Grassroots - the Official Newspaper of Bomballey

Council proposal becomes law; regions renamed cantons; Assembly of Nations makes existing councils official; elections and referendums to be held on June 29

Today, the Syndical Assembly made the council-proposal law, allowing for greater integration between the various state institutions. No statement as of yet has been released; however, many have praised the decision.

In other news, the Assembly of Nations made the already-existing structure of 'national councils' - bodies similar to workers' councils but instead corresponding to 'national halls' - social facilities for citizens of the nations - law. This was essentially housekeeping; mandates were unanimously for the decision, and little debate was held.

The two Assemblies have also renamed the regions cantons in an attempt to establish a continuity between the People's Confederation and the 1918-1937, 1939-1966, 1980-1996 socialist states. This too, was largely housekeeping, as most see the name of 'region' as a remnant of the oligarch-state of 1972 - 1980/1996.

A new 'Assembly of the Cantons' has also been created. Mandates were slightly more divided on this issue; however, enough were in favor for it to have been made law quickly. There shall be one seat for each canton; it will have the ability to pass legislation on any subject that no legislation has been passed on yet, as the cantons do. Elections to it shall be held on the 29th, with the General Union of Workers, the Communist Workers' Front, the Civic Union, the Union of Guilds, the Ecological Assembly, and the Haanean Workers' Union participating.

On that same date, the following referendums, created by either the people or the Confederation Council, shall be held:

Should communism be enshrined in the Constitution as the final goal of the People's Confederation?
Should the positions of Premier and State Elder be abolished?
Should the People's Confederation be reorganized based upon the currently existing workers' councils?
Should workers' councils independent of the syndicates, nations, and/or cantons be abolished?
Should all mass organizations be allowed to nominate candidates in elections?
Should only communities be allowed to nominate candidates in elections?
Should a pluralist political system be reinstated?
Should representatives be trustees rather than delegates?
Should Eastern Haane recognize the Union of Nicoleizian Socialist Republics as the rightful government of Icholasen?
Should Eastern Haane be renamed 'Haane?'
Should Eastern Haane remain a member of the European Union?

Weber meets with Teimasenvou

Today, the Premier of the People's Confederation, Katrin Weber, met with Iuliha Teimasenvou, Presiding Citizen of the Haanean People and of the State of Haane-Keste, in an attempt to reduce tensions over the issue of the representation of native Haaneans and Kesteans in the European Council.

"We are already on much better terms," said Weber as she left the Kiel Castle. "A compromise will probably be made soon."

Teimasenvou herself was seen to be in a much brighter mood - "Our people, perhaps, will finally gain true liberation. For too long have we struggled under the heel of foreign powers; now, with many on our side, we shall prevail. I understand that the Union itself may not be amenable to the solution we may decide upon; but that is another struggle."

Kaja Kallas, Mediator of the Kestean People and of the State of Haane-Keste, however, is deeply distrustful. "The Kesteans themselves must gain their own liberation, from both the Haaneans and the 'arrivals.' We have been oppressed under two states; from both we must free ourselves. I am not making up a story; this meeting itself makes it quite clear. I was not invited; even though I am theoretically 'equal' to Teimasenvou, she is higher in reality. I do not support war between our three groups; we must learn to live together. But this is no way to accomplish what we all want - national self-determination but also unity."

Mathilde Comtois has as of now not made any comments regarding the issue. Many have criticized her for this, a prime example being Thierry de la Rocque, leader of the Union of Guilds:

"I had previously held the highest respect for Ms. Comtois. She was bold, able to stand up for the oppressed. But now, it seems, she is faltering. She has revealed herself as a chauvinist; she will not survive for much longer."

Many have echoed this belief:

"Mathilde Comtois? I supported her, but now it seems as though she is willfully ignoring an attempt at national liberation. All people need to be truly free; yet she is denying such a thing to the Haaneans and Kesteans. Weber, despite all her faults, appears to have recognized this; she would have made a far better State Elder. I will probably vote yes to abolish the Premiership and State Eldership; even if Weber is sacrificed, we will have the Confederation Council, whose members I greatly admire," said a woman shopping at a distribution warehouse in Bremen.

