Fremetian Elections 2020

[Fremet]

Liberaldemokraten Party Conference

Helmsdorf, Vestlandet
2 April 2020

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SR Parliament Broadcast
Camera cuts to a reporter outside the convention centre in Helmsdorf
“Welcome to Helmsdorf and this year’s Liberal Democrat Party Conference! This is SR1, bringing you everything on Decision 2020.”

SR Election Theme plays

The Liberal Democrats have played a powerful role in Fremetian politics since the end of the occupation. Most recently, Angela Merkel lead the party to dominate the Staatsrat, culminating in her premiership in 2016. Merkel’s tenure as party leader and PM would end after her retirement from Parliament, but not before she named her successor: Ursula von der Leyen, who won the party leadership —and the office of Statsminister— in a landslide nationwide by-election, the first of its kind in nearly 40 years.

Amid rumours that the Socialist Party will be dissolving the Golden Coalition, Von der Leyen quickly responded with a series of policies that better positioned the Lib Dems to appeal to a larger voter base. As the political field in Fremet continues to move towards the left, the Liberal Democrats want to present themselves as the anchor that will continue to bring stability and prosperity to Fremet.

That being said, we now go inside to the Liberaldemokraten Party Conference, here in Helmsdorf!

Camera cuts inside convention centre…

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The chairman’s gavel cracked once

“PLEASE RISE FOR THE PARTY ANTHEM”

Anita Schulte, MP, stood at the podium and sang.

“I NOW CALL TO ORDER THE 2020 LIBERALDEMOKRATEN PARTY CONFERENCE!”

The voice of the conference chairman boomed through the Great Hall of Helmsdorf as the sound of the gavel broke through the echoes of the chairman’s voice, and the conference began…

“ORDER! The chair recognises the Mayor of Flachesfeld.”

“Thank you Chairman. I propose that, within the party manifesto, there be a proposed plan to establish a plan of a slow de-escalation of sanctions against the UNSR.”

“The chair accepts this motion and opens the matter for debate.”

The SR for øst-Nordhavn stood and signalled to be recognised by the chairman

“The chair recognises the Stortingsrepresentant for øst-Nordhavn.”

“Thank you. Chairman, this proposal is ludicrous. My colleague cannot possibly be proposing the reversal of such a salient—and popular—policy. We must stand for the rule of law in Europe, and cannot simply pursue an ease of sanctions because a sufficient amount of time has passed. We must wait until they have proven themselves a legitimate and trustworthy government that shows true respect for the democratic process. Until then, we shall continue to recognise Free Icholasen as the only legitimate government of the island”

“Chairman, how long would my colleague propose leaving sanctions in place then? Such a change may take quite a long time, and we cannot expect ourselves to self-limit as such.”

“Chairman, we can and will do everything in our power stick to our ideals. Without them, we are nothing. Furthermore, we cannot set the dangerous precedent that the passage of time is all that is required for a government to garner legitimacy in this union. The UNSR supplanted the democratically elected government on the island and installed what is functionally a single party dictatorship. We cannot meet those who have done nothing to ease our fears or garner our trust with open arms. Chairman, we must remain firm against all those who threaten Fremet’s future.”

“Chairman, what my colleague fails to see is that if we continue on this path, there may not even be a future to be threatened. We cannot expect ourselves to simply ignore such a sizeable neighbour.”

“Chairman we have done it before and we can do it again. We must stand by our ideals and our freedoms and not allow for them to be tarnished by our compromising on what we value. Chairman, I motion that this be moved to a vote by this body.”

“We cannot fall into isolation. I second the motion.”

“All those in favour please move to this side of the chamber [Gestures to the left side]. Those against, to the other [Gestures to the right side].”

The members on each side were counted: aides, politicians, advisors, the lot. The chairman spoke again…

“The votes are as follows: 341 AYE - 1136 NAY. The motion fails. We will now continue to take amendments to the existing party platform…”

… FOUR HOURS LATER …

The Chairman hammered the gavel once, bringing the chamber to an immediate silence

“ORDER! This conference has thus established, amended, and approved our manifesto to present to the Fremetian people. The chair recognises Ursula von der Leyen to deliver the key points of this manifesto to this conference and the Kingdom.”

Ursula took the podium and looked out over the crowd

“Thank you Chairman. Members of the Democratic Party, Fremetians, and all those in our Kingdom, it is with this manifesto that we set forth our goals and outlook for our island and her people:

• We will continue to bolster railway reform in Fremet.
• We will continue to oppose the illegal government in Icholasen and continue to pressure the UNSR to open their nation to international observers to verify that the will of the people is being respected in the democratic process.
• We will continue to maintain the current status quo with Inquista. Our interests in Inquista must be protected. Furthermore, we will pressure the admission of international observers to verify the electoral process in Inquista. Should the General violate the electoral process in any way, we will revisit our policy on Inquista.
• We will expand Fremet’s public transit infrastructure with new investment.
• We will establish a new small business grant and tax subsidy to aid in the creation and sustainability of the grassroots of the Fremetian economy.
• We will protect the welfare and social safety net that we have spent so many years putting in place—ensuring the freedom, success, and wellbeing of all Fremetians.
  Fremet must remain steady in its path to the future. We cannot regress, and yet we cannot move forward too quickly either. It is the position of this party that Fremet strive to maintain the systems of now and continue to implement iterative improvements over the years. By doing so, we can ensure a strong, stable, consistent, and responsible government.

We must remain laser-focused on making and keeping its best self, and cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by the tumults of the world. Even thus, we must defend ourselves. We will continue to protect our island.

We will continue our cooperation with the EU, seeking a deeper and more active union. A union that ensures the freedom of all Europeans and works for the betterment of all the nations and peoples of Europe.

We will protect our ideals. We will not stray from the path of freedom and democracy. We must continue our futher cooperation with the continent. Only then, when Fremet is no longer alone, can we truly build the Fremetia— and Europe— of the future together.

There is talk of how long this nation will endure. We have survived countless invasions, occupations, wars, diseases, disasters— all of which cost this nation dearly. Each time, however, we rose from the ashes of defeat and destitution and rebuilt. We will continue to rebuild. We will not be stamped out. We will not fade away into the annals of history. We will strive to prosper into the future, and should we falter, should we fall once again, we will start right again and rebuild this great nation. We have survived. We will survive. We will thrive. Together we can!”

Ursula returned to her seat. The chairman grabbed his gavel and spoke…

“THE CHAIR NOW DECLARES THIS CONFERENCE CLOSED.”

The chairman banged his gavel twice, adjourning the conference.

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There we are! A rousing speech from the Statsminister. Later today: the results from the Socialist Party leadership challenge and new polling data! Coming Monday: the great debate, where the three highest polling parties’ leaders hash it out on stage in Trondheim! Stay tuned to SR1!

[Fremet]

Solberg Wins Socialist Leadership; Debate in May

2 April 2020

TRONDHEIM- In a landslide victory, Dr Erna Solberg has won the leadership of the Socialist Party. She defeated her opponent with 62% of the vote— one of the largest margins seen in a party leadership challenge in decades. Speaking at her home this evening, Erna proposed a series of new reforms, including a massive new bout of public spending, as a means of carving a path forward for Fremet.

Dr Solberg takes the leadership role in the Socialist Party after the resignation of her predecessor, Eric Johannsen, due to health reasons. Replacing Johannsen's shoes will be no easy task, him having lead the party for over 30 years. Erik, by many accounts, had become an institution in Trondheim, outlasting so many of his colleagues and rivals alike. Without Erik, the Socialist Party will have to find a new direction and a new identity, and it appears to have found that in Dr Solberg. We await to see how the rest of the country reacts, especially as Solberg has repeatedly said that she will not seek to renew the "Golden Coalition" with the Liberal Democrats.

With Dr Solberg's victory, we now have the confirmed attendees for the debate this Monday, hosted by NRK and SR Parliament. So far, foreign policy has made up a large proportion of the focus of the election, but it remains to be seen if it will remain a salient topic as the campaign heats up. The debate on Monday will no doubt provide an ample opportunity to sample some of the discourse moving forward.

At the debate on Monday, party leaders from Fremet's smaller parties will also be taking part in the debate. The debate will be held in Trondheim on Sunday, 31 Mayl, at 20:30 UTC on SR1.

Do you have a question to submit for the debate? Go to sr.fr/debatte2020 or nrk.fr/debatt2020 to submit your question to the moderators.

[Fremet]

Political Parties: The Pillars

There are countless registered political parties in Fremet, however, only four hold seats in addition to Fremet's three major parties in the Staatsrat. A summation of each is below..

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The Rødt - The Red Party

• Far Left
• Leader: Jeremias Corbychov

The Rødt was formed in 1923 as a splinter group from Fremet's dominant communist party, the Parti Communiste. Members of the Rødt left the old communist party in opposition to their collaboration in the Nicoleizian occupation of Fremet. Dominated by Fremet's French-speaking minority, the Parti Communist led the Fremetian Socialist Republic, and with many of its leaders jailed, its members barred from public service, and the party outlawed after the occupation, the Rødt, being the only surviving far left party in 1930, quickly garnered the reputation of harboring FSV officials. The party fell into such a steep decline that, by the formation of the Fifth Kingdom in 1935, the party was headed towards dissolution. Change would come though. In 1946, a new leader emerged in the floundering party, Walter Schmidt. Schmidt expelled many of the old Parti Communist and old guard from the days of the occupation and repositioned the Rødt as the left-wing alternative to the Fremetian Labour Party. By the 1950s, Schmidt managed to increase the Rødt's seats in the Staatsrat from zero in 1946 to 12 in 1957. A series of coalitions with the Labour Party in the 1960s and 1970s allowed the party to establish themselves as a legitimate and stable participant in Fremetian politics.

Today, the Rødt are still very much a far-left communist party. Focusing more on left unity than one single ideology, the Rødt has demonstrated an impressive ability to consistently balance the countless variations leftist thought and emphasise strong, consistent, and steady reform to create the societal, political, and economic conditions necessary for evolving Fremetian society into a post-capitalistic society. The Rødt's chief goal is best stated by Walter Schmidt in 1963, "We set forth on the path of reform. Only through manipulating the evolution of human society can we truly find our utopia. We must grow to fulfill our ideals as they are too enlightened and too generous for the selfish and careless society we live in and are conditioned to." Most of the criticism of the Rødt is that it seeks to please all corners of the left and that it compromises itself too much in seeking to distance itself from the Occupation. While it seems to have its execution well-planned, the Rødt does not seem to have a clear goal in mind.

Jermias Corbychov, the Rødt's current leader, while from the syndicalist branch of the party, was chosen in convention largely to address concerns over a lack of direction. Corbychov has outlined a multi-phased plan to introduce increasingly potent reforms to snuff out capitalism in Fremet. He is also known to be a long-time friend of Erik Johannsen, former leader of the Fremetian Socialist Party. Rumours of a possible coalition government between the Rødt and Socialists continue to grow, especially news that Solberg will not seek to renew the Socialist-Lib Dem "Golden Coalition."

