Republic

Kalessed refuses the removal of Íkrat: "I am the guarantor of the republic"

Head of State Ilmaras Kalessed has announced that she will not comply with the Censorate's decision to remove Elizabeth Íkrat as Prime Minister, and will take "all necessary action" to ensure that the current coalition government maintains in office.

"This government," she said at a press conference held earlier today, "is the highest expression of the will of the Istkalenic people. It derives its legitimacy from the parliament they elected; it is formed out of the parties they freely placed their confidence in; it is carrying out the agenda they chose at the last election. I am the guarantor of the Republic: our constitution gives me full power and responsibility to keep Istkalenic government a public matter, a democratic matter. And as guarantor, as Head of State, I will not let - I am bound not to let - a small and anti-democratic clique run amok over the affairs which rightfully are the people's. Ms. Íkrat's government will remain until parliament - until the representatives of the people - withdraw their confidence in it. This is absolute and final - and I will take all necessary action to ensure that it remains such."

Kalessed's announcement is a radical break with thousands of years of Istkalenic political tradition, which has traditionally ascribed to the courts and the Censorate absolute power over government affairs. While her action is theoretically legal - the Head of State is indeed given broad and absolute power to determine the exact form of the Istkalenic government and ensure its "republican nature" - it is nevertheless so contrary to the principles that have historically guided the country that it may very well be an act of treason.

The Censorate itself has not yet responded, but is expected to do so later today. Most experts predict that it will move to remove Kalessed from office.

Íkrat claims existence of "reactionary-technocratic" coalition conspiring against her

Elizabeth Íkrat, Prime Minister, has claimed that a "reactionary-technocratic" coalition has been conspiring against her government to put to an end her corporatist program for Istkalen, blaming it for recent poor polling number as well as for the Censorate's recent attempt to remove her from office.

"Istkalen," she said at a Communist Party rally held yesterday, "is beseiged by reaction. The Reitzmics and Vards outside conspire to reduce us to colony; the compradors, the capitalist roaders, and the religious reactionaries within have joined together to bring to an end popular government. Even now they sit in their offices, their mansions, their palaces, here and abroad, planning my downfall - the end of our movement for reform, justice, democracy. Let us stand against this cabal! Let us smash this coalition of reactionaries and technocrats and bring to full flower in our Istkalen a people's regime!"

In the few days she has been Prime Minister, Íkrat has been faced with massive and uniform public opposition to her agenda, a politically bizarre syncresis of the corporatism of the Istkalenic right and the welfare-levelling of the Istkalenic left that finds itself entirely incompatible with either. She has found herself with almost no allies in civil society; her statement is likely an attempt to regain their confidence by appealing to their general opposition to the dominance of the Istkalenic judiciary over the state.

However, while her legal removal at the hands of the Censorate has proven similarly unpopular, it has not in any way aided her popularity or legitimacy; her allegations are therefore unlikely to gain her any additional sympathy.

With popularity in free-fall, the Ecologists, New Agrarians, Farmer-Greens, Radical Democrats, and Statebuilders come to an agreement to create a new Agrarian Union

The Agrarian Union has - yet again - been refounded, now as a coalition between the Ecologists and New Agrarians - the members of the old Agrarian Union - the Statebuilders, the Radical Democrats, and the Farmer-Greens. In its new incarnation, it will be led by Valeras Ekteran, sister of former and now-deceased European Councillor for Istkalen Gertrude Echteran, and Esketal Indretek. It will be an "agrarian and solidarist movement" which will work primarily for "social justice," "regional levelling," and "auto-development."

Its program is modelled on that of the 1970s and 80s Agrarian Union, focusing on a transformation of economy, society, and polity on corporatist lines coupled with a full, if gradual, return to traditional methods and organizations of industry, abandoning even those few Western innovations that have found their way into the country since the beginning of the occupation in order to pursue a "full independence" on the economic front. However, the new Union will also maintain a firmly socially progressive line, as well as a more intense commitment to environmentalism and opposition to nuclear power.

