News Thread [Kylaris|Canon|IC]

[Volarea]

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Phillip Gardner ousted as Hamptonshire Minister-President
After serving in his position for just under 4 months, Phillip Gardner has been ousted in a vote of no confidence

Hamtonshire Post staff (@HamptonshireOnline)
21 December, 2020 | Kirchester

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The Provincial Assembly are due to vote on a new Minister-President soon Photo courtesy of Charlie Lloyd.

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Kirchester | Hamptonshire
After only a few short months as Minister-President, Phillip Gardner has been ousted from his office and the Province's government has collapsed following Hamptonshire's wing of The Centre pulling out of the coalition on Thursday. Yesterday, Stefan Marsh, the Province's Leader of the Opposition tabled a motion of no confidence against Gardner as his approval rating tumbled.

Even before Thursday's dramatic events, there were rumours circulating that Jo Bailey, deputy Minister-President and leader of The Centre in Hamptonshire was considering resigning after the coalition in the Folkssenaat was approved by the Premier. Bailey had considered resigning after the coalition announcement but was told not to by Party officials.

Despite this Bailey and other Centre members were absent from several cabinet meetings. Education Secretary William De Boer acknowledged his party's absence in a meeting with the press on Wednesday. De Boer said there were disagreements in the Provincial Government but they hoped they could be resolved before any major issues occurred.

However on Thursday afternoon members of the press were invited to a press conference by Jo Bailey, many were expecting to hear that a resolution had been found. Instead Bailey announced her party's intention to withdraw from the coalition and join the opposition, denying the government of a majority. Bailey's statement drew immediate reaction from the Provincial Government saying they are shocked and saddened by the statement but respect the Party's decision.

Sources inside the Gardner administration however say after Bailey's statement the government was in chaos. Gardner himself was said to be furious with the party even going as far as to calling the Premier and complaining. Gardner was expected to select replacement cabinet secretaries on Wednesday until his ousting.

The Leader of the Opposition and newly elected leader of the Socialist Party, Stefan Marsh, welcomed the move saying that the party would be welcomed in challenging the government. Marsh tabled the motion of no confidence after being urged to by other opposition politicians.

The motion was hotly contested in the Assembly with some reports saying The Centre would abstain giving Gardner's Sotirian Democratic Front the upper hand. However during the vote, the party voted with the opposition and the motion passed 66-59. This is the first time a Minister-President in Hamptonshire has been forced to resign since the 1980s.

However following the vote, the assembly was unable to decide on a successor to Gardner. Marsh's candidacy was the closest with 65 votes against and 60 in favour. Marsh and the Socialist Party have opened negotiations with several parties including The Centre, the Green Socialists and the province's Liberal People's Party. Marsh is the most likely candidate at the moment to become Minister-President.

If no candidate can secure a motion of confidence by the Assembly within 7 days, President Hepke Veltman is required by law to dissolve the assembly and call a regional election. If this happens the SDF are still enjoying a large lead in the polls although it's not expected to be as dramatic as Elliott's landslide victory earlier this month.

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©HamptonshireDailyNews 2020

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9849 comments

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MORE HEADLINES

• Hamptonshire to the polls? [ 7548 ]
• Train evacuated after smoke detected[ 935 ]
• Elliott visits Kirchester [ 3,485 ]
• Should we reform our education system? [ 4055 ]
• One injured in car crash outside Merrow [ 4444 ]

[The Kingdom of Glitter]

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EXCLUSIVE: Socialist constitutional diktats forcing king to be "fighting for the monarchy's life," palace sources say

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• A source inside St. Ellen's Palace reports that the Taoiseach is making "big moves" against the monarchy.
• Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne wants to significantly reduce the role of the monarchy, the source says.
• "At this point, just about everything but the King himself is on the chopping block".
• Mac Suibhne is planning to announce constitutional reforms any week now, spelling big changes.

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BY EIMEAR NIC SHEANÁIN
PUBLISHED: 21 December 2020

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The King with his family pictured at a palace Nativity event last week.

Troubling news out of St. Ellen's Palace indicates that Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne is looking to significantly alter the monarch's role in government as he assembles what can only be described as a socialist wish list of constitutional reforms. Mac Suibhne is hurrying to put together a package of constitutional changes in the run up to the new year. Among the institutions he hopes to reform is Caldia's popular monarchy, whose powers are already significantly limited compared to other world monarchies.

A source inside St. Ellen's reported to An Laethúil that the King could only be described as "fighting for the monarchy's life" as the Taoiseach, who comes from the socialist and trade unionist wings of the Social Democratic Party, negotiates changes at the Council of State.

"What is happening is absurd, what Caldia will be left with may barely even be a monarchy once [Mac Suibhne] has his way" the source said.

"The reserve powers, the powers in Tionól, the size of status of the Royal Family, and the overall role of the monarchy in society is at stake. At this point, just about everything but the King himself is on the chopping block".

Should the sources claims prove true, this would be a major reckoning for the nation. Many of the monarch's powers were surrendered long ago. Those that remain have recently proven to be essential to the functioning of the national government. Just short of two years ago, the King intervened to remove the corrupt Frank Casarnach from office as he was using the immunity his post as a shield for his crimes. At a time when the Tionól was near-paralyzed, the King stepped up to protect the nation's interest and image.

It is however not the first time a PSD Taoiseach has incited what could result in a constitutional crisis. An inter-party spat that became an issue of national stability helped bring down the short-lived government of Séamus Ó Faoláin, who rose to the office after his predecessor, Niamh Nic Uilliam, was sacked by then-King Elton II.

"These are big moves, and there is no way of knowing just how the public or the opposition will react to them" the source told An Laethúil.

Any reforms desired by the Taoiseach are likely to pass, as he controls the Comhthionól with a firm majority. An Laethúil understands that the Taoiseach has been negotiating with the King and representatives of the monarch for several days over the course of the past month. No agreement has been reached, per the palace source.

"The King is still fighting for the monarchy's life, no terms have yet been set".

When contacted by An Laethúil, a spokesperson for the palace said that there would be "no official comment on any of the discussions of the Council of State".

"These discussions are confidential and will remain so until the Council takes a vote that would otherwise change that" the spokesperson said.

The Council of State, officially the Council of State and the Crown, is the nation's privy council. It covers all dialogue between the government and the monarchy.

Royal expert Sir Donnchadh Mac Domhnaill indicates that it is common for these meetings to be "highly secretive".

"These are issues of critical importance to the function of the monarchy, they are not and should not be public knowledge.

Mac Domhnaill did however state that "any major changes to the role of the monarchy could be cause for concern" but cautioned against forming an opinion until changes are unveiled.

"Sometimes, the palace leaks. While it is likely credible information, this story is far from over".

Representatives for the taoiseach's office declined to comment when contacted by An Laethúil.

[Etruria2]

[Sivathra]

OOC: dated 18 December 2020

[Norcandy]

[Liecthenbourg]

Sylvain Chevalier, Professor of International Relations at the Gatôn University - 24/12/2020

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Opinion: Beneath Grey Skies - How Chistovodia's Navy utilised an environmental catastrophe to operate in the Arucian in numbers never before seen.

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Dmytro Musiyenko, the Chistovodian General who coordinated the
aid to the island, has not left his operating base since he arrived.

Gatôn, Anniane - On the 20th of September, Chistovodia surprised nobody when it sent material, civilian and military aid to the island state of Maracao. Both are united ideologically, and to some extent politically. Alongside this they have a long-standing existing military alliance and though woefully one-sided grants a strategic position to the Asteria Superior nation that many of its continental rivals lack as dedicatedly: a strong naval base in the centre of the Arucian Sea.

Earlier this year and again in 2019, Gatôn and Misto Myru had numerous clashes over Chistovodian naval presence in Eastern Arucian; well before crossing the Straits of Parane. Yet the diplomatic row and stand-off that emerged from that encounter, which included the Gaullican navy mobilising the Îles des Saints, cool off from its roaring boil and normality ensured between Allaire and Martynenko; the titan of Eastern Hemispherical International Leftism.

And that is where our government made a vital mistake. Allowing the Chistovodians the ease of access to deploy their navy through the Straits of Parane under the guise of "aid" to Maracao has strengthened their position in the Arucian to a level that is unprecedented in the modern day.

On the 20th of September, arriving to Maracao with the intention to coordinate Chistovodian efforts alongside the international community was General Dmytro Musiyenko. An unassuming man Musiyenko is not. Much like the elder guard of the Chistovodian Presidium he fought in what the nation calls 'The Kyrlav War', when Nuxica and Chistovodia came to war over their borders.

Much like the rest of Chistovodia's gerontocratic governing circle, these experiences moulded a hard, uncompromising individual radically attached to his Kirenian dogma. When Musiyenko told reporters at Porto Leste that "Chistovodia will leave on Maracao's terms" we should have expected the inevitable: Maracao's terms were never going to come and the Chistovodians would be there to stay.

One of Chistovodia's Kyrlav Missile Cruisers.

For the first time in three decades, Chistovodian warships anchored off of Dunhelm Island. The infamous Chistovodian 'Kyrlav Class' Missile Cruiser, capable of carrying missiles with a range of a thousand kilometres. One of their two vessels have been identified by satellite imagery in the region; which anchored off of Dunhelm Island in a glaring display of sabre-rattling against the island of Imagua and the Assimas.