Another, returning from work at the university in Bielefeld, said the following:

"Mathilde Comtois has revealed herself to be a fraud. Katrin Weber is doing her job for her. If anything, this reveals that she was an opportunist. What a terrible woman!"

A petition for her recall is quickly growing in number of signatures; it requires only 100 more rto reach the level needed to initiate a referendum.

Murail, Obel disappear at the Essen Castle rock formation

Tristan Murail and Agnes Obel went missing today at their lodgings near the Essen Castle, a towering rock formation that was originally a native Haanean holy site. They were last seen exiting their temporary housing, walking as if dazed toward the formation, at about 14:00.

Little else is known about the situation; updates will be forthcoming.

Search for Murail, Obel, called off due to 'disturbances' at rock formation.

The search for Tristan Murail and Agnes Obel, who went missing at the Essen Castle earlier today, was canceled after steam was seen rising from between the formation's pinnacles.

Such a thing is a natural event, occurring between one to two times a year; however, the formation is dangerous when such a thing occurs.

"They are likely dead," said the leader of the search, who wishes to remain unnamed. "It is a very sad day for Eastern Haane."

Disappearances have been common at the Castle, native Haaneans attributing it to being the work of their 'Supreme Being.'

Murail, Obel, emerge from rock formation apparently unharmed

Tristan Murail and Agnes Obel, entirely unharmed, emerged from the Essen Castle less than five minutes ago.

Their mental state is currently unknown; they are to be transported to the hospital in Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt for further examination.

Murail leads murderous rampage through hospital in Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt

Tristan Murail seemed entirely normal as he delivered Eurovoice votes from his hospital bed in Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt. Yet just moments later, he retrieved a knife from seemingly nowhere and began to stab at the doctors around him.

According to reports just coming out of the hospital, he then proceeded to exit the room, breaking into several others to kill those inside. He took the lives of ten before leaving the building and apparently stealing a car, color blue, a sedan in the model "EHSCM-1," produced 1960, license plate 9X129V.

We alert those in Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt to be aware of this man. Know that he is in a fragile mental state, caused by whatever he had experienced within the Essen Castle.

Reports now indicate that Murail called in results during rampage

According to new reports coming from the Main Hospital in Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt, Murail in fact was called during his rampage.

Surviving doctors present in Murail's hospital room claim that he began to ululate before stabbing them, but, more importantly, that he had not taken any calls before doing so. One, who remained conscious throughout the entire massacre, claimed to have heard a phone ring, with Murail's voice reporting results as the screams of the dying echoed throughout the building.

Murail found in forest, without any memory of his actions since leaving lodgings at the Essen Castle

Tristan Murail was found in a small wood outside of Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt, naked and evidently cold. When questioned, he appeared to have no memory of what had happened since he had left his lodgings near the Essen Castle rock formation. He has been searched for weapons; none were found near him. He is now being transported yet again back to Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt, where he will be examined, confined, as to investigate his amnesia.

Agnes Obel, when questioned about what happened within the rock formation, could not answer; she claimed to have no memory of what had happened.

The local People's Court has stated that it will probably not prosecute Tristan Murail due to the circumstances around the event.

Mist from Essen Castle found to have concentration of psychedelic drug

As the bizarre events surrounding Tristan Murail and Agnes Obel continue to be investigated, a number of researchers have found that the mist from Essen Castle, seen today after Murail and Obel disappeared into its depths, contains a psychedelic drug, known only as 'ievonuia' (a drug used in both Haanean and Kestean rituals). This drug, in small doses, causes strange hallucinations that, in the native religions, are meant to be revelations of the true nature of all things.

However, in larger doses, the drug can cause one to experience almost everything differently. People under its influence become agitated, seeing a force almost universally described as 'evil,' everywhere. Many become violent to the point that they kill.

Amnesia has been reported in some cases.

It is almost certain that Obel and Murail had come under the influence of ievonuia when within the Essen Castle.

The formation will be closed off to all until further notice.

