DU-Reitzmag Agreement

Hampton City, January 21 2023 | Following negotiations between Duxburian and Reitzmic delegations, an agreement has been inked to establish various partnerships between both nations. The agreement includes free trade, extradition, technological research cooperation, and export exchange of natural resources between both nations. Due to this, the DU will be joining in the state-sanctioned Fusion Energy Research Program led by Cambridge University, the Atomic Energy Research Establishment under the Department for Nuclear Energy, and the National Institute for Energy Research under the Department for Scientific Development. The country would also be providing special programs for exporting coal and other products in exchange for Duxburian resources like silicon, including tariff adjustments among others. The treaty is now pending ratification from Parliament before being put into place, while the government has begun making preparations through policy-adjustments and restructuring of some institutions and agencies.

Conditional Corporation Tax Cuts announced
Conditional corporation tax cuts were passed in parliament today in new tax rate plans. The tax cuts will consist of a 4% tax cut on corporation tax is firms have a profit share scheme giving at least 3% of profits to workers divided equally between workers and a 2nd tax cut of 4% if at least 25% of profits are reinvested in United Duchies factories or office infrastructure including machinery or any new construction.

The move was done to encourage reinvestment and more money to go to the workers of the companies with workers in remaining companies without profit share schemes hopefully getting a profit share scheme through the incentive programme set up by the tax cut. The revenue loss will be balanced out by taxes elsewhere in the tax code but it is aimed these will avoid raising taxes on those on middle or lower incomes.The news was welcomed by businesses who many of whom are likely to get tax breaks as they already have profit sharing schemes and who stand to benefit by getting a tax break for re-investing back into the country.The news of the new tax cut cuts the tax rate for semi-worker controlled businesses that profit share down from 15% of profit to 11% of profits with potentially companies being able to cut that down further through the reinvestment programme tax break to 7% of profits . The tax rate for cooperatives is to be set at the same rate as those of the semi-worker controlled companies under the new tax plans which will focus less on the type of business and more on how they act in terms of taxation,

BREAKING - AGUILAR SACKS TRUSS AND GETS ÁLVAREZ DE TOLEDO AS REPLACEMENT

Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, new Minister for the Spanish Commonwealth Affairs, Overseas Missions and Territorial Waters

Hasta la vista, Liz Truss. That has been the most repeated message over social media this afternoon after the Palacio de la Moncloa released a statement which confirmed the former Minister for the Spanish Commonwealth Affairs, Overseas Missions and Territorial Waters had resigned "voluntarily" and that thanked her for her services, while announcing the name of her successor, another woman: Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo. She is the third person to assume the office in less than 2 years, a record that tells how many problems President Aguilar faces at finding someone that is capable enough of holding such a relevant position within the cabinet.

Aguilar, who came back a few days ago from Gadalland and Aspern, might have been tempted to dismiss Truss way sooner than he has actually done. According to close sources to the Spanish President, who is also the President of the Partido Popular, Truss' words about the possible Government reaction to a possible passage of the Navigation Act were "out of place", alongside her inappropiate interference in the European Council affairs, as she is believed to have imposed the Spanish Councillor, Donald Tusk, what he had to say. If he did not obey Truss orders, the Minister threatened him with running against him on the next Councillor election and "make some corruption scandal up to guarantee he would not be a problem". Tusk reported this to Aguilar, that told him to "continue obbeing Truss until he had enough support to dismiss her".

The new Minister, Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, is a well-known figure in the Partido Popular, and also part of the conservative wing of the party, but according to a MP, she is "smarter than Truss at choosing her words both in public and private". With this new addition, Aguilar pretends to keep a hardline on the Straits policy, but without causing the scandals Truss caused during the past weeks.

Republic: Formation of the National Economic Council

The sixteen workers' associations have formed a "National Economic Council" to take on the role of the government and ensure both economic and social order until such time as an official cabinet can be formed that meets the demands of the ongoing demonstrations. Consisting of 200 representatives, appointed by the associations roughly proportionally to their membership, the Council will have the primary responsibilities of coordinating the tasks of the workers' associations, of ensuring the continued supply of raw material to producers, of maintaining international trade, and of meeting internal consumer demand. When it is in recess, its work is to be carried out by a smaller Presidium, consisting of 16 members and a non-voting president, currently Esketal Indretek, leader of the Ecologist Party and a major figure of the Istkalenic opposition.

