Brukean Government Information Service (Closed for now)

[Bruke]

Government of the Brukean Republic

[Bruke]

Greetings from Bruke! This is the official news portal of the Brukean Government. Election results, actions of the Government, debates, votes, and speeches from Parliament, and statements from Government officials can all be found here.

[Bruke]

Parliament approved a bill in emergency session today that directs the Security Ministry to tighten screening requirments for refugees who wish to settle in Bruke. Generally, they will be asked for documents and other items as proof of identity, and will be subject to more thorough searches of their personal effects, especially electronic devices, so that Border Guard officers can ascertain whether or not a person is a threat to national security.

These changes build on previous measures introduced after turmoil in Western Section, Roseland, and the Outer Region of the FRR in the early 2000s.

The Government is considering creating other measures to better screen refugees, and seeks to introduce legislation that would extend these new requirements to asylum seekers.

This is Yohannes Berhane, reporting from outside the Administration Building in Brukeville.

[Bruke]

The Ministry of Health announced today their response to an outbreak of West Nile Virus in Central Province.

Public health experts were initially divided on how to respond: some favored developing a vaccine, others wished to drain the habitats of the mosquitos which carried the disease, and others wanted to take preventative measures like distributing mosquito nets and insecticides.

The Health Minister, Aberash Haliemariam, opted for preventative measures. She explained her decision during a news conference earlier in the day: "In order to truly combat malaria, as with similar diseases, we must change our perception. We cannot truly eliminate the disease or its carriers without other unintended consequences coming about. Preventative measures allows Brukeans to tackle the source of the disease head on, and actively manage these risks. It means that everyone must take responsibility for protecting their own loved ones, homes, and communities."

I couldn't have explained it any better myself. This is Yohannes Berhane, reporting from outside the Administration Building in Brukeville.

[Bruke]

The Government has announced its plan of action to combat the spread of VODAIS. The STD weakens the immune system and results in painful genital blisters. Over the last ten years, the number of people infected with the disease has risen dramatically, from 250 in 2007 to 43,000 today. That is equal to the entire population of Commodore!

Government ministers had been divided on what course of action to take. The Health Minister has controversially suggested that infected persons be segregated from the rest of the population. The Education Minister suggested a campaign to raise awareness of the disease among the public. But it was the Minister of Administration which came up with the solution that the Government chose to take. He suggested a campaign to promote abstinence in workplaces and schools, along with more funding for public health workers.

Only time will tell whether or not this approach will be effective, but we can only hope that it succeeds.

This is Yohannes Berhane, reporting from the Administration Building in Brukeville.

[Bruke]

The Most Serene Republic of Bruke has become a party to the Reichsburg Free Trade Agreement. After some negotiation on the part of the Trade Minister regarding our country's import restrictions on pornography, the Government has agreed to end restrictions, replacing them with a special sales tax on all pornographic materials, regardless of origin. The money raised by the tax, will, as with previous special sales taxes, be used to fund treatment programs for those suffering from addiction. This Government, as with previous Governments, will not change the stated policy objective of eliminating the demand for pornography within 20 years.

This is Yohannes Berhane, reporting from the Government Annex in Dub City.

[Bruke]

After public outcry over the high incumbent reelection rate, the Government has decided to provide taxpayer funding to those candidates for political office who would otherwise not be able to run on their own. This will only apply to national elections, and not elections on the provincial or local level.

This is Yohannes Berhane, reporting from the Administration Building in Brukeville.

[Bruke]

The Minister of Internal Affairs has announced today that the country's first nuclear power stations have been completed.

The Government says this is a huge step forward for our nation, as we were previously dependent on imported biofuels for our energy needs.

As our nation has access to uranium and a strong industrial sector, nuclear power should be especially affordable for the public.

The Government has created Bruclear, a public-private consortium that includes the conglomerate Ambessa Industries, the state-owned defense firm Domestic Defense Development, and the Royal University at Dub City's School of Engineering, among other partners. Biherawi IquibinaIdir and state-owned Brukian Investments will provide initial funding.

This is Yohannes Berhane, reporting from the Government Annex in Dub City.

[Bruke]

The Government has been informed that existing World Assembly resolutions conflict with Brukean law. The Parliament has been called into an emergency session to change all the relevant laws to bring them into compliance. Metropolitan Province is threatening to sue the national government if it does not unconditionally legalize same-sex marriage, abortion, gender-adequation procedures, and euthanasia. Prince Bruce Province is threatening to sue the national government if it does.

