Trivodnian media

DER MORGEN ZSHURNAL
דער מארגען זשורנאל
The Morning Journal

COUP ATTEMPT IN BURGUNDY WORRIES AMSTOV

News of a failed coup in Burgundy has troubled Trivodnia's political class, as the Grand Duchy - a key friend of the Free State - has its internal stability questioned.

Reports that the 30 coup plotters - all mid-ranking or military officers - had been arrested by Burgundian police and intelligence agencies broke over the weekend. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement of congratulations and dismissed claims that the Grand Duke had been weak on communism - the main complaint of the putschists. "Chagny has proven itself as a bulwark against communist expansionism into Gallo-Germania, and suggestions to the contrary by the attempted coup leaders are little more than weak excuses to disguise their lust for power," read the Ministry's press comment.

The Ministry of National Defence refused to confirm or deny whether any Burgundian military personnel stationed in Trivodnia - strictly on non-combat missions - had been investigated or charged as part of the counter-coup operation.

All of the coup leaders were Republicans - supporters of the right-wing authoritarian regime that ruled Burgundy until the 1950s, which pursued an aggressive anti-communist foreign policy. It was during this period ties grew close between Burgundy and Trivodnia, with both countries viewing Kadikistan as a grave threat, although Amstov quickly embraced the restored Grand Duchy when the military junta was overthrown.

Many in the Trivodnian armed forces were surprised at Burgundy's restrained response to Kadikistan's takeover of Crotobaltislavonia, although were more critical of Eiffelland, recognising Burgundy's bungled intervention in the last Crotobaltislavonian civil war loomed large in public memory and the focus of many Burgundian politicians was on domestic issues. However news of the coup has left both Trivodnian diplomats and generals worried, fearing further upset in the Free State's most important ally. "Hopefully this isn't a portent of worse to come," sighs one Amstov insider.

A dissenting minority does think a return to the old Republican regime would be better for the Free State. "A more assertive Chagny could hold back Ivar's ambitions in the region," suggests a Trivodnian security analyst.

The Ministry of External Affairs is now looking to strengthen relations with the Grand Duchy of Retalia, which was most vocal in its defence of Trivodnia during the Christmas Crisis, as well as Caledonia, which has a mixed history with Ivar, and Chernovy, which protested loudly against the deployment of Xinhaiese troops to Kadikistan.

Both Burgundy and Eiffelland did recently warn against Kadikistan opening an airbase in Crotobaltislavonia, but few in Amstov believe they will act if it goes ahead. "Noone wants to trigger potentially a global war," says one civil servant.

President Meier Lauterpacht wants talks as well with Crotobaltislavonia and Elben to ease regional tensions, but he will likely face fierce opposition if he pushes through with them given Crotobaltislavonia's open anti-Semitism, Elben's strident arch-Catholicism and both countries' previous cooperation with Kadikistan.

"We are increasingly vulnerable and trapped, with no obvious way out," fears Yael Feirberg, a regular columnist for the Morning Journal .

EDIT: We originally stated the officers involved in the coup were senior based on the information received at the time. It has since been revealed that was incorrect. We apologize to our readers and the government of Burgundy for the error.
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Der farnakhter shtern

Krasnislavian Soc Dems in open revolt

The Social Democratic Alliance is at risk of an irreversible split after a dramatic intervention into the devolution debate by the leader of the Krasnislavian wing of the party left Amstov stunned.

Speaking during a television interview with public broadcaster FSBS, Yury Bogdanov, who was recently installed as head of the Krasnislavian Social Democratic People's Assembly, threatened to vote down the government's wider legislative agenda unless it compromised on the issue of decentralisation, and backed some form of ethnic federalism. "We are Social Democrats, but we are Krasnislavians first," Bogdanov declared, rejecting Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann's current plans for an 'exploratory committee' and demanding "immediate action" instead.

The KSDPA, which is one half of the Social Democratic Alliance along with Jewish Social Democracy in Trivodnia, has pushed for constitutional reform since last year's election, which saw the Krasnislavian National Party emerge as the main opposition. But with the KNP refusing to take its seats, the KSDPA - along with the Jewish People's Party and Alternative - wield far more power in the National Assembly. "Yury is asserting himself against perceived Jewish domination within the Social Democrats," says a key ally of Bogdanov, who claims the Krasnislavian is trying to save his party, not destroy it. "Unless a satisfactory answer is found to the national question, the Free State will fall and the Social Democrats will be blamed," he continues.