Events at Essen Castle raise questions among the native community; Mathilde Comtois remains mysteriously missing from government affairs; Murail to continue working on new opera with Group 47

The strange events that occurred at the Essen Castle have disturbed many throughout Eastern Haane. The presence of a the drug ievonuia, especially, has caused many to demand that further action be taken to prevent such a thing from happening again.

At the same time, many, especially in Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt and its environs, have become increasingly worried about the threat of ievonuia intoxication as a result of the emission from the Essen Castle. The city is effectively locked down by an official order by its workers' council; none are allowed to go outside or do anything that would allow the excessive movement of contaminated air into their homes.

However, many in the native community are questioning the circumstances around the events. Leaders, both cultural and social, have argued that Essen Castle is theirs; that the lodgings near the formation are a sort of defilation of the holy site, and that what happened to both Murail and Obel is simply a sign that the tourism that the area has become associated with has gone too far.

The Presidium of the Syndicate of Social Affairs has released a statement on the issue, focusing on the already grave state of affairs between the indigenous and the "Europeans.". It warns of a violent future, citing the events in Nofoaga as an example, and states that inter-community dialogue must be held as soon as possible as to rectify the issue.

In other news, Mathilde Comtois continues to be mysteriously absent from government affairs, today failing to attend a meeting of the legislature of the Alsatian Nation as to arbitrate between the different legislative groups, currently arguing over the issue of secularism. Many have begun to theorize that she is dead; others simply hold that she has had some sort of health emergency. The government has not offered any clarification on the issue except to say that she is 'indisposed.'

Tristan Murail continues to recover in Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt, having been cleared of all charges. He has confirmed that he will not be ending his career as a composer, and that, once he is well enough, that he will continue working on the opera being developed by the famous art collective Group 47, of which he is a member.

Talks between Teimasenvou, Weber collapse; Confederation Council proposes renaming cities after major communist figures

The talks between Iuliha Teimasenvou and Katrin Weber have failed as a direct result of the events at the Essen Castle. While it previously had appeared that the two would reach an arrangement on the dividing issue - that is, representation in the European Council - issues over the closure of the rock formation as well as the legal status of ievonuia led to a standoff that ended in the two physically attacking each other.

The transcript of the talks has not been released; however, based on what little information is known, many across both sides have become enraged at the behavior of their leaders.

"She is the most insensitive unprintable I have ever seen," said an Eastern Haanean (not of native descent) woman pacing up and down a street in Nancy of Weber. "However she has managed to lie so much I do not know. How obscene she is!"

A Kestean man in Skagen had something very different to offer: "Considering the circumstances, Weber seemed to be completely rational. Teimasenvou, on the other hand, has been nothing but overly dramatic and emotional. She has made a fuss over something that barely makes sense, and is pretending to support national self-determination simply to gain power. How I know this? If she were actually sincere, then she would actually respect our government and Kallas, but she doesn't."

Many across Eastern Haane are now worried that Teimasenvou will deliver on her previous threat to declare Eastern Haane an 'invader state.'

In other news, the Confederation Council, based on feedback received from the workers' councils, has proposed that cities be renamed after major communist figures, in a way similar to that of Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt. A number of suggestions have already been drafted; they will be released in two weeks.

Teimasenvou attempts to declare war on Eastern Haane

Iuliha Teimasenvou today declared the People's Confederation an 'invader state' after the collapse of talks between her and Katrin Weber, citing the ievonuia and representation crisis as casus belli.

In the declaration, Teimasenvou ordered all citizens of Haane-Keste to act as warriors against the 'imperialist menace;' that is, to kill all Eastern Haaneans they saw.

Her aides report that after writing said order, she was 'red-faced,' and trembling, her famous braids a mess as she hissed, stomping out of her office, before proceeding to open a window and scream at passerby, exhorting those she deemed to be Eastern Haanean to kill themselves, and those she deemed to be indigenous to kill Eastern Haaneans.

The declaration was quickly vetoed by Kaja Kallas, who, in a statement explaining her actions, claimed Teimasenvou to be 'entirely unhinged, obsessed with appearances,' caring 'not a whit for the indigenous people or for national-self determination; if she did then she would not spend so much time trying to destroy their credibility."