And yet this is not the end of it. Before the eruption of Sangue in September, Chistovodia's naval presence in the Arucian numbered at 9 vessels and 31 aircraft. Under the guise of their aid to the region, the Chistovodian navy has increased its presence to 23 vessels -- including one of their most foremost pieces of military pride: the excessively impractical Kyrlav. And given the naval doctrine that Chistovodia operates with, its lone Kyrlav is likely screened by an impressive wolfpack of submarines and destroyers.

The airforce has also taken advantage of this situation; and their numbers have doubled to rudimentary airfields that the Chistovodian engineering corps -- which travelled to the island for "construction" and "rescue" has been busy building.

Disappointingly, the good faith with which the Asterians have tried to reach the Chistovodians has not been reciprocated. Given an inch of our generosity they tok a mile and have increased to their oil polarising tricks.

What was an event to solidify pan-Asterian relations, where even Nuvania had begun to warm its relations with Maracao, the Chistovodians have spat in the face of that spirit. And now the rest of the Asterias has been caught with their pants down: do they now cool their relations with the island nation that has strong sympathies with the international community given the tragic loss of life due to the volcanic eruption?

Supreme Leader Adão Costa has allowed this encroachment to occur.

One would expect some sort of domestic repercussion against this blatant neo-imperialism. However, Costa is sympathetic with his "northern brothers". Often times his damaging rhetoric focuses on the fact that Maracao is friendless for but "The Chistovodian Worker". This changed dramatically with the election of a sympathetic Belmontese government and now the threat of an emboldened leftist clique in the Asterias has manifested itself in the Arucian.

For as the dust settled and was swept aside; what remained was not the fallout of the devastation of a volcanic eruption. What was left as the skies returned to blue and the sea was no longer hued orange was the glaring presence of Misto Myru's outstretched hand.

As Maracao is a repressed society and a non-functioning democracy, dissident to the Chistovodian invasion has been quiet. Limited. Unheard of, frankly, save from diasporic groups across the Arucian who are frightened for the security of their families still at home.

A show of force in the Arucian is a strong alternative to this encroachment from the Chistovodians; but there are too many doves in a time where what we need are hawks.

What we need are less platitudes and good feelings towards the pariah state of Asteria Superior and decisive action. Lest the Kyrlav fires its barrage; for we have never opposed its presence until then.

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©les temps 2020

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312251 comments

smartynenko · 1 hour ago
Get fucked Libtards.

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8,761 up · 5,186 down

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A white man in Maracao · 1 hour ago
this is totally based on increasing geopolitical turmoil in the region.

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43,195 up · 45,826 down

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maartenmustgo · 1 hour ago
nuke nuvania rn

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[Liecthenbourg]

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The President's Nativity Speech.
President Monique Degar-Abdulrashid issued the traditional Gaullican Presidential Nativity Speech; in which she focused on the "upcoming issues" that "Gaullica would need to face".

Moïse Baillieu
December 25th, 2020|Verlois, Gaullica

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The President's address has been labelled as "respectful" and "sombre".

Verlois, Gaullica

Today Monique Degar-Abdulrashid issued her first 'Nativity Address' as President of Gaullica. In a similar fashion to her predecessors, this addressed was filmed within the living room of the Presidential Residence and touched upon both the season of celebration as well as a summary of these early months of their tenure. True to form, she also took the time to discuss what she called 'the roads ahead' and where Gaullica would find itself in the future.

The televised addressed has been a focal point of much media speculation ever since she announced her candidacy in March earlier this year. The 'Nativity Address' pays tribute to similar addresses practiced by Albert III during his late monarchical years, as well as his radio addresses that were broadcast intermittently throughout the war. These 'chats with the sovereign' and then 'chats with the president' formed a cornerstone of several key dates of the year in a post-war Gaullica.

President Montecardé continued the practice into his presidency and it has been continued by all presidents who have succeeded him. Nativity, however, is a decidedly Sotirian holiday. And whilst the overlaying religious message has continuously been reduced with its every incarnation, President Degar-Abdulrashid's position as the first non-Sotirian (specifically, Solarian Catholic) President of the nation has led for some to suggest the address would be cancelled or fundamentally changed.

Whilst traditionally a festive and fun and momentous occasion for the president to 'normalise' themselves in front of an audience; Degar-Abdulrashid brought a sense of sobriety and respect to her televised address. Alongside her husband and two sons, in smart wear, hands at entwined at her lap and standing, the President began her address by wishing "From my family to yours: the entire nation a very Joyous Nativity, hopefully one spent with family, friends and the community."

Immediately she cut into the heart of what some may perceive as an issue by addressing the elephant in the room. "Whilst I can never celebrate this holiday for the same deeply held reasons, ever since I married my husband I have partaken in a secularised celebration of the holiday. I am completely aware of its sentimentality and importance. My faith is inconsequential when it comes to my position as President, as President of All Gaullicans, and in that regard I continue the traditions set before me by my forbearers."

After this her family departed from the field of view as she began to talk about policy matters. "This presidency has begun on the high note of passing a significant piece of legislation, the Negative Income Tax Act, as it has become commonly referred. It is with this in mind that I am hoping for the first time many families are entering the holiday with an economic security that they would have otherwise lacked. I have seen my husband say grace many times and I take solace in the fact now that out there parents have the ability to break bread with their children and extended family because of this economic security."

Degar-Abdulrashid discussed other "key bills" she has had pass in the early months of her presidency and alluded to new legislation aiming to be introduced to see Verlois transition into a 'green city'. As was expected, she took the time to also bring the message around in full circle to the 'spirit of Nativity'.

"As we celebrate the Nativity we must also remember the distressing situation that many people around the globe find themselves in. We remind ourselves of our fortunate situation and their unfortunate situations. It is with this in mind that I return us to the 8th of December. A lot of misinformation has been thrown around regarding the vote. Gaullica will not be acting on their own in regards to the Transtsabaran Federation. There will be no deployment of troops to Tsabara. What will follow is that, as per the constitutional requirements, Gaullica may now participate in Euclean Common Defence Treaty Organisation missions to help support the government of the Federation."

A smile came across the president's face momentarily as she shifted topics, now back to the domestic situation at hand. "Gaullica is an old country. It can lay claim to be one of the oldest states still in existence. This is a nation that has seen countless challenges, turmoil and increasing demands of it in responses to these crises. Like always, Gaullicans have stood strong. They will continue to stand strong, united in the face of adversity from the Îles des Saints, to Nouvel Anglet to the Metropole. I asked my husband if he had any words of inspiration for these times and he told me to look to James 1:2. The words stuck with me, profoundly, and I would like to conclude my address by reading it to you: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds".

Nodding to the camera, Degar-Abuldrashid waved a final goodbye and concluded the address.

Of the remaining "Holiday Addresses", the Premier will be speaking towards the nation on New Years Day to discuss the upcoming pieces of policy the governing party intends on doing.

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©LEMONDE 2020

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MORE HEADLINES

• The President's Speech, broken down. [ 36,238 ]
• Opinion: The President's Speech was "forced" and felt "awkward, static and scripted".[ 15,509 ]
• Did the First Non-Sotirian President make the cut in her Nativity Address? [ 25,136 ]
• Chistovodian Navy operating in the Arucian at "increased levels", Les Temps reports. [ 11,951 ]
• The Top Ten Gaullican Nativity Meals Ranked. [ 43,684 ]

[The Kingdom of Glitter]

CONSTITUIONAL REFORMS ANNOUNCED IN KING'S NATIVITY ADDRESS
In an unexpected move, the King unveiled many of the government's plans for constitutional change

SHARE:

James Kelley (@jkelleygbf)
^{25 December 2020 | Spálgleann, Caldia}

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King Kenneth IV met with palace staff at the start of his televised Royal Nativity speech.

SPÁLGLEANN – In his annual Nativity address, King Kenneth IV took some by surprise when he announced many of the constitutional reforms being planned by the Caldish government. Each year on Nativity Day, the Caldish monarch delivers the Royal Nativity speech which is broadcast on television and radio. The tradition dates back to 1938, when the first speech was delivered via radio by Ellen II.

While it is not uncommon for the monarch to address major topics in the traditional speech, specific government policy is traditionally absent. Such details are usually saved for the speech from the throne made at the State Opening of the Tionól. While the King is still set to give a speech at the legislature's new session, he touched on many key points of the government's plans for constitutional change.

Before discussing the planned Instrument for Governance Act of 2021, he began his speech by sharing that he celebrated the Nativity holiday with his extended family at St. Ellen's Palace last night. The King said the family had a "joyous Nativity Eve".

He then spoke of the importance for reflection: “For most people in our country, Nativity is a special holiday, surrounded by traditions. No matter what your Nativity weekend looks like and where you spend it, I hope it gives you time for reflection,” he said.

"This year is our second Nativity with both of our children. Prince Robert and I have been able to enjoy this Nativity season with them and all of our family, with whom we shared a joyous Nativity Eve. It is moments like this that we cherish, that when we pause and take a moment to reflect live with us once again" he said.

