RTD 24
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President of Duchies Rail calls for Fixed Linke between North Africa and Europe
Today the president of Duchies Rail the track manager for United Duchies and State Owned Enterprise in charge of the ticketing system and track maintenance in the Duchies has called for a tunnel from Europe to North Africa. The president of Duchies Rail Kit Houghton said in an interview "I think we are really being held back in terms of carbon reduction by a lack of rail links between Europe and DU and Yosai and Leagio in terms of a short straight route. A Bridge or Tunnel or combination of the two is needed and it would cost alot but if all nations contributed it could happen. We have almost 14% of our exports with the DU alone yet alone Yosai and Leagio and DU is also one of the top nations for imports as well. Visits are also high between our nation and those countries as well as Spain. A fixed link in Spain to Yosai would cut cross channel flights and flights from Duchies to those nations , make it more central so it can serve DU as well even more potential is there for cutting shipping and plane emissions. We all are comitted to carbon cuts and this seems like an obvious way. You only have to look at the Spain and Inquista to UD corridors these are now well over 50% rail with 70% in some pairings. A fixed line into Yosai would provide the potential for air between Yosai and Spain to be virtually eliminated and much of the air and ferry travel that is more carbon intensive between UD and those areas to be replaced by rail in the form of sleeper trains and coaches.I also believe it can be done look at the success of the Red Croatia tunnel over similar distances and linking similarly important partners in trade. Will it be easy no? Would there be challenges ? Yes but its only with bold vision like this projects like this get started and only with bold vision and innovation will CO2 be cut."
The government have been asked to comment the government said "This is the view of one person in the rail industry and many others may agree. We do believe it is a good idea and would happily join in funding any such project but there is no formal proposal and it is literally just a concept and idea of people right now as it has been for many years. If nations want to go ahead with the concept or reviews into it we'd happily work with them but ultimately for now its a dream."
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United Duchies announces minimum 5 year warranty plan on products over €20
The government of the United Duchies announced today that in a new update to the consumer code on top of repair schematics and the current spare parts law the country would be updating its consumer code to make products sold in the Duchies more sustainable. The plan would require a minimum 5 year warranty for products over €20 unless they are necessarily single use items with a minimum 10 year warranty on goods over €50. The plan has come about upon reccomendations in the Engelhardt Report on Sustainability. The report revealed too many clothes were ending up in the incineration after just 1 year. The new laws will also require all products be fully recyclable with mixed fibres being required to be easily recyclable. The new plan will potentially outlaw the sales of plastic clothing in a boost to natural materials , the new laws will also apply to imported clothing. The warranty may exclude expected and reasonable wear and tear as defined by the Competition and Consumer Protection Authority..The law will also require manufacturers or the store to take in goods for recycling at the end of the products life with a minimum €20 incinceration fee per item if they throw it in the garbage. Clothes and products will be required to be put in a separate sorting bin for outgoing garbage collection. If any violations of the law happen it is proposed that a fine of up to 10% of the annual revenue of the company will be took per offense after just 3 violations. The new law would update the law to ensure sustainability is the way companies must act in the future. The law is expected to pass within a month unless the parliament object to the plan but most major parties have backed the new law.
