Carintho-Harkaner News Publications

The Almost Christmas Coup
Voice of Hallein

Early Christmas Day, citizens from Crotobaltislavonia using the social media platform Twatter, began sharing with the world that gunshots were being heard from the Presidential Palace of Raoul Farrago. State media sources went silent as the world waited to see what happened to the erratic government of the nation. Today, silence broke as it was reported by CBS News’ official Twatter account that the besiegers were dispersed “without bloodshed” and that the coup has been thwarted.

The incident lasted less than twenty-four hours but has already lead to an international outcry and an increase in already high tensions. The Communist Empire of Kadikistan declared that any evidence of foreign involvement would result in their swift raft. The threat resulted in dozens of calls to police departments across the Polesian Sea, reporting a number of discounted and baseless claims of Slovanian, Kadiki, and Trivodnian operatives.

“I am confident that Ivar will act responsibly,” Chancellor Stefan Furst stated, in reference to Kadikistan’s threat “The people along the Polesian Coast, and indeed the entirety of the Empire, do not have anything to fear and I wish them to celebrate this joyous holiday with their families without fear of communist plots.”

“It is the belief of the Chancellor, and the Kaiser’s Government, that continued instability in Crotobaltislavonia is a floodgate for a heightened communist insurgency. Rest assured that we will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with regional powers to ensure the safety of the region and its people,” said a spokesman for the Chancellor.

Hallein to Bolster Crotobaltislovanian Border; Announces Full Support for Trivodnia
Karcag Daily

Today, Chancellor Furst joined Prime Minister Nándor in Karcag to announce that the Empire is closing the Imperial-Slovanian border and increasing defenses in response to Kadikistan’s deployment of soldiers to Banja Luka. This would be the first time in decades that the Empire closed a border.

“The Empire has made this decision as the situation in Crotobaltislovania continues to dissolve. The confirmed arrival of Kadikistani forces will forever change the dynamic of this crisis and cannot be allowed to result in a permanent base for Kadiki Forces right along the border. Today, we are taking steps to prevent this.”

The announcement will mean that no citizen of the Empire nor citizen of the Slovanian nation will be permitted to cross the border without pre-authorization from Imperial authorities in Hallein. The exceptions to the prohibition mainly fall along close, familial ties between borders and certain medical complications. Notably, the prohibition does apply to any refugees, political or non, seeking asylum in the Empire.

Additionally, soldiers of the Imperial Army will be deployed along the border at key check points in order to enforce and secure it from any incursions. The Chancellor confirmed that, unless security concerns prevent it, the movement and quantity of military assets will be communicated with bordering countries.

“It cannot be clearer that the Empire is acting defensively. Until such a time that Kadikistan removes its soldiers from Crotobaltislovania, we cannot continue with an unsafe border,” the Chancellor stated.

The second part of the press conference included the Chancellor announcing that the Empire of Carinthia-Harkány will support the Free State of Trivodnia in its pursuit of peace and security against a growing Kadiki menace.

“Today, we publically and unequivocally proclaim our support for the Free State of Trivodnia. Their plight is the plight of any free loving people. The Empire will use its resources to support the Trivodnians.”

Imperial-Touzen Trade Deal Re-Authorized in Spite of Controversy
The Imperial Post

Today, by a margin of 140-100, the Imperial Parliament voted to reauthorize the 2007 Imperial-Touzen Trade Agreement for a 5-year period, as opposed to the original ten. The deadline for reauthorization was December 31, 2017. The change came as a compromise between Delegates who believed that the deal hasn’t had the effects that motivated its creation in 2007.

Presently, the Empire imports a total of 42% of its food. This is up from 40% in 2007, however the rate of increase has decreased sufficiently over the last decade. This is a new trend, as over the last several decades, Carintho-Harkaner farm yields have shrunk from a variety of causes such as shrinking government subsidies and bad harvests. In the same time, demand and population growth showed a clear progression toward a food crisis that the Imperial Government was adamant to combat. It did so through the Imperial-Touzen Trade Agreement of 2007, which freed up and expanded a significant amount of trade between the two countries. Ultimately, food supplies have increased, but Carintho and Harkaner farmers haven’t seen too much of a benefit.