Together with his husband, the Duke of Clane, the King has two children: Princess Mary Victory, the Duchess of Liscannor, and Prince James, the Count of Banchory.

The King thanked those who work on Nativity and other holidays, hailing them for their efforts.

He then moved on to discussing his hopes for the future, acknowledging that the future is uncertain. Listing the challenges ahead, such as international conflicts, humanitarian crises, and climate change, the King said that he was "hopeful that the world will come together to solve these challenges in the interests of humanity".

Speaking on the government's plans for constitutional reform, the King stated that "significant changes to the operation of government" were on the horizon.

"Such changes are being pursued by my government in the interest of the nation. The Constitution shall be amended to streamline government at a local level, reform our governing institutions to better bring them into this new decade, and help prevent the problems of years past from reoccurring.

"My government hopes that these reforms will strengthen our Constitution and our commitment as a nation to the democratic values of liberty, equality, and justice".

While the King withheld many of the details of the government's plans, he provided official insight for the first time. His address appears to confirm what anonymous sources within the Mac Suibhne have previously indicated: that county government will be significantly altered, that the national government will be overhauled, and that good governance reforms aimed at preventing official misconduct will be implemented.

There is some speculation as to just what this entails, and some opposition parties are concerned that the Taoiseach will use his 218 majority in the Comhthionól Náisiúnta to accomplish a number of policies long sought by his Social Democratic Party.

A leak from inside St. Ellen's Palace to An Laethúil indicates that the King has been in negotiations with the Taoiseach over reforms for some time. One such institution that is expected to be reformed is the monarchy. The palace source claimed that the monarchy's authority is going to be significantly reduced.

Both the palace and Taoiseach's Office declined to comment on the leaks. However, the palace has recently announced it has parted ways with Francis FitzMaurice, the son of the Viscount of Drum. FitzMaurice is a distant relative of the King and his father is close with Prince William, the Count of Barraerach. He worked in the palace's administration office, but his departure was quietly announced last night.

The King's address took many by surprise. The Taoiseach will give his own address on New Year's Day in which he is expected to speak on some of the finer details of constitutional reform. After that, the King will deliver his speech from the throne on 11 January where the finer detail's of the government's agenda for the new legislative session will be unveiled.

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© Ghaillish Broadcasting Federation Inc. 2020

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[Etruria2]

[Eskaeba]

[Sivathra]

[-AlEmAnNiA-]

[Norcandy]

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ELLIOT SEIZES VICTORY
Prime Minister's "YES" Campaign wins by a narrrow majority of 53%
James McKinlock (@jamesmckinlock )
^{30th December 2020 | THE HOPE POST}

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Elliot thanking supporters at his campaign headquaters in Fort Kinnon
Photo courtesy of godhelooksdumb.co.sv

PORT HOPE, SATAVIA -
Satavia has voted, 53% in favour of taking steps to legalise cannabis. The final results of the non-binding referendum came in early this morning, as the YES campaign saw a sudden surge after the first votes from the west of the Country came in, especially in the Orange Province and Balleyleigh.

Votes were counted all through the night, with the final results being declared in the Patrick Islands at 7:30 this morning, with a mixed vote, narrowly against cannibis legalisation.

The night was nailbiting, as initial votes from the Hope Province - including the Prime Minister's own constituency - were split around 70-30 in favour of the NO TO CANNABIS campaign. Only 22 hours after polling started, nearly 10 million ballots had been counted, with different provinces arriving in at different times.

The first to declare was the Hope Province - despite being the biggest - as all votes were cast electronically, marking the first time that electronic voting machines have been used in the country. The province recorded nearly 73% of votes being against Cannabis legalisation, whilst the remainder were cast for legalisation.

Disaster for Elliot continued, as the Northern Hope declared later that night, also declaring a majority Anti-Cannabis vote. It appeared as if all hope was lost - and as we waited on the West Country to declare, many went to bed, believeing they would wake up to a new Prime Minister - there was, it was believed, no way Elliot could continue following defeat.

Then, at 02:32 this morning, the Orange Province became the first of the West Country to declare, and the first province to declare a "YES" vote.

Just half an hour later, at 3:00, Ballyleigh, the second largest province by population, declared an overwhelming YES vote, with nearly 89% of all votes being pro cannabis legalisation.

Soon, it became apparent that this was going to be a much closer race than previously expected. The Central Territory, sometimes refered to by it's old name, Dukeminster & Andersland, also declared a majority YES vote, and it became clear that maybe Elliot had, in fact, won.

With the Patrick Islands, who don't normally vote in referendums, declaring an almost exact 50-50 split, Elliot's campaign headquaters errupted into cheering, whilst in the "NO TO CANNABIS" campaign, it was gloomy faces all around.

Elliot is now free to persue various routes in his quest to legalise cannabis, with the support of the majority of the people.

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© THE HOPE POST 2020

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[Xiaodong]

Editorial Board - 1 January 2021

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Home · Euclea · Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Sports · Weather · Opinion

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2020 IN REVIEW - OUR PEOPLE OF THE YEAR

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Verlois, Gaullica - After an eventful 2020 we as the Continental have complied the five figures who have had the most impact in the last 12 months across the planet. Some have been nominated in previous years, whilst others are entering the list for the first time. For our final editorial of 2020 we as the Continental would like to thank our loyal readers for supporting our journalism and hope to continue to maintain your readership in 2021.
5.The Reformer - Caldish Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne

For the leader of such a small country, Caldia's unusually active Taoiseach (premier) Stiofán Mac Suibhne, has followed in the footsteps of his fellow compatriot Alexis Walker in punching above his weight on an international level. From everything to innovative domestic policy to thrusting Caldia at the centre of most foreign policy events Mac Suibhne has ensured that Caldia's voice, however small, is heard at every opportunity.

True, at times this has been unsuccessful. Mac Suibhne is perhaps most famous internationally for alongside his respected foreign minister Séamus Ó Faoláin attempting to mediate between the Tsabaran government and rebel factions in order to prevent civil war back in January. The attempt whilst ultimately unsuccessful saw Mac Suibhne assert the soft power of the small nations of Euclea - those that are neutral and use their reputation as impartial, level-headed forums to attempt to mediate between hostile factions to hash out a compromise. Mac Suibhne was more successful internationally in his attempt alongside the the Weranian government for the approval of the Tuaisceart-Süd 2.0 pipeline. Controversial amongst environmentalist activists worried that the pipeline represented a coup de grâce for the oil lobby in north Euclean politics, Mac Suibhne was more successful - certainly then his Weranian and Azmaran colleagues - in forging a consensus that allowed the pipeline to pass numerous legislative hurdles.

Domestically Mac Suibhne has had more success. Under his government bold reforms have been implemented, most importantly a shift towards a universal basic income (UBI) scheme. Caldia has long been a centre for free-market policies and a kind of ruthless individualism often at odds with the national character of a tight-knit community that bathes in Caldish exceptionalism, but the Mac Suibhne government has sought to overhaul this free-market consensus with an explicit importation of Gaullo-social democracy albeit with Caldish characteristics. This has been confirmed with the proposal of a new constitution that will radically re-define the powers of the Caldish monarchy in the sense of eliminating them completely.

Caldia may be a small country but with the bold social-democratic reformism and international mediation Mac Suibhne represents its hard to say that the Caldish Taoiseach represents anything other then a bellwether for Euclea's political future in the near-term.
4.The Cabal - Zorasani Central Command Council

Last year Zorasan's ever-gleeful premier, Farzad Akbari, looked to have consolidated power amongst Zorasan's incomprehensible governmental structure. After the electoral success of his True Way coalition we at the Continental pegged Akbari as our number two person of the year and expected him to dominate global affairs in 2020.

What a difference a year makes. Whilst we were right in thinking that 2020 would see a Zorasan that was even more confident, more reckless and more aggressive Akbari quickly faded into the background. Rather instead it was Zorasani Central Command Council (CCC) that would come to dominate the Zorasani political scene over 2020, riding roughshod over the more bureaucratic, civilian and religious centres of Zorasani political life.

The CCC is one of the more sinister elements of Zorasan's government, being made up of senior military officers and having oversight over other governmental bodies. Its chairman is Defence Minister Adavazdar Golzadari, but he is just but one of its influential personnel - spokesperson and airforce commander Sadavir Hatami and chief strategist Alireza Favadi are amongst its other powerful voices. Whoever is the main decision maker within the CCC, its clear that this shadowy institution has been behind the actions of Zorasan that has wreaked havoc across north Coius and spread its tentacles into Euclea. The CCC's diktats are understood to have included everything from staunch opposition to climate targets at the 2020 Baiqiao summit, outreach to troubled nations in Bahia like Mabifia, Yemet and Bamvango and ending any attempt at Euclean-Zorasani rapprochement.

On two issues the CCC has been most dominant - their involvement in Zorasan's alleged nuclear weapons programme and in destabilising Tsabara. On the first, the CCC have been seen to throw caution to the wind and pressed ahead with an illegal nuclear weapons programme disregarding a more cautious strategy preferred within the bureaucracy and Zorasan's international allies most prominently Xiaodong. On Tsabara the CCC have followed a strategy of relentless pressure on the Tsabaran government scuppering all talks of peace, continuing large scale backing of rebels, threatening Euclean nations with large refugee waves in order to extract concessions and even forcing the declaration of the unrecognised state of Hamada in retaliation of elections held in government-controlled areas.