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United Duchies Government will not bow to Inditex Pressure
The United Duchies government said they will not bow to the pressure from Inditex. The government said in a statement "Inditex alledge we want to create monopolies for Duchies businesses which is not the case. We are in an emergency with too much waste going to incineration because it cannot be recycled and lasts a short time. The law is targeted solely at companies who are irresponsibile. Inditex by withdrawing rather than focusing on making sure their clothes are recyclable and last 5 years have only proven their model is not sustainable in the long run or in line with Carbon Emission goals.We are not targeting one country but a practise much like when we reformed packaging laws at the guidance of experts on sustainability to ensure we can have products that don't destroy the environment and planet. We welcome other sustainable clothing companies that will take market share that irresponsible companies will leave behind in the Duchies , at least we won't have to incinerate their clothes unnecessarily. We are not intending to start a trade war but we will continue to seek best practise on the environment and while we understand the need to allow economically efficient products and companies this should not come at the cost of the environment. We will defend policies that increase sustainability and quality of all products to protect the consumer and environment." The government have said companies can expect over the years where environmental issues are raised for there to be changes required with the government saying in a statement " While economy and freedom of choice is important to us as a nation we must also build an economy around sustainability based on principles of not destroying the planet for short term gain. We are not going to go to the unnecessary lengths of some Strathae policies and will welcome big businesses that are sustainable and want to invest but we also won't let big corporations influence our policy to make short profits at the expense of the local and international environment. We will welcome the increasing presence of truly ethical retailers and product manufacturers in the Duchies market. There may be scope for discussion on what the penalties are and how much time manufacturers and retailers should have to adapt but we must move towards removing this clothing waste and waste from fast consumerism in all sectors. We have after having concerns raised by local sustainable businesses changed the the proposed law going through parliament to require fines of 10% only in cases of gross incompetence over a period of time where there is a significant failure rate and amount of violations or an intentional policy of violations of the new sustainability rules." The change has been welcomed by business experts and is understood to be accepted by green campaigning organisations in the Duchies.
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Reports into Anastasia attacks shows high suspicion of Anastasian Nationalist Responsibility
The innitial police and intelligence reports into the Anastasia attacks show there is a high probability and likelihood of Anastasian Nationalist terrorist involvement and responsibility. The police have said they are still investigating but investigations had led them to focus on Anastasian Nationalists with known fascist groups being unlikely to have resources or ability to carry out such attacks or be likely to focus on this area with no obvious motive for such an attack or intelligence from within suggesting that there is a responsibility by Duchian Nationalists. The investigations are continuing but it is likely according to experts Anastasian Independence Nationalist organisations and groups will be monitored more closely and that people withing groups will face additional scrutiny. The National Police and Police Intelligence Service are opening an investigation focusing on these organisations and hope they can catch the culprits quickly. They have appealed for information saying "If anyone knows who is responsible , these people aren't heroes of Anastasia but enemies of Anastasia and its people. They have killed Anastasians and committed crimes of the worst nature. These are not people to defend or assist, we have this to say if you help us we will reward you and if you assist these terrorists we will hunt you down, capture you and you will face hell, you will face the long arm of justice." -
Damaged sewers mostly repaired
Today the government announced the damaged sewers in Anastasia have mostly been repaired with a the few remaining likely to be fixed within a month. The government praised the quick work of contractors in restoring sewerage and water pipes as well as other services. The government have said that only a few thousand are without piped sewer services and those are being served by the anaerobic toilets and waste dispensers supplied as an emergency The government of the Duchies announced they would be ramping up investment in the city and construction of the tram and metro systems with plans to link all lines to Baltia. A new competition is being launched to design a high speed railway station, they hope to have a high speed rail link directly in Anastasia within 4 years. For not connections to the city will remain to be by bus and coach , with fullsize shopping centres hopefully open by year 3 . Until then the constructed temporary shipping container constructed and prefabricated buildings will remain. -
OGO announced on demand bus hailing integration
OGO today announced councils will be able to move to software systems to enable on demand bus hailing on OGO Maps. The OGO maps will be updated to enable integration of hailing of on demand bus services of councils and transport agencies, and private bus companies that sign up. The app would show your nearest virtual stops arrange the trip and process the payment to the bus company using the OGO wallet.The company said in a statement "At the moment people having to download 20 different apps puts tourists off using public transport especially on demand buses . We will show the on demand bus hailing options first and integrate fare collection into our system or let you choose to pay or show a card on the bus. This will make collection of payments easier for transit agencies and operators and make paying easier for the consumer. It will also make using services easier by providing one place to book all your on demand bus trips and letting you book trips in parts of the country you may be visiting only once or twice. We will continue to roll out these innovative solutions nationwide. You can also add your Go Pass to pay for this just like you can use to pay bus fares, train fares and transit fares on the app or website already. Now OGO Maps will be even more of the one stop app for all your navigation and transport needs."
