APwire ~ Affiliated Press News Agency

[Polesia]

Trivodnian President will pardon KNP leadership as part of wider deal
AP Kretyn

Trivodnian President Meier Lauterpacht has promised to pardon Krasnislavian National Party leader Uladzimir Sannikov and others if the KNP abandons plans for independence and ends its boycott of the National Assembly.

Sannikov and 11 members of his party, many of them high ranking officials, were charged with sedition and disrespecting the constitution earlier this month after setting up an independence 'working group' that would start planning the secession of Krasnislavian territories from Trivodnia.

Now in a bid to ease the political crisis gripping the country, President Lauterpacht has agreed to pardon them as a wider deal that will see the KNP abandon plans for independence and end its legislative boycott. The President is also reportedly pressuring the Social Democratic Alliance to compromise further on devolution, which has been at the centre of the row with the KNP.

"The people of Trivodnia want solutions, not problems," declared Lauterpacht, who also called for an end to "street politics".

Protests have been taking place ever since the Supreme Court ruled against a second election, allowing the Social Democrats to return to power despite the President and opposition parties all calling for a fresh vote, with public opinion shifting dramatically over the course of the 'Christmas crisis'.

A permanent camp has been set up by demonstrators in Independence Square in Amstov, the capital's main plaza, with opposition parties all refusing to take their seats in the National Assembly.

Yesterday however the Supreme Court also ruled that the boycott could be treated as a mass abstention during votes, effectively allowing the Social Democrats to rule as a one-party state unless the opposition take their seats.

 

[Natal]

Arrest Warrants issued for 65 Republican Army Officers
AP Dun Glas

The National Military Tribunal in Dun Eidyn, part of the Ministry of Defence has issued arrest warrants for 65 officers of the Republican Army that have been stationed in the Far Northern Republic, formerly known as County Votadinia and colloquially known as the Caitlands. The Republican Army of Caledonia has been stationed in the Caitlands after around twenty Guards (gerndarmes) have been killed by royalist and Caitish rebels.

The 65 officers of the Republican Army have been accused of high treason, smuggling and what has started a roar in the whole nation, "monarchist sentiments". After the uproar it has caused, the last accusation has been withdrawn. After a preliminary investigation, it seems that they have created an organised crime group which specialised in smuggling weapons from the Republican Army bases around Calasraid, Dun Tain, Puballan and Strumnis and delivered them to the northern rebels.

The dissidence in the Caitlands is organised by the National Union, a monarchist, right-wing group and its armed wing, the Catholic and Royal Army. They have as of yet attacked gendarmes on patrol but now the government expects bigger attacks as they have now been described as being "psychotic, extremely violent and armed to the teeth". After Saig Madec, the leader of the National Union and Toiseach of Caledonia for two weeks in February has been extradited by Gunnish authorities and is now in a Caledonian prison, waiting for his trial to start, the leadership of the National Union and of the Catholic and Royal Army has been taken by Seathan MacRath.

Brigadier General Onuist, the commander of the Republican Army units stationed in the Far Northern Republic has called for the creation of an internal investigation commission, declaring that any soldier coming to the north to fight against the dissidents, must have his background checked by the State Security Administration, so that "no person with monarchist sentiment and low morale would be sent to the north, just to be provided with regressive temptations leading to treason."