However Kahnemann and other senior Social Democrats see it differently. The Chancellor was apparently "spitting blood" after the interview, while ministers were furious the government's vision of economic reform and infrastructure investment was being jeopardised by Bogdanov. "We had a plan to make everyone richer and yet Yury would rather fight old battles," laments one.

Should Bogdanov carry out his threats, some fear a permanent rupture in the Social Democrats, which would deprive the party of its majority and open the door to nationalists - Jewish or Krasnislavian - taking power. "Someone has to back down," explains a leading trade unionist close to the SDA hierarchy.

In his own speech, Kahnemann made clear it would not be him. "Once these lines are drawn, they'll be very hard to erase," the Chancellor warned cryptically. Sources say Kahnemann's team is furiously lobbying KSDPA assembly members to not join Bogdanov in his rebellion, promising additional spending for public services in their constituencies.

Opposition parties will be the ultimate deal ?makers however. Should the KNP take up their seats and vote with the KSDPA and inflict a humiliating defeat on the government, it may force another election, which all opposition politicians desperately crave after the Supreme Court blocked a second poll earlier this year. Already the Alternative and Homeland Union have indicated they may work with the KSDPA.

That leaves the Jewish People's Party, who have long opposed federalisation but believe they deserve to be in power based on the latest surveys. So far JPP leader Yitzhak Epstein has remained silent, but few expect that to continue. "The Folkists will get their pound of flesh," states one older Social Democrat who worked with the JPP minority administrations in the 1980s.
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Königreich Elben
Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

рэспубліка
respublika

Trade unions back Soc Dem leadership

The General Confederation of Trivodnian Workers, the Free State's largest trade union organisation, has backed the anti-federalist position of the Social Democratic Alliance's leadership in a major blow to Krasnislavian rebels within the party who were pushing for a compromise on devolution.

In an emergency session of the Confederation's Central Organising Committee, members voted seven to three against a motion that would have backed federalising Trivodnia. Crucially, a number of Krasnislavian delegates voted against the proposal, allowing the GCTW to claim it has cross-community for its support. "Today labour has spoken, and it has made clear its support for a united, undivided Free State," read the committee's final statement.

The vote will help shore up Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann, who was facing defeat for his main legislative agenda after the Krasnislavian Social Democratic People's Assembly - one half of the Social Democratic Alliance - threatened to rebel unless the SDA backed some form of decentralisation. "No doubt the trade unionists will pressure Yury Bogdanov and his gang to get back in line," said one senior Social Democrat, referring to the KSDPA leader and his allies.

There are rumours that some of the dissenters on the Central Organising Committee will try and take the defeated motion to General Conference, which all members of the GCTW can participate in, but few believe the motion will make it that far. "The trade unionist leadership does not want a huge drama," said someone close to the proceedings.

According to trade union sources, what swing the vote was the fear of a loss of influence. "Right now the trade unions have a direct line to Amstov.. federalism would mean they have more players to contend with," explains a member of the Central Organising Committee, who chose to remain anonymous. For Krasnislavian representatives, a potential loss of central funding was another issue.

The Krasnislavian National Party and Homeland Union, who have their own affiliated trade unions, called on the GCTW to reverse its decision, as did the Alternative. The Jewish People's Party, which is hoping for a deal with Jewish Social Democrats, has so far not commented.​

DER TOG

CROTOBALTISLAVONIA 'NARCO-STATE' FEARS

• Banja Luka decriminalises deadly street drug 'Blud'
• Government warns legalisation will damage ties
• Opposition parties demand tough stance

Relations between Crotobaltislavonia and Trivodnia have been thrown into disarray once more after Crotobaltislavonian dictator Raoul Farrago announced the sudden legalisation of synthetic street drug 'Blud', which has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of people in the Three Seas region.

Ties between the Free State and its often volatile western neighbour had been gradually improving in recent weeks, after Farrago indicated he was keen to move on from the Christmas Crisis, which started after a failed coup in Banja Luka that Farrago and Kadikistan accused Trivodnia of coordinating.

President Meier Lauterpacht, who helped negotiate peace with Ivar after it threatened to invade in response, had similarly been pushing for rapprochement. But for Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann and his increasingly hawkish Social Democratic administration, the latest news from Crotobaltislavonia is proof Farrago cannot be trusted. "Just as before the Christmas Crisis, Banja Luka says one thing and does another," the Chancellor declared.