Several Duchy Transit regional agencies are signing up to the app already with plans to have the whole country on board by the end of the year. The app will also work with countries internationally including Reitzmag , Yosai and other countries governments to roll out further integration of ticketing and payment processing into the OGO Maps. Some critics worry this will only add to the data that OGO collect on trips though its worth noting that data on location or any trips through the app are already stored and the company knows where one is at all times already so this isn't a new concern.
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Government of UD Distance themselfs from European Enterprise Penalties Act
The government of the United Duchies has distanced itself from the European Enterprise Penalties Act currently going through the European Council which would if passed either have mandatory fines if 10% of global revenue of a company for breaking EU law or up to that amount if amended and have fines be stackable. The business community in Duchies expressed concern it could potentially bankrupt companies for innocent and minor mistakes with it being met with concern from most Duchian businesses who already deal with a fair amount of regulation and say they shouldn't have to deal with a risk of a 10% fine on global revenue on top of that for small mistakes.The government in a statement said "While we believe James Mizrachi-Roscoe is a good councillor and right to be concerned about fines being at levels that they can be seen as a cost of doing business we believe this is not the right approach. This approach could do more harm than good and we would like to register our opposition to this proposed act. Even here in Duchies we only allow up to 2.5% of revenue in the Duchies and only in the most severe of circumstances with most fines being set at a scale to the damages caused by a company practise or as a percent of profits if that is an option. We can't make him withdraw the act but he should reconsider the act. Potential 10's of billions of euros fines per company may be excessive." The statement is a surprise as usually the government do not comment on European Councillor activities so this is seen as a big intervention for the government.
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19/02/2022
Remembrance events throughout Duchies draw millions combined
Remembrance events in every city were held drawing millions for concerts and cultural events and a moment of silence to remember the victims and the families. The events were marked by a tone of moving on and not looking back in anger but rather overcoming the terrorists who killed over 3,000 that day. Victims who were alive from the attacks including some well known ones were included in the many services across the Duchies .Crowds around the country sang Don't look back in anger to show unity and that the terrorists have not won. All parties also joined in with The Left to make clear they do not blame the left. Nikolai in a Speech to the crowd at the event in Cair Para below the palace said "Today we show Left, Centre or Right , Christian or non-christian it doesn't matter you cannot divide this nation with your hate, you can cannot defeat us with bombs and you cannot erase the legacy of all those killed and affected. We as a nation stand together and overcome as these Duchies have always done , we as a nation unite and say evil will never win , fear will never defeat hope and terror will never stop us from achieving our bright future" The PM also released his statements and attended events with all party leaders. Victims of the attack where they wanted to were invited onto stages at official events with official events held in all towns and cities. The flag was lowered half mast at the start of the day and raised as the High Duke signalled for a cannon salute and singing of the anthem. This was done at all embassies across the world and people with Duchian flags were asked to lower and raise the flags on poles where they had flag poles with the Duchian flag . A moments silence will be held in 2023.
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Mizrachi-Roscoe announces European Enterprise Penalties Act is dead
Today after a call from parties in the Duchies Parliament James Mizrachi-Roscoe announced that the European Enterprise Penalties Act will not be reintroduced with the current system of penalties being set in act being enough. He said in a statement " There are obvious concerns over the act and the penalties. While serious penalties for breaking EU law are needed this perhaps is not the way to do so instead having them on a case by case , act by act basis. Therefore I will not be reintroducing the bill instead focusing on other issues." The U-Turn was welcomed by businesses in the Duchies including Roscoes itself which was said to be concerned that small mistakes could damage the business but hadn't been able to say anything due to the links to Roscoe. -
Buns in the Oven biggest taking over Greggs
Buns in the Oven have overtook Greggs to become the biggest chain in the Duchies. Greggs were previously the largest at 4.2 Billion Euros from 4,004 Bakeries in the country. The chains have been battling furiously throughout the country with Buns in the Oven famous for their Double Buns Special with a choice of fillings and Greggs famous for their festive and steak bakes. The working class staples are seen everywhere including small regional towns in the Duchies alongside a Hole Lot in a Toad and Great Tits Brewery Pubs.Buns in the Oven reported 5 billion Euros in Revenue from 5,340 restaurants against Greggs 4.6 Billion Euros from 4,067 bakeries. Buns in the Oven went to twitter to mock Greggs saying "Sorry Greggs but it seems the ladies prefer their buns in our ovens rather than yours!" . The tweet has been shared widely in the Duchies.