While people have commented and attacked the use of "monarchist sentiment", political analysts such as Réamonn Ó Connagáin have stated that this helps us paint a larger image of the Caledonian Republic: "The image of modern Caledonia is built on the kaleidoscopic images which show only fragments and then are put together. We see that the Union of Cabaon is dependant on the aid provided by Caledonia. We see that with the calls of socialisation and nationalisation, the economy has currently ground to a halt. The Buinn is as weak as it ever was in its history. So, economically I would say that we are in a low point, probably similar to 1999 or to 1956, when shall I say the unthinkable, there were prometheist governments in power. Militarily, there are programs put in place to modernise the army, but I would say that they are useless if the morale of the army extremely low. In Loago, this program is a success story, because they communities living there, be the Wala or the Fante or the colonists, Caledonians or Gunnishmen, they work together and see a bright future for that country. In Caledonia, we are too occupied in fighting ourselves and attacking eachother to observe that we are failing at everything is truly important. Morale in the Republican Army is so low that I could say that the army exists only on paper, we have dissident and terrorist groups activating in the country and from the looks of it, even groups in the army are colluding with them. There were 65 officers accused, but who knows how deep the tentacles are in the lower ranks of the Army? Externally, Kadikistan hates non-MList leftwingers more than it hates capitalists, Gunnland hates our republican experiment and now Engellex has started eyeing us. I must say that at least in my opinion, we are on the brink of disaster. "

 

[Polesia]

Trivodnia will seek new air self-defence systems if Kadikistan opens base in Crotobaltislavonia
AP Amstov

Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann, Trivodnia's head of government, has promised to enter into negotiations with Eiffelland about deploying the country's latest air defence equipment to the Free State should Kadikistan pursue an airbase in Crotobaltislavonia.

The announcement, which will likely anger Ivar, came hours after the Trivodnian National Assembly near-unanimously voted to boost military spending to c.€M7.5bn - around 5% of GDP - by 2021 to fund modernization and expansion of the Free State Self-Defence Forces. A Trivodnian government spokesperson said the extra cash was in response to the "uncertain regional security situation".

Adding further fuel to the fire, the Grand Duchy of Bourgogne separately pledged to deploy combat troops to Trivodnia should Kadikistan persist with plans for an airbase in Crotobaltislavonia. However Amstov has downplayed such a prospect, warning it would violate the neutrality clause in the Trivodnian constitution and also the 1921 peace treaty with Kadikistan.

But Chancellor Kahnemann said a new air defence system being installed would not violate either legal document. "We have the full right to defend ourselves as we see fit," he declared.

Ivar has already voiced its opposition to Eiffellander anti-aircraft and missile batteries being deployed to Trivodnia, and may threaten war in order to get Kahnemann to back down.

Trivodnian President Meier Lauterpacht is also rumoured to be concerned by the plans, having lobbied for private talks with Crotobaltislavonia and Elben instead to defuse regional tensions.

Yet Eiffelland's election results may prove to be the biggest obstacle, as the ruling Christian Democrat and liberal conservative coalition loses its majority. The new government might block the deal, and potentially cancel planned infrastructure investment too. Given Eiffelland continues to accuse Trivodnia of harbouring Gunnish chieftain Duncan MacLeish, an alleged arms and drug smuggler, this is a strong possibility. "The mood is changing in both Amstov and Trier," says one international relations expert.

Trivodnia continues to deny knowing the location of Chief MacLeish.

 

[Rheinbund]

Main office of the SPE
Trier, Eiffelland

It is the opinion of the SPE that Trivodnia is free to choose where it obtains its military equipment from. The SPE is as concerned about Trivodnia's safety as the Demissionary Government of Eiffelland.

Rüdiger Zimmermann, political leader of the SPE

 

[Elben]

Elbener Krasnislavian leader calls for Trivodnian Krasnislavians to remain firm
AP Eschenbach

Speaking out in the central square of Krawcow, the capital of Elbenese Krasnislavia, Count Radovan Rajičov, a leader of a large faction in the local legislative body, spoke out on the situation in Trivodnia. After a long speech, he concluded, "I call upon my social democrat friends and all Krasnislavians in the artificial construct known as Trivodnia. Do not compromise! For too long our people have been split up. If we can unite, for the first time in a long time, we can have something, a country of our own. Greater Krasnislavia! Now and forever!"

Count Rajičov concluded his remarks and then departed without taking questions from the press on if he supported independence from Elben.

Police forces were stationed around the perimeter of the square to maintain order. The crowd remained peaceful and there were no reported incidents. Count Rajičov's speeches have continued to attract crowds. The Krasnislavian banner has made recent appearances as nationalist factions have begun to assert themselves in the region though the count and his associates have not made any mention as yet of a possible break with Eschenbach.