Formed as its constituents decline sharply in polling as a result of their participation in government, the Agrarian Union seeks to bolster moderation and stability in the country by consolidating pro-government and reformist forces under a single, ideologically coherent umbrella. As the center flees, however, to more radical opposition parties, like the Union Party and Social Democrats, in its strong opposition to the radical incoherence of the Ikrat government, whether this strategy will be successful is unclear.

The small circle forming near the bonfire around of which Reiserová, Saková and Imberová danced just a couple of minutes later certainly attracted attention as the government ministers, Rodnovery preachers and members of security and police forces quickly edged sooner to listen to what was being said. "Of course Comrade President understands the values of your company and naturally, "as a great humanitarian", she detests them." Slavomír nodded with a slight smile upon his face before he turned back to face to the two members of the Llunas-Roberts family, "Yes, that is most wise. During the times in which the slight mistakes of state atheism prevailed I have always urged unity with people of differing creeds, including the Christian Churches and even the Federation of Jewish Communities,... ehm, just in case you hear about my earlier writings from anybody, mistakes of the youth, you know,... in our common struggle for the ending of all religious persecutions. But of course"

"I am sure the kids will learn a lot! At least the adult ones!" Minister Imberová responded quickly to few chuckles from number of the other Czechs and to a nod from the President which seemed to make the Minister quite happy with herself.

Reiserová turned her head back to face the patriarch of the Roscoes' family and she smiled at him yet again, "James, you and your family are on Czechoslavonic soil. The Czech people hold all power here, not your corporation, so I think deciding what is and isn't necessary is up to me." The President for Life turned away to pay attention to her other guests as well, and signalled three policemen to come over to Yohanna, Danya and Mathias each., seizing them by their right arms.

Second later Minister Dohnal approached the three as well, "Ladies, young gentleman, I have been instructed that you are to enjoy sausages before being taken to questioning, please follow me!" he declared jovially and started leading the way the three Duchians brought forth by the policemen, "I apologize, but torture of animals is banned in the Democratic Republic, so Kosher meat is not available, but we did prepare vegan sausages for you Mrs Mizrachi-Roscoe. I hope they will satisfy."

Slavomír turned his attention to Iketemar and smiled wide at her, "You underestimate our President dear Iketemar, to suggest that the suspects could escape the watchful eye of the Champion of Mokosh."

Reiserová listened to the Spaniards and her face went slightly pink in shame, "I... I knew that, you know." she lied as Sémper infromed her that Juncker was no longer the head of government of Spain, "Send Mr..... Mr President my thanks and my warm regards as well. Oh and to the King and his family. You know, I have yet to meet His Majesty. Please sit down, sit down." she instructed all her guests, that were not taken to eat sausages, to sit down on the ground.

"Now please, all of you, let's talk about the lates happenings in our countries! I feel like we have not had a chance to hear what is goin on for such a long time. For, you know, our part things have been fairly steadfast after the decision to return the forces of production into the hands of the people. And we are considering the democratization of the system of public ownership as well! We are expecting to launch first attempts later this year, maybe in a month or so! But what about you? Istkalen seems particularly dynamic. Especially with the, apologies, crazy woman Íkrat. What urges her to throw a wrench into one of the most brotherly relation in the European Union?" Reiserová sat down herself and crossed her legs, smiling at the guests.

Statement of the Censorate

We have voted to suspend the government of Elizabeth Íkrat due to concerns over stability both domestic and in foreign affairs. We point particularly to Íkrat's calls for unacceptably radical change to the economic and political consensus that has formed in Istkalen, to her illogical and fervent opposition to this country's closest ally, and her deep unpopularity among the public, which has already, in a matter of days, put into question the continued existence of the Republic.

Ursula Orlich has again been appointed Prime Minister, and will have full responsibility and power to constitute a government of her own to return Istkalen to full stability.

