News Thread [Kylaris|Canon|IC]

by **Hennehouwe** » Mon May 03, 2021 4:26 pm

All eyes on Estmere as domestic elections loom

OPINION • The upcoming vote in our northern neighbour has transfixed the Hennish political ecosphere as parties bicker over the role of endorsements and pundits analyse the potential spillover effects

Klara Janse • 3 May 2021 • s'Holle

(L-R) - Premier Rupert van Bleiswijk (SAP), Zoe Halivar (SDCP), Prime Minister Reginald Wilton-Smyth (SDU) and Fabian van Aitzema (NVP)

Estmere goes to the polls on May 27th in an election that, if opinion polls are to be believed, could result in the end the controversial premiership of Prime Minister Reginald Wilton-Smyth, and the ascendancy of Zoe Halivar of the SDCP - who would become the country's first centre-left Prime Minister in 45 years.

The election has gripped the interest of the wider continent and in particular the leaders of Euclea's centre-left parties and administrations. Dozens of leading figures including Gaullican President Monique Degar-Abdulrashid, Caldian Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne and Weranian SRPO leader Luise Höcherl have openly come out in support of Halivar, urging the Estmerish to usher in a new era of politics. The scale of international endorsement is virtually unprecedented in modern political history, in what The Continental described as the "federalisation" of Euclean affairs.

On Tuesday, Premier and SAP leader Rupert van Bleiswijk joined the chorus of statespeople singing the praises of Halivar and the SDCP. Issuing his endorsement via a Chirp, van Bleiswijk declared that the future of Euclea depended on the "will of its leaders to secure real, positive change", and formally wished Ms. Halivar and her party success in the May 27 ballot. A number of other SAP figures also declared their support for Halivar, as did the party itself, under the guise of supporting their 'sister party' within the ASE - the socialist group in the Euclean Parliament.

Van Bleiswijk's actions provoked a major reaction from across the political system. Whilst it is not unusual for party leaders in opposition to declare support for candidates and parties in other countries, it is practically unheard of for the head of Hennehouwe's cabinet to do so - even more so for an opposition candidate in a neighbouring country. Within hours of his statement, the leader of the opposition and NVP leader Fabian van Aitzema criticised the Premier on Chirper, chastising him for "cheerleading foreign election candidates" rather than spending time on domestic issues. Criticism also piled in from the leaders of the Patriot's March, the Left and the Agrarians - the latter of which support van Bleiswijk's SAP-VDP coalition via a confidence and supply agreement.

Aside from the Halivarmania espoused by the Premier and the SAP, support for other parties has been more muted. Following van Aitzema's comments, the NVP chose not to outwardly endorse its ACDE counterpart, the SDU, instead quietly issuing a statement via its Chirper account simply wishing them good luck in the elections. The Estmerish People's Party, which represent the Estmerish minority in Reekland, have strayed away from endorsing the Reform Party as they have done in the past - likely in part due to their participation in the SDU-led coalition. Out of the other parties represented nationally, only the Green Party have endorsed their northern counterparts.

The home importance
The potential ramifications of Estmere's vote on Hennish politics are as of yet unknown, besides the potential benefits for the broadly centre-left government in s'Holle in gaining similarly-minded allies in Morwall.

Voters in the capital, s'Holle, are set to go to the polls on 11 June to elect their 95-seat city assembly, currently governed by an identical SAP-VDP coalition as in the federal legislature. Two weeks later, the citizens of Hennehouwe's least populous state - Oudkessel-Witburg - will elect their regional assembly. These elections will be the final test for the major parties ahead of the big one: the federal election in early September.

Opinion polls over the last 12 months have been broadly consistent. The SAP has lost support on multiple fronts, particularly in the capital, where the Green Party could double their representation in the Assembly. The NVP has also managed to somewhat rebound from poor polling under the leadership of the right-leaning van Aitzema, who has attempted to reach out to white working-class voters in urban areas concerned over immigration and employment. Senior party aides within the SAP have been privately speculating that their 86-year reign as s'Holle's most popular party may be coming to an end as voters seek an alternative to a party seen as becoming increasingly 'stale' after 12 of 15 years in federal office.

Therefore, a hypothetical SDCP win in Estmere could be seen as the beginning of a "pink renaissance" - a rehash of the pink wave that propelled left-of-centre parties into office in the aftermath of the 2005 economic crisis. Some inside the SAP have pinned their hopes on this momentum spilling over into Hennehouwe, obviously to their benefit.

However, there are notable differences in the situations in Estmere and Hennehouwe. Firstly, not only is there no neoliberal-driven recession to decry, but it is the SAP who are the incumbents in both the capital and federal governments - not the opposition. Secondly, an SDCP-led government north of the border would be the first in almost half a century. Indeed, at age 40, Halivar would be leading the first such administration in her own lifetime. Down south, the SAP has dominated political life here for almost all of that time, and have governed federally for the majority of the 21st century thus far. They are no longer the left-wing alternative they once were, and if anything, that title now belongs to the likes of the Greens or The Left. Furthermore, their coalitions with the more liberal Progressive Democrats at both the federal level and in most regional administrations have propelled sentiments of the party moving in a more centrist direction, and away from its social democratic, pro-worker roots.

Nevertheless, the eyes of Hennehouwe's political world will continue to watch the race up north very closely - and will hope to learn some quick lessons in the process.

Klara Janse is a professor of Political Science at the University of s'Holle and a regular columnist for Courant.

SEE ALSO:
• COIUS • "Serious concerns" as Zorasan carries out major military exercise
• ESTMERE • Leaders spar off in 'big three' debate
• POLITICS • Vox populi: the Euclophiles hoping to enter the s'Holle Assembly
• POLITICS • s'Holle Assembly dissolves; election campaign officially begins

by **Caltarania** » Tue May 04, 2021 1:30 pm

by **Etruria2** » Tue May 04, 2021 5:06 pm

by **Nuvania** » Tue May 04, 2021 10:00 pm

Bank Executives Hold Emergency Meeting With Government Officials

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Willem Lion-Cachet (@WLionCachet)
May 4 (12:00pm)|PIETERSBURG

The State Treasury building in Pietersburg (file).

Executives from Nuvania's largest banks have met with the State Treasurer and the Minister of Finance in an emergency meeting, where last Wednesday's leaked memo is was discussed. The meeting was held inside an undisclosed location within the State Treasury building in downtown Pietersburg.

The memo in question concerned the state of Nuvania's property market, as well as the sharp rise in loan and mortgage defaults and loss of revenue the banks had faced since the economic shock caused by the Pico de Sangue eruption in Maracao last September. Included within the memo was a prediction that Nuvania's banking system could collapse within the year if emergency measures were not announced. The leaking of the memo caused the Pietersburg Stock Exchange (PAB), to decline significantly.

Bank executives declined to comment on the nature of the discussion with government officials over the future of Nuvania's banking sector, but said that the meeting was "of extreme significance."
"Essentially we're facing the biggest crisis in a generation," one executive said. "The crisis is worse than that of the 1999 recession." They said that the government was "ready to listen" when it came to acting on the burgeoning crisis, but refused to comment on what proposals the banks had for the government, what was discussed, or what the government agreed to, if it had agreed to anything.

The meeting comes on the back of figures from the Treasury which showed that home loan and mortgage defaults had increased by 300% in the months after the eruption of Pico de Sangue and the subsequent economic contraction. A Treasury spokesperson said that the figures were taken between November 2020 and Feburary this year, covering roughly a period of between three and a half and four months.
"It's very concerning," the spokesperson said. "It's concerning because if a loan or mortgage is defaulted on, that is money the bank will never see again, and if they happen in enough numbers across multiple banks, then billions is wiped from the sector. The system collapses because the banks no longer have the credit to issue loans or revenue coming in from existing loans and mortgages."