 

[Polesia]

Analysis: Door opened for rapprochement in the Three Seas region
AP Amstov

A cryptic early morning speech by Crotobaltislavonian dictator Raoul Farrago and recent behind-the-scenes manouevrings by Trivodnian President Meier Lauterpacht have opened the door for a normalisation of relations in the Three Seas region, with the area still reeling from the fallout from the 'Christmas Crisis'.

Self-styled President-for-life and Big Brother Raoul Farrago gave a public address in Banja Luka starting at 4am this morning, in which he called for Crotobaltislavonian clergy to play a bigger role in the runnings of the Tiburan Catholic Church and also for better ties with his country's "eastern neighbour", widely understood to mean the Free State of Trivodnia.

His words come soon after Trivodnian President Meier Lauterpacht was reported to be lobbying for the Free State government, led by the increasingly hawkish Social Democratic Alliance, to initiate informal talks with Crotobaltislavonia and Elben to try and defuse regional tensions. Already it is rumoured Lauterpacht is arranging a visit to Elben to try and coordinate a response to both Kadikistan and Krasnislavian nationalism, with joint management of Lake Elbe also on the table.

Elben initially sided with Kadikistan during the Christmas Crisis, allowing Ivar to use its its airspace to fly troops and supplies into Crotobaltislavonia, but then abruptly closed its airspace to all foreign air traffic. The move resulted in Kadikistan imposing punitive economic sanctions on the deeply Catholic Germanian kingdom, which Trivodnian diplomats see as having paved the way for something of a rapprochement. "They learnt their lesson on dealing with Communists," says one official in the Trivodnian Ministry of External Affairs.

Elben is also rumoured to be backing monarchist rebels in Crotobaltislavonia, while Trivodnia is alleged to be supporting remnants of the General Alexander Radek's resistance as well as Yiddish armed groups. The two neighbours' shared animosity towards Crotobaltislavonia and Kadikistan, as well as growing concern over Krasnislavian irredentism, is seen by both sides as a solid foundation for future cooperation despite past grievances.

Crotobaltislavonia will prove a tricker partner for both countries given Farrago's erratic behaviour and closeness to Ivar. Trivodnia's Jewish community in particular will likely oppose any repairing of bonds given the overtly anti-Semitic propaganda of Farrago's regime. Trivodnia's External Affairs minister Vladimir Pinski has already rule out direct talks unless the Farrago regime apologises for its anti-Semitic propaganda and accusations Amstov was involved in the failed coup that sparked the Christmas Crisis.

But there is a feeling in some quarters Farrago's unpredictable nature and recent announcements may see the Crotobaltislavonian dictator pursue a more independent foreign policy, leaving an opening for Trivodnia and potentially Elben to step in and gently ease Kadikistan out of central Gallo-Germania. "For bad or worse Farrago is his own man and being seen as Ivar's lapdog may be an unappealing reputation to have," explains one security analyst.

Others think Elben and Trivodnia should play the long game. "Crotobaltislavonia has a history of instability... If Elben, Trivodnia and others play their cards right next time around they may be in with a chance in installing a more malleable regime in Banja Luka," suggests another regional expert.

 

[Natal]

Olibhia MacAnndra takes the lead of the Compromise Camp
AP Dun Eidyn

Olibhia MacAnndra has become in the recent decade one of the most respected Caledonian politicians, representing a generation of Caledonians which have risen against the authoritarianism of the National Syndicalist regime in 1985 while also not seeing with good eyes the radicalism of Prometheism. She has led the Country Party for much of its recent history, being elected Chairwoman of the party in 1997 and becoming Toiseach of Caledonia in 1999. Excepting an 6 year hiatus from 2004 to 2010, she led Caledonia for 13 years and the Country Party for 21 years. She has been seen as a responsible actor in the political scene, especially when Caledonia was called under her tenure to oversee the demobilisation of Trivodnian and Kadikistani armies. The slowing down of the Caledonian economy after 2015 has lowered her approval ratings, with the perigee of her popularity being the February of 2018, when the Country Party was forced to elect Saig Madec as Chairman, beginning the series of events which have destabilised Caledonia and have brought on revolts, demonstrations and even a revolution.

