News Thread [Kylaris|Canon|IC]

by **Rizealand** » Thu Jan 13, 2022 1:52 pm

JANUARY 13, 2022 | ELLIE PATEL

CAMDEN, CT — Last night at 5 pm in the People’s Hall before a gathering of the Central Assembly, President Aderhall continued a tradition every president before him since President Fagan has done by giving his fourth State of the Federation Address.

In addition to all the members from both houses of the Central Assembly (MCAs), President Aderhall’s address was also attended by all the members of his cabinet. Conspicuously absent however was Attorney General Barbara Ward, who had attended the president’s last two addresses since she was appointed, and a majority of the High Court’s justices. Of the High Court’s seven justices, only Justices Jonathan Chopin and Anna Halpin, who were appointed by President Aderhall, as well as Justice Tobias Marsh attended. While neither the other four justices or Attorney General Ward gave a reason for being absent from President Aderhall’s address, their absences follow President Aderhall’s frequent criticism of the judiciary and attorney general all throughout last year.

In a speech roughly just under an hour long, President Aderhall highlighted his achievements from the past year and attempted to set the agenda for 2022. His speech was also an attempt to keep the TNC together and included portions for everyone with economic protectionism and tax reforms for his own Conservative Reformers, increased defense spending and deregulation for the National Republicans, and protection of religious activity in schools for the Sotirian Democrats.

Here are the takeaways and highlights.

The state of the federation (and right-wing populism) is strong.

Beginning his address with “the state of the federation is strong,” President Aderhall claimed no administration had accomplished more for the working class than his. Noting his own administration’s successes in the face of “elitist resistance from the opposition, the media, the attorney general, and the courts,” he proclaimed they were part of a greater movement that is fast spreading across the globe.

In particular, he noted the successes of the Tribunes in Etruria under President Carcaterra and the Patron League in Paretia under Premier Cerqueira, averring this is just the beginning. While his mention of these right-wing Euclean leaders was promptly applauded by many of the TNC’s MCAs, the opposition members mostly sat silent and boos could be heard from around the House chamber.

President breaks silence on Zorasan.

Since Zorasan’s invasion of the Dandan Azdar region in Tsabara last week, the Aderhall administration has remained mostly silent with the only condemnation coming from Foreign Secretary Lagarde during a brief press conference.

Last night early into his speech, President Aderhall broke that silence by condemning Zorasan, calling their actions “a blatant violation of Tsabaran sovereignty that cannot go unpunished.” He promised “we will stand behind Tsabara and our allies in demanding for the immediate and unconditional return of Dandan Azdar.” His comments garnered bipartisan applause from across the House chamber.

President Aderhall then called for the Central Assembly to impose sanctions on Zorasan, stating his administration would propose “broad sanctions against senior Zorasani military leadership and their business interests.” He also recommended approval of foreign aid and weapons for Tsabara and but ruled out a military intervention, stating any military action would only take place as part of an international coalition or peacekeeping mission.

Need for increased defense spending.

Fresh off his condemnation of Zorasan, President Aderhall admonished the Central Assembly to continue its yearly increases in defense spending. He proclaimed, “when I first took office, I pledged before this assembly and the Rizean people that I would increase our federation’s defense budget every year in office.”

He criticized prior administrations, claiming they “squandered precious resources and capital on social projects instead of prioritizing our defense and national security.” He also touted the progress his administration had made so far in upgrading military bases and equipment. While his comments received applause from many in his coalition, much of the opposition MCAs remained silent.

President Aderhall also tried to frame his requested increase in defense spending as being about more than just national security, adding “not only will continuing to invest in our military make us safer in the long run, it will also provide thousands upon thousands of jobs for civilians in the fields of biology, chemistry, medicine, engineering, and construction, just to name a few.”

War on the regulatory state and organized labor.

On the topic of jobs, President Aderhall stressed the key to economic growth in Rizealand is reducing the regulatory state. President Aderhall’s claim that his administration “has rescinded, revoked, and eliminated over 100 different environmental regulations” was met by cheers and applause from the TNC as well as visible headshaking from many members of the NPC. He argued deregulating resource extraction would provide much needed economic opportunity to rural areas of Rizealand, especially in the south and east where mining and drilling were formally large industries. He also claimed deregulation would be better for the average Rizean consumer, stating “these onerous regulatory schemes not only drive jobs and important commodities oversees but also limit our domestic markets to those few corporations who have the resources and ability to navigate them, meaning less competition, higher prices, and poorer quality.”

President Aderhall also touted his progress in making the Department of Labor more business friendly. “Our labor and employment regulators no longer focus on persecuting businesses but instead, they focus on encouraging compliance through providing advice and guidance.” He also noted that his administration was actively reviewing and updating regulations on workplace health and safety standards, claiming while many of the regulations are good intentioned, most of them “impose substantial burdens on employers while providing only marginal benefits to employees.”

President Aderhall also invited the Central Assembly to repeal Section 120 of the Federal Right to Organize Act or FROA, which allows labor unions to negotiate with employers to require union-membership and due payment from all employees. Originally passed under the Horiatio administration to prevent states from passing so-called “right to work” legislation that prevented unions and employers from agreeing to limit employment opportunities to due-paying union members, Section 120 has long been targeted by pro-business interests in the TNC. President Aderhall stated the “right to work is essential to the dignity of every Rizean and no person should be denied employment opportunities because they chose to not join a union.”

Tax reforms and economic protectionism.

President Aderhall touted his record on taxes, noting that since he took office, the national inheritance tax has been eliminated and significant cuts have been made to the capital gains tax and personal income tax. He also announced significant tax cuts and credits for corporations that keep their operations in Rizealand, while floating the idea of an increased corporate tax rate for businesses who “ship jobs south and overseas,” stating “we need to incentivize patriotic businesses who keep their jobs and opportunities here.” He also promised that his administration would be proposing significant changes to the federal revenue code that simplified it and eliminated loopholes.

On the topic of incentivizing businesses who keep jobs in Rizealand, President Aderhall reiterated his pledge to fight to keep manufacturing jobs in Rizealand. Proclaiming 2022 the “year of the worker,” he said his administration was studying proposals like the “Buy Euclean” legislation aimed at protecting Euclean steel operations and promised to propose similar measures to protect Rizealand’s steel industry and other key industries like agriculture and manufacturing.

To fund or not to fund education.

On funding for educational programs and schools, President Aderhall sent mixed signals. On the one hand, as part of his “year of the worker” proposals, he promised to dedicate federal grants and funding programs to improve and support trade schools across the nation. Noting the shortage of trade workers like plumbers and electricians as well as the poor funding for trade schools and a shortage of apprenticeship programs, he promised the increased federal funding “would significantly expand job opportunities for Rizealand’s youth outside the traditional college track.”

On the other hand, President Aderhall promised to introduce the Religious Freedom in School Act (RFISA) that would ensure students in state universities, colleges, and schools are not “discriminated against because of their religious beliefs or expression.” Under President Aderhall’s proposal, state schools would be prohibited from interfering with any student’s public professions of faith or religious activity. Citing anecdotal accounts of student football players being prohibited from praying before school games and openly displaying religious materials in classrooms, he announced “all students and faculty at any state-run educational institution will be protected from punishment or sanction for any religious expression” and that any institution which violated RFISA would be stripped of its federal funding while the school officials who engaged in the “discrimination” would be liable for civil suit under the statute.

The Opposition Response: president’s agenda is irresponsible.

Following President Aderhall’s address, the Opposition Response was given by Matthew Gray, a New Democrat MCA from Charlotte and the NPC’s opposition leader.

Gray began his speech by stating the NPC agrees with President Aderhall’s condemnation of Zorasan, noting that one nation’s violation of another nation’s sovereign borders cannot be tolerated. And while he said the NPC is open to supporting sanctions against Zorasani officials, they also “support giving more time for Caldia to convince Zorasan to restart peace talks.” Additionally, Gray admonished President Aderhall for not addressing the “humanitarian crisis unfolding in Yemet” as well.

On domestic policy, Gray slammed President Aderhall’s speech, stating it was “disingenuous for Aderhall to proclaim no one has accomplished more for the working class then him when the reality is that no one has accomplished less or hurt the working class more than him.” Instead of advocating for better working conditions and wages, he stated the president’s plan was simply to regurgitate anti-labor propaganda from his big business handlers and attempt to undermine worker’s rights at every turn.

In particular, Gray noted how key Department of Labor agencies responsible for enforcing Rizealand’s labor and employment laws have been underfunded and intentionally left understaffed by the Aderhall administration to hamper their effectiveness. He also pointed out that since Aderhall took office, the Department of Labor has consistently sided with management over unions in labor disputes and was frequently having to defend their actions in court.

He also noted no president in recent history has had more legislation challenged by the attorney general for unconstitutionality than President Aderhall. Unlike the Aderhall administration, Gray argued the NPC always supported workers rights, protected the environment, and advocated for improved access to education. He argued the president’s tax reform proposals were foolish and his defense spending requests were baffling, especially given the nation was not at war.

Gray ended his response by stating “the Aderhall administration’s entire agenda can be summed up in one word: irresponsible.”

by **Hennehouwe** » Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:02 pm

HENNEHOUWE • Today, updated 22:56

Rupert Van Bleiswijk re-elected Premier; SAP-NVP grand coalition sworn in

REPORTING:
Nicolaas Geijs

Rupert van Bleiswijk has been re-elected Premier by the Second Chamber, confirming the formation of the new federal coalition and bringing an end to four-and-a-half months of government formation talks - one of the longest in post-war Hennish history.

The vote on the Premier's investiture was passed by 91 votes to 86 in the Second Chamber. All deputies from the SAP, NVP and PP - the three parties of the new coalition - voted in favour. All other deputies voted against the proposal, except for the ABP and Vox who abstained.

Following the investiture vote, details on the makeup of the new federal cabinet began to emerge. As expected, NVP leader Fabian van Aitzema was announced as van Bleiswijk's deputy, also acquiring the post of Economic Affairs Minister. SAP ministers will take nine of the eighteen seats at cabinet, including promotions for Marko Zaccardi, becoming Foreign Affairs Minister; and for rising star Liane Mulder, who becomes the country's youngest Minister for Health. The NVP take eight cabinet posts including the Interior, Education and Justice portfolios. The Party for the Petois will take a sole seat at the cabinet - a rebranded Ministry for Petois and Communities' Affairs.

Van Bleiswijk and the members of his new cabinet were later officially sworn in by the Stadtholder Adriaan Wilhelm Paulus at a special ceremony at the Geelpaleis.

The new 'traffic light' coalition of the Socialist Labour Party, National People's Party and the Party for the Petois comes as a result of a four-month-long marathon period of coalition talks, which included three Stadtholder 'reprieves' from the constitutional requirement to transfer government formation powers to the second-largest-party after a 30-day lapse without proposals.

Multi-dimensional talks began shortly after the election between six parties after the election, including the SAP, NVP, VDP, Greens, VSD and PP. Expansive talks later narrowed to the former two after talks featuring the VDP broke down over industrial protectionism and internal party difficulties, whilst the Greens withdrew citing gaps on climate policy and a lack of commitments on emissions targets.

Senior talks between the SAP and NVP continued through December, primarily focusing on taxation and the economy. Discussions also included the PP, who sought a guarantee of a specific ministry for the Petois community in exchange for coalition participation. On 5 January, a memorandum of understanding between the three parties was signed, paving the way for today's vote and confirmation of the new government.

For the first time in forty years, the SAP and NVP will govern together at the federal level, making Hennehouwe the only country in the EC with a government headed by both the main centre-left and centre-right parties. This will also be the PP's fifth participation in a federal government, the last being under the NVP-led coalition from 2010 to 2014.

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by **Lunas Legion** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 7:59 am

The Forming Yemeti Quagmire
Now that Zahedan, Behera and Rwizikuru have firmly planted themselves into the Yemeti conflict, they may find disengagement far more difficult than it seems.

17 January 2022 · Written by: Moritz Huth

A ECRNU fighter armed with a 1980s era Soravian MANPADS. Yemet's anti-government opposition forces are well-armed and will not give up easily.

In 1972, troops of the Yemeti National Army entered Lehir after two years of conflict against the Ibabochian Republic, a Sotirian seperatist state led by Mogo Kimane, former Vice-President of Yemet. Many observers, both domestically in Yemet and internationally, hoped that the fall of Lehir and the collapse of the Ibabochian Republic would be one of the last acts of the Yemeti Civil War. General Ezera Biruh, Yemet's leader at the time, commented that 'all victories in this land fade to nothing'.

His words were prophetic. Despite the fall of Lehir, the conflict would last until General Biruh's death in 1997 almost 30 years after it began in 1970, when the military regime, now without its leader, agreed to peace negotiations.

Now, history seems to be repeating itself. The PNLAY and Zorasani Army are making rapid progress towards Lehir and Pumtere. The Beheran Army is advancing on Temera. Rwizi forces are engaged in the outskirts of Kwati. The INDA is making a drive south to retake Tawa. Victory, then, seems close. With their objectives achieved, the various foreign forces that have intervened in Yemet can withdraw their troops bar for token presences and agreed-upon bases and let the PNLAY take over, confident that the Yemeti government can handle it from here.

There is just one minor problem with this optimistic view of the state of affairs.

There is no indication that the People's National Liberation Army of Yemet is up to the task set before it.

The State of the PNLAY

The PNLAY's performance in the conflict thus far has been dismal. It has shown zero ability to undertake independent operations with any degree of success. The recent offensive against the ECRNU saw it take Dawa without encountering resistance from the ECRNU, but an advance on Geno and Hadama with Zorasani air support was stalled out by stubborn ECRNU resistance and poor leadership and coordination on the side of the PNLAY's VII and XI Corps, the main forces carrying out the now-aborted offensive.

The IX Corps was equally unsuccessful in an attempt to evict the Ruku National Front, the recently-formed rebel group led by ex-Minister of National Defence, Nebay Azizawet, from positions south of the city of Tiruta.

