[OoC Note: Please note that this news post takes place during the fall (late September to early November) of 2016.]
Allamunnic States Daily
Politics
Durkheim: "Grimmeburger has made us less safe."
Former Internal Security chief notes Rietumish situation as 'unpalatable threat.'by Arnulf Kaarlmunn
West Roan, AL --- Speaking at a Nationalist rally in a suburb of the nation's capital today, former Internal Security chief and noted gadfly to the Grimmeburger regime Junn Durkheim declared that the Generalissimo's rule had made the Federation unsafe both internally and in foreign affairs. The statement came as part of a speech in which Durkheim also criticized the nation's current economic and environmental policies.
"Of course, the economy is worse off," he told supporters, "thanks to the clumsy protectionism embraced by the regime. We're being strangled because we cannot get goods cheaper. And these mislead environmental regulations are throttling our businesses further. Nobody can make a profit anymore!" After these declarations, he shifted topics substantially.
He told the crowd that the regime's policies on policing and internal surveillance "ground his gears" and were "set up to leave the country vulnerable to spies, anarchists, and traitors." He then said that the current regime's foreign policy was "weak and indecisive..." and caused "our enemies to see [the Federation] as vulnerable and a someone to be taken advantage of..." and "incapable of movement without an international coalition."
He further lambasted the government for being unable to stop the escape of long-time dissident and insurgent Ruger Skmyt, who was broken out of a Federal Guard facility by armed members of his movement, the Red Brotherhood Proletarian Army. Although the RBPA has been largely quiet since then, and has not launched any offensives since 2007, the group remains a hot button topic among Allamunnic security agencies.
The former Secretary continued to tear into the Federation's foreign policy, calling Grimmeburger "soft on Rietumimark". He said that the renewed close ties between Akai and the Rietumish is "an unpalatable threat." He went on to talk about the changes he would make as President. "We will have to be much tougher on them," he said. "Sanctions, perhaps even embargoes... we'll have to make sure they cannot challenge our sovereignty, on land or at sea. They will need to fear our military," he declared to the crowd.
Durkheim has been a constant critic of the current administration since he was dismissed as Secretary of Internal Security late in 2014 amid allegations that he had targeted members of the Allamunnic Left for non-warranted surveillance and enforcement. He appears to be relishing the pulpit he has been granted as the Nationalist nominee for President in 2016.
Allamunnic States Daily
Politics
Tensions run high as second Presidential debate sizzles
Moderators forced to intervene four times to quiet candidatesby Allaea Wendelunn
Kohlenburg, SM --- At the second Presidential election debate in Allamunnic history, held at the University of Staalmark's Kohlenburg campus, emotions ran high and moderators had to intervene numerous times to keep the debating candidates on-topic. Coming off of yet another rally in which Junn Durkheim denounced Generalissimo Grimmeburger and the ruling Progressive Coalition, their nominee, former Upper Skraelingia Lt. Governor Sofya Rudulf came out ready for a fight. From the very first question, she took the offensive against Durkheim, while still managing to stick largely to policy, at least initially.
The questions started mostly with foreign policy, a topic which Durkheim has been bellicose on over the last several weeks. When posed the inevitable question about the Akai-Rietumish relationship, Rudulf came out swinging.
"No matter how simple Secretary Durkheim wants to make this situation sound, it's not something we can charge headlong into. We will explore all of our options, with out allies here in Bergora -- the Demphorians, the Ghantish, the Arthuristans, Belhavians, perhaps, even the Estovnians and Estoni, if we have no other choice. We are not large or strong enough to face down both Rietumimark and Akai alone -- can't be, even if we poured every cent we have into the military -- so some amount of tact and caution are called for in gauging how we deal with this. And we are more than happy to work with our Nationalist colleagues on this matter. But it would be a mistake to confuse calculation with inaction."
- Sofya Rudulf
Progressive Candidate for President
The Nationalist candidate simply doubled down on his previously-stated talking points about how the federal government has been lax in its duty to contain eminent threats to the Federation. He also took issue with what he perceived as an implication that he was being foolish, and began to angrily shout an objection. At that point, moderators were forced to quiet the candidates and restore order.
The second time order had to be restored was following a question about economic policy. Again, advancing his oft-stated talking points regarding what he considered to be overregulation on businesses, including regarding wages. Here, once again, Rudulf struck back, this time not contenting herself merely to policy objections, additionally calling Durkheim "a Quisling" who would "sell out the Allamunnic people to the highest bidder." Although conceding that protectionist policies might need to be reevaluated, Rudulf said that the problem was "one of scope rather than principle," explaining that while the policies might need to be retailored to a world that was different from when they were first established, that the basic idea behind them was sound. However, the remarks against Durkheim's credibility once again inflamed the candidate, no doubt hurt by Rudulf's delivery, which conveyed no small amount of disgust. Once again, Durkheim began to shout over his opponent, who continued to try to speak, before the moderators restored order.