"There no longer exists a functional government in Istkalen," said Indretek upon his election to the position. "it is now our responsibility, our sacred responsibility, to ourselves ensure stability and the maintenance of our international prestige until true order can be restored - until a strong government, willing at last to govern with the people and according to their demands, takes office and ensures a negotiated and consensual end to the righteous and justified unrest."

The Council intends to work with regional and local people's committees, which since the occupation have played a major role in ensuring the cooperation of the associations and of their constituent societies, to accomplish its goals; it has made an appeal calling for people's committees, particularly on a regional level, to establish more official relations with it and send delegates to a congress with which the Council will be in communication for the purpose of policy formulation.

Many leaders of the Istkalenic opposition have endorsed the Council. Elspeth Oskon, leader of the party Liberation, while expressing disagreement with the economic policies that it intends to pursue, nevertheless gave strong support for its establishment, stating,

We liberals have long struggled for democracy, true democracy, in Istkalen. While the Council certainly is pursuing objections almost diametrically opposed to our own, for us this is of no matter; its establishment, against the increasingly tyrannical and overreaching mandates of a government that, like so many others, clearly sees itself as entitled to govern, is a major victory for popular self-determination and the defense of human rights in our long-closed country.

Other major figures in support include Kalju Ilves, the leader of the Social Democratic Party, and LIris Vesek, former leader of the National Republican Party, both of whom have taken positions on the council's Presidium.

In strong contrast, however, the Council has not itself lent unreserved support for the goals of the opposition. While against the major cuts to the welfare state, it has not signaled any intention to restore the "stolen" pensions, instead suggesting that a separate system to provide the elderly benefits in kind ought to be established; it has also outright endorsed the centralization of the workers' associations, although it has moved to reinstate legal recognization to the workers' societies, "abolished" in December of 2021 but continuing to exist, informally, to the present.

"Unsustainable systems cannot be maintained," said Indretek in response to questions about the policy choices of the Council. "We are certainly opposed to the extreme radicalism and authoritarianism through which the government sought to replace them, but nevertheless, we see it as absolutely necessary that they be replaced. The solutions we have proposed are all, necessarily, moderate in nature. We have proposed no radical reorganizations, no major cuts. The welfare of the people will be protected."

However, no real objections have been expressed to this chosen path. With popular forces continuing to converge around the Council, it is, to the contrary, likely that it will be able to go about its tasks and implement its propositions with few barriers.

EL FINAL

Tommy looked at Mikaela, totally stunned. He had been enjoying his time here with Anastasia but the revenge threesome idea sounded more and more appealing. Carlos still hadn't arrived back in Ibiza and he had been ever so lonely. He never cheated on Carlos, even though they never talked about being exclusive. Anastasia on the other hand was glad she stayed out of this whole mess, including any lewd nonsense.

"Do you know what Mikaela yes-" Tommy said, his words being cut off by him noticing a movement in the corner of his eye. Who was it that had entered the club?

Carlos had entered the club, with a suitcase and all his luggage. "Approchez approchez!" Carlos said. "On va danser le big bisou!"

Tommy and Anastasia approached him and joined in in dancing the big bisou, Anastasia found some random Spanish man and dragged him along with her, and Tommy partnered with Carlos.

Tommy, extending the fig leaf of peace said: "Mikaela, do you want to join us dancing the big bisou?"

Na Caomhnóirí unveil platorm

Na Caomhnóirí have unveiled their platform for the upcoming election in a platform that surpised few and stayed close to the Blairite ideals. The platform unveiled was described by other parties as "racist" and "christianophobic". The platform was unveiled under the slogan "Make Strathae Strathaen again" when translated to English. The slogan has been compared to platforms of other fascist parties in Europe.