This is the crux of the debate during reauthorization. Harkaner Delegates, joined by a smaller percentage of Carinthian Delegates, made the argument that the logistics of a trans-continental trade and reliance on foreign powers was a bigger burden than working to grow the Empire’s agricultural economy.

“This is not a quick fix,” Delegate Laszlo Rajmund stated “It’s a bandaid that the Empire hopes will keep the country going so that we can create a more permanent solution. Over the last decade we have seen very little progress on any sort of support for Carintho-Harkaner farmers beyond ramping up for a reauthorization debate. It’s disappointing.”

“I understand the concerns of the Delegates and our people,” Chancellor Furst’s official statement reads “However, we cannot deny the merit of the trade deal and the net benefit it has provided to both Carinthia-Harkány and Touzen. I am committed and guarantee to find a solution to our problem, but I will not harm our own people to do it.”

The Chancellor plans to sign the agreement tomorrow, December 30 and have it sent to Touzen for final approval.

@Touzen

Kaiser Joseph III Statue Vandalized in Central Park
Kalosca Times

Commuters in Kalosca woke up to a strange sight this morning during their trip into downtown. At Central Park, located in the heart of downtown, a fountain sits in the center with a large statue of Kaiser Joseph III atop a horse. It is truly a magnificent sight, but today citizens saw a statue adorned in pro-LGBT symbols.

The statue featured a heavy amount of makeup on his face, painted nails, a blonde wig, and wearing a large LGBT flag around his neck. Surprisingly, throughout the night no one reported any strange behavior around the statue and none of the LGBT groups in Kalosca took any credit.

The act caused an immediate response and an upsurge from the social media outlet, Twatter. Many saw it as an egregious attack on one of the most beloved Kaisers in the Empire while others saw it as a bold statement from the LGBT Community.

“It is the opinion of the Prime Minister that such actions do not gain the LGBT Community any advantage and only serve to hinder their perception to the public,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated in an official statement.

“I can guarantee that my organization had nothing to do with that statue,” Jóska Tolvaj, President of the Kalosca LGBT Center, stated. However, the gentleman would not condemn the action.

There was one voice in the arguing that was louder than the others in the “scandal.” Botond Herczeg had served as a Delegate to the Harkaner Royal Parliament since 2013. He is the only openly gay man to ever serve in Parliament. Since his unlikely election, he has been a vocal and upfront advocate for the LGBT Community in Harkány.

“I can promise you,” Delegate Herczeg stated to our outlet “That sight is nowhere near as uncomfortable as the stories I’ve heard of children kicked out of their homes, youths beat up and bullied at schools, people needing to hide something so pure as love for their entire lives. I don’t know who is responsible for making that statue fabulous, but good on them for making a statement.”

City Officials quickly cleaned the statue and removed any objects added to it. The City’s Office of Parks and Recreation stated that whoever placed the flag and wig onto the statue are more than welcome to claim the items.

“I think Kalosca is a city where anyone can feel free to be who they are,” Mayor Nyitrai stated “But perhaps we can avoid defacing public property to make a statement.”

Refugee Debate Takes a Turn
The Imperial Post

For several weeks, Parliament has been in a heated brawl over whether or not the Empire should initiate a program to accept Slavonian refugees into its territory under the provisions of the 1975 “Immigration and Customs Act” which did set a clear procedure concerning the admittance of refugees into the Empire. The groundbreaking Act covers virtually every regulation and responsibility of the Empire’s governing bodies towards its immigration system. Under the act, Carinthia and Harkány have no power to determine any laws regarding immigration, customs, or refugees without the express approval of Parliament. The act also grants the Chancellor the power to initiate an Empire-wide refugee program, of which Chancellor Furst has not done.

The debate took a new turn today as the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Timotheus Walkenhorst, finally succeeded in passing a bill out of committee by a slim margin of 11-9. The bill marks the 7th bill of its nature that the Chairman introduced and the first to pass.

The bill is vastly different from previous iterations as it does not focus on any Imperial program, but instead grants Carinthia and Harkány the power to determine whether or not they will accept refugees. It would, in effect, grant an exemption to the 1975 Immigration and Customs Act. This effectively reframes the argument from a pro/anti-refugee to a pro/anti-Imperial power argument – one that has a wider base of support in Parliament.