Separately, the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of the Interior issued a joint statement calling on Crotobaltislavonia to reverse legalisation, warning a failure to do so would undo weeks of progress in normalising relations.

Opposition politicians were quick to demand a strong response. "[Farrago] is a Jew-hater and drug lord.. he cannot be tolerated," insisted Yitzhak Epstein, leader of the Jewish People's Party. Shmuel Bernstein, head of the Alternative, whose youth wing once called for personal possession to be decriminalised, denounced drugs as a "scourge" and called for tighter border controls, as did the Krasnislavian National Party.

For some in Amstov, the timing of Farrago's decision is suspicious. "Legalising drugs after trying to restore cross-border trade and commerce.. he's trying to weaponise drug smuggling," claims one Folkist National Assembly member. "Leninovist reforms have devastated the Crotobaltislavonian economy," adds a Free State Intelligence Bureau agent, who says Crotobaltislavonia may become a "narco-state" to fund spending after its internal collapse.

'Blud' first emerged after tensions between Kadikistan and Trivodnia and later Elben reduced the flow of cannabis and opiates from Kashtan and further beyond, forcing addicts to look elsewhere for their fix. The exact composition of 'Blud' is unknown as various substances have been sold under its name, but one consistency is high levels of impurities. "This is dirty stuff," grimaces one border guard who has seen the effects of 'Blud' firsthand.

Crotobaltislavonia has yet to release an official definition, adding to the confusion around legalisation.

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די צײט | Di Tsayt ‎

Crotobaltislavonia unrest sparks fears of 'Summer Crisis'

AMSTOV - The government is bracing itself for another regional crisis, the Times can exclusively reveal, as fears grow Kadikistan will intervene to shore up the position of Crotobaltislavonian dictator Raoul Farrago, who is facing ongoing street protests and a potential internal power struggle.

According to sources within the ministries of External Affairs, National Defence and the Interior, the Free State Self-Defence Forces have started preparing for a second Kadikistani deployment to Crotobaltislavonia by quietly remobilising assets close to Trivodnia's western border. "Nothing large-scale is happening, but reconnaissance missions are being worked up and defensive strategies planned," one military insider told this newspaper.

Having been the subject of an international anti-Semitic smear campaign by Banja Luka and Ivar following the failed 'Christmas Coup', Amstov is expecting to be blamed for the current unrest in Crotobaltislavonia too. "The Jews at least will be behind this, they'll say," warns a top diplomat, who informed us a counter-propaganda campaign has already been launched across foreign social media and press.

The news comes ahead of a historic summit between the King of Elben and President Meier Lauterpacht, where Crotobaltislavonia is expected to be high on the agenda. "Unlike the last time, Elben and Trivodnia are on the same page when it comes to our troublesome neighbour," claims a presidential aide. During the 'Christmas Crisis', Elben allowed Kadikistani military aircraft to use its airspace, before abruptly closely its skies to all foreign traffic, prompting Kadikistan to impose harsh sanctions as punishment. "Ivar is seen very differently now," the aide continues.

While you would expect the protests against self-styled 'Big Brother' Farrago to be welcomed in Amstov, to many in the Free State's establishment they could not be timed any worse. "The Three Seas region was just recovering, tensions were cooling.. another revolution in Crotobaltislavonia will undo that all," fears someone close to Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann. For Kahnemann, renewed Kadikistani meddling in Crotobaltislavonia would test the increasingly hawkish line he has been taking, with potentially devastating consequences for Trivodnia - or his political career. "War would be a disaster but if the public doesn't see him taking what they feel is a strong enough stance, he's over," adds a Social Democratic assembly member.

The government's unease can be seen in the silence of External Affairs minister Vladimir Pinski, who has yet to comment on the protests in Crotobaltislavonia, which have lasted several days now. Ministry press officers brief Pinski does not want to be "overly optimistic" on the protesters' success, but others in his department tell a different story. "Cross-border trade was picking up again, another civil war will kill commerce," states an ally of the External Affairs minister, who says rebuilding the economy is the government's top priority, not regime change in Banja Luka.

For opposition parties, refugees are a bigger concern than commerce. Both the Jewish People's Party and the Homeland Union in particular see fleeing Crotobaltislavonian Jews as voters-in-waiting, while the Alternative and Krasnislavian National Party see them as a threat to Trivodnia's delicate demographic balance. To avoid confrontation, the ruling Social Democratic Alliance has encouraged refugees to use the Free State as a stepping stone to Eiffelland, the Socialist World Republic or elsewhere.