The most effective combat units of the PNLAY are the 'General Biruh' Revolutionary Guards Armoured Corps and the 'General Hassan' Revolutionary Guards Mechanised Corps, which have fought alongside Zorasani forces in the fighting around Aruvu and are now spearheading the advance on Lehir alongside the IV and VI Corps, which fought alongside the Zorasani forces at Modola until the abandonment of the air base and their evacuation. Although these units have performed well compared to other PNLAY units, it must be mentioned that they have also been the most heavily supported by Zorasani ground units, advisors, and technical and air support.

The true grim picture comes when taking into account the reliability of the PNLAY.

At the start of the conflict, an on paper figure of 400,000 men under arms was revealed to be in reality around 185,000. This has since been reduced to around 80,000 from desertion, defections and combat losses. Of this 80,000, almost 50,000 are believed to be ethnically Kaabura soldiers, whose loyalty to the Yemeti government is dubious and uncertain at best. They have likely only been kept in line by the presence of Zorasani forces and that the front line of the war is on their traditional lands. That leaves a maximum of 30,000 soldiers judged to be of reliable loyalty to the central government.

30,000 soldiers cannot undertake COIN duties for a nation of almost 92 million people. One cannot count on the tens of thousands of temporary militias that have formed and fought alongside PNLAY forces assisting. These men are not soldiers, they are farmers, shopkeepers, mechanics, teachers, doctors, who have taken up arms to defend their families, villages, tribes and/or clans from the rebels. Nor can one count government-aligned warlords such as Hamid Ephrem, leader of the INDA and a former PNLAY General, to fill the gap as their loyalties are only to themselves rather than the central government. The Kaabura, as much as they are helping the Yemeti government now, may prove to be a problem later.

If the Zorasanis, Beherans and others wish to not have to maintain a permanent presence in Yemet, but also wish not to have everything come crashing down as soon as they leave, then they must effectively rebuild the PNLAY from the ground up. New soldiers must be recruited and trained, or the various ethnic militias turned from militias into regular army formations. Officers must be trained as well. New equipment must be supplied.

And all this will take time, money, and political will.

To Build An Army

Rebuilding the PNLAY in the middle of an ongoing conflict will be a task of monumental difficulty. There will be major recruitment issues. The Kaabura and Gero, despite forming less than 10% of Yemet's population, have traditionally formed more than half of the PNLAY. Both groups view the PNLAY as traditionally being their institution and have done since the colonial era, when the Kaabura and Gero formed the majority of the Yemeti contingents of the Tirailleurs Bahiens under the Gaullican colonial doctrine of 'martial races' which was retained by the Weranian Schutztruppe Obergond. Both these groups are regarded as politically unreliable by the Yemeti government however, and so recruitment from them to form a new Yemeti army will likely be avoided by the Yemeti government. Indeed, the rebuilding of the PNLAY may be used as a excuse to remove members of both groups from the armed forces in favour of more loyal individuals.

Likewise, the Ruku and Iwa, who made up large portions of the pre-conflict PNLAY but formed their own forces, will likely be avoided as recruitment sources, as will the Akortu, who defected en masse to the ANSA at the start of the conflict.

Recruiting from the Sotirian population is unthinkable for either Zorasan or the Iskinder government.

Ethnically mixed units to dissuade the army from political participation was attempted in the late 1990s and early 2000s under the guidance of the CN, but these units were dissolved in the mid-2000s due to poor combat effectiveness and high levels of desertion.

This leaves only the Talanizi and the Magadic ethnic groups as large populations to recruit from. But recruiting from the Talanizi will put a large amount of power into the hands of the Vice-President Obe Feleke and the new Minister of National Defence, Obuto Akombo, while recruiting from Magadic groups such as Iskinder's own Iboni may not provide enough recruits for a army large enough to deal with the multitude of threats Yemet faces. Recruiting from both nominally solves both problems, but even then there may not be enough willing recruits to create a large enough army, as both sources have routinely provided far fewer soldiers for the PNLAY than their populations might suggest.

There is also the matter of equipping the new forces. The PNLAY has no real degree of standardisation, and uses a wide variety of imported weapons from multiple nations. Much of its current equipment is old and in need of refurbishment and upgrades, or has been captured by insurgent groups. This will likely be extremely costly for the Yemeti government, which already has to pay for the upkeep of its current forces and arms purchases to keep fighting the ongoing conflict, while also happening at a time when it is facing both aid cuts from Euclea, even if these are likely to be replaced by aid from Zorasan, and the inability to export its mineral wealth.

Supplying the PNLAY with Zorasani surplus weapons may be the most cost-effective means of supplying an army that needs to grow both rapidly and cheaply.

Although there is certainly the political will for the conflict now, this could still be the early stages in a long and gruelling war. How long the leaders of all involved nations retain the political will to support the Iskinder government and to fight cross-border wars remains to be seen.

The New Enemy

The PNLAY faces a vast host of potential enemies.

There are the various Sotirian guerrilla movements. These range in strength from the Kulo State, which controls a population of around two million people and between 40,000 and 100,000 armed fighters, down to the National Council for the Defence of Democracy which has around 15,000 fighters, with many smaller self-defence groups also existing. Although lightly equipped, with almost all their heavy weaponry being captured from the PNLAY recently, many Sotirian groups have been fighting for almost half a century and trace their origins back to the First Yemeti Civil War. They are determined and possess deep links within their communities which makes them notoriously hard to end as a threat for good, a lesson learned by the National Salvation Government, but they are a force the PNLAY has experience in fighting.

There are the Irfanic groups. The main conventional threats the PNLAY will face are from the ECRNU and RNF, groups largely formed around cores of ex-PNLAY soldiers and officers, who seized many PNLAY armouries and barracks, and the ANSA, which has been fighting since the 1970s but was bolstered by a major influx of Akortu PNLAY defectors at the start of the current conflict, as the ANSA had been a ally of convenience for the Iskinder government prior. All three groups are able to meet the PNLAY on peer terms, possessing heavy weaponry captured from the PNLAY or taken over by defectors, and the ECRNU and ANSA have both mounted determined defences against the Beheran and Rwizi armies respectively which does not bode well for the PNLAY's chances against them currently given their lack of experience in conventional peer conflicts.

There are Yemet's neighbours and cross-border operations. The IPLF has been openly backed by neighbouring Maucha. This raises the unlikely, but still plausible, threat of Maucha intervening directly in support of the IPLF, which any new PNLAY will need to be able to face in addition to the vast insurgency threat presented by other Sotirian groups and the IPLF itself. The APRF is suspected to have some degree of operations across the border in The Magadi from which it sources arms and sells conflict minerals, while potentially recruiting from the refugee camps there. Bamvango has officially denied supporting the ECRNU, but as the group is in conflict with the PF-KR and neighbours Bamvango, it is possible there is some degree of minor cross-border support. Even Behera, although currently an ally against the ECRNU, any future change in leaders or adopting a policy more supportive of cross-border Gero rebels could see Behera swiftly becoming an enemy. A similar situation potentially exists regarding Rwizikuru and the Akortu.

What Is To Be Done?

For the ad hoc coalition in Yemet to disengage long-term and not have to mount repeated interventions to restabilise the situation in the coming months and years, they must rapidly train up and equip a new PNLAY that is capable of fighting both a conventional conflict and COIN against sizable, well-equipped and experienced opposition, that is not reliant on temporary militias to fill out manpower shortages, that does not sacrfice combat effectiveness for political loyalty or speed in getting units into combat and is capable of conducting operations largely independently without extensive foreign support.

This is a monumental task. The Community of Nations Assistance Mission Yemet had a similar task and decade to accomplish it, and over a decade on from the end of its mission in 2007, it is extremely clear that it failed miserably in that task. Whether Zorasan and its allies succeed remains to be seen.

More from the International Conflict Monitor

Opinion: Zorasan is now firmly under the dominance of its military
ENS Scirocco buzzed by Zorasani warplane in the Gulf of Parishar
The many combatants in the Second Yemeti Civil War
Why the People's National Liberation Army of Yemet failed

The International Conflict Monitor is a think tank based in Morwall, that is dedicated to breaking conflict stories, events and providing unique analysis. The ICM hopes to utilise its wide network of sources to establish a greater understanding of human conflict, to then use that knowledge to assist policymakers in conflict resolution.

by **Etruria2** » Wed Jan 19, 2022 7:50 am

Senate passes Religious Liberty Law – government shutters entire pro-choice movement an hour later
Tribunes order shuttering of 113 civil society groups and NGOs as opposition vows to take government to court
POLITICS by Emilio Farinacci

19 January, 2022

Alessandro Torcivia said on the decision, "if the abortionists want a fight we will give them one."

San Alessandro, Dinara Within an hour of the State Council passing the Religious Liberty Law, the Federal Ministry for Culture and National Identity announced it was shutting down all NGOs and groups linked to the pro-choice movement. In a statement released online the government said, “all groups, civil or otherwise linked directly to the advocating of abortion are to be closed down immediately under the Religious Liberty Law. These groups and their platform are harmful to the Sotirian and Catholic way of life Etruria abides by.”

The Religious Liberty Law which amends the constitution to enable the government and citizens to cite their religious beliefs in defence of actions, as well as declaring religious beliefs to supersede all others was passed 130-70, reaching the 2/3 majority needed to amend the constitution. Notably, all 33 “non-partisan” members appointed by the President late last year backed the government.

Exactly an hour later, the Federal Ministry for Culture and National Identity which is granted powers under the law, announced that it was shuttering of the entire pro-choice movement in Etruria. The ministry announced its decision via a statement posted on social media.

“In wake of the passing of the Religious Liberty Law which provides Etruria the framework from which to protect its Sotirian and Catholic identity and soul, the Federal Ministry hereby announces that all groups, civil or otherwise linked directly to the advocating of abortion are to be closed down immediately under the Religious Liberty Law. These groups and their platform are harmful to the Sotirian and Catholic way of life Etruria abides by.

“Any group civil or otherwise that remains active will liable for prosecution and fines” the statement read.

A total of 113 groups, NGOs and charities are to be shuttered, including Libertà Femminile, L'Associazione Nazionale per i Diritti delle Donne and Muro Rosa, three of the largest women’s rights groups in the country. Notably missing from the list was the Etrurian Organisation for Women, one of the largest and most expansive women’s rights groups in Euclea.

The response from women’s groups and other major NGOs has been vociferous in their condemnation.

Libertà Femminile issued a statement on its website saying, “this grotesque government has at last launched its assault upon Etrurian civil society. The threat posed is not just confined to women who have already lost control of their lives, but to the LGBT+ community, immigrants and other minority groups.

“Libertà Femminile will be taking this decision to the courts, we cannot and must not accept the steady erosion of women’s rights, liberties and freedoms. We call upon all of Etrurian civil society to rise up and resist the government.”

The SD also condemned the announcement saying, “this government never fails to find new levels of low to which it may travel. The decision to shut down the entire pro-choice movement is both an attack on plurality and women’s rights. The SD will support Etrurian civil society in seeking to undo this through legal means.”

Former President Urbano Onoforio chirpred, “The foulness of this government is truly unparalleled in Euclea. They seek to destroy women and other minorities wrapped in the banner of Sotirianity, there is no more an un-Sotirian government in Etrurian history.”

The Minister for Culture and National Identity Alessandro Torcivia, who has emerged from the 2021 election as one of the more militant and active cabinet ministers even chirpred, “If the abortionists want a fight we will give them one. This decision is the correct one, this government and our movement is dedicated to the preservation of our Sotirian Republic.”

Federal Minister for Industry and Labour Affairs, Coriolano Crin Cioran who was being interviewed on Orrizonte 24 when news broke lauded the decision saying, “when you’re trying to restore virtue and morality to society you need to shut down those who tear at that. This isn’t about women, its about protecting the shared virtues that define our republic.”

It should be noted that such moves as the one taken by Torcivia requires a seal of approval from the man at the top, guaranteeing Carcaterra’s approval of Torcivia’s controversial move.

by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Wed Jan 19, 2022 3:27 pm

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

AMID SPECULATION, MINISTER DENIES INCENTIVIZING RESIGNATIONS IN ORDER TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS

Labour Minister Mac Mhaighstir has denied any involvement amid unverified reports.

By RÓNÁN Ó DUBHGHAILL

19 January 2021 at 17:24 p.m. EST

Increasing speculation has led a senior government minister to deny any involvement in a series of resignations from state agencies under his portfolio.

Gearóid Mac Mhaighstir, the Minister of Labour, has said that reports claiming that departures from labour-oriented government agencies were the result of his actions were “inaccurate”.

“No, I have not been involved in any of this. Neither have my staff” Mac Mhaighstir told reporters this morning.

He denied any involvement in or prior knowledge of the resignations. High turnover has drawn attention to the Labour Ministry, led by Mac Mhaighstir since the incumbent Social Democratic government was installed in February 2019.

Prior reporting by multiple agencies, triggered by an article published by the conservative An Tírghráthóir, has found that many agency officials have left their posts since 2019.

Some anonymous sources have claimed they felt pressured to resign or were offered posts in other ministries.

However, these claims have yet to be verified. No source has gone on the record. While pressure has been felt by Mac Mhaighstir, a close ally of Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne, the unverified nature of the claims against him and his staff have prevented more serious pressure.

Reporting previously done by TRN noted that a number of officials once employed at the National Labour Dispute Commission and the Labour Relations Commissions have since been hired by PRG, Caldia’s state-run petroleum company.

Those ex-officials, whose names are available in public record, have all declined to comment to the press.

Anonymous sources at PRG have cast suspicion on their employment. The company has declined to speak on the issue.

Attempts made by Státaire to find ex-agency officials willing to speak on the record have not been successful.

The anonymous and unverified nature of these claims have raised eyebrows among government supporters.

Eeada, a labour leader and supporter of Mac Suibhne’s government, said that she finds this suspicious.

“We have seen this story play out in the press over the course of the past few weeks. All we have, despite this attention, is anonymous claims and speculation. There is an election in less than six months. Things are going poorly for the other parties. I have to say, this feels suspicious. Is this all just an attempt to weaken a popular government because the opposition cannot best them in an election?”.

