Topics created by Sertia

PART I:Hour 36 of discussion

The War Rooms consist of eight adjoined chambers running horizontally. There is one room for each member of the Braetha themselves, then one communal meeting room: Room 4.

Room 4 was in complete tatters. Before the meeting began, attendants removed all the ancient valuable relics to prevent them from being destroyed. All the rooms were decorated with ancient artwork, except for Room 4.

Berra Nacar, the Braetha for infrastructure, was screaming at Head Braetha Fornithias Cranst:

"Why won't you listen to me? Eh? I've said about a million times now, NO!" Groans followed from the other members.

"We are not," Berra said, "and I REPEAT, we ARE NOT, letting ONE MORE person from Spain into this country, EVER AGAIN!"

"Berra, calm down!" barked Thomas Ilgras, the Braetha for mechanical industries. "In the past 36 [nearly 37!] hours, you have contributed nothing but a sniffly and upturned nose to this discussion."

"Oi!" said Cranst. "That's your fifth ad hominem attack this session, Thomas. I must expel you after the next one".

"Stop threatening me, Fornithias--"

"MASTER Cranst. Mr Ilgras, we are public representatives, certainly not friends. You will not address me by my first name if you do not want to be chucked out by your suspender braces", Fornithias said.

"Yes," Berra continued. "I can SNIFFLE, all I WANT! As I was saying, we must remove all Spanish forces from Sertia regardless of--"

"regardless of the results of the referendum?" Thomas interrupted, "regardless? Master Cranst, I must remark that at this point in the discussion, we have allowed Ms Nacar to barrage us with Aspernian Spanish-hating propoganda for 36 hours.

"Need I remind you all", Thomas looked around at the members of the Braetha pacing the margins of Room 4, "that Ms Nacar was Mr Guthrun Wond's pick to be European Councillor? That ought to speak louder than anything more I can say".

"Oh my goodness, really?" said the Braetha for Energy and Sustainability with a yawn. "That's groundbreaking, Thomas. Tell us again, for the 6,000th time, would you?"

"Thomas, need I remind YOU that I denounced Guthrun almost immediately after he'd said that. I just didn't know the EU rules about choosing a councillor, so I accepted his offer," said Berra Nacar.

"That is exactly my point, master Cranst. All Wondites are incompetent and lazy enough to allow dictators to simply do what they want. That is what democracies do, Ms Nacar. We are not a democracy here," Thomas said, pointing at Berra, his very long finger nearly touching her forehead.

Berra gave Thomas a very long, condemning scowl. "Oh," Berra said snidely, "you're a hypocrite too, are you?"

Thomas went for Berra's hair. Shouting erupted, and then--

A well-dressed intern rang the dinner bell. It was time for dinner.

Berra and Thomas sat down, huffing and puffing. There was finally stillness in the War Room.

Finally, Cranst spoke: "I am making an executive decision for everyone's benefit".

"36 hours later," groaned the Braetha for Education and Welfare.

Cranst glared at the Braetha for Education and Welfare. Then he spoke: "I propose we contact Spain about this after we receive the referendum results. Only then do we make a statement".

Berra scoffed. "This is just ridiculous. You really trust Spain to answer the phone for us? For all we know we've scared them off. You know, we wouldn't be in this malarkey if not for the free press".

"Don't you start, Berra," Cranst said. "It's time for dinner."

Why is there a referendum in Sertia?

You may have heard the reports that the polls have opened for a referendum in Sertia to determine how the government should react to Spain's purported attempt to annex the Republic of Nofoaga.

But why is there a referendum?

Well, that's an interesting question for an interesting scenario. There are no doubts, among experts on politics, that Sertia would condemn an attempt to annex Nofoaga by countries other than Spain. Furthermore, Nofoaga is Sertia's closest ally, with the two countries sharing an unconditional customs union, equipped with free movement of citizens between countries.

However, Spain is also a close ally of Sertia and Nofoaga. The two countries' militaries are supported by Spanish personnel. In Sertia, the government almost completely controls these personnel, although this is by convention rather than formal agreement.

So what is the government to do?
The underlying purpose behind this referendum is to collect public opinion not only on Spanish annexation of Nofoaga, but to determine whether there will be significant civil unrest against the Spanish military personnel. Depending on the result, the Brætha could potentially take action to limit Spanish influence in Sertia, or expel the military entirely. However, this is only likely if the referendum indicates a condemnation of Spain's actions. And the Spanish have been popular with the Sertians consistently throughout the time since they've arrived.

But a result affirming consent to Spanish annexation effectively condemns Sertia's alliance with Nofoaga.