Teimasenvou has made a statement of her own in response, denouncing Kallas as being a counter-revolutionary worthy of death. This war of words has made many outside of the indigenous community increasingly worried the possibility of the division of Haane-Keste.

Kallas herself has denied any wish for such a thing; she claims that she only wishes for equal power for the two groups, emphasizing the need for a united state.

Teimasenvou has made no comments on this, despite having previously accused Kallas, when she was still a simple legislator, of wishing for civil war.

The tragedy of the native people

Three hundred years ago, a rich civilization thrived, its culture unique and colorful. It withstood attempts of colonization, withstood the most terrible attempts to erase it.

And yet now, in an anticlimax, does it fall. Its death began at the signing of the treaty in 1899, for it was then that it sold itself to Eastern Haane.

Slowly, ever so slowly, were the native peoples integrated. We now see this at its climax, at a point in which the very basis of the native culture is made into something disposable.

This is the reality of the Haaneans and Kesteans; a bland, grey reality in which all that made them unique is destroyed.

What has happened in the course of this week is a testament to this. The most holy site of the Kesteans, the mysterious 'Essen Castle,' where reality seems to fold in on itself and become a strange dream, has been reduced to a tourist site, on which hordes of people climb, gawking at that which was once sacred.

When it revolts, as all things do when treated in such a way, again is nothing done.

Iuliha Teimasenvou, a specimen of the old people, today tried to revisit the ritual past, using an ancient formula to condemn, not declare war on, the Haanean state. Yet because she used the 'old' metaphorical Haanean language, once so common, few could understand what she was saying, for they were taught the newer literal Haanean.

And because of this, now all stand against her and the beauty of the old. Through the loss of their own culture, the Haaneans and Kesteans now stand against themselves.

We cannot let this happen; we must preserve the culture, must allow for its return. And yet we do not, and stand idly by as we let ourselves disappear. What wretches we are!

Protests begin at the Essen Castle

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The Essen Castle

As ievonuia emissions from the Essen Castle go down, a number of native Haaneans and Kesteans, as well as members of the Ecological Assembly and related organizations, have gathered to protest the use of the Essen Castle as a tourist site.

"We shall not stand idle!" some shouted, connecting the Essen Castle to the native religions, where it serves as the most holy site.

Others took a more scientific view of the problem: "Underneath the Essen Castle is a strange plant, which grows in mats floating atop a number of pools. It is rare, growing naturally only here, imported only to two other places, both in Eastern Haane, and unique, producing ievonuia, so treasured in the native religions. We must preserve this plant, cannot let it be killed by the hordes of tourists. We cannot afford its extinction."

The two groups, despite their seemingly different motivations, have little antipathy toward each other. "Their motivations are noble," said a Kestean at the protest. "This formation is delicate; it must be taken care of. While they do not recognize the sacredness of this site, they still understand that it must be preserved. In that we stand together always."

Some Eastern Haaneans protested on the side of the native peoples: "This is their heritage," said one. "We have no right to take it away from them, no right to appropriate it for our own uses. It is theirs; not ours."

Major nations demand proportional representation; Franconian community collapses over debate over nationality; Alsatian National Assembly dissolves into chaos; Kallas, Teimasenvou reaffirm sovereignty of Haane-Keste; ecological community successfully lobbies for protection of ievonuia plant; small celebration held over 'Haanean Economic Miracle'

The French, German, Danish, and Dutch National Assemblies, representing the four largest linguistic communities in Eastern Haane, today convened to discuss the issue of representation in the Assembly of Nations. Under the current constitution, legislation can pass with only a 3/4 vote in favor - that is, with 23 votes out of 30. As a result, linguistic minorities forming less that 20% of the population can pass legislation without external support.

This situation led to overwhelming majorities in the four mentioned National Assemblies in favor of proportional representation. Yet such a thing is little more than symbolic, for the Assemblies have no power to put such legislation throughout the People's Confederation. Given the probable opposition of the smaller nations to such a thing, it is unlikely that such a thing, if proposed in the Assembly of Nations, will pass.