Nic Cuinneacháin, who is the president of Caldia’s largest trade union group, says that many in organized labour remain skeptical.

“This is a minister who has stood up for the workers in this country. The managerial class is not too please with that” said Peadar Ó Loingsigh, president of the AFT union.

Business leaders have long lamented the government’s pro-worker positions, ranging from new legislation to agency appointments. The pro-business approach they had become accustomed to has passed, leaving some wondering how to best proceed.

Niamh Ní Cheallaighe, a spokesperson for the Caldish Business Council, said that the government was “making the business of doing business harder”.

“This has bad outcomes for all of us”.

Ní Cheallaighe also said that “extreme” changes made to labour-related agencies were a component of that.

“If these extreme shifts are all coming from the top down, with pressure from [Mac Mhaighstir], that is something that is going to have to be investigated.

This is a narrative that has also been pushed by the Liberty Party, the largest of the opposition parties and party responsible for appointing many of the departed officials.

Liberty’s acting parliamentary leader, Deaglán Mac Colla, called the possibility of interference “alarming” and urged the ministry to accept an independent investigation.

“If there is no wrongdoing, there is no reason to hide from an investigation,” Mac Colla said.

Successive Liberty governments ran into trouble with independent investigations, landing several former ministers and ex-Taoiseach Prion Casarnach in prison for violating numerous laws.

The Mac Suibhne government has declined to comment directly on these reports or calls for an investigation, deferring to the Ministry of Labour. A ministry spokesperson said that Mac Mhaighstir’s comments “show that no investigation is needed, there has been no activity that warrants one”.

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by **Kesselbourg** » Wed Jan 19, 2022 9:04 pm

Premier Wanser-Plas Reacts to Etruria’s Liberty Law
Colorful Premier cautions Etruria about “throwing the baby out with the bathwater”

(Kesselbourg City, Kesselbourg) — Kesselbourgers reacted quickly to the Etrurian State Council passing the the Religious Liberty Law. The legislation shuts down all NGOs and pro-abortion advocacy groups in the country, a move that is sure to spark criticism throughout the Euclean Community. The Etrurian government released a statement proclaiming that “all groups, civil or otherwise linked directly to the advocating of abortion are to be closed down immediately under the Religious Liberty Law. These groups and their platform are harmful to the Sotirian and Catholic way of life Etruria abides by.”

The new law, which passed 130-70, amends the constitution and enables the government to cite religious beliefs in defense of its polices, in addition to declaring religious beliefs of paramount position relative to any other law. An hour later, the Federal Ministry for Culture and National Identity announced that pro-abortion organizations will be shuttered. “In wake of the passing of the Religious Liberty Law which provides Etruria the framework from which to protect its Sotirian and Catholic identity and soul, the Federal Ministry hereby announces that all groups, civil or otherwise linked directly to the advocating of abortion are to be closed down immediately under the Religious Liberty Law. These groups and their platform are harmful to the Sotirian and Catholic way of life Etruria abides by. “Any group civil or otherwise that remains active will liable for prosecution and fines” the statement read.

The Minister for Culture and National Identity Alessandro Torcivia, who has emerged from the 2021 election as one of the more militant and active cabinet ministers even chirpred, “If the abortionists want a fight we will give them one. This decision is the correct one, this government and our movement is dedicated to the preservation of our Sotirian Republic.”

Social activist groups in Kesselbourg City took the streets demanding a swift and fierce response from the government of Premier Wanser-Plas, who is known for his sympathies towards right-wing governments, issued a statement on the matter in response to public pressure. “Obviously, this is a major development in Etruria that has broad implications,” Wanser-Plas explained. “There remains the possibility that the courts will take a closer look at the legal ramifications of the law, and once courts get involved, you never know what’s going to happen. Naturally, it is my hope that citizens of Kesselbourg, the Euclean Community and Etrurians in Etruria and elsewhere in Euclea remain safe and refrain from acts of violence. As for the Etrurian Government itself, I would urge them to consider the importance of not alienating their friends in the Euclean Community, who will surely find such legislation quite distasteful. That’s tantamount to throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”

Wanser-Plas’s statement was immediately criticized by social activists and Labor Opposition for being muffled. Labor Party leader Melanie Moorleghem was especially sharp in her criticism of the Premier. “This dog and pony show has been going on for three years, and just when I think that the Premier cannot embarrass Kesselbourg more, he responds to Etruria stripping away women’s rights by making a tasteless joke about throwing the baby out with the bathwater. The joke is this current coalition government full of fools led by a jester.”

It remains to be seen how Kesselbourg’s allies in the Euclean Community react to this most recent development coming out of Etruria, but in the meantime, passions flare in Kesselbourg, where a great many people are angered by what they see taking place not only in Etruria, but at home in Kesselbourg.

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by **Etruria2** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:33 am

Anti-Religious Liberty Law protests erupt as Tribunes hunker down
Tens of thousands have taken to the streets in all major cities in opposition to the Religious Liberty Law and the proscription of 113 pro-choice and women's rights groups
POLITICS by Emilio Farinacci

20 January, 2022

Thousands protesting in Solaria this morning.

San Alessandro, Dinara Tens of thousands of men and women have taken to the streets in Etruria’s biggest cities to protest the Religious Liberty Law and the near total shutting down of the pro-choice movement. The government has doubled down on the issue saying, “claims we are attacking civil society is a gross exaggeration by the left and its patrons. Our decision is rooted firmly in the knowledge that the proscribed groups do not reflect the values of the Etrurian people.” It comes as the EC widely condemned the Tribunes.

Thousands have taken to protests in Povelia, Solaria, Tyrrnehus, Stazzona, Carxeri, Accadia, Faulia and San Alessandro this morning. Tens of thousands of women were joined by men and young boys who have united to condemn this latest attack by the Tribunes on women’s rights and civil society. The SD has also playing a prominent role in the protests, with its leader, Chiara Mastromarino expected to address protests in her native San Alessandro this afternoon.

There have been no reports of arrests or violence and in some cities, there is a notably lighter police presence than expected. It is widely believed that due to the international community’s fury and attention, the Tribunes have refrained from utilising their equally controversial protest law passed before the Nativity last year.

Violetta Sciano, the president of the Faulian Group for Women’s Rights, one of the 113 shuttered bodies told Orrizonte 24 this morning, “we need to come out and make clear that we do not accept this. We need to show Euclea and the world that not every Etrurian wants this, they [the Tribunes] do not own us.”

Matteo Gemelli, who brought his six-year old daughter with him to the protest said, “I’ve brought my daughter because this affects her just as it does my wife, my sisters and my neighbours. What sort of country am I bringing her up in where she doesn’t have a voice, the world needs to hear us.”

Donnastella Mariani who is the president of the National Women’s League, one of the few not to be shuttered was vociferous in her addressing of protesters in Solaria. She said, “first they stripped us women of our right to choose our futures. They stole from us control over our own bodies and lives, now they want to silence us so we can no longer demand our fates back. Well, it is not going to work.”

The SD has rallied swiftly in support of the protests. The party released a formal statement saying, “within days the SD will be pursuing the Tribunes in the courts. This law and the latest decision is a serious threat to civil society in Etruria, but fundamentally an existential threat to the rights of women. The government’s backsliding and authoritarianism will not go unanswered, the Etrurian people have had enough.”

The government for its part has doubled down over its decision to proscribe 113 groups and NGOs linked directly to the pro-choice movement.

Deputy President Vittoria Vasari who appeared on ARE this morning said, “there is a lot of distortions of reality going on. Claims the government or the Tribune Movement hate women is fundamentally false. This government since 2016 has introduced the most expansive maternity leave rights, provides free childcare for women in vocational or professional training, has passed laws protecting women from domestic abuse and made it easier for women to start a family through Famiglia plus.”

“Proscribing groups that simply do not reflect the values or virtues of Etrurian society is not an attack on civil society. And by the way, if we were attacking civil society, those people protesting would not be protesting would they?” she said further.

Alessandro Torcivia, the minister responsible for the proscriptions defended his decision more bluntly on Radio 1 saying, “If it offends the left and the EC that Etruria shut down groups who advocate killing the unborn then fine. We Etrurians find it offensive that there is an entire ecosystem dedicated to ending life before it sees the light of day.”

Several Tribune backbenchers have condemned the EC’s response.

Leonardo Amendola chirpred, “guess the EC has lost all that self-awareness it developed in 2018. How many times must we remind this hegemonic beast that it has no right, no invitation to dictate policy in Etruria.

WE REJECTED YOU IN 2016.”

Peter Kocar, a prominent backbencher also posted on social media, “Last time I checked the EC had learnt its lesson of trying to bully Etruria, it does not work. Truly saddening that we find ourselves in this position once again, the Pink Wave truly has made a mess of the EC.”

Foreign Minister Paolo Galba has met with President Francesco Carcaterra to discuss the EC’s reaction. According to government sources, the Foreign Minister is hoping to give a press conference later today, though all indications point to a refusal by the government to budge.

by **Beladiyah** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 6:00 am

Protests and Criticism after Etruria shutters pro-Choice Movement

The religious liberty law passed the Etrurian senate 130/70 yesterday, enabling the Tribune governement to amend the constitution. The law allows the governement and citizens to cite religious beliefs in defence of their actions and declares that religious beliefs supercede all others. One hour later, the ministry of culture and national identity ordered the shuttering of all organisations linked to the pro-choice movement, citing the passing of the religious liberty law and their harm to the Sotirian way of life of Etruria. A list of 113 organisations, among them many womenʼs rights groups, are to be shut-down under threat of fines in this first move.

Libertà femminile, one of the affected civil societies, condemned the decision and stated it will go to court over it. In that, it has the support of opposition party SD Etruria, which called for all civil society groups and women to join todayʼs protest in Povelia. Across Etruria, tens of thousands joined protests against the religious liberty law, as Il Popolo reports.

Although there was some support for the religious liberty law, notably from West Miersaʼs Adrian Rozak, the response to Etruriaʼs religious liberty law and the shuttering of pro-choice organisations was overwhelmingly negative. Among those outspokenly opposed are several leaders from nations of the Euclean Community, including Gaullicaʼs Monique Degar-Abdulrashid, Azmaraʼs Sofija Anasdohter and Estmereʼs Zoe Halivar.

Borland follows other nations of the Euclean Community in condemning the religious liberty law. In a statement released to the press earlier today, President Yoghen Heithman criticised the Tribunes, comdemning their abuse of Sotirian values to crack down on civil society, rights and freedoms. This marks a first for Heithman whose presidency had so far been marked by relative silence on international issues.

Prime Minister Anita Hoven found harsher words, calling the Tribunesʼ recent actions a worrying trend and a threat to womenʼs rights as well as liberal democracy in Etruria, urging the Etrurian government to halt their crackdown on civil society. She voiced her support of the protests against the religious liberty law.

In turn, Etrurian supporters of the religious liberty law have come forward to criticise the EC nations for involving themselves in the internal politics of Etruria, condemning the encroaching on the rights of Etruria as a sovereign nation.

by **Etruria2** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 9:22 am

ARE has now officially lost all credibility
ARE's midday presenters issued a lengthy diatribe against the EC, accusing it having waging a vendetta against Etruria and wanting to avenge 2016.
IL POPOLO'S VIEW by Giorgina Fiorina

20 January, 2022

File photo: Marta Giambattista (L) and Rafaella Schiano (R) presenting the midday segment of ARE.

San Alessandro, Dinara As tens of thousands of Etrurians protest the Tribunes latest salvo against civil society and women’s rights, ARE – the nation’s public broadcaster opted to take a very different view. Lead midday presenters, Rafaella Schiano and Marta Giambattista claimed in a lengthy exchange that the EC is organising the protests and is waging a vendetta against Etruria for “rejecting membership in 2016 and having the temerity of electing of a patriotic right-wing government – they hate it.” ARE’s news section has been steadily parroting Tribune talking points, but this is truly the crossing the Trasimene.

Before we get to the analysis, it is best that the full-exchange be printed so that you may fully understand how far ARE has falling from grace.

Schiano: So once again we find ourselves being bombarded by condemnations and rants from the EC.

Giambattista: So it would seem, just as thousands of left leaning people take to the streets again.

Schiano: I have to say, civil society doesn’t look very dead to me across the country. We have thousands of feminists and such out on the streets today, not being harassed nor even approached by police. Pretty sure that would not happen in Shangea or Zorasan or any other god-awful dictatorship.

Giambattista: That is the point though, isn’t it? We’re being denigrated as an authoritarian hellscape, yet, here they are, demanding abortion to be brought back, demanding radical feminists can scream and shout about how abortion is a human right.

Schiano: For the masses outside yes I agree, but the EC no I do not think so. Listen viewers and listeners, unfortunately we are a country who has a vendetta slapped on it. The EC has a grudge, it has a score settle. Make no mistake, the comments and words of Halivar, the Azmaran woman who I can’t pronounce, the Borish President, the Aucurian man child premier, none of this is about civil society, it is all about power. We rejected membership of the EC, so we denied them the power to control Etruria and for that there must be punishment, but that’s not all. After we rejected them, we elected a right-wing patriotic government, rough around the edges sure, but regardless, a government that does not adhere to their liberal-leftist agenda. That’s a double vendetta against the Etrurian people.

Giambattista: You can only imagine the fury in Kesselbourg back last year when the Tribunes were re-elected in a third landslide. The Tribunes have won three consecutive landslides, that is much more than what can be said for the SDCP, SDP in Caldia, the Azmaran leftist cabal. The Tribunes deliver and that only infuriates the EC more, the audacity of Etrurians just will not end.

Schiano: Exactly Marta, this has been the case since 2016. The peace and quiet we enjoyed from 2018 to now, really seemed like the EC had found some self-awareness but that hope has been dashed.

I will say this also, considering how much the SD wants to pretend is part of some wider left-wing movement or that aptly named Pink Wave, I would dare say that the EC is playing a role in these protests, I think that is entirely possible.

