Press and Social Media || Montenbourg

[Montenbourg]

EU budget: Who contributes the most?

Montague Times
Editorial Board

We examined the latest, 2020 budget launched by the European Central Bank unfer the direction of @Fremet to find out how much each of the EU countries contributed and received from the EU.

The Microstate of @Inquista is a net contributor to the EU budget. In other words, it contributes more to the EU budget than it receives back from it. Another ten countries were also net contributors, in order from top to bottom:

• The Duxburian Union @Duxburian-Union
• The Apostolic Kingdom of @Angleter
• Union of Duchies ( @BrumBrum)
• The Kingdom of @Fremet
• The Empire of @Inimicus
• The Archrepublic of @Vayinaod
• The Kingdom of @Gallorum
• The Kingdom of Montenbourg
• The Kingdom of @Spain
• The Realm of Great @Ruthund

The largest net contributor to the EU budget per capita is as we can apreciate The Microstate of Inquista, followed by The Duxburian Union, The Apostolic Kingdom of Angleter, The Union of Duchies and the Kingdom of Fremet in fifth place.

[Montenbourg]

60 Minutes: Amid the Pope's visit a debate between the Divorced rate rattled.

Fr. George Bell debating with John Fry
MBC News
60 Minutes

Last night the respected tabloid TV show 60 Minutes ran a report on Montenbourg’s rising divorce rate. What is happening to the nuclear family?

“There’s a simple solution,” says Fr. George Bell, of the Catholic Church. “Divorce should be illegal. ‘For better or worse,’ anyone remember how that goes? We should return to the good old days, when you got married for life and stuck by your partner no matter how much of a drunken, abusive, adulterating disappointment they turned out to be.”

John Fry, author of the hit book, ‘Men are from Mars, Women are from Other Place,’ has a simpler solution. “If couples would just call each other ‘darling’ once in a while, there would be far fewer relationship breakdowns. A little affection is all it takes. So the government should make it mandatory: call your spouse ‘darling’ at least once a day, or face a fine.”

Amid the future visit of the Pope, the country starts a debate wether the future Concordat between @The-Holy-See and Montenbourg should contemplate Divorce as illegal.

[Montenbourg]

Montenbourg Celebrates Elevation of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger-Bourgeon

Official Portrait of the Archbishop of Montague Cardinal Ratzinger-Bourgeon at the Archbishop House
MBC News
.............
Following the elevation of Montague's Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger-Bourgeon to the prestigious position of cardinal on Sunday, amid the future visit of the Pope. The large Catholic delegation took time to celebrate and reflect on the historic event.

St. Peter's Basilica at @The-Holy-See provided the grand backdrop as Pope Peter II elevated 17 new cardinals in all, including Joseph Ratzinger-Bourgeon. During the ceremony celebrated at St. Lawrence Cathedral, the newly cardinal sent a clear message that people should not be seen as enemies because they are different, and requested an end to the animosity and infighting among one another in Montenbourg.

"Here's to our new Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger-Bourgeon, long may he serve," said Justice Clarisse Bourgeon, sister of the newly appointed cardinal, toasted at the reception. The Justice was part of the Catholicdelegation of elected officials and civic leaders present at the Archbishop House.

The reception also provided one more opportunity to wave the TFP flag, not just for Montague's new cardinal, but for Pope Peter II as well on his upcoming visit. 85 of the Population in Montenbourg is Catholic, which is the official religion of the Kingdom.

[Montenbourg]

Queen delivers message of hope amid Europe Day

The Queen of Montenbourg on a live broadcast on Monday

Montague, Montenbourg.- Europe needed a message of hope Monday. The queen of Montenbourg delivered it.

Queen Victoria offered support to a Union locked down in the mist of a war in Eastern Haane, promising the Union that it would rise to the challenge and overcome the situation together.

In a address to the nation and Europe, the 25-year-old monarch acknowledged the crisis, and the hard work of the Commissioners, Councillors and friends of Europe. She drew upon wisdom from her father as Montenbourg head of state to urge resolve Unity in a time of crisis.

The Queen remembered "Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of community. It's tough, difficult, not easy. But a spirit of harmony will survive in Europe only if each of us remembers that we share a common destiny; if each of us remembers, when self-interest and bitterness seem to prevail, that we share a common destiny."

