Elthize, officially The State of Elthize, is a country located in Southern Europe with a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, sharing borders with Yosai in the north and Leagio in the south and east. Factbook - News Media
It is an honour to be elected to serve as your thirty-third Internal Affairs Commissioner. After weeks of campaigning and debating, I am delighted that you have chosen me, Wirt Harland, as a part of the next commission. While no language I know is enough to express my gratitude, I will make up for it with my actions, moving forward like how I presented myself as a candidate: A man who wants to introduce systemic reform to the European Union for the good of its citizens.
Before February, I am planning to bring several amendments to our Constitution to the European Council, most of which will concern the political and electoral systems of the EU. During this time, I will collaborate with councillors from all sides of the political spectrum to ensure that the reforms I bring will last for decades.
In addition, I am also planning to take trips to various countries and meet with their leaders and listen to their concerns regarding the EU and their membership. In a political institution as immense as the European Union, it is expected for every member state to have differing opinions on how it should be run. I will take every concern seriously and make sure to not compensate for what I believe in.
Once again: Thank you. Thank you a thousand times, Europe. You gave me this opportunity for four months and I will try my best to make every month count.
Wirt Harland 33rd Internal Affairs Commissioner of the European Union
Elthize now meets requirements to join the EMUzone, says Minister of Finance
by Frances Irving - September 9, 2022
El Castillo de San Carlos in Finisterre, Spain, where the Treaty of Finisterre was signed in October 2020.(image credit)
Elthics received wonderful news this morning when Finance Minister Tobias Walters announced that Elthize has fulfilled all of the requirements to become a signatory to the Treaty of Finisterre, meaning that the country can now join the EMUzone. He further stated: "We are now confident that our nation will enter the EMUzone well before President Greenwich Grimwald's deadline of January 2024."
The EMU, an acronym for European Monetary Unit, is a currency that was established with the Treaty of Finisterre in October 2020. The signatories are Spain, Inquista, Vayinaod, Fremet, Montenbourg, the United Dominions of Icholasen and Leagio, which was previously an observer state that joined the treaty in April this year. The agreement focuses on the economic cooperation between European states and was a breakthrough moment in economic integration within the European Union.
The use of the EMU within Elthize has been a discussion topic since January 2021, when President Greenwich Grimwald said that Elthize would use a "special circulation status" with the EMU, accepting the currency alongside the florin. Grimwald claimed that this move would improve tourism in Elthize, which is a prominent sector in our economy. The move was approved by the parliament, despite some opposition regarding the move's reality.
Since then, the EMU has been considered a de facto legal tender in Elthize. While the EMU is not the currency of Elthize by law, many shops and stores accept the currency alongside the florin. It is observed that many Elthics are ready for an eventual transition to the EMU. The process is also approved by many: According to the Polling Institute of Elthize (PIE), a survey conducted on the EMU in April 2022 found that 56% of those interviewed agreed that the implementation of EMU would be beneficial to their lives. This number is expected to be higher today, as Elthize gets one step closer to adopting a common monetary unit.
It was expected that President Greenwich Grimwald would announce an exact date for the transition from the florin to the EMU in the coming days, though this is uncertain now, due to Grimwald's current recovery from a very recent assassination attempt. He still has not made a statement regarding that incident.
After much deliberation, the European Court of Justice has decided on the validity of the last European Commission elections.
It should be understood that while The Constitution of the European Union does not set a clear precedent for write-in candidates, it has set very clear boundaries on certain aspects of commission elections in Article III, Section II. I would like to quote Clause II from the aforementioned article:
The nomination period for each Office shall run for seven days, to be followed by a seven-day debate period, in turn, followed by a seven-day voting period.
Following the precedent established in previous court decisions, including one where an election was cancelled due to the debate period not being up to standards, The Court is concerned about the fact that both gentlemen, Kevin Cotilla and Jean-Claude Juncker, who were elected using write-in votes, could not participate in the seven-day debate period, as they did not nominate themselves in the seven-day nomination period.
Both of these periods are very clearly set by the Constitution, which is the paramount law of the European Union, and the European Court of Justice is responsible for ensuring that the political activities of the European Union are not conflicting with the Constitution, as mentioned in Article IV, Section II, Clause I:
The European Court of Justice is responsible for determining whether an Act or Amendment of the European Council is in line with the Constitution.
Therefore, The Court unanimously finds that:
A) Write-in notes can not be used in European elections, as they are incompatible with the precedents set by the Constitution,
B) The non-proper execution of the periods clearly set by the Constitution in the last elections is problematic.
Therefore, to ensure that these elections do not erode the validity of the succeeding elections made by the European Union as a whole, The European Court of Justice orders a new election under this legal understanding.
——
Dayo Faith Mwangi Chief Justice of the European Court of Justice
Elthize ([ɛlθiːz], EL-theez, or [ɛlfiːz], EL-fees), officially The State of Elthize, is a country in Southern Europe. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Yosai to the north, and Leagio to the east and south. With a population of approximately 4.8 million, Elthize is one of the least populous members of the European Union. The capital is Forecoaster, while St. Lucas, located in the south, is the largest city, with a metropolitan population of 1.2 million. St. Lucas serves as the center of Elthize’s economy, entertainment, and contemporary culture. Montgomery, the second-largest city with 520,000 residents, is considered the birthplace of modern Elthize and was its capital until 1972. Around half of the population lives south of Forecoaster, and 70% resides within 25 kilometers of the coast. English is the common and administrative language, though not officially recognized as such.
Modern Elthize was founded in 1828 by trading companies and philosophers seeking to create a liberal utopia. The Montgomery Territory, established after an agreement with the indigenous Kingdom of Elfiz, is seen as the precursor to the nation. Although relations between the territory and the kingdom began friendly, tensions grew due to economic instability in the kingdom and rising xenophobia in the territory. These tensions culminated in 1870 when the king declared war, ultimately losing in 1874, leading to the kingdom’s annexation.
