News Thread [Kylaris|Canon|IC]

by **Estmere** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 3:32 pm

Marilyn Albridge - 29 May 2019

Home · Estmere · Euclea · International· Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

WILTON-SMYTH TO BECOME PRIME MINISTER FOLLOWING VICTORY IN NUP LEADERSHIP VOTE

The Justice Secretary will lead the party into the 2020 general election.

Ashcombe, Estmere - Justice Secretary Reginald Wilton-Smyth is set to take over the National Union Party, the senior member of the Federal Appeal coalition, after winning the party's leadership vote. He will replace the outgoing Rupert Richardson, who announced his intent to resign after a narrow victory in a challenge to his leadership over a senior cabinet minister.

Despite fending off the challenge lodged by Matilda de Fay, the prime minister won by less than two dozen votes and several key parliamentarians abstained. After his poor performance in the contest, he announced his resignation last Wednesday after the vote was held. A fresh vote was held today, which saw Wilton-Smyth claim victory over Bruce Bolton, a former Secretary for Defense. Two other candidates expected to contest the vote bowed out after announcing their bids, and the second ballot narrowed. Holly Wilson, Secretary for Welfare and Social Inclusion, and backbencher Augustine de la Ware removed their names from the ballot over the weekend and both opted to publicly support the Justice Secretary.

Wilton-Smyth won the support of 105 of the NUP's 169 parliamentarians, while Bolton received the backing of 62. Two parliamentarians opted to abstain and did not case a vote in the second ballot. The Justice Secretary, who has held his post since the current government took over in 2016, received the backing of the entirety of the NUP's sitting cabinet ministers.

Celebrating his victory, Wilton-Smyth thanked those who backed his candidacy and promised to "commit his government to action".

"We will tackle key issues that challenge our way of life" he said. He has pledged to change the government's approach to foreign policy, promising to work closely to Anne Buckett, the head of the Progressives and current Foreign Secretary, in order to "ensure Estmerish, Euclean, and democratic values are upheld throughout the world".

Wilton-Smyth warned that the "forces of illberalism are assembling" in order to "usurp democratic norms and challenge our very way of life". The Justice Minister has been a vocal critic of Xiaodong, the Union of Zorasani Irfanic Republics, and Marolevia and has been an advocate for international action against states he views are "anti-democratic and rogue".

During his tenure as Justice Secretary, he has been known for cutting leisure time for prisoners, introducing a work-pay regiment for prison labor, privatizing services, and successfully lobbying the government to hire three thousand additional prison guards. He has come under pressure for a number of these reforms, but was able to implement his agenda with minimal issue.

The prime minister-in-waiting also supports doubling defense spending, increasing agricultural subsidies, consolidating and cutting funding to government services, eliminating public sector unions, maintaining a balanced federal budget, the reintroduction of the national service, and re-criminalizing recreational drug use.

He is set to take control over the government next week, with Richardson set to resign before Tuesday's cabinet meeting. Wilton-Smyth is expected to shake up his cabinet, promising to put a cabinet in place that "represents the entire nation, not just those from the cities and coastal suburbs".

The NUP was dealt heavy electoral defeats last month in both the Euclean and local elections. The party lost over 900 seats and control over six county freeholder boards. Exit polls from the Euclean elections show that the NUP received about 16% of the vote. Based on that result, the party is projected to send 19 Members of the Euclean Parliament (MEPs) to Kesselbourg, down from 32 elected in 2014. The party lost support to the newly formed National Interest - Party for Democracy (NI-PFD), led by controversial ex-Flurian governor Maximilien FitzClarence.

The formation of the nationalist NI-PFD, which took support away from the NUP in the traditionally conservative regions of Flurland. Some political commentators view Wilton-Smyth's comments as an attempt to court voters that backed FitzClarence's new party in the Euclean elections.

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by **Etruria2** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:11 am

140 arrested in night of violence
Up to 22 injured and 140 arrested in clashes between Etrurians and ethnic Piraeans, while Piraean church is torched.
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^{4 June 2019 13.00pm | Vicalvi, Etruria}

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Gutted remains of the Saint Nikolas Church in Allagra

Police in Tarpeia and Vicalvi have arrested over 150 people in connection to violent incidents aimed at the Piraean minority. 140 were arrested in Tarpeia after numerous incidents were reported in Centuripe and Allagra, while in Vicalvi police arrested 10 individuals after they attempt to break into the Piraean consulate.

The first incident was reported at 22.30pm last night in Centuripe when a group of 10 individuals began vandalising Piraean owned businesses and homes, all ten were arrested by local police. Then at 22.42pm, the headquarters of the regional Piraean party, Democratic Action, was torched by individuals. Further incidents of clashes between ethnic Piraeans and Vespasians were reported in the city. By-standers reported brawls between Etrurians and Piraeans, while others reported Piraeans attacking Etrurians in the street.

while in Allagra up to 30 were arrested for the torching of an Epismalist Church popular with local Piraeans. The Church of Saint Nikolas has reportedly suffered heavy damage and numerous artworks have been lost according to the priest.

At least 22 people were injured in the incidents including 10 ethnic Vespasians and Novalians. Governor Nero Orlando described last night’s events as “intolerable and fundamentally provocative.”

In Vicalvi, 10 individuals were arrested by police after the group attempted to break into the Piraean consulate. No damage or injury was reported at the diplomatic building, but the assailants were found in possession of petrol bombs and cans of gasoline.

The cases have been referred to the Civil Security Service and is being treated as a coordinated event.

A spokesman for the CSS told reporters this morning, “last night, law enforcement in the federal territory of Tarpeia and the state of Vespasia detained up to 140 individuals involved in a series of violent incidents. It has been confirmed that among the 140 arrested, 36 were of Piraean ethnicity and the remainder were Etrurian. Due to the clear ethnically motivated nature of the incidents, the federal government will take charge of the investigation.” The spokesman would go on to say that the incidents were connected and coordinated, “at this stage, we are in possession of electronic messages and communications, indicating that the incidents were connected and organised by an overarching authority.”

The outburst of violent incidents has been blamed on the Kissamos riots in Piraea, which left one ethnic Carinthian dead and numerous businesses and homes destroyed.

Federal Interior Minister Tullio Quagliareillo who spoke on Buongiorno Etruria, said, “last night was horrific and unecessary. But I will say this, ignoring the inevitable howling of the cosmopolitan elite who would have Etruria despise itself, what we saw last night was a truly human reaction by Etrurians to a disgraceful injustice in Kissamos, when one man was murdered for being Carinthian. Does this absolve the people from last night, no of course not. But we know why it happened.”

He was asked by host Guiliana Toschi whether last night’s events forewarned of a possible return to ethnic violence in western Etruria.

“Absolutely not, we won’t let that happen. The difference today is that many of our Piraean citizens are patriots and have no intention to waging war on their neighbours and friends. Individuals in Piraea can try and manipulate the situation as much as they wish, but those who would wage war, will surely remember what happened last time” he said.

There was a noted increase in police presences outside Piraean diplomatic missions in Centuripe, Poveglia and Vicalvi.

While the clean up in Tarpeia drew people from numerous faiths and the Etrurian majority. The local Archdiocese of Tarpeia has offered to donate money for the reconstruction of the destroyed church.

More as the story develops.

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by **Mathrabumi** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:56 pm

Who's really behind the Zorisani Water Crisis?

Sirand, Mathrabumi- In the south of the UZIR a dire crisis is emerging, water, a sacred resource for life grows more scarce by the day. 2 million souls now live without the vital resources, often the poorest and most oppressed. Even the Zorsani media notorious for covering things up, now reports the aquifers that deliver water have almost completely dried up, due to "environmental factors". The first part might be true, but is it really due to environmental factors?

To look at this more closely Six Sense found an anonymous Zorsani dissident with ties to the army, having asylum in Mathrabumi. We have avoided releasing his name in the interests of privacy. We managed to gain an interview with him, where he would discuss the water crisis in more detail.

Vishal Kulkarni, Interviewee- Welcome on Sixth Sense, I hope you're comfortable. To begin with what made you leave the UZIR in the first place.

Anonymous Dissident- The UZIR is a corrupt and brutal state, that neglects it's own people. The country is ruled by a powerful and corrupt military stratum that blatantly disregards our countries women and children! My concise could not accept this state of affairs, working with such a brutal and inhumane organization so I fled to Mathrabumi. Here they let our people speak freely about the corrupt gangsters that rule the UZIR!

Vishal Kulkarni, Interviewee- Thank you, indeed we allow that. Our organization has always been the first to report on crimes by the imperialistic and corrupt UZIR government. What are your thoughts on this water crisis, is it another crime by this corrupt government?

Anonymous Dissident- For the most part yes, sure there are a few legitimate environmental reasons, but is that the only cause? This is a dry region with limited rainfall, the officals should know that! Yet the military allowed it's companies to take in this water, the water of the Zorisani people to make some more money!

Vishal Kulkarni, Interviewee- Oh god that's absolutely terrible. Do you thing any action will be taken by the government? They don't have a good track record

Anonymous Dissident- No, of course not! The government has set up a commission but do you really think they will go after the all powerful military? The executives won't talk about it. bribe their way through the government and media and instead they will put measures targeting the common folk. It really is quite saddening.

Vishal Kulkarni, Interviewee- It is indeed, but not unexpected. The international community must do more to address this don't you think?

Anonymous Dissident- For sure they must! Sanctions must be placed on these horrible corrupt military companies, and they should be called out by international organizations. I hope this interview can bring greater awareness so serious action is taken.

Vishal Kulkarni, Interviewee- Indeed they must. I have heard rumors the Assembly of the Mathra People is planning to pass a new law to cut business with any military firm involved in this crisis, but we have no official conformation yet. Thank you for your time, and I hope this interview can allow the word to spread about this disaster.

