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Roscoes given to workers
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Roscoes has restructured to dilute shares and give shares to the Roscoes Welfare Association which will be renamed the Union for Roscoes Workers. The restructuring will see the business move to the following ownership:

Ownership Ownership Voting Shares Voting Share % Non Voting Shares % Non-voting Total Shares % Total Board members Roscoes Family Trust 59.72% 7,465 29.86% 75,000 3.80% 82,465 4.12% 6 Union for Roscoes Workers: 0.00% 12,500 50.00% 1,000,000 50.63% 1,012,500 50.63% 10 Roscoes Foundation 0.00% - 0.00% 199,856 10.12% 199,856 9.99% - Kligenberg Industries 21.92% 2,740 10.96% 345,616 17.50% 348,356 17.42% 2 Cadbury Trust 2.70% 338 1.35% 44,460 2.25% 44,798 2.24% 0 National Duchies Fund 15.66% 1,958 7.83% 310,068 15.70% 312,026 15.60% 2 Total: 100.00% 25,000 100.00% 1,975,000 100.00% 2,000,000 100.00% 20

Workers will own 50.63% of the business having 10 of the 20 members on the board to become semi-worker owned and controlled. The Roscoes will take the greatest hit in value with their shares being worth 102 billion Euros down from 1.478 Trillion Euros. Rachel Reubenstein-Roscoe Co-Ceo along with Co-Ceo Ruth Cadbury said in a joint statement "We believe it is time to give our business to the workers as a legacy of our families values. We have run the business in accordance with putting the worker first and benefiting future generations. The shares have been gifted under deed restriction that they cannot be sold by either the Union for Roscoes Workers or the Roscoes Foundation or any of their sucessors. We hope this will keep the businesses values and ethics safe in the long term . No more voting shares may be issued on the stock market by covenant in order to protect the business from outsider infiltration." It is rumoured businesses like TUI have been considering also moving to semi-worker owned model.

BREAKING: PM says no to EU Divorce Bill

Black House, July 10 2024 | The Prime Minister has just made an official statement from his office at the Black House on the matter of the 'EU Divorce Bill' currently under scrutiny in the European Council. In the statement, the Prime Minister highlighted his support for guaranteeing a legal method of separation of persons in marriage while citing various reasons for opposing the said bill. At the end of the statement, Prime Minister Bridges declared that the country will not conform with the bill if it does pass into law and made a strong warning against the EU on attempting to conduct any intervention to force the bill on the country, citing the possibility of invoking his lawful powers to begin the process for withdrawal from the said regional organization.

Update 1: Netizens have taken to social media to voice support for the Prime Minister, with #EuropeanNotSpanishConstitution and #NotMyConstitution taking the top trending spots in Twitter Reitzmag. Meanwhile, a press conference is currently being held separately by the various opposition parties. The Reitzmic Catholic Bishops Conference, a stern opponent of divorce, as well as other major lay faithful groups have so far not issued any statement.

Update 2: Leader of the Opposition Park Geun-hye, in a statement during a press conference at the Conservative Party Headquarters, voiced her support to the Prime Minister's recent action, calling it 'victory against tyranny'. Other parties also expressed support, with some backlash from the Liberal Democrats on the threat to begin the process for withdrawal from the EU. The Reitzmic Catholic Bishops' Conference has so far refused to make any statement on the matter, telling reporters that an 'appropriate response' will be released when possible.

Update 3: Demonstrators led by the Krexit Party and National Union Party have begun to gather in front of the Black House at Government Square, calling on the Prime Minister to begin the withdrawal procedure under the Krexit Bill. Councilor Yahontov is yet to make a statement on the matter, but sources say she is currently in talks with the government and the opposition parties about the situation.