In other news, the Franconian community has become sharply divided over the issue of nationality. Few of the recognized languages classified as being Franconian are well defined; many are considered to overlap. The question, as such, of where the boundaries between linguistic groups are drawn, is bound to be divisive. Hard-liners - that is, those who wish to exclude the greatest number of people possible as to ensure a more 'true' representation - are common; however, they are greatly outnumbered by those who are more liberal on the subject.

Yet even these liberals are divided over what should really be done, to the point that even the smallest considerations can ignite a war of words.

Protests and counter-protests are everywhere in communities with a Franconian presence; thankfully, none have been violent.

The Alsatian National Assembly, however, faces a similar division. The Alsatian community is known for its high concentration of Christian socialists, has always been more religious minded than the rest of Eastern Haane. Yet now, as the ANA debates the promotion of Haanean Quietism - a branch of Christianity - to an official religion - it appears as through they are much more divided that previously thought.

The Assembly is split exactly half-and-half; it has remained that way for over a week. Shouting is common in its chambers; several violent altercations have been reported. There appears to be no clear way to compromise; with the absence of the State Elder, the situation has been made even worse.

In better news, Kaja Kallas and Iuliha Teimasenvou, the leaders of the indigenous State of Haane-Keste, have reconciled. The two today released a joint statement that affirmed the total sovereignty of the State, defending their peoples' right to national sovereignty and putting forward a new policy for the defence of their national culture.

The ecological community has also successfully lobbied for the protection of the plant that produces ievonuia, which is currently highly endangered and has been described as an 'evolutionary marvel.' In essence, control over the plant will be handed entirely over to the State of Haane-Keste. The sale of the drug will be banned; however, its consumption will not. The Essen Castle, the only place where it naturally grows, will also fall under the administration of Haane-Keste. Tourism will be limited to one hundred persons per year.

Finally, a small celebration was held in Kiel today over the recent economic miracle, during which GDP per capita rose from 72,75 euros to 3052,08 euros in the matter of a little over half a month. The celebration was described as being joyous - a light in such dark times.

Franconian presidiums initiate community discussion; compromise between larger and smaller nations proposed by de la Rocque; provisional agreement made with Haane-Keste

As protests grow over the issue of the boundaries between linguistic groups in the Franconian community, where languages themselves are often poorly defined, overlapping with each other, a number of national presidiums have begun community discussion over the issue.

"The division has become too great," wrote the Presidium of the Rhine-Franconian Nation in a statement released today. "We must take action now."

Assemblies will meet in major cities as to discuss possible solutions to the problem. While many of the Presidiums believe this to be a way to reduce the partisanship around the issue, others are doubtful:

"We have already been manipulated by those above," said a man who wishes to remain unidentified. "This will not stop such a thing."

"The assemblies can be easily manipulated," said a woman walking in Metz. "They can, and often do, create good legislation; but I have seen many dissolve into the most extreme violence."

Others are more positive:

"We have done it many times before; we can do it again. The only way to ensure that the people govern is through such grassroots assemblies which anyone can contribute to," said an individual in Nancy.

Yet even now is the situation slowly worsening. The organizations that emerged with the protest have begun to issue threats of violence in an attempt to sway political opinion; many are becoming worried of the threat of a war-like state.

Thierry de la Rocque, the leader of the Union of Guilds, however, has turned his mind to other issues, today presenting a solution to the problem of proportional representation. "We must ensure that all linguistic groups continue to receive an equal voice in the Assembly of Nations. Yet we cannot ignore the voice of the majority and let a minority rule, for that is no less that dictatorship. We must turn to that which has for so many years served as the basis of Haanean politics - consensus."

de la Rocque's plan would have legislation pass or be rejected by consensus. Many have claimed that this would result in the collapse of the legislative process in a way similar to the situation in the Alsatian National Assembly. de la Rocque has responded simply by saying that it has been done, successfully, before.

No nations as of yet have endorsed de la Rocque's plan; at this time, however, it has appeared on a number of assembly agendas.