The CCC however faces the risk of overstretching itself. The international community is increasingly talking of sanctioning the CCC over its nuclear ambitions as well as acting against its actions in Tsabara which many see as at best state-sponsored terrorism and at worst creating a proxy war. Whilst Xiaodong remains a loyal ally the CCC has alienated almost every other major nation on the planet severely limiting their scope of action. Only time will tell if the CCC is able to realise their own lofty ambitions.
3.The Dreamer - Gaullican President Monique Degar-Abdulrashid

Last year, Degar-Abdulrashid seemed a transitional figure. Although the left had returned to power in Gaullica after a right-wing coalition imploded spectacularly over a failed monarchist referendum, the Social Democratic Party looked to be living on borrowed time. The 2019 legislative election had seen the Greens achieve a meteoric rise and poised to seize the imitative of the left. More dramatic was the success of former foreign minister Coralie Barreau, whose Conservative and Progressive Republican Party had displaced the old right-wing parties as the main centre-right force in Gaullican politics. Ahead of the 2020 Gaullican election Barreau seemed its most likely victor, seemingly following in the footsteps of Clélie Gérin-Lajoie, Gaullica's first female president.

It was Degar-Abdulrashid - riding off the support of the PSD's base of young voters coupled with the old working class and liberal middle-class - that swept to power, confirming the PSD once again as Gaullica's natural party of government. Degar-Abdulrashid, popularly known as MDA, made history not only as Gaullica's third female president (after Gérin-Lajoie and Anne Heaux) but also Gaullica's youngest and first Irfanic to hold the office.

Degar-Abdulrashid has already proven herself a progressive reformer in the same mould as her predecessor the venerable Jean Vallette, implementing a "negative income tax" that has similar to the Caldish experiment mentioned above been seen as the first step towards a system of UBI. As the daughter of Tsabaran migrants Degar-Abdulrashid has taken an instant interest in the issue and has taken the unprecedented - and not uncontroversial - step of increasing Gaullican involvement in the conflict in support of the legitimate government.

2021 however will be the year which will test Degar-Abdulrashid. With the seemingly more fragile PSD-Green coalition stepping over ever-more delicate ground over a host of issues and a right poised to exploit anti-refugee sentiment alongside latent racism and sexism regarding Degar-Abdulrashid's presidency - plus the ever popular figure of Barreau still in play - Degar-Abdulrashid has to show the full extent of her political skills.
2.The Disrupters - Etruria's Carcaterra, Estmere's Wilton-Smyth and Werania's von Hösslin

If one side of the Euclean story in 2020 is the triumph of social democracy, the flipside is of course the reverberations of the Euclean right's continued embrace of more nationalist and populist policies over the past decade. From Alsland to Hennehouwe the populist right continue to leverage their influence, albeit since the spectacular implosion of Hugo-Noël Devereaux's government in Gaullica their influence has slightly abated.

The three faces of Euclean right-populism can be described as the disrupters of the Euclean and global world stage - Francesco Carcaterra of Etruria, Reginald Wilton-Smyth of Estmere and Otto von Hösslin. All represent different aspects of the right, befitting the histories of their countries - Wilton-Smyth an aristocratic infatuation with both hierarchy and market-economics, von Hösslin a marriage between Catholic provincialism and big business and Carcaterra a form of faux neo-functionalism tempered with a pragmatic streak. But all have made their mark in shaping global events.

Wilton-Smyth has been more bullish in this, continuing our 2019 prediction that his conservative government would continue to follow an interventionist foreign policy. Wilton-Smyth's "Axis of Evil" speech in which he named Xiaodong and Zorasan explicitly in this regard whilst naming Kirenia, Chistovodia, Soravia and Ajahadya as "illiberal forces" was the clearest example in this case which became backed by an increase in intervention in Tsabara, deploying Estmerish jets and special forces to aid the Tsabaran government. Carcaterra has meanwhile been at the frontline in whipping up anti-refugee fervour in Euclea whilst entrenching the dominant role of the Tribune Movement in Etrurian politics, further attacking womens' and minority rights. Von Hösslin has been the least active of the three but has similar to his Estmerish counterpart stepped up intervention in Tsabara whilst pushing through controversial policies such as the Tuaisceart-Süd 2.0 pipeline and healthcare reform.

Despite the three disrupting the scene in 2020, 2021 looks to be another tough year for the Euclean right. Wilton-Smyth's conservative coalition is vying for re-election but has been struggling with poor public polling compared to the opposition social democrats, whose leader Zoe Halivar is copying the MDA playbook of combining classic social-democratic policies with a message of renewal. Carcaterra's iron grip over Etruria has been rocked by comments made by the Pope Joseph near the end of the year that has criticised the Tribune-led government's racist policies whilst facing a re-energised opposition predominantly from the decimated social democratic party. Von Hösslin looks most secure on track to win a majority in the Weranian upper house in January, but is also facing problems from environmentalist protesters and restless moderate and populist factions within the governing party. 2021 promises to be another year where the Euclean disrupters will make their mark.
1.The Saviour - Tsabaran President Nazim al-Qutayni

The story that has dominated headlines in 2020 has undoubtedly been the complete unravelling of Tsabara. The collapse of the Rahelian state of 60 million people has had huge effects on north Coius and south Euclea, but has also reverberated to the Asteria's or West Euclea through the changes to the global oil market and representing a raw conflict between a divided, authoritarian Tsabara or one that is democratic and united.

At the centre of this is Nazim al-Qutayni, who has almost single-handedly dragged his country from the abyss to ensure that at the very least a democratic, multicultural and pluralistic Tsabara can survive despite the threats posed by Zorasani-backed insurgent forces intent on undermining the Tsabaran government in order to carve out another union republic based purely on Irfanic identity. The Atudite threat, which threatened to further tear apart Tsabara earlier this year, was adroitly handled by al-Qutayni in his creation of a national unity government with moderate elements.

To be sure, there have been mistakes. Al-Qutayni's nationalisation of Xiaodongese assets whilst the correct move to do was done in a hamfisted manner that shows a degree of rash judgement. The reliance on unilateral Estmerish interventionism has been controversial in a country wary of foreign intervention particularly as al-Qutayni has criticised rebel groups for their reliance on Zorasani militants.

But no one can deny that al-Qutayni's strength of character has ensured that Tsabara has a chance to save itself. The recent election in the country and triumphant return of Tsabara to the International Council of Democracy further proves that al-Qutayni has proven to be one of if not the most pivotal figures in the past twelve months - but has a challenge of gargantuan proportions to deal with in 2021.

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Honourable mentions
Former Nuvanian Premier Robert Marteens for leading opposition within Asteria to rapprochement with the socialist nations of Chistovodia and Maracao.
Violaine Rousseau for being the youngest winner of Euclovision in the contests history.
Xiaodongese State Chairman Yuan Xiannian for his leadership of the Baiqiao summit, pro-Zorasani foreign policy in Tsabara and over nuclear weapons and ending the Normalisation programme.
Rwizikuran King Munashe Ngonidzashe for his successful reforms aimed at democratising the country.
Environmentalist protesters, particularly in north Euclea, for continuing to raise awareness for climate change and putting pressure on governments over the issue.

[The Kingdom of Glitter]

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Home · Caldia · World · Politics · Business · Spálgleann City · Culture · Education · Sports · Opinion · Editorial · Archives

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IN HIS NEW YEARS ADDRESS, Mac SUIBHNE OUTLINES SPECIFICS OF CONSTITITIONAL REFORM

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The taoiseach has promised to usher in an age of "renewal and good governance" with his desired changes.

By RÓNÁN Ó DUBHGHAILL

1 January 2021 at 13:02 p.m. EST

In his New Year's Day Address, Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne spoke at length about his plans for constitutional reform and his optimism for the year ahead.

Plans for constitutional reform were first formally announced by the King in his Nativity speech, confirming months of speculation that Mac Suibhne would push for a new Instrument for Governance in the next session of the Tionól. Mac Suibhne used today's speech as a way to further the rollout of his desired reforms.

Speaking about the cause for constitutional reform, he said: "We have seen the troubles and complications of the current system outlined under the last Instrument. While our system, as it always does, proved that it can preserve and fight trough political crisis, we must work to safeguard our democratic ideals.

"It is through updating our Constitution, one of the oldest and most revolutionary in the world, that we continue to uphold our commitment to liberty, equality, and justice for all citizens of our great nation".

While the taoiseach did not name any one crisis or constitutional challenge by name, he was generally understood to be referencing the 2002 government crisis and the 2018/2019 government crisis. In both instances, royal intervention resulted in the removal of the incumbent taoiseach. This is a scenario that "must forever be avoided", Mac Suibhne said.

"We know that our Constitution and the institutions which are enshrined in it are strong. However, we must work to guarantee that public trust in those institutions remains strong. It is for that reason, in the spirit of good governance and our everlasting commitment to democracy, that we must reform those very institutions. Monarchial intervention must forever be avoided if we wish to ensure the faith of the public is with our institutions.

