"My apologies to Cllr Odhinazen and the Ruthenish government, who of course co-sponsored the Sanction Request against Istkalen and voted in favour of the Motion this month. The Imperial Government will respond to Cllr Odhinazen's points in due course, but I simply wanted to state my regret about my mistake."

Cllr Nicholas Benfield

"I appreciate Cllr Odhinazen engaging constructively with the Sanction Act. Rather than throw it out at first glance, he is showing a practical, constructive attitude, which I think we can all appreciate. Nevertheless, the Empire of Inimicus opposes much of this amendment, purely for the reason that large parts are unnecessary.

"Adding the definition of the Sanction Motion into the Act is, as far as I'm concerned, worthwhile, and Inimicus would support such an amendment. Similarly, we would support replacing "passage" with "ratification" in Section II (I).

"The other two major changes, however, are not within the Emperor's grace. The Sanctioning process has already been demonstrated to be highly elaborate, requiring approval from multiple bodies and institutions. It would be unwise to extend the process even more with a separate Commission vote. The Section I part of this amendment further directly contradicts Section I (IV), calling for a unanimous decision by the Commission. Further, there are always reasons why Commissioners may be indisposed or unable to contribute to the discussion surrounding Sanction requests - this is why I was wholly in favour of the Council being included in these proceedings. Nevertheless, bogging down any Sanction request by waiting for all Commissioners to vote after they have agreed on a sanctions package would, in my opinion, be superfluous.

"Similarly, the addition of Section II.I (ii.) seems to me unnecessary. All Sanction Motions presented thus far have, as Cllr Odhinazen will know since he voted against them, failed. The Council has demonstrated, for better or for worse and in ways I cannot agree with, that it is capable of deciding whether to grant Sanction Motions with a simple, 55% majority. I see no reason why this ought to change, especially since the aim of the Sanction Act was, is, and will remain, the swift sanctioning of rogue states."

Cllr Nicholas Benfield

Office of Premier Commissioner Dr Walter Cocx

12th May 2021
RE: Failure of Istkalen Sanction Motion

"Europeans,

Another attempt at a peaceful isolation of a rogue regime in the heart of Europe has failed. By one vote, Councillors decided to let the terror emerging from Istkalen roam free. Representatives of our nations and peoples, whose role in the entire Sanctions process resulted from a major concession on the side of the Sanction Act's sponsors, frustrated its progress for the second time.

Although it is not my responsibility that region-wide sanctions against Istkalen now remain a distant, faint imagination, as Premier Commissioner I must, however, take said responsibility. It is with this in mind that I am announcing today that I will not be standing for re-election to a second term in this office. It has become clear to me that the basis on which the peoples of this Union elected me to this high office, a tough stance against rogue states, is not shared by the political establishment in Europolis. I cannot, in good faith, continue to operate under such circumstances.

The start of my Premiership was, in my opinion, an era of hope. The Sanctioning Act was passed and amended with liberal majorities - a comprehensive process marked by checks and balances from both main European bodies, the Commission and Council, was established. A time of opportunity for this Union beckoned, a time when reasonable, democratic, rule-of-law nations could make a joint fist against destabilising rogue regimes.

Yet, in the first attempt at making such a fist, against the USNR, the Council frustrated the legal process with slanderous and disgraceful fillibuster and introduction of nonce amendments. Conduct which sends a message of carelessness and elitism to the peoples of this Union. While they worry about the impact of a terrorist regime taking over a nuclear-armed state, politicians in Europolis thought it wise to submit 70+ amendments changing single words to a serious Sanction Motion.

Now, Councillors are debating ways in which this same hostile regime can make a re-entry into the European family of nations, an abhorrent, disgusting move which every democratically-minded Councillor should object to no matter what. This move reinforces my belief that I cannot, in good faith, continue to function as your Premier after my turn ends. I hope I can continue to support and lead you in another capacity, as my one true love remains the care for the peoples of Europe. Thank you."

The Empire of Inimicus votes AGAINST Amendments I and II and FOR Amendment III.

