IFC Council (IC)

[Krjder]

"We do need a strong leader, yes. We do need one weilding power. It is the very split second decisions in times of crises or not so pressing times that has lead to massive rows. It won't be collective leadership, simply that nothing will be mandated without a council majority. I cannot think of any decision at all that should be taken in this chamber that would require us to bypass democracy."

[Libraria and Ausitoria]

"That is completely impractical. You would get almost nothing done if you needed a mandate for everything. In my month in office Ausitoria has already made a few thousand decisions: appointments, new policies, written telegrams, decided who should have what powers, decided who to ask questions on, etc. We have sent and received over five hundred telegrams in the course of our duties. You simply cannot have a functioning government without making decisions, and you cannot wait for the Council, and nor should you: it is a wasteful and tedious and unnecessary expense of political capital to have to try to get every act of government approved.

Your Excellency Davies, as I pledged, the election is not hypothetical. In view of the Council's unfortunate decision to vote against my government, I would like confirmation of our mandate.

I do expect to win the election, of course: when even our opponents support most of our government, you know you're doing well. But of course that is a decision for the members.

Anyway. I am pleased to announce the opening of the 8th Summit."

[Krjder]

"It is not impractical, it means no-one can or will question what happens because it was put to vote. Of course, I will make decisions, but I beleive that Prime Ministers can no longer be trusted to make snap de unions regarding the course of the IFC."

[Organized States]

"The OS Delegation votes Nay to the removal of Inyursta, and will thusly boycott any major summit until this issue is resolved. Additionally, the OS will reevaluate its membership in the organization at this point."

[Libraria and Ausitoria]

"Et tu, why am I not surprised," asked Alexias. "I'm sure you all feel so very modern and trendy opposing Ausitoria, although you've done it for ages.

Well, here's why you shouldn't vote for Krjder.

#Deathbycommittee #Ahorsedesignedbycommittee #mindlesstedium #theworldiscomplicated," replied Alexias. Ausitorians often enjoyed to pretend to be cool.

[Brytene]

Koyuki raised an eyebrow, and coughed.

"Mr Alexias, I have to remind you that voting for or against Inyurstan membership in no way implies support for or opposition to your tenure as Prime Minister, and I would ask you to stop tying the two issues together."

[Krjder]

"Mr. Alexias, your ad hominem attacks do not weaken me or my tenure. They just persuade us towards your immaturity abd inability to actually oppose me for real reasons."

[Libraria and Ausitoria]

"So having an effective government isn't a real reason. How interesting," riposted Alexias.

[Ontorisa]

"Ontorisa will vote NAY to the expulsion for Inyursta."

[Krjder]

"Spur of the moment decisions made by one person does not make an effective government, an effective government is one that can make sensible, agreeable decisions. As a coalition, we should start acting as one. I think power has been in the hands of a few old timers for too long and it's time for everyone to have a say in all that we do."

[Aravea]

" I agree with Krdjeran delegation on this matter. A truly effective leader would have endeavored to resolve the issue with a vote long before this point or even have taken steps to determine what the other members of the coalition desired. Instead it has been allowed to linger and become a point of contention that is serving only to further divide the Coalition. While I concede that the Ausitorian delegation has made some praiseworthy steps towards reforms, their delays on taking real action on this matter, as well as their disregard of their opponents's statements or questions serves only to undermine our faith in his judgement. Oh and of course one must no forget the constant violations of decorum as well, as evident in his referring to my predecessor as a viper and their ad hominem attacks on the Krdjeran delegate. Needless to say such behavior should be allowed to persist within this chambr, especially not from the leaders of this Coalition. Regardless it is my belief that the Ausitorian delegation meeds to understand that the fate of the vote on Inyrusta's membership and the continued existence of the IFC government are separate issues, that are not contingent upon the success or failure of the other. Now referring back to your question on voting on Resolution 5, let me resolve that now. The Imperium of Aravea shall abstain from voting on all Resolutions until the vote upon the Republic of Inyursta's membership is concluded and we urge our fellow delegates to withold their votes until the matter of Inyursta is solved."