'
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by **Kisinger** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:37 pm

Gunfire and Explosions Rock Vlazselo

Katiya Yakimovv
^{6 June 20.24pm | Vlazselo, Marolevia}

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File photo: Royal Security Forces Storming the OSRV Headquarters

Today, gunfire and explosions rung throughout the city of Vlazselo early in the morning as Royal Security Forces launched raids throughout the entirety of the city against various Offices, Armories, and other buildings owned and maintained by the OSRV. Panic ensued throughout the city as the raids were carried out and many civilians were caught in the crossfire between the Royal and Government Agencies.

Shortly after the raids began, the Tsar released a public statement aired across all radio, and television signals as he was surrounded by armed guards.

"My fellow Marolevs, in this time of crisis were our fellow countrymen, those members of the Special Response Unit of the Interior or OSRV, have not only betrayed the trust of the people of Marolevia, they have also betrayed their oath to myself the Tsar. The nature of their crimes will be revealed shortly, all I ask is for all people across Marolevia to remain calm and stay in your homes. That is all, God Save Marolevia."

Following the statement, Gunfire continued throughout the day and by midday while some gunfire had died down we received numerous confirmed reports of military troops from the 21st Royal Armored Division being deployed to the city, especially around the Capitol Building and in the Western Suburbs as gun fire had yet to die down. There were also several unconfirmed reports of helicopters flying over the city.

A statement was released from the new Chief Minister Vlad Zhukov shortly after confirming the reports of additional troops being deployed to the city however we still await the exact transcript of his statement.

Now late in the day gunfire still persists in the outskirts of the city while we still await additional word from the government. We also await the additional reports of casualties of those involved and civilians as well as the extent of the crimes that the OSRV committed.

Update 6 June 11.32 pm
Gun fire has died down throughout the city except for the occasional few shots, we have an unconfirmed report of 230 civilian casualties, and an unknown for both the OSRV and Royal Forces.

Update 6 June 11.59 pm
We have just received word that the OSRV members in Vlazselo and Marolevia have all been detained or killed and we have received a public statement from the Government.

"People of Marolevia, we understand your fear and sense of dread today as gunfire has rocked not only Marolevia but across all of Marolevia. The Special Response Unit of the Interior have committed treason against the Tsar, and have murdered both his sons and plotted to kill him and place a pretender in his place. These crimes could not be ignored and in agreement between the Government and Tsar the Royal Security Forces along with the Marolev Army were deployed to detain if possible all OSRV Members. They will be brought to justice and we offer our prayers to all those that have lost loved ones in these troubling times."

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by **Azmara** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 9:22 am

HAADLAND AND HYTKLIF VOTERS HEAD TO POLLS
Haadland and Hytklif are voting on proposals to establish devolved assemblies.

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Ana Jonsdohter (@anajdohter)
^{09 Jun 2019 | Aalmsted, Azmara}

A man casts his vote in the seaside town of IJssenberg, Haadland.

HAADLAND AND HYTKLIF, AZMARA – Voters in the Provinces of Haadland and Hytklif head to the polls today to vote on proposals to establish devolved legislatures in both provinces and make IJssentaal and Hytklifer, the traditional languages of Haadland and Hytklif respectively, co-official in the provinces.

If the proposals are approved, elections will be scheduled for the 21st July in both provinces to elect the first legislatures for both provinces, which will replace the provincial councils.

The campaign in Haadland has been marked by an enthusiastic campaign by the regional govermment - a coalition of the social-liberal Radikaalen, the environmentalist Groonpartii and the regionalist Haadlandisk Vangaard - in favour of both proposals, with all three parties being strongly committed to Azmaran federalism. Also enthusiastic is Home Secretary Ana Jonsdohter, who spearheaded the legislation allowing for the devolution referendums and hails from the province herself. An opinion poll from Thursday shows that many Haadlanders agree with their government here, with 68% planning to vote for devolution and 70% planning to vote for recognition of IJssentaal.

Despite this, the province's political scene is not fully behind the move for devolution. The Sotirian democratic Sortiren Folksrâgelen and the right-wing populist Folkspartii have positioned themselves strongly against the proposals, as have parts of the social-democratic Arbeiderpartii and conservative-liberal Gyldflam.

In Hytklif, the referendum has proved very divisive. The former provincial government, a coalition between Sortiren Folksrâgelen, Radikaalen and the regionalist Parti for Hûtklif has split up over the referendum as Provincial President Harald Erykssun of SF has taken a hardline stance against it while Radikaalen and the Parti for Hûtklif have campaigned strongly in favour.

Polling backs up this division in Hytklif, with the province being almost evenly split on the issue of devolution. Despite this, support for recognition of Hytklifer stands high, with 78% of voters supporting the proposal according to a recent poll.

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by **Fierenland** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 12:21 pm

Fierenland: Discussion about revoking Rights of Minority Languages

Aldælum, Fierenland. Jan Herdman, Conservative Party representative for Borcen, has been known for his assimmilationist stances in regards to national minorities for quite a while now. In an interview with the Fierenland Weekly, he has now announced that, in addition to a stricter enforcement of language laws at schools, he would now also advocate for the revoking of laws guaranteeing the right to speakers of minority languages to access to government services in their respective languages in some parts of the country.

And Herdman is not alone; Within the last few days since the initial interview, several more politicians have come out in support for Herdman’s idea.

As of now, it seems as though a large portion of Fierenlanders agree with Herdman. Polls indicate that the majority of Fieriac-speakers either support the revoking of the minority languages’ special rights or at the very least would not vote against it.

This comes true the least in urban areas with a low percentage of ethnic minorities, such as Waterslô, a town of about 10 000. In the last census, only 32 people said they spoke another language than Fieriac at home — merely ca. 0.32%. In Waterslô, only 24% of the population support Herdman in this, while 67% oppose him.

There are, however, also areas in which an overwhelming majority of Fieriac-speakers support less rights for minority languages. Typically, these are those parts of Fierenland with a comparably large community of one or more ethnolinguistic minorities. In the traditionally Gidealic-speaking north-west, more than three in four individuals with an ethnicity other than Gidealic are in support of Herdman. In Herdman’s constituency, Borcen, which has the highest immigrant population in Fierenland, numbers are similar.

Members of ethnolinguistic minorities, however, largely oppose Herdman’s proposal and his stances in general. In rural Breel, for example, most people speak a Breic dialect of Fieriac and more than three quarters of the population oppose Herdman’s proposal. All of this is overshaddowed by the fact that most Fierenlanders speak Fieriac at home and by the fact that, in most areas, non-standard dialects of Fieriac, Gidealic, and other languages are still stigmatized.

As of now, it is uncertain if the Parliament will vote in favour of this, although the pressure on it is getting bigger with each passing day.

by **Azmara** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 1:27 pm

VOTERS BACK DEVOLVED LEGISLATURES
Voters in Haadland and Hytklif approve plans for devolved legislatures.

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Ana Jonsdohter (@anajdohter)
^{10 Jun 2019 | Aalmsted, Azmara}

Provincial President of Haadland, Liis Wiljâmsdohter (right) celebrates result.

HAADLAND AND HYTKLIF, AZMARA – In a landmark result, voters in the provinces of Haadland and Hytklif have backed proposals to establish devolved legislatures for the provinces.

In Haadland, it was announced at 03:04 on Monday 10th June that voters had voted 69.2% in favour of proposals to establish a devolved legislature in the province. This result was relatively even across the whole province, with the capital of the province, Cârlesby, returning the strongest majority in favour of the proposal.

Provincial President Liis Wiljâmsdohter, when asked by the Herald for comment, said that she was "ecstatic" and that she hoped "to serve her province under its new relation to the rest of Azmara to the standard it deserved", indicating she would seek to continue her leadership of the province as a devolved administration.

Also celebrating was Wiljâmsdohter's coalition partners in the Groonpartii and the Haadlandisk Vangaard, who both campaigned with Wiljâmsdohter's Radikaalen to secure an "Aye" vote - both parties have been in charge of street parties in various neighbourhoods of the province to celebrate the result.

The recognition of IJssentaal as a co-equal language to Azmaran also passed, with 67.8% of the population voting in favour of it, especially in rural areas around the town of Heuthenberg where the minority language is most widely spoken.

In Hytklif, the vote was much more narrow, with 51.8% of the populace voting in favour of the proposal to create a devolved legislature and 48.2% voting against.

The news came as a shock to Provincial President Harald Erykssun, who had been strongly against the move since it was proposed, calling it a "Haadlandic fantasy of the Home Secretary" that "was not shared by the people of Hytklif". At lunchtime today he resigned as Provincial President, saying he could "not lead Hytklif in this uncertain time" and that a "fresh face" should take up the leadership.

His former coalition allies in the Parti for Hûtklif released a statement saying that the result showed "how out of touch with the people of Hytklif the government is", calling on pro-devolution voters to back for them in elections to the new devolved legislatures.

Home Secretary Sofija Anasdohter expressed pride in the move, saying it would likely "be the defining moment" of her career, while the Prime Minister said he was "happy for the people of Haadland and Hytklif".

The province overwhelmingly backed proposals to recognise the Hytklifer language as co-equal with Azmaran in the province, with 80.1% of the province voting in favour of the proposals.

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by **Union of Akoren** » Wed Jun 12, 2019 9:49 am

Ehsan Ali Sandani - Seshhanbeh: 21. Khordad 1398

Home · Zorasan · Coius · International · Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

Armed forces vow to aid government over water crisis

Major General Hussein Borazjani speaking to reporters.

Zahedan, Union Capital Territory- The armed forces has vowed to assist the union government in confronting the water crisis in the southern union republics. Major General Hussein Borazjani told reporters that, “we will devote all necessary assistance, including the engineer corps to alleviate the water crisis.”

