Gothia Handels- og Sjøfartstidning :: News and Business from the North

Northern Cooperative Unions · Feb 17, 2019

TEKST - WORD FROM PRESIDIUM OF THE COUNCIL OF COOPERATIVES

The Proletarian North congratulates the Socialist Party on receiving a majority within the Two Kingdoms. Our government hopes that this victory heralds a new era for the political sphere of Two Kingdoms politics.

Regards,
Council of Cooperatives

Jydsken-Østveg · Feb 18, 2019

Auraria said:
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PRESIDENTE DE LA REPÚBLICA
LA REPÚBLICA AURARIANA

20 Ventumes CXCIX | 3 February 2019

The Honorable Birger Ola Hansson
Prime Minister-Elect of the two Kingdoms
Gøthehavn, Jyskerige
Two Kingdoms of Jyskerige-Østveg

Dear Prime Minister-Elect Hansson,

On behalf of the Aurarine Republic, I extend my congratulations to Birger Ola Hansson and the Left Alliance on the whole for their victory in the Two Kingdoms. Certainly, Mr. Hansson has outlined a legislative agenda that will serve to the great benefit of the people of the Kingdoms.

The path of the Left Alliance mimics the path that the Coalition for Change took in order to put a leftist government back in control of Auraria for the first time in twenty years. The peoples of our countries chose new leaders and hoped for a new direction. Every day I have worked diligently to capitalize the campaign promises that the people of Auraria entrusted to me.

I am approaching the completion of my second year in office. It is my hope that the elections of our governments will bring a closer bond between Auraria and the Two Kingdoms. I stand ready to offer whatever assistance I can in this time. Hopefully this is the start of a new era of relations and friendship between our countries.

Signed,
Manuel Sanabria

Eiffelland said:
Kanzleramt
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalia

Our congratulations to the Leftist Alliance with their victory in the elections. Also our congratulations to the Honorable Mr. Hansson. We look forward to a fruitful cooperation between our countries. I invite the future Prime-Minister of Jyskerige-Østveg for a visit in Trier to discuss the matters at hand.

Roland Rheinfeld, Chancellor

Northern Cooperative Unions said:
TEKST - WORD FROM PRESIDIUM OF THE COUNCIL OF COOPERATIVES

The Proletarian North congratulates the Socialist Party on receiving a majority within the Two Kingdoms. Our government hopes that this victory heralds a new era for the political sphere of Two Kingdoms politics.

Regards,
Council of Cooperatives

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RIGSFÆLLESSKABET
DETTE HJØRNE AF JORDEN SMILER FOR MIG MERE END NOGET ANDET

Departementet for de Udenlandske Anliggender
(Udenrigsministeriet): Ingen begrænsning - (No restrictions)

Her Majesty’s Government would like to convey the most appropriate and diligent display of gratitude to you for the warm congratulations of this new Government led by the Socialist Party, with their alliance partner the Scanian Nationalist Party.

The honorable Prime Minister Birger Ola Hansson extends a hand of friendship to your nations. It is the continued position of Her Majesty’s Government to continue the policy of neutrality, and to continue to maintain any agreements made by the former Government of the most honorable Rasmus Olsen.

Bearing all this in mind, the agenda of the Hansson Government will differ in several agenda points, with a goal to restore harmonious relations with those closest to the Gothic Sea, and our partners in Gallo-Germania. Queries on subjects of particular interest may be given to this office, and will be answered in the most complete means possible.

Med vennlig hilsen,
Lotta Folkesson
Utanriksministeren

Jydsken-Østveg · Feb 19, 2019

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TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Hansson Government begins to execute campaign promises

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Birger Ola Hansson has been prudent with his public announcements[/DIV]

[GØTHEHAVN] — The Hansson Government began to make its first announcements and work towards the policies that it promised as part of its campaign. Among them involve changes that were of importance to the SNP, and the increase of taxes on the wealthy to fund more public education programs.