Presently, it is extremely unclear whether or not the bill will pass Parliament, made even more unclear due to the fact it has received a significant number of power opponents – including Chancellor Furst.

Chancellor Furst labeled the legislation “illegal” and “counter to the spirit and authority in which the Imperial Parliament is based.” The Chancellor argued that it is not possible for Parliament to grant exemptions to a piece of legislation, especially one of this nature.

Other opponents have stated that the legislation would inevitably cause Parliament to revisit an infinite amount of provisions of the 1975 Act that would essentially require the entire law to be rewritten. “Passage,” said one Delegate “would be tantamount to nullifying the entire immigration system of the Empire and introducing chaos.”

“Perhaps a law that cannot adopt to modern times does not deserve to hold its place,” another Delegate stated “I think this is a fine time for the Empire to revisit immigration. We have an obligation to God to help those in their time of need and we are failing him to close our doors.”

Parliament is expected to vote on the legislation by the end of the week.

Just Say “No” to Refugees
The Imperial Post

Recently, the problem of refugees has been dominating the political landscape in Hallein where the Delegates in the Imperial Parliament continuously agrued back and forth about the Empire’s refugee policy, the separation of powers between the Imperial Government and Carinthian and Harkaner Governments, and the overall Immigration system itself.

After repeated and failed attempts to get the Empire to engage, Pro-Refugee Delegates pivoted and instead proposed a bill that would grant Carinthia and Harkány the power to determine whether or not to accept refugees. While that bill did make it the floor of the Imperial Parliament, it ultimately failed to pass and was defeated by a margin of 66-54. The vote came down virtually along Carinthian and Harkaner lines. 48 of the 60 Harkaner Delegates voted against the bill and they were joined by 12 Carinthian Delegates. Conversely, 48 Carinthian delegates voted in favor and were joined by 6 Harkaners.

This, perhaps, did not come as a surprise as the Harkaner Delegation has been staunchly anti-immigration since the inception of the Empire. After the Dual Monarchy, Harkány has invested a significant amount of resources into preserving its own culture and identity and asserting it on the Imperial stage.

Harkaner Delegate Zsombor Horváth, who lead the charge to defeat the bill, called it a “Carinthian-devised plan to circumvent the agreed upon Treaty of Unification. There is no doubt that any refugee program, even if administered and planned by the individual Kingdoms, would eventually become the burden and duty of the Empire and thus Harkány.”

Almost certainly a new bill will arise as the Pro-Refugee factions continue to plot around every defeated bill, but its hard to argue that the movement as a whole has not been dealt a serious hit. All in all, the lack of any legislation to the contrary, it stands that the Empire’s policy toward the Crotobaltislavonian Refugee Crisis is simply to ignore it.

“Thus far,” Chancellor Furst stated “Imperial Border Agents have turned back a total of 4,500 Crotobaltislavonians who have tried to cross the Harkaner border. I am proud to say that the work of the Border Patrol, in cooperation with Harkaner authorities, has achieved tremendous success in executing Imperial Law and maintaining the safety of the citizens.”

However, several outside sources claim that it is exceptionally likely that a large number of Crotobaltislavonians are crossing the border regardless. There are a number of non-profits, mostly headquartered in Carinthia, that have worked with immigrants in the past and have been accused of circumventing Imperial law before. “I find Hallein’s complete lack of compassion for a former member of the Empire to be troubling,” said Hillbert Jollenback, President of Peoples for Peace, “I can confidently say that my organization will do everything within its power and the law to ensure that everyone is safe from war zones.”

Orthodox Church Burned in Karcag
Karcag Daily

Residents in the Lágymányos District of Karcag were woken up in the early hours of the morning to a truly horrifying site. The Holy Mother Cathedral, which has stood as a community staple in the area for over one hundred years, was caught in a massive blaze that threatened to encapsulate the entire structure.

Citizens joined with emergency responders to provide whatever help they could to quell the blaze and save the Church from any more harm. It took about 45 minutes before fire crews successfully put out the fire, but by that time the damage done to the Church had been extensive. Thankfully, no one was injured.

