RTD 24
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Op-Ed:Whoever wins Premier Race we must hold them to account
Op-ed by James Mizrachi-Roscoe , Councillor for United Duchies
Europe faces a choice that is important . Calvin Kunhert whatever result he gets will have made an impact. I do know him fairly well with him being a fairly big power in the PSD , which incidentally is an EPA member who almost unanimously voted against him . He certainly is not in any way aligned with the ELSS however that portrayal may be claimed.The choice is a choice over how Europes funding use is dictated and who controls the giving out of money in the nations. Do we trust nations to do it and run the process with local knowledge or centralise it in Europolis. I can see a case for a mix of both with the overall goals being set in Europolis then a locally appointed or elected board to actually run the doling out of EU funds in the country . Whatever I believe we need more localism in the EU EDA especially if funding is to rise, a project by project basis for the EU office and subject to the the Commissioners vote for every little project is just not sustainable and even 100 million Euro projects are small fry in context of the proposed at least 35 billion Euros. Even if Juncker wins I believe that national boards and an allocation method will prove to be needed to deal with the increase in projects being funded and the amount of funding just like many in the ELSS were proved right when we criticised how little the EDA was given before the budget was proved a joke when it couldn't even fund a Solar Power Project worth just 2 Billion Euros of investment in Azrekko . We said it would happen and it did yet those setting the budgets and in the EPA accused us of obstructionism for refusing to support the budget and called us fearmongers'. They have yet to appologise to us and Europe for that failure.
I have run the biggest supermarket and conglomerate in Europe one most people in Europe We leave decisions every day to national CEO's we don't vote on every little supermarket at HQ and have the leadership in United Duchies approve it. Why? Because its impossible , thousands of decisions and investments like that cannot possibly be voted on by only 2-3 people and don't have time to be approved by the board every time. We have to let the board decide on the big picture. You want a way to make a organisation inefficient make the heads vote on every little decision of a few million Euros like supposedly Juncker plans with the EDA , I ask him how does he and fellow commissioners if elected plan to approve every application including every little 500,000 Euro bike land or research grant for a new technology worth 5 million Euros for example with just 3 of them . I warn him now how it will go having run businesses for my life , it will mean applications take months , nations will see national funds or funds like the GEF can react faster or even just foreign aid programmes are more efficient and money won't be claimed. Then they will say nations haven't claimed so it isn't needed when in reality it will be nations just gave up. He must delegate being to a centralised office in Europolis or to national funding boards and organisations with people appointed or elected by the nations , that is the only way to run such a large budget worth 10's of billions of Euros.
However that is the past and we must move forward we do not know who will win it could be either but Juncker is in with a fair shot of winning to say the least. If he does and if Kunhert wins we must hold them to account. We need to make sure the EU is truly useful and meaningful and plays the key role in fighting climate change and quickly and sustainably developing all nations and helping those with less GDP per capita who need more help to catch up , especially nations with high poverty figures or dependent on high carbon economies at present. This means money must be spent , no more joke surpluses of 66% being returned to the nations, you don't run big organisations taking a big amount just in case and giving back 66% in a surplus payback , that just makes you less effective and wrecks havoc on national projections for budgets and budget plans as often spending is decided a year in advance, most nations have already budgeted in the EU contributions into their plans. Basically if the EU is to work and be relevent we must spend money , the EDA needs 35 Billion to 65 Billion Euros per year and there is no excuse but to give this to the EDA when the project increase in budget even with Strathae is significant.
Imagine 65 billion Euros helping the poor, helping those who have the most difficulty transitioning and funding a green industry boom. Imagine getting Carbon to net zero by 2040 potentially even sooner than that. Seem unrealistic? Well it is if it doesn't get the full funding.
So whoever wins lets push for at least 80% of the budget to be spent , the EDA to get no less than 35 Billion Euros but preferably far more and push for an actual concrete plan and policy with the commissioner making it clear how he plans to split powers between the EU and its nations and where. We need no more wishy washy politics and politicians but clear practical policy and actual honesty and less gimicks in politics that makes Europeans distrust the EU so much(which is a shame because the EU can do so much if it is run the right way) and more clear support for a more equal Europe that focuses in levelling up those nations with less resources and GDP per capita. We must make sure the new comissioners achieve this and get us on this path, for failure to do so will only harm the EU and Europeans even further. I came into EU politics to serve and to make the EU work and promote an EU that can actually do stuff in the EU while respecting nations and differences between nations, we must make sure these are the values and policies that get implemented. I will play my part if 80% of the budget is not spent in any proposal and the EDA doesn't get at least 35 Billion Euros I will vote against it on behalf of our great nation not because I dislike the EU or want to wreck it but because I want an EU that works and has the resources to do great things for all its members.