The issues of importance to the SNP involved the ability for Østveg to determine how to have itself governed. Naturally, it’s not in Hansson’s interest to entertain any ideas of SNP strongholds to leave the Two Kingdoms and establish their own country, but no one publicly knows what Hansson has promised the SNP. As a result a very vague plan has been released about how Austwegians will soon vote for a future understanding in the Two Kingdoms. Østveg which almost left the union last year during the succession crisis, will now appear to have their own public referendum on the issue. It was understood that during the succession crisis, there were many unhappy elements within the Austwegian parliament and Hansson seems happy to recognize them as opposed to the Conservative Government of Rasmus Olsen which instead chose to make a deal with several conservative elements of the former Austwegian Parliament so that he could and force them into the union via political backroom dealing.

Østveg which is a very diverse political climate could find a lot of redefinition as to their status within the Two Kingdoms, and questions will further be raised with Dronning Ragnhild Land, which was now as of today allowed to also be referred to as Drottning Ragnhild Land, as official recognition of other Scanian dialects was enabled by the Hansson Government. Strict legal enforcement of many issues from the alphabet, to formal publications demanded adherence to Jysk language policies. This included characters in public places, as Ö must be Ø, and Ä must be Æ. However there are also changes in spelling, as referenced to the word ‘Queen’ in the prior Queen Ragnhild Land territory. Of course Dronning Ragnhild Land may now find itself in a difficult situation. Will it be included in the referendum?

Education funding will now be stretched to include adults. This means free university, college, and trade school for adults at any age. Furthermore, adults will now be required to attend a university, college, or trade school if they remain unemployed and on welfare for a period that lasts longer than one year, with courses expected to begin in eighteen months. The hope the Socialist Party believes, is that those stuck on welfare will be required to reinvent themselves to find work, else take a job. The Socialist Party also now hopes to include the National Unions in the policies, especially when involving trade schools and colleges to have the Unions get help finding applicants with the tools they need to fill vacant positions.

Other than this, the Hansson Government has expressed a desire to reapproach with the Rurikgrad Pact countries, and while not outright leaving the ECONAMS group, Birger Ola Hansson has stated on the record, “ECONAMS is on ice. We’re not removing membership, but we will not allow for it to further develop. Our representation there is purely ceremonial, with the function of vetoing any ideas that decide to further integrate the group. It is my belief that leaving it open only may be of use in the event of diplomatic or economic crisis.” ■

Jydsken-Østveg · Feb 21, 2019

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A FUNERAL FOR ECONAMS
ECONAMS axed after Grand Duchy of Lars strikes against it

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FM Lotta Folkesson speaks to the press[/DIV]

[GØTHEHAVN] — The departure of the Grand Duchy of Lars was harshly rebuked by the Hansson Government after it suddenly, without any warning, announced its unilateral departure from the ECONAMS agreement. The move caused the Hansson Government to close the ECONAMS organization immediately.

Closing ECONAMS was never expected by the Hansson Government after the Prime Minister declared that he wanted to put it on ice. The Grand Duchy’s departure happened immediately thereafter. A move which has been seen as a stab in the back by the Two Kingdoms after it worked so hard to maintain stability in the organization after the chaos caused by Justosian foreign policy in attachment to the ECONAMS agreement. “It was the Two Kingdoms which orchestrated the media blitz after the Justosian panic. Not the Grand Duchy. The Two Kingdoms worked tirelessly on the arrangement, staking its reputation on the line based upon its promise of neutrality. With friends like these, who needs enemies?” stated a foreign ministry diplomat that wished to remain anonymous.

This sentiment has echoed across the Kingdoms.

Foreign Minister Lotta Folkesson answer briefly after the ECONAMS closure announcement, “No, the Grand Duchy did not contact us prior. They did not warn us this may occur. We find their conduct immature. We find their conduct enlightening on the expected diplomatic conduct exercised in East Gallo-Germania. Trusting the Grand Duchy in the future to uphold any agreement should prove difficult. Trust is the hard currency of diplomacy and thus leaves to question their foreign policy in its entirety.”

The Grand Duchy cited problems with Justosian conduct as the reason for its departure; however, their reasoning for such action seems belated. The Justosian conduct in question was over a month ago. An eternity ago in news cycles. Both international opinion and markets had stabilized, and the Jysk-Austwegian promise to not make any changes to the accord in order to prevent a rocking of the boat after such turbulence prevented any further turbulent times. Thus the Grand Duchy seems to be working to prioritize other agreements and drawing lines in the sand with the Scanians.