[Montenbourg]

"Careful with Council Packing" said EU Councillor

Councillor for Montenbourg Emma Granger at the entrance of the EU Council

Europolis.- For the first time the famously Councillor for Montenbourg at the European Union Emma Granger dissented from members of her party on the amendment proposed by the Council Speaker adding more members to the EU Council.

After leaving the debates, and abstaining the amendment she said to the press "We have to be careful with packing the European Council; I do not see a reason why there should be more than one councillor in the Council. A councillor should be representing all of your country, period. Council-packing will undermined public confidence in the European Council."

The members of the press asked the councillor why this would undermine confidence, the Councillor responded "Look, adding seats to change Act outcomes would drag a politicized process to new lows. If anything would make the Council look partisan, it would be that. It would almost oblige every country to have more than one councillor. Expanding the Council in our polarized times would erode such bulwarks against proposal's bias."

[Montenbourg]

Montenbourgian women, among European women who later give birth

Montague, Montenbourg.- Montague, Warwick and Winchester were three of the European Union (EU) regions at the Kingdom of Montenbourg, with the highest proportion of children born to women aged 40 and over in 2019.

According to data published this Wednesday by the national statistical office, Royalstat, in 2018, 12.9% of mothers who gave birth in Montague were 38 years old or older, doubling the European average.

[Montenbourg]

Minister of Labor on the Trevor Noah Show "An individual’s homosexuality or transgender status is not relevant to employment decisions."

The Minister of Labor Warren Di Blasio at the Trevor Noah Show.

Montague, Montenbourg-. de Blasio went on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah to recommend that Montenbourgians should not discriminate anybody on the basis of sexual orientation to get a job.

"Look Trevor this is a policy that is essential to Her Majesty's Government, an individual’s homosexuality or transgender status is not relevant to employment decisions. That’s because it is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex. And we understand that."

[Montenbourg]

EU Councillor speaks on the Amendment to the EU Constitution.

Emma Granger speaks at the Federalist Union Society.

Europolis.- After a day of voting and debates at the European Council; the Councillor for Montenbourg Emma Granger delivered a speech at the Federalist Union Society, an international support group of conservatives and libertarians that advocates for a textualist and originalist interpretation of the European Union constitution.

On her speech given by the current voting on the amendment of Article 2 of the European Constitution the Councillor said "Europeans deserve a straight answer, and if you haven't figured it out yet, the straight answer is, they are going to pack the Council. I’ve already spoken on — I’m not a fan of court-packing. A councillor should be representing all of your country, period." supporters standed on ovation from academics and european politicians for her words, being the first Councillor to campaign against the proposal and warning the dangers of packing the council. " It’s a bad idea! We will have three Councillors representing one country. Next time around, we lose control, and then we begin to lose any credibility the European Council has at all."

[Montenbourg]

The Monarchy Is the Best Regime, for It More Easily Favors Peace

Special Edition
Montague Times

---

Justice Clarisse Bourgeon portrayed by photographer Alec Koviks
by Justice Clarisse Bourgeon

Today we find ourselves in times where political uprising is rooting in many parts of the world, so the Board of the Montague Times asked my opinion on what do I think is the best type of government, I belive there is no perfect type of government but must say that I'm leaning towards one that I consider works perfectly in my nation, the Monarchy.

Constitutional monarchy is the best form of government, so despite many people saying that having a Monarch as Head of State is good for tourism, and not much else, we’re going to prove otherwise. A figurehead represents the people: politicians represent only their party, not the entire nation. As such, a Monarch can steer them through the hardest of times – take King Lawrence I during the beginings of the European Union.

“On preferring monarchy to preserve the peace of society—It is undeniable that peace, in the positive, dynamic sense of ‘tranquil liberty’ (Cicero, II Philipp., chap. 13, 1), is the single most important factor for the common good, if not a synthesis of all its constituents and the aspiration of any honest government. Now then, insofar as peace partakes of order or unity, in and of itself it has a more direct and straight connection with a unitary or monarchic form of government than with other more pluralist or dispersed forms.

This is one aspect of government that is stressed in these chapters; for intrinsic reasons of unity, through analogy with the natural order, from the lessons of history and because it is in accord with theocratic government. Later we will see also how a democratic government offers advantages for the peace of society.’

Events like jubilees and coronations give us not only days off but also bring us together in national pride, and leads to that oh-so-Montenbourgian event of the street party, seen for the coronation and the Jubilee. It isn’t very often that crowds gather when a politician is in town – but when a royal visit is announced, the Flags come out and flowers are purchased to hand over as a sign of respect.

