26 Feb 2021, 17:55

The Voice of Truth: Vūjkur, Juvinal, Kulis, Teimasenvou, Becker, van Beek, demand repeal of Provisions, constitutional convention

As Lepik's popularity plummets, six major political figures, largely of the pre-1993 state, although some have regained prominence in recent years, have made a public joint statement demanding the repeal of the Provisions for Order and National Unity, as well as the holding of a constitutional convention.

"The Provisions for Order and National Unity are an affront to the liberty that is at the very foundation of this nation," said the six. "If it and its values are to survive, the Provisions must be repealed. Our country cannot and must never be authoritarian."

They continued by attacking the Constitution in force, theoretically to be subject to a referendum in June. "The Constitution has a legal basis; that is true. But the fact that it gave legitimacy to the Provisions, which by all means violate our ancient principles of liberty and republican governance, is intolerable. It cannot be allowed to remain in place lest someone far worse than Lepik, lest the next Areai, is able to hijack it for their own use."

The State Elder has not issued a response; however, the Presidium of the People's Front for the National Salvation of the Union, the sole legal party in the Union, has called the statement "preposterous" and "illegal," in that all political activity now must be organized through the People's Front.

"This vile behavior should not be tolerated," said a spokesman at a press conference following the release of the statement. "National unity and order must come first. We affirm that all political activity must be organized through the People's Front, and that, as such, this utterly rogue and disgusting statement is entirely illegal. We strongly believe in freedom of expression and of opinion; however, this would, should not, and cannot not be accepted. This is inflammatory and would lead to the descent of our nation into chaos once again. We must always prevail, and must ensure that that which would keep us back is kept silent. We petition the Council of the Union for the arrest of these seditionists and traitors, for if they are allowed to remain free, everything that we have accomplished will come crashing down. Liberty must prevail; those who threaten it must not."

Members of the public have filed applications for demonstrations; the People's Front has signaled that none will be approved.

"If anyone tries to spread this sedition, they will be arrested. The Union, the Republic, and liberty - they must stand forever. We cannot allow an evil few to destroy them all in the name of a false deity," stated the spokesman at the aforementioned press conference when asked about the decision.

In response, one contributor to the original statement, Helga Becker, former head of the Social Democratic Party who went into hiding in early 1993, has spoken:

"This is terrifying. Authoritarian ideology has its grip upon our nation. The People's Front wishes to silence dissent - they call us, who call for respect for the founding principles of our nation, seditionists and traitors, want our immediate arrest; the State Elder and the Council of the Union, responsible for its foundation and the appointment of its Presidium, do nothing. For the people of the Union, I ask the Council of the Union to repeal these provisions and hold elections to a constituent assembly. We cannot allow this madness to continue any longer."

Becker is now being investigated for treason by the Kiel Police as a result of this statement.

"We cannot ignore the significance of her words. She is trying to incite a rebellion against the established state, against the principles of the Constitution and our nation. While more investigation is necessary, it is almost entirely clear to us that she at the very least supports treasonous acts," stated a spokesperson of the force today.

The High Court, led by Vūjkur, says that it has begun an investigation into the legality of such an arrest; however, the People's Front says that such an investigation is illegal simply because the High Court is not empowered to release advisory opinions.

The remainder of those involved in the statement: Juvinal, the Union's European Councillor and the former Minister of Labor under the Haanean State of 1993; Kulis and Teimasenvou, both former State Elders of the now defunct State of the Haane; and van Beek, the head of the Agrarian-Green Party between 1990 and 1993; have not made any subsequent actions as of now.