The Treasury spokesperson said one of the primary sources for loan defaults was from the property sector, particularly property investors, whom according to the spokesperson, had overleveraged themselves by taking on too much debt without securing enough income in order to meet repayments.
"A lot of the borrowing that took place during the property bubble boom was done by investors who had enough equity in existing property or properties to borrow against for new purchases," they said. "But because they were often taking out significant sums of money with no real ability to pay it back, they became unable to make their repayment obligations and so have defaulted."

Treasury spokesperson Pieter Jansen said that in addition to defaults from property investors, negative equity in existing property was also contributing to an increase in defaults or mortgage renegotiations as home owners either could not, or did not, want to continue paying a mortgage that was worth more than the property itself. He said that the primary threat to the banks are mortgages which contain significant negative equity.
"Ultimately homeowners are going to be looking at what they can do to renegotiate or reduce payments on their mortgages if the mortgage they're servicing is worth more than the property itself," he said. "While I don't think that most people would default, the banks will still be set to lose billions from renegotiations." Jansen said that it's very likely one of the reasons the meeting had taken place was looking for some guarantees from the government, particularly when it came to protecting the banks from excessive losses.
"It's likely that banks want assurances that the government isn't going to hang them out to dry and act to protect what liquidity they have left."

Political analyst Dr Samuel Hofmeyr said that the government was "between a rock and a hard place" when it came to saving the banks. He said it was highly likely that the banks would have wanted a bailout, and wanted to put pressure on the government to go back to the negotiating table with the Global Institute of Fiscal Affairs (GIFA) regarding more than NS1.4 trillion ($100 billion) in loans for economic stimulus. Hofmeyr said it was likely that the banks wanted to double the amount under negotiation, and use half of it to bail themselves out.
"Ultimately the banks want the government to bail the sector out because to them, it's essentially free money," they said. "They can use the money to continue to operate while trying to service their own debt to their own creditors." Hofmeyr said that a bank bailout would be both necessary but also politically untenable, as Nuvania would likely be unable to ever pay off the debt incurred. It would also not cover the large amount of social spending the DAP campaigned on during last year's general election.
"That's one of the reasons the government walked away in the first place, as both the government and the DAP did not agree on the use of the loans under negotiation."

State Treasurer Christopher Bush said that the meeting was "productive" but did not wish to comment on the nature of the topics discussed. However, he said that banks and the government had come to a provisional agreement for a path forwards through the crisis.
"We've set out to resolve this crisis before it gets worse, and that is what we have done."

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by **Imagua and the Assimas** » Thu May 06, 2021 1:43 pm

OPINION: WHY DEREGULATION IS THE ANSWER TO OUR CURRENT ECONOMIC ILLS
To increase or maintain economic regulations while rebuilding from the eruption would hinder our recovery

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BENJAMIN FRASER (@BennyFraser)
7 May, 2021 07:43 IST | CUANSTAD, IMAGUA AND THE ASSIMAS

Managing Director Benjamin Fraser of the Bank of the Orient (file photo)

A few days ago, Nuvanian banks have met with the State Treasurer and the Ministry of Finance to address the emerging recession. Across the western Arucian, many countries, like Imagua, have entered recession, or else are teetering on the brink of one. While it is easy to blame the recession solely on the volcano, I would argue that increasing regulations have exacerbated the recession in Nuvania.

Since the Democratic Labour Party returned to government in 2016, the government has increased regulations which on paper were designed to "improve workers' rights," and reduce income inequality. This, however, was a smokescreen for which the DLP was able to stifle Imaguan innovation and development, as can be evidenced by their attempts to tighten banking regulations in early 2020. Given all of the increasing regulations which have stifled the Imaguan economy long before the Pico do Sangue erupted, should it really be a surprise when Finance Minister Geoffrey Copeland declared at the start of April that Imagua has entered recession?

In Nuvania, following the volcanic eruption, several construction companies have gone bankrupt, which led to the loss of at least 140,000 jobs. In response to these mounting job losses, Nuvania has decided to seize the assests of those companies and to use those assets with the aim of jumpstarting "Nuvania's ailing economy with a series of significant infrastructure projects." While this might be an effective economic strategy in the short term, in the long term, it must be privatised once these projects are finished, as to not interfere with the ability of the free market to compete against the government.

However, the fact that Nuvania has abandoned talks with GIFA is something that we in the financial industry should be worried about. By walking away from loans of over 678.9 billion shillings ($100 billion), Nuvania risks prolonging the recession, and risks scaring away investors away from Nuvania and towards a country who would be more welcoming to investors, which in turn would make the recession worse, and make Nuvania's economy weaker. The reason why the Nuvanian government has walked away is summed up succinctly by Dr. Hofmeyr, as "it would also not cover the large amount of social spending the DAP campaigned on during last year's general election."

This decision to abandon negotiations with the Global Institute of Fiscal Affairs is basically suicide for the Nuvanian government, particularly given that social spending, while it does give you a ton of votes, is not how you rebuild the economy. The best way to rebuild the economy after a recession is to cut social spending, to cut taxes on job creators, and reduce onerous regulations on the economy so that jobs can be created.

Ergo, if it wishes to exit the recession, it must accept whatever terms GIFA has to offer, it must institute austerity measures to reduce social spending, reduce all onerous regulations on Nuvania's economy, and once the necessary infrastructure projects are completed, to abolish and privatise all companies under the aegis of the Public Works Commission. Only then can Nuvania be able to recover to pre-recession levels.

Benjamin Fraser is the managing director of the Bank of the Orient, having served in this position since 2014. All opinions expressed in this article are solely his own, and do not reflect the views of the Cuanstad Sentinel or any other DayStar Media outlet.

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by **Empire of Falconia** » Fri May 07, 2021 7:38 pm

Ravnian National News
Prime Minster Clashes with Parliament over LGBTQ rights

Novigrad - For close to two months now, the Ravnian government has run smoothly. The President, Prime Minister, and Parliament were "Holding the Course" as it were. This, however, has come to an end as earlier today the Prime minster engaged in a half an hour long debate with NCF MP's earlier today. The debate was sparked over a bill put forward by RSF politicians. The bill, blandly named B-5516, would see Ravnians LGBTQ laws be either reformed or outright repealed. This includes the ban on Homosexual marriage, as well as transitional surgery for adult Transgender people.

Before the bill was voted on, the floor of Parliament was opened to debate. Members from both parties debated as they normally would when voting on a bill like this. However, the mood changed when the Prime Minster joined into the debate, slamming NCF claims that allowing Homosexual marriage would go against: "Traditional Ravnian marital values". While its not explicitly prohibited for the Prime Minster to partake in Parliamentary debates, it is highly unusual. Never the less, the debate continued with the Prime Minister joining in with NSF MP's in their condemnation of the NCF's position on the matter. Once the debating period was over, the bill was voted on. Unsurprisingly, given their majority, the bill was shot down. Though many believe this is only the beginning of a much larger national debate over the rights of LGBTQ people in Ravnia.

by **Etruria2** » Sat May 08, 2021 6:49 am

by **Etruria2** » Sat May 08, 2021 8:22 am

by **Alleniana** » Sat May 08, 2021 8:50 pm

NEWS | Dezevau seeks to extradite CEO of Blue Whale Tomé Mendes for manslaughter, corruption
A titan of business in the Global North accused as a criminal in the Global South sets the stage for a showdown
2021-05-09T12:50:30Z

Tomé Mendes giving evidence in 2018

        A request was formally lodged by the Foreign Office of Dezevau yesterday for the extradition of influential Paretian-Caldian businessman Tomé Mendes from Caldia, in relation to allegations that he was responsible for deaths, fraud, illnesses and injury stemming from his practices in his medical equipment and training businesses.

