Update LXXII

UPDATE LXXII
January 24th, 2013
44th Congress, 44th Cabinet, 36th Senate
Population: 1,220 nations
Forum Posts: 484,093
WAD endorsements: 338

Current Government of Europeia

Executive Government
Supreme Chancellors: HEM / Lethen
President: Swakistek
Vice President: Seven Deaths

Chief of Staff: Apollo
Grand Admiral: Common-Sense Politics
Foreign Minister: Cerian Quilor
Culture Minister: Drexlore Greyjoy
Interior Minister: Drecq
Citizen Integration Minister: Alexander
Attorney General: PhDre

World Assembly Delegate: Vinage

Legislative Government

Senate

Common-Sense Politics (Speaker)
Drecq
Apollo
Jahka
Alexander

Citizens’ Assembly Chairman: Drexlore Greyjoy

Judicial Government
Chief Justice: Vacant
Associate Justice: Notolecta
Associate Justice: Skizzy Grey
Associate Justice: the Graz
Associate Justice: Peaceful Llamas

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The Europeian Republican Navy (ERN) has seen great success over the last term under Grand Admiral Common-Sense Politics. A boon of new recruits has lead to the possibility of more update operations and captures by the ERN, culminating in a two-month string of ten consecutive victories without defeat by defender forces. Grand Admiral Common-Sense Politics was quoted as saying "[the streak of victories is] a feat we're incredibly proud of." The ERN recently assisted our allies in The Pacific as well as our friends in Osiris as well, providing reinforcements when called upon by friendly regional partners.

The ERN has regained prominence in Europeia as a quick and lasting way to build camaraderie and quickly integrate into a community all its own, as sailors often take part in operation chatter and strategizing for the future, which builds a strong sense of brotherhood in a way that is rarely seen from other walks of Europeian life.

The Navy has also seen a reenergized PR campaign under CSP, reaching for more varied forms of recruitment and Naval promotions. The Navy is continually looking for new recruits, and as of late has been focused on pushing rapid advancement, training, and fraternity for even the greenest of sailors to sign up.

Written by Elias Greyjoy. Edited by Common-Sense Politics

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As Vinage's term came to an end and he said his goodbyes to the Office, Europeia turned her focus onto who will be the next President and her new leader. The first of which being run separately from the Senate Elections after the passing of the Midterm Elections Act which gave this Presidential Election the opportunity to sweep up the whole region with activity. Early shout outs were given to potential candidates McEntire, Swakistek and Seven Deaths but it was dark horse Apollo who came out and put pressure on Swak' with his own campaign. A two man race with Swak/Seven Deaths taking on Apollo/Elias Greyjoy for who will lead Europeia into the future.

Foreign Affairs and the future direction of Europeia quickly became the hot topic with Swakistek promising to continue Europeia's policy of supporting the independence of the Game Created Regions and Apollo supporting the HEM-initiative of the 'Good Neighbour Policy' in which Europeia would support new and blossoming regions. The election itself was full of life and activity with over 200 posts in the candidates' platforms being made in less than a week, heated debates and comments also adding to the engagement that the elections had with people. Newspaper reports were also coming through hinting that this was to be one of the closest elections in a while as only a few points separately the candidates and a number of individuals still coming out as undecided. Polls were run, questions asked and survey's analysis and yet the result still far too close to call. How would the race end? Well the title gives it away.....


Come the end of the elections it was a clear, comfortable, victory for Swakistek with a margin which surprised some commentators. In the end it was the experience that Swakistek brings to the table which saw him turn out as the clear winner and win over the undecided electorate. Congratulations President Swakistek in what was one of the most exciting elections Europeia has seen for a while.