While the physical damage is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of Marks, the emotional damage is unquantifiable. A significant number of priceless heirlooms passed through the Church by its congregation throughout the century had been lost. Most pressing, are several texts and even a Bible gifted to them by Kaiser Maximillian, the first of the Empire.

Police reported that the source of the fire was “almost certainly arson, evidence that we have found around the site clearly points toward the conclusion that – more likely than not – several individuals participated in this crime.”

There has been a noticeable uptick in crimes against faiths and ethnicities across Carinthia and Harkány as far right groups all across Gallia and Germania are asserting their hatred across the continent. There are several such groups that operate and hold regular demonstrations in Karcag, however none of them have claimed responsibility.

In other news…
- Winter storms are rocking the Eastern region of Harkány, dropping an incredible amount of snow that is crippling transportation routes, but making several school children happy about the days off.

We Have a Responsibility
Linz Times - Editorials

Three summers ago, I took my family to visit the Ancient City of Tibur. I had been there many of times in my youth, but I never quite had the joy of taking my kids to the birthplace of Western Civilization. Of course, the city has a beauty to it that only so few cities can match (Without a doubt, Linz has exceeded them!). However, the city represents something so much deeper, so much more powerful. My children stood in awe of the towering ancient structures, symbols of the Tiburan Empire’s dominance over all of Gallo-Germania. It brought science, mathematics, and art to a world that had not yet seen it. It carved a new world and bravely embraced the unknown so that their children would live in a better world than the one they had.

It is the same feeling of pride that I get when I return to Hallein, to Founder’s Square. We all know the story of Founder’s Square. Emperor Maximillian, the Last Carinthian Empire, summoned the Imperial Courts of Carinthia and Royal Courts of Harkány together for a public demonstration of the signing of the Treaty of Unification. With the stroke of a pen, he declared the Empire of Carinthia-Harkány – for the world to see. Carinthia-Harkány stood as the ultimate marriage of the two most prominent cultures of Gallo-Germania – a symbol of their strength and perpetual unity.

Today, Founder’s Square is dedicated by a statue of Kaiser Maximillian, crossing the flags of Carinthia and Harkány. At the base of the statute is a solid gold crest of the Double-Headed Eagle. For hive hundred feet in the North, South, East, and West Directions reflector pools extend with red and green flags bellowing on either side. Founder’s Square is the symbol of the promise, of the responsibility that Kaiser Maximillian and all subsequent Kaisers bore.

I feel, today however, Carinthia-Harkány has been taking steps away from that responsibility. A dark shadow is cast upon all of Gallo-Germania, a shadow more menacing than the barbarians that destroyed Tibur and ushered in the dark ages. The Kadikistani Union is extending its strength, power, and domination of all peoples further across the world. Calidia, Milesia, and now Crotobaltislavonia are all victims to their domination. Trivodnia was surely close to follow and even now the King of Caledonia has been disposed by a group of leftist radicals.

The Big Four of Gallo-Germania: Bourgogne, Eiffelland, Carinthia-Harkány, and Serenierre have all fallen silent as the shadow grows larger. I do believe that the protectors of Gallo-Germania, Eiffelland and Bourgogne, have all agreed to laid down their arms and rescind into their respective countries and pretend the world around them is safe.

It is my hope that in their absence, the Empire of Carintha-Harkány remembers the burden of Tibur to the world, remembers the promise it made to its people, and ultimately remembers the Reponsibility it has.

Sincerely,
Delegate Emmerich Achterberg
Linz

Joint Ministry of Finance Prepares Generous Aide Package to Trivodnia
Hallein Today

At a press conference today, Joint Finance Minister Csaba Nemes announced that the Ministry was preparing to put together a rather sizable aid package for the Free State of Trivodnia to help stabilize the country’s economy in the wake of the Christmas Crisis.

“There can be no doubt that the Trivodnian Economy has taken a significant hit from Kadikistani aggression,” the Minister stated “That is why it is imperative that we stand behind our ally in Amstov and help them in their time of need.”