Ending ECONAMS will come as a relief to some. The agreement ended the Conservative Party’s dominance over the Two Kingdom’s political discourse, and the Socialist Party can now take credit for burying it. Yet the circumstances in which it is declared dead has also left questions marks as to the conduct of nations in East Gallo-Germania, a region becoming known for questionable rash foreign policy changes made on a whim. ■

Imimoya · Feb 21, 2019

A spokesman for the Council of Ministers published a press release on the recent intervention by the Two Northern Kingdoms:

The Grand Duchy of Lars is very surprised by the adverse reaction of the northern kingdoms. After all, we fail to understand how a right exercised by the Grand Duchy like that of leaving an agreement that is no longer profitable for Lars is regarded as an offense to the Two Kingdoms of Jyskerige-Østveg.

In reality there are many things that we can not understand, as it is possible that the output of the Grand Duchy can lead to the termination of an international agreement signed by three nations, excluding the two kingdoms. Kingdoms, like Eiffilland-Retalia that are 10 times bigger and economically more important than Lars.

Only by understanding this we can see how the last period the economic nature of the agreement created by the Two Kingdoms of Jyskerige-Østveg has failed and replaced by a constant and continuous projection of the national interests of the two kingdoms over smaller nations such as Lars. Now that this projection can no longer be sustained, the two kingdoms of the north are ready to shut down Econams.

Has the historical neutrality of the two kingdoms perhaps disappeared?

-Council of Ministers Press Office

Montedoro · Feb 22, 2019

Consular Office
We are most thankful to the humanitarian assistance provided to our peoples by the wise government of His Most Esteemed and Noble and Sagacious Prime Minister Birger Ola Hannson. We shall name a street in reconstructed Viasinde after this grand personage of international diplomacy. A true beacon of wisdom in our times.

Jydsken-Østveg · Feb 26, 2019

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MARKETS HIT AFTER RETALIAN SEA STUNT
Claims of piracy and freighters attacked by phantoms cause Monday market chaos

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Islamic Pirates dominated the Retalian and Barbaresk Seas at one point in time leading to the Jysk-Austwegian name for the sea and region.[/DIV]

[GØTHEHAVN] — The famed Gothic Stock Exchange closed on Monday with a major fall in shares of Retalian Sea companies. The events that have occurred there involved the sinking of a Serenen freighter sinking to the bottom, spilling oil and valuables into the sea there. The sinking alone is expected to cause environmental harm that could cost the region billions if not handled with care as oil is expected to slowly seep out of the vessel over the foreseeable future. This news alone is not the driving factor of market woes however. The cause of the vessel’s misfortune has been caused by a submarine that rammed the freighter. The submarine has not been found, although it is expected to have sunk nearby as well, leaving another unknown environmental concern.

Oddly, the term piracy, which has also stirred markets into a frenzy, was used by authorities. Observers of the scene reported no such indication of piracy from the speedboats that were sank by the Eiffelloretalian Navy.

In combination, markets opened down and the fall only continued.

If pirates are able to proflierate the Retalian Sea, one of the busiest seaways in the world, then where can they not be found? Or is the Barbaresk Sea region the only one with the problem? Analysts with the Royal Navy theorize that the pirates were actually hired hitmen to steal something of singular value on the Hyacinthe, the Serenen freighter in question.

In response other nations are planning to tighten their waterways, including an announcement from the Aurarian Republic in regards to their strait into the Barbaresk Sea. The Hansson Government themselves reiterated that the Gothic Sea would continue to be policed by the Royal Navy.

The reassurances have not stopped markets from falling, but has caused many to ask if lack of a supreme naval power in the Retalian Sea region has caused the instability. In the Thaumantic it can be assumed that the First Republic will maintain security. In the Gothic Sea, the Two Kingdoms patrol regularly, and the Anti-State maintains supremacy in their Implarian sphere of interests. At least in the Barbaresk Sea, the Aurarian Republic and Pelasgian Empire maintain control. These nations typically are seen as the most powerful on the high seas.

