ERT News Europaland

[Europaland]

You must be registered for see links

ELECTION CAMPAIGN HEATS UP: REVOLUTIONARY LEFT ALLIANCE SURGES IN THE POLLS

A poll published today predicts major changes in next week's election compared to the previous parliament. Most notably support for the Socialist Left (currently in coalition with the Centre Party) has declined at the same time as almost double as many people plan to vote for the Revolutionary Left Alliance:

Centre Party: 31% (-2)
Socialist Left: 27% (-6)
Revolutionary Left Alliance: 19% (+9)
Liberal Forum: 15% (-1)
Green Party: 5% (+1)
Feminist League: 3% (+3)

The Revolutionary Left Alliance, which emerged out of the once-ruling Communist Party, has, over the last decade, seen an influx of young members from a wide range of radical left-wing currents as well as many of those who have abandoned the governing Socialist Left Party during its long coalition with the moderate Centre Party. The increase in its support is likely due to a number of possible factors, one being the election of its popular new leader Ida Jakobsen and another being the perceived lack of new ideas by the existing government and the willingness of the Socialist Left to support gradual economic reforms. Among its most important policies are an increase in both military and economic ties with the other socialist and communist states and a reduction in the role of the market, moving towards an economy based entirely on non-capitalist principles.

Today's opinion poll allows for two most likely scenarios following the election. One is a continued coalition of the Socialist Left and Centre parties with the Centre Party holding the office of Prime Minister for the first time. The alternative option would be a radical new coalition of the Socialist Left Party, the Revolutionary Left Alliance and the Green Party. This option would allow the Socialist Left to maintain a leading position in the new government but also has its drawbacks in that it would mean them entering into coalition with a hard-line revolutionary party which would likely demand a radical new direction for the country.

The Centre Party which came first is calling for significant reforms designed to boost the economy, including allowing worker-owned businesses to trade on the stock exchange and sell up to 49% of their shares to investors, shareholders or rival companies. The party also wants to gradually roll-back other forms of state economic regulations such as price controls, many of which have already been abolished but continue to exist in key sectors. On the whole however the party is highly critical of free market capitalism unlike the centre-right Liberal Forum which advocates a radical market-liberal agenda involving an end to almost all state controls over the economy. The Liberal Forum has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Centre Party should the two parties receive a majority of the seats in parliament. So far however the Centre Party have rejected this, believing the two parties to have too little in common for a joint government to work.

The same number of viable national parties are standing as last time however since the previous election the Social Democrats have merged with the Centre Party while the once-powerful Feminist League have decided to stand for the first time. This comes after the Revolutionary Left Alliance (which the organisation had previously called upon people to vote for) recently voted to drop its outright opposition to pornography.

OTHER NEWS

Storms cause chaos across northern Europaland, two people killed by falling trees and half a million left without electricity. Meteorologists blame climate change.

Unemployment reaches 3.1%, highest level in 20 years.

 

[Europaland]

You must be registered for see links

3 KILLED IN EUROPA CITY SEX SHOP BOMBING

Three people have died in what is the worst bomb attack in 5 years after terrorists targeted a sex shop in Europa City. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon a van packed full of explosives which had been parked right at the shop's entrance detonated, causing serious damage to all nearby buildings and taking the lives of a woman who worked there and of both a male and a female customer. One further person inside the shop suffered serious injuries as did a passer-by and a resident of a nearby apartment. The names of those killed have not yet been made public but the female shop-worker who died has been confirmed to be a member of the libertarian feminist organisation Free Women. A statement issued by the organisation strongly condemned the attack (which it referred to as an ”appalling act of terrorist barbarism”), paying tribute to the woman's work as a feminist activist and sending its condolences to the families of all those affected.

The motivation of the attack is unclear and no arrests have yet been made. Most analysts however are pointing the finger at an extremist radical feminist group calling itself the Anti-Patriarchal Terror Force (APTF). The group recently sent out a statement calling for women to ”wage war against the commercialisation of sex” and threatening to ”strike with deadly consequences” against all those who ”facilitate the buying and selling of women's bodies” or who ”collaborate with the patriarchal male enemy” in some way. The group's support is believed to be utterly minimal and it likely only has a few dozen members at most. If indeed it is involved it will be the first time APTF has killed anyone however several people, including members of rival feminist groups, have been hospitalised previously as a result of brutal physical assaults perpetrated by some of their suspected members. Interior minister Mairead NicFhearghais has urged people to remain calm, insisting that ”those responsible for this ghastly act of terrorism will be brought to justice”.