This annexation paved the way for the formation of the Commonwealth of Elthize. The commonwealth frequently displaced indigenous communities from the coast, and slavery was widespread. After neighboring Leagio gained independence in 1896, many colonial politicians and British elites from Leagio fled to Elthize. In 1905, Elthize was annexed by Britain and granted dominion status. By the late 1920s, the Elthic independence movement gained momentum, supported by an independent Leagio and led by revolutionary William Lee Marchand. Elthize gained independence from the United Kingdom in May 1937, with Marchand becoming its first president. However, this First Republic was short-lived, as Yosai annexed Elthize in 1954 shortly after Marchand’s resignation. Elthize regained independence in 1968, following widespread riots that toppled the Yosainese regime, leading to the formation of the Second Republic under President Theodore Ackerson.
Elthize is a liberal democracy with high levels of personal and economic freedom, low tax rates, and a market-based economy, with major industries in resource extraction, services, and tourism. It became a member of the European Union in April 2022, as well as a signatory to the Treaty of Finisterre in January 2023, adopting the European Monetary Unit (EMU) as its currency, alongside seven member states. However, the country suffers from high economic inequality, corruption, above-average crime rates, and significant environmental pollution.
I - Fact summary
Official country name: The State of Elthize Short name: Elthize Pronunciation: El-fees Demonym: Elthic (noun and adjective), Elthizian Country codes: EZ, ETZ Top level domain: .co.ez, .ez Drives on the: right Time zone: UTC Date format: MM-DD-YYYY Power plug type: Type C, Type E, Type F Calling code: +90 National motto:None National anthem:None National colours: Blue and yellow
Population: 4,828 million (2024 estimate) Life expectancy: 72,4 years (2024 estimate) Literacy rate (aged 14 and over): ~85% Official language:None(De jure. While no language is specified as the official language of Elthize, English is used by the national government for administrative reasons.) Languages spoken: English (~99%), Elfiz languages (~10%), Spanish (~5%), Elthic Sign Language (~5%), Japanese (~3%), French (~1%) Religion: Unaffiliated (~50%), Christianity (~40%), Elfiz indigenous religions (~5%), Judaism (~3%), Other (~2%) Ethnicity: Non-specific Elthic (~40%), European Elthic (~35%), Black Elthic (~10%), Indigenous Elthic (~10%), Other (~5%)
Info
The term "Non-specific Elthic" is used for Elthic people who simply identify as Elthic and refuse to elaborate on their ethnicity.
Info
Indigenous Elthic, also called the Elfiz, are Elthic people who descended from the Elfiz tribe, which ruled most of modern-day Elthize prior to British arrival. However, not all Black people in Elthize identify as Indigenous. These people are classified under the term "Black Elthic" instead.
Capital city: Forecoaster Largest city: St. Lucas Government type: Unitary presidential republic Legislature branch: Parliament of The State of Elthize (unicameral) Executive branch: President and the cabinet Judicial branch: The High Court, Provincial courts, federal courts, family and civil courts, criminal courts, and administrative courts Head of State and Government: President Melissa Chai (assumed office July 10, 2024) Ruling party: Congress for Social Democracy & UnitedLeft alliance European Councillor: Councillor William "Wilko" Moreland (since November 11, 2024)
Location: Located in Southern Europe, west and north of the Commonwealth of Leagio and south of the Federal Republic of Yosai. Terrain and landscape: Mostly flatlands and hills, with more mountainous terrain in the south. Highest point: Mt. Wintercroft (1643 m), Southern Counties Lowest point: Sea level (0 m) Climate: Mediterranean climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Average daily high: 36.6 °C Average daily low: 10.3 °C Record high: 48,4 °C, August 1938, near Bricksport, The Midlands Record low: -25,4 °C, February 1980, near Mananfra, Southern Counties Average annual precipitation: 646 mm per year
II - Administrative divisions of Elthize
Map of administrative divisions in Elthize
As of May 2023, Elthize is divided into eleven provinces: Ackerson, Brownell, Forecoaster, Liamville, Marchand, The Midlands, Montgomery, Northern Counties, Port Nelson, Southern Counties and St. Lucas.
While the country is recognized as a unitary state, it is considered a "devolved government", meaning that the administration in Forecoaster has transferred substantial power to the provinces, to varying degrees. Provinces are also further divided into counties for administrative purposes.
Most provinces have a devolved government except three: Forecoaster, The Midlands and Northern Counties. These provinces are directly legislated by the national parliament, with their governor appointed by the president.
Administrative divisions
Province
Largest city
Population
Governor
Parties in provincial government
Ackerson
Theodorburg
215,000
Franklin Parker
Congress for Social Democracy
Brownell
Brownell
380,000
Rowan Holmwood
Congress for Social Democracy
Forecoaster
Forecoaster
735,000
Jess Udo
No devolved government
Liamville
Liamville
126,000
Robin Platuck
Business Party
Marchand
Marchand City
185,000
Bell Marsh
Congress for Social Democracy
The Midlands
Petersfeld
83,000
Oliver York
No devolved government
Montgomery
Montgomery
840,000
Hunter Vance
Progressive Conservative Party
Northern Counties
Augusta
98,000
Kamau Williams
No devolved government
Port Nelson
Port Nelson
376,000
Nick Thorburn
Moderates
Southern Counties
Mananfra
240,000
Pat Mwangi
Elfiz Party, Green Party of Elthize
St. Lucas
St. Lucas
1,550,000
Martha Krystoff
Congress for Social Democracy & UnitedLeft alliance
III - President of Elthize
The President of Elthize is the head of state, government and executive branch in The State of Elthize.
According to the Constitution of Elthize, the president holds supremacy over all other government institutions in Elthize and is responsible for enforcing laws passed by the parliament.
The president can issue executive orders, which are directives and guidelines that are given to the Elthic government and the president's cabinet. The president can withdraw an executive order at any time, though it can be revoked by the Parliament of Elthize or declared unlawful or unconstitutional by a high court in the country.
The president and their cabinet can also issue provisional laws, temporary laws that only last for six months. A provisional law can be extended with parliament's approval a maximum of four times, after which the provisional law needs to become actual law.
The presidency was suspended between 1954 and 1968 by the Yosainese military, which occupied the country at the time.