[Inyourfaceistan]

Melissa sighed as she finished racking through Resolution 5. From her perspective it seemed like the law actually did nothing to change the current system other than openly giving the Council the power to repeal the Prime Minister or Cabinet's sudden or rapid decision to eject a member.
She stood up and cleared her throat.
"Given that it is highly unlikely an amendment written by ourselves would be taken seriously given the current state of affairs; I have taken the time of reading through Resolution 5 and have accumulated the following questions regarding some of the more vague clauses of this resolution, in the hopes that someone may create a more clear and concise piece of legislation.

Recalling Clause 4, Subsection 1, Section 3 of the Administrative Act, which 'Permits the Cabinet and any appointed Executive Ministers, under the direction of the Prime Minister, to otherwise interpret Council Resolutions and to take any measures not contrary to Council Resolutions that such empowered persons may consider necessary and proper for carrying out the delineated tasks of government, without waiting for the Council to discuss such matters',

In what situations would they consider this necessary? What sort of case would allow them to do this without a vote by the Council?
Could someone please define what scenarios would warrant such extreme use of executive power?

a) Having governmental policies that conflict with the democratic values of the Coalition or enacting policies that promote discrimination of minorities.
b) Engaging in armed conflict with another member of the IFC.
c) Subverting the authority of the Council or abusing the power of an elected or Cabinet Position.
d) Supporting or assisting enemies of the IFC.
e) Engaging in treasonous acts or aiding and abetting opponents of the Coalition in cases of crisis or during times of war.

How are we ensured these situations will be properly interpreted?
How are we supposed to define what is and what isn't "subverting the authority of the council"? Or what is "aiding and abetting opponents of the Coalition"?
How can we expect proper ejection procedures when some of these scenarios seem very vague?

Might I suggest some actual examples be given instead of widely interpretable clauses which can be taken to mean almost anything their interpreter chooses?

1. Understanding that sometimes quick reaction in regards to the expulsion of members is needed, the Council grants a two thirds majority of the Prime Minister and Cabinet the power to immediately dismiss members in extreme cases.

Who defines what is an "extreme case"? The Council? The Prime Minister?
Would it be possible to clarify this to erase concerns of certain executives declaring any minor incident "an extreme case"?

We hope these questions will allow for a more clear and defined amendment to this Resolution which doesn't leave room for further debates such as this." She finished as she sat back down and took a long sip of water.

[The United Remnants of America]

Inyursta Expulsion: Nay

The new writing on the paper sheet was scrawled under the previous vote, which was now scratched out.

[Brytene]

Koyuki had been silent as the votes were cast, and though she knew there were still a few to come in, she had had just about enough of the bureaucratic bickering. The Araveans had shot her a quick thanks for bringing the Inyurstan vote to the table, but unfortunately that was all - it looked like Inyursta's membership was going to be reinstated, and though she had no desire to abandon the IFC to its own devices, she took a look over the document on her SlatePad and thought to herself that perhaps the company one kept was more important than where you kept it.

She stood, and coughed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, though it is for the Chilokverian Speaker to officially announce, the vote to reinstate Inyursta's membership is currently 8-5 in favour. As stated previously, Brytene will be withdrawing its membership of this alliance upon the conclusion of the vote, unless the results dramatically change in the remaining time."

She put down her pad and took a moment to look around the assembled delegates.

"Unfortunately, it seems that the IFC is no longer a sovereign alliance. Of the eight delegates to vote for Inyursta's reinstatement, only two of them are not SACTO or affiliated with SACTO. Ontosoria and Guadalupador are both unaffiliated, indeed the Guadalupadorians have ample reason to despise the "Sackies", as they are informally known there. Otherwise, the Organised States, the United States of Conner, Aravea and Flardania are all full SACTO members, and both the URA and Krjder are allies of theirs, although," she shot a pointed look at Joâchkim, her eyes full of a private and very real disappointment "that is perhaps not the reason the esteemed Krïdan delegate voted the way he did. Even now, another card-carrying SACTO member nation, Romic, has applied to join the IFC, and no doubt if accepted would instantly register a vote in support of Inyursta."

