News Thread [Kylaris|Canon|IC]

[Etruria2]

[Xiaodong]

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ELECTION 2023 - THE EUCLEAN DIMENSION
There are similarities between the major parties on issues ranging from the single tax to the Alslandic debt crisis, but differences remain.
Carsten Nussbaum
15 May 2023| Wiesstadt, Werania

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Euclean President Vivien Vallette with Premier Anton Raicevich in March 2023.
Photo courtesy of AV photos.

WIESSTADT, WERANIA - Whilst domestic issues have dominated the political debate for the Weranian elections so far, the Euclean angle can never quite be put to rest. As one of the “big three” in the Euclean Community and as such one of the most influential voices in Kesselbourg whoever will lead the next Weranian will have a crucial role in shaping the direction of Euclea in the next four years. This is especially pertinent as the three most likely people to be premier - the NKPs Anton Raicevich, EOs Luise Höcherl and the Greens Caspar Schönherr - are not from the dominant ASE and so will be the most important non-social democrat leader in Euclea.

There’s no shortage of Euclean issue that have emerged on the campaign trail and we have complied the major ones here -

Alslandic debt crisis
On Alslands debt crisis, there is a general agreement between parties that a bailout should only be allowed if Alsland makes large scale cuts to public expenditure and launch further privatisation measures. The current finance minister and NKP deputy leader Andrea Däubler has said that Weranian taxpayers will “not spend a cent paying for fiscal irresponsibility until the Alslandic government commits to reducing their debt burden substantially through sustained reduction in public expenditure and relinquishing unprofitable state-owned enterprises.” This stance has been echoed by Euclean Werania, whose leaders have said that to preserve the viability of the Euclo Alsland must not be allowed to default, but that to ensure a bailout Yndyk must implement tough austerity measures to balance the books.

Where the two major parties differ is the terms of any bailout. EO are advocating that provided Alsland makes credible assurances to cut public spending that any bailout agreement should be arranged quickly in order to shore up the Euclo and that debt repayments should be set at a rate that is sustainable for Alslandic public finances. The NKP meanwhile supports a more bullish approach, wanting Alsland to implement budget cuts and asset disinvestment prior to a bailout and a much stricter debt repayment schedule to be agreed. Additionally the NKP wants any bailout to contain provisions that would restrict debt negotiations in the future from agreeing on a haircut on debt, something the EO has not ruled out.

The Greens have stated that a bailout should primarily focus on raising taxes rather than reducing expenditure in Alsland and for Euclean countries to ensure that debt repayments are not onerous enough to force Alsland out of the Euclozone. The OSAI for their part oppose the imposition of austerity in Alsland. The DA is the only party to advocate for no bailout to be given and for Alsland to leave the Euclozone.

Regardless Weranian parties are taking a hawkish approach to Alsland with both major parties demanding austerity as the price Alsland will have to pay for a bailout. Westbrücken is keen to retain the viability of the Euclozone and no matter who wins the election expect Werania to demand tough public spending cuts to Alsland in return for a bailout. Whether Weranias view will convince Estmere and Gaullica is a more open question.

Paretian rule of law
The issue of Paretian rule of law is divisive between the parties. In general all parties except the DA support the Euclean Court of Justices ruling on the 27th February that criticised the government of Premier Cerqueira for passing legislation that contravenes Euclean treaties.

The NKP support enforcing Euclean treaties on Paretia in the interest of ensuring the viability of the Euclean Community. However the NKP have refrained from criticism of Paretian policies towards Tosutonia, with the NKP criticising moves to “undermine” territorial integrity across the bloc. The NKPs strong stance on Tosutonia is likely due to their worry of a precedent being raised with Ruttland. The NKP have also promoted a more institutionalised dialogue with Paretia in order to downplay escalating tensions within the community.

EO, Greens and OSAI all promote harsher sanctions on Paretia including stronger judicial actions on the country and pressure to repeal legislation such as Paretias anti-abortion law. The Greens also support president Vallette on Tosutonia although both EO and the OSAI remain silent on this issue.

The DA has criticised the EC policy towards Paretia with the party saying they will “support the absolute sovereignty of Paretia and other Euclean Community member states in the face of woke moralists trying to impose cultural Nemstovism on our continent”.

As such it’s likely that in the event the NKP win expect a more restrained policy towards Paretia to continue whilst an EO or Green led government would be much more bullish on rule of law issues being an ally to the presidency.


Euclean Single Tax
The Euclean Single Tax plan as promoted by Estmerish premier Zoe Halivar aims to standardise income and corporate taxation across the EC. Whilst there is broadly opposition to a single income tax amongst the major parties corporation tax reform has been embraced by the majority giving a major impetus to the EST which is currently being advocated by the Euclean presidency.

The NKP opposes any reform to income taxation in regards to Euclea but has stated it supports a “harmonisation” of corporate tax rates. NKP policy is for member states to progressively standardise their corporate tax rates with a view of creating a single tax in the near future that takes into account current rates across the community. Raicevich has stated that any single corporate tax must be a median between current member state taxes.

EO supports a single income tax on the very richest, a trait they share with the Greens. They also back standardising a corporate rate albeit at a much faster pace then the NKP wanting an agreement for the proposal to be finalised by 2024.

The Greens support both the income and corporate tax rates albeit over a five year period. The OSAI only back an income tax on wealthy earners and corporation tax at a high rate, whilst the DA do not advocate any form of single tax on an Euclean level.

It’s likely whatever government emerges from the election that the Weranian government will move to supporting a corporate tax on an Euclean level but opposing moves to standardise an income tax. If a broad centre left coalition comes to power then it’s possible a single income tax on the very wealthy may be mooted at an Euclean election.

Euclean expansion
The issue of Piraean entry into the Euclean Community is a fault line between the parties. The NKP do not rule out all expansion like 2019 but has stated that Piraea needs to make additional judicial, labour and economic reforms before entry should be considered. Additionally the NKP believe that Piraea needs to introduce tougher border security measures to prevent being a “backdoor” for organised crime. Raicevich has also stated that transitional controls on Piraean freedom of movement will need to implemented if they enter the community.

EO also supports the introduction of greater reforms but wants to speed up Piraean ascension to be on track by 2024. The Greens also support Piraean entry within the next year but want more focus on environmental and labour reform. Both the OSAI and DA oppose Piraean entry, although the OSAI have said they won’t veto it if Piraea implements stronger labour legislation.

Piraean entry is less likely to encounter as trenchant opposition from Werania as from the last government, but it’s likely that greater reforms will still be demanded regardless.

For Montecara all parties agree that should the city state apply to join that greater oversight over its banking sector should be implemented although the Greens demand much tougher regulations then the NKP and EO. The NKP and EO also both support labour market deregulation for Montecara and for the city state to improve border security. Both the OSAI and DA oppose Montecaran entry into the EC.