Governments come and go – they can even be toppled – but Monarchy endures. The continuity a Sovereign brings to their country ensures stability through a single figure, who often has the power to intervene should a situation require it, assisting in running the state as part of a system of checks and balances. Politicians are always said to be untrustworthy – making promises before an election, then going back on them afterwards. Polls show that now, more than ever, politicians are not considered to be trustworthy.

Andreas Bergh and Christian Bjørnskov find that social trust is higher in monarchies, which is associated with lower crime and lower corruption.

‘High-performing democratic political cultures’ such as monarchies are characterised by ‘legal continuity, compromise, self-limitation, suspicion of radicalism, and regular, moderate adjustments and policy corrections’.

Former Bank of Montenbourg rate-setter George Bentley wrote a paper suggesting countries with ‘weak executive constraints’ that went from a non-hereditary leader to a hereditary leader (ie a Monarchy) increases the annual average economic growth of the country by 1.03% per year.

Heirs to the throne are usually raised to know their position and to learn the ropes of their future job. This makes them more experienced than the politicians who govern the country.

Governing a country is hard work – just look how soon new leaders start showing their greys! Separating the positions of Head of State and Head of Government means that the work-load is split: ceremonial work at home and abroad (such as handing out honours, hosting and undertaking State Visits) is taken care of by one party, meanwhile, the Prime Minister can focus more on running the country.

Soft diplomacy is also a great weapon, and is being deployed constantly in any negotiations. Royals can highlight the need for debate on certain topics through their charitable works, whilst remaining above politics. When our now Queen was then Princess, for example, she campaigning on environmental issues for decades, and managed to shift opinion about AIDs, and her work saw land mines banned internationally. Currently, The Princess Catherine is attempting to remove the stigma surrounding mental health.

Now, the best government is government by one. The reason for this is that government is nothing but the directing of the things governed to their proper end, which consists in some good. But unity belongs to the idea of goodness, as Boethius proves (De consolatione, iii.) from this, that all things desire good, so do they desire unity; without which they would cease to exist.

For a thing exists in so far as it is one. Whence we observe that things resist division, as much as they can, and the dissolution of a thing arises from some defect therein. Therefore the intention of a ruler over a multitude is unity, or peace. Now the proper cause of unity is one. For it is clear that several cannot be the cause of unity or concord, except so far as they are united. Furthermore, what is one in itself is more apt and a better cause of unity than several things united. Therefore a multitude is better governed by one than by several.’”

[Montenbourg]

"Together we said NO to Council Packing" EU Councillor.

The Montenbourgian Councillor walking on the streets of Europolis, waving at the press.

Europolis.- After a long day at the European Council and a full campaign against Council-Packing, the Amendment to Article 2 did not passed; only one councillor voted in favor and seven voted against it. A precedent seted by the European Council saying no to packing.

The European Councillor for Montenbourg Emma Granger said a few words "Today I feel more trust In our Councillors, because together, all europeans, said no to Council-Packing. I personally thank Councillor Plessis of @Leagio, Councillor Luzrogizen of @Ruthund, Councillor Muzhare of @Nofoaga, Councillor Tusk of @Spain, Councillor Freund of @Austria and Councillor Gökçen of @Alkharya. Only together shall we mantain this institution created for the betterment of Europe."

[Montenbourg]

"Bourgeon Palace is heritage of our Union..."Minister of Culture.

The Minister of Culture at a press briefing in the Audience Room of the Bourgeon Palace.

Montague.- The Hon. Minister Dame Helen Mironoff talked today at the dedication made by the European Heritage Labeling for the Bourgeon Palace as the first European Heritage site in the European Union. There where present many of the distinct delegations of Europe commemorating the historic importance of the labeling. "Today our Bourgeon Palace, the residence of our Majesty the Queen, is a place of Europe. A heritage for our Union. I personally want to thank our European Internal Affairs Commissioner Jean-Claude of @Spain for this beautiful initiative and congratulate the other nations that join as well."

The Bourgeon Palace displayed lights and huge crowds went to witness the labeling.

[Montenbourg]

Prince Philip receives Royal title for 28th birthday

Queen Victoria at the ceremony giving the title and office to his husband.

