Greater Olympus News *OUTDATED*

by **Irpan** » Mon May 25, 2020 7:21 am

Chaos in Irpan
The Irpan Herald

Chaos has descended on Irpan today. The scene in the capital is one of open fighting and violence and the city of Amog has also risen in insurrection against the now headless government. The origin of this renewed fighting can be found in the reaction to a recent raid on the Temple Prime in Amog by Army Special Forces. The raid, which ended in the death of eight special forces soldiers, revealed that the Brotherhood of Sacred Flame had access to chemical weapons. This fact was further proved when the Brotherhood unleashed several of these weapons on Irpan city in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The attack coincided with the Emperors second attempt to reach the Chapel of Our Martyr to take part in the coal holding ceremony. The Emperors convoy was headed down the main street with crowds in their thousands lining the route when the Brotherhood detonated several bombs and threw gas canisters into the convoy. Hundreds are reported dead along with the Emperor, his wife and sole heir Prince Rupert. This strike has left Irpan without solid leadership and has allowed the Brotherhood to launch a new offensive across the capital area and the city of Amog. Military garrisons have been attacked across the country and many are reported over run or destroyed. Brotherhood death squads already roam the streets of Irpan City carrying their flame throwers to 'purge' the unbeliever as they call those who do not convert to their faith. The situation looks bleak for Irpan.

by **Irpan** » Fri Jun 05, 2020 9:06 am

Democracy in Irpan?
The Irpan Herald

Shock in the capital today as fighting drew to a close between Brotherhood and pro government forces. The man who had risen to prominence as perhaps the next leader of Irpan, Field Marshal Markus, has stepped down from the position of overall power and put forward the request for elections to take place. The response has been mixed with rumours of the 12 Nomad Clans moving to secure ground in opposition of the Field Marshals progressive steps. The war continues to become more embittered with reports of chemical attacks in Amog filtering back to the Irpan Herald.

On the topic of the possible elections though there are 54 seats being voted for along with the role of President and Vice President. Candidates have yet to be announced but none of the old council have been allowed to stand, with many having perished with the Emperor in the chemical attack. Several parties have begun to form already with the main two candidates being the Democratic party and the Labour party. The Democratic party is led by General Felix Alexander and the Labour by former factory owner Neil Fitzgerald.

Is this the beginning of democracy in Irpan?

by **Tero Malstreciga** » Sat Jun 13, 2020 8:11 pm

Nenio Sed La Vero
The Isthmian News
Diubeto, NCZ

14/06/2020
Bonporton's Trial of Democracy

Crowds amassed in the streets of Bonporton in celebratory fervor at the onset of their first Socialist elections.

The Bonporton Commune is the Isthmian Anomaly. Coalitions of dispossessed protesters somehow took over a city, and through international espionage and sheer luck, went on to be in control of two states of the former Tero Malstreciga. These only pseudo-ideological young revolutionaries ultimately commited themselves to enacting socialism, the antithesis of the hypercapitalist Malstrecigano economic system in which they previously existed. Since their seizure of power, and the international agreements which led to the now-established peace, the provisional government established in the Bonporton Commune has laboured to establish the essentials of socialism.

While these young revolutionaries have certainly tried, criticism has been leveled from a number of angles. It can not be denied that the Bonporton Commune has been under the provisional leadership of individuals with little formal education in politics, economics, or in some cases even at all. They were criticized by international socialist allies for a libertine stance that ensured drugs, prostitution, and other such vices remained very legal. They were criticized by socialist philosophers at home for retaining a market system, with currency. They were unsurprisingly criticized from the right for their militia's seizure of a number of strategic assets, including power plants and even housing.

Now, the baptism of fire is over. Bonporton's provisional government is beginning the process of the first election under the system promised in their constitution. Citizens in every precinct will meet to elect from among themselves the representatives to their Ward Commissions, and those Commissions will vote to send representatives to the National Convention. That Convention, along with having the ability to legislate in the short while that it is in session, elects the Premier as well as the Presidium, fully defining the executive government.

Not just anyone can be a candidate in Bonporton's electoral process. Due to the Section on Political Tutelage in the Commune Constitution, only representatives of the political organs of the People's Front - as well as independents - may be elected to Ward Commissions, and thus only they can make up the National Convention. The upcoming convention will have 599 seats, as determined by the populations of the Wards within the Commune. What are the political groups that can participate in this election, and what will a strong showing mean for them?

LibSolPro
Leader Jebedio Arbusto
LibSolPro (Liberty, Solidarity, Prosperity) was a social-democratic party in Tero Malstreciga, and the token representation of leftist ideas in that republic's politics. During the Bonporton revolution, the local branches of the party voted to separate from the national body, and transitioned to classifying themselves as "Democratic Socialists". They promptly became a critical already-established foundation for the Peoples' Front.

Despite their pivot left, they are still the most moderate of the legal participants in this election, and still carry with them the taint of "establishment" that many in Bonporton's new political scene have developed a distaste for. They would be expected to build a very moderate form of socialism in Bonporton if victorious, but there is little expectation that LibSolPro will be more than an observer to the affairs of the more radical movements.

Libertad
Leader Lucjo Amiko
Itself a federation of smaller political movements, Libertad was the biggest engine of the revolution, and has taken a leading role in the provisional government of the Bonporton Commune. Libertad can perhaps be best described as anti-capitalist, rather than ascribing to any specific form of socialism. The broad movement is defined by it's opposition to previous systems it rejects, and is thus quite malleable as a movement, pivoting successfully to champions of a Malstrecigano brand of socialism.

As long as Libertad remains youthful, rebellious, and anti-establishment, they are expected to receive dividends in support from the population of the Commune. For a result to look like a Libertad victory will require the movement to be the largest in the National Convention and nothing less, to not lose ground. A Libertad victory is likely to see the continued settling of a socialist status quo in Bonporton as the movement flirts with more ideologically centered groups and pragmatically adopts their ideas.

Laboremaj Aliancanoj
Leader Sasa Amera
The General Federation of Trade Unions voted in an emergency meeting during the revolution to endorse the Peoples' Front, and form Laboremaj Aliancanoj as the political participatory movement for their ideals, though in theory fully distinct and not taking orders from the GFTU's Administration Board. LA elected Sasa Amera as it's spokesperson, a former attorney well-known for being one of a select few to have achieved victories in labour disputes in the business-favoring Malstrecigano legal system.

The primary concern of Laboremaj Aliancanoj will be ensuring that the Labour Unions, newly empowered, are not sidelined by a new system dominated by localized or centralized bureaucratic government. Their politics can be described as Syndicalist-adjacent, taking much of the lead from Manoba, and calling for established legal roles for independent labour unions. The movement is most popular with older leftists who favour a union-led socialism over a party-led socialism, but their level of general support remains to be established.

Partio de Nacia Demokratiaj Popoloj
Leader Mala Vibroni
Formed after the revolution was already mostly successful, the PNDP was built out of a core of avowedly-socialist militias which had coalesced in the Commune, soon joined by socialist theoreticians and later adding to their ranks the support of centralists and technocrats. The PDNP openly advocates that the Ward system should be overturned, and the Bonporton Commune should be directly administered by the Peoples' Front on the principle of Democratic Centralism.

The PDNP also most closely aligns with the views of the Commune's part time ally and part time influencer, the TSPR. The Party advocates a transitional phase out of currency and an end to most market systems left remaining, replaced by an entirely centralized and planned economic model. They have concerned some onlookers with their firebrand form of possibly authoritarian socialism, but a surprise source of support has been "moderate" socialists who have been pushed out by the radical and violent energy on social issues in other movements such as Libertad.

Independents
Legally, no political movement outside the Peoples' Front may put candidates forward for election. However, this does not bar independents and unaligned candidates from being elected. This grouping is the haven of social democrats, progressives, and left-leaning capitalists who have not been as thoroughly rejected as their right-leaning kin. It's the home of mavericks, and also effectively the legal opposition of the Peoples' Front. A strong result for independent candidates will be seen as a dangerous refutation of the socialist ideals the government has tried to install, so the other movements will all be very wary of it coming about.

by **Irpan** » Sun Jun 14, 2020 4:56 am

Election Results in!
Irpan Herald

After a tense few hours in the Capital the results of the election have been announced today. In a sweeping victory the Democratic party has taken a full 47 seats out of 54 with 3 seats going to independent parties and the remaining 4 going to the Labour Party. The Labour Party have demanded a recount of the votes which has been gladly accepted by the now President Felix Alexander. President Alexander has announced his Vice President as a previously unknown member of the political activist scene in Irpan a Mister Owens who has been welcomed to the new political spectrum with great enthusiasm.

In other news several activists belonging to the Communist Group known as the Red Brand have been arrested after reports were received of the groups leadership advocating an armed insurgency against the new government shortly after the election results were announced on the radio this morning. The Red Brand group have vowed revenge upon the government for censorship and illegal acts against the groups freedom of speech. How this will develop is yet to be seen.

by **Volga-Dnieper** » Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:19 am

16.06.2020

Elections in Bonporton

Central Executive Committee Divided

Three long months have passed since youth activists and masses took over the city of Bonporton, establishing the Bonpoton Commune. Ever since its formation TSPR supported it with supplies needed to survive in times of what is now called the Malstrecigano Meltdown. Eventually, as we know, our support proved instrumental in survival of the Commune, allowing it to stand together with the neighboring former state of Supunkto as a bastion of socialism on the still mostly capitalist Isthmus.