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Venstre - The Liberal Party

• Centre-Left Soft-Reformist
• Leader: Skei Grande

The Venstre are Fremet's first and oldest political party. Formed at the foundation of Fremetian democracy in 1735, the Venstre have managed to remain relevant in Fremetian politics for nearly three centuries. The Venstre are largely responsible for nearly every social, economic, and political reform in Fremet throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, even leading the government in exile during the occupation. It was Venstre politicians that spearheaded the rebellion that ultimately toppled the communist puppet state and expelled the Nicoleizian occupiers. The Venstre have not been without controversy however, opposition to the new 1935 constitution and subsequent formation of the Fifth Kingdom did a fatal blow to the party, leading it to lose over half of its seats to the newly-formed Liberal Democrats in the 1936 elections. The Venstre would never hold a majority again. The Venstre had a tough time rebuilding throughout the 20th century. Kept on life support by stubborn members and opportunistic coalitions with the Liberal Democrats and even Høyre, the Venstre managed to limp through into the new millenium.

Since then, the Venstre seem to have found their place in Fremetian politics as fitting in the narrow gap between the centrist umbrella Lib Dems and left-leaning Socialist Party. Recently, with Liberal Democrat politicians calling for a slowing to the pace of reform and a respect of the status quo, the Venstre have been able to carve out a new niche for themselves as members jump ship from the Lib Dems. The Venstre are running on an agenda emphasising "common sense" reform, calling for continued government regulation and social service efforts, but stopping short of the Socialist Party's push to pursue nationalising key industries.

The Venstre seem to be on the uptick, and are polling at their highest levels in nearly 50 years. It is likely that the Venstre will manage to swipe some seats away from both the Lib Dems and the socialists in the constituency elections.

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Grønne - The Green Party

• Environmental Activism
• Leader: Anita Bastholm

The Grønne are Fremet's environmentalist activist party, formed in 1986. The main focus of the party is environmental protection and ecological sustainability. The party seeks to introduce a tax on wasteful consumption and to reorganise the food industry. The Greens have also pledged support for a reform in the agrarian industry, increasing the production of organic crops and strengthening the eco-friendly agricultural sector.

Though the Grønne are near laser-focused on environmental issues, they are largely progressive in the field of Fremetian politics and typically vote closely with the Liberal Democrats and Socialists on legislation.

The Grønne have a small but reliable constituency in Fremet and gave been gaining traction across the country as environmental issues continue to garner increased focus by Fremetians.

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Fortschrittspartei - The Progress Party

• Libertarian Right-Wing
• Leader: Markus Hartmann

The Fortschrittspartei are Fremet's leading right wing party, often accusing Høyre of compromising conservative values for votes. The party seeks a more restrictive immigration policy and greater independence from the European Union. Formed in 1962 in response to sweeping economic reforms introduced by subsequent Labour and Lib Dem governments, the Fortschrittspartei continues to oppose expanding the government bureaucracy and supports downsizing the ever-growing public sector in Fremet.

Seen mostly as a reactionary party by many Fremetians, the Fortschrittspartei has managed to garner a decently-sized voting base of those discontent with the reforms enacted by Fremet's larger parties. Interestingly, the Fortschrittspartei now stops short of proposing cuts to social programmes, instead opting to focus on economic policy. The Fortschrittspartei, until 1999, was the only political party with seats in the Staatsrat that advocated cuts to social welfare programmes. In 1999, in response to strong political forces in Fremet and an economic recession, the party reversed their position on social welfare, calling it a "necessary measure to ensure the physical, financial, social, and mental health, safety, and stability of all Fremetians."

The Fortschrittspartei has been in rapid decline since the start of the 2010s, losing many of its seats to Høyre as the right in Fremet continues to shrink. It is expected that the Fortschrittspartei will lose a significant amount of their small proportion of seats in the coming election.

[Fremet]

THE DEBATE

PART I
“Opening Arguments”

Sørfremetia Kringkastingssenter
Rhodenheim, Blumenfeld
14 June 2020
20h00 FST

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Pan camera through studio (no live audience) to show a moderating table positioned facing 7 podiums offset in a semicircle, the Rhodenheimer skyline shining in the night behind them.

Camera cuts to moderators

KS: Good Evening. I’m Karl Schmidt with SR1,

KT: I’m Kate Tronnes with NRK,

TOGETHER: … and this is Decision 2020.

Election Theme Plays

KS: Joining us tonight in the beautiful port city of Rhodenheim are the seven leaders of Fremet’s seven largest political parties.

KT: From left to right, we have Jermias Corbychov, head of the Rødt,

KS: Anita Bastholm, leader of the Grønne,

KT: Erna Solberg, leader of the Sosialistpartiet,

KS: Skei Grande, head of the Venstre,

KT: Ursula von der Leyen, leader of the Liberaldemokraten and current Statsminister,

KS: Nikki Oleman, leader of Høyre,

KT: And Markus Hartmann, leader of the Fortschrittspartei.

KS: Onto the Rules for tonight’s debate…

KT: The speaking order will be randomized, though no candidate will deliver a response first or last more than once and every candidate will be given a chance to speak.

KS: Candidates will begin with a 4 minute opening statement, followed by a series of questions submitted from across Fremet, Europe, and our moderating teams at NRK and SR1. For their question responses, each candidate will be allotted 3 minutes to answer each question and a 1 minute rebuttal period after each question is answered. The rebuttal period for each question will follow the same speaking order as the question itself.

KT: Following the question period, candidates will deliver their 5 minute closing arguments, concluding the debate.

KS: Violations of the debate rules will not be tolerated. Violations will result in time penalties or possible expulsion from the debate per the moderators’ prerogative.

KT: Anita Bastholm, you have been randomly selected to deliver your oral stamen first. Your time starts now…

AB [Grønne]:
Good Evening Fremetians everywhere. I know that, for many of you, I am not the person you tuned in to watch. Nevertheless, I ask you to lend me your ear for the next few minutes as I show you what a real reformist party looks like.

We live in troubled times, that much is obvious. Wars, coups, and the threat of a new Cold War seem to loom over us day in and day out. These trifling human concerns pale in comparison to the tragic state of our fragile planet. For us to survive into the next century, change has to be made now. Thus far, all that we’ve seen are a series of token gestured made by the larger political parties of this nation to present the illusion of progress and that some effort is being done. My party has fought for decades to bring about a lasting, sustainable future for all peoples of this earth.

Our fight continues to this day. We must show the world that a new path, a green path, can be forged ahead and bring about true stability and prosperity that isn’t so vulnerable to our collapsing climate and dwindling natural resources.

Our first step to a green future is reforming the Fremetian farming industry. With new applied technologies, Fremet can transition to a post-meat society, removing the huge drain on resources and massive damage to the environment caused by the meat industry. Such changes would revitalize the Fremetian farming sector and allow for Fremet to become agriculturally self-sustainable as a significant portion of our agricultural output today goes to feeding animals used in meat production. By ending this process, we will establish a model for other nations to follow as we move into the future.

Furthermore, the Grønne will continue to push environmentalism abroad, as any effort to save the environment must be a global one if it is to have any hope in succeeding. Together we can capture the narrative and bring about real reform in Fremet and Europe.

Fremet’s natural beauty is the right of every Fremetian, and it must be protected. Thank you.

KS: Thank you Anita. The next candidate to speak tonight will be Nikki Olemann. Mrs Oleman, your time begins now.

NO [Høyre]:
My fellow Fremetians, we stand at a crossroads. To one side, we see the overarching tendrils of the Union reaching into every portion of Fremetian life, and on the other, we see abject isolation plunging our isle into the dark. It is time for us to forge a new path. It is time for us to seek a new way to interact with Europe. We must keep to our strengths and not fling ourselves into the arms of a corrupt and self-serving union.

To that end, we must focus our efforts on cautious cooperation with continental nations and not provide them with the opportunity to take advantage of us. They stood by when the Nicoleizians invaded our island and murdered our people. We cannot put ourselves in such a situation of vulnerability again. We must defend our shores from this newfound threat and continue to take a hard line against those who violate the democratic process and seek to snuff out the freedoms that all Europeans have a right to enjoy. We must redouble our efforts for the self-sufficiency of our island, and seek to build close, trusting alliances with other nations, not the Union as a whole.

We will embark on a new effort towards agricultural reform, subsidizing our farmers to make up for the trove of cheap imports brought in from other EU nations. We will seek to establish a national rail company that is not so reliant on government subsidies, with rates that guarantee basic funding for the company and its operations. We will expand Fremet’s military readiness and maintain national service in order to guarantee the defence of Fremet.

We seek common sense policies. I led Fremet into the European Union, and I will not allow for something that I did to compromise Fremet’s stance as a sovereign nation. I will stand for Fremet, or I will not stand at all. I will see this to the end. This party will keep the Fremetian spirit alive. We will make the reforms that are necessary, but we will not go trailblazing into the future, moving too fast for our own sight. When you build a table, what do you build first? Do you construct strong and sturdy legs to support that which you seek to create? Or do you hobble together temporary supports to get to the end goal as quickly as possible? Reform takes time, and our nation must build a strong foundation for the future if it is to remain successful.
Thank you.

KT: Thank you Nikki. Third on our opening speaking order tonight is Erna Solberg. Ms Solberg, your time begins now.

ES [Sosialistpartiet]:
Good evening and thank you for tuning in to this critically important discussion this evening. Our nation has changed a lot in the last five years. Europe has changed as well. The continent has changed so much in the last century, and the union today is not the same one we entered five long years ago.

My colleague is correct. Fremet is at a crossroads. We’ve long tried to toe the ever-narrowing line between isolation and deepened relations with the continent. We can only hold this balance for so long before we begin to hurt ourselves through a lack of focus and drive. It is time that Fremet willingly joins the international community. It is time that we open up to the peoples of Europe.

If the last five years have taught us anything, it is that Fremet is not alone anymore. Our economy has grown to become the fourth largest in the European Union. Our furniture industry has conquered the global market. Fremet’s mark on Europe is just as significant as Europe’s mark on Fremet.

We have forged a path ahead with new partners and greater cooperation that will bring about a new golden age for Fremet. No longer must we shiver in the dark, isolated by the great wall of communism. We have built a great nation from the ashes of horrific occupation, and it is time to continue that march forward to into the future. I’m not proposing that we fling ourselves into the open arms of the Union, but we must not ignore the benefits of membership. We must remain active in the international community, building ties and relationships that aren’t dependent on our connection to Europolis. Doing so will shield Fremet from the whims of the European Council and ensure lasting, stable connections with the powers and peoples of Europe.

You may hear me speak of high ideals, but these are not without policy objectives, I and my party will seek the consolidation of Fremet’s utilities into one centralized government agency, ensuring the fair and equal distribution of the critical resources of modern life— water, electricity, and internet —are available in abundance to every Fremetian. We will pursue extensive transportation investment. We will explore new means to reduce Fremet’s reliance on fossil fuels, including foreign oil, AND reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the process. We will continue investment into Fremetian social welfare programs, keeping our extensive social safety net ready and primed to ensure equal opportunities for all Fremetians. We will also establish a new sovereign wealth fund. Using surplus revenues from the FKEM dividend we can build a strong investment portfolio that will work to keep our social programmes funded into the future. Furthermore, we already have proposed legislation that would ban diesel vehicles in Fremet by 2025 and all internal combustion engines by 2040. These changes, in addition to new funding into research of new energy sources and sweeping agricultural reform, will catapult Fremet into the next decade prepared to meet any challenge our nation may face.