Migrant crisis
The brewing migrant crisis at the Aurean Straits has also been addressed by the parties. The NKP support the Paretian governments current policy of re-directing migrants to Etruria, Piraea and Montecara but oppose mandatory migrant quotas. Instead the NKP support increasing support for Paretia and to a lesser extent non-EC nations to host greater number of refugees whilst creating a stable environment in Tsabara for them to return in the near future. The DA broadly support this approach but want a much more defined timeframe for repartition efforts.

EO have also supported Paretia but ok the caveat that they believe that the Euclean Community should ensure Paretia remain committed to improving the conditions for refugees in Paretia and for the possibility of EC member states to share the burden if Paretia is overwhelmed. EO also support more EC cooperation in ensuring refugee rights in non-EC countries are respected. The Greens have criticised the Paretian approach and are the only party to support redistributing refugee populations across the EC as a whole.

South and West Eucle
On south and west Euclea significant differences can be seen between the parties. In general the right wing parties support reconciliation efforts with Soravia and Etruria whilst left leaning parties wish to restart the normalisation of relations with Valduvia. Where there is agreement is a much tougher stance on Champania which has been memorably described by premier Raicevich as a “black spot in Euclea” whilst all parties have called for the resumption of Miersan peace talks.

For the NKP the party supports a more constructive dialogue with Soravia as part of a general strategy to improve ties with the “three S’s” - Soravia, Senria and Satucin. The NKP wish to discuss an energy agreement with Soravia to wean Werania off Zorasani energy instead supplementing it with Soravian resources. The NKP also support greater military cooperation with Etruria whilst downplaying rule of law and governance issues. On Valduvia the NKP oppose further reconciliation until outstanding issues regarding compensation for families affected by the 1949-1950 war are resolved.

In comparison EO and the Greens wish to take a hardline of Etruria and Soravia. The Greens wish to sanction Etruria over its treatment of migrants whilst EO advocate the scaling back only military cooperation until rule of law issues have been adequately addressed and promote a sterner line from the Euclean Commission. Both parties oppose the NKPs plans for energy cooperation with Soravia and have called for decoupling the Weranian economy from certain supply chains. On Valduvia both parties support resuming the reconciliation process encouraging greater cross border cooperation and moving to mutually demilitarise the border.

The OSAI unsurprisingly take a pro-MASSOR view with a hawkish approach to Soravia whilst the DA promote improved relations with Etruria and Soravia.

[Slirnija]

[Saul Volcano]

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Burgo Coroa mayoral election could be a punch to Cerqueira's government
Dolores Viveiros, businesswoman from Burgo Coroa who is running as an independent for the mayoral election of the city, is leading in the polls by double digits against both O Povo and COESRA candidates. Some see her as a new beacon of hope for the opposition currently lead by Talia Caselles.
Miguel Ulloa (@MiqguelUll) | 17 May 2023 | Precea

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Viveiros has gotten endorsements from many voices

Burgo Coroa, Paretia: Burgo Coroa sees itself being the center of attention in Paretia politics for the next month as it is facing a mayoral election following the death of it's previous mayor Pedro Ocampo. The politics of Burgo Coroa is known for being fairly right-leaning, a part of a region of Luzela known as the "O Jugo" (The Yoke), where right-wing parties historically are favored. O Jugo voted big for the Patron League, now Acima, in the 2021 election that lead to the current political world in Paretia.

Despite this, the city of Burgo Coroa is seeing the rise of Dolores Viveiros, a businesswoman from the city of Burgo Coroa, she has lead a campaign as a political independent that seems to be backed heavily by voters of all ranges. Her platform, to "unseat the Acima-led government in the city".

She also claims to be a "dissatisfied voter of the MSP who believes the opposition must do more". Currently her candidacy is polling at around 45%, meanwhile the COESRA candidate Matias Serra of the MSP, is polling at around 18% and the O Povo candidate, Manuel Nascimento of ND, is polling at 17%. Her campaign's slogan is simply "Viva".

She has gotten endorsements from numerous groups ranging from the centre-right to the left. Former leader of Vox Paretia Eduardo Lastillo said that that he supports her and endorses her candidacy. She also has gotten endorsement froms groups such as unions and women's rights groups. Her most recent endorsement has come from Doctors Across the Globe, one of the NGOs that Acima's recent rescue boat law restricts.

O Povo and Acima leader, Premier Cerqueira was asked today about the what will happen if they lose this small, but important election. "Burgo Coroans are stern people and stronger Paretians, I do not believe the polls, we will come out, vote, and swipe victory from Viveiros."

Viveiros was interviewed by local media yesterday, when asked about her goals she responded: "Paretia is going the way of Etruria, if Acima make us leave the Euclean Community imagine how much worse things will get. Democratic backsliding is a major problem here and, despite their efforts, the opposition has not really stopped anything. After the migrant rescue boat laws, violence with separatists in the west, and looking at the news that comes out of Etruria, voters are beginning to see where we are headed."

When asked about what she will do if she wins she responded: "I will try and work with the opposition of Paretia, I will work to unite them all, RD, COESRA, and the PRN, possibly more. They can unite for the common good of Paretia, against the government of Cerqueira. If it works out, I can see the possbility of being a candidate against Cerqueira."

The election in Burgo Coroa is to be held on 7 June.

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In Other News:

• PARETIA - Visega to hold regional election in November, O Povo rallies behind Teresa Roque
• EUCLEA - Cerqueira promises "we will do our best not to push them to Etruria" to Carcaterra
• EUCLEA - Cerqueira endorses Democratic Alternative in Werania
• EUCLEA - Piraea's Polakis returns to politics
• COIUS - Attack on Yeruham kills 30

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[Saul Volcano]

State Director Quách An Tương announces "National Rehabilitation" of government

| Ryuko Kuwasawa | 18 May 2023

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The State Director made an announcement today planning on party expulsions and an election.

Today State Director Quách An Tương announced what he calls a "National Rehabilitation", which includes expulsions and arrest of numerous members of the NPSL, and the announcement of a new election to be held on 1 September.

This announcement comes after the hardliners of the NPSL took over after the resignation and arrest of Lê Tranh Lộc in January and the banning of political factionalism within the party soon after. Numerous reformists have already had been arrested since then.

The announcement of elections in Nainan of course is not new, but they are highly controversial as only the NPSL and party-affilated independents are allowed to run in elections and they are not verified by outside sources to be fair. They will be held in September, and this time it is likely that party hardliners will take full control of the People's Assembly using the means of an election.

Furthermore, the State Director announced a purge of Euclean cultural and religious influence in the party, this likely means further expulsion of Sotirians from the party, he also mentioned banning LGBT from the party as well as part of the Rehabilitation.