For President Lauterpacht, his legacy is now in question. The ageing head of state played a crucial role in deescalating tensions with Kadikistan, taking the reigns of power by declaring an extraordinary state of emergency. Another regional spat will see him go down as an "appeaser and autocrat" opines the Times lead political columnist Nissim Kessler.
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FREE STATE BROADCASTING SERVICE

"Good afternoon and welcome to the Monday late night bulletin. I'm Ivonka Korbut for Free State Broadcasting Service news and these are today's top stories.

"Senior officials from the Krasnislavian Social Democratic People's Assembly are supposedly in talks with moderate members of the Krasnislavian National Party to create a new movement. According to sources familiar with the situation, key policy positions would include a gradualist approach to independence, progressive social policies, a more redistributive economic agenda and republican political system for an independent, reunited Krasnislavia. Among those said to be involved are KNP assembly member Zhanna Khalinkina, who has been hiding ever since her failed leadership challenge, and Yury Bogdanov, head of the KSDPA. Any changes of allegiance by AMs would trigger a series of by-elections, potentially paralysing the National Assembly further.

"Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann is hoping to prevent a breakaway party by promising support for restored Krasnislavia, including territories from Elben and Kadikistan, as a "long-term objective" of the Social Democrats in an effort to placate Krasnislavian nationalists in his own ranks. However he continued to reject demands for a bi-national Trivodnia as an interim solution. Bogdanov described the plans as "kicking Krasnislavian aspirations into the long grass".

"Not all Krasnislavian Social Democrats are happy with the idea of splitting with the Social Democratic Alliance however, warning it would leave Krasnislavians poorer and under-represented. Affiliated trade unions also warned against splitting.

"Separately the SDA leadership is working on a wide-ranging internal security bill with the Jewish People's Party targeting drugs, terrorism and border control. The JPP recently secured a number of concessions after agreeing to back the SDA leadership's main economic bills. Analysts say this could to mark further cooperation between Jewish Social Democrats and the Folkists.

"Lastly, pirate radio stations have Crotobaltislavonia suggested the recently deceased dictator Raoul Farrago had been ousted by a hardline Leninovist faction, fuelling concerns in Amstov that Banks Luka may still prove still be an unreliable, erratic neighbour. The Ministry of External Affairs struck a more positive note.

"That's all from me for now. Next, tomorrow's weather. Thank you and goodbye."​

DER MORGEN ZSHURNAL
דער מארגען זשורנאל
The Morning Journal

TRIVODNIA PREPARES FOR HISTORIC SUMMIT WITH ELBEN

President Meier Lauterpacht is heading to the Elbener coastal resort of Lenz to sit down with King Friedrich IX and Foreign Affairs Minister Gerhard von Schlabrendorff in what will be the first meeting of heads of state between Trivodnia and Elben.

At the top of the agenda will be the situation in Crotobaltislavonia, which many fear is rapidly descending into civil war after the death of dictator Raoul Farrago, believed to be from 'Blud' addiction. The radical Marxist-Leninovist Optor League has reportedly seized power, while street protests led by students continue in the Crotobaltislavonian capital Banja Luka, although pirate radio stations have since reported security forces moving into the main plaza to clear out demonstrators.

Krasnislavian irredentism will be another key topic for discussion, with a resurgent Krasnislavian nationalism in both Elben and Trivodnia, believed to be partly stirred up Kadikistan, threatening regional stability. Agreeing shared management of Lake Elbe (known in Elben as the Inner Sea) will be another priority, with a particular focus on environmental conservation and sustainable exploitation of natural resources.

The summit - the first of its kind between the Free State and Elben - demonstrates how far bilateral relations have moved on since the Christmas Crisis, when both countries were at odds over the future of Crotobaltislavonia. The Germanian Kingdom, like its Catholic cousins to the north in Gunnland, initially supported Raoul Farrago by allowing Kadikistani troops and supplies to pass through its airspace. Trivodnia on the other hand remained a vocal opponent of Farrago, accusing him of anti-Semitism and fabricating the attempted coup.

Elben later abruptly closed its borders to all foreign air traffic, and is widely to have believed to have then started supporting monarchist forces loyal to exiled Queen Victoria, a claimant to the throne of Crotobaltislavonia. This resulted in punitive economic and financial sanctions by Kadikistan, and paved the way for rapprochement between Trivodnia and Elben. "Make no mistake, there's no warmth between us, but we both share the same enemies," said one Trivodnian diplomat.