Would Nofoagans see Sertian consent to annexation as a betrayal? Would other European powers see Sertia's consent as a symbol of it's weaknesses as a nation?

Ultimately, the Brætha has the power to override the results of the referendum. But this risks making the current government extremely unpopular and calling another election in April. And the Brætha don't want this due to the rising sympathy to right-wing Aspernian extremism.

To put it succinctly, this is an incredibly important moment for Sertian-Nofoagan, -Spanish and -EU relations. Expect the Brætha to tread very carefully around the results of the referendum.

Conference begins with VAS questions

09:45

Paula Hessà, Braethan correspondent for the VAS, has asked what the government is doing to improve support for rural areas.

Press Secretary Síl Maneiasan has said the government is continuing to fund the construction of public transport routes into major cities, and provide enlistment opportunities into the merchant marine and other maritime careers. He has also emphasised the continued funding of cultural and public works in small towns and villages, which can offer jobs in marketing, museum studies, archival jobs and many more opportunities.

Hessà also mentioned the recent announcement by the government of Leagio about the proposal of creating a European Union University, and asked the Brætha what they were doing to incentivise higher education to Sertians and students from around the EU.
Maneiasan has replied that the government has been working on an education policy for the last few months, and it is due to be unveiled within a few weeks.

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RESULTS OF THE APRIL 2025 ELECTION REFERENDUM

Question Presented: Do the Braetha schedule a general election on 14 August 2025?

% votes

YES: 43%
NO: 57%

Result: The Braetha do not have public permission to call an election on 14 August 2025.

The next election referendum is now scheduled for 14 August 2025.

ERE BACH'AIR DUN

Changes in immigration requirements for foreign international students

effective 10 November 2023

Previously, all international students studying in the Kingdom of Sertia were required to apply for a visa before they arrived in the Kingdom of Sertia.

Citizens of certain countries will now be able to study in Sertia without any foreign immigration requirements, provided that they can prove on arrival to Sertia they have

proof of intention to study sufficient funding and resources for at least 9 months

The list of eligible nationals is below:

Montenbourg

Fremet

Icholasen

Ineland

Brickston

Czech Slavia

United Duchies

Spain

California

Yosai

Inimicus

Angleter

Leagio

Elthize

Nofoaga

ERE BACHÁIR DÙN

Aguilar picked up the videocall while flying towards Sertia once again this year, as the situation was indeed of importance. He was, nevertheless, impressed to see people on the room hanging onto the edges of the ancient table, and his face could not hide what he thought, but he decided not to ask and rather proceed with the conversation:

"Mr. Cranst, it is also lovely to see you once again. My plane is actually flying over the Atlantic Ocean and will soon be landing in Sertia, and I will be heading to the meeting point we have designated. About Individual #1, the Spanish Armed Forces deployed in the island have been granted permission by the Spanish Government, and King Felipe VI has been informed. It is all up to you now, Fornithias".

With two votes FOR, this act has passed.

Iras TIlkanas
Council Speaker and Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen

Cranst turned again toward Wond, smiling triumphantly, who turned, in turn, toward Cranst, who looked mortified.

Cranst spoke first. "So, have you reconsidered, then?"

Wond had no choice. He did not want his movement to end, nor did he want to accept the terms. But to him, it was undoubtedly the former which held the most importance to him and his followers.

"Very well, we agree to your terms, Mr. Cranst. I'm glad we could agree on peace". His voice was full of vitriol, but he'd gotten what he wanted, and he firmly believed that Sertia would deliver, at least for a while.

Cranst said: "Good". He waved his hand to his envoy, who communicated the message to the world.

The Republic of Aspern had officially been granted independence.

Changes to travel rules for citizens of the United Kingdom

19 August 2023

Previously, the Brætha have instituted a ban on travel by citizens of the United Kingdom to the Kingdom of Sertia.

The Brætha appreciate the disruption this travel ban has caused, disallowing many family reunions, business affairs and affecting income due to a decrease in tourism.

Effective 19 August, citizens of the United Kingdom will be able to apply for an E-visa to come to Sertia. This visa will be valid for one entry, with a maximum stay of 91 days out of every 180 days.

The Brætha continue to condemn statements made by the government of the United Kingdom concerning the domestic affairs of Sertia, but recognise the need for uninterrupted trade of people, goods and services for the betterment of the European Union.

It is illegal to publicly endorse, by speech or by media, the former regime of the Republic of Aspern, due to continued violence and danger posed by the Aspernians to the good people of the Kingdom of Sertia. Anyone found guilty of committing an offence on these grounds will be subject to 180 days in prison or 250 hours' community service. The Brætha reserve the right to notify InterSpol of any pertinent offences.

ERE BACHÁIR DÙN