This is a developing story, updates will be posted as soon as possible

NEW DIGITAL NOMAD VISA TO ENTER IN PLACE ON AUGUST 1ST

A digital nomad, in the Canary Islands

The Spanish Government has announced the creation of a new type of visa for digital nomads, which will allow freelancers and remote workers from nations with no free movement agreements with Spain to live and work in the country for up to five years, starting August 1st, using exclusively computer telematics and telecommunication media and systems; making it the first country of the European Union to have these types of visas available. According to Minister of Industry, Trade, Tourism and Energy, Thierry Breton; the introduction of this new type of visa will make Spain one of the "most attractive destinations" for nomads.

To apply for this type of visa, interested individuals shall submit their application at their nearest Spanish embassy or consulate. The first step to be able to request this visa is showing that the work you do can be done remotely and working for a company that has been in business for at least one year. When it comes to self-employed citizens willing to become digital nomads in Spain, they have to show that you are well-established and have a steady stream of clients. In addition, they can work with Spain-based companies as long as it doesn't make up more than 20% of your overall workload. The Spanish Government has set other requirements for these nomads, such as holding a bachelor's or master's degree from a legitimate university, college, or business school, or have at least three years of relevant work experience in their current professional field; being financially stable (with an income of 2,280€ per month or 30,840€ per year) and having a clean criminal record. The application fee is 80€ and if they are approved, nomads will have to apply for their NIF and NIE. Taxation for these nomads is also attractive: these non-residents will be subject to a 24% tax rate, applicable up to 600,000€ per year, with any earning above this amount being taxed at a 48%.

Many regions are already expecting a growth in their foreign residents stats, specially the well-known Spanish tourist hotspots, like Andalucía, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands; or some quieter places, like the Spanish Micronesia, Puerto Rico or the islands that belong to Portugalia. In San Juan (Puerto Rico), citizens are not concerned about the arrival of these wealthy workers: «if their arrival contributes to the well-being of our island, and to tackle down housing prices while improving our public services, we will welcome them with open hands», said Juliana, a 30-year old woman with a child. In the Spanish Micronesia, where space is severely limited, the hotels are expected to receive the bigger influx of digital nomads: «we are eager to see if this new visas bring some more dynamism to the local economy, while having higher incomes», says Asou, the owner of a little hostel in the main island of the region.

Republic

Írenet Isteresskemar (re)founds Democratic Movement

Months of mud-flinging and petty infighting in the Farmer-Green Alliance are now, it seems, to come to an end: Minister of Foreign Affairs Írenet Isteresskemar, long at loggerheads, in spite of her nominal departure from politics, with liberal party leader and former Minister of the Interior Liris Vesek, has announced that she will be taking the hard-right nationalist faction around her figure out of the party to found a new political force of her own - the Democratic Movement.

"We have had enough," said Ísteresskemar at the rally where she made the decision public, "of the weakness of Liris Vesek. At every turn, she, with her so-called liberal sensibilities, has tried to make us bow down before the onslaught of decadence and degradation that face us - every type of degeneracy she has condoned and sought to make acceptable, too fearful to stand up against any of it, inviting, through her acquiescence, into our country the demons that have consumed the West."

"It has thus," she continued, "come time for us to depart. No longer can the patriots, the sober and hard-working people of our good Istkalen, stand behind this ineffectual idiot. No -we must take matters into our own hands, and forge for ourselves, once again, a movement, a strong movement, founded in the rustic, pure values that we know have kept our families and country alike healthy through the years. Is it thus, with conviction in the power of the traditions and the real people of my beloved country, then, that I return to politics and announce the foundation of the Democratic Movement: a new party that will stand forever and truly resolutely in the defense of the Istkalenic people."

The Democratic Movement will begin its existence with 30 deputies in the National Assembly and roughly half of the Farmer-Green Alliance's local affiliates. Most political experts expect it to command the support of roughly 5-10% of the population, with a ceiling of perhaps up to 20% and a floor, at lowest, at 3%, taking right-wing conservatives away from not merely the Farmer-Greens, but also adjacent parties, from the Populists to the Republican Syndicalists, for whom this political contingent is a fairly major constituency but who nevertheless have made no clear attempts to appeal to it.

