Summit | Spain - Free Icholasen
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EUROPOLIS
Eilidh Whiteford, being the incoming Korojaunu in Exile, was in Europolis cleaning out her office of four months. The Office was very airy, with lots of windows and at a relatively high altitude over Europolis. She was packing books into boxes and printouts. She assumed her successor would also be EPA, and as such could be trusted with some secret documents she left behind. Or it could be Trympov, and things could be leaked. She wasn't going to take any chances. On her speakers she was listening to Super Queen and her playlist entitled 'Premiership Toonz' - containing numerous songs such as 'Tell Me Ma', 'Rhythm of the Night' (a song she remembered from her 80s days), and of course 'Presiento'. Councillor Duchess Poppy-Carlton Romanov then entered the room.
'What is this racket?' Poppy asked.
'Oh, it's my campaign theme tune.' Whiteford said, 'do you want me to turn it down?'
'No, no, it's okay.' Poppy drifted around the room, looking at the desk, the boxes on the floor and the general detritus that littered the office. 'Going so soon?'
'Yeah, term limits.' Whiteford said, still cleaning up the stuff in her office.
'Oh.' Poppy said, thinking about how she had been a Councillor for 7 years, and Whiteford had been kicked out after 4 months. 'Is there anything I can help with?'
'Yeah - you could put some of those books into a box.'
Poppy obeyed and knelt down to put the books on the lowest shelf into the box. Over the long 4 months, Whiteford had amassed a small collection of books, which were nonfiction and fiction in nature. She particularly loved the book 'Too Much And Never Enough' by Masha Trympov, a short book but an interesting one. Whiteford always made time for reading, as, under the old UNSR regime certain books were totally banned. The new regime had yet to officially ban any books, but that is because the new Nicoleizian Communist Party was divided on what should be banned, or if books should be banned at all.
'So, are you sad to be leaving?' Poppy asked.
'Yeah I guess so - I can trust you to gold down the ship here, right?'
'Absolutely, Korojaunu.'
Whiteford was relatively at ease with her departure from the highest office in the European Union. She had had a very busy year, being the Korojaunu of Icholasen, literally murdering a communist in Inquista, running from the guards of Craticus across Inquista, running and winning the office of Premier Commissioner, and finally she was left with a return to Fremet where the government of her country was. It would be a less active job than Premier, as she just acted as a figurehead for a government that no longer held much territory, and the territory it did hold had virtual total autonomy. 'I just wish,' Whiteford thought to herself, 'we could have a period where we didn't have to go outside to see anyone at all. I think that'd be great, where we just did everything online or something. I really don't think I'd get bored of that.'
'Who do you think will win the Commission election?' Whiteford asked Poppy, while filing some files into boxes.
'Definitely Merkel. She definitely has a plurality of support across Europe. If we ever get back to the mother country, we probably should change the way we vote. So old fashioned.'
'But you know that A. literally no one will vote, and B. they might not vote for our preferred candidate.' Whiteford smiled, half joking.
'Yeah, true. Cikarova was totally nuts.' Poppy said, giggling.
'Oh yeah - she's smoking whatever they're smoking in Eastern Haane for sure.'
'A mess.' Whiteford said, continuing tidying.
There was a brief pause while the two got to work cleaning up Whiteford's office
'So, do you know what direction the country will take when you become Korojaunu again?'
'I'm not quite sure. We don't really have a country anymore which is sad -- I'll speak with you and the Nonet in order to decide what happens.'
'That makes sense. I guess I can just try and stop any communist gains in the Council.'
'Absolutely.' Whiteford said, knowing the Poppy Carlton-Romanov was going to become the most powerful Free-Nicoleizian once she stopped being Premier.
Whiteford knew she would have to mould the office of the Korojaunu of the United Dominions of Icholasen to suit this post-revolution world. It was her job to stop - at all costs - the recognition of the UNSR by the EU, as, without EU recognition and Poppy Carlton-Romanov in office, there really was not much hope for Free Icholasen. She had hoped that the amendment to the Condemnation of the Coup in Icholasen Act would pass, as it was economic isolation and desolation that lead to the fall of the original UNSR regime, however, it did not pass. The UNSR is also virtually impregnable militarily as it has nuclear weapons and 400,000 soldiers. She could not, morally, ask thousands of allied troops to die and potentially risk a nuclear exchange to liberate Icholasen. As far as she was concerned, she would never see Icholasen free in her political career.
Time passed and the office went from half-empty, to totally empty as aides carried out the boxes of stuff to a cargo plane. Whiteford was not, however, going home. She was going to a foreign land yet again. It would likely be a very long time until she could return to her native land without fear.