A government report recently suggested that there is a growing risk of political extremism in Europaland. As well as feminist terrorist groups such as APTF there is also a number of violent anarchists who have been blamed for attacks on several political and religious figures. The Revolutionary Anarchist Front (RAF) have declared, for example, that there will be “serious and violent consequences” should the Centre Party manage to succeed in selling off even a fraction of the 100% stake of Europalandian companies required to be held collectively by their workers.

OTHER NEWS

Two-way opinion poll gives Socialist Left party's presidential candidate Elin Nordahl 5-point lead over her Centre Party rival. All other parties are also standing a candidate however none are likely to have any chance of success. Under the electoral system used they will be eliminated one at a time and their supporters' second, third, fourth and even fifth preference votes will be redistributed until a winner is assigned.

Europaland expresses concern over ethnic violence in Sørlandeten. Foreign Minister calls for restraint on both sides and urges moves towards a negotiated agreement which takes account of the Celtic peoples' grievances and offers them extensive autonomy within the country. Cites Europaland as a positive model for Sørlandeten to follow.

 

[Europaland]

You must be registered for see links

ELECTION SPECIAL: CENTRE PARTY WINS THE MOST VOTES, PRESIDENT AGAIN FROM SOCIALIST LEFT

You must be registered for see links

Europaland's new president Elin Nordahl

With the votes of Europaland's federal election now counted it is clear that the Centre Party has, for the first time, emerged as Europaland's largest party. The party, which has a moderate reform programme designed to move Europaland in a more social-democratic direction, has been in a coalition with the more radical Socialist Left party for the last 8 years. During this time significant reforms have been passed which have seen a liberalisation of Europaland's economy and an increasing role for the free market. The Centre Party, should the coalition continue, hopes to go much further on this road. Both it and the Socialist Left have lost votes however, especially the latter which has fallen six percentage points at the same time as the Revolutionary Left Alliance have almost doubled their share of the vote. Most RLA voters gave their second preference votes to the Socialist Left's presidential candidate Elin Nordahl and as a result she won against her Centre Party opponent despite getting less first preference votes.

The results:

President (after votes of other candidates redistributed)

Elin Nordahl (Socialist Left): 52.3%
Jacques Laurent (Centre Party): 47.7%

National Assembly

Centre Party: 30.6%, 165 seats (-12)
Socialist Left: 27.4%, 148 seats (-33)
Revolutionary Left Alliance: 19.7%, 106 seats (+51)
Liberal Forum: 15.2%, 83 seats (-1)
Green Party: 5.3%, 28 seats (+6)
Feminist League: 1.8%, 10 seats (+10)

Senate

Centre Party: 31.2%, 31 seats (-2)
Socialist Left: 27.9%, 28 seats (-5)
Revolutionary Left Alliance: 19.4%,19 seats (+9)
Liberal Forum: 14.8%, 15 seats (-1)
Green Party: 5.0%, 5 seats (+1)
Feminist League: 1.7%, 2 seats (+2)

As yet it is still unclear what type of government Europaland will have. Most likely it will either be a continued grand coalition of the two biggest parties or a red-red-green coalition of the Socialist Left, Revolutionary Left Alliance and Green Party. Since taking over as Socialist Left leader Elin Nordahl has suggested she is open to the latter option and has been gradually distancing herself from her Centre Party coalition partners, making clear that she strongly opposes the Centre Party plan to allow 49% of Europalandian companies to be traded on the stock exchange. The prospect of being a junior partner in a Centre Party led government is, in addition, something which many in the Socialist Left would like to avoid. Inviting the Revolutionary Left Alliance into the government also has its problems however and the two parties haven't always enjoyed a particularly warm relationship.

