Hosagovinia Media Wire

[Leidenburg]

HOSAGOVINIA MEDIA WIRE

Compilation of various media sources from around Hosagovinia, bringing
readers, watchers and listeners up-to-date news from around Europe!​

 

[Leidenburg]

:!: BREAKING NEWS :!:

Exit polls indicate Social Democratic Party will win election

Initial exit polls, conducted by Spiegel Media Group, indicate that the Social Democratic Party will win the most seats in the National Assembly, defeating the incumbent government of Prime Minister Hans Donitz and his Conservative Party.

Some observers are calling the Social Democrat victory the "greatest electoral upset of our lifetime," and nearly everyone is unanimous in expressing profound astonishment at today's results. Even recent polls showed the Conservatives with an electoral advantage all across the country. Conservative Party insiders were confident of their victory, and even some within the Social Democratic Party that came forward readily admitted that they expected defeat.

The results are not final, however, and most likely won't be until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. Some races still have not been decided, so it is unclear how many seats each party will end up with. There are still enough undecided seats to give the Social Democrats an outright majority. Most likely, they will come up just shy of an outright majority and partner with the Labour Party - propelling them and their leader, Walter Ebert, into the government.

Once the undecided seats are tallied and a winner is determined, the Federal Election Commission will certify the results. Then, President Heinrich Scheel, a Conservative, will call a gathering of the newly National Assembly in no longer then one month's time. At this point, the National Assembly will elect a new prime minister and the government will get to work.​

 

[Leidenburg]

:!: Social Democrats win election - form government in coalition with Labour, greens

Today, the National board of Elections officially certified the results of the National Assembly elections, declaring the Social Democratic Party the winner after having won 289 seats out of the 600 possible.

The victory of the Social Democratic Party has shocked many political observers, who expected the incumbent Conservative Party of Prime Minister Hans Donitz government to prevail and win another term. Even Social Democratic political strategists had accepted the fact that this would probably not be there year to retake the government. Conservative strategists certainly expected that they would retain an outright majority in the National Assembly.

Following the certification of the Social Democratic victory, the leaders of the Labour Party and the Green Party quickly announced that they would be joining the Social Democrats in a coalition. This means that the Social Democrats now have enough seats in the National Assembly to take an outright majority, and seize the government for the first time in seven years.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters outside his party’s headquarters in downtown Kopenick, leader of the Social Democrats and soon to be prime minister Walter Ebert called this day a “victory not only for my party, but for Hosagovinia as a whole”. “From this moment,” he continued, “we can move forward in an effort to retain to prosperity. From this moment, we can move forward and once again become a beacon in Europe!”

Prime Minister Hans Donitz released a statement through the Conservative Party saying that he was saddened by his party’s loss, and issued congratulations to the victors. Sources close to the prime minister said he was shocked when he was informed that the Social Democrats had gained enough seats to take the majority in the National Assembly.

President Heinrich Scheel, a member of the Conservative Party, has one month from now to call the new congress of the National Assembly to session at his desecration. When this occurs, all representatives will be sworn in, and the prime ministerial elections will occur. Immediately after this session, the new government will take office and begin work.​

 

[Skånskige Statsunionen]

Chancellor of External and AGE Affairs

The Skånskige Statsunionen would like to convey our congratulations to the Social Democrats and their allies for this electoral win and we look forward to working with the new Government of Hosagovina on a variety of AGE and non-AGE issues.

 

[Leidenburg]

Source: President Scheel considering delaying new session of National Assembly to pass robust agenda

A high ranking official inside the Office of the President is reporting that President Heinrich Scheel is considering delaying the sitting of the new National Assembly for the full month, to allow Conservative Prime Minister Hans Donitz time to pass a robust agenda before ceded the government to the Social Democrats. According to the source, this was also the topic of discuss between the President and the Prime Minister on a phone call yesterday.

President Scheel – also a member of the Conservative Party – could be trying to preserve his party’s role in government for as long as he can, allowing them to institute new laws before they are pushed to the Opposition.