Free Icholasen Government Building, Fremet
Samantha Terrace was definitely ready to law down her powers as Acting Korojaunu in Exile. She had accepted the position knowing it would only last 4 months. Her own political ambitions were that on the Dominion level, she had (before the revolution) wanted to become the Prime Minister of the Regina Dominion, the largest Dominion there was. It comprised about 50% of Icholasen's population, and she would be in charge of the policies of a polis larger than many EU nations. Of course, this dream was dashed short when the revolution happened, and she was incredibly lucky to have been airlifted out of Saint Regina by helicopter before the fall of the government. Terrace is a Nonetor, and she and 8 other people sit in Icholasen's highest Chamber in the land. When she gives up her powers as Acting Korojaunu in Exile, she will once again become the Leader of the Nonet and second in command.
Samantha was as centrist as one could be. Economically, she was relatively globalist believing that Icholasen's future was in an interconnected Europe. Socially, she was pro-LGBTQ rights, federalism, and respect for both languages of Icholasen as equals. This centrism is often regarded by the left as being far right economics and by the right as being far left social policy. Samantha, attacked by both sides, still believed that she could become the Prime Minister of Regina, and enact reforms she believed were in the best interests of the Dominion.
Samantha, now, had to give up the powers that she had held, and invested them in Whiteford over a video call to Europolis, broadcast on C-Span, with the whole Nonet present.
'I, as acting Leader of the Nonet, call for a vote on the ending of the Acting Korojaunu's powers.' Paloma Faith declared.
The entire Nonet said Aye one after the other.
'And, so it is done. The Korojaunu-ship has been transferred back to Eilidh Whiteford.'
'Thank you, continue the good work over there in Fremet.' Whiteford declared.
The Next Day, Europolis Airport
Her first act as Korojaunu (again) was to travel to Madrid in Spain to talk with one of Free Icholasen's close allies. Spanish support in the Council and diplomatically meant that the UNSR was not recognised by the European Union, and, as such had no representation within it. Without EU recognition, it would be hard for the UNSR to act, and Whiteford was grateful for Spanish support, and all support for Free Icholasen. Her main goals for the summit, published beforehand, were to strengthen relations, convince Spain to continue its policy to the UNSR, even making it harsher, and discuss mutually beneficial trade with Copala City and New Saint Regina. Whiteford was, of course, open to listen to the discussion topics raised by her interlocutor.
Whiteford's plane then touched down in Madrid, the warm early autumn weather was very pleasing to Ms. Whiteford who loved the heat. Kicrlaunk and Northern Icholasen don't see much sun.
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In Moncloa, Jesús Aguilar was getting everything ready. In fact, Icholasen was a strategic and very important ally for Spain. They shared currency, they all made the Treaty of Finisterre which make the signatory states be closer one to eachother, they both got a candidate elected on the last Commission Elections (Jean-Claude Juncker and Eilidh Whoteford) and they both were together towards the challenge of the UNSR.
The President got everything ready along with the employees in there; he liked to help them as much as he could so he could be part of the tasks. For much the service insisted on not doing that, he always did. Moncloa had changed a lot since the last President, Mariano Rajoy, starting from the home tasks like those and the new family member that was due to arrive in 2 weeks. Making a rutinary check, someone found what it could have been a disaster: an UNSR flag. The President collected flags, but they all had an identification just in case someone could put them elsewhere. He checked the flag and it wasn't his. With the help of some employees, they put the real and only recognised flag on there and everything was ready.
Meanwhile, in Madrid Barajas, the plane completed the rutinary walk towards the terminal. Once everyone went off the plane, the secret service awaited for Eilidh Whiteford. Their mission: Take her to an helicopter flight into Moncloa. That was the fastest way of crossing instead of cars, and only VIP or really protected people did that. The Secret Service spy Galindo met the Korojaunu:
"Ms. Whiteford, I'm Galindo, Juan Galindo. It's a pleasure to meet you here today. For your own security, we will take you in an helicopter to Moncloa instead on a car. It's safer and faster. Don't worry about your personal objects, they are all on the helicopter waiting for you." Juan said.
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"Perfect." Whiteford said. "Let's go."
The helicopter took off and cruised towards Moncloa. Whiteford looked down at Madrid and its beautiful buildings, the surroundings and the centre. The helicopter then touched down, and Whiteford was ushered to where the Spanish President was, and was shown her seat. The two shook hands and Whiteford then sat down and opened her binder.
"Right, let's begin." She said. "First, I'd like to discuss the UNSR. I and my government thank Spain for its current stance, but we would like to discuss a possible total, or near total embargo on the UNSR. I do not think the EU law goes far enough, and the recent amendment not passing was not what I wanted to see.
