Balder - State Opening of 19th Storting

[O-nigiri]

Everyone wants Imki

Imki, Lovely Queen of Balder

[Tananat]

I know I'm a randomer but can the puppets stop?

[United States of Vietnam]

I know I'm a randomer but can the puppets stop?

No.

[Solorni]

Balder: Now featuring gigantic text walls in its RMB about affordable housing!

[Onder Kelkia]

Balder's 6th Foundation Anniversary

Today, we celebrate six years of Balder history.

On 19th October 2011, the regions of Balder and Osiris were created. A dash to secure both regions commenced. Queen Solorni, Crown Prince North East Somerset, Zander Cerebella and I are the only remaining citizens who joined on that first day. Early elections occurred for provisional officeholders, including for the interim Delegate and President of the Convention. On 21st October, the regions of Europeia, The New Inquisition, The United States of Europe and The Land of Kings and Emperors entered into the Pact of Friendship, promising their active support in upholding the security, democracy and laws of Balder. Since these momentous events, we in Balder have collectively forged a democratic and independent future. Our citizens' efforts have created one of the friendliest and most engaging regions in the game.

Over the past six years, Balder has been a beacon of political harmony. A brief 24-hour coup occurred on 22nd November 2011, when the interim Delegate Luxembourg attempted to establish a tyrannical regime. This coup was thwarted when Luxembourg fled. From that point forward, Balder has enjoyed uninterrupted domestic peace. Balder's stability has provided foundations for the development of a successful ad democratic community. Within that timeframe, several other Game-Created Regions have suffered multiple coups. By contrast, Balder has remained secure under the protection of our Delegates, most notably Queen Solorni. This has safeguarded our democracy and security.

Apart from our pleasant political environment, a key factor behind Balder's stability and security has undoubtedly been our decision to separate the roles of Delegate and head of government. In January 2014, Balder took a bold and innovative step forward. We decided that there was no need for the Delegacy to change every time a new head of government was elected. We could be just as democratic without putting our security at a level of risk that no major User-Created Region willingly accepts. We have been able to take this path due to the universal respect for Queen Solorni. Our successful record demonstrates the effectiveness of monarchy in the Game-Created Regions. Balder has proved to be a trailblazer in the field of GCR governance.

In honour of this anniversary, the Government of Balder is hosting a special event on our regional forums based around exploring different eras of Balder history. This project has been directed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Zander Cerebella, who is uniquely well-placed to document and reflect on all periods in Balder history. Zander's long-held vision for restoring the memory of early Balder history will be realised through this event. As content is released in stages according to our schedule, newer members of our community will gain insights into events under the First Republic, the Second Republic and the First Monarchy of Balder. This represents something different from previous anniversary events, but we are confident that it will be every bit as meaningful.

[Cormactopia Prime]

Congratulations to Osiris' twin Sinker and steadfast ally on our shared anniversary, and good luck with what is sure to be an interesting event.

[Glen-Rhodes]

How exactly is monarchy trailblazing?? Do you guys know what that word means?

[Region 4]

Congratulations to our friends in Balder.

We look forward to what is to come!

-Regionia Wargrave
Chancellor of the Allied States

[Cormactopia Prime]

How exactly is monarchy trailblazing?? Do you guys know what that word means?

Constitutional monarchy was pretty trailblazing at a time when every other Feeder and Sinker government was either a republic or an autocracy. Obviously, it wouldn't be considered trailblazing by real life standards, but this isn't real life and we don't use real life standards, so...

[The Noble Thatcherites]

Congratulations Balder!

[Solorni]

How exactly is monarchy trailblazing?? Do you guys know what that word means?

Constitutional monarchy was pretty trailblazing at a time when every other Feeder and Sinker government was either a republic or an autocracy. Obviously, it wouldn't be considered trailblazing by real life standards, but this isn't real life and we don't use real life standards, so...