List of presidents in The State of Elthize
Name
In office
Affiliated party
Government and elections
William Lee Marchand (1906 - 1952)
May 20, 1937 - November 8, 1950
Unaffiliated
Marchand I (1938), Marchand II (1942), Marchand III (1946)
Florence Maitland (1923 - 2017)
November 8, 1950 - June 20, 1954
Unaffiliated
Maitland I (1950)
Theodore Ackerson (1939 - 2018)
December 1, 1968 - December 7, 1978
Labour - On coalition with New Democracy from 1973-1978
Ackerson I (1968), Ackerson II (1973)
Alika Mbanefo (1950 -)
December 7, 1978 - November 29, 1983
New Democracy - On coalition with Labour
Mbanefo I (1978)
Benjamin "Benny" Kalzer (1955 - 2024)
November 29, 1983 - December 1, 1992
Liberal Democrats - On coalition with New Democracy from 1988 - 1992
Kalzer I (1983), Kalzer II (1988)
Roy Harper (1940 - 2011)
December 1, 1992 - November 4, 1999
Labour - On coalition with New Democracy
Harper I (1992), Harper II (1996)
Gloria Dietrich (1957 - 2002)
November 4, 1999- February 8, 2002
Labour - On coalition with The Greens
Dietrich I, Dietrich II (2000)
Archie Franklin (1952 - 2016)
February 8, 2002 - July 24, 2014
Liberal Democrats - On coalition with New Democracy (2002 - June 2013), Unaffiliated (June 2013 - July 2014)
Franklin I (2002), Franklin II (2004), Franklin III (2008), Franklin IV (2012)
Greenwich Grimwald (1944 -)
July 24, 2014 - July 10, 2024
The Third Option - On coalition with New Democracy & The Nationals
Grimwald I (2014), Grimwald II (2018), Grimwald III (2022)
Melissa Chai (1984 -)
July 10, 2024 - present
UnitedLeft alliance - On coalition with Congress for Social Democracy and Moderates
Chai I (2024)
IV - Parliament of Elthize
The Parliament of The State of Elthize is the legislative body of the Elthic government. Following the parliamentary elections in July 2024, the parliament is unicameral and consists of 52 seats, distributed among provinces proportional to their population.
Members of the parliament are elected with the proportional representation system, using the D'hondt method. Elections are done once every three years, though elections can be called by the president at any given time.
Distribution of the seats in the Parliament of Elthize by province
(as of July 25, 2023)
Province
Amount of seats
St. Lucas
18
Montgomery
9
Forecoaster
8
Port Nelson
4
Brownell
4
Marchand
2
Ackerson
2
Southern Counties
2
Liamville
1
Northern Counties
1
The Midlands
1
Distribution of the seats in the Parliament of Elthize by party
(as of July 7, 2024)
Party
Amount of seats
Congress for Social Democracy
16
Moderates
12
Progressive Conservative Party
10
Elfiz Party
3
Harmony
3
Business Party
3
Green Party of Elthize
2
Democrats for Elthize
1
Democratic Socialists for Elthize
1
Communist Party of Elthize
1
V - Judiciary of Elthize
The judicial system of The State of Elthize consists of various courts, ranging in focus.
The High Court, officially The High Court of The State of Elthize, is the highest in Elthize, established on May 1, 2023, following the merge of the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court following a referendum in February 2023. The High Court is responsible for overseeing laws, decrees, and other decisions; made either by the government, private institutions, or individuals in The State of Elthize and analysing whether they violate the Constitution of Elthize or Elthic law.
The High Court can also oversee the verdicts of other courts and revoke, amend, or affirm them at their will. As the highest court in Elthize, only the High Court itself can challenge its previous decisions, as well as other international courts above it, such as the European Court of Justice. The High Court consists of eleven judges, one from each province. The judges are elected by the bar associations of each province, without approval from the legislature. Judges in The High Court may serve for ten years, starting from the moment they assume office.
The Chief Justice of The State of Elthize oversees and administers the High Court and decides on which cases to give a verdict on. This position is elected by the judges in the High Court.
In addition, there are provincial high courts in all provinces except The Midlands and Northern Counties, as well as various civil courts, criminal courts and administrative courts.
List of current justices in The High Court of The State of Elthize
The Chief Justice is highlighted with a star (★)
Judge
Province
Assumed office
Term expiration date
Daniel Marchwill
Ackerson
March 1, 2024
March 1, 2034
Julian Fairchild
Brownell
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2033
William Huddleston
Forecoaster
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2033
Naomi Cobb
Liamville
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2033
Lazlo Pelletier ★
Marchand
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2033
Florence Reid
The Midlands
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2033
Isabelle Ramsey
Montgomery
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2033
Erik Hamilton
Northern Counties
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2033
Ashanti Asamanta
Port Nelson
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2033
J. L. Masso
Southern Counties
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2033
Mason Garland
St. Lucas
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2033
VI - Councillor of Elthize
The Councillor for The State of Elthize represents the country in the European Council in Europolis. The position was established when Elthize joined the European Union in April 2022.
The councillor is elected in accordance with the Elected and Accountable Council Act, a requirement when the country joined the European Union. Although this law was repealed in September 2023, Elthize continues to hold elections for its councillor. Interim councillors, however, are appointed by the President to prevent vacancies.
List of councillors from Elthize
Name
Assumed office
Left office
Length of tenure
Affiliated party
Elections
Liam Zachary (1994 -)
April 15, 2022
February 24, 2023 (removed from office)
10 months, 10 days
The Third Option - Additional support from New Democracy & The Nationals
2022
May Hobbes (1962 -)
February 24, 2023 (interim)
July 1, 2023
4 months, 7 days
New Democracy - Additional support from The Third Option & The Nationals
None
Rebel Kofi (1981 -)
July 1, 2023
July 5, 2024
1 year and 4 days
Independent
2023
Devon Albert (1971 -)
July 5, 2024 (interim)
November 11, 2024
4 months, 6 days
Moderates
None
Wilko Moreland (1984 -)
November 11, 2024
Present
Incumbent
Congress for Social Democracy - Additional support from the Green Party of Elthize
2022 Elections: A fine day for Grimwald and his friends. For others? Not so much.
by Janice Kyou - April 14, 2022
Image: Greenwich Grimwald speaking to the public in his election campaign, February 24th, Hunnicutt. (original source)
The election season commenced in Elthize, with millions going to the polls to vote for candidates and parties. Held between April 1st to April 8th, the elections saw nonsignificant, but not unnotable changes for President Greenwich Grimwald, incumbent since July 2014, and the ruling coalition. One would probably think there would be more grand changes across the board, as this election season was easily the most heated and controversial in a very long time, with intense debates about the country's ascension to the European Union, its internal affairs, and its adoption of the EMU, short for European Monetary Unit, a common currency for various nations across the European Union.
