single-family farms under supervision by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. These reforms will reduce state involvement and promote the self-sufficiency that must be achieved to attain true communism in line with Picardist dialectical doctrine.

I must declare something to this Congress in line with this course of action. Which excites me very much.
Communism, as we have theorized and calculated, will be finally achieved within the next forty to fifty years. Fulfilling the dreams of our forefathers and accomplishing what no other nation has ever been able to. Enacting TOTAL COMMUNISM!

*Wild and raucous applause*

Rayvostoka, under the supervision of the party and Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Vera Federova, will embark on a policy of de-escalation and reconciliation with the nations. As scripture says, one must love their enemy and turn the other cheek, so Rayvostoka must do the same. Whether with Skanda, Prydania, the Esthursians, Aethia, or the Imperium. We must show them who we are as Aurorians, Messianists, and Humanitarians.

Alongside many of these other changes, the party will focus on improving the lives of the proletariat and those who forward the nation's cause. We believe in fulfilling not only their basic needs but their needs for amenities and entertainment. Furthermore, we must build our society upon new principles, the four principles of Society, which I believe can bring us to the communist future.

• Principle Number one is Security, which is that the proletariat may live in a safe and secure society, free from the influence and threat of outside forces.
• Principle Number two is Welfare, which means people need not worry about whether they may house, clothe, and feed themselves. Alongside that, healthcare is necessary as it is necessary to maintain a healthy and able workforce and population.
• Principle Number three is Release, which is the idea that society must have a release, such as entertainment, sports, and conversation, to build a happy, healthy, and stable proletariat.
• And finally, Principle Number four, Education. This principle is one of the most crucial of these, besides that of Security and Welfare. An educated populace is vital to the sustainment of technological advancements which safeguard the proletariat and improve its quality of life all at the same time.

These four principles, from now until the end of time, will be the new primary focus of this Party. For together as one, we must act as the voice of the proletariat and the working man and bring them into the bright and glorious future that awaits us over the horizon. For it is Man and God’s will that Rayvostoka must achieve its great potential and usher in the Communist age as Christ commanded over two millennia ago!

*Roaring applause*

So I am glad to declare this session of the Congress Closed.

Long live the Messianist-Communist Party of Rayvostoka!
Long live the People’s Republic of Rayvostoka!
And Glory to the Communist Idea!"

*Shouts of approval from the audience followed by cheers and more applause*

 

[Artwashere]

Sorovia moves towards closure of Sorovian Border to Aurorean Citizens

Šoutjärvi, Sorovia, Nov 9 - Sorovia is to close its border to Aurorean citizens, the Sorovian Government announced on Monday.
Sorovian Foreign Minister Oskari Uusitalo stated in a press conference that Sorovia would be shutting down its border for Aurorean citizens. The border closure calls for a ban of Aurorean citizens from crossing the Sorovian-Aurorean Border for the time being. All current travel visas admitted to Auroreans which give them access to cross the Sorovian Border will be rendered invalid when the border is officially closed. The border is set to close at exactly midnight this Friday.

Prior to the border closure, Sorovia's Government had taken a more laid-back approach to the war in Scalvia, the nation officially hadn't spoken up about the Aurorean conflict up until now with the submission of Sorovia's application to join the Union of Aurorean States which had also taken place on Monday. This harsh tone from the Sorovian Government could be seen as the first of many possible responses Sorovia could give to Aurorea following its invasion of Scalvia in July.

 

[Arc]

STATEMENT ON RAYVOSTOKA BY THE PEOPLE’S COMMISSARIAT FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND RELATIONS OF THE FEDERATION OF THE COMMUNES OF DIYAR
29 October 2022​

The Rayvostokan State, in the eyes of the Federation of the Communes of Diyar, is not to be considered a legitimately socialist state. The Federation of the Communes of Diyar stands in diplomatic solidarity with the international community against the Rayvostokan regime, especially with Diyar’s ideological kin in the Democratic People’s Republic of Skanda.

The Rayvostokan State has perverted the socialist movement and the fundamental principles of socialism. Those in Lebedevgrad have deliberately intertwined socialism and communism—ideas and philosophies that are and have always been intended as strictly secular—with Messianist Orthodoxy. In the eyes of the Federation of the Communes of Diyar, this is nothing beyond a step taken by Lebedevgrad to reinforce their centralized party dictatorship purposefully. How could the Rayvostokan proletariat ever realize their collective will in a society that is owned and operated by those who claim to be of lesser sin? The will of the Rayvostokan proletariat is thereby perpetually confined to the dictatorship of the party, the dictatorship of the leadership.

Theocracy is fundamentally anti-democratic and thus anti-socialist, for socialism and socialists should always strive toward reinforcing democracy with socialism. Theocratic governments have no room for free thought and no room for dissent. How can they when any form of dissent can only ever be ridiculed, treated, and dealt with as an offense, not against a government or party, but against a supremely divine and unquestionable figure such as the Messianic God? Theocracy, therefore, is just as fundamentally anti-socialist and anti-democratic as capitalism. It is merely another system meant to reinforce the tyranny of the bourgeoisie class.

Rayvostoka, a former territory of the Arcanstotskan colonial empire seized from the Imperium Suavidici through means of arms, has proclaimed that it will achieve true communism within fifty years of the present day. This is a lie. “True communism,” not as a present state of affairs but in actuality a possible end-goal of socialism, is defined as a socialist society that has completely eliminated such concepts as the state, socioeconomic class, private ownership of the means of production, and money. The Federation of the Communes of Diyar does not believe that the Rayvostokan State has the ability to achieve this form of society within fifty years. True communism can only be achieved together, simultaneously, by all peoples. The Rayvostokan State intends to do it alone on a timer. They treat the international socialist cause as little more than a race in the school playground.

Rayvostoka is a pariah state. Their conduct on the international stage has been nothing short of buffoonish. They have abandoned any regard for diplomatic courtesy and protocol, even going so far as to address a foreign monarch and head-of-state as “comrade.” They have been suspended from the Luscova Pact for cultural repression and even ethnic cleansing, possibly endorsed by the Rayvostokan Church and supposedly socialist government.

In the eyes of the Federation of the Communes of Diyar, the liberalizing reforms currently being arranged within the Rayvostokan State are merely tools to appease foreign elements.

The Federation of the Communes of Diyar reiterates the stance of our ideological brethren and friends in the Democratic People’s Republic of Skanda: religion and socialism should not mix.

 

[Iraelia]

Special Election Results 2022: United Front secures majority, but is denied a Government
By: Charles Gagnon
November 28, 2022

Hubert Bennet speaks to a crowd of supporters on the day following his victory​

Results
After a contentious and heated campaign season, the results are finally in for the 2022 Special Election. They are as follows:

United Front - (Left Wing to Far-Left)
Workers Party of Callise - PTC
149 Deputies
14 Senators

Populist Party - PP
91 Deputies
13 Senators

Progressive Labour Party - PTP
85 Deputies
4 Senators

National-Liberal - (Centre-Right to Far-Right)
Nationalist League - LN
106 Deputies
14 Senators

Liberal Party - PL
58 Deputies
6 Senators

Conservative Reform Party - PRC
29 Deputies
3 Senators

Farmer-Labour - (Centre-Left to Left Wing)
Social Credit Union - UCS
71 Deputies
8 Senators

Social Democratic Party - PSD
48 Deputies
5 Senators

Green Democrats - (Left Wing)
Federation of Callisean Greens - FVC
51 Deputies
4 Senators

New Democrats - ND
39 Deputies
2 Senators

Migrant Labour Party - PTM
19 Deputies
0 Senators

Non-Aligned Parties
Civic-Republican Party - PCR (Centre)
31 Deputies
2 Senators

Villendean Bloc - BV (Centre-Right to Right Wing)
23 Deputies
5 Senators

Commentary, Post November 8
While it was expected that the Workers Party would see its best result in the history of the political grouping, very few predicted the catastrophic collapse of the Social Credit and Social Democratic Parties. The Progressive Labour Party, despite it's youth, has succeeded in cutting away a large swathe of the Social Democratic Party on its promise of "actually fulfilling the promises that the Farmer-Labour government were elected on." A similar story played out in the Social Credit Union, albeit not as dramatically, with the Populist Party successfully rallying the radical elements of the party to its cause. This was bolstered by the resignation of Paul Levitch from political life, a candidate who the left-wing of the UCS had rallied behind and who united the party through force of personality. The Liberal and Civic-Republican parties have continued their decline, still reeling from the Bannet Affair which revealed the complicity of local Liberal politicians in funding right-wing terrorist organizations. The only party which appears to have emerged unscathed by the election are the Nationalist League, who appear to have struck a chord with its threefold political message of "Defense of the Republic from Radical Socialists," " Defense of the Economy from International Elites," and "Defense of the Nation from Foreign Meddling." While these overtly nationalistic messages have drawn serious criticism for their similarity to slogans utilized during the National Republic, the newly elected right to far-right caucus which has taken over the party has denied that they hold any fond memories of the National Republic.

The ultimate results of the election have been problematic for the government. While the United Front and Green Democrats have agreed to form a Directorate, they lack the seats in the Senate necessary to command a majority in both houses. Furthermore, Cedric Battier successfully captured the Presidency. Initially, Bennet hoped to force a cohabitation, but Battier, on the grounds that the United Front lacks control of the Senate, has denied him a Directorate. Instead, Battier nominated Ariane Pernet for State Director. The confidence vote failed soundly, with even some hardline Nationalists refusing to coalition with the Farmer-Labour Bloc. This has resulted in a hung General Court, with no clear Directorate or majority, causing Cedric Battier to manage the executive alone.

In response to the actions of the General Court, supporters of the United Front have taken to the street. Protesters argue that the refusal to offer the United Front the Directorate is in blatant defiance of democratic principle. They were joined by elected members of the United Front in Fontaine, where protesters surrounded the General Court building since November 21st. They refuse to leave until the United Front is allowed to form a Directorate, or a national plebiscite is approved. While protests in Fontaine have largely been non-violent, with only minor violent incursions with the police, the story is different elsewhere. In Beaune, the heart of the Workers Party's support, a massive demonstration took place on the 22nd. Led by leading members of the Workers Party, a crowd of tens of thousands pressed against the administrative campus in Beaune. Local government officials allowed them to enter, either out of fear or in sympathy with them. They have occupied the building since, with members of the Workers Party and other elected officials declaring themselves a "Provisional Commune," an interim government which will preside over Beaune until the United Front is handed the government, or a plebiscite is held. While lacking the capacity to govern outside of the city itself, Beaune proper has been under their administration ever since. Elsewhere, across Callise, other cities attempted to follow the example of Beaune. Some, such as Lanester, were able to achieve moderate success. Others, such as Denain, Croix, and Sainte-Beaudoin, ended violently. The AGTV, the largest industrial union in Villende, attempted to occupy the administrative centers of the city, only to be gunned down and successfully repelled by police. In Denain and Croix, right-wing activists turned out to counter protest and street violence ensued. The height of the unrest took place from November 20-26th, with the protesters either succeeding in establishing provisional order, or the duly appointed authorities successfully driving the protesters back and enforcing martial law. There are currently no ongoing street battles.

As of the current date, there has been no agreement as to how to move forward. Initially the Farmer-Labour bloc, who have been trying to organize a bloc called Rally in Defense of the Republic, reached out to the Green Democrats to rejoin their coalition. However, the presence of the Liberals and Nationalists in such a bloc prevented any agreement from forming. In response, the Workers Party and their partners in the United Front have been agitating for a plebiscite for a new constitution. Currently, paperwork has been filed for an official petition to hold a plebiscite on forming a constituent assembly. Per the constitution of 1965, this plebiscite will need two-thirds approval from the general population to pass. Delegates will be allocated to parties via proportional representation, with 800 delegates in total and delegations corresponding to the number of delegates currently apportioned to each province for the purpose of Assembly elections. This body will then draft a new constitution, which may be approved via a simple majority.

Concern has emerged regarding the firmness of the national government's response. Members of the Nationalist League have called for President Cedric Battier to deploy the army and national guard. The President, however, has been incredibly cautious to do so. Some speculate this is because of the sympathy many in the military (and most in the national guard) have for the Workers Party. This is indicated by the decision of tens of thousands of enlisted men to form the "Soldiers and Sailors Union of Callise," affiliated with the PTP and CTC, and the growth of the organization "Guardsman for Dignity, Solidarity, and Democracy," a political organization affiliated with the Fourth Republic movement that is widely supported by the National Guard. President Battier, as of this morning, addressed the nation on the recent unrest. While he called for peace and for protesters to return to their homes and return power to the duly elected authorities, he greeted the plebiscite as a welcome attempt to refine Callise's democratic government. We will continue to update you on this story as it unfolds.

 

[Sil Dorsett]

Interview with Prime Minister Ellison
August 10th, 2022
By: Tristian Bachelet

We continue our coverage of the 2023 Prime Minsterial and Parliamentary Elections. Lodestar News met with Ms. Madeline Ellison, the incumbent Prime Minister, who secured her nomination by the Solidarity Party, ultimately running unopposed in the primary despite rumors of a internal coup d'état.

---

Tristain Bachelet:
Miss Ellison, thank you for taking time out of your day to speak with us. We want to be cognizant of your time, so we'll keep things short. I want to ask first about your nomination. You didn't have a challenger, but there were concerns that Jean-Baptiste Chastain might have made an attempt to force you out, especially after it was he that collaborated with NDF and WCP to put out the press release regarding the objective of removing the peers from the chamber, without your knowledge. Since you have the nomination now, does this mean things have smoothed over?

Madeline Ellison:
So, let me first say that it's always a pleasure to sit down, talk with you and all of the media outlets, and be able to share my thoughts with everyone. I'm always happy to take time for this.

Jean-Baptiste and I had a very long conversation about the future of the party and what kind of platform we were going to put forward. The concern around me continuing on as Prime Minister for the next six years had to do with a shift in ideology. Historically, the two parties were more or less defined by their support for the agenda of the reigning monarch, but Claidie and even Alice now have expressed their desire to really step back from the political realm. They'll still have their duties, some symbolic, some important matters of state, but as far as the legislative agenda is concerned, they want the Chamber of Law to handle the lawmaking, and for the Prime Minister to drive that agenda.

And so, that left us looking for that agenda, and the party decided that we would take on Princess Claidie's moderately liberal agenda and make that our own. Now, there are some planks that I don't agree with, and I think that's where some of the contention between me and Jean-Baptiste came from. But, at the same time, Jean and I came to terms as to the best path to victory, and he realized that I can drive the youth vote and I can drive the militia vote. He admitted that if he ran, political apathy would be at an all-time high and open the door for Foundations to walk right into my office and sit down. We also agreed that the pieces of the agenda that I disagreed with were either ones that weren't hills for me to die on, or ones where we could come to a compromise.

Bachelet:
A couple months ago, Cecilia Bouchard was leading Gauthier Masson by six points, and very quickly lost that lead and ultimately the Foundations nomination. Some are crediting his discussion with Lodestar News as a contributing factor in that. What do you think happened there, and can you share your thoughts on Masson?

Ellison:
I think it goes back to how the responsibility of driving the legislative agenda is shifting away from the princely family. Solidarity has its new message. Foundations is still hanging on to its old message of propping up unelected nobles under the guise of tradition and national identity. They haven't even adapted real conservative thought in any of their messaging, which is a shame because that's where Bouchard would have excelled. She would have provided a legitimate alternative to Solidarity's agenda that workers, soldiers, and businessmen could all actually relate to. Foundations chose an antiquated path, and now they have the candidate that best matches that path. I think they've made a fatal mistake.

As far as Masson himself is concerned, he's out of touch and honestly downright offensive. To say that the only reason I've had any success in the political realm is because I have a "pretty face" and that I have "charm" is demeaning and misogynistic. He has no idea how tough I am. I hope the voters see that. He's also a fearmongerer. I understand that there is a not-insignificant amount of anti-Syrixian sentiment here, but to suggest that Syrixia would start a war over that is reckless and just stupid. I'm not afraid to say that.

Bachelet:
At a recent town hall, you admitted that signing onto the Phoenix Union without input from the people was a botch caused by inexperience. During our short-lived stint, we witnessed the possibility of being dragged into a war with Cogorians, invalidating the objective you set forth in strengthening the nation's defenses. The people pushed back against that. At the same town hall, you mentioned that membership in the Bergum Pact was worth investigating and negotiating for. With the pact being an invitation-only group and it requiring unanimous support for new entries, and considering the nation's history with mutual defense organizations, do you foresee any problems with accession?