Bourgeon Palace, Montenbourg.- The Queen has formally presented his husband Lord Philip with the title and office of Prince-Consort and Duke of Montague to mark his 28th birthday. A new titledom that the Queen created under the seat of the capital city of Montenbourg and by the household of Bourgeon Palace.

The post - dates back to the 14th Century.

The Prince-Consort and Duke was given the title on his birthday in October but has now received the letters patent as the holder of the title, watched by the Queen.

Prince Philip gave up a promising career on the seas to devote his life to royal duty. He had already reached the rank of commander before stepping down from his active role in 2019 to marry the Queen.

Some believe he could have been King- but wasn't coustome to give him the title, it's only when a man is on the peerage as King- ; the Queen's birthday gift could be seen as an acknowledgement of the sacrifices the Prince and Duke has made for his wife.

In an interview to mark his 28th year, he was asked how he felt giving up his job as a Royal Navy officer.

"I don't know how difficult it was, it was naturally," he said. "I had just been promoted to Prince and Duke; the fact is that the most interesting part of my career is just starting., as a husband and crown keeper."

[Montenbourg]

Xavier Bettel endorses Jesús Aguilar: 'Europe needs his progressive leadership'

The Prime Minister of Montenbourg published an Instagram photo.

Lexington House, Montenbourg.- Xavier Bettel, The Prime Minister of Montenbourg, has urged Spainiards to re-elect Jesús Aguilar, an apparently unprecedented endorsement of a candidate in @Spain election by a current Montenbourgian prime minister. Which doesn't prohibit any foreign endorsments.

Bettel posted in Instagram on Thursday that he was proud to work with Aguilar and described him as a hard-working, effective leader who takes on big issues like climate change. And published a funny picture of them in a meeting where the Prime Minister of Spain fixed him his tie and caption “Europe needs his progressive leadership now, and I hope his neighbors support him for another term,” Bettel wrote.

Aguilar has a close relationship with Bettel and the two were pictured having dinner in earlier this year.

[Montenbourg]

Councillor Granger on Europolis: "Child Marriage in Europe, ends now!"

Councillor Emma Granger at the streets of Europolis on a March Against Child Marriage in front of the European Council.

Europolis.- Today the European Councillor for Montenbourg and member of the European Progressive Alliance Cllr. Emma Granger proposed with his fellow Cllr. Edward Firoux of Inquista the Child Marriage Act 2020 which aims to protect minors and their path to adulthood by prohibiting the marriage or union of young persons.

After the councillors proposed the bill in the European Council a March in favor of the proposal gathered near the building, where many famous singers, actors and diplomats gathered to support the act.

The European Councillor of Montenbourg offered a few words:

“We teach our girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, you can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful. Otherwise, you would threaten the man. Because I am female, I am expected to aspire to marriage. I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is the most important. No sir! Marriage is between two consenting adults, period. Together we can and we will deliver a better future for our boys and girls of Europe." The crowd chanted while many artists performed.

---

[Montenbourg]

Parliament Members discussing vote to revoke Montenbourg Neutrality.

Parliament House on session

Parliament House, Montenbourg.- The Representatives of the different parties of Montenbourg gathered together at the Parliament House in the capital city of Montague to discuss the possibility of revoking the Kingdom's neutrality approved by the European Council on 2018, which was recognised as neutral under Article VI of the European Constitution.

The motion was set on table by Representative David Cameroon and Alain Duncan of the Classical Monarchist Party. Lexington House has decided not to comment on the current debates.

"We cannot remain neutral when our friends and allies are battling big battles for the betterment of Europe, where are our ideals into action?" Said Representative David Cameroon CMP.

"Our troops are in need of use, this shall not be understood as a sound of agression but an echo of balance in the powers that sustain our region; we have to rise up." Said Alain Duncan CMP.

"The European People, don't need more of this rethoric; is true that we sometimes need to act but we have protocols, meaning under the aproval of the European Council." Said Elsa Warrant from the Liberal Party.

[Montenbourg]

Cllr. Emma Granger congratulates the Progressive Alliance Party of Leagio.

Cllr. on a zoom call with directives of the PAP.

Leagio.- The Councillor at the European Union for the Kingdom of Montenbourg, Dame Emma Granger extended her congratulations via zoom call to the leaders of the Progressive Alliance Party of @Leagio on their majority in the past elections.

"As a member of the European Progressive Alliance, EPA, this are great news! It means that we can shape the future towards a progressive Europe together. I'm looking forward as a fellow progressive your policies proposals at the European Council. Best regards!"