We have also made the decision to permanently dissolve the Social Democratic Party, which, though existing in opposition, has played a key role in influencing the extremism of the Íkrat cabinet and pushing against the moderate forces of our Republic. Opposed to popular rule, opposed to the rule of law, opposed to peace and stability, the Social Democratic Party has bedeviled Istkalen since the end of the war and the beginning of the opposition. In hopes of maintaining something of a political consensus, in averting civil war, we have tolerated its existence - we have even worked with it in misguided attempts to bring it, at last, into the fold of the acceptable.

But its actions have proven to us that tolerance is untenable. Ms. Meier's agitation against all the freedoms and traditions Istkaleners hold dear has already done severe damage to our Republic; if she is allowed to go on with her provocations, we will see its end. To ensure the continued integrity of our country, it is necessary that a full and final end be put to her political force, her organization, her power - and that is what we have done and intend, with all possible force, be carried out.

Ursula Orlich
President of the Censorate and Prime Minister of the Republic of Istkalen

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Government Approval Is Essentially Neutral

SYMONE SANDERS-TOWNSEND---The Albanese government has now sits at 46% approval versus 47% disapprove and 7% don't know or neutral. This is slightly lower than a month ago but reflects that Californians generally aren't feeling the positives. But it's still better than the CDP, who have 75% against them. With almost 28% going with smaller parties, it's clear the mixed member system of voting (adopted in 1996) has resulted in people feeling comfortable with generalized coalitions. The CLP-Green coalition is just as popular as the majoritarian governments before 1996.

Country: United Duchies
Broadcaster: RTD
Broadcaster Director: Mary Beck
Proposal / Request Title: Proposal on two date ranges for Eurovoice
Proposal / Request Description: Proposal for a fixed date range standard Eurovoice with no theme and a themed Eurovoice that can be held at any time of year the winner of each would get to host the next Eurovoice of its type. I.e the standard Eurovoice winner would get to host next standard Eurovoice while the themed Eurovoice winner would get to set the theme and host the next themed Eurovoice within parameters agreed by the EUBC for the next themed Eurovoice. This proposal would ensure two Eurovoices per year with mutliple ways of participation.We propose that the themed Eurovoice should stick to the parameters of a secular theme for any Eurovoice so as to avoid divisive themes. Though this should be up to the EUBC.
Other Information:

UoD Leader toppled
Terence Fitzcharles was today toppled as leader of the UoD in a surprise vote by UoD MP's. He was toppled amidst the lastest poll in the long term collapse in UoD political polling as they struggle to find an identity losing the centre right to the Moderate Party and the right wing of the party to Unus. The party now faces a struggle between the centre right and right wing wings of the party with the right wing supporters arguing the party needs a tougher stance on immigration and more national conservative stance to combat the bleed of voters on the right wing to Unus while the centre right argue that doing so would only increase the bleed of centre right support to the Moderate Party arguing instead there needs to be a return to the centre of politics and reduction in pro-tax cut and more austerity agenda.

The party has been reported to be in civil war with analysts describing the party as a party on death row. The party has been suggested to be close to imminent collapse or split with a potential power gap appearing in the centre right of politics if that occurs.

The Great Swale Path, Chapter 3 (part one)

I will here preclude a detailed testimony of the Plariaran culture, owing to one of my (many) personal weaknesses--namely, a love for poetic ends.

Fancying myself a modern-day Sarpara Manniach, from News from Droinstea, upon leaving the ferry terminal at Plariaras, I quickly headed for the train station. There was a 14:56 departure for Rowsperch, with a stop in Droinstea. It was 14:01.

I was able to figure out how to call a rail-horse carriage--known as Sertia HorseRail--with some difficulty. To indicate that you'd like the horse to stop and pick you up, you are urged by the signs on the HorseRail platform to step on a button. A mechanical system goes, and a barrier rises up in the middle of the railway, forcing the horse to stop for you. Luckily, when my coach stopped in front of me, the conductor seemed to catch the barrier before the horse did, else the horse buck and turn everyone out of the carriage.

I directed the conductor to take me to Hemberdale Ghoia station, south of the river. The conductor got out of the carriage to push down the horse barrier, boarded again, and immediately we were off to a flying start.

