The Europolis Post

[Spain]

JUNCKER SAYS ENOUGH

By Hew Edwards

Juncker has said enough. Even if he didn't say it in public, or an interview, or a private summit, his lastest actions have proven that he is sick of the childish attitudes coming from many European countries. The last one, the dimissal of Elon Musk, proves he had have enough. And surprisingly, this is the first time in 7 months in office that Jean-Claude Juncker, the charisma guy in Europolis, is angry.

Most of this angryness might have to do with Reitzmag: lots of bad taste jokes on him like burning him on figures or simulating a terrorist attack of him might have angered the Commissioner, who in his time as the Chancellor of Germanium (Spain), suffered some of these jokes. That time, he decided to say that jokes "had boundaries", and when you joke with terrorism, "the boundary has been crossed and there's no turning back". The Spanish Court of Justice then received a petition from the Germanium Parliament and Government towards those people, which were jailed for 2 years and 1 day for a hating crime. Back then, the Court considered it was necessary to apply those measures, and also those times were compulsive: Spain had just suffered a bloody terrorist attack in Madrid, and ETA was still killing innocents.

The Reitzmic Islands haven't helped Juncker to stop his anger, or the attitudes from Simon Bridges in the last days: he is sick of having to deal with childish attitudes all around Europe while he needs to push forward lots of work to end his term in January. Since the Eastern Haane's crisis, there hasn't been any single day Juncker has stopped working, and this can be proven by many of the Commission workers. According to one, the Commissioner is "9 or 10 hours per day on his office, but I haven't seen him angry".

Whatever it is, Juncker has said enough. Elon Musk is no longer the ESA director, and he expects himself to negotiate between the United Duchies and Reitzmag if both aren't able to reach an agreement concerning the Caspian. It seems the Commissioner is having a busy end to his career as Commissioner.

[A Former User]

Predictions: The Union of Dissidents

The Union of Dissidents is a non-partisan organization formed of refugees from the Union of Syndicates, forced to flee following the events of 1993 - caused partially by sensationalism and the dissemination of false information through the media. It seeks to provide unbiased information to the European public, as to prevent such violence from occurring again.

Note: At this time we cannot provide predictions for the Foreign Affairs race due to lack of information.

The Union of Dissidents projects, based on information at this time, the following results for the Premier Commissioner election.

Blue - indicating a toss-up
Yellow - indicating a victory for Leeson
Purple - indicating a victory of Cocx
Red - indicating a victory for Le Berre
Grey - non-voting/not a member of the EU

Leeson has a strong advantages. With primarily centrist governments dominating the European Union, his moderate positions give him a massive advantage. His affiliation with the EPA further boosts him.

Cocx is strong primarily for similar reasons. More importantly, however, he is considered more conservative regarding the power of the EU, which may give him strong support in those countries against centralization (Duxburian Union, Pravoslaviya), as well as in those which are more "traditional" regarding the issue - that is, supporting a return to the status quo of pre-Winston times (Alkharya, Fremet).

Le Berre is by far the least strong candidate. While roughly similar to Leeson on most things, except regarding large non-state supported business, his rhetoric imitates that of the far-left, driving away many from his platform. Combined with Euroscepticism and inconsistent opposition to anti-democratic states, he is doomed to fail in all but his own country.

Nofoaga is expected to be a tossup. All three candidates are in support of some form of economic aid to the poorer in Europe - aid which the country may need. However, the country's recent mild opposition to the EACA may tilt it towards Cocx and Leeson. As of now, Cocx and Leeson are the stronger candidates in the country, largely as a result of Le Berre's more conservative stances on aid as well, his odd desire to create ever more elected positions, which may strain the country's resources, and his leftism in what appears to be a conservative country.

Ruthund, too, is expected to be a tossup. All three candidates are in favor of a more consensus-based and representative politics; however, the country is more likely to tilt towards Cocx and Le Berre, as a result of their more Eurosceptic positions. Le Berre may be stronger due to his support for smallholder agriculture and for cooperatives; this is considered relatively unlikely. However, it may very well trend in the opposite direction due to the country's recognition of the UNSR and Cocx and Le Berre's open opposition to "rogue states."

---

The Union at this time predicts the following set of results for the Internal Affairs Commissioner:

Red - indicating a victory for Birdane
Yellow - indicating a victory for Winston
Grey - non/voting/not a member of the EU

Birdane is the most favored candidate not for her platform but simply because few support her opponent.

As a result, it is more important to talk about him rather than her. For the past eight months, Winston and his affiliates have repeatedly engaged in arguments regarding the creation of an inter-European rail system. These arguments have consumed large amounts of time in the European Council, sessions of which are broadcast to all Europe, sometimes over unrelated matters.

At the same time, Winston's proposal of large and expensive projects have upset many. It cannot be denied that his work has further moved the EU towards total integration - yet based upon the results from the previous election and from the violence that followed it and continues to this day, it appears as though few in Europe like it.

[A Former User]

Predictions: A movement towards indecision

The Union of Dissidents is a non-partisan organization formed of refugees from the Union of Syndicates, forced to flee following the events of 1993 - caused partially by sensationalism and the dissemination of false information through the media. It seeks to provide unbiased information to the European public, as to prevent such violence from occurring again.

Note: At this time we cannot provide predictions for the Foreign Affairs race due to lack of information.

---

The Union of Dissidents at this time projects the following results for the Premier Commissioner election:

Blue - indicating a toss-up
Yellow - indicating a victory for Leeson
Purple - indicating a victory of Cocx
Red - indicating a victory for Le Berre
Grey - non-voting/not a member of the EU

Results in most countries remain unchanged; however, the Duxburian Union, Reitzmag, and Icholasen have been reclassified as tossups, while Bajor-Lorraine has been added.

The Duxburian Union is now considered a tossup due to the release of polling from the country. An evident dissatisfaction with the current way that European representation is structured may drive a proportion of reluctant Cocx supporters who previously voted for Trympov to the more populist Le Berre, who may be ever slightly more tolerable to them.

Reitzmag is now considered a tossup due to the finding of this organization that many citizens continue to hold antipathy towards citizens of the United Duchies as a result of the recent Caspian Crisis. Cocx, having denounced the country as a rogue state, is unlikely to do well; as a result, a proportion of the country's population may be willing to vote for Le Berre.

As a result of Leeson's support for moderately-sized infrastructural projects across Europe, the Nonet of Icholasen, leaning towards the right on financial matters, may not be willing to support him. Combined with Cocx's seemingly stronger stance against the UNSR, it is possible that the body may vote either way - but certainly not for Le Berre, who would be intolerable for the Nonet as a social democrat.

