Lusitanian Press - Insurgency In Barreiro

[Lusitania]

O Homem Livre
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João Pedroso eleito primeiro Supervisor
João Pedroso elected first Supervisor
HL, Braga

Today, the United Free Councils attained political maturity, as the final magistrate of the UFC, the Supervisor, was elected by universal and direct suffrage. João Pedroso easily won the elections against the other two candidates: Arlinda Alves and Armando Silva Santos.

According to the Declaration of Union, the Supervisor is a magistrature equivalent, but not equal to that of the head of state in normal states. As many Presidents and Kings, the Supervisor has the power and duty of assuring the normal functioning of all democratic institutions, and of supervising the head of state, to avoid abuses of power. However, contrarily to Presidents and Kings, the Supervisor does not have the power to dissolve any democratically-elected organ or to declare war or peace. The Supervisor’s existence is to curtail the abuses of power that the Consuls might commit and he is one the three magistrates (alongside with the two Consuls), with the power of representing the UFC.

João Pedroso focused his campaign on stabilizing relations with what he called “Democratic Lusitania”, i.e., the Kingdom and Galicia, while saying nothing about the People’s Republic. He also said he would seek to ensure that the Consuls did not deviate from the core principles that founded the UFC – personal and economic freedom, limitation of state power and respect among everyone.

He won the elections by 63%, and was inaugurated today at the Braga Palace, where the central organs of the UFC have their base. He will now join Consuls Roberto Torres and Lúcio Loureiro as the top magistrates of the United Free Councils.



Decisão da Assembleia Constitucional do Reino Impressiona a União
Decision of the Kingdom's Constitutional Assembly Impresses the Union
HL, Lumiar

Many thinkers and politicians in the United Free Councils were pleasantly surprised with the announcement that the Constitutional Assembly of the Kingdom of Lusitania passed several new articles for the Constitution of the future Lusitanian Republic, that will make the sub-state heir to the Kingdom a decentralized republic, with ample power for the councils and a bicameral model – an upper house to represent the councils and a lower house to represent the people.

This announcement made many people in the UFC satisfied and has increased prospects of unification in the long-term. Consul Roberto Torres stated in a meeting today in Amarante: “I am impressed. Many would predict the Republic would keep the unicameral and centralized model, but this new attitude surprised even the most skeptical. Congratulations to the jurists and the elected officials behind this move.”

The issue of reunification beings to surface. With this clearly decentralized and democratic attitude the future Lusitanian Republic will have, many people in the Council Houses say reunification is inevitable and recommendable. However, the debate is far from ending and will ensue for years to come.

 

[Lusitania]

Short News from Lusitania

• Diário de Notícias: Constitutional Assembly agrees on a semifederal bicameral model for the Constitution. Constitutionalist Jorge Miranda says it enshrines the Council, not the Province, as the nuclear element of political organization of the future Republic.
  
  
• Avante!: A small group of residual fascist resistence has been eliminated by the Red Militias in cooperation with armed locals. The fascist-integralist group was composed by former DGS agents and many of them were killed, with the remaining due to enter rehabilitation.
  
  
• O Homem Livre: Supervisor João Pedroso had his first meeting with the Consuls and the Directorate. The Supervisor considered the meeting "positive" and a "good opportunity to meet my fellow magistrates."
  
  
• Galicia Hoxe: The formation and growth of the Movimento Luso-Galego (Luso-Galician Movement) worries the Government, since the MLG is gathering the lusitanized galician population, that gives little importance to Galician independence or identity, that is prevalent in the largest cities.
  

 

[Lusitania]

Hoxe, O Xornal de Galicia
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MLG protesta esta mañá n'A Coruña e en Compostela
MLG protesta esta manhã na Corunha e em Compostela
MLG protests this morning in A Coruña and in Compostela
Compostela

Large demonstrations were organized today in Compostela and A Coruña, joining more than 100,000 people. The demonstrations were organized by the MLG (Movimento Luso-Galego – Luso-Galician Movement), a recent political party/movement whose objective is to “protect the right of Galician Lusitanians”. According to statistics, about 60% of Galicia’s population speaks Portuguese as a first language. The percentage is higher if we take people born after 1969 – 80%. Many of them are Lusitanians living in Galicia, while most are Galicians that fell under the repressive anti-Galician policies of the Integralist regime, and their descendants.

One of the aims of the Galician Independence Junta, the movement that led to the formation of the Independent State of Galicia, was to start a ‘Galiciation’ process, which would purge Galicia from outer influences, including Lusitania. Deemed undemocratic by many figures of the movement, the policy’s focus now is not to purge Galicia of Lusitanian elements but to give the people a choice, especially because, for many of them, there never was one.