Now, with internal situation stabilized, the Commune is ready to conduct its first elections under organic representative system with elected Wards sending delegates to the National Convention. In a justified move, the only political movement that can put candidates to the election is the People's Front, combining the best of the best of progressive forces in the Isthmus: Libertad, the engine of the revolution, system social democrats of LibSolPro, syndicalist Laboremaj Alliancanoj and democratic centralist PNDP. However, the process also allows independent and unaligned candidates to run, which is a dangerous caveat potentially allowing liberal pro-capitalist forces to take ground. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether those independents are to achieve anything.

These elections have raised a justified question: what position do informed people have on the matter. We have received information from comrade Higuchi, the Secretary of the Presidium of the CEC of the AoS, that comrade Zajac, Plenipotentiary on Isthmian Affairs, has departed to Bonporton but VT has no information about the purpose of his visit.

What is known is that two members of the Central Executive Committee of the AoS voiced their opinions on the elections.

People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs, Anna N. Kalafatova, stated her support for the Libertad movement. "In spite of many differences, I believe in comrades from Libertad." She stated at the press conference of the COMFOR. "Yes, they are young. Yes, they are libertine, maybe too libertine. Yes, they may not be as educated as our institute fellows ─ but they have revolutionary spirit. If they don't lose it, if they combine passion with logic, they will turn the mountains upside down."

When questioned about her opinion on the leadership of the Libertad and, more importantly, of their actions during the Meltdown, comrade Commissar dismissed some concerns in the air. "Even if some of our strayed comrades claim that they could do better in the Isthmian Collapse, I myself have complete confidence in comrade Amiko and his colleagues."

A stark contrast to that was the statement of the Chairman of the Presidium, Alexandra A. Stamboliyskaya, written on her official page. In her own words, "We [uncertain; probably CIME, IWEIR and IEAF fellows ─ VT] are placing too high hopes on a movement with shoddy theoretical foundations and those cannot be replaced by any kind of revolutionary spirit comrade Kalafatova seems to appreciate." Her support lies in "the only movement that can provide means for transition to the evidently successful socialist model" ─ that is, the PNDP.

There are solid indications that PNDP seems to have the most support in circles related to the Central Institute of Mathematical Economy, the Institute of the World Economy and International Relations and the Institute of Economic Analysis and Forecasting. However, as the Chairman-Director, Kliment R. Komolov commented, "Unlike comrade Stamboliyskaya, I'm not sure transitioning to the management system akin to ASMUK right now is even needed in the first place. For that, ICS on Isthmian facilities will have to be upgraded, all of that would have to be integrated and concurrently, they would need to prepare cadres to maintain and operate the system. However, it wioll be necessary, eventually, so I believe PNDP should send its best actors in the new Isthmian government to do their job. CIME is always ready to help."

Whatever the outcome of the elections may be, we wish our comrades good luck.

Milovan M. Milovanov II

by **Tero Malstreciga** » Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:34 am

Nenio Sed La Vero
The Isthmian News
Diubeto, NCZ

24/06/2020
Bonporton's Election: Results

L-R: Independents, LSP, Libertad, Laboremaj Aliancanoj, PNDP

Bonporton has undergone the great trial of a Socialist-dominated election process, and come out the other side. The past week in the Commune has been dominated by local neighborhood meetings, town-hall discussions, a great many arguments, a few parties, and a series of caucuses in every Ward in the nascent Commune.

Most notable: the greatest fear of the Socialists has not materialized in the legal Independent-classified candidates. A healthy 8% or so of candidates outside the Peoples' Front organizations were elected at the Ward level, and only a select few won enough support in their Wards to go to the National Convention. Even then, many of the Independents are self-described socialists themselves, just mavericks or ones with a different interpretation of theory to the approved organizations. Notable elected independents include Preja Di (self-described Religious Socialist), Kasmo Monto (yes - the comedian), and of course the center of attention for those concerned about anti-socialists, Kristo Anello (who was heavily criticized for advocating for a meritocratic system of private ownership).

Much as Anello struck fear into some in Bonporton who called for banning independent candidates, with the results now public the message is clear that the people of Bonporton have retained their enthusiasm for attempting to build socialism in the Malstrecigano Isthmus. In fact, the enthusiastic fervor of many socialists in Bonporton may have gone too far in some cases, with a few reports of physical threats on those arguing against the continued implementation of the new economic school of thought.

Libertad, the vehicle of youth activist revolutionaries, has retained its position as the preeminent organization within the National Convention, but much ground has been given. While LibSolPro moderates performed poorly, Laboremaj Aliancanoj reaped the rewards of strong trade union support, and the PNDP surprised many by claiming more than a hundred seats at the Convention with captivating speakers creating a loyal core of support.

Libertad could have formed a functional majority of the Convention with an agreement with any one of the other major organizations, but has instead spearheaded an effort to build a consensus block of a supermajority of members at the Convention. Motions were approved by more than 500 of the attendees to elect Gaja Mirinda (Libertad) as the Commune's Premier, and elected a broad and representative Presidium which confirmed Lucjo Amiko as its Chairman later the same day.

The results of the election and inclusion of representatives from across the Peoples' Front in the Presidium was seen as a cause to celebrate, as a jubilant party was held in Bonporton's city center with projector screens showing updates from inside the convention in real time. The National Convention itself was not separate from the celebratory mood - a video of the Convention breaking into an impromptu chorus of the Internationale has been shared on a number of news sites. There have also been images of members of the Convention apparently drinking in their seats, holding a half-legislature and half-party (to the dismay of some in both the Independents and PNDP who attempted to call the Convention to order several times).

The Convention will sit in session for one week, and is expected to make headway on a handful of major but mostly ceremonial legislative initiatives. Following this sitting, the Convention will dissolve and legislative authority will be placed with the Presidium, and Bonporton will return to the work of building Malstrecigano Socialism.

by **Storsnia** » Thu Jul 09, 2020 11:51 am

Reliable Reporting since 1923

Election Campaigns Ramp Up as November Nears

Current First Minister Kalla Tamvere hopes to achieve success in coming elections

By Tapio Järvelä
9 July 2020

The 2020 Storsnian general election is set to be held November 20th this year and several parties are hoping to come out on top or make some gains. The previous election in 2017 following the resignation of former First Minister Henrikki Laine and subsequent snap election saw the left VDU form a coalition with the center Unionin. This year the VDU is hoping to capture a solid majority and keep the FM seat without help from Unionin. On the other side of the aisle the right KPP is hoping the can recoup there loses from last election with help from new party leader Henri Koponen. On the fringes several parties including the Socialist Alliance, Green Party, and USP are making a significant attempt to capture more seats following recent turmoil that has swept the globe.

The Left Democratic Union led by current FM Kalla Tamvere believe the can use the considerable support they've received over the previous years to improve their standing in the Chamber and surpass the 75 seats needed to hold there own majority. Running on a platform of improving and expanding universal healthcare, economic intervention to prevent monopolization of critical industries, and furthering the green recovery plan. To date the GRP has been a massive success and the effects of the plan mitigated the damage caused by the global economic recession. FM Tamvere has advocated extensively to expand the monthly stipends indefinitely instead of ending at the end of 2020 when that portion of the plan was set to expire.

Unionin led by current Deputy FM Villiam Tapio has stated that the party is content with their current position in the chamber and would like to continue their role as "compromisers". The Union Party has a long history of compromise and coalitions. Being the first and oldest political party in Storsnia also gives them an advantage in continued support over the years from older citizens that remember the times when democracy was just and idea in Storsnia and the prosperity that followed the civil war. Alongside older citizens is a much younger crowd with many first and second time voters choosing a union candidate over KPP and VDU candidates. No matter the situation the Union party will likely still hold a significant position in the chamber.

The Conservative People's Party led by Henri Koponen grandson of Eino Koponen has stepped up to the challenge of reviving a party that has suffered serious setbacks in recent years. Following the resignation of former leader Henrikki Laine caused by scandal that was caused by taking bribes from wealthy businessmen and foreign companies the party has had a fall from grace. Young Henri has a hard road ahead of him and hopes bringing some new ideas to the old party can bring it back to its previous standing. Experts however estimate that in order to regain seats lost in the last election the party would need to appeal to a younger generation and scrub the previous leaders scandal from their past.

Several other minor parties are hoping to capitalize on recent world events to show they have what it takes in the chamber. The Socialist Alliance has been using the Bonporton commune in Malstrecigo and the TSPR as examples to show that socialism works and that it can exist in Mu-Kal. The recession and its effects have driven membership of the STL to increase over the past several months. The STL is hoping to grow in size from their current total of 4 seats in the chamber. Currently three of these seats are situated on the border with syndicalist Manoba with the fourth being in the industrialized outskirts of Ensrup.

The Green Party has also been trying to appeal to young voters with promises of a greener future and equality for everyone in Storsnia. The party advocates for a total reconfiguration of the Storsnian power grid. The party has released a plan calling for the closure of all power plants that do not use renewable methods including coal, oil, and natural gas plants. To supplemen the need the would be caused by the closure the plan calls for power generation such as wind, solar, bio energy, and geothermal methods to be used instead. However, currently the country is illsuited for a complete transformation in power generation with solar being impractical and few places for geothermal energy generation.