Bajor-Lorraine is expected to vote for Cocx as a result of its more conservative government.

---

The Union of Dissidents at this time projects the following result for the Internal Affairs Commissioner:

Blue - indicating a toss-up
Yellow - indicating a victory for Winston
Red - indicating a victory for Birdane
Grey - non-voting/not a member of the EU

The change in Winston's rhetoric may be enough, at this time, to push two historically more integrationist nations toward him (Leagio, Montenbourg). However, at this time, the Union believes that the majority of people continue to associate him with his previous ultra-integrationist campaigns.

**Correction: Bajor-Lorraine is expected to vote for Birdane.

[A Former User]

Fact Check: Is Leeson correct in stating that Le Berre is a far-left ideologue whose policies will lead to disaster for the European Union?

The Union of Dissidents is a non-partisan organization formed of refugees from the Union of Syndicates, forced to flee following the events of 1993 - caused partially by sensationalism and the dissemination of false information through the media. It seeks to provide unbiased information to the European public, as to prevent such violence from occurring again.

The Union of Dissidents has found that what Leeson has said is patently FALSE.

On January the 27th, Leeson referred to Le Berre as being a member of the "radical left." The analysis of the Union has found this to at best be partially true. In his own country, Le Berre has shown himself to be in support of socialism; however, it must be remembered that socialism is almost ingrained into the culture of the Union of Syndicates. His policies when running for Commissioner have mirrored that of most social-democratic parties; his rhetoric has been primarily calm, although certainly left-leaning.

On January the 30th, Leeson claimed that Le Berre had, from an extremist far left position, attacked large businesses. This is only partially false. Le Berre has repeatedly attacked large businesses; however, he has essentially never mentioned traditionally leftist attacks on it, instead preferring to argue from what approaches a more liberal point of view - that monopolistic and oligopolistic business results in technological stagnation.

Minutes later, he then claimed that Le Berre supported policies that would result in job loss, class warfare, and high taxes. We have found evidence of none; Le Berre has consistently been for European support for the development of strong domestic industries, especially in countries transitioning between sectors. At the same time, he has taken a mild view regarding relations being the classes, being supportive of some form of collaboration, albeit on what appears to be an egalitarian level as compared to more "traditional" fascistic class collaboration. On high taxes, Le Berre has verbally stated that he would not raise taxes from their current level; however, we cannot rate this as false or true as a result of the nature of such policy.

Following responses from Le Berre, Leeson then claimed that the other wished for everything to be controlled by the government. Without any evidence for such a claim anywhere in Le Berre's entire political history, the Union believes this to be patently false.

Leeson then doubled down on the claim that Le Berre would promote policies leading to joblessness and poverty - again, while not apparent from Le Berre's platform, not something we may take a stance on.

Finally, he would make the bizarre claim that Le Berre was unsupportive of ambition, supporting laziness. This appears to be patently false; Le Berre has frequently exalted the virtues of labor throughout his adulthood, Commission campaigns included.

[Pravoslaviya]

THE BONDZHINOV INTERVIEW: PETER LEESON

By Dan Bondzhinov

Bondzhinov

DAN BONDZHINOV is the editor of the BONDZHINOV REPORT, Pravoslaviya's most popular news aggregator and the independent voice of the Make Europe Great Again movement. With no MEGA candidate standing in these Commission elections, Bondzhinov aims to interview all the candidates, starting with Peter Leeson.

---

BONDZHINOV: You've said in one of your rallies that 'we must especially oppose Berrism and Trympovism'. What do you believe is so wrong about those ideologies, and what's your alternative?

LEESON: I believe that we need to work together as a continent at EU level in order to succeed on common challenges, and that includes helping nations like Pravoslaviya and Nofoaga with green development through EU funding, while having richer nations contribute and believe in free trade EU wide. I also believe we need to support businesses of all sizes, big or small, as well as the workers. The extremities either are all pro-big business at expense of workers and nationalist to the point of almost total euroscepticism, or so far left in Berrism's case where only small businesses and workers are considered with potential for many good big businesses to fail under weight of over-regulation. We need a middle ground, for example you can have capitalism and workers' rights and support, just look at Roscoes who work as a partnership between worker and owner. I would encourage this type of model but within the context of each county while encouraging common regulations for simplicity on product standards throughout EU as much as possible. This is not possible without strong EU leadership. Neither is fixing the climate change issue. That's what I oppose.

Le Berre has accused you of 'delusion' and said you're a 'ridiculous person' for calling him a radical leftist. You clearly stand by calling him that. Why, what policies does he have that you think make him a radical leftist?

I do; he supports only the unions, he would raise a lot of unnecessary restrictions on business as well as supporting inefficiencies in business effectively. He opposes business freedom, that is far left.

You want to bring in environmental regulations to get the EU to net zero emissions by 2040. Isn't that just as anti-business as anything Le Berre is proposing?

No, because I am proposing a radical package of support for businesses to adapt with grants for green technology research, and also for implementing green policies, and it applies to nations who can afford to do it too, with poorer nations being given until 2050. We will also raise green development aid and support from the EU. We already have enough surplus to do with over half of money unspent in the EU budget, also it is more anti-business to not do enough leading to greater extreme, weather, floods, falling harvests which will hit the poorest nations hardest but also hit richer nations. This is an essential target if we want to come out ahead economically in the long run , we will tailor it to nations too so they will just be told meet this target but you decide how, so Alkharya can find a way without taxing aviation but United Duchies can continue with its plan to abolish domestic aviation, for example, and companies can buy credits if needed from companies with negative carbon emissions.

Dragan Trympov and the Make Europe Great Again movement are not running this time. You've said you're against Trympovism, but what would you say to the people who voted for him last time?

I would say I understand why people voted for it, like I understand the National Rally votes in our nation. People feel betrayed by business and political elites and we need to do better to engage not only the upper and middle classes but the working class also by making sure any policy works for them as well. We need to tackle mass immigration and the threat to culture from it, something we are now starting to do in the Duchies, but I would say extreme nationalism when radical centrism as practised by companies like Roscoes can help the working class. We need to encourage this co-operation between business and workers model and private and public sector model not lurch to a far-left or pure nationalism. There is room for a centrist model and a model of glocalism with global co-operation but individual national sovereignty into how to reach the targets, as not one model will work everywhere. I would also say the democratic deficit needs addressing also by bringing more people involvement in the EU.