The leaders of the MLG disagree, with Paulo Geraldes complaining: “The Galician government is doing what the Integralist regime did. They are imposing a culture and a language over the whole population – and most of it speaks Portuguese and feels no affinity to Galician culture and identity whatsoever. And we’re not leaving, we live here and we want to live here freely and democratically.”

The Government feels that high support for the MLG in the big cities (where most of the Lusophone population is concentrated) will create a schism within Galicia, as cries for reunification with the future Lusitanian Republic appear. Xosé Pérez appealed for “national unity” and for the contestation not to fall into violence.

The demonstrations were peaceful and without incidents.

 

[Lusitania]

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Constituição Quase Pronta

Constitution Almost Done
DN, Lumiar

It was announced today that the Constitutional Assembly had its work on drafting a new Constitution almost done, with only minor and final details on hold. The Assembly worked on the Constitution for almost a month, however, most of the work was the work of constitutionalists Jorge Miranda and Paulo Otero, that have been working on the Constitution for more than five months.

In the words of Miranda: “This Constitution is largely for the Kingdom of Lusitania to have a legal framework of democratic and power-limiting institutions and abolish its monarchy. However, we do have a separate draft prepared should reunification occur. Anyway, the Constitution is simple and small, enshrines the principles of democracy, limitation of power, freedom and responsibility. The head of state will be the President of the Republic and the head of government will be the Chancellor, since we think Prime-Minister is a very monarchical title. The upper chamber will be the Senate, representing the Councils, with one representative per council and will have less power than the lower chamber, the National Congress, composed by party members directly elected by the people. The National Congress will be crucial in the choice of the Government.”

As the finalization of the Constitution approaches, a concern is growing over the King’s reaction. Finally, this morning, after a month of silence, King Carlos III talked to the Diário de Notícias:

“I think it is a positive Constitution. I’ve been following the work around it quite closely and I can say it is a safeguard for the new Lusitanian democracy. The Republic will be formally declared when the first President is elected by the people. After the election, I shall deliver my functions of head of state to the President in a solemn ceremony, in which the Republic of Lusitania will be officially born.”

People from all political sectors have showed their satisfaction with the Constitution, and many party leaders or local leaders have been voicing their defense of a total reunification, a task deemed unlikely by politicians and most of the people, for now. Anyway, in a few months, the Kingdom of Lusitania will cease its 900 years of history, and a new era will be born


Outras Notícias

Other News

• Tensions rise in the Independent State of Galicia was Luso-Galician groups cry for the end of discrimination and disregard for the large protion of the population that has no Galician identity or feeling.
  
  
• New confrontations, this time in the University of Cernache, pit right-wing and left-wing extremist groups into violence. Police action was swift, but could not avoid six seriously injured students.
  
  
• Snow storms predicted to hit Estrela next week

 

[Lusitania]

Short News from Lusitania

• Diário de Notícias: Celebrations of the Restoration of Independence take place, being the first national festivity celebrated after the fall of Integralism. Lusitanians celebrate the fact that, in 1666, King João IV overthrew the Frescanian Governor and abolished the dual monarchy of Frescania-Lusitania, restablishing independence.
  
  
• Avante!: As President Vasques presides the celebrations of what he calls the primitive Revolution of 1666, he promises he will solve the agricultural question once and for all and that plans are drafted to make way to an agriculture with more participation from the peasantry.
  
  
• O Homem Livre: Council of Nelas agrees on financing the exploration of potential uranium ores in the hills of Ugeiriça, in the northern half of the territory.
  
  
• Galicia Hoxe: Dual language road signs are now almost widespread in Galicia, as the Government made an extra effort before the snow season. Now, road signs will be shown in Galician and in Portuguese, save for when placenames coincide. At the entry of our capital, one will see "São Tiago de Compostela" and "Santiago de Compostela", not only the first one. This is a statement of cooperation between Galician-speaking and Lusophone communities in Galicia.
  

 

[Lusitania]

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"Proletários de todos os países, uni-vos!"
"Workers of all countries, unite!"
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ANUNCIADAS AS PRIMEIRAS ELEIÇÕES!
FIRST ELECTIONS ANNOUNCED
Beja

Today, President Gonçalo Vasques, has announced in Beja, before the provisional Grand People’s Council, that the first elections of the People’s Republic would take place in two weeks. As predicted since the Revolution, the People’s Republic shall have a bicameral model, without upper or lower chambers. There will be the continuation of the Grand People’s Council, populated by individual representatives of the municipalities; and the Grand People’s Chamber, elected by direct and universal suffrage. Together, they will convene and form the Grand People’s Congress, which will be our main legislative body.