Our accomplishments have been great, but there is still work to be done. I pledge myself to continue the great torch of reform, and I ask all Fremetians to join with me. We are not only a nation of dreamers, for we are a nation of doers as well, willing to make the sacrifices and to enact the changes necessary to fulfill those great dreams we have for ourselves, our children, and our children’s children. I pledge to never settle, to never give up on making the Fremetian dream a reality. Together, we will continue the tireless work of our forebears to build a society that stands the test of time and for all of its members. Together, we can! Thank you.

KS: Thank you Erna. Now, we move on to Jermias Corbychov. Mr Corbychov, your time begins now.

JC [Rødt]:
Comrades, with every election, we shape the future of our island. This election is no different. Rising tides of instability and corrupted communism have cast a dark shadow over Europe, and now is not the time to waiver. We must continue the fight for a better Fremet and a better Europe.

For too long have we been avoiding the great question of our time: at what point is capitalism no longer sufficient for a modern society?

Our nation’s slow drive to the left has not been a coincidence. The inevitability of the fall of capitalism is indisputable. Through continued reform and a clear vision of the end goal, we can achieve a post-capitalistic society here on our island.

I will not ignore the mistakes of the past, however. The state must exist first to preserve the rights and freedoms of all Fremetians. That much is certain. We will not allow the horrors of the past to be repeated.

We will continue to support existing nationalization initiatives to ensure the equal distribution of wealth and government services to all Fremetians. In addition to these initiatives, we will introduce new legislation that will call for the increased regulation of Fremet’s larger corporations, ensuring that they do not grow so large as to garner power to manipulate Fremetian society and the Fremetian government.

We will push for continued reach with other like-minded governments and political parties —namely the Party of the European Left— to bring about real change across Europe and create a new, united front for the new left in Europe. Fremet must seek a voice in this circle, if it is to continue to remain relevant in the internationale politick.

The Rødt stands for freedom and equality just as much as any other party on this stage does. We will always support the natural rights of all peoples on this island and uphold our nation’s constitution. To continue to ensure the freedom and equality of Fremetian socity, this party stands to protect it against those who wish to exploit this society and its people.

To achieve this, we must remain vigilant and continue to engage in economic and social reforms that ensure equality in Fremetian society. We mustn’t allow the privileged of Europe to call Fremet a safe haven and influence the national agenda as we’ve seen in the likes of Inquista. For our society to remain truly free, all members of it must have an equal voice with equal representation in government. We must do everything we can to ensure that paramount ideal. Thank you.

KT: Thank you Jermias. It is now time to hear from Markus Hartmann. Mr Hartmann, your time begins now.

MH [Fortschrittspartei]:
Tonight, we all seek to give you, the Fremetian people, a look into our goals for Fremet and its future in the hopes of swaying you to our disposition in the coming elections. I urge all of you to listen carefully to that which is proposed and the promises that are made and hold these politicians accountable. You are the ultimate deciders of our future.

In progress and reform we must not lose what makes Fremet great. Our trust in the European Union is misplaced. What is to say the last five years would not have been much different had Fremet not joined the European Union? What is to say that another five years will continue to bring about further successes? The great powers of Europe have already turned their backs on the Union. Angleter and the DU have been distancing themselves from the Union for quite some time. Why should we seek increased integration if the Union’s strongest members seek separation?

I am deeply concerned for the future of the European Union. Seeking further integration like many of our leading politicians have leaves us vulnerable to forces on the continent that have been sewing discontent and instability for years now. Mrs Solberg and I disagree on many things, but I do echo her sentiment that Fremet must be able to stand on its own and forge relationships that don’t rely on this fickle Union in order to ensure the lasting prosperity of our nation.

We must also remain ever-vigilant to defend our great island. Across the emerald sea, a red giant is forming to oppose the free peoples of Europe, and we must stand together, willing to defend our island and our accomplishments because the cost of failure is too high.

Furthermore, we will pursue reducing government waste and unnecessary expenditures. It is time that the Fremetian government guarantee its ability to pay for proposed programmes before they can be implemented. We may be running a surplus now, but that does not guarantee that we will run a surplus in the future. We must act proactively to ensure the continued economic strength and stability of Fremet.

I will also personally ensure that the Ministry of Defence does not see a drop in its funding. We must continue to invest in the future of Fremet, and the first step in that lofty goal is ensuring that there will still be a future for Fremet. This can only be achieved if Fremet can defend itself from its enemies. There is a grave threat rising to the east, and we must be willing to meet it when the time comes.

Fremet is a land of great opportunity and promise. Let’s not waste such potential on failed ideas and empty promises. Vote for a stronger Fremet, vote for progress, vote for the party that will keep Fremetia marching forward!

KS: Thank you Markus. Up next is Skei Grande. Mrs Grande, your time begins now.

SG [Venstre]:
Good Evening Fremet. My name is Skei Grande, leader of the Venstre, Fremet’s oldest political party. Even today, we continue to provide a voice that stands for common sense reform in this beautiful land of ours.
During these troubled times, it is more important than ever that the flow of reform remain constant and the continuity of government is not interrupted. We can accomplish the lofty goals that we set forth for ourselves and our nation through steady, incremental reforms, bringing about larger change in the fullness of time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither was Fremet.

To reach this goal, we will continue to support extended funding for Fremet’s social safety net. By ensuring that all Fremetians are on equal footing, we can build a foundation for the continued success of a fair and equal society. Furthermore, we will support efforts to protect Fremet’s environment. We have great natural beauty in this country, and we must continue to protect it from abuse and exploitation.

Our cautious move forward in domestic policy must be mirrored with cautious foreign policy. The European Union provides countless opportunities for continued growth for Fremet, but we must not move too quickly. There is rampant instability in the national politick of many continental nations, and we must be careful not to allow these sentiments to take hold here in Fremet. Our nation strives on consistent governance, and any threat to the stability and progress of Fremetian society is a threat to our very existence. We must strive to shield ourselves from the tumultuous tides of international politics and forge a path forward that catapults Fremet into a bright future and avoids dark clouds and tumultuous seas.

These policies must work in tandem. To pursue cautious foreign policy and maintain a brash domestic policy —or vice versa— is like having a table without chairs. Its use and effectiveness is limited without its complimentary pieces. By applying careful consideration to Fremetian politics, we can continue our goal of fulfilling the great Fremetian dream and deliver the best our society has to offer to all of its members.

KT: Thank you Skei. Last, but not least in our Opening Arguments this evening is our Statsminister, Ursula von der Leyen. Mrs Von der Leyen, your time starts now.

VDL [Liberaldemokraten]:
My fellow Fremetians, as Statsminister of Fremet for these last three years, I have worked tirelessly to bring good government and service to all Fremetians. I have, with my party, expanded our reach abroad and increased our involvement in the European Union. Together, as a nation, we have grown into a nation of relevance in the European Union. This is no time to look back on what we could have done differently, but a time to continue on this path that we have wrought for ourselves. This is the time for us to fine tune our efforts and remained focused on making Fremet today the best it can be.

We will continue to bolster railway reform and seek further investment into Fremet’s infrastructure as a whole. As our nation continues to grow, we must continue investments into the services and systems that keep the engine of Fremet running smoothly. Furthermore, my party will seek to implement a new small business grant and tax break to aid in the creation and continued success of small business in Fremet. Our furniture industry is almost entirely made up of small, local producers with fewer than 10 employees. Such a massive industry, driven by so many small pieces. We will continue to protect the FKEM co-op and the larger Fremetian furniture industry.

In closely examining Fremet’s existing programmes and services, we can fine-tune them so that they operate with the upmost efficacy.

Internationally, we will seek increased ties with the European Union. As we continue to build a better society here at home, we must be willing to open it to the wider world. As the never-ending push of globalism comes to our shores, we must be willing to open our minds and our nation to mutual cooperation and growth in the hopes of building a better, brighter, safer future not just for Fremet, but for all of Europe.

We have often been called the party of the “status quo.” While I reject the negative connotation of the term, I do not reject its basic definition. Yes, we are the party of now. It is the position of the Liberal Democrats that our system works, and that any reform to said system must be carefully considered implemented so that the balance we have so carefully toiled over is not disrupted.

We must strive to maintain the systems of now and continue to implement iterative improvements over the years. By doing so, we can ensure a strong, stable, consistent, and responsible government, securing a brighter future for all of Fremet, together.

KS: Thank you Mrs Von der Leyen. We will shortly be moving to the question and answer stage of the debate after a short break for our candidates.

KT: Thank you for tuning in to SR1 and NRK this evening. We’ll be back with your 2020 Debate Live from Rhodenheim in a moment.

Fade to Black

Transition to a short commercial break

[Fremet]

THE DEBATE

PART II
"Question and Answer"

Sørfremetia Kringkastingssenter
Rhodenheim, Blumenfeld
14 June 2020
20h35 FST

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Pan camera back through studio to show the candidates, the Rhodenheimer skyline still shining in the night behind them.

Camera Cuts to Moderators
KS: Welcome back to Decision 2020 on SR1 and NRK.

ELECTION THEME PLAYS

KT: Tonight, we come to you live from Rhodenheim where the seven leaders of Fremet’s seven largest parties have gathered in the only full debate of the election cycle.

KS: Earlier, we heard opening statements from the candidates before recessing for a short break.

KT: We now move on to the question and answer portion of the debate. As a reminder, for this portion of the debate, each candidate will be allotted 3 minutes to answer each of the four questions this evening.

KS: Our first question this evening comes from Anika Hansen, a 32 year old schoolteacher here in Rhodenheim.

KT: Anika asks, “Housing expenses for both renters and owners have risen across Fremet by an average of 8% over the last 5 years. What will you and your parties do to address rising housing costs in Fremet?”

KS: Skei Grande, you may begin.

SG [Venstre]:
All Fremetians have a right to adequate housing, and the Von der Leyen administration has neglected the Bundeswohnungsamt, the agency tasked with making sure that that right is observed. The Venstre support the revitalization of the Bundeswohnungsamt, expanding its operations to offering low-to-no interest loans to encourage home ownership in Fremet. In addition, we will support urban housing subsidies, encouraging developers through tax incentives and subsidies to build affordable housing in Fremet’s dense urban areas.

KT: Dr Solberg?

ES [Sosialistpartiet]:
Skei is right. Housing is a right. Ursula and the Liberaldemokraten party have refused to dive in and address the failures latent in this critical agency. While subsidies do provide for the construction of additional housing for Fremetians, the true path towards wealth in a capitalistic society is through property ownership, sadly, that isn’t always possible with such programs. As such, the Socialist Party will continue to support strengthening the status of housing co-ops in Fremet. 85% of Fremetians already live and own shares in a housing cooperative, and this system has served us well for decades. We can continue to build upon this by strengthening the Bundeswohnungsamt, granting new cash infusions to aid in the establishment and continued success of housing cooperatives across the country. New luxury housing developments in Fremet’s largest cities must not be tolerated to the degree they are today. Few are able to reap the benefits of these new developments, and even fewer are Fremetian. We must not allow our great cities to become playgrounds for the wealthy. Anika, Rhodenheim has bore the brunt of the increase in housing costs. We must act to prevent our dedicated public servants from being priced out of the communities they serve. As such, the Socialist Party will support a national initiative to limit luxury housing in high-density areas, ensuring that all Fremetians have access to fair and reasonable housing. We must not fall into the trap of allowing citizens to undertake hours-long commutes to work, school, and the like for the sake of living expenses. Such efforts only serve to normalise exorbitant housing costs and put a strain on infrastructure in our major cities. By utilising programmes to strengthen the appeal of housing cooperatives in Fremet, we can keep costs and commute times under control and maintain steady growth in our cities and foster stable, quality housing developments in more rural areas. In addition, our plan to nationalise all public utilities in Fremet would also serve to reduce living expenses as we continue to further integrate our energy grid, taking advantage of economies of scale and reducing costs for all Fremetians. These initiatives will ensure the continued growth and prosperity of population centres across Fremet and continue our long-held tradition of shared ownership.