The incumbent president Greenwich Grimwald, his party The Third Option and the other two parties of the ruling coalition, New Democracy and The Nationals, the latter of which changed their name from Liberal Democrats in September 2019, fully supported the Elthic ascension to the European Union. President Grimwald claimed that the country "has nothing to lose and everything to gain with joining the EU". He also created the temporary position of Ministry of Membership to the European Union, which is expected to be abolished by the end of June at the latest.
The Labour Party and The Greens remained neutral, instead proposing a nationwide referendum to decide on EU membership, while For The People, Future Together / Socialist Alliance and the communist party Crimson opposed membership. The isolationist far-right party For The People stated that the European Union would destroy the Elthic economy and "put Elthic society into unstoppable decay", while FT-SA and Crimson opposed the EU as a principle for their anti-neoliberal stance.
Regardless, Elthize’s membership in the European Union was confirmed on April 14th. Following the European Accountable Council Act, the first-ever councillor elections were done on April 18th, with Liam Zachary, candidate of The Third Option and New Democracy and the third Minister of Membership to the European Union, winning the election with 35,9% of the vote. Nolan Brunson of the Labour Party and The Greens came second with 30,1% of the vote. Independent candidates Tara Dianne and Alexander Clarke came third and fourth, getting 10,3% and 9,4% of the vote respectively. National candidate Devon Albert came fifth with 8,5% of the vote, while Leon den Hollander, the joint candidate of FT-SA and Crimson came sixth with 3,3% of the vote.
Taxation was another heated topic this election season. The Labour Party, The Greens, FT-SA and Crimson rallied for a progressive tax rate, something which Grimwald heavily opposed. However, the coalition didn't completely back Grimwald this time, with The Nationals supporting the idea and New Democracy opposing it. This is possibly the reason why inside the coalition there was a shuffle in seat count between the two parties: The Nationals won ten seats at the National Assembly and four seats in the Senate, while New Democracy lost ten seats at the National Assembly. While New Democracy didn't lose any seats in the Senate, The Third Option lost three seats there, possibly also connected to this issue. The People also opposed progressive tax rates and asked to join the ruling coalition, something Grimwald didn't accept.
The adoption of the EMU was a large issue, too. On January 1, 2021, President Grimwald announced that he would make EMU legal tender alongside the florin, obtaining a “shared circulation status” by the Treaty of Finisterre. Grimwald stated that this move was made to improve relations and trade with Leagio, however, its legality has been questioned by the opposition. Recent polls show that around a quarter of Elthize opposes the adoption of EMU, about a third, supports its adoption, while the rest either did not know or refused to answer. Regardless, many businesses in Elthize accept the EMU today.
Overall, in legislature elections, the ruling coalition successfully kept their majority, winning a seat in both Senate and the National Assembly.
The Third Option got 29,2% of the vote in the National Assembly elections and 29,9% of the vote in the Senate elections, getting 73 seats in the Assembly and 30 seats in the Senate respectively.
New Democracy got 15,8% and 15,6% of the votes in the legislature elections, which translated to 40 seats in the Assembly and 16 in the Senate. The Nationals, the biggest winners of this election, got 5,9% and 6,1% of the votes, getting 15 assembly seats and 6 senate seats.
The Labour Party lead the opposition front by gaining 25,7% and 20,1% of the votes, getting 63 assembly seats, and losing one, and 21 senate seats. The Greens followed them, getting 9,1% and 7% of the votes, which translated to 23 assembly seats, gaining three, and 7 senate seats.
FT-SA got 4,4% and 3,4% of the votes, they got 11 assemblies and 3 senate seats, losing a senate seat on the way. For the first time in history, Crimson joined the Senate race, stopping their two-decades-long boycott of the institution. They got 1,4% of the vote and one senate seat. In addition, they got 2% of the vote in assembly elections, gaining five seats, two less than in the last election.
The presidency remained in Greenwich Grimwald’s hands, though it was a closer race than he would usually be comfortable with. He got 43,3% of the vote. The main opposition candidate, Matthew François, supported by Labour, The Greens and FT-SA, got 40,3% of the vote. Bernard Lee of For The People got a surprising 7,6% of the vote. Independent candidate Latifah Marques followed with 5,5% of the vote, and the Crimson candidate Alfred Phillips got only 1,3% of the vote.
In general, these elections were an utter disappointment for the opposition, expecting to boot Grimwald out this year, whose popularity had been steadily declining for a few years. Instead, the status quo remained. It is unclear what kind of path the opposition will take next, as it doesn't seem to be united as the ruling coalition.
President Grimwald promises that Elthize will enter the EMUzone before 2024
by Janice Kyou - July 29, 2022
President Greenwich Grimwald and The Spanish Minister Of Social Affairs Barack Obama visiting the El Prado Museum in Madrid, November 2019. (image credit)
In his address to the nation last Tuesday, President Greenwich Grimwald announced that Elthize will switch to EMU no later than January 2024. The EMU, short for European Monetary Unit, is the common currency of six countries: Spain, Inquista, Vayinaod, Fremet, Montenbourg and Leagio. It was introduced in October 2020 after the Treaty of Finisterre, whose talks started three months earlier in July that year. In addition to all countries listed, the exiled free government of Icholasen also signed the treaty. However, the illegitimate communist government currently occupying the country doesn't recognize the said treaty, so no one in Icholasen uses the currency. Regardless, the treaty focuses on economic cooperation between the European nations and was a landmark moment in economical integration within the European Union.
One of the most asked questions leading up to the general election this year was whether or not Elthize would ditch the florin and use EMU as its currency going forward. In January 2021, Grimwald stated that Elthize would use a "special circulation status" with the EMU, accepting the currency alongside the florin. He explained that this move would improve relations with neighbouring Leagio, which is a member of the EMUzone. Grimwald also claimed that the move would improve tourism, a large sector of the Elthic economy. The move was approved by both houses of the parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate, and was approved by Grimwald himself in February of that year. While some MPs in the opposition questioned the action's legality, not much came of it, and while it is not technically the official currency of Elthize, many stores in Elthize accept the EMU today.