Last week the union government announced the creation of a special commission dedicated to finding a long term solution to the country’s water shortage crisis. Which was done in response to the declarations of state of emergency in two union republics and three provinces of Pardaran.

As today, almost 3.2 million citizens have seen no access to drinking water since last week. The areas effected including the Samrin and Armavand URs and the Pardarian provinces of Dol Stadeh, Darsht and Baramshahr.

Last night, Amir Reza Sharghzadeh, the chairman of the Great Soldier Foundation, the armed forces official holding company, which includes the State Water Service Corporation, was forced to reject claims that SWSC was failing consumers.

“I will say this time and time again, State Water and the GSF remain committed to providing good service to consumers and ensuring that our businesses are conducted in a righteous and patriotic manner” he said, he also condemned accusations of malfeasance in the crisis, “I say to people who claim this crisis is manufactured for political ends to wash their mouths, this is insulting and outrageous.”

This morning, a senior military commander, Major General Hussein Borazjani also defended the GSF, in a press conference he told reporters, “in the foundation’s 40 years, it has grown to include numerous businesses and Industries, all of which are run in accordance to Irfanic religious law and the principles of the armed forces; fairness, patriotism and improving the lives of citizens.”

He however, did confirm the military would aid the special commission and union government in confronting the crisis.

“If there is one certainty it is that the armed forces of the union will assist the union government in confronting this crisis. We will assist the union government in all emergency construction works, especially the planned pipelines from the north to the south, by providing the use of the engineer corps.

“I can also confirm that we will work very closely with the special commission owing to the military’s control of state water and its subordinate utility firms. Citizens should be calm in knowing that the union government and armed forces stand shoulder to shoulder in pursuit of a solution. And with every tool of state at our disposal we will find a solution” he said.

At midday a motion by one MP to start a parliamentary inquiry into State Water was defeated by allies of the government. In a response to the motion, a spokesman for the Union Government said, “at this time it is vital that all branches of government and state are working closely and without division. As such, the government praises the decision of the Popular Council to defeat this motion that would only bring about discord in a trying time.”

Yesterday over 60,000 bottles of water were flown to Samrin and 78,000 to Armavand to be distributed to rural communities, while government contracted trains are being sent to the south to deliver water to storage areas.

The General Intelligence Directorate for its part announced it would aid local law enforcement in combatting water hoarding and profiteering. This follows a raid and arrests two days ago, where a man in Samrin was found in possession of 500 tankards of water, and he had been selling these at over $150.”

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by **Etruria2** » Wed Jun 12, 2019 12:18 pm

Janez Hribar denies all wrongdoing in Carinthian Daily allegations
Carinthia's governor denies the awarding of contracts to businesses owned by Tribune donors was corrupt
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^{12 June 11.00am | Vicalvi, Etruria}

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Governor Janez Hribar addressing the corruption allegations at a press conference.

Governor of Carinthia, Janez Hribar (TM) has denied accusations of offering lucrative contracts to companies owned by Carinthian Tribune members. Speaking at a press conference, he said, “any accusation that I misused my position to benefit party colleagues is utterly salacious and politically motivated.”

Last week, the Carinthian Daily newspaper published a story of how the governor supposedly strong armed the State Office for Infrastructure to award a contract to TorreAlta Construction, to build a series of road bridges across the Trasimene River. TorreAlta is owned by Marko Tibar, a prominent Tribune supporter and donor. The newspaper also followed up with similar cases involving Gasparevic Services and VKT, which were supposedly awarded contracts in water utilities and telecommunications respectively. Both companies are owned by Tribune Movement members.

The Secretary for Infrastructure in Carinthia, Marija Slacek also rejected the accusations accusing the Carinthian Daily of spreading “blatant lies and falsifications.”

Addressing the issue directly for the first time, Governor Hribar said, “never at any point have I had an urge or desire to misuse my position as Governor to enrich colleagues or party comrades. Every decision and act by this state government has been to secure for the Carinthian people the best value for money and service.

“When bridges are needed we look at all possible candidates, at times we have used the federally owned construction company and at other times we have used private businesses. As for the case nefariously presented by Carinthian Daily, we took to a company with a strong track record in finishing jobs on time, within budget and with quality work. If this so happened by owned by a Tribune then that says more about the party than it does me or this administration” he said.

When asked whether he agreed the other cases undermine his claims of coincidence, he attacked Carinthian Daily.

“The problem we have with the media in this country is that they wage war on the Tribune Movement, its members, politicians and supporters. Where there’s coincidence, they see corruption. When there’s success and victory they see criminality and illegal actions. The left wing media is spreading fake news, lies and falsifications to wage its war on democracy, this is all politically motivated” he said.

Numerous Tribunes in Carinthia’s state legislature came out in support of Governor Hribar.

The Secretary for Education, Viktor Kalic tweeted, “Governor Hribar has my full support and trust. CD is owned by the same left wing, anti-Etruria family as Il Popolo... need I say more?”

State legislator, Emiliano Vespucci told ARE, “this attack on the governor is a disgrace and based on twister truths to appear as corruption. We’ve seen it before and we will keep seeing it so long as the establishment keeps resisting.”

Carinthian Daily was bought by the Cipriani family in November 2013, just months after Janez Hribar led the Tribune Movement to its first state-level victory, where they seized a stable majority in the state legislature from the Socialist Party.

The Cipriani family have owned Il Popolo since 1987, turning it into one of the most dynamic and read papers in Euclea. However, the paper was warned by the Senate Committee for Press and Media Standards over its personal attacks on Tribune candidates and politicians in the lead up to the EC referendum in 2016.

This morning, the Carinthian Prosecutions Office reported that it was addressing the cases presented in the story and would not give any indication on whether it would investigate formally.

Opposition members in the state legislature have demanded a full inquiry into the contracts mentioned in the article. PSE Leader in the assembly, Stefan Bohor told local reporters, “we need to investigate and if it’s found that Hribar and the Tribunes have been corrupt, a snap state election held and Hribar must resign without delay.”

Governor Hribar rejected calls for his resignation, telling the press, “I will not resign for I have done nothing. This party is built on the pledge to destroy corruption in Etruria and all its states. We Tribunes simply don’t do corruption, that’s for the left.”

Having served as Governor for six years, he has an approval rating of over 50%. He has also led efforts in dramatically improving state economic growth, wage growth and worked closely with business and the federal government in boosting opportunities for poor youngsters to gain long term work.

So far the Tribune Movement’s Federal Executive has refused to comment.

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by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:47 pm

SOCIAL DEMOCRATS, NATIONALS CELEBRATE EXIT POLL RESULTS FOR EUCLEAN ELECTIONS
Liberty has conceded defeat as voters endorse the messaging of its rivals, mirroring trends in local elections

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Rory Cork (@rcorkgbf)
^{13 June 2019 | Spálgleann, Glytter}

Liberty leader Pádraig Mac Piarais said the results prove the party needs "one, cohesive message".

SPÁLGLEANN – The ruling Social Democratic Party and the opposition National Party are both celebrating the anticipated results of the European elections held yesterday. Official results will not come out until the conclusion of the elections to the Euclean Parliament throughout the EC at the end of the month.

Exit polls shown to the party leadership led both parties to claim victory in the elections. It is important to note that these exit polls are not necessarily an accurate indication of the result. Ghaillish electoral law forbid the GBF and all domestic news agencies from publishing exit polls from the Euclean Parliament elections.

As such, it is difficult to predict how the parties performed, and just how the two parties both claimed victory. There are some indicators that help analysts make assumptions.

The most telling was that the leader of the Liberty Party, Pádraig Mac Piarais, effectively conceded that his was defeated in the elections. However, it is impossible to know how big of a defeat they are set to face. Following the 2014 election, Liberty sent eight MEPs to the Euclean Parliament, sending the largest delegation of all the Ghaillish parties. Considering the size of their delegation and that both the SDs and the Nationals have claimed victory, it is likely the party lost a large portion of its seats.

Speaking on the party's perceived defeat, Mr. Mac Piarais, who was chosen to lead the party after the defeat of ex-Taoiseach Humphrey Dumfries in February's snap election, said that his party "performed poorly" and said the exit polls indicated a "rejection of Liberty's platform".

"After months of turmoil, the Ghaillish people have sent us yet another sign they are tired of our status quo. We have been told that we must adopt one, cohesive message. If we do not, we will once again face defeat".

Liberty also performed poorly in the municipal elections that were held simultaneously to the Euclean elections, losing over two-hundred seats so far. This followed the party's defeat in the February snap election, where Liberty had its worst ever performance. The party has faced internal turmoil for months as disputes between its varying factions escalated following a corruption scandal that resulted in the removal of Frank Casarnach as Taoiseach and his arrest.

Considering all of this, and the party's poor performance in the municipal elections and February's snap election, it is probable that Liberty will see a significant reduction in its number of MEPs.

Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne hailed his party's performance as an "endorsement" of his "progressive agenda". His government remains popular and is gearing up for a number of major legislative victories in the upcoming budget. Among them include a massive increase in spending on social services, education, and healthcare and the effective end of the flat income tax rate, with the introduction of a second income bracket for the next fiscal year. Those who receive the public option for healthcare coverage will no longer have to pay the five-percent income tax rate associated with it as well, introducing fully state-funded universal healthcare.

The SDs have promised to continue implementing wide-reaching reforms, outlining their vision to introduce a universal basic income using funds from the Petroleum Trust Fund, increased infrastructure spending, and good government reforms.

Their anticipated performance in the Euclean elections and success in the municipal elections marks the party's full comeback, securing an effective majority in all but county governments for the first time in over two decades. The party won back control of the Spálgleann City Council and became the largest party on the Bulfawst City Council. The SDs also won the Laird Mayoralities of Bulfawst and Invertwinc, holding the post in four of Glytter's five most populous cities.

