Balder - State Opening of 19th Storting

[Onderkelkia]

Indeed, congratulations to Balder on reaching 200 endorsements and its other recent accomplishments.

[Solorni]

It's always the first 200 that's the hardest part. Onward to 400! (If only )

[The Prunes]

Zander is Elected Statsminister & Sopo Banned from Balder

Once again, Zander Cerebella has been elected Statsminister by the Storting after competing for the position with Kajan and Kyorgia. More shockingly however, is the increased hardening of MP Caroline against those who keep submitting flag designs despite her insistence that the time for submitting them was over. Recently she passed the Blood Eagle Act despite objections from everyone. The Act states that whomever submits a flag design after the deadline will get blood eagled. Blood eagling is the process by which the back ribs are ripped apart to form “wings”, then the lungs are placed on top of ripped out ribs and salt is sprinkled into the persons innards. Previously, Balder has only used this on captured pagan leaders of such fake faiths such as Christianity in order to defend the one true faith of the Norse.

Unfortunately, despite all of this Sopo submitted a flag design after the act was passed. Known for his rebellious attitude, he was summarily blood eagled and is now gone forever. Meanwhile, Balder is also debating joining the Geneva conventions.

[Frattastan II]

Hardcore.

[The Prunes]

Hardcore.

Eat me!

[The Prunes]

Balder Strikes Decisive Blow Against the Empire

Unlike the other Game Created Regions which have put their heads in the sand when it comes to the Empire and simply hoping that Dalimbar and Neenee don't pluck them out of the ground and roast them alive... Balder once again has taken a decisive step in smashing the Empire threat. Over the past few days, Balder has been disrupting vital Empire communications by taking down Dalimbars skype. This has not been easy and there is still great work to be done for Balder to finally put the Empire with its pagan beliefs into the ground for good.

18:55 Dali oh good god, loading up Skype and I think the past few days of Balder skype chat is breaking my skype
18:55 Rach Balder skype is inactive
18:55 Rach we only get 1k-2k posts a day on it
18:56 Dali well... I haven't been on in the past couple days, so apparently I have to catch up on over 6k posts
18:57 Dali also, Cormmy <3
18:57 Dali nm, 10k
18:57 Rach 10K messages in 2 days?
18:58 Dali apparently

Remember, if you don't want the Empire to come eat your babies and steal your women, buy Balder War Bonds today! We will only steal your women!

[Dalimbar]

Basically, you people talk too much

[Pierconium]

I can think of at least one GCR that has zero concern over the 'Empire'.

[Dalimbar]

*Dali thinks back to the times that Moo sicked Pierconium on me, and nods in agreement*

For those not in the know, those conversations started with Pierconium stating to me "Dali, you made my Delegate irritated about x".

[Knot II]

Congratulations to Balder on the success of its reformations.

[Valrifell]

I can think of at least one GCR that has zero concern over the 'Empire'.

Well, then they're clearly a part of the conspiracy (obviously).

[Ayvari]

*Dali thinks back to the times that Moo sicked Pierconium on me, and nods in agreement*

For those not in the know, those conversations started with Pierconium stating to me "Dali, you made my Delegate irritated about x".

Now you just get straight shots of pure, undiluted Ivan instead of indirect Moo irritation!

[RiderSyl]

Now you just get straight shots of pure, undiluted Ivan instead of indirect Moo irritation!

'pure, undiluted Ivan'

I pictured this:

[Wicker table]

The Realm of Balder

Balder Forum
Population - 4,612 nations ~ Delegate Endorsements - 156 ~ Endorsement Cap - 15 ~ Forum Posts - 106,304

Monarchy

Queen - Rach Eriksen
Crown Prince - North East Somerset

Statsraadet (Executive)

Statsminister - OnderKelkia
Minister of Foreign Affairs - Zander Cerebella
Minister of Integration - Tom Vasentius
Minister of War - Theoden Sebastian
Minister of Culture - Gradea

Storting (Legislature)

Lawspeaker - Arastaoir
MP - Gradea
MP - Onder Kelkia
MP - Theoden Sebastian
MP - Tom Vasentius

Election News & Future Plans



In the latest round of legislative elections, three incumbent MPs were returned (Arastaoir, Theoden Sebastian and Tom Vasentius) and two new legislators were elected to the Storting (Gradea and OnderKelkia). Within the Storting, the outgoing Lawspeaker Tom Vasentius did not seek re-election. Arastaoir and Theoden Sebastian emerged as the two candidates for this position, which serves as presiding officer in legislative debates. A close contest ensued. After voting was tied, Theoden Sebastian withdrew from contention, leaving Arastaoir to be elected Lawspeaker as the remaining candidate.