The third time began over a question regarding policing practices in the Federation. Following the same pattern, Durkheim stated a desire to empower Federal Guardsmen to be more proactive in their surveillance and operation against criminals and what he called "enemies of the nation." In response, Rudulf roundly rejected the proposals, saying that the rule of law had to be sacred in the new government, or else a return to the days of autocracy was inevitable. The part of the response that set off Durkheim, however, was an addendum to that, in which the former Skraelingian executive concluded her remarks by saying that "such policies would be more befitting of Estovnia or Rietumimark, although perhaps Secretary Durkheim does not think that would be a bad thing." This time, when Durkheim lost his composure, so did many of his supporters in the audience, and it took the efforts of security to quiet the crowd this time.
During closing remarks, as the two candidates gave their positions on many issues, including ones not questioned during the debate, Durkheim continued to use similar material as the standard stump he has utilized at his rallies. By contrast, Rudulf, who has not pounded the pavement as much over the last couple of weeks, took the opportunity to improvise, referencing the disorder at the debate as she did. "This election will be about more than empty rhetoric, about being 'tough' in the sense that a schoolyard bully is 'tough'," she told the audience, "it will be about selecting an even-keeled leader who can roll with the punches, who can take their own beatings without losing their composure or ability to think clearly." Despite not outwardly losing composure, Durkheim's response was to curse savagely at Rudulf, causing a final censure from the debate moderators.
This second debate was a far departure from the first back in September, when the terms of the discussion were far more civil. Many pundits, including the Allamunnic States Daily Network's Korynna Vikturlunn, attributed the substantial shift in tone to the increasing belligerence of Durkheim's stump speech, trotted out at rallies. Rudulf's own speech has changed little over the last month, with the exception of growing to include more policy points.
Allamunnic States Daily
Politics
Grimmeburger breaks silence on election
Long-time Head of State declares support for Progressivesby Allaea Wendelunn
Roan, Federal District --- Making a rare public speech, Generalissimo Stevan Grimmeburger broke his facade of non-partisanship, with the final weeks of the election looming. Grimmeburger announced his support for the Progressive ticket, speaking glowingly of both Presidential-candidate Sofya Rudulf as well as her running mate, former Ambassador to Ghant Junn Andrsunn.
Although the head of state's political proclivities are hardly a secret, he has, for the duration of his rule, maintained a facade of impartiality between the parties, making an effort to work with members of all three mainline parties, as well as most of the fringe parties (the lone exception appears to be the Great Allamunnika Party, whose continued existence Grimmeburger has spoken against in the past). As a result, the pronouncement was something of a shock, a break in almost fifteen years of precedent.
"We are faced this year with a momentous choice. For the first time in our history, the voice of the Allamunnic people will decide who will lead us, as a country, for the next several years. Maybe an old autocrat is the last person whose opinion you would like to hear on this, but it is an important enough decision that it seems fitting to speak on it.
"The decision before us is whether we will have a vibrant, living democracy in our coming years, or if we will surrender to the urge to let a strong leader make the hard choices for us. The latter will feel easier. You needn't feel responsible if someone else makes the tough choices for you. You can abscond all responsibility. It won't be your fault when things go bad.
"But that's not really how this works, is it. You do have a choice. When things go bad -- and believe me, when you leave the power in the hands of one person, they will, and alarmingly quickly, at that -- it will be your fault, no matter what you tell yourself. It will be the fault of every last one of us who lacked the will to take responsibility. And every one of us who did not fight hard enough to prevent disaster.
"Building a democracy is not easy. It isn't quick. It won't just all be done when we make our choice on November 1st. More work will lay ahead. But your destiny will be in your hands. You -- we -- will have a chance to make a better future, together. We are on a good trail, a good start, but we must keep on it, or our progress will be lost. And so, with this fateful choice before us, I urge you to make the difficult choice. I beg you, choose the people who can help shepherd our experiment in democracy forward, can give us the even keel needed to make this last. The ones who can help us do that, are a skilled administrator, who honed their skills in another political era, guiding one of our heartland states, and a tactful diplomat who makes friends in unusual places, can build consensus and common ground, and the two together can give us direction toward a brighter future.
"This grand Allamunnic experiment can be even better than it is. Help me, help us, reach that better place."
-Stevan Grimmeburger
Head of State, Federation of Allamunnic States
It is unknown how this speech will affect the polls. The October polls are set to be released in four days.