It may take until the completion of the Conference in Lars that is currently in session to figure out how Retalian Sea security may be improved. Until then, it is unlikely that the markets will forget this episode of pure chaos. ■

Montedoro · Feb 26, 2019

CENTRAL SECRETARIAT
Recent actions in the Retalian Sea have concerned us greatly, we commend the Jyskerige press for its valuable insight in the matter. We hope that in coming times, peace may come to the wider region.

Jydsken-Østveg · Feb 28, 2019

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ROYAL NAVY TO MOVE FLEET OUTSIDE LÅNG SEA
The increase in security threats has prompted the deployment

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The Royal Navy is still using aging Harriers[/DIV]

[GØTHEHAVN] — The crisis in the Lång Sea has prompted voices within the Government into an inquiry into what the Two Kingdoms do for the general protection of commerce around the world. The Royal Navy has generally seen itself as a protector of free trade and the freedom of the seas. The stance has been criticized as recently as the beginning of the winter season when the previous Olsen Government stood up for freedom of the seas in regards to Justosian access to the Lång Sea. These politics may have put the Olsen Government is poor electoral health, but the policy is old and important to Jysk-Austwegian Dominions.

The Lång Sea remains as contentious as ever. Multiple states have claimed that the problem of piracy is demanding an increase in naval patrols. Gothenhagen does not accept this narrative that has been put forth by the Eiffelloretalians. “The news stories that broke very much indictated to us that this appears to have been a hit, not a case of pirates in the usual sense, but rather a privateer,” stated Lieutenant Olivia Hedström a press officer with the Royal Navy. She continued, “This is not to suggest anything good, if anything this could be seen as a far more dangerous development if raider work is contracted out by foreign governments or entities.”

Contracted hits are not necessarily going to be stopped by increased patrols, as professional work is usually meticulously planned for a variety of variables. The Hansson Government believes that because of this fact, the massive increase in activity in the Lång Sea is focused around preventing free passage.

The 2nd Helicopter Carrier Fleet is expected to sail southward for the Lång Sea but remain in Thaumantic waters. Unusually for the Royal Navy, the Fleet will be outfitted with Harrier Jets, which imply the possibility of more aggressive rather than defensive roles. The Harrier Fleet is aging, and the operations are also highlighting the need for modernization. ■

Jydsken-Østveg · Mar 10, 2019

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FOLKETINGET SEEKS MODERNIZATION OF JETS
Criticism over the scene of aging Harrier jets preparing for deployment has parliament agree to replacements

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The most modern aircraft available to the Royal Air Force is the ASJA 37 Blixt[/DIV]

[GØTHEHAVN] — The Lång Sea crisis has exposed a new crisis within the armed forces, and that is the delapitated state of its jet fighters. Currently the most advanced jet fighter is the

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, which was launched in 1971. The Royal Navy uses its own jet platform with the

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which was imported from Sylvania in the mid-1970s to make additional use of the Sylvanian built helicopter carriers. Traditionally as a seafaring nation, the Two Kingdoms has focused on naval technology and readiness.

With images of the Harrier System being seen on television, the impression of the Scanian nation’s military readiness as a whole seemed to be cast in doubt by the general public. The Folketing (Parliament), acknowledging the lack of confidence in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Air Command, has decided to revisit its jet fighter modernization which was shelved in the late-90s due to cost, with hopes that the current platform could last until 2025.

The result was passing on the

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. This platform is still available, and improved from the early ASJA 39 Pegasos. A true 4th generation fighter platform, the newer 39 Pegasos is considered by some experts as more a 4.5 generation. Rumors suggest that ASJA is working on a 5th generation fighter as well, but it is not known if such developments are real or even going to be completed.

What has always been problematic about the work of ASJA, is that their jets are not designed to work on the Helicopter Carrier fleet currently employed by the Two Kingdoms. This inflexibility has resulted in Parliament declining the original Pegasos Platform. ASJA executives have stated in response that there is little need to employ carrier functionality, as they have stated that traditional carrier warfare is obsolete, and future carriers will focus on the usage of drones, something that ASJA has also begun to work on, and would be launchable from the Helicopter Carriers used by the Two Kingdoms. Parliament however, is unsure if trying to integrate such new technological warfare doctrines would be a wise idea.