In other news, a provisional agreement between the Confederation Council and the State of Haane-Keste has been made, largely as a result of the orders made yesterday to ensure to continued protection of ievonuia and the Essen Castle. This agreement stipulates the following:

sites deemed to be of cultural importance by the State of Haane-Keste are to be placed under its control.
elections to the councillorship are to be done through a 'triple majority;' that is, to become the European Councillor for Eastern Haane, one must gain a simple majority, a majority in both Eastern Haane and Haane-Keste, and a majority in both the native Haanean and Kestean communities.
the councillor will receive instructions from both Eastern Haane and Haane-Keste. While these instructions do not have to be exactly followed, the councillor must at least obey them in spirit; if not, they will be recalled.
Instructions from Haane-Keste will be divided, with half of all directives coming from the Haanean community and half coming from the Kestean community.
these instructions shall be drafted with the consent of the people themselves.
the orders for the protection of ievonuia and the Essen Castle shall be made permanent.

Community discussion stalls; Alsatian National Assembly forcibly adjourned

Many had hoped that community discussion would allow for the end of the division over linguistic boundaries in the Franconian community. Yet this has not been the case. While protests have decreased in number and the threat of violence has gone down, no progress has been made. At a discussion in Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt, for example, one could see the fifty in attendance divided into 25 sides, each of which refused to change their position whatsoever.

"People have calmed down; that is true," said a woman in attendance at the meeting. "But we still haven't been able to do anything."

Very few people now support discussion as a way to move forward, believing them to have actually stagnated progress. However, outside of the community, many have praised the process.

"We seemed to be on the brink of civil war. Now we are at peace again," said a man in Skagen simply.

Such a statement is generally true; but many still question the possibility of tensions rising yet again.

"This deadlock cannot go on much longer without an outbreak of violence," said a non-binary person worriedly. "No-one can be happy with the fact that nothing has been done."

Political scientists, too, are worried. "People will revolt if they feel as though they are not heard," said one. "This is simply common sense."

In other news, the Presidium of the Alsatian Nation has adjourned the Alsatian National Assembly in an attempt to reduce inter-community violence. The Assembly, before said adjournment, was discussing whether or not to make Haanean Quietism the official religion of the Alsatian Nation. Said discussion did not lead to a conclusion, instead culminating in several bouts of violence. As tensions worsened, the Presidium finally opted to simply remove the Assembly from the situation.

It has, in the place of the Assembly, issued an order that made two new subdivisions of the nation:

the Religious Alsatian Nation, which has Quietism as its official religion.
the Secular Alsatian Nation, which is secular.

Citizens of the nation must apply for citizenship in either of these two nations by 20 August.

Debate over de la Rocque plan begins

While many had expected the consensus plan of de la Rocque to be relatively popular - that is, able to gain favor with a number of nations - what has occurred today has shown exactly the opposite.

In every national legislature, there has been fierce debate over the issue, with mandates being so fearfully divisive in content that some threaten violence.

Shouting was common; the rhetoric vitriolic to the point that several representatives pronounced doom upon those that opposed them.

The mandates, however, were much worse:

"I was compiling...them," said a frightened clerk walking to her home. "Things promising the most horrible of deaths, instructing our representatives to do such things as horrible as dipping people in hydrochloric acid."

Reports like these have been documented throughout the country. However, few understand why such a trivial subject could have incited such hate.

"The entire thing is an anomaly," said a university professor who wishes to remain unidentified. "One would perhaps expect this over proportional representation. In any other country, a consensus model would have been attacked as well. But here? There is no reason for it."

At the time, representatives are making their reports to their constituents. While those already released are significantly more neutral than today's debate, it is considered unlikely that the people's political opinions will change.

Confederation Council passes orders in attempt to reduce partisan divides; Vitra to become the new face of the Haanean furniture industry

With partisan divides over the most innocuous of issues now amounting to extreme threats of violence, many have become worried over the integrity of the People's Confederation. This has become especially so since the events of last night, during which effigies of a number of politicians were burned in bizarre rituals which involved the consumption of alcohol and the chanting of lewd rhymes.

Many experts have begun to suspect capitalist agitators as having caused this events; part of this was confirmed with the discovery of massive advertising campaigns as well as a network which linked many individuals that had risen to fame as a result of their fiery rhetoric in the non-binding deliberative assemblies used by the Haanean government to consult the people.