Allamunnic States Daily
Politics
Nationalist surge withers in October polls
Latest surveys project right wing's gains, but not enough to end Progressive majorityby Arnulf Kaarlmunn
Rikardsburg, SM --- What appeared to be a sanguine picture for the Nationalists and their allies in August and September has changed dramatically. The October polls, released earlier today, show a marked change from previous polls. Those polls, which had showed projections of huge electoral gains for the Nationalist Party at the expense of the parties of the Progressive Coalition, now appear to have been overhauled.
Although the newest poll data suggests that the Nationalists are still slated to improve on what was an absolutely miserable showing in the 2011 and 2013 elections, but the current projections suggest, based on the dispersal of those polled, that the Federalists and Labor are in no danger of losing their coalition's majority. Moreover, current projections suggest that while the presidential vote may be close, the Progressive candidates are in position to win if the election were held today.
The polls utilized a stratified random sample, in which a certain number of people from each state were polled, although researchers had no way to control for rural versus urban respondents.
There are still two weeks left to go in the election, so the final, immediate pre-election polls may reflect a different reality, but
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Allamunnic States Daily
Breaking
Ruger Skmyt captured near Aldhuld
RBPA leader apprehended attempting to cross border into Rietumimarkby Gaaltun Braandur
Aldhuld, PK --- The Piekslynd State Police Department has announced that they have fugitive and insurgent Ruger Skmyt in custody. According to state troopers, Skmyt was apprehended eight miles north of Aldhuld, attempting to cross the border into Rietumimark, with eleven associates. A brief gunfight occurred between state troopers and Skmyt and his associates, during which two troopers were killed, and three were wounded, while seven of Skmyt's entourage were killed, with the rest, including Skmyt, suffering nonfatal gunshot wounds. All have been treated at Aldhuld North General Hospital, and are expected to make full recoveries.
Chief Aldryk Skyldhaaltur of the Piekslynd State Police announced that the prisoners were immediately transferred into federal custody at nearby Rona Wylsunn Federal Army Base, where the captured insurgents are under constant guard. A trial is slated to begin within two weeks, at some point before which Skmyt and associates will be transferred to a facility further in the interior, at a yet-to-be-disclosed location.
The head of state praised the officers who apprehended Skmyt. "We are tremendously thankful to our men and women in law enforcement who captured this dangerous fugitive. Our hearts go out to the families of Trooper Kaarltun Muellen and Trooper Andya Torrensunn, who gave their lives in the defense of their countrymen."
Skmyt is being charged with treason, the placing of a bomb threat, and twenty counts of accessory to first-degree murder. Additional charges, for both Skmyt and his surviving associates, Kinella Waalturs, Viktur Groebun, Maura Kangler, and Jorn Hamm, are pending.
It is worth note that the arrest is expected to affect the outcome of the election. Central News Agency's Graem Kaarwaaltur projected that the arrest is likely to boost the polling of Progressive candidates, including Presidential candidate Sofya Rudulf and Vice-Presidential candidate Junn Andrsunn, as it is likely to undermine the Nationalist candidate Junn Durkheim's association that the Progressive Coalition cannot adequately defend the country.
Allamunnic States Daily
Politics
First President of the Allamunnic States: Sofya Rudulf
Progressive ticket wins by wide margin nationally; Progressives maintain control of both chambers of Moet despite regional lossesby Allaea Wendelunn
Roan, Federal District --- The Federation of Allamunnic States' first elected president will be sworn in on January 15th of the new year, when the new batch of lawmakers, representing a continued, substantial Progressive majority, are sworn in and begin their first legislative session. When that happens, they will be joined by President Sofya Rudulf and Vice President Junn Andrsunn. Rudulf and Andrsunn will represent the same coalition that dominates both chambers of the Moet, and will have a unified government with which to pursue a joint Federalist-Labor agenda.
The results of the election were nowhere near as close as August and September polls predicted: the Progressive Presidential ticket won an estimated 64% of the vote nationwide. In the Assembly, the Federalists came away with 109 seats (up from 93), while Labor came away with 104 seats (up from 69), and the Nationalists won 90 seats (up from 67). Perhaps what was most concerning was the return of the GAP to a sort of viability, capturing 24 seats up from 14 during the 2013 elections. It is expected that Erik Hendrsunn will remain Prime Minister, heading up the chamber, where he will now also be joined by his cousin, Eleonur Hendrsunn III, who earned a seat as a member of the Labor Party from Northern Tyrrsylnd.
The Senate shifted substantially, due to the dissolution of the Republican Party. As a result, Labor jumped from having only seven seats to 29 seats, including the Chancellorship (Anessa Maarks will remain Chancellor). By contrast, the Federalists lost a seat to fall to having 27 seats, and the Nationalists surged from 19 to 27 seats.
The Nationalists will remain a significant opposition party, and they will likely need to be courted for plenty of legislation in which party unity is not necessarily a given within the ruling coalition, but the government for at least the next two-and-a-half years will be a Progressive one.