Ellison:
I would like to think that the issues the people had with the Phoenix Union had more to do with Syrixian hegemony than potentially being dragged into a war. Should the enemy come, our people are ready. We have a very professional volunteer force that understands the possibility of being sent overseas to defend our interests, and a passionate citizen militia ready to defend our home. I don't think a fear of military conflict is the issue. But, that's why I want a referendum on the Bergum Pact should we be invited, so that the people can either affirm or correct me.

Now, do I think we'll even be invited? No. I think it's a pipe dream, because the Malorians will block it. When we were in the Phoenix Union together, we took a stance of self-preservation and appeasement regarding the Cogorians, and the Malorians, I believe, wanted to project their strength. But at the same time, they put a good point forward regarding the handling of the civil war in and the rebuilding of Arrandal. We had our blinders on, and they -- honestly, rightfully -- criticized us for worrying about ourselves instead of our neighbors.

All of that has created a diplomatic rift that will be very difficult to bridge across. I do not think it will be bridged in my second term, should I have it, and I would even be surprised if it is bridged during Claidie and Alice's combined reign. The Severyns do not like them, and I don't think they like my administration. But, I can't worry about that. I think the Severyns are going to have a very difficult time explaining to our people why they should care. I am open to discussions with them on where we can find common ground, but I'm not going to stress over it.

Bachelet:
An early criticism of your term was how your husband was appointed to be Foreign Affairs Minister after your first pick resigned in disgrace, leading to accusations of nepotism. Ultimately you had to concede control of foreign affairs to Princess Claidie. With things changing the way they are, will your husband continue on as Foreign Affairs Minister?

Ellison:
Will and I are very blessed to have four wonderful daughters. Family is so important to us and we obviously want to make sure our daughters are given the attention they deserve. In this term, it's been easy, but as they get older and as my role as Prime Minister changes, I can see things becoming more complicated. Rachel is starting middle school this year, and by the time a second term ends, three of them will be in high school. So, I do believe that some changes need to be made at home to account for this, and Will agrees that while I'm doing my duty to our nation, he needs to be there to support the family. So, Will is retiring as Foreign Affairs Minister at the conclusion of this term. I haven't come to a decision on who the new minister will be; I've been conducting interviews with all of the diplomatic corps members, all of our ambassadors and deputy ministers, and I hope to have a decision by December on who the new minister will be.

Bachelet:
Final question -- Mr. Masson said in his interview that you had "forgotten everything about who the Silien people are." How do you respond do that?

Ellison:
I would say that Gauthier Masson doesn't realize that the Silien people are changing and adapting. Our government must be willing to adapt with them.

---

In early polling, Madeline Ellison leads Gauthier Masson by a significant margin, 57% to 34%, with 9% undecided.

 

[Tardine]

​

REBULDING EFFORTS TAKE PLACE ON MICCAN, MINISTER SAYS IT WILL END "SOONER THAN PLANNED"​

According to the Minister of Post-War Affairs, a special ministry created to deal with the war's aftermath, the reconstruction will be finished by next year's June, two months before the time limit stipulated by the Government

​

​

The Civil War ended in July, however, its effects are still visible in many cities across the nation. After much deliberation, Emperor Klaiden Risvie created the Ministry of Post-War Affairs, to take care of matters related to the war. He appointed Maria Lurdes Rivera de Campos as the Minister and tasked Osmar Hildebram Takeshi, Minister of Infrastructure, to work with her in the repairing process. "The most affected cities, Miccan, Guipi, Kardenccia, Olmongeter, Luratin, San Martin and Kinbafa, still have a long way before being able to fully recover from the war", as appointed by Minister de Campos, "However, we'll do our best to finish it sooner than planned, with the government's help and much competent resources management."​

​

To prevent that the people whose homes were destroyed in the war end up in the streets, the Government announced "Homes for the Homeless", a program that will rent homes temporarily to those affected by the destruction for a low price as near as possible of the cities. Instead of paying the average 969₸τ ($850) monthly, they will be paying 490.2₸τ ($430) each month. This value is affordable to everyone that receives the "Caring Tardine" benefit. With this new welfare program, the country expects a faster recover process and a smaller economical bad effect of the war.​

​

These benefits, though, aren't permanent and this is unnerving to some people. "Okay, people will receive the benefit for a year, then what? Do they really expect us to recover within a year? We need to make these benefits permanent now!" said Mirela Regum, Miccanni activist and sociology professor at the Imperial School of Miccan. The specialist in financial mathematics and researcher at the University of San Martin, Guido Fragoso Makai, agrees partially with Mirela's opinion. "We need to be very careful or else Tardine may face soon the worst crisis in the country's history. Increasing the welfare is a good option as any. If we do that now, without pondering all possibilities, we'll be risking the future of millions. That's why we need to take a moment and do an accurate analysis on what is the priority", said him during an interview earlier today.​

​

What do you think? Is increasing the welfare a good solution to what people needs? Will Tardine enter in a financial crisis now? Your opinions matter to us! Comment what are your thoughts below, or on Twitcher using our #tardineanniRoial.​

Last edited on 21-11, 15:50​

Comment Section:

 

[Predice]

SBC ELECTION SPECIAL

Parliamentary General Election 2021- What happened and what does it mean for you?

Union Party Leader Voldemar Tamm addresses supporters after SBC called the election.

Scalvians went to the polls yesterday in the climax of an extraordinary election and election campaign. Though some votes are still being counted, conclusions can and have already been drawn.
So, what happened, and what will it mean for you?

Context

Before we can begin to dissect the election, the events prior to the calling of the election must be mentioned. The state of play prior to the election was this:
The Union Party ruled in a minority government, holding 58/121 seats, requiring the support of members of the crossbench to govern. In Official Opposition, the Social Democratic Party "Equality," with 52/121 seats was a strong one, and was with the support of members of the crossbench, able to defeat several UP bills. The Union Party government was, in effect, stifled and frustrated at every opportunity by the Social Democrats. The opposition never managed to scrape together enough votes for a vote of no confidence, however, so the 29th Federal Assembly served its full term. In 2020, the Scalvian census took place, and with the permission of the Federal Parliament, Elections Scalvia announced that both houses would be expanded, with the Federal Assembly gaining 30 and Federal Council 15 seats, for a total of 151 and 45 seats respectively. This was the first and so far, the only time that the Scalvian Federal Parliament was expanded. Elections Scalvia released the map of the new electoral divisions on May 1st, with Nomination Day set for June 1st.

Map of Scalvian Electoral Divisions after the 2021 redistribution

The Sides

Although this Federal Election was contested by 429 candidates from 9 political parties, as well as 28 independents, only two parties ran candidates for every electoral division, and thus they were the only ones that could realistically win this election.
In one corner, the centre-right to right wing Union Party, governing the country since 2013. Led by the charismatic and young Voldemar Georg Tamm. The UP promised significant investment in Scalvia's urban and suburban rail, as well as the network of Federal Highways. Another key policy point was support for families, with the UP promising to increase the child subsidy. This was framed as a solution to Scalvia's declining birth rates. The UP also warned that the country couldn't risk a change in its economic management.
The Union Party has traditionally dominated Scalvian politics, ruling the country for 73 out of 103 years of its existence, including for 38 straight years from 1918-1956. It had been governing Scalvia from 2013 prior to the election.
In the other corner, the centre-left Social Democratic Party "Equality," in opposition since their 2013 election defeat, promised higher taxes and deeper government spending, betting that Scalvians were ready for a new approach. The Social Democrats were led into the election by Eimantas Ulberkis, a 20-year veteran of the Federal Assembly, and leader of the Social Democrats since 2017. Often considered uncharismatic and boring, his campaign relied on members of his frontbench, as well as the policy.

The Campaign

The Campaigning Period began following Nomination Day, with Polling Day set on July 12th. The grueling six-week campaign was the longest in modern Scalvian history and led to more than a few surprises. Though the Union Party was polling two points behind the Social Democrats on Polling Day, a Voldemar Tamm variety hour had closed a far wider gap of 13 points, with the Prime Minister managing to visit 119 of the 151 electorates in the six-week campaign, several of them more than once, setting a new record. The Social Democrats relied more on the personalities of their candidates, with Ulberkis standing more with his frontbench, visiting a total of 91 electorates.
The campaign was dominated by bread-and-butter issues like taxation and government spending.
The SBC Debate was held on July 1st, with Ulberkis, and Tamm, as well as the leaders of the Greens, Who Owns the State? All For the Fatherland, and Indivisible. Voldemar Georg Tamm was generally considered to have been the most effective in the debate, though Tamm's Union Party was still behind the Social Democrats come polling day.

Polling Day

Scalvian casting a ballot.

Elections Scalvia announced that voting in the 2021 General Election would take place in 2,114 polling stations across Scalvia. Polling Day is a Federal Holiday in Scalvia, and polling stations open at 8AM. The turnout across Scalvia was far higher than expected, with most polling places reporting long queues by 6PM. Elections Scalvia, following consultations with the Attorney General, issued a declaration that polling hours would be extended by two hours to 10PM. The decision was gazetted soon thereafter. The Social Democrats and Greens took issue with the extension, stating that it was carried out arbitrarily, and that their watchers could not be present at some polling stations when the boxes were sealed, "Putting the results in question." Elections Scalvia issued a statement offering compensation for those election watchers forced to stay on longer, which eventually led to at least one from every party being present at each polling station when the boxes were sealed.
This was not the final twist however, as Elections Scalvia confirmed in the afternoon that it was aware of false information being circulated in messages and online posts that claimed ballot papers and self-inking pens provided for the election had been treated such that marks made on the ballot papers would become invisible after several minutes, rendering votes invalid.
"Elections Scalvia would like to state categorically that this is not true," the department said in a statement.
The marks made using the self-inking pens are permanent, it said.
The ink is oil-based and water and temperature resistant, said Elections Scalvia, adding that similar pens have been used in elections in other countries such as Marinella.
Elections Scalvia also said the ballot papers used for this election are no different from those used in past elections and are printed under tight security conditions.
"It will not be possible for the ballot papers to be put through any additional treatment under such a tightly controlled environment," it said.
Self-inking pens were introduced following feedback in previous elections that some voters, especially seniors, had difficulty gripping regular pens to mark their votes.
The pens allow voters to easily mark an "X" on the ballot paper by applying pressure, like a chop.
Voters are also allowed to bring their own pens to mark the ballot papers.
"Elections Scalvia is committed to ensuring voting security and secrecy and has put in place rigorous controls at every step of the voting process to ensure this," the department said.
This would prove the final twist in a dramatic polling day across Scalvia.

Results

A Ballot Box from a rural polling station is emptied.

GE 2021 would be the second election for which Elections Scalvia would release sample counts. Sample counts give an early hint at how the election might go. They were carried out in every electoral division. Here is how it worked: counting assistants picked up a random bundle of 100 ballot papers from the votes cast in each of the polling stations in front of the candidates and observers. They then tallied the votes from the polling stations, with more weight given to stations with more votes cast. The sample count was then released as a percentage of votes secured by each candidate. A sample count generally has a margin of error of +-4% according to Elections Scalvia. Under Scalvian Law, exit polls and sample counts are not allowed to be released until polls are closed in all of Scalvia, so SBC’s exit poll, which was carried out across 91 electoral divisions, with some 16,242 voters participating was released at 10PM Western, and 11PM Eastern. SBC’s exit poll predicted a Union Party minority government with 71 seats, the Social Democrats on 60, and the crossbench on 20. Shortly thereafter, the first sample counts arrived from several eastern electoral divisions, showing the Social Democrats ahead. Around 10:45PM Western time, all sample counts had arrived, with several massive surprises. The Union Party was, according to the Sample Count, ahead in just 68 electorates, with the Social Democrats ahead in 64 and others ahead in 19. Many of these leads were within the sample count's margin of error, however, and when the first full counts of polling stations began to arrive, the picture began to change.
Among the shocks of the night was Hendrik Pirn, a 50-year veteran of the Federal Assembly, as well as a former UP Prime Minister not only losing his Western Suburban seat of Ikla, but also losing his election deposit, coming in at fourth place in a five-cornered fight. The 94-year-old's long career ended not with a bang, but a whimper. As the night continued on, the Union Party clearly overperformed both the sample counts and the exit polls, and by 2:31AM the SBC Elections Centre had seen enough. With the Union Party leading or elected in 74 electoral divisions, and the Social Democrats ahead in 58, the SBC called the election, saying that there would be a Union Party Majority Government. The picture, however, was of two very different Scalvias, an eastern Scalvia which had repudiated the Union Party, and a western and central Scalvia, where the UP eventually dominated.

Election Map as it stands: Union Party in Blue, Social Democrats in Red, Who Owns the State? in Brown, Greens and Farmers in Green, Party of Regions in Purple, All For the Fatherland in Cyan, Indivisible in Teal, Independents Campaigning under the Reform Alliance in Yellow

Predicted Federal Assembly Chamber: Union Party in Blue, Social Democrats in Red, Who Owns the State? in Brown, Greens and Farmers in Green, Party of Regions in Purple, All For the Fatherland in Cyan, Indivisible in Teal, Reform Alliance in Yellow

Reactions

At 2:50 AM, Voldemar Tamm stepped into the UP's Headquarters in his seat of Kariste-South Maarjamäe. He began his speech with four words:
"How good is Scalvia," followed up with "and how good are Scalvians!" He went on to say: "[...] they said we needed a miracle. Well, I have always believed in miracles and tonight, the quiet Scalvians showed that miracles are possible!" He went on to thank members of his and the party's campaign, volunteers, his family, and finally the voters: "[...] but we cannot forget that tonight is your victory. Tonight belongs to all of you, the Scalvian people, because had you all not gone out to vote, this night would never have happened!" He finished his speech with a reconciliatory message: "Finally, I want to address those Scalvians who did not vote for the Union Party tonight, especially those out east. I want to reassure you all that I will not be a Prime Minister of the west or of the Union Party, I will be a Prime Minister of Scalvia! I promise to listen to your concerns, and to work to the best of my abilities to resolve them. Lastly I want to thank the Social Democrats, and their leader Eimantas Ulberkis for a strong and tough campaign."
Eimantas Ulberkis entered the stage to speak to his supporters at the Social Democrats headquarters in his riding of Dogaži Downtown-South at around 3;20AM. He began with: "It is never easy to lose. Losing hurts, but it hurts especially hard when you know that there are people who were relying on you to win." He went on to say: "[...] nevertheless, we must cherish all of the good moments of this campaign, and I will forever be proud of the strong, and brave campaign we ran. Unfortunately, it didn't go our way tonight. The Scalvian people have sent us a clear message, which has meant that many hardworking and great MPs of the Social Democrats have been defeated tonight." Ulberkis also announced his resignation as leader of the Social Democrats: "It has been the honour of a lifetime to lead this proud party into this general election, however I believe we need new leadership, which is why I am resigning as leader of the Social Democratic Party. I will stay on as an MP, and as party leader until my successor has been chosen." He went on to thank his supporters, volunteers, his family, and he finished with a message of congratulations to his opponent: "Finally, I must congratulate Voldemar Tamm and the Union Party on their victory tonight. They ran a strong campaign and have won a clear victory tonight. It has been a tough night for us, but although we can't change the past, by God we can change the future."

Analysis

The Union Party has, as of 1PM on July 13th, won 77 out of 151 seats in the Federal Assembly. That is a narrow majority, but a clear victory for Voldemar Tamm and his party, who have won a third successive term in government. The vote is clearly split however, as Social Democrats dominated in major cities except Kariste, but the Union Party won the suburbs and some inner metropolitan seats. Most important and noticeable, however, is the ever-growing alienation of Scalvia's east from the Union Party. Eastern Scalvia has been a stronghold for the Social Democrats anyhow, but this election has solidified the differences of east and west. The Social Democrats clearly dominated in the more economically depressed east, while the Union Party's message of continued liberal management of the economy has resonated with the centre and west of the country. It is clear that the Union Party's dominance is in part due to the Scalvian voter's desire for stability in a time of turbulence across the globe. While many had expected the results to be tight, nobody had expected such a weak performance from the Social Democrats, who in a Parliament with 30 more seats, grew their seat count by just three, from 52 to 55. A dismal night indeed for a party who many fancied to win the election. The Union Party winning an outright majority was also a surprise, with the Union Party actually trailing the Social Democrats in polls on polling day. A very efficient Union Party vote and a split Social Democratic vote in many key seats paved Voldemar's path to his first majority government.
It is likely that Tamm & Co. will now have a far easier time carrying out the UP's policy in parliament, as they hold a majority. Effective whip work will, however, be vital for his new government, as their majority is very narrow. A much more confident Tamm Government internationally and domestically can be expected, with a more active Scalvia internationally being likely. This new Government is young however, and it remains to be seen what will happen, the weeks and months ahead will certainly be interesting.