The State Director also stated a change in foreign policy in Nainan, to continue closer ties with Shangea specifically and to cool relations with socialist nations abroad, especially Lavana and Dezevau, which the State Director stated "Despite our differences and recent events such as the conflicts in Yoloten. We are ready to begin a peaceful relationship with the Brown Sea states, for the betterment of prosperity in Southeast Coius We are willing to meet with the leaders of these countries".

He stated that Nainan will return to deeper relations with Shangea and maintaining what he calls a "eternal friendship with our closest ally, of course, we will continue to support Shangea on all matters". Some speculate that the new government in Nainan will back away from relations with Zorasan, something Premier and General Secretary Hoàng Lan Mai supports.

It is expected that an increase of arrests of dissidents in Nainan will occur, especially reformists. The government, particularly the Van Dieu police agency, plans to clean house of many administrations. Meaning that the government will likely become more entrenched with party hardliners and originalists.

Some have compared the recents events in Nainan to the Turfan in Zorasan or Normalisation in Shangea, which saw purges and mass arrests.

[Nuvania]

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Nuvanian Air Force confirmed as first customer for Gwecha light combat aircraft

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Collin Butcher (@CollinButcher)
^{May 20, 2023 (12:30pm)}

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PIETERSBURG, KANAAN - Meridian Aerospace and the Nuvanian Ministry of Defence confirmed today that the Gwecha light combat aircraft would be ordered by the Nuvanian Air Force to replace the aging Lyhoming FTB.337G Bobcat counter-insurgency aircraft currently in service in a deal worth €370 million. This deal represents the first customer order for the Gwecha light combat aircraft, which is intended to be a multirole aircraft that can be modified to perform a variety of roles from disaster relief to maritime patrol activities.

Meridian Aerospace's Gwecha light combat aircraft (credit Meridian Aerospace)

The deal signed between Meridian Aerospace and the Nuvanian Ministry of Defence includes the purchase of 30 aircraft, with 25 of these aircraft to be combat aircraft and another five to be unarmed training aircraft for €300 million while a €70 million conversion and operational support package is included. This involved conversion training for pilots and weapons systems operators, as well as ongoing operational systems and weapons support by Meridian Aerospace and a number of its suppliers.

Meridian Aerospace CEO Deon Swanepoel said that this order was “extremely important” in securing the future of the Gwecha program and continued interest in Meridian Aerospace’s manned and unmanned aircraft programs. He said that this will ensure the long term viability of Meridian Group’s aerospace subsidiary, formerly known as Sudaero before its acquisition in 2016.
“This will allow us to remain at the forefront of developing cutting edge and affordable military weapons systems for customers around the globe,” he said. “It will allow us to continue developing weapons systems and platforms that will provide militaries with capable products that meet their needs.”

Swanepoel said that one of the principal factors in the securing of the order from the Nuvanian Ministry of Defence was the continued cooperation between Meridian Aerospace and the Ministry of Defence, which continued to cooperate closely with Meridian Aerospace following its acquisition of Sudaero. He said that the project itself was challenging as new requirements and capabilities were being incorporated into the multifunctionality of the Gwecha.

Named after the warrior class within pre colonial Mosca society, the Gwecha is a small aircraft, with a length of 10.5 metres, a wingspan of 12 metres, and a height of four metres. Its high-wing design allows for extra added visibility to both the pilot and the weapons system operator as well as the ability to operate from short, unprepared airstrips and from both paved and unpaved roads. Meridian Aviation cooperated with Estmerish aviation giant Aero Products International and its military subsidiary Whitmore Aerospace on an integrated mission system which is fitted to the Gwecha in order to allow it to carry out a variety of missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It will also feature a belly-mounted multi-mission sensor pod that will also allow the Gwecha to integrate infrared (FLIR) cameras, synthetic aperture radars (SARs), active and passive electronic warfare (EW) systems, and electronic-communications intelligence (ELINT-COMINT) systems.

Armaments will include a 20mm cannon integrated into the aircraft fuselage as well as hard points for a variety of missiles, rocket pods, and general purpose bombs for a variety of counter-insurgency and ground attack missions. Swanepoel also confirmed that aircraft delivered to the Nuvanian Air Force will also have its Slingshot TF advanced anti-UAV missile and radar suite integrated into the aircraft. TF stands for “Triple F”, itself a shortened form of “Find, Fix, and Finish”, which describes the way in which the Gwecha engages and destroy medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) UAV’s which typically fly at altitudes of between 20,000 and 30,000 feet. Swanepoel said that the aircraft is fully integrated with the NAF’s existing short and long range air-to-air missiles as well as the ability to loiter for up to 10 hours. Although tests have proven successful, Swanepoel said that the suite would not be fully rolled out until early 2025.

The Gwecha’s performance includes the capability to operate from short fields at a minimum of 550 metres in length. In addition, it has a maximum operating ceiling of 31,000 feet and a maximum cruise speed of 504 kilometres per hour. The Gwecha has a regular combat range of 2,130 kilometres and a maximum range of 3,704 kilometres.

The aircraft the Gwecha will replace in service as Nuvania’s primary counter-insurgency aircraft is the Lyhoming FTB.337G Bobcat, which first entered service in 1976 and saw extensive service in Nuvania’s counter-insurgency operations during the armed conflict that arose from the Direct Action Movement’s armed resistance period to the conservative-dominated government in the late 1970’s and 1980’s, with aircraft also seeing service in support of Nuvanian soldiers during the Satavian Crisis. Although reliable and well liked by NAF personnel, Nuvania’s defence minister, Petrus Haasbroek, said that the aircraft was no longer capable of providing the roles in which Nuvania was likely to encounter in an increasingly technological defence landscape.
“The Bobcats have certainly provided stellar service,” he said. “But recent events have shown us that such aircraft are no longer capable of meeting our changing defence needs, particularly with regards to countering unmanned aerial vehicles.”

This order comes from an expansion to Nuvania’s military budget that stemmed from a white paper released from the Ministry of Defence last October, in which new spending was called for in order to upgrade or replace existing weapons systems and platforms, aircraft, and ships. Among the last major announcements was the issuing of tenders for the replacement of Nuvania’s Admiral Liebenburg-class multirole destroyers which first entered service in 1983. Haasbroek said that Nuvania faced regional challenges to stability and its defence needs were changing to meet those challenges. Haasbroek refused to comment on future military purchases from Meridian Aerospace, despite rumours of the Ministry of Defence expressing interest in the company’s Wesel mini-UAV system for the Army.

Swanepoel confirmed that the first five unarmed training aircraft would be delivered to the NAF by the end of December this year, while armed combat aircraft would be delivered from 2024 and 2025.