Overall, this year's election held 100 years since the first elections are shaping to be extremely important in Sotrsnia's future with many issues facing the nation. This election young voters will be one of the largest groups voting and they certainly have Storsnia and the planets future in mind. Only time will tell what direction Storsnia will be heading in this year.

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by **Winst** » Sat Jul 25, 2020 2:19 pm

Chemical Weapon Accident Leaves Dozens Hospitalized in Port Lafida

The day started like many others in Port Lafida, cargo containers full of goods, being loaded and unloaded when an improper bracing led to a container dropping damaging the goods within. Unfortunately for the workers on the docks the cargo was in fact a shipment of Mustard Gas from Portland, Winst. At least two cases of the weapons were ruptured spreading the deadly gases throughout the port leading to a mass evacuation and several Port Workers in emergency care.

The revelation of chemical weapons being actively imported into The Lafida-Marcomer Republic comes after months of arming following the Week Long War. President Ferrara issued a statement following the event, but focused on the health of the port workers, and not on the weapons found within.

Critics of the Government have been warning against the near total militarization of the new republic. Ferrara has stated on multiple occasions that the Republican Parthonopians are peaceful people but willing and able to defend their republic from those who would wish to see it destroyed. In the past months he has purchased missile systems and anti-aircraft weapons which have been flaunted in various patriotic military parades.

by **Meronnia** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 8:36 am

The Comprehensive Relations Treaty of Labenhugel
Hugo Lortie, Mèronie 24
^{July 31, 2020}

Meronnian Foreign Secretary Beaudouin spoke to a handful of reporters outside the Kaiserin's palace in Labenhugel.

(M24) —
Quite surprising news has arisen from Lunderfrau with the full context for the visit of the First Deputy and Foreign Secretary being disclosed this afternoon. As has been announced by both governments, Meronnia and Lunderfrau have signed a quite significant treaty of cooperation, citing both the rapidly changing political situation in Lira as well as the many areas of potential cooperation as reasons this treaty was negotiated.

The process has been less than usual. Reportedly, feelers were extended by the Meronnian Bureau of Foreign Affairs earlier this month as to a treaty of cooperation, and a quiet back-and-forth through backchannels has continued since then. By the time the Meronnian delegation landed in Lunderfrau, most of the terms of the treaty were already settled. First Deputy Sardou and Foreign Secretary Beaudouin met with Kaiserin Elise after their landing, finalized the details of the Comprehensive Relations Treaty, and signed it with the Kaiserin this morning.

The arrival of the Meronnian head of government in Labenhugel on standard diplomatic business wouldn't be of particular note other than the fact that the coup attempt on Kaiserin Elise happened in the Lunderfrausian capital city recently, and the security situation and response to that action is still ongoing. The signing of this treaty has shown first that Meronnia still holds full confidence in Kaiserin Elise's legitimate government, and further reinforces that the security of Labenhugel has been fully reestablished - a key message to any would-be supporters of the removal of Elise.

The details of the treaty itself are not radical, but nonetheless represent a significant step forward for formerly cool and business-focused relations between the historic rivals. Import and export tariffs on a few highlighted key goods traded across the Northern border (including Steel, Uranium, Foodstuffs, and Electronics) have been removed or significantly decreased. An understanding has been reached on military equipment, which will lower restrictions on Meronnian imports of Lunderfrausian military equipment (including purchasing rights to further licensed production of the Perruche MBT) and a likewise agreement on Meronnian military electronics components. Finally, the two nations have agreed to lay the foundations for an inter-force relationship by beginning some joint training and wargaming exercises between the Meronnian and Lunderfrausian armed forces.

The door is left open, reportedly, for both nations to agree to further economic or strategic cooperation in the future. The Foreign Secretary noted that the Foreign Bureau would be carefully observing the success of the terms of this agreement, and did not discount a Free Trade Agreement as a possibility in the future. The Foreign Secretary had no comment on what specifics further military cooperation might include.

Any question as to the ratification of the treaty in Meronnia was quickly drowned. The Premier expressed his pride that such an agreement had been reached and indicated he hoped to sign it as soon as possible, and while the Socialist Party has indicated they will vote against ratification, support from Faction Radicale across the aisle will see the Chamber of Deputies assent with a strong majority.

by **Volga-Dnieper** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:45 am

01.08.2020

Istmian Plenipotentiary Post Abolished

Today, comrade Jozef Zajac with consent of the Presidium of the Assembly of Soviets has announced his resignation as the Plenipotentiary for Isthmian Affairs.

"I believe there is no need for the Assembly of Soviets to maintain extraordinary structures on Isthmian affairs now that the situation is more or less stabilized." He stated on a press briefing. "As such I've decided to step down from the Plenipotentiary position; from here on the Ambassador in Bonporton, Vladimir Volskiy, will be handling Isthmian affairs in ordinary manner."

Tenure of comrade Zajac was marked with admirable skill in handling tactical and operative matters while allowing Bonporton Commune to start developing its own path towards socialism.

The Plenipotentiary Trial is to be started on 05.08.2020.

Alexander A. Grobovsky

by **Storsnia** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 4:00 pm

Reliable Reporting since 1923

Former FM Laine Succumbs to Wounds Dead at 51

By Hanna Sirkka
2 August 2020

Despite all attempts by Storsnia's greatest doctors former First Minister Henrikki Laine has tragically passed away. An attack carried out during his campaign announcement in his native town of Vaakkola and the wounds sustained from it resulted in his untimely death. FM Laine was giving a speech at his campaign headquarters in Vaakkola when an unknown assaliant fired multiple shots at the former minister before being subdued by security. The assaliant's identity has not been released and is currently being held by federal authorities in a prison outside of Farsund. A press conference is expected later today naming the assailiant and the charges that will be brought against him in federal court.

Former First Minister Laine was giving a speech and announcing his campaign for the representatives seat in Vaakkola when he was shot. The speech was attended by many reporters and journalists from around Storsnia as well as other nations. Laine's attacker was a member of the crowd gathered to watch the announcement before attacking the former minister. During the announcement the attacker forced his way as close as possible to the podium where Laine was standing and struck in the middle of Laine's address. Laine was struck two times once in the chest and another in the abdomen. Another bullet hit one of the reproters sent from Meronnia in the arm.

The attack has left many around the country with questions. How was the attacker allowed to get close to the former minister with a deadly weapon? Why weren't guests searched at the press conference? The Ministry of Justice has declined to comment stating any questions while be addressed in coming press conferences. However one thing is clear, many around the nation are mourning the late ex-minister with a candle light vigil to be held in several cities around the country. When asked to comment on the news of her ex-husbands death Irina Laine said "It's very tragic. I want to know how this happened and I want justice." First Minister Kalla Tamvere released a statement: "We are all deeply troubled to hear the news of Mr. Laine's passing. He was a very influential figure in our nation and served us well as First Minister. I vow the justice will be dealt to the criminal or group that have murdered one of great statesman."

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by **Produzir** » Thu Aug 20, 2020 8:04 pm

Burguês Takes Control of Parliament
JULIO BARROS - 8/20/20 - 0 Comments

The 2020 Produese Parliamentary Election passed yesterday and the results have come in. The most noticeable change from the 2018 General Election was Burguês taking the majority in the Congress of Deputies by a slim margin, mostly gaining supremacy over PdP in Galicia and Burlon. PdP still holds a large minority in the Congress of Deputies, but falls behind Burguês' majority aligned with the PNC. The results also reflect that the Prime Minister, Riccardo Bonadeo, President of PdP remains popular despite falling behind the centre-right Burguês. Rodrigo Guíndaste, President of Burguês will take over as Majority Leader in parliment, and Prime Minister Bonadeo will take the position of Minority Leader in parliament. Lluís Montanya and PTSP suffer a crushing defeat in the parliamentary election, gaining only 58 of the 307 seats in the Congress of Deputies, a fraction of PTSP's majority won in the 2016 Parliamentary Election, and a major loss in seats compared to their firm minority in the 2018 General Election.

Rodrigo Guíndaste and Burguês celebrated their first majority since the 2014 General Election and Guíndaste's first as President of Burguês after President Agostinho Valdez, and Prime Minister until 2018 and forced to step down. Guíndaste is also the youngest person to become Majority Leader at just thirty-seven years old. He is also the first Majority Leader to not be born a Deusto Institutionalist. Guíndaste was born and raised in Murça, Cavale as the son of Luís Guíndaste, who was the President of the Province of Murça at the time. He moved to Luville in 1998 and studied Law at the University of Luville. After graduating he moved to Burlon and became involved in politics, filling minor roles in the Burguês party until 2010 when he became a member of the Congress of Deputies, one of the youngest to do so since the restoration of the monarchy. He worked up the ranks of the Burguês institution and Valdez Government until 2018 when Guíndaste succeeded Valdez as President of Burguês.

Bonadeo now finds himself in a difficult position as Prime Minister and Minority Leader, for at least two years until the 2022 General Election.