 

[Yalkan]

Good day to all those joining us for the News Hour at twelve. I am your host, Eva Folstad. With Election week coming to a close and vote counts reaching final tallies, the outcome is becoming clear, the YFA, the Yalken Frigjorte Arbeiderpartiet (Yalken Liberated Worker’s Party) has won huge victories across the nation. Party leader MP Louis Timoti-Hoffstad has expressed his congratulations to his fellow new MPs and made a statement for the future government: “I just want to say that uhhh this is a historic victory for our movement and uhhh we will make sure that uhhh we keep the uhhh people’s trust and uhhhh work to solve the uhhhh the problems that we all share uhhhh and I look forward to uhhh working more closely uhhh with my uhhhh contemporaries. For the people!” The Båthuset will convene in a handful of days to announce their new government. More to come.

 

[Iraelia]

Constituent Assembly Approved with Overwhelming Support as Tension Mounts
By: Charles Gagnon
December 8, 2022

Supporters of the United Front, nicknamed Red Vests for their use of red overshirts, rallying outside of Fontaine before the vote​

In a result that few in Callise are surprised by, the people of Callise have approved the formation of a Constituent Assembly with nearly 70% of the vote. While all seem to agree that it is time to re-write the constitution, there seems to be a substantial amount of division around the issue. While the Farmer-Labour group seeks relatively modest constitutional reforms like the abolition of the Senate and restrictions on the powers of the Presidency, the United Front has issued a program for a new constitution calling for the abolition of the presidency, the dissolution of the provincial governments, the establishment of popular democracy through a system of communes, and the revocation of the right to private property. Meanwhile the National-Liberal Bloc, who had tried and failed to defeat the measure at the ballot, have called for all "Callisean patriots" to rally to defend the current constitution. All of this occurring amidst the back drop of continued nation-wide upheaval.

Following the denial of a government to the United Front, protests had erupted all across Callise. Some, such as the one which took place in Beaune, succeeded in temporarily establishing a provisional government and usurping power from provincial and national officials. While these protests were often met with violence, from the police in Villende and from right-wing counter protesters elsewhere, the violence has died down in the interim period from the calls for a constituent assembly and the approval of the measure this past Tuesday. However, things have not returned to normal. The provisional government in Beaune, composed of many members of the duly elected government in the 2022 election, has refused to cede power until after the constituent assembly and continues to exercise a considerable amount of control in the city itself. While the National government has refused to intervene militarily, for fear of defections among the rank-and-file, they have announced a nationwide blockade against the city in the hopes that it will convince the provisional government to cede control. Unfortunately, these measures have not been effective. Beaune's province of Villeurles, whose provincial government is run by the United Front, has refused to cooperate with national officials in this endeavor, as have several other provinces. Furthermore, Beaune's presence as one of (if not the most) active commercial ports on the Phoenix Strait has allowed it to participate in international trade largely uninterrupted. The Provisional Government has also not sat idle with their power; since taking control of the city they have undertaken sweeping social reforms in the city consistent with the platform of the United Front. Measures undertaken by the Provisional Government include: the expropriation of all corporate owned housing, the institution of city-wide rent control, the transfer of ownership of the docks to the TIC-aligned SIT Guèrras union local, the seizure of all private educational institutions, and robust investments in public education and infrastructure. So far they have left Callise's massive finance sector, one of the largest in Eras and largely based in Beaune, intact and unmolested. These developments have led pundits to refer to the city as Red Beaune, and many in the United Front are holding it up as an example of the type of government they'd like to see operating nationwide.

These developments have further galvanized the far-right in the country. Francis Calvet, Chairman of the Nationalist League and newly elected member of the National Assembly, has called the vote a disgrace and called upon his followers to do everything in their power to prevent a "Cultural Picardist takeover of our Republic." On the night of the vote there was sporadic street fights around the country between various groups affiliated with Calvet (most notably several groups who style themselves "the Knights of Laurens," after the convicted far-right terrorist group) and members of the PTC. These were largely broken up by the police, although they are a potentially disturbing portent of things to come. The Nationalist League itself, despite not supporting the convocation of the Constituent Assembly, intends to sit all of their representatives and fight against all new proposals put forward by both Farmer-Labour and the United Front. The Liberal Party, while not issuing any official recommendation on the vote for a constituent assembly itself, has nonetheless echoed the sentiments of the Nationalist League in calling for a defense of the constitution.

Per the ballot measure, the Constituent Assembly will convene on January 9, after the holiday season, and will deliberate for five days at a time until a new constitution is approved by the Constituent Assembly. All current serving members of the General Court, both the National Assembly and Senate, will deliberate as a single chamber with equal voting power and a simple majority being enough for proposals to carry. We will continue to update you on this story as it unfolds.

 

[Predice]

SBC News

Tamm's Government suffers a bloody nose, as confusion reigned over numbers
20.07.21

KARISTE, VA -- Chaos reigned in the Federal Assembly today as the Union Party was forced to make concessions, after being confused about the numbers, and the Social Democrats are already warning that it's a taste of things to come.

Unprecedented scenes

Unprecedented scenes in Parliament, as the Government nearly fell at the first hurdle: electing a marshal. The Government had six MPs missing, so the Social Democrats called its bluff, threatening to force a vote that could've seen the UP's preferred pick, Dagne Mikutavičienė lose, and the Government red faced. Eventually, the Union Party accepted the Social Democrats' demands to increase the number of MPs on select committees.
"It was unprecedented, I've never seen that happen on the day of electing a marshal." Leader of the Opposition Kastytis Klimas told SBC after the sitting.
"Scalvians are entitled to expect better from the Federal Assembly than that, but ultimately that was not a situation of our choosing, that was the Opposition deciding once the vote was about to start that they were not committed to the original understanding." said Leader of the House Kārlis Reinholds Zariņš when asked for comment.

Confusion over numbers

To make matters worse, however, the Union Party actually had the numbers, and would've won had the Social Democrats forced a vote. There were 71 UP MPs present, and 67 others.
"I think it was more importantly a show of the disorganisation on the Government side. They did not know their numbers. Every day they're going to have challenges" Mr. Klimas told SBC.
"We did have the numbers at the end of the day. I will make sure to have our caucus' numbers and presence available to me at all times after this, to avoid more displays of such politics." PM Tamm said.

Show of force

Above all, this was a show of force from the Social Democrats, who, despite losing the 2021 election, are confident that they have the upper hand in strategy over the inexperienced Prime Minister. It is additionally a sign of things to come, that it won't take opposition lying down, despite their apparently diminished influence in a majority Parliament.
Eventually, Dagne Mikutavičienė was elected Marshal. In her speech she began with: "I want to start off by thanking members for the somewhat delayed confidence they've shown in me..." poking fun at the whole situation. Nevertheless, it is clear that she will have a tough time keeping this house under control.

No harm done?

Although a tough first day of parliament for the government, with a messy and confusing look for them, but at the end of the day there was no real damage done. It was certainly a bloody nose that the Government had to take from the Opposition, which was clearly flexing its muscles, but the Government got their marshal without the vote. It signals however, that it is going to be a tough time ahead for the Government, and they'll certainly want a much better day tomorrow.

 

[Democratu/Regunalia]

Local Mayor in Agricola found guilty of corruption by Ducal Judiciary, encouraged to resign.

 

[Artwashere]

Violent crime among young people on the rise - police struggle to combat rising youth crime

According to a recent police report, violent crime has increased in urban and large cities, including several rural municipalities around the country. In this report, among other things, regions where violent crime among people under the age of 18 has been on the rise. For example, authorities in Southern Sorovia are currently investigating more cases of crime. Authorities in the Kemynilaakso Region also report that in comparison to prior years, there are more children under the age of 16 who were accused of committing violent crimes compared to prior years. However, crime in several Eastern municipalities has seen a decrease in crime among minors.

Police are expected to release new reports on this subject later this winter. Supposedly, the background of these new reports is to determine the factors contributing to the rise in violent crime and ways to prevent them. In recent years, more people have been paying attention to the crimes committed by young people than in years prior, however, a more detailed treatment of putting a stop to this crime has been lacking. Police have also stated that the availability of mental health services in schools and other places has declined across a surprisingly large number of municipalities, making it harder for those with problems to get treated.

 

[Arc]

STATEMENT ON CALLISE BY THE PEOPLE’S COMMISSARIAT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND RELATIONS OF THE FEDERATION OF THE COMMUNES OF DIYAR
28 November 2022​

The Federation of the Communes of Diyar, wholly and without reservation, condemns the Callisean government for failing to recognize the outcome of their 2022 special elections. In the eyes of the Federation of the Communes of Diyar, this is a blatant violation of the principles of democracy—principles that the liberal-capitalist bourgeoisie system claims to uphold but casts aside as soon as it no longer swings in their favor.

The Diyari Proletariat stands in solidarity with the Callisean United Front who have been cheated of their right to form a government despite having secured an electoral majority.

 

[Predice]

OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SCALVIAN FEDERATION

30th Federal Assembly—Second Session

Sitting of Monday, January 9th, 2023

Oral Questions

Hon. KASTYTIS KLIMAS (Leader of the Official Opposition) Madam Marshal, I would like to ask if the Prime Minister stands by all of his government’s statements and actions?

Hon. VOLDEMAR G. TAMM (Prime Minister) Yes, absolutely Madam Marshal. I particularly stand by this Government’s strong action to defend Scalvia from the Auroreans, Madam Marshal, during a time of extreme uncertainty. We worked around the clock to ensure that Scalvia was never alone in this situation.

Hon. KASTYTIS KLIMAS Madam Marshal, just after Christmas last year, Goyanes and Rayvostoka concluded meetings that normalised relations between the two countries. The Government has frequently stated that Rayvostoka is a terrorist regime, yet when countries normalise their relations with them, this Government doesn’t utter a squeak.

Hon. VOLDEMAR G. TAMM Madam Marshal, I must say that we are heartily disappointed at the decisions of both Esthursia as I have outlined previously in this house and Goyanes as I will outline now. Madam Marshal, I have communicated previously that Rayvostoka needs to be isolated as much as possible from the rest of the world. However the disappointment, which has been communicated to both governments privately can be no more than that. Madam Marshal, at the end of the day, we respect the right of both Esthursia and Goyanes as sovereign nations, to make their own foreign policy decisions, however much we may dislike them.

Hon. KASTYTIS KLIMAS Madam Marshal, why is this Government so afraid of investing in the future of Scalvians?

Hon. VOLDEMAR G. TAMM Madam Marshal, the members across the way do not advocate for investing in Scalvians’ future. They advocate for quite the opposite, Madam Marshal. They advocate for destroying Scalvians’ futures by hiking up taxes and spending, and by [Indistinct]

Marshal Order! The Honourable Prime Minister has the Call, from the top please.

Hon. VOLDEMAR G. TAMM Thank you, Madam Marshal. The Members across the way don’t advocate for investing in the futures of Scalvians. They advocate for taking away Scalvians’ futures by burying them in a mountain of debt, madam Marshal. We invest in Scalvians’ futures responsibly and with the understanding that we want to give our successors a good position to continue from.

Hon. KASTYTIS KLIMAS Madam Marshal, this Government has a bad record, not only when it comes to supporting schools and infrastructure in Tauroga, but in all of Scalvia. When will this government stop buying jets and tanks, and start buying textbooks and lunches for school kids?

Hon. VOLDEMAR G. TAMM Madam Marshal, what the Member across the way has said is categorically untrue. [Heckling]

Marshal Order! Members on my left, please let the Honourable Leader of the Opposition hear the answer, I’m sure he would like to hear it. The Honourable Prime Minister has the call.

Hon. VOLDEMAR G. TAMM Thank you Madam Marshal. This Government has put 900 million crowns towards the Dogaži Metro, 1.1 billion crowns towards disadvantaged schools all across Scalvia, we have paid an additional total of 230 crowns into the CSF accounts of every working Scalvian during this difficult period. We have pledged over 12 billion crowns not just to rebuild the areas affected by the war, but to fully revitalise them. We have initiated the massive 9 billion crown JobSaver program, that keeps people all across this country employed during this difficult time. Madam Marshal, we work every day to ensure that not only is no part of Scalvia left behind, but that Scalvia will be stronger after the final conclusion of this war.

ANNA-MARIA JÄNES (Co-Leader—Party of Greens and Farmers) Madam Marshal, this Government has one of the worst records in recent times when it comes to the environment. Despite continued promises indicating change, this country still has made no progress on abandonment of oil shale as a source of electricity. When will this government keep to its promises and end the use of oil shale?

Hon. MIKOLAJUS K. ČIURLIONIS (Minister for Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transport) Madam Marshal, if the member has read our energy policy, which I certainly hope she has, she would have found that this government was planning a move away from oil shale. That is correct yes. However the Aurorean Invasion interrupted our plans of transitioning to nuclear energy, a much more efficient form of energy the transition to which the Greens and Farmers have repeatedly voted against.

MARTEN MASING (Member for Mustjõe) Madam Marshal, Can the Minister for Defence provide an update to the house on the current status of the war against the Aurorea?

Hon. TAN KOK SOON (Senior Minister and Minister for Defence) Madam Marshal, I thank the member for his important question. As it stands, all indications show that we are nearing the conclusion of this war. Our forces and those of our allies are at this point in time conducting final mopping up operations. No concrete timetable can be given at this time, but I expect the work to be done fairly soon.

ETHEL GRÖÖNKVIST (Member for Pakri South) Madam Marshal, this Government has shown an appalling apathy towards the thousands of Scalvians displaced by the invasion. When will this Government stop forcing people to live in tents, and rebuild their homes?

Hon. DĀVIS IKAUNIEKS (Minister for the Interior) Madam Marshal, as I have outlined previously, the evacuations were a temporary measure as the Aurorean invasion rolled in. The Government has as of today, cleared the majority of internal refugees to return home. The Government is working to rebuild the damaged or destroyed homes, and some people for that reason have to stay displaced for the time being. It is a difficult situation and I fully sympathise with those affected Madam Marshal, but this is a necessary, yet painful process.

JOHANNA VIKS (Member for Union Station) Madam Marshal, the Scalvian Federal Police has, under this Government’s watch, allowed a terrible patriarchal culture to fester in its ranks. I went, with a friend of mine who was sexually assaulted, to an SFP Post in South-Central Kariste. There we were not just taunted, but we were told that perhaps she was simply lying to gain clout. [Multiple members— Shame!] When will this Government initiate an investigation into the disgusting practices in the Scalvian Police Forces?

Hon. DĀVIS IKAUNIEKS Madam Marshal, that is a most serious accusation and I will call for an immediate parliamentary inquiry at the next meeting of the Public Safety Committee, as well as order a Ministerial Inquiry as soon as possible. I thank the member for bringing this to my attention.

Marshal That is all the time we have for question period today.

 

[The Republic Of Ukelect]

The New Care Times.

The goverment have predicted an economy crisis is coming. After the collapse of the region of "Ukelbie" which is where the country is used to be in. Some prices are starting to accelerate up. The head of Central Ukelectian Bank [ CUB ] Howry Niston. He quickly noticed about this, and he's trying to prepare the country for the next crisis if its actually happening.


Howry Niston: "I know this is bad, but since the Ukelbie collapse, the prices are going up and down like a roller coaster . We are trying to get ready if my prediction is correct, or else everyone is gonna starve!"


The Central Bank then finally release an official app for people to check the prices of stuff in Ukelect. Especially, foods. Every people must sell their stuff on the corresponding prices, or else it would be illegal.


"But don't worry, we're not going to be stuck at this moment for a loong time.. If our prediction is right, everything is probably gonna be recovered in the late 2022. Which I would say, approaching to the new year." Said Jerome Hinston, the vice of the head of the central bank.


These would recommend people to start stocking for foods, drinks and any other needs for them before the prices starts to launch.




-------------------------------------------------------------------


And that's it for today's news. We will keep you up with the information about such things in our own threads. Thank you.

 

[Nogori]

The Imperial Herald

What the Coalition Victory means for the Empire, Crown Relations, and Foreign Policy ​

Nov. 10th, 2022,
Written by Leonid Noorden

In a shocking victory on election night, the Forward Coalition edged out a majority of seats in the House of Yeomen in the Diet. The coalition is made up of the Malorian Workers Party, the People’s Union Party, and the Kanadian Liberale Party. The election has, for a long time, been considered a toss-up by most polling analysts and other reputable media sources with most forecasts considering either a win by the United Conservative Fatherland Party or the Forward Coalition in the realm of possibility due to both outcomes falling mainly in the margin of error.