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Flights take off from Duchies
Flights have been restored to normal with the airspace of the Duchies opened following updates to the air traffic control system. The closure was conducted following the crash between an AeroDux A350 and an Easyjet Duchies A320 that cost 492 lives. The airspace opened up following critical upgrades to prevent a repeat scenario following small scale testing on planes without passengers of all types.The government have thanked all neighouring countries and close by ones that helped in the transport scheme to maintain access to air links using excess capacity in other countries , thanking California, Inimicus , Inquista and Spain in particular for their special transit visa programme. The scheme has kept the country running. The government have apologised for all disruption caused and promised full compensation is ongoing. A memorial service for the victims consisting of many different nationalities including Spanish,Inimican, Californian and many Reitzmic citizens is scheduled at the palace in 1 month. The government have invited the Heads of State and Heads of Government of Spain, California ,Inimicus and Reitzmag to the service to honour their citizens in the service that was ordered by High Highness High Duke Nikolai III.Crash victims families have been promised 10 million Euros per victim on the flight with national authorities asked to assist in getting information needed to compensate the families of the victims.
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Duchies International Funding Allocation Agency set up to bid for allocation of EDA funding
The Duchies government today set up the Duchies International Funding Allocation Agency to handle all EDA money in the Duchies with the agency to bid for a full allocation based on what it believes the United Duchies should receive based on its contribution to the budget. It also plans to put bids into the Agriculture fund on the same basis should that become focused on being application based.The move is designed to more efficiently distribute the money using local knowledge of the the economy and culture. The agency will also distribute the money to Duchy level boards based on their needs to further increase the efficient use of the EU money. The government said "We believe in the EU and look forward to the boost in its EDA funding. We will be setting up this government backed agency in order to more efficiently allocate money and make bidding for money more efficient by using our national and duchy level knowledge to make grant and loan decisions locally. This will cut costs of applying and allow smaller projects to bid by allowing them to go to a local office for the applying for funds rather than have to waste time going to Europolis to do so, it will also mean money is spent well as people who understand the unique and local conditions in the Duchies will be making all the decisions on allocation under this plan."Boards of experts will be set up for each type of fund so funds are being distributed by experts in their fields.
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Strait Taxes bad for consumers and Europe says Duchies Business Association
The Duchies Business Association president has said the Spanish taxes set a dangerous precedent for Europe that is bad for consumers and businesses throughout Europe. The president said the taxes raise prices and could make foreign trade all but impossible if the idea spreads. The President said "A tax of 2% of cargo value doesn't sound bad at first after all its only 2 Euros on a 200 Euro Phone for example but that ignores several problems. The first is there is 5 ccountries between Inquista and Duchies so if one was to ship the phone by sea and all 5 charge taxes that is suddenly 10 Euros extra or 5% more on the price of the average phone and that ignores the adminstration costs of sending cargo value sheets to each country who waters or EEZ's are passed through. It also ignores most things like cars and even phones can require 100's of components. If you repeat these extra costs on each component you can easily quickly have prices raised by 100% or even 200 or 300% so that 20,000 Euro car becomes 60,000 Euros or that 200 Euro Phone 600 Euros. That is the danger of the taxes the more widespread they become the more components they affect and the more it exponentionally grows the cost until you suddenly have all products be unaffordable. This is why nations must resist this method of tax and find other ways to fund conservation of marine areas and to manage safety of the seas. Already Spanish taxes make products far more expensive it would only get worse the more taxes there are and grind international trade to a halt and crash the living standards of Europe. Spain may think it benefits them but it doesn't it ultimately hurts them and their consumers the more the precedent is set and I believe we must have EU action on this issue to save the market and keep stability. " We sought oppinions from throughout the spectrum but there is despite our attempts to find dissenting oppinions no contradictory opinions or statements. All experts agree it harms consumers and raises costs of products potentially in an exponential way. -
Economic Results announced for United Duchies
The United Duchies have announced the economic results for 2021-2022 in over the adjusted 12 month period measure has increased by 16.57% to €13,638,117,589,042.10 with the per capita GDP increasing 12.57% to €125,764.68. The Median wage has also increased from €67,705.66 to €76,087.63. The results have been celebrated by the government who said "Our moderate economic strategy is working. By focusing on business that enpowers workers with a free trade policy we have generated more and more wealth per capita and we are proud of this achievement."Grocery inflation was less than 4% much better than expected with the average family grocery bill only increasing from €8,771.79 to €9,122.66. This was achieved by controls on minimum-price selling agreements increases. The EU contribution is to be €13,638,117,589.04 for the year while housing has increased from an average of €647,334.81 to €704,290.72 which is represents a lower percent of median income than last year. Analysts have said public spending as % of GDP is expected to grow to 47% including local spending with government revenues taxes as % of GDP expected to drop to 47.5% of GDP based on the coalition agreement. Exports also increased but not as much as imports. Population increased from 104,713,812 to 108,441,556 a significant increase.