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by **Meronnia** » Mon Aug 31, 2020 3:32 am

New Federal Territory Incorporated
Hugo Lortie, Mèronie 24
^{August 30, 2020}

Point Dupont is the only town in the Chaney Islands with more than a thousand inhabitants.

(M24) —
Some rather unusual news, contained within an Interior Bureau release this morning, has taken international observers by surprise and social media by storm - the Federal Republic has just incorporated two new Federal Territories.

For decades, Meronnia has operated scientific bases on a number of small islands in the Galician Ocean - legally recognized as terra nullius. Sometimes referred to as the "Meronnian Southern Islands Territory", the Federal Republic had taken responsibility for enforcing the rule of law in this icy region, as well as disaster relief and search and rescue missions, but never made any claim to sovereignty over the islands most geographically associated with the frozen continent of Kyros.

Now, it seems, Meronnia's intentions for these islands have gone beyond merely using them as stepping stones for Kyros research. The Meronnian government has made clear its intent to "dissolve the unincorporated de facto Southern Islands Territory, to be replaced by incorporated territories of the Federal Republic". The islands will reportedly form two new Overseas Collectivities, the Southern Sea Territory and Bain and Dubuissia, which will function similarly to Sainte Liliane, the small island near Taveteaux.

The reaction to this declaration has been very mixed. While the terra nullius islands have had a de facto Meronnian presence for some time, some international scholars have noted that the Federal Republic effectively unilaterally annexing this territory may be unpopular. While many hundreds of miles from the maritime borders of any state, the islands are closest to the peripheral area of Jashnagar, whose response has not yet been issued. Some have doubly expressed concern about this move sparking a "race" to claim the cold rocks of the Galician Ocean.

On the other hand, within Meronnia much of the population has expressed either supporting the move or, as high as 30% in some polls, not knowing or caring about the issue. On social media the move has been met mostly with amusement, as Meronnians welcome their new territories and share mocking proposals for flags for the new Collectivities.

While most of the conversation was focused on the implications of this incorporation, some legal scholars found their own surprise when examining the legality for the move. Evidently many of the politicians involved believed the incorporation would be confirmed via legislation in the Chamber of Deputies; as it turns out, the power to incorporate federal territories was never transferred in Meronnia's constitutional amendments, and thus still sits with the Directory of the Republic.

The mostly ceremonial directory has indicated that it will convene for a special session this week to vote on confirming the move by the Internal Bureau.

by **Yuzhou** » Tue Sep 22, 2020 1:11 am

Ruban Sukhomin
Galician Island Woes
September 2nd, 2020

Recent moves by the Federal Republic of Meronnia have cast an international spotlight on the island chains of the Galician Ocean as the Liran power prepares to incorporate the de-facto holdings of the "Meronnian Southern Islands Territory" into official territories. These islands, often little more than spits of frozen rock, have acted as research bases, fueling stops, and way-points for Federal Republic for decades, but Meronnia is not the only power to maintain a presence in the region.

The Jashnagari Outpost on rugged Sev'poko Island

Though the islands are legally considered terra nullius by most in the international community, and they are hundreds of nautical miles from the waters of any nation, their direct proximity to the Jashnagari province of Ta'u and use by Jashnagar has raised the alarm as Meronnia acts to finalize their incorporation. Like the Meronnians, the Jashnagari claim to the area is not a recent one. For centuries, the islands acted as far-flung outposts and relay-stops for Muroan explorers and traders as they sailed the tradelanes from Meridiq to Kanchaka. More recently, the Jashnagari government has used them much like the Lirans — as fueling depots and scientific hubs for exploring Kyros.

Both Jashnagari and Meronnian scientists have scoured the islands in polar research, often in joint mission, and the resource rich waters of the area has seen fishing fleets coexist from both nations, but with official status comes official ruling. Many legislators in Yuram are concerned that Meronnia will guard its new territories more sternly, seeing Jashnagar lose out on critical geographic rights that it has enjoyed for centuries.

Concerns over the islands are not solely scientific or economic either. As official territories, the islands could see greater use by Meronnian military entities, particularly the navy and airforce, threatening Jashnagari domination in the waters of eastern Galicia. Having a new foreign military presence so close to its home islands is a major security risk for Jashnagar, and is likely to be the primary issue raised by the government in Yuram in protest to Senone.

While the balance of power in the region has been primarily friendly and observed, the potential to spark greater interest into the area from other outside powers is also a concern for the Jashnagari government. While domestically, the move towards incorporation has seen either support or apathy among the Meronnian population, it has already been announced by the Jashnagari Ministry of External Affairs that discussions over the incorporation are already underway between the Tale'va and Sardou governments. So far no physical reaction has taken place and Jashnagari personnel are not being advised towards caution.

by **Meronnia** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:57 pm

The Momoa Agreement
Hugo Lortie, Mèronie 24
^{September 5, 2020}

The Meronnian Southern Islands have been all-but-confirmed as sovereign territory by the agreement.

(M24) —
The Federal Republic's surprising move to incorporate two new territories in the Galician Sea, met with bemusement and apathy by large parts of the Meronnian population, extracted a much different response from the government of Jashnagar. While not directly confrontational as some political analysts had guessed, the archipelagic state reacted to the move with some measure of concern, and this resulted in a rapid-fire series of meetings between the two governments which have generally maintained a functional and consultative relationship.

Only two days ago, a spokesperson in the Meronnian government said that no slight or incursion on Jashnagari interests was perceived or intended, but that a Jashnagari stake in the future of the southern islands was recognized and the two nations would come to a mutual agreement in order to assuage any concerns expressed by the government of Jashnagar, which the Federal Republic considers to be a strategic partner and friend in the region. Evidently, such meetings have taken place, and a treaty signed in the capital of the Jashnagari T'au Province, Momoa, was made public this morning.

The terms of the Momoa Agreement, most notably, recognize Meronnian sovereignty in the newly established Overseas Collectivities, and delineate new maritime borders between Meronnia and Jashnagar in the southern ocean. These newly established maritime borders will also see Meronnia recognize the former terra nullius islands north of their claimed territory, the Jashnagari Polar Influence Sector, as full and sovereign territories of Jashnagar. Further, the two governments committed to continue mutual open access for scientific missions in the newly incorporated regions, and Meronnia agreed to small financial compensations to Jashnagar for possible losses of fishing areas and highlighted security concerns regarding Meronnian possession of the Bain and Dubouissia islands in particular.

The successful negotiation of the Momoa Agreement, according to the Meronnian government, represented the continuation of Meronnia and Jashnagar's longstanding relationship of mutual respect and cooperation on the many areas in which the states share overlapping goals and interests.

The agreement with Jashnagar, the only state within a thousand miles of the islands, also effectively cements the legitimacy of Meronnia's claim. Consequently, the Directory met today and voted at 3:31 and 3:36 respectively to induct Bain and Dubouissia and the Southern Sea Territory as Overseas Collectivities of the Federal Republic.

by **Vienna Eliot** » Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:40 pm

Ricardo leads in the polls. Here's why she's worried.
Katelyn Ríos, Associated Press
^{October 9th, 2020}

Oceanian President Alison Ricardo is popular and leading her opponent in nationwide polls. But advisors say she's worried.

(AP) — President Alison Ricardo has logged more miles traveling the world than any of her predecessors in the presidency, and her administration has passed landmark legislation nearly every month since she took office in February. With a 65 percent approval rating, the President of the Republic should be on track to a victory this December, which would secure her a full, four-year term after taking over from former President Vienna Eliot earlier this year.

But according to a piece in the Annheim Post by Harrison Cornell, an advisor who Ricardo recently fired, the President isn't so sure of her odds.

Ricardo "is on track to lose, and she knows it," writes Cornell, explaining that while she leads by big margins in some provinces, Oceania's electoral college, which actually determines the winner of the election, is stacked against her. Because each province uses a winner-take-all system to allocate electors, Ricardo could potentially win the popular vote nationwide but still lose the election.

"The electoral college was originally designed because medieval Oceania couldn't conduct a single, nationwide election," says Marianne Flaisig, a professor of history at Ames College. "They kept it in the Republican constitution ostensibly to favor nonpartisan candidates for president, since electors aren't supposed to be chosen on the basis of party." This worked in the first election, in which nonpartisan Enrique Mendizabal defeated two partisan candidates for president. Since then, however, no nonpartisan candidate has been competitive in a presidential election.

The 2020 Candidates
Five parties filed presidential candidates with the Federal Elections Commission by the October 1st deadline. While several candidates may contest the presidency in just a few states, only these five poses a credible chance to obtain the requisite 276 electoral votes necessary for victory. Hailing from the two major parties, the two minor parties, and one regional party, here are Oceania's five candidates for President of the Republic in 2020.

Alison Ricardo (Labor Party) — The incumbent President of the Republic was chosen to succeed former President Vienna Eliot after he resigned in early 2020. She is now running for election for a full term as President. Ricardo formerly served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs under Eliot, and before that she was a financier and CEO of Regents Bank, and later Chair of the Schloe Stock Exchange. As President, she has taken a decisively international approach to solving Oceania's economic woes, meeting with world leaders and formalizing trade agreements initiated by the Eliot administration. But she has also brought her "hawkish" approach to politics to the Statehouse, keeping her opponents out of the spotlight — and, consequently, keeping scandals out of the news. Ricardo has repeatedly said that she is running on her record rather than slogans or future promises. Polls have shown that most Oceanians approve of that record, but only election day can give a definitive answer.