Giambattista: Absolutely, the speed in which they [EC] all came out screaming and shouting through social media or whatnot really speaks volumes. The EC can’t stand up to Zorasan which is a totalitarian dictatorship when it abuses Tsabara, so they need to bogeyman someone, may as well be Etruria, which has respected them ever since 2016. Did we get involved in Paretia’s election like they do to each other? No. Did the president howl over Caldia’s left-wing state capture? No. So who the hell do they think they are?

Schiano: One word Marta, revenge.

Giambattista: Honestly, I wonder why the government bothers? Eastern Euclea is lost, no hope whatsoever. Who needs enemies when your supposed friends act like this?

Schiano: I know and I suspect millions of Etrurians feel the same. I think we are all exhausted with the EC’s crusade against this country, about time we looked west I think, they know what’s going on.

Giambattista: Yes I agree. Well, no doubt we will be suffering for a few more days yet as the EC gets its bullying muscles ready. So, time to move on then to our next story.

The above is the finest picture depicting the politicisation and capture of the nation’s public broadcaster by the governing party. Ever since the Tribunes sacked the executive board back in 2019 for “failing to adhere to the qualitive requirements of the charter”, ARE has slowly but steadily become a mouthpiece for the Tribunes’ right-wing conspiracy theories, lies and deceptions. ARE, once a powerhouse for documentaries, political accountability and journalism is now the most persistent outlet for gaslighting.

Its news scheduling includes more and more chat-show style postings that involve anchors such as Gianluigi Persani, Mariastella D’Santi and Vlatko Boric offering missives and rants about the SD, Citizens and the uncoincidentally the loss of Euclea’s “traditional identity.” The only aspects of ARE to be left be are its dramas, soap operas and mini-movies, while its documentaries have notably turned inward and revisionist.

Since 2019, ARE has lost a number of talented and capable journalists, who have either retired or found employment elsewhere, the most benefitting from this Orrizonte24, though itself is losing its impartiality in favour of the opposition. RepubblicaTV, Etruria’s other major television and news outlet remains impartial and is really the last remining vestige of Pre-Tribune Etruria.

It is becoming harder and harder to find institutions, cherished and beloved, not rotten by the influence of the Tribune Movement. After near six years of governing Etruria, they have hollowed out every government ministry, body and agency. With another five years locked in due to their electoral victory, time will only tell what other bodies they force to its knees.

by **Caille-Sartoux and the Azure Coast** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 7:18 pm

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ＢＹ　　ＡＬＡＩＮ　　Ｍ．　　ＬｅＣＯＮＴＥ　　ＩＩ　
Ｓｅｎｉｏｒ　Ｐｏｌｉｔｉｃａｌ　Ｃｏｒｒｅｓｐｏｎｄｅｎｔ
Ｊａｎｕａｒｙ　２０，　２０２２　－　７：３０　ＰＭ

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ＳＡＲＴＯＵＸ，　ＣＯＭＴＥ　ＤＥ　ＴＲＥＶＥＲＩＥＮ

Moving with surprising haste to fulfill one of her central campaign pledges, Premier Adelyn Céleste Auberjonois (ML – Nouveau Réquista, Parti Conservateur [PCR]) laid out her vision for increased cross-aisle legislation and renewed dialogue with the opposition before the national legislature Thursday evening. The reveal comes on the heels of a series of successful post-election meetings between party bosses in Comté de Auvray-LaClair in December. The Auberjonois transition committee is thought to have organized the domestic political summit through the cooperation of incoming President Rémy Soyer, long a proponent of ‘Third Way’ politics. Auberjonois began her political career as a staffer to Soyer during his tenure as Defense Minister.

These radical shifts in the political discourse in Sartoux reflect the vast shakeup in national politics over the last eighteen months. The Premier’s address before the legislature was the first in Azurenne history where the PLB (Parti Libérale) did not find itself at the head of either the majority or minority leadership position. Targeted from the left by rising political stars such as incoming opposition leader Arminastus Baraka (ML – Saint-Sébastien, Front de l'Unité Sociale [FUS]) and 2022 Lieuron magistrate Socialist candidate Emilia Rougeau, the PLB has seen its hold over the leftist coalition wither. After being cleaned out in the 2021 general by the Conservatives, progressive voices began to seek reconciliation after the doomed leadership of ousted-Premier Bari Sanleon.

Reconciliation overtures were rewarded with the advancement of Auberjonois to the leadership, a member of the purported “Southwest Bloc”, Conservatives who hold laissez-faire economic views but tend to be more socially liberal/libertarian than their fellow party members. Facing persistent economic slumping and the continued threat of insurgency violence in the northwestern territories, Auberjonois successfully campaigned on a platform of reduced enflaming rhetoric and greater inter-party cooperation to help unfreeze the legislature, the previous session of which passed fewer measures than any other legislative session since the 1990s and the heyday of the "Don't Blink" brinksmanship endemic to the second generation, post-Serreau Catholics fundamentalists.

As part of the Premier’s social spending plan, it was announced that more than $2 Billion will be allocated to improving rural libraries and schools, a modest reworking of Baraka’s cornerstone platform of increasing social spending outside of the Grand Strand. This effort will be coupled with more than $10 Billion in infrastructure spending allocated to the Piémont and the Haut Pays. The move is one of the more popular bipartisan policies on the table, with leftists advocating for greater equality outside of the urban belts and rightists seeking to improve the regional economy. The left also earned several victories on wedge issues, including a pledge to extend government survivor benefits to LGBT+ Azurennes and a push for equal pay laws in the public sector.

In exchange for these promises, the Auberjonois government will move forward on one of the keystone proposals for the conservative right, the National Thread Initiative – a massive multipurpose project expanding the country’s oil and gas pipeline network, cross-country rail and highway accessibility and upgraded internet accessibility in the mountainous interior. The Premier also announced more than $50 Billion in new defense spending, honoring a campaign pledge of Soyer to begin refitting the country’s aging coastal defense fleet. Wedge issue victories were also claimed by the right-wing, including the tabling discussion on the expansion of elective/non-essential abortion rights in the country and in keeping the national voting age in generals at 20.

The agreements between the PCR and the FUS are not universally popular within the legislature: outliers on the left and right flanks of the respective government coalitions have denounced the domestic policy trade-off as a betrayal of ideology and of the electorate. Firebrand Syndicat Catholique legislator Jean-Henri Renault (ML-Visseiche [SYC]) has vowed to build a usurper collective within the majority coalition to thwart Auberjonois’s domestic platform; concurrently, Socialist Margo Roy (ML-Vieux-sur-Calais, Front de Socialiste Populaire [FSP]) has announced that she and her fellow Popular Front legislators would continue to advocate for expanded access to abortion rights and for comprehensive immigration reform during the new session.

Several potential pitfalls also remain to be overcome for Auberjonois and Baraka as they shepherd their respective coalitions, namely in the continued problem with drug and weapons trafficking in the mountainous interior. Sharp conflict still remains between the left and the right over long-term solutions to the pacification of a territory that has largely remained on the edge of lawlessness since the Azurenne Civil War. Baraka campaigned on a platform of extending economic opportunities to the extreme impoverished mountain villas, while Auberjonois’s Conservatives have sought to increase law enforcement and military patrols in the region – a move that has drawn the sharp rebuke of the left and has led to increased armed confrontation in the Soleil River Valley.

Members of the legislature were not available for comment by the evening press deadline.

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by **Aucuria** » Sun Jan 23, 2022 10:00 am

Léo Fauconnier - 23 January 2022

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

ANALYSIS: Why is far-flung Aucuria involved in the row over Etruria's "religious liberty law"?

A tense encounter: Etrurian president Francesco Carcaterra and Aucurian chancellor Petras Uspelevičius
pose for impromptu photos on the sidelines of a 2019 Community of Nations event in Kesselbourg.

Povelia, Etruria - On January 23, 2022, Etruria's state-run broadcaster ARE ran coverage of the growing domestic and international furore over Etruria's Religious Liberty Law and the abrupt shuttering of 113 civil rights organizations by the Tribune government. Once a respectable independent media outlet, ARE - long-since hijacked by the Tribunes as part of their efforts to centralize power in themselves and their political allies - opted to spend the hour blaming domestic protests against the government's actions not as the legitimate expression of growing Etrurian public frustration with the Tribunes but as part of a scheme by foreign governments unhappy with the Etrurian government's refusal to join the Euclean Community.

"The EC has a grudge, it has a score to settle," proclaimed host Rafaello Schiano, continuing with the trend of Tribune rhetoric emphasizing the concept of an anti-Etrurian vendetta being carried out by omnious "shadow powers". "Make no mistake, the comments and words of Halivar, the Azmaran woman who I can’t pronounce, the Borish president, the Aucurian man-child premier, none of this is about civil society, it is all about power," he continued. "We rejected membership of the EC, so we denied them the power to control Etruria, and for that there must be punishment."

Of the foreign leaders listed by Schiano, one stands out: "the Aucurian man-child premier", an unkind reference to Aucurian chancellor Petras Uspelevičius. Uspelevičius had sent out a series of chirps very explicitly denouncing Etruria's shuttering of non-governmental organizations, describing the Etrurian government's actions as "dangerous, short-sighted, and power-hungry" and "a hallmark of dictatorship" and arguing that there was "no pretense - not faith, not country, not anything" that could be used to justify the closures; one of these chirps directly mentioned Etrurian president Francesco Carcattera's Chirper account, as though deliberately seeking an Etrurian response.

Nor was Uspelevičius the only Aucurian politician to weigh in on the situation. The country's president, Žygimantas Barauskas, sent out a much more indirect tweet, emphasizing an "unflinching" Aucurian commitment to "the liberty of all people". Aucuria's foreign ministry put out an official statement condemning the closures, as did its embassy in Povelia. Endrijūs Žebrauskas, whose New Liberals are in coalition with Uspelevičius's Social Democrats, rechirped Uspelevičius's criticism, adding "the attacks on civil society in Etruria are a tragedy which all good people should oppose". The country's main opposition leader, Henrikas Puniskis of the National Renewal Alliance, was slightly more conciliatory in an official statement, expressing sympathy for the "protection of Sotirian heritage", but continued by describing the closure of NGOs as "unnecessary, abrupt, and alarming" and expressed a "sincere hope" would relent "in order to preserve free expression & civil discourse on these important topics".

But why, exactly, does Aucuria care about events in Etruria at all?

No other Asterian country has spoken up so firmly or prominently about these events - regional powers Marchenia and Satucin have been quiet, and of Etruria's former colonies in the region only Imagua has issued a formal statement. Aucuria has its own issues, much closer to home. Why spend time and energy on an event in the other side of the world which, seemingly, does not affect Aucuria at all - much less take such a strong stance on it?

One might be tempted to explain it based on Aucuria's reputation as being preoccupied with human rights - a reputation it has actively sought to construct, providing generous support to its own domestic NGOs, bolstering domestic human rights legislation and empowering the country's courts, regularly speaking out on human rights globally through its foreign ministry and the Community of Nations, and implementing some of the world's most flexible political asylum & universal jurisdiction laws, among other things; but while that explains why Aucuria might make a cursory statement on the matter, it doesn't explain the intensity of the reaction. Shangea has just had an "election" marred by the repression of the Normalization period, for example, and Zorasan is currently moving to illegally annex a large swathe of southern Tsabara; Aucuria has issued displeased statements on these actions too, through its foreign ministry, but neither has - at the moment - received the single-minded focus of Aucuria as Etruria has.

Alternatively, one might describe it as political theater. Aucuria will hold both general and presidential elections on May 1; taking a strong stance on issues of international human rights is good fodder for domestic campaign ads, a proof of commitment to the country's common values. Successfully eliciting an Etrurian response allows Uspelevičius and the Social Democrats in particular to argue that they are turning Aucuria into a global player - otherwise why would Povelia bother responding to Kalnaspilis's criticism? Mind, the Social Democrats don't need help in the polls per se; they've fared well thanks to popular efforts by Uspelevičius to boost funding for education and healthcare, though debates about the country's minimum wage, slow implementation of policy, infrastructure expansion, and environmental legislation will keep the campaign thoroughly competitive.

Or perhaps the core concern is Aucurian clout? As noted previously, Aucuria is quite proud of Aucurian NGOs such as the Feliksaitys Institute, Barauskas Foundation, and Sergėtojai International, and it is widely understood that the Aucurian government regards these entities as a means for it to exercise soft power, instilling its values both in those who volunteer for these organizations and those who are aided by them. The mass shuttering of NGOs by the Etrurian government has not claimed any Aucurian organizations yet; but sweeping moves in that direction could very well be interpreted as a potential future threat to the means of Aucurian influence abroad.

None of these assessments are without merit. However, these explanations still fail to account for the intensity of the Aucurian response; there are much more aggressively totalitarian countries, and countries which are much more universally hostile to NGOs, for Aucurian politicians to symbolically denounce.

The answer, as it happens, lies roughly forty years in the past, in a series of quirks of timing.

In 1980, the Aucurian people overthrew the country's military dictatorship, reestablishing democracy within the country. Known as the Velvet Revolution, this was part of the broader Asterian Spring, which saw civil unrest spread across Asteria Inferior for nearly a decade, peaking between 1979 and 1983. Said military dictatorship had been established three decades earlier, with the 1949 deposition and murder of President Adrianas Volpis (the son of Etrurian immigrants, as it happens) by General Albertas Kalvaitis; by the 1970s, Kalvaitis had been succeeded by General Martynas Sprogys. Sprogys seemingly stabilized the country after several years of low-level insurgency by left-wing & indigenous militants and economic turmoil caused by the 1964 Sugar Crash; this stability proved ephemeral, however, evaporating as the shockwaves of the 1979 Coian economic crisis rippled across the globe.