The platform unveiled had the following key policies:
1: A ban on Catholics and people of any abrahaimic faiths immigrating to Strathae
2: Remove those who express "homophobic, transphobic ,sexist or misogynistic views " from the country
3:Ban meat consumption again to protect animal lives from "senseless slaughter for mere human consumption of their flesh."
4:Return Strathae to traditional values that have served us well for hundreds of years
5:Return to old system of fines and prison sentences for environmental crimes that punish "environmental terrorists who pollute our country" ]
6: Put additional aviation taxes in place
7:Make any "homophobic, transphobic ,sexist or misogynistic speech " a hate crime under law that is punishable by up to 10 years in jail and make it so internet companies and media have responsibility for content hosted on their platforms and have to remove such content within 24 hours of it being reported or face fines of up to 3% of revenue in Strathae up to a total of 10% of revenue in Strathae per year.

The platform has been described by the PoT leader as a "platform of an enemy of the people full only of unstrathaen treasonous hatemongering". The Alternative and Clan Socialist parties also condemned the platform vowing not to work with the party if their alliance is elected in the upcoming elections with the most seats. The PoT and DRP have also vowed not to work with them while Ar Aghaidh Le Chéile, the Alternative and CSP alliance have also vowed not to form any coalition with any PoT government leaving the country with the potential for many elections if a party cannot get the majority required by law to form a government.

The Kingdom of Spain condemns the war threats of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on a recent statement issued by their Government, in which it was stated that "reliberating Gibraltar" was over the table. The Spanish Government would like to remind that Gibraltar has never been subjugated by any country and that is has always been under Spanish sovereignty, and that the British Empire era the United Kingdom once went through has been over for years. The Spanish Government has called the British Ambassador for inquiries, in order to receive a formal apology and obtain the needed explanations after these unberable threats that put in risk the Mediterrean Sea stability and peace in the European Union.

Dña. Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría Antón
First Vice-President of the Kingdom of Spain
Minister of the Presidency and Relations with the Cortes

The National Economic Council is, indeed, a new government. While we do not intend it to permanently substitute the genuine, legal cabinet, it is thus nonetheless. That we are new, and that we are insurgent, however, does not mean that we will break from the former government in all matters. This is more true nowhere else other than the field of foreign policy. We are committed, as the government of Uskeled was, as the government of Ilves was, as the government of Malk was, to ensuring the independence of our country, the stability of the international sphere, and the preservation of the present world order.

Recently, a minister in the Spanish government stated that her ministry, and the Spanish state by extension, would go as far as to defy European law to maintain controversial claims - and therefore a tax - on the important Strait of Gibraltar. We view, as we have always viewed, the preservation of free commerce and of national sovereignty as of the utmost importance. The government of Spain has no right to revise claims as it wishes in order to exercise jurisdiction over the waters of its neighboring countries, nor to needlessly obstruct international trade for its own geopolitical purposes. Its contemptible conduct in this matter has and continues to risk the stability of the Mediterranean region and market, on which the economy of Istkalen is highly dependent. While we desire to maintain close and pacifistic relations with all countries, including Spain, with which we have cooperated on many issues, we must necessarily condemn and oppose that which threatens the cause of peace and of national integrity.

Our Council, as past governments have been, is deeply committed to ensuring the freedom of maritime commerce, and therefore has lent support to the Freedom of Navigation Act currently being debated in the Council. In the event of its passage, we will recognize it as being in force over all the area in which it applies. This necessarily means that we will not comply with the dictates that the Kingdom of Spain has threatened. We will attempt to negotiate a settlement over this issue in order to avert true conflict; however, if these restrictions are enforced against us, without any agreement, in the event of the passage of the act, we will view it as an act of piracy and of aggression by the Kingdom of Spain and take appropriate, retaliatory action.

Esketal Indretek
President of the Presidium of the National Economic Council

With five votes for and six votes against, this act has FAILED.

Iras Tilkanas
Council Speaker and Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen

Juncker stood up and handshaked everybody on the room before talking for the last time. The meeting was as planned, and everyone took part on it. It was a great thing he could add to his merits list. He then started to talk, for the last time, to all those presidents that did or didn't support him:

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"Thank you everyone for your closing statements. Today, we have got to many conclusions that lead the European Union to future agreement, to cooperation, to those values the EU take as theirs. Today, we have debated the most important points of the current European Politics, the challenges we will have to face together, united. I know some of you here are not happy with me being the Internal Affairs Commissioner. Some others came here being rude and thinking they ruled this meetings. Others, just doubt about my neutrality. But, at least, we have had a good meeting in which we have been able to meet for once at all.