Now she returns becoming the leader of the campaign to restore the Kingdom under an elective monarchy. The "compromise option" was put together by Robert Blacach, the head or Mormaer of Clan Blacach as an option which would bring together pragmatic and moderate monarchists and republicans for the betterment of the state and push the radicals back to the fringes. After Mael Coluim, the deposed and potentially future to be restored king returned from Hallein back to Dun Eidyn to campaign for the compromise, now the time has come for Olibhia MacAnndra to return to the capital of the nordic state to ask the Caledonians to "vote for a better future, while taking into consideration both the glory and the mistakes of the past."

Olibhia MacAnndra was receive at the airport by five thousands supporters and she held there her first campaign speech, in which she called the people to remember the values of post 1985 Caledonia and how much the country changed for the better, compared to the last days of National Syndicalist rule. She also asked the people to remember how all republican experiments ended in Caledonia and that the country and the monarchy exist hand in hand.

With the split of the prometheists, the Country Party becomes again a central pillar for stability in the parliament, as Olibhia MacAnndra stated that just for the sake of scandal, the party won't organise a no confidence motion against Lucas Ros and that any sort of parliamentarian problems must be put behind, until the referendum passes.

 

[Gunnland]

Gunnish Bishops Appeal to Pope in Internal Dispute
AP Ayr

Bishop Justin Broithe of Ayr has written a letter to John XXIII, multiple news outlets now confirm, asking the pope to command Henry Cardinal Stewart, Archbishop of Windhaven, to return to the city or renounce his title as Archbishop of Windhaven and Primate of All Gunnland. This is the latest turn in a serious split in the Gunnish church hierarchy.

Henry Cardinal Stewart has been living in Tibur since the papal election, where he serves as prelate for the Vacant Bank. This is traditionally an honorary role, which the pope offers to a cardinal from the country that supports the Order of St. Lothar. Gunnland is one of the primary benefactors of the religious order, which administers the Vacant City.

During Cardinal Stewart's tenure as supervisor, the Vacant Bank has been embroiled in scandal. The Bank is accused of establishing illegal relationships with Ayr banks, laundering grads and dinars, and providing hard currency to Kadikistan and Crotobaltislavonia. According to Cardinal Stewart, the scandal requires his "full attention," which is why he is living in the Retalian enclave. "The Vacant Bank is a crucial institution to support the work of the global church," said Cardinal Stewart, "as much as I would like to return to Gunnland."

Many Gunnishmen are critical that Cardinal Stewart has chosen to live outside of his archdiocese, which under normal circumstances is against canon law. It is widely believed that Cardinal Stewart refuses to return to Gunnland because of a tense relationship with Queen Julian and some powerful members of the Windhaven government. Bishop Broithe's complaint, however, does not mention these accusations.

@Elben @Retalia

 

[Elben]

Elbener Krasnislavian leader urges Krasnislavians to travel to Lenz to protest Trivodnian delegation
AP Eschenbach

Speaking out in the central square of Krawcow, the capital of Elbenese Krasnislavia, Count Radovan Rajičov, a leader of a large faction in the local legislative body, spoke out on the news that Trivodnian officials would be traveling to Elben to meet the king and his ministers at the resort town of Lenz on Lake Elbe.

"We cannot allow this moment to go past. Our homeland is occupied and we must resist with all of our Slavian might. We will not stand by while our people's calls are ignored. We will not stand by while our leaders are jailed. We will not back down. We will rise up! I call upon all loyal sons and daughter of Krasnislavia to join me, so that all may hear our message that lives in our hearts: Greater Krasnislavia, now and forever!"