Protests began in early December 1979; the government initially hesitated to respond, hoping that the protests would dissipate naturally after some venting of frustration. It was during this period that the protesters began to describe their movement as a "velvet revolution". As December marched on, however, it became clear that the protests would not dissipate, and Sprogys ordered the army & police to open fire on protesters after the new year; this caused the situation to explode, turning protests into riots and provoking desertions in several army units. On January 6, other leading members of the regime led a putsch, deposing and jailing Sprogys and several of his closest allies, hoping this would placate the protesters; instead, however, it bolstered them, and on January 11 General Juozapas Juknevičius ceded power to an interim civilian government which had begun drafting the country's current constitution before the revolution had even ended.

As it so happened, Etruria was undergoing its own process of democratization at exactly the same time, a process which began in 1977 and ended in 1983. And several aspects of the Aucurian and Etrurian histories in this period line up eerily well. Etruria had ended up under its military junta after a coup d'etat in 1960; the military regime had used an insurgency by left-wing and ethnic minority groups, the Western Emergency, as an excuse to implement deeply repressive restrictions; the junta had promised economic stability that it seemed to deliver for a time, only for that stability to evaporate as the 1970s drew to a close. There were protests; the military ultimately reacted to these protests with violence, which caused the protests to escalate in size and scale, forcing the military into a position of having to make concessions to the protesters, ultimately resulting in the country's return to democracy.

These similarities led to many Aucurians drawing parallels between the events of the Asterian Spring - especially their own Velvet Revolution - and the events in Etruria, which were taken by the Aucurian public as proof of a universal human desire for freedom, and all the more reason to build friendships between freedom-loving peoples. Sure, the other revolutions of the Asterian Spring could be used similarly, but the fact that Etruria was on the opposite side of the world from Aucuria, rather than next door, led slightly more credence to the idea of a universal desire, and associating themselves with a Euclean nation fit well with Aucurian dreams of reaching eastern Euclean standards of living and democratic strength. Etruria's transition to democracy also hit the sweet spot of being more visible and meaningful than, say, the concurrent liberalization of Senria under Kiyosi Haruna, while also being much cleaner than the bloody, messy Sostava War happening at the same time in Soravia.

What emerged as a result was a feeling of Aucuro-Etrurian fraternity, some sentiment that both countries were bound together by emerging from similar dictatorships at almost exactly the same time, and that they could work together in strengthening both their own democracies domestically and in promoting their shared values globally.

Further underlining this notion in the Aucurian consciousness was the secretary-generalship of the Community of Nations. In 1989, Miloš Vidović - Etruria's first post-junta president - was inaugurated as Secretary-General of the CN, and placed his focus firmly upon using the organization to promote the ideas of democratization and human rights on an international sphere. Vidović's successor in the role was Vytautas Šeduikys, previously Aucuria's foreign minister under President Feliksas Ikedas; Vidović had backed Šeduikys's bid, and the transition between the two was close to seamless. Šeduikys, in turn, continued Vidović's focus on democracy and human rights, serving two terms in the role before leaving office in 2003. What better symbol could there be of the progress made by both Etruria and Aucuria, an Aucurian of the period might've thought, than the back-to-back terms of Vidović and Šeduikys - two citizens of former dictatorships now standing for liberty, equality, and justice on the world stage?

It goes without saying, of course, this sense of fraternity was mostly one-way. The average Etrurian was probably not aware of any of this, and why would they be? The only Euclean country whose public even remotely regularly cares about Aucuria is the country that colonized it, Ruttland, which is incapable of conducting independent foreign policy by virtue of being controlled by Werania at present. When Etrurians do care about countries in the Asterias, it is more likely they care about their former colonies of Ardesia, Jossia, Gapolania; their thoughts of Aucuria, if they have any, probably boil down to stereotypical images of rugged mountain and untamed jungle inhabited by ancient Cutinsuans. Aucurians saw the Etrurians as a brother people who had emerged from the same darkness seeking the same light; Etrurians had more relevant countries to worry about.

That said, the Etrurian government of the time was aware, and was smart enough to not turn down an opportunity to build some relations and get good press, and so even though the Etrurian public did not particularly care, the 1980s and 1990s saw a little diplomatic renaissance between the two countries which resulted in some trade and cultural exchange deals that benefitted both countries.

Regardless of what the Etrurians thought, however, this made many Aucurians - and even the country's government - strangely invested in some idea of Etruria and Aucuria as two nations moving out of the darkness of dictatorship together. And it is that strange investment which has resulted in Aucuria being so concerned by events in Etruria, alarmed by the political success of the vehemently illiberal Tribune Movement and its efforts to undo all of the progress that Etruria has made since 1983 - the progress that, in many Aucurian eyes, the two countries had once been making together.

The reason Aucuria has chosen to entangle itself in the current furore involving Etruria is because the mass closure of civil society organizations by the Tribunes - and the propagandization of Etruria's state media, the strangulation of its judicial independence, the gerrymandering of its electoral constituencies, so on and so forth - stand as uneasy and unpleasant proof that democracy is fragile, always at risk from being exploited and then destroyed by bad actors. The Aucurians came to regard the Etrurians as brothers in democratization, and as Etrurian democracy is systematically undone by Carcaterra and his cohorts, the Aucurians feel compelled to cast a wary eye back to their own. If Etruria, a wealthy Euclean country, can slip so rapidly and so unexpectedly from the threshold of EC membership to fitting Kavagamu's definition of a "Southern democracy", then what threat might their own hard-fought-for liberties might be under?

Now, for what it is worth, there are plenty of areas where the Aucurians can take comfort - where their country was, in fact, better positioned to maintain their post-1980 democracy than the Etrurians ever were. That the Etrurian military junta was able to negotiate on the way out, ensure immunity for its leaders and retain the right for the security services to shutter groups promoting ethnic minority rights on the grounds of "promoting non-Etrurian nationalisms", left a corrupting rot of potential repression intact in the heart of the Etrurian state, ready to be exploited by the Tribunes. By contrast, Aucuria's military came out of the Velvet Revolution in such a situation of shambolic disarray that the new civilian government was able to vastly reduce its size, try and jail its leaders for their role in dictatorship, and wipe the slate clean in a way that Etruria simply did not.

Aucuria has other assets to its benefit as well. It has constructed a powerful domestic civil society; its constitutional court is among the most powerful in the world, firmly independent and capable of reviewing and blocking unconstitutional legislation before it is even passed. These measures have allowed Aucuria to make remarkable progress in the past forty years, turning it into a vibrant and dynamic force in Asteria Inferior which can make its mark when it so chooses.

But vigilance is always necessary for the preservation of liberty, and concern is not entirely unwarranted; the country is also home to issues with corruption, nepotism, poverty, and ethnic inequality that all could prove the potential fodder for Aucuria's own would-be Tribunes. So while the Aucurian obsession with this issue seems odd to outsiders, it is not without its reason, and its leaders are not wrong for taking current events seriously - even if a one-to-one link between Etrurian democracy and its Aucurian counterpart is, mildly put, vastly overstated.

The oddities in the Aucuro-Etrurian relationship could also prove useful for Eucleans generally to understand. They demonstrate the importance of the concept of Euclea and Euclean countries as role models for the rest of the world - and what can happen when Euclean countries fail to live up to the standards that they should. And, perhaps more importantly, they remind us to scrutinize the political systems of our own home countries - the factors which have kept Aucuria democratic even as Etruria has gone off the rails could prove useful in making sure that our own countries do not fall into the same traps that post-1983 Etruria has.

by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Sun Jan 23, 2022 6:32 pm

CAOIMHÍN Ó DUBHTHAIGH: Our corrupt and desperate politicians have failed us and have left us with a pitiful excuse for a ‘nation state’

Corruption at the highest levels of the Mac Suibhne government proves they have failed us.
The socialist left’s wokism and a tax and spend agenda is eroding our society.
The spineless and disgraced Liberty Party has left us in a pitiful position.
Our politics must change in order for Caldia to remain the country we love.

BY CAOIMHÍN Ó DUBHTHAIGH
PUBLISHED: 30 January 2022

Mac Suibhne promised us a new era in Caldish politics, we got more back-room dealing and wokism.

The past few weeks have been devastating for anyone who loves this country. We have witnessed the hypocrisy of the woke do-gooders in the Mac Suibhne government on full display. With one of our fumbling leader’s closest allies in the hot seat over corruption, we now see that our main parties cannot be trusted with good governance.

The rise of the Social Democratic Party in 2019 was centered around ethical, transparent governance that would follow the letter of the law. Enter Gearóid Mac Mhaighstir, the radical anti-jobs labour minister.

Mac Mhaighstir is among Mac Suibhne’s oldest partners. The two worked together as major leaders in their trade union and have since teamed-up to redefine their party as a powerful, socialist force that would hike taxes and spending.

Now it has been revealed that Mac Mhaighstir has been systematically forcing out anyone who stands in his way of killing jobs with his regulations. If it weren’t for the gross hypocrisy, I would be thanking him.

Many of those he has pushed out were appointed by the Liberty Party, who gleefully cheered as thousands of jobs were shipped overseas so that children could perform them at slave wages. Liberty has shown its true colors and been a national disgrace since Alastrí Nic Ualtair ⁊ Ní Deoradh ended her run as taoiseach.

The socialists promised an end to their inept corruption, that left us with several former Liberty ministers - and of course Casarnach himself - sitting in prison cells.

It appears Mac Mhaighstir wishes to join Casarnach behind bars. His gross, gobby conduct is hardly befitting of his office. He must go.

And if he doesn’t, the Caldish electorate must ensure he does come June. If they keep him around until then, Mac Suibhne and the rest of his woke, leftist cabal would also all deserve to be out of a job.

What we are witnessing now is the gross failure of our elites in real time. These are people who do not care about the average person in this country. They show it through their insanely illegal conduct, their blatant hypocrisy, and their total disregard for hard-working taxpayers by setting their money on fire.

They have left us all in a pathetic state. We continue to see Liberty flounder. There is an election in June and the party lacks a leader. Hell, it lacks direction. They are a pathetic excuse for opposition and all but ensure that Mac Suibhne and his woke warriors will be returned against our will. What good does Liberty’s austerity bring us?

Mac Suibhne sets money on fire with his woke endeavors and Liberty cheers on as spending is gutted. There must be a middle ground between these two extremes. Both parties have left the hard-working people in this country behind. They actively inflict harm everyday people, with tax burdens, dreadful public services, and back-room dealing to advance their own interests.

The politics of the past have failed us. We need something new, before we are left with nothing. The left and the right are too entangled in their
bitter ideological feud to deliver. Those who love this country, who work hard, who want a better future for their children must stand up. We must make ourselves heard and send them - all of them - packing.

by **Etruria2** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:22 am

Opinion: Our mission is to rebuild Etruria’s Republic after decades of decay – we will not be deterred
After stealing billions of Florin, hollowing out democratic republic, the Left now howls with indignation as our good work continues
Opinione

Ｊａｎｕａｒｙ　２０，　２０２２　－　７：３０　ＰＭ

Our mission is to build a supreme Senate, accountable judiciary and a patriotic and safe society.

We are just about a month into 2022 and once again, Etruria’s streets are awash with the howling condemnation of the metropolitan classes, echoed by their scions across Eastern Euclea. Once again, Etruria is subject to the deranged hysterics of the left, who screech autocracy and tyranny. What they fail, or rather refuse to accept is what is happening in Etruria is the reconstruction of a Republic hollowed out by corruption, selfishness, and careerism. Since 2016, the Tribune Movement has been rebuilding the Etrurian Republic, the finest parliamentary republic in the world and doing so for future generations to come.

By Vittoria Vasari　
Dｅ p u t y　Ｐr e s i d e n t　
o f　t h e　F e d e r a t i o n

There is a saying among us Tribunes; “unless the metropolitans are sobbing, we are not making progress.” By the metropolitans, you surely know who we mean; the “professional class”, the progressive middle class, the champaign socialist who pleads solidarity with the working class but slanders them in the same breath. This cohort of society is found in every democratic society, the over-privileged, the self-absorbed and virtue signalling masses. This class simultaneously hates tradition, patriotism, and religion. They see history as something to be reviewed and erased if it proves too insensitive. They are consumed by self-loathing desires to make amends for historic injustices, which according to them, will magically make good those of the present. They despise the nation-state yet yearn for a globalist form that would render them irrelevant. When we Tribunes say the left hates Etruria, we meant it both politically and metaphysically.

Ever since the restoration of democracy in 1983, this class of society has dominated Etruria root and stem. Whether the governments were SD led or Sotirian Democrat, the results were always the same. With their loathing of the nation came a natural sense of entitlement and with that, a condescending sense of superiority over the working class – poorly educated, ignorant, racist, parochial and a hinderance to the demolition of Etruria either through EC membership or the self-flagellation over our nation’s history. This elite assumed control of every institution, every sphere of public life; politics, the media and high business and through this hegemony, their sense of entitlement gave way to corruption. If they are saving a barbaric and neanderthal nation, then surely, they deserve a little extra here and there, a couple million florin, a fast car, a villa or two – the heroes of the story always deserve to be rewarded. As they slandered us, they stole from us and then behaved as if we were fortunate to suffer it. For 33-years we and our fatherland suffered at their hands, but slowly and steadily, the patriotic Etrurian awoke to what was being done to them and our great country.

What the metropolitan elite failed to recognise in their own countrymen is their patriotism. We are by far the most patriotic society in Eastern Euclea, tied no doubt with our friends in the West, but in the East certainly. We see the Tricolore flutter, and we smile, we hear the faint rhythms of Figli di Romolo, and we hum away. Even listening to the syllables of our languages gets the heart racing. We lay our eyes upon the statues of our heroic ancestors, and we feel proud. We hear that our nation is Euclea’s darkest, we frown. We hear that our country is a troubled one, we clench our fists. We hear that our country is a racist hellscape, we fume. This is patriotism and it is something the metropolitan elite could never feel nor comprehend. But alongside this, we are a religious country. Church attendance has reached 85%, up from 65% in 2012. We give thanks to God at mealtimes for our families, our country and our republic. Our God, our Sotirias Christ and our Virgin Mother are as much a part of our lives as is football, which we also happen to very good at. Just as the elite despise patriotism, so too do they despise God and his holy gospel. To these arrogant fairies, God has no place alongside democracy, but this country managed that in our First Republic, the finest democracy experiment in human history. As the Weranians flew off into the never-never-land of “reason” and atheism, we raised the Cross together with the rights of man, we recognised that God is the ultimate purveyor of liberty and freedom, for salvation into the kingdom of heaven requires free will. This our heritage and this our foundation from which all Etrurian republics have been built.