And it doesn't seem like President Grimwald is going to back down from embracing the EMU any time soon. In fact, in his latest address to the nation on July 26th, he made a promise: "I will make sure that Elthize meets the requirements and becomes a signatory of the Treaty of Finisterre before January 2024."
He also said: "We have been rejected from joining the treaty because we didn't meet the standards. I disagree. I believe that Elthize is a perfect country. However, my job is not to bicker and whine about it, it is to ensure that Elthic people have more convenient lives. It is also to keep my promises, as I have done in the past eight years as your president. So once again, I promise to put Elthize to EMUzone no later than January 31st, 2024. Mark that date."
This statement comes after the summit with Spain last month, in which Grimwald participated, alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs Oscar Crofton. Crofton stated that the EMU was one of the main discussion topics with the Spanish delegation. He also assured that Spanish President Jesús Aguilar and the rest of the Spanish government looked forward to Elthize joining the EMUzone in the future: "So far, we do not see any blocks in the way of Elthize completely switching to the EMU."
The country being a signatory to the Treaty of Finisterre is supported heavily across the political spectrum. The polls right before the 2022 election showed that only one-third of the country saw Elthize switching from the florin to EMU as a positive change. Today, that number has grown substantially, with 52% of the polled Elthics saying that Elthize switching to the EMU would be beneficial to their lives. 39% of the polled said they didn't mind a currency change, and only 7% of the polled said that the change would be negative for them.
Oscar Crofton says expanding of parliament "inevitable"
Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed his support of expanding both houses for the first time since 2000 August 9, 2022
On his way to a regular cabinet meeting this afternoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs Oscar Crofton spoke with journalists. During the conversation, one of the cameramen mentioned his support for expanding the parliament, and he took advantage of the opportunity to reiterate his support: "It's inevitable. I mean, increasing the size of the parliament is a natural progression of Elthic democracy. As the country grows, so does its legislature. This is a bipartisan idea, I've never seen any opposition to it."
The proposal, which is part of a series of political reforms that will be put to a referendum no later than 2025, would increase the number of seats in the National Assembly from 250 to 300. The number of senate seats, currently 100, would remain unchanged. The amount of the increase was debated in parliament for months until today when President Greenwich Grimwald approved the proposals. If the referendum is successful, this will be the first time that both houses will expand since Former President Gloria Dietrich approved an expansion in 2000, which doubled the size of both houses.
"These reforms' fate will be decided by the Elthic people. They will have a voice in changes like these, as they always have," Grimwald spoke about the upcoming referendum. As stated in the Elthize Constitution and affirmed by the Constitutional Court four times (in 1951, 1971, 1983, and 2006), any changes to the Elthic political system require a referendum.
Other political reforms that Elthics will vote for in this referendum include restoring the position of Prime Minister, which Former President Archie Franklin abolished in 2007, giving the legislature absolute supremacy over all government institutions (also known as parliamentary sovereignty), combining the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, and limiting the terms of the judges who serve on these courts.
These reforms were first submitted to the National Assembly by New Democracy MA Ronald Lorenzen in November last year. He stated that he had been writing the motion since April 2019, and over time had tweaked the bill thanks to help from other New Democracy MAs.
"I believe that all of these changes are beneficial for the Elthic people," Lorenzen told NET. "We have many cracks and flaws in the system, and while this referendum will not fix all of them, it will be a remedy for a large portion of them. President Grimwald's approval of the motion is appreciated greatly and I am glad he sees my vision of improving Elthize."
Most of these reforms have been viewed positively by the Elthic public and are expected to pass with ease. According to the PIE, more than half of the eligible Elthic voters intend to vote yes on all of the reforms, and more than 70% intend to vote yes on a majority of the reforms. If approved, the reforms will go into effect after the next election, which will happen no later than April 2026.
Elthize's EV debut disappoints Elthic fans, gets eighth place
Wolf Alice's "The Last Man on Earth" gets fifty-nine points at the Trondheim contest August 17, 2022
Elthize took part in the EuroVoice Song Contest for the first time, an event in the European Union in which countries send a musical entry to represent themselves since it first commenced in 2010. The debut entry, The Last Man on Earth by Wolf Alice, described as a rock ballad about "the arrogance of humans", was announced on May 9th. While the entry had a positive reception in Elthize, it didn't get the result many expected. In the contest, the band performed 9th, preceding Istkalen and succeeding the United Duchies.
The country struggled to stay in the top ten throughout the voting process. Some attribute this to the fact that the song was too serious for the event.
"I mean, we were robbed, but also it's like... We showed up with a three-thousand florin suit on a party where everyone has their pyjamas on, know what I mean?" says Jake, a high schooler from Port Nelson who came to a bar to enjoy the show with his friends. "You kind of have to turn your brain off, like, you need to send songs that don't need brain function. Am I making sense? I'm kind of drunk, sorry," he continued.
"It was way too slow," claimed Enitan, another person at the bar. "I felt like sleeping, honestly. No offence to Wolf Alice but we need to send dance bops, not sad anthems."
Elthize did not get any points from three countries: Nofoaga, Brickston and Czech Slavia, though it did get twelve points from Fremet, the host country, at the last minute. Betty White, the Fremetian spokesperson and one of two hosts of the contest, along with Friedrich Liechtenstein, trended on Elthic Twitter and was showered with praises, with many wishing her a long and happy life.
The Elthic entry also got seven points from Ineland, Spain and the United Kingdom, six points from Reitzmag, five points from Istkalen and Inquista, three points from Yosai and one point from Icholasen.
With "Le reste" by Clara Luciani, Ineland won for the first time, earning 96 points, including twelve from Elthize. Second place went to Istkalen's "Lent" from Autoheart, which got six points from Elthize. Icholasen took third place with "Coffee" by Supersister. To their 76-point total, Elthize contributed seven points. One point behind, Yosai finished fourth and Nofoaga rounded out the top five. Fremet, the host country, ended ninth, tied with Brickston, while Reitzmag finished last, receiving points from only four countries.
Reszelport Jezebel-Swift, the leader of the Arian Church of Reszelport Jezebel-Swift. She will deliver Istkalen's votes for EuroVoice 46.