For the elections of the Grand People’s Chamber, three parties have been spontaneously formed to contest this election alongside the People’s Communist Party:

- The Farmer and Fishermen United Party (Partido Camponeses e Pescadores Unidos): a party based in Ossónoba and Serpa, whose aims are to represent the interests of peasants and fishermen, the groups that provide food and well-being to the People. Led by José Matias, a fisherman from Monte Gordo.

- The Proletarian Action Party (Partido de Acção Proletária): which aims to represent factory workers from the People’s Republic’s cities, another important backbone of our economy. Led by Fernando Bastos, a metallurgic worker in Alcácer do Sal.

- The Socialist Christian Party (Partido Socialista Cristão), formed mostly by clergy members who did not collaborate and furthermore resisted, to the Integralist Regime. Their understanding of the Bible is based in a socialist revolutionary point of view. Led by Father Amadeu Simões.


Together with the People’s Communist Party, these parties will form a grand coalition – the People’s Democratic Union (União Democrática Popular), that will collaborate to rule the People’s Republic in the name of the working class, the peasantry, the fishermen, the clergy and the People in general. This election will happen before the Kingdom’s undated legislative election, one more proof about our democratic maturity. Let us go forward together!

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

The recent democratic progress in the People's Republic is a positive sign for the overall developement of Lusitana and Carentania wholeheartedly supports these elections. If concluded succesfully, they could prove the need to revise our current stance regarding the People's Republic, which would make practical support and developement aid from Carentania possible.

 

[Papal States]

Secretary of the Holy Office

As the cooperation of some clergy with Ingegrialist politicians has not been approved by the Holy Father, so is the Partido Socialisto Cristao. Dominici has not been consulted and the intentions of the PSC are not clear at the moment. The Holy See therefor informs the public a vote for this party is not a vote for the true Dominican Catholic values. The Holy See points out that Catholic clergy cannot take up any political function within South-Lusitania as long the Holy See has not taken position in favour of the project. The good and true Catholic people of South Lusitania will be informed by their rightfull priest about the decisions of His Holiness whenever he has heared all parties and taken position.

 

[Great Engellex]

The Free Cities Union continues to withhold recognition of the People's Republic of Lusitania and continues to maintain with hope to strengthen the relations with the Kingdom of Lusitania.

State Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Michel Batten​

 

[Lusitania]

O Homem Livre
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Concelho de Vizela Traz Polémica do Porte de Arma ao Congresso
Vizela Council Brings Gun Posession Controversy to Congress
HL, Braga

Today, due to a joint petition of the Councils of Vizela, Amarante and Moreira, the All-Council Congress convened in Braga and discussed an urgent issue: the legality of gun posession. The representative of Vizela, António Franco, urges that such an "important issue" cannot be "forgotten by the Union as a whole". Franco supports limitations on gun ownership, but he faces a large opposition. Though no decision was made, initial allegations show a great divide on the issue, with many representatives speaking either for or against further control on gun ownership. A representative of Canavezes, spoke of "violation of our basic rights. We have the right to defend ourselves from threats if the Local Police is not around...".

This and the role gun ownership had on the popular uprising against the Integralist Regime make it a little difficult for limitations on gun posession. Three representatives of Braga, the most anti-gun Council in the Union, have, however, exposed the dangers of arbitrary and irresponsible gun ownership and spoke of the moderate legislation in the Kingdom as an example: a permission is needed to get a weapon - should the people be mentally sane, have no criminal record and pass a small and cheap course - it will be given license. This heated discussion promises to raise a lot of polemic within the All-Council Congress.

 

[Lusitania]

Hoxe, O Xornal de Galicia
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Xosé Pérez Apela a Formación de un Tribunal Extraordinario para Criminais Integralistas
Xosé Pérez Apela a Formação de um Tribunal Extraordinário para Criminosos Integralistas
Xosé Pérez Calls for the Formation of an Extraordinary Court for Integralist Criminals
Compostela

In a conference on Human Rights in the University of Santiago de Compostela yesterday, Prime-Minister Xosé Pérez called for the formation of an extraordinary court to judge the crimes of the Integralist Regime. Despite Dinis Brito and several other high-ranking members of the National-Integralist Party and the DGS still being at large, the issue of Integralism is constantly forgotten, due to the political tensions within the Union itself and the evolving regimes of the four member-States.