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© NBCNews 2023

[Etruria2]

[Slirnija]

[Rizealand]

Above: Barbara Ward waves to her supporters during a campaign victory party in the ballroom of the
Grande Astoria Hotel in Portmouth, New Estmere on May 27, 2023 (Alex Sutton/RW)

Former Attorney General Barbara Ward to be the NPC's Presumptive Nominee for President After Runoff Primary Victory

MAY 28, 2023 | BY ERIN O'DARGAN & MARCOS NEVES

LIBERTY CITY, LO – Former Attorney General Barbara Ward, who began her campaign as a political outsider in a crowded nominating field of fourteen candidates in the NPC presidential primaries, has become the NPC’s presumptive nominee for President of the Federation following her clear victory yesterday against Deshawn Norman in the NPC’s national run-off primary.

With a total of 87% of the primary votes currently reported, Ward leads with 4,825,050 votes (57%) over Norman’s 3,583,974 (43%). Given only 1,241,074 votes remain to be counted, including ballots mailed from overseas or dropped off at polling stations, Norman will not be able to overcome Ward’s early lead. When all the votes are counted, Ward is projected to win roughly two-thirds of the vote in a clear and overwhelming victory over her moderate opponent.

At a victory party in downtown Portsmouth, Ward addressed her supporters and thanked them for their support. Stating the “fight for forward progress has only begun,” she called for the NPC to come together to defeat President Aderhall and the TNC in October, proclaiming “we must not let the forces of neo-functionalism, corporatism, and extremism tarnish Rizealand’s reputation as a bastion of liberty and democracy in the Asterias.”

At a gathering in Los Santos, Norman also briefly addressed his supporters. After thanking them for the support, he announced his full support for Ward, stating “while we may have had our differences and disagreements about policy, I have no doubt she will lead our coalition forward to victory in October.”

In a brief statement to the press Sunday morning, the spokeswoman for President Aderhall’s reelection campaign, Jessica Shaw, claimed President Aderhall was looking forward to “a resounding victory over the NPC’s inexperienced and extreme left-wing socialist nominee in the October.”

When Ward first announced her candidacy on April 29, 2022, she faced a politically claustrophobic primary field that included Federal Representative Tony Francesco (G), Providence Governor Laura Wahl (D), former Federal Secretary of Transport Grace Chen (D), New Estmere Governor Marci Shaw (ND), San Andreas Governor Emanuel Rodriguez (ND), and former Apexi CEO Polina Karpenko (D).
Early polls and pundits had favored Wahl who, just one year earlier, had successfully won election in a state that had been pivotal for President Aderhall’s election in 2018. While Wahl gained early momentum after winning the first primary in Providence on February 4, Norman’s late entry into the race began splitting the support of moderate Democrats who had originally aligned with Wahl. While Wahl’s star dimmed, Ward’s rose as she got her first win on February 18 in Fael and followed with victories in Lyhoming, Assimia, the Capital Territory, Lothicania, New Estmere, and San Andreas. Following the last primary in San Andreas on April 8, Ward had received 37.86% of the primary vote followed by Norman at a distant 22.68%. Having failed to receive an absolute majority of the vote, Ward and Norman both advanced to a national runoff primary scheduled for May 27.

Dr. Erik Mesyats, professor of political science at Chancellor University and author of The New Democrats: Analyzing the Rise within the Rise, credited Ward’s victory to her success in the so-called “endorsement game” that occurs in runoff primaries. According to Dr. Mesyats, the NPC’s “factional nature caused by the prevalence of two strong political parties, the Democrats and New Democrats, results in the smaller Green Party playing the role of king or queen maker, especially when the two candidates in the runoff are from different parties.” Thus, according to Dr. Mesyats, the most successful candidates are ones who can quickly secure endorsements from key Green Party members or candidates.

Following the results of the April 8 primary in San Andreas, Ward quickly secured key endorsements from popular Green Party candidates who were eliminated from the presidential primary including Tony Francesco and former Portmouth city councilor Anita Pernet. In addition to these Green Party endorsements, Ward was able to receive endorsements from her former New Democrat competitors including Governor Shaw, Governor Rodriguez, and Fed Councilor Marcela Carbajal Noboa.

In contrast, Dr. Mesyats noted Norman’s campaign struggled to obtain key endorsements. Most notably, Dr. Mesyats pointed out that Governor Wahl declined to make an endorsement, despite receiving the third-most votes in the primaries right behind Norman. “While it is possible there is some political animus that came into play,” Dr. Mesyats opined, “it is most likely that Wahl and other savvy political operators like her saw it was unlikely Norman would survive the runoff primary and wanted to ensure they either had a place or influence with Ward as the presumptive nominee.”

According to Lena Luz, the chief elections analysist for RTN, Ward’s campaign also benefited from a focus on abortion rights after the early May arrest of women’s rights activist Flavia Argento in Etruria. Following her arrest, Luz noted Ward forcefully condemned the Etrurian government’s actions and stated her administration would have unequivocally expressed their displeasure with the Etrurian government’s assault on reproductive rights and the freedom of the speech. In comparison, Luz noted Norman mis-stepped by initially referring to Argento’s arrest as a “complicated issue.” Although Norman later clarified his remarks by claiming he supported the right to choose and criticized the Etrurian government’s actions, Luz credits Ward’s quick and decisive statement with positioning her as the staunch defender of women’s reproductive rights.

ElectionWire founder Neil Fletcher disagreed with Luz’s analysis, stating the focus on women’s reproductive rights in the weeks leading up to the run-off primary on Saturday was unlikely to have had a significant effect on Ward’s success. Despite the media interest and social media buzz around Argento’s arrest, Fletcher noted most polls, including ElectionWire’s POP Poll, showed the average NPC voter was more concerned about domestic policy issues including the economy, inflation, healthcare access, unemployment, benefits cuts, and unemployment. On this same note, Fletcher noted this was also why Norman, who enjoyed significant support on social media and among young voters due to his celebrity status as an actor, was unable to translate this popularity to votes.

In particular, Fletcher noted that while Norman enjoyed high likeability ratings, a majority of potential NPC voters that were polled demonstrated concern about his lack of experience. Acknowledging that Ward also lacked traditional political experience as she had never held elected office before, Fletcher believed Ward’s confrontation with President Aderhall as Attorney General led voters to believe she was a “fighter” who could take on the TNC and win in October. Politically, Fletcher also noted a significant majority of younger voters in the NPC were more progressive and found Norman to be too politically moderate. While Fletcher did not believe Norman’s initial reaction to Argento’s arrest was fatal, his overall moderate stance on economic issues, taxation, and the environment did not appeal to undecided New Democrat and Green voters who sided with Ward in the runoff.

Although the results of yesterday’s national runoff primary establish Ward as the presumptive presidential nominee for the NPC, she will be officially nominated at the NPC National Convention that will be held from June 12 to June 15 in South Bend. In the coming weeks, Ward is also expected to begin vetting and ultimately announce her pick for Deputy President.