The CEO of Blue Whale Medical, Mr Mendes oversaw the public-private partnership between his company and the Health Service of Dezevau, which ran from 2017 to 2018. It was paused after reports of corruption and unexplained deaths, and in the following years, these reports were confirmed by the investigations of law enforcement authorities. It is alleged that equipment was faulty and training was poor, as part of cost-saving measures; for instance, in one case, records were lost because a demo edition of software was used, and in another, an injection was given without testing for allergies despite procedure, resulting in death. It is further alleged that these facts were covered up, often illegally, and no action taken by a knowing Mr Mendes to report or ameliorate preventable deaths and health impacts. While initially, only lower level officials and employees were implicated, investigators in Dezevau have worked up the corporate and governmental hierarchies, taking confessions, obtaining documents and acquiring facts, and have only recently seen to accuse Mr Mendes himself. The levelled charges’ maximum penalties would be equivalent to several life sentences without parole. The request for extradition, lodged last night, which specified many of these details, was directed towards Caldia, but special notice was given to the Euclean Community generally, including a pre-emptive request prepared for Paretia.

The Caldian and Paretian governments have not yet responded to requests for comment, nor have they made any public statements about the likelihood or legality of extradition since last night, though there was confirmation that the requests were received. Extradition in Caldia is handled by the National Administrative Court, and in Paretia by the Federal Circuit Court, though government policy is important to the determinations made in court. Neither country has an extradition treaty with Dezevau or any other Brown Sea Community countries, and the success rate for extradition requests lodged in Caldia by non-Euclean Community countries is particularly low, though this may reflect the kind of requests lodged more than Caldian policy. Neither Caldia nor Paretia refuse extradition on principle, with informal understandings forming the basis for past extraditions both to and from.

Lavana, a Brown Sea Community member alongside Dezevau, also has an interest in the case. A partnership similar to the one in Dezevau existed from 2015 to 2018 between Blue Whale Medical and the Lavanan National Ministry of Health, which was shut down and investigated as reports emerged elsewhere. Mr Mendes is also under investigation in Lavana, though the government of Lavana has not yet formally lodged a request for extradition. If Mr Mendes were to be extradited to Dezevau, it is highly likely he could be transferred to Lavana for prosecution, as the Dezevauni and Lavanan justice systems are very close. Lavana, unlike Dezevau, makes use of the death penalty, which may be a factor in extradition considerations.

Mr Mendes, 47 years old, is a dual citizen, of Paretia by blood, and having acquired Caldian citizenship for business purposes as an adult. He is one of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of €663 million according to Coian Monitor figures from 2020, primarily from his work in medical equipment and training, though he also does motivational and corporate cultural talks. He is currently a resident of Caldia, and has maintained his personal innocence throughout the entire investigation and cooperated with investigations in Dezevau and Lavana. He reiterated his innocence in response to the extradition request, and claimed that the accusations against him were politically motivated, being not only a diversion of attention from the Dezevauni and Lavanan governments’ mistakes and corruption, but a spiteful attempt by socialists to get at a successful businessperson. Some colleagues and public figures have backed him up, such as the food processing tycoon Richard Hargrave. Reportedly, he retains a large legal and publicity team due to recent events. He briefly stepped down as CEO of Blue Whale Medical in 2018, but resumed his role there; after a small dip at that time, the company’s valuation has risen from €5 billion to €7 billion between 2018 and 2021. BWM is publicly traded on the Euclea Stock Exchange as well as elsewhere around the world.

Public opinion around the Brown Sea is unsympathetic to Mr Mendes, with sporadic and periodic protests organised by purported victims and their friends and family in cities in Dezevau since the healthcare partnership programme was still active. Polling suggests that around two thirds of Dezevauni people are at least somewhat aware of the Blue Whale Medical scandal, while a similar proportion believe that Mr Mendes should be extradited to stand trial. However, over half of Dezevaunis believe that the federal government, which the Health Service of Dezevau is a part of, bears at least some of the blame. As public opinion becomes rapidly reanimated by the indictment of Mr Mendes, the aftermath of the Blue Whale Medical affair may become a potent factor in politics both in Dezevau and around the Brown Sea, as well as potentially worldwide.

My Last.fm · by **West Kirkon** » Mon May 10, 2021 8:06 pm

NEWS |Lavana joins Dezevau in requesting extradition of Blue Whale CEO
Lavana joins Dezevau in extradition of Blue Whale CEO, Lavanan chief prosecutor will not dismiss posible death penalty if Mendes is charged
2021-05-10T 12:50:30Z

Atsaphangthong Diabetes center, was shut down in 2018 after most of its equipment was Blue Whale made or acquired, today the center remains closed as the government has not been able to replace the faulty equipment.

     Earlier today Lavana’s ambassador to Caldia delivered a written request to the National Administrative Court, requesting that a process of extradition for the Paretian-Caldian businessman Tome Mendes has been started so that they may face justice inside Lavana, the Foreign Ministry presented the same request to the Paretian government, with which the Lavanan government maintains some diplomatic ties. Mr Mendes has been under investigation by the Lavanan Judiciary since 2018, for suspected crimes regarding Mr. Mendes medical business ventures in the country. Lavana formally accused Mr. Mendes with counts of bribery, tax evasion, fraud, involuntary manslaughter, and Medical malpractice on Friday. Mr. Mendes could be looking at numerous life sentences in prisons, an outcome very similar in Dezevau another country requesting extradition of Mr. Mendes . Mr. Mendes also faces several fines and lawsuits from former patients and their families, such fines and lawsuits could easily reach into the 200 million Euclos, and beyond.

The prosecution is led by Lavanas chief prosecutor Kaleah Southavilay, who did not rule out the possibility of the death penalty shall a conviction take place, stated the attorney. Lavana has not sentenced a criminal to death since 2018 and the last time it proceeded with an execution was in 2013, since 2010 only 11 criminals have been sentenced to death while only 2 executions have been carried out, all of which had been sentenced since before 2007. Although it is unlikely that Mendes could face execution as Euclean authorities would be unlikely to extradite him in such conditions, the Lavanan authorities have remarked they’re willing to do everything in their power to bring justice to the families of those affected by the the faulty equipment and practices of Mr. Mendes. Members of the Lavanan Congress have called for Mendes to be tried and charged in absentia; “colonialism” was the main slogan used by members of Congress and the public to refer to the Blue Whale scandal. “The Eucleans claim to be against colonialism, yet they will maintain and defend this method of colonialism” remarked Kahoku Chanthavong, 1st representative for Kapono municipality where a Blue Whale sponsored clinic was reported to have led to 2 deaths and up to 4 injuries so far.

The Lavanan partnership with Blue Whale was seen as a sign of openness by the international community, initially brought in to provide training and assistance on vaccination programs in rural areas, the health ministry increasingly relied on Blue Whale to provide training and equipment to rural clinics and hospitals. Blue Whale although had initially provided a relatively cheap and easy route to acquire the necessary equipment for rural health, the health ministry grew increasingly worried with the quality of equipment and training provided (yet maintained close ties with Blue Whale, despite this). The Lavanan Government was caught off guard by Dezevauni investigations and findings, and Lavana was relatively slow to react, some Blue Whale acquired equipment could still be found functioning a month after all such equipment was deemed unfit for use by government decree.

