It was the final debate, in the St-Simeon Centre for the Study of Politics. Here's a transcript of the debate, which was on the subject of "Sicoutian Affairs," debating healthcare, education, the status of San Cristobal, and other important things.
M-Mediator, C-Coaches, R-Roberval, B-Brebeur
M-"Welcome to the second and final debate of the 2019 Sicoutian Election. This debate will have 3 questions. So, it's time for the first question. Recently, people on the island of San Cristobal have called to be separated from the province of St-Simeon. They want there own province. What is your government's response to this?"
C-"Well, if the people want it, then the Social Democratic Union will take the necessary steps to make that possible. This could include calling a referendum, meeting with representatives from St-Simeon province, San Cristobal, and the minister of Provincial Affairs."
R-"Industries are strong on San Cristobal, and recent studies show that it could survive as its own province. If the people want it, my government would make it a priority to follow through with the people's requests."
B-"San Cristobal would become a province under a Communist government."
M-"Okay. Second question: What will your government do about the current healthcare system in this country?"
C-"We believe that the healthcare system implemented under the current government is working just fine, and will continue to use that system."
R-"Our government would implement Free Healthcare, and I would also like to ask how a system that makes waiting lines in hospitals long for sick people, who wait to be asked simply 'cash or credit, sir?' okay, Mr. Coaches? This has not happened to me personally, but there are people who have not received proper treatment for sickness because they can't pay all the medical bills. If the government doesn't want to make it completely free, at least be willing to reduce the price so that everyone can afford healthcare."
B-"All comrades will be given proper healthcare treatment under the Communist government."
M-"Okay, time for the third question. With tensions rising across the region, should the government buy more surface-to-air defences to protect Sicoutimont's citizens if a war should break out?"
C-"Sicoutimont will not be involved in any foreign war. The only way Sicoutians will see combat action is if the national territory of Sicoutimont or her allies are threatened. Therefore, any nation launching a missile at Sicoutimont, a neutral, peaceful nation, would face the full brunt of the Sicoutian Armed Forces, in the sea, air and land. With surface-to-air defences already installed around major urban centres, the government does not need to purchase more,"
R-"As Mr. Coaches said, the government already has bought these positions and deployed them around the country; the majority of Sicoutimont's population are safe. However, those who threaten the security of our nation will meet a bad ending, as Mr. Coaches said, the full brunt of the Sicoutian Armed Forces will be directly upon them."
B-"Surface-to-air defences are important, and will be added around all major urban cities, along with bunkers to protect the population."
R-"Mr. Brebeur, why would you waste money on things we already have? The government, to its credit, has added Surface-to-air defences to protect the population, and bunkers can be as simple as old subway stations, or basements still fortified from the last time this was a threat. Mr. Brebeur, Sicoutians will not vote to waste money on things they already have."
M-"Thanks for answering the questions, and be sure to turn out June 25 to vote in the election for a candidate that just spoke, or one that didn't appear here on stage tonight,"
Our sources tell us that Charles-Jean Roberval won tonight's debate, and the polls show that. Here's the latest results:
On June 25, Who Are You Most Likely To Vote For?
Social Democratic Union-45%
Labour Party of Sicoutimont-46%
Communist Party of Sicoutimont-7%
Other-2%
Labour pull ahead for the first time in the campaign. However, in the situation we have in Sicoutimont, popular vote might not necessarily win the most seats. It'll be very close, as SDU and Labour have been virtually tied in the polls recently. In other important news, the Darmeni government has endorsed Niles Coaches; which helps his anti-War cause. Tune in for our next report, on the night before the election and the final polling results.
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Royales Beat Kinzar in Final Match of 1st Half of Qualis
Stade St-Pierre was packed to see the final game of the first half of the group stage of the World Cup Qualifying tournament, between Sicoutimont and Kinzar. The game started excitingly, with the Kinzites and Sicoutians tied 2-2 after the first half. Thomas Bradford scored first for the Kinzar, in the 25th minute. Girard Giroux would score in the 31st and 33rd, and Micheal Sanders tied the match in the 43rd minute. The next 25 minutes were scoreless, until the 72nd minute, when Neal Kent scored for Les Royales to go up 3-2. Stan Sarault would score for us again in the 81st, putting the Sicoutians up 4-2, the final result of the game. Here's the box score, from http://www.footybets.scm!
World Cup Qualifing MD 9
Sicoutimont vs Kinzar @Stade St-Pierre
Sicoutimont 4--------Kinzar 2
Giroux 31' Bradford 25'
Giroux 33' Sanders 43'
Kent 72'
Sarault 81'
And, with the first half of qualifying over, here's the Group 15 standings!
Group 15 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Jeruselem 9 7 1 1 18 8 +10 22
2 Yesopalitha 9 6 1 2 9 2 +7 19
3 Sicoutimont 9 5 3 1 27 19 +8 18
4 Northern Sunrise Islands 9 4 3 2 17 15 +2 15
5 Maklohi Vai 9 4 2 3 14 8 +6 14
6 New Sideburn 9 4 0 5 13 20 −7 12
7 Yelvoldia 9 3 1 5 21 20 +1 10
8 Basque Socialist States 9 3 1 5 12 16 −4 10
9 Rikatan 9 1 1 7 9 19 −10 4
10 Kinzar 9 1 1 7 7 20 −13 4
At most, the top 2 in the group will qualify; at least the winner of the group. Les Royales are 1 point out of second, and 4 points out of 1st; wins against Rikatan, Maklohi Vai, and 1 of Yesopalitha or Jeruselem if we keep our current record could see us get through; but that would be a perfect record, which is very unlikely. However, Les Royales are unbeaten at home, and with 5/9 of the remaining games at home, that is a good sign. It all comes down to how the cards fold, and they'll fold on the second half Tuesday, June 24, at 2:30pm at Stade St-Pierre, for Sicoutimont vs Rikatan: the team who still have not released a roster being the only one to beat Les Royales so far. Tune in to catch the game, on TV, radio, or follow us here at the Lac-Drouin Times!