I would like to thank you all for your assistance. It's been hard, but we have done it. Also, thank you for all of your great words towards me, which I really appreaciate and they motivate me to continue doing my work as well as I can. Today we have learnt about what we want and what we don't want. We can do it together, we just need to cooperate loking to the future. Thank you all, and I hope you the best for the future."

The meeting then ended.

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Emma Granger alongside the Eurorail

EUROPOLIS.- The Councillor for Montenbourg, Emma Granger ended months of intense speculation about her political future during this Commission Elections on Friday with a sudden announcement that she wouldn't seek the either the Internal Affairs Commissioner or Premier Commissioner positions, abandoning a dream she's harbored for decades and putting Jean Claude Juncker from @Spain, Joe Biden from the @Kingdom-of-Reitzmag and other candidates in a stronger position to capture the nomination.

Granger cast the decision in personal terms, “As a woman and councillor, I have worked through the process of seeking a better Union for all of us; this time I will continue my work in the European Council,” she said.

Still, Granger, who a spokesman said made her decision Thursday night, positioned herself as a defender of the legacy in Women's rights, LGBT+ rights, on her famously acts such as the Reproductive Act and Child Marriage Act, also remembering her works on the Refugee Protection Act.

The Councillor for Montenbourg sent a pointed warning to the front-runners in her remarks, apparently rebuking her for comments that Progressives were enemies.

"I believe that we have to end the divisive partisan politics that is ripping this Union apart, and I think we can; I'm choosing to believe in a better Europe." said Granger, who, though a crafty partisan, often worked across the aisle during nearly three years in the European Council.

The announcement marked a major shift in the Commission Elections race, removing a potential threat to the Premier and Internal Affairs Commissioner frontrunners, who had been polling behind of a hypothetical Granger candidacy.

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Last week, Prime Minister Lahaye announced that her government was able to secure a deal that was weeks in the making with the United Kingdom as part of a step to modernize the Leagioan Navy. The move comes part of the coalition agreement to modernize the military of the Commonwealth with new equipment and additional focuses on research such as Drone technology and hyper-sonic missiles. The government of Commonwealth in a agreement with the Starmer Government in the United Kingdom, the two countries would work together in developing a new class of frigates and destroyers as well as new drone. As part of a iniative to begin the process of modernizing the Leagioan Navy in particular, the Commonwealth purchased licenses for the following the British Class of Type 45 Destroyers and the Type 23 class Frigates.

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(A image of LNS Gopen taken as it sailed out of Port Hilson)

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(A image taken of the brand new Alberto Malillos sailing into Port Hilson)
The classes will have all the original British technology but modifications of some of the Leagioan counterparts of ASW detection and radar. The new classes will be named as according to the new ship naming conventions that President Mouri-Kudo authorized, which in this class the Type 45 Destroyers will be called the Gopen Class Destoryers and the Type 23’s are the Abel Ortiz Class Frigates. The Ministry of Defence announced that 3 of the new Gopen Class Destoryers were purchased from the shipyards of the United Kingdom (LNS Gopen, LNS Jullien, LNS Freedonia) and 5 Abel Ortiz Class Frigates were purchased as well (LNS Abel Ortiz, LNS Alberto Malillos, LNS Hyden Cole, LNS Louie Holland, and LNS Noah Valledres).

Prime Minister Lahaye with the support of Minister of Health - Mark Dime of the Green Party submitted a bill for a nationalized system of healthcare for the Commonwealth, where it is based on a multiple payer system of health where depending on the occupation, jobs would pay parts of it with the government of different levels of the commonwealth from Federal to local through taxes, and depending on the procedure it is paid by the patient unless it is necessary for the health and safety of the patient. The bill called the National Healthcare Act places all nurses, doctors, and medical personnel as employees of the Common government of the Commonwealth. Furthermore, the Act establishes a regulation that grants the creation of Bureau of Quality Health where it will provide price regulations. In addition, the bill would shift health insurance companies from selling insurance in general to selling benefits that would improve that would cover cosmetic surgery and other non-necessary procedures. The bill is expected to go through the Health and Social Services Committee within the House of Councilors before it goes through a official vote.