The Confederation Council has taken action to stop these activities, ensuring a greater equality within the assemblies and banning political advertising entirely.

No real connection to capitalist states, however, has been found, although such a thing remains a possibility.

"It is very likely; in fact, it is the only possibility," said Eva van der Bijl, the former leader of the United Communist Party who fell from power after making a bizarre speech that insulted a number of politicians across Europe.

Others strongly disagree:

"There is nothing to be gained from us. They have already discredited us by citing our economy. Everyone here, of course, knows that what they say is false; but the damage outside has already been done. In my opinion, it is a politician here," said a woman walking to her home in Kiel.

In other news, the Vitra brand has been resurrected in an attempt to increase the influence of Eastern Haane in the international market. The country, once home to a number of influential modernist industrial designers, has fallen into obscurity throughout Europe. Its products are generally only distributed within itself, as a part of the 'furniture allowance' due to all citizens as well as through regular, albeit highly subsidized, retail.

However, Vitra, formed of both the Syndicate of Engineers and the Syndicate of Importers and Exporters, will now export Haanean products, selling high quality, sturdy, modernist furniture to the rest of the world. Initial prices have already been released; however, many have become angry at them:

"It is scandalous. We get the furniture for very cheap, and they...they have to pay three hundred dollars for a small clock! Not to mention the one-thousand dollar office chair! This is capitalism, pure and simple!" shouted a man at a protest in Kolding.

van der Bijl objects to Alsatian plan

Eva van der Bijl, disgraced after making a speech that insulted a prodigious number of politicians, has returned to Haanean politics with a harsh statement on the situation in the Alsatian Nation.

"We are not a superstitious people," she said today in a speech in Mulhouse today. "We believe not in imaginary spirits but in what exists; what we can observe as existing."

van der Bijl went on to claim that the actions made by the Presidium of the Alsatian Nation would cause a return to capitalism, using the argument that religion itself is simply a side effect of its ills:

"Religion is the desperate cry of the people against the forces of capitalism; the invention of a comforting story, one that says that all of the abuses someday shall end. But it is an anachronism; to bring one back is to bring the other, for neither can exist without the other. Religion, while comforting, causes people to be complacent; at the same time, its existence depends on the continued existence of capitalism, for one cannot offer a cure if there is no illness. Capitalism, too, cannot exist without religion, for if there is no religion, the people will rebel, as their eyes are not clouded by those comforting, dangerous stories."

van der Bijl's speech today, like many of hers in the past, was dry and plodding. So laden was her speech with jargon that almost no one could understand what she was trying to say.

"Her diction, I will give her that, was no short of a wonder," said a man in the audience. "But her words themselves were like those of a capitalist lawyer."

Some of those that did understand, however, were worried:

"She claims to be on the side of communism. Yet apparently she abhors national self-determination. She wants people like her to decide for everyone what they should do. She has the mind of a dictator; remember that," said a woman also in attendance.

Others were not:

"Ms. van der Bijl is being very sensible. National self-determination is of the highest importance; but we cannot continue to condone said determination to amount to theocracy. Saying that this is in some way against the principles of socialism and communism is entirely nonsensical. It can be compared to, for example, an insane man arguing that we should protect a fascist state, because said state has national-self determination," said a man walking home from the market in Mulhouse.

Thierry de la Rocque, leader of the Union of Guilds, has objected:

"It is the right of a nation to have self-determination so long as said self-determination does not harm people. Haanean Quietism is hardly reactionary; it preaches the equality of all people and the abolition of greed and the monetary system. Unlike mainstream Christianity at the same time, it tolerates those in the LGBTQ community as well. I find, as such, nothing objectionable about allowing the Alsatian Nation to let people be governed by a democratic autonomous government that simply claims to have Quietism as its official religion. Especially considering that it will be voluntary, I do not in any way understand how it would obstruct the movement toward communism in any way."

The State of Haane-Keste is also worried; it is due to release a statement on the subject.

van der Bijl has objected to those opposing her by claiming that they all are 'reactionaries who wish to bring back the old capitalist system.'