I'm glad you raised that issue. Globalist politicians like to say they're different when running for election, but in office they revert to type. You've talked about replacing the EACA, which is very unpopular in a lot of countries. You've also talked about strengthening it, and you've talked about more sovereignty for nations. Are you just trying to be all things to all people, or do you have an actual plan for the EU's governance?

I will talk to all nations about how to reach our targets within their framework. I actually have a plan, I plan to get a trade union and business council to provide input, possibly with a religious council depending on if nations want that. I am open to reform or replacement of EACA and even having some appointed EU councillors, but we need multiple councillors, having one leaves a nation vulnerable to no representation and forces first past the post on a nation for elected we need at least 3 reps elected per nation for PR or ranked choice to work, so actually expanding the number of seats will increase sovereignty in that respect and provide greater representation for groups from all areas of politics as you could have socialists, right wing and centrists from all nations meaning actual political competition at EU level can strengthen legislation and lead to more compromise, not just have one or two blocs dominate with no other views being input.

The EPA have governed the EU for several terms now. How are you different from all the EPA commissioners who've come before?

I want to reform our approach. I feel the EPA have been good but at times too prescriptive in their approach. I would like to move more towards "here's a target up to you how to meet it" type solutions where possible for example on climate change, workers' rights protections and in terms of environmental and business regulation. I feel its best negotiation is done on a Glocal partnership basis than a top down EU approach in most cases. There is places where this isn't possible for example in aviation safety, consumer protection especially on goods if we want a single market and freer trade in the future but in many cases Glocal policy making is the way to go.

According to a recent poll, almost 50% of Duxburians want to leave the EU. Angleter is planning a referendum on leaving the region too. In Azrekko, in the DU, people are protesting an economic collapse caused in large part by EU rules. What would you say to the protestors in Azrekko, and people across the EU who are questioning the entire globalist order?

I would say in some cases they have a point, that's why the EU needs to do better engaging governments and the people, but there is also an element of misapplying the rule in the Neurodivergent and Disability Act's case. There is no reason why reasonable adaptations can be made and they don't have to change processes if its not reasonable. For example deaf people cannot work in kitchens in Duchies because it's a safety issue if they cannot hear properly and we cannot enforce sign language in that environment. I'd talk to them about the reasonable adaptations clause as I think its been misinterpreted. But I do agree there is too much prescription in many acts, we would do best to move to targets like for example reducing poverty to a certain level but states choose how to do it.

What would happen to countries that miss your targets?

I would look at a grace period to meet them and investigate why, but hopefully we'll identify they are likely to miss in advance and in that case we could go in and offer aid or funds or whatever is needed to help meet it as we know sometimes spanners are thrown in the works. If there is an absolute refusal to meet one then we can let that go to jurisdiction of the court system in the EU. It's important nations actually bother to meet their international commitments they sign up to or are required to but there can be sovereignty in how you meet them.

And finally, you've said a lot about Le Berre, but what do you think about Cocx? Why should people vote for you and not him? What is the difference between you?

The difference is I am for more integration on key issues. We will not achieve our climate goals and protect Europe's people without more EU but it's about where we have more EU and how we integrate. I don't think it's an answer just to reduce the EU to a bit role and that is where he'd take us which I respectfully disagree with. He has good intentions but I fear his approach would lead to a weak EU that would be too easily ignored leading to abuse of minorities, the environment, the neurodivergent and disabled.

[A Former User]

One Minute to Midnight

by Vaien Ueliohen

I am no one; or perhaps I am. A sixteen-year old without a citizenship, the child of two criminals against humanity. But no matter. I must speak out.

We are dangerously close to the end.

Our candidates for Commission have directed much of their energy towards opposing the UNSR; and this is not wrong, per se - it is a dangerous and authoritarian regime.

Yet the candidate most likely to win, Dr. Cocx, has invested too much energy into this opposition. His extreme desire to see the end of the UNSR is too extreme; what he may encourage as a Commissioner would very well result in war of such an extremity never before seen.

He plans not simply to place sanctions on it, but in fact to invade it, to try to "free" the people of Icholasen through military action. This should be, to everyone, ill-advised.

The UNSR is well-established, supported by one of Europe's strongest militaries. It is also in possession of nuclear weapons. To attempt to stage an intervention would be to risk nuclear war; and even if not, death and destruction never before seen would be wreaked across Europe. Missiles raining down on our cities; the occupations of our countries. East Moreland for us all and for God knows how long - and even then only if nuclear weapons are not used.

If they are, then it is simply the end; the death of millions in the blink of an eye. Fremet may have its Iron Dome; others similar systems; but none of these are completely effective. We will continue to risk mass death and destruction; and, if a war is begun, we will experience it for ourselves, if we do even survive it.

And even if Dr. Cocx realizes his folly, he may have already angered the UNSR. They have been very willing to put on shows of force; if Dr. Cocx continues with his threats from one of the highest offices in the Union, they may go further than they already have.

And so I beg of you all, to think and to remember. To think of the dangers that may come with the candidates you plan to vote for. And to remember yourselves and those around you, so that you may understand what you may very well lose.

[A Former User]

Final Predictions: Bizarre changes across the board

The Union of Dissidents is a non-partisan organization formed of refugees from the Union of Syndicates, forced to flee following the events of 1993 - caused partially by sensationalism and the dissemination of false information through the media. It seeks to provide unbiased information to the European public, as to prevent such violence from occurring again.

---

PREMIER COMMISSIONER

Our map remains largely unchanged, however:

FREMET is now a tossup. Le Berre had unexpected success in the country; at the same time, Cocx's foreign policy, especially against the UNSR, where he supports an intervention, may unsettle many Fremetians, likely worried about the threat that the country poses.

ALKHARYA is now a tossup. Le Berre was already polling in second in the country; Cocx's foreign policy may have caused drops in his popularity in the country, which remains relatively close to the UNSR and thus could be immediately threatened by the intervention that he proposes.

RUTHUND is now predicted to be won by Leeson, based upon estimations made. This is by far the strangest change in the opinions of the writers; traditionally a Eurosceptic nation, the country now trends towards the most European of all candidates, especially one who supports several pieces of highly controversial legislation. We have no explanation for this movement other than that he may have been seen as the least-worst candidate.

VAYINAOD is now a tossup. With Cocx shown to have been more popular than initially expected in the nation, his foreign policy may drive legislators to vote for Le Berre or Leeson, enough as to unbalance the race.