What followed was a series of games between the central government in Pers, its Minister of health and his ministry, and provincial administrators. In Khouph Salvation Hospital in Kurei, operated 10 dialysis machines 8 of which were brand new and provided by Blue Whale, the order to shut them down resulted in its own chaos as patients struggled to find both equipment and personnel to perform the necessary procedures. In rural areas, provincial administrators defied central government laws to maintain the machines working until replacements could be found. Within a month of the scandal surfacing in Dezevau, the Lavanan health system had been crippled by those trying to find ways to circumvent the government ban on Blue Whale equipment both legally and illegally, and those trained by Blue Whale who worried they might be arrested. By the time the Lavanan judicial and inner party politics had ended the chaos, some 50 had been arrested and all of Blue Whale’s assets and those of its employees were seized for investigation. Numerous administrators, public officials, and health workers were dismissed in an in government clean up attempt.

Criticism has been lobbied against both the central government and its judiciary for the complicated process and chaos their actions have created, Lavanas strong stance does not seem to provide any sort of success, as Caldia won't be quick to sentence Mendes to a possible death in Lavana, nor is Dezevau likely to turn over a wanted man for little gain. Lavana instead has adopted a position of aggressivity and strength towards its own citizens and the international stage. Lavana seeks to ridicule and expose negligence and hypocrisy in the Euclean states if they withhold extradition of Mendes, while also appearing strong to its population which has been left mostly to itself to weather the storm and pullout of necessary equipment and personnel out of the country. Perhaps both Lavana and Dezevau are presenting a combined effort, pressure on Caldia and Paretia to extradite Mendes, and the possibility of the death penalty in Lavana might force them to extradite Mendes to Dezevau, the sight of Mendes in prison in the neighboring state would still be considered a strong victory by the Lavanan population. The outcome of such extradition requests remains to be seen as the ball now falls within the courts of Caldia, and Paretia, but it's clear that Lavanan aggressive rhetoric isn't going to find much way in the liberal democracies of Euclea, but perhaps that's its intention.   

by **Lunas Legion** » Tue May 11, 2021 3:31 pm

Phillip Sternberg - 11 May 2021

Analysis - Yemet: Tsabara in Stereo?
While the similarities between former Tsabaran President Atwan al-Tughluq and Yemeti President Retta Iskinder are notable, they are defined more by their differences than their similarities.

Despite all his bluster, President Iskinder knows
he stands atop a precarious house of cards.

Wiesstadt, Werania -

Atwan al-Tughluq, President of Tsabara, passed away unexpectedly on the 7th of October 2019. An Irfanic authoritarian strongman, he dominated Tsabaran politics for almost one and a half decades. During his tenure he eroded democracy, attacked the country's independent institutions, segregated the military along ethno-secretarian lines and ushered in an era of political Irfan in place of the prior secular politics. Since his death, Tsabara has, fuelled by the divisive policies undertaken by al-Tughluq, spiralled downwards into anarchy and civil war.

It does not take even the greatest of political analysts to draw parallels between al-Tughluq and President Retta Iskinder. Both are Irfanic authoritarian strongmen. Both have eroded democracy and the rule of law, shown by President Iskinder's likely announcement of seeking a third term in office in defiance of the Constitution. Both undermined the secular nature of their states in favour of political Irfan in a nation with a plurality of faiths. Based on these parallels, one would conclude that Yemet is simply Tsabara, but as it were a few years ago, awaiting the demise of its strongman leader and the collapse of his regime around him.

Yet it is beyond these parallels where the crucial differences between al-Tughluq and Iskinder lie. al-Tughluq was a genuine authoritarian strongman, from where power radiated. He was able to survive the Sfira incident relatively unscathed politically, and after his unexpected death his supporters failed to consolidate and retain power in the face of oppositional backlash.

Retta Iskinder, despite all his bluster and appearance, knows he is not.

al-Tughluq and Iskinder both derived their power from the same place; from populist rhetoric catering primarily to the disaffected Irfanic populations within their nations, advancing their desires at the expense of a ethno-religious other. It is within these ethno-religious coalitions that the first major difference can be found. Where al-Tughluq's support base was Irfanic and Rahelian, Iskinder's, although still Irfanic, is far more ethnically diverse. His own Talanizi people do not even make up a fifth of Yemet's population, and so Iskinder's powerbase is far more fractious and difficult to hold together than al-Tughluq's.

Iskinder is no strongman, but rather a high-wire artist, carefully balancing the sometimes conflicting demands of his support base and the local powerbrokers that can mobilise them.

One could compare these local powerbrokers to the likes of the Association of Imam Ardashir, the Imam Hussein Foundation, the Association of the Three Acts or the League of the Righteous, led by Faizan Salah who would later lead the Tsabaran rebel movement, but doing so understates the power of their Yemeti counterparts. Likewise, the loss of the support of Nazim al-Qutayni's Party for Irfanic Democracy removed the Movement for National Revival's majority, yet what effect this would have had on al-Tughluq's ability to rule will forever remain unknown, as he died less than a month later. Although al-Tughluq became reliant upon these Irfanic groups towards the end of his time in office, he was never solely reliant upon them, and likewise, al-Qutayni's departure from the coalition marks the sole period in almost one and a half decades when al-Tughluq did not possess a relatively solid coalition.

Iskinder, by comparison is reliant upon such local powerbrokers. General Ezera Biruh, speaking in 1968 after the Presidential Elections in regard to the results, reportedly said 'It does not matter if a man has a vote, if he cannot cast it.' Access to the polls in Yemet has often proven to be difficult in the sparsely populated nation, which when coupled with the poor infrastructure and threat of violence, often makes the influence of local powerbrokers, from clergymen to tribal leaders and warlords, necessary to generate voting turnout. Religious places being used as polling stations is a common practice, and it is a simple matter for the presiding clergy to just refuse to do so, and thereby deny vital votes. Likewise, these influential figures are easily able to rally their communities to vote for their favoured candidates. These groups brought down the National Reconstruction Party of Chirkos Assefa in 2009, turning out the Irfanic vote en masse in favour of President Retta Iskinder's Irfanic People's Party.

Another crucial difference is their ability to control the state. al-Tughluq was effectively unchallenged both within the state apparatus and military until his Minister of the Interior, Nazim al-Qutayni, emerged in the final months before his death. By pulling his party out of al-Tughluq's ruling coalition, he toppled the government's majority due to his opposition over the systematic purge of Atudites from the security services. In addition, the final few months of al-Tughluq's rule saw the Sfira incident, which was one of the few incidents where al-Tughluq's control over the military wavered. Even then, however, the situation remained largely under control, and it is a minor blip on fourteen years of stable and secure control of the state and military.

By contrast, Iskinder stands atop the same house of cards that he does with the local powerbrokers. His party, the Irfanic People's Party, retains the loyalty of its members primarily through ethnic and tribal loyalties and through turning a blind eye to corruption where neither of those are present. Similar methods are used to control the civil service and other government institutions, often resulting in appointments for loyalty rather than competence. Although successful in keeping control of his party and the state apparatus through his ability to distribute financial rewards, the kleptocratic system this has created is unsustainable for retaining power in the long term.

In addition, the Yemeti Army, which removed President Assi Tamrat in 1969 and ruled Yemet from 1969 until 1997 under General Ezera Biruh, remains involved in politics. Despite a brassage integration process attempted by the Community of Nations to integrate the militias within the country and the People's National Liberation Army of Yemet, the process was regarded largely as a failure to create a de-politicised multi-ethnic and multi-religious military. The PNLAY remains majority Irfanic, as it did under General Biruh's regime. Despite this, the military has no love for the political Irfan that Iskinder wields or the democracy that put him there. Due to this lack of loyalty, the military is only nominally under Iskinder's authority and prone to acting autonomously in cases such as the support of rebel groups in Bamvango or Behera. Furthermore, the President is forced to have two additional forces directly under his command, the Yemeti Republican Guard and the Special Presidential Guard Division, as a counter-weight against the PNLAY and various other militia groups within the country.