The crowning achievement of the aid package are Imperial tax incentives for companies in Carinthia and Harkány to invest in projects in Trivodnia, which investment has slown drastically due to the tensions with Kadikistan. The goal was to make the process “as smooth and efficient as possible” to allow companies to invest. Additionally, the Imperial Government is looking to takeover some contracts awarded to Burgundian, Retalian, and Eiffellander companies using its own vastly superior purchasing power and then dispersing those contracts among domestic businesses.

“I have more faith in Carinthian and Harkaner manufactures to ensure projects are completely promptly and safely,” the Minister stated.

The package is also set to include a variety of loans at generously low interest rates to help maintain the immediate financial health of the country. The goal is to stop austerity measures that the Empire believes will be harmful to the Trivodnian citizens and growth of their economy.

When asked why the Empire was so committed to the financial well-being of Trivodnia, the Minister simply stated “We’re all in this together. We have a choice to stand strong with our allies and see mutual growth or we can watch another country fall to the Kadikistani Empire. We chose to support the free loving peoples of Trivodnia.”

The Empire Offers Lukewarm Support to the New Caledonian Government

Yesterday, the Caledonian King, Mael Coluim V, and his government was ousted from power by a collective of massive protests of left-wing groups with the aid of the army itself. In its place, the Third Republic was proclaimed under a new, socialist government controlled by Aedan Blacach.

“For obvious reasons,” the Minister Norbert Falkenrath stated “The situation in Caledonia is a dangerous one. There’s no question that the government that was ousted from power was not one that had the best interest of the Caledonians and their futures in mind. However, this blatant disregard for civilized process leaves a stain on this new government that has obtained power through force rather than right.”

While the new Caledonian Government does not ascribe to the same Marxist-Leninovist policies of the Kadikistani Union, the rise of yet another socialist state west of Kadikistan has caused great concern amongst Parliament in Carinthia-Harkány.

“At this time, we have no reason to believe that the Kadikistani Government has had any role in orchestrating this coup d’état. It is my hope at this time that this Revolutionary Council begins the immediate process of selecting a rightful government for Caledonia and returns the nation to peace. I stand to say that the Empire of Carinthia-Harkány will stand by the people of Caledonia in these trying times and I am prepared to offer support when appropriate and necessary.

@Trivodnia @Caledonia

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

We commend the Government of Carinthia-Harkány for its generosity towards Trivodnia. However, it would be wiser to cooperate with Bourgogne, Retalia and Eiffelland for supporting Trivodnia than to struggle against Bourgogne, Retalia and Eiffelland. Trivodnia will be better off with the help of four countries than with one country obstructing the help provided by other countries.

Rudolph Kögler, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Private communiqué

Streng geheim - Top secret

Dear Chancellor Furst,

The main reason why we couldn't interfere in Crotobaltislavonia was the fact that neither Eiffelland nor Bourgogne borders that country. Furthermore, I also need to point at the fact that currently the only way for the Trier Concord to counter a Kadikistani invasion in Trivodnia is to attack Kadikistan itself, an action that could ignite a world war. In order to keep a war in Trivodnia as brief as possible, we would like to request right of passage in the case of a Rurikgrad-Pact-induced war in Trivodnia. Please bear in mind that Carinthia-Harkány won't be able to hold-off Kadikistan on its own, let alone the completer Rurikgrad Pact. If you want to defend Trivodnia against the Kadikistani, you will need help.

Yours sincerely,

Matthias Graf von Seydewitz, Chancellor of Eiffelland

The Honorable Matthias Graf von Seydewitz
Chancellor
Kingdom of Eiffelland
Trier, Eiffelland

Dear Chancellor Seydewitz,

Thank you for your letter to my attention detailing the position of the Eiffellander Government and the decisions made during the Crotobaltislavonian Crisis. The Imperial Government agrees that communication between Carinthia-Harkány and Eiffelland is critical to the success of the region and I look forward to future communication.

There is no doubt that in this modern age, the Kingdom of Eiffelland has established itself as of the most prominent, powerful, and influential nations not just in Gallo-Germania, but the entire world. Eiffelland in the past has answered the call of oppressed peoples across the planet and has fought for higher ideals. I would be lying if I said that the Empire, in its current foreign policy, is not inspired by the triumphs of the Eiffellander Kingdom.