For the time being, in spite of the strong, anti-Western line it appears to be taking, the Movement is expected to remain in government without major concessions; Ísteresskemar is known to value her current post as Minister of Foreign Affairs highly, having enjoyed almost full control over the country's foreign policy for what is now almost three years, and is thus thought to be unlikely to abandon her position unless actively forced to.

No figures within the main body of the Farmer-Green Alliance have yet reacted to Ísteresskemar's split, nor are any expected to - though the conflict in the party was an open secret, Vesek and her liberal allies have consistently maintained that Ísteresskemar has been an extra-political figure since her resignation from the party in April, and are not expected to abandon this line.

National Republicans adopt "statist" economic policy

The National Republican Party, party leader Katharina Beck, following a vote of the party congress, has announced, will be running on a "statist" economic policy at the next national election.

"We are," she said to a crowd of thousands in Kirelesile's Revolution Square, "the party of the republic - the party of duty, the party of order, the party of virtue. This identity, these values - we must hold to them with ardor, in every sphere, if we are to remain honest and true."

"I have sought," she continued, "to lead this party out of the abyss, out of the endless compromises and confusions that led it to abandon its foundations in favor of corruption and compradorism and back to these values so high. And already, after just a few months, have we accomplished so much together. We have done away with the old system of machines and local affiliates in favor of a central, unified party organization that plays by the rules. We have swept away the rigid adherence to an ossified, imported conservatism that subordinated the people to clerics and rent-seekers. We have moved away from the dual doctrines of cultural Westernization and political authoritarianism in order to reaffirm the principle whose defence we were created for - the unquestionable supremacy of an indigenous and republican order."

"Now, it comes time to make the final sweep - and make the final sweep we will do. On one last front does our party remain marked by the degradations of the years of opportunism: we continue to support the cancerous individualism of the economic sphere that grows and eats away at our society, through which every man and woman alike somehow finds himself, herself, entitled without duty, through which every man and woman somehow finds himself, herself, liberated of their bonds to society, through which every man and woman is somehow enabled to take from the whole without commensurately giving back. I do not have to speak of it exactly, nor do I have any intention of ever putting its filthy name in my mouth; we know what it is and of the ruin it has wrought, the collapse it has brought to every conceivable corner of our Istkalen."

"It is thus with happiness and pride that I announce that, through all our efforts combined, our party at long last has abandoned its misguided affirmation of this toxic state of affairs in favor of a line far truer to its past, its values, and far better for the people to whom it will always be loyal: we are abandoning total individualism, which always rots and destroys, in favor of of an economic republic just as we have a political republic, where the individual will is subordinated to the needs of the whole: duty, order, and virtue over the libertinian excess to which we have for too long given ourselves - a statist approach to the economic issue, in which expectation, coordination, and planning, organized and promoted by the republican organs of the popular will corporate, will take precedence over the chaos of the clashing individual wills which parasitically suck to dominate, to weaken, and then to, invariably, kill."

While it is clearly Beck's intention to cast the change in policy as a return to form, it is, in reality, an extreme break with tradition. The National Republican Party was founded in part in explicit rejection of statist, centralizing economic policy, with one of the central planks of its original manifesto being the restoration of the traditional craft economy, founded on the individual, through the radical redistribution of property and the re-establishment of the guilds. Moreover, it pursued, in the 26 years it ruled the country as the only legal party, avenues of policy often radical and damaging in nature to this end, even against the mounting evidence pointing towards profound failure. So attached, in fact, is it to the idea of an economy of independent producers that it is widely seen by academics as the originator of the concept in its modern form.