THE DUXBURIAN UNION is now predicted to be won by Cocx. Cocx's plans for an intervention into the UNSR, and the possible larger war that may follow, may excite many in the country's large military-industrial sector, driving the country to vote for him.

REITZMAG is now likely to cast no vote, driven general hatred of the population for all candidates due to their refusal to recognize Copala City as an integral part of Reitzmag, to various degrees.

MENNRIMIAK is a tossup. It is expected to vote either for Leeson or for Cocx as a result of its traditionally right-leaning constituency; however, Cocx' foreign policy may tilt the race towards Leeson.

INQUISTA is now a tossup. Radicalized youth may play a larger role than initially expected; at the same time, Cocx's foreign policy, as well as his support for the Condemnation of the Coup in Inquista, may be enough to allow Le Berre to reach a potential final round in the election, rather than being immediately eliminated.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Largely unchanged. Races in all nations, however, will likely be close.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER

RUTHUND, ICHOLASEN, FREMET, ALKHARYA, REITZMAG, PRAVOSLAVIYA, VAYINAOD, UNION OF DUCHIES, SPAIN, INIMICUS, DUXBURIAN UNION, UNION OF SYNDICATES, NOFOAGA expected to vote for Mitchell.

MONTENBOURG, REITZMAG, LEAGIO expected to vote for Reagan.

[Spain]

JUNCKER PUBLISHES A BOOK

I'll Come Back Soon, the new book from Juncker

"I'll come back soon pretends to be a book to tell the Europeans about my adventures from early life until our days, but it's just a part 1, because the title just shows my wishes for the future", has said Jean-Claude Juncker this morning at the presentation of his book in one of the most famous bookshops of Europolis. The book, which promises to be one of the year's bestsellers, talks about everything the Europeans wished to know about the Commissioner: His relationship with Winston, how the Eurorail project came out, the relationships with many European leaders and more.

The Europolis Post was able to get a copy months ago and now, and we promise the book rocks. Jean-Claude Juncker has always been really restricted about his private life, but this book changes everything: Juncker have gone over his early life and when his interest in politics started: "When I was a kid, we were under Franco rule. When the Spanish dictatoship died, I saw this as a chance to finally involve in politics, with a centre-right project. By that time, that was the Unión de Centro Democrático, but when Alianza Popular, what is now the Partido Popular, was born, I saw that as a better place to be, and I wasn't wrong at all".

He then talks about his era in Germanium, where he occupied the Chancellor place for some years before resigning to being devote for the European Union: "some days before I made the final decision, I told Christiane (my wife) about it. She told me that I should just follow my heart, and if I wanted to move to European Politics because that's the new challenge I wanted, then she would support me no matter how". After that chapter, he moves onto his first try to become a Commissioner, being this the time when Juncker ran for the Foreign Affairs Office: "I was wrong to run for a place I didn't know well and I ended up losing. Some told me I should go bonkers and say it wasn't my fault, but the truth was it was."

Finally, he tells the reader about the last 8 months as the Internal Affairs Commissioner and his campaigns all about Europe: "on my campaings, I'm used to visit as many place around Europe as possible. When on my second campaign I told my team that we should visit every country with a different Junckgadget, some told me that was impossible. But in the end, we did it." Says the Commissioner before dedicating a chapter to the Junckgadgets, where he adds some photos of them. Then, a huge chapter tells the reader about his adventures on the Office for Internal Affairs Commissioner, and then, an epilogue can be read. There, Juncker says this: "If I'm allowed to comeback, you can all count on me that I will run for Premier Commissioner. If I win or I lose, if I'm allowed or I'm not, only the time will say, but I'll keep fighting for the Europeans." He ends the book saying "Good luck to the candidates and See you soon".

With no doubt, the Jean-Claude Juncker's memories offer a good and entertaining trip to the Commissioner's adventures, and moreover, describes the Commissioner feelings in many ways. Who knows, maybe we will get Part 2 in a year... Oh, and for those wishing to buy it. All of them will be signed by him, with a space for a special message from him if you ever meet him. Isn't that great?

[Alkharya]

Aylin Gökçen found dead, investigators predict murder

---

---

Aylin Gökçen, former councillor of Alkharya from October 2020 to February 2021, was found dead by a bicyclist today near the Gallorum-Europolis border. The body was found in a black bag near a tree. Reporters say Gökçen had not been seen in Europolis after Monday.

"So I was biking through the border like I always do and I decided to stop for something, and I saw something odd-looking there, near the tree and, you know, I'm a curious person, so I
come closer, and whatever was there was smelling real bad, and I was certain it was a body bag, so I call the police! And turns out it was a body! Apparently an important politician, too. Europe is going crazy, I tell you!" The biker told a reporter.

Investigators are mostly certain the case was a murder, but the body will still be delivered to a morgue for an autopsy, as well as a thorough examination to help with the ongoing police investigation.

President Tülay Elçi shared her condolences. "I offer them my thoughts, prayers and well-wishes during this dark time in her close ones' lives. No one deserves death", she said at a press conference.

We will update you with the latest information regarding this incident.

[Swabian Lands]

FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDGES AGAINST CONSTITUTIONAL COMPLAINT
——————————————————
(Ulm, Swabian Lands) - The Federal High Court (FHC), judged against the claim of a cititen that the European Elections Act is unconstitutional.
A plaintiff, who, according to anonymous sources, lost the election to be the European Councillor for Swabian Lands, started a lawsuit on the FHC that Article 1(1) of the Law on European Elections was violating European Law and therefore the Constitution.
The clause in question made the provisons of the Law ln Federal Elections apply in European Elections. Of this Law, Article 2(3), so the plaintiff, violates Section I(I)(e) of the Elected and Accountable Council Act, as this article required each nomination to be either baked from a political party or from 100 citizens.
The plaintiff argued that any citizen should be able to nominate themself without any known support, and so appear on hundreds of thousands of electoral ballots.
The Ministry of the Interior's attorney, representing the Federation, argued back that Section XX of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights protected each citizens democratic rights, and that the Federation may protect these rights, and the rights not be able to be considered in effect if citizens do not have the chance to read the list of candidates.
Whether the plaintiff will take this matter to the European Court of Justice is yet unknown.

[Spain]

Europe is unstable, no matter when you read this

---

Opinion piece by Euronews presenter, Manu Terradillos

No matter the great job Birdane and Cocx are pulling out, Europe is unstable, no matter when you read this. To those that thought, mostly in the country which caused most of our region stability last year, that getting Juncker out from the office would mean a better Europe are, once again, wrong (as they were always). If it's not the Union of Syndicates, then it's Reitzmag, Copala City, United Duchies, the Union of Nicoleizian Soviet Republics, Eastern Haaneans going crazy or some silly drama taking place somewhere in the other side of he ocean because of some military bases. The European Union is unstable, and those not wishing to recognise what the truth about our region is are blind and have a serious issue with being sincere when they speak to the public.