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James Mizrachi-Roscoe pledges to demand "high spending effective EU budget"
James Mizrachi-Roscoe , the EU Councillor has pledged today to demand a "high spending effective EU budget". James Mizrachi-Roscoe said about the budget in a statement "I will be holding Juncker to account making sure he holds up to his pledge of making the EU mean something and also making use of the budget his colleagues sought so hard to put back up. I will not be tolerating another budget with half or even 40% is unspent still and returned to the nations as that makes a joke of voting for the increase back up to 1% of gdp from 0.5% of gdp for contributions to the EU effectively making that vote pointless. My conditions for voting for a budget are simple:
1:At least 35 billion Euros is spent on the EDA though this could easily be raised to 60 billion Euros without breaking the budget and make the EU EDA truly useful and relevent.
2:80% of available money from contributions is spent. There is no point in just having a huge surplus once again they just returns money to nations for many like my country that will have set the yearly budget already with EU contributions in mind.
3: There is support in the budget for nations dependent on high carbon industries and those countries that will have the most challenges adapting to a low carbon economy and the effects of climate change , a climate change adaptation fund and High Carbon Country Transition fund would help in this. Though how this is done is optional.These three objectives and conditions must be met for my vote. I want a useful EU and will not let Juncker make it a lame duck EU through a pathetically low budget which I very much hope he does not do. If he does though I will stand against it can call for ah higher budget and propose amendments to make sure the EU is truly useful."
The councillors calls have been supported by all parties including the PSD who have typically backed different councillor candidates tied to the EPA. The PSD said "We support Juncker and voted for him in the commission elections but he must deliver on his promises and give a budget and structure of how money is allocated that works and makes the EU truly useful to member states, something frankly it is not right now as pointed out by Kunhert who despite us disagreeing with him made good points in this area. The budget must be spent rather than contributions being mostly returned. This is one area all parties agree on in the United Duchies."
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Brummagem 2022 High Duke Games opened
The 2022 edition of the High Duke games in Brummagem opened up at the Chamberlain Park Arena today in front of High Duke Nikolai, the first games during his reign. The games have been played since 1842 and are one of the oldest organised games of Athletics , team sports, marathon and cycling events including disability sports in Europe. The games will feature over 22 sports and feature over 2,900 athletes from the 8 Duchies and constituents of the United Duchies including a team for the first time from Anastasia City. The games will also feature 988 medals.The games will take place over 14 days with 4 festival sites and cultural festival running at the same time. You can see the Bull in flesh at the square and watch the games at each festival site.The games will be according to the organisers the greenest and most equal games in the history with 1.7 million tickets for the games already sold. The opening ceremony played to a crowd of 69,250 , The High Duke and his wife Victoria , all duchy government leaders and Dukes and Duchesses and the King and Queen consort of Reitzmag in a sold out event. The High Duke said in his speech to the games "The High Duke games have brought together these Duchies as one to united these United Duchies since 1842 and many High Dukes before me have been involved in this great tradition of unity and kindness. I'd like to welcome for the first time our Anastasian team many of whom have immigrated from difficult places and had difficult journeys , today we welcome you not just as Anastasians but also Duchians. You show the best of Anastasia and show a majority of Anastasians want peace and love to be the values of Anastasia City.