But though Beck may be being dishonest with regards to her justifications, she is being shrewd in both pushing the party away from its traditions and shrouding her push in tradition. As economic inequality and dysfunction both grow, Istkaleners - especially young Istkaleners, un-and-underemployed at markedly higher rates than the rest of the Istkalenic population - have grown increasingly and now exponentially more dissatisfied with the general structure of the country's economy, and just as more curious about new alternatives. With alternatives having been uniformly represented by ultra-radical political forces - the ultra-capitalist, ultra-liberal Social Democrats and the ultra-clerical, ultra-traditionalist Union most of all - however, this curiosity, present as it may be, has failed to fully manifest itself. By both moving itself fully out of the camp of national economic orthodoxy while still presenting a relatively conservative image, the National Republicans may be able to capitalize on this unanswered dissatisfaction.

On the Californian Entry to the Commonwealth

Californian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland

It is with great happiness that I announce the entry of and I welcome the Republic of California into the Spanish Commonwealth as an international observer. The members of the Commonwealth, in an unanimity vote, have accepted the neighbouring country into the organization. Today, we give an historical step towards reuniting, within the same institution, all the regions and nations that share deep ties with the Kingdom of Spain.

After the summit came to an end, I had the chance to meet the Californian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, to whom I have explained the programme I am delivering as Secretary-General of the Spanish Commonwealth. California, as an international observer, will be able to vote on those matters that involve all Commonwealth members, but not on those that concern Spanish territories around the world. Both the Prime Minister and I have discussed the many ideas and proposals that we have to make the Commonwealth a better organization and to deliver for the people even more.

Today, a new era starts for the Spanish Commonwealth and its new international observer, the Republic of California.

Patricia Scotland
Secretary-General of the Spanish Commonwealth

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?"

Statement of the Prime Minister

An Official Apology and Personal, Handwritten Letter, with Package Included, to President Albína Reiserová, Mother of the Czechoslavonic Nation

Most Honorable President,

I thought I was wise. I thought I was learned. I thought that my fifty-two years had given me some mystical knowledge of the world hidden to all others, that I and I alone knew, always, best.

I have found that I was wrong - wronger, perhaps, than anyone else ever has been. The three months of reality I have had have shown me that the whole of my life before them was spent in an ivory castle, above and well away from the struggles of the people.

What I believed was my wisdom I discovered was my folly; what I believed was my learnedness I discovered was my gross ignorance; what I believed was my knowledge I discovered was simply mental excrement. Everything, from the moment I emerged from my castle up on high to gaze upon the truths of the world, was turned on my head, and I was left to see myself for what I truly was - a silly, idiotic child, who screamed and yelled, throwing her tantrums, tearing at the skirts and pants of the real adults, who she believed were silly when it is she who was silly and the adults who were, in fact, entirely sober and clear-minded.

A dear and truly wise friend of mine, Madam - or Doctor, although she insists, with her characteristic humility, that we do not use the title - Évretas Iketemar, who directs our national institute for music, told me, in the rightfully scolding tones of someone who knew and still knows better, that you and your government have noted down all of my infantile outbursts, that you all remember them quite well, that, because of them, you have come to see me as a madwoman.

I tell you that you all were - are - entirely right to judge me such. I was mad - all my ramblings and denunciations were the products of a mind entirely disordered, addled by overexposure to the world of theory and underexposure to the world of reality - material and spiritual. Even now I struggle to cast off all of my old predilections - my mind is still too caught up in the patterns of sanctimony - so deep inside the insanity was.

But mad as I may be, there are some things I have nevertheless learned. Strict adherence to book-knowledge, life in a world of forms - these things I have discovered have no place in reality. My short term in office has shown me the necessity of tending and adjusting according to the national condition, national consciousness, national spirit - of recognizing the real truths of the people and the wisdom that may lie among them, deep in the land on which they live, or within, beneath the distortions of the centuries, the tradition they may still hold deep in their hearts, and acting accordingly, with justice, with love, with respect.