The process for selecting the new Statsminister went more smoothly, as OnderKelkia was elected unchallenged, following a term as Minister of Integration and after topping the polls in the Storting election. The Statsminister serves as Balder's head of government. OnderKelkia was quick to announce his cabinet and detailed plans for improving the performance of each government department.

Under the new administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be developing our valuable relationships with existing allies, while forging ahead with new partnerships which cement Balder's position both among fellow game-created regions and as a leader of the wider Independent sphere. The Ministry of Integration will build on the progress made with manual naturalisation telegrams during the previous term to mentor new forum members and direct them to activities which are beneficial to the region. The Ministry of War will be organising Balder-led military occupations and building up our capacity to provide significant reinforcements led by our allies. The Ministry of Culture will be working on a major event to mark the fifth anniversary of Balder's creation and maintaining growth in general forum activity.

Integration Ministry Reformed

The biggest institutional reform announced by the new Government thus far is the re-branding and restructuring of our Integration functions. Previously, the Balder Civil Service was administered centrally through the Ministry of Integration-Civil Service. Following an announcement by Statsminister OnderKelkia, Civil Service appointments will be directly managed by each member of the Statsraadet within their own department, while the Ministry of Integration will retain ownership of this agenda as part of its wider outreach to new and existing members. It is believed that the new system will provide greater flexibility and allow assistant ministers to become directly engaged in the actual running of their departments. The new grade of Deputy Minister was also created and the Statsminister announced Sygian Vasentius as the first Deputy Minister of Culture.

Treaty News



Over the last two months, Balder has seen a significant amount of new diplomatic activity. In July, we formed the GCR Sovereignty Accords with our allies in The Pacific and The West Pacific. The Accords rapidly obtained the unanimous approval of the Storting. This partnership represents an exciting opportunity expand our cooperation in good faith and enhances the security of all signatories against potential adversaries. The Realm of Balder is firmly committed to carrying forward this agenda.

The Treaty of the Ancient Gods with Osiris was updated and revised in late August following talks between both parties, with new language to remove an out-dated reference to the Imperial Sovereign Realms Army. In reaffirming our alliance, Balder is glad to have renewed commitments to our fellow sinker.

The Storting is presently considering the Treaty of Asplund with our friends in United Kingdom, after Balder received a delegation from United Kingdom and hosted successful negotiations. The proposed treaty creates a full alliance between the Realm of Balder and United Kingdom. As Balder and United Kingdom are both monarchies and active Independent powers, this development represents a natural step forward for both regions.

Back on 18th July, there was an announcement in the Gameplay forum delivered by Glen-Rhodes, The South Pacific's Minister of Foreign Affairs, that TSP was dissolving its treaty with Balder. Following this announcement, it emerged that the requisite legal approval for dissolving the treaty had not been obtained in The South Pacific when Glen-Rhodes issued his statement. It is now over 2 months since Glen-Rhodes made his announcement. Despite the passage of time, we have still yet to receive the required five-days' notice from TSP that the treaty has been dissolved in TSP's embassy on our forum, even though providing this notice is a requirement of our treaty.

Statement on the Grey Wardens' Aggression against Osiris



As we approach the fifth anniversary of the creation of Osiris and Balder next month, our commitment to the welfare of our sister sinker remains strong. We are therefore disturbed by recent developments. On 7th September 2016, the Pharaoh of Osiris issued a royal proclamation concerning unprovoked aggression against Osiris perpetrated by the Order of the Grey Wardens. Specifically, the Grey Wardens re-founded Islamic Republics of Iran, a territory belonging to Osiris since 2013. This action followed general threats by the Grey Wardens to engage in hostilities against regions which are prepared to undertake offensive military operations.

