Vícras Ammayawr Serdria
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LIVE: Election law to go to Braetha vote today
4 July 2024
Welcome to our live coverage of today's Braetha session. We are covering the convention of the Braetha to vote on Sertia's first formal election legislation, which is due to begin at 13:00
The bill, called the Democratic Procedure Act 2024, sets out basic guidelines for how and when future elections will be held in Sertia, as well as defining the offices available for election and campaigning rules. The bill would also legalise the establishment of political parties with few restrictions.
Sertia has run its elections by previously established, but unwritten conventions. The idea behind this bill is to update these conventions and make changes to the way elections happen in Sertia.
How elections work
Elections in Sertia are generally undertaken by those who are formally registered members of a Braetha. Membership can be obtained through the type of job you have or the area in which you reside. For example, a person employed by a blacksmith may only vote for the member of the Braetha who governs construction, metalworks, and engineering.
The bill proposes that all citizens of Sertia, and those who have legally resided in Sertia for over 10 years, may vote in any election for which they are eligible. However, it has faced backlash from many people, particularly those who feel that laymen should not be able to make decisions about specialised occupations such as blacksmithery.
Advocates of the bill say that the need for Braetha membership is undemocratic, and that instead of separating candidates based on their governing expertise, they should be separated by political party.
When elections will be held
The bill will require that an Election Convention be held every year. During Election Conventions there will be a public referendum asking the people whether an election should be held that year. After an affirmative referendum the Braetha must schedule an election no more than six months, but no less than two months from the date of the referendum.Running for election
Under current convention, not everyone is allowed to run as a candidate in an election. Those who are outstanding in their profession, and members of a Braetha are the only ones allowed to run for election.
Political parties
The vast majority of EU nations, except for Sertia, follow what is called the Political Party model of elections. Whilst familiar to most other Europeans, the Political Party model has not gained favour in Sertia due to our vocation-based, rather than ideology-based, system of elections.Political parties are groups of similar-minded individuals who nominate a candidate for election. Generally a candidate will have an agenda of priorities for a country, and the people will vote based on whether they view those priorities to be adequate.
Shifting to a Political Party system is one of the most controversial parts of this bill.
The vote on this bill is seminal, and expected to be very close. Stay tuned for more information.
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13:51
Debate has begun on the first section of the Bill, which concerns who can vote in future elections. Brætha for Education Elmas Ratriach has stated that the clause allowing non-citizens to vote after 10 years of residence should be removed if the Political Party system is adopted. This is because "the right to vote becomes significant to one's nationality and birthright, rather than an issue of the rights of labourers".
It seems that members of the Brætha will be moving swiftly on to discussion about legalising political parties as there is little dispute about who should vote without this.
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14:17
The Political Party aspect of the Bill is facing heavy backlash in the War Chamber, with the bill's sponsor Brætha Berrá Nacar fending off searing attacks from other members of the Brætha.
Foreign Brætha Mr Edwin Blansinyth just said that the Political Party system "introduces vapid, useless ideological and cultural wars that don't fit the Sertian way".
Ms Nacar and her allies have introduced an amendment that would not establish Political parties but instead would widen eligibility to vote to everyone, rather than those registered with a Brætha. Scepticism seems to also surround this proposal.
Most other parts of the bill seem ready to be accepted by the other Bræthas.
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14:29
Ms Nacar's amendment was unsuccessful.
Braethan are now voicing their concerns about what a Sertian government would look like if political parties were to be legalised.
Mr Draynooth, the Braetha for Internal Finance and Development, has said that "the democratic process will be protected if we both allow political parties to exist and allow the people to decide when an election should be held", but not one or the other.
But, Mr Draynooth also asks, should there be a term limit for a sitting Braetha? How long should that be?
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15:00
It appears that the idea of term limits on a sitting Braetha causes scepticism among its own members. Though there was some support, the idea has quickly died.
Additionally, Mr Draynooth's proposal has gained some traction. But, the others ask him, is a single annual election convention sufficient to measure the public's desire for an election? Some Braethan have said there should be two, three, four, and even five referendums each year.
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BREAKING NEWS: Braethan ratify democratic procedure bill
4 July 2024
The Braetha have ratified the Democratic Procedure Act 2024 after approximately 20 hours of nonstop debate. Bits and pieces of the originally proposed bill still stand, but many others have been axed or revised.