What little I saw of Hemberdale was in no massive way enlightening, but the mazes of colourful (albeit terrifyingly narrow!) alleys graced on all sides by rudmercaeta and business people created a brilliant audio-visual cityscape. At one point, I looked out the carriage window to my left to see a Peregrine Falcon flying next to us, holding an envelope in its talons. Before it ascended again, I swear it saw me through the carriage window.

Arriving at Ghoia station, I was as promptly kicked out of the carriage as I was invited on outside the ferry terminal. Just as well, because I had approximately 10 minutes to catch my train to Droinstea.

In Sertian cities, only those with tickets can enter the train station. Such it was that this created a real barrier for me to actually get into the station, as there was a congregation of people looking at the analogue departure and arrival boards. I found my train to Droinstea, departing on platform 6. Having purchased my tickets at the ferry terminal, I weaved my way through the dense crowd and went through the barriers and into the train station.

Immediately, I was struck by how empty, modern, clean, and so much unlike the outside of the station, that the interior was. Well-kempt people ambled through the station, in presumably no rush to reach their train or wherever it was they were going. Kind voices gave soothing messages through the loudspeakers, followed by equally soothing dings and clicks. I could hear the ambient whirring of the train engines.

3 minutes.

Good lord, I needed to get to my train.

I must say that I was expecting either an elegant, wholly old-fashioned train service, OR a brisk, cosmopolitan, modern one. But I can't say that Sertian trains, or at least this one, fit either of those categories.

Whilst the outside of the train looked familiar, the inside felt like a really odd social experiment. The seats in Standard Class were laid out in cushioned benches, embroidered with something reminiscent of my gran's jumper.

The windows were all sorts of really odd shapes like an art-nouveau exhibition. It certainly gave off an effect, but what effect it was I couldn't quite square. Looking up, there were benches nailed to the ceiling of the carriage, mirroring the ground. There was a sign on the wall, pointing up, that said:

"In case this train rolls off a cliff, no matter how you are oriented you ought to have a seat".

signed, Legalist Anarchicals

What an interesting normative statement. Not knowing how to react, I just sort of sat down and accepted that Sertia is freaking weird (I later learned that this was an art instalment, courtesy of Tourism Sertia. Normal carriages are not like this).

The train was surprisingly smooth-moving, and after a few stops we arrived promptly in Droinstea.

Signed,
Robert M. Callaghan
Minister of External Affairs, Brickland

On the Upcoming European (Councillor) Elections

The Kingdom of Spain will be heading to the polls within 6 June and 9 June to elect its new European Councillor, who will be in charge of representing the nation in the European Council for the next five years. For these elections, the Kingdom of Spain has opted for the alternative voting day system, which will make the nation attend the polls in different dates, in order to provide the least disruption as possible. The voting days are established as follows:

6 June: Clerbonne (Germanium) 7 June: Londres 8 June: Commonwealth Territories and Puerto Rico 9 June: Rest of the Nation

D. Elías Bendodo Benasayag
Minister for Home Affairs

The Tribunal

Four left-wing parties form electoral alliance

by Janice Kyou - March 31, 2024

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The logo of the alliance, titled UnitedLeft, was revealed at the announcement.

The Green Party of Elthize, the Elfiz Party, the Democratic Socialists of Elthize, and the Communist Party of Elthize have announced their electoral alliance for the July general elections in a joint conference held this morning at Forecoaster. The alliance, called UnitedLeft, aims to run on a common leftist political agenda and bring a leftist government to Elthize for the first time since 2002.

The alliance comes after a series of negotiations which lasted for weeks. All four party leaders were present at the conference. Matthew François, leader of the Green Party, unveiled the logo and name of the electoral alliance alongside Meti Adebayo (formerly Kendall Hudson), leader of the Elfiz Party, Melissa Chai, leader of the Democratic Socialists of Elthize, and Leon den Hollander, chairman of the Communist Party of Elthize.