I also want to thank organisers for the first time for including disability sections for each sport. We now have equality in these games regardless of gender and disability the first time such a full equality has been achieved and let me tell you these para athletes to me are not less but totally equal athletes who deserve the full respect from us all. Let us as all Duchians show how we love and respect all Duchians equally and thank the people of Brummagem for their unique and kind welcome they always give to visititors."The games are projected to have cost around 1.1 Billion Euros funded by the High Dukes Estate and the Estates for the crowns of the 8 Duchies and Duchy budget.
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Two train franchises withdrawn after "disgraceful tardiness"
The Central Link and Eastern and Baltic train have had their franchise took off them for what the transport department described as "disgraceful tardiness" over 1.5 years of operation and for "failing passengers". The two franchises have both fallen below the standard set of 95% of trains arriving within 2 minutes of timetabled time at 90% of stations on the route barring exceptional circumstances. The two train operators have not hit above 92% and 93% within two minutes of timetable time at 90% of stations on the route.The performance was branded as a disgrace by government who awarded the contracts. They also noted slight overcrowding issues with too short trains being used for demand. The government have said in a statement "We will not tolerate profiteering and companies failing the travel public by having unacceptable tardiness issues. We have tried to work with the operators to fix the delays issue but they have just not proven competent in their management of the train timetable and making sure at least 75% of passengers have a seat at peak times. We will not stand for this failure and we are retendering the lines and taking over the companies temporarily until we can find a new operator to operate the lines so passengers can have a trustworthy reliable experience." The companies operating the line have criticised the removal of the franchise blaming network failures for the performance figures though this is contradicted by most train companies reaching their targets.
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112 top 200 Duchies companies convert to Employee-Private Partnership Company status
Today the government hailed the success of their update policy on worker representation. The government changed law to encourage increasing worker control of boards on companies to 50% by reducing corporate taxes by 5% for the new category of Employee-Private Partnership Company to encourage companies to give more seats on their boards to workers. The move appears to have worked with 112 companies so far in the top 200 Duchies companies having announced they have switched to the Employee-Private Partnership Company model.
The government said of this result "We are proud to have given workers more say and control of their work places and thank all the companies who recognise their employees and hope they reap and see the benefits of such a decision. Our policies will mean more stability and dialogue for both workers and bosses of companies and indeed increased rewards from their labour. This policy will continue to benefit both companies and their workers and we will continue to back such a policy. "
The Union of Democrats the biggest critics of the policy have called for calming of the celebration cautioning that perhaps its is too soon to judge the success of the policy economically pointing out 30 companies are making moves to potentially move HQ's to other countries. The Union of Democrats said in a statement "We believe the full implications of the current policy have yet to come to bare. We believe the anti-company policies that have took the old model far too far in favour of workers at the expense of investors . We must restore the balance far more to the point where both workers and investors and entrepreneurs benefit from the hard work and risk involved in running companies." It is understood no other parties are seeking to reduce the role of workers decision making on boards.
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Season of Ducal Family Weddings
A season of ducal family weddings is upon the country as three major weddings have been announced this week. The first wedding announced was the wedding of Count Constantine Ludendorff currently 5th in line to the throne of Cair Para to Anthony, Duke of Glasgow. This historic wedding will make history as the first ducal family gay wedding in the United Duchies though a few more are expected to follow as it is known there are at least 2 other gay counts in the United Duchies. This wedding has caused some controversy among some groups though many have defended the couple and wish them well including the High Duke Nikolai III himself who said "I look forward to having a Gay old time like so many guests at the wedding in Windsor and the blessing by the Lutheran Church that will take place at Cair Paravel". The two are known to be friends through the network of ducal autistics that support each other.
The second marriage announced was them marriage of Mathias Mizrachi-Roscoe to Countess Arya Mormont 1st in Line to the Aranvale throne, in a surprising announcement of the relationship they'd managed to keep under wraps and way from media for a fair amount of time though there were rumours. It was announced in the wedding engagement announcement that wedding would take place in 4 months time at the Cair Paravel Grand Hall as is their right to have a wedding in the venue , it is understood in a break with some tradition the ceremony will be officiated by both the Catholic and ICS church with Arya keeping her Catholic faith and Mathias his ICS pentecostal faith with both attending church together but with them alternating between the two denominations every 2 weeks.