KS: Prime Minister, your response?

VDL [Liberaldemokraten]:

Housing cooperatives were a fantastic solution for the housing issues of the 20th century, but rising costs, increased mobility, and extreme demand in urban areas have put a strain on our system. I’m all for expanding regulations to ensure that these new luxury apartments are actually occupied, but restricting housing growth to cooperatives hinders the ability of developers to gather capital for future projects. Anika, I understand your concern. Rhodenheim has grown exponentially, and pricing has matched this immense growth. While we continue to increase teacher pay to match the rise in living expenses, we must introduce other programs to ensure that all members of the community have equal access to fair, affordable, and quality housing. We will maintain existing co-op standards in urban and high-growth areas and place renewed restrictions on luxury housing approvals.
We have introduced a new program that will maintain the current levels of housing cooperative ownership, but allow for complete home ownership in less-dense areas of Fremet. By allowing for increased economic freedom and independence on an individual basis, we can induce continued economic asset growth in our citizenry while keeping housing prices down where it counts.
KT: Ms Bastholm?

AB [Grønne]:
Cost is not the only crisis we face. The rise in urban sprawl has put a strain on the environment and threatens the continued existence of Fremet’s vast swathes of greenspace that have helped keep our country so beautiful. With new housing subsidies, we can reduce urban sprawl by increasing the density in developed areas and reduce the need for new housing and commercial development that would damage Fremet’s ecology. Anika, Rhodenheim is a large city, but it has fallen into the trap sprawling suburbs. We must reinvigorate our centre cities to build larger, more sustainable cityscapes that serve the needs of all members of the community— natural and human.

KS: Ms Oleman, it is your turn to respond.

NO [Høyre]:
Why is Anika concerned about rising housing costs if she lives in a co-op? Could it be because of the difficulty in finding a co-op with openings in Fremet’s urban centres? Housing cooperatives reduce the cost of housing, yes, but they also can heavily restrict people’s ability to move from one place to another. It is increasingly difficult to move house in Fremet, and the free market has an answer. By reducing the strain that housing cooperatives place on the real estate market in Fremet, we can garner new economic activity and truly widen the scope of an untapped sector of the Fremetian economy. Allow the market to asses the need of housing and address the issues of availability and movement on our island. We will be all the better for it.

KT: Thank you Ms Olemann. Mr Hartmann, you may begin.

MH [Fortschrittspartei]:
Housing cooperatives are unsustainable as a means of maintaining the supply of housing as our population growth continues to accelerate. We must seek intelligent solutions that combine government efforts, guided by the free market, to achieve a stable and prosperous housing market that will serve all Fremetians. Anika, I hear your concerns. No hard working Fremetian should feel as though they are being forced to move further and further away from their place of work just to make ends meet. We must take action to find a solution to this problem and act accordingly.

KS: Thank you Mr Hartmann. Last in the speaking order for the first question tonight is Mr Corbychov. You may begin when ready.

JC [Rødt]:
Comrades, the price of housing is simply TOO DAMN HIGH! We must act before it is too late! We must bolster our defenses against treacherous and money-grubbing landlords and keep the dream of fair and equal housing alive for all Fremetians. Collective ownership organisations, like Fremet’s illustrious and highly successful housing cooperatives are the path to the future. We must bolster these existing systems and increase government subsidies to reduce the costs of new developments and increase availability of housing in urban and rural areas alike, allowing for increased mobility for all Fremetians. Markus may speak of intelligent solutions, but he has proposed nothing. Our government must stand and serve all Fremetians, or It does not deserve to stand at all.

KT: Thank you, Mr Corbychov. We now move to the next question.

KS: Our next question comes from Inquista. Amelia Laurentius from Saint Dominico asks, “Do you believe that Fremet should play a role in establishing international order following the chaos of recent European politics? If so, what role should Fremet play?”

KT: Ms Oleman, you may answer first.

NO [Høyre]:
Thank you for your question Amelia, we all appreciate your interest in the future of our nation. For the European Union is to function as a united, cohesive body, it requires the participation of all of its members to ensure the continued success of freedom and democracy in Europe. That being said, we will not fall into the trap of being the world’s policeman. Quite simply: look at the absolute mess that resulted from Inquista’s valiant aid rendered to Reitzmag at the height of the communist uprising. What was the thanks they received? An international incident and threat of war. Protecting order is a thankless job indeed, and Fremet has long-considered it one not worth undertaking. While I support recent actions taken by this government to ensure the stability and lasting security of both Fremetian democracy and the order in Fremet’s sphere of influence. The DU and Angleter both tried international interventionism. Look at them, still trying to clean up the mess. I won’t have our nation dragged down by needless, endless conflict on the other side of the continent. Our efforts should focus on ensuring the lasting safety of Fremetian citizens and assets abroad, taking proactive action in order to prevent prolonged conflict. Thank you.

KS: Thank you Ms Oleman. We now move on to the Prime Minister. Ms Von der Leyen, your answer?

VDL [Liberaldemokraten]:
Amelia, I appreciate your question. Fremet has an excellent opportunity here to build lasting relationships with our allies and protect our interests abroad. Through increased cooperation with the European Council and with democracies across Europe, we can build a diplomatic framework that encourages stability and is able to respond swiftly to threats to collective interests. Fremet has a key role to play in the future of this region, and we must not shy away from our responsibility to protect the free peoples of Europe.

KT: Thank you Madam Prime Minister. Ms Grande, you may begin when ready.

SG [Venstre]:
These are troubled times for Europe. For decades, Fremet has waited in the shadows, not sure of when to emerge. While I think participation is imperative if Fremet is to remain relevant in the international politick, we must be careful not to plunge ourselves head first into the next TS or DK. We must find the balance between maintaining a healthy distance and participation in critical initiatives in order to ensure the continued safety and stability of the European Union.

KS: Thank you Ms Grande. Ms Solberg, your response?

ES [Sosialistpartiet]:
Amelia, thank you for reaching out to us with this excellent question. For many years, Fremet has considered the problems of the continent just that, problems the continent must solve. We can no longer use our separation as a shield. Our world is more connected than ever before, and a communist revolt on the other side of the continent has ramifications that reverberate thousands of kilometres away. You ask what role we envision Fremet playing in maintaining the international order, if any. If we are to truly become full-fledged members of the international community, we must enact a policy of “Proactive Diplomacy.” What does this mean? We must nurture an ability to predict diplomatic events before they occur, taking necessary steps to protect Fremetian interests before the proverbial excrement hits the air-mover. So that, when something does happen, we have resources positioned to handle any threat to Fremetian sovereignty or interest. It is time for our isolation to end and for us to finally embrace the new world order. We cannot expect to continue to hide behind our garden hedge and continue on as we have for decades. While caution is always necessary, especially regarding Fremet’s delicately balanced insular economy, we cannot allow for isolationism to take root and relegate Fremet to a nation on the sidelines. In this century, we must build our soft power if we are to be a prosperous nation, as we cannot rely on sheer might to secure our interests at home and abroad. With Angleter and the DU having largely retreated from European politics, I believe that Fremet can play a unique role in establishing the international order through building lasting partnerships with continental nations to secure like-minded interests and broaden Fremet’s diplomatic influence across the continent, decreasing our expenditure of limited resources on military and hard assets, allowing for us to focus on building a better, safer, and more prosperous Fremet— and a better Europe.

KT: Thank you Ms Solberg. Ms Bastolm, you may begin.

AB [Grønne]:
Amelia, the international order is a corrupt morass, drifting from one self-serving interest to another. If we are to play a role in establishing the new international order, we must prioritise the environmental interests of all Europeans that have been ignored for so long. We must start an international conversation to establish a means to address this growing problem, as it will only continue to compound as many nations fall into the trap of inaction. Fremet’s renewed role in the international politick must be one that strives for a sustainable future, leading by example and making sacrifices for the good of all mankind. If we are successful, we can reinvigorate the environmentalist movement across the Union and lead us to a new sustainable and prosperous future.

KS: Thank you Ms Bastholm. Mr Corbychov, it is your turn.

JC [Rødt]:
Fremet has made a grave mistake with its current path. We must support our comrades all over the world, yearning to break the chains of oppression and poverty that have been forced upon them for generations. We must position ourselves to support those peoples who seek to end the exploitation of the masses, and we must ally ourselves with nations who seek a similar goal. The new world order must be one that serves all Europeans, not just one that serves a select nation or class.
Thank you for your question Amelia.

KT: Thank you Mr Corbychov. Mr Hartmann, your time begins now.

MH [Fortschrittspartei]:
Amelia, Fremet has no business getting involved in the affairs of other nations. The Hansen Doctrine, the idea that Fremet must focus its strength inwards if it is to exhibit strength outwards, has served our nation sufficiently over many years, and I believe that we have yet to see sufficient cause to change such a doctrine. Yes, the UNSR is spreading its tendrils throughout Europe, but isn’t that what the old empire did? We survived that Cold War, and we will survive this one. Let us not waste precious economic, political, natural, and human resources concerning ourselves with the conflicts and distresses of peoples thousands of kilometers away. Not only is it not our responsibility, but it goes against the very idea of a non-interference policy. Reitzmag, having invited Inquistan help, soon betrayed their aid and threatened all-out war with their aid. Why should we have to risk life, limb, and resources on peoples that have, until now, been successful in handling their own affairs alone? Who are we to decide who to support? Who to shoot? No— let more experienced nations get bogged down in these powder kegs of deceit and death and allow for us to focus on building a better Fremet. Let Europe focus on building a better Europe.

KS: Thank you Mr Hartmann. Our next question comes from our team here at Staatlich Rundfunk:
“The Staatsrat, in tandem with the Von der Leyen administration, implemented indefinite sanctions against the UNSR. What is your stance on the future of relations between our two islands, and, furthermore, do you support the continued recognition and support of Free Icholasen in exile here in Fremet?”

KT: Mr Corbychov, you may begin.

JC [Rødt]:
We have a unique opportunity here to avoid a long and self-destructive rivalry. We must normalise our relations with the UNSR and extradite the murderer Whiteford to the Nicoleizian authorities so that she may face her crimes. Fremet’s continued support of Free Icholasen in exile is not only a threat to national security, but provides cause to the UNSR for continued antagonism against Fremet. This new Icholasen is not the same as that old empire that murdered so many and ruined the lives of so many more. This is a new nation— a nation that has already demonstrated its commitment to democracy. We must not allow old and outdated sentiment and fear to drive our decision making in the present. We have an amazing opportunity to build a new relationship with a growing neighbour, granting us the privilege of establishing a lasting partnership with what truly is our one and only neighbour. No more with the fears and influence of the past! Forward with the cause of the people! Forward with Freedom! Frem til Fremetia!

KS: Thank you Mr Corbychov. Mr Hartmann, it is your turn to speak.