As the elite consumed the organs and nervous system of the Etrurian republic for 33-years, they infected its systems with their “secular” agenda. Even the Sotirian Democrats as they stole our futures opted to remove morality and virtue from public life. In 2016, we said enough. We said no to EC membership, the ultimate and final victory of the elite over the Etruria we love. And the people of Etruria elected a government that till this day continues the good work of rebuilding the foundations of our democracy. The Left claims that we are neo-functionalists, this is intellectually lazy and the overused ammunition of the hysterical, we are not – we are Neo-First Republicans. Our aim and mission have been and always will be the reconstruction of our Republic in line with the ideals of the First. A strong and supreme legislature, an accountable judiciary, order and security, God, faith and patriotism, all encapsulated in a shared morality. We banned abortion (except for cases of rape, incest and the threat to the mother’s health) in 2019 because it is the moral and virtuous position to take. It is in line with the catechism of our holy mother Church, it is line with scripture. We banned 113 groups dedicated to restoring abortion because it is unquestionable that people be permitted to go around shouting and screaming in public the right to murder the unborn. These groups do not represent the values of the Etrurian people, they do not represent our worldview, rather they insult it. They undermine our society’s cohesiveness and our shared relationship with God. This is not about autocracy, if it were, we would ban the SD for siding with these groups, we should shut down all the left-wing newspapers who describe abortion as a human right, even if results in denying humans a life. This is not about dictatorship; it is about public morality – something our nation has experienced from Solarian times (Virtus), through to the renaissance and the city states, to the First Republic. We are a moral people, a moral nation.

As has always been the case with the metropolitan elite and their patrons, the Poteri Oscuri, lies and deceptions have been the hallmark of their efforts to undermine the Tribune Movement, the government, and our blessed mission. They lie and distort reality, ever trying to suck you and yours into their mass hysteria. Where we see a return to national dignity, they see racism, homophobia, and sexism. Where we see making politics more responsive to you, they see authoritarianism. They scream, shout and sob because the decrepit system they built in 1983 is being undone. They and their allies in the EC cry foul for the left-wing orthodoxy is being undone by patriots who see through their smoke and mirrors. But we are not alone, our brothers and sisters in Paretia have revolted against the Left, the Patron League are fellow warriors in the Crusade for the restoration of Catholicism in our lives and nations. The Solarian World is revolting against the Left and it is a sight to behold. But be in no doubt, the lies and distortions will worsen – do not believe what you see or hear – it is not reality.

We do not seek to oppose the EC nor fight it, but just as the Poteri Oscuri in Etruria have experienced, when push comes to shove, the Tribunes in their millions will resist. We will not be deterred, we will not be stopped, nor will we be defeated in our quest to rebuild Etruria’s Republic. Our cause is one of God and nation and that is a cause that cannot be overthrown by the self-loathing Left.

© Altrio Media. 2021

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by **Etruria2** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 12:29 pm

Tribunes claim anti-RLL protests are being organised by socialist Arthasthan
Civil Security Service may investigate the Subsection over concerns communist group is attempting to destabilise Etruria
Politiche

Ｊａｎｕａｒｙ　2 4，　２０２２　－　1 ７：３０　ＰＭ

Interior Minister Gianfranco Galizia made the claims at a committee hearing

The Tribune government has accused the Satrian Subsection of directly organising the anti-Religious Liberty Law protests, where the socialist group has also been spotted. Interior Minister Gianfranco Galizia openly accused Arthasthan of attempting to “destabilise Etruria’s democracy.” The Civil Security Service has been called to investigate possible foreign links to the protests that have continued for a fourth day.

The accusation comes after the Satrian Report released a story detailing how the Central Council of the communist movement had prohibited a planned march by the Subsection in Etruria. This has provoked outrage among the subsections’ militant leaders.

The deputy leader, Jacqueline Bhabha reportedly said, “better to fight our oppressors standing, than lying down waiting for the end.”

Her words and the claimed outrage among the leadership of the group has provoked fear among the Tribune government that Arthasthan, a communist former colony of Etruria was seeking to capitalise on the left-wing protests gripping Etruria to further destabilise Etrurian society.

Federal Minister of the Interior Gianfranco Galizia told a meeting of the Senate Committee for Internal Affairs and Domestic Security, “we have serious concerns about the subsection, that have existed for a long time. It is for want of a better term, a state within a state and it is beholden to a foreign government, not its members, not Etrurians.”

“Since our party’s founding in 2012, we warned repeatedly that successive governments failing to deal with this group through fear of being labelled racist has provided space for a legitimate threat to not only our national security but our democracy. This group could cause havoc at the request of the Arthasthani government at any moment, no other country would tolerate a fifth column like this” he said further.

The subsection has long been a cause of concern for the Tribune Movement, who have long viewed it as an “alien entity within the Etrurian body politic.” The party had repeatedly criticised the SD government of Milos Vidovic permitting its existence in 1988. Successive governments, both SD and Federalist led continued to acquiesce to its existence.

Industry and Labour Affairs Minister, Coriolano Crin Cioran, a close ally of the Interior Minister also supported his position on social media saying, “we’re being flanked by the EC and now a communist regime from Satria. One is seeking to avenge the EC vote and the other is seeking revenge for colonial Etruria? We need to be smart, decisive and bold in our response to these attempts to destabilise the thrice-elected government of Etruria.”

The anti-religious liberty law protests which began last Thursday have not stopped and continue to show persistent energy in multiple cities. Remarkably there have been only 18 arrests, a majority of whom were pickpockets attempting to steal wallets and purses from protesters. The police presence remains light.

A request for a counter-protest in Solaria was rejected by the Tribune-run city council citing concerns of violence.

The protesters, however, have all expressed their intentions to remain on the streets until the RLL is revoked and the 113 pro-abortion groups reinstated. This is unlikely to happen owing to the government’s resistance.

© Altrio Media. 2021

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by **Saul Volcano** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:15 pm

Paretia's reactions to Etruria's new law, Cerqueira visits Etruria to support Tribune allies amid protests
Paretia's leaders react to the Etrurian Tribune's Religious Liberty Law and shuttering of pro-choice groups. Premier Cerqueira visits the country to express friendship with the Tribunes amid the protests in response to the new laws.
By: América Bandeira | 24 October 2021 | Precea

Left: Cerqueira during her meeting with Tribunes in Etruria, currently the center point of controversy in Eastern Euclea

Povelia, Etruria: Etruria has again made itself into the spotlight by creating the Religious Liberty Law, which amends the nation's constitution to allow the government and citizens to use religious in defense of their actions. The government followed these actions by shuttering over one hundred pro-choice organizations in Etruria, which the government claims are "harmful to the Sotirian and Catholic way of life Etruria abides by". Many leaders in the Euclean Community and other nations responded to Etruria saying that these actions attack the civil rights, civil society, and liberties of country. Other leader like those of West Miersa and others defending Etruria's actions. Protests in Etruria have been going on for days already against the new laws. In support of the Tribunes, Cerqueira has visited the country amid these protests and met with President Carcaterra.

Lima's chirp calling critics of Tribunes "degenerates"

Here in Paretia the Patron League and Premier Cerqueira are defending Etruria, in chirps the Patron League and it's members supported Etruria while lashing out against the critics. Premier Cerqueira defending the Tribune's gutting of pro-choice groups in a chirp saying the claiming that abortion is murder and the groups should be treated as advocating for murder. Deputy Premier Caprichoso also defended Etruria saying the groups are "destructive to Sotirianity and any Sotirian in support of them should just abandon their faith now, as you are not a follower of Sotiras." Minister of Culture Paulo Sérgio Lima chirped yesterday defending the Religious Liberty Law, even calling critics degenerates in his chirp, "Etruria is Sotirian! A Sotirian nation cannot reject its heritage even at the state level, it will leave itself open to falling to degeneracy and evil. Of course, the degenerates are lashing out in Etruria."

The O Povo government has already passed laws rolling back abortion in Paretia, namely the Women's Social Reform Law, which shut down most publically-funded abortion clinics and banned most abortion in most circumstances. This law however is being challenged by the Social Democrat regional government of Tosutonia.

The opposition in Paretia was greatly critical of Etruria and the Patron League, opposition leader Esmeralda Falcão called the new laws in Etruria "Gravely concerning, the people of Etruria must fight back against their rights being eroded by the Tribunes, democratic backsliding has been going on for far too long there, Etruria must clean itself of this authoritarian stain that it shows to the world." Tosuton Regional Premier Caselles also chirped criticizing the shutting down of pro-chocie groups calling it "anti-women". Here in Paretia large protests also began against the Patron's support of the Tribunes as well as Cerqueira's visit.

Cerqueira visited Povelia today and met with the Tribunes and President Carcaterra and discussed their support to Etruria amid the controversy and protest. She also met with leaders of the Social Party of the Third Order and Farmers' and Workers' Union, the Tribune's allies in government. President Carcaterra and Premier Cerqueira discussed the future of the relationship between Etruria and Paretia, Cerqueira stating "I am utterly jealous of the work the Carcaterra and the Tribunes have done in protecting their way of life, and the life of the unborn. We will continue to stand with our allies in Etruria against the socialist and neoliberal forces in the EC, at this moment this is crucial."

Cerqueira stated that the protesters in Etruria are "Useful puppets of the bloodsucker elite who do not know they are fighting against their nation, calling for the erosion of culture and civilization, believing they fight for a so-called secular society, what they advocate for will bring about the evil that the elites crave." She also said this about the criticism from other EC leaders "They claim the populist movement in Etruria and Paretia are destructive to civil society and civil rights, do they not see the protests, a staple of democracy? Curious." and also said "We will continue to do the duty of the Sotirian people, part of that is to defend the unborn child, whether the EC elites like it or not."

The two also discussed the current situation in Tsabara, as Zorasan annexed the Dandan Azdar into the Union. Cerqueira, who already criticized the move by Zorasan stated they "both stand with Tsabara against the aggressive moves by Zorasan". Cerqueira has recently greatly considered increasing aide to the Tsabaran government after the annexation of Dandan Azdar.

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© PAPEL PENINSULAR 2022

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SD Tosuton regional government and Patron national government abortion court battle set to begin next week
Trial of charged Trovão judges and elections commission set to begin soon
Tribunes blame Arthastan over Religious Liberty Law protests
Manager of FC Encerosa resigns after sexual assault claims

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by **Rizealand** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:20 pm

RFL WEEKEND RECAP: West Conference championship match ends in penalty shootouts while the defending Super Cup champions win the NW Conference championship
Oscar Moreno| January 24, 2022

West Conference Championship: LC Bears beat Patriots in second round of penalty shootouts after tying 2-2 in regulation and 3-3 in overtime
After finishing the 2021 season near the bottom of the RFL, the Camden Patriots' rising hopes following their victory over the LC Knights in the wildcard match and the Marymore Eagles in the semi-final match were dashed at Riley Stadium on Saturday. As winners of the semi-final match, they faced the LC Bears who are highest ranked team in the West Conference and fifth highest ranked team in the entire RFL following last year's season.

The Patriots got off to a great start in the match after forward Jake Hamilton scored the first goal of the game in the first ten minutes. The Patriots' most prized player with the most goals scored, Hamilton was able to slip the ball straight past Bears goalie Jaime Gilabert. Around minute 32, the Patriots' second highest goal scorer, forward Cooper O'Hea, scored a second goal for the Patriots after wresting the ball from Bears defender Emilio Abellan. At halftime, the score was 2-0 for the Patriots as during the entire first half, the Bears struggled to go on the offensive with a majority of the possessions going to the Patriots.

The Bears came alive in the second half and around minute 54, forward Charlie Downing scored the Bears' first goal. While the Patriots still led in possessions during the second half, the Bears played a much better defense, frequently blocking or deflecting attempted kicks by Hamilton and O'Hea. Twice at minute 61 and minute 79, Hamilton took a shot that ricocheted off the goal. It seemed like the Patriots were about to pull off an upset when at minute 4 of stoppage time with less than a minute left on the clock, Bears defender Joseph Price got the ball away from Patriots midfielder Micah Cline and took a shot at the goal it what seemed to a last attempt to score before the whistle is blown. Patriots goalie Ivan Montes was about to dive down to block the ball but lost his footing and fell in the wrong direction, allowing the Bears a second goal

With the score at 2-2, the Bears and Patriots went into overtime and played another thirty minutes. The tables now flipped with the Bears dominating possession while the Patriots, seemingly worn out and disheartened by continuing a game they just thought they had won, struggled to maintain possession and spent most of time trying to defend the goal from the Bears' offensive onslaught. Around minute 11 of overtime, Bears forward Stans van Lenthe scored a goal, sending the ball over the head of Gilabert. Then at minute 20 of overtime, Patriots forward Xian Lin scored a goal against the Bears, by heading the ball into the goal. In minute 28 of overtime, the Bears came close to breaking the 3-3 tie when forward Max Nicollier, the Bears' top scoring player, attempted a kick but could not sneak it past Gilabert. When overtime ended, the Bears and Patriots were still tied 3-3.

The Bears won the coin toss for the penalty shootout and got to go first. Defending for the Patriots was goalie Ivan Montes while the Bears substituted Gilabert for Sasan Moshiri as their goalie.