Today, we have another assault of Reitzmag VS Copala, the series. This time, some words said by Simon Bridges, from Reitzmag, in front of 3 Presidents, an autonomous territory Minister and the Internal Affairs Commissioner were the firearms used. And while Bridges acted like a literal toddler (there's no possible salvation for him in the short time), the Copalan Independence Union didn't take a long time to react with demonstrations and pro-independence stuff. Copalan Nationalism is on the rise, with a sort of Harriett Copala fan-fiction thing in which she is the saviour and mother of the glorious Copalan nation. But, does that exist, or, much better, will Reitzmag allow it to exist? It doesn't seem like they will, and the only known support for Copala City in the European Union comes from the United Duchies (oh, surprise!).

And while the United Duchies arrests leftists all around the country and pushes security polices which make the country look more like a dictatorship than a democracy, the Union of Nicoleizian Soviet Republics starts to go through a bad time, with people suffering as they have nothing to eat. But hey, nobody seems to care about the Nicoleizians anymore! Europe is such an unstable thing Angleter is trying to leave and the Deputy Speaker pushes an amendment to the EACA (which, by the way, he defended when it was passed and then, voted against the many amendments proposed) to see if they come back to the European Council, at the same time people in the Union of Syndicates are dying or being killed, because Europe doesn't care about that.

No matter where you look, all is unstable. Spain, Vayinaod, Fremet, Inquista, the Duxburian Union... They seem to be stable but, are they really what they say, or do they lie to everyone as always? I think yes, but, the European Union is like that, and will always be unstable. No matter when you read this.

[Istkalen]

Elspeth Arkalis found dead in Europolis park

Former Councillor Elspeth Arkalis was found dead, at the age of 96, in a Europolis park, her organs hanging from trees, her entrails dangling from them "like bunting."

The woman who discovered her body claimed that she first saw her eyes, which were hung with twine from a branch of a tree.

"Little round white and red things from a distance. You come closer- God! Eyes! Ants crawling over them, taking bits of them back to...wherever they came from, the smell of rot. And they're frozen, staring at you, what you can see of them. I screamed. The eyes were the least of it. Ahead, her entrails, still dripping with liquid, covered in insects, were strewn from tree to tree, hanging like bunting. I almost vomited, but then there were the fingers, blackened and bloody, everywhere - then the toes, the feet, the hands, the limbs, all without skin. Everywhere body parts, I couldn't escape. I was screaming and screaming and screaming, and it seemed as though no one could hear me. Her stomach was there, her pancreas too, her kidneys, her bladder, her lungs, all of it rotting and covered with insects. At the center, there was a pile of bloodied flesh on the ground, before a tree, almost like an offering - her skin and whatever else they couldn't remove - and then her brain at the top of tree, her brain - and her face - they tore off her face, hanging from a branch, with a smile-like hole where her lips should have been. I ran, I ran as fast as I could. I don't ever want to see anything like that again."

Ms. Arkalis's death is universally considered a murder orchestrated by the regime in Istkalen; the culprits, however, have not been found. An investigation is underway as her body-parts are collected from the park in which they were placed; a disturbing video, found on a drive, showing Arkalis screaming as her skin is removed and salt thrown on her, then her motionless as her organs are extracted, has been recovered.

[Montenbourg]

THE MONTAGUE TIMES

How not to select the next European Central Bank president

EUROPOLIS.- There are many ways to select the next president of the European Central Bank. None is worse than the one chosen by the European Council: fold it into a wider political selection process, where the job is a second or third order priority. The choice is difficult as it is. EU leaders just made it a lot harder.

What are the qualities needed to fill it — other than being a man or a woman, short or tall, from the south or the north? I also find the debate on whether a Reitzmic must or must not become ECB president troubling.

The main qualities I would be looking for in the next ECB chief are intellectual curiosity, a willingness to question one’s own beliefs and especially one’s own models, to admit errors, and try new approaches. The next president will need to engage in the debate over modern monetary theory and other non-conventional ideas. He or she should have a deep understanding of current economic models and where they fall short. The proverbial monkey with a dartboard would have outperformed the ECB’s forecasting department in the last decade. One of the jobs of the next ECB chief will be to outperform the monkey.

[Inquista]

Cryptic Firoux Tweet Likely to All but End Leeson's Chances in Inquista

Op-ed written by Lex Burnley

A cryptic tweet made by Chief Bishop Secretary Edward Firoux is widely being regarded as a snub of Peter Leeson's campaign to become the Internal Affairs Commissioner of the European Union. The snub will spell good news for Commission candidates Emma Granger, Piane Daggott and Joe Biden, who are expected to gain at his expense, and consume what remains of his political support in Inquista.

Leeson has launched his campaign for Internal Affairs by admonishing the equal marriage rights clause of the European Union's Declaration of Human Rights, which Leeson has stated that he would like to see removed. Bishop Secretary Firoux wrote and championed the equal marriage rights clause, among other significant contributions he made to the UDoHR, including clauses on torture and capital punishment, and other measures to expand and strengthen the EU's primary human rights declaration. Thus, the Chief Bishop Secretary's tweet is publicly being interpreted as a swipe against the Leeson campaign.

In order to win in Inquista, Leeson - who describes himself as a centrist and moderate candidate - would need to rely on the support of Inquista's centre-left and centre-right. Firoux is broadly considered to be the popular avatar of Inquista's centre-left, and he is also coincidentally held in especially high regard by Inquistan environmentalists and ecologists, who appear to be another demographic that the Leeson campaign are targeting. Firoux's social media snub likely means Leeson will lose signficant support in Inquista's centre-left and environmentalist circles, leaving Leeson only with Inquista's centre-right, who are in turn likely to take issue with the vast majority of Leeson's other policies (such as his proposed Europe-wide referendums), and who appear to be coalescing around Joe Biden's #NoMalarkey campaign anyway - leaving Leeson with no discernible demographic of support in the country.