The Braetha for Education, Mr Elmas Ratriach, has said the passage of the bill "represents a new democratic age of Sertian life", and Mr Edwin Blasinyth, the Braetha controlling foreign affairs, says the bill "is a success for everyone".
Here is an overview of the parts of the bill that were successful, edited, or removed.
Right to establish political parties: UNSUCCESSFUL
Political parties are, still, not allowed to exist in the Kingdom of Sertia after the passage of this bill. Additionally, any political parties permitted before the passage of this bill must be dissolved.
This is a big hit to take for the Aspernian Coalition, a political party organised to represent the interests of the now defunct Republic of Aspern, whose members regularly engaged in illegal activities.
ONLY VOTES FROM BRAETHA REGISTRANTS COUNT: Revised
In Sertia, while technically anyone can vote, only those registered with the correct Braetha will have their votes count fully, at a value of 1. If you're not registered with a Braetha, your vote counts as 0.
Now, however the DPA ensures that all citizens of Sertia have the right to vote without being part of a Braetha, with their votes counting for 0.5. Additionally, individuals in higher education may register with the Braetha for Education to have their votes count fully, at a value of 1.
Even better, citizens of Sertia can now vote in as many Braetha elections as they please, without registering.
Non-citizens of Sertia will be able to vote as long as they are registered with a Braetha, at a value of 0.5. If you have been in Sertia for longer than 10 years or show exceptional knowledge of Sertia, you may be able to have your vote counted at a value of 1.
VOTING AGE LIMIT ESTABLISHED
There has never been a codified age limit to vote in Sertia, however the earliest age at which you can register with a Braetha is 16. The DPA now says that you can vote at the age of 16 (regardless of your Braetha registration status) OR whenever you join further education, whichever is earlier.
ELECTION REFERENDA: SUCCESSFUL
Citizens of Sertia can now vote in referendums to call an election for certain Braetha positions. There will be three referenda each year: one in January, one in April, and one in August. If an election is called in any of those referenda, an election will be scheduled for the date at which the next election referendum would take place.
FORMER ASPERNIAN REBELS' VOTES DIMINISHED
Those who can be shown to have had a part in, or been sympathetic to, the Aspernian Republic will be permitted to vote, but their votes will count at a value of 0.25.
CAN BRAETHAN VOTE? NO
Those who currently hold office in the Braetha will not be permitted to vote in elections.
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Worrying increase of homeless former-Aspernians should be addressed, charities say
A new study by the Sertian Border Clerks, a human rights and immigration charity, has shown that the number of homeless people who formerly held Aspernian nationality has increased from 18% in January of this year to 24% as of this July.
Many people who lived to the south of the country, in Osperfey or the West Olves had their Sertian passports and other vital records destroyed or confiscated by the Aspernian regime, and now struggle to prove their immigration status to landlords and letting agencies.
Former Aspernian citizens are different from persons designated as Aspernian sympathisers, the latter of whom actively participated in the secession of the Republic of Aspern. Aspernian sympathisers have had their vital records and government documents taken away and currently do not hold the right to live in Sertia other than in prison, and those who are still not imprisoned have warrants out for their arrest. The minimum sentence they will all serve is 3 years 1.5 months.
Aspernian citizens, however, have been caught in the crossfire, many have lost their homes and are subject to trafficking, homelessness and even deportation proceedings since they are unable to produce legal documents.
Last year in light of this scandal the government relaxed the rules around deportation and immigrants who do not have legal documents. The effect of this change is yet unclear.
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BREAKING: LEAKED INTELLIGENCE EXPOSES SPAIN'S INTENTIONS TO ANNEX THE REPUBLIC OF NOFOAGA
GOVERNMENT FEARS ANY OCCUPATION COULD RE-IGNITE ASPERNIAN REVOLTS
BRAETHA LABEL THE ASPERNIAN COALITION A UK-SUPPORTED TERRORIST ORGANISATION
3 March 2025
In a memo leaked to VAS (Vicras Ammayaw'r Serdria), an unidentified source in the Spanish government has detailed that Spain intends to annex and occupy the Republic of Nofoaga.
The move has set off a chain reaction across the nation about what implications this Spanish annexation will have for the delicate peace held between the Sertian government and the Aspernian separatists. It is feared that these agents may take advantage of the inevitable unrest which will present in Sertia.
The Braetha have yet to confirm if there has been any correspondence between them and the Spanish government regarding this issue.