Istkalen's latest entry to EuroVoice, titled "Ever Burn", has garnered substantial controversy for its fiery and provocative lyrics.
The song, performed by the Choir of the Arian Apostolic Church, includes lyrics such as “Stop praying, stop praying, God will not hear you anymore […] Go devil spawn, you just keep pushin’ on to the hell where you will forever burn.”
Vic Tenson, the president of the National Elthic Television (NET), expressed outrage on social media, stating, “I’m not sure what that song is about, but that’s not true Christianity. That’s a cult masquerading as such. The sensible action would be to disqualify them and their provocative performance immediately.”
When asked if Elthize would withdraw in protest, Tenson rejected the idea, stating that "EuroVoice is an important contest. We cannot let a single country ruin our participation."
Declared a terrorist organization by the United Duchies and Istkalen in February 2022, the Arian Church has a long and controversial history within the country of Istkalen.
"The Istkalenic Broadcasters' Union disavows the Istkalenic act in EV46," says a representative of the Istkalenic Broadcasters Union, upon request for comment by BBC Elthize.
"We would not have willingly chosen to make such a group and such a song, so antithetical to the republican values of our country, our representatives on the international stage; our hand was forced by deteriorating political conditions which have given extraordinary power over the organs of state to Reszelport Jezebel-Swift and the fundamentalist cult that has formed around her figure."
When asked for comment from EUBC (European Union Broadcasters Committee) a representative from EUBC stated that the song did not break any rules: "The EUBC would like to say that EuroVoice is a contest open to everyone and that it is not new to the contest to have lyrics speaking as explicitely about sex as the song from Istkalen does".
The representative further added that certain tweaks would be done to the Istkalenic performance to ensure it breaks no rules: "The EUBC has seen and listened to all entries and the maximum propaganda that they have found is a message saying “Jesus is Lord” at the beginning of the submitted performance. However, that part cannot be displayed during the show."
RTVE (Radiotelevisión Española), the organizers of the 46th edition of EuroVoice, declined to comment, stating that they had no involvement in the matter.
Elthize is set to participate in the fourty-sixth version of EuroVoice, which will be held in the Spanish city of Málaga, with the song "Merry Christmas, Please Don't Call" by the band Bleachers.
Christmas and New Years Eve holidays to be merged to a week-long holiday in nine provinces
The holidays will last continuously from December 25 to January 1
Welcome back to Evening News at LNN! I am William Berwick, and we are returning from our break. As the holiday season approaches, provincial governments across Elthize have agreed on something, for once. They have decided to merge Christmas and New Year’s into a singular, week-long public holiday, commencing on December 25th and concluding on January 1st.
With the exception of Liamville and Montgomery, all provinces will observe this week-long holiday. However, there may be variations in the specific arrangements made by each province. For instance, St. Lucas will implement extensive store closures during the holiday period, while essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies will remain operational, albeit with reduced hours.
Martha Krystoff, Governor of St. Lucas, has also announced an extension of the holiday to January 2nd this year, thereby accommodating the final day of Hanukkah and welcoming the significant Jewish population within the province.
Forecoaster has adopted a more flexible approach, granting businesses the decision to determine their own operating hours during the holiday week. Port Nelson has also implemented a similar model, as well. Ackerson, meanwhile, has implemented the strictest policies, with all establishments remaining closed for the initial three days of the holiday. So if you live there, we advise you to exercise caution and avoid engaging in potentially hazardous activities during this period.
Now, let us discuss the school closures. In St. Lucas, Port Nelson, Brownell, Marchand, and Ackerson, all schools will be closed for the entire week. In Forecoaster and Southern Counties, they will close only on Christmas, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. For the rest of the provinces, the schools will remain open. Sorry, kiddos!
Oh, and also, the week-long break coincides with the 46th edition of the EuroVoice Song Contest this year. Finally! We have been eagerly awaiting the return of the EuroVoice Song Contest after a nine-month hiatus. Spain has graciously agreed to host the contest in the sunny city of Málaga, following the withdrawal of the previous host, Ineland.
Our friends at NET have selected Bleachers to represent our nation with their song, “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call". It's rather... melancholic for a Christmas song, but I guess that's what makes it special. Definitely an unique twist on how Christmas songs usually sound like. We'll see if it gives us our first win!
That’s all for now. From all of us here at LNN, I’m William Berwick wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a joyous New Year. Stay safe, and have a wonderful holiday season!
Regular border checks are introduced for the first time since 1982 November 27, 2024
In a press conference, Joanne Bird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that further security and regular border checks would commence at the Elthize-Leagio border, making it the most strict it has been since at least 1982, when border controls were substantially relaxed following a summit between Elthic President Alika Mbanefo and Leagioan President Atticus Frank.
Bird, who insisted the decision was not made lightly, stated the measures were implemented to reduce crime and catch criminals more easily. “Criminals often escape to Leagio and our area of jurisdiction,” Bird claimed. “These measures will end this situation.” Bird emphasized that no single event prompted the change but pointed to “concerning trends” the government had been monitoring. She did not elaborate further, drawing some skepticism from observers.
Bird, who is also a member of the Congress for Social Democracy, also ensured that these new measures will not affect trade between Elthize and Leagio, nor will it stop travelling between the two nations. "Note that the border measures we are applying are seen in force all around the European Union, and are nothing extraordinary."
The free border agreement between Elthize and Leagio were a byproduct of the November 1982 summit between the two countries, at the city of Tullion. The agreement effectively eliminated all border controls and allowed free travel between the two countries. However, public criticism of the agreement has grown over the years, with some arguing it contributes to unregulated movement and criminal activity. These concerns have been amplified by political and social groups calling for stricter border policies.
The government’s recent push for stricter borders surprised some, given President Melissa Chai’s historically left-leaning, progressive stance. In a 2018 interview with Radio St. Lucas, as a mayor, she advocated for “free borders” and unrestricted travel, trade, and immigration.
Bird defended the move as legal, citing provisions in the 1982 agreement that allow either party to unilaterally suspend or modify the terms under various concerns such as national security. However, the duration of these measures, as well as the potential strain that they will put on the relations between the two nations, remains unclear.
President Chai calls for United Duchies inclusion in EMUzone
The United Duchies had submitted their bid to join the Finisterre Treaty in August 2021.