MH [Fortschrittspartei]:
Not only do I support the actions the Von der Leyen administration has taken to ensure the freedom of the Nicoleizian people from this oppressive regime, but I present that more must be done in order to maintain a strong and hard line against this illegal and oppressive regime. We must renew our support of Free Icholasen here at home and abroad, and continue conducting military exercises in the Emerald Sea. The UNSR must remain ever wary that Fremet is prepared to defend itself from any attack. We must not fall into the trap of trusting or legitimising a regime simply because it has stood the tests of time. This is a government that has been actively campaigning for the downfall of Fremet since its very inception. We must actively campaign against further acceptance of the UNSR by the international community and not allow our voice to be silenced. We must recognise our enemy and, at the very least, remain ever vigilant to defend all that we have built, for we cannot allow for our nation to fall into ruin at the hands of Nicoleizian oppressors once again.

KT: Thank you Mr Hartmann. Madam Prime Minister, you may begin when ready.

VDL [Liberaldemokraten]:
The position that we have taken in opposition to the government now in power in Icholasen is meant for the long term. Our present measures are proving sufficient in protecting Fremetian interests here at home and on the continent, and any further action may be misconstrued as an act of war or a cause for further antagonism. While I accept that the UNSR is seeping its tendrils all across the Union, this is not unlike the Old Empire’s policy. I am concerned by recent moves by some of Europe’s larger powers to recognise the UNSR and formalise diplomatic relations. We stand the risk of our voice on the European Council being drowned out by calls to recognise the new regime. We must embark on a diplomatic campaign to garner continued support of our struggle which will, in tandem with our existing policies opposing the UNSR, will serve to protect Fremetian interests and maintain much needed stability in this increasingly tense situation.

KS: Thank you Madam Prime Minister. Ms Grande, you may begin.

SG [Venstre]:
We must be careful not to trust this unproven regime across channel. It is yet to be proven if they can function as a successful member of the international community, and therefore we must remain ever-vigilant as to their next action. The sanctions and cessation of diplomatic ties have been sufficient thus far, but we must explore opening a dialogue with our shadowy neighbour. History is filled with all too many instances of miscommunication and catastrophes that could have been avoided had lines of communication been established. We must open a line to the UNSR for at least the basic purpose of emergency communication. In modern times with modern weaponry, miscalculations and mixed signals are a recipe for disaster, and I sincerely believe that all of us— on both sides of the straight —agree that such uncertainty is an unnecessary extremely dangerous risk that must be addressed.

KT: Thank you Ms Grande. Ms Solberg, your time begins now.

ES [Sosialistpartiet]:
The future of both Fremet and Icholasen are intertwined in the fabric of Europe. We must establish a dialogue and common ground with the UNSR. While we may continue to house the exiled government of Free Icholasen, we must remain ever-mindful that every single action we take and every word we say will be analysed time and again by this regime. We must remain calculated in every move we make. International geopolitics is a complex and ever-changing game of chess in which we cannot afford to make the wrong move. We will not allow ourselves to be forced into isolation by a regime that turns us into the boogy man of Europe. We must keep the high ground and be, at the very least, willing to speak.

KS: Thank you Ms Solberg. Ms Bastholm, you may begin.

AB [Grønne]:
The Nicoleizian threat is not going to go away. They have entrenched themselves across the Emerald Sea. We therefore are forced to open a dialogue, as we cannot keep up this game of silence for eternity. While this is by no measure a core issue of my Party, due to the immense importance this poses to Fremetian society, we have garnered, after much debate, our position that, while we must establish some ties with the UNSR, their rise to power and ambiguous views of democracy make them an untrustworthy and dangerous faction. We must remain vigilant in the defence of our island, and not fall prey to calls of diplomacy that will surely lead to deception and betrayal.

KT: Thank you Ms Bastholm.

KS: We now move to the fourth question for this evening:

“Several EU memberstates have applied for ENAA licences as of late, once again giving rise to the age-old question of a nuclear-armed Fremet. Should Fremet revisit the question of nuclear weapons? Would you and your party support Fremet reapplying for an ENAA licence, in light of recent geopolitical concerns regarding the rise of communism in Icholasen, a nuclear-armed state?”

KT: Ms Solberg, you may begin.

ES [Sosialistpartiet]:
Over four years ago, Fremet submitted an application to the ENAA. After one year of EU membership, the Høyre administration at the time was grasping for a next step in Fremetian foreign policy. It was an election year, and Ms Oleman hoped that an ENAA licence would legitimise both Fremet’s place in the European Union and her position as Statsminister. The application, rejected due to that same lack of direction in foreign and defence policy, would cost Ms Oleman and Høyre dearly in the 2016 General Election. That was then. This is now. While Europe wasn’t exactly a safe place in 2016, we were not facing a massive threat on our own doorstep. In truth, we had little cause to pursue nuclear armament. Times change however, and we no longer find ourselves in a position of relative safety. A rogue state has risen not a stone’s throw away from our shores. We are not nuclear armed. They are. Regardless of the capabilities of our missile defence grids, countless bunkers, and conventional military deterrents, it only takes one. One. With one singular strike, Fremet can be rendered all but defenceless. Even during the Cold War, we allowed Gallorum to station nuclear missiles here in Fremet. Allowing a hostile neighbour a monopoly on nuclear first-strike capability is suicide. It is the hope that this shadowy regime would act rationally, not attacking us without cause. As such, it is the hope that the other armed nations of Europe will make sure of that. But who are we to expect that of them? They have no obligation to Fremet or her people. The DU retreats ever deeper into its own affairs, Angleter was never likely to act in the first place, and Gallorum has all but fallen silent. The time is now for Fremet to take responsibility for its own destiny and take the steps necessary to safeguard its future. Fremet has the fourth largest economy in the European Union. Quite simply, we cannot even run the risk that Fremet may be held hostage, at the point of a nuclear missile. Fremet has been under siege for too long. I, like everyone on this stage, served my time in defence of Fremet. We all know the sacrifices that must be made in defence of our home. When faced with such devastating destructive power, no miscalculation, no wrong move, no mistake must be tolerated. We will open a dialogue, yes. We may even open up our economies to each other, but as long as that threat is there, we cannot trust. We cannot sit idly by and do nothing. For, in doing nothing, we yield. Fremet does not yield.

KS: Thank you Ms Solberg. Mr Corbychov, it is your turn to speak.

JC [Rødt]:
Fremet has survived thus far without these horrific weapons of mass murder, and we will continue to flourish without them. Obtaining a production licence from the ENAA will only serve to antagonise an already untrusting and dangerous neighbour, and may even give them cause to act against us. Why should we have to yet again spend precious diplomatic and political capital on a gambit that is likely to be rejected by the ENAA. Yes, things have changed, but nuclear proliferation has to stop somewhere, and that somewhere might as well be here. Let us be the example to the world of how to deal with these massive threats in ways that don’t threaten to destroy all of society around us.

KT: Thank you Mr Corbychov. Mr Hartmann, you may begin when ready.

MH [Fortschrittspartei]:
Fremet has a right to defend itself by any means it deems necessary. And, when faced with assured destruction, the only defence is a good offence. We must safeguard our future in arming ourselves for the task. We cannot stand by as a nation that has openly called for the destruction of our nation to hold such a massive tactical advantage over us. There is no real defence to such an all-encompassing threat. Now, more than ever, Fremet must act to secure its own future, using its own resources and its own means. We cannot rely on the goodwill of other nations to dictate our defensive policy here at home when the stakes are oh so very high.

KS: Thank you Mr Hartmann. Ms Olemann, you may begin.

NO [Høyre]:
With this rising threat Fremet must either seek an ENAA licence or a licenced country willing to station nuclear assets here in Fremet to behave as a deterrent. There is no conventional defence against such unconventional weaponry, and we must nurture an ability to respond in kind should that shadowy regime ever threaten to destroy all that we have built.

KT: Thank you Ms Olemann. Madam Prime Minister, you may begin when ready.

VDL [Liberaldemokraten]:
Fremet stands at a crossroads. To one side, we see a path that takes us towards a continued and drawn out rivalry, inching ever-closer to that fine line of mutual destruction. To the other, the unknown. As Prime Minister, I elected not to seek an ENAA licence in the wake of the uprising in Icholasen, as such a knee jerk reaction would be overly reactionary and could possibly lead to future conflict. I concur with Ms Solberg. There is no real defence to these weapons of awful power. I will not, however, reverse the long-standing position of this party that Fremet is not in the business of nuclear weapons. Yes, we allowed Gallorum to establish a deterrent here on the island. A deterrent that was dismantled when communism first fell in Icholasen. That was a different time, a different regime. I propose that we call upon the UNSR to dismantle their nuclear arsenal and that both governments of Icholasen surrender their licence to the ENAA. Should they refuse, Fremet will be forced to seek the nuclear option, literally. No longer can we be expected to carry out this impossible task and defend ourselves against this sweeping power without any real means to respond.

KS: Thank you Madam Prime Minister. Ms Bastholm, it is your turn to answer.

AB [Grønne]:
Nuclear proliferation is not only a danger to the political stability of the European Union, it is also a grave threat to the continued survival of humanity and the ecological success of our planet. We mustn’t allow the dogs of war to wipe our species to extinction or the environment to a wasteland. The simple cost of life in nuclear war makes these weapons of mass murder an unacceptable option for any nation to undertake. Mutually Assured Destruction: MAD. It is absolute madness that the defence to such devastating weaponry is the assurance that it will be used in kind. Such a doctrine only serves to ensure the destruction of modern society as we know it, should such a conflict break out. The risks are simply too high, the cost of failure too great to undertake such an effort or to even consider requesting even a licence from the ENAA.

KT: Thank you Ms Bastholm. Ms Grande, you may begin.

SG [Venstre]:
Fremet has long asked itself this question, and my answer remains the same as it always has been: No to Nukes. We must continue to search for more effective means of defending ourselves against ballistic missiles. By investing our resources in systems that protect Fremet, we can achieve this goal of a defence against such awful weaponry while maintaining our moral high ground and not risking life and limb by undertaking such an effort to obtain nuclear weaponry. Simply put, nuclear weapons are a waste of time and money that can be better spent elsewhere, be it on conventional forces or on scientific research, social programs, and the diplomatic corps.

KS: Thank you Ms Grande. That is all the time we have this evening for questions.

KT: We will return in just a few moments for the candidates’ final closing arguments.

Fade to Black

Transition to a short Commercial Break

[Fremet]

THE DEBATE

PART III
"Closing"

Sørfremetia Kringkastingssenter
Rhodenheim, Blumenfeld
14 June 2020
21h10 FST

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Pan camera back through studio to show the candidates, the Rhodenheimer skyline still shining in the night behind them.

Cue camera to Moderators

KS: Good Evening and welcome back to tonight’s debate here in Rhodenheim.

KT: Here on SR1...

KS: ... and NRK.

ELECTION THEME PLAYS

KT: We are here with the leaders of Fremet's seven major political parties.

KS: We've heard their thoughts on a number of questions submitted from across Fremet— and even a question from the continent.

KT: We now move on to the final piece of tonight’s puzzle, where our candidates will be delivering their closing statements.

KS: Madam Statsminister, you may begin when ready.

VDL [Liberaldemokraten]:
In my time as Statsminister over these past three years, I’ve seen Fremet grow into Europe’s 4th largest economy and outshine the vast shadow cast by our hostile neighbour. In the next four years, I plan to continue to fine tune our government, eliminating inefficiencies and building a government that serves all Fremetians in the most smooth and efficient manner possible. My attention will not only be upon those issues so critical to our domestic interests, but I will also invest increased energies in strengthening Fremet’s stance in the larger world.