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Op-ed: Strathae please stop apologising
I passed protestors in town today from the Strathaen community singing that wretched sing "We don't want no Gobshite" and offering the free hugs for catholics. I know they mean well , I know they are sorry for their former leader ever having been elected but please stop apologising and please stop with the love bombing.Its almost sickening how full of sorrow and shame they are and that's coming from a Duchian who's country has never moved on.
You have done enough in fact too much. It was sad you destroyed freedom of speech in your country just protect catholics with a level of protection our brothers never asked for. As a Catholic I can handle protest and hate thank you very much and I get you don't agree with our pope's policies on many issues but here's the thing neither do we we understand. I want to say we know you are sorry and we love you , we know Blairites do not represent you all or a majority ,we know she was only that extreme in the last 5 years or so. So please stop ,you can move on now prove you are a good neighbour by repealing the restrictions on religion like you are but for goodness sake shut up. We don't need to hear every day how sorry you are we know. I hope you can find it in you to move on from this wretched 3 years you have had and rebuild for all ,you are doing enough you just need to be confident and proud of yourself again.
Yours sincerely a Duchian Catholic
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Selling Cooperatives raise Minimum Price Floors on agricultural goods
The Selling Cooperatives at their annual meetings and the annual producers council have agreed to raise their Minimum Price Floors by an average of 20% over all agricultural products. This decision has affected prices of all foods and agriculture products in Duchies from wool and leather to wheat and dairy products. The average yearly spend on food and groceries is currently €8,771 Euros with the average restaurant meal at a cheap restaurant currently at €20.50 Experts have predicted this will rise to €11,403 a rise of 30% with increase in labour costs and restaurant meals for a cheap 3 course meal to rise €24.50. The cost rises however are likely to be outweighed by a growth in wages.Roscoes is said to be dissapointed by the levels of the rise which it hoped would be in the 10% range however all supermarkets are complying with the rise due to the fears of producers having a sales embargo with any supermarket that tries to undermine the the minimum price floors. -
Christian denominations and Brieighzhigist denominations join up to form Interfaith organisation
Today the ICS Church,Duchies Episocal Church Catholic Church of the Duchies , Lutheran Church , Orthodox Church , New Frontiers, Elim , Baptist and Methodist Churches along with the United Council of Shia Muslims and Duchies Sunni Muslim Council,International Reformed Breizhighism ,Orthodox Union of Breizhighists and Breizonic Breizhigism Alliance as well as denominations of christians and other religions such as Jewish Denominations around Europe have come together to form a new organisation European Interfaith Alliance and the Duchies Interfaith Alliance. The organisations have said in the joint statement "We the faith organisations of Europe believe that there is more to unite us than divide us. We may disagree on a great many social issues, who is God , and different teachings but it doesn't mean we cannot work together for the good of man, woman, inter and bi-kind regardless of sexuality or any other characteristics. We believe it is better to work together than fight over petty disputes of ideology and instead show the love we believe whatever creator we believe in calls for and will work together to this end to end bigotry between religions and also work to show love to all through charity and social work and through interfaith diologue."The initiative has been praised and while other interfaith dialogues have existed this is though to be the first one uniting so many diverse religions and denominations. The organisation would have a Europe wide organisation which would then have national organisations in each nation connected to the European Interfaith Alliance . The Breizhighist organisations said in a seperate statement " We feel it is important to come together especially for us to join something like this to show there truly is more in common with the Abrahamic faiths than what divides us. All our religions believe in human kindness, acceptance , tolerance, charitable giving and protecting this planet we live on we want to show that through cooperating on this new initiative instead of focusing on our differences of opinion. "
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Farmers boycott supermarkets
Farmers and Producer Unions have today announced a boycott of many supermarkets starting 3 weeks in that import cheaper vegetables and fruits from abroad in the category they produce fruit and vegetables in as well as boycotting food processing and manufactauring companies that do so. All the farmers Selling Cooperatives have joined in on the supply boycott of companies like Aldi ,Spadi ,Walmont ,Heron and even Roscoes who despite being over 70% domestic produced ranges import some cheaper veg and produce from other countries for some of the cheapest ranges.The boycott aims to cut off the cheap import market by forcing supermarkets to choose either Duchian products which they say are produced more ethically and at a higher standard or foreign products. So far supermarkets are discussing what to do. Roscoes and Spadi are understood to be negotiatiing with Unions with other supermarkets having a tougher stance. The alliance of the selling cooperatives said "We have in place minimum price alliances for a reason to protect our vital domestic farmers from lower standard produce.This is being got around by some unscrupulous groups by buying some cheaper vegetables , crops and fruit from abroad which is fundamentally unfair. We therefore are taking action before this trend grows larger to make sure supermarkets give our farmers a fair shot and prices."