"As such, the entire national government requires an overhaul. We must not just introduce further safeguards to ensure the mistakes of the past are not repeated, but we must also modernize our government for the times in which we - and later our grandchildren and our grandchildren's children - will live. In the speech-from-the-throne on the eleventh of January, His Majesty will outline the finer details of the government's plan for constitutional reform.

"However, I am please to share an overview with you now. The Office of the Taoiseach will be reformed so that no individual can use the position to hide from their crimes. We will change the very nature of the relationship between the legislature and the executive, empowering the Tionól to more easily oust a government that has lost their support and thus the support of the people. Once that government is removed, a new independent government will be formed from among our nation's most dedicated civil servants until a new election is held.

"We will also consolidate the government, both at the national and subnational level. This will allow us to government more efficiently and maximize state resources to ensure that we reach as many citizens as possible. Cabinet offices will be consolidated while county governments will be reformed into provinces, allowing subnational administrations to pool resources.

"The nature of the monarchy and its relationship with the government will also be altered, to allow for a monarchy that fits the needs of the 21st century - not the 19th century. The constitutional powers of the monarch will be curbed, with many of the safeguards previously attributed to the monarchy instead being vested in the Tionól. The monarch, in consultation with the Council of State, will determine the size and purview of the Royal Family. As we step further into this century, we step further away from the circumstances that necessitated an aristocracy. Noble titles held outside of the Royal Family will no longer be recognized by the government. Instead, they will serve as a part of our nation's rich history and culture.

"Finally, our national commitment to the international community will be formally enshrined, guaranteeing peace and prosperity for generations to come. I remain hopeful as we head into this new year. Our country will be stronger, it will be more prosperous, as a result of these changes. The mistakes of the past will not be repeated and good governance will be fully restored, allowing public trust in our democratic process to return. Internationally, I am hopeful too. I have been deeply moved by many of the global champions of our shared national values. However, I am remain vigilant of the worsening situations in some corners of the world. The Caldish government, and the Caldish nation, will be - as we have always been - on the right side of the issues that face us as a global society".

Unlike other democratic countries, Caldia does not require a referendum to approve constitutional changes. A simple majority in both chambers of the Tionól and royal assent is all that is required.

The final specifics of the Instrument for Governance Act of 2021, the formal name for the government's reform package, will be included in the King's speech-from-the-throne at the opening of the new legislative session.

Should Mac Suibhne be successful in his push to pass a third Instrument for Governance Act, it could radically alter the course of the 2022 general election - set to take place on 12 June 2022. The taoiseach and his government remain popular, something he hopes to use to his advantage as he purses constitutional reform.

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Comments [ 1237 ] | E-mail
© Nördlichen Verlagshaus 2021

[The Kingdom of Glitter]

MAC PIARAIS RISKS LOSING EVERYTHING FOR LIBERTY
Liberty looks to head further into the wilderness as its controversial leader rages on
6 January 2021 | Gráinne Fitzpatrick

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Mac Piarais' abrasive approach to leadership, the press, and his rivals has proven divisive among his party's once loyal base.

JUST four short years ago, it looked like Liberty had it all. Control of the national government was essentially a guarantee. Liberty had established itself as the assumed party of governance, dominating the divided Social Democratic Party. Buoyed by Walker's steady leadership, the party made aggressive moves into the PSD's home territory. Then, the unthinkable happened. O'Reilly resigned after an embracing diplomatic scandal. The party's right came to power, with Casarnach at the helms. His disastrous tenure resulted in deep spending cuts, controversy abroad, and most infamously of all the scandal that resulted in the intervention of a monarch. Crisis after crisis sent the party into a downward spiral. Enter Pádraig Mac Piarais, a climate-change denying, right-wing backbencher turned Minister of the Environment and Climate. He was no stranger to controversy,

Mac Pirais never hid who he was. It has always been out in the open. This goes as far back to his election in 1982, as part of the landslide majority won by Patricia Flowers. During that campaign, he took issue with reporting on his professional life. He sued the Invertwinc-based An Áitiúil, claiming the paper intentionally misrepresented him and published falsehoods equating to liable. The lawsuit was frivolous, but it was one of several coupled with more frequent attacks on the press. It was the ultimate irony: a man who frequently claimed there was no limit to free speech seeking to silence to press for reporting that was not favorable to him. This trend continued during Mac Pirais' tenure as the Ó Ceallaigh government's deputy whip.

As time went on, he only made his true nature more apparent. His disparaging comments about immigrants, demands for a unilateral withdrawal from the euclozone, and unthinkable attacks on the King mounted. By nature, Mac Pirais sounds more like a leader of the now defunct Free Market Party than that of Liberty. In many ways, he was the result of a reactionary push against the social liberalism of Walker and O'Reilly. However, he was also the party's response to the rising threat posed by the ascendant National Party. Conservatives, many of which had stuck with Liberty through the Walker years, abandoned the party in 2019 for the Nationals. Could a right-wing member of the New Right bring them back to the party? Perhaps.

His unorthodox approach has swung the needle back towards Liberty among some conservatives. However, attempts to reach out with disillusioned right-wing voters have rubbed many in Liberty's traditional base the wrong way. The bedrock of Liberty's dominance under Flowers and Walker was Caldia's middle class. These voters, who tend to be supportive of or apathetic to social liberalism, take issue with Mac Pirais. Many of his extreme positions and controversy, both of which he takes deep pride in, are hard to stomach for this voting bloc. It is a dangerous game, a the suburban middle class almost always crown the victor of every national election. This has seen the party lose some support in opinion polls, to the benefit of the Caldish Democrats. The Democrats have rebranded as social liberals in a similar vein to Walker. It has taken the party off life support, seeing support in recent polls rise to a steady 4-5% after narrowly making it into the Comhthionól in 2019.

Recent comments made by Liberty's leader in reaction to the government's recently announced plans for constitutional reform only make his position more precarious. Mac Pirais has launched a series of attacks against the government, and most controversially the king.

In a recent interview on TRN's Nuacht, the national broadcaster's renowned primetime news program, the opposition leader accused Kenneth IV of being "a politician on the throne".

"His Majesty is more politically involved than once could have ever dreamed, especially after the disaster that was the reign of his uncle. He acts as though he is a politician on the throne, taking sides in political matters and disputes. Perhaps we were spoiled by the regal nature of his late grandmother, who made her presence known without political brute force".

Mac Pirais was said this in reference to the King's Nativity Day address. In his speech, the King provided a brief overview of the government's planned constitutional reform. While perhaps unconventional to mention government policy in the Nativity address, constitutional reform is another matter. There are many issues with the government's plans to change the constitution, but the King's remarks were concise. Attacking the monarch for announcing constitutional reforms is a risk. However, it matches the trend. Mac Pirais has routinely attacked the King as being political, taking issue with the decision to remove Casarnach from office during the government crisis in January 2019. The attacks have not landed, with many Caldish voters routinely expressing their faith in both the impartiality of the monarch and the monarchy as an institution.

The government and Taoiseach Mac Suibhne are fair game to criticize of course. This is their reform bill and it reads as though it is an ideological wish-list of the Caldish left more so than it does the package of good governance reforms Mac Suibhne has long talked up. However, Mac Piarais again takes a risky approach. He has recently labelled Mac Suibhne as a "wanna-be socialist dictator" and compared his push for constitutional reform to authoritarian efforts in Xiaodong to revamp the Xiaodongese constitution. This rhetoric will score points with plenty of conservatives, no doubt, but it runs the risk of alienating the kingmakers: the middle class.

Approaches taken by moderate members of Liberty, such as ex-Foreign Minister Robert Kean, have a much better chance of reaching middle class voters. Kean has argued that the reforms must not be voted on by the legislature until after this June's Seanad elections. This would give Caldish voters a say, Kean believes. It would also provide Liberty and other opposition parties a chance to make the case against reform directly to the public. It is a strategy with real potential given Mac Suibhne's ironclad majority in the Comhthionól and the unlikely nature of the Seanad to block his efforts. This only works if it is not drowned out by the much louder Mac Piraras, whose abrasive rhetoric often captures the headlines.

If Kean and his strategy go by the wayside and Mac Piarnas wins the day, Liberty will head further into the wilderness. If Liberty wants to stand a chance, if it wants to force the government to actually pass constitutional reform as opposed to an ideological wish-list, the party's leader needs to change course. Given his history, Liberty's TCs should put on their hiking boots and grab a tent.

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Written by Gráinne Fitzpatrick, a staff-writer for An Radacach

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[Empire of Falconia]

Ravnian National News

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Rally gathering turns violent amidst political tensions.

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Novigrad - Grief has gripped the Ravnian Republic today as a clash between NCF and RSF supporters turned violent in the streets of Novigrad. Both groups of supporters had gathered in the city to show their support for their respective candidates ahead of the first presidential debate scheduled for later this week. Trouble began when several NCF supporters began heckling RSF supporters during the start of their rally, this heckling turned into a shouting match between the group of NCF hecklers and several RSF supporters. The shouting between the groups drew the attention of more and more people until almost everyone from both rallies were involved. At this point Novigrad police had stepped in to keep the groups from clashing with each other, but this did not stop the shouting and heckling. Several attempts were made by both groups to get past the police and attack each other, but these attempts ultimately failed.