The coalition was able to win a slim majority over the UCFP with the Workers Party winning 143 seats, the Liberale Party gaining 183, and the People’s Union Party coming out with 11, just enough to secure them an electoral victory over the UCFP’s number of seats at 313. The Forward Coalition has already stated who they will nominate to serve as the People’s Consul, that being Anja Holmlund, majority leader of the Liberale Party. Anja replaced Anne Ulberg, who had previously served as the Prime Minister of Kanada, as the head of the Liberale Party when the governments of both Maloria and Kanada centralized their governments into one. Holmlund comes as a sigh of relief to the more moderate members of the political establishment as a veteran of Kanadian politics, having first been elected to her seat in the Kanadian Parliament in the 1980s. Holmlund has also been criticized by other more progressive members of her party, such as Anne Ulberg, who have stated that she has served in politics for far too long and has become entrenched with the elite.

Anne Ulberg will also serve as the People’s Vice Consul, having already put her name forward and winning the coalition’s support for the post, despite calls from opposition within both her party and outside of it, that she is far too radical to have a position of leadership in the government. This comes after criticism over the years of the Imperial Family and the Imperial Government and for the recent establishment of the Division of Public Integrity and further centralization of power for the Crown. Ulberg was even found stating in a rally some time ago that the Imperial Family should discontinue their path of increasing their authority or they would suffer the same consequences of the Kanadian Family who in the 1920s were overthrown by fascists. It is unclear if Mrs. Ulberg understood that in this comparison she would be taking on the role of the fascists that plunged Kanada into the Great Northern War with Cogoria.

This recent win has become a topic of interest for political pundits and other members in the political scene for what this means for not only relations with the Crown, but also relations with the rest of the nations in Eras. Ulberg, her wing of the party, and the People’s Union Party have all expressed support for rolling back the powers of the Monarchy and some even calling for the blatant abolition of the Monarchy. Holmlund and her supporters seem far more apt at working with the UCFP and the Monarchy in order to bring her policy visions to pass. Due to a longer standing tradition in Maloria of a stronger monarchy, the Workers Party has been more ambivalent towards the Monarchy; while they would like to see the powers of the Monarchy reduced to a more ceremonial role, they recognize the continued importance of it as a cultural institution of the Malorian people, and would prefer to leave it up to them through a referendum at whether or not the Monarchy should remain and to what extent that its powers should be understood.

What Does This Mean for Foreign Policy and the “Green Menace”?

With the recent election, many have asked the question of what Malor-Kanadian relations with the rest of the globe will look like going forward. Holmlund has stated that it is a policy priority for her to further increase cooperation and integration in Craviter, hopefully being able to pursue new trade negotiations with Mintoria and Ceretis, as well as work towards a unified infrastructure network that would connect most of Northern Craviter and the South. Aid was initially sent by the Imperial Government in order to help rebuild the war torn nations of Craviter and help foster development. Holmlund would like to see this infrastructure lead to a more connected continent, linking major hubs of trade and finance for members of the Bergum Pact to one another.

The Consul-Elect has also expressed interest in working more with the Principality of Sil Dorsett. After years of icy relations between the Empire and the Principality, this could prove to be a turning point in the relationship between the two countries. Many are critical of this though, due to the speculated disdain that the Emperor and Empress harbor for the Principality’s leadership. This comes after the Imperial Government heavily criticized the Phoenix Union and Sil Dorsett’s appeasement of Cogoria and their neglect towards their own suffering allies.

Arrandal and Arcanstotska will also play a large part in future foreign policy. The Imperial Government and the Worker’s Party have stated that it is a goal for them to increase cultural ties with the Szlavic community and will be pursuing initiatives towards this. The Worker’s Party has expressed interest in the establishment of sister cities between nations and also the sponsoring of more programs to allow the students of predominantly Szlavic communities to be able to study in Maloria. The Bayardi Community in Prydania will also fall under these initiatives.

Craviter is not going to be the only focus of the Forward Coalition’s foreign policy however. There is also expected to be a shift in favor of expanding global relations towards Iteria, Icenia, Meterra, and Auroria. Direct policy proposals have not been proposed yet but it has been a point of agreement between the Imperial Government and the Forward Coalition as a point of solidarity between the two.

Increased opposition to the “Green Menace'', otherwise known as Syrixia, has also been an item being pushed by the UCFP and more hawkish elements in the Liberale Party. This has been expressed not only by elected officials but also the public at large. This has come after Syrixian election meddling in the elections of Alemriche that resulted in the victory of a candidate with Syrixian sympathies over another candidate that was more favorable towards the Empire. There is widespread fear that the same could happen here, which has prompted the conservatives and the hawks in the Liberale Party to put more pressure on the soon-to-be-government to be more aggressive in their approach to countering the “Green Menace”.

 

[Prydania]

15 February 2011

IBC Iraelia News

CEFA Boss Under Fire After Remarks on Prydanian Syndicalist Regime
By Isgav Yochi
​

Mecklenburg- CEFA President Santo Giacalone of Predice has found himself in hot water after stating he would not support the expulsion of the Syndicalist Republic of Prydania from the international football body.

“I believe in sport to bring people together,” Mr. Giacalone said. “People of different races, creeds, religions, and even political ideology.”

Mr. Giacalone and CEFA’s governing body have been under increased pressure to expel the Syndicalist Republic of Prydania due to mounting evidence of the regime’s human rights abuses. As the football world looks towards the 2011 World Cup in Avancene these conversations have only increased in volume.

The topic was broached at a meeting of CEFA’s governing body in the Association’s headquarters of Mecklenburg, Alemriche yesterday. Mr. Giacalone again insisted that the Syndicalist Republic of Prydania not be expelled. It was his justification to the media afterwards that landed him in hot water.

"Today I feel Prydanian,” He said. “Today I feel Craviterian. Today I feel Avancenian. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel like a political refugee. Of course I am not Prydanian, I am not a Craviterian, I am not Avancenian, I am not gay, I am not disabled. But I feel like it, because I know what it means to be discriminated, to be bullied, as a foreigner in a foreign country.”

Mr. Giacalone, a known associate of Trandil Hager, the head of the Syndicalist Republic’s Football Association, remained insistent. When asked if CEFA condoned the Syndicalist Republic’s persecution of political, social, and religious dissidents in Prydania he responded in a bizarre manner.
“I know what that’s like, to be bullied and discriminated. I was bullied as a child after all, for having red hair.”

Spokesmen for the Goyanean Football Association and Andrennian Football Association, the two associations who raised the issue of expelling the Syndicalist Prydanian association, said they were disappointed in Mr. Giacalone’s actions. But others were not so diplomatic.

“It’s disgusting to see CEFA continue to legitimize the Syndicalist regime and their persecution of our country,” Prydanian Front of National Unity ambassador Kjell Svane said in a press release.
“Herra Giacalone’s words show he doesn’t have an ounce of compassion for the people who are suffering.”
As the World Cup draws closer Mr. Giacalone has stated that the issue is “settled.”
“I won’t hear another word on it” he insisted before storming off from the press.

OOC Note: Post approved by @Predice, @Goyanes, and @Andrenne

 

[Predice]

OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SCALVIAN FEDERATION

30th Federal Assembly—Second Session

Sitting of Tuesday, January 10th, 2023

Oral Questions

Marshal Oral Questions, I call the Honourable Leader of the Opposition.

Hon. KASTYTIS KLIMAS (Leader of the Official Opposition) Thank you. This Government doesn’t care about the working people, Madam Marshal. It is this Government that rolled back the Social Democrats’ policy on free university, making university less accessible for the working class. When will this Government reverse this decision and make university accessible to the working class again?

Marshal The Honourable, the Prime Minister.

Hon. VOLDEMAR G. TAMM (Prime Minister) Thank you Madam Marshal. What the members across are agitating for is welfare for the wealthy. [Loud interjections]

Marshal Order! ORDER! The members on the opposition benches will let the Prime Minister to speak. The Prime Minister has the call.

Hon. Voldemar G. Tamm Thank you Madam Marshal. Data published by the Ministry of Education shows that people from all socioeconomic backgrounds with similar high school results are just about as likely to attend university, Madam Marshal. We must, however reckon with the fact that the wealthy do better in high school, and many of the less wealthy enter the workforce early. What right do the students who make it then to bill their Uni education to those who entered the workforce early? The problem is not the fairly modest Uni tuitions, the problem is inequity in the education system which we are actively working to solve Madam Marshal.

Marshal The Honourable Leader of the Opposition.

Hon. Kastytis Klimas Madam Marshal, free university will produce positive externalities. It would give more people the chance to better themselves and their economic position, and indeed would be an overall societal good. When will this government recognise this and reverse their pro-wealthy policy?

Marshal The Honourable, the Prime Minister.

Hon. Voldemar G. Tamm Madam Marshal, I want to make this very clear. The benefits of free university are known, but so are its downsides. One significant downside is that people who would otherwise enter the workforce go to get degrees that they are not actually committed to. Madam Speaker, university is great, but it is not your right during these turbulent times to go to university without ever figuring out what you are doing there. [Loud interjections] [Member for Kuremäe from a sedentary position: Pillock!] [Loud objections from Government benches]

Marshal ORDER! ORDER! Members on both sides. The Honourable Leader of the House on a Point of Order.

Hon. KĀRLIS R. ZARIŅŠ (Leader of the House) Madam Marshal, the Member for Kuremäe has called the Prime Minister an unparliamentary insult.

Marshal While I did not hear it myself, I will say that if that was said, it must be withdrawn at once! At once! The Member for Kuremäe.

Henri Kask (Member for Kuremäe) Out of respect for the chair, I withdraw. [Loud objections from Government Benches]

Marshal Order! That is enough. Thank you. The Honourable Leader of the Opposition.

Hon. Kastytis Klimas Madam Marshal, this Government continues its war on the poor with its unwillingness to make university accessible for all. Studies have shown that for every 45 crowns of benefit a university graduate receives, the public at large receives 55 crowns of benefit. When will this government then stop its excuses and make university free?

Marshal The Honourable, the Prime Minister.

Hon. Voldemar G. Tamm The premise of my honourable friend’s question is incorrect. He is correct that for every 45 crowns of benefit a university graduate gets, the public gets 55 crowns of benefit. That is why we replaced free university with subsidies! The proportion of private to public funding in a bachelor’s degree is 42% to 58%. What the members across the way are suggesting will not help the poor or the working class, but will instead help the wealthy, but what can you expect from a party that has abandoned the working Scalvian. [Loud objections from Opposition benches.]

Marshal Order! The Honourable Leader of the Opposition.

Hon. Kastytis Klimas Madam Marshal, under this government, nonviolent drug offenders are still being executed. This is a shocking and barbaric travesty, Madam Marshal. When will this government repeal the laws punishing nonviolent drug possession with death.

Marshal The Honourable, the Minister for Justice.

Hon. JONAS BASANAVIČIUS (Minister for Justice) Thank you Madam Marshal. I hope the member opposite agrees with me that drugs are a cancer upon society, and have to be fought at every turn. The death penalty is a deterrent from damaging society. I must also say that this government will take no lessons from the Social Democrats on this matter, when while in government oversaw one of the worst crime waves this country has ever seen.

Marshal I call the Member for Dogaži Centre.

KĘSTUTIS GRINIUS (Co-Leader—Party of Greens and Farmers) Madam Marshal, Scalvia is one of the highest polluters per capita in the world. When will this government get out of the pockets of the fossil fuel lobbyists and institute a carbon tax? [Loud objections from Government Benches]

Marshal Order! That imputation must be withdrawn, at once.

Kęstutis Grinius I will not withdraw.

Marshal Very well. Kęstutis Grinius has been named and will leave the house for the remainder of the day’s sitting under Standing Order 11. The Member for Heritage-Medicine Hat is next.

SIGITAS JAKUBAUSKAS (Member for Heritage-Medicine Hat) Thank you Madam Marshal. The Spur of the Trans-Scalvia Highway that was supposed to connect members of my riding was planned even prior to the war. It now seems that it has been cut from the rebuilding programme. Can I get assurances from the Government that this spur will be built?

Marshal The Honourable Minister for Public Works.

Hon. DĀVIS IKAUNIEKS (Minister for Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transport) Madam Marshal, the Member’s question is indeed very important for the people in his riding. I will state unequivocally now, that the spur has not been axed, and that plans are still expected to go ahead around Q3 of 2023.

Marshal I call the Member for Laane.

HEIMAR LEPIK (Member for Laane) Thank you Madam Marshal. Can the Minister for Culture lay out the Government’s plans to support sports in Scalvia.

Marshal The Honourable Minister for Culture.

Hon. TOOMAS MADISSON (Minister for Culture and Sport) Thank you Madam Marshal, and I thank the member for his important question. The Government is planning to fund the construction of 123 indoor football halls, for 32 million crowns, in addition, we plan to subsidise sports tournaments between schools.

Marshal Due to all the interruptions today, we are running short on time. I call the Member for Great Plains for the final question.

EDŽUS TREIMANIS (Member for Great Plains) Thank you Madam Marshal. Scalvia is full of natural resources. Billions upon billions of crowns worth of natural resources in fact. All we have to do is dig for them. Why won’t the government sanction additional mining?

Marshal The Honourable Minister for the Environment.

Hon. TENIS MELNGAILIS (Minister for the Environment and Forestry) Thank you very much Madam Marshal. As I’m sure the member is aware, the Government put a moratorium on approving new natural resource exploitation projects until the conclusion of the war with the Aurorea. We haven’t approved additional projects, because we are waiting for the war to end before we do.

Marshal That is all the time we have, I’m afraid.

 

[Predice]

SBC NEWS

The President’s New Year’s address
31.12.22


Ladies and Gentlemen, my Fellow Scalvians.

Even though each of us has bright moments to take along from the outgoing year, we nevertheless have no cause to wave it goodbye in fondness. It has been a difficult year, one of tensions. A year of war. A year of struggle and pain.

The rulers of the Aurorea, sending their army against us, brought suffering and war crimes back to Ethia. We were prepared, of course, and the struggle shall soon be over. Every Scalvian has had to pay the price of war, and every Scalvian has participated in our impending victory. Dear Scalvians, words are not enough to express the gratitude that I, as well as the Federal Government feel towards all of you that have done their duty to defend Scalvia in any way you know how.

We all want peace to come. But a just and lasting peace can come only, when the regime of the aggressor is dismantled, when its cogs are smashed, so that it may never again threaten the free nations of Auroria.

There are organisms capable of entering a dormant state for long periods of time when the environment around them deteriorates. Man has no such ability to wait for the circumstances to improve and come back to life during better times. We need to go through the good times and the bad.

I sympathize with everyone frightened by the grimace of today's crises. Those who need help must have it. While everyone else should take a moment to consider the past and the future.

A century ago, our grandparents and great grandparents fought so that we could shape our own destiny. Our own future and our own nation. They went through years of struggle, suffering, pain and sacrifice for that right. We had a clear goal: a free and Democratic Scalvia. A peaceful Scalvia. A future for Scalvia.

We have come so far into that future today that more than a few started wondering if we had already arrived. The outgoing year delivered a sobering effect and rolled obstacles in our path, and shook our trajectory. But if there is something to recall from decades back, it is the power of having a goal. Without one, every hardship is multiplied.

What is our goal today? It is still a free, self-sufficient Scalvia that does not leave its citizens out in the cold. But more importantly – a prosperous Auroria that defends freedom and looks to the future with clear eyes. 2022 proved that building such an Auroria is both our responsibility and in our power.

I hope that this view will help us understand the temporary nature of difficulties.

I am convinced there is enough entrepreneurial spirit in the Scalvian economy to turn today's crises into tomorrow's opportunities. Give us courage to look to the future, hopeful in knowing that every slump has been followed by a rise. Despite news of a recession, better times are always ahead, and fertile soil left by crises helps nurture possibilities for new growth.

A country can only be as successful as its entrepreneurs. As successful as its artists, scientists and engineers. As successful as its teachers or people in any other walk of life.

This leads to one of my wishes for the coming year: let us be demanding. Let us be demanding of ourselves and those we elected to run our country in 2021. Let us not allow those campaigns to fade into the seeming but take a demanding look at what was behind the promises – which of them aggrandise a particular political party and which ones add to the greatness, success and security of our Scalvia.

My fellow Scalvians,

It is a night of hope again, of letting go and believing in the new.