Also celebrating were the Nationals, whose leader, a former MEP for the Free Market Party, said the party "had established itself as the party of the Ghaillish right".

"It is without a doubt that we are indisputably the party of genuine conservatism in this country" Liam Ó Cuillinn told a rally held at the party's headquarters.

The Nationals also performed well in municipal elections, becoming the second largest party in the Bulfawst and Snarksburgh city councils and winning dozens of seats in other municipalities.

Euclean elections will conclude at the end of this month and have been taking place throughout the EC since the beginning of May. The new parliament will sit in July.

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by **Valentir** » Fri Jun 14, 2019 7:26 am

Emily Charlton - 14 June 2019

Home · Valentir · Sublustria · International · Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

PAULINE: "2020 IS OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR ME"

Pauline's exit from the stage is expected to leave a void that the Progressive Republicans will struggle to fill.

Starkhaven, Tarrington - President Helene Pauline will not run for re-election in the upcoming 2020 presidential election, a firm blow to the gut of the Progressive Republicans and their endless hemorrhage in the polls. Pauline, who has long been considered one of the more popular members of the party, being dubbed "Mom-in-Chief" during her 2015 presidential campaign, told the press that her "family comes first" and the country will "be just fine" without her.

Her decision follows months of backroom speculation in Valeins that she would break with tradition and seek a second term. The one-term tradition has only ever been broken twice since independence: first by Raymond Whitmore in 1955 and then by Élisabeth Chanel in 1985.

Her soon-to-be exit from the political stage will more than likely create a host of problems for her extremely unpopular party. A VBN poll from 8 June had the President's approval rating at a comfortable 48%. Meanwhile her parliamentary counterpart, Prime Minister Bennett, recently sunk down to 37% in the same poll, down from 43% in January. A number of legislative setbacks in the Senate and the battle over the open Supreme Court seat have taken their toll on the Progressive Republicans these past few months.

A popular and unifying voice, President Pauline also worked extensively to bridge the divide between the PRP's rivaling factions in parliament. She is widely credited for the party's narrow win in the 2017 general election which saw the Alliance's majority shrink to a mere 5 seats.

Despite being a powerful influence Pauline was no stranger to her own fair share of clashes with the two factions. Sources close to the president told the VBN that she was expecting primary challenges from both wings of the party. Foreign Affairs Minister Rufus Winterbottom allegedly hosted a series of private fundraisers with several of Pauline's biggest donors and began trying to court more moderate members who would have likely supported her potential campaign.

Several other prominent PRP members, including Tarrington Premier Mark Harris, Defence Minister Candice Gardner and Attorney-General Troy Hammond have expressed interest in running either against Pauline or in an open primary.

The first-round of the 2020 presidential election is scheduled for 12 January. In the event that none of the candidates achieve a majority a run-off will occur two weeks after.

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by **Caltarania** » Fri Jun 14, 2019 10:47 am

Dari Alcantara - 14 June 2019

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

EC ELECTIONS: ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT PARTIES TAKE HALF OF FLOREN SEATS

Romeu Casaramon, leader of the Nèstorine League, has lauded the results as a 'rejection of appeasement'.

Demora, Florena - Ahead of the official announcement of the results of the elections to the Euclean Parliament, an exit poll for the votes cast in Florena has sent shock-waves throughout the political establishment.

According to the poll, two anti-establishment parties belonging to the non-inscrits (independent) grouping together have taken just under half of the seats allocated to the Floren Republic. The Nèstorine League, which was founded only two months ago, has taken 33 seats and 29% of the vote, while the United Anarchist Federation received 17% of the vote and 20 seats.

While these appears as a majority for the non-inscrits, however, it is important to remember that the two parties are in no formal coalition, and that the FAU practice abstentionism in regards to the Euclean Parliament, and therefore will not take their 20 seats. A spokesperson for the FAU declared the results a "scathing indictment" of establishment politics.

The major establishment parties trail behind them; the governing CTS and PSD will take up only 18 and 5 seats respectively in the new parliament, while the main opposition Catholic Democrats will take only 15. This has left Moderada, who will take up 19 seats, as the largest Floren establishment party in the EC Parliament.

Political analysts have suggested that the emergent voter-base of the LN has largely appeared from former CTS and Catholic Democrat voters, who are dissatisfied with their party's "appeasement" of Etruria.

The Greens and Communist Party also performed poorly, the first down from 5 seats to 3 and the second from 4 to 1.

Premier Escudero claimed the results were "disappointing", but that she would not take the results as an indication of her government's popularity. Instead, she said, it merely shows "dissatisfaction with the Euclean Community's handling of the Etrurian crisis". Leader of the Opposition Adam Escriva claimed that the results are an indication of "shifting sands", but insisted that the Catholic Democrat vote had "held strong", outperforming prior opinion polls.

Romeu Casaramon, leader of the Nèstorine League, said in a speech to his party members that the results show a "definitive slap in the face" for "appeasement politics", and that the Euclean elections represented the emergence of the League as a potent force in modern Floren politics. Casaramon promised his supporters that he would not campaign tirelessly to force the Euclean Community to "directly and competently oppose the Etrurian menace", and that if that were not possible, to "cast it aside" so that "we proud Florens may do so ourselves".

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by **Valentir** » Sat Jun 15, 2019 1:44 am

Emily Charlton - 16 June 2019

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BENNETT ZEROS IN ON EMPTY SUPREME COURT SEAT

The Supreme Court debacle has been a major source of hurt for the PM these past few months.

Valeins, Valmont - Nearly three months after his attempts to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court were undermined by the Action populaire-Démocrates sotiriens senatorial caucus, the Prime Minister has renewed his commitment to filling the seat before the end of summer.

The empty seat has been up for grabs since the tragic passing of celebrated Chief Justice Renaud de Senlis, who was found deceased at his private residence in Montsimmard in February. In March the PM nominated Thibault Devaux, the most senior member of the court, to fill the position of Chief Justice. The Senate confirmed Devaux as the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on 11 April, by a vote of 81–69. 10 members of the New Centre senatorial caucus broke with the opposition and voted in Devaux's favour.

Meanwhile the Prime Minister's attempt to fill the vacant seat was met with an intense and unanticipated resistance. Federal Court of Appeals for Tarrington jurist Jack Stanton was nominated on 27 March, with his confirmation hearings scheduled for 28 April and subsequent vote for 3 June. Originally seen as a moderate candidate with crossover appeal, Stanton came under fire for a series of allegedly sexist comments directed at male students during his tenure as a professor at Fairfax College, Valeins.

Former students came forward to testify during his confirmation hearings concerning his comments and supposedly inappropriate behaviour. Stanton denied the allegations, however the accusations effectively killed his nomination. Shortly after the hearings Deputy PM Tristan Teyssier held a joint press conference with the AP-DS leadership in the senate announcing they would not be supporting Stanton's nomination. Thereafter President of the Senate Andréa Arnoux decided to postpone the vote on Stanton's confirmation indefinitely.

Prime Minister Bennett told reporters that, "one way or another that seat will be filled before the end of the summer." He continued, calling the supposed political assassination of his nominee "by far one of the most disgusting acts I have witnessed during my time in politics." The PM has stood by Stanton since the allegations surfaced. "I remain committed to seeing Stanton on the Supreme Court."

Subsequent investigations into the allegations by the Federal Police Agency are currently ongoing. However, sources close the FPA Commissioner's office have told reporters that so far "there is little concrete evidence" to back up the statements given to the FPA.

Several sources in the senatorial caucuses also report that opposition to Stanton's candidacy is allegedly fading as the investigation has failed to turn over anything damning to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Despite these rumours Heloise Charlet, leader of the AP-DS senate caucus, remains steadfast in her party's united opposition to Stanton's nomination. In an interview with Gold Horse Courier's chief political correspondent, Alan Thomas, Charlet said she intends to "see where the facts lead" and then go from there.

In the event that the PM forces a vote before the FPA investigation ends he would need to secure 12 votes to make up for the lack of AP-DS support and then secure another 5 votes to secure a one vote majority. While attempts to court senators from the New Centre and National Liberals have yet to bear fruit, it should be said it isn't outside the realm of possibility that such a strategy could work. Of course, as VFL leader Gaultier Babineaux so eloquently put it, "those senators will require 30 pieces of silver for their journey to hell."

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by **Liecthenbourg** » Sat Jun 15, 2019 12:52 pm

EC ELECTIONS: GAINS FOR LV, FN AND UCT -- WHILST PSD STRUGGLES AND GC IS LEFT IN THE DUST.
Whilst the Socialist Party is still the largest sent to the Euclean Parliament by Gaullica, it performed worse than anticipated -- at roughly 28% -- according to Exit Polls.

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Antoinette Giroud
^{June 14th, 2019| Kesselbourg City, Kesselbourg}

The Prime Minister has described the Euclean Elections as 'a sign that the Conservatives and the Front are still favoured by the populace.'
Photo courtesy of the Senate.

Kesselbourg City, Kesselbourg

Exit polls for the Euclean Elections have seen rejoicing from 'The Greens', 'The Front' and the 'Catholic Labour Union' as each is projected to increase their seat count by 20, 21 and 7, respectively, whilst the Social Democrats -- their first Euclean Election in opposition in over a decade -- are expected to lose 13 seats. Exit Polls, however, have not been kind to the Gaullican Conservatives - with the belief that their seat share has fallen to their coalition partners, the Front.

The Prime Minister described the success of his coalition partner as a 'clear sign of the faith in this government', including that the Exit Polls showing a loss of five seats for the Monarchists, as "a paid price for their rebellion against this government."