Firoux's cryptic tweet is considered to be quite significant because the Bishop Secretary has not publicly commented on European politics since stepping down as the EPA Chairperson in December of 2020. Firoux did not participate or comment in the last Commission elections, meaning he did not endorse Leeson's previous premiership candidacy, which ultimately resulted in Leeson failing to win the premiership and thus becoming the first EPA premiership candidate to lose an election in more than three years. Firoux is expected to once again not endorse any Commission candidate, and hasn't shown too much enthusiasm to wade into European politics again, besides to show support to the LGBTQ community and those who seek to limit the UDoHR.

[Icholasen]

STEPHANIE DeVEY: Jean-Claude Juncker is one of the most controversial, well-known, and most influential members of the European Progressive Alliance, formerly lead by Edward Firoux. Jean-Claude, after serving two terms as Internal Affairs Commissioner, is now eyeing the position of Premier Commissioner. Among him also running are Sofie Čikarová and Dr. Iskiris Koline. I started by asking Juncker to summarise his programme in 3 words.

JCJ: Bring Europe back

SDV: Would you say the EPA brand has been tainted in the last few weeks and months ?

JCJ: The European Progressive Alliance brand isn't tainted and it has never been, but the discrepancies of some Councillors with the words of other Councillors from the same organisation are what made the situation slightly bad. Anyway, I trust Donald will do a nice job and will be able to rescue the EPA and bring most of our former members, like Speaker Michel, back into our group.

SDV: What would you say to people struggling with the effects of globalisation ?

JCJ: To those struggling, all I could tell them is Europe and its politicians are always here to help. If you realise, our world is changing incredibly fast and not even us are able to keep the same speed as globalisation. One of the challenges the European Union has, and despite being quite old, I will try to complete, is going faster that globalisation and adapt ourselves to the future challenges we will have.

SDV: Tell me why you are uniquely qualified for this position.

JCJ: I'm uniquely qualified for this position because I know what the European Union is about; I have been the Internal Affairs Commissioner for 8 months, achieving great things like the first mediation ever in the Caspian, the European Leaders' Summit, I proposed to create a mobile phone app to let the Europeans be informed about what's going on in Europolis and I have never prioritised my country or my own interests over the European Union's. Other cannot say the same. Also, if you look at the candidates running for Premiership, you have one who believes that Communism is the right choice for Europe and that will solve all our problems, and another who says the EU has no sense at all. Of course, their views are respectable and must be respected, but that's not what we need to fix the European Union. The only one carrying reasonable proposals, like the 2030 EU Strategy, a new budget or putting an end to shady companies that the EU funds, or at least, making them useful.

SDV: Ignoring the legislative hurdles, if you could change anything in Europe at the click of a button what would you change ?

JCJ: That's quite a good question, because there are many things I would like to change in Europe by just pushing a button. (Juncker laughs) But I think that our main priority when it comes to changing things should be the Constitution, and if at the click of a button we could all agree and change it to a better one, then that would be what I would change right now; and I'm pretty confident to get a new constitution going by the end of the first term or the start of a second one, if I'm re-elected.

SDV: You have identified the EU as being « a Broken Union », however, with the relatively limited powers of the Premier, how do you intend to fix this ?

JCJ: When I first ran for Internal Affairs, I was told the one who had more power in the European Union was the Premier Commissioner. Then I won the election and made the Internal Affairs Commissioner have the hugest amount of power, while the Premiership lost it. That means tendencies can be changed again, and we can go back to that time when the Premier was the most powerful seat. Still, I want to remark that I'm not running because I want power or things like that, I want to help Europe as much as I can and being active on the Commission and answering at the same time the events take place is what we should do. The Premier can do many things, you just need to have someone competent seated there.

SDV: And finally, who should the EU sanction, and how ?

JCJ: The EU shouldn't sanction anyone as of now, because it wouldn't be good for us. We need to stop looking at foreign states problems and start looking at our own problems first. You know I am not a fan of the UNSR, but I think mediation is the best way to end that conflict, same with Copala City, and that's what we will try to do. If some side says no to a mediation, they the whole of Europe will know who doesn't want to fix things and end the madness

SDV: Thank you very much for your time.

JCJ: Thank you.

[Inquista]

Behind the Headlines: Get to Know the Real Piane Daggot

---

Piane Daggot, thank you so much for joining us via hologram today. Your connection looks great in 4K! How is the hologram campaign going? Are you using one of those 5G networks that Juncker loves to talk about?

Hey squirrel friend! I’m serving hologram realness yas. I would to be, however I’m just borrowing the wifi at a Starbucks in Europolis.

Ah, that explains why at least 20 voices can be heard coming from your end. Could you tell us what your go-to Starbucks order is?

I always get a strawberry frappe with extra strawberry syrup so it’s red - like the people’s flag.

Sounds delicious! Running for Commissioner for Internal Affairs is pretty demanding, so I imagine you need all the caffeine you can get. Let's get to it. You’re running on a platform of peaceful coexistence, especially in terms of the UNSR. However, if you could make peace between any feuding politicians or celebrities, as Internal Affairs Commissioner, who would they be?

I think Juncker and Winston need to hug it out. Imagine all the Junckers, living life in peace. I feel sorry for the kids, I mean the trains, caught in the middle of it. They'll probably need to choo choo over to therapy after their bitter arguments. Sad!

It would be great if that feud could finally get settled in 2021. You’ve proven yourself a tactical mastermind, as you helped plan Operation Parva Coles during the civil war in Reitzmag. What RTS games helped you prepare for that battle?

Yes, as a veteran I find it therapeutic to play games like that. I particularly enjoy the Red Alert series. It reminds me of my time on the battlefield, fighting for what I believe is right. I am, however, now glad that we have peace in all the conflicts I have served in, and all my battles are now in front of an LED clad gaming computer.

Red Alert is a great game. We also heard that you are quite good at Among Us. Describe your Among Us playstyle. What’s your strategy like? Also, what’s your take on the latest map ‘the Airship’?

As someone who has fought on a front line, I know how to kill. Therefore, yes, I humbly admit I am good at the hit game, "Among Us". I normally kill off any capitalist globalists first. You can tell by their usernames. Anyone who uses words such as "I" or "me" is definitely a globalist. I then skilfully work my way through the crewmates. I enjoy the map, but I think it might be a little too big. I hope the neoliberal market didn't have anything to do with that.

Earlier today, you released a campaign playlist of your favourite songs. We’ll include a link to that playlist here. Can you tell us about your favourite bops on that playlist, and how those songs have personally impacted you?