As Pérez said in the conference:

“There is an urgent need in solving the Integralist issue once and for all. It is indeed truthful that many Integralist criminals are currently arrested on the counts of mass murder, homicide, torture and many others, and are awaiting a normal penal procedure. However, I think that normal penal laws should not apply to this particular situation. It is a founding principle of Justice to treat what is equal, equal, and what is different, different. The crimes of the Integralist Regime are of an unknown magnitude, and a special court – a Union-wide court – should be formed, with justices from the four member-states and work on an extraordinary legislation on these crimes – though respecting the principles of Natural Law. Although more present issues are currently affecting our states, we should not forget the crimes of the past, and we must not give up in finding Dinis Brito and his henchmen.”

Pérez's appeals found good reception all over the Union. Afonso Costa, Prime-Minister of the Kingdom of Lusitania, said, in a small statement today, that Pérez pressed on an “issue that should be brought more frequently to attention”. Gonçalo Vasques, President of the People’s Republic, though not directly referring to Pérez, said today, in a visit to self-managed factories in Olivença, that “many Integralist criminals are still at large and must be hunted down and judged”. There was no official comment from the United Councils, though Pérez’s appeal was referred in many Council meetings.

Currently, the Lusitanian Union is offering a 2,000,000€ reward for information leading to the capture of Dinis Brito.

 

[Lusitania]

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Dia Histórico - Promulgada a Constituição da República Lusitana!

Historical Day - The Constitution of the Lusitanian Republic Promulgated!
DN, Lumiar

It is an historic day for Lusitania. Today, the Constitutional Assembly approved the final version of the Constitution of the Lusitanian Republic, the new basic law of free Lusitania. This Constitution, different from the previous democratic Constitution of 1857 and naturally different from the Integralist Charter of 1970, transforms the previous territory of the Kingdom of Lusitania into a democratic, decentralized and localist Republic, under the strict rule of Law.

The Head of State is the President of the Republic (Presidente da República), elected by popular vote, whose rule is mainly symbolic and of supervision of the Government. He has to be a Lusitianian-born citizen and over 35 years of age.

The legislative body – Congress of the Republic (Congresso da República) - is composed by two houses – the upper house, the House of Councils (Câmara dos Concelhos), is composed by the representatives of all the 67 Councils of the Republic, independently of population; the lower house, the House of Deputies (Câmara dos Deputados), is composed by the direct representatives of the people, elected through universal suffrage. The House of Councils will have mainly supervisional and budget functions, as well as protection of Council’s Rights; The House of Deputies will control the Government, approve or reject laws and elect the Government. The Government will be headed by the Chancellor of the Republic (Chanceler da República), which will coordinate about ten Secretariats. There are a wide range of control mechanisms to ensure no one abuses power.

The judiciary will keep roughly its traditional model: the courts will split between those regarding private law and those regarding public law. In private law, the Supreme Court of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Justiça) will be the highest appeal court possible in matters of criminal and civil law. The courts of appeal are called, accordingly, Courts of Appeal (Tribunais de Recurso) and the lower-grade courts are called Civil Courts (Tribunais Cíveis). Fiscal (Tribunais de Contas) and Labour Courts (Tribunais do Trabalho) will coexist as well. In public law, the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) and the Supreme Administrative Court (Supremo Tribunal Administrativo) rank in the top of the hierarchy, followed by appeal and normal Administrative Courts (Tribunais Administrativos).

Territorial administration will be much more decentralized – the Council, rather than the District, is the territorial base of power. Councils will have a wide range of decision-making power in their jurisdiction, as long as it does not contradict the Constitution. Half of income taxes will go directly into the Councils’ coffins. However, certain matters, like the Healthcare System, Education and Social Security, will be centrally managed.

Following a small preamble contextualizing the situation of the Republic, the main articles follow.

Article 1

Lusitania is a sovereign and democratic Republic, based on the principle of human dignity and popular will.

Article 2

The rule of law is supreme, and the State and the Councils are subordinate to the Constitution.​

A controversial article predicts a reunification of Lusitania, and relates to several articles in the end of the Constitution which constitute the legal regimen for such a thing to happen. Due to this, many analysts predict a quicker reunification of Northern Lusitania, due to the decentralized character of the Republic, which would allow the integration of the UFC and Galicia.