Citizens; the Committee for the Preparation of Copalan Independence, upon reviewing closely the prevailing conditions in Copala City, proclaims the formal establishment of the Copalan Republic.

The people throughout our city have been plunged into bitter suffering and tribulations since the Reitzmic government betrayed it so terribly, occupying it and forcing upon it the most odious of diktats. Fortunately, the CPCI, joined by the many patriots fighting for our city and backed by the whole of the population, struggling to defend the integrity of our city, protect the people's lives and property, to relieve the people of their sufferings, and to struggle for their rights, has pushed away the arm of the villainous Reitzmic government. The people of this city have been liberated; it is to them, to us all, to prevail in this in perpetuity. The Copalan Independence Army, in this vein, has been established as to secure our city from the occupiers; Copalan citizens and insurgents are recommended to join it if they are willing to fight for their city.

But representing the will of the whole of our city, the CPCI has established, through the passage of the Organic Law of Copala CIty, the Interim Government of the Copalan Republic, composed of the Council of State and the Council of MInisters, whose members will be announced in due course.

The Interim Government instructed the CPCI, which has been working arduously for this moment, to make known to the populace the establishment of the Republic and the end of Reitzmic tyranny in Copala City. At the same time, it decided to declare, through the CPCI, to the governments of all other countries that this government is the sole legal government representing all the people of Copala City. This government is willing to establish diplomatic relations with any foreign government that is willing to observe the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and mutual respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Interim Government has taken office today, and has made it its priority as to cement independence and establish the state organs of our Republic with great speed.

Long live our city; long live the Republic.

The Copalan anthem plays.

On the Rehousing Program in Kiel and the introduction of E-Residency

The mental health crisis in Kiel is slowing. Mayor Katzian has finally accepted the help of the Government; we have deployed mental health professionals, as well as clergy, to the city as to create a sense of comfort and stability, as volunteer agricultural and worker militias join the military in taking the rest of the city from the hands of those who are insane, who will receive treatment and care afterwards.

However, we recognize that the state of the city remains abysmal. It is not fit to be, in fact, a city; that infernal architect Le Corbusier designed it to be a machine, a machine to remake man. Man resisted, as one would do as external forces attempt to fit one into a mold; and this is the result. Despair, violence, and death!

The industrial estates, many of which have been repurposed by artisans and artists from the south, and the abandoned Melisz neighborhood in the north, fortunately not designed by Le Corbusier or affiliates, have been repurposed as to allow for this.

The artists' communities are currently open to new residents, although on a limited scale; one may apply for housing in Melisz at a local public distribution center in Kiel, which are currently being set up as order is gradually restored.

Meanwhile, in a further attempt to raise money for austerity and to reduce the high toll of it on citizens, we are launching a program that will allow non-citizens to register sole proprietorships in the Union, and to take advantage of the requisite benefits, including the "virtual" ketsel, which is significantly easier to trade with. One may apply online, subject to an interview if applications are accepted. Renewal of this "residency" will be a flat sum of 55 ketselir per year.

In addition, the country will also be issuing ivkaliszlerikkeletir (residency documents of self-employment), solely applicable to the New and Rural Territories, as to allow independent contractors from across the world who can prove themselves to be self-sufficient and without ties to terrorism to live in the Union, file taxes in it, and thus have access, in exchange, to all essentials provided to citizens without cost.

Kalju Lepik
State Elder of the Union of Syndicates

Andries van Beek
First Minister of the Council of Ministers

Meszich Letik
First Elder of the Council of Progress

Vestisz Nevist
First Elder of the Council of Reason

Nelisij Kalszen
First Elder of the Council of the Immortal Republic

"Alright now that we have outlined everything. Myself and Marshall Copala shall work to finalize the text to be signed by all participating states at this conference. Thank you all for your hard work, have a blessed day."