As a result, the debate has begun in Parliament, and it is possible that only the Royal Air Force will see a modernization. ■

Jydsken-Østveg · Apr 26, 2019

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Thrust into the Prime Minister role via tragedy, Mette Knudsen takes the Two Kingdoms some place they never thought they’d be

KNUDSEN DELIVERS WAR ROAD MAP
The assassination of PM Birger Ola Hansson has resulted in a formal declaration of war against Gouw Marken ending over a century of peace time[GØTHEHAVN] — It was not long ago that elections were held and Birger Ola Hansson emerged victorious with his Socialist Party. Praise was drawn from nations as far and wide as the Communists in the Northern Collective Republics, Socialist Democrats in Serenierre and Auraria, and even the more centrist conservative Eiffelland-Retalia. This was to be a new era for the Two Kingdoms which had been governed by the Conservative Party since 1988.

The Socialist Party victory was of course highly assisted by public opinion turning upon the prior Conservative Party and its dealings with the bellicose Justosian Kingdom. Foreign politics have thus shaped the Socialist Party Government, and news of corrupt sales deals with Serenierre via the Conservative Government have further shown that their international dealings could no longer be trusted. Birger Ola Hansson had yet to really embark on any truly policy platforms or foreign policy other than quickly closing up the controversial ECONAMS project, and orienting the Two Kingdoms as a nation firmly attached to shoring up the national defense. Hansson was struck down point blank by a gunman on March 15th, and what appeared to be a political murder turned out to be an assassination.

The callous attack made by Gouw Marken revealed to the public a larger sleeper cell that operated within the Two Kingdoms and had been since at least the 1970s when it was discovered by Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste (FE), the Jysk-Austwegian military intelligence agency. Left undisturbed with the exception of occasional monitoring, the death of Prime Minister Hansson prompted FE to begin an investigation into his murder after eyewitnesses expressed the foreign accent of the gunman as he yelled. The accent fit according to these bystanders as Engellish, but FE knowing the operations of the Gouw Marken sleeper cell reopened an investigation into the cell on March 18th.

It is not known when the evidence began to pile up into the affirmative, but by mid-April the Knudsen Government became aware that there was a diplomatic issue at hand. Closed door meetings are said to have occurred on April 16th and April 18th, when talks led to no real progress. The problem would have to be solved via other means.

News of the guilt of the neighboring Communist dictatorship had not yet leaked to the press, but the Knudsen Government decided to head off the possibility by going public. The news within the 24 hours of her announcement on social media, and targeted leaks to the press began to pile up. On April 24th, Knudsen spoke to the Queen, and received permission to engage and declare war. The Queen forwarded the request to declare war to Parliament on April 26th after careful deliberations between the Crown and the Government. The key factor is that Gouw Marken has been considered a faithful ally of the Kadikistani Government; however, the internal discord within Kadikistan has left it unlikely for them to be able press the Knudsen Government or be able to support Gouw Marken in any way. In this respect, the Government felt it was able to wage a war that it could win, and would be the only acceptable choice for a foreign government that would not admit, nor take any responsibility for the assassination of a foreign leader.

The Knudsen Government is not going in with a parade. The Government knows the nation has not been to war officially since the 19th century and as such preparation is likely to be difficult. That said, the Two Kingdom’s position of Armed Neutrality is one that has always kept the military at top readiness for just such a situation.

Mette Knudsen in her address to the Folketing has stated that the goal of the Two Kingdoms is one of regime change, to remove the Communist government and install a new democracy there. The road map involves stages, one of sudden strike, attack, occupation, preparation for elections as mandated by drafting a new constitution, and the implementation. In order to reduce the chance for attack upon the Two Kingdoms, immediately after the declaration of war in the Folketing this morning, the Royal Air Force bombed key missile installations, runways, and the Kadikistani missile depots. The opening stages of war have begun. ■

OOC (This is to be a war project told entirely via 6-8 investigative news posts that will get longer. So long as nobody else is interested in getting involved, the posts will include a great deal of detail about the conflict. The storyline here is about taking a small neighbor that was going to be removed from the map, and using that as a tool to remove my nation from its current neutrality policy, and also highlight how Kadikistan is not projecting its power to save a Communist nation thus giving insight into the new world order we exist in. Please PM me if you do intend to get involved so we can coordinate how that is supposed to look, and if an actual war thread is needed. Side note: I know Serenierre has an outstanding diplomatic post about aiding my government in executing this attack seamlessly and I will respond to that by tomorrow I’m hoping.)