Legally, the president of Hosagovinia is fully within his right to delay the sitting of the new National Assembly for the full month. Traditionally, the Parliament the new session of the National Assembly is called two to three weeks following the election, and the incumbent government takes no more significant acts of lawmaking if they were on the losing end of the election. What would make this case different is the intentions in which the President would delay the new congress – to pass an agenda that has lost a democratic mandate.

In response to reports that the president would consider delaying for political purposes, the Social Democratic Party released a statement calling the move “extremely undemocratic.” “This government has lost their democratic mandate and now considering passing a robust agenda before they leave office,” the statement continued. “This is not what the people voted for, and it is outrageous that President Scheel, Prime Minister Donitz and their Conservative colleagues are even considering this.” “They should be ashamed of themselves,” the statement ended.

A request for comment from the Prime Minister’s Office was denied, saying the Prime Minister would be making an announcement soon.​

 

[Großlausitz]

Das Auswärtige Amt

On behalf of His Majesty and His Loyal Government I would like to congratulate the social-democratic party upon winning the national elections. We look forward to a fruitful and useful cooperation with the incoming government.

Furthermore, we sincerely hope this particular interpretation of the constitution by the Federal President will not damage the Hosagovinians trust in the democratic procedures of their country.

Robert Beaumont
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Deputy Ministerpresident of His Majesty's Government

 

[Wazistan]

Statement from the Foreign Ministry

Wazistan wishes to congratulate the Social-Democratic Party on its electoral history expresses hope relations between the Islamic Republic and Hosagovinia will flourish under incoming Prime Minister Walter Ebert.

 

[Leidenburg]

"Good evening, its five past the hour here in the Kopenick and this is Hosagovinia Federal Public Radio. In today's top stories:

"The Prime Minister has still not responded to a report that he and President Scheel were considering delaying the sitting of the new National Assembly in order to pass a 'robust' legislative agenda before they turn over power to the Social Democrats. His office has announced that he plans to make a 'major' announcement very soon, possibly as soon as tomorrow. Requests for a comment from the President were met with denials that such an option was even being considered. Naturally, officials within the Social Democratic Party are in uproar that this is even being considered.

"Meanwhile, leader of the Social Democratic Party and soon to be prime minister Walter Ebert has begun his transition in earnest - meeting with numerous people expected to be in his Cabinet, as well as various officials in the bureaucracy of government. According to Social Democrat spokesperson, Representative Ebert is scheduled to meet with officers in the military tomorrow. According to sources close to the transition, a strategic planning session is scheduled for this weekend to lay out a plan for taking over the government. The exact date that Ebert will take over as prime minister has yet to be determined.

"And now, in other news..."

 

[Leidenburg]

:!: BREAKING NEWS :!:

Prime Minister to resign tomorrow

Speaking from the Cabinet Room at One State Square today, Prime Minister Hans Donitz announced that he was advising President Scheel to seat the new Parliament soon, and that he would be resigning from his post as prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party effective tomorrow.

“There has been much talk about what would happen in the coming weeks, and now I would like to clear up all the rumors: I will reject any attempt by [President Scheel] to extend my term…and will resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party effective [tomorrow],” Prime Minister Donitz said.

President Scheel had been considering delaying the sitting of the new Parliament - an action which would transfer government to the newly elected Social Democratic majority – for the full month, allowing Donitz’s government time to pass a “robust” agenda before they were forced to concede power. However, the announcement from the Prime Minister seems to be a rebuff of this policy and an indication that the outgoing prime minister will not seek to continue governing against a democratic mandate.

What surprised many observers was the announcement that the Prime Minister would resign. According to party insiders, many of the members of the Conservative Party were still confident in Hans Donitz leadership of the party. This announcement has come very unexpectedly.

A source close to the Prime Minister has suggested that something else might be afoot, but did not make any suggestions.​

 

[Leidenburg]

DEVELOPING STORY - Quick News

In a statement released from his office today, President Heinrich Scheel (Conservative) announced that he would officially call the new session of the National Assembly on Friday. Rumors had been swirling that the President would delay the inaugural session as long as constitutionally allowable, but with Prime Minister Hans Donitz announcement earlier today that he is resigning tomorrow, President Scheel found it prudent to not follow that path. According to press inquiries to the President's office, the President has also sent a letter to every member of the National Assembly elected and eligible to be seated in the inaugural session informing them of his decision. this gives incoming Prime Minister Walter Ebert two days to finalize his transition and prepare to take over government.​

 

[Leidenburg]

Prime Minister officially resigns

Prime Minister Hans Donitz left One State Square - the official residence for the prime minister of Hosagovinia - for the last time today, after submitting his resignation of office to President Scheel. He announced that he would be resigning yesterday in a press conference from the Cabinet Room.