Unlike past rallies, this one was heavily attended by young men, many of them wearing similar shirts and trousers and the lapista, a traditional Krasnislavian beret. Observers noted the increasing militarism of Count Rajičov's movement and wondered how much longer the Elbenese authorities would allow it to fester before cracking down.

 

[Gunnland]

A Gunnland-Eiffelland Diplomatic Rift As Another Crotobaltislavonian Crisis Looms
AP Ayr

Gunnland recalled its ambassador to Trier in what is widely seen as a low-point in recent Gunnish-Eiffellandian relations. The Blackthorn administration in Windhaven were annoyed by CDV campaign rhetoric that blamed Gunnland, as well as Elben, for allowing the armed forces of Kadikistan passage between Calidia and Crotobaltislavonia. "Lies," Leader James B. Blackthorn said tersely. The move reportedly caused confusion in the outgoing team of Foreign Minister Rudolph Kögler. In Gunnland, however, Trivodnia is widely seen as playing a double game between Kadikistan and Eiffelland, and presenting the weak link in regional security and a potential flashpoint. Unlike many southern tier nations, Gunnland continues to primarily blame Trivodnia, and not Kadikistan, for the instability that threatened the region over Christmas 2017.

The foreign secretary, Stephen G. Larkin, appeared on the popular Jim Boswell show on KGB-1 to explain the situation, saying that the death of President Raoul Farrago and fears of a renewed Kadikistan military presence in central Gallogermania has the entire region on edge. "If the Eiffellandians were serious about the deteriorating security situation, the Foreign Ministry would invite the Trivodnians over for a talking to, not our ambassador. We've had enough of their finger pointing and slights." There are no immediate plans to repair relations. Jim Boswell joked, "So, it seems like the Eiffellandians would rather protect their tabloid smut about Her Majesty than protect Gallogermania, is that what you're telling me?" Larkin simply replied that Gunnland was working instead with its "promising new partners in Hallein" -- Carinthia-Harkany -- to come up with a regional security arrangement.

If the crisis deteriorates further, Gunnland seems better prepared than over Christmas, having just announced that 30,000 Gunnish and Geotrian troops are taking up positions in the southeastern region of Ruritania. "These were military exercises planned long ago," Secretary Larkin explained, however, "and have nothing to do with our crisis response."

 

[Natal]

Caledonia manages to avoid political crisis as a new government is sworn in
AP Dun Eidyn

A few days ago, the results of the Second Referendum on the government form of Caledonia has shown that the republic has lost nearly all of its support after the radicalism of the Snowdrop Revolution has faded. The Caledonians have chosen an elective monarchy as the system of governance, an option which was deemed as being a compromise between the traditional hereditary monarchy and the republic, but few understand that the electoral monarchy has much more archaic roots, which are steeped in the ancient Celtic tradition of the tanistry. Foreign policy analysts have also commented that through this, Caledonia prefers to stay away from the Continent and build a unique Celtic, Eastern Scanian tradition, which is cleared of Gallo-Germanian influences.

The period of the campaign was filled with political scandals after the National Prometheist Union broke, with the Radical Prometheists Party splitting from it and stating that they do not accept the second referendum and going as far as accusing Toiseach Lucas Ros for treason, an accusation the Dun Eidyn tribunal has called a joke. The Radical Prometheists are small in numbers, but they managed to persuade many of the members of the Aonach to join them, thus breaking the majority of the NPU in the parliament. The presence of the party has been further decreased after a series of MAs switched from the NPU to the Country Party and the National Democratic Party.

In order to avoid a political crisis, Toiseach Lucas Ros has resigned yesterday, to avoid the delays brought by motions of no-confidence, as his government had the support of only around 10% of the Aonach. Today, the parliament has voted to support Olibhia MacAnndra as Toiseach, with the Country Party as the senior member of the coalition and with the National Democratic Party as the junior member. The government also gained the support and approval of the Caledonian Integralist Party and of the Caledonian Monarchist League. With the Radical Prometheists declaring the beginning of a policy of abstentionism, the National Prometheist Union manages to remain the only real opposition to the newly formed coalition.