I cannot promise you that next year will be better, no one can promise that. But I am convinced of one thing. If everyone in Scalvia cares for their country, their city or village, themselves and their family; if we take care in traffic and when handling fire, leave no one alone and allow no one to be hurt; learn to listen and speak softly – we will see a year of no regrets.

Then, all these sparks of good will come together as common energy to help us everywhere and in everything.

Happy New Year!

 

[Greater Ale Permars]

RESPONSE STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF RAYVOSTOKA TO THE FEDERATED COMMUNES OF DIYAR
November 9th, 2022
​

Unfortunately, the excellent nation of Diyar does not understand and misinterprets the nature and purpose of the reforms recently introduced during the twenty-second MCP congress. Alongside holding a series of bigoted and regressive ideas about the variation in methods to achieve communism, labeling the People's Republic as a "theocracy" and a "Dictatorship of the Party." In fact, neither of these claims has any basis within the fabric of reality.

First, to address their confusion and misinterpretation of the Picardist-Lebvedevist ideology of the Messianist-Communist Party of Rayvostoka, we must wholeheartedly denounce the claim that the fundamental principles of Picardism and Communism have been perverted. This has proven to be false despite the claim that Messianism and Picardism are impossible to coexist as one. Dating back to the words of Picard himself, who stated. "[a]s Christ is the intermediary unto whom man unburdens all his divinity, all his religious bonds, so the state is the mediator unto which he transfers all his Godlessness, all his human liberty." This means that Christ, in spirit, acts as a similar outlet to that of the state. With the state presiding over man's godlessness and unholy nature controlling it and fostering it for good. While Christ presides over the divinity of man, safeguarding it and providing man with salvation and guidance.

Picardism also coincides with many early Messianist principles. Most notably those practiced by the apostles, such as the "Omnia sunt communia" or in Mercanti, "all things are to be held in common." This is a practice but not the only one held by the early church that directly correlates to the fundamental principles of our ideology as Communists and Picardists. Not to mention the very detailed and relevant example of Christ's life himself. Who notably acted frequently in accordance with the tenants of Picardism and Communism before it was even given a name. Like his act of driving the greedy money changers from the temple. To make it pure for God and purge it of greed. A task that Christ took to with great ferocity. Alongside his actions which speak for themselves.

His words and preachings have indeed spoken for themselves in regard to the way in which all people should be treated. Which is equal and respectful, no matter who they are or their background. As both rich and poor in the end still were beneath the glory of the LORD.
In Rayvostoka, we follow the principles and examples which were set by Christ, as through his word, we are indeed able to reach both communism and the Kingdom of Heaven. And even with this evidence to back up Christ's place as the first communist. The metaphors and analogies to the monarchical structure of the Heavens still shock the uninformed.

Christ is the King of Heaven and is the ONLY true master of man. Through his perfection, we can find both guidance and strength, and through his instruments on the earth via the medium of the "dictatorship of the proletariat." We can achieve the goal of Communism.

To address the comments against the reforms we are to endure, many innocent people died at the hands of ruthless savages for the nation to begin to heal itself from the wounds of subversive satanic tyrants. Their blood, the blood of martyrs, will not be in vain, for just as Christ died to make men holy, those men and women died to make the men of Rayvostoka free. Their spirits will continue marching on to the Kingdom of Heaven for "Blessed are they, which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

And finally, to address the consistent grandstanding in these criticisms by Diyar that their specific form of Picarism is correct and that Rayvostoka must be ostracized forever, despite both nations holding values that profoundly connect them in terms of ideology. This ignorance blinds them to Solidarity's true meaning and obstructs the overall international movement by drawing arbitrary lines when Solidarity would be as easy as just reaching out. And as Jesus Christ said. "I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me." Rayvostokan's, too pray for a day that mends the misunderstanding between our two people's and enlightens them to the virtues of peace and cooperation above all else.

Solidarity Forever! For in the darkest days ahead, only united may we bring peace, justice, and equality to the world. Through Christ our LORD, Amen.

 

[Iraelia]

Violence! Far-Right Extremists March on the Constituent Assembly during Proceedings
By: Charles Gagnon
January 25, 2023

Members of the Civilian Defense Forces, identifiable by their yellow vest, summoned to defend the Constituent Assembly​

In a shocking turn of events, right-wing protestors have marched on the General Court building to halt the procession of the Constituent Assembly. The attempted insurrection took place after it was reported that a provision had been passed, with support from both the United Front and Farmer-Labor groups, that naturalizes all current residents of Callise. Protestors were apparently joined by elected members of the Constituent Assembly, all from the Nationalist League, who gave speeches and called on the crowd to halt the proceedings of the Constituent Assembly. While the violence was intense, the Civilian Defense Forces (composed of non-military reservists) successfully prevented their entrance into the General Court.

Despite the buzz surrounding it's calling, the proceedings of the Constituent Assembly had been rather dull. While the United Front commanded a plurality, an inability to come to total agreement with all members of the Green Democrats on key components of their plan for the new constitution had stalled the more radical proposals. One of the first provisions passed was the abolition of the Senate, a measure approved by 72% of the body (with Liberals and Nationalists dissenting). Another popular proposal was a re-write of the role of provincial government, with provincial elected government essentially dissolved in favor of the handling of those affairs by the counties or the national government. The memory of the abuse of provincial government power to close the border with New Aleman was fresh in the minds of the members.

Discussion stalled on proposals for the fundamental rights of all citizens. The United Front sought to introduce provisions guaranteeing economic security for all citizens, the ultimate ownership of all property belonging to the public, and broad assurances of the power of the democratically elected government to manage the economic affairs of the nation. On this issue they faced stiff pushback from the Rally for the Republic group, and the Farmer-Labour coalition. By the end of the second week, it appeared that the new constitution might be rather moderate. However, in the following week, the approval of a provision naturalizing all residents provoked an uproar. The provision, designed to give Callise a fresh start on immigration policy and to include as many people as possible in the democratic process, was roundly decried by the Nationalist League as an attempt to stuff ballot boxes and steal elections. Initially it seemed just like rhetoric, however violence followed in suit.

The day after the approval of the provision, supporters of the Nationalist League, the Liberal Party, and others rallied at the capitol for a "Save Our Republic" rally. At this event, ten separate members of the Constituent Assembly (all with the Nationalist League), gave speeches decrying what they called a "betrayal of Callisean patriots." The final speaker was far-right leader of the Nationalist League, Francis Calvet, who decried the new constitution as a "socialist takeover" and pronounced the assembly illegitimate. Following his speech, he called on the crowd to march with him to the General Court to "take back our Republic."

Of a crowd of 10,000 people, roughly half followed Calvet to the General Court. Callisean intelligence agencies, having advance knowledge of the attack, informed the provisional government (composed of representatives from all parties). They moved to activate the Civilian Defense Forces, placing 1,000 men in riot gear around the premises of the General Court, and a further 2,000 in reserve nearby. The Civilian Defense Forces were joined by redshirts, supporters of the United Front, who prepared to block their entrance into the Constituent Assembly. The right-wing protestors themselves were joined by militarized contingents of their own, the so-called "Knights of Laurens," who came armed with assault rifles, zip ties, and (occasionally) improvised explosives and grenades. When the marchers began to approach the General Court, all representatives and staff present were escorted to safe rooms underneath the building.

The violence was intense, but short-lived. Protestors overran the first barrier, bolstered by redshirts, with relative ease. The rest of the Civilian Defense Forces personnel were activated and rushed to the new perimeter. During this time, Nationalist League protestors engaged in street brawls with those redshirts in attendance. At least 2 redshirts are confirmed dead, both by stab wounds, with a further 10 injured. At the second barrier, protestors clashed with police for roughly an hour. The crowd only thinned out after Julien Cahun, a CDF regular, was attacked and mortally wounded by a protestor. The CDF responded by launching tear gas into the crowd, and firing rubber bullets on those who did not disperse. All-in-all, the attempted insurrection lasted for roughly 3 hours in total. 7 reservists, 2 redshirts, and 5 protestors died.

After an all clear was granted, the Constituent Assembly adjourned for the day. The following day, Hubert Bennett addressed the Constituent Assembly. In his speech, he called the rioters "terrorists" and "enemies of true democracy." He then announced to the Constituent Assembly that the protestors were not unaided, revealing intelligence suggesting Nationalist League members of the provisional government had deliberately leaked information to right-wing militias about the plans to defend the General Court. In the interest of securing a democratic process in the Constituent Assembly, he presented a list of 79 elected members of the Nationalist League who had substantial evidence implicating them in the attempted insurrection. He called for their censuring, and removal from the Constituent Assembly until it can be proved that they are not a threat to the integrity of the deliberative process. The Liberals and Nationalists jointly decried this as a "power grab" designed to tip the Constituent Assembly in favor of a socialist outcome. However, the measure was approved with overwhelming support. Bennett also proposed the creation of a committee, composed of representatives from all parties represented in the General Assembly excluding the Nationalist League, to investigate and handle the aftermath of the riot. News of the censure was followed by right-wing protests all across Callise, in particular regions with a substantial Worker's Party presence, although none of them escalated beyond scattered street violence.

Following the censuring of members of the Nationalist League, the United Front, New Democrats, and progressive Greens have a sizable majority. Many are expecting the more radical measures of the United Front to be adopted in the following days. We will update you as this story unfolds.

 

[North Timistania]

VOLSHAN FORCES ENCIRCLE AUROREAN CAPITAL!

1 Hour Ago

HESCO barriers and barbed wire line the ridge overlooking Al-Zahra, soldiers of the 10th Phalanx busy themselves with the work of turning the capital outskirts into an unassailable fortress, their presence is the result of a week-long advance by Volshan forces across the Aurorea. The success of Operations "Ethian Night" and "Ethian Day" have paved the way for operation "Desert Garden" a vast advance that has seen some 30,000 Volshan troops fight their way across the ailing fascist nation in a relentless push toward the capital. This daring push to end the war has not been without cost, some 1000 Volshan servicemen and women have lost their lives since the war began and the number rises daily thanks to the stiff resistance offered up by the Aurorean military. However, the encirclement of Al-Zahra puts the Barthist regime firmly on the defensive and may prove a fatal blow to the fascists as they are forced to recall more troops to defend their heartland.

This military advance has been matched by a more covert and yet equally significant action by Volshan intelligence, the arming, and organizing of a revolution amongst the long-oppressed Harbi peoples to the country's north. the Volshan synod has approved an initial aid package of over $50 million IBU, this to be used to supply harbi rebels with the arms and training necessary to destabilize barthist control in their home provinces. Already thousands of Barthist troops have been forced into defensive actions as the harbi have risen in violent revolt against the oppressive regime. Conservative speaker Cavei Calla who has been a vocal advocate for both the war and the Harbi had this to say:

"Freedom is coming to the Harbi people, a state long denied will now be seized back from their oppressors, we stand with them in this glorious effort and i think this package combined with our militaries brave exploits send a clear message that Volshan is staying till the job is done"

While it is too soon to say when this war will end the signs from the front are encouraging and the latest counter-offensives in Scalvia are rumored to be gaining ground, it seems only a matter of time before the tyranny of Bartolomeo Barthe is ended and peace restored, for now, though the continent holds its collective breath.

 

[Alsatian Island]

CONSTITUTION: Concerted effort to legalise death penalty in conservative North after High Court rules that certain death penalties are not unconstitutional​

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Leftist PM Aunegård calls decision "error", while Chancellor Haugen speculates on using federal pardon power​

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The death penalty was banned in totality in 1998, in the aftermath of the Civic War. Even National Alternative ministers - whether genuinely opposed or for political convenience - found themselves on the side of public opinion, in a period marked by a spree of mandated killings under the remnant of the League in the 1990s. Such killings have continued to this day, though recent League "governments" have reduced their usage.

However, the pursuit of a death penalty has been on the rise, in the North most successfully. Republican University of Lauhas (RUL) political scientist and academic Lea Høyvelt speculated on the cause.

'The popularisation - or at the very least, the normalisation - of talk around the ability for quartièrs to sentence convicted persons to death has roared for some time. The days of the mainstream right under the National Alternative opposing the death penalty - Pau Astruc being famously against the death penalty, citing its nature of use in his home region under the League - have eroded away. As the younger generation grows more polarised, and more distant from the War, and discourse from NA politicians has diverted more radically to the populist right, pushes for the death penalty to be legalised have become mainstream up North.

However, it feels they were validated. For a long time, the dam held purely because it was viewed the nation would have to unite over the issue - and there was no way the Centre or South would deviate from its liberal view on the right to life above all else - but the recent finding that quartièrs and farthings have the constitutional right in some circumstances to institute the death penalty has blown the entire thing down.

The organised, partisan effort to force through legislation, treating the regional legislatures as nothing more than a bottleneck which unnecessarily slows down their inevitable passage, legalising this practice signals things to come. We may even expect that particular northern quartièrs may begin re-sentencing, or immediately changing sentencing guidelines. Moreover, the right to not receive death sentencing of citizens where these rights haven't been undone - or are constitutional, such as in Ravenne or Molbrygge - may be compromised if their citizens are tried elsewhere. Modern politics is polarised and more partisan than ever before, and we're beginning to see exactly what that means for constitutional affairs.'​

This movement was, however, prevented from real change by a convention against using the death penalty, contingent on the idea that regional governments did not have the ability to sentence anyone to death. However, a case finalised last Wednesday in the High Court overturned this assumption suddenly - leaving a sea of legislative change in its wake, as the National Alternative forces through trigger laws in favour of bringing the death penalty into sentencing as soon as possible.

Northern regional governments, and conservatives by and large, have welcomed the move. The First Minister of Eroisèn spoke on the issue last Thursday.

The High Court's decision has confirmed what we've thought up North for quite some time - the government maintaining that there was no right for us to sentence those who commit the most grievous of crimes was unconstitutional? Completely wrong.

Their decision has finally given the Avancenic people the right to demand the full range of sentences to be used against those who perpetrate, and perpetuate the culture of committing, the worst of the worst actions against their fellow citizens. This is a crucial step towards ensuring our justice system is strict enough, and going far enough, to prevent crime, and to deter the worst in our society from committing these horrific actions.

National Alternative will continue to push for these common-sense conservative reforms nationwide, to restore the ability for our justice system to universally operate fairly and firmly in the interests of the Avancenic public.​

​

The central government, constituted of a liberal-left coalition between the left-of-centre Peace and Freedom, centrist Centre Democrats, and socialist The Left - among other coalition members - has been united in its opposition to the ruling. It has long been a belief between both the Avancenic centre and left blocs that the death penalty is somewhere between unconstitutional and barbaric, and therefore stances on the issue have rarely deviated from this within the blocs. It is expected that even in regions run by the centreright Civic Union, the rightmost member of the Centre bloc, that any attempt to legislate for the legalisation of the death penalty will be struck down. With the South opposing the measures heavily and consistently, unlike Northern voters' increasingly favourable views on the death penalty's use in certain cases, both blocs are also increasingly playing into their regional electorates, with the left and centre dominant in regions opposed to the measures, and the hardright dominant in areas moving towards favourability, or already in favour, to them.

Prime Minister Greta Aunegård's statement to the Jordmøte on the issue last Friday decisively put The Left on an electoral footing against the movement:

'This week, we've seen the right to life compromised. Avancene is a free democracy, and its citizens should be guaranteed the most basic freedom - freedom from state-mandated death. It is therefore eminently wrong that the High Court has effectively granted quartièrs and farthings the ability to circumvent this freedom, regardless of the conditions it has applied to this intervention.

We will witness, over coming years, the measurement of state-sanctioned death. Every death will be a failure of each region to secure a rehabilitated life under our society, and under their administration, and every death will remain a loss to our civilisation itself, as if our society grants its state the right to take life, it is one that sleepwalks towards brutal tyranny.

This government, and my party, will oppose any measure to legalise this practice of state-sanctioned death by any democratic means necessary. We will campaign, we will resist and we will do whatever we can to push against measures to turn back decades of lessons learnt. We will push for constitutional rights of freedom from death sentences wherever they don't exist, and protect them where they do. The Civic War should have taught our nation that any society that fails to honour freedom from the death sentenced risks everything.'​

The Chancellor is yet to make a statement on the issue, but has stated to a question on it that "all the options are open" over federally overturning death sentences. The Chancellor, under the Avancenic Constitution, retains the power to pardon any person subject to national veto, though this power is rarely used. Chancellor Yngvar Haugen has earlier stated his opposition to the death penalty, citing "the inability for the state to be entirely sure that every person sentenced to death is guilty", and further "its use in the Civic War-era so-called League".

The High Court's Senior Justice, Maia Cévènha, has given an affirming statement to the 8-3 majority on the ruling.