Rudé právo (Newspaper of the Socialist Republican Party)

The Czechoslavonic People's Army serves as a great example for society

Since the democratization of the armed forces and law enforcement has been passed by the National Council both forces have noted positive developments. Reports conducted by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior indicate decrease of opportunism and careerism in leadership of both forces, The soldiers and policemen know from experience who to trust to be dedicated to motherland and revolution and who to elect as officers. In its functioning, both forces moved closer to the functioning of the Socialist Republican Party, as is fitting for organized and armed proletariat.

The members of the armed forces recently proved their high effectiveness with working on the successful moving of the Church of John the Baptist in Kroměříž. For this deed a raise in wages and pensions for the service members has been approved by the parliament.

Now with tensions on the rise in Europe and representatives of states openly talking about a war it is important to note that the People's Army is keeping peace for the people of Czech Slavia and is prepared to destroy all that would dare disturb this peace. May their determination and loyalty serve as an inspiration to all Czechs.

Česká tisková kancelář

Courts to be democratized

Yesterday the National Council has approved the Government's proposal to democratize the nation's judiciary by making the election of judges direct. Until now the judges have been elected indirectly by local authorities, but following the Government's evaluation of the effects of democratization of the armed forces and law enforcement, it has proposed the democratization reform of the judiciary. The judges will now be elected by all eligible voters in the sub-regions and regions they will serve. All members of the parliament from the SRP voted for the reform, while none of the opposition members of the parliament have supported it.

Former Head of State of Istkalen, Vistek Rikkalek, awarded the Order of Friendship

The President for Life Albína Reiserová has awarded the Order of Friendship to the former Head of State of Istkalen Vistek Rikkalek. According to her, this is due to his continuos efforts to deepen the relations between Czech Slavia and Istkalen during his term in office. This includes attending Czech ceremonies, seeking co-operation between rare earth metals producers, signing the Kirelesile Agreement (which the Democratic Republic of Czech Slavia signed but never ratified) or deepening cultural and education co-operation. According to polls Vistek Rikkalek used to be the second most positively perceived foreign leader by population of Czech Slavia nearing the end of his term.

The President for Life has invited Rikkalek to a ceremony to accept the award from her hands. "There will be no shellfish at the ceremony." the Leader of the Progressive Mankind remarked quickly on her way to the gym, in reference to the former Head of State's inability to consume shellfish.

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SDV: Anne-Marie David has been elected as President of the Romain Socialist Republic. She is a moderate AÉN faction member, and is trying to unite both sides of her party within Romain. She has said she is willing to wor with Sanders on all matters, except dairy prohibition, citing camembert as her favourite spreadable cheese.

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SDV: In Rujonau, the most populous of the Socialist Republics, the AÉN came out on top -- just. They only have 4 more seats than the TANKIES, meaning that any number of things can happen within this socialist republic. Élisabeth Avril has been elected as President of this Socialist Republic. She is on the anarcho-communist wing of her faction, meaning that she is under attack from her more moderate colleagues in the Rujonau Socialist Assembly.

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SDV: Imelda Wuaulsh has been elected President of the Nuwnociluosoaulaunk Socialist Republic. The Assembly is dominated by TANKIES and it won't be hard for Wuaulsh to pass any legislation that she wants to. This is the traditional homeland of Socialism and Communism in Icholasen, and is the region that Chairman Jirluchuz was governor of before the Revolution. It is a sacred place for hardliners as it has been socialist controlled for decades.

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SDV: Laulw Forin has been elected as the President of the Kicrlaunk Socialist Republic, with her faction holding 55 out of 100 possible seats. Forin is best known for her unsuccessful attempt to become a European Councillor for the UNSR, being kicked from the Council by Speaker Firoux. She is a hardline TANKIE who will push forward her agenda of keeping Kicrlaunk industrialised, and has pledged to expand the exploitation of Rare Earth metals.

And so this is the last election, and the end of the 2020 UNSR elections. Tune in next year where the second half of the Ausnat will be elected and for other elections along the way. This has been Stephanie DeVey, peace out!