Elin Nordahl, who will take over as President tomorrow from her predecessor Åse Nilsen (from the same party), is, at just 25, the youngest President ever to have taken office in Europaland. She was first elected to the National Assembly 4 years ago and before then was active in the Socialist Left party's youth branch. After Åse Nilsen decided to resign the Socialist Left leadership and not to stand again for President Ms Nordahl emerged as the leading candidate of the party's radical faction, eventually winning over her more moderate opponent 6 months ago.

After ERT several hours ago declared her the winner of the presidency over the Centre Party's Jacques Laurent she addressed her supporters in Bergen, Nordland:

Comrades,

I want to begin by thanking you all for your support and your trust in our ability to together build a better Europaland and a better world. Our nation has come a long way over the last few decades. We have built a society that is an envy of people across Europe in almost every sense, a society built upon the principles of freedom, equality and mutual respect. As President I hope to see Europaland continue its progress even as the international situation seems increasingly dark. Our exports have been hit and we have seen the many refugees arrive from other countries with stories of violence and conflict. But now is not a time to retreat inwards, rather we must use our role in the world to champion internationally those causes which we ourselves hold dear...

The Socialist Left has lost seats in the National Assembly and the Senate and many have shifted their allegiance to a party with a more radical, revolutionary programme. We need to analyse why our message has become less attractive to people and to take account of this shift in public opinion. Many feel we have lost touch with our roots and with our party's base who will always be the working people of Europaland and all those other groups which have historically been marginalised and oppressed. As a revolutionary party we need to fight to reenergise our base and to be the leading force in the struggle for equality and justice for all. We must, to a greater extent than before, support and strengthen our links with those across Europe fighting oppression and injustice in all its forms.

In the days ahead I will talk to our existing coalition partners in the Centre Party but I would also like to open negotiations with the Revolutionary Left Alliance and the Green Party since our three parties have much in common and could potentially work together. The Socialist Left is interested in joining that government which will best meet the needs of people all over Europaland and best protect our libertarian socialist and feminist revolution. We will fight to secure a future of equality, justice and liberation for all and to draw up a programme which will take our nation forward in the difficult economic times. We must settle for nothing less than to live in the world's freest, most prosperous, most democratic nation. Europaland must be a nation where everyone can take it for granted not just that they will have all their basic needs met but that they can genuinely thrive socially, culturally and politically, being valued and respected in all areas of life and taking an active part in the running of their communities and workplaces.

OTHER NEWS

Havenshire interested in increasing economic ties with Europaland. Finance Ministry expresses interest and would like to see greater economic cooperation between socialist states across Europe.

Europaland condemns racist policies adopted by Cantignia. All economic and diplomatic relations broken off and a full trade boycott announced.

 

[Thaumantica]

You must be registered for see images

___________________
FOREIGN OFFICE
VESPER : : 15 December, 2011
​

THE Covenant congratulates Europland's new President, Elin Nordahl, and extends every kindness to include an open invitation to the Oceanic Realms, if her most pressing duties would allow. Europaland and Cantignia are each at peace with the World, despite widespread War ; the primary virtue of all new and current leaders must be to steer Europe back towards peace.

Furthermore, the Covenant wishes to clarify and confirm which "racist" policy or policies Europaland opposes so vehemently, that it would in one day abandon all diplomatic and economic likenesses. If Europaland was truly interested in improving the human condition in Cantignia, it would provide criticism, not condemnation, of a constructive nature.

Forward Cantigny!
Benjamin Stokes,
Chief Officer

 

[Europaland]

Our President has no choice but to reject this invitation at the present time and we refuse to have any official contact with a country where racism is state policy. We feel no need to spell out what exact forms this racism takes since Cantignia's discriminatory treatment towards so-called "special populations" is common knowledge to all.

Foreign Ministry of Europaland

 

[Thaumantica]

You must be registered for see images

___________________
FOREIGN OFFICE
VESPER : : 16 December, 2011
​

THE Covenant challenges the Foreign Ministry of Europaland, or any entity, to find one instance of unfair treatment or observation of Special Populations, or the Eight Percent. Europaland sets a chilling precedent for the state of European affairs if "common knowledge" and an overall deficit of facts would dictate economic and diplomatic policies. It is thus at this time alleged that Europaland, or the new Government occupying Europaland, is perhaps ignorant to Cantignia and Oceania on a level that can only be perceived as conspiratorial.