After all, this is a crucial time in the history of our nation. We are facing renewed threats from old foes, new and complex challenges as Fremet continues to grow, and our continued participation in the European Union. There are many questions we must ask of ourselves, our leaders, and our society if we are to remain steadfast and true to building a better future for all Fremetians. Both Fremet and Europe have changed massively in the last 5 years of our time in the EU, and the immense progress that we have made in building a better Fremet and a better Europe must not allowed to be squandered on the basis of the return of familiar demons. We have invested far too much time and far too many resources to renege on the policies that have served us so well for the better part of a decade. We must fortify our political and economic position in Europe before we move to embark on any major action.

There are many nations that simply can’t be trusted— not just Icholasen. Reitzmag has been building a military presence within our sphere of influence for some months now, and we must respond if we are to maintain our proactive defensive readiness strategy. We mustn’t be distracted by major changes in public policy here at home when the rest of the world comes knocking. Fremet must be— and shall remain— a fortress against the evils of the world. We are a nation under siege, and weakness of any kind must not be tolerated, lest we fall victim to those who wish to subjugate and destroy this great nation.

KT: Thank you Madam Statsminister. Ms Grande, you may begin.

SG [Venstre]:
My fellow Fremetians, tonight we have heard the plans of your prospective leaders. All of us on this stage want that which is the very best for this great country, but alas, that manifests in countless different ways. When you go to vote in the coming weeks, I encourage you to look over all of the facts and make an informed, private decision. That is the sacred right we all have as citizens of this great nation.

My party will endeavour to implement a cautious foreign and domestic policy, paying close attention to implement necessary reforms and work to fine tune and improve existing long-term reform proposals. Slow and steady wins the race, and in the complex chess game of national politics, we must be prepared to explore all possible options instead of rushing to one singular conclusion. By ensuring a stable and consistent government with a heavy focus on continuity, we can deliver the services that are so critical in insuring the best possible quality of life for all of our citizens, and demonstrate to international observers, governments, and businesses that Fremet is a nation worthy of their trust and further investment.

There are many paths ahead of us to choose from, and we must be careful to choose the right one. Every decision we make today will shape our future in ways we can only begin to guess. This is an inflection point in our history: will we stick to our core values, continuing to build Fremet into a prosperous nation that ensures the success and well being of all of its citizens, or will we fall victim to the dark shadows rising over the horizon? The choice is yours.

KS: Thank you Ms Grande. Ms Bastholm, you may begin when ready.

AB [Grønne]:
We do live in a tumultuous world, and there is still yet much to be done to ensure that all Fremetians are guaranteed the best opportunities for success possible, but there is one issue that is far more urgent: our climate.

If we are to survive as a nation into the next century, we must take action now to secure our nation against a changing climate. In order to do so, we must retool our economy to more renewable energy sources and end our reliance on imported Vardic oil from the arctic. In doing so, we will save Fremet billions in saved energy costs that will remain here and available as capital to invest in additional generation capacity and further research into renewable energy.

In addition, we must alert the European Council to this growing threat and garner real reform to save our environment before it is too late.

KT: Thank you Ms Bastholm. Mr Hartmann, you may begin.

MH [Fortschrittspartei]:
My friends, Fremet is under siege. In order to ensure our survival, we must accept our reality and behave as such. We are faced with an unstable enemy that wields horrific powers of destruction, and we must be prepared to defend ourselves. Fremet must not rely on the goodwill of others to ensure our survival. We must take our destiny into our own hands and secure the future of Fremet.

The European Union is a joke. While I accept that Fremet does receive some benefits from its membership, we mustn’t expect the Union to effectively implement policy on a region-wide basis. The Union has proven time and again that it is more concerned with receiving its monthly contributions than it is actually upholding EU law. Such an organisation is, quite simply, unworthy of our trust. Fremet does receive a net benefit from its membership in the EU, and I firmly support our continued membership in this Union, but EU membership must not be an end to itself. We must be willing to pursue new avenues outside of the framework established by the European Union in order to ensure our interests are protected at home and abroad in the years to come.

We must remain strong and vigilant against our enemies, and we must remain willing to do that which is necessary to secure the future of this great nation.

KS: Thank you Mr Hartmann. Mr Corbychov, you may begin when ready.

JC [Rødt]:
Comrades, the cracks are forming in the world order. We must be willing to pick up the torch of revolution and reform this great island into the great utopia we all know it is capable of becoming. We must cast aside our doubts for the future and focus on building a new Fremet that serves all Fremetians of all races, creeds, and religions.

We will continue to support existing nationalization initiatives to ensure the equal distribution of wealth and government services to all Fremetians. In addition to these initiatives, we will introduce new legislation that will call for the increased regulation of Fremet’s larger corporations, ensuring that they do not grow so large as to garner power to manipulate Fremetian society and the Fremetian government.

We will push for continued reach with other like-minded governments and political parties —namely the Party of the European Left— to bring about real change across Europe and create a new, united front for the new left in Europe. Fremet must seek a voice in this circle, if it is to continue to remain relevant in the internationale politick.

The Rødt stands for freedom and equality just as much as any other party on this stage does. We will always support the natural rights of all peoples on this island and uphold our nation’s constitution. To continue to ensure the freedom and equality of Fremetian society, this party stands to protect it against those who wish to exploit this society and its people.

We must be the light that Europe follows into a brighter and free future for all!

KT: Errr thank you Mr Corbychov. Take a seat if you need it, you are looking quite red. Ms Oleman, you may begin.

NO [Høyre]:
From our place at the edge of Europe, we see the darkening clouds of totalitarianism rising over the horizon. If we are to survive the coming storm, Fremet must be the bastion of freedom that it was always meant to be. Our fortress must be strong, able to repel countless attacks against a superior force. Our fortress will not just be one of guns and ships, but of alliances and diplomats, stretching across the globe, securing our interests. The European Union is simply too weak to deal with the UNSR, and we cannot continue to rely on the goodwill and current defensive doctrine of nations like the Duxburian Union to ensure our continued survival against such a massive threat to our very existence. Fremet must work outside of the union to build new alliances, new connections, new partnerships across Europe to build our a diplomatic and defensive network that is more than the sum of its individual parts.

We are already beginning to see the start of such a partnership now, with recent fleet and civil operations taken in cooperation between the Vardic and Fremetian governments, allowing for shared interests to be defended against those that threaten said interests.

We must focus on common sense policies here at home and abroad, accepting the limitations inherent in the European Union and working to move past them, and working to continue much needed social and economic reforms here at home. Our new proposed agricultural subsidies will ensure the continued success and sustainability of the Fremetian agriculture industry for many years to come, guaranteeing the stability of our critical food supply.

As we forge a path into the future, we must ensure not only that there is no one left behind, but also that our interests abroad are secured and our position safe against those that wish to see to our downfall and utter destruction.

KS: Thank you Ms Oleman. Ms Solberg, you may begin when ready.

ES [Sosialistpartiet]:
Good Evening once again. Thank you to you all for tuning in to this incredibly important discussion this evening.

Fremet is not alone anymore: our economy has grown increasingly linked with partners on the continent, our citizens travel to all corners of Europe, and our diplomats span across the globe as we seek to expand our reach throughout Europe. We have built ourselves a new path, paved with cooperation with our partners abroad and the hard work of Fremetians across our great island, ensuring a brighter future for us all.

As we continue to move ahead on this new path, I and my party will seek the consolidation of Fremet’s utilities into one centralized government agency, ensuring the fair and equal distribution of the critical resources of modern life— water, electricity, and internet —are available in abundance to every Fremetian. We will pursue extensive transportation investment. We will explore new means to reduce Fremet’s reliance on fossil fuels, including foreign oil, AND reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the process. We will continue investment into Fremetian social welfare programs, keeping our extensive social safety net ready and primed to ensure equal opportunities for all Fremetians. We will also establish a new sovereign wealth fund. Using surplus revenues from the FKEM dividend we can build a strong investment portfolio that will work to keep our social programmes funded into the future. Furthermore, we already have proposed legislation that would ban diesel vehicles in Fremet by 2025 and all internal combustion engines by 2040. These changes, in addition to new funding into research of new energy sources and sweeping agricultural reform, will catapult Fremet into the next decade prepared to meet any challenge our nation may face.

We will continue to ensure that Fremet is at the forefront of techonological advancements and continue the Von der Leyen administration’s funding increases to the sciences. Through researching new technologies to solve our nations ever-evolving problems, we can develop new and more effective solutions to the challenges we face today and those challenges that we will face in the future.

Furthermore, Fremet is faced with a deadly enemy across the Emerald Straight. We mustn’t allow ourselves to become victim to a cowardly first strike attempt by the UNSR, drunk on the horrific power that nuclear weapons provide. That is why, if elected, I will submit an application to the ENAA to ensure that Fremet has an active and effective deterrent against these horrifying weapons. If we are to face such an insurmountable force, we must be willing to meet it with an insurmountable force of our own. Only then can Fremet be sure of our continued survival. No more shall we rely on the weapons of others for our own defence. We have a right to defend ourselves to ensure our continued survival as a people. That we must—and shall—do. While I support opening a dialogue with the UNSR, this must be done on equal footing. I will not sit down at a negotiating table with an ICBM at my throat— no leader of any nation should. We must do what it takes to ensure the continued survival of the Fremetian people. As our national motto states: “Wir werden frei bleiben.”

All this, and more. Join us. Let us take up the torch of reform and build Fremet to be even more prosperous a nation, serving all of its citizens, ensuring equality, freedom, and happiness for all Fremetians.

Thank you, and good night.

KT: Thank you to Ms Solberg and all of the candidates for your respect and participation in tonight’s debate. We wish you all the very best of luck in the coming weeks.

KS: We would also like to thank the beautiful city of Rhodenheim for hosting tonight’s debate.

KT: And finally, thank you from SR1 and NRK to all of those joining us this evening— From the rocky shores of Fremet…

KS: … to all over the world

TOGETHER: Thank you and good night!

Camera pulls out, showing candidates and moderators in the Rhodenheim studio, as the closing credits scroll, Sommerkveldens melodi plays in the background.

[Fremet]

Councillor to the European Union: Your Candidates

2 August 2020

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Incumbent: Charles Michel (EPA)

Charles Michel was born in 1975 to a pair of artisan furniture makers in Northern Blumenfeld. In 1997, he graduated from the Universitet i Rhodenheim with a BS in Psychology. He then graduated from the Rechtswissenschaftliche Fakultät der Universität Trondheim in 1999, receiving his Federal Bar Certificate in 2000. Charles had been active in Fremetian politics since he joined the Ung-Venstre in secondary school. After working as a public defender in Trøndelag from 2000 to 2003, he was selected by the Venstre to run for the national party list in the 2004 election. In 2008, he was elected as leader of the Venstre Party. He would form a coalition government with Angela Merkel, with him serving as Deputy Statsminister until 2012. He would not run again in the 2012 General Election, instead going to work at the Federal Prosecutor’s Office for the Southern District of his home province of Blumenfeld.

Charles Michel was selected Fremet’s Councillor to the European Union by the Staatsrat in 2016 (an arrangement met by the Høyre-Venstre coalition government), following the arrest and subsequent conviction of former councilor Benito Ôst on corruption charges. Michel would retain his appointment as Councillor under Nikki Oleman’s administration and into the Merkel and Von der Leyen administrations. In 2016, then newly-appointed Councilor Michel would become a founding member of the European Progressive Alliance, serving as its first Party Secretary.