Furthermore, I think the way we became a constitutional monarchy is quite unique. It wasn't through a coup or purges. But rather we created a legitimate constitutional monarchy both democratically and peacefully. Even people who opposed it strongly like Zander remain and have eventually been won over. Our form of government came as the result of thinking about how we can maximize both democracy and stability. This model was unique at the time and was a combination of existing political & cultural trends in Balder (monarchy), political thought in Europeia as well as my own political thoughts.

It is only the second democratic system that has proven to be successful in terms of stability, regional improvement as well as a hos of other barometers in the Game Created Regions. The North Pacific system (the most successful democratic GCR and the most stable democracy) has also been wildly successful. Both regions have a culture of not only excellence but integrity which I believe is why they have been so successful. It also probably helps that both regions have shared a lot of members (a few of my NS family descendants have been delegates in TNP!) and similar values because of this.

[Fauxia]

Well, happy birthday Balder

[Robin Hood]

"Being reborn could mean one of two different things: it could be a chance to reunite with one's past or a chance to start anew. This duality is represented in the form of a flag, to represent the roots of one's past and new horizons. "
- Celebrating six years of Balder! Well done, Balder. (I feel old.)

And happy birthday.

[Solorni]

Thank you Robin Hood

[Oakrugia]

Happy birthday Baby Balder! You’re getting so big everyday!

[Fauxia]

Happy birthday Baby Balder! You’re getting so big everyday!

Would you call the seventh largest region in the world baby?

[Oakrugia]

Happy birthday Baby Balder! You’re getting so big everyday!

Would you call the seventh largest region in the world baby?

Yes. The North Pacific would be the oldest among the siblings of the regional family, as it is 13-14 years old.

[Tim-Opolis]

Would you call the seventh largest region in the world baby?

Yes. The North Pacific would be the oldest among the siblings of the regional family, as it is 13-14 years old.

Nope. The Pacific is the oldest Feeder, and the original one. Similarly, its New Pacific Order regime is one of the longest standing regional governments both in and out of GCRs, spanning nearly a decade and a half. In the Feeders, its longevity and success in repelling coups is only rivaled by The Coalition of The South Pacific, which is an absolutely fantastic region in its own right.

Anyways, to get back to the topic at hand, The Pacific is the oldest GCR.

[Glen-Rhodes]

How exactly is monarchy trailblazing?? Do you guys know what that word means?

Constitutional monarchy was pretty trailblazing at a time when every other Feeder and Sinker government was either a republic or an autocracy. Obviously, it wouldn't be considered trailblazing by real life standards, but this isn't real life and we don't use real life standards, so...

TSP separated the Delegate from the head of government as far back as 2006, pretty much during the entire time Fudgetopia was Delegate. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[The Church of Satan]

Gratz Balder! Good to hear things are going well. ^_^

[Solorni]

Happy birthday Baby Balder! You’re getting so big everyday!

Would you call the seventh largest region in the world baby?

Whoa whoa whoa, you can't call a baby fat... that is not nice

Gratz Balder! Good to hear things are going well. ^_^

Thanks CoS!

[Mostly Benevolent Tyranny]

Congratulations Balder!

[Fauxia]

Would you call the seventh largest region in the world baby?

Whoa whoa whoa, you can't call a baby fat... that is not nice

That was not my intent

[The Iron Rebel]

Delegate elections were not eliminated in Balder until 2015, and those reforms began in late April of that year, through May and into the Summer. A little research does wonders when presenting information.

[Manaime]

Yes. The North Pacific would be the oldest among the siblings of the regional family, as it is 13-14 years old.

Nope. The Pacific is the oldest Feeder, and the original one. Similarly, its New Pacific Order regime is one of the longest standing regional governments both in and out of GCRs, spanning nearly a decade and a half. In the Feeders, its longevity and success in repelling coups is only rivaled by The Coalition of The South Pacific, which is an absolutely fantastic region in its own right.

Anyways, to get back to the topic at hand, The Pacific is the oldest GCR.

Oops. Maybe The North Pacific is the second oldest. [sobs at leaving TNP] [btw, im Oak]