Danielle Martinez (Democratic Party) — While federal Senators rarely seek the spotlight, Danielle Martinez used her relatively pro forma office to launch a bid for the presidency. 20 years younger than Ricardo, Martinez is not only the youngest presidential candidate this year, but was the youngest Senator at her (uncontested) election in 2007, becoming one of Elicia's four Senators at age 27. Martinez defeated Democratic Council leader Koenry Gerritz and Woodmore Governor Bernard Morrison in her party's selection caucuses, and has taken a compassionate approach to campaigning that has avoided attacks and focused on a unifying message. The Democrat is considered a longshot to win the at-large electorate, but is popular among both rural voters and college-educated whites, two key but often opposed constituencies in national elections.

Johannea Miranz (Liberal Party) — Liberal Councillor Johannea Miranz hopes to ride a wave of recent youth support to the presidency. As the spokesperson for the Liberal-Green coalition in the Council, Miranz has enjoyed extensive exposure to the press that usually evades even minor party leaders. Pioneering a social media strategy for her coalition, however, boosted her profile nationally and in particular with younger voters. The Amherst Liberal, while lacking in the broad support usually needed to win elections beyond the district level, sits on a large amount of cash from small dollar contributions as well as corporate support. She has been contrasting herself with the administration and arguing for a strict "Oceania First" policy.

David Harrison (Green Party) — While Council Greens have coalitioned with the Liberals in the Chamber of Deputies, the warm feelings didn't extend to the presidential race, where the Green Party recruited Dr. David Harrison, a physician and entrepreneur from Agoura, to run. Harrison, a local party official who made his fortune in the cannabis industry, has opted for an low budget campaign strategy that seeks to energize the grassroots. Supporting standard Green policies (with a special focus on legalizing medical marijuana), Harrison has failed to see significant support materialize, with the Liberal Party sapping up much of the typical Green voter base.

Cooper Carlos-Juarez (The Radicals—Los Radicales) — Appointed Deputy Governor of Palo Alto after former Deputy Governor Juan Encarnacion was killed in a bombing, Cooper Carlos-Juarez belongs to a regional party that in the past three years has expanded from Palo Alto and into Woodmore, Agoura, Elicia, and Lexington. Now, Carlos-Juarez hopes to bring the party to the national stage. A coordinated campaign to elect Radicals from the local level to the presidency is underway, and Carlos-Juarez — who has attacked President Ricardo as "another Vienna Eliot" and derided the Palo Alto situation last year as "attempted genocide" — believes that Oceanians will take interest in his party's left-wing proposals to reshape the economy and, in some cases, society.

by **Meronnia** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 10:03 am

President Tremblay passes away, aged 72
Eulalie Cordonnier, Mèronie 24
^{October 23, 2020}

Pierre-Antoine Tremblay, elected President in 2014, died in his bed yesterday.

(M24) —
Tragedy has struck the Federal Republic, with the news that the Head of State passed away yesterday being disclosed to the public this morning. Staff of the Asphodèle Palace have shared that the President, who had complained of a headache, tried to take a nap some time before lunchtime yesterday, and did not wake up after attempts to rouse him.

Pierre-Antoine Tremblay is the third Meronnian President to die in office, and the first to die of natural causes. In brief statements following his passage, staff have made statements describing him as an immeasurably devoted civil servant, one who was performing the duties of his office up until hours before his death.

Many government officials have expressed their gratitude for Tremblay's service and sympathies for the President's family via SignPost, including the First Deputy. It has been provisionally confirmed that a new Presidential Election will be held alongside this year's Communal elections, but when queried on specifics First Deputy Sardou stated that "Today is for mourning, tomorrow we can discuss the future."

It has been confirmed that in accordance with the President's faith, his body has been cremated, and his ashes will lie in state. Director Figuier has also confirmed that the Directory is intending to hold an extraordinary meeting this evening or tomorrow morning to elect an Acting President, as constitutionally required.

by **Yuzhou** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 1:31 pm

Yaren Wina'a
Rastan Delivers Heartfelt Farewell
October 24th, 2020

The Bas'kan teared up during his condolence address.

Bas'kan Rastan II addressed the foreign community today with a short television broadcast from Yuram Temple in which he said farewell to Meronnian President Pierre-Antoine Tremblay, who had passed in his sleep the day prior at the age of 72. The religious leader and head of state expressed deep sorrow at the passing of the Meronnian leader, and offered his sympathies to the president's family and the Meronnian people. He began his address by reminding the viewers just how precious a single life is.

Jashnagar and Meronnia have always had strong, warm relations and the Liran nation could be considered Jashnagar's oldest ally, with a partnership stemming back to the Great Continental war. It is for this reason that the Bas'kan's personal eulogy to the late President was expected and sincere. Experts agree however, that the void left by Tremblay could prove either boon or harm to Jashnagar, and that it would it is important that a friendly candidate succeed in the coming election, particularly with the Tremblay-Sardou Administration's moves towards greater cooperation with nations traditional more at odds with the Transcendent Kingdom.

The Bas'kan took the chance to expand on his spiritual doctrine with the speech, reminding Maist voters abroad to vote with their conscience and to be politically active in their nations of residence. He also gave a message to faithful at home to continue to hold true to the convictions of their hearts, and to honor the memory of those who have moved on from this existence, as their actions echo in Dam. At one point, the Bas'kan paused while overwhelmed with emotion.

The leader of the Anomai faith ended his speech with the following:
"I did not get the honor of knowing President Tremblay on a personal level. This is a greatest regret. Yet I know from the words of others, that his rasa was blindingly brilliant, and that many generations of his people will continue to feel and benefit from his guidance. I can only hope, that while our hearts mourn, the next President of Meronnia be an individual worthy to follow in his footsteps. I give my greatest hopes to that person, and pray that lasting friendship continue between our great nations, who have stood together through time undefeatable.

It is thus that I extend my dreams to Meronnia, that President Tremblay will not be forgotten in this life or the next, and that we may all prosper as one."

With that, the Jashnagari leader declared a day of mourning, where flags were lowered and businesses closed early.

by **Storsnia** » Mon Oct 26, 2020 10:10 pm

New Trade Agreement Signed between Storsnia and Jashanagar
Natanael Virtanen
26 October 2020

FARSUND - Early Monday morning, the Ministry of Trade announced a new bilateral trade agreement in conjunction with the Jashnagari Ministry of trade. The new agreement, known as the Jashnagari-Storsnian Mutual Trade Cooperation Pact, or JSMTC, was agreed upon by both parties on Saturday and officially signed Monday morning. The signing was held in Yuram and was attended by Deputy Minister of Trade Pekka Makkonen representing Storsnia and Minister of Trade Aunko Bamayati representing Jashnagar.

The agreement was made to ensure military vehicles and oil extracted from Storsnia are sent to Jashnagar in exchange for agriculture, raw materials, namely hardwood lumber, and investment in Storsnian tech industries. The military division of SAV released a statement expressing hope that the new agreement will solidify these positive relations and that the company is ready to produce whatever vehicles Jashnagr may need.

The pact was signed as relations between Jashnagar and Storsnia have grown recently. Jashnagari-Storsnian relations have grown over recent months due to mutual aid to each nation and common trade interests. When asked what she thought of the agreement, First Minister Tamvere had this to say: "I'm hopeful that this new agreement can further expose Storsnia to the world stage. New trade connections can only benefit the nation's economy and people." First Minister Tamvere has expressed that Storsnia should present itself to the world more and make the nation an international player.

When asked by local reporters on Jashnagari thoughts on the trade, some have expressed excitement while others are confused. One citizen was quoted as saying, "Will we get snow? What is a snow? Can you eat it?" The head of the Jashnagari Foreign Legion, a Storsnian, Tomas Haanivisko, said, “We want them (vehicles). I've seen them, I've worked in them. They'll get the job done. This force warrants only the best.”

However, not everyone is for the new trade agreement. Some anti-war activists have claimed that the pact could lead to conflict with the TSPR over hostile relations between that state and Jashnagar. Storsnian nationalists from the USP have also attacked the treaty for "giving away our great country's resources and tieing us to foreign backwaters."

Regardless the new trade pact is certain to add a kick to the economy. Economists and produce sellers alike agree that the pact can decrease the price of exotic fruits making them more accessible and widening the Storsnian diet. Any citizens with questions regarding the new trade treaty are directed to mail or email them to the Ministry of Trade. The new trade agreement does not fall under the Legislative Recall act of 1964.

by **Yuzhou** » Mon Nov 09, 2020 12:08 am

Yanette Porpata
Bas'kan Demands Freedom for Sepura!
November 8th, 2020

Rastan II delivers an impassioned call for Sepuran self-determination

The Bas'kan delivered a surprise address to a crowd, including forewarned news outlets, outside the Karaput fort in Jasharan early this morning. In this speech, his Holiness outlined some of the most forefront goals of his administration in the coming months, which included greater environmental efforts, increased economic growth, and special focus on the military services. The main point of the address, however, was clearly a call to the international community to seek liberty in neighboring Sepura.