We encourage President Elin Nordahl to contact the Lord Chancellor Felix Ilchester personally, and to broaden her horizons concerning the Oceanic Realms.

Forward Cantigny!
Benjamin Stokes,
Chief Officer

 

[Europaland]

You must be registered for see links

NEW RED-RED-GREEN COALITION TAKES OFFICE

You must be registered for see links

After several days of negotiations a new coalition of the Socialist Left, Revolutionary Left Alliance and Green Party has been announced in Europa City, replacing the previous 8 year long grand coalition of the Socialist Left and Centre Party. The new joint programme adopted by the three parties marks a clear turn to the left for Europaland after almost a decade of a moderate government which introduced significant reforms bringing about the country's adoption of a firmly market-based economy even if companies still remain entirely owned by their workers. The Centre Party's desire to take these reforms further however provoked opposition from many within the Socialist Left which recently chose Elin Nordahl as its more radical new leader. Ms Nordahl is believed by many to have favoured a red-red-green coalition all along and therefore the agreement today will not entirely be of a surprise to anyone. Some in the Centre Party have nevertheless expressed anger at being thrown out of government despite being returned as the largest party.

According to President Nordahl the new coalition government represents “the uniting of Europaland's three left parties around a common programme which will carry forward our libertarian socialist revolution and ensure a better, fairer future for all in our nation”. It will, she hopes, “provide inspiration to all those across Europe who dream of a new future, a future shaped by ordinary people who take power over their own lives, a future free from exploitation, inequality and war and where everyone works together in a spirit of mutual love and respect”.

Some of the most important points in the new programme are as follows:

* Europaland will seek to strengthen its ties with the other socialist states and will intensify its efforts to allow others across Europe to enjoy access to the same freedoms which its own citizens take for granted.

* All moves towards a greater role for the free market will be halted and steps will be taken to prevent any widening of the gap between the minimum and maximum wage which people can potentially earn. The poverty rate shall not exceed 0%.

* Unemployment will be cut to below 2% over the next parliamentary term through an increase in public sector employment and a new package of subsidies to workers' cooperatives.

* Feminism based around a critical gender power perspective shall again be lifted forward and all patriarchal structures existing in Europaland and around the world will be highlighted and opposed at a state level and through schools and other governmental institutions .

* The government will intensify its fight against racism both at home and abroad and try to ensure all new immigrants can quickly find a job and feel a part of Europalandian society. The country shall be a land of hope for all those around the world fleeing oppression and persecution.

* 100% of electricity will be generated through renewable sources within a decade and Europaland's per capita emissions of greenhouse gases shall be cut to under half of the world average.

* A new environmental protection programme shall aim to almost entirely eliminate pollution from the nation's towns and countryside and make Europaland the world's most beautiful country in which to live. Significant funds will also be invested in improving the living environment of residential areas and all remaining unattractive concrete housing blocs will be replaced or refurbished within a decade.

* Health spending will go up by at least 5% per year of the next parliamentary term. Europaland to aim for the highest life expectancy, lowest infant mortality rate and lowest percentage of overweight and obese people in all of Europe within 10 years.

The ministers in the new cabinet shall be as follows (SL = Socialist Left, RLA = Revolutionary Left Alliance, GP = Green Party):

* Prime Minister - Ms Ceitidh NicIllEathain - (SL)
* Finance Minister – Ms Ida Jakobsen (RLA)
* Foreign Minister – Ms Saida Nasri (SL)
* Interior Minister – Ms Marie Bertrand (RLA)
* Defence Minister - Mr Arne Isaksen (SL)
* Health Minister – Mr Håkon Jensen (RLA)
* Education Minister – Ms Sarah Thompson (GP)
* Justice Minister - Mr Édouard Giraud (SL)
* Housing Minister - Ms Kari Nyhus (SL)
* Social Welfare Minister – Ms Frieda Hoffman (RLA)
* Trade & Industry Minister – Ms Mairead NicFhearghais (SL)
* Labour & Employment Minister – Mr Mordechai Levy (RLA)
* Transport & Infrastructure Minister – Mr Adam Watson (RLA)
* Agriculture & Fisheries Minister - Mr José Vicente Gutiérrez (SL)
* Culture Minister – Ms Cecilie Skoglund (SL)
* Equality Minister - Ms Ingebjørg Haugen (RLA)
* Human Rights Minister – Ms Julia Murphy (SL)
* Environment Minister - Mr Erich Schneider (GP)
* Development Minister – Mr James Young (RLA)
* Science & Technology Minister - Ms Emma Simpson (SL)

