Vícras Ammayawr Serdria
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Aspernian sympathisers abuse immigration system to illegally banish political opponents
The system for reporting immigration crimes--Securtia--has reported a record number of false complaints filed against those who hold Sertian nationality.
The increase appears to have begun not long after the Brætha allowed the Aspernian Coalition to become Sertia's first political party.
Approximately 2,000 reports against Sertian citizens, claiming that they entered the country without permission, have been filed with Securtia, who have brought this odd development to the attention of the Brætha.
Many of the targets of these immigration reports have been Sertians who have spoken out against the former leaders of the Aspernian regime, such as Harbyn Dreist, a reporter for the journal United. He says he was notified of the complaint filed against him when the Sertian Border Police visited his home to check his documentation. When he presented his passport, they apologised and left his home.
The Brætha have instructed the Sertian Border Police not to visit the homes of those who are registered Sertian citizens and legal residents.
Know your rights
It's important that you are aware of your rights should you be the target of one of these scams.
You have the right not to answer the door if you are visited by the Sertian Border Police. However, it may aid your case if you mention that you possess Sertian nationality or legal residence documents, and show proof of this.
The Border Police will not arrest you if you do not possess legal presence documents. Instead, they will check the national system, CitizenGrid, for your immigration record. If things still need ironing out, you will be visited again and given the opportunity to adjust your immigration status.
You can seek free, confidential legal advice at Erdanisk.ser
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Brætha to convene war cabinet over international interference
Monday, 1 January
The Brætha have voted to assemble a war cabinet regarding the actions of the United Kingdom during the Aspernian Schism. The War Cabinet will conduct an independent investigation into whether the actions of international bodies warrant a declaration of war.
The decision to convene the war cabinet is not one that is taken lightly by most governments. The consequences of a war for Sertia would be dramatic and the government have previously indicated that "any decision will likely be non-combative".
Declarations of war in Sertia do not necessarily mean there will be fighting. Rather, declaring war opens up powers of the government such as the National Emergency Protocol and measures to protect public safety. Declarations of war also enable the government to provide urgent humanitarian support abroad.
It is not clear what the viewpoint of the Spanish Government is on this point, but they will likely be less than willing to engage in combat on Sertia's behalf.
ERE BACH'ÁIR DÙN
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Sertia prepares for tourism growth this summer
and, no doubt, tourism politics.
26 April 2024
The government and businesses are getting ready to accommodate high volumes of tourists this Summer season.
With the Summer tourist season due to officially start on 1 May, the government have expanded train, Sertia HorseRail and coach service timetables, as well as scheduling more ferries between Sertia and Nofoaga for ease of accessibility. Business owners are also finishing up winter renovations on their properties and are preparing to open in just four days.
The West Olves are also readying to welcome visitors by air, land, and sea. The provisional government of the West Olves have ordered expanded ferry timetables from Plariaras, Sertia to Icaserch, WO.
Tourism is the second largest industry in Sertia, next to textiles (the 3rd) and fishing (the 1st). To many, this Summer will determine how well they are able to get through Winter.
Arts and culture
Summer is a time for celebrations of fine art and culture in Sertia. Most notably is the Baelo Arts Festival held in the Erdais district of Osperfey, which attracts world-renowned writers, artists, and cultural icons. This year, a record number of people are due to attend, making Erdais the place to be in the Caribbean this summer for lovers of fine art.
Erdais Politics
While tourists are a necessary part of Sertia's economy, there was quite a bit of uproar last year when the Erdais District Braetha ordered an additional tourist tax to be included in accommodation fees. This came after local residents complained of disorderly behaviour from tourists, a group of whom had been arrested and charged for criminal damage to private property.
Local festivals
Major Sertian destinations are not the only place for this, however. Around the country, local arts festivals will also be showcasing their homegrown talent to passers by and locals alike. The village of Tyr'n Bever, about 20 miles north of Rowsperch, is proud to present an exhibition by local artist Benjamin Tyr. It is an art installation which concerns the fleeting state of Sertia's natural, pastoral landscape, much of which is part of the ancient marshland known for generations as Tremaras. While the majority of people now live in Sertia's major cities, many of them hail originally from the towns and villages of Tremaras, of which Tyr'n Bever is one. Tyr's project is one that he says "comes from the heart".
"My family, the Tyrs, have lived around this area for over 400 years. Tyr'n Bever has shaped me", Tyr says. Indeed, around 1597 the Tyrs purchased the land where Tyr'n Bever is now.
When asked about what tourists should look for in Sertia this summer, Tyr says "come out to Tremaras and see how the Sertians really live. We are very welcoming and kind and not like the city-dwellers. Here you will have it easy, you can take it slow and enjoy yourself".
Sertian tourism season runs from 1 May to 31 August 2024.
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1 June 2024
News highlights from Sertia for May 2024
2nd May:
The Braetha has faced increasing doubt in their current competence after refusing to retract a statement promoting Istkalenian citizens to violate immigration law to seek asylum in Sertia.Sertian Diplomatic Management announced the closure of all its consular outposts in Istkalen by 1 October 2023, but internal resistance has prevented this. Sertian Diplomatic Service Braetha has stated that the decision to close embassies was "reckless" because it suggests that those seeking asylum in Sertia from Istkalen would need to cross the border of Reitzmag by any means necessary. This would be to reach the temporary outpost of the Civilian Maritime Agency for transit to Sertia. This outpost was closed in February.
5th May:
A cow has been arrested in the village of Purrage for illegally crossing the border between Sertia and Aspern.The Purrage Border House, which is now a museum, left its doors open to any and all visitors, one of whom happened to be a cow who wandered in from a nearby field. The cow crossed the boundary on the floor where the old border passes through the building, and was promptly "arrested" by museum officials and returned to his owner.
The Purrage Border House museum opened in 2024 in commemoration of the most recent Schism, however the site also marks a boundary between the Kingdom of Prew and Climaer which has been officially and unofficially used since the 13th century. The border between the two former kingdoms passes nearly through the middle of the village of Purrage. According to the original trade agreement between the two kingdoms in 1224, livestock were only able to pass the border between high noon and 3pm. This bewildered cow arrived at the museum at 4pm. The cow's owner, Mr Max Whyca thanked the museum staff for returning his cow named Ruby.
The 15th Century border crossing between Prew and Climaer, now next to the Purrage Border Museum.10 May:
Christian pilgrimage routes to reopen for the summer tourist season
Following maintenance of the land and field on which these routes cross the leading body of Bothorist christians, Botherus, has prepared the routes to be used this season by pilgrims from around the country and beyond by hiring paid staff and volunteers to manicure and signpost the footpaths.
There are four routes--colloquially known as "Bothorist Highways"--across Sertia which historically were used by pilgrims, travellers and visitors for a very long time. It is said that Verna II Osperfey may have used these routes to campaign for the acceptance of the Sertian Domex 1224, to which scholars also attribute the spread of Bothorism across mainland Sertia.
Bothorism originates with Verna II Osperfey, but began in Verna's birthplace in the West Olves. She was awarded the title of princess when she gained favour in the court of Osperfey's king Yarexyl.
The four footpaths consist of the Yarrew Way from Rowsperch to Kylegore; the Agmerenth, which goes from Osperfey to Hemberdale; the Ydrinnias on the West Olves from Vernaina to Liciller; and the Breque'er Road, which runs from the monastery of St Nyle near Plariaras to Antem Combever. There are many more footpaths across Sertia which are still official transit routes throughout the country. They are free to use and showcase many remarkable ancient landscapes, such as the Tremaras swamp in northern Sertia.
(to be continued)
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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.