The third marriage in this season of weddings is the announced marriage of Count Lucy Redwood of Doornevale 1st in line to the Doornevale throne at present to His Majesty King Monette XVII of Fontainere . The wedding is to take place in Fontainere with a blessing ceremony in Cair Paravel and its Grand Hall. It is understood there are discussions about Lucy giving up her place in the line of succession due to the fact she would be spending at least half her time in Fontainere which would leave Count Vincent Redwood as heir to the Doornevale throne. Though the family has fully backed her marriage saying in a statement "We fully support as a family Lucy's decision to marry His Majesty King Monette XVII. We have seen how he has made her so happy and been such a good man in her life and fully support her decision to follow her heart and marry." The decision is controversial as traditionally the 1st in line marry Duchian citizens to avoid such issues with conflicts over commitments but as all three weddings show traditions can change and will change as the Ducal relationship and customs continue to change over time. -
Robyn II Duke of Aranvale dies
Robyn II Duke of Aranvale was annnounced to have tragically died after falling out a window as he blacked out in a freak accident. It was reported he fell from the top floor of the Castle to path below where it was crowed with tourists who were quickly dispersed by the staff at Hohenschwangauschloss in Aranvale. The Duke had only been in the role of Duke since 2015 follow the death of his father Eddard III. The family released a statement saying "Our beloved III beloved by not only us but the whole Duchy of Aranvale and its citizens has died following a tragice accident. He has been sent to the angels above. We unfortunately will not get to say goodbye in our traditional way due to how events have transpired but we welcome flowers at the site and official sites thorughtout the Duchy and will be working with the Duchy government and Catholic church to best honour his kindness, wisdom and courage he showed in leading this Duchy after the tragic heart attack of his father. We thank the lord that his death was at least quick and instantaneous , we would like to reassure the public he did not suffer but do ask for the space to mourn the loss of our family member , the duke is dead , long live the duchess Arya I". The acession council has already met and voted Arya Mormont to be selected as Arya I to be the Duchess as is the case after the laws were reformed in 2004.Arya released a video as a tribute calling her brother an "inspiration and light to the world" and pledging to "honour his memory and legacy in her reign." The death has come at what was supposed to be a happy time as the marriage arrangements to Mathias Mizrachi-Roscoe who was to become Mathias Mizrachi-Roscoe Mormont was to be married. The marriage was due to take place in 4 months time though the family have indicated this might still be the timeline. This will now mean that Mathias will now become Duke Consort upon the marriage to Arya who shall now be known as Arya I of Aranvale. The family including the Roscoes have been seen coming to the castle in Hohenschwang. It has been announced that sadly due to the damage suffered from the fall His Highnesses Robyn II will not lie in state for the usual two weeks or undergo the traditional week of open casket ceremony.
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Government pass Triple Lock Law
Today the government passed a law garunteeing a Triple Lock rise for minimum wage , all benefits, the state Pensions and pay for public sector or state owned enterprise workers in the United Duchies.The bill a result of a campaign by workers unions and the PSD leadership guarantees that the minimum wage , state pension, benefits and public sector or state enterprise workers will rise by 2.5% , the average wage percent increase or the Official All Inclusive Inflation Rate which includes rent or mortgage costs increases whichever is the highest. The law means now workers will always be guaranteed a increase that reflects the increased cost of living and inflation. The bill was supported unaminously by the PSD and interestingly Unus with the Moderate Party splitting 102 votes in favour to 100 Votes against in the House of Commons and 30 votes for to 33 votes against in the House of Duchies with Liberal Party politicians voting 36 to 28 in favour of aye in the house of commons and 18 to 12 votes in favour of aye in the House of Duchies with UoD unanimously opposing the bill.The UoD leader Mr Terence Fitzcharles described the bill as a "economic suicide note from the Duchies government that will sink the country into pernmanent high tax , high spend budgets." While the PSD leader Summer Hughes countered back saying "So the right honourable gentlement across supports high pay and bonuses for executives and the wealth increase being shared with them but its too much to garuntee decent livable wages for our poorest. This only shows who the Union of Democrats is for." The leader of the Moderate Party stayed neutral in the debate.
