2 Feb 2021, 19:07

Referendum on new constitution 12 June 2021; whispers of mass expulsion

The Federal Council today finished its work on the new constitution it has been preparing since the declaration of a state of emergency in 2011. The Workers' Congress, in which, for the first time in ten years, indirectly elected officials, selected by the many sub-syndicates and colleges of the Union, sat, approved the text for referendum unanimously in what amounted to a ceremonial vote.

A statement from the Union of Dissidents was released criticizing the vote: "We are deeply concerned regarding the passage of the draft constitution in the Workers' Congress. We believe it to be in violation of present constitutional standards, and suspect that it may have been held under duress. The constitution itself, however, appears to be perfectly legitimate."

A legislator for "non-affiliated" independent workers and cooperatives made the following response: "The vote was procedural; we did not approve the constitution. We simply gave it to the people, to the citizens, to approve it. I see nothing suspect or strange about this, nor do I see why anyone else would believeeg such a thing."

The referendum will be held on 12 June 2021. Everyone over the age of 18 who is not a member of the "local militias" or the People's Assemblies and is considered "able to vote' may vote.

The constitution itself disestablishes the unpopular "linguistic" assemblies, vesting power in a unicameral "Workers' Congress." The Workers' Congress, as was under the constitution of 1916, remains composed of 100 delegates from each of the ten main syndicates, thus being composed of 1000 delegates. However, there also exist two "preparatory" assemblies, which will debate but not vote on the content of legislation:

  • the Economic Assembly, composed of ten delegates each from the FAWS, FACG, FPA, FTWA, FLS, FOWC, and FONAILC.
  • the Cultural Assembly, composed of ten delegates each from the FACG, FPA, and FCU

The Federal Council will continue in its current role as a mediator; however, it will no longer possess an absolute veto, nor will it have the power to issue decrees. 10 of its members will be elected by the country's 10 syndicates; one will be elected by the country as a whole. It will be renamed the Council of the Union.

The judiciary at all levels will be appointed by the College of Barristers and other affiliated and related sub-syndicates. At the federal level, there are three courts: the Court of Labor, which deals with labor disputes, the General Court, which deals with civil and criminal law, and the Constitutional Court, which deals with constitutionality. Syndicates may decide how their own courts are laid out, so long as there remains a division between labor, constitutional, and civil/criminal law.

Political parties remain unable to participate in the political system; they are essentially prohibited from any sort of political activity. Only individual candidates, who must amass at least 10,000 signatures to run, may do so. A new regulatory body has been established as to ensure that they are competent.

Syndicates may essentially legislate on all that affecting only their own members that has not been legislated on by the federal government; legislation the federal government passes overrules that of syndical government, save regarding political institutions. Federal legislation may be repealed if the legislatures of at least 7 syndicates vote to do so.

Executive power will continue to be held by the syndicates.

In other news, there have been rumors of a mass expulsion of terrorists to come. Seven years ago, a large area in the south of the country was decreed the "Independent Territory" by the Federal Councils; those living there were evacuated. A year later, the deportations of high-level terrorists to the area began.

In recent days, especially following the violent attack on the nursing home of Kiel's 36th district, some claim that a mass expulsion of terrorists to the "Independent Territory" will begin, thus allowing for the peaceful holding of the planned referendum and, if passed, elections to the new institutions.

These rumors have not been substantiated; however, they have led to widespread rejoicing, with many planning "liberation parties" for the day when the terrorists are expelled completely.

"I can hardly wait!" said 86 year old Greta Schulz. "For too long we have lived in terror; when they are gone - when they are gone! - we will be free!"

Others are more cynical.

"It," said an individual who wishes to remain anonymous, "[the violence of 1993] will return. We will surely all die!"