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Erin O’Dargan is a political reporter covering the 2023 presidential election for the Times. Previously, she worked as a Whitehall correspondent for The Camden Herald and holds a B.A. in journalism from Liberty University.

Marcos Neves is a Declan Woods journalism fellow from San Andreas University assigned to cover the 2023 national elections for the Times.

[Xiaodong]

WERANIA ELECTION 2023 - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The ONR gives you our guide to the 2023 elections
By Joachim Pröll

With elections to be held for the House of Deputies next Friday the parties have entered the final stages of the campaign. The ONR has gone through the platforms of the six major parties - the National Consolidation Party, Euclean Werania, the Green-Red Alliance, Democratic Alternative, National Coalition for Independence and the Weranic Section of the International - to give you an overview of the main contenders electoral programmes.


National Consolidation Party (NKP)
Leader - Anton Raicevich
Ideology - Conservatism, Sotirian Democracy, Soft-Euclescepticism
Current position - Largest party in government with 244/545 seats.
Where do they stand on the key issues - The NKP has run a campaign based on emphasising their record in government including a mixture of tax cuts, more stringent law and order policies and reducing migration. Under Raicevich the NKP has focused on cutting migration further, restricting the distribution of work visas from outside the EC, introducing mandatory Weranian language classes (and Ruttish in Ruttland) for migrants and digitising border controls. The NKP also supports ensuring that migrants stay in the first country of entry. On law and order the NKP also wishes to institute mandatory minimum sentences on a federal level, more stop and search and increase police numbers. The NKP have proposed giving the police broader powers to deal with riots and to place more restrictions on protests that disrupt daily life.

The biggest shift from the 2019 platform is a pledge to reform labour and industrial relations legislation with the NKP supporting reforms to make it harder for trade unions to strike in certain circumstances. On the economy in general the NKP promotes cutting taxes on a federal level, continuing infrastructure programmes and promoting foreign investment. The NKP are also proposing tax breaks for families and to introduce new legislation to restrict the expansion of worker cooperatives.

Another shift from 2019 is a more pro-Euclean policy supporting harmonising towards a single Euclean corporate tax. However the NKP also supports a bullish approach to Alslands debt crisis and are promoting Werania to engage much more closely with the triple S nations of Senria, Soravia and Satucin then Estmere and Gaullica. Additionally the NKP advocate the continued freezing of reconciliation with Valduvia wanting compensation for the Burish genocide to be prioritised and restarted.

What's their current position in the campaign - The NKP is currently leading the polls sometimes by as much as by 20 digits and are almost certain to become the largest party in the legislature. This has been attributed to the charisma of Anton Raicevich, the disunity of opposition parties and popular policies on migration and economics. However the NKP have few natural allies in the Bundestag and may struggle to form a government if their current coalition partner the Democratic Alternative fails to cross the 3% threshold. This has led to talks of a possible union of the left coming to power, a grand coalition with EO or even a second election if the NKP fails to secure a governing majority.


Euclean Werania (PMZ)
Leader - Luise Höcherl
Ideology - Social Liberalism, Social Democracy, Pro-Eucleanism
Current position - EO is the largest opposition party with 111/545.
Where do they stand on the key issues - Euclean Werania is contesting its first election,being a merger of the former Social Democratic Radical Party and the Modern Centre Party who had governed in a coalition together from 2011 to 2019. Euclean Werania as such supports continuing some of the policies of the former SRPO-PMZ government including an expanded house building programme, increasing investment in the healthcare service to eliminate waitlists whilst repealing NKP reforms in healthcare and in the education sector to reduce class sizes. EO also supports continuing public service reform that was launched under the previous government including digitisation and streamlining operations. The EO have called for a raise in capital gains tax in order to help balance the budget and reduce the debt.

EO has moved away from both the SRPO and PMZ in supporting the return of the 1982-2001 wealth tax and committing to achieving net zero by 2060. As part of that EO supports greater engagement with the private sector advocating tax breaks for electric vehicles, heat pump and solar production and installations. EO also supports increasing police numbers to reduce crime and retaining some aspects of the NKPs increased police power legislation.

On the international level EO supports greater Euclean cooperation on Tsabara advocating the EC to continue to ensure safe zones in Tsabara and to increase support for Etruria and Paretia to safely house refugees. EO also are much more bullish on rule of law issues in south Euclea including Paretia and to a lesser extent Amathia wanting a more strict enforcement on Euclean anti-corruption legislation. EO are also positive to Euclean expansion into Piraea and Montecara. Like the NKP however they wish to enforce austere conditions for any Alslandic bailout.

What's their current position in the campaign - Although last year EO were polling level with the NKP since the resignation of former premier Von Hösslin the party has declined. The NKP has run a red scare campaign against EO accusing it of planning to go into coalition with the OSAI, a charge EO denies. By ruling out a coalition with the OSAI however EO would struggle to form a government as their preferred option - an EO-Green coalition - does not have a majority of seats.


Green-Red Alliance
Leader - Caspar Schönherr
Ideology - Green politics, democratic socialism, pro-Eucleanism
Current position - Opposition party with 86/545 seats.
Where do they stand on the key issues - The Greens are running with the small Socialist Workers Party in this election on a left-wing programme that has emphasised more bold moves towards a green economy and reversing the right wing policies of the current government. The Greens have called for a carbon neutral Werania by 2035, increasing healthcare, education and welfare spending and reforming the housing system both to make housing and private renting more affordable. The Greens aim to reintroduce the wealth tax, raise capital gains tax and close tax loopholes. They also support the single Euclean tax on corporations.

On law and order issues the Greens wish to move away from a punitive to a rehabilitative approach in order to reduce the causes of crime, accusing the governing parties of “ghettoising” crime and pursuing a discriminatory approach whilst failing to deal with the issue as a whole. The Greens also have called for banning fossil-fuel automobile sales and production by 2030, expanding electric vehicle production and increasing renewable energy production. The Greens also support banning the opening of new nuclear power plants and closing existing ones by 2028. The Green coalition is the only one to advocate simplifying the process to change one’s legal gender and also wish to introduce stronger measures to deal with the gender pay gap and tougher laws on workplace harassment and domestic abuse.

On the Euclean level the Greens support redistributing refugees among memberstates and coordianating measures to ensure the safety of refugees against people smugglers. The Greens also support a bailout for Alsland although demand steep tax rises to pay for it rather then spending cuts.

What's their current position in the campaign - After coming second in the popular vote in 2019 and only barely getting less seats than the SRPO the Greens have failed to maintain their momentum particularly after the formation of Euclean Werania in 2021. Policy splits within the Greens have not helped matters alongside a lacklustre tenure heading the city administration in Westbrücken. The Greens as such are trailing in the polls and are hoping to try and beat EO as the largest opposition party and become indispensable to any non-NKP majority. It would be a tall order however even if the Green spitzenkandidat Wiesstadt mayor and party moderate Caspar Schönherr is personally popular.