[Montenbourg]

Unveiling Portrait of Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria of Montenbourg by artist Alexis Baskin-Robbs

Bourgeon Palace-. Amid the festivities of Christmas, the Royal Trust unveiled as gift for The Queen a new portrait of the monarch to be displayed on all government and missions offices. The grand portrait has gone on display in the Royal Hall at the Bourgeon Palace.

The oil painting shows Her Majesty looking very regal in ceremonial robes and Order of Eagle collar, which features a pendant of the Holy Cross— the highest order of chivalry in the province of New Castle. "It's nerve-wracking, but it is enormous fun," Baskin-Robbs told MBC about the commissioned portrait, which is thought to be based on a photograph by renowned photographer Hegel Danz.

[Montenbourg]

EU elections Speaker and Deputy Speaker: Montenbourg's Emma Granger congratulates Michel and Tusk on win.

The Councillor at a Press Conference.

Europolis.- Councillor for Montenbourg Emma Granger has said she is looking forward to working with Charles Michel from the Kingdom of @Fremet and Donald Tusk from the Kingdom of @Spain have been elected as the Council new Speaker and Deputy Spaker respectively.

"The European people have made their decision," Granger said in a statement.

"I-m thankful for the legacy of my dear friend Edward Firoux from @Inquista and wish him the best of luck and every success and I would also like to congratulate our friends from Fremet and Spain, the first passin of the torch from a long time in the EU Council."

"I look forward to work with Speaker Michel and Deputy Tusk as we have done previously with Former Speaker Firoux erradicating Child Marriage in Europe. Our Factbook Intellectual Property Act, which is currently on the table is indispensable if we are to protect our intelectual property" she said.

[Montenbourg]

Ministerial Questions: Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel before Parliament
Parliament House.- Order, order! Prime Minister's Questions are now in order!

The Right and Honorable Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel will be taking questions from the Parliament.

• Mr Deputy Speaker, Question number 1 As we all know, according to regulations, the Government of the day may pay Cabinet wages to 21 Secretaries of State, plus the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of The Exchequer (23 in total). could the Prime Minister clarify which 21 roles are being paid Cabinet wages, and which are not?
  Mr Deputy Speaker,

Myself, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Chancellor have voluntarially forgone our wages to allow for greater participation from constituent parties within the coalition.

I would hope that His Grace the Duke of Norfolk would know better than to infer that cabinet members are theives in the future.

• Mr Deputy Speaker, can the Prime Minister confirm the position of Montenbourg in the horrible situation of Alkharya?

The current Minister of Foreign Affairs will address this upheaval situation, for the moment I assure you that our Government supports democracy development anywhere in Europe. Also let's remember that this is the same Parliament who in december said that we are gonna soon be out of the nreutrality status, again is not the case. Our government mantains the position that we need to lose our neutral status.

[Montenbourg]

The Bettel administration’s leaked Syndical-Union peace plan, explained

Minister of Foreign Affairs Elizabeth McCord, who wrote the leaked letter to Popular Socialist Party (Popular Front) leader, attends a meeting with Foreign Office team March 9 at the LexingtonHouse.

Montague Times-. After weeks of sensitive deliberations and closed-door meetings, the Bettel administration watched this weekend as two secret Union of Syndicate documents leaked to the public — revealing their behind-the-scenes push for a peace agreement between the Popular Front leader and the Union of Syndicates government that would facilitate the ease of tensions in the region.

Government officials hasn't yet formulated an official position, but as press is our duty to deliver. Until the leak of these documents, the belief was that the Bettel administration was discussing three broad options for how to proceed in Union of Syndicates. The first was to adhere a deal with the Syndicates, which would require Prime Minister Xavier Bettel to meet the leaders of the country on a peaceful dialogue towards a democratic checks and balances. The second was to negotiate an extension cell, allowing Montenbourgian think tanks to sponsor scholarships for leadership to the Popular Socialist Party and sustain their candidates for a more centric transition.

But two leaked documents published show the Bettel administration may be seeking a different path: One that pushes for an accelerated peace and, potentially, sets the stage for a troop infiltration with the support of the Union, after the Sanction Act currently discussed in the European Council. The question now is how much pressure coming from Classical Monarchists Party leaders like Michael Kent or antisocialist groups will weigh on Bettel decision. We’ll find out in no more than a few weeks.