Roscoes said in a statement "The allegations are fundamentally untrue , we import some variety of vegetables and fruit from abroad out of season or if they grow better in that climate. We do not import cheaper or inferior quality to undercut the Duchian farmers. We work well with farmers to ensure they get a fair price and fair volume of sales for their products prioritising local fruit and vegetables to protect from climate change."
Spadi also released a statement saying "We are comitted to Duchian farming and providing a fair price for our suppliers. The allegations are entirely untrue and without merit."Other supermarkets have also released statements however it is expected most will have to back down restricting consumer choice in the market due to the sheer weight of farmers in farmer selling cooperatives since Duchians are unlikely to support a supermarket that doesn't support local farmers.
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James Mizrachi-Roscoe calls for EDA budget boost
Today James Mizrachi-Roscoe indicated he is considering voting to raise the EU budget contribution consent despite the likely defeat of his amendments to allow a growth in the EDA budget. He has said in a statement " I believe in the EU and believe in its power to change lives, nations and help in a green transition. That is why I would like to see the EDA budget raised to a minimum of 20 billion Euros but preferably 30 billion Euros this year so it becomes less of a chocolate teapot . I would then support growing the EDA to over 50 billion Euros a year over a series of years. I believe this sort of money is needed in addition to funds like the GEF and Kiresile to help poorer nations develop more and transition all economies including oil and resource economies like the DU and Vayinaod as quick as possible. Its essential we reach carbon neutrality in an equitable way by 2040 at the latest but preferable 2030-2035 if we are to stop the biggest effects of climate change on the poorest in this world and on this continent and poorer nations should not have to spend money to transition themselves they need for poverty alleviation. This is where I believe we need big EDA budget boosts to help not only anti-poverty relief and developments but also the Green transition." The government has said it will assess its Green European Fund contributions depending on the EDA budget but would prefer an EDA budget boost over a boost in contribution to the Green European Fund. It did however say if it feels the EDA budget boost is not enough it will likely double or triple the GEF contribution boosts over 2 to 3 years.I feel the the current IAC and Premier Comissioner are good for Europe and giving it a purpose while reforming it in a democratic way. I can only hope they can help deliver a budget over time that will make the EDA relevent and a great tool in anti-poverty relief , development and green transition development. I will support budgets that achieve this if enough is spent on the EDA.