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Roscoes targets 80% of own brand food to be made in house
Today Roscoes announced that it would set up a strategy throughout Europe through a mixture of setting up new factories and buying existing contract food producers and agriculutal food processors to make 80% of its own brand food in house. The company also announced that Cadbury's factories would make 100% of the chocolate range for Roscoes as well as making Cadbury's products to sell under that brand name with plans to sell Cadbury's as the more affordable premium range while Roscoes would market the cheaper chocolate range with less cocoa under the Simply Roscoes range. The new strategy calls for vertically integrating from farm to factory to store to have the whole producation and sales process be inhouse apart from the farming. The company announced it would do this to increase margins as well as enable it to increase the portion of the price going to the farmer while increasing margins with it committing to putting 50% of the savings from integration to higher payments for produce. The company is setting up Roscoes Factories Ltd and Roscoes Processors Ltd as subsidiaries to organise the new divisions under the Roscoes Retail division.The company announced it would be setting up a drive to make 80% of own brand food in its own factories within 5 years and has kickstarted the process by buying out Premier foods.. The company also announced a target for own brand sales to make up 90% of its sales within 3 years up from its current 81% . The company said "We believe integrating the process from manufacturing to store will help us enhance our offering with our customers benefiting from increasing quality and simpler choices for a lower price. We believe the right way to go is to move further away from big name brands and producers. Where we do stock other brands we plan on those brands being made by small local producers to provide local food options to customers from businesses that are of SME status." It also stated wherever it had supermarkets it would stop selling Cadburies, Yorkshire Tea, or Whittards Teas products to any other shops though it still planned to supply independent small cafes and restaurants. The companies plan is intended to increase efficiency , profit and increase control overconsistency and recipes of the own brand products. Analysts have suggested Roscoes is heading more in a Aldi direction shutting out brands and instead making its own alternative products. This news is a blow to the branded products market as Roscoes is the 1st or 2nd Supermarket in many countries with over 30.4% of supermarket revenue and 10.5% of convevience store revenue going to Roscoes with this share if anything expected to increase over the years. The news will also be a blow to Caffe Nero suppliers as Roscoes indicated it would seek to sell only Roscoes own brand food in Caffe Nero within 2 years. It indicated it plans to set up factories in all countries with major operations in order that it can meet targets of each country having at least 50% of products in store being from the country the food is sold in.
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Duchies makes buy local first provision for aid money
The United Duchies Foreign Support Programme today announced there would be new conditions on aid that is currently majority spent in nations like Gaddaland and Aspern and Nofoaga. The country is to ban spending aids on imports and force countries to buy local first where domestic alternatives exist and making it a condition that where Duchian or foreign companies to that country are selected to provide goods for aid contracts that factories must be built within 3 years to access continued aid money. The programme is also to add the condition all construction must be done by local companies or use 95% local labour in an attempt to keep aid money in the countries it is spent in and avoid leakage to foreign economies or the money just returning to the United Duchies.The changes are designed to avoid allegations of the aid budget being used as a neo-colonialist tool to reinforce the current world order and european order in European economies and power dynamics and to make sure the countries actually benefit from any aid long term. The changes are also designed to make sure that locals get the most benefit possible with the programme encouraging training up locals to get most jobs in projects and future running of services building up a local skill base if one does not exist.
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Duchian Foreign Expat Seat Elections benefit government parties
The results for the Expat Seat elections came in today as the nation announced the results following Saturdays vote. The elections proved fruitful for the governing coalition with the Moderate Party winning in the expat vote percent increasing its percent of seats in both houses the most , this was followed by the PSD and Liberal Parties. The Left took a major battering once again as its popularity continued to decline as Duchians gain more prosperity.The Union of Democrats and Unus as predicted did badly losing seat percent in the both houses. Both parties do well in the North which is more conservative however it has been noted that the Expat community leans far more liberal and moderate than than the general population living in the Duchies. This was part of the reason why Union of Democrats have always opposed Expat seats blocking it until the current government could get it passed. The including of Expat seats in all elections going forward is expected to make if far harder for Unus and Union of Democrats to achieve power in the future with the Expat population leaning more centre left and liberal with a good chunk of Moderate voters in the expat population. The extra seats are expected to make it easier for the government to pass bills that are closer with the majority for the government increasing.The majority for the government in the House of Commons increased from 102 seats to 131 seats with the majority increasing from 9 to 24 in the House of Duchies.