In the new cabinet all the main ethnic groups are represented largely in accordance with their percentage among the general population. For the first time a Europalandian of Arab origin, Saida Nasri, has been appointed to one of the top five cabinet posts, something which will be seen by many as a step forward in the integration and inclusion of Europaland's more recent immigrant groups. The Prime Minister is again Gaelic-speaker Ceitidh NicIllEathain from the Socialist Left party while her cabinet will contain 12 women and 8 men. Exactly half of the 20 seats shall be held by the Socialist Left party, 8 by the Revolutionary Left Alliance and 2 by the Green Party.

OTHER NEWS

Jewish Council of Europaland criticises plans for the Zionist settlement of Seora, urges Jews to come to Europaland instead where anti-semitism is virtually non-existent and Yiddish has long been one of the country's official languages. Jews currently make up 3% of Europaland's population of 104 million.

Member of feminist terrorist group APTF killed in shoot-out with police. Five others arrested and charged over recent bombing. All face 15 years in prison for the crimes of murder and terrorism. This can potentially be increased to an indefinite sentence if they are still deemed to pose a serious risk to society after the term has been served.

 

[Thaumantica]

You must be registered for see images

___________________
FOREIGN OFFICE
VESPER : : 17 December, 2011
​

THE Covenant takes note of how the "the main ethnic groups are represented largely in accordance with their percentage among the general population" in Europaland's new Cabinet, under the elusive President Elin Nordahl. It takes a controversial leader in a controversial nationstate to not only classify and identify individuals by their ethnicity, but to also assign them roles based on their presumed backgrounds or ethnic qualities. And since the existence of Detention Camps in Cantignia, or a corporeal system for expulsion of entire ethnic groups, does not exist within the friendly confines: it can be deducted that no difference exists between the racial policies of Europaland and Cantignia.

Forward Cantigny!
Benjamin Stokes,
Chief Officer

 

[Europaland]

The ethnic/linguistic groups within Europaland are largely associated with certain autonomous nations and it is important that people from each of these nations feel represented at a federal level. Naturally the appointment of someone to the cabinet takes place primarily on the basis of their merits as a politician and not the ethnic or language group they belong to but having as good a balance as possible in this respect is always positive for our nation. Europaland prides itself on the way in which people of so many different languages and nationalities live together within our borders in solidarity with each other and are all able to feel part of a common Europalandian identity.

Ms Saida Nasri,
Foreign Minister of Europaland

 

[Europaland]

You must be registered for see links

GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES DEBATE ON RDTO MEMBERSHIP

The three governing parties have agreed to launch a parliamentary debate over whether or not Europaland should apply for full membership of the RDTO. If the government believes a majority can be reached it will put the issue forward to a vote and if this comes out in favour a federal referendum shall be held. The move comes following a number of statements from the new left majority government aligning itself closer with the other socialist states than its predecessor and taking a more interventionist line in foreign policy issues. Europaland has recently expressed interest in bringing an end to the conflict between Altai and Talemantros and, according to some reports, preparations are already being made for a military intervention should it prove necessary.

If Europaland was to officially join the RDTO it would potentially become its strongest member militarily and would likely be seen as a welcome addition to the organisation by nations like Carentania and Havenshire. That a referendum can be won however is by no means certain and both the opposition Centre Party and Liberal Forum have openly expressed their opposition to Europaland joining the RDTO, preferring the country to remain open to military cooperation with all democratic states. Many are also concerned that being a member will put Europaland at risk of attack and damage the nation's reputation as a land of peace and stability. A telephone poll carried out by ERT over the last few hours found 44% of respondents in favour of joining, 43% against and the rest unsure.

OTHER NEWS

Christmas celebrated by millions of Christians and Atheists alike yesterday. Unlike last year there was no official church service attended by the President. Most of Northern Europaland enjoyed a white Christmas while parts of the south had to endure heavy rain.