The newly formed MacAnndra Cabinet V has the following composition:
Toiseach: Olibhia MacAnndra (CP);
Tánaiste: Coll MacFhilib (NDP);
Minister for Foreign Affairs: Coll MacFhilib (NDP);
Minister of the Interior: Faolan Sgot (CP);
Minister of Defense: Grace O'Malley (Independent);
Minister of Finance: Aoife Blacach (CP);
Minister of Education: Catrìona Loganach (CP);
Minister of Justice: Sean Sutharlainn (NDP);
Minister of Health: Briam MacNaois (Independent);
Minister of Culture and Heritage: Uisdean Preas (NDP);
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Environment: Padraig MacIain (CP);
Minister of Transport, Tourism and Communications: Anndra MacPherson (CP);
Minister of Labour, Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pòl Ròs (CP);
Minister of Childcare and Early Years: Roisin Blacach (NDP);
Minister of Housing, Planing and Local Affairs: Peigi Loganach (NDP);

Before voting on the forming of the government, the Aonach insisted still to hold a ceremony in which it invested Mael Coluim V as High King of Caledonia, even if he called such event unnecessary and a waste of time and money, especially when he is just continuing his reign after a three month interruption.

 

[Polesia]

Trivodnians celebrate Raoul Farrago's death
AP Amstov

After news broke yesterday that Raoul Farrago, self-styled President-for-Life of Crotobaltislavonia, had died - believed to be from 'Blud' addiction - spontaneous celebrations occurred across Trivodnia, with the capital Amstov seeing thousands come out.

Initiated by Jewish community leaders, many marked the occasion by burning or smashing one of the few publicly available portraits of Farrago, also known as Big Brother. Farrago's regime was repeatedly accused of anti-Semitism, with Crotobaltislavonian state media frequently mislabelling Trivodnia as the 'Yiddish Free State' and blaming the country's Jewish population for the failed 'Christmas Coup'.

Head of the Jewish People's Party Yitzhak Epstein described Farrago's death as a "fitting end to a rotten tyrant" while Homeland Union leader Moisei Carlebach declared the deceased dictator to be a "perished enemy of Jewish peoples worldwide". The Alternative, which represents Trivodnia's Slavians minorities, said it hoped for a democratic Crotobaltislavonia to emerge.

The Trivodnian government, currently led by the Social Democratic Alliance, did not send any ministers or officials to attend the celebrations, although a number of Jewish Social Democratic backbenchers did participate. In a short statement, the Ministry of External Affairs suggested Farrago's passing "may pave the way" for a "speedy and wide-ranging" normalisation of bilateral relations.

Crotobaltislavonian refugees were also reported to have celebrated Farrago dying but in Trivodnia's Krasnislavian community the reaction was more muted, reflecting the deep divide between the Free State's two largest demographic groups.

 

[Elben]

Police block Elbener Krasnislavian group
AP Eschenbach

A group of protesters numbering several dozens were intercepted on the road to the resort town of Lenz in southern Elben yesterday. Several were arrested after a brief confrontation.

The group drove by car from Krawcow, the capital of Elbenese Krasnislavia, to a certain point and then continued on foot. Led by political leader Count Radovan Rajičov, was met by a police unit, one of many forming a security cordon around Lenz for the summit meeting between King Friedrich of Elben and President Lauterpacht of Trivodnia. Blocked from proceeding, Rajičov gave an inflammatory speech. A scuffle ensued and a number of his supporters were arrested. Count Rajičov was briefly taken into custody, but due to his status as a member of a regional legislative body in Elben, he was released.