Max Nicollier (Bears) - Scored
Cooper O'Hea (Patriots) - Scored
Gabriel Knight (Bears) - Missed
Jake Hamilton (Patriots) - Missed
Isaac Matthews (Bears) - Scored
Oliver Costa (Patriots) - Scored
Charlie Downing (Bears) - Missed
Micah Cline (Patriots) - Scored
Stans van Lenthe (Bears) - Scored
Samuel Duncan (Patriots) - Missed

Following the first penalty shootout in which the Bears and Patriots each scored 3 times, a second penalty shootout was held and the Bears again won the coin toss to go first. While Bears forward Sam Hudson and Bears forward Samuel Mongan both scored on their two penalty kicks, the Patriots' JP Lortie and Xian Lin both missed theirs. While the Bears' Alex Nyland missed his penalty kick, Ernesto Madia scored on the Bear's fourth kick. The Patriots' Corey Barnes scored on their third penalty kick but when Ian de Feo missed the Patriots' fourth kick, they lost as the Bears had already scored three points and even if the Patriots made their fifth kick, they would still only have two.

Northwest Conference Championship: The Warriors' return to the Super Cup remains possible after they defeated the Nighthawks 2-1
On Sunday at the Nighthawks' Century Field in Belltown in the Northwest Conference Championship, the Onnohou Warriors battled for another opportunity to return to the Super Cup after their previous victory in 2021. While the Warriors are ranked second in their conference and fourth in the RFL, the Nighthawks are the highest ranked team in their conference and the second highest ranked team in the RFL behind the LS Kings. While the Nighthawks are one of the most aggressive teams in the RFL, the Warriors' reputation as having the strongest defense held true. While the Nighthawks dominated in possession throughout both halves of the game, they were unable to score a single goal during the first half.

During the second half at minute 52, Warrior forward Deegan Livingston scored the first goal of the game by heading the ball into the goal. Soon after their score at minute 58, Nighthawks forward Jeff Bream scored a goal on the Warriors, bringing the score to 1-1. Finally at minute 75, Warrior forward Jacob Boisselot scored the third and last goal of the game, bringing the score to 2-1 for the Warriors.

Playoffs Picture: Next weekend's matches
Next weekend on Saturday, the South Conference Championship will be held in Los Santos between the LS Kings and LS Beavers. And on Sunday, the Northeast Conference Championship will be held in Gadsen between the Gadsen Wranglers and McDowell Bulls. While the Wranglers-Bulls game is expected to be close as the Wranglers and Bulls are ranked 3rd and 6th in the RFL respectively, the Los Santos game features the LS Kings who are the highest ranked team in the RFL versus the LS Beavers who are the worst ranked team. While the LS Beavers were able to advance to the South Conference championship match by beating the Tyrell Wolves and LV Pirates, both teams rank low in the RFL and do not play at the same level as the LS Kings.

by **Qianrong** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 5:43 am

pretend i didn't forget to/lack the motivation to write this article for a whole month hahaaaaaa

OP-ED: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE KOUHIMON INVESTIGATION?
It's been two years since an investigation into the botched restoration
was announced - it's time for something to come of it

The Kouhimon Gate shortly following the end of its reconstruction in 2013.

December 20, 2021 | Kyouwa Sinbun Editorial Board | Does anyone remember the Kouhimon scandal?

If you don't - and, as this article could show, you could be forgiven for forgetting it even if you live in Senria - then here's the historical context. In the 13th century, the Mokusei clan, which controlled Ukyou and its environs at the time, heavily renovated the city's walls. Part of this involved the construction of three monumental city gates on the northern, western, and eastern portions of the walls respectively; the western gate, owing to its position was named the Gate of Scarlet Light, or Kouhimon. It became a symbol of the city, even after most of the city walls were taken down in the 1800s. In 1932, the Shangean forces invading Senria deliberately destroyed the Kouhimon - and, indeed, almost all of Ukyou - as part of their brutal and ruthless effort to destroy the Senrian nation. After the Shangeans were repulsed and the Great War ended, it was rebuilt, becoming a symbol of resilience and post-war reconstruction for both the city of Ukyou and for Senria as a whole.

In 2008, however, the Kouhimon was destroyed by fire. Security camera footage revealed that the fire was not an accident but arson, and when police captured the suspect in the camera footage, it was uncovered that he was an agent of Shangea's Shujichu - a deliberate effort by Shangea to destroy a symbol of Senria's cultural and national resilience. The ensuing diplomatic spat across the Rangyoku Strait helped sink any ambitions of staying in office that Prime Minister Sigesato Izumi held, paving the way for his replacement by the much less conciliatory Hayato Nisimura, who announced a reconstruction project that lasted until 2013 and cost €18 million to complete. This reconstruction process involved several government ministries and both the prefectural and municipal governments in Ukyou, and the reopening of the Kouhimon was a grand event, feted by Nisimura et al as continued proof of Senrian strength and pride.

In early December 2019, however, chipping paint, seriously cracked pillars, and weak support beams were discovered at the famous gate. Documents unintentionally released by the Department of Culture revealed that these flaws likely came from issues and cut corners during the restoration process. A wave of public anger compelled Prime Minister Reika Okura to announce an investigation into both the state of the degradation and the restoration process on December 17, 2019; Okura admitted that the fiasco represented "a monumental disgrace" and a "shame upon the Senrian nation", and vowed a "thorough and complete" investigation that would find those accountable for the botched job.

And since then... well, what exactly has happened since then?

After two full years, we have heard barely a peep from the investigation team created by Okura, headed by former Aikokutou legislator Masanori Sando. Brief statements appear stating little beyond assuring the public that the investigation remains ongoing and that its results will be released at some point; the Department of Culture refuses to answer questions entirely, merely telling inquirers to contact the investigation team and noting the efforts it has made to undo the damage done by the botched restoration without closing the monument, including the installation of new pillars and repainting large portions of the façade. The office of the Prime Minister, the Kantei, refers questions to the Department of Culture, Department of Tourism & Sports, or the Ministry of Public Works; the latter two also tell inquirers to go to the Department of Culture. The governments of the city of Ukyou and Ukyou prefecture are similarly tight-lipped, saying that inquiries ought to be sent to a seemingly-random assortment of national agencies or bureaus; in October 2020, a reporter for the Ukyou Sinbun was inexplicably told to go to a sub-agency of the Department of Agriculture by the office of Ukyou's mayor. (The Department of Agriculture, unsurprisingly, told the reporter that they had no information to offer and were entirely unsure as to why they had been brought up in the first place.)

At no point will any of the bodies potentially involved in this investigation provide anything of substance about how it is going - or even, really, if it still exists.

This is not how these investigations proceed in truly democratic countries. In truly democratic countries, like those of eastern Euclea, there are regular reports about the status of investigations, about what they are looking into and what they have found, well before the issuing of any final report. There is a constant stream of stories and information clarifying the status of the investigation and providing a modicum of transparency for the public into government affairs, because the transparency, in turn, helps guarantee accountability.

But none of that is present here.

Why, precisely, is this investigation so cloak-and-dagger? Why is it a black hole from which no information can escape? All we have is speculation without substance - is this an effort to cover up the depth of the rot that led to the Kouhimon's restoration being botched? Are there powerful political careers at stake here? Is there some sort of wrestling behind the scenes that the Aikokutou is desperate to hide from the public? Or is the situation less dramatic, and more the Aikokutou hoping that the scandal will die a slow death if the investigation takes too long and is too low-profile? Is it even actively moving forward at all?

It is impossible to say much of anything about the Kouhimon investigation, but things can be said about the lack of attention its ignominious fate has gotten. This was an incident in which Shangea - a regular threat to the stability and security of our country - deliberately attacked and destroyed a Senrian national symbol, and the Aikokutou government seemingly cut a ridiculous number of corners while restoring it, turning the reconstruction of a symbol of Senrian resilience into a farce. And yet in the two years since then, it has fallen almost entirely off of our collective radar. Even in Ukyou, where re-restoration works continue, few demand accountability for - or even just transparency from - the individuals who botched the restoration of a priceless piece of Senrian heritage. It is rarely mentioned in the media or in political discourse, somehow forgotten.

This should not be the case. It is an issue where pressing concerns of national security, protection of cultural heritage, and government transparency all tightly intersect. The people of Ukyou, and of Senria, deserve better. They deserve answers.

If the Kouhimon investigation is truly still ongoing, then it is time for the Senrian people to be told what it has found and for action to be taken against those responsible for this fiasco. And if it is not still ongoing, if it was at some point quietly halted by those in power because it is inconvenient, then it is time for it to be restarted - and for all of us to ask if we can trust our safety and prosperity to individuals who might simply try to make the problem go away on such an important, and formerly high-profile, issue.

You've read 113 articles in the past year.

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Related stories:
Senria - Kouhimon investigation: is there any progress one year on? This article is more than a year old.
Senria - Ukyou prefecture administration vows Kouhimon answers This article is more than six months old.
Senria - Okura announces investigation into Kouhimon restoration This article is more than two years old.
Senria - Kouhimon restoration "seriously flawed", culture ministry admits This article is more than two years old.

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by **Etruria2** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 4:48 pm

Federal Minister for Civil Security Gen. Giunio Pusateri: We have warned
about the Subsection for years

File photo: General Giunio Pusateri

The Federal Minister for Civil Security, General Giunio Giuseppe Pusateri has told the media that the Civil Security Service has warned the government about the "threat" posted by the Satrian Subsection for years since its inception in 2018. He warned, "this is an organisation beholden to a foreign government and foreign communist party, it has tendrils running throughout the Satrian community in Etruria, this is a serious political and security threat."

The intervention by the head of Etruria’s federal law enforcement agency comes as fears over the Subsections intentions erupted this week. The Arthasthani-run group was prohibited by the country’s government from protesting against the Religious Liberty Law, prompting backlash from its leaders in Etruria. Interior Minister Gianfranco Galizia accused the group and Arthasthan of destabilising Etruria’s politics and society.

In a short press conference about the CSS’ efforts in cracking down on trafficking between Etruria and Piraea, Commander-General Pusateri said, “on the matter of the Subsection, we have been warning the government for years. Even the Federal Investigation Service before us warned about the Subsection.”

"What you have is an organisation beholden to a foreign government and foreign communist party, it has tendrils running throughout the Satrian community in Etruria, this is a serious political and security threat. This organisation funnels money to the Arthasthani socialist regime for use in human rights abuses, crushing dissent and terrorising its neighbours. While it may profess peaceful intentions, really this is a network that could easily be weaponised by a government that has no taste for Etruria considering the colonial past. In all honesty, I see the Subsection as a significant threat, dormant but a threat nonetheless" he said further.

Asked whether the CSS had been asked to investigate the Subsection, General-Commander Pusateri replied, "as of yet, we have not received an order from the Interior Ministry to conduct such an investigation. However, we are ready to do so any moment's notice. We have sufficient evidence to support our view that it is a threat to Etrurian stability and national security already."

Other military and security figures have also spoken out about the threat posed by Arthasthan. General Vito Alberto Tauriello, the Minister for National Defence and Chief of the Defence Staff this morning, "I come work in a profession that has tasted the bitter end of socialism unleashed in violence. Domestic groups are one thing, but we have permitted an entire network and a dangerous multi-tendrilled entity to develop within our population and society. This is a threat on multiple fronts be it economic, societal, ethnically, espionage wise, terrorism wise and politically."

The issue is being picked up by the Tribune government however, with a growing number of Representatives expressing concern on social media and through questions during the general session.

The Senate Committee for Internal Affairs and Domestic Security is expected to call for a full debriefing by the Civil Security Service this week.

Etruria is home to 1.36 million people of Satrian descent, drawn from Rajyaghar, Gulbistan, Ajahadya and Arthasthan. A large number of Satrian-Etrurians descend from people who emigrated to Etruria following the Solarian War, while a smaller number fled the region as Etruria abandoned its colonies during the latter half of the Solarian War, fleeing together with Etrurians. They are the country's largest ethnic minority, followed by immigrants from Zorasan, another former Etrurian colony. It is not known whether the Subsection, a foreign arm of Arthasthan's communist government appeals to all Satrians or just the Arthasthani immigrant community.

Other news

Anti-RLL Protests: 26 arrested following clashes with police in Solaria

Anti-RLL Protests: Government refuses to repeal the law or lift ban

Paretia's Premier Iselda Cerqueira makes quick visit to Etruria

Paretia's own path blocked by the overbearing EC

2.5 magnitude earthquake hits western Palestrina

by **Poshyte** » Wed Jan 26, 2022 6:57 am

Progressive Alliance begins left-wing purge
High-ranking Socialist members of the Alliance have been stripped from their positions and replaced by centrists and moderates over recent weeks

Yft Wouda (@YftWoudaDYT)
26 January, 2022| Kirchester

Exactly one year into her Premiership Möller is cementing her ideals into the makeup of the Progressive Alliance

Yndyk, Alsland -

Grytsen Kloosterman served on the governing board of the Progressive Alliance since Bonne Zijlstra's premiership. During that time he was able to win the respect of many Progressive Alliance leaders including the likes of Segfriþ Fyller and Lars Mittermaier, however as of today he will no longer sit on the board, instead he's been replaced by Lieuwkje Schaaf, a centrist and loyal supporter of Premier Ottila Möller. Kloosterman is only one of several high ranking Progressive Alliance members who have found themselves out of the job as part of a purge against left-wing members of the Alliance led by Möller and her deputy Ermnbryht Vrihte.

At least a dozen high-ranking officials have been removed from their positions and replaced in what the Alliance is calling a "Modernisearringproses" or Modernisation Process. The story of their dismissals is similar, most of the removed are ideologically to the left of the current Progressive government. Many were appointed during the Progressive's wilderness years from 2006 to 2017 under successive left-wing leaders. When Ottila Möller became the Bloc's leader she promised to change the Alliance for the better, her centrist views have largely influenced the bloc's policy of no spending increases and socially liberal policies that can pass with the support of Together for the Republic. In essence in her brief leadership she has successfully managed to fundamentally reshape the bloc's politics.

It's not just officials within the Bloc, of the Alliance's intake of 32 Senators in the most recent election the vast majority identify as centrists and liberal socialists. The centrist wing of the bloc is now by far the largest wing and as such has shaped what some in the bloc are calling the new Alliance.

What's most important to the bloc is how voters have responded, in 2020 the bloc won 96 seats, the highest amount of seats they've won since 2000 and were able to form a government after 14 years. The bloc also flipped the traditionally right-wing provinces of Garz and Zittau and expanded their seats in Delland, Middewald and Hamptonshire. Allies of Möller will point to this as evidence that the public are supportive of the Modernisation process.