Michel would spearhead Fremet’s continued cooperation and integration with the EU, building lasting political alliances with nations across Europe.

His long tenure has not been without controversy, however: his actual legislative portfolio is lacking, having never proposed an act to the European Council.

He has remained relatively consistent in his positions taken in the council, more recently pushing for continued opposition to the UNSR and greater cooperation between memberstates in key fields. He supports the Elected and Accountable Act.

As always, we posed a question to the candidate, “What do you see in Fremet’s future in the EU?”

Michel’s response:

“In Fremet’s first five years in the EU, we have witnessed massive changes both here at home and throughout the Union. Fremet’s future in the European Union, in my opinion, is leveraging our existing standing in the Union to further the EPA agenda and to develop a better codified system of international law for the Union. With this legislation, we can create basic diplomatic standards that must be respected by memberstates. We cannot continue to rely on precedent for such things.

Futhermore, while I know that the Fremet’s future in the EU is far more complicated than just “more integration,” I do believe that, with new diplomatic, political, and economic arrangements made outside of the Union and its current legislative framework, we can use these to leverage future policy initiatives in the Union and strengthen Fremet’s position internationally.

I have great faith in Councillor Firoux, Commissioners Antoni and Juncker, and Premier Whiteford. I was proud of their success in achieving the highest positions in the regional government, and I look forward to what the future holds for the EPA and Fremet.

There is still much work to be done, and I look forward to see what the next five years have in store for Fremet.”

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The Competition: Sara Petersen (MEGA)

Sara Petersen has been a key figure in Høyre since their defeat in the 2016 General Election. During the Oleman administration (2012-2016), Sara served as Deputy Councilor to the European Union under Benito Ôst. Following the dismissal and subsequent conviction of former Councilor Ôst on corruption charges in 2016, Petersen was sidelined by the Staatsraat, as she was still being investigated by the Statspoliti for her knowledge and involvement with Mr Ôst. The investigation into Sara concluded in late 2016, with her receiving special commendation from the Merkel administration for her dutiful cooperation with authorities throughout the investigation and absence of wrongdoing.

Sara has been a longstanding supporter of Dragan Trympov and worked closely with his campaign here in Fremet in the last commission election cycle. She has pledged that, should she be elected as Fremet’s next EU councilor, she would focus on first becoming an official member of, then continuing to push the agenda of MEGA on the European Council.

Her platform primarily focuses on Fremetian isolationism, emphasizing the importance of Fremetian self-sufficiency in the face of foreign aggressors. Unlike Charles Michel, Sara instead proposes a system in which Fremet only seeks to make diplomatic, political, and economic arrangements outside of the European Union and its contained legislative framework.

As always, we posed a question to the candidate: “What do you see in Fremet’s future in the EU?”

“Though Fremet has grown massively over the past five years, little of that can be attributed to EU membership. The economic and political arrangements that we have made, the infrastructure that we have built, the industry that we gave grown— all of these and more are thanks not to the European Union, but to Fremet and hardworking Fremetians everywhere.

If elected, I will defend the interests of Fremetians on the Council. How can I best defend these interests? By making certain that the Council stays in its lane and knows its limits, taking only common-sense actions that do not seek to undermine the individual interests of memberstates and their citizens.

The EU has proven time and again that it is ineffective and ill-equipped to meet the social, economic, and political challenges of the region, and we must be forever cognizant of the limitations of the Union if we intend to remain a part of it, and instead focusing our energies on solving our problems on a case by case and nation-by-nation basis.”

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The Outlier: Kalinda Giæver (Independent)

Kalinda Giæver has remained something of an oddity in Fremetian politics. She served as both leader of the Venstre and Deputy Statsminister of Fremet from 2012 to 2016, and played a major role in both the formation and continued success of the Høyre-Venstre coalition. Having lost her constituency seat in the devastating 2016 General Election, Kalinda was appointed as Fremet’s Ambassador to Inimicus before being recalled in 2018 to serve as Commissioner of European Affairs in the AA. She has led the CAE since then.

From Venstre’s more centrist wing, Kalinda has long been overtly cautious of Fremet’s EU membership, seeing it less as a means to bring forth European unity and moreso as a conduit for the continued betterment of individual nations. Interestingly, she is strongly in favour of increased international regulations and legislation that would establish a more fleshed out system of international law, citing this more of a moral issue rather than one of policy.

As always, we posed a question to the candidate: “What do you see in Fremet’s future in the EU?”

“In Fremet’s future interactions with the EU, we must seek balance in our approach. By running as an independent, I will be able to keep Fremet’s best interests at heart and avoid getting bogged down with trying to toe any one party line.

I will seek to uphold Fremetian ideals and the will of the Fremetian people on the council, representing my constituents to the very best of my ability.

Fremet deserves the very best that the EU has to offer, and I believe that, with the right focus and drive, we can accomplish this goal.”

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The Wildcard: Stephan Hettinger (PEL)

Stephan Hettinger has been a member of the Rødt since Secondary School. After receiving a PhD in Social Sciences and Economics from the Universitet i Rhodehnehim, he went on to teach Economics at the Universitet i Nordhavn in 1975, with a break to do a long stint in the Staatsrat from 1984 to 2008, garnering a close relationship with Socialist Party Leader Erik Johannsen. He served as the leader of the Rødt from 1988 to 2008, when he retired from the Staatsrat and returned to his position at the Universitet i Nordhavn.

Hettinger, though a part of Fremetian politics for nearly half a century, has never made it to the mainstream of the Fremetian politic. He is best known for his long tenure as the leader of the Rødt, Fremet’s last remaining communist party. It is notable that he managed to maintain steady membership rates even after the fall of communism in Icholasen.

His platform for Councillor to the EU is closely aligned with that of the Party of the European Left, a regional communist Political Group, focusing on recognition of the UNSR and strengthening the standing of communist nations in the EU. His platform also proposes a public relations campaign to de-stigmatise communism and communist ideology both in Fremet and throughout the region.

As always, we posed a question to the candidate: “What do you see in Fremet’s future in the EU?”

“Fremet has achieved much to benefit the common man in its tenure in the European Union. What we have achieved, however, pales in comparison to what we must do to ensure that the benefits of EU membership can be enjoyed by all Europeans.

We must carry the torch forward and strengthen the cause of the people in the Council so that it may flourish back at home.

The European Union is only the beginning of such an effort. We must use the Council as a vessel to carve a path forward for the nations of Europe to gather under the banner of revolution and bring about a more free, prosperous, and equal Europe”

[Fremet]

PLUKKEDAG!

08h00 FST — 3 August 2020
Bundesnachrichtensender, Trondheim

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Morning in Trondheim

[Announcer Speaking on Voiceover] From Staatlich Rundfunk's broadcasting studios here in Trondheim, this Decision 2020 on SR1.

Cut to anchor standing before Trondheim skyline

Today is the day you've all been waiting for.

SR ELECTION THEME PLAYS

Camera Cuts

Thank you and welcome to this, the final hour before polls open here on SR1.

As we have international guests tuning in with us this morning, we will be covering some of the basics of Election Day in Fremet. First of all, our election day, Plukkedag (litterally "Picking Day"), is actually two days. Both are national holidays, with countless shops and businesses closed or on limited hours. Plukkedag is always the first Monday and Tuesday of August every four years from 1936. While businesses may be open both days, it is illegal for anyone to work both days, unless they are in the armed services (they vote by mail). Starting in just one hour, 09h00 FST, the Samlere (the "collectors") will begin making their rounds accross the country, up and down each and every residential street in Fremet, collecting ballots from every home where Fremetian citizens may live. At noon Fremetian Standard Time, the Samlere will have finished their routes, and the voter lists will be turned over to polling stations, the Valgurnene, to allow them to open at 12h30 FST. Those persons who were either unable or unwilling to vote in the initial collection will then be able to vote at their local polling location, which is mandated to be no more than 1,5 km from their place of residence (exceptions are granted on a case by case basis, and the MoT must then provide adequate transportation on demand to the assigned polling location). The Valgurnene will remain open until 12h30 FST the following day. From 09h00 FST to 12h00 FST on Tuesday, no non-essential business or service is permitted to be open. At the conclusion of the voting process, votes are counted and certified at each precinct. Votes have until Friday to be certified or the election risks being declared disrupted, necessitating a recount and possible redo of votes.

Stay tuned over the next two days as we bring you the latest election commentary as people across Fremet make their voice heard in this, DECISION 2020!

[Fremet]

VALGURNENE CLOSE; EXIT POLLS RELEASED

Bundesnachrichtensender
Trondheim, Trøndelag
12h31 FST 4 August 2020

Camera pans across newsroom to news anchor, sitting at a desk with Trondheim's skyline behind him

KS: Good afternoon and welcome to SR1's Decision 2020 live from Federal Broadcasting House here in Trondheim.

SR ELECTION THEME PLAYS

KS: Thank you for joining us, my name is Karl Schmidt, lead anchor for SR's election reporting. The Valgurnene have just closed moments ago and Plukkedag is officially over, which means that we can finally release our exit polls to you.

Camera Cuts to SR's Exit Poll on Screen

KS: As you can see, our exit poll points very much to another hung Staatsrat. Fremet has not had a party with a majority in parliament since the Venstre's landslide 1940 election win. Other national polls point to much of the same. It seems that Ms Solberg will have to seek out a coalition after all.

Camera Cuts to Detailed Polling Data

KS: I imagine Ms Solberg is hoping for results more akin to the Der Trondheimer poll. I have no doubt that a coalition with the Venstre would be much more palatable than one with Ms Von der Leyen or Ms Oleman. She won't have that much time to work things out, however, with a mere 7 days to reach a coalition agreement before the duty then falls to the Liberal Democrats, with the second-most seats in the Staatsrat. Current Statsminister Ursula von der Leyen has already indicated that, should this occur, she would seek to form a new coalition government with Høyre. Lots of information still to come throughout the day as precincts begin reporting in their results. We'll come back to you again after the weather and your local news.

Broadcast cuts to weather centre

[Fremet]

Election Update

Bundesnachrichtensender
Trondheim, Trøndelag
15h21 FST 4 August 2020

KS: Good Afternoon and welcome back to SR1's coverage of DECISION 2020.

KS: At this time we are prepared to call the following constituencies for their respective parties:

TAKE A LOOK!

KS : Of note are socialist gains in the Tromsø metropolitan area and Østerdalen, densely populated areas largely dependent on the fishing industry and automobile manufacturing.

Also of note is the Socialist gain over the Liberal Democrats in Onsklippe's Principle City of Rutte am Mainz. Long considered a safe seat for the Liberal Democrats, Rutte am Mainz is the headquarters of the Møblerbeslutningstakere, one of Fremet's largest labour unions. In July, the Chairman of the Møblerbeslutningstakere endorsed the Socialist Party after a falling out with the Liberal Democrats over furniture export restrictions to Czech Slavia. This marks the first time since the 1988 elections that a Socialist candidate held the district.

Also of note are the Liberal Democrats' gains in northern Onsklippe, longstanding Høyre strongholds, and Finnmark, at the top of the country, a seat that has changed hands quite a bit over the years, formerly a Høyre stronghold before going to the Venstre in 2012.
Høyre did pick up one new seat, Grenseland, in southern Gårdsmark, from the far-right Fortschrittspartei.