Cllr Nicholas Benfield

The Empire of Inimicus votes FOR this Motion.

Nicholas Benfield

The Empire of Inimicus votes FOR this Act as amended.

Nicholas Benfield

"There is no way the Imperial Government will ever support yet another attempt by Istkalen to make friends with communist revolutionaries in the USNR. I can further confirm that there is no agreement that could make the Imperial Government give up its nuclear arsenal in the present tumultuous time."

Nicholas Benfield

COMMONS ELECTIONS: FINEST WIN PLURALITY, MOVEMENT GAINS -- TRADITIONAL PARTIES SUFFER

Electoral Results Map of Inimicus. Purple: Centre-Conservative Union; Blue: Inimician Liberal Appeal; Pink: Emperor's Finest; Red: People's Movement; Yellow: Central Progressive Party; Green: United Green Front; Grey: Independent.

Telum, 3rd May 2021 -- The Imperial Electoral Commission confirmed the results of the House of Commons election 2021 proceeded according to standards set out in law. Polls closed at 6pm today, following an election predicted to see an earth-shattering victory for the Emperor's Finest, a catch-all party advocating strongly for the Imperial system, and support for Emperor Artabanos. Today's results show exactly how earth-shattering this victory truly is. From no seats won in 2020, the Finest will send 292 members to Telum come June, a staggering 36% of seats.

"The Inimician People have spoken", Finest leader Hetty Tilki announced to roaring crowds in Lacerta after the results were announced, "They have said Yes to the Imperial System. They have said 'I serve' to His Imperial Majesty. And they have said 'Convict Them' to the traitors who sought to destroy Him. Today is a victory for all of Inimicus, and for the Emperor."

Gains were also made by the People's Movement, who nearly doubled their MPs by winning 90 seats. Outspoken critics of the Emperor and the Imperial System, the Movement capitalised on recent controversies surrounding the arrest of members of the Barrington family, and the Imperial Armed Forces raid into Neo-Venetia. Movement leader Adolf Danube called today "a wake-up call for the Emperor and His clique" and announced he would be filing motions in Parliament calling for the impeachment of the Emperor.

Results from the Terra Praestoris Imperial Council by-election are expected shortly, with preliminary results suggesting a narrow yet consistent lead for Finest leader Tilki, who is trailed by Movement leader Danube and other parties. Full results of the Commons vote are given below.

The Empire of Inimicus votes FOR all Amendments.

Cllr Nicholas Benfield

After several hours, Commander Rosenfield exited the interrogation room, rolling down his sleeves and straightening his tie. "Gentlemen", he said to the guards outside, "I hope your government will co-operate and extradite this individual to the Empire. I will immediately prepare a full report and wire it to Director Cruz and the others in the Presidential Office." And once in Inimicus, this man Schuylers would have no way of escape. He would be tried, oh yes, probably in the same grand trial that was currently planned for the Barringtons, their associates, and the Neo-Venetian captives. But once convicted - and convicted he would be - he would be forgotten. Schuylers would cease to exist. And, in his position, perhaps that would be for the best.

Some time later, Imperial Consul Strathclyde, still recovering from his acquaintance with the Leagioan cuisine, was asked to report to a compound near the Presidential office, to attend a hotel raid by Leaogioan security services. This raid would, hopefully, lead to direct information about this Black Organisation's headquarters, and where they might be keeping Barrington. Strathclyde could not wait. He had imagined what it would be like to see Augustus Barrington's face, and what his reaction would be. "Even here, Augustus.", Christopher imagined saying, "Even here, I have defeated you and yours."

Still a ways to go, perhaps. Christopher's car arrived at the compound, where he was met by heavily armed yet ever-friendly Leagio law enforcement - or were they military? - ready for the raid. He was greeted by the officer in charge and directed to an intelligence centre, where excessive amounts of TV screens and radios and broadcasting equipment was established, allowing everyone there to watch a live action feed of the entire operation. Christopher was not unused to this, the amount of time he had spent in the Imperial Situation Room being outclassed only by the Emperor. "So", he announced, "When are we a-go?"