The island nation just to the north-east of Jashnagar has seen increasingly violent civil unrest after the February abdication vote against Pembela Wibawa Ilham Setiawan failed. This political turn, paired with extensive damage by Cyclone Yue and the 2020 economic recession has seen Sepura strangled under pressure, creating an exceptionally unstable powder keg. The country's position on the critical northern crossroads of SE Nori, the Melian channel, has seen it become an area of intense international interest both in history and the present. This interest has seen states pour countless amounts of resources into furthering their own agendas in the region through Sepura, and the turmoil bubbling within has not escaped the vulture-like attention of many nations in question.

Bas'kan Rastan II took the opportunity of his speech to address these facts particularly. It is widely known that the most meddlesome nations in modern Sepura are the socialist states of the International Revolutionary Pact (IRP), particularly the nations of Velkanika and Tanaya. Despite both of the nations being far from South-East Nori, they wield considerable influence over the economically weaker and militarily lacking Sepura. It is in fact because of this influence among other things that Pembela Setiawan faced an abdication vote and the highly dubious nature of the vote against abdication only further highlights the dangers of IRP influence within Sepura. While many states in the world allow Velkanika to run rampant over their authority, the Bas'kan turned to more reasonable global entities for a solution to the question, as Tanaya specifically involves itself heavily in non-IRP affairs. The Bas'kan particularly called for the democratic leaders of the Mu-Kalese Union (MU) to reign in their partner state for the sake of the Sepuran peoples.

The Jashnagari leader made it clear that Sepura would undoubtedly face regime change, and that this was the absolute perfect opportunity for the voices of the Sepuranese people to be heard and followed. It is, as he pointed out, the very reason the nation is in chaos. However, the Maist head abbot made it his opinion certain that such practice of democracy, common-will, and self-determination were completely impossible with such heavy pressure from nations such as Tanaya, whose extreme military presence is not only questionable but practically an occupation of the Sepuran nation. Rastan Ii passionately called for the complete removal of foreign occupying military forces from the Sepuranese archipelago, so that the people of that land would feel and be free to determine the destiny of their own nation. So that democracy can finally reign in Sepura, without the risk of it being snuffed out by power-hungry states.

The Bas'kan admitted that it is no secret that historically, Jashnagar has had major interest in Sepura, and the two nations have always had a rocky relationship. He also admitted that Tanayan military presence on the islands was a direct security threat to Jashnagar as well. Yet, Rastan argued that these were just additional reasons to call and enforce Tanayan withdrawal from Sepura, citing that if Jashnagar was willing to let the Sepuranese people determine their future, than no other nation had an excuse for influence. He also stated that by posing a direct and severe threat to Jashnagar, Tanaya was not only trying to strong-arm multiple nations in the region, but were actively risking war. All of which, the Bas'kan points out, are extremely undemocratic and inappropriate behavior for a modern nation and uncharacteristic of the liberty loving Mu-Kalese peoples.

Below is an excerpt from the speech, highlighting key sections in the Bas'kan's address:

"I ask you brothers and sisters in Mai, fellow children of Yam'gonra, how can a people follow their conscious when threatened at gunpoint? How can they enact their will when their livelihoods are at risk of being stripped from them? How can they live as they wish, when they are not even able to remove the leaders who abuse them, no matter how many cry out? I will tell you, of course they cannot, my siblings!

This is the predicament that faces our cousins in nearby Pasran (Sepura). For decades, the people of this intimate land have suffered under the rule of despots, who have tragically been planted firmly in the pockets of foreign leaders. It is no secret that Pasran has been a jewel sought by many nations, Ya'mgonra included, and such an allure does not escape the newest of players of international politics.
...

In order for the Sepuranese people to be able to decide their own futures, all foreign military, particularly the incredibly large airforce of Taga'pa (Tanaya) must be removed. It is simply impossible for democracy to reign in Pasran with such a heavy yoke tied to its neck! Of course, my siblings, no one can expect Taga'pa to go against her own interests, especially not Taga'pa, who still holds deep desire for international 'revolution'. We simply cannot pretend they will just voluntarily remove their forces for the betterment of the Sepuranese people, despite that they are after all, 'comrades'. No, Taga'pa needs its military presence maintained so that their puppet governments remain and they can continue to bully the other resisting nations of South-East Nori!

Instead, we must turn to our beloved and virtuous defenders of Democracy in Mu-Kal! Taga'pa holds deep economic, political, and even cultural ties to her sister nations in the MU, though the temperament of these sisters could not be more different. The people of the great states of Lykens, Oceania, Ascolla-Ternev, and Storsnia are great lovers and devotees to liberty and freedom. I know that it is there that the future of freedom sits, and that the center of the free world will place firmly in the MU. That is why I, the humble abbot of Yuram, call upon the leaders of the MU to firmly persuade Taga'pa to withdraw all of their military presence from Sepura. Of course some provisions will need to be made, but the Tanayan bases must go! I extend my sentiments and heart to President and Chair of the MU, Kenneth Diaz of Lykens, who is a deep friend I have not had the pleasure of meeting in person as of yet. Please, I ask you President Diaz, and all of the wonderful representatives of the MU, to help make Sepura a free nation! To let the Sepuranese people thrive and flourish under their own rule by ensuring no one, not even Tanaya, can stomp on democracy in Pasran nor use her as base from which to bully and antagonize the other nations of Nori.
...

I will reiterate one last time, my siblings. Tanayan troops must go! I dearly hope the international community agrees and works with me, and hopefully the Tanayan government, to ensure the best and only just outcome for Sepura. Thank you.

Yakayarana Mayu'sa.

Whether the Bas'kan's words will be heeded or not is yet to be seen, but it is certain the Jashnagar will pursue autonomy for its neighboring state, and continue to build towards greater stability in the region. Only time can tell if she is joined in that effort.

This has been Yanette Porpata reporting for Yam'gonra Loarisu News. Until next time.

by **Storsnia** » Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:29 pm

Several USP Politicians Convicted of Treason
Tapio Järvelä
3 November 2020

FARSUND - Early Tuesday Morning, several USP politicians, including USP leader Risto Löppönen have been accused of taking campaign contributions from foreign entities. The KTO released a statement from their Farsund office regarding the convictions stating who has been charged and what for. The statement also contained a chronology of events leading to the arrests. Late Monday night, during an intense snowstorm in Western Hoisko, a courier was apprehended during a travel ban. Upon inspection of the vehicle, a detective uncovered a set of documents regarding communications between USP candidate Jaakko Kantola and Mr. Löppönen. After further investigation and analysis of the documents, it was uncovered that campaign contributions were being accepted by Mr. Kantola from a foreign entity. The origin and nature of the entity were not disclosed due to national security concerns.

Already there are concerns that the upcoming election is in jeopardy. Some have called for the USP to be banned, despite the unconstitutionality of such an act. Rumors have been circulating that current First Minister Kalla Tamvere has met with her cabinet over the idea of postponing the election till January 5, 2021. This would be the first time a general election has been postponed. Any attempt to do so would have to pass with a supermajority in the Chamber of Representatives. The current coalition in the Chamber is made up of the VDU, the Union Party, and the SVP have a combined 247 representatives, just 32 less than the number of "Yes" votes for the act to proceed. Currently, none of the USP representatives have been implicated in the conspiracy.

Polling shows that the VDU is likely to hold on to their majority should they remain in coalition with the Union Party. However, their party leader postponing the election might make the party look shaky. Several KPP candidates have advocated against postponing the election, with one stating that doing so would "Harm Storsnian democracy." Regardless, the chamber and FM have a tough couple of days ahead of them.

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by **Vienna Eliot** » Fri Nov 27, 2020 8:20 pm

Presidential race enters a dead heat
Katelyn Ríos, Associated Press
^{November 27th, 2020}

Democratic Party candidate Danielle Martinez is giving incumbent president Alison Ricardo a run for her money.

(AP) — The race to be the next President of Oceania has entered a dead heat after two forecasts show President Alison Ricardo tied with Democratic challenger Danielle Martinez. A nationwide poll Thursday evening from the Schloe Times showed Ricardo one point ahead of Martinez, 49—48, with less than one week to go till the election on December 1. And Silver 550, which forecasts the electoral college, projected 179 votes safe for Ricardo, 78 votes safe for Martinez, 47 votes likely for Ricardo, 141 votes likely for Martinez, and 105 votes that are tossups.

That moves 226 votes in Ricardo's column, and 219 in Martinez's. 276 electoral votes are needed to win the election. The projection puts Ricardo in a precarious position, but the incumbent president, belonging to the Labor Party, still sits on a sizable lead of safe votes, while Martinez needs to win most of the states leaning in her direction as well as most of the tossups in order to win a majority of electors.

Other candidates, including Johannea Miranz of the Liberal Party, David Harrison of the Green Party, and Cooper Carlos-Juarez of The Radicals, have each adopted more targeted strategies, with Miranz and Carlos-Juarez focused on turning out the vote down ballot for other members of their party in state and local races, and Harrison campaigning for medical and recreational marijuana referenda in various provinces. This leaves Ricardo and Martinez the only viable candidates to receive any electoral votes, according to election forecaster Harry Silver.