It was at 11:25 am, twenty minuets after the police had stepped in to separate the rallies, several gunshots were heard coming from the RSF supporters. These gunshots killed one man, and left two others injured on the NCF side. Police were able to neutralize the shooter before he could harm anyone else. The shooter was identified as 23 year old Dmitry Antonov, an apparent left wing radical.

This attack has received condemnation from the RSF, and all three RSF presidential candidates. President Abramov has also condemned the the shooting, calling it:
"An act of Barbarism and political repression that should never have happened."
Many believe the attack was sparked over political unrest in the RSF, as well as outrage over president Abramov's decision to run for a third term of office.

[Poshyte]

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"Several fatalities" following explosion on Yndyk Commuter train
At least 50 people have been taken to hospital and Alsrail has suspended operations following the incident.

ANS Staff (@ANSOnline)
January 6, 2021 | Yndyk

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There were several casualties according to a first responder Photo courtesy of Anewsp.

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Yndyk
At least 5 people have died and over 160 have been injured following an explosion on a train in Delland according to authorities. The explosion happened at 17:40 only minutes after departing Yndyk Central Station.

The explosion took place in the Nijenok Residential neighbourhood and according to residents it sounded like a bomb had exploded. The train which has a maximum capacity of 460 passengers according to authorities and was near capacity. The train was evacuated quickly as a large fire took hold in the rear carriages, one of which appears to have been completely devastated by the explosion.

Witnesses say they saw the train running normally until a large explosion was heard before the train came to a screeching stop moments later and a large fire was already visible in the rear carriages. According to passengers on the train, they had felt a large and forceful explosion which knocked some people off their feet in the front carriages and caused serious damage in the rear of the train.

Windows on the train were blown out following the explosion and an evacuation order was issued almost immediately following the emergency stop by Crew onboard the train, a distress call was made to Alsrail's central operations room in Yndyk who closed the line to all approaching trains.

Many passengers who had not been injured escaped the train onto the grass embankment between two rows of houses and nearby residents were the first to arrive and begin to help those onboard the train. Calls to the emergency services were made at 17:44 and shortly after the first ambulances were on the scene of the disaster.

According to authorities at least 160 passengers were injured and over 50 have been hospitalised. Along with that there are numerous casualties according to emergency services although the number is hard to determine

The explosion's cause is still unknown but Authorities are not ruling out Sabotage or a bomb onboard the train, other theories at this time include an explosion in the train's engine.

In a statement, chief of the Alslandic Transport police Doarus De Jong said that the cause of the explosion is currently unknown.

He added: "In regards to the reason of the explosion, we do not yet have a clear reason why although we are investigating every possible reason, including terrorism or sabotage."

"Safety is our upmost concern and we hope to resume all rail services including Euclostar services tomorrow morning, may I reiterate that there is no threat to the Alslandic people at this time. We want people to remain calm after this event."

Some analysts say that debris from pictures online are consistent with an explosion sparking fears that a terrorist attack has taken place, no group has claimed responsibility for the explosion, the Alslandic Transport Police reiterated their statement to investigate all possible explanations for the explosion.

Premier Elliott released a statement about her shock on the explosion. The statement was released shortly after the first news reports and Elliott said she will visit the site when the situation has calmed down.

A hotline for families and friends of those who have not been accounted for.

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©ANSToday 2021

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5637 comments

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MORE HEADLINES

• Don't take the trains. [ 364 ]
• Yndyk Central station evacuated[ 935 ]
• Zijlstra sends message of shock [ 1288 ]
• A disturbance in the force has been detected on a distant planet [ 97 ]
• Sports news: Alsland sucks [ 3733 ]

[Imperii Ecclesia]

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PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS REACHES LIVESTREAM RECORD
Kovacheva's address proves popular to watch online.

SHARE:

PETAR MAROV (@marovpetar)
^{6th JANUARY 2021 20:22 | LENOVO, TENGARIA}

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President Kovacheva gave her Address on the top of a Horse and in the snow outside of the Presidential Complex in Osvezhavane Base.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office of Tengaria.

DRASONO, TENGARIA -

This evening, President Kovacheva gave a livestreamed Address to the Tengarian people on Nativity's Eve from Osvezhavane Base outside of the town of Drasono, speaking at length about the importance of the Nativity and then wishing all the citizens of Tengaria a very joyous and happy Nativity.

Although in East Euclea and around the World most people have already celebrated the Nativity two weeks ago, the Tengarian Church continues to use the older calendar, resulting in her address being given on the Eve of January 7th, which is December 25th in the older calendar and the feast of the Holy Birth.

Whereas in previous years the President has given her address from inside the retreat complex, this year, President Kovacheva for the first time delivered it outside while on top of a horse. In addition to the address being outside, it was also snowing. Tengaria, especially around the southern coast, usually does not get snow due to its warm climate, but in the hills in the northeast, in which Osvezhavane Base is situated in, it is more common.

Osvezhavane Base was built used during the Great War as a supply centre for weapons for the Tengarian Resistance. Its secluded location and rugged terrain made it ideal to avoid the detection by occupying forces from Amathia. The military continued to own the land after the war, although it became neglected and eventually abandoned by the 1970s. President Dimitri Kovachev used the land to build a retreat in the isolated hills outside the city of Drasono in the Northeast of the country for the Presidents to use as a means of taking leave from their service for a short respite, as well as to house special guests of importance or international meeting. It is the been customary since Dimtri's Presidency for the Presidents to go on retreat for the Nativity Season from their duties to refresh, spend time with family, and to celebrate the Holy Birth of Sotirias.

Kovacheva focused her address on the importance of the Birth of Sotirias and the Incarnation, saying that it allowed for the salvation of the world and the fullness of our life to be gained. "Without the Incarnation, we would have no true Peace. Our glorious Republic- no, indeed the world- can only ever truly have peace and unity by means of Sotirias the God, the Incarnate Word", she said, "For by it alone can man be rescued from his original state of sin unto the life which can truly fulfill out purpose as given to us by God." She encouraged all Tengarians to take time to attend a Liturgy to properly celebrate the feast, saying that "The common bond of Sotirias and his Holy Church is what unites and strengthens our Nation, and to honor that allegiance means that we ought to celebrate it by the means which His Church decrees."

President Kovacheva also took shots at the commercialization of Nativity in other countries, discouraging people from focusing on the material things given and received but rather on the Nativity itself. "It does not matter what gifts you may gain from others, but rather, the state of your soul," she said. "While other countries focus on the externals and the things associated with the holiday, we can go beyond that to truly see what is most important- namely, the Sotirias Child and his Holy Birth. I am not saying that material things are evil, but we must not miss the whole purpose of the Holy Day, or it will profit us nothing."

Finally, she concluded her address with a toast to all the families and citizens of Tengaria, saying, "May the Holy Sotirias Child Bless and Keep your familes and friends during this most Holy Season of Nativity, wherever you may be, both at home and abroad. I wish you all a very Merry Nativity, and may God protect Tengaria and her people." After this, the address was ended.

The address was made available on several different streaming platforms, and was aired on most television sets and radios across the Nation, and good number of people watched it through online devices, even internationally. The National Standard's livestream has had the most views out of any of the President's previous addresses to this date, hitting record numbers for online spread. Many of the viewings occurred after the livestream had already aired, suggesting that people watched the video. Sources say that her unique setting and in addition her strong message proved popular to many, who encouraged their family and friends to watch it.

However, at the same time, the increased online and international presence also meant the increased negative response. Several users, mostly anonymous, referred to the address in negative terms as "cringe" and "outdated". One international user claimed that "This speech only shows how backward the Tengarian President is. She speaks like she is from the Middle Ages." Another user from Tengaria said, "Yet another show of the Tengarian President's use of religion to shield her oppressive and unjust policies. Sad!" However, since it was just a Nativity Address and not a political speech, the backlash was far less than what might have been.

The President remains on her Nativity retreat with her husband and four children until the Great Feast of the Theophany, after which she will return to Lenovo on January 20th.

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© TENGARIAN NAITIONAL STANDARD 2021

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MORE HEADLINES

• Watch the President's Address HERE.
• Solemn Nativity Divine Liturgy in Lenovo expected to be Overcrowded.
• Crowds gather eagerly for the Partiarch's Nativity Blessing.
• Philosophy: The Incarnation and its Effects on the Understanding of the Soul.
• Culture: 10 Nativity Choral Pieces for the whole family.

[Poshyte]

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54 confirmed dead following Yndyk Train bombing
Police have confirmed the explosion was a deliberate attack

ANS Staff (@ANSOnline)
January 7, 2021 | Yndyk

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54 people have died and 112 have been injured Photo courtesy of Anewsp.

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Yndyk
54 people have been killed and 112 have been injured in the worst terrorist attack in Alslandic history following yesterday's bombing. The death toll was confirmed by staff at the Siemen Hartmann Memorial Hospital where many of the victims were taken following the explosion.

A total of 422 passengers and crew were onboard the train at the time of the explosion, the train was filled with commuters returning home following the first day back at work for many following the Nativity Celebrations, many survivors say that the explosion rocked the train causing a derailment and sparking a fire that burned through the train's interior.