President Melissa Chai has called for the Bank of Europe to approve the United Duchies’ bid to join the Treaty of Finisterre, which would expand the EMUzone to include one of EU’s largest economies.
During an interview with Radio and Television of the City of Forecoaster (RTCF), Chai emphasized the economic and political benefits of expanding the use of the European Monetary Unit (EMU), urging the Bank of Europe to move forward with the application from the United Duchies.
When asked about Elthize's transition from the florin to the European Monetary Unit (EMU), Chai admitted that she was initially opposed to the change, but now considers the issue "settled." She said, “I support us having our own independent monetary policy... However, there’s no reason to switch currencies over and over again. We use the EMU now, and it seems to be working great for a lot of Elthics.”
Chai went on to express her support for further expansion of the EMUzone: “I think we should take every opportunity to expand the availability of EMU. It is meant to be a common currency, after all. The United Duchies, for example, applied to join years ago, but the Bank of Europe hasn’t responded yet. I think it’s a missed opportunity. They are one of the largest economies in the European Union, and their inclusion would bring more legitimacy. I don’t know what’s taking [the Bank of Europe] so long, honestly.”
Currently, the EMUzone includes Spain, Inquista, Icholasen, Vayinaod, Fremet, Leagio, Montenbourg, and Elthize. Elthize is the only country that joined after the treaty was signed in 2020, becoming a member in January 2024.
United Duchies had applied to join the treaty in August 2021.
In their application, Prime Minister John Peter Key stated: "As major trade partners of both Spain and Inquista, we feel this is in the interests of both the Finisterre Treaty and the United Duchies by reducing barriers and increasing market stability by removing conversion issues."
However, there has not been a response to this application since. When asked by the BBC, the Bank of Europe declined to comment.
It is assumed that the United Duchies are kept out of the treaty largely due to their strained diplomatic relationship with Spain, the treaty’s architect and host of the 2020 summit where the treaty was signed. These circumstances has fueled speculation that the Duchies have effectively been blacklisted from the treaty.
"Spain sees the United Duchies as its main rival, alongside Reitzmag, of course," claims Greg Hensley, an economist based in Brownell. "Both countries have varying political agendas and views on how the EU should function and has clashed numerous times in the past. It is not hard to see why Spain would use the EMU as a leverage in foreign affairs."
Victor Langford, another economist from the University of Montgomery, meanwhile, disagrees, believing that there are serious concerns about whether the Duchies would follow the principles of the Treaty of Finisterre.
"Implying that Spain acts maliciously with the EMU is downright a conspiracy theory. The United Duchies doesn’t have the same stability as countries like Spain, Inquista, or even Elthize," Langford explains. "The EMUzone is more than just about economic ties; it's also about trust and working together. If a country is constantly in conflict with other members, it could weaken the entire system."
Lee eats dust as Moreland receives more than 80% of the vote
A red sweep commenced in the second round of the councillor election November 8, 2024
Wilko Moreland has earned a decisive victory against Bernard Lee in the second round of councillor elections, securing a resounding 80.16% of the vote, while Lee trailed behind with just 19.84%. Moreland won in every single province, including the Harmony stronghold of Montgomery.
The results follow an unexpected outcome in the first round of the elections, where Lee, who was the candidate of the Harmony party, outperformed expectations, narrowly placing second. He surpassed Michelle Cavalier, who was endorsed by three different centre-right parties, including the Progressive Conservative Party, and gained a spot on the second round of the election, which commenced today as neither him or Moreland received more than 40% of the vote.
Candidate
Political party
Amount of votes
Percentage (%)
Wilko Moreland
Congress for Social Democracy, Green Party of Elthize
847,564
80.16%
Bernard Lee
Harmony
209,776
19.84%
In response to Lee's shock success, Moreland called on all political parties and politicians to rally against Lee and endorse him instead, which was well-received as major parties and alliances, including the Progressive Congressive Party, Moderates and the UnitedLeft alliance, all either endorsed or supported Moreland. In an even more unexpected move, President Melissa Chai commented on councillor elections, which marked the first time a president ever commented on such elections. While Chai stopped short of directly endorsing Moreland, she told Elthics to "vote carefully".
Turnout increased significantly from the 22.7% seen in the first round to 30.42% in the second, but it still fell short of the 52.2% turnout recorded in the 2023 councillor election. Many analysts believe that the relative inactivity in Europolis and disillusionment with EU institutions contributed to the lower turnout. Local political analyst Juno Harriman commented, “Elthics still do not know how much influence Europolis has on their day-to-day lives, and many question the need for involvement in European politics at all. Lee’s campaign likely mobilized anti-Harmony voters, but interest in Europolis overall has taken a hit.”
Map of the 2024 councillor elections (second round). Red = Moreland, Purple = Lee.
Following his victory, Moreland thanked his supporters in Forecoaster, saying, “Tonight, Elthize has chosen a path of unity and progress. I’m honoured to have your trust and look forward to representing this country in Europolis.” While conceding defeat, Lee declared that "the fight is not over": "They are scared of us. You can see it in their faces. You can see it in how they backed up the socialist candidate immediately after we succeeded. Rest assured we will be breathing down on their necks!"
Moreland is expected to travel to Europolis and assume his office within the coming days.
Moreland and Lee advance to the second round of councillor elections
The results come as a shock victory for the far-right Harmony party November 1, 2024
In a shocking twist, Bernard Lee, the councillor candidate for the far-right Harmony Party, has placed second in the councillor election. Lee, who has run on a campaign of abolishing the 2017 Capital and Unusual Punishment Act, received 21.92% of the vote, surpassing centre-right candidate Michelle Cavalier by just 770 votes. He won in Montgomery, claimed Northern Counties and the Midlands, and made unexpected gains in Forecoaster and Port Nelson.
In first place was Wilko Moreland, the candidate for the Congress for Social Democracy and the Green Party of Elthize, with 22.03% of the votes, just 855 votes ahead of Lee. After the results were announced, Moreland addressed supporters, urging all parties in Elthize to “stand against the threat of far-right politics.” Moreland dominated in the left-wing strongholds of St. Lucas, Marchand, and Brownell, as well as succeeding in Ackerson, Elthize’s northernmost province.