With the presidential debate a few days away, the two major candidates hope to make their final case to the nation, after which partisan advertisements are no longer allowed on the airwaves. So far, only Ricardo and Martinez have qualified for the debate.

by **Lykens** » Sat Nov 28, 2020 9:45 pm

State Counselor Kenneth Diaz lays out vision for the future of the Mu-Kal Union
10/10/2020

- Arturo Cardoso

A packed Grand Assembly listens intently as the State Counselor delivers his address.

As the year comes to a close, a confident Kenneth Diaz continued his year long victory party earlier this evening in a rousing speech regarding the future of the Mu-Kal Union both domestically on the continent and in capitals abroad. His address was received positively by both his own caucus, the Association of Ranchers and Planters, his coalition partner the Millennial Democrats, and even Assembly Members from the opposition parties Civic Union and Progressive Front. While the CU is broadly pro-internationalist, there is a growing movement in the party that has espoused less commitment to the MU and isolationist tinged rhetoric. The Popular Democratic Party, which has always espoused anti MU sentiment and intertwining globalism, as well as the anti MU faction of the Civic Union, loudly jeered as the State Counselor finished his speech, with many chanting “Break our bonds, a reference to PDP belief that the Mu-Kal Union has chained Lykens to a dangerous future where foreign bureaucrats control Lykensburgish life.

One of the largest issues the right wing parties have with the MU and ARP championing of the international alliance is the partnership with the council socialist run state of TSPR, the Tanaya Soviet People’s Republic. Kenneth Diaz has so far managed to strike a careful working relationship with the socialist state, which itself holds a leadership position in the continental alliance, that of Chair of the Mu-Kal Assembly, the body of national leaders that drive the policy of the Union. So far Diaz has managed to skillfully persuade the Assembly without running afoul of the Tanayan leadership. His handpicked Secretary-General of the Mu-Kal Union, Arecelis Belmonte, has dutifully worked hand in hand with the State Counselor to continue building on the blocks that had been laid as a foundation more than two years ago when the Mu-Kal Union was founded. Work has already started crafting legislation to offer to the Union organs to establish a central bank for the Union, with some whispers that it is possible a continental currency is in talks for the future.

So far, in the short year and a half that the MU has been in existence, citizens of MU nations are free to travel between nations without restrictions, tariffs are no longer levied between member nations, piracy in shipping lanes around the continent have plummeted, and billions of dollars have been pledged for international infrastructure projects. Millions of construction, manufacturing, and extraction jobs were secured and safe from the ravages of the global recession as funds were already bookmarked and flowing freely. Surplus goods that wouldn’t sell were bought by governments to feed their poorest citizens. Loans between states were negotiated to defer payments for the harshest stretches of the economic turmoil, and a substantial amount of the damage wrought upon the world was mitigated. That’s not to say that Mu-Kal has escaped the recession however.
Hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods that are normally sent from Mu-Kal to the rest of the world had been stockpiled and severely cut. The manufacturing sector of a number of MU member states saw severe contractions. Millions are laid off across the continent, stressing unemployment welfare schemes across governments. Military spending has decreased enormously across some member states, which have broadly signed onto the ‘Ricardo Plan’, named after the President of Oceania, Allison Ricardo, who has toured the continent encouraging deficit spending, funding agricultural and infrastructure projects and cutting military budgets. Some grumble that this plan has emboldened Tanayan aggression abroad, as the TSPR has so far been the lone holdout in cutting military funds.

Diaz's hand in guiding the Union has been hailed by analysts and strategists as a major boon, allowing the union to deftly ride out the turmoil affecting the world today. The Union took a hands off approach to the Tero Malstrecigano Meltdown, with Diaz taking a direct approach in securing support and material for the Malstrecigano Federation, while the Tanayans propped up Bonporton, a socialist commune that saw its people rise up quickly after the fall of the national government. So fair, the isthmus is governed by an organization that includes every state, so that they may be united on external affairs. So fair, the Tero Malstrecigano seat in the Assembly has sat vacant, as an unspoken agreement between Diaz and Alexandra Stamboliyskaya, the Chairman of TSPR, left the seat vacant indefinitely to look for a solution at a later date, while TSPR represented Bonporton's interests, and Lykens represented the Federation. Diaz ended this transitionary period today, calling for a meeting of the Union Assembly to decide the issue.

Among other things, such as the call for a pathway to a far off future where the people of Mu-Kal share a currency, Diaz called for the establishment of several more organs to deal with a matter of issues affecting the populace of Mu-Kal, including a standing Commission to enforce and ensure Human Rights, a standing commission to promote different experts of the Union, as well as a slew of other bodies. Since it was founded back at the close of July in 2019, the organization has carried out most of its functions through the secretariat, although many have come to believe that it's time to reform the organization to incorporate new methods of tackling its purpose, an effort newly invigorated by the endorsement of Diaz today. It remains to be seen whether his endorsed reforms will attract the support of his peers and make their way into Union law.

The State Counselor's full speech can be found below.

Thank you, Madame Speaker.

I rise today to affirm this government's support and continued interests in the Mu-Kal Union. This government has created, from a patchwork of mildly interwoven international organizations ranging from agricultural, energy focused, monetary or financial, and others, a supranational body that coordinates across the continent at a moments notice for the betterment of Lykensburgers, Manobans, Tanayas, Oceanians, Storsnians, Ascollans and Ternevians, Malstreciganoj, and Sierra Ilautoans. New livelihoods have been created, prosperity has reached many areas that had long considered themselves dilapidated and forgotten. Before this recession struck, every member of the Mu-Kal Union experienced record annual GDP growth and wages grew substantially, improving the lives of millions as they roared out of poverty. This recession is but a temporary test of the perseverance of the people of Olympia. And we have met this recession head on so far, and for the last ten months this government has worked dutifully to restart the economy, keep people at work, and keep food on the table. How have we done all of these things, Madame Speaker? With the cooperation and effort of our peer nations in the Mu-Kal Union. We’ve banded together to weather a storm that has toppled nations foolish enough to stand alone.

I foresee a future utopian Mu-Kal, one where a single government of diversified ideas rules over a continent that shares a single currency that fuels a single economy that dominates the world. Obviously, this is a grandiose image which we can only hope our children or grandchildren live to see, but it is an achievable one through hard work and perseverance. The foundations of a truly integral and important Union were laid by our predecessors decades ago, among the organizations set up prior to the Mu-Kal Union’s formation was the Mu-Kal Agricultural Consortium, between Lykens, Ascolla-Ternev, and Sierra Ilautó. The Mu-Kal Energy Council, an energy cartel formed between Ascolla-Ternev, Manoba, Storsnia, and Oceania, which was a major player alongside Meridiq producers, back in the day. The Mu-Kal Development Bank was formed by financiers and the governments of Lykens, Oceania, and the former Tero Malstreciga, which developed the economies of several member states today. The Salta Sea Pact, between Manoba and Storsnia, regulated fishing and whaling, the Talia Sound Shipping Concord regulated shipping lanes in the Talia Sound and sealanes between Oceania and Tanaya.

The Mu-Kal Union absorbed these organizations and now is in charge of their duties and functions, in addition to so much more. We’ve achieved numerous international infrastructure projects that will power the economy for generations to come. We’ve secured freedom of movement throughout the entire Union to ensure that these roads and trains are used frequently. We’ve knocked down tariffs between member states so that our top quality goods are moved just as freely across borders and into the homes that need them. Legislation has been offered within the Mu-Kal Union to negotiate future trade deals as a unified market, which will increase the clout that Mu-Kal as a whole can bring to the international table regarding trade. By banding with our peers we can improve trade relationships for our economies and continue to grow the wealth of our nations. The future is clear, Madame Speaker, as the world progresses faster each and every day, that the future is together. The common market stage in our path to a single market has done wonders for both the economies of the Mu-Kal Union and abroad, before this recession imports and exports had reached record highs.

We must continue implementing international reforms to continue the march towards a single market is essential to the long term success of the Union. A central bank for the entire continent and eventually a plan for a single currency will come to the table. A unified market that churns out goods and agricultural stuffs would be the economic powerhouse of Olympia, and as our energy producing members open up new markets, our energy sector can once again grow to compete with the oil barons of the world. While the rest of the world races to burn itself up, we must look inward and plot our course to remain prosperous. I am not content to give oxygen to the nationalistic tendencies that have begun to violently flare up across the globe, I will instead look towards the future where a unified world knows only tranquility and harmony.

Many on the other side of this august assembly will tell you that globalism is a disease and will lead to further decay. As they are on so many different questions, Madame Speaker, they are dead wrong. Globalism is the future, and Lykens will be leading progress at the forefront for generations to come and I will not let them drag us back into the dark ages. In fact, I will continue leading this nation on a path forward, into the light. Today, I will be calling for reforms to the Mu-Kal Union, which will be submitted to the secretariat later today. It has been many months since the fall of the Republic of Tero Malstreciga, and its seat in the Mu-Kal Assembly has sat vacant since then. It is time for the assembly to come together and solve the Malstreciganoj Issue. Citizens of the Isthmian Commonwealth are not children that need to be taken care of, they are human beings each endowed with certain unalienable rights, and they deserve to represent themselves before the Union. Much as we must accept the maturity of the Isthmian citizens, we must acknowledge the mission of the MU has outgrown the secretariat. It is time for fully specialized organs to be created to assist in furthering the goals and purposes of the MU.