Hans Donitz has been prime minister of Hosagovinia since his Conservative Party was swept into power in the 2005 elections. His resignation comes after a surprising upset victory by the Social Democratic Party in last week’s election, an election result that would have sent his party back to the opposition. According to party sources, many were still supportive of his leadership and figured he could return them to power in the next election.

In a final statement as prime minister, Donitz said he was “honored” that the Hosagovinian people had given him the opportunity to serve as their prime minister. “I could think of no bigger accomplishment in my life then fighting for the people of this country as their prime minister,” he said.

The prime minister’s resignation opens up an interesting leadership battle in the Conservative Party as the new session of the National Assembly opens tomorrow.​

 

[Leidenburg]

Conservatives: Neumann to be interim leader

Today, the Conservative Party announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Leader Bernd Neumann would serve as interim leader of the party when the new session of the National Assembly begins later today. The announcement came in a statement released by Chairwoman of the Conservative Party Claudia Roth.

The Conservative Party has been left leaderless after the resignation of Prime Minister Hans Donitz yesterday.

In her statement, Chairwoman Claudia Roth also detailed the Conservative Plan to elect a new leader. Sometime next week, the entire Conservative caucus in the National Assembly will meet to nominate and discuss potential candidates for the leader position. Then, after time for debate and campaigning, the caucus will vote on who will be there leader. If no candidate gains an outright majority of the votes on the first ballot, they will continue on runoff votes, eliminating the lowest vote getting candidate each time. Whoever is left after the voting is through will be the new leader of the Conservative Party and the official Leader of the Opposition.

Many party insiders have been mum as to who is considering a run, but outside political observers consider the top two candidates to be Chairwoman Roth and Deputy Leader (now interim leader) Bernd Neumann. It is expected over the weekend that candidates seek the leader’s post might begin to make their intentions clear.

However, heading into tonight’s inaugural session of the National Assembly, the Conservative Party will be lead by Bernd Neumann.​

 

[Serenierre]

Ministère des Affaires Étrangères
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Premier Charles A. Millerand, once a new Prime Minister is elected, would like to hold talks with him or her. The recent status of our bilateral ties is regrettable and we hope that, at the earliest, we are able to restore the ties to their former levels.

Jean-Jacques Marcelieu
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belmont

​

 

[Rheinbund]

Kanzleramt
Trier, Eiffelland

I want to congratulate the Sociodemocrats and their leader Walter Ebert with their victory in the Hosagovinian elections. We look forward to a fruitful cooperation in the region.

Horst Jörgens, Chancellor

 

[Leidenburg]

:!: Walter Ebert inaugurated as Prime Minister, Rix elected President of the National Assembly

Today, leader of the Social Democratic Party Walter Ebert was officially elected prime minister of Hosagovinia by the National Assembly. Walter Ebert’s elevation to prime minister comes after he engineered one of the biggest electoral upsets over the incumbent Conservative Party just two weeks ago.

As is required by law, the President of Hosagovinia Heinrich Scheel called the inaugural session of the National Assembly to swear in the members and elect its officers. Also in this inaugural session, the newly sworn in members of the National Assembly elect from their members the prime minister. Traditionally, these votes fall down party lines, and this vote was no different. Walter Ebert received 350 votes, all from the Social Democratic Coalition. There were 260 votes against the nomination, all from the Conservative Coalition.

Following his election, Walter Ebert released a statement through the Social Democratic Party. “I am honored to be elected prime minister of Hosagovinia today,” he said. “Now that I have taken office, there is much work to be done to ensure that the people of Hosagovinia live in safety and prosperity. I will immediately begin working for this country and will not stop fighting for Hosagovinians until the day I leave office.”