I apologize, thus, for my denunciations of your party and my efforts to force my own into collective opposition to its efforts to bring good governance to Czech Slavia. I apologize for the horrific set of poems I sent to your contest, horrible, distorted, insulting caricatures not merely of you and all the good men and women who surround you but also of your kindest of allies. I apologize for having tried to create parody films insulting you, trying to sully your name, because of my infantile hatred for decisions that I refused, in my stubbornness and simplicity, to understand. I apologize for having, in my blindness and theory-obsession, had the audacity to call your efforts to reconnect with the real spirit and consciousness of your country "cultism."

Every act I have made against you I apologize for; I prostrate before you and beg for your forgiveness. I am a worm, and you the sun; my dirty actions have made me unfit even to bow before you, so brilliant, loving, kind, have condemned me to burn before someone so good as you, but still, in foolish hopes to receive some respite from the terrible condition I, through my foolishness, have foisted on myself, I have come before you to ask, humbly, for mercy.

By great effort - as you may know, it is difficult for anyone with power in Istkalen to obtain anything of value or use, and even now, I risk prosecution for my having done so - I have included in this package a set of all the common wonders of my country: a set of pressed flowers, all unique to my Istkalen dear, a traditional tea set, with instructions for use, a specially prepared and treated box of native bark which you may use - there are instructions for that, as well - to make tea, a music box which plays one of our folk songs, and a traditional harp, with a comprehensive set of lesson, song, and étude books - written by Évretas, who, as an aside, tells me that the Festival of Veles was a real marvel, in an edition she made especially for you, one which includes her personal annotations.

You will also find a form with some questions. If you reply and fill it out - which, of course, I do not expect you to, given the abuses I have hurled so unfairly on you - I will have it sent to a stampmaker to have an Istkalenic stamp, which we use in place of signatures here, made for you, which I hope to be able to present at a meeting between us, if you agree to one.

As the worm to your sun, as the whining child before you, the mature mother, and with my deepest and sincerest of apologies,
Elizabeth Íkrat
Prime Minister of the Republic of Istkalen

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.

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Civil Populist Party Gains Increased Support For National Election

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The Civil Populist Party has been on a rollercoaster journey in the world of politics, facing ups and downs in recent years. After a somewhat disappointing performance in the 2022 National Legislative elections followed by a loss in the 2023 local elections, the party seemed to be at a crossroads. However, under the leadership of Senator Maria Kerstin, a new dawn seems to be on the horizon as the party gains increased support and momentum.

Senator Maria Kerstin, who also ran as the EU Internal Affairs Commissioner (ICA) candidate in 2020, took the reins of the party as its President following the setbacks of the previous elections. Recognizing the need for a rejuvenation of the party's image as the 'Party of the People', Senator Kerstin embarked on a journey to reshape the Civil Populist Party by removing right-wing elements and re-establishing its connection with the common people in the Commonwealth of Leagio. One of the key strategies employed by Senator Kerstin was the implementation of a platform creation system that involved not only party members but also independent voters who desired a voice in the government. By opening up the platform creation process to a wider range of voices, the Civil Populist Party aimed to reflect the needs and aspirations of the broader population, thereby solidifying its position as a party that truly represents the interests of the people.

The efforts of Senator Kerstin and the party members seem to be paying off, as recent polling data indicates a significant surge in support for the Civil Populist Party. Compared to the bleak scenario of 2022 and 2023, where the party struggled to make its mark, the Civil Populists are now positioned at near fourth place with approximately 10% of voter support. This increase in popularity showcases the effectiveness of the new strategies and approaches adopted by the party leadership in engaging with the electorate and addressing their concerns.The rise of the Civil Populist Party can be attributed to a combination of factors. The emphasis on inclusivity and grassroots participation in the platform creation process has garnered widespread appreciation from both party members and independent voters. By fostering a sense of ownership and involvement among the people, the party has successfully tapped into the pulse of the nation and resonated with the aspirations of the populace.