A body for the enforcement and protection of Human Rights, the Mu-Kal Human Rights Commission, which shall police member states for violations of human rights, so that the horrors of what we saw in Oceania can never occur again. With commissioners on watch 24/7, the abuses of the past will find no place in the future, and we will now confront these vicious and disgusting crimes from occuring in the first place, rather than meekly investigating the disgraceful aftermath. The Union must also establish a development fund, to offer less fortunate nations pursue the types of infrastructural or economic development to bring themselves in line with the future. An international criminal justice organization to coordinate police and prosecutors across the continent and work to easier solve and investigate intercontinental crime. And to ward off future pandemics like the Tuberculosis Pandemic in the 40s or the Cholera Outbreak of the 60s and 70s, a Mu-Kal Health Association to coordinate health systems across the continent into an effective united front against disease and ill health.

A united Mu-Kal will stand at the vanguard of progress and I promise this country and this assembly that I will get us there or try damn hard to!

Thank you, Madame Speaker.

by **Vienna Eliot** » Sun Nov 29, 2020 5:38 pm

Ricardo, Martinez spar in presidential debate
Katelyn Ríos, Associated Press
^{November 29th, 2020}

President Alison Ricardo and Senator Danielle Martinez onstage at Schloe University last night.

(AP) — With two days to go until the election, President Alison Ricardo and Senator Danielle Martinez took part in the final of two presidential debates at Schloe University on Saturday. Ricardo, of the Labor Party, and Martinez, of the Democratic Party, were the only two candidates to qualify for the debate. Green Party candidate David Harrison led a small protest outside the building, while inside the two candidates left no holds barred in a hostile debate.

Ricardo's opening statement was par for the course, emphasizing a duty to democracy and her steady guidance of Oceania over the past several months. Ricardo took office in early 2020 after President Vienna Eliot resigned, inheriting a tanking economy, tense foreign affairs, and a climate crisis. She has since overseen worldwide climate action, economic recovery, and a global peace strategy.

But Martinez quickly attacked Ricardo, deriding the President in her opening statement. "We've seen what just one year of a billionaire in the Statehouse has done to Oceania's middle class. We don't need another four." Martinez, a Senator hailing from the northern state of Elicia, has sharply contrasted herself with Ricardo throughout the campaign, but rarely ventured to attack her opposition until last night.

Ricardo was quick to respond. "Strong words from a career politician," she said, touting her time as an Navy officer before becoming a businessperson, an ambassador, and Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

The conversation quickly shifted to foreign policy. Martinez prodded Ricardo, reminding her of the Eliot administration's resource mismanagement in Palo Alto and her lackluster role as Foreign Secretary in staking out an international trade position that could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. Ricardo countered that she was not Vienna Eliot, and listed off her achievements in the global sphere. Martinez, she noted, had no foreign policy experience.

During a commercial break, the candidates remained at their podiums.

During the economy section of the debate, Ricardo impressed upon the audience that she had saved Oceania from the brink of a depression after the market collapsed earlier this year. Her aggressive stimulus of the economy, coupled with her military sequester, she claimed, got Oceania out of its recession.

Martinez disagreed. "Farmers got Oceania out of recession," she said, to cheers from the audience, and argued that the financial stimulus money was a boon to creditors and banks — not to everyday Oceanians. Furthermore, Martinez said, Ricardo's austerity measures for military spending hurt enlisted service members. Martinez's three brothers serve as enlisted members of the Army and the Marine Corps.

Spanning lengthy discussions and back-and-forths on health care, policing, and education, the debate finally wound down to closing statements.

"If you are a billionaire who wants four more years of corporate welfare and big city politics, then perhaps the President is your ally," said Martinez. "But if you believe in Oceania's traditional values, if you support keeping families together instead of letting lazy government policies tear them apart, if you believe that farmers and workers are the backbone of our country, then I hope you'll put Oceania first and stand with me and the Democratic Party on December 1st."

Ricardo reportedly went off script from her originally planned statement, taking the opportunity to attack Martinez as well. "For the past year, our administration has proven that we have the experience and wherewithal to govern. That is not something that comes coincidentally. It is not something you can get by running again and again for office after office. It is not something a politician can offer you. It's something that comes from the Oceanian spirit. This is the greatest democracy in the world. Let's keep it that way."

The Oceanian general election will be held on Tuesday, December 1.

by **Tumbra** » Mon Nov 30, 2020 2:10 am

The Couno Herald

With Right Now United, Conservatives Set Sight on Gains in 2021 Elections

Federal Conservative leader Avery Mitchell has finally accomplished his dream of uniting the Right. But first, he must face down a challenger from Georgia.

Reporting by Susan Grey and Dan Leizenkrantz

HESHAM - With Tumbra First agreeing to a merger with the Conservative Party during its annual convention last week, Avery Mitchell jubilantly pointed out on TNN One that the move would provide "unity, stability and a great platform for us to move forward together and offer an alternative to the left and those who proclaim to be part of the right but aren't, really." That has now been thrown into doubt with the open break that the Georgia Conservative Party has exposed recently, with matters expected to come to a head at the Conservative party convention due next week.

A merger of the right has always been a goal for the 68 year-old. For the past ten years, with Tumbra First's diminishing electoral fortunes since it burst onto the scene in time for the 1996 federal election, Mr Mitchell has called for a merger of the right. His reasoning for this is to pool resources together, a salient argument considering that Tumbra First's electoral campaigns have consistently come across as being underfunded, understaffed and underwhelming. The party looks to be relegating itself to a personal electoral vehicle for Lewis Bolton and Mark Summers, who co-founded the party in 1994. While Mr. Bolton has continually resisted these calls, his increasingly-slim margins for both himself and Mr. Summers in federal elections have thrust the spotlight back onto the party's fortunes, especially with a federal election due in April.

Election	Bolton (Waltham, Severn)	Summers (Arlington, Alexandria)
1996	59.4 v LAB	52.3 v LIB
1999	55.9 v LAB	50.2 v LIB
2001	56.3 v LAB	51.3 v LIB
2005	54.2 v LAB	50.9 v LIB
2009	53.4 v LAB	50.5 v LIB
2013	52.7 v LAB	50.2 v LIB
2017	51.9 v LAB	50.4 v LIB

Taranga First's election results since 1996. Both Waltham and Arlington are valuable targets for both major parties at the upcoming election.

Mr. Mitchell, then, saw a golden opportunity to try and save these two seats from falling to the major parties. Both Mr. Bolton, 73, and Mr. Summers, 65, have grown increasingly interested in passing on the torch to successors, but no suitable candidates have been found. It took "about a year of persuasion" before the two could be coaxed into bringing the topic up during their party conference, an unnamed Conservative insider revealed.

The move allows the Conservatives to funnel much-needed funds into re-election campaigns for the two seats. Of particular importance to Mr. Mitchell is the highlighting of the consistency of the two parties' platforms, something he hopes will hold the two seats for the party. Of course, this merger also gives the Conservatives an avenue for growth - under the Coalition Agreement signed in 1995, the parties each have exclusivity over the states they wish to contest in. When the Agreement was first signed by the Conservatives, Tumbra First and New Democrats (now defunct) each party carved out certain states that they wished to contest in. Now, however, the Conservatives contest in thirteen states, and Tumbra First just five. Now, the Conservatives will be able to run candidates in all 500 seats throughout Tumbra. Yet, political observers wonder if that will be enough to grow the party.

In his two decades as Conservative leader, the MP for Cairns has often emphasised the need for party unity. "Disunity is death" is a phrase often mentioned by the firebrand, who shows no signs of slowing down even as he enters his seventh decade. But with the growth of the party nationwide - especially in Clearmont, where the party was founded in 1942 - slowing, discontent has slowly grown within the party, as Mitchell's leadership being seen as not being able to grow the party further than its current stature, with Mr. Mitchell seemingly having prioritised unity over growth.

This discontent came to a front in Georgia, where a young conservative activist, Alan Spalko, took control of the party in 2017 with a cabal of close followers. Spalko, 39, currently serves as the MP for Nottingham North in the Georgia Parliament, which he won in the 2018 state elections. He intends to run for the federal Nottingham seat in the 2021 election, a nomination that has already been secured. But those close to him say that he might make a play for the federal leadership in time for the April elections, presenting himself as the future, young, energetic leader of the Conservatives, aiming to bring a new life to the right that has seen the youth vote drop to historic lows in recent elections. And, if ground reports are to be believed, he stands a good chance of winning if he challenges for the leadership.

"For too long now Avery Mitchell has kept the party stagnant, and that's hurting our party nationwide, and not just in Georgia," fellow Georgian state MP Robert Breyer.
We won 10 seats in the 2018 election not because of the federal leadership, but despite of it. Alan [Spalko] brought a new zest, a new vigour to this campaign, and that's why our party is on the up-and-up."

It is worth noting that Breyer is closely aligned to Spalko, and were elected in the same region - that of Erie, in the north of Georgia - but the term 'stagnation' has been one bandied about recently, and grows bigger with every passing week. With the Conservative Party conference coming soon, Mitchell's victory may soon prove to be short-lived as his leadership seems to be under serious threat for the first time since he was elected.

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