She placed one long, elegant finger on the edge of her desk, to emphasise her point.

"Some might argue that the delegates have been driven to vote to reinstate Inyursta thanks to the misguided Ausitorian efforts to link Inyursta's ejection with their own government, a government which seems to be struggling, but I doubt the reasons are that shallow.

No, it seems that the IFC is no longer a sovereign alliance. When a member nation who poses a clear threat to the IFC, who less than a year ago was backing the enemies of the IFC and producing low-grade anti-IFC propaganda, is about to be rescued from ejection by a bloc consisting of more than three-quarters SACTO or SACTO-affiliated members, it sends a blatant message that the IFC's agenda is no longer the most important one on the table within the IFC itself. Unfortunately, I fear that for several of those here, that is a piece of welcome news, and exactly what they wished to hear. Despite the overwhelming case which suggests that the IFC has been hijacked from within in order to serve external purposes, I imagine we shall hear cries of 'conspiracy' and 'nonsense' backed by little countering evidence."

[United States of Conner]

Christopher Marks stroked his beard once before turning in his chair to address Koyuki.

"Though I'm sure it will do nothing to convince you, as the IFC Ambassador to SACTO (and informally vice versa), and a high ranking diplomat of a SACTO member nation with access to high-level SACTO secrets, I assure you there is no SACTO plan to turn the IFC into a SACTO proxy of any sort. If there was one, and it was currently in action, don't you think it would be effective enough to stop Ausitoria from being elected Prime Minister, or to stop the expulsion of Inyursta and cease this from becoming a three-week issue? Your argument boils down to nothing more than 'they're from SACTO, and thus must be evil'. All the nations which you named share the same mission statement - to protect freedom. A membership, or lack thereof, in SACTO is not mutually exclusive - far from it. If you want to try to convince people of how SACTO is an omnipresent boogeyman trying to take over the IFC, be my guest, but remove it from this hallowed halls, where it certainly does not belong."

[Brytene]

Koyuki raised her eyebrows. "Who said anything about a secret SACTO plot? It is a simple fact that the IFC now possesses a substantial bloc of voters who belong to SACTO or are allied with them, and are voting in a manner consistent with the SACTO agenda and contrary to the overall wishes of the non-SACTO members, who are currently 5-2 in favour of Inyurstas explusion. Is this untrue?

[United States of Conner]

Marks looked almost confused for a second before his cool composure returned.

"It is not. What is false, however, is what you seem to be insinuating, which is essentially that SACTO is attempting to turn the IFC into a proxy via sleeper agents inserted into the IFC. Do correct me if I'm wrong."

[Brytene]

"As reassuring as your inferences are, I never said anything about sleeper agents. It is a simple fact that this organisation now contains enough SACTO members to overrule the wishes of non-SACTO members, making it an extension of SACTO, whether by malicious design or mere chance."

[Krjder]

"I would like to point out that the Krïdan Empire has no formal alignment with SACTO andhas merely sided with them on certain issues. We did not side with SACTO because they are SACTO but because we supported their cause." Joâchkim stared, visibly injured by Koyuki. Krïdans are traditionally loyal to their friends till death do them part. He hung his head briefly in a sad chagrin, before raising it again.
"You may find that Inyursta garnered support not because they are particularly liked, though I will not confirm the contrary, but because they gained support. Ausitoria martyred Inyursta by attempting to expel their delegation for what was a simple infraction."

[Zerinfriom]

Johnson was looking back and forth as the delegates argued over the ejection of the nation at hand. He was worried, no desperate, to restore the IFC to what it was when the Dominion first joined. He was finnaly going to soeak his mind after years of remaining silent. He finnaly got the message he want, the government will support whatever he says, he now has complete jurisdiction on the issue. He stood up...