Despite their relatively poorer performance, the Social Democrats took the highest share of the vote - 28%. President Vallette, who cast his vote earlier today, announced that the results "were a clear showing that the Social Democrats are still the strongest party in Gaullica". The CLU follows behind at 20%. The Greens achieved their highest performance of 16% of the vote and are thought to be a major force within the wider Euclean Green Movement. Marie-Justine Tiquet, leader of the Greens, described their success as "a clear rejection of the Conservative ideas to prioritise nuclear energy again and abandon the policies we helped adopt to make green energy more commerically practiced in Gaullica." She additionally described it as a clear showing that "the planet will triumph over other concerns."

A titanic victor of the night has been Alfred Boulanger, noted Euclosceptic and leader of the Front National. Serving in the coalition government, his party has seemingly stood strong against the criticism and scandal engulfing his partners. His message of a "decisively more restrained community" which 'respects' Gaullica's place at its heart has resounded with growing resentment and feelings of anti-establishment protest within aspects of the population.

The Gordes Party and the Amañeihiz National Party, united under the 'Regionalists Alliance', saw their vote collapse as many of their members are expected to have joined the surge in the Greens, CLU or the FN.

Renée Lémery, who's Communal Coalition secured two extra seats, remarked that "this government is praising itself for losing seats and having an entire third of it collapse with no votes." She decried their poor performance as "a rejection of their ideals" and tweeted to the Prime Minister if he was going to resign on Monday.

93% of the Electorate participated in today's Euclean Elections.

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by **Liecthenbourg** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:58 pm

PVG OFFICIALLY LEAVES COALITION FOLLOWING PARTY WIDE DECISION.
The Party of the Old Guard have officially withdrawn from the 'Traditional Coalition', marking almost two months of difficulty since the failings of the Monarchical Referendum.

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Antoinette Giroud
^{June 17th, 2019| Kesselbourg City, Kesselbourg}

Now famed across Gaullica, Monarchist Maximilien Robespierre, seen entering the Senate today.
Photo courtesy of the Senate.

Kesselbourg City, Kesselbourg

Following an abysmal electoral performance in the Euclean Elections, mirrored by the Gaullican Conservatives, the entirety of the Party of the Old Guard announced earlier this morning that the party had decided it would "no longer be participating in governance."

The Party of the Old Guard has seen a rough relationship with its coalition partners over perceived backstabbing over the monarchical referendum, so much so that the monarchists sunk a government bill on the cutting of the civil service. Maximilien Robespierre (PVG), a Senator and now famed as a 'portly political powerbroker', was behind an entire abstention of the party in a vote that was decisively marked as 'the final nail in the coffin for civil service reform'.

Justice Minister Evelin Montecardé announced: "due to the long expected shortcomings of this government's electoral performances and our own cessation as a political force, as evident by our incapability to capture seats, the party can no longer condone being apart of this government." She has resigned as Minister of Justice and has been rumoured to have been the source of the convening of the party today, despite her outwardly appearance of supporting the 'Traditional Coalition.'

Incredibly peculiarly, the PVG has announced that it will no longer function as a political party -- and 'respected the rejection of monarchism' portrayed by the Gaullican people. Numerous members of the party have already been seen negotiation attempts to join up with others, such as Mr. Robespierre with the CLU.

It is unknown if the pretender to the Gaullican throne, Miss Montecardé, will return to political activity.

The ramifications of this departing and dissolution have yet to be seen, but this month only becomes worse for the 'TC' as its minority in seats grows smaller and the threat of a vote of no confidence in the government, especially from the Communal Coalition, grows louder.

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by **Liecthenbourg** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 1:43 pm

The Examiner's Editorial Board - 17 June 2019

Home · Transtsabara · Badawayia/Bahia/Coius · International · Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

GOVERNMENT SCHEDULES VOTE FOR 'ACCURATE JUDICIAL ACT'

President Tughluq announced his proposals for judicial reformation to a crowd of supporters in Adunis.

Adunis, Transtsabaran Federation - After two months of statistical analysis, population censuses relating to growth and adherence to religion, members of the MNR's 'Law and Order' Committee within parliament has concluded that "the most accurate and fair" course of action is to "increase the court by two additional members." Their spokesman, Tariq ibn Ziyad, announced that the two new judges would "best reflect the growth of the Den and Öroqic ethnic groups, both of which are predominantly Irfanic Shima."

The Federation's Court of Justice, its highest court, was enshrined in law during the 1990s in an attempt at making a 'fair and equal' representation of the 'ethnic and religious' makeup of the nation. This was praised, and is praised, by all. Many critics have decried the MNR's bill 'greatly unethical' and 'nearing a religious domination', highlighting that Irfanic Tsabara would now have '7 Irfanic Judges' out of 11.

Leader of the APP and of the Opposition, Aryeh Kahlon, has referred to the bill as "an attempt to undermine religious freedom and bring back preferential status to the Irfanic Faith." He made similar commentary during the conception of the bill, previously, in April. Again he reiterated the necessity to "respect the nation as laid out in the Constitution of 1990." He and members of the Popular Front, the reincarnation of the 'Worker's Popular Front', which ruled out Federation as a left-wing dictatorship since the mid 40s to the early 90s, have demanded the "bill be rejected by the members of the MNR."

The court, which contains 9 members, reflects the religious nature of the consocialtional society. With 1 Sotirian, 3 Atudites and 5 Mumins, the court was done at a time when those numbers reflected population demographics. The bill aims to better reflect the growing population trends, which now see Irfanic Groups nearing 65% of the population. Having 7/11 judges means that roughly 64% of the court reflects this. Indeed, Tughluq has even argued that "with the decline of Sotirians within Tsabara, it is in good faith for our society we do not revoke their own judge."

The bill is scheduled to take place this coming Wednesday 19th of June, during the longest session of parliament throughout the week, and the voting of the bill is also scheduled to be televised live across the nation.

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by **Etruria2** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 6:07 am

BREAKING Government to block unskilled immigration
Government to withhold short-term stay and work visas for unskilled immigrants from Coius, Bahia and Western Euclea
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^{19 June 2018 13.00pm | Vicalvi, Etruria}

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The federal government has announced that it will scrap residency and work visas for unskilled persons coming from Coius, Bahia and western Euclea (with the exception of Marolevia). The government has stated that the move will “protect Etruria from an insufficient immigration system.”

Under-Secretary for the Interior Ministry, Andrej Kaganovic told the Chamber of Representatives, “for the past three years the government has studied and sought ways to improve and solidify the country’s immigration system to protect it from the flood of uneducated and unskilled aliens coming from all directions. Today, we will do so.”

He explained that short-term residency and work visas, commonly used by foreign workers will no longer be applicable for certain regions.

“Studying censuses and reports, the government has taken the decision to withdraw short term residency and worker visas for all unskilled individuals who are citizens of states in Coius, Bahia and western Euclea. The exception to this move will be all nationals from Marolevia. This country cannot sustain these people and it is right that we seize control of our borders” he said.

As a result, unskilled workers from the listed regions will be required to obtain long-stay visas which is a precursor to citizenship, however, in 2017, the government made the possession of qualifications and fluency in either of the three national languages, prerequisites for acceptance.

The Migrant Watch Group, an NGO based in San Alessandro warned that the latest move will “essentially shut out millions of people from entering Etruria even for a week. And constitutes a blatantly racist act policy of isolation.” MWG also warned that these changes would have negative impact effects on immigrants already living in Etruria, saying further, “with these changes immigrants in Etruria already will be cut off from family back in their home countries, with their families essentially barred from entering the country.”

Opposition to unskilled migration has been a prominent point in the governing Tribune Movement’s agenda since its creation in 2013. The Tribunes have argued that mass unskilled migration has decimated rural communities, depressed wages and pushed young rural Etrurians out of the job market. The Tribunes also warned that mass migration would result in “chronic cultural and social decline.”

Last year President Carcaterra argued that Etruria was in no need of unskilled immigrants saying, “we don’t need illiterate or barely skilled immigrants, we are a country who’s population is growing naturally. This kind of immigration is for the northern Euclean countries, they don’t have children so they need foreigners.”

The move was praised on social media by Foreign Minister Gianfranco Galizia who posted, “an excellent initiative by Etruria’s most successful government. Not only do we protect jobs and our young, we also protect our history, culture and identity.”

His post is reportedly a precursor to a major speech to be given by President Carcaterra on Friday to Tribune Movement members. The speech is said to cover a major initiative of the Tribune government that will define its policies until the next general election in 2023.

The new immigration policy will take force at midnight on the 1 July.

More as the story develops.

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by **Estmere** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 7:28 pm

Marilyn Albridge - 19 June 2019

Home · Estmere · Euclea · International· Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

WILTON-SMYTH SHAKES UP CABINET, BRINGING IN PROMINENT BACK-BENCHERS

Aveline-Duquesne is the first aristocrat to serve in the cabinet in over two decades.

Ashcombe, Estmere - Prime Minister Reginald Wilton-Smyth has shuffled the cabinet he inherited from his predecessor, Rupert Richardson. Seats held by the Progressives have gone unchanged, with the incumbents remaining in their posts. However, he has sacked or shuffled the bulk of his National Union Party's secretaries.

The new prime minister, who took office last week after Richardson tabled his resignation before Tuesday's cabinet meeting, announced his decisions in relation to the cabinet secretaries this morning. In a brief statement, he said his appointments were "representative of the whole of Estmere, not just the metropolitan elite". New secretaries occupy seven of the eight cabinet offices held by members of the NUP.

The only secretary to survive the shuffle was Matilda de Fay, who was named Secretary for Education and Research. de Fay, who previously served as Treasury Secretary, mounted an unsuccessful challenge to Richardson that ultimately led to his resignation, creating an opening for Wilton-Smyth. She announced her decision to back the ex-Justice Secretary soon after he announced his intent to launch a leadership bid.