 

[Europaland]

You must be registered for see links

PRESIDENT IN NEW YEAR ADDRESS TO THE NATION

You must be registered for see links

President Elin Nordahl delivered her first official new year's address to the nation on ERT1 just before midnight. Speaking from the presidential residence in Europa City Ms Nordahl made a typically passionate speech in which she condemned the actions of Europe's war-mongering elites and suggested the capitalist system was close to collapse. In towns and cities across the nation meanwhile millions came out to participate in official new year celebrations and to watch some of the many concerts and firework displays held.

Comrades, citizens of Europaland,

As we enter a new year let us hope it will bring more positive news for the people of Europe than much of the last 12 months has. We have seen our world engulfed in war and countless lives lost, all because the insanity of the capitalist, imperialist cliques which rule over most countries with little or no regard for the welfare of humanity. These wars are being fought in the interests of the ruling class but as usual it is ordinary women and men who are left to suffer the consequences.

I would like to say that the rulers of our world can be brought to their senses but we have sadly seen time and time again that war and conflict is an inherent feature of modern capitalism. For as long as we have a system where the rich and powerful rule over the weak and where the selfish pursuit of personal gain is held up as ideal to aspire to we will always have violence, misery and despair. If anything good is to come out of these terrible wars right now it is surely the realisation of that fact by millions of working people across Europe.

The old capitalist, autocratic society is in decay and we must do all we can to hasten its demise. Europaland stands in solidarity with our comrades across Europe as they fight to liberate themselves from tyranny in all its forms: the tyranny of authoritarian regimes, the tyranny of capitalism, the tyranny of patriarchy, the tyranny of religious extremism. We must strengthen our support to them so that together we can build, from the ruins of the old society, a new society, a free and democratic society in which we all live together as equals and as the masters of our own future.

In a few days we will find out if parliament shall approve a referendum on our country joining the RDTO. I hope the vote comes out in favour and that as a nation Europaland can begin this vital debate about where our future lies. Many will argue that we have done well out of being a non-aligned state in the west but in these increasingly difficult times I feel we need to stand closer to our natural allies, the socialist democracies of Europe. We are surely stronger working together than we would be working alone.

In the coming year we also have much to think about at home in Europaland. The world financial climate has meant that our economic growth has slowed and unemployment has risen. As a society where almost all of the wealth generated goes into improving the welfare of its people we are better placed than most. We must work however to ensure Europaland remains the envy of people across Europe, proving that without capitalism we can all be better off. Over the next year I hope we can make progress towards ensuring everyone has a job, that our public services continue to improve and that income disparities remain as low as possible. We must also continue our struggle for total liberation from patriarchal roles and norms and to stamp out all forms of racism and intolerance.

Our libertarian revolution is an ongoing process, it exists every day in our struggles for a better society and in our interactions with each other. Another year of revolution will not bring about the perfect society, not at home and certainly not internationally, but let it mark our continued progress towards that goal. I wish you all a happy new year and look forward to working in solidarity with you for a better Europaland and a better world.

From ERT to all our viewers:

Happy New Year!
Godt nyttår!
Bonne année!
Bliadhna mhath ùr!
Frohes neues Jahr!
¡Feliz año nuevo!
!سنة جديدة سعيدة
!גליקלעך נייַ יאָר

 

[Thaumantica]

You must be registered for see images

___________________
FOREIGN E-OFFICE
VESPER : : 2 January, 2012
​

THE Covenant resounds the Nationally-Respected Elin Nordahl, and her use of the Presidential pulpit to call for peace in twenty-twelve. Despite our outstanding differences, Cantignia will strive to place equality upon the highest pedestal as President Nordahl is expected to for Europaland.

Forward Cantigny!
Benjamin Stokes,
Chief Officer
​

 

[Europaland]

You must be registered for see links

GOVERNMENT SETS UP NEW 'FREEDOM FUND'

The government has announced its setting up of a new fund aimed at helping groups of people in other countries fighting for their freedom from repressive regimes. Up to €5 billion has been earmarked for the fund to begin with and any political group or organisation around Europe will be able to apply for financial assistance. Those organisations whose applications are accepted will be given financial support of an amount deemed appropriate by the Foreign Ministry appointed board administering the fund. The money will, when necessary, be transferred through secret channels to avoid detection by the government of the nation concerned. It can also be used to buy supplies such as weapons within Europaland if the group would prefer and is able to organise delivery of the shipment to its territory.