With no candidate reaching the 40% needed to secure a victory, Elthize will hold a second round of voting, with Moreland and Lee on the ballot.
Candidate
Political party
Amount of votes
Percentage (%)
Status
Wilko Moreland
Congress for Social Democracy, Green Party of Elthize
173,814
22.03%
Advanced to second round
Bernard Lee
Harmony
172,959
21.92%
Advanced to second round
Michelle Cavalier
Progressive Conservative Party, Democrats for Elthize, Business Party
172,189
21.82%
Eliminated
Damon Albert
Moderates
145,762
18.46%
Eliminated
Pamela Akamatsu
Democratic Socialists for Elthize, Communist Party of Elthize
114,521
14.52%
Eliminated
Aminata Ejiro-Tolbree
Elfiz Party
88,653
11.22%
Eliminated
Love Nygaard
Independent
53,019
6.71%
Eliminated
Michelle Cavalier, supported by the Progressive Conservative Party, Business Party, and Democrats for Elthize, expressed her disappointment on LNN, saying she found the result “heartbreaking.” She added, “Well, it’s hard not to get emotional when it's this close.” as she learned she’d miss the chance to represent Elthize in Europolis. Regardless, she received the most votes in Forecoaster.
With three of the seven approved candidates endorsed by UnitedLeft parties, rumors sparked about divisions within the alliance. Pamela Akamatsu, candidate for the Democratic Socialists of Elthize and the Communist Party of Elthize, took fifth place with 14.52%. She explained that UnitedLeft parties “peacefully agreed” to field separate candidates.
On social media, Akamatsu, who is of partial Yosainese descent, claimed that bigotry has affected her campaign. “It’s a knife when a good chunk of the country you’ve lived your whole life doesn’t consider you ‘Elthic enough’ to be its European councillor,” she posted on social media. Despite her fifth-place finish, the combined support for DSE and CPE came close to UnitedLeft’s share from the general election earlier this year (14.52% vs 16.31% respectively). The last candidate of an UnitedLeft party, Aminata Ejiro-Tolbree, who represented the Elfiz Party, won 11.22% of the vote and carried the Southern Counties.
Damon Albert, the interim councillor and candidate for the Moderates, placed fourth with 18.46% of the vote, winning Liamville and Port Nelson. Following the results announcement, he immediately endorsed Moreland. Meanwhile, Love Nygaard, a popular TV personality and the only independent candidate to gather enough support to be on the ballot, finished last with 6.71%.
Map of the 2024 councillor elections (first round). Red = Moreland, Purple = Lee, Blue = Cavalier, Orange = Albert, Dark Red = Akamatsu, Gray = Ejiro-Tolbree. Nygaard did not win any province or district.
There was a significant drop in turnout compared to 2023 councillor elections, with only 22.7% of the available voters voting in this election, compared to 52.2% last year. The drop in turnout is attributed to the relative inactivity in the city of Europolis and the European Council. "There is no point in electing someone to an institution that has effectively stood still in the past twelve months. Congratulations to our future paycheck stealer," said Frances Irving, a former journalist for The Tribunal.
The second round of the councillor elections will take place on November 8th. The elected councillor is expected to hold his position until July 4, 2027, the latest date when the next general election can be held.
"BRING BACK ORDER": BERNARD LEE LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN, PROMISES TO BRING BACK DEATH PENALTY
by Janice Kyou - October 18, 2024
As the councillor candidate for Harmony, Lee promises to bring a repeal motion for the 2017 Capital and Unusual Punishment Act.Image credit
Lorraine Devi, leader of the Harmony Party, has announced Bernard Lee as their candidate for Elthize’s upcoming election for its seat on the European Council. Lee, a former leader of the For The People (FTP) party, launched his campaign with a bold promise: to repeal the Capital and Unusual Punishment Act and making way for Elthize to reinstate the death penalty, which was abolished in 1972.
“Our streets have become warzones while the leftist government does nothing,” Lee declared at a rally in Forecoaster, where his candidacy was announced. “Our justice system has been weakened. We need to take control back, repeal the misguided Capital Punishment Act, and bring back real punishments, including the death penalty.”
The Capital and Unusual Punishment Act, passed by the European Council in 2017, mandates the abolition of capital punishment and prohibits member states from imposing death sentences or engaging in "unusual punishment," defined as degrading or intentionally painful treatment. This act overrides national laws, meaning that any country joining the European Union, as Elthize did in 2022, must comply with its content.
Lee also took aim at Europolis, the capital of the European Union where the European Council is located. “Europolis is dead,” he said bluntly. “They don’t understand the reality we face here in Elthize. Our people are paying the price for their decisions. If Europolis won’t act, then Elthize must. Progressive judges won't save us.”
In response, Wilko Moreland, the joint councillor candidate for the Congress for Social Democracy and the Green Party of Elthize, criticized Lee's remarks on social media: “This is ridiculous fearmongering. Crime in Elthize has been on a downward trend since we joined the European Union. Additionally, the CSD-UNL government has made significant investments in crime prevention programs since it took office, more than twenty years of right-wing governance since Archie Franklin. Bernard Lee should be ashamed of himself—if he has any dignity left, which I doubt.”
Moreland also commented on Lee’s push for the death penalty: “The death penalty doesn’t work. It’s a relic of the past. Our ancestors, after witnessing the horrors of occupation, rightly abolished this murderous practice. We need a justice system that’s fair and humane, not a return to genocidal punishments.”
Wirt Harland, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, warned about the potential consequences of reinstating the death penalty during a community meeting in Montgomery. “It is clear that capital punishment is unacceptable in the European Union. If Elthize tries to bring it back, we’ll face serious consequences and international stigma. This plan would isolate us from our neighbors and allies. It's not acceptable.”
It is unknown how the reintroduction of the death penalty would proceed, assuming the unlikely repeal of the Capital and Unusual Punishment Act. Currently, only Harmony supports the idea of bringing back death penalty, with all other political parties in Elthize with parliamentary presence rejecting the proposal. Additionally, bringing back the death penalty appears to have limited support among the public: according to a June 2024 poll by the Technical University of Forecoaster, only 28% of respondents agreed with the statement, “The death penalty would be an effective solution to Elthize’s crime problem.” In contrast, 41% disagreed, while the rest were undecided or did not answer.