'The Court found in favour of the Quartièr d'Eroisèn in that regions retain the constitutional power to prescribe sentences of death, and furthermore - in limited circumstances - found that the Constitution does not prohibit this power being legislated, or practised. We, as justices, acknowledge the serious, tangible and imminent consequences - and questions - this decision poses, and sincerely trust that our robust legislative system can honour the issue with its fullest importance.'​

​

The status of the death penalty in Avancene remains contentious - but now, for the first time since the 1970s, the death sentence may be practiced within its borders legally.

 

[Artwashere]

Sorovia to enforce new sanctions against Iolanti

Šoutjärvi — Today Sorovian officials have confirmed that the Sorovian Government intends to enforce more sanctions against Iolanti.

In response to the continued human rights violations and unequal treatment faced by marginalized communities in Iolanti, Sorovia has announced the imposition of economic sanctions. The measures, which include restrictions on trade & investment, coal, and natural gas are aimed at holding the Iolanti government accountable for its ongoing practice of racial injustice. The imposition of sanctions is just the latest in a series of Sorovian actions aimed at pressuring Iolanti to end the system of segregation. Sorovia has long been calling on the Iolanti government to address human rights violations and ensure equal treatment for all its citizens, regardless of their race or ethnicity within Iolanti.
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Sorovian Government Officials stated that the decision to impose sanctions was not taken lightly but was necessary in order to send a clear message that such practices are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in this modern day and age. Government Officials added that Sorovia will continue to work with international partners to put pressure on Iolanti to address the human rights violations and end segregation practices. Sorovia's actions against Iolanti come as it's the first major step towards attempting to condemn Iolanti's practices since the Sorovian 2019 sanctions which attempted to hit several Iolanti economic sectors. Many in Sorovia see this as a major win for the Sorovian Republic and see its actions today as a needed step towards ending the marginalization of ethnic minorities in the region. Some others see this move as a step towards serious consequences from Iolanti.

Sorovian Prime Minister Inari Oivio was quoted as saying in a recent press release earlier today "Our government understands that sanctions can have unintended consequences, and we have worked to ensure that they are targeted in a way that minimizes harm to the Iolanti's citizens. However, we also recognize that the end of this racial injustice is essential for the well-being of all of Iolanti's citizens and the region's stability. It is the Iolanti government's responsibility to address these issues and take the necessary steps to end this injustice on our own doorstep."

Sorovian Foreign Minister Oskari Uusitalo has also stated "Sorovia believes that it is our duty to take a strong stance against the systemic oppression and discrimination against Iolanti's marginalized communities. Iolanti has failed to show us that it intends to make the meaningful steps towards ending these practices and that these sanctions are a way for us to hold them accountable."

It is still unknown how effective these sanctions will be against Iolanti, however, it is expected that Iolanti will make a response to Sorovian sanctions within the coming hours or days.

 

[Democratu/Regunalia]

The Grand Royal Assembly has passed a bill implementing return free filing for any and all royal taxes. This is expected to simplify the tax process for everyone involved.

 

[North Timistania]

BREAKING: VOLSHAN MILITARY HITS AUROREAN MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

1 hour ago

Air raid sirens and the distinct reek of smoke fill the night sky around Al-Zahra tonight, the normally sedate evenings in the leafy neighborhoods of the government district have been shattered by the arrival of a war that has grown perilously close with each passing day. The Volshan Autocracy has launched a daring assault on the encircled capital, hi-tech X-51 "tallyman" drones utilizing upgraded sensor suites from Esthursia have hit multiple high-value targets across the capital city. The number of dead and wounded is still being calculated as workers sift through the rubble, what is clear now is that the strikes have been highly effective at reaching areas previously considered safe.

In addition to the ministry of defense, there have also been drone strikes targeting high-ranking party members, military leaders, and supply depots, all in an effort to cripple a political organization that has long portrayed itself as invulnerable. The damage might be salvageable but the effect on morale is far more of a challenge to remedy. Speaking from Oscium airbase Volshan Air-Marshal Telecles had this to say:

"These strikes send a clear message to the Aurorean government, you are not immune, you started this war and sent thousands of your own people to die and kill on foreign soil, actions have consequences and your aggression has now been met with a clear response, you have terrorized this continent for over a century without repercussion, now you will never be able to sleep soundly again, as long as this war continues our forces will hunt you, your choices are simple, keep up this aggression and die in the night or surrender now and end this war"

The Baarthist party has not yet issued a response, however, sources in the Markov group have suggested that the party is now increasingly besieged both literally and metaphorically, retired Volshan general and now an analyst with the Markov group, Timmithius Commidus said this during an interview with GNN:

"What we are seeing is the total collapse of a political entity, the war was already going badly after the initial gains made during the invasion of Scalvia but now the situation has become entirely more untenable. The Volshan counter-invasion has crippled the country's internal industry and military infrastructure and with the Scalvian counter-offensive now effectively turning this war from an act of aggression to a defending action the Aurorean military is now entirely overstretched.

Those are the external pressures that alone would normally be enough to cause a nation to collapse, but the Baarthist government is also dealing with internal pressures, the Harbi are rising in armed revolt and have turned the western region of the country into a warzone. Additionally, the country's economy is being bled dry both by the cost of war and the already present misery caused by the draught, it is debatable whether the country could even feed its armies for more than a month, let alone an already deprived civilian population.

These pressures will almost certainly cause fractures within the party, previously devoted officials are likely going to start doubting their loyalty to Bartholomeo Barthe, both because he is no longer being seen as invulnerable and because they will begin increasingly to fear for their own futures. I suspect the once untouchable tyrant is now becoming more isolated by the day, the consequences of this new rafter of strikes are that the party now realizes their leader is no longer an effective patron."

For now, the war goes on but with the front moving ever closer to the Aurorean centers of power, analysts now consider the Baarthists a regime on life support and becoming increasingly terminal.



​

 

[Syrixia]

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THE EMPIRE BOLDLY RETURNS TO THE WORLD STAGE​

by Prakash Patel in Pataliputra
2 July, 2003

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Prem Kumar Mishra, Imperial ambassador to the Craviter Economic Association, speaking to assembled delegates.​

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BEAUNE, CALLISE: After an ignominious 6-month suspension from the Craviter Economic Association due to the controversies surrounding the most recent General Election, the Empire has now returned to the world stage after a bold speech to the Association's assembled delegates. This suspension was broadly agreed on by most members, including traditional Imperial allies such as Xentherida, with the general sentiment echoing the words of the Essalanean representative: "let the Syrixian government be reminded that the will of their people is to be ignored at their own hazard." Therefore, it was not a surprise to many that Mr. Mishra's speech was one of a new, people-focused approach to the issues of the day.

"The goal of our peoples and our state has always been to serve as a global center of information, commerce, and ideas." said Mr. Mishra. "The Empire's doors, for centuries, have been open to people all over the world, whether they are an immigrant looking to start a new life or an executive looking to expand their business. We are a global center of education and business, and remain one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. But, somewhere along the line, we lost our way. We pushed too hard, and we stopped caring about what others thought. Business is built on conversations, and we refused to have them. So, when we reached out to the world, eventually the world refused to reach back. It said, 'Stop. Hold on. Sit down and think.' And we did. Our peoples spoke, and they chose a new path forward."

Mr. Mishra went on to detail many of the changes put in place by HM Government since the General Election, seemingly in order to reassure the assembled delegates; first speaking of the electoral reforms passed by the Imperial Diet in the wake of the election and continuing through the suspension period, including but not limited to the replacement of the entire Election Commission through third-party inquiries and committees, the passing of the prohibition on employees of the Imperial Household Agency from direct involvement in elections except for casting their votes, and the passing of the new checks and balances on both vote counting and vote recounting procedures.
​

Mr. Mishra then zeroed in on HM Government's new foreign policy modus operandi and plans, put into place under the direction of new Secretary of State Dr. Suresh Rajaratnam. Declared that day were a number of new agenda items including the adoption of an open-door policy to immigrants, an increased emphasis on bilateralism and multilateralism in diplomatic proceedings, and the lowering of tariffs, as well as the Empire's registration to the CEA's Migration Community, which the Empire had infamously refused to join at the time of the CEA's founding, despite being an active and instrumental presence at the talks leading up to said foundation. Most notable, however, was a flat commitment to "the promotion of democratic rights and freedoms both at home and abroad", a remark many have interpreted as a subtle shot across the bow at the Sultanate of Aydin, a traditional Imperial ally considered largely as a pariah state by most continental states due to its autocratic regime.

While reception to this speech both at home and abroad seems to have been generally optimistic, when asked for comment, the Imperial Household Agency refused to give a response. IBC News will keep you updated on this story as it evolves.

Translation by Vijay Dongre
2 July, 2003​

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[Vapia]

ATOIJAK NATIONAL NEWS 5

The Federal Republic celebrates over 150 years of independence


Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I am your host Ahmir Muka. Today the Republic celebrated its annual independence day, which occurred more than 150 years ago. More than a century ago, Atoijaks first King roused the nation to throw off the chains of Imperium colonialism, and ushered in the short-lived Kingdom of Atoijak as Skalenburg I. The annual parade went off without issues today starting at 10am, as soldiers donned with 1800s army uniforms marched down Skalenburg Square in the heart of Ksurania. These soldiers carried flags of the old monarchy, and were adorned with patches of the old king. These were followed by soldiers riding tanks. Soldiers of the current day army marched behind the tanks waving the modern day flag, sporting patches of the current leader, His Excellency President-Consul Ahmet Agon-Bujar Pasha. In the final part of the parade, the President himself rode in a car adorned with his ceremonial military uniform, saluting the statue of Skalenburg as it drove by. Noticeably, the car was adorned in the back with upside down flags of the Imperium Suadivici.

Following the parade, the President gave a speech below the statue of Skalenburg. In this speech, the President commented on his electoral victory earlier this year, and commented on how under his administration, the country went from a country ruled by a decrepit oligarchy to a nation on the rise in Auroria. He boasted of his military achievements and reforms, the construction of the Great Crotonian Water Duct System, which expanded clean water access to sixty percent of the country. Finally, he boasted that now Atoijak was a force to be reckoned with in the Aurorian continent, which now forced nations around it to take the Republic more seriously, and how the nation had shed its colonial past. While the President did not name any names, many analysts suspected he was taking jabs at the Imperium’s government. President Pasha ended his speech by declaring the independence day academic break, which only lasted on the day of independence, was to be extended for the remainder of the week.

This is Atoijak Channel 5 News.

 

[Artwashere]

Far-right party leader slammed for controversial 'Greater Sorovia' football scarf

Ohto Nykänen, leader of the far-right party 'Republic'
February 25, 2023​

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The Sorovian Parliament was thrown into chaos when Nykänen, a far-right politician and leader of the Sorovian 'Republic' party entered wearing the Greater Sorovia football scarf, which encompasses territory belonging to several neighboring nations, has been the subject of widespread condemnation and controversy since photos and video were released to the public. The photos and videos of Nykänen wearing the scarf in the Sorovian Parliament have gone viral across the internet and several Sorovian forums were quickly filled with conversation about Nykänen's actions. The photos and videos of Nykänen had even reached the forums of neighboring nations. The football scarf included territory composed of several neighboring nations including Iolanti, The Aurorea, and Esthursia. Nykänen's entrance into the Parliament was met with jeers by opposition MPs, who accused Nykänen of stoking nationalist sentiment and values while also promoting aggression against Sorovia's neighboring nations. Several opposition MPs attempted to block Nykänen's path but were eventually unsuccessful in stopping Nkyänen from getting to his seat. Sorovian Prime Minister Inari Oivio who was present at the same time as the event called for calm and urged Nykänen to remove his scarf, quoted as saying "Mr. Nykänen, I implore you to remove that scarf from this chamber imminently. Sorovia respects the territorial integrity of all its neighboring states and this is a clear sign of aggression against our fellow nations."

Nykänen, however, remained defiant and refused to remove the scarf, insisting that it was a symbol of Sorovian pride and unity, calling for fellow MPs to not forget the ideals the Sorovian Republic was founded upon and the need for common ground between all. Moments later, Nykänen responded to opposition MPs and the Prime Minister, where he stated "I refuse to be intimidated by the reactions of those who seek to undermine the Sorovian Nation and its people. This scarf represents the national unity of the Sorovian people even outside of Sorovian borders." Nykänen's response resulted in jeers from opposition MPs while many in the Republic party clapped and cheered for Nykänen, praising his response. The incident has sparked outrage both at home and abroad, with many accusing Nykänen of promoting far-right and dangerous nationalistic and anti-democratic views.

Nykänen has long protested against the government's current way of thinking and has strongly promoted an anti-immigration and traditionalist ideology in his political party. Many fear that Nykänen's scarf could escalate the current tensions between Sorovia and Iolanti, recently coming after Sorovia imposed several sanctions against the Iolanti economy several weeks prior, and the scarf also included territories that were located within Iolanti. There has also been outrage over the scarf's inclusion of the Esthursian exclave which borders Sorovia, which many are noting doesn't contain a Sorovian majority nor representable minority, which many have called a blatant sign of aggression and will-intent against Sorovia's largest ally in the region, which many people worry could damage the close relationship between the two nations.

Alisa Vanhatalo, a prominent Sorovian politician of the Sorovian Social Democratic Party recently posted on her twitcher account "The promotion of changing borders in Sorovia does not contribute to the development of Sorovian relations with Ethia. It does not comply with the rules and boundaries we have set for Sorovia to promote peace and stability within Auroria." Meanwhile, Nykänen has denied any claims that he is promoting radical ideals and has stated that he does not support irredentism or revisionism in any way, and has never called for Sorovia to claim any foreign territory. Nykänen also stated on several occasions that while he supports the rights and freedoms of Sorovians living in neighboring nations by advocating granting citizenship to ethnic-Sorovians who live in neighboring nations and promoting the Sorovian language, he does not support Sorovian aggression to expand Sorovia's borders.​

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Recent News:

Thousands protest in Šoutjärvi after recent pro-immigration legislation passes

Fluorescent lamp ban to come into effect in 2 weeks

Aurorean Refugees in Sorovia? "Not an issue," says Social Democratic MP

Inari Oivio's government moves forward in raising defence spending

 

[North Timistania]

TYROOZ RIPPER REMAINS AT LARGE 1 YEAR LATER

1 Hour Ago

Kwatenga is a sedate place by the standards of the capital region, located some 9 miles from the inner city, it is known for its elegant white stone buildings and for the flood of tourists who come every year to take part in its vibrant harvest festivals. However, what has been discovered has almost certainly shattered any tranquility this community possessed. At approximately 10 AM AST, the curate of the local messarah church opened the doors for his morning inspection only to walk into a scene that has since been labeled"Satan's meat locker"

Several corpses were discovered hanging upside down from the church rafters, they had all been skinned extensively, and a note had been left on the altar which read simply "A good doctor must cut the sickness out". forensics has since been able to ascertain the identities of the victims with Pastor Adebayo Ajide, Chieftain Harold Nakumba and, local clerk Augustus Babajide being among the dead. It is not known at this time why these men were so heinously killed or the motive of the killer, however, police have been quick to connect this latest atrocity with the spate of hideous killings that wracked the capital last summer. Speaking on behalf of the government Vice-Commandant of the capital prefects, Thandiwa Natile had this to say:

"We are currently in the process of a thorough investigation into this vile crime, the people of the capital can rest easy knowing that every resource will be utilized to bring this monster to justice!"

When asked if there was any connection to the feared "Tyrooz Ripper" the Vice commandant provided a grim assessment:

"The methods seen here are identical to those witnessed last year in urban Tyrooz, it is highly likely that this is the same individual and that they are now also operating in the suburbs"

The capital was paralyzed by terror for over six months in 2022 when the killer known to the public as the "Tyrooz Ripper" began a spate of killings ranging from large numbers of victims in the slums to a business chairman in red palms and even the assistant chairman of the Imperial Bank of Astragon. In each murder, the victim was skinned and a note was left typically containing taunts or grandiose statements, the Prefect's division has since been heavily criticized for their inability to catch the killer.

"Fourteen people were brutally murdered and the prefects did nothing! they just stand around posing with their guns and uniforms!" Community Activist Fanta Fabena commented

The capital government has issued the following advice:

1. Do not walk alone at night
2. Be vigilant for any strange or unusual behavior
3. Report anything suspicious
4. Travel in groups
5. Ensure loved ones know where you are going if you have to travel

Governor Oliver Adama delivered a statement urging calm and unity:

"This killer believes himself above the laws of Shaddai and Man alike, he is mistaken, this great city has survived the plague, the syrixians, and the civil war, and it will be the same with this monster. Be vigilant, be united, and be safe, this coward will not win!"