The upcoming election will be the first time the Elfiz Party participates in national elections. Previously, the party only operated in the province of Southern Counties, formerly known as Hunnicutt. When asked about the change, Adebayo stated that the party's previous decision to only run in the Southern Counties was a "grave mistake". "Every Elfiz from Ackerson to Montgomery needs to be represented," Adebayo continued.

The real star of the show, however, was Melissa Chai, the presidential candidate of the alliance. "Our country is in dire times," is how Chai started her speech. She continued, "For three decades, we have endured ultra-capitalist, inhumane, and exploitative liberal regimes that have drained the life out of our fellow Elthic working class. Today is the day we set aside our ideological differences and say 'Enough!'"

Melissa Chai, the current mayor of the city of St. Lucas, first assumed office in 2013. She is highly regarded by the people of St. Lucas for her generous social programs, which have also gained attention across Elthize following the economic crisis that affected the country from 2008 to 2011. Her campaign comes after eleven years of speculation about her possibly seeking a position in the national government.

Martha Krystoff, the governor of St. Lucas, endorsed Chai and UnitedLeft for the 2024 elections. She stated that the alliance is "what our nation needs right now."

"Elthize, you have seen the work I have done for St. Lucas. Now it's your turn. It's time to vote for a government that cherishes and prioritizes life above all else." The room roared with applause the moment Chai ended her sentence.

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Scottish Elections: Labour-SNP likely

EDINBURGH---The Scottish Parliament is currently dissolved ahead of the May election. As of now, Labour is on 26%, the SNP have 24%. Scottish Tories have 18%, Scottish Lib Dems have 12%, Greens also on 12%, and various parties and independents collectively make 8%. Politics on this side of Hadrian's Wall seems to reflect an electorate that is moderately progressive; the SNP hasn't successfully linked progressivism with Scottish identity, like Nicola Sturgeon did. Labour, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying a slight Westminster bump but plainly has work to do.

Česká tisková kancelář

The cities of Liberec and Ústí nad Labem and the towns of Aš, Český Těšín, Znojmo, Břeclav, Hodonín, Děčín and the surrounding areas granted a Special Economic Zone status

President Albína Reiserová has signed a law granting Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status to the city of Liberec and Ústí nad Labem and the towns of Aš, Český Těšín, Znojmo, Břeclav, Hodonín, Děčín and the surrounding areas of these municipalities. This comes together with the adoption of the nationalization plan of the entities based in Bricston, Inquista and Yosai. According to the plan these entities will be the last to be nationalized by 31 December 2025 and will be entitled to compensation for 100% of value of their property at the value at the time or nationalization, determined by the Czechoslavonic Statistical Office, the same renumeration that Czech private entities were and are entitled to. All concerned entities will be entitled to the compensation as long as they do not commit the crime of complicating or frustrating the process of nationalization.

However the new Special Economic Zones offer private Czech, Breikish, Inquistan, Yosainese and potentially Istkalenic entities the opportunity to still directly operate in Czech Slavia as long as the direct operations are restricted to the SEZs. The SEZ status has been granted to the municipalities until the year 2050. All private entities operating withing the SEZs will have to be consulted by the end of the year 2045 at the latest, if the SEZ status will not be prolonged to a given municipality.

The Ministries of Regional Development, Industry and Trade and Agriculture, as well as the Revolutionary Trade Union Movement and the regional, city and town councils of the concerned municipalities have issued a common statement, which recalls that 'every single individual in our insitutions could not stop themselves from crying happily upon laying their eyes on the ingenious proposal by the Bright Sun of the Nation, beloved comrade Reiserová, who has worked many days and nights without rest on the textm writing it in her own hand.' The statement expresses strong belief that the granting of the SEZ status is a correct step in building a prosperous socialist economy and will allow the Democratic Republic to overcome all issues caused by foreign industrial sabotage.

Preachers of the Rodnovery religious movement shall no longer reject any person with significant Slavic genes based on genealogical requirements

The Rodnovery religious movement has adopted its first rule restricting its preachers ability to reject potential members. According to this rule no person with significant Slavic genes may be denied to become a member of the Rodnovery religious movement based on genealogical requirements. Accepting new members however still remains to the preachers, including the determination of what 'significant' means. The only definition provided centrally is that significant means less then a half or more. Accepting people with no Slavic ancestry depends on the decision of the particular preacher.