Justosia · Apr 26, 2019

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Office of the Foreign Minister

We shall wear this wire's weak attempt at an insult with pride. We'd much rather be 'bellicose' than be weak, wishy washy cowards unable to stand by sacred ideals. Elected ideals. We lament the loss of the preceeding rightist government. They are good people, patriots. We lament too your tragedy nationale.

We will attempt to maintain cordial relations with this government. Viva Justosia.

Fernando Torres
Foreign Minister

Gunnland · Apr 27, 2019

Officium Legati + Regnum Marpesiae
Foreign Office + Kingdom of Gunnland

The Two Kingdoms is an international pariah, governed by cowards who strike while they believe the Kadikistani bear is sleeping. First came the illegal usurpation of King Joachas's throne, then the pirate kingdom scammed foolish minor nations into thinking it was an international arbiter, and now it drops the pretense of neutrality and makes an illegal war on a flimsy pretext.

King Carl Frederick VI would be ashamed at the disgrace that his once proud nation has become. We call on the civilized nations of the world to recognize its legitimate government.

Rheinbund · Apr 28, 2019

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalien

We are highly shocked by the events in Scania. Especially the fact that Jyskerige-Østveg goes to war shocks us. We will follow the events with interest.

Julia Leverkühn, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Serenierre · Apr 28, 2019

Commissariat for External Relations
We are monitoring the events in Scania with concern and hope that peace returns soon. The Serazinist Republic proclaims its neutrality in this matter and volunteers to assist in any humanitarian or civilian rescue efforts under the international Red Cross committees sanction.

Jydsken-Østveg · Jun 9, 2019

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[H=“2”]EVERY SECOND COUNTS[/H]

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Picture: Chancelier Émelie Clémence Lefebvre speaks to the people of Pays-Petites about the ongoing war effort

The war against Gouw Marken has proven slow and the continental Grand Duchy of Pays-Petites is none too pleased about the extended departure of their ‘Armee’

[LOUISIANE, Pays-Petites] — It has been nearly a month since war between Gouw Marken and the Two Kingdoms along with its realms and territories have gone to war. The result of this conflict has not paid much physical cost to either side as an aerial war of attrition has finally grounded the enemy air forces. This slow progress has proven nervous for the Grand Duchy of Pays-Petites on the Continent.

Pays-Petites is situated directly adjacent from the Two Kingdoms, and is bordered by the variety of Frankish realms of Burgundy, a historic Tiburan Catholic opponent to the Grand Duchy’s Protestant Lindvallanism. Historically defended by the Two Kingdoms during the Christian Wars of Religion, Pays-Petites became part of the Crown’s holdings, and thus the reasoning for why Queen Katrine Frederikke is also a Grand Duchess. Politically, Pays-Petites governs itself uniquely as a collection of lands or cantons as the locals call them; however, it also submits itself to the foreign policy, trade, and military needs of the Two Kingdoms. This is where some disagreement has surfaced.

The perilous situation in neighboring Burgundy has Pays-Petites leaders worried that the Burgundian conflict will spill into Protestant Pays-Petites again. Meanwhile the bulk of the Army of Pays-Petites rest waiting for the offensive against Gouw Marken to begin.

This question of security has prompted stern feelings and consternation from Chancelier Émelie Clémence Lefebvre, the leader of Pays-Petites. “Every second counts in war, and while our troops are idle in the Two Kingdoms, the action in neighboring Burgundy could spiral out of control. Time is of the essence. We must bring our troops home as soon as possible to be able to counter any Burgundian threat!”

Chancelier Lefebvre is a popular conservative politician, who had led the stringently nationalist and religious Grand Duchy for the last 2 years.