The new Secretary for the Federal Treasury is Geraint d'Auvergne. The parliamentarian for Bouillon and Marband has previously served in the state administration of Flurland, serving as State Treasurer for six years. after which he was elected to the Federal Parliament. d'Auvergne backs reducing the corporate tax rate to 16%, down from 23%. He has also called for cuts to social services, being especially critical of the welfare state, calling for a broad cut in funding for Social Protection programs. In the past, he has also supported reducing taxes on the richest citizens, arguing they move their money elsewhere to tax havens within the Euclean Community and arguing that cuts in the tax rates for the highest earnest would result in the creation of new jobs as they would have more money to invest.

Êdouard Aveline-Duquesne, a parliamentarian for Great Saint Ouen in rural Flurland, has been named the next Justice Secretary. The seventy-two year old aristocrat will succeed Wilton-Smyth as head of the Justice Secretariat. His appointment marks the first time a member of Estmere's largely unspoken of aristocracy has served in the cabinet since the cabinet of John Braithwaite in 1988. Aveline-Duquesne is the Marquis de Vardonville and while his title awards him no political privileges, his family has remained prominent in their native County Lythe and enjoyed positions of political power for generations. His voting record is similar to Wilton-Smyth's own, a staunch conservative who has at times rebelled against the government on policies Aveline-Duquesne has deemed as "culturally liberal" and "incompatible" with Estmere.

Previously, he has said that the government is "too generous" when it comes to sentencing for criminals. He has called for aggressive policies to prevent crime, backing the hiring of an additional ten-thousand police officers nationally. Aveline-Duquesne also supports the reinstatement of the death penalty, arguing it was the "ultimate deterrent" for committing "any heinous crime".

The most controversial of his picks is Roseline Perrier as Secretary for the Euclean Community. Her duties will include sitting as a member of the Euclean Council and representing Estmere in Kesselbourg permanently, essentially acting as the country's ambassador to the Euclean Commission and other institutions. The parliamentarian for Maufant-sur-Oise, who has held the office since 1984, was a staunch opponent to Estmere's membership in the Euclozone and backed the failed referendum called by former prime minister Richard Avery that would have seen Estmere leave the Euclean currency union.

Vernon Geary has been named as Secretary for Housing and Urban Matters, Lilianne Harcourt as Secretary for Culture, Tourism, and Sport, Bênardin Saint Hélyi as Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Matters, and Louis Le Maistre as Secretary for Welfare and Social Inclusion. All three are back-benchers that represent constituencies located in sparsely-populated counties in Flurland.

Wilton-Smyth's picks all largely come from constituencies located in central and western Flurland, one of the more conservative regions of the country where the NUP has lost support to right-wing parties in recent years. Following the parties projected loses in last month's Euclean elections and the heavy loses faced in the local elections to the newly formed National Interest - Party for Democracy, the new prime minister promised to put together a cabinet that "represents the entire nation, not just those from the cities and coastal suburbs".

The controversial ex-Flurian governor Maximilien FitzClarence leads the nationalist NI-PFD, which took support away from the NUP in the traditionally conservative regions of Flurland in last month's elections. Some political commentators view Wilton-Smyth's rhetoric and cabinet picks as an attempt to court voters that backed FitzClarence's new party last month. However, some of his cabinet picks have drawn ire, with one ally of the out-going prime minister warning elevating "polarizing" voices would "fracture the party, the country, and the Community". The warning was dismissed by a spokesman for Wilton-Smyth, who said the new prime minister had "delivered on his promises to assemble a cabinet that truly reflects the country".

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by **Kisinger** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 12:10 am

The Emperor Abdicates?

Katiya Yakimovv
^{6 June 20.24pm | Vlazselo, Marolevia}

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File photo: Emperor Constantine II seen signing letters in 2018

A shocking announcement has come from the Summer Palace today as Emperor Constantine the Second has announced his abdication from the Tsardom of Grubalevia, and in turn the Emperor of Marolevia in favor of his younger brother, Tsarevich Michael Constantinov, now to be Emperor Michael II. The abdication came with a short written statement released along with the announcement from the Emperor.

The statement reads as follows:

"My fellow Marolevs, my time as Emperor of Marolevia, and Tsar of Grubalevia has come to an end. I no longer have the will nor the appetite to continue ruling over this beautiful Empire. I hereby announce my abdication from my titles as Emperor of Marolevia, Tsar of Grubalevia, and others, I hereby declare my heir to be my brother, Tsarevich Micheal Constantinov, to inherit the titles of Emperor of Marolevia, Tsar of Grubalevia and others. God Save the Tsar."

While the transition of power is expected to be seamless, it is an extremely unexpected move and many expected the Emperor to continue ruling till his death as did his father. There have been no further announcements regarding the succession and despite two separate motorcades entering and leaving the Summer Palace in Vlazselo, no other inclination that much has changed within Marolevia itself.

With the ascension of Emperor Micheal II to the throne of Marolevia, there is many expected implications especially in regards to the State Duma, and the current Conservative Coalition that has become the dominant coalition within the chamber. We have received word from the current Chief Minister Zhirov Rasim Rodionovich, that following talks with the new Emperor the government that is currently in power is expected to continue forward and still sees the support of the new Emperor.

Due to Emperor Micheal II past, especially with him actively campaigning with the Marolev People's Party during the May Elections, many expect a much more confrontational foreign policy with the Euclean Community and Swetania to be conducted and a much more conservative domestic policy is expected to be put in place, far more than what was seen under Emperor Constantine II, along with a lessening of many economic regulations that are currently in place.

Minor protests were staged within Vlazselo, and Glazreki but this were quickly suppressed by both Federal Police Forces and the Royal Security Force, we have received no more news of any demonstrations regarding the abdication of the Emperor and the ascension of the new one. We will keep you updated as we receive more information.

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by **Ordennya** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 7:43 am

Ordennya votes in snap election, as final poll puts KKF on 40%, Greens on 29.
Government proposes legislation on EC referendum, due for vote this Thursday.

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Christer Bergman (@chrisbergman)
^{20th June 2019| Vastal, Ordennya}

Vastal, Ordennya - Voting is underway in the snap federal election, after polls opened at 7am East Ordennya time, 6am West Ordennya time.
The election was called by the President after his bill on an in/out Euclean Community referendum failed to pass the Chamber of Deputies. This was a major theme throughout what has been a sometimes hectic campaign, which led to the KKF taking a commanding lead at the start of the campaign.
While most polls have had the KKF leading with the Greens a distant second, sometimes third behind the KPO, they did manage to regain some ground in the middle of the campaign, with three polls giving the Greens figures ranging between 37% and 34%. Analysts have credited the recasting of the debate to be about austerity cuts and climate change, which worked to the Greens advantage, but unfortunately this did not last, as the KKF retook their lead at the start of this week.
With the Liberal Democrats and the New Democratic Party campaigning under the joint Union of the Democratic Centre banner, the NDP has seen an uptick in the polls, with recent polling putting them tied with the Lib Dems at either 4 or 5%, enough to win them representation on a regional list, something they failed to achieve in last October's snap election.
The final election poll carried out yesterday by Ifop on behalf of Dagens Nyheter has support for the KKF at 40% and 263 seats, the Greens on 29% and 190 seats, the KPO on 12% and 79 seats, the FSP on 10% and 66 seats, and the Lib Dems and NDP on 4% and 26 seats each.
Polls close at 10pm Western time and 9pm Eastern, with results coverage, including analysis of the OBC/Ordennya 24 joint exit poll, will be on the DN website.

by **Valentir** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 1:56 pm

Emily Charlton - 16 June 2019

Home · Valentir · Sublustria · International · Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

SENATE TO VOTE ON STANTON NOMINATION FRIDAY

Senator Charlet's rebellion against the government could come to a swift end.

Valeins, Vallois - The Senate is set to hold a vote concerning the nomination of Jack Stanton, Puisne Judge of the Federal Court of Appeals for Tarrington, on 28 June. Senator Andréa Arnoux (Talissieu), the President of the Senate, announced the voting schedule this afternoon following a series of meetings with Prime Minister Bennett and the Senate caucus leaders.

Previously the Senate was set to vote on Stanton's nomination earlier this month after his confirmation hearing on 28 April. Several weeks prior to his confirmation hearing, however, a number of male students came forward and accused Stanton of directing sexual comments and engaging in "inappropriate" behaviour while he was a law professor at Fairfax College, Valeins. Stanton, who is married and has three children, denied the allegations as "slander" and "political assassination." Both Stanton and his former students testified at the hearing in April. The FPA promptly began an investigation into the allegations shortly afterwards. Their investigation has since failed to provide any evidence in either party's favour. The Commissioner's Office has emphasised, however, specifically to the Press and Senate, that the investigations are "nowhere near over."

Despite the allegations against Stanton and the accompanying investigation the Senate originally intended to hold the vote on 3 June as planned. It was only postponed after the AP-DS senatorial caucus effectively left the nomination dead in the water when they announced they would not vote in Stanton's favour. The caucus's leader, Senator Heloise Charlet (Laussonne), told the press that her caucus could not vote "in good conscience" while the allegations remained up in the air. "It is appalling to even consider his appointment without a thorough investigation into the validity of these claims."

A result of heightened tensions between the member parties of the Alliance coalition government, the AP-DS rebellion prompted the New Centre senatorial caucus to follow suite, despite initially signalling their support for Stanton in the aftermath of the confirmation hearing.

Since then the Prime Minister has sought to bring the AP-DS back into the fold and has extensively negotiated with the party's senatorial caucus. Deputy PM and AP-DS parliamentary leader Tristan Teyssier has also intervened on the PM's behalf, overseeing several private meetings between Bennett and various Senators who could be convinced to vote for Stanton.