Analysts trying to decipher the potential motives of the killer have suggested it might be some sort of twisted patriotism:

"First he targets the extremely poor, bankers with sketchy histories, and now non-indigenous religious leaders. If I was to hedge my bets I would suspect that this killer believes himself to be aiding Astragon by removing elements they perceive to be disruptive to the nation" Analyst Fela Sellasse suggested

The capital Prefects are appealing to the public to come forward with any relevant information regarding the ripper.


​

 

[Predice]

SBC NEWS

The Prime Minister’s Address to the Nation
11.03.23
Translated by Raivo Tamberg

Ladies and Gentlemen, Scalvians. I am speaking to you today as a fellow citizen, a believer in our ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. Carrying these ideals as five stars on our flag, our nation has weathered every crisis and danger. In the spirit of that, then, I believe that you, the Scalvian people, deserve a chance to determine our common future. The immediate crisis is over, and now there is a once in a generation chance to define the future of this nation. I cannot, in good conscience, lead the country through this without a new mandate. That is why I am announcing that I will be asking the President to dissolve the Federal Assembly early, and schedule elections for May 7th. I will remain as Prime Minister of a caretaker government until then, and if elected, will remain Prime Minister. Your future, the future of your children, and the future of our nation is left to you. Make your voices heard. Let the ballot box determine our future, not the barrel of a gun. Fulfil your civic duty in front of your nation.
God Bless Scalvia.

 

[The Republic Of Ukelect]

The UC News

THE UKELECTIAN COVINN NEWS

The President of Ukelect, Herald Suavey changed the Ukelectian coat of arms. Why? The President said, "It looks too old and kinda doesn't fit the theme for the nation. Because the old coat of arms looks more like Ukelect as a monarchy. And we're not a monarch."


It turned out that the citizens liked it. They enjoyed the new style of the coat of arms. Some people said that it looks "Classic" and some people also said that it fits the country more than the old coat of arms. Therefore, the government will start to put the new coat of arms as the official one and they're gonna update all of the coats of arms that is existing in the country. Except for the one in the New Care Central Park as a monument. The old coat of arms is also gonna be placed in the National Museum Of Ukelect.

The style of the new coat of arms looked fresh. With 4 colors: Red, Blue, Yellow, And white. Which represents peace, freedom, cleanness, happiness, and honesty. Combining them with the Ukelectian eagle which is also shown in the flag makes it look more classy. The eagle Is also shown as a little bit more realistic in the coat of arms than the one in the flag.

Inside the squares that are located in the heart of the eagle, it is shown 2 objects: A tied rope, and 2 leaves. The rope represents unity, while the leaves represent justice. Which is one of the most important things in Ukelect. " The new coat of arms looks philosophical and classic! Just like other countries' aesthetic coats of arms!" Said Barcley Ortega, one of the citizens.



That is it for today's news. We will give you more updates about this in the future. Thank you for reading. I hope you have a great day. Goodbye!

 

[North Timistania]

Largo's Chinwags

Opinion: Failure to launch? The sad case of the UAS

[The primary mode of engagement by the UAS with the current conflict has been talking]


1 hour ago

The war in Ethia is entering its endgame as Volshan troops encircle the Barthist capital and Scalvia's counter-offensive drives ever deeper into the Aurorea, it has been a brief but costly war that has left thousands dead and millions homeless. Back in the halcyon months of June 2022, no one would have predicted that Ethia would be plunged into its bloodiest conflict in over a century and yet nearly a year later we are witnessing its end and wondering how a continent possessing developed economies and international alliances could have been so badly let down.

The UAS was founded to bring the Aurorian archipelago closer together, economically and politically, yet time and time again its key members have been too quick to indulge in economic chest-beating and non-interventionist policy making which has left the wider alliance type cast as a collection of sanctimonious inactive. Worse still has been the failure to offer a convincing buy-in for the continent's less prosperous economies, recently opened Aria, Ba Feng, and Iolanti have all shown promise as emerging markets but have largely been ignored by the UAS council. Adding to these growth deficiencies has been the painfully slow process of admitting new member states, Sorovia and Tardine, two of the largest nations in the region still languish in the pre-approval stage whilst the UAS seems determined to discuss the matter until the cows come home.

The recent chaos that has wracked the Auroria's must of course bear some of the blame, the Tardinean civil war caused an economic rift and robbed the wider archipelago of one its oldest regional players, equally the Imperium's descent into fascism left the remaining union states increasingly isolated. The chaos that the Aurorian continent has been afflicted with has been unprecedented, 2022 was an Annus horribilis that has left scars that will endure far beyond that terrible 12 months. And yet this chaos alone is not enough to excuse the UAS for its abject failure.

Esthursia remains unscathed by the wider conflicts, its economy continues to serve as a lynchpin for the wider Aurorian market, and its political and military capital is ranked highly in any analysis of continental politics. Many politicians in Volshan have been quick to point to Esthursia's non-interventionism as a leading cause for the failure of the UAS to take action. Conservative speaker Kave Calla, a long-time critic of Esthursian politics has been blunt in his assessment:

"Enough weapons to end the war decisively and enough cash to subsidize the afflicted regions and prevent a recession definitively, but operating with such a deficit of backbone and common sense that neither advantage will ever find a use beyond the prim and proper halls of Altish high society"

This stern critique was delivered by the speaker during a fundraiser for the families of wounded and deceased service personnel in Antyrium. It is hard not to feel that the Esthursian position is deeply unfair, thrust into a leadership role it has never desired the traditionally non-interventionist state has been unable to decisively lead the remaining states of the UAS. In this vacuum of leadership it has largely fallen to Volshan and Scalvia to push back the twin evils of tyranny and aggression, the two democracies have struggled valiantly and fought the Aurorea to a standstill with little to no sign of UAS troops.

It would be deeply unfair to blame Esthursia alone for the failings of the UAS, the alliance was always designed with the input of other regional players in mind, the Imperium's internal strife removed one of the key decision-makers from the complex international equation. The Imperium's confidence in taking a lead was always meant to be tempered by the wiser caution of the Esthursians, its loss has left the UAS unable to fully co-ordinate its responses to the wider crises of the region. The response from Volshan, a nation that has never been enthused by the prospect of regional alliances or closer economic integration, has been unsurprising.

"Back in September, while brave sons and daughters of this great nation were fighting and dying for our freedom, the UAS and Esthursia were discussing a shared currency pegged to the Shilling, well I reckon any honest battler in this room will agree with me that our response is a simple "thanks but no thanks, fellows!". We don't need some haughty collection of liberal daydreamers telling us how to live or dictating whose money we make use of, Volshan will continue as Volshan always has, prospering in the great southern land off the sweat and hard yakka of the honest bloke, let the UAS handle the wistful thinking and we Volshan's will continue on in the real world"

That scathing critique was delivered by Speaker Boreus Kato at the annual mining convention in Canis.

Anti-UAS rhetoric is at an all-time high in Volshan where the general public have come to view it as nothing more than an ineffectual handwringer that offered thoughts and prayers while over 2000 and counting Volshan soldiers fought and died for the continent's freedom. There may still be time for the UAS to win back the continent's quiet man but with one neglected war under its belt already it's hardly a glowing endorsement for the perpetuation of this flailing idea.


Largo Messina is a regular contributor to GNN's political columns having covered topics as broad as Astragonese fashion and Aydini cheese, he divides his time between Port Messana and Armenalis and is an avowed libertarian. ​

 

[Aubervijr]

Harlingen Broadcasting Association
Is it finally time for Faursian devolution?
28th of January, 2023
13:00

Written by Daniël Boere

Earlier yesterday morning, Cecilia Miedema, MP made a speech in Middenmeer, Faursia where she announced the formation of the Faursian Social and Political Federation. The FSPF, as it has been abbreviated, invited numerous, pre-existing political parties who advocated for some degree of Faursian devolution or independence, to the point the FSPF could be considered a ‘big-tent’ party.

Cecilia Miedema is understood to be the party’s chairwoman, and is already an MP. She has dedicated much of her 56 years to politics, and is one of the longest-serving MPs in Faursia’s history, although that is partially due to the political restrictions imposed on Faursia that were only removed in 1972, under the reforms of Chancellor Anneliese van der Muur.

Aubervijan politics has never been welcoming, nor supportive of any Faursian movement that was not aligned with Aubervijr, as a kingdom or a Commonwealth. This dates back to 934 CE, when Aubervijan soldiers first set foot in Faursia, conflict between the two nations was consistent and often bloody. The Faursians were often depicted as the bloodthirsty warriors, whilst the Aubervijans were the merciful, all-good saviours of the kingdom.

The kingdom of Aubervijr was never good at battling the Faursian risings that often did indeed rise. King Roland even sat down with his Faursian counterpart, King Klaes III in 1385 and the two negotiated the Agreement of Den Helder, which saw the two nations enter a period of peace which would last until 1482. 1482, of course was the year of the first Aubervijan civil war. Faursia even performed their own raids on our coastline during this time, burning villages and taking the loot for themselves.

Aubervijan retaliation came in 1499, when King Maximiliaan IV led 14,000 Aubervijan soldiers to a massive victory over Faursia’s King Dieuwe, killing or wounding 11,000 Faursian soldiers out in a single battle alone. Dieuwe was also killed, and a civil war started in Faursia over the succession to the Faursian throne. Maximiliaan IV decided to occupy a lot of Faursia’s southern coastline and killed Faursian landowners, granting the more fertile land to Aubervijan landowners. 1499 marked the first year of proper Aubervijan occupation in Faursia. By 1544, Aubervijr occupied all of Faursia, following a war known as the ‘Great Sack’, with Queen Eleonore even establishing the title of Guardian of Faursia, which she subsequently granted to herself.

Beyond that, Faursia was subjugated by Aubervijr for centuries, and that is undeniable. The upper Faursian clearances from 1649 to 1763, for example. The clearances followed the risings of 1649 and affected or dispursed around 70,000 people from their lands and granted whatever was seized to Aubervijan landowners, making room for farms and grazing land. The Battle of Medemlik is another example, where Aubervijan forces crushed the Faursians in a battle that lasted a mere 40 minutes. Aubervijan forces left no survivors on the battlefield, and many Faursians fled to the nearby town of Meppel, where the Aubervijan nobleman Albert Boonstra was waiting for them, with several hundred men.

What followed was the Massacre of Meppel. Albert Boonstra had before, been a Faursian nobleman and was trusted by the Faursian soldiers. When Boonstra invited the retreating Faursians shelter and asked them to come to their position, Boonstra ordered his men to fire on them while they approached, and killed hundreds, for which he was rewarded back in Aubervijr. As the rest of the Faursians, who scattered to buildings throughout the city, Boonstra led his men throughout the town, going door to door, killing any man they found.

This massacre is one of hundreds, potentially more that have just gone undocumented throughout Faursia’s bloody history. Aubervijr has likely killed many thousands of Faursians over the centuries, whether that be soldiers or civilians in cold-blooded massacres, we will likely never know.

Before 1921, Faursian citizens weren’t even allowed to vote in Aubervijan elections, the same elections which would also determine who leads over Faursia aswell. After 1921, Faursian men were permitted to vote, and it was only in 1942 were the first groups of Faursian women allowed to vote. Even then, only Faursian women of a ‘certain financial status’ were first permitted. It was then extended to working women over the age of 30 in 1948, and then to all Faursian women over the age of 18 a few years later. For comparison, all Aubervijan women, regardless of financial status had been permitted to vote since 1921, if they were over 18. The voting age of all Faursians was lowered to 16 in 1999, which was the same year Aubervijr adopted this age.

All of this, surely now begs the question; have the people of Faursia and their ancestors not suffered enough? Does our arrogance not allow them the basic political freedoms we achieved with our Commonwealth? And what of the hatred we seem to hold against them, and for what reason? Faursia has a history that demands our respect, and we must respect it. If we cannot recognise Faursia’s self-determination and grant them the basic demand of devolution, then we must question our own Commonwealth and its ability to maintain the freedoms of its people. If we were in their shoes, would we not ask for the same as they do now?

Cecilia Miedema already knows much of Faursia’s history. She has several qualifications in both Faursian and Aubervijan history, and she knows the rights and wrongs of her ancestors, and our own. She knows someone has to be entrusted with leading Faursia into the future, someone who knows Faursia well, as we, as citizens, politicians or otherwise clearly do not understand, nor respect Faursia to the degree it should be. We should leave Faursia to govern itself, as the people of Faursia deserve to be heard, as we have not been hearing them for centuries, possibly even a millenia.

Faursia asks for devolution. It is our duty, as people of our democratic Commonwealth, to grant Faursia its wish. It is the duty of politicians, as defenders and representatives of us people, to grant Faursia its wish. If this cannot be done, then are we really a democracy at all?

 

[Iraelia]

As Dust Settles, United Front Emerges Victorious in Elections to the National Convention
By: Charles Gagnon
February 11, 2023

Newly Elected Premier Hubert Bennet, Holding a Town Hall about what his Government plans to do following the election​

It is now official. Following a successful plebiscite with 61% support, the third Republic has been cast asunder and replaced with the Commonwealth of Callise. Among the new constitutional reforms approved, the Commonwealth of Callise has done away with the Senate and the Presidency. In their stead, a unicameral legislature known as the National Republic has been granted unimpeachable legislative and executive power. The Directorate has been replaced by the Central Committee of the National Convention, itself a part of the National Council. The judiciary has likewise been replaced with the National Tribunal, which is now fully elected. The Provincial Governments have been dissolved, and many powers devolved to the localities of Callise which have been deeply democratized. The National Defense Forces and Civilian Defense Forces have been combined into the Republican Guard, whose officers are now elected by the men under their command. Finally, all elected officials are now subject to horizontal mandates whereby they may be instantly recalled by their electorate if they fail to represent them.

Having voted the new constitution into power, which included provisions declaring all property to in essence be public, the people of Callise have voted the United Front and their allies in the Green Democrats in short order. This new government plans to remake Callisean society in line with their radically democratic and socialist vision. Plans have been drawn up to nationalize major industries, such as logistics and essential infrastructure, and procedures are being established for workers to take over the businesses they work in as worker cooperatives. Likewise, the government has been in much discussion over how to engage in international trade. It is expected they will call a session of the CEA to hammer out an agreement with the powers of Craviter.

The issue of international relations generally has already posed problems for the new government. In response to the massive political upheaval in Callise, Prydania has called in several of their allies for defensive posturing. The United Front has been deeply worried about these developments, decrying them as a veiled attempt to intimidate Callise into submission. Many expect Callise will begin to posture defensively, and seek natural allies in other socialist states. However, there has been no tangible movement on the part of the Callisean Government as of yet.

Beyond international politics, this election has completely rewritten the political landscape. Following the attempted insurrection by members of the Nationalist League, and the lukewarm condemnation from the Liberal Party, both blocs have been relegated from major parties to secondary parties. The largest opposition party is the Farmer-Labor Party, with the Nationalist League and Liberal Party joining a coalition advocating for a reversal of this new constitutional order. It is expected that, with time, this coalition will be further marginalized and a social democratic opposition will take its place. As for the far-right extremists, the new government plans to continue and expand the anti-terrorist campaign embarked upon by the Provisional Government. Already, hundreds of prominent activists and individuals involved in the attempted insurrection have been apprehended and are to face trial by a peer jury.

While the turmoil of the election may be over, now the hard work of solidifying the new state of affairs has begun. More on this story as it unfolds.

 

[Aubervijr]

Harlingen Broadcasting Association
Aubervijr to allow referendum on Faursian devolution
10th of March, 2023
16:31

In recent days, the Aubervijan parliament have held a vote on Faursian devolution, after a bill was passed in the upper house and passed down to the parliament for further amendmants. It was rushed by Faursian MPs, who were able to prioritise it over other bills and after several amendmants were made, it was submitted to the President for ratification, at noon this afternoon. The bill first appeared in the upper house on the 2nd of February, 2023 and remained relatively low key until recently, by which time it had already been submitted to parliament.

Out of the 800 MPs, the bill was passed 413 to 387. Out of the MPs voting for, most sat on the opposite benches to the Social Democratic Party, who currently govern Aubervijr with Chancellor Johannes van der Capellen. Most of the Social Democratic Party voted against the bill, which demonstrates the opposition to the Faursian devolution movement within the party. However, more left-wing MPs of the SDP voted for the bill. It is still unclear if this could lead to a divide within the party, however Van der Capellen released a statement shortly after the bill’s passing. An extract from this statement reads;

“The parliament has passed the Faursian devolution referendum bill by a majority of 413 to 387. A referendum for devolution in Faursia is scheduled to be held on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of March, and the SDP are working with representatives of the FSPF in order to ensure this is a quick and simple process. If it is the will of parliament, and thus the nation and of Faursia, then we, not just as individuals, but as parties and a nation as a whole, must respect their will, as it is democratic and a step in the right direction for all involved.”