Some of the former preachers have expressed belief that one of the members of the movement is now forcing their ideological views upon the religious movement, restricting the preachers abilities to refuse those who are not fully or mostly Slavic. The leadership of the Rodnovery movement has denied that the change is driven by ideology or a result of push of a singular member of the movement, but by a more correct understanding of the gods' will.

I want to make a few things clearer: I proposed an emergency "government" - an emergency executive, let's put it that way now - and not specifically a Commission in order to allow for flexibility. I simply do not think it is wise to fix ourselves to the idea of a three-member executive, especially one that would hold such an important role - it may be necessary, for example, for an emergency administration to have four or five members, with overlapping portfolios, so that if one or two goes missing there are still others to perform the necessary duties, or, conversely, for it to have only one, to prevent gridlock.

In terms of my own, more concrete proposals for reform - reform which I believe, again, should be discussed after the resolution of the current crisis, whether within a convention or elsewhere - let me list them here:

The positions of Premier and Internal Affairs Commissioners shall be merged into a single, one-member Presidency, which will hold the power of the executive, the full power of the purse - that is, the power to create a budget that goes into effect if not vetoed by an independent motion that passes the European Council with a simple majority - the power of the suspensive veto, and the power to refer newly passed bills to the European Court of Justice to determine their constitutionality.

The President shall be elected by the Council for a term of one year, renewable indefinitely. Presidents may be ousted by a constructive vote-of-no-confidence, which may be initiated by any Councillor.

Regular legislation, and other resolutions, excluding those of impeachment, shall pass the Council so long as there does not exist a majority against it. Votes-of-no-confidence shall fail so long as there does not exist a majority against the sitting President; for votes of confidence, vice-versa.

The threshold for impeachment shall be lowered to 3/5 of Councillors present.

On most other points, I agree with Cllr. Čikarová.

Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen

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24 March/Marzo 2024

The University of California, Davis in conjunction with the federal government and CalPoly will conduct a study on the feasibility of renewable energy in the Mojave Desert.

My Plan for Europe
1:Harmonise business and trade regulations by putting forward a European Copyright Act for a unified European Copyright system , a unified minimum quality standards with its own testing mark to show products comply with minimum standards and other trade harmonisation policies such as possible development of a European free trade area for nations who want to join.
2. Reform the bureaucracy of the EU to bring it closer to the nations and the people in all aspects. Have all agencies budgets allocated by population and economic need to panels in member states that make the decisions on how to give grants based on local knowledge within a framework of rules set out by a comissioner. I will have a central pot for bigger projects totalling over 2 billion Euros a year (or possibly lower) that will voted for in the current way though would seek to have national panels have input into this and being on hand to provide advice.
3. Use some of the funds of the EDA to develop a proposal for a European Electric Super Connector grid made up of several regional supergrids. I will develop this concept further based on detailed input by nation states and experts. This super gride will strengthen the grid for renewables in Europe providing greater stability in the grids combined with a scheme to help roll out home batteries , battery storage facilities and vehicle to grid storage continent wide. This will reduce the cost of electricity continent wide and allow a stable zero carbon energy grid. I will look at options to fully develop the grid by 2035, 2040 or 2050 with detailed proposals outlining costs and benefits of each proposal .
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4. I will hold a meeting with all European nations and call a convention on constitutional reform of the EU to get input from the nations and reform the EU to make sure it actually works reforming the current broken system that has led to paralysis and a feeling of anger and feeling ignored from the people of Europe towards the EU. I will work with nations to fix this system in a way that most European nations can agree on. My premiership will be a premiership of cooperation and progress.

I recognise my premiership will essentially be a crowning rather than a truly democratic will of the people and nations of Europe. This must guide how I interact with the nations and people of the EU, I will not win by fair democratic means but a crowning of being the only choice on the ballot. Therefore it is only fair I consult the nations on the direction they want me to take moving forward.