Metropolitan police in Yndyk have said that they have arrested 1 man in connection to the explosion which was called a terrorist attack by Lilliana Elliott in a press conference early this morning.

According to official reports, an explosive device was detonated on the train as it passed through the Nijenok neighbourhood, a neighbourhood that is home to many young families. The train derailed following the explosion and came to a halt shortly after. Social media videos from after the explosion show staff onboard the train rushing to evacuate passengers, many who were injured and dead.

Residents in nearby houses and walkers on a pathway next to the tracks were the first to arrive and call for help. One witness who asked to remain anonymous said he was walking up his driveway when he heard the explosion. He originally thought he had heard a car accident although rushed to the tracks upon seeing the rising smoke. When he arrived at the train he says he saw a scene of utter devastation with debris over the tracks and bodies on the ground.

Emergency services arrived on the scene shortly after and many surviving passengers were hurried away from the train and towards a local school where many injured were brought before being transported to hospital. First responders say their job was made more difficult due to the train's location in a strip of woodland behind rows of housing on both sides.

Police are saying they have arrested a man in Yndyk in connection to the bombing saying he had significant connections to the far-right but may have been acting alone. The man is a resident of Yndyk and his home has been searched by police following the bombing.

The police have said a man in his mid-30s has been arrested in connection and have not released any further information on the suspect at this time.

According to witness reports and first responders, the explosion occurred in the train's number 7 carriage which was destroyed in the explosion and fire and is where most fatalities were located.

"What we have seen today, in our nation's capital, was a terrorist attack on the people of Alsland," Premier Elliott said in her televised press conference. In a statement released to the media she said: "I am shocked and shaken by what has happened to innocent people who were going about their daily lives and killed in the most brutal of ways."

Bonne Zijlstra and other opposition parties have all expressed their condolences to the families of the attack. Along with this several world leaders have expressed their condolences including Sofija Anasdohter who was the first foreign leader to express their condolences to the families of the victims of the attack.

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MORE HEADLINES

• Alsrail resumes services [ 364 ]
• The nation is in moruning.[ 935 ]
• Experts ask parents to comfort their children following the bombing. [ 1288 ]
• Yndyk train bombing: Survivor tells his story [ 97 ]
• Sports news: Alsland still sucks [ 3733 ]

[West Miersa]

Wrzesiński announces in his Nativity Speech that he will not run for a second term

Sylwester Wrzesiński giving his annual Nativity speech

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CITY OF ŻOBRODŹ - Today, as Miersans across the Miersan Federation celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Sotiras, President Sylwester Wrzesiński announced from the Żobrodź Castle that he will not be running for a second term, making him only the second President of the Miersan Federation to not do so, after Igor Wojdyla, who served from 1956 to 1961 as President, and the first to willingly not serve a second term.

President Wrzesiński said that "as we celebrate our eighty-fifth nativity as a sovereign nation, I have come to realize that I no longer have the strength needed to serve as President of the Miersan Federation for a second term, particularly in light of the passage of the Third Amendment, which gives the Presidency extensive powers to ensure that the government is representative of the Miersan nation."

"Therefore, after consulting with Premier Rozak, and with other figures within the government, I announce that I will not be running for a second term as President of the Miersan Federation, and to retire from politics," Wrzesiński declared. "It is time that Miersa is led by a new generation, one that is young, energetic, and willing to face the challenges that tomorrow has to throw at us, and not be held back by men like myself, who have the potential to hold things back."

"I will not be resigning from office, however, for that is a dereliction of duty. I will finish out this term, so that we can have a smooth and peaceful transition to the incoming administration, and so Naprzód has enough time to select the best persons for the jobs of President and Vice-President," Wrzesiński said.

Reactions from the other parties
Aleksandra Wojdyla, leader of the Miersan National Party, responded to President Wrzesiński's announcement in her Response to the Nativity Speech, by saying that "I wish [Sylwester Wrzesiński] all the best in his post-political life. [He] had a distinguished career as a politician, and I am confident that [he] deserves to enjoy life."

None of the other political parties have made any response to President Wrzesiński's intention to not run for a second term.

In other news

• Alsland - Attack on train line kills 54: Wrzesiński condemns attack and vows to "cooperate to ensure that terrorists will be brought to justice"
• Sechia - Four Lemovicians questioned by police on allegations that they are connected to Yndyk attack
• Caldia - Constitutional reform threatens to reduce Caldish monarchy's powers and influence
• Zieruń - Man fatally stabs wife, man arrested for murder, domestic violence

[Poshyte]

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Suspect named following Yndyk Train Bombing and Government offices searched
President Veltman has declared a National Emergency and one Government secretary has been questioned.

ANS Staff (@ANSOnline)
January 7, 2021 | Yndyk

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54 people have died and 112 have been injured Photo courtesy of ANS.

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Yndyk
The prime suspect in the Yndyk Train bombings has been named by police following a search of his residence found two additional explosives and weapons suggesting he was preparing another attack.

Police chief Sjouke Huizinga, named 38 year old Richold Zuidema from Yndyk as their suspect in the bombing in a press briefing earlier this evening. In his statement he said they were confident that they had sufficient evidence to charge Zuidema with the bombing which killed 54 commuters and left over 100 injured.

"We have the upmost confidence, that the man who has been arrested in connection with the bombing, did in fact carry out the attacks yesterday. We will do everything in our power to bring this man to justice and keep Alsland safe. We do not believe there is a risk of further attacks against the public although we are asking people to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour to the authorities."

Zuidema was arrested just after 3am in Yndyk near Yndyk central station where the train had departed. Footage of the arrest was shared on social media showing two police officers holding a man who is believed to be Zuidema on the ground whilst journalists and members of the public were ushered away.

Investigators into the bombing also confirmed that Zuidema had boarded the same train on the inbound journey and had been in the carriage where the bomb was located. They are asking for eyewitnesses to come forward with information if they were onboard the Ilfracombe to Yndyk high speed service from 16:48 to 18:00.

Authorities also released information in Zuidema's life, according to them Zuidema lived a quiet secluded life in Suburban Yndyk with others who are not suspects in the investigation. Zuidema was a former civil servant in the Department of Policing until he was fired in early 2020 for being absent repeatedly over a span of several months. The Department of Justice building was evacuated and searched over fears a bomb could have been planted in the building although nothing was found..

Police also believe that Zuidema is a member of the Far-right National Rally party which joined the government under Premier Elliott's new coalition following the December election. The party's offices are currently being searched and the party leader and current Secretary of Education Tristan Franck. Franck has offered no public statement of sympathy following the explosion and was last seen leaving the Department of Eduction building in Yndyk earlier this evening.

"We are taking this issue seriously and we will not hesitate to remove any member of the government from their role if they are implicated in this tragic and horrific attack on our nation." A statement from the Premier's office said. "Premier Elliott will be meeting with the cabinet and members of the government later today to discuss the attack and the best response to it so we can protect the people of Alsland."

However this was not enough for members of the opposition. Bonne Zijlstra the new leader of the SDyD offered a blistering statement to the Government in the House of Representatives.
"Why do we even have to consider, whether a party in this country's government, could be implicated in the worst terrorist attack in this nation's history. It is a shame and if Lilliana Elliott had any sense of how the country is feeling and immediately remove them from the government."

Memorial services were set up outside Yndyk Central Station which reopened today. Many passengers who usually take the train avoided doing so today, some out of fear and others over disrupted services.

The tracks where the bomb was detonated were severely damaged and a cleanup operation is underway before repairs can begin and the destroyed train can be moved. Debris and human remains were discovered as far as 100 meters away from the train showing how powerful the bomb was and the tragedy that the country is currently facing.

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MORE HEADLINES

• Opinion: The Government could be involved in the bombing if the National Rally connection is true. [ 364 ]
• Hepke Veltman addresses the nation and declares a state of emergency[ 935 ]
• Photographers capture the scene near the train after the bombing. [ 1288 ]
• Hamptonshire to go to the polls as the Provincial Assembly fails to appoint a new Minister-President [ 97 ]
• Department of Justice evacuated by police [ 3733 ]

[Lemovicia]

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LEMOVICIA CONDEMNS ATTACKS, ALLEGATIONS THAT LEMOVICIA IS CONNECTED
Chairman Arin Munićića sends condolences to Alslandic government

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ZIRO ZABALEGUIA (@ZiroZaba)
7 JANUARY, 2021 05:23 CET | TOPAGUNEA, BIDEGURUCEAN

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Chairman of the Presidency Arin Munićića (file photo)

Chairman of the Presidency Arin Munićića held a speech from the Presidential Palace in response to the terrorist attack in the Alslandic capital of Yndyk that saw the deaths of fifty-four people and the injury of 112 people.

"On behalf of the Lemovician nation, and the Presidency of the State of Lemovicia, I would like to express my sorrow at the terrorist attack in Yndyk," Munićića said. "This attack on innocents is an attack on all of us, and I trust that the Alslandic government will crack down on terrorism, no matter where it originates."

Munićića announced that "in sympathy with our brothers and sisters in Alsland, we will fly our flags at half-mast for the next three days, effective immediately. We will offer as much assistance to those affected by this disaster as we can afford to give."