Friday's vote is a clear signal that the PM has made a possible break through. The coalition's radio silence could certainly be construed as such. Neither the PM nor any of the prominent caucus leaders have spoken in regards to the renewed vote. Public opinion and the opposition have been united on the controversial nomination. Friday will determine just how unified the government is on the subject.

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by **Estmere** » Wed Jun 26, 2019 2:35 pm

Peggy Anderson - 26 June 2019

Home · Estmere · Euclea · International· Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS FOR EUCLEAN ELECTIONS SEE LOSS OF SUPPORT FOR ESTABLISHMENT PARTIES

Both the established SAE and ACDE face significant losses as smaller blocs a gained.

Kesselbourg City, Kesselbourg - The traditional centrist coalition that has held a majority in the Euclean Parliament since its inception posted significant losses in the parliamentary elections held throughout the Euclean Community over the past month and a half. While it hung on to its majority, it lost its effective super majority as smaller blocs posted gains. Far-right populist parties and environmentalist parties both gained ground at their expense, signaling a sense of voter dissatisfaction with the two establishment blocs throughout the EC. Despite the losses, the Grand Continental Coalition is set to retain its majority in the Euclean Parliament.

More than 50% of Euclean voters turned out last week to vote in the parliamentary elections, the highest turnout in two decades and a sharp increase from the last election in 2014. With the election results publicized after Sunday's elections in Amathia and Hennehouwe, the community now must replace four of its five top officials and nominate the next Euclean Commission. Euclean President Alexis Walker (ELP - Glytter) is staying on until the next bloc-wide presidential election in 2022, however the rest of the EC's senior posts are effectively vacated.

Here's what you need to know about the results.

The centre-left and the centre-right both posted sizable losses.

The largest bloc in the Euclean Parliament before and after the elections is the Socialist Alternative for Euclea (SAE), the centre-left group. The party won 190 seats, down 52 seats from the 2014 elections. Losses for the SAE were the heaviest in Florena and Werania, where the Euclean elections ran concurrently with Werania's national parliamentary elections. Despite the losses, the SAE remains the Euclean Parliaments largest group and remains influential.

The centre-right bloc, the Alliance of Conservatives and Democrats for Euclea (ACDE), also faced heavy losses. Support for the bloc fell sharpest in Gaullica and Estmere, where governing parties are member of the ACDE and are facing political turmoil. However, ACDE's losses were offset by gains from the Weranian National Consolidation Party (NKP), which became the largest party for Werania's seats by a wide margin. The results were disappointing for the bloc, which hoped to overtake the SAE. ACDE will send 146 MEPs, down from 177.

Also facing losses is the Euclean Liberal Party (ELP), which is down from 152 to 142 seats. The losses are not as significant for the ELP as they were for the SAE and the ELP, but it is noteworthy that all three members of the Grand Continental Coalition lost seats.

Voters care about the environment, and they want Kesselbourg to care as well.

An alliance of greens and separatists, the Party of Greens and National Movements (PGNM), went from 54 seats in the Euclean Parliament in 2014 to 92 in 2019, making them the largest voting bloc outside of the majority coalition.

The results, the strongest ever for the Greens, indicate that many Eucleans are growing increasingly concerned about climate change and the environment. The parties, which tend to be liberal and pro-Euclean, focus extensively on environmental issues and climate change. The bloc's leaders have called for a a far more aggressive approach to climate change than the one the outgoing Commission took, and voters seemingly endorsed this message.

Green parties made notable gains in Gaullica and Werania, while posting gains elsewhere in Amathia, Azmara, and Ordennya.

Their performance has catapulted the PGNM to the forefront of Euclean politics. However, the rather unusual grouping of environmentalist parties and separatists may provide some challenges, especially as the Greens accounted for the overwhelming majority of theallaince's gains.

Right-wing nationalists gained, but their performance was underwhelming.

The right-wing parties went into this election hoping to make considerable gains. Following the Forum for National Restoration hosted by the right-wing, populist Etrurian Turbine Movement it was speculated that right-wing parties would benefit at the expense of the establishment. The Alliance of Euclean Nationalists (AEN) saw minor gains, a disappointing result for the party grouping. The bloc was effectively snuffed out by shifting political landscapes. The move to the right of the Weranian NKP and their victory in the country's parliamentary elections combined with the rise of the National Interest - Party for Democracy (NI-PFD) in Estmere, which is officially non-aligned in the Euclean Parliament, drew voters away from the bloc. This is a stark shift away from what was once viewed as an insurgent force following an uptick in support for the AEN in the 2009 elections following the 2005 Global Financial Crisis.

The Party of Euclean Conservataives (PEC), which ranges from centre-right to right-wing, faced losses. Support for a PEC member party was in Ordennya, where the governing KKF gained several seats. Elsewhere, the Euclosceptic bloc saw its seats dwindle.

Non-aligned parties overtook most other opposition blocs.

Voters flocked to parties that operate outside of the traditional party groupings in the Euclean Parliament. The Non-Inscrits, who effectively sit as Independent MEPs, saw their numbers rise from 21 to 83. These parties are not organized and are likely not to associate with one another. Backlash against the establishment parties in Florena and opposition to the Estmerish National Union Party resulted in the most seats being won by these independents. 20 seats will effectively be vacated following the inauguration of the new parliament, as the Floren FAU party is abstentionist and will not be taking its seats.

The success of these parties provides an interesting dynamic for the next parliament, as they operate outside of the traditional groupings and have more flexibility. There has been some speculation that a new bloc may be formed by the NI-PFD. The party's leader, Maximilien FitzClarence, has confirmed he has been in touch with the Nèstorine League, a newly formed Floren party.

Putting together the next Euclean Commission is going to be tricky.

With the failure of the ACDE to post gains and the turmoil its ruling parties face at home, the bloc faces some difficulty heading into negotiations between the Euclean Convention to name the next Euclean Commission. The outgoing High Commissioner, Rasa Šalaševičiūtė (ACDE - Werania), and Director-General of the Euclean Central Bank, SOME FLOREN (ACDE - Florena), both belong to the bloc.

The ability of the SAE to remain the largest bloc has given it an upper-hand in negotiations. Currently Vivien Vallette (SAE - Gaullica), the Speaker of the Euclean Parliament and SOME AZMARA (SAE - Azmara), the Foreign Commissioner are members of the group. However, its performance could see a push for higher, more powerful offices.

Traditionally, an agreement has been in place which sees one of the three parties in the coalition occupy the top three offices. With the ELP holding on to the Euclean Presidency until 2022, that means the High Commissioner and Parliamentary Speaker could swap hands, with a member of the SAE chairing the next Commission.

The leaders of each member-state will meet in Kesselbourg early next month to discuss and negotiate the composition of the next Euclean Commission, in addition to the top spots open elsewhere.

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by **Liecthenbourg** » Wed Jun 26, 2019 2:42 pm

MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE AGAINST DEVEREAUX'S GOVERNMENT FAILS.
A surprise shift in policy by the CLU has seen them support the fragmented coalition of the right in government.

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Antoinette Giroud
^{June 26th, 2019| Verlois, Gaullica}

Ex-Foreign Minister Augustin De Troumpe, leader of the CLU, described his reasoning as 'Tactical.'
Photo courtesy of the Senate.

Verlois, Gaullica.

A vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister and his coalition, brought to the Senate by Renee Lemery, leader of the Communal Coalition, has met a surprising defeat. The vote, widely projected to see the Senate dissolved as the government was rejected by the Senators, saw the CLU stand in defence of the government. In addition to abstaining ministers within several parties and the monarchists themselves, the united force of the Coalition and the CLU was enough to stave away votes from the threshold.

The leader of the CC decried it as "a disappointing turn of events" and described the CLU's assistance as "hooking up a terminally ill patient to the last vestiges of life support."

President Vallette announced that he was for "the good of the nation and its stability", indicating that "Gaullica's political functions remain in operation." The comments by the President have caused concern from his own party, but many have viewed the statements as meaningless. One Senator mused that "Vallette speaks with the same determination as the Traditional Coalition."

The leader of the CLU, Augustin De Troumpe, announced at a press conference that the decision was made as "a tactical one." He highlighted the fact that the Coalition had approached him in an attempt to bring the CLU into government, as it had tried in September of last year. "I wouldn't want to shoot down my own ship before I got aboard, would I? If I got aboard. I might not." It is widely expected that if the CLU would indeed be joining the government, hefty concessions on policy platforms would have to be made. Whilst the CLU might share some socially conservative viewpoints, their stance on the environment is closest to the Greens, and their views on economic justice are a far cry from their coalition partners.

Mr. De Troumpe said "if we get on the ship, we'll need to have a say in how its steered. I'm not letting us go all the way to the right. Mr Devereaux has a good head on his shoulders, and this monarchism business is over, now maybe we can get some good policies going. OK?"

When asked how he thought his party's policies and those of his potential coalition partners would compete, the ex-Foreign Minister replied: "Everyone will give a bit of ground. We did it with the SDs back in 2014, and they did it with us. People don't talk anymore. Maybe that's what happened with the monarchists and the conservatives, a lot of assumptions -- not enough talking. We'd bring discussion back to the government."

With the fate of the coalition government, and Gaullica's political scene, held in the hands of the Catholic Labour Union, it would appear that Augustin is a king-maker in a nation that has rejected the monarchy. The fate of Devereaux's once formidable 'coalition of the traditions' hangs in the hands of a man who has served in government with Socialists before. Perhaps Mr. De Troumpe is more pragmatic, and less idealistic, than he once let on.