This is not even considering the rainbow of armed political militias within Yemet, which can often de facto control individual villages, towns and smaller areas of the country or in the case of the Kulo, create a de facto independent state over large parts of the country in stark contrast to al-Tughluq's largely unopposed rule.

Overall, despite the surface-level similarities, Yemet is not simply Tsabara in stereo. President Iskinder, despite all his grandstanding, knows that Yemet is a political minefield and that despite all appearances, he is not absolute. Any move to stand for a third electoral term, against the constitution, must be carefully judged, lest the chance be seized upon by the opportunistic wolves circling below President Iskinder's high-wire act. Yet simply getting off is not an option, as those local powerbrokers that put him there, and those enriched by his rule, very much do not want to take the risk of replacing him with someone with a different powerbase.

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by **Etruria2** » Tue May 11, 2021 6:22 pm

by **Eskaeba** » Wed May 12, 2021 7:55 am

Netta Kauppinen - 12 May 2021

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

CONTINENTAL EXCLUSIVE: DIRTY MONEY DAUBS ETRURIA'S DARKENED UNDERBELLY

Povelia, Etruria - In the esteemed city of renaissance fame, a hotbed of culture underpins the pillars of history that went on to build much of modern Euclea, including its academia, its laws, its sciences and its politics. Until 2018, a year characterised domestically by the first blocks on free media and Operation Gladio, the city was at the centre of a bustling, prosperous state that was just beginning to catch up to its eastern counterparts after nearly two-and-a-half decades of military dictatorship. Since then, the air of the Etrurian capital — which as a whole voted to join the Community in 2016 — has thickened with the stench of corruption, subversion and illusion. At the heart of this transformation is the bustling Tribune Movement, whose populist rhetoric is paired in aeternum with Francesco Carcaterra's positive public persona. As a man of God, a patriot and a down-to-earth understanding of common Etrurians, who could shy away from giving him their vote?

As it happens, the answer is a lot of people. While the Tribunes have led the popular vote in Etruria for many years now, a series of underhanded electoral reforms have ensured that their power is not going to leave them any time soon. Besides widespread accusations of gerrymandering, authoritarianism and a move towards unfree press, these laws, pushed by Carcaterra and his party, include the introduction of the widely-criticised first-past-the-post (FPTP) method of constituency-based elections to the Chamber of Representatives, Etruria's lower house, as well as the stripping of guest workers' right to vote and the consolidation of local media into the Tribune umbrella. The Tribunes have also not made it secret that they plan to introduce further erosive changes to Etruria's electoral system in the near future.

However, Euclea's poster boy populists' rise to power has by no means been a coincedence. Amidst the rising levels of discrimination, nationalism, religious conservatism and anti-democratic rhetoric lies one important, commonly forgotten player: Soravian foreign policy of the 2010s. As the western country's recovery accelerated during the 1990s and 2000s, its foreign policy has become increasingly projective by means of consolidation of political influence in the west of the continent, but also expanding this influence outside of its common area of influence.

Over the last half-decade, the Continental has launched an exhaustive investigation into the origin of funding to the Tribune Movement, in association with a group of unnamed assistants. We have attempted to uncover the source of this money, how it got into Etruria and how it was used to manipulate the Etrurian electorate into enabling an openly destructive party to have undisputed power, which it is using to leech the livelihoods of all Etrurians.

At the heart of this scandal is Etrurian-Soravian business magnate Carlo Melnikov, whose repertoire of corporate ownership includes his lucrative firearms business, Pirozzi-Melnikov Pistole SpA, a primary supplier of firearms to Etrurian law enforcement, as well as Cincelli Lusso, a large yachtbuilding company which has had prior links to wealthy Tribune politicians in the past. Continental investigations have uncovered a series of loans taken out by Melnikov from the largest state-owned bank of Soravia, Novobank, intended to be repaid by 2018. The loans, thought to be millions of euclos in size, were taken while the Pirozzi-Melnikov company's stock was tanking as a result of a failure to comply to procurement contracts that saw trust in the company falter. Shortly after the loans were taken, Carcaterra announced a new multi-million euclo deal with Pirozzi-Melnikov to supply thousands of firearms to Etrurian law enforcement in 2017-18, many of which were used in the huge anti-mafia Operation Gladio, spearheaded by the Tribune government.

Carlo Melnikov, owner of Pirozzi-Melnikov Pistole SpA
and Cincelli Lusso, in 2017.

Many of these loans were funnelled to the Tribune Movement, who predominantly used the funds for their massive national political campaigns. Working with undisclosed sources, The Continental managed to track the path of this money, which was used to pay for prime advertising slots in a multitude of media, including television, radio and newspapers. Funds were used to greatly expand their social media presence, also included an assortment of accounts used exclusively to disrupt or feed misinformation about opposition campaigns. Large food stalls and cultural events were organised by the Tribune Movement in impoverished areas, which greatly boosted their rural popularity. In fact, funding was so extreme that Etrurian newspaper Il Popolo reported that a Catholic priest had been criticised for running Tribune campaigns during Sunday Mass after the party donated around two thousand florin to his church. In return for the funnelling of these loans, the Tribunes rewarded Melnikov with lucrative contracts, and the Soravian government with brash right-wing, anti-EC rhetoric.

In the west, the funnelling of money and influence to the East, whether it be for domestic or international purposes, is seemingly becoming more and more common. Just a few weeks ago, the Gaullican Interior Ministry confirmed it would be investigating the source of funds funnelled from undisclosed Gaullican NGOs to opposition parties in Zalykia, which has come under increasing persecution in recent times. In Etruria, this funding has been happening for years, encompassing multiple companies, businessmen and high-level political figures to support the reign of a wannabe tyrant with dark aspirations for his country's future. For all we know, this is only the tip of iceburg. Be wary.

Netta Kauppinen is a political correspondent for The Continental. Born in Kantemosha in the 1990s, her family moved to Estmere in 1998. She specialises and mainly covers in western Euclean politics, and has often used her platform for criticising anti-democratic measures both in Soravia and her home country. She writes from Morwall. Her expressed opinions do not necessarily reflect those of The Continental.

The Continental ©, 2021

by **Etruria2** » Wed May 12, 2021 4:59 pm

by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Thu May 13, 2021 6:06 am

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

SEANAD DISSOLVES AS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM TAKES FORCE

The now-unicameral Tionól will just consist of the Comhthionól Náisiúnta.

By RÓNÁN Ó DUBHGHAILL

12 May 2021 at 15:04 p.m. EST

For the final time, the Seanad Glaíteann has been dissolved. In a dissolution ceremony presided over by King Kenneth IV, the upper house of the Tionól closed out its final session.

Following the passage of the Instrument for Governance Act of 2021 and royal assent from the King, the Seanad was officially abolished. The set dissolution date of 12 May, the standard in a year when there is a Seanad election, became the date of the chamber’s formal end.

Caldia’s legislature will now become unicameral. While it will still officially be known as the Tionól, in practice the legislature will still be referred to as the Comhthionól Náisiúnta.

The Seanad voted to pass the government’s constitutional reform bill on Friday 30 April. In doing so, the chamber voted itself out of existence and ushered in a new era of Caldish governance.

Major changes to the structure of the national government and subnational governments will soon be implemented, including a number of measures aimed to address good governance concerns in addition to government priorities.