However, is that same envy toward your Kingdom that brings our Empire so much disappointment. I shall excuse what is clearly an oversight in the Royal Government’s cartographers as there is a border between Bourgogne and Crotobaltislavonia. Certainly, the border is not as large as the one the Empire shares, but it is indeed existent.

I take it is as the official statement of the Kingdom of Eiffelland, in a confidential nature of course, that the reason it could not intervene in the Kadikistani invasion of Crotobaltislavonia is because it did not possess a land border with the country – as per your letter. The Empire of Carinthia-Harkány finds this reason to be unconvincing and regrettable.

The Kadikistani Union does not share a land border with Crotobaltislavonia, yet it intervened. First, it flew planes through Elbener airspace, then it seemed likely that it secured a land route through Gunnland once the Elbener Kingdom betrayed them. The Kadikistani Union does not share a land border with Ivernia, yet owns its industrial heartland in Milesia. Kadikistan did not share a land border with Gunnland, yet secured the Calidian enclave.

It seems that the Kadikistani Union has a talent of finding a way to intervene in a region it does not share a border with that the Kingdom of Eiffelland is either incapable or unwilling to replicate. May I also add that it had behooved the Kingdom of Eiffelland to publically declare its strong support for the Trivodnian Free State – a country it does not border.

Allow me to be clear. The Empire of Carinthia-Harkány does not and will not oppose the Trier Concord. It is not the interest of the Empire to infringe on the insular peace the tripartite alliance has created for itself. Chagny, Trier, and Altburg can be safe in their knowledge that Hallein shall never be their adversary. The Empire goes so far as to agree that the Trivodnian Free State will find significantly more support from collaboration between our four countries than it would just from the Trier Concord or the Empire. However, thus far, the Trier Concord seemed little interested in cooperation with the Empire. The Empire finds it regrettable that the first instance that Eiffelland reaches out to offer cooperation happens not when smaller countries are attacked by foreign aggressors, but when its foreign financial interests come under a perceived threat.

Let me close with this, Honorable Chancellor, the Kingdom of Eiffelland is correct: Carinthia-Harkány certainly cannot unilaterally hold off nor defeat the Rurikgrad Pact. However, it is the only nation in Gallo-Germania, aside from Trivodnia, that is going to try.

The Empire of Carinthia-Harkány would welcome the partnership of the Trier Concord in our effort to secure the peace and serenity of Gallo-Germania. My office will always have an open door for the Eiffellanders.

Signed,
Stefan Furst
Chancellor

Private communiqué

Streng geheim – Top secret

To the honourable Stefan Furst
Chancellor
Empire of Carinthia‑Harkány


Dear Chancellor Furst,

There is one fact you overlook. Indeed, Kadikistan managed to intervene in Crotobaltislavonia by securing a right of passage with Gunnland and Elben. It is totally unclear to me why those countries agreed with that, and I already called it a stupid move in one of my television interviews. All other examples you mentioned, however, border the sea; Kadikistan didn’t need to request for right-of-passage, because it could freely sail to Milesia and Calidia through international waters, and could freely fly over those international waters. It is not needed to ask permission to anyone to sail and fly over international waters.
In any case, I consider it certainly wise if we cooperate more in order to contain the threat from the Rurikgrad Pact. My proposal would be to install a hotline between our desks to handle future issues like the Christmas Coup in a faster and more efficient way.

Best regards,

Matthias Graf von Seydewitz, Chancellor

Prime Minister Nándor: Carinthian Politicians Have Done More for Trivodnia than Harkány
Karcag Daily

In a TV interview, Prime Minister Katalin Nándor – who has served as Prime Minister since 2007 – stated that the Carinthian-led Imperial Parliament has done more to the benefit of Trivodnia than it has toward Harkány.

“Of course I supported the Imperial-Touzen Trade Agreement and worked diligently with Chancellor Fashingbauer and Prime Minister Hutmacher to ratify it,” the Prime Minister stated “The original plan was to buy enough time for a comprehensive plan to be developed to revolutionize the Imperial, namely Harkaner, agricultural industry. Now, ten years later, Fashingbauer and Hutmacher are gone and [The Imperial] Parliament extends the treaty – transforming it from a temporary fix to a permanent solution.”