KS: Stay tuned to SR1 as we continue to bring you the latest in this historic election.

[Fremet]

Election Night Special: Part One

Bundesnachrichtensender
Trondheim, Trøndelag
19h21 FST 4 August 2020

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KS: Good Evening and welcome to tonight's election special: DECISION 2020.

SR ELECTION THEME PLAYS

KS: I’m Karl Schmidt, joined tonight by Angela Merkel, Johannes Riis, and Madeleine Hoffstad.

KS: At this time, SR is willing to call the remainder of constituencies in Fremet:

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KS: As you can see, the Socialists have made impressive gains in traditional Liberal Democrat areas in Halvøya. Angela Merkel, when you led
the Liberal Democrats, you were largely seen as the one who brought these areas from Høyre to be on side with the Liberal Democrats. Why do you think that these constituencies have continued to move left?

AM: Well Karl, this seems to be endemic of larger political shifts in Fremet to the Socialist Party. Ms Von der Leyen has been an excellent Statsminister, but she has fallen flat on domestic policy. Most of Fremet was sold on the Liberal Democrats because we positioned ourselves as the party of reform. Ms Von der Leyen has largely reversed that narrative, and these areas, who benefitted the most from the last reforms package, no longer saw the Liberal Democrats as a viable option to represent their interests.

KS: Thank you Ms Merkel. It seems that the Venstre have taken a hit this year. Mr Riis, what might this mean for the future of the party?

JR: Karl, the Venstre took heavy losses in the 2016 elections, and the party is still picking up the pieces it seems. While they will stand to lose seats this cycle, I think that, now that they have returned to their base and found their niche between the Liberal Democrats and the Socialists, they will grow to become a bigger player in Fremetian politics as the Liberal Democrats continue to drift towards the centre and the Socialists continue to push left.

KS: Thank you Mr Riis. Høyre seems to have undergone a bit of a transformation. Ms Hoffstad, could you expound a bit on what we are seeing here with Høyre’s election performance?

MH: Thank you Karl. Yes, Høyre was devastated in 2016 when scores of politicians jumped ship to run with the Liberal Democrats. However, the party leadership seems to have recovered and, though Høyre did lose some of the seats they have held since the 2012 cycle, their core districts have remained consistently with them throughout all of this. The shift left has benefitted Høyre as well, with the party taking in those jumping ship from the Fortschrittspartei— though that’s probably more just the party’s older base withering away. Høyre have long been established as Fremet’s centre-right party, and they will likely remain as such as we move into the future. Nikki Oleman, the party leader, has taken revolutionary stances on foreign policy and has even expressed interest in ‘modernising’ their domestic platform, including removing their long-standing push for agriculture subsidies. Should this come to fruition, we could see a transformation in the party, perhaps leading to more success in 2024.

KS: Thank you Ms Hoffstad. We will now take a quick break, and return to you with more election news.

[Fremet]

Election Night Special: Part Two

Bundesnachrichtensender
Trondheim, Trøndelag
20h01 FST 4 August 2020

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KS: Good Evening and welcome back to tonight's election special: DECISION 2020.

KS: We are going to shift gears now to the election for EU councilor. With 96% of pricincts reporting, SR can confirm that MR CHARLES MICHEL (EPA) has been elected as Fremet’s first elected Councilor to the European Union. Charles Michel, a founding member of the EPA, has served as Fremet’s councilor to the EU since his appointment by the Staatsrat in 2016. Ms Merkel, you personally selected Michel to remain part of your cabinet in 2016,

AM: Karl, Michel is a staunch defender of Fremet in the Council. I’ve personally seen him in action, and his fervor, intelligence, and persistence have served this country very well, and I’m delighted that he was able to hold on to this position in such a historic election.

KS: Indeed. Coming on your screen now should be the results of the councillor elections:

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KS: As Charles took a majority of votes in the First Round, there was no need for the count to go to the second choice on the list.

KS: The Speaker of the European Council, Edward Firoux, came here to Fremet and campaigned on behalf of his EPA compatriot. Countless Fremetians turned out to rallies and various other campaign events centred around Councillor Michel. With Michel’s reelection, the EPA can be rest assured that their Fremetian member is secure in his position for yet another four years. We now go to Trondheim’s Centre City, where Councillor Michel is set to deliver a statement…

Camera Cuts to Michel Behind a Podium, Positively Beaming

“My fellow Fremetians, this is the first of many great moments in this historic night. I am humbled as you reaffirm your support in me and all that I have worked for these past four years.

We stand today on a precipice. Our future is uncertain. Times like these necessitate strong, concise action that will ensure the continued prosperity of freedom and democracy, not just here in Fremet, but all across Europe. With your support, hand-in-hand with the European Progressive Alliance, we can make certain that the light of freedom is never snuffed out.

I will work tirelessly to represent all Fremetians on the European Council and seek legislative solutions that work for Fremet and better the lives of all Europeans.

I thank all of those who have come here and worked so hard to make this victory possible. Speaker Firoux, Lady Merkel, your support has been invaluable through the years and I look forward to continuing to work with you both to bring about a brighter future for Fremet and the whole of this great Union.

Now let us go out, for there is work to be done!”

[Fremet]

Election Night Special: Part Three

Bundesnachrichtensender
Trondheim, Trøndelag
23h48 FST 4 August 2020

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KS: Good evening and welcome back to Decision 2020 here on SR1.

SR ELECTION THEME PLAYS

KS: The last precinct has finished reporting its count, and we have received official permission from the Federal Election Commission to release the official results of the count:

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KS: ERNA SOLBERG of the Sosialistpartiet will be Fremet’s next Statsminister in a landslide election victory. This is the first time since the 1940 Federal Elections that a party has secured a sole majority in the Staatsrat. As such, Ms Solberg will be unfettered by a coalition government, and Fremet will not be lead by a coalition for the first time in 70 years. This is truly a massive victory in this historic election.

Madeleine Hoffstad, here with us tonight, has followed the Socialist Party campaign closely. Ms Hoffstad, what’s behind this historic moment?

MH: Karl, this was a truly perfect coalescence of events that propelled Ms Solberg and the Socialist Party to victory.

Just look at the turnout— 92.36% of listed voters —Fremetian election turnout is always high, generally hovering in the mid 80s (85.6% in 2016), but a 92.36% turnout is record-breaking. We last saw a voter turnout break the 90% mark in the 1994 General Election, the first full cycle following the fall of the UNSR.

It wasn’t just turnout— the Socialists picked up an additional 17 constituency seats, taking them to a total of 34 constituency seats. In 14 of these constituencies, the Socialists secured the seat within the first preference of voting. The rest were all secured within the second and third preference. Compare that to the Liberal Democrats, wherein only 7 of their 32 constituency seats were secured within the first preference. This share remains a key indicator in the likely outcome of an election.

A number of external factors also contributed to the Socialist win. The ongoing crisis in Icholasen likely fueled turnout, as the nation literally almost went to nuclear war last week. Combine that with general instability on the continent and nations from elsewhere in the region deeply vesting themselves in the continually unfolding Icholasen Crisis, and Fremetians sought out a strong leader that would not only fight tirelessly for reform here at home, but one that would stand up for Fremet abroad. Many still feel that the Von der Leyen administration’s response to the crisis in Icholasen was delayed and a bit stunted. As Nicoleizian diplomats travelled the world garnering support for their illegitimate government, our diplomatic corps sat at home and did very little.

Perhaps Ms Von der Leyen’s biggest mistake was a push for the continuation of the “status quo”, which introduces quite an interesting phenomenon: Fremetians have become so accustomed to continued, steady reform that any suggestion of halting the seemingly-unstoppable train of progress seems ludicrous to many.

Both Ms Von der Leyen and Ms Oleman had strong foreign policy positions with broad appeal across Fremet, but Ms Solberg was the only candidate that managed to merge a tough foreign policy stance with a similarly strong domestic policy position. Ms Solberg was able to shape the Socialist Party platform to not only rally the left to her side, but also to capture the valuable (and numerous) centrist bloc in Fremet, contributing to major losses from the Liberal Democrats and the Venstre.

KS: Thank you for your insight Ms Hoffstad. We now go to Johannes Riis for a look into Høyre’s performance this cycle.

JR: Thank you Karl. Høyre remains in a very difficult position, and it comes as no surprise that they took some significant losses in this election cycle. We are seeing the real effects of Fremet’s shift to the left in Høyre’s continued shrinkage over the last four years. Voters continue to move from Høyre to the Liberal Democrats and from the Liberal Democrats to the Socialist Party at an ever-increasing rate.

While the Liberal Democrats did see a noticeable loss in seats, this pales in comparison to the continued fall of Høyre and the Venstre, both of which still paying the price for their 2012-2016 coalition. Despite all of this, Nikki Oleman ran a campaign that impressed many and mitigated a lot of the damage done to her party. Ms Oleman’s strong stance against Icholasen at the debate also served to bring in the scraps of the almost-dead Fortschrittspartei and many Fremetians who felt that those in power had not acted decisively to the coup there. It is extremely likely that, should Ms Oleman not have been at the helm of Høyre this cycle, Høyre’s losses could have been much more devastating.

Speaking of the Fortschrittspartei, they barely managed to hold on to their seat in Gårdsmark, winning in the third preference with a margin of only 324 votes over the 50% mark. The party’s base, mostly octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarian that never quite forgave Icholasen (and Europe) for the first occupation, continues to shrink as it struggles to find new members with policies that 78% of Fremetians labelled as ‘outdated’ in a 2019 poll taken by Der Trondheimer.

Both the and the Rødt failed to reach the 0.3% proportional vote margin to gain additional seats in the Staatsrat.

KS: Thank you Mr Riis. We go now to Trondheim, where Ms Solberg is about to deliver her victory address to the nation…

Camera Cuts to Erna Standing at a Podium

[Fremet]

Election Night Special: Finale

The Nordstrand
Trondheim, Trøndelag
23h50 FST 4 August 2020

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Erna stood behind a podium at her front door, correspondents from across the country skirting her

Good Evening. The rancor of the campaign is over, the polls have closed, and the people of Fremet have decided. It is with the upmost honour and humility that I accept this great task to which the Fremetian people have selected me for.

The Fremetian people have selected not only this person or this party, but they have selected a set of goals, dreams, and ideals that will guide this nation for the next four years. It is our duty to adhere to these, however lofty they may be. We will usher in a new era in Fremetian politics. One that sees Fremet defend its interests here at home and abroad. One that remains firm in its convictions. One that will not compromise on its ideals in times of hardship. One that will not squander the good days away in the name of the status quo. Fremet will stand a nation of equals, a nation of dreamers or it will not stand at all.

Each any every individual involved in this historic election poured their heart and soul into the future of our island, and this moment has proved, if anything, that Fremetians care about their future.

The time of inaction is over. No longer will Fremet isolate itself from the continent. It is time that we took a more active role in the future of Europe— and the future of this great nation.

And to all of those joining me in the Staatsrat: Let's get shit done. Thank you.

She walks back inside her home and the camera feed returns to the newsroom

KS: That's all for Decision 2020 here on SR1. Join us on Monday, 10 August 2020 for the Inauguration of Ms Solberg as Statsminister and the opening of the 22nd Staatsrat.

SR Election Theme Plays

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