After today’s ceremony, Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne hailed his reform package as a “watershed moment for [the] country” and expressed optimism for the years ahead.

“Today marks the beginning of a process that will better our government, in turn bettering our lives. It is truly a watershed moment for our country. I am proud of the work my government has done”.

He extended his thanks to the members of the Seanad, praising their years of service.

The reform package will usher in a number of changes in the coming weeks, months, and years. Among the first will be a change to the upcoming 12 June election. Previously designated as the regular Seanad election, 12 June will now mark the election of transitional commissions. This will effectively elect the new councils in the five newly created regions.

The term for the current county governments will end on 31 December 2022 and the transitional commissions will become regional councils on 1 January 2023. The powers of the county health boards will be transferred to the regional councils or national government offices. County health boards, whose regular term would expire in 2023, will also have their mandate end on 31 December 2022.

The Mac Suibhne government hopes that the consolidation of Caldia’s 26 counties into provinces will help streamline the delivery of public services. Under the reform package, there will be 10 provinces in total. The four metropolitan counties of Spalgleann, Shanbally, Garrafrauns, and Invertwinc will retain their independent states and become metropolitan provinces. Caithia, the country’s only autonomous county, will keep its special status and now has its devolved powers constitutional protected. The remaining counties will be consolidated into five regions: Southern Caldia, Central Caldia, the Highlands and Islands, the Lowlands, and Sudreadharr.

The government will work closely with county governments and the newly elected transitional commissions to oversee the process. Adjustments to the organization of several government ministries is set to assist in this process.

Among other good government reforms are the removal of the taoiseach’s immunity from prosecution while an incumbent, changes to the nature of caretaker governments after a vote of no-confidence, and the capping of the number of government ministers.

Major changes have also been made regarding the monarch’s relationship with the government and the legislature. Reforms to the size of the royal family, the Council of State, and the peerage of Caldia also mark a significant change in the monarchy’s overall role in Caldish society.

The government has also enshrined Caldia’s membership in the Euclean Community and the Community of Nations in the constitution now. In addition, Caldia is now constitutionally a secular state. These changes alongside changes to the role of the monarch proved to be among the most controversial pieces of the government’s reform package.

Should a new government take issue with any of these reforms, they will have to navigate a new process to alter the constitution. In future, constitutional reform must be passed by a two-thirds vote in two consecutive legislatures with a general election between them. However, a referendum can be held in place of a second vote in the Tionol.

This is a significant change from the current practice, which required a simple majority in both chambers. Critics argue this is a way for Mac Suibhne to ensure his reforms cannot be undone, but supporters point to the involvement of the voting public and increased democratic nature of reform going forward.

Opposition parties, most notably the Liberty Party, have been dealt a major political setback from the government’s reform package. While none of the parties expressed their opposition to constitutional reform in principle, many took issue with the specifics of the legislation itself or the government’s approach.

Smaller parties were concerned about their exclusion from the reform process while the Liberty Party, which is the official opposition, lodged a series of complaints. The National Party also took issue with many of the specifics of the reform package.

“This way rammed through the legislature quickly. We have no idea what the implications of the will be and we have no way to easily undo these mistakes” opposition leader Pádraig Mac Piarais said in the aftermath of the Seanad vote.

He repeated his criticism today, adding that there was “nothing democratic about [the] process”.
The divided nature of the opposition and Mac Piarais’ own party made the issue of constitutional reform all the more complicated. The official opposition leader’s strategy differed from that of his rank and file TCs, who urged senators not to pass reform until after the 12 June Seanad election.

Their pleas failed, with all of the chamber’s independent and appointed senators voting with the government. Sources within Liberty bemoan Mac Piarais’ approach and blame him for failing to mobilize his own party and the opposition against constitutional reform.

With a general election on the horizon, constitutional reform is going to become a defining issue of the 2022 campaign. It will be among the government’s leading accomplishments and a target for its detractors. And with the issue of constitutional reform now behind them, Mac Suibhne and his government are looking ahead at how to best use their majority.

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© Nördlichen Verlagshaus 2021

by **Empire of Falconia** » Thu May 13, 2021 10:19 am

Ravnian National News
Protestors Gather Outside of Parliament Amidst the Failure of B-5516

Novigrad - Today, almost a week after the failure of the B-5516 bill, protestors have gathered outside the Parliment building in the capital. This is just one of several protests in Ravnias coastal cities today, as more people take to the streets to display their outrage at the denial of LGBTQ rights. These protests are made up largely by young people, which could signal a shift in Ravnias social fabric, with younger people being more accepting of LGBTQ individuals.

These protests have remained peaceful, a large departure from the riots this past winter. As such, no police force has moved to disperse these protestors. In fact, in the capital, some officers have joined the protest in solidarity.

by **Etruria2** » Thu May 13, 2021 4:50 pm

by **Etruria2** » Fri May 14, 2021 5:39 am

by **Eskaeba** » Fri May 14, 2021 7:53 am

LIVE: 2021 legislative elections in Zalykia
May 14, 2021 - Zalykia

PF: 4, MZ: 7, SL-P: 0, IND: 1

15:53 - Hello! Welcome to special live coverage of today's legislative elections in Zalykia. The polls have closed and we can expect the first constituencies to declare their results in around half an hour's time.
16:15 - Preliminary polling suggests that turnout for this year's election is unusually low.
16:46 - First two declarations are coming in:

Pro-government independent Nikolai Pymonenko is re-elected in his home city of Gashun with a minorly increased mandate, while small rural constituency Lyabirut returns its MZ Khural minister with an almighty swing to anti-corruption independents. Both see decreased turnout from 2017.
16:55 - A slate of rural constituencies have just declared their results:

MZ with an expectedly strong showing in their rural heartlands, however one interesting takeaway is the large, almost double-digit drop in vote share in Panai, Donduk Kichikov's old constituency. PF seem to have increased their presence in urban localities in rural regions, whilst MZ have solidified their dominant rural demographic.

17:06 - The first of seven Yashkul constituencies has declared:

The first gain of the night, the Front manage to writhe Kostrizhovka from the MZ, a blow for the Rally who usually perform well with effective local campaigning in Yashkul.

17:45 - More suburban districts in the east are declaring:

Another seat swing, this time in the opposite direction as the Rally take the suburban-rural seat of Artybul away from the Front.

by **Etruria2** » Fri May 14, 2021 3:32 pm

by **Etruria2** » Fri May 14, 2021 4:57 pm

by **Etruria2** » Sat May 15, 2021 7:52 am

The 14 May will go down as one of the most consequential days in modern Etrurian history. A spring Friday saw mass anti-government protests, mass counter-protests, a shock announcement by six states, a truly tense and nail bitingly aggressive debate on the future of the country’s legislative system, and fall out from an article packed full of lies and deceit. At exactly 10.04pm, the debate over proposed reforms of the State Council ended and now voting on the Referendum Bill begins.

For those of you who wanted to tune out, we’ve run a quick run down of today’s events.

Six states announce plans to declare themselves LGBT Free Zones

Six states, all led by Tribune governments announced in a shared statement posted on social media that they will be introducing legislation declaring themselves LGBT Free Zones. The Prefects of Andora, Carinthia, Palestrina, Torrazza, Tarpeia and Veratia announced in a open letter their desires to see “safe havens for Etruria’s Sotirian traditional values and the protection of Etrurianitas.” The open letter indicated that the states will introduce similar or identical legislation that San Francesco passed late last year. The legislation purposefully targets the “LGBT ideology” and its “detrimental effects on the family unit, Sotirian life and values.”

President Francesco Carcaterra opening the debate this afternoon.