According to Foreign Minister Saida Nasri there will be no firm guidelines on what exact position a group or organisation must take ideologically to receive funding however it must comply with general socialist, feminist or libertarian principles and be fighting in some concrete way for the liberation of its people from a regime that can be termed as 'oppressive' or 'undemocratic'. The tactics used can be anything from peacefully protesting and disseminating information to armed combat however any group whose activities deliberately target civilians will be automatically denied funding.

The fund is highly controversial and has been criticised by the opposition Centre Party for "putting the nation's reputation on the line" and "sidestepping the role of parliament" in deciding where and when to intervene internationally. Ms Nasri in contrast has termed the Freedom Fund a "natural step in supporting our comrades throughout Europe and allowing Europaland to increase its influence internationally", sending out a "message to tyrants everywhere that Europaland will not stand idly by as they murder, torture and imprison their own people". While Europaland cannot possibly intervene militarily in all of the conflicts and politicial struggles taking place across Europe it is hoped that the fund will allow the nation to use its resources to help champion radical democratic causes and in the long-run build a Europe less hostile towards libertarian ideals.

OTHER NEWS

Parliament votes by 269 to 234 to hold a referendum on RDTO membership. The referendum shall be held in 4 weeks time after a campaign in which both the yes and no sides will receive an equal amount of state funding in order put their messages across.

Europaland publicly criticises two recent ratings given to the nation over its credit status and political and economic rights, accusing them of bias. The credit rating is potentially the most serious and will likely impact on the coast of borrowing. According to the Finance Ministry the present government aims to follow the legacy of its predecessors and keep the nation's debts to finance capital at a minimum.

 

[Touzen]

You must be registered for see links

​

Ministry of Revolutionary Defense and Foreign Affairs
_________________________________________________________
"Servants to Citizens!"
​

Nokanawa 9 January, 63


​

This government condemns the creation of the Europalandian Terror Fund in the strongest possible terms. The open admission of the Europalandian Foreign Minister to her ultimate vision - increasing Europaland's international influence by threatening other nations with acts of terror - is appallingly daring even for the government in Europa City, showing a complete disregard for human rights or diplomatic conventions. The only attempt Europaland seems to have taken to disguise its terroristic ambitions is by falsely declaring its Terror Fund to act in the name of freedom, utilizing its smoke and mirror tactics to discredit democratic and liberty-loving movements across the continent. The Constitutional State demands the immediate cancellation of this program and will take appropriate measures to defend its citizens against Europalandian state terrorism.

Forever Free,
Arakaki Kenji
Minister of Revolutionary Defense and Foreign Affairs

 

[Havenshire]

We welcome Europaland's decision to put aside some of its considerable funds towards the aid of others. We are happy to send some Advisors from our own dedicated Aid and relief organisation, the Aid Co-operative, to provide advice and assistance towards Europaland's own efforts to help the global proletariat in finding its place. They should ignore the rhetoric of Touzen, who we respectfully disagree with on this matter. Although we criticise the focus and the choice of the name of the Fund, we personally hope that this will be the first step towards Europaland taking responsibility as a nation and a community for the welfare and safety of all who do not have a voice or means to secure their own. Such is the noblest principle of our society.

Stand Together or Fall Apart,

Ambassador to Europaland,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
People's Republic of Havenshire

 

[Europaland]

Touzen needs not concern itself since our fund will only be directed at undermining authoritarian, un-democratic regimes. I am surprised at the use of the term 'terrorism'. If terrorism exists it is surely when states murder and oppress their own people, not when citizens organise themselves to fight back with the aim of achieving liberation, democracy and control over their own lives.

We welcome Havenshire's support and will be happy to have its advisors help us in our administering of the fund. United the free nations of Europe can make a real difference in terms of beating back the forces of tyranny and promoting a social order based on justice, equality and genuine democracy in the economic and political spheres.