House of Commons:
Party Seats before election Seat % Expat Vote: Expat Vote % Expat Seats New Seat Total New Seat % ADA: 1 0.15% 0 0.00% 0 1 0.14% The Left 28 4.29% 116515 1.93% 1 30 4.14% IUAC 1 0.15% 0 0.00% 0 1 0.14% PSD: 135 20.71% 1862011 30.87% 23 158 21.82% Liberal Party: 91 13.96% 904567 15.00% 11 103 14.23% Moderate Party: 202 30.98% 2481572 41.14% 30 232 32.04% Union of Democrats: 106 16.26% 439751 7.29% 5 111 15.33% Unus 88 13.50% 227164 3.77% 2 90 12.43% Total: 652 100.00% 6,031,580 100.00% 72 724 100.00% House of Duchies:
Party Seats before Election % of Seats Expat Vote Expat Vote % Expat Seats New Seat Total New Seat % ADA: 3 1.25% 0 0.00% 0 3 1.11% The Left 8 3.33% 118345 1.94% 0 8 2.96% IUAC 9 3.75% 0 0.00% 0 9 3.33 PSD: 36 15.00% 1902456 31.15% 10 46 17.04% Liberal Party: 30 12.50% 912340 14.94% 4 34 12.59% Moderate Party: 63 26.25% 2508443 41.07% 13 76 29.25% Union of Democrats: 37 15.42% 440123 7.21% 2 39 14.44% Unus 54 22.50% 226434 3.71% 1 55 20.38% Total: 240 100.00% 6,108,141 100.00% 30 270 100.00% -
Constables to face firing after high arrest figures for Black and Asian populations
Today the Chief Constables of Brummagem Police , Goudadam Police and Cair Para Police all were sacked following figures showing arrests of Black and Asian people was above their share of the population. The arrest figures showed that police in those cities were arresting Black and Asian population as a percentage over twice the rate that white people were arrested. The figures around the country have shown Black and Asian people are more than 303% more likely to be arrested and 420% more likely to be searched.This figure was shown to be 412% and 705% in the Northern Duchies when averaged out.The government have called for change in how policing is done to ensure this inequality is vanquished. They have promised a crackdown and it has been announced any police force with arrests of Black , Asian and minorities more than the population share of the area shall face investigation, fines and possibly the Chief Constable being sacked. Equal rights activists have praised the innitiative and actions the government is taking to counter what they percieve as racism, discrimination and unconcious bias while critics of the move have described the move as "Social Justice Warrior Activism" and pointed out that arrest rates mirror the amount convicted for crime and have suggested the figures simply reflect the fact that Black and Asian people commit more crime. This has been dismissed by equality advocates and campaigners as "racism and xenophobia designed to stoke up tensions and divide groups through fear." The debate is sure to rage on , meanwhile Goudadam , Brummagem and Cair Para police forces have been put on Equality Progress Plans with them being required to reduce the amount of arrests down the proportion that Black and Asian people represent in the population.
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United Duchies parliament announce no vote on IA "sham" election "undemocratic crowning"
The United Duchies government have invoked the power under the EU election law to not have a vote in the parliament in the Internal Affairs Commissioner election to protest what the government have described as a "sham" election that is just a "undemocratic" crowning due to the lack of a second candidate. The decision was made to promote democracy in the EU and protest the lack of democracy in a single candidate election according to the government. The government said "By definition an election with one candidate is undemocratic. The only countries that consider such an election democratic are disgusting dictatorships who provide no choice of other candidates. For that reason we won't be participating in this sham of an election as it should always be delayed until a 2nd candidate is found to run."The country is also expected to vote none o f the above in the controversial Premier election with Moderates not excited about either candidate along with the PSD , Liberals and UoD. This would result in the country submitting a result in favour of none of the above in such an election. The prime minister John Peter Key said of the situation "We have the choice between a misogynist and terrorist who almost killed our European councillor. She should be in a cell locked up in prison and definitely not be anywhere near power in a key EU election."