The decision took the country by surprise, while the radical liberal-left was dumbstruck. Together, the six states represent 44.90% of Etruria’s population; with Veratia and Palestrina being the largest and third largest states in the country. However, it is unlikely that all six states will succeed in passing the legislation owing to small Tribune majorities in their assemblies, notably Veratia and Andora. The news was immediately set upon by liberal-leftists beyond Etruria, notably drawing the ire of Caldia, who’s monarch is in a same-sex marriage. Assimas’ President, noted woke warrior, Edmondo Privatera denounced it, while the Movement for a New Imagua, a patriotic party led by Etrurian-Imaguans pledged their support for the proposals, similar expressions were made by Miersa’s government and Amathia’s Legion of the Dawn. Marko Zaccardi, Hennehouwe’s guest worker Minister for Social Affairs took to Chirper to offer his penny’s worth, misplacing his surname for an invitation to lecture the Etrurian nation.

Beyond the platitudes of the Euclean far-left, domestically, the response was swift and loud. The anti-government protests that erupted in the leftist stronghold of Faulia exploded in number of the course of this morning. The National Police Service estimates that at least 16,000 people were present in the Piazza del Comune by midday. The number decreased somewhat until it quickly grew once again in the early evening. The same time, mass anti-government protests had been reported in every major city in the northern states.

Broadcasters live streaming the protests seemingly confirmed that within hours, the protests which began over fabricated stories of Tribune money links to Soravia had morphed into a colossal outpouring of anger over the Tribunes’ “homophobia.”

A vicious debate with only one end in sight

Before the Chamber even readied for its mega seven-hour debate on the State Council Reform Referendum Bill, tensions were high at the Palazzo della Repubblica in Povelia. Fallout over the Six States’ announcement was palpable and gripping the radical-left, even as the overwhelming majority of Etrurians got on with their day-to-day to business. President of the Chamber Ivano Balić had allotted ten minutes to 420 members of the Chamber to ask questions or make statements in regards to the Referendum Bill and reform proposals. The President allotted the times in accordance to party seats, meaning the Tribunes when first followed by the Citizens, Farmers and Workers and finally, the SD and the leaders from Democratic Alternative and Popular Renewal.

The debate began shortly after 3pm and started with a statement by President Francesco Carcaterra who told members, “this bill, which will hand the final and ultimate decision on the future of our constitutional framework to the people must pass. If the events of last month show, the State Council in its current form is not sufficiently strong internally, its integrity is in question. We must reform, that includes the option of abolition. This is not a party political issue like the opposition claim, this is an issue of honourable politics, lawful and ethical governance. If you vote to pass, you seek an Etrurian political system that is strong, abides by the rule of law and is free from the rot that is corruption. If you oppose it, then you are a reactionary, you are an opponent of ethical governance and an obstacle to the democratic revolution that began in this country five years ago. Do not block progress, do not undermine Etruria’s democratic resurrection and do not stand up for corruption and criminality.”

Deputy President Vittoria Vasari said, “now is our moment to seize the initiative, to present to the people two viable long term options for the constitutionally mandated structure and powers of our federal legislature. Letting the people decide two options that instil more democracy, more accountability, more scrutiny is only going to empower of Republic and empower our democratic way of life. The opposition have a simple choice, respect and trust the people enough to let them decide, or continue to the be movement of resistance and obstinance toward the people, for once, side yourselves with the Etrurian people and not narrow interests, do the right thing and vote for this bill.”

Every Tribune that was allotted time to speak offered their own supportive takes on the proposals, with some issuing cries for the people to back reform over abolition, an interesting development inside a party that rarely dissents from the line produced by the cabinet. By end of the Tribune segment, roughly 60% had called for the Etrurian people to back the proposed reforms, while 30% backed abolition.

Next came the Citizens, Gianluca Tozza, the party leader who is now facing a leadership challenge from Mauro Cesare Capra, appeared sullen and his statement matched that in poor delivery.

“These proposals are nothing more than an orchestrated assault upon this historic place. Abolition cannot and must not be an option on the ballot paper, for the people to vote for it would unleash the greatest destabilising event for federalism in this country. We risk through the Tribunes’ desire to shake things up, upending the political structure that has kept this nation strong and cohesive since the Restoration in 1984. The reform proposals themselves have merit, but they are poorly defined, vague and frankly, lacking any suitable degree of checks. In coming days, the Citizens will propose a series of amendments that we expect to be given fair hearing, if we cannot end this process, then best we work within it. But know this Mr. President, this is not going to be handed to you on a plate” he said.

Elenaora Rampelli, the AC’s spokeswoman for National Defence denounced the proposals as “blatantly nefarious through their lack of any justification. This is an absurd powerplay by a hegemonic authoritarian government, that today had six of its prefects announce they’d institutionalise homophobia. This bill contains the unrelentless war this government is waging against democracy, liberty, fairness and federalism itself. If the Tribunes are indeed keen to be democratic and serious in their power-to-the-people image, hear our amendments and implement them into the bill before the referendum. If not, then we know, every Etrurian will know, that this government is intent on waging war on political freedom and liberty.”

After the Citizens’ issued calls for support for their amendments, a rare instance of party unity and discipline, ironically, as the leadership is challenged, the Farmers and Workers Union came next. There was much debate as to whether the Novalia-centric party would support abolition being on the paper, turns out they do.

Its parliamentary leader, Milan Cvitanović said, “the ALU stands in support of this bill, for we as a party would never stand in opposition to a popular referendum in which the people of our great country have the final say. We in this chamber are flawed beings, not everything we decide is correct, right or even just. The Etrurian people, of our fifteen states, they know what is right, they know what is best, they are the geniuses of the political arena. Mr. President, together through the Patria alliance we will deliver real change for Etruria, but we will as a party call for the Reform option to be voted by the people and I hope that you join us in that”, his statement received a roar of support and applause from the Tribune benches, the President was seen giving a thumbs up to Cvitanović. The remaining FWU speakers expressed similar lines to Cvitanović, backing the proposals but vowing to promote reform over abolition.

Democratic Alternative’s spectral leader, Pietro Fratoianni offered a meek response saying, “while the reform proposals have merit, they are not necessary. To underdo the foundations of the Fourth Republic on the basis of a scandal of the government’s own making, we are playing their game. Democratic Alternative will not support this bill in any circumstances.”

However, the atmosphere erupted once the SD’s turn came. Chiara Mastromarino in typical form was ferocious in her broadside against the government.

“I am truly shocked, how naked can this government be and still parade around as imperious as it does? Today, we are witnessing the greatest assault upon gay, lesbian, transgendered people in our country’s modern history, the same time we are debating a fait accompli that will but destroy Etrurian democracy as we know it. Abolish and the Tribunes hold dominion over the very fabric of political life, reform and we, the opposition will be powerless, weak and forever imprisoned in a system that has been gamed and retarded since day one.

“We have failed, every single one of us. We are this juncture because we failed, the Citizens failed us, the FWU failed us, the centre-right failed us, we, the social democrats failed. We are here because we did not fight back from day one, even as the Praetor up there torched the state, norms, conventions and the constitution like the Bonfire of the Heresies reborn” she said to jeers and heckling.

“The SD will not vote for this grotesque bill. The SD will not campaign nor speak of this referendum, we will boycott it. I as leader of the Social Democrats call upon every Etrurian who cares for their democracy, for their Republic to boycott all the same. Do not vote, do not engage, turn your backs on this charade. The Tribunes and their lackeys from Novalia can campaign alone and against themselves, they will not be gifted our resistance, nor our legitimisation of this disgrace” she said to cheers and jeers alike.