President Scheel and the Conservative Party also released cordial statements of congratulations to the new prime minister. “I congratulate Walter Ebert on his newly assumed role as prime minister of Hosagovinia, and I hope that we work together to better this country,” President Scheel said in his statement.

Also in this inaugural session of the National Assembly, the various officers of the legislature were elected. Senior member of the Social Democratic Party Sonke Rix was elected President of the National Assembly, and Sebastian Bulmahn and Claudia Roth – former Conservative Party chairwoman – were elected Vice President from the Social Democratic and Conservative parliamentary groups, respectively. Vice Presidents were also elected from the Labour, Green and National Independence parliamentary groups.

Within the coming days, the committee breakdown and their chairpersons will be announced. But party insiders expect the Social Democrats to chair 9 committees, the Conservatives 7, and the other three parties will split the chairmanships of the 5 other committees between them.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, newly inaugurated Prime Minister Walter Ebert will announce some or all of his Cabinet picks within the next couple days, tomorrow at the earliest.​

 

[Leidenburg]

Prime Minister Ebert announces Cabinet

In a statement from the Cabinet Room, Prime Minister Walter Ebert named members of his Cabinet today. He was quick to assemble his Cabinet, considering Prime Minister Ebert just took office yesterday.

For Foreign Minister, Ebert named longtime Representative Peter Hoyer. For Attorney General and Deputy Prime Minister, the prime minister named Angela Weber to the office. The Minister of Defense will be retired military officer and relative newcomer to the National Assembly for a Cabinet Minister, Georg Scholz. The Minister of the National Treasury – which oversees national spending and currency issues – will be noted expert Werner Ammon.

To fulfill the requirements of his coalition, Prime Minister Walter Ebert named leader of the Labour Party Axel Aigner to be Minister of Economic Development. Labour member Theodor Blank was named Minister of Agriculture. Leader of the Green Party Rudolf Topfer has been named Minister of the Environment.

“I have the utmost confidence in the group of people I have brought together to serve as my Cabinet,” the prime minister said, surrounded by his key nominees. “These ladies and gentlemen will have a great responsibility to this country, but I think they are up to the task. Together, as the government, we will move this country forward. I cannot wait to get to work!”

In a pamphlet distributed to members of the press after the statement, the Office of the Prime Minister announced that they would be holding their first official Cabinet meeting tomorrow.​

 

[Leidenburg]

:!:BREAKING NEWS:!:

Prime Minister Eberts says Donitz will candidate for AGE Secretary-General

Shortly before leaving for Scania and the Alliance for Greater Europe Heads of Government and State Summit, Prime Minister Walter Ebert announced that former Prime Minister Hans Donitz would be seeking the position of Secretary-General of the Alliance.

After emerging from a private breakfast, the two men made a joint statement from the Cabinet Room at One State Square.

“Today, I would like to announce that my good friend and former prime minister Hans Donitz is seeking the position of Secretary-General of the Alliance of Greater Europe,” Prime minister Walter Ebert said in his statement. “I am happy to throw my support behind my former colleague in the National Assembly, and I know he is the best candidate for the Alliance’s head. Throughout his entire career, he always pushed for a foreign policy that was orientated around the goals of the Alliance. As its head, I know he will do everything in his power to promote liberty and freedom in Europe.”

In his statement, Hans Donitz said that he was “honored and humbled” to be put forth for such a position. He said he was “looking forward to the debate” and hoped that the next Secretary General would “move not only the Alliance, but also democracy and freedom in Europe, forward.” “I am confident that I can expand the capabilities of the Alliance and make sure that it is freedom that ultimately rings throughout Europe,” he said.

Representing Hosagovinia at the conference will be Prime Minister Walter Ebert, who heads to Scania mere days after taking office. It is his first true test – whether foreign or domestic – and many observers are interested to see how he interacts with the international community. Also attended with him will be Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Hoyer.

Scheduled to be on the agenda on the summit is: an election of a new Secretary-General, the budget of the Alliance, as well as other minor subjects. The summit is expected to last three days, and takes place in Nystra, Skånskige Statsunionen. Prime Minister Ebert will return this weekend, and begin to focus on domestic issues, according to his office.​