Munićića then turned his attention towards the so-called "government" of West Miersa: "in the speech by West Miersan leader Wrzesiński, he vowed that the so-called 'Miersan Federation will cooperate to ensure that terrorists will be brought to justice.' Shortly after, we received information that four innocent Lemovician civilians were questioned by Sechian police about their involvement in the Yndyk attack, despite the fact that the suspect, according to the Alslandic government, was a native-born neo-functionalist."

"These allegations are dangerous to the Lemovician nation, whether they live in free Lemovicia, in neighbouring countries, or under West Miersan occupation. These allegations paint us as terrorists, who are the cause of all of modern Euclea's problems," Munićića declared. "The fact that the West Miersan regime used this senseless terrorist attack in Yndyk as an excuse to repress our community further, to make their lives more difficult than they already have, is incredibly offensive."

"As we Lemovicians say, 'He who doesn't want to hear unpleasant things, shouldn't say unpleasant things.' If the West Miersan regime wants to maintain their xenophobia against us, and to oppress our people under flimsy pretenses, they should not be surprised if they hear unpleasant things from those living under their oppression. We cannot, nor should we, take this lying down!"

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© AZTERTZAILEA 2021

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MORE HEADLINES

• West Miersan 'President' announces his intention to not run for second term [ 13214 ]
• Lemovician government offers assistance to survivors of the Yndyk terrorist attack [ 11509 ]
• Nativity celebrations "ruined" by the Yndyk terrorist attack [ 9237 ]
• Opinion: Is the Yndyk attack a bourgeois false flag to crack down on the Alslandic proletariat? [ 5951 ]
• In pictures: Beautiful nativity scenes across the Lemovician nation [ 4684 ]

[Poshyte]

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Tristan Franck quits politics following questioning by police
Franck will also resign as Minister of Education and his seat in the House of Representatives

ANS Staff (@ANSOnline)
January 8, 2021 | Yndyk

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Franck's resignation has thrown the government into chaos as it loses it's majority Photo courtesy of ANS.

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Yndyk
In one of the most dramatic developments in Alslandic political history, Tristan Franck who leads the far-right National Rally and is the current Education Secretary, has resigned following his questioning by police in connection to the Yndyk Train Bombing.

"I delivered my letter of Resignation to Mrs Elliott last night. In light of recent developments I cannot remain in my position in this government. Our movement will not be destroyed. But recent events have tainted our party, the media is behind these attacks to slander our party and end democracy. Our movement will live, but it will not be led by me. Along with my resignation from the cabinet I am retiring from politics tomorrow, the people of this country must come first and the actions of certain members of our party are unacceptable." Franck said in a statement.

Franck's resignation comes as demonstrations begin in Alsland following the revelation that the National Rally was aware of various groups inside the party that had sought to take violent action but did nothing about it.

The far-right party is a member of Elliott's coalition which has been governing for less than a month although with Franck's departure, it seems likely that his seat will be replaced by the SDyD who currently run the government of Delland where Franck represented. If Franck is replaced by a member of the SDyD it will deprive the government of a majority and it may shift The Centre party to distance themselves with the government, potentially even leaving their Confidence and Supply agreement which was agreed during the coalition talks.

This could lead to the Progressive Alliance potentially entering government making Ottila Möller, Premier of Alsland despite winning 4 seats less than Elliott in last year's general election. A potential Möller administration will have to deal with internal problems in the Progressive Alliance like Bonne Zijlstra who's SDyD party overtook the SdA in polls last week and were on track to become the second largest party if an election was called.

However any Vote of No Confidence in Elliott's premiership will need a majority in a joint session of the Folkssenaat which is unlikely due to the National Bloc's majority in the National Assembly, although the elections for the National Assembly which is scheduled for April may change that which could lead to the collapse of the Government within Months.

In a short statement posted today, Elliott condemned the Protests and called for peace.

"We are not a nation of violence, we need to come together following this tragedy and work with each other as we deal with this horrific scar on our nation." Elliott's calls for an end to the protests have fallen on deaf ears as the protests join in size. The leader of the Socialist Party Stefan Marsh led protests in Kirchester calling for Elliott to resign. Hamptonshire is heading for an election to decide it's new Provincial government as talks between parties broke down last week.

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MORE HEADLINES

• Protests erupt nationwide as Police confirm Yndyk Bomber was a member of the National Rally [ 1111 ]
• Opinion: A message to Elliott, resign[ 3772 ]
• Yndyk Bombing: Cleanup operation continues as two more die overnight [ 2016 ]
• Delland Minister-President confirms Franck will be replaced by a member of the SDyD [ 2017 ]
• Watch as the memorial outside Yndyk Central Station doubles in size overnight [ 55 ]

[Poshyte]

Ente Zwart, Professor of Political Science at Wottested University - 8 January 2021

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Home · Kesselbourg · The Continent · The World · Policy · Opinion · Features · Newsletters · Continental Pro

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ALSLAND FACES MAJOR POLITICAL CRISIS AS GOVERNMENT LOSES IT'S MAJORITY

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How the table's have turned against Alsland's new Premier

Yndyk, Alsland - Only weeks ago Alsland's Premier, Lilliana Elliott was celebrating a massive victory for her party in the country's election. Despite not winning a majority overall she formed a government with various parties including Centrists, Estmerish Separatists, Liberal Conservatives, Sotirian Democrats and Euclosceptics. Her government was praised as the beginning of the fightback against the 'Pink Tide' in Euclea.

Only weeks later it seems like her government is on the brink of collapse as her majority is erased. The beginning of Elliott's woes began almost immediately following her victory, only days after she won she announced her new coalition which included most notably, two right-wing parties. The Estmerish Separatist 'Democrats' and the far-right Euclosceptic 'National Rally' led by Tristan Franck who became the Secretary of Education in the country.

Her popularity plummeted following the announcement with small-scale protests being held in the country's capital Yndyk. Although her approval ratings slowly climbed back up and this week were looking as if they had stabilised. With a majority of one seat it looked unlikely from the beginning that her government would survive until 2025 when the country is next scheduled to go to the polls.

Fate seemed to play into Elliott's hands when the Yndyk Bombing occurred, killing 56 people and injuring over 100. The attack which is the deadliest terrorist attack in the otherwise safe Euclean country's history has shook the nation to it's core. Elliott almost immediately ordered the brief suspension of all rail travel in the country and increased security measures at airports and government buildings.

She went on TV to assure the country that everything was fine, to quote her own speech: "We need to work together to keep our families and ourselves safe during this time." Polls indicated a complete reversal in her public approval with early reports indicating her approval rating jumped to 54% following the bombing, even surpassing Bonne Zijlstra's current approval rating of 52%. For a brief moment it looked as if Elliott would be the Premier the country needed, however her controversial coalition would later come back to haunt her.

The day after the bombing police named an arrested their main suspect in the case, Richold Zuidema a 38 year old from Yndyk with far-right views. The former civil servant had been planning the attack for years as Alsland's former Premier Benjamin Schaumann liberalised the country's strict immigration laws. His original plan according to police was to first kill Schaumann in a bombing before detonating several bombs across the country including on the train that was bombed. His plans changed however when Schaumann resigned to continue his treatment for cancer. His successor was the leader of the Sotirian Democratic Front, historically the most right-wing of Alsland's National Bloc parties. Although she promised to govern as a Centrist it was clear from her party's manifesto that she sought to reverse her predecessors Immigration law relaxation.

Zuidema campaigned for the National Rally in Yndyk during December's election and even attended their Yearly conference and had his picture taken with Tristan Franck. In his journal which police found on his computer during their search he said: "Franck is the only one who knows how the people are feeling. He should be Premier and he will return Alsland to beeing [Sic] a proud Euclean country with strong borders."

Following this revelation police searched the National Rally's offices and questioned several high-ranking members of the party including Franck who denied any wrong doing originally but has now resigned from politics completely after apparently being forced to resign by Elliott. Following Franck's departure, his seat in the province of Delland, the country's largest province, was empty requiring the Province's Minister-President to fill the seat. The current Minister-President, an ally of Bonne Zijlstra and a member of his centre-left party announced he would be replacing Franck's seat with a member of the Social Democrats in Delland, a centre-left party which Zijlstra leads. This move erased Elliott's majority in the House of Representatives.

Alsland's political crisis didn't end there. Opposition politicians along with outraged citizens organised major demonstrations across the country which have at the time of writing, shut down the city centre's of Yndyk, Wottested and Kirchester. Three of Alsland's most important cities. The Kirchester Demonstration is being led by Stefan Marsh, a close friend of Zijlstra's and the leader of the Socialist Party which operates in Alsland's Estmerish speaking provinces. Marsh's party suffered it's worst defeat in December's election but are on track to win a majority in Hamptonshire's Provincial Assembly in February.

Elliott will once again appear on the country's airwaves tonight to call for an end to the protests and for the nation to come together, although it seems unlikely this will happen as her approval rating plummets below 15%, even lower than Martina Scott, who famously led the Progressive Alliance to it's defeat in the 2005 general election. Time will tell if Elliott can turn this around but with elections for the National Assembly quickly approaching it may not happen at all.