Katalin Nándor was appointed Prime Minister by the Kaiser after serving for three years as the Joint Finance Minister for the Empire, seven years in the Imperial Parliament, and twelve in the Harkaner Parliament. She is well known amongst the Harkaner political circles for her skill and tenancy for politics, which is what lead to such a successful career.

Nándor was made the Joint Finance Minister in order to develop a plan for the Empire to help settle some of the debts of Carinthia and Harkány, as well as place both Crown Lands on a path for financial stability. She quickly realized that a growing food crisis would hamper any improvements that could be made to the financial health of the country. For decades, Harkány – the bread basket of the Empire – had seen its agricultural industry decline. Using her position as Joint Finance Minister, Nándor proposed a trade deal to import needed resources, postponing a crisis, and buying the Empire enough time to devise a long-term plan for self-sufficiency. Thus, came the Imperial-Touzen Trade Agreement, which Nándor now says shes opposed.

“I was shocked,” she stated “Csaba Nemes, a man whom I respect and love whole-heartedly, has announced financial subsidies, bail-outs, decreased trade barriers, and other incentives to jump start the Trivodnian Economy all the while, passing off the long-term financial well-being of not only Harkány, but the Empire. When I sat in his seat, I never could have dreamed at securing such foreign aid packages to thunderous applause.”

To clarify, the Prime Minister did not state that she was opposed to Nemes’ plans, nor Chancellor Furst’s blessing of them. “I think that open acceptance of the Empire’s role in the world, especially in the wake of a receding Trier Accord is crucial. I simply mean to say is that I wish the Empire had that same generosity toward Harkány.”

Nándor is one of only a couple examples in history where an Empire-wide Officer gave up the position to return to the Crown Lands, even if it was the Office of Prime Minister. Her politics has changed quite significantly over her multiple positions. When she served in the Imperial Parliament and later as Joint Finance Minister, she had a strong preference toward the supremacy of the Empire over the Crown Lands. As Prime Minister, she has been rather hesitant to allow the Imperial Government to take control.

“It’s about my responsibilities,” the Prime Minister explained “There is nothing I support with greater sincerity than the Empire of Carinthia-Harkány. Today, in 2018, my role to the Empire is to lead the Kaiser and King’s Government in Harkány to prosperity. Prior, it was to guide the Empire’s financial institutions.”

Still, the Prime Minister is touching into a sentiment that is by no means new. Yes, the Imperial Parliament is 50-50 Carinthian and Harkaner. However, two of the three ministers are Carinthian, the Chancellor is Carinthian, the vast majority of military officers are Carinthians, a disproportionate number of imperial bureaucrats are Carinthian, and of course, the Kaiser is and always has been Carinthian. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that many Harkaners feel disenfranchised in the system – despite being guaranteed constitutional equality.

However, we Harkaners should consider ourselves fortunate. 100% of the Imperial Government is Carinthian or Harkaner, despite the two groups only comprising a little over 80% of the Empire’s population.

Office of the President of the Free State of Trivodnia

The people of Trivodnia are eternally grateful for the support - emotional, diplomatic and financial - demonstrated by the Empire of Carinthia-Harkany during these troubled times and hope one positive that emerges from the shared adversity we've faced is a stronger bond between our two nations.

(OOC: P.S. think you maybe have got Touzen and Trivodnia mixed up!)

Carinthia-Harkány Cuts Diplomatic Ties to Crotobaltislavonia
Hallein Daily

Today, Parliament voted by 75 – 45 to formally cut diplomatic ties to the nation of Crotobaltislavonia in response to their announcement of a permanent Kadikistani military base within the nation state. Parliament called for it to take immediate effect, allowing Slavonian diplomats two weeks to leave the Empire’s territory and recalling all Carinthian and Harkaner officials from the Slavonian nation.

The act goes further by declaring a full and total closing of the Carintho-Harkaner-Slavonian Border, declaring that neither Carinthia nor Harkány can allow any exceptions to the border closing. Previously, both Kingdoms allowed for certain exemptions to include select medical procedures, religious, or familial reasons. However, as of today, it is illegal – without exception – for any citizen of Carinthia or Harkány to cross the Slavonian Border.