Written By Vinage. Edited by Notolecta

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Culture is something that we pride ourselves with over here in Europeia. We just came off of our most recent event WinterFest. Europeia prides itself in having both major and minor events each term and get the people happy and excited for new seasons and holidays. These events are the talk of the board with many people taking apart in the wide variety of events that go during the week. So, if you ever hear about one of these events stop on by and have a bit of fun. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Europeia also has much going on in our Red Light District, or our main culture hub. The Red Light District is very active in all its sub forums. The Republic Square, the place where general discussion on any topic can take place, and the Debate Hall both thrive in activity from our members. The other big points are our newspaper outlets. We have both a Government run paper in the EBC and many, high quality private news outlets where any member can post their views on the government and other areas of NS and RL aspects.

We also have much going for us in discussions of books, movies, television shows, artwork and music all in the Cultural Hub. Families are also active within the Wellbeing Hub as we have had many successful adoptions and even a marriage coming up soon, the first since 2011 for us here in Europeia. Hopefully you can make it for that!

Written by Drexlore Greyjoy

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Europeia has a lively private media sector, and produces many quality articles. It is with great pleasure that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents this recent article from newspaper "The Stag" entitled "A Working Man's Era: How Grunt Work Continues to be Rewarded"

Europeia stands at the cusp of a new age - the only President to serve two full terms since Pope Lexus X has stepped down, and a proverbial changing of the guard is already apparent. Newly-elected President Swakistek has nominated what is one of the youngest and greenest cabinets in recent Europeian memory with the distinct exception of Grand Admiral Common-Sense Politics. Many faces in the new cabinet have seen little to no exceptional or notable experience in Europeia or abroad, but all share a common thread that is being increasingly rewarded in modern Europeian politics - excelling at getting into the dirty work.

Don't get me wrong - I don't claim to know the extensive internal or foreign curriculum vitaes of any of the current cabinet nominations. However, I do know this - some of the respective nominees barely have a year of experience in Europeia and much less experience with the typical high-level of foreign or extra-Europeian involvement that has become an unspoken standard for Ministers. So how do all these proverbial kids keep getting nominated for such high offices so quickly? If not sensational political skills (many of the nominees are rather shuttered and not terribly outspoken), I would attribute this to working through the system Europeia has defined.

We all know how active recruiters - especially newbies - get doted on. It's like the second coming of some telegram-sending son of Max Barry. But this and other Junior Minister-level work can't be overlooked when reading through the current cabinet nominations. Alexander, a workhorse in Culture, CI, and the Interior before his nomination. Drecq - rose to prominence as a welcomer in CI. Drexlore, also a Culture and Interior man before getting heavily involved in the government. Apollo, started his expansive Europeian career as a fervent recruiter in the Interior. It can be confidently assumed that laying your foundations as a hard worker and diligent Europeian is a critical factor in the success of many of these cabinet members.

While these Europeians will almost certainly play prominent roles in the future of the government and region at large and very well should, one can only ponder the opposite side of the coin. Europeia has often shunned (and even outright denounced) those who present a multitude of foreign accolades in conjunction with little personal experience in the Europeian system. Is the basic conceptual structure of the Europeian government really that different from any other in any number of regions throughout the game? While one could argue both sides, it is blatantly apparent that Europeia would rather reward her own sons than commend those who have aided, first and foremost, other regions. I float the question - is recruiting for Europeia any different than recruiting for any other region? Is debating, authoring, or interpreting laws any different? How about planning and carrying out cultural festivals? The citizens have spoken on multiple occasions^{[1], [2]} in favor of 'less-experienced' candidates with Europeian work under their belts over foreign dignitaries with a wider range of background knowledge that may lack distinct service to Europeia specifically. It's food for thought.

Could this new wave, however, lead to detrimental effects down the road? Is this policy of hiring the new CEO from within the company going to end up isolating Europeia and degrading our respect or attraction for foreign officials? I certainly hope not. For the time being, I'm happy to see many of my close comrades being nominated for such prestigious positions, and I, overall, hope the trend of promoting those who do right by Europeia continues far into the future.

Written by Elias Greyjoy for The Stag, edited by Vinage Vinage Grey-Anumia.

Elias has served as Mayor of the City Council, Senator, Minister of Citizen Integration and Foreign Affairs, and in the Europeian Republican Navy.

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