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Joint Shield fails to pass in Imperial Senate
Today the Joint Shield Programme has failed to pass the Imperial Senate. The upper house voted down the programme by a margin of 60% with government withdrawing the bill soon afterwards. The Imperial senate debate expressed concerns about rising nuclear technology or possibly hypersonic missiles to overcome such a shield and many said they worried it would actually make the security situation worse. The government is expected to try to find a new path now that ABM has been blocked with the government expected to apply for nuclear weapons albeit reluctantly following the increased nuclearization in Europe. Though the government have refused to confirm such a course of action saying only "We are taking the threat of nuclear weapons seriously" -
New Dawn banned by government after police arrest leadership
The "Far Right" New Dawn Party have today been banned by government and all candidates suspended from parliament under laws governing links to extremism and terrorism. The party has been officially linked to terrorism and far right extremism and organised hate crimes after a police and intelligence investigation results were unveiled. The ban will mean they cannot take part in parliamentary proceedings and the seats they won will go to an election if local or if list seats be put on a national election for the list seats.The party leadership and over half the Ministers of Parliament have been arrested on charges of terror, incitement to violence , hate speech and threats of violence. The investigation has been ongoing for over 2 years with the evidence found to be overwhelming according to police. It is expected trials will last until at least Christmas to New Years period. The party in a statement have said "The government are persecuting us and our supporters for being true patriots to the Duchies and opposing their liberal agenda. We will fight this ban and fight the charges and have launched legal funds to help anyone being charged." A host of far right groups have also been banned with the leadership arrested. The government said "There is no persecution of the far right going on. All we have done is made them follow the law like anyone else and prosecuted groups who have consistently refused to follow our laws of acceptance and tolerance and not threatening others."It is expected the government will look to run all out elections in the Duchies instead of partial elections with a campaigning period until May 5th . The government and opposition parties have voted to dissolve parliament until May 5th the day of the the next elections and to have elections for Members of Parliament on May 5th alongside the local elections.
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Roscoes fire employee after transphobic comment
Today Roscoes fired an employee for a transphobic comment on his Twitter feed. The manager of a store in Brummagem in the Duchies posted "Women are people with an XX chromosone okay. All these XY "women" are not real women so don't call yourselves that and force your maleness into our female spaces thank you. Just a memo science doesn't care about your feelings." The outburst of the lady was noticed by thousands and condemned by many. Raw data from the company has shown 2,060 sackings for homophobic, transphobic , sexist or racist comments in public under the hate speech provision of the job contract at Roscoes.The company said "Our manager crossed the line and we appologise to customers and people in the community offended by the comments. We cannot have people who don't follow our values of tolerance and acceptance of all working for us especially in such a senior role. She has therefore been fired in line with company policy with immediate effect and will not be able to work for us for at least 10 years and only then with monitoring of her social media for 2-3 years into any future job contract with us. We hope this is a lesson for transphobes that if you are a transphobe Roscoes is not the company for you."
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Councillors should work to "European not National Interests" says Roscoe
Today James Mizrachi-Roscoe in an interview said councillors should work for European Interest and not National interests alone in an interview about the job and his role on national tv. He said " I think the most difficult skill some councillors don't get is that the role of a European councillor is to fight for the European interest and not just the national interest. Sometimes this will mean supporting laws or amendments that openly harm your own countries national interests to please other countries and come to laws that will benefit the broader European community. Ultimately it comes down to compromising on national interest in order to get balance policy that works for all nations in the EU. We need more people and nation pleasing candidates willing to overcome national interests to compromise to come up with the best solutions for all. A good example of this is my amendments on behalf of Nofoaga and other nations that are not the Duchies. I know this was appreciated by them and I was thanked by them. We need more councillors willing to introduce amendments on behalf of other nations.We need less selfishness and only considering your own nation in EU and more considering the needs of European nations especially those who are poorer end on the economic front or that have smaller populations. Europe should not be run for the benefit of a few big imperialist laissez fair powers "This has proved controversial with his supporting parties supporting his stance but his critics on the nationalist right saying he is "Forgetting he is the Duchies councillor and has become part of the European establishment". However we want to know what you think. Do you agree with James Mizrachi-Roscoe on this?
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Election poll and seat projection for 2022 General Election as 24/04/2022
House of Commons
CPCI:0.02%(1 Seat)(+0 Seats)
The Left:2.20%(14 Seats)(-141 Seats)
IUAC:0.14%(2 Seats)(+1 Seats)
PSD:22.28%(145 Seats)(+76 Seats)
Liberal Party:9.86%(64 Seats)(-3 Seats)
Moderate Party:28.34%(185 Seats)(+65 Seats)
Union of Democrats:23.27%(152 Seats)(+33 Seats)
Unus:13.89%(90 Seats)(+1 Seat)