Perhaps most controversial, Parliament also mandated that all humanitarian operations in Crotobaltislavonia, which were previously operating under license from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will have their licenses revoked and are required to cease operations no later than April 30, 2018. While it is true that Carinthia-Harkány has never been a strong proponent of foreign aid, several Tiburan Catholic organizations have relief programs operating in the country and there is, of course, historical ties between Carinthia and Crotobaltislavonia that many conservatives still take to heart.

“The Slavonian Nation has forever struck at the core of Gallo-Germania,” Minister Falkenrath stated “Inviting a permanent Kadikistani military base in the heart of our region and embracing the Marxist-Leninovist ideology brings an omnipresent threat to an otherwise peaceful and prosperous region. The nation must now be shunned and isolated. I pray every day that God will give the Slavonian people the power to overthrow the shackles of oppression and should that day ever come, they can count on the full-fledged support of the Carintho-Harkaner Imperial Army.”

Reactions to the declaration have been mixed. While those in the political sector support the move, there are a number of economists and academics who criticized the response.

“Gallo-Germania, despite some harshly worded letters, has done little to nothing in response to the military base,” Professor Sigmar Pechstein of the Hallein Academy stated “This provides a good opportunity for Carinthia-Harkány to take the lead. However, instead at striking at the cause of the tension – Kadikistan – the Empire took it out on a far easier target, Crotobaltislavonia. This is not bravery.”

Economists have stated that the economic interaction between Crotobaltislavonia, Carinthia, and Harkány have not been so substantial that the Kadikistani Union would be unable to make up the difference. “While I am confident that Kadikistan welcomes the void left by Carinthian and Harkaner businesses closing shop,” Analyst Ferdinand Oetker stated “I do think that the Empire would be better served trying to win over the Slavonian people through enhanced cooperation rather than shunning them and leaving no alternative than Marxist-Leninovism.”

Delegate Josef Joop, someone who voted against the decision, stated “I believe that if Carinthia-Harkány is to take up a broader fight against Kadikistan or Marxist-Leninovism, we need a more coordinated strategy with Eiffelland and Bourgogne. Despite the Government’s insistence to the contrary, we are not the only country that has an interested in repelling Kadikistani growth.”

Bishop Karl Daimler had an entirely different take on the situation, calling for more attention to the human element of the issue: “the Slavonian People have spent more time as members of the Carinthian Empire than they have as independent citizens of Crotobaltislavonia. Their blood is our blood, their history is our history. We have a responsibility to God to help them in their time of need. I am saddened that Chancellor Furst saw it more fit to turn our back on our brethren than open a hand when they need it most.”

While reactions from various communities are mixed, the decision to cut off diplomatic ties is one of the harshest actions taken by Parliament. Specifically, the Imperial Government has rarely ordered the Church to cease operations. At any rate, the response of the Carintho-Harkaner Empire remains a staunchly different approach than that of neighbors in Bergenheim and Eiffelland, who have all agreed in some portion to take in Slavonian refugees.

The Joint Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized the actions of Eiffelland and Bergenheim, stating that the nations are more focused on “a constant response to aggression, rather than addressing the root problem.” However, it remains to be seen if pretending that Crotobaltislavonia doesn’t exist is a preferable alternative than “response to aggression.” Even more so, cutting already loose ties to a country that is housing the military base of an aggressor nation, while doing nothing toward that aggressing nation itself…well, one can hardly call that “addressing the root problem.”

Streng geheim — Top secret

Trierer Stadtschloss
Kanzleramt
Trier, Eiffelland

To: His Imperial Majesty Emperor Joseph IV, and His Excellency Chancellor Furst

Your Imperial Majesty, Dear Chancellor,

As you may be aware, the situation in Crotobaltislavonia is such, that a new crisis may unfold soon. In order to be able to handle such a crisis properly, we want to request right of passage through Carinthia-Harkány for our land army and our air force, so that we can reach Crotobaltislavonia when needed.

Yours faithfully,

Albrecht von Dietz-Hadamar, King of Eiffelland and Grand-Duke of Retalia
Matthias Graf von Seydewitz, Demissionary Chancellor