"Just look at 2020, people liked our policies as something new and a breath of fresh air after a decade of right-wing unstable governments." Said staunch Möller loyalist Otte Zandstra "The new voters we won in 2020 would never have dreamed of voting for the Progressive Alliance under someone like [Bonne] Zijlstra or [Segfriþ] Fyller."

According to Alliance insiders, the reforms have only sped up since the establishment of Together for the Republic last year. Several Senators defected to the new Bloc after it's creation with some citing the Alliance failing to move past it's left-wing history despite what Möller may have promised when she was elected. The reforms may have helped mitigate many centrist voters defecting from the Alliance to Together for the Republic as can be seen in opinion polls since the last election, support for the Alliance has remained stable and far ahead of it's closest opposition whilst the National Bloc has lost almost half of it's pre-2020 support to the new group.

The end goal of the reforms is unclear although rumours of a major cabinet reshuffle or list changes before the next election have been circulating. Some centrists in the Bloc want a complete change of the Alliance away from it's socialist roots and to promote itself as a Socially Liberal Progressive group. Supporters of this plan are in every part of the new governing body of the Alliance, their most staunch ally could well be the current deputy-Premier Ermnbryht Vrihte. Vrihte has never identified as a socialist and has clashed with socialist Senators in her role as Secretary of Social Affairs. In the past she has said the Alliance must reform into a broad based centrist coalition. In Hamptonshire where she led the regional party, almost all of the party's socialist influences have been removed. When she moved to Federal Politics she said she wants to bring those same changes to Yndyk.

Not everyone within the Alliance is happy with the changes though. There have been rumours of left-wing politicians worrying about their careers and some fear they may be replaced by centrists at the next election. A meeting of left-wing Senators within the Alliance was held following the dismissal of Kloosterman, whilst nothing official was announced the general consensus was to wait until after the Presidential elections in October to decide a course of action according to a Senator present at the meeting. Bonne Zijlstra who was at the meeting declined to comment on what was discussed between the Senators. Zijlstra himself is believed to have the support of enough Senators to succeed Möller when she leaves office and since he became the SDyD's leader he has opposed any reforms in the party.

The grumblings of the Alliance's left-wing cannot be ignored by Möller, they still have enough votes to bring down her government. Large scale defections to leftist parties in the Folkssenaat would also be disastrous to her minority government which at the moment is surviving barely from parliamentary vote to parliamentary vote. Defections would also throw Möller's leadership abilities into question a year from the next legislative election. Voters would undoubtably be asking "if she can't keep control of her Bloc, how can she keep control of the country".

Comments [ 5432 ] |

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by **Slirnija** » Wed Jan 26, 2022 7:46 am

by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Wed Jan 26, 2022 1:58 pm

Spálgleann effectively ends the use of rideshare services using law banning phone use while driving
Updated / Monday, 26 Jan 2022 15:45
BUSINESS by Deirdre Nic Charthaigh

Spálgleann's city government has moved to eliminate the use of rideshare apps while driving, creating
an uncertain future for the rideshare industry.

SPÁLGLEANN – Today the Office of the Spálgleann City Manager announced that the city would effectively be banning the use of rideshare apps by drivers, citing an existing law that bans phone use while behind the wheel and leaving uncertainty for the industry's future.

In a statement released this morning, City Manager Artúr Ó Conbhuide said that beginning on 1 February driveshare apps would be covered by a 2016 law that prohibits phone use while driving.

“Mobile phone devices are inherently distracting to all drivers. The use of such devices behind the wheel puts pedestrians, motorists, and the user at risk of serious harm. Rideshare drivers are using these devices for more than just directions. They have to actively accept rides while driving passengers, message potential passengers, and engage in other distracting activities” the statement said.

“These all create risk and have the serious potential to result in what is an otherwise avoidable accident. The same rules that apply to all other motorists must apply to these drivers as well”.

While that ban goes into effect on 1 February. Until 1 March, rideshare drivers will be issued warnings for the first offense by Spálgleann police.

The city is working to provide a transitionary period to best support rideshare drivers, a spokesperson for the city manager clarified.

However, it is unclear how the city envisions the use of rideshare apps by drivers after 1 March.

“If rideshare companies fail to alter their applications, they simply are unable to be used in this city. The rules that govern all motorists must be equally applied” the spokesperson said.

The application of the ordinance to rideshare drivers has significant implications for the application-based industry. Riders use rideshare apps to book a ride, which a driver then accepts on their mobile device. The city has said that, in order for rideshare services to continue, modifications to the apps would be needed. Among those would be the end to instant messaging between drivers and riders, which the city says amounts to texting while behind the wheel. Accepting rides while driving another passenger would also have to stop, pet the city manager’s statement, as it requires the driver to use their mobile device while operating their vehicle.

It is unclear if these changes will be made, as they are only being required in Spálgleann.

The new enforcement has won support from groups representing taxi drivers, pedestrians, and public transit users.

“Rideshare drivers are not in a category of their own. The same is expected from taxi drivers, who are not permitted to use their mobile phone devices” said Dáithí Ó Suileabháin, a leader at the AFT which represents taxi drivers.

Pushback has already come to the city’s application of the 2016 ordinance to rideshare apps.

A statement released by Weranian-based Voyage criticized the move as “irresponsible, anti-worker, and anti-commuter”.

“This decision is one that is going to cause a lot of harm to stakeholders. It limits flexible job opportunities and erodes commuter choice” the company’s statement said.

Invertwinc-based Bogadh, a Caldish rideshare company, has also come out against the ruling. The company’s CEO vowing to look into a legal challenge.

The use of rideshare services are mostly confined to Caldia’s major urban centers. Spálgleann, which is home to over 1.3 million and sees hundreds of thousands of commuters daily, is the epicenter of the industry.

The city government is encouraging riders to use public transportation in place of rideshare services.

A LOCAL APPROACH

The rideshare industry has been on the national government’s radar since it took office in 2019. The Mac Suibhne government has been examining possible approaches to regulate the industry.

It is an issue that the transport ministry has been weighing for some time. However, the national government has yet decided what - if any - regulations it wanted to implement.

The app ban in Spálgleann was a local decision. According to the city manager, it came at the request of Chief Mayor Saoirse Itakura-Ní Shuileabháin’s office.

When approached for comment, the mayor’s office said that it was acting to ensure the city’s laws were appropriately enforced and loopholes were closed.

Itakura-Ní Shuileabháin has previously taken steps to reduce automobile usage in the capital. Some of Spálgleann’s leading commercial areas have been declared car-free green zones. The mayor is said to be weighing expanding that initiative, but has not taken any steps to do so. Itakura-Ní Shuileabháin also supports eliminating fares for the city’s public transportation system, making it free at the time of use.

As a result, critics have labeled her anti-car and anti-commuter for some time. The mayor is well known for not owning a car and for taking the Spálgleann Metro to city hall.

The national government has declined to specifically comment on the decision. Instead, a government spokesperson said that the taoiseach supports municipal leaders and will defend the right of Caldia’s municipalities to enforce their laws “when and where appropriate”.

Spálgleann, which is home to 1,372,565 people, is Caldia’s largest urban center. Its metropolitan area accounts for nearly one-third of the national population.

by **Etruria2** » Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:00 pm

Violent clashes erupt in Solaria as protesters grow frustrated at lack of progress
69 arrests made in Solaria as police clash with protesters - Growing anger at government's refusal to even meet with protest leaders.
POLITICS by Giorgina Fiorina

26 January, 2022

Protesters in Solaria this morning.

San Alessandro, Dinara Violent clashes erupt in Solaria as protesters grow frustrated at lack of progress

At least 69 people were arrested in Solaria after protests erupted into violent clashes with police. It comes as the nationwide protests grow ever more frustrated at both the lack of progress in repealing the Religious Liberty Law and the pro-Tribune media’s focus on the alleged involvement of Arthasthan in the protests.

Protests which began last Thursday over the passing of the Religious Liberty Law and the banning of 113 civil rights groups linked to the pro-choice movement have been surprisingly peaceful until today. An estimated 12,000 people marched in Solaria demanding the law’s repeal peacefully with a limited police presence. However, shortly after midday scuffles broke out between a lead group and police, this blocked the march’s route, leading to many peaceful protesters being caught up in the melee.

The National Police Service and the Solarian Freedom Assembly, the group that organised the marched both blamed agitators who hid among marchers before provoking a clash.

Bottles, stones and fire bombs were launched at police who responded with tear gas and baton charges. 69 people were arrested and four were injured but were treated at the scene by police medics.

The clashes have led to fears that the mass protests could escalate as the government has taken to blocking requests by far-right groups to counter-protest. The widespread nature of the protests could far exceed the violence witnessed last Summer when hundreds of thousands protested the Tribunes receiving funding from Soravia and corruption in the State Council.

Such is the concern, that Orrizonte24 reported that it had seen a memo indicating the “government’s willingness to deploy the Auxiliary Defence Force to supplement the National Police Service.” The deployment of the Auxiliaria would mark a major breach of norms, as the military’s territorial defence and national guard branch has not been deployed in riot control since the days of the military dictatorship.

SD's Chiara Mastromarino accused the government of scapegoating Satrians to distract attention.

While the concerns among government ministers are growing, so too is anger and frustration growing on the streets. Many groups that are organising the protests and marches are expressing dismay that the government is refusing to even discuss the issue with SD lawmakers. According to at least 18 prominent SD senators, repeated requests to initiate talks with both ministers and Tribune backbenchers have gone unanswered.

Alba Mellini, the president of Grande Liberazione, a coalition of left-leaning rights groups and one of the key organisers of the nationwide protests told us, “there is serious anger bubbling over now, we are not being listened to, the government would rather scapegoat Satrians than deal with us. A lot of people are realising that we have no power in this country and anger is turning into rage.”

More militant groups to the far-left have already begun to champion not the repeal of the Religious Liberty Law, but the overthrow of the Tribune government for mass peaceful protest.

The Democratic Worker’s Party of Etruria, a small far-left party took to the streets in Carcoforo demanding the government’s mass resignation. The party has also called on trade unions to mobilise strike action in support of women.

The Etrurian Worker’s Congress, the largest left-wing trade union has reportedly issued calls for a meeting of its National Executive Committee to discuss proposing strike action to its estimated 3.2 million members, which include rail workers, educators and postal workers.

Conversely, the National Union of Workers, the largest Catholic union in the country with 3.5 million members issued a formal statement applauding the Religious Liberty Law and has vowed to “adhere to the law in the protection of our members’ rights.”

Senior SD officials are expressing concern at the sudden outpouring of scares by the Tribunes and government officials over the Arthasthani-run Satrian Subsection.

The SD’s Chiara Mastromarino accused the Tribunes of trying to distract and deflect attention during the Daily Session of the Chamber of Representatives.

“It is blatantly obvious what the government is trying to do with regard to the Subsection. One report from a foreign newspaper and the government is meltdown over a supposed infiltration by Satrian communists, it is laughable” she said.

Deputy President Vittoria Vasari who stepped in for President Carcaterra today replied, “It is equally laughable as it is predictable that the leader of the SD would be so quick to dismiss the threat posed by the Subsection. Yes, it is one foreign article, but one is enough when married up to what has been going on.”

Interior Minister Gianfranco Galizia blamed the SD for the Subsection threat telling the Chamber, “President Milos Vidovic authorised the Subsection’s entry into Etruria in the spirit of globalism, cosmopolitanism and to burnish his credentials as a man of the world before becoming Secretary-General of the CN, now we are paying the price with a Satrian communist hydra inside our own country. The SD let it in, now it seems the SD wants to keep it here.”

The Senate Committee for Internal Affairs and Domestic Security is begin receiving a closed-door debriefing on the Subsection by the Civil Security Service and the Domestic Security Service tomorrow.

The Citizens’ have warned the government that its “scaremongering is endangering our Satrian communities with far-right violence.”

The Religious Liberty Law is already taking a toll

Though the law has been in force only a week, Il Messaggero has received reports of at least six instances of small businesses refusing custom to gay individuals or couples. In one case, an estate agents refused to show a same-sex male couple rental homes citing the business’s Sotirian values.

This paper has also received emails from concerned Etrurians who fear their co-workers could get them sacked for being gay or transgender due to the Law’s assertion that the religious rights of workers should be respected by businesses and employers. The toll the Law, coupled with the LBGT-Free Zones established last year, is taking on their mental health is palpable.

However, one of the most disturbing consequences of the law was revealed by Judicia Etruria, a legal NGO which reported “the moment the SD sided with the pro-choice protests, it became vulnerable to being banned by the government under the Religious Liberty Law. At this very moment, the Etrurian government could shut down the second largest political party in the country in the name of Sotirias.”

A legal team has been dispatched by the SD in Chiastre to appeal the law with the Federal Courts. However, since the law involved constitutional amendments, it is unlikely it can be struck down in even a piecemeal fashion.

by **Empire of Falconia** » Wed Jan 26, 2022 6:43 pm

Ravnian National News
Abramov Looks Eastwards

Novigrad - In accordance with his new year promise, President Abarmov has extended a request to the Euclean Community. Specifically, he has requested that the EC and Ravnia increase trade. When asked why he was pursing trade relations with the EC, Abramov stated:

"Ravnia is currently suffering from a lack of industrial resources. Our rural interior is in a disgraceful state and must be renovated, this can only be done by securing resources from our eastern neighbors."

Critics of this move have stated that it will make Ravnia dependent on foreign powers, but most people agree that in order to conduct major industrial programs, Ravnia will need to import heavy industrial equipment. Futhermore, the EC could prove to be a lucrative market for Ravnia's iron and steel Industry. With steel and iron sitting as Ravnia's second highest export, as well as providing many jobs in the mountanious northeast. An expansion of this market could bring much needed wealth to the interior.

Regardless of the possible benefits that trade with the EC could bring, Abramov's administration will first need to secure an agreement with the EC trade commission before moving forward on a trade deal.

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