"Ladies and Gentlemen, beautiful and handsome representatives of great governments across the globe, may we not resort to pitiful conservative tactics of using othee issues to distract this room from the current issue at hand. The Zerinite Dominion supports it's Carlosian and Brystic allies, but we take it forward. We believe that we should not allow this nation to remain a part of this alliance would be foolishness of the highest calibre.

With the amount of evidence against the nation at hand we should go as far to lable Inyurstas as a traitor to the IFC. Whomever still supports Inyurstas remaining in the IFC should be known as such as well, as a traitor whomever supports a traitor is also a traitor themselves. To allow this nation to remain in the IFC would put us down a path of destruction with Inyurstas in the center of it all.

The Dominion's vote is final. We stand by the true principles of the IFC. We should not and will not allow any traitors among us."

He sat down and waited. He felt good about what he said, but he had the sense that a luminous counter argument was near that or what he stated would persuade others to change their vote.

[Aravea]

"As reassuring as your inferences are, I never said anything about sleeper agents. It is a simple fact that this organisation now contains enough SACTO members to overrule the wishes of non-SACTO members, making it an extension of SACTO, whether by malicious design or mere chance."

"Yet has there ever been any overt attempt on the part of the dual members to do such a thing? Correct me I am worng but throughout pur history dual members such as Flardania, Organized States, myself(at times) and others have done nothing but attempt to aid IFC in conflicts and have sacrificed our time, blood, and treasure for it. Referring back to the Organized States delegation and the Kirsihiman delegation, if I recall they have done more than their fair share to uphold the rights the members of this organization and maintain its status as an independent organization. As for your statements about the Krdjerans and the URA delegation, have you ever thought that perhaps they have grown tired of this continued debacle over Inyursta's membership and seek genuine change in the council? Regardless of a SACTO bloc "existing" I assure the Brytene delegation that the dual members have not nor will ever do anything that puts them at odds with the goals of the IFC. "

Turning to the Zerinfrom delegation, Xander shook his head in irritance "Very well we understand your desire to root out traitors and protect the IFC, but as the Krdjerans said most of us who voted for Inyursta did it because we either believed that he had been unfairly treated or was being martyred by the Ausitorians as part of a political agenda, not as part of some SACTO agenda. "

[Brytene]

Koyuki shook her head in response to Joachims answer. "Even if we counted you AND the USC as totally unaffiliated with SACTO, which is ludicrous fiction itself, removing all SACTO members from the results would mean Inyursta was expelled - thus, SACTO is now able to override non-SACTO voices within the IFC.

She nodded appreciatively at the Zerinite comments, but she suspected that many of those listening simply found the protest amusing, futile in the face of the SACTO bloc.

To the USC delegate she replied "Why just now. Without SACTO votes Inyursta would have been ejected. Thus your bloc has overridden the wishes of the rest of the IFC.

[Greater Carloso]

"Delegate." A sudden look of vexation appeared on Davies face as he turned towards the representative from Aravea. "I would be most appreciative if you didn't trivialise SACTO's influence over this alliance. Most of us who bother to vote are members of that alliance or have strong ties with them, like our cherished Feng brothers, and thus leaves us legislatively incapable of breaking off from that organisation's influence, whether or not it is malicious or not so. Thusly, their interests will always be served over those who dedicate the entirety of their national existence to this establishment. The system of dual memberships is a broken system!" Davies took a gulp of water and grinned. "I have my sources."

[Salderia]

The Salderian delegate, who, up to now, had been totally silent, just listening to the debates, got up to cast his vote. "Salderia casts it vote for expulsion of Inyursta."

[Krjder]

"A ludicrous fiction? Please Koyuki..." He implored, giving Koyuki a pained look.
"We are not affiliated to them. Ask a SACTO member and they will say no. Inyursta is getting voted in because he has garnered pity abd his SACTO friends are little to him. But, if you ask me, this whole us and them mentality with regards to SACTO is so unhealthy."