Democratic Alternative (DA)
Leader - Käthe Schickdanze
Ideology - National conservatism, economic liberalism, hard-Euclescepticism
Current position - Junior party in government with 30/545 seats.
Where do they stand on the key issues - The Democratic Alternative proposes a more right wing platform then in 2019 including a move to repatriate rather than integrate migrants and calling for the return of the death penalty. The Democratic Alternative also support an in/out referendum on the Euclo and have attacked the political establishment as being too accommodating of the EC.

As part of their rightwards shift the DA support punitive measures in law and order policies and much harsher immigration. The DA wishes to reduce migration to the tens of thousands and to repatriate all illegal migrants as well as first generation migrants in state welfare; the DA also wishes to toughen welfare laws to make it harder for migrants and the unemployed to apply. The DA also wishes to implement a flat tax and privatise more industry.

The DA wants to double Weranias nuclear capacity by 2040 and focus more on individual rather than public transportation infrastructure. They also wish to reduce subsidies on green technology. On Euclean affairs the DA wishes to end relations with Valduvia and aggressively pursue compensation, whilst supporting a more soft approach to Soravia and Etruria. The DA also pledge to implement a tougher approach to Zorasan and Shangea.

What's their current position in the campaign - The DA have been in coalition with the NKP since 2019 but have since declined in popularity as much of their base has gone over to the NKP. The DA have moved right to try and take votes from the fast declining Weranian Völkisch Freedom Party but there is a real possibility that they fail to cross the 3% threshold or lose their district seats which would keep them out of the legislature.


National Coalition for Independence (NNK)
Leader - Žygimantas Navikas
Ideology - Ruttish nationalism, populism
Current position - Opposition party with 31/545 seats.
Where do they stand on the key issues - The NNK have replaced their long-running leader and former Ruttish Minister-President Arvydas Ražauskas with the current minister-president in the province Žygimantas Navikas who has embarked on a more moderate campaign then in 2019. The NNK support a referendum on Ruttish sovereignty within the next parliamentary term as in all their electoral programmes but has also put forward a more conventionally centre left programme calling for increased spending in healthcare, pensions and education as well as opposing changes to federal labour laws. However the NNK also supports restricting immigration to Ruttland and the creation of a “Ruttish Charter of Rights” to institutionalise bilingualism and restrict “cultural discrimination” to Ruttland.

What's their current position in the campaign - The NNK provincial government remains popular in Ruttland and with the continued decline of the Sotirian Democratic Homeland it’s likely that the NNK will once again get the most seats in Ruttland. However the NNK are unlikely to have much influence as their pro-independence and populist stances alienate them from the majority of other parties.



Weranic Section of the Workers' International (OSAI)
Leader - Peter Lötzsch
Ideology - Councilism, communism, soft-Euclescepticism
Current position - Opposition party with 22/545 seats.
Where do they stand on the key issues -
The OSAI have focused their campaign in reducing the cost of living and “overcoming capitalism”. The OSAI support reforming the Euclean Central Bank to prioritise job creation over anti-inflation, restricting financial speculation and closing tax loopholes in order to raise revenue alongside introducing harsher punishments on tax evasion. The OSAI also supports banning layoffs in companies turning substantial profits and introducing a 35 hour workweek.

Unlike the Greens and EO the OSAI support the expansion of nuclear power and support expanding spending into research and investment. The OSAI also supports raising pensions, healthcare and education spending whilst cutting military spending. The OSAI also supports the expansion of the worker cooperative industry and for greater workplace unionisation to be implemented.

The OSAI support the abolition of the monarchy and want reconciliation with MASSOR countries. The OSAI wants sanctions to be applied to Soravia and Etruria and for Werania to endilitary assistance to Tsabara.

What's their current position in the campaign - The OSAI have polled well during the campaign due to the Greens move to the centre and opposition to proposed NKP industrial relations reforms. According to a recent poll OSAI first secretary Peter Lötzsch is the most popular left wing leader by right wing voters with the OSAI having made inroads into working class areas that have recently moved right. However a recent red scare campaign by the NKP has dented the OSAIs momentum as they have remained mum on who they’d go into coalition with.

[Slirnija]

[Slirnija]

[Saul Volcano]

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Political independent Dolores Viveiros wins Burgo Coroa mayoral election
Dolores Viveiros, businesswoman from Burgo Coroa has won the Burgo Coroa regional election and has expressed plans to form a government there alongside Democratic Responsibility and COESRA against O Povo
Gilberto Bento (@GilbertoBento) | 7 June 2023 | Precea

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Viveiros at her rally in Burgo Coroa

Burgo Coroa, Paretia: Today Burgo Coroa held it's municipal-level elections for the position of mayor, this came after the death of it's previous mayor, Pedro Ocampo. The city is in a predominantly conservative region of the country known as "O Jugo" (The Yoke), it voted heavy for the Patron League, now Acima, in 2020 and 2021. The city had become the center of attention for politics in Paretia. Many issues such as rule of law, abortion, immigration, and separatism had become important to voters in the race.

The campaign saw COESRA and Democratic Responsibility face off against O Povo, who had recently added New Democracy to their alliance. O Povo would run an ND candidate for the election. PRN would also run a candidate in the election. Dolores Viveiros is an independent business woman who was a former MSP voter who ran on forming an grand alliance of the opposition against O Povo.

The election occured today and saw a massive win for Dolores Viveiros and a major defeat for the O Povo government. Viveiros would win 44.9% of the voters, COESRA and O Povo came afterwards with both having 17.8% of the vote, with O Povo having slightly less votes than COESRA. RD would win 10.1%, and the PRN would win 7.4%, other candidates won 2% of the vote.

Opposition leaders congratulated Viveiros on her victory in the election saying that they are willing to govern with her in the city. MSP leader Talia Caselles stated today "Burgo Coroa voted in what is a backlash towards this government, O Povo is pushing the people away and this is evidence. Dolores Viveiros' idea of uniting the opposition will be considered and we will see if Democratic Responsibility and the National Reform Party will work with us."

Premier Cerqueira also commented on the victory of Viveiros, saying "We will continue to fight, Viveiros has no real platform other than being against our government, she will not be able to govern well in Burgo Coroa and we will win it back in the future."

Some in the opposition have called for a united opposition under Viveiros, she has considered this idea after her win "It would be daunting, but Paretia needs to unite against Cerqueira's neo-functionalist regime. Someone will have to step up to lead this."

Dolores Viveiros is expected to become allies with both COESRA and Democratic Responsibility groups in Burgo Coroa.