Additionally, the progressive stance taken by the Civil Populist Party under Senator Maria Kerstin's leadership has also struck a chord with a significant section of the electorate. By championing progressive values, social justice, and equality, the party has distinguished itself as a beacon of hope for those seeking positive change and reform in the political landscape. As the Civil Populist Party continues to gain ground and expand its support base, it stands poised to emerge as a formidable force in the upcoming political landscape of the Commonwealth of Leagio. With Senator Maria Kerstin at the helm, steering the party towards a future defined by inclusivity, progress, and people-centric policies, the Civil Populists are well-positioned to reclaim their title as the true 'Party of the People' and make a lasting impact on the political arena.

According to sources within the United People’s Front (UPF) alliance headquarters in Moraben, Jullien, this increase has been concerning for the Left-wing alliance as they fear that it cause them to lose the support that they enjoyed from the 2022 election voters that shifted from the Civil Populist Part and steal 56 seats from them. Currently, the UPF is trying to find a way to spin this around where they can make the Civil Populists seem as an unfunctional party and reliable on its platform by referencing its failures in previous years. On the other hand, the Social-Progressives (run by President Mouri-Kudo) have remained silent. Although, some members within the party’s representation in the National Congress have voiced concerns that the shift might force them to coliation with the Civil Populists again. A feeling that they are uneasy about as memories of the CPP’s betrayal is still strong from 2021/2022 and some sources close to the President say that she is willing to work with Maria Kerstin (who is also running as the party’s candidate for Prime Minister) but with a laundry list of conditions to ensure the Civil Populists don’t screw with her again.

When referencing back to the new platform that was created by the creation system that Senator Kerstin developed for the Civil Populist Party called UR-Platform, this is what was established:
• Create an Agency of Rent Management that would manage rent prices for apartment housing throughout the Commonwealth
• A new election formation of the EU-Councilor where the National Congress and President appoint a representative but follow a council system similar to what Ritzmag uses with at least 20 representatives elected every local election cycle through a STV system.
• An amendment to the Constitution where the President is free to appoint a Prime Minister without Congressional Approval to ensure a true presidential system
• Increased investment plans on energy and infrastructure, with a special interest in constructing nuclear plants in the Commonwealth and the expansion of the National Highway system
• Reduced military spending down to 3.5% from 5% where the extra funds can be diverted to Energy and Infrastructure to expand mentioned projects
• Maintain membership with Telum and support military endeavors that threaten the security/interests of the Commonwealth
• Expand educational opportunities abroad opportunities for all children regardless of race, socio-economic status, etc.
• Maintain a neutral balance in foreign policy with all nations, including Telum
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With five votes for and six votes against, this act has FAILED.

Iras Tilkanas
Council Speaker and Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen

BBC Elthize

President Chai calls for United Duchies inclusion in EMUzone

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The United Duchies had submitted their bid to join the Finisterre Treaty in August 2021.

President Melissa Chai has called for the Bank of Europe to approve the United Duchies’ bid to join the Treaty of Finisterre, which would expand the EMUzone to include one of EU’s largest economies.

During an interview with Radio and Television of the City of Forecoaster (RTCF), Chai emphasized the economic and political benefits of expanding the use of the European Monetary Unit (EMU), urging the Bank of Europe to move forward with the application from the United Duchies.

When asked about Elthize's transition from the florin to the European Monetary Unit (EMU), Chai admitted that she was initially opposed to the change, but now considers the issue "settled." She said, “I support us having our own independent monetary policy... However, there’s no reason to switch currencies over and over again. We use the EMU now, and it seems to be working great for a lot of Elthics.”

Chai went on to express her support for further expansion of the EMUzone: “I think we should take every opportunity to expand the availability of EMU. It is meant to be a common currency, after all. The United Duchies, for example, applied to join years ago, but the Bank of Europe hasn’t responded yet. I think it’s a missed opportunity. They are one of the largest economies in the European Union, and their inclusion would bring more legitimacy. I don’t know what’s taking [the Bank of Europe] so long, honestly.”