Luigi Piero Almirante, Mastromarino’s no.3, was more vivid, “you will not destroy our democracy, you will not kill our Fourth Republic, many in this party were not tortured or locked away in dark cells by the junta only to see our sacrifices be wiped out by petty demagogues, religious fanatics and neo-functionalists. You’re assault upon Etruria debases our greatness, you are what makes Etruria weak, mistreated and held in contempt. Enough is enough, you want validation and legitimacy for your referendum? Well, you won’t find it from the SD” Almirante was subject to loud jeering, whistling and

At exactly 10.03pm, the debated ended. There is no question that the bill will pass, the Tribunes alone possess the numbers to see it over the line, but with the FWU, a landslide. We will bring you the result when we receive it.

Growing and dualling protests across the country

As the debate took Etruria’s attention, across the country protests grew exponentially. In the northern states, tens of thousands took to the streets demanding the Tribune government’s resignation, opposition to the LGBT Free Zone and alleged “authoritarianism.” The same time, pro-Tribune protests erupted in the south, as tens of thousands rallied to support their party and government, demanding legal action against The Continental and for the “patrician class to be sent to the bottom of the lagoon”, in reference to the First Republic era punishment of counter-revolutionaries being strapped to rocks and thrown into the Povelian Lagoon.

Heavy police presences have been reported in cities across the north, while in the south, the police were notably sparser and more relaxed. At least 40 have been arrested across the country, for disturbances or acts of vandalism. In Solaria, the two sides emerged to protest simultaneously, separated by only a few city blocks. We will keep you updated on the situation in Solaria and elsewhere.

by **Etruria2** » Sat May 15, 2021 8:04 am

by **Azmara** » Sat May 15, 2021 8:13 am

AZMARAN FOREIGN MINISTER CONDEMNS ETRURIAN "LGBT-FREE ZONES"
Ana Freidriksdohter called the move "backwards" and a "violation of civil rights" this morning.

Ana Jonsdohter (@anajdohter)
^{21 Dec 2020 | Aalmsted, Azmara}

Freidriksdohter speaking today.

AALMSTED, AZMARA – Deputy Thingspeaker and Foreign Minister Ana Freidriksdohter released a public statement this morning condemning the creation of LGBT-free zones in six Tribune-led states of Etruria and labelling the move a violation of the liberal democratic principles of the Etrurian constitution.

She further stated that, in her opinion, such a move by the government was "inevitable", stating that since 2016 "the very essence" of liberal democracy had been "slowly but surely and intentionally squeezed out of public life in Etruria" as the country slid back towards being an authoritarian regime under Carcaterra.

While more specifically commenting on the move, Anasdohter, who came out as bisexual in 2019, labelled the rights of the LGBT+ community "the fundamental human rights of a historically oppressed minority" and that the rights of minorities should be protected at all costs. She emphasised that, while the majority of people in these regions may not feel affected by the move, it represented a "fundamental crackdown" on freedom of expression and that even Etrurians who were not members of the LGBT+ community should be concerned for "the future crackdowns on free expression" it could signal for them.

Freidriksdohter, who has led the Radicals to be a staunch opponent of EC-Etruria co-operation citing democratic backsliding, was joined by many across the spectrum in condemning the move. Notably, Thingspeaker Anasdohter also tweeted her disapproval, stating that she was happy her nation remained "at the forefront" of progress on LGBT+ rights, while the leader of Gold Flame, Freidrik Aleksaandersun, urged the Tribune Movement to reconsider the move.

Solidarity protests organised by LGBT+ activist groups broke out in many large Azmaran cities, and a petition to declare Azmara an "LGBT+ Freedom Zone" in response to the move was widely circulated on social media site Chirper.

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by **The Amathian DR** » Sat May 15, 2021 10:14 am

Amathian Premier makes a statement in support of the Tribune Movement
Ramona Velesan declares her support for the various reforms supported by the Eturian Tribunes during an unrelated press conference

Alexandra Verescu(@Averescu)
15.05.2021 | Arciluco

Ramona Velesan, Premier of Amathia, during a press conference
Photo courtesy of Gheorghe Arun.

ARCILUCO

The already beleaguered Center Front Premier has caused another uproar in the country earlier during the evening, after her answers to the questions asked by reporters during an unrelated press conference have led to her declaring her support and admiration for the Tribune Movement and their announced reforms. Ramona Veleșean, who is expected to face a vote of no confidence in the Senate within the next few days, and who has lost the support of the Legion of the Dawn last week, is now leading a minority government that seems to be increasingly threatened by factionalism and tensions. With her popularity and the popularity of her political party basically collapsing in polls, Veleșean has been noted for making more and more controversial statements. From her support towards the violence of the Gendarmerie against the peaceful protesters in Arciluco last year, to insulting comments against the Piraean minority, and spreading several conspiracy theories about the Amatom corruption scandal in which she is suspected and investigated. Such behavior has also led last week to an argument erupting between her and Răzvan Gorgon, the President of the Center Front. But even as her political future looks increasingly bleak, with the vote in the Senate hanging on independents and on the potential of representatives to vote against the line established by their political parties, the Premier has thrown herself into the middle of another scandal.

During a press conference organized in the evening, where the Premier claimed to be confident that her government can whether the vote, she was asked to comment on the developing situation in Etruria by a journalist from Adevărul. Her government had been criticized earlier in the morning both by Ciprian Tomoiog, regional secretary of the League and Equalists and Democrats and former Premier, and by Tudor Veleanu, for making no official statements. The Veleșean Government has been notably silent on Etrurian affairs within the pass year, often ignoring developments there and refraining from following the stance of the EC on several key issues. Much to the surprise of everyone involved, the Premier answered by praising the Tribune Movement and their planned reforms, apparently seeming to support their belief in a leftist conspiracy meant to discredit them. "The Tribunes are attempting to protect the sovereignty and democracy of Etruria in front of reckless conspiracies" and "Reforms to centralize authority and to improve the democratic process seem authoritarian only in the eyes of those who want power for themselves" are just some of the controversial declarations made by the Premier, leading to an uproar among the journalists present in the hall. Upon further questioning in regards to her opinion about the LGBT-free zones declared in several Etrurian areas, the Premier tried to avoid a full response, and replied that "Leftist press groups and several Euclean political forces are focusing too much on social policies that won't harm anyone and that express the view of the people living there and their right to protect their society. Instead, these groups are all seeming to follow a clear goal of attempting to discredit the Tribune Movement and to ignore the concentrated campaign of misinformation directed against them. More press outlets should instead report on their attempts to protect Etrurian democracy in front of a corrupt establishment and parallel state, as we have attempted to do here."

Her comments immediately caused public outcry in the country, with the League of Equalists and Democrats and the Constitutional-Democratic Union accusing her of "being a shame for the country and supporting authoritarianism and homophobia, which are incompatible with true Amathian values". Asked for comments, Alexandra Aurelia, the First Secretary of the LED said that "The Premier herself deserves no further comments. Her views just show how far she has fallen, and we are confident that in a few days we will no longer have to care about what she says". The LED, UCD, and other left-wing and progressive parties are expected to publish a common declaration condemning the Tribune Movement later today, and unconfirmed rumors seem to indicate that the National Peasants' Party - Sotirian Democratic will try to distance itself from its coalition partners and join the opposition in this declaration. Tudor Veleanu, the president of the Legion of the Dawn, was the sole voice coming out in support of the Premier, but was quick to declare that she had already compromised herself politically and that such statements will not change the position of the Legion in regards to the future vote of no confidence.

A spokesperson of the Amathian Presidency has declared that "the views of the Premier are incompatible with those demanded from her position" and that "the Presidency will be making a statement regarding the situation in Etruria within the next few days".

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