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In Other News:

• EUCLEA - Boulaku-Floriade to become first female Piraean President
• EUCLEA - Cerqueira gives congrats to Anton Raicevich in Werania
• EUCLEA - Homeland members in Piraea form "Force Piraea"
• PARETIA - Opposition forces beginning to back Viveiros over Caselles
• PARETIA - Cerqueira considering deploying small military task force in Tosutonia

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P O L I T I C S >
Barbara Ward accepts the NPC's nomination for President, proclaiming “our nation stands at an inflection point"

By Ethan MacGorman and Sofia Kovalenko
Updated 9:47 PM CST, June 15, 2023



On Thursday night, the fourth and last day of the NPC’s National Convention in South Bend, Providence, Barbara Ward gave her presidential nomination acceptance speech to a convention hall packed with Democrat, New Democrat, and Green Party delegates.

Ward was introduced by the NPC’s nominee for Deputy President, Fed Councilor Oscar Willis, who praised Ward “as a historical choice.” In providing a brief biography for Ward, Willis stated “from her time as a federal prosecutor to her service as Attorney General for the Federation, her career has been marked with integrity and putting her country first.” “I can think of no better person to lead our Federation forward from the last five years” he added.

Ward began her speech by stating “our nation stands at an inflection point. This October, voters across our great Federation will choose whether the last five-years of TNC rule are the beginning of a national decline or a mere fluke. We cannot let it be the former, it must be the later.”

Avoiding specific discussions of policy, Ward’s speech stressed the importance of coalition unity ahead of the national elections in October and hammered the differences between the TNC and NPC. “We may disagree on many aspects of economic, domestic, and foreign policy, but, make no mistake, our strength comes from what unites us; our common belief that every person and child deserves a better future, that democracy is better than extremism and authoritarianism, and that fundamental fairness is our guide star.”

Throughout her speech, Ward portrayed herself as a unifier, promising to not only work with all members of the National Progress Coalition, but also promising to unite the nation and work across the aisle with those of the TNC who were willing to put their country over party and coalition. “Unlike President Aderhall, who demands unconditional loyalty to him and his political machine, I will only demand loyalty to our country and its founding principles.”

Although Ward threw some shots at President Aderhall directly like the one above, a majority of her criticisms were couched in broader language that condemned “the politics of fear and division” and called out “cronyism.” She promised “a federal government no longer beholden to corporate interests.”

In what appears to be a nod to some of the criticism that has arisen from her choice to choose a fellow New Democrat as her Deputy President, she promised that her cabinet and administration would “represent the demographic and ideological diversity of our nation and coalition.” She pledged that she would work with the legislative leadership of each member party to form a coalition-wide consensus on domestic policy and legislation.

Ward’s speech follows four days of party meetings and gatherings where the National Progress Coalition’s three member parties elected party officials and legislative leadership in advance of October. Each previous night was headlined by speakers that included Fed Councilor Oscar Willis, South Bend Mayor Tommy Adams, Providence Governor Laura Wahl, Federal Representative Tony Francesco, and former President Dominique Horiatio.

The TNC will be hosting their national convention in Irving, San Andreas next week from June 19 to June 22.

[Etruria2]

State Elections: Vinci vows to make Veratia the most “pro business and family” state in country

In an address kicking off the Tribune campaign in Veratia, incumbent Prefect of State Giuliano Aurelio Vinci told Tribune supporters, “we will do absolutely everything we can to make Veratia the most pro-business and pro-family state in the country.”

The Prefect of State who has served since 2018, where he led the Tribune Movement into a landslide victory, earning 49.3% of the vote launched the campaign with a highly charged speech in Carxeri.

Telling over 1,000 Tribune members and supporters, “our work is unfinished, our transformation of Veratia into the state it deserves to be is not yet complete. We will complete our work, we will do our duty by earning once more the trust and faith of all Veratians.”

He said further, “we will do absolutely everything we can to make Veratia the most pro-business and pro-family state in the country.

“We amend state level taxes within the framework of the federal governments efforts, deregulate our labour market within the constitutional limit and reward good business practices.

“We will push back ever more against the destructive left, we will protect the institution of family, we will protect our children from the ideologies of the liberal left and we will make sure our administration of the federal health service is not disrupted by providing care for the make believe and irrelevant” he said to laud applause.

The Prefect joked, “the real competition for us is the other states governed by Tribunes, we are in a race and competition to complete our good works, but luckily for us, Veratia is the greatest state in the Republic.”

However he tempered the confidence of his party saying, “make no mistake, we must always remain vigilant, our duty is to the people, our existence as public servants is solely upon them and them alone. Our greatest duty is to protect Veratia from the return of the patrician parties and those who would force us onto our knees before all those who want to destroy what we love and cherish.”

“We are one front in our Movement’s struggle against the left and the anti-Etruria. I am honoured to still lead you all into the fight, but never must we allow complacency to seep into our hearts and minds. The opponent is shifty, cruel and hateful, but we will win” he said.

Among the policies promised by the Tribune Movement in Veratia, is a permanent ban on corporate diversity and inclusivity training, quotas and Human Resources jobs linked to such. The TMiV is also promising to deny contracts to companies that determine their investments on social, climatic or environmental criteria. The party is also promising tax breaks for Veratian registered companies that reinvest into the state, as well as promising to amend existing laws relating to conservation to enable expansion of farmland and industrial sites.

On education, the party is promising a “strident intervention” in all levels of schooling to protect young people from “anti-Etruria, anti-God ideologies.” This will reportedly include a tightening of rules around sexual education, history and social studies. The party is also promising to make Veratia the first state mandate the appointment of a priest at every school, Lyceum and university. Legislation will be introduced mandating the appointment of executives to university boards by the Prefect of State subject to state assembly confirmation.

The party is also promising to ban Pride month and other festivities linked to the LGBTQ+ community under the federal Religious Liberty Law, arguing that, “the overt and public demonstration of this nature falls far short of the majority of Veratians who are faithful to the Sotirian faith and committed to the family unit.” This promise however has been replicated by all Tribune parties across all states up for election this year.

According to opinion polls, the Tribune Movement in Veratia boasts a whopping 25 point lead over the SD, with the latest poll by Demos Analytica showing the Tribunes on 52.32%, the SD on 27.23%, E+E on 10.98%, the Sotirian People’s Force on 8% and the Citizens’ Alliance on 1.47%. This would mark the first time Veratian nationalist parties had seen their support collapse to such a degree as not even register on polls.

This could theoretically leave the Tribunes with 220 out of 280 seats, all but confirming the country’s largest and most populous state as a Tribune stronghold.

Giuliano Aurelio Vinci, is also ranked as the second most popular politician in the country after President Francesco Carcaterra, with an approval rating of 51.77% according to VoxEtruria

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Other news

• Barbara Ward accepts Deputy President nomination
• Interior Minister denounces Dignitas as “the Patrician’s good feeling brigade”
• SD’s Biancofiore seeks Senate seat as pressure wins out
• Carinthia’s Janez Hribar to delegate campaigning to deputy
• Could Etruria’s fractured opposition hand Carvana to the Tribunes?