Her tone has placed her in conflict with the Socialist Prime Minister Knudsen, who has urged patience and suggested that the war should come quickly, “once a stable foundation for victory had been laid.” This has not alleviated the concerns from the ‘Small Lands’ which have suggestion instituting a draft in order to provide for the common defense. Knudsen has dismissed the fears as “pure paranoia.”

Despite the accusation of paranoia, the Royal Army united stationed in Østveg have crossed the border into Gouw Marken at its most northern extremity, and have begun a push southerly. This area is more rural, compared to the more populated southern regions which is where the difficulties will arise when trying to defeat the communist forces.

When pressed on if she would begin a draft, Chancelier Lefebvre was non-committal. “I cannot say if I will or if I will not, but I must keep this option open to the public. It is their right to know that we may not be safe with our neighbors at each other’s throats. We must remain vigilant. I will keep a keen eye on the developments in Burgundy, and this will eventually inform my decision.”

Drafted units will not entirely be without experience. When a draft is initiated, men and women ages 17 to 29 will be required to report to the military. Each of these soldiers will have had experience from their 18th and 19th years of age when they were required to train with the military. Those who are 17, will obviously be without training and will begin it immediately. Currently the bulk of the Grand Duchy’s Army is in Jyskerige. These soldiers currently in service are professional volunteers, who have often continued their work after their required conscription years. ■

Jydsken-Østveg · Jul 13, 2019

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Picture: Liberal Party leader Kristiina Pajusoo addresses a crowd of supporters in Finner og Isørerne

[H=“2”]The Realm Grows Ever Complicated[/H]
The August Constitution mistake, what appears to be the end of neutrality, and demands for local rule show fragility in national consciousness
[LYNDANISSE, Finner og Isørerne] — Over the past month elections and referendums have occurred throughout the Two Kingdoms and its realms in search for a new system of governance to make all parts of the kingdoms harmonious. While often throughout history, these regions were held at gunpoint, today faith in the system of democracy, and not doubt but certainty that other regimes across the globe would end their practice of democracy have kept the realm together. This has not meant that everyone is 100% pleased and thus the series of elections and referendums that have produced a new relationship between Østveg and Jyskerige which sees Østveg assert more independence in how it manages its home affairs with a more powerful Parliament, and their own Prime Minister to be elected later this year. As Austwegian politicians gain power, they keep it in Gothenhagen as well, as they will maintain some presence in the Folkting, although smaller in number.

Referendums have also seen the establishment of a new Parliament in Finner og Isørerne, and now they’ve demanded more. Finner og Isørerne in their referendum have demanded to be renamed to a local name, and they have demanded the right to be their own Grand Duchy. This news is likely due to the scare from the new conflicts, and the desire to produce more political separation from Gothenhagen. With the attack in Burgundy now, that drive for separation may have been kick started into overdrive.

Another referendum for a new name will be held at the end of the month with four names in mind. Soomemaa, a name which considers the recent call to the land of Fenns in Pohjanmaa. Soomaa, which comes from a similar intention as Soomemaa, but also means land of bogs. The name Jäämaa which would mean ice land has proven interesting. Lastly, Lahemaa which means land of bays has had a certain romanticism attached to it as well.

Liberal Party leader, who is vying for the Prime Minister position, Kristiina Pajusoo has urged for the creation of a national army which would be separate from the Two Kingdoms, and as such would no longer have citizens fighting in the Royal Army, Navy, etc. This would also in turn give the new Grand Duchy the ability to refuse to join any offensive war, but be required to serve in any defensive war.

Similar ideas have also sprouted in Østveg, after the news of Pays-Petites attacking Burgundy. This period of time is perhaps the most turbulent in the modern history of the Two Kingdoms simply due to the different demands and the retreat from the Two Kingdoms traditional policy of neutrality. Citizens across the realm have felt betrayed by the policies of the Socialists, although there has been a lot of support for the Gouw Marken conflict due to their role in the assassination of the Prime Minister.

Sympathy for conflict is a hard to come by currency, and opinion polls are already rapidly shifting against the Government. As the result of the referendums will lead to political restructuring once the referendums have all completed, it is possible the Socialists will have a hard time seeking re-election. ■[/DIV]

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Established Nation

Established Nation

Established Nation

FTR

Established Nation

Established Nation

Established Nation

Established Nation