Nieuws van Batavië | Diepenbrock Refuses to Apologise

BSDP Leader, Alex de Jonghe, in Vlaanderen


Vlaanderen, Batavië
The Bataafsche Sociaal Democratische Partij, or BSDP, has won the national elections held yesterday and will form a majority government tomorrow. Alex de Jonghe, Party leader and pictured above, will become the country's Prime Minister. Holding true to their promise made three weeks ago, the transitional military government, which stepped in after the communist Politburo and government leaders fled, is preparing to hand over the controls to a bright new Party and future for Batavië. Even more remarkable was the high voter turnout, at least 80 per cent, and the low incidences of BRA violence. Only one police officer was killed in a drive-by shooting and the gunmen were killed after a shoot-out.

'We should be proud as a country, a nation of people, to have stood steadfast against a radical threat from within. I am very proud that we managed to get through free and fair elections even without CN peacekeepers.' commented Mr De Jonghe who celebrated tonight in Vlaanderen upon hearing the results from the Election Commission.

Batavië, never having held an open election before, is being praised by independent observers who said that, for a first time election, the country pulled it off well, especially given the fact that the North is under control of the BRA and the threat of attacks was so high.

Alex de Jonghe and the BSDP will face a strong minority with the Conservatieve Unie (CU) and the Groene Partij (GP) likely to form a minority alliance coalition. The Former iron-fisted Bataafsche Arbeiders Partij (BAP) is unlikely to cooperate and lost nearly all of its seats.

In total there are 662 seats in Parliament (Parlament). The final count is as follows:

BSDP: 333
CU: 271
GP:52
BAP: 6

Tomorrow, after being sworn in as Prime Minister of Batavië, Alex de Jonghe is expected to head straight to work. On top of his list of priorities are security with the threat of the BRA, a restructuring of the economy, a push for foreign direct investment, infrastructure upgrades, renewed foreign policy and a re-branding of the country to advertise it as Europe's newest, hottest and best place to start new business.

​

BSDP Leader, Alex de Jonghe, receives congratulations from supporters in Vlaanderen


Vlaanderen, Batavië
After his inauguration as Batavië's first Prime Minister, Alex de Jonghe immediately set out to begin his work. He addressed Parliament in the Main Chamber before heading out to tour the country's infrastructure. Travelling via helicopter he and a team of experts surveyed the road, rail and communications systems of the country visible from the air. Beginning tomorrow a new government bond programme will be unveiled to help finance the improvement and expansion of the country's road and rail system.

'Ideally I would like to see the countries of Scandinavia united with high-speed rail links.' he commented upon his return from touring.

Foreign private firms will be invited to bid for these and many other projects. The government is looking for high-quality yet affordable work that will involve the hiring of local Batavians. With market reforms expected to be implemented before the end of the month, many government-run factories may face layoffs and even closures unless they can find a quick way to become profitable. Across the land government subsidies to businesses and factories are expected to be cut back or removed in totality.

Prime Minister De Jonghe also intends to do a bit of travelling after his first week in office. The Office of the Prime Minister will be releasing a tentative tour abroad for the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Arjan van Vliet. Expected to be top on the list are neighbours in immediate region and countries heavily involved in the CN peacekeeping commission for Batavië.

When asked about the former communist government, which is believed to be in the Papal States, Prime Minister de Jonghe said that, 'Every effort will be made to bring them back to face a fair trial.' Negotiations with the Papal States are expected to occur within the next few days. As for the Staatsveiligheid, which has been accused of things ranging from torture to running the most advanced and broad surveillance networks in the world, the Prime Minister said, 'The operations and purpose of the SV will be reviewed, but their vast operational knowledge and experience will be needed to combat the terrorist threats from the BRA.'

​

Vlaanderen, Batavië
The Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) has announced that it will be opening a brand new embassy in Al A'raf, Hajr, which will also serve neighbouring Anbat. In an effort to expand the face of Batavië abroad but also cut costs, the BuZa, the vernacular shorthand for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hopes to kick-off its new programme in Hajr. The building will be a modern glass and steel structure within the city limits but outside the city centre. The current embassy in Hajr is old and small, but will operate until the new embassy is finished.

When the new ambassador is appointed by Prime Minister de Jonghe sometime in the next few weeks, he or she ambassador will also receive dual accreditation to serve in Anbat. A consulate in Phezzan is expected to open and the ambassador will likely be shuttled back and forth while working between the two cities. This system of dual accreditations and embassies that will serve more than one country is part of the new programme aimed at cutting costs but maximising image placement abroad.

'We want our citizens to have access to embassies and consulates and we also want foreigners seeking information about our country to be able to reach it. There are some countries that are geographically situated close to each other and some share languages. It makes sense to optimise on this fact and save money at the same time.' commented a BuZa spokesman.

A new embassy in Shcherbatskaya is also on the record, leading some to believe that this is in response to Hajr, Anbat and Shcherbatskaya officially recognising the new government.

​

Vlaanderen, Batavië
It became painfully obvious even after his speech at the Council of Nations headquarters that the Security Council members would not act and put aside their differences. Departing Wiese on the signature government 747 painted in the liveries of KLM, the Prime Minister set course for Franken where he is planning to meet with EDF officials. Some suspect that he will request EDF peacekeepers either as a temporary measure until the CN gets its act together or as a complete alternative.

'The fact is that the country needs peacekeepers to prevent complete civil war. The CN was given over two months and they gave up their opportunity to do anything. People are concerned that if the EDF enters it will be a violation of previous SC resolutions. That is simply not so. If the EDF sends peacekeepers they will be legally invited by Vlaanderen and outside the jurisdiction of the CN. Every state has a sovereign right to request outside aid in whatever form it pleases.' commented one political analyst who is based in Vlaanderen.

Prime Minister De Jonghe and his plane full of delegates and aides are expected to enter quick negotiations with the EDF. The alliance already has thousands of well-prepared troops stationed in nearby Éierann. Nobody has said that the De Jonghe Administration has completely given up on the CN, but for now the government has rescinded its official request for CN peacekeepers.

'If the CN cannot approve a thing as simple as sending peacekeepers, then I will rescind our government's request for them and let the body take care of other pressing concerns.' the Prime Minister was quoted as saying before departing Augsburg earlier today.

​