Thanks to the ongoing political paralysis at home, President Lauterpacht will be attending the talks on his own, with External Affairs minister Vladimir Pinski trying to help Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann prevent a split within the ruling Social Democratic Alliance over the issue of Krasnislavian representation.
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DER MORGEN ZSHURNAL
דער מארגען זשורנאל
The Morning Journal

TRIVODNIA AND ELBEN TO DIVIDE LAKE ELBE

Trivodnia and Elben are to jointly manage Lake Elbe following a landmark agreement at the Elbener coastal resort of Lenz, which saw the heads of state from both countries meet for the first time.

In a sign of how far bilateral relations have improved since the Christmas Crisis, President Meier Lauterpacht sat down with King Friedrich IX and Foreign Affairs Minister Gerhard von Schlabrendorff to discuss the future of Crotobaltislavonia and Krasnislavia.

With Banja Luka once again a battlefield, ensuring the current civil war does not escalate into a regional confrontation was the top priority for Amstov. However, no firm actions were agreed at Lenz. "This was a trust-building exercise for the Elbenese.. they are a more cautious and insular people than we are," explains a presidential aide, who confirmed both governments were in talks for a 'Lenz II' in the autumn, where the President hopes to achieve more.

While Eschenbach did not agree to intelligence-sharing or trade liberalisation - key negotiating points for Lauterpacht - the Germanian kingdon did agree to extra border security to limit coordination between Krasnislavian separatists, and more controversially, dividing Lake Elbe (known in Elben as the Inner Sea).

A draft text released by both parties gives Elben and Trivodnia total jurisdiction over the lake, including Crotobaltislavonia's maritime claims. Banja Luka will be granted full jurisdiction when it returns to "normal governance", which will be decided by Eschenbach and Amstov. "No doubt this will piss people off on either side of us," warns an official from the Trivodnian Ministry of External Affairs, referring to Crotobaltislavonia and Kadikistan.

The agreement focuses mostly on fishing rights and environmental protection, with a focus on reducing pollution and eliminating invasive species.

Economic activity around Lake Elbe has been limited by competing territorial claims and frequent naval skirmishes, often between rival fishermen. A lack of oversight has seen many use the waters as a dumping ground as well. Nearby settlements hope the new accord between Trivodnia and Elben will change all that. "We're praying for a better future," says an Elbenese villager.

During the Christmas Crisis, Lake Elbe became a popular route for refugees fleeing the conflict, even though dozens drowned trying to cross it. However there was no mention of refugees in the draft treaty.
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FREE STATE BROADCASTING SERVICE

"Hello and welcome to the Tuesday evening bulletin. I'm Iryna Korolevska for Free State Broadcasting Service news and these are today's top stories.

"The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly rebuked Crotobaltislavonian claims that the Free State and Kingdom of Elben are looking to steal Crotobaltislavonian fishing stocks and other natural resources in Lake Elbe.

"'There will be no interference in Crotobaltislavonian waters unless naval forces - state-backed or otherwise - operating from there pose a threat to Elbener and Trivodnian interests in the lake... The focus of both Elben and Trivodnia is environmental protection', read the Ministry's public statement, which said Crotobaltislavonians 'should be grateful' instead.

"The Ministry of External Affairs downplayed the prospect of war resulting from the dispute, noting Banja Luke would keep it's air and ground routes to Trivodnia and Elben open. The Ministry of National Defence meanwhile said Crotobaltislavonian naval forces - pro-government or rebel - posed no 'serious threat".

"Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann is reasserting his control over the Social Democratic Alliance after he asked party chairman Stanislav Burin to launch disciplinary proceedings against Krasnislavian Social Democrats who were looking to split from the SDA and form a new nationalist movement. Among those targeted include Yury Bogdanov, leader of the Krasnislavian Social Democratic People's Assembly. In his letter to Burin, Kahnemann asked the chairman to consider expulsion.

"The Krasnislavian National Party leadership, although currently jailed, is similarly looking to expel Zhanna Khalinkina and other KNP assembly members who were also involved in talks to create a new nationalist group.

"Lastly, the Alternative party is planning a protest march in Amstov tomorrow attacking the 'ethnic duopoly' it claims is running Trivodnia. Head of the Alternative Shmuel Bernstein will claim only his party can save the Free State by introducing 'genuine power-sharing' for all of Trivodnia's communities.