"The lack of key resources or all kinds lead to the destruction of the UNSR in the first place, Icholasen does not, for example, produce enough food for its population. Ending, or reducing, Spanish food supplies to the UNSR might force a policy shift within the ranks of the UNSR - with totally free and open elections where they will fall. Free Icholasen would be grateful if Spain would consider a near total embargo."
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Aguilar shook hands and the press took photos. They entered the room where the meeting would be, and it started once the service delivered the water and closed the doors. The Spanish President listened carefully to what the Acting Premier Commissioner was saying, as from the 11th September, she would become Korojaunu of Icholasen, one of the closest friends of Spain. Jesús decided to spoke after Eilidh ended:
"Spain is always involved in the fight towards the UNSR and also against those countries which try to support the illegal regime like Reitzmag, and so we took that to the European Court of Justice. The strategy towards the Union of Nicoleizian Soviet Republics is to find a middle point between not being threatened and supporting our ally, which is Free Icholasen. We think a near total embargo could be the middle point, as we have all the requirements set by the European Union to accomplish the law and sanctions applied into the UNSR. We will try to go further on our actions but we don't want to be threatened by the UNSR as you might now what does that involve to the estability in the Kingdom of Spain and the European Union"
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'Absolutely, I totally understand. What else would you like to discuss?'
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Aguilar thought the summit only had one single objective for the Acting Premier: The UNSR must be gone. Nothing else was on the agenda for them, but Jesús needed to give something more to this. Meetings with other countries were long, and Spain wasn't going to be an exception to the matter. There wasn't much to talk about Free Movement and Trade because that lands weren't technically theirs, but the idea came out of his brain like a thunder comes from the storm.
Reitzmag was, at the moment, one of the worse countries in the European Union, if not the worst, in Jesús' eyes. But moreover, they were having one of Spain's closer allies as a puppet, with Icholasen not realising about it or realising but not telling the world those unfair conditions they had. The President Spoke:
"I've looked close to the Copala City's Elections, and I'm really excited about them as it would be the start of a new era for Icholasen. Still, I find concerning how much control has Reitzmag over yourselves now, making you like a puppet. We want to trade with Copala City as it's herebry Nicoleizian territory, we want free movement with them: But there's an inconvenient, Reitzmag. Boats can't reach the zone, a no-fly zone is over the city and road trade would mean crossing Reitzmag which is something the Government advices to avoid if possible. I saw some candidates want self-determination for the city too. What are the chances of this succeding? Will you try to reduce Reitzmag's control over your lands or have you started your attempt? And more importantly, would you be open to negotiate with us in the future?"
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“It is of course up to the people of Copala City to decide. I am making the case for the status quo, but with the no fly zone removed. But fundamentally it’s up to the Copalans. We are always open to negotiations - tell us what you want to negotiate and when.
And I agree with you that Reitzmag is becoming a threat to Spain, and thus, Icholasen. We will do all that is possible to ensure that Spain is kept safe, though we apologise that there is not much e can do in this current state of weakness. But if there’s anything we can do, tell us.
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Aguilar nodded and answered to Eilidh Whiteford, the Acting Premier:
"I would like to start negotiations once Copalans have chosen a major, so we can negotiate with them and with you everything we would like to do. But it's great you are open to negotiate, and that are really great news. And about Reitzmag, I know you can't do much but at least you are giving us your support, so that's enough. We want to have great allies, and Icholasen is one of them. If you need help on negotiations or you feel like the thread comes to high levels, just reach me out or Juncker. I'm sure he will like to help, as I do."
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"Okay, we can meet in around a month with the Copalan Mayor and Copala herself, or an Inquistan representative to discuss Copala City's future.
Now is there anything else you would like to discuss?"
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"Nothing else Ms. Whiteford. Just something else..."
Aguilar got a gift for Eilidh and gave it to her.
"I know Nicoleizians love Ibiza and you do so too, so I wanted to gift you an Ibizan wine. It's not one of the most known wines in Spain, but it's incredibly amazing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do some days." Jesús laughed.
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"Oh wow!" Whiteford exclaimed, "I needed this," she said while putting it into her handbag, and then retrieving a bottle of vodka. "Now, Aguilar, do not drink this all at once. It is very strong."
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"Correct!" The Spanish President and the Korojaunu laughed.
"Thanks for coming Eilidh, it has been a pleasure. I'm looking forward to our next summit. Have a nice trip back to Copala City!" Said Jesús. Both leaders shook hands, took a photo as always and Eilish was escorted back to the helicopter. After getting there, they headed to Madrid Barajas, where the Korojaunu departed to Europolis safely. Another summit was over, and that was great for the Spanish President.
The Kingdom of Spain