The Realm of Balder hereby announces its full support for the retaliatory steps announced by Osiris and our opposition to the Grey Wardens. Barring exceptional circumstances, such as multi-regional anti-Nazi missions, we will not cooperate militarily with the Grey Wardens and we will not entertain any diplomatic relations with their organisation. We will also be developing and implementing security and citizenship policies to maintain the safety and integrity of Balder. The Grey Wardens seized Islamic Republics of Iran as a calculated and gratuitous insult to the sovereignty and security of Osiris. In needlessly choosing to attack Osiris, to minimal practical effect, the Grey Wardens not only gained the enmity of Osiris; they earned the enmity of the allies and friends of Osiris. We will not allow our allies to be singled out and intimidated by enemies who seek to constrain their military autonomy. Balder stands boldly and firmly with Osiris.

Furthermore, by their actions, the Grey Wardens have illustrated that any assurances they offer cannot be trusted. On this occasion, they proceeded to seize Islamic Republics of Iran in spite of the High Constable of the Grey Wardens having previously implied that they represented no genuine threat in conversations with the Pharaoh of Osiris. Clearly, the Grey Wardens are willing to offer misleading impressions to preserve the political position of their members in their target regions, but in the long run they cannot help themselves from jumping on the limited number of military opportunities which arise to undermine their targets. In this context, trusting the Grey Wardens would be naive in the extreme. Any region which is willing to raid has good reason to identify the Grey Wardens as a hostile force which must be contained. Independent regions like Balder have as much reason to fear as Raider regions like Osiris. Accordingly, Balder will be consulting with our allies to develop an appropriate response to the political project represented by the Grey Wardens.

Authored by Zander Cerebella and Onder Kelkia.

Thank you for taking the time to read our update. We hope you enjoyed it.

[Cormactopia II]

Osiris appreciates this strong statement from our twin Sinker against the aggressive actions of the Grey Wardens. Congratulations as well to Statsminister OnderKelkia upon his election, and to all the recently elected members of the Storting.

[Sandaoguo]

Keep dreaming

[Syberis]

Keep dreaming

Do elaborate on that spammy hit-and-run statement. It does make very little sense.

[Ever-Wandering Souls]

The Realm of Balder hereby announces its full support for the retaliatory steps announced by Osiris and our opposition to the Grey Wardens. Barring exceptional circumstances, such as multi-regional anti-Nazi missions, we will not cooperate militarily with the Grey Wardens and we will not entertain any diplomatic relations with their organisation. We will also be developing and implementing security and citizenship policies to maintain the safety and integrity of Balder. The Grey Wardens seized Islamic Republics of Iran as a calculated and gratuitous insult to the sovereignty and security of Osiris. In needlessly choosing to attack Osiris, to minimal practical effect, the Grey Wardens not only gained the enmity of Osiris; they earned the enmity of the allies and friends of Osiris. We will not allow our allies to be singled out and intimidated by enemies who seek to constrain their military autonomy. Balder stands boldly and firmly with Osiris.

Furthermore, by their actions, the Grey Wardens have illustrated that any assurances they offer cannot be trusted. On this occasion, they proceeded to seize Islamic Republics of Iran in spite of the High Constable of the Grey Wardens having previously implied that they represented no genuine threat in conversations with the Pharaoh of Osiris. Clearly, the Grey Wardens are willing to offer misleading impressions to preserve the political position of their members in their target regions, but in the long run they cannot help themselves from jumping on the limited number of military opportunities which arise to undermine their targets. In this context, trusting the Grey Wardens would be naive in the extreme. Any region which is willing to raid has good reason to identify the Grey Wardens as a hostile force which must be contained. Independent regions like Balder have as much reason to fear as Raider regions like Osiris. Accordingly, Balder will be consulting with our allies to develop an appropriate response to the political project represented by the Grey Wardens.

TBH has already invited Osiris to join us on several anti-TGW operations. If someone could keep me up to date on who's leading the Jomsvikings, I'd be happy to contact Balder as well in all such future scenarios. I had Zen, of course, then Kemi, but never caught who was appointed after that...

[Onderkelkia]

The Jomsvikings would be most glad to cooperate with The Black Hawks on such operations. As listed in the update, the Minister of War appointed for this term is Theoden Sebastian. He can be contacted via our forum or his Skype address. You may also contact me on any matters concerning the Jomsvikings.