Currently, the EMUzone includes Spain, Inquista, Icholasen, Vayinaod, Fremet, Leagio, Montenbourg, and Elthize. Elthize is the only country that joined after the treaty was signed in 2020, becoming a member in January 2024.

United Duchies had applied to join the treaty in August 2021.

In their application, Prime Minister John Peter Key stated: "As major trade partners of both Spain and Inquista, we feel this is in the interests of both the Finisterre Treaty and the United Duchies by reducing barriers and increasing market stability by removing conversion issues."

However, there has not been a response to this application since. When asked by the BBC, the Bank of Europe declined to comment.

It is assumed that the United Duchies are kept out of the treaty largely due to their strained diplomatic relationship with Spain, the treaty’s architect and host of the 2020 summit where the treaty was signed. These circumstances has fueled speculation that the Duchies have effectively been blacklisted from the treaty.

"Spain sees the United Duchies as its main rival, alongside Reitzmag, of course," claims Greg Hensley, an economist based in Brownell. "Both countries have varying political agendas and views on how the EU should function and has clashed numerous times in the past. It is not hard to see why Spain would use the EMU as a leverage in foreign affairs."

Victor Langford, another economist from the University of Montgomery, meanwhile, disagrees, believing that there are serious concerns about whether the Duchies would follow the principles of the Treaty of Finisterre.

"Implying that Spain acts maliciously with the EMU is downright a conspiracy theory. The United Duchies doesn’t have the same stability as countries like Spain, Inquista, or even Elthize," Langford explains. "The EMUzone is more than just about economic ties; it's also about trust and working together. If a country is constantly in conflict with other members, it could weaken the entire system."

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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.

Granger announces she will not run for Commissioner in 2021

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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.

PROCLAMATION OF THE COPALAN REPUBLIC

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.

From the Government

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

Česká tisková kancelář

The National Security Corps detain three Duchian citizens suspected of attempting to sabotage the Czechoslavonic economy

The National Security Corps has detained Yohanna Mizrachi-Roscoe, Danya Mizrachi-Roscoe and Mathias Mizrachi-Roscoe during a festival in Litoměřice. All three are suspected of attempting to sabotage the Czechoslavonic economy. "All the evidence points that these three individuals were directly involved in the sabotage that the Roscoes company is still attempting against the Democratic Republic. One of the suspects is part of the Roscoes Management Team, yet the attempts at sabotage continue. It seems most unlikely the rest of the family is unaware of the many crimes of the Company." the prosecution has stated.

"The criminal imperialist octopus has expected that our country would fall into one of its long tentacles. But we have refused to sell our conscience , the tentacle has been cut off, people's democracy has been saved and the saboteurs can expect the people's justice." read an article in the newspaper of the Socilist Republican Party, Světlo pravdy (English translation - The Light of Truth; formerly known as Rudé právo).

The National Security Corps has not provided any other information.

Pilot project of state company management democratization will kick off at September 1

Democratization of state company management as one of the priorities of the President for Life Albína Reiserová will be started at September 1. It will concern micro, small and medium companies, primarily in smaller municipalities, moving much of the management powers away from the managers and into the hand of the workers directly. About 5% of the state owned companies will be affected, and none of them associated with strategic resources. Work distribution, wages, disciplinary actions investment of funds, will all be decided by two possible processes, depending on the democratization method chosen. In some companies these will be decided by a vote open to all the workers, they will be advised and the vote will be oversighted by the established management. In other companies new managers will be selected randomly by a lot for a year and they will decide on such issues, they will likewise be advised and oversighted by established management.

The established management is expected to prepare the workers in mandatory curses fot their new rights and responsibilities. These projects will affect mostly transport, accommodation, textile, entertainment and glass production industries. The results will be examined each quarter of the year and based on indicators of productivity, the projects might be expanded or terminated.

"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."