 

[Le Royaume de Legialle]

Legialle

 

[Elben]

Lenz agreement decried amid calls for regional unity
AP Eschenbach

Count Radovan Rajičov of the Elbener Krasnislavian regional legislature spoke out in the regional capital of Krawcow. In remarks to the legislative body, Rajičov first described the confrontation that took place several days ago between a group of protesters and police. The protesters were marching on the village of Lenz where the president of Trivodnia was meeting with the king of Elben. According to Rajičov, police viciously attacked defenseless civilians and then arrested several of them on trumped up charges of disturbing the peace. Rajičov then went on to decry the new Lenz Agreement between Trivodnia and Elben, calling it a travesty. "Not only does it separate northern and southern Krasnislavians, treating them as criminals when they are simply attempting to cross the border and visit family, but they have set up a regime to claim the waters of our Slavonian cousins! They are misguided in turning to communism, but they shouldn't have their land stolen because of it!

Police force spokesmen have stated that the confrontation between police and the protesters was instigated by Count Radovan Rajičov. Due to the count's status as a member of the legislature, he remains free, but his political movement has gained the attention of the ministry of the interior. Observers have told AP that the ministry is relatively powerless due to the confederal nature of Elben's monarchical structure.

 

[Elben]

Elbener Krasnislavian leader welcomes march
AP Eschenbach

Count Radovan Rajičov spoke out earlier today at the news of the proposed march from Krasnislavian SR finally getting underway. The Elbener political leader was confronted by members of the press outside his office in the Elbener regional capital of Krawcow. "I have seen the report of the march being underway. The comments made by my brothers on conditions here in our region show how misinformed they are. I welcome them to come here and see the quality of life we enjoy. Here in Krasnislavia, we are masters in our own house, not like in Trivodnia or Kadikistan. It is my intention to introduce a resolution in the sejm calling on the march to come here first! The old ways are best, truly."

Marchers are currently headed out from the Krasnislavian SR capital of Olrusk in Kadikistan and is headed towards Trivodnia. Its leaders then intend to go on to Elben before returning home.

 

[Natal]

Loagan Constitutional Court names the decree unconstitutional
AP Maseru

Tensions rise high in Loago these days as the now called Divination Crisis is resurfacing the ethnic rivalry between the Fante and the Wala. While the Justiciar's decree comes after the killing of an albino boy as a part of a sacrifice made by a witch doctor, the decree in its current form is an open attack to the Fante traditional religion.

The Constitutional Court has offered their response declaring that in its current form, the decree is unconstitutional, attacking the Fante people and thus not respecting the Constitution of Loago, which states that the country is home to both the Wala and the Fante.

Organisations defending Fante interests were also joined by Wala immigrants in Caledonia in protest against the decree, stating that it might set Loago on the path of self-destruction. The Caledonian Himyari Company has also condemned the decree, saying that should the tensions escalate into open violence, the Loagan economy would shatter. They were joined by the Caledonian government, which threatened Maseru with the repeal of the Status of Maseru, the bill which officially recognises Loago as a fully independent nation, with the condition that Maseru would provide responsible governance.

Now, with the Constitutional Court declaring the decree unconstitutional, it all depends on the reaction of Prime Minister Hamish Muzorewa. Not following the advice of the Constitutional Court is not penalised by Loagan law, but he might face ethnic violence or even a coup d'etat should he go forward with this.

 

[Polesia]

Trivodnia to allow women in combat roles
AP Amstov

The ruling Social Democratic Alliance is to allow Trivodnian women to serve in frontline combat roles for the first time in the Free State's history as part of its wide-reaching national security bill.

Currently women are exempt from conscription and only allowed to volunteer for non-combat positions. Civilian workplace restrictions exist for women too, for example regarding operating heavy machinery or driving vehicles of a certain size. Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann, the Trivodnian head of government, has promised to review these restrictions in separate legislation.

According to sources in the Chancellery, Kahnemann had wanted to expand natonal service to women as well, but was opposed by traditionalists in his own party.

The nation security bill was originally devised with the Jewish People's Party after the Social Democrats looked like they were going split over the issue of devolution. The JPP has said it will now only vote for some of the provisions but not all, including giving women frontline roles.