I chose these hits because they are all such danceable bops. It’s time to celebrate! They are such great bops. Savage by Megan Thee Stallion really speaks to me, as well as Feeling Myself by Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé. These are both empowering tunes, and the playlist tries to include songs that make you feel like THAT bitch. I Am What I Am is also great, we can all be who we want to be. I included Kings and Queens by Ava Max as those are the people I would like to remove from their positions, as a socialist. Ava has a great song, but it doesn’t matter the gender of the monarch, it is still a poor system of government! I also included some Eurovoice bops. I am a HUGE fan of the contest. Skorápy Orechu is one of my favourite songs of all time, and I heard it for the first time at Eurovoice in Cesae Vauvra in 1985. I also chose You Don’t Own Me by Lesley Gore, I like to imagine that the means of production are singing this song to the bourgeoisie. You don’t own me! These are some great songs and I’m sure your readers will get a kick out of them too.

Tell Me Ma? Skořápky Ořechů? Savage? Good taste. On a similar note, could you give us any TV recommendations? What series are you currently binging on Netflix?

I am currently binging "Border Patrol: Icholasen." It's kind of an old series, but it still holds up. It's from around 2014 and follows a group of border patrol agents as they try to keep Icholasen free of dairy produce, and other illicit and harmful substances. It really is amazing to what lengths people will go to to smuggle dairy into Icholasen - that in itself makes it very enjoyable, but sometimes scary. It's great for binging as it is always new. There are no two episodes alike. As a Minister in the Interior department in Security, I met members of this newly modernised patrol. It is still interesting though to see how it operated under the old regime.

As you know, June is LGBTQ Pride Month. Who are some of your favourite drag queens?

In Inquista, it HAS to be Madame Marco, but I have many favourites from all across the continent. When I'm in Prague, I love to visit a bar called DefenestrateHER, a mainly lesbian bar that serves drinks in window-shaped glasses with the handle being some poor protestant being pushed out. There is a drag queen there called Dominika Dvořáková who does the best impression of Marie Rottrová I've ever seen in my life. She does all the songs. Also, the late great Nicoleizienne, Divine, is one of my favourites. She often performed in London in the 1980s where I worked as a Communist Party Official. It was great to blow off steam after work with a drink and a show.

Sounds like you know how to enjoy a good Friday night. Let's turn this into a scenario. Two countries are negotiating for peace after a conflict, and you have to mediate between two foreign ministers. The two ministers want to talk over some food and drinks. What sort of restaurant are you taking them to, and what will your drink of choice be?

I would take them to a tapas bar in Ibiza because it encourages cooperation. Tit for tat. You can have some jamón if I can have some calamari. They will soon get the idea to translate that into their problems. As for drinks, of course I love Mojitos. I was famously photographed and SHAMED on social media for having one on public transport. But now I’m head of the Nicova so who’s laughing now?

You're an avid user of public transport, and your Commission campaign is being run in a carbon-neutral way. Protecting the environment is clearly very important to you. Do you have any pets, and what animal do you think is very underrated?

I don’t have any pets right now, unfortunately. Animals need a lot of care, and since I’m so busy I know I couldn’t give them the love and attention they need. If I could choose, though, I would get some terrapins. They are so small and cute, definitely underrated. I’m not sure what kind of care they need, but they are freshwater tropical so it could be relatively intense! But one day I will have some terrapins.

Aww, those are very cute. Now, onto a very short round of some word association. I'll give you a word, and you tell me what word first comes to your mind. Ready? Marx.

Prescient.

Oppression.

Capitalism.

Trains.

8G.

Ice cream.

Dangerous.

Freedom.

Marie Rottrová.

Ok, I now have 4 words for you, and you have to pick one to describe yourself: hotter, sweeter, cooler, butter. Which ones resonates with you?

Butter.

Thank you so much for joining us from Europolis, Piane. It was a pleasure to have you.

No, thank YOU!

[Istkalen]

Postimees: Our Electoral Predictions

From arduous research into past election patterns and polling, we have constructed the following electoral predictions.

Legend

• white: tossup
• red: PEL
• yellow: EPA
• orange: independent, center-left
• blue: independent, center-right

Only two countries are expected to be tossups this election - Fremet, whose electorate is likely to continue viewing the UNSR as a major issue - and may dislike Juncker's more hardline stance towards the nation, especially in contrast with its government's softening policy - and Ruthund, which, as with previous elections, is likely to see national sovereignty as its primary issue.

Both of these nations are expected, however, to see increasingly weakening support for Juncker in the coming days. With his pledge to not implement the protocols for détente contained within the Condemnation of the Coup in Icholasen - and thus to violate Constitutional protocols - the electorate in both nations is likely to turn away from him.

Turning to oddities, we now analyze Inquista and Vayinaod.

Inquista continues its march leftwards; however, EPA and PEL candidates are nominally tied there, almost exactly. With Čikarová able to win an election quite strongly there despite not even running, however, our analysts believe that it is more likely that the PEL will come out on top.

Vayinaod is stranger - it is likely that it is the best choice among three relatively mediocre candidates for them. Koline's campaign, focused primarily on creating an international economic system more in line with modern economics, may be distancing and heavy-handed for them; Juncker, on the other hand, may be seen as bordering on populist, lacking real substance and detail and making up for it with increasingly "radical" ideas against the Council.

The nations that Koline is to take, save for her home nation, which may not even be able to vote, are themselves quite strange. The United Duchies seems to be voting for her simply because Juncker is seen as the candidate of impersonal neoliberalism and Čikarová a communist; Reitzmag for similar reasons.

The remainder of nations, save for those expected to abstent, typically vote with the EPA.

Those expected to abstent will likely do so in the absence of true Eurosceptic candidates.

In terms of changes, several benefit Koline - with her having seen large "jumps" in support in several nations; however, these are not as important; on the other hand, Juncker has seen increases in popularity in many nations as well, generally those he was already likely to win.

The Internal Affairs election continues with a relatively similar pattern - the EPA continuing to dominant in its usual heartlands, Fremet and Ruthund as toss-ups, and the Duxburian Union, Inimicus, and Pravoslaviya as abstenting.

The only differences are with Vayinaod, Istkalen, and Reitzmag, which each likely changed as a result of the presence or absence of better candidates.

It effectively is a reflection of the Premiership race, with little change having occurred.