[Eskaeba]

[Saul Volcano]

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Political independent Dolores Viveiros announces creation of political movement
After her victory in the mayoral election as an independent candidate in Burgo Coroa, Dolores Viveiros founds the United for Paretia movement, a political organization with the goal of uniting the opposition of the country against O Povo
Eva Ruiz (@EvaRuiz) | 20 June 2023 | Precea

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Viveiros is eyeing leadership of the opposition for 2024's election

Burgo Coroa, Paretia: After the victory for independent candidate Dolores Viveiros in the Burgo Coroa mayoral electione earlier this month, she has made plans to unite the opposition of the country, including the left to the centre-right, against the government of O Povo and Isilda Cerqueira. With the Visega regional election in November and the national election next year, she is considering being their frontrunner next year, she hopes to form a broad political coalition.

Viveiros has formed a political movement known as United for Paretia, it's goal is to unite the opposition together for the 2024 election and challenge the government of Cerqueira. She says the goal of the movement is to "combat the democratic backsliding in Paretia and save it from becoming Euclea's next far-right functionalist dictatorship".

The movement is not an official political party and is not running for election, but has a platform, calling for gender equality, rule of law, return to friendly relations with the EC, and protection of different freedoms in Paretia, but also promises border protection and economic freedom.

The creation of this group creates a challenge for the current opposition leader on the left, Talia Caselles, who was originally thought to be the frontrunner after her time as Tosutonia's Regional Premier and battle with Cerqueira's government over abortion law. Viveiros' goal is to form a big tent opposition front against the far-right, which is much more appealing to voters of the centre and right. Polling shows Viveiros leading as opposition candidate if they do unite into a broad coalition.

Isilda Cerqueira's government likely has it's toughest challenge yet election-wise, in Visega, which holds a regional election later this fall. The O Povo alliance has rallied behind Teresa Roque, Minister of Public Security and leader of the Visegan wing of Acima.

Viveiros has met with the leaders of Catholic Citizens, Democratic Alignment, various regionalist parties, and the Workers' International already on her goal of uniting the opposition of the country. She expects to meet with other leaders such as the ones of the Greens, Socialist Movement, and National Reform Party.

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In Other News:

• PARETIA - National team prepares for Coupe du Monde in Ardesia
• EUCLEA - Etrurian state elections coming up
• ASTERIAS - Barbara Ward of Rizealand accept candidacy for NPC
• EUCLEA - Soravia to seek friendlier relations with Shangea
• PARETIA - Visega elections could be next problem for Acima

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[Amathia]

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Amathian train remains stationary for over 12 hours with passengers on board
Director of Amathian Railways asks the Senate for massive investments

George Verean(@GVerean)
22 June 2023 | Arciluco

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IR-86810 remained stationary for over 12 hours in a field last week, after repeated technical issues with the locomotive
Photo courtesy of Alex Matei.

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ARCILUCO
Passengers on the regular Interregio 86810 from the Amathian capital of Arciluco to the city of Cluzia remained stuck in a field for almost 12 hours following an incident which highlighted the various issues faced by Amathia's state owned railway carrier company. The locomotive encountered technical issues roughly two hours after leaving Arciluco, leading to the train becoming essentially stranded in a rural area. The people who were on board were not informed of the issue, nor were they kept up to date about what was to be done, despite repeated questions and increased anger, as the temperatures inside the stationary train rose to unbearable levels. Officials from the Amathian Railways have informed us that the company reacted promptly, and that as soon as the locomotive encountered technical issues, a second locomotive was sent from Arciluco to the location of the train in order to serve as a replacement. This second locomotive however was also stopped by technical issues, which was the event that was in the end responsible for the long delay, as a third locomotive had to be sent to bring back the second, before a fourth could be eventually sent to take over the stationary train.
Most of the passengers are reportedly outraged, in particular those which have been in contact with the press. They not only blame the company for the lack of communications, but also accuse the CFA employees who were on board of the train of locking the doors and not allowing them to leave, despite the dangerous temperatures that would have been registered inside the carriages. In an official statement earlier today, the CFA have apologized for the behavior of their employees and have announced that an internal inquiry will be held, however, they claim that the passengers were kept inside of the carriages for their own safety, and claim that employees on board of the train provided the passengers with free water and food, and opened the windows so as to help with the temperature, a claim that has so far not been confirmed by any passengers.
This is not the first incident of its kind, and it will likely not be the last. In the last twenty years, all of the locomotives and carriages which were bought by the state-owned carrier were high-speed trains for the Intercity Express line from Arciluco to Verlois. Of the over 1000 locomotives operated by the Amathian Railways for the InterRegio, Regio Express and Regio trains, only around 40% are believed to still be operable. Most of these locomotives were built in the 1960's and 1970's during the South Euclean People's Republic, and despite regular maintenance, they have been showing their age for over a decade. It is believed by many experts that the current status of the rolling stock of the Amathian Railways means that a serious accident in the next few years is inevitable.
Despite the general success of the high speed-rail, the Amathian Railways as a whole have been on what many describe to be a downwards spiral. The company has registered losses of around 584 million Euclo in 2022, and had to receive around 200 million Euclo as subventions from the Ministry of Transport. With the exception of the high-speed rail, reports indicate that between 2000 and 2022, the number of travelers who use the railways over other means of transport for domestic journeys have decreased from 21% to almost 5%, in part because of the poor state of the regional railways and connections. The average speed of an InterRegio Express train in Amathia is of only 55 km/h, in particular due to the poor state of the infrastructure.
While some political figures argue for a complete privatization of the company, railway experts in general disagree. The existence of private railway carriers which offer better services in certain parts of the country, like in Soria, has been given as an example of what could be achieved through such a privatization, but it has also been argued that a general privatization would just cause chaos. Instead, experts recommend a series of investments, perhaps through the use of Euclean funds, in order to acquire new rolling stock and to start the modernization of regional segments of the railway. Certain political parties, including the League of Equalists and Democrats, argue for exactly such a program instead of the proposed Arciluco-Lenovo high-speed railway, which is viewed by some as unnecessary.
The current Director of the Amathian Railways, Alexandru Păcuraru, named in this position just last year, has expressed his support for such a program, and has repeatedly asked the Senate and the Ministry of Transport to adopt such a program. In particular, he has argued that a combination of national and Euclean funds could be used to begin the modernization in one of Amathia's constituent republics, to serve as an example for what could be achieved at a national level. The Director has however refused to comment on the IR-86810 event, and Adevărul has not yet received an answer from the Ministry of Transport regarding our request for comments.

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©Adevarul 2022

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