"That's all from me for now. Next, tomorrow's weather. Thank you and goodbye."​

рэспубліка
respublika

Chancellor stirs controversy with airstrike comments

Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann was forced to deny military plans existed to attack Crotobaltislavonia after claiming "a single airstrike" could destroy Crotobaltislavonian forces on Lake Elbe.

Speaking to members of the National Assembly's Permanent Committee on External Affairs, Kahnemann denied any security risk existed following the Lenz Agreement with the Kingdom of Elbe, which divided Lake Elbe between the two countries until Crotobaltislavonia returned to "responsible governance". The Chancellor insisted neither the Crotobaltislavonian government nor rebel factions would "dare" engage with the Free State's Self-Defence Forces, citing Trivodnia's "technical superiority".

It was in a follow up response Kahnemann then claimed Trivodnia could wipe out Crotobaltislavonian forces in and around Lake Elbe, promoting an urgent query from the committee and later, criticism from the Presidency.

"Do current plans exist for a 'first strike' against Crotobaltislavonia, which would be both unconstitutional and a potential trigger for a regional war?" Asked committee chair Andrej Tusk, an assembly member for the Alternative party.

The Chancellor swiftly denied any preparations for an attack, but insisted Trivodnia had the right to defend herself and "unprovoked aggression will not be tolerated". "The Free State has pledged itself to neutrality, but lines must be drawn somewhere," he continued.

President Meier Lauterpacht criticised the remarks in an official statement, calling them "unwise" and "inflammatory". "Cool heads and quiet mouths are what's needed," quipped Lauterpacht at the end.

The President and Chancellor have frequently clashed over foreign policy, with Kahnemann adopting an increasingly hawkish tone on Crotobaltislavonia and Kadikistan while Lauterpacht has repeatedly called for a more doveish approach.

Last month the National Assembly passed the government's plan to boost defence spending to five per cent of GDP - approximately €M7.5bn - by the end of this term. The bulk of the money will be spent on modernising equipment, with the air force being the main recipient.
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די צײט | Di Tsayt ‎

Anger over Krasnislavian unity march

KRETYN - Opposition parties and backbenchers from the ruling Social Democratic Alliance have called on the government to block the entry of Krasnislavian protesters from Kadikistan into Trivodnia, warning their presence will be a danger to national security.

Some 75,000 demonstrators are participating in the so-called 'Movement for a United Socialist Krasnislavia' (MUSK according to Kadikistani state media, although Trivodnian authorities privately casted doubt on the figures. "As with everything Kadikistan says you have to take it with a pinch of salt," said an Interior Ministry official.

The march, which follows days of rallies in Kadikistani Krasnislavia, will pass through Trivodnia before passing into Elben, which also has a substantial Krasnislavian population. In a statement today, the Trivodnian government confirmed it would allow MUSK into the Free State, providing participants had the correct paperwork. Speaking before the National Assembly, Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann suggested anything else would be a "propaganda coup" for Ivar.

However the Jewish People's Party, Homeland Union and Alternative have all called for marchers to be banned from entering Trivodnia. "No other country on Earth would allow an army of rabble-rousers and trouble-makers onto their territory to keep less than half the population happy," thundered JPP leader Yitzhak Epstein. A "national security threat" is how Homeland Union head Moisei Carlebach described the demonstrators, while Shmuel Bernstein said the rest of Trivodnia would suffer as a result of "this Jewish-Krasnislavian psychodrama".

Even Social Democrats were critical. One Social Democratic assembly member decried the march as a "front for communist infiltration" while another warned Ivar would use the opportunity to "wreak havoc".

The protest comes at a time when relations between Trivodnia's Jewish and Krasnislavian communities are at an all time low. The two demographic groups have increasingly divergent views on the future of the Free State and also Kadikistan. However the Krasnislavian National Party urged its supporters not to join MUSK as it moved through Trivodnia, as did the Krasnislavian Social Democratic People's Assembly. "Proud Krasnislavians should not allow their patriotism to be weaponised by potentially hostile forces," KNP leader Uladzimir Sannikov said in a statement released from prison.

Pundits believe Chancellor Kahnemann is taking a relaxed approach to the march in order not to upset Krasnislavian voters, who may interpret a crackdown as another attack on Krasnislavian nationalism, or to provoke Kadikistan. "One wrong step here and everything could blow up," writes the Times lead political columnist Nissim Kessler in today's edition.
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