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by **Xiaodong** » Thu Jun 27, 2019 10:22 pm

KAISERIN APPOINTS COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE NKP AND DA
Charlotte II announces in a speech in the Reichstag that she has appointed a cabinet led by Otto von Hößlin
By Carola Rader

In a speech to the Reichstag today Kaiserin Charlotte II has announced after a month of negotiations that a government consisting of the National Consolidation Party (NKP) and the Democratic Alternative (DA) led by Otto von Hößlin has been approved by the imperial palace replacing the Oberhauser cabinet. The new government was approved in the Reichstag with 276 deputies voting for the government, 259 against and 8 abstentions.

The government formation comes after the two parties were engaged in several rounds of talks regarding the composition of a government. Whilst the two parties broadly agree on immigration, tax and Euclean policy there were sharp differences over welfare spending. As well as this the NKP had previously voiced a desire to lead a single-party minority government with loose support from other parties whilst the DA supported a more formalised coalition agreement, an option that has been adopted.

Already being seen as the most right-wing cabinet in decades here are some of the more important ministers who now serve in cabinet.

Otto von Hößlin - Chancellor (NKP)
A former Minister of Industry, Health and Defence under two successive Chancellors, von Hößlin has a distinguished career that stretches back to his election to the Volkstag in 1991. Having previously worked as an oil executive von Hößlin previously ran for the NKP leadership in 2011 before getting the job in 2015. In his career as minister and opposition leader von Hößlin has carved himself as a figurehead for the right-wing of the NKP supporting tax cuts, a tough immigration policy and socially conservative positions on abortion and LGBT+ rights.

As opposition leader von Hößlin has indicated his priorities will be reducing the tax burden on income, tightening immigration policy, renegotiating key Euclean treaties and increasing spending on welfare and housing programmes. It is believed the last one will be a contentious issue within the government as the Democratic Alternative wish to maintain a strictly balanced budget and oppose tax increases to fund welfare programmes.

Käthe Schickdanze - Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Foreign and Euclean Affairs (DA)
The leader of the Democratic Alternative since 2016 Schickdanze has turned her party to the right in order to compete with the NKP's own rightward shift. Formally a professor of economics at the University of Westbrücken Schickdanze has promoted the possibility of a referendum on Weranian membership of the Euclean Community, conservative policies on immigration and integration and greater economic liberalisation measures.

Whilst her party has declined in votes under her leadership she reportedly took a hardline during government formation negotiations, demanding that unless the government can maintain a commitment to a balanced budget that the DA would not support a NKP-led government. With the DA entering the coalition despite the preference of the NKP to rule alone it appears Schickdanze’s gamble paid off, and that she will continue to be a prominent force within the government.

Jörg Bullmann - Minister of Home Affairs (NKP)
The current deputy leader of the NKP, Bullmann is commonly seen as the main force behind the NKP’s right-wing shift in recent years. Having been excluded from cabinet in the last NKP-led government due to his links with right-wing groups Bullmann became deputy leader in 2015 on a joint-ticket with von Hößlin and has since promoted a right-wing populist model for the party. A close associate of Etruria’s Tribune Movement Bullmann has been vocal in his criticism of the former Oberhauser government and the Euclean Community.

Although reportedly mooted for the role of Foreign Minister Bullmann has instead clinched the Home Affairs ministry likely due to his Eulcosceptic views being considered a liability in the foreign office. Nevertheless as Home Affairs Minister Bullmann will be able to implement his right-wing policies on immigration and law and order whilst remaining an important member within the government.

Alexander Oberländer - Minister of Finance (NKP)
Oberländer’s appointment as Minister of Finance is surprising given his relatively recent entry into politics, only being elected to the Reichstag in 2011 after a successful career in banking. Nevertheless Oberländer has been long earmarked as a potential leader due to his relatively charismatic personality and strong support from certain sections of the party.

Oberländer’s appointment marks a victory for the right of the party as more moderate candidates were overruled in favour of Oberländer who is seen as close to Jörg Bullmann. However Oberländer on economic issues is seen to be more centre-right supporting economic liberalisation and tax cuts, having previously called himself a "fairly pro-free market guy". His appointment as Minister of Finance will therefore probably not herald large shifts in economic policy.

Simas Nekrošius - Minister of Welfare, Pensions and Employment (DA)
The only other member of the Democratic Alternative in cabinet, Nekrošius stands out due to his Ruttish heritage and right-libertarian political stances. Formally a member of the Sotirian Democratic Homeland until 2009 Nekrošius has been a member of the Volkstag since 1999 and has carved out a distinct profile as a "maverick" politician willing to strongly voice his own opinions much to the annoyance of his party leaders.

His appointment as Minister of Welfare, Pensions and Employment is a surprise announcement, although it is known Nekrošius is one of the more popular politicians within the DA. Having previously described the current welfare system as "socialist nonsense" Nekrošius's views clash with that of those in the NKP who wish to increase welfare spending - however preference for a more centralised and uniform system rather then the federal one currently in place is something Nekrošius shares with the rest of the cabinet.

Sabrine Köstinger - Minister of Justice and Minister for Women and Social Mobility (NKP)
Alongside von Hößlin Köstinger is a veteran of the Šalaševičiūtė cabinet having served as Minister of Culture and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure since being elected to the Volkstag in 1999. Considered a close ally of former Chancellor Šalaševičiūtė Köstinger represents the liberal-conservative, Sotirian democratic wing of the party having voted against von Hößlin as leader in 2015. As such she is seen as the highest profile centre-right personality in the cabinet with her appointment as justice minister likely due to her former career as a barrister.

Köstinger's more moderate profile means she will likely be one of the more important pro-Euclean voices in the cabinet albeit she is retains the NKP's traditional caution regarding greater Euclean integration. Her good working relationship with von Hößlin will likely mean potential conflict between her justice ministry and Bullmann's home affairs ministry will be kept out of the public eye.

Ulrich Furler - Minister of Defence (NKP)
Furler is a political veteran having previously served as Minister-President of Rötenberg from 2005 to 2013, Minister of Agriculture from 1999 to 2005 and a member of the Volkstag from 1995 to 2005 and again from 2015. In all of these roles Furler has been seen as a doyen of the pro-business, socially conservative wing of the party being seen as close to business interests and supporting right-wing populism on immigration and social issues.

His appointment to cabinet suggests Furler still maintains influence in the party where he will likely act as a powerful backroom presence due to his long history as a right-wing factional leader and close personal friendship with von Hößlin. However there are concerns regarding possible conflicts of interest due to his close relationship with several large businesses some of which are involved in arms procurement.

by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:11 pm

SOCIAL DEMOCRATS PASS FIRST BUDGET SINCE 2001, SCORING MAJOR VICTORIES
The budget will see a substantial increase in funding for social services and the effective end of the flat tax

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James Kelley (@jkelleygbf)
^{28 June 2019 | Spálgleann, Glytter}

Finance Minister Pádraigín Níc Aodhagain celebrated the budget as "the first of many progressive victories".

SPÁLGLEANN – The Social Democrats have successfully passed their first budget in nearly two decades, ushering in an era of fiscal change by bolstering government spending with the intention of aiding the country's struggling working class. A vote in the Comhthionól Náisiúnta yesterday saw the budget pass and today it was endorsed by the Seanad Glítteann.

Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne's pushed for a number of progressive changes to the budget. Their most notable victory is the effective end of the flat income tax rate. Since the tenure of Patricia Flowers, all income earners who were above the poverty line faced a flat rate of ten-percent. The budgets includes the introduction of a second income bracket for the next fiscal year. Those earning more than €65,000 will be taxed at a rate of twenty-five percent. The flat tax has been targeted by the Social Democrats for years after Niamh Nic Uilliam declined to alter the popular financial reforms implemented by Ms. Flowers. With a Social Democratic majority government, its elimination was identified by Mr. Mac Suibhne and a number of senior government officials as their top priority.

Elsewhere, the government will provide a cash injection to most government ministries. Many of them have been reeling from spending cuts implemented in Frank Casarnach's budget last summer, for which then Finance Minister Humphrey Dumfries earned the nickname "Mr. Scissors" as he cut funding to the majority of the ministries. Funding was set to be further reduced in adjustments to the budget in December, but a rebellion of Liberty TCs against Mr. Casarnach's proposed adjustments thwarted his efforts.

Reversing those changes implemented by Mr. Dumfries, the SDs have pursued a massive increase in spending on social services, education, and healthcare. Under a deal reached by Mr. Mac Suibhne and Jimmy O'Reilly to pass immigration reform, €750 million would have been spent on social services. The deal was voided by Mr. Casarnach in his budget last summer, where he instead made deep cuts to social services. The SDs introduced €1.5 billion in new funding for social services, doubling the figure from their deal with Mr. O'Reilly.

An additional €200 million was earmarked for increased education spending and healthcare provided by the government, known as the roghapoiblí (public option), will be increased by €550 million. Those who receive the public option for healthcare coverage will no longer have to pay the five-percent income tax rate associated with it as well, introducing fully state-funded universal healthcare.

Pádraigín Níc Aodhagain, who holds a dual portfolio of Minister of Finance and Minister of Pensions and Welfare was the architect of the budget. She is a prominent member of the party's left wing who was tasked by Mr. Mac Suibhne of assembling the budget. Ms. Níc Aodhagain said the budget was "the first of many progressive victories". Looking ahead, she promised the SDs would keep their promise to increase infrastructure spending amd implement a universal basic income scheme using funds from the Petroleum Trust Fund. There is an ongoing debate within the party over both issues, and Mr. Mac Suibhne is hoping to lead his government to a consensus in the next legislative session.

New funding was also introduced for county and local governments. The Minister of Urban Affairs and Municipal Relations, Mairéad Mulherin, has indicated she hopes the government will provide more cash to lower governments going forward. However, the minister also mentioned she was looking for "cost-effective ways to deliver quality services" at a local level.

The budget was decried by the opposition parties, with the leaders of Liberty, the Nationals, and the Glytter Democrats denouncing the repeal of the flat tax.

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