Cecilia Miedema, the chairwoman of the Faursian Social and Political Federation, who have led the charge for Faursian devolution in recent months, has already praised the passing of the bill and is ‘optimistic’ for what the future holds for Faursia. She was present in parliament when the bill was passed, and shook hands with Faursian MPs after the sitting had been concluded.

Plans for a Faursian parliament have already been unveiled, despite the fact no referendum has yet occured, with the Palace of Purmerend haven been chosen, which was the historical seat of the Faursian parliament prior to 1544. The palace, situated within the Faursian capital of Middenmeer, was originally built in 1103, was demolished in 1852 as the result of a large fire and rebuilt from 1858 to 1896. It has been asked if the FSPF are getting ‘out of hand’ with their preperations, yet the response was simple; ‘we are merely preparing for the inevitable’.

The SDP and FSPF, who have led the negotiations for the foundation of a Faursian parliament, have already come to an agreement over what powers the Faursian government can decide, and what it cannot, in the event the referendum succeeds and a parliament is established. The Faursian parliament can handle ‘devolved’ matters, as they are known, which include;

• Agriculture, forestry and fisheries
• (Some aspects of) Benefits
• Consumer advocacy and advice
• Economic development
• Education and training
• Elections to the Faursian parliament
• (Some aspects of) Energy
• The environment
• (Some aspects of) Equality
• Fire services
• Freedom of information
• Health and social services
• Housing
• Justice and policing
• Local government
• Sports and the arts
• (Some aspects of) Taxation
• Tourism
• (Some aspects of) Transport

The Aubervijan government would retain control over most matters concerning taxation, equality, energy and transport, and has complete control over all other matters and affairs that have not been mentioned. The Faursian parliament cannot make laws outside of their devolved responsibilites. The Aubervijan parliament still retains the ability to legislate for Faursia, however will not to do without the consent of a majority of support from the Faursian parliament.

Reactions in Faursia were overwhelmingly positive, and recent polls suggest the referendum will pass with a landslide result, in favour of devolution. Experts have suggested that it is not necessarily a dislike of Aubervijr, nor its system or government, but instead “a need for a sense of freedom and independence, which Faursians have lacked for so long”.

Faursian independence is not a matter that has been talked about, nor suggested in Aubervijan parliament, yet seems a lot more likely than ever before. However, social media accounts have recently run wild nationwide, all suggesting Faursia could soon be an independent state. Experts, however believe it is still incredibly unlikely, especially considering the parliament still has not been properly established yet. It would take at least ‘15 years’ for any independence referendum to even be considered by the Aubervijan parliament, and the Aubervijan parliament would have to give its permission before any referendum were to take place. It is safe to say some may be getting carried away with how slow the process is expected to take, even if they try to hurry it along.

It does, however appear as if change is coming to Faursia and perhaps Aubervijr as a whole. It is the first time that Faursia has received proper and full autonomy since its conquest, and the Faursian parliament, as it were centuries ago, had been suspended on a permanent basis for 475 years. Although a ceremonial opening of parliament would be expected to occur in at least a year, the political future of Faursia looks brighter by the day.

 

[Longboard]

Hexstal Examiner​

One Dead After Shootout With Poachers​

April 28, 2023

One man is dead and six in the custody of the Federal Ranger Service after a poaching boat opened fire on a coast guard cutter.

Earlier today, a fishing trawler was tracked entering the Sziklas Reef Marine Sanctuary. Fishing is prohibited within the waters of the marine sanctuary in order to preserve healthy breeding populations of several species of aquatic plants and animals. A coast guard coastal patrol cutter, HCGS Vigilance, was dispatched to investigate.

Upon catching up to the ship, the crew of the Vigilance found it to be fishing in violation of the Marine Sanctuaries Act. It was at this point that Vigilance issued several orders for the ship to heave to and prepare to be boarded over the radio. After it received no response, the cutter attempted to pull closer to the ship to board it.

As Vigilance approached the ship closer, it began to come under small arms fire from the illegal anglers. The coast guardsmen returned fire with their own small arms as well as a deck mounted heavy machine gun. However, they chose not to use the 30mm autocannon mounted on the bow of the boat.

The gunfight was brief and the ship was boarded without resistance from the remaining crew on board. Unfortunately, one of the poachers had been killed in the firefight. Four other poachers had been injured but were treated for their injuries upon reaching shore. Two members of Vigilance’s crew were lightly injured in the exchange as well. Several poached sharks and fishes were found in the ship’s hold. A pair of semi automatic rifles and several handguns were recovered from the boat as well. The trawler was towed back to port and impounded.

The six poachers are currently in custody of the Federal Ranger Service and stand accused of several felonies, in addition to their poaching charges. Their trial is currently scheduled for the 19th of May.

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[Alsatian Island]

Haugen to hold last-minute talks with the autocratic League as Amalha recaptured and election nears​

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Centrist Chancellor looks for an official end to the decades-long war as his term begins to reach its end​

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Ingvar Haugen is up in Ingresia. A visit to Ingresia - whether it be the physical scarring to the land and forests, the mental scarring to its people or the economic scarring to its communities - very quickly reminds you that the Civic War, which ended relatively quickly for the areas in which it was fought, is not yet over. Even in neighbouring Ezegne, life is extremely different; average incomes are 60% higher, life expectancy is six years longer - yet thanks to the brain drain from the region, the average age two years lower in Ezegne - and the sounds of warfare that have become ambient background noise to the unfortunate populace of war-torn Ingresia just aren't there in Ezegne.

For the people of Amalha, the recently-liberated former tourist city towards the east of the Provencia Cape in the mid-east, war is not yet over. Despite the dictatorship's forces being driven out of the streets two weeks ago, and the distance between the front and the city growing enough so that imminent warfare has been removed, the city screams in pain still even now.

A hotel in the Seradèa district of Amalha, east Ingresia
​

The visit of Chancellor Haugen was as much symbolic as it was anything else. The last time a democratic representative stepped foot in Amalha was 1973; fifty years ago. The last visit by a Chancellor - back when Civic Union Chancellor Marit Trond visited the city in the 1971 election cycle; to put into perspective this period of time, Trond was 44 at the time, and would now be 96.

Ingvar Haugen knew that he would have to take the opportunity to make a statement for such the occasion. Last Thursday, when he first landed in the city, he did just that;

"The people of this great city have suffered terror, oppression and loss like no other region has. Amalha, in the days of my youth when I was growing up down in the cold Suthnic hills, was this new, modern landscape of tourism, innovation and 20th century capitalism; a place where freedom lived. The City of Hope, it was called. I'm an old man, you realise.

Fifty years on, that history could not feel more removed. Being here today reminds us all just how much has been lost, just how many have suffered through so much pain and bereavement, just how savage the oppression by the so-called Northern League was to not only democracy, and not only freedoms that we elsewhere wrongfully take for granted every day, but to livelihoods, and to lives in and of themselves. Hundreds of thousands have died directly, and even more prematurely, as a result of the indescribably horrific actions perpetrated by the oligarchy.

Standing here today, however, gives me hope. The City of Hope, as it has two generations before, will spring back, and will return to be the centre for innovation and hope for a generation of new Avancenic people. I do sincerely hope that not only will we be able to remember the brutality of the last half-century, but that somehow, in some way, we can also forget it.

The last time a Chancellor stood here, in 1971, they spoke of a new start. Election time brings about rhetoric from all corners, and ambitious though it may sound, it often does not give returns. This time, however, I can assure the people of Ingresia, the people of Amalha; we, as a nation, will reconstruct the legacy of Amalha, of Seradèa, and of those who live and work in its bounds.

In 1998, we talked of the end of the Civic War, but one asterisk has remained even in the minds of those who aren't aware just what people here have been going through for so many more years. This year, I do sincerely hope that we can - in the City of Hope no less - proclaim the truthful, meaningful, factual end to this Civic War, and that the League will be beaten back, removed from any sources of power, and brought to justice in whatever ways are necessary to prevent such incomparable hardship being forced on any Avancenians, present or future."
​

As this continues, one less hopeful outcome remains unsolved; the possibility of the League's unconditional surrender prior to its total loss of territory. Fighting continues, and although Amalha remains one of many settlements freed by the Federal Republic following its offensive that started last September, alongside Osteiha, many fear ground will get increasingly hard to advance into as the League's desperation to hold onto power leads to more needless sacrifice and loss to prolong the inevitable.

Ingvar Haugen knows that he will go down in history as the man who oversaw the end of the Civic War. However, his legacy - he feels - should not end there; he wants to be the man to rebuild following it too, to pick up the pieces. There remains one, giant hurdle in his way; the election. Next week, Haugen faces a national legislative and chancellery election; and he has failed to put his bid to the Left, a growing force in Avancenic politics, to unite behind his bid as a centre-left liberal. Dissatisfaction, especially away from the War down in Lauhas and the Suthnic regions, remains with the Centre's refusal to expand nationalisation plans - in particular removing tuition fees and nationalising railways and water - with many of Prime Minister Greta Aunegård's plans scuppered by centrist votes being lost.

It's even more complicated than that. Ingvar Haugen is not as secure as he was last year; the Left has mobilised decisively behind former Minister for Finance Catarina Rouvière's bid to become Chancellor, the first Oçonian to be the Left's Chancellor bid since 1965 - while the Right has chosen Jausèp Couderc, a prominent Antrian and Nationalist Alternative representative with a socially moderate platform (and former Governor of Antria in 2015-2022), a figure that has increasingly targeted the "Ravenne conservative", a voter who reliably voted Nationalist Alternative but was turned off by their increasingly radical-right approach. Both candidates are popular with their bases and both have carved their own image; Haugen's eventual victory in 2019 was heavily accredited to the failure of the Left's moderate candidate to carve a separate image from Haugen himself, while the Right's Couderc is far more popular than Perpignal was in 2019 at this stage. Even withstanding this though; the bets remain on Haugen, who dominates the two-round system against both Rouvière and Couderc, and who himself remains relatively popular with voters - an unusual occurrence for Chancellors of Avancene.

This uncertainty has given the League an excuse; knowing that Haugen has personal reasons for seeking the end to the Civic War, they possibly may deliberately prolong any deal, and obstruct progress to reach one, in the hope of greater compromise or a military reversal of fortune. However, without a miracle, the League's days are numbered - losing one of the core cities of mid-east Ingresia is potentially fatal to morale, let alone to the frontline on which it depended significantly as a major node to its defensive strategy following the 1996 declaration by the rest of the nation. Whether Haugen wins, or whether Couberc or Rouvière snatch his place come next Sunday, the Federal Republic is certainly on the front foot; and Ingvar Haugen, the statesmanlike elder figure against Couberc and Rouvière's more youthful, modernist approaches to their campaigns, is very keen to remind voters that it is he who led as the Federal Republic made the breakthrough that a generation of military preparation was leading up to.

If Haugen wins next Sunday, it is unlikely to be with the same margin that he won in 2019. If that's the case, he'll have to cater to both his centre-right compatriots within the Centre in order to stay their nominee for a following cycle, and court a Left bloc increasingly willing to throw about their own weight, with a legislature expected to give the Left even more leverage in the governing coalition. Only a week and a half remains until we find out just what, if any, weight Haugen goes into the negotiations with, and what power he has to reconstruct Ingresia and Avancene after this lifetime of war; or whether the mantle will have been passed onto someone new to take on that role. Life may not return to any sort of normal any time soon in Ingresia, nor will the scars of the Civic War heal over quickly, but hopefully the first major step towards ending the directly perpetrated terrors of the League is closer than we initially thought when the September offensive began.

 

[Tardine]

THE STATEMENT OF THE TARDINEANNI EMPEROR REGARDING THE UAS SITUATION​

​

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Helat, Tardineanni Sverzen. Ja'm duhren Empera, Jasemir Partei Kladerai alf thas konstucciatt Roialek Familie. Goite wine terhal bojet thas Tardineanni UAS banher futur, so thatis wine enares haleeskozem.*

It's time to decide whether or not we shall keep humiliating ourselves in pursuit of an inefficient organization. The day of imposing ourselves has come. We cannot be fooled around anymore, as if we were clowns of some sort. Our nation needs an answer and we shall receive it. If the UAS bureaucrats decide to hear us today and make a motion, we shall keep our application. If they keep being the dry sunflowers* they already are, we shall forget that this organization has even existed.

To take a new path towards mutual understanding, we decided to enter into a bilateral agreement with Esthursia and Sorovia, called Vieremä (Vieremar) Group. After the Esthursian decided to not leave the UAS, during this week, the representatives of the respective nations met in the Sorovian city of Vieremar to sign the treaty. Me, our interim Prime Minister, Klaiden Sergonianni Risvie, and our Minister of Foreign Affairs, With this, we are in hopes to tighten the cultural, political and economic relations between the three nations. Now, we'll finally take a steadier step towards a more integrated UAS.

Keep watching, dear citizens, as our future looks brighter than ever. With the relations between Kardenccia, Šuotjärvi (Skuodjarrvi) and Weskerby (Weskerbai) being closer than ever, the Tardineanni shall be confident that we'll soon overcome the last events.​

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OOC Notes:

*The entirety of the statement was in Tardineanni, but I thought it was cool letting a part of it untranslated. The Mercanti transliteration is the following: Hello, Tardineanni citizens. I'm your Emperor, Jasemir Partei Kladerai of the constitutional royal family. Today we discuss about the Tardineanni UAS application future, so that we align everything.

*Dry sunflower is a Tardineanni idiom that's used to depreciate someone's abilities and basically means calling someone a lazy moron

 

[Artwashere]

Parliament passes new gender-neutral conscription bill

Sorovian conscripts during Silver Sabre 21 exercises

Earlier today the Sorovian Parliament passed a bill that would see the removal of gender restrictions from the conscription process of the Sorovian Defence Forces by July 1 2023. This would mean that all citizens, regardless of gender, aged 18-60 would be eligible for mandatory military service in the SDF (Sorovian Defence Forces). Several Sorovian groups and political organizations have both criticised and praised the bill passed by parliament, seeing it as a significant step in the right direction for gender equality in Sorovia. The move towards gender-neutral conscription in Sorovia has also sparked conversations about the role of women in the military. Although women have been allowed to serve in the SDF since early 1989, they make up only a small percentage of the armed forces. There is, however, still hope by several MPs that the removal of the gender restrictions will make up for the small percentage of those in the SDF and continue adding to Sorovian pride and unity.

Several Sorovian politicians and military analysts have shown their support for the bill. One major reason is that removing the gender restrictions would be a way to fight against social marginalisation. every 18-year-old who would do their mandatory military service in Sorovia would be able to further learn and be more familiar with the Sorovian national defence policies and be able to properly manage their own mental and physical health and wellbeing. This would allow both men and women to greatly benefit from gender-neutral conscription. Meanwhile, the bill would allow for a further boost of Sorovian manpower and reserves, making Sorovia stronger in the meantime.

The bill, which was originally proposed by MPs of the Sorovian National Coalition, was met with support by the Sorovian Government and made its way to the floors of parliament after several committee meetings with MPs and the Ministry of Defence. MPs of the NCP submitted the bill in early-mid 2022, and it had been making quick progress in the chambers of parliament, The Social Democratic Party and Greens expressed their support of the bill, while the Right-Wing 'Republic party was more sceptical, however just below 3 quarters of Republic's MPs in parliament voting yes to the bill. The Sorovian Centre Party, with its roots in rural Sorovia, was also sceptical about the bill, however, the bill still passed 145-55 in parliament. Prior to the 2023 Parliamentary elections, the previous government stated that the new government should continue with current plans to integrate the gender-neutral conscription system into Sorovia.

When asked about the bill, NCP MP Arto Mikkonen responded "I see this as a major step in gender equality for Sorovia, conscription is not only a major factor in life but a major factor in Sorovian culture and history. I believe that breaking the wall between gender conscription will allow us to build more national unity and pride to add to the amount we have at the moment. I and my fellow MPs are glad to be able to finally turn this bill into a reality." Republic MP Lumi Somerkoski when interviewed stated that she still remained on the fence about the gender-neutral conscription bill, "I am taking into account the security position and posture of Sorovia at the moment and so is the rest of my party. I believe that it would still be worth looking over and giving this bill a chance."​