[Spain]

EUnews Polling for EU Premier Commission Elections

---

Juncker wins but 2nd preference will be important

If Commission elections were held today, the European Progressive Alliance's candidate and former Internal Affairs Commissioner, Jean-Claude Juncker, would be elected as Premier Commissioner on a landslide victory to both the Party of the European Left, Sophie Čikarová; and the independent candidate from Istkalen, Isidris Koline, by 6 votes. Still, we can also observe that, while Juncker has a large margin of possible votes, between 6 and 12; both Čikarova and Koline have a way more stable vote base (with a margin between 3 and 5 votes for the Czech candidate and between 2 and 5 for the Istkalenian one)

When it comes to countries, Jean-Claude Juncker (9) would win at Gadalland & Aspern, Nofoaga, Kaitsja, Montenbourg, Spain, Inquista, Leagio, Inimicus and Icholasen. Apart from these countries, he could also win Alkharya, Fremet and Reitzmag, where the Spanish candidate might be doing good. If Juncker got the same amount of votes than on this poll, second preferences would be irrelevant as he would have a majority.

Sophie Čikarova (3) would place in second, gaining Czech Slavia, Vayinaod and Ruthund, which is likely turning for the Czech candidate after she stated that a Čikarova commission would never force Ruthund "off of its selected path", probably meaning to the country's choice to have some business with the Union of Nicoleizian Soviet Republics. Apart from these countries, Čikarova could get the United Duchies, despite being regarded as too far-left, and Fremet.

Finally, Isidris Koline (3) would get his own home nation, Istkalen, Reitzmag and the United Duchies. She will be challenged by Čikarova on this last country, which could drop her to just two votes, and even just one if Reitzmag voted for Juncker. If everything went to plan and she got these 3 votes, she could probably get the Duxburian vote and the Fremetian vote, getting her to earn 5 votes.

Whatever the outcome is, Europe won't take much to discover. In 2 weeks, Europe will finally know which of these candidates will become the next Premier Commissioner.

[Icholasen]

Stephanie DeVey: Hello. Today I am joined by Peter Leeson, a candidate with a good shot at becoming our next Internal Affairs Commissioner. Hello Peter.

Peter Leeson: Hello Stephanie, it's great to be here.

SDV: Let's get on with the questions, firstly, I am going to ask a question I will ask all my interviewees for these elections. Please summarise your programme in 3 words.

PL: Sovereignty, Cooperation and Uniting

SDV: In a Europe that is almost dominated by the EPA, have you found running as an independent to be an advantage, or a disadvantage ?

PL: It's been a bit easier as I have been able to tailor my campaign and listen easier. Engagement has to be more direct which is a challenge but also an immense strength. I can listen to concerns and change policy right away, in the EPA I had to send it through committee. So overall I’d say it's far better as I am not beholden to corporate interests and can actually represent the people

SDV: Right. You are among many of our commission candidates who has criticised globalisation, how would you make the current economic system fairer ?

PL: I would focus on co-operation and focus on creating a system where all people matter not just rich elites. I would make it so if a European wide decision is to be made on a big issue or if a significant proportion of Europe oppose an act they can influence it via popular referendum requiring a majority of 55% +1 vote of thew people and 55%+1 of countries to succeed.. This would take power out of the politicians and elites hands and bring power directly back to the countries and the people who after all should be the masters and also remove power from the corporations. I would also look law by law and look at reducing the amount of prescriptive laws with laws focusing more on achieve targets in a way that suits the country , basically we can work together but nations have their sovereignty. This centralisation madness needs to stop, I am not anti-EU I was one of the most most vocal proponents on the EU entry referendum , but the EU has changed too much since then.

SDV: There are many candidates up for this post, most than the Premiership, tell me why you are uniquely qualified for this position ?

PL: I am the only one who is in the centre not beholden to unions or corporate interests at least for IAC post. Furthermore I have worked as PM of the Duchies, and its hard , you learn in that job to compromise , you learn to balance between left wing and right wing and conservatives and liberals and nationalists. I had to balance all those interests to make policy for 7 Duchies and two different cultures. I don’t believe any other candidate has this. I’ve basically led a country that could be described as two different societies opposite to each other in many aspects.

SDV: Of course, as Internal Affairs Commissioner, you will not have supreme power. Ignoring the legislative hurdles, if you could change anything in Europe at the click of a button what would you change ?

PL: I would introduce popular referendums for major issues and constitutional issues to put the people in charge and rewrite laws to be more target driven than specific and prescriptive.

SDV: Yes, this policy has caused quite the stir. So, I must ask you, is your referendum policy really feasible ?

PL: Yes I believe it is workable. Now it might need tweaking around the edges on things such minimum signatures before a vote can be called but ultimately it is workable. I would work out details with all countries but something needs to change, politicians and corporate lobbyists have been in charge long enough its time for the people to be in charge and politicians be the servants as they should be.

SDV: And so finally, who should the EU sanction, and how ?

PL: Simple answer no one new and we should even possibly look at the UNSR issue. Its clear sanctions aren’t working as intended , Duchies just a few months ago would have backed UNSR sanctions but there is change on that, we need to start a dialogue to change things , key to that is democracy requirements but we need to talk , sanctions are only hurting the people . As for new sanctions no one has done anything egregious enough to deserve them , and in Istkalens case its now a different government , Reitzmag for all its got wrong at times is heading in the right direction , we’ve had our differences but I truly believe Reitzmag is heading in the right direction . There is simply no one worthy of sanctioning right now.
okay most typos should have been fixed.

SDV: Thank you very much for your time Mr Leeson, and best of luck.

PL: Thank you Stephanie.

[Icholasen]

Why Coming Second Isn’t So Bad : The Commission Elections Electoral System

Stephanie DeVey

Coming second in sports is an an excruciating near-loss -- and in other extracurricular activities, it is also usually a bad thing. But, if no one gets a majority of the votes, which seems likely right now in the IAC election, then second preferences, and even third preferences will be paramount to the winner's victory.

Normally, these aren’t useful at all. During the last few years of EPA dominance, most candidates took an outright majority of the votes, and the boffins at the election HQ were sad to find they didn't need to do their maths to decide the winner. However, recently, there have been instances where second preferences made all the difference.

This time, we could see a scenario where the candidate who comes second in the first round, ends up winning on second preferences.

What would or does this mean for European Democracy ? The emergence of multiparty politics (with independents too), rather than the uni-party hegemony of the EPA, indicates either a distaste for their moderate, Europhile platform and perhaps even a breakup of the Union altogether. Or, it could represent an invigoration and a renaissance of European democracy, with more and more people becoming more and more enthused about different candidates than ever before, and less people winning by default.

Whatever it means in the long run, 2nd preferences will be incredibly important in this IAC election, and, who knows, even for the Premiership.

Stephanie DeVey is a writer and broadcaster for NBC, the European Post, and the Copala City Tribune.