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Average House and flat price to hit 1 million Euros by by December
Today in the housing crises that has been affecting the United Duchies for years the price of housing is predicted to hit an average of 734,042 Dux Libra or 1,035,000 Euros average for a three bedroomed house Duchies wide. The factors to blame are the recent big rise in demand for housing stock with the difficulties in construction. There is an increasing lack of sites for projects as land releases for housing projects remain slow to protect the green belt and protected green areas.The housing supply has been constrained by the lack land available due to the protected green spaces and land in planning law. The country has made inroads in tackling supply by densifying and incentivising apartments and putting an apartment complex first policy in an effort to boost housing supply and density for transit. However this has only gone so far. The prices are going up most in the cities of Goudadam, Porterdam, Brummagem and Cair Para where housing demand especially continues to outstrip demand. Rent prices are also expected to increase from an average of €2,685.00 to €3,192.00 a month as increased rental demand is occurring due to lack of supply for sale.
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Rock Goddesss Lzzy Hale and Halestorm to rock Eurovoice
One of the most popular rock artists in Europe and icons of the Duchies rock scene Lzzy Hale is to return to Eurovoice again with her new song with her band Halestorm formed 1999 near the turn of the century just outside of Brummagem in a rural conservative village with her brother Arejay. The song audio has been released with the song My Steeple immediately going to the top of the charts following the announcement on Vogo.Lzzy Hale and Halestorm said in a statement "We are honoured to be welcomed back to Eurovoice such a sepecial event where of course our lead singer Lzzy rocked the state in Eurovoice 40. We thank the RTD comittee for Eurovoice for the selection and promise to do this country we are so proud of proud. We will perform this song for our people and the people of Europe who are also our people. We want to send a message that whatever your flaws, your vices , your tastes and whatever your life choices we are one people and we should work together and rock together. There is more that unites us than divides us and that is the most important thing. "
The band and comittee hopes for a repeat or better of the result where United Duchies got 74 points and possibly even for a win with the popular artist now with her band. They have promised a show that will will truly rock Europe.
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United Duchies punishes Svarna Suryan elites
Today the United Duchies passed the acts that have been on the process of being passed over the last few months. The government is to introduce a new sanctions tariff schedule 3 that is set at 80% which will be applied to nations with the most horrific human rights abuses which they will apply only to Svarna Surya. The category was set to essentially destroy any trade between Svarna Surya and United Duchies over human rights concerns over modern slavery, civil liberties and political freedom. The schedule could be used for others though it is unlikely to do so. It also lowered the tariffs on UNSR goods to 10% the schedule one rate normalising trade. There has also been added Schedule 5,6,7,8 and 9tariffs at 100% , 150% ,200% and 300% tariffs respectively with a schedule 10 order banning any trade with Svarnan Companies.The government also announced it would refuse visas to any companies execs in Svarna Surya working with the Svarnan government or who collaborate essentially anyone from most Svarnan companies and deny access to the canal to any company from Svarna Surya and also deny any right to transit Svarnan goods through the Baltic Canal and the government is expected to ask in meetings for North Diessan to do the same with their canal. The government said in a statement "Human rights and civil rights are a must and we will not normalise relations until such a time the government changes or is took out of power in Svarna Surya and the military is seperated from power. " The move is said to come after pressure from the Svarnan community in Duchies that has moved to Duchies to escape the persecution and oppression in Svarna Surya.Svarnan goods already faced a 30% tariff.The government also announced any goods from Svarnan companies or from Svarna Surya will not be allowed to transit through Duchian ports as well essentially cutting them off from much trade that relies on sea transport.
49 and 99 Euro transit passes announced
The United Duchies government announced today that there would be a new Duchies Go Anywhere 49 Euro per month pass for Children , Disabled and Pensioners and a 99 Euro per month pass for Adults will be available from December 2022 that will give access to all non-high speed regional and local trains buses, coaches and trams. The pass will allow users to book onto all regional and local transport on standard class lines and seats for free and all low speed trains. High speed Intercity trains will still cost but will get a 30% discount if you have a Duchies GO Anywhere Pass. It will also include 2 hours of free shared bike or scooter rides per day anywhere in the country. The move is hoped to increase transit use by lowering costs significantly. The costs of revenue lost to lower prices will be covered by subsidies from the governments national transport budget. It is hoped the move will help reduce the percent of car journeys over 1 km down to 20-25% of journeys by 2030 with hopes stopping any increase in car traffic in the long run can reduce the need for road maintenance saving money.