The Prime Minister Dawit Kelile, a Royalist Party member and a devout Pentay, is vowing to fight for the repeal of these WA resolutions. Some members of the cabinet, such as Internal Affairs Minister Gedeyon Temesgen support this, while others such as Foriegn Minister Emerta Wendimu, are urging restraint.

The Liberal Party, an important member of Kelile's informal coalition in Parliament, is split on these issues. And another member, the National Party, is urging the PM to propose repeal measures at the WA. The Social Democrats and Progressives are urging the PM to not attempt a repeal and instead work to comply with the WA resolutions. The People's Party of the Republic has not taken a stance on the issues, as per their party's platform.

This political uncertainty could lead to the collapse of the Kelile government, and new elections. Whatever the case may be, the MPs are going to be debating how to respond long into the night.

This is Yohannes Berhane, reporting from the Parliament Building in Dub City.

[Bruke]

I can hear the protestors outside- scratch that, I can see them. There are pro-life protestors on one side and pro-choice protestors on the other, with a wall of police between them both. The Family Association, Brukeans for Separation of Religion and State, and the Reproductive Rights Coalition are all out in full force tonight. Faith groups are here as well. On the pro-life side, there is the Pentay Union, Catholic Action, and the Orthodox Committee on Faith and Justice. On the pro-choice side, there is the Episcopal Women's Committee, Catholics for Social Justice and Orthodox Christians for Choice. I can hear all of their fervent prayers that Parliament do what is morally right. This reporter is awestruck at witnessing history in the making

This is Yohannes Berhane, continuing to report from the Parliament Building in Dub City.

[Bruke]

Parliament has rejected a proposed measure that would require the Government to withdraw Bruke from the World Assembly.

The measure was brought forward by Simon Mengesha, the MP for Dub City's South Boulevard, and a Royalist Party member. Mr. Mengesha said that withdrawing from the World Assembly is the only way to prevent the legalization of what he referred to as "practices that many of my constituents, and people across this country, consider immoral". When asked what he would do next, Mr. Mengesha said nothing and walked back to his seat.

This is Yohannes Berhane, still reporting from the Parliament Building in Dub City.

[Bruke]

A group of MPs from the Royalist and National Parties are studying if existing laws can be changed to the smallest extent possible to comply with the World Assembly resolutions. A group of MPs from the Social Democrat and Progressive Parties are studying if the Constitutional Court can intervene in this matter, and require the Government to comply.

Who knows which side will prevail?

This is Yohannes Berhane, and you should know where I am by now.

[Bruke]

A coalition of pro-choice, pro-euthanasia, and LGBT activist groups have successfully petitioned the Constitutional Court to rule on whether or not World Assembly resolutions can supersede Brukean law and the Brukean Constitution, and if so, whether or not the Government is bound by its resolutions in this instance.

This is Yohannes Berhane, outside the Government Annex way over on the other side of town.

[Bruke]

Parliament has just turned against Prime Minister Kelile. He may need to step down, and his Cabinet will have to resign, if he cannot find a way to keep the coalition together. But some in his party are refusing to compromise, instead siding with the National Party, which is calling for the Government to lead a campaign to repeal the WA resolutions.

This is Yohannes Berhane, reporting live from the Parliament Building in Dub City.

[Bruke]

Dawit Kelile has stepped down, making way for Finhas Motuma to become Prime Minister. Motuma is a member of the Liberal Party, which is deeply divided on social issues, so this is seen by political analysts as a move by Kelile to force the Government's hand one way or another.

This is Yohannes Berhane, yet again reporting from the Parliament Building in Dub City.

[Bruke]

Finhas Motuma, the new Prime Minister has dismissed the Internal Affairs Minister, Gedeyon Temesgen. As Temesgen was the most vocal Cabinet member in support of a repeal campaign, analysts believe this is a sign Motuma will bring Bruke into compliance with decisions of the World Assembly.

This is Yohannes Berhane, exhausted from taking a taxi from Dub City all the way to the Administration Building in Brukeville.

[Bruke]

Finhas Motuma, the new Prime Minister, has dismissed the Foriegn Minister, Emerta Wendimu. Because Wendimu was so opposed to a repeal campaign, analysts are confused by what message Motuma is sending as more heads begin to roll.

This is Yohannes Berhane, almost falling over after taking a taxi back to the Parliament Building in Dub City.

[Bruke]

The remaining Cabinet members have resigned on masse, leaving the new Prime Minister Finhas Motuma without a functioning government. Under the Brukean Constitution, he has 24 hours to find others willing to serve as Ministers or new elections will have to be called.

This is Yohannes Berhane, downing multiple shots of Irish coffee at the lounge across the street from the Parliament Building in Dub City.