Whilst Spain holds influence in the Caribbean, it has so far respected the autonomy of the Kingdom of Sertia and Nofoaga. In addition, Aspernian revolutionaries unequivocally oppose any Spanish occupation for fears of 'cultural dilution' and 'the overpowering of minority voices'.
Whilst the government hasn't yet commented about the annexation of Nofoaga, HB Fornithias Cranst has signed a unanimous resolution to designate the Aspernian Coalition as a 'UK-sponsored terror organisation'.
More details are to follow. Please stand by as this is a quickly developing issue.
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LIVE UPDATES: OPERATION TURTLE BEACH
6 March, 12:27 SST
Key points
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The referendum, asking the public what the government stance on the Spanish annexation of Nofoaga should be, has seen quite low turnout since the polls opened yesterday, with only about 5% of eligible voters turning out to vote. Polls close at 12pm on 10 March 2025.
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The Brætha have scheduled a full meeting in the War Rooms for Monday, 10 March when the polls close, although they report they are currently meeting remotely in an emergency session. There are a few things the Brætha can do after the referendum. Will they voice the people's opinion?
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Demonstrations have begun in major cities such as Hemberdale and Osperfey, where members of the Brætha live. They have mostly been peaceful, but there are reports demonstrators have been targeting the Spanish Military peacekeepers, who are under the command of the Brætha.
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Questions in government linger, such what may happen to the CCCC free travel agreement between Nofoaga and Sertia? Where would the annexation leave the nationality of the Nofoagans? Is this endeavour by Spain simply a matter of convenience for the state, or a matter of developing good relations with the Caribbean? Finally, do Sertians in the West Olves and outlying regions have to worry about becoming Spanish?
Please watch this space.
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Antem Combever: The fairy tale Sertian village taking an avant-garde approach to tourism
Illanas Bever and his family walk to the supermarket on a bright Sunday afternoon to buy some vegetables for their supper. It is unusually warm today, and there is a gentle stir on the stone streets. A woman drinks from the well in the centre of the Fratoi Aldain (Aldain Plaza). You would think this is how it has been in Antem Combever for centuries.
But recently, the village with a population of only 6,000 full-time residents has experienced immense tourism and economic growth. Known for a long time as an insider's secret, Antem Combever holds a good deal of history and a growing artistic scene. The Marasketa (city hall) was once the ancient University of Andamois'Acod'var, opened in 1502, which was retired in 2000 and transformed into flats for the growing population of wealthy Sertians.
In 2015, Antem Combever received a grant to expand its tourism advertisement and industry, but due to lack of transport many tourists to Sertia were unable to reach the town. Now, though, the railway has arrived, and so have the town's admirers.
Famously the birthplace of Sertian postmodern writer and artist Yaras Hermini, you can tour his office and art studio, and even the cafe where he wrote his most famous work: Parae Fesh (On Humour).
Hermini was never recognised for his work during his lifetime, and thus the tourism scheme takes a rather innovative approach to attracting economic growth: namely, the romanticism of the 'tortured artist aesthetic'. Signs read: '
...you are misunderstood; Come to Antem Combever';
'Do your bit...resist the establishment and come to Antem Combever'.
Having recently received electricity services (in 2023), Antem Combever is experiencing an influx of touristsJohannes Fischer, a recent arrival to the village in 2024, told us he's just purchased one of the flats in the Marasketa. In 2017, the average price was £ 90,000. Now, it's £ 2.5 million.
Fischer said he 'rather enjoys' Antem Combever and what it has to offer:
"Growing up, it was really hard to fit in anywhere. I came from a working class family of solicitors. We kind of inherited a failing law firm in central Hemberdale and the emotional toll of that on my childhood was immense. You can tell through my art. Both my parents had a stable income throughout my youth, but it never felt like that, you know?"
"When I came to Antem Combever, I thought: wow. Cigarettes for 99 cents? I've just got to come here".
Fischer, now retired at 34, works as a florist in the village centre, but is an author and artist by trade and is currently writing and painting. "I've got a very humble studio of 3400 square feet" in Marasketa, he told us. "My skylight is my only source of illumination, so I only write in the day".
The tortured life is clearly the sought-after one, too.
Antem Conbever can be reached on the Hemberdale/Opserfey ---> Rowsperch railway. Tickets are bookable online or on the train.