[Vaculatestar64]

Any and all militaries are welcome to join us on our raid runs and on our anti Warden operations. We are after all, officially at war with them.

[Sandaoguo]

Keep dreaming

Do elaborate on that spammy hit-and-run statement. It does make very little sense.

Back on 18th July, there was an announcement in the Gameplay forum delivered by Glen-Rhodes, The South Pacific's Minister of Foreign Affairs, that TSP was dissolving its treaty with Balder. Following this announcement, it emerged that the requisite legal approval for dissolving the treaty had not been obtained in The South Pacific when Glen-Rhodes issued his statement. It is now over 2 months since Glen-Rhodes made his announcement. Despite the passage of time, we have still yet to receive the required five-days' notice from TSP that the treaty has been dissolved in TSP's embassy on our forum, even though providing this notice is a requirement of our treaty.

It's not gonna happen.

[Cormactopia II]

Back on 18th July, there was an announcement in the Gameplay forum delivered by Glen-Rhodes, The South Pacific's Minister of Foreign Affairs, that TSP was dissolving its treaty with Balder. Following this announcement, it emerged that the requisite legal approval for dissolving the treaty had not been obtained in The South Pacific when Glen-Rhodes issued his statement. It is now over 2 months since Glen-Rhodes made his announcement. Despite the passage of time, we have still yet to receive the required five-days' notice from TSP that the treaty has been dissolved in TSP's embassy on our forum, even though providing this notice is a requirement of our treaty.

It's not gonna happen.

So the South Pacific is willfully disregarding a treaty obligation? That should inspire great confidence among allies and prospective allies.

[Onderkelkia]

The Foreign Minister of The South Pacific seems to be openly boasting about his desire to flagrantly and intentionally breach his region's treaty obligations.

Alternatively, perhaps he means that there will be no notice of termination because the treaty won't be dissolved after all, despite the pantomime he put on previously. Indeed, the Prime Minister of The South Pacific has confirmed to Balder that the treaty remains intact. I hardly think that this is the outcome that Glen-Rhodes wants, given his previous announcement in breach of both the treaty and TSP's law, so I had assumed he was seeking to alter the situation.

Either way, his actions have exhibited such a high degree of discourtesy and unprofessionalism that his conduct is an utter embarrassment to his region.

[Solorni]

I will admit that the lack of a functioning government in TSP does seem concerning.

[Sandaoguo]

So the South Pacific is willfully disregarding a treaty obligation? That should inspire great confidence among allies and prospective allies.

Huh, I don't see a TSP-Balder Treaty here at all: http://tspforums.xyz/forum-42.html

Either way, his actions have exhibited such a high degree of discourtesy and unprofessionalism that his conduct is an utter embarrassment to his region.

I'll send your thoughts along to the Cabinet. Duly noted and thanks for sharing your opinion.

If the primary reason for ending the alliance had been that we felt it was no longer mutually beneficial because of insufficient communication or other long-term concerns, we would have endeavoured to discuss it with Balder in advance of delivering the notification that the treaty would be terminated.

However, rather than termination stemming from long-term factors about the utility of the alliance, TSP terminated our treaty with Balder as an immediate reaction to a specific event - Balder recognizing the Transitional Government during Hileville's coup - which meant there was absolutely nothing to discuss. TSP's position (that recognition of a coup government was incompatible with remaining allied to TSP) was sufficiently clear that our likely reaction was predicted in Balder's Statsraadet. Despite the open predictions it would mean the end of the alliance, neither Rach nor any other Balder official raised the issue with the legitimate government of TSP. It would have been inappropriate (and doubtless would have provoked criticism of the legitimate government) to initiate discussions aimed at persuading Balder not to pursue recognizing a coup, so the onus was on Rach to contact us if she wanted to talk about the matter. Once the deed was done, our course was clear.

I will admit that the lack of a functioning government in TSP does seem concerning.

If the person saying this is the person who's severely mismanaged and run Balder into the ground for the past 2 years, there must be an extremely low bar for "functioning government" in Balder. If TSP isn't even passing this, we're in some dire straits. Sucks that Hileville's coup wasn't successful, eh?

All that's missing in this salt show is more clutching of pearls about turning TSP defender!!