Saida Nasri,
Foreign Minister of Europaland

 

[Europaland]

You must be registered for see links

WORKING WEEK CUT TO 30 HOURS IN BID TO ELIMINATE UNEMPLOYMENT

Parliament has, by a narrow margin, taken the controversial step of slashing the maximum working week allowed from 35 to 30 hours as part of the government's measures to eradicate unemployment. The average working week in Europaland is currently 32.3 hours so imposing a limit of 30 hours (to be made compulsory 6 months from now) will almost certainly force cooperatives to take on new workers and could, within a short space of time, bring unemployment below the government's target of 2%. The move however is controversial and, because the fall in hours will not necessarily be accompanied by a wage increase, could see some existing workers lose over 10% of their annual income. Economists are also divided on the economic effects and some believe that in the short term Europaland's economy is likely to suffer certain ill-effects from the new measure.

Labour and Employment Minister Mordechai Levy has, in his announcement of the move, commented that the 30 hour working week has long been a goal of the socialist movement and that shorter working hours can only be positive for Europalandian society. The number of new jobs created will, he believes be “significant”, resulting in Europaland having, or being well on the way to having, “Europe's lowest unemployment rate”. The Federation of Trade Unions of Europaland is also largely positive towards the move but has said it will lobby for an increase in salaries to ensure noone is left worse off. Reactions from the political opposition have been less positive. According to the Liberal Forum the new government is “well on the way to making Europaland's economy one of the most inefficient and least competitive in Europe”. The Centre Party meanwhile have argued that it's wrong and contrary to libertarian traditions to force people to work less even if they are perfectly happy with working 35 hours at present.

OTHER NEWS

'Freedom Fund' condemned by Touzen who accuse Europaland of promoting terrorism. According to President Nordahl in a new statement issued today Europaland “shall not waver in its commitment to promoting freedom and democracy in every corner of Europe” and is prepared to use “any means necessary to help ordinary people in their struggle against state and corporate tyranny”.

Marriage rate falls to below 10% for the first time. According to Equality Minister Ingebjørg Haugen the news is a victory for feminism and a sign that outdated patriarchal family structures are on the way out. Religious organisations, while less positive towards the news, have long been forced to accept people's rejection of marriage and rarely promote it openly.

 

[Great Engellex]

You must be registered for see images

DULWICH, FRIDAY, 13th DECEMBER 2011

The Right Honourable The Secretary of State has received the Command of her Imperial and Royal Engellexic Majesty The Queen-Empress
to make known the following gracious Statement of her Imperial and Royal Engellexic Majesty
to the Princes, and Chiefs of Europaland.​

An Extension of The Queen-Empress' Statement in Council.

TO THE PRINCES, AND CHIEFS OF EUROPALAND​

I am instructed to EXPRESS on behalf of her Imperial and Royal Engellexic Majesty;

The dispatches which have been received by her Majesty and Ministers from Europaland, on the subject of the Freedom Fund, are by no means of an enthusiastic nature; and the tone adopted by few of the Queen-Empresses Ministers in the Far West were sufficiently remarkable in their perceived alarm to have certainly attracted our attention.

I am unable to say that the outcry over this new allocation of finance to Godless Revolutionaries around Europe is without reason.

The reality of the Freedom Fund is truly threatening to the Queen-Empresses Peace within the Empire; as such I implore the Europalandian Government to not sanction sedition around Great Engellex with its resources as her Majesty will be compelled to issue a declaration of war – a task we sincerely are wanting to avoid.

By the Grace of GOD, of the EMPIRE of GREAT ENGELLEX, CHARLOTTE, the QUEEN-EMPRESS, through the SECRETARY of STATE, Sir ANTHONY PELHAM-HOLLES​

​

 

[Europaland]

The 'Freedom Fund' has only just been set up and I can confirm that as of yet no money has been sent to any group within Engellex. That is not to say we will not provide assistance our Engellexic comrades at some point in the future though. Freedom, democracy and equality will come to every nation in Europe and there is nothing the hypocritical, blood-sucking elites can do to stop it.

Saida Nasri,
Foreign Minister of Europaland

 

[Taley]

You must be registered for see links

Europaland continues its relentless persecution of the church and religion working deliberately to prevent the church from encouraging the Holy Mystery of Marriage. The Orthodox faith will continue to put forth marriage as holy and encourage all persons in this world to chose marriage over debauchery.

Bartholomew
Ecumanical Patriarch of Talemaniki​