[Bruke]

Social Democrat and Progressive MPs have backed a measure that would forbid the Government from supporting a repeal effort. Royalist and National Party MPs have backed a measure that would require the Government to support a repeal effort.

Whichever bill Prime Minister Finhas Motuma supports, he will alienate at least half, if not more, of his own party, the Liberals.

The swing voters are MPs that are members of the People's Party of the Republic, whose party platform allows them to vote how they see fit on most social issues.

If Motuma nudges the PPR MPs one way or another, he could split the party. If that happens, there will be no persons with whom he can form a Cabinet which will not be partial to one side or the other.

This is Yohannes Berhane, feeling much better and reporting from the Parliament Building in Dub City.

[Bruke]

Both bills have passed the House of Deputies, and now move to the Senate. Given what is at stake, the House of Nobles may also have a say.

Since the Senate is so small, (there are only 6 Senators, two from each province), neither side has any margin for error. Either bill needs 4 out of 6 Senators to vote yes.

Let's review:

The Royalist Party, the biggest right-leaning party in the country, and to which the previous Prime Minister Dawit Kelile belongs to, is socially conservative. They back the bill for repeal.
The National Party is even more socially conservative than the Royalists. They back the bill for repeal.
The Social Democratic Party, which is the biggest left-leaning party in the country, is socially liberal. They back the bill against repeal.
The Progressive Party is even more socially liberal than the Social Democrats. They back the bill against repeal.
The People's Party of the Republic is usually fiscally liberal, but does not take any stance on social issues. Their party platform allows members to vote as they please in that regard.

The Royalists have two Senators, both from conservative Prince Bruce Province. The NP has one Senator, from the often radically centrist Central Province. The Social Democrats have two Senators, both from liberal Metropolitan Province. The PPR has one Senator, Liya Gulema, from Central Province.

Under Brukean law, if there is a tie, the motion automatically fails. The anti-repeal side must convince Gulema to vote no on the bill supporting repeal and yes on the bill opposing it. On the other hand, the pro-repeal side must convince Gulema to vote yes on the bill supporting repeal and no on the bill opposing it.

These are interesting times indeed.

This is Yohannes Berhane, as always reporting from the Parliament Building in Dub City.

[Bruke]

The Prime Minister stated late into the night for a press conference with foreign journalists. No one showed up, but he's still there. https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=429429#p32973647

If there any foreign journalists wanting to know about the ongoing crisis in Bruke, now is the time to ask!

This is Yohannes Berhane at the Parliament Building in Dub City.

[Bruke]

In an emergency session, the Senate has decided to vote on the Repeal and Anti-Repeal Bills. Both measures will be voted on within minutes of each other.

Senators Eyoel Wendimu and Essayas Asmerom, both from traditionally conservative Prince Bruce Province, have voted yes on the Repeal Bill and no on the Anti-Repeal Bill.
Senators Bililign Demissie and Besrat Tesfa, both from liberal Metropolitan Province, have voted no on the Repeal Bill and yes on the Anti-Repeal Bill.
Senator Nigist Benyam, from Central Province, has voted yes on the Repeal Bill and no on the Anti-Repeal Bill.

Right now, repeal is ahead, by a 3-2 margin. It all comes down to Liya Gulema, the other Senator from Central Province.

Senator Gulema has cast her vote... it seems like her fellow Heartlander is visibly outraged. She has voted against the Repeal Bill.

No, wait, she's smiling! Gulema has also voted against the Anti-Repeal Bill.

As per Brukean law, ties are considered equivalent to a majority voting in opposition to a bill, so both the Repeal and Anti-Repeal Bills have failed.

[Bruke]

Prime Minister Finhas Motuma has ordered the Government to form a Royal Commission to study how to best implement World Assembly resolutions while respecting the nation's laws and Constitution.

[Bruke]

The Brukean Government Information Service and Royal Republic Broadcasting will partner up to bring you coverage of the upcoming elections.

BGIS will have in-depth election results, reporting nationwide, and by province and county. It will also report by HD (House of Deputies) district for races for local constituencies.

RRB will cover election results as they come in, and have full-length speeches and statements by candidates and their campaigns. RRB will also broadcast live a debate between the party leaders. As always, there will be commentary and analysis from both in-house and guest contributors.

[Bruke]

The Security Ministry announced today the successful development and testing of nuclear weapons. The decision to seek nuclear weapons comes as fellow WATO member states express concerns about various rogue nations using nuclear or other weapons against them.

The Ministry also said that officials are formulating a military doctrine on the use of such weapons that is compliant with international law. As required by the Rose City Convention, the nation will neither acquire nor seek to acquire biological or chemical weapons.