 

[Kadikistani Union]

Krasnislavian Solidarity March already a major diplomatic victory for the Kadikistani Union
AP Krawkow

The Solidarity March for a United Krasnislavia (SMUK), organized by the Movement for a United Socialist Krasnislavia (MUSK), has reached its final phase with the participants spending their last nights in Elbener Krasnislavia while gradually marching back home the coming days. But several days before the demonstrators reach the finish line, the entire endeavour can already be called a 'diplomatic victory' for the Kadikistani Union. Unlike what some analysts predicted the March went on as planned and without any major incidents, nor did Trivodnia or Elben refuse SMUK from entering their territory. The Kadikistani initiative is estimated to have a consistent total of around 80,000 people as unspecified yet significant numbers of Trivodnian and Elbener Krasnislavian joined the march sporadically along the route. MUSK has already issued a statement that according to the gathered numbers from their stewards a total of over 240,000 people participated in all three countries, including those who only marched a part of the route.

The SMUK adds to the prestige of the Kadikistani Union whom have shown themselves to be strong, the Solidarity March being an non-misunderstandable message to the parties involved that the socialist federation hasn't forgotten its ancient territorial claims and even less so the recent tensions in the region. The timing of MUSK for organizing the SMUK is no coincidence as the Kadikistani Supreme People's Congress is currently debating about potentially reinstating the One Krasnislavia Policy, which was abandoned after the death of Nikolai Leninov in 1957. But besides strength the Union is also showing responsibility as all reports so far have indicated that the marchers are behaving very disciplined overall, security manager Ratko Servajavec even praised by his hosts for the conduct of his demonstrators. The Kadikistani Union has thus conducted a very elaborate public relations campaign, hoping to show themselves as respectable emancipators, especially to the Slavic minorities living outside of its borders.

But it is not all sunshine and rainbows for the Kadikistani Union. While in Trivodnia there were already reports of several dozen Kadiko-Krasnislavians defecting, finding shelter among the local populace, these unconfirmed reports are re-surfacing in Elbenese Krasnislavia too. Reliable sources indicate that the number of defections lies even higher in Elben, possibly explainable by the fact that Elben launched a region-wide sympathy campaign with the intent of showing and persuading the marches of their warm, traditional yet inclusive society. This approach stood somewhat in contrast to the Trivodnian approach of tormenting the demonstrators with a bureaucratic paper mill, stopping roughly 10,000 participants from entering Trivodnia in the first days of the march over administrative technicalities. Nevertheless there are no official numbers and while the rumours are reliable they remain unconfirmed. The Kadikistani Union has yet to comment on these alleged defection, although many doubt they ever will whatever the case might be. Besides this many intelligence specialists have already warned that if there are defectors, it is not unlikely that some among them are Kadikistani agent-infiltrators.

 

[Serenierre]

Senior Communist Party leadership said to be preparing for war
AP Villesen

According to sources in the capital of the Gallian socialist state, the senior echelon of leaders in the Communist Party have been discussing and debating the regional situation in recent months and have come to the conclusion that Serenierre now faces the most amount of regional hostility to it since the 1950s. As such, according to sources deep in the high command of the Politburo, the Villesen Government seems to have begun preparations to fortify itself against an offensive push from the southern and northern flanks of the country. The news comes just as the Kingdom of Occitania has joined the Trier Concord and tensions continue to simmer in the Retalian Sea over the disputed maritime claims.

However, the grapevine in Villesen seems to be suggesting that as bilateral ties with Bourgogne steadily improve, the southern Gallian situation seems to inversely worsen with each passing day. It is said that the senior military and political leadership of the country is given daily briefings on the preparedness of the first response units of the military in the southern military commands. Certain foreign correspondents have also alluded to the fact that in recent years official military spending is shown to be simply a fraction of what is actually being spent by the Serenien Government as it increasingly starts to view itself as surrounded by a hostile neighbourhood.

The Government of Serenierre declined to comment.