Article 5
The Republic of Lusitania expects to be reunified in the whole of the Lusitanian Nation, and this Constitution allows for the incorporation of extra-state territories that historically exist within the Lusitanian Nation​

.​

The Constitution also states that Lusitania is subordinate to International Law and provides a wide range of rights and duties:

• Right to insurrection against oppression
• Right to life (death penalty formally rejected)
• Other personal rights like: identity, citizenship, reputation, honor, good name, image, privacy, protection against discrimination and protection of genetic identity
• Right to freedom and security
• Habeas Corpus
• Criminal and Civil Procedure Guarantees
• Exile and asylum
• Family and Marriage Rights
• Freedom of Expression and Information
• Freedom of conscience, religion and cult
• Freedom of movements
• Freedom of assembly
• Freedom of association (fascist organizations prohibited
• Right to personal identiy
• Right to citizenship
• Right to reputation, honour and good name
• Freedom of trade
• Right to participation in political life
• Right to quality healthcare, education and social security
• And more…

The Constitution will enter partly in effect in Tuesday, with a special transitory law created for the Head of State – King Carlos III shall remain Head of State until the first Presidential elections in January, when he will officially surrender power and abdicate.

Many reactions were heard across the political scene of the Republic and the Union as a whole:

Afonso Costa – Provisional Prime-Minister

“Today, a democratically elected body approved an historic document. Never before had the Lusitanians enjoy so many rights and freedoms as now.”


Tomás Otero – Constitutionalist and Vice-President of the Democratic Alliance

“After the instability of the Revolution and the Civil War, our democracy starts to mature and stabilize into a regime that will above all, protect human dignity and democracy.”


Gonçalo Vasques – President of the People’s Republic of Lusitania

“An imperialist, capitalist and irredentist document – an illusion so that the workers of the new-founded Republic think they are free.”


João Pedroso – Supervisor of the United Free Councils

“I am positively surprised with the decentralized and democratic nature of the new Constitution, which I thought would continue its ancestors’ centralist policies.”


Xosé Pérez – Prime Minister of the Independent State of Galicia

“A sign to give a second chance to Lumiar.”


King Carlos III

“This document makes us one step closer to democracy. As soon as the President is elected, I shall step down and the Kingdom of Lusitania will be officially over.”

 

[Lusitania]

Short News from Lusitania

• Diário de Notícias: Presidential Elections scheduled for January 5th. Although no candidate has appeared yet, it is expected that all major parties present one. Several independent candidacies have shown intrest as well.
  
  
• Avante!: The people shall exercise their right of vote tomorrow, when they will choose their representatives to the Grand People's Councils. Workingmen and women, peasants, fishermen and women and white-collar workers - all united in defense of democracy!
  
  
• O Homem Livre: Promulgation of Republican Constitution arises calls for reunification or partial reunification in several Councils. While both Consuls and the Supervisor refuse to comment, many people see the decentralized and localist Constitution of the Lusitanian Republic as compatible with the principles of the United Free Councils movement, which would survive as a political party in a reunified Republic, many argue.
  
  
• Galicia Hoxe: Violent snowstorms paralize major roads and cities in the interior of the country. Only Ferrol and Corunha, located by the sea, escape the severe blizzard that afflicts cities like Compostela. Authorities advise locals not to leave their homes until the storm vanishes.
  

 

[Lusitania]

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"Proletários de todos os países, uni-vos!"
"Workers of all countries, unite!"
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ELEIÇÕES PARA O GRANDE CONSELHO POPULAR FORAM UM SUCESSO!
ELECTIONS FOR THE GRAND PEOPLE'S COUNCIL A SUCCESS!
Beja

Elections for the Grand People’s Council a success! The Democratic People’s Union (União Democrática Popular – UDP), the grand coalition involving all parties contesting the elections, managed to bring all sectors of society represented in the Grand People’s Council. Instead of the divisive and unstable elections of capitalist “democracies”, in which political ideologies are represented, in the People’s Republic, each sector of society gets its own party, and the whole of society is represented by the vanguard of the UDP!

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One of the leaflets urging the people to vote for the grand coalition. The caption reads: "For an anti-fascist and patriotic government."

The results were as it follows:
- People’s Communist Party (Partido Comunista Popular) – 54,3%
- Socialist Christian Party (Partido Socialista Cristão)– 26,4%
- Farmer and Fishermen United Party (Partido Camponeses e Pescadores Unidos)– 11,6%
- Proletarian Action Party (Partido da Acção Proletária) – 7,7%

Everybody is happy because all sectors of society are represented in the Council. Everyone, from the fishermen and the farmers, to Catholics, factory workers and white-collar workers are satisfied.

President Gustavo Vasques has already congratulated all parties. In a small statement he said:

“This is where the difference between our democracy and the ‘democracy’ of the future Republic lies. We are all united towards a single goal – the socialist society – but we accept that everyone has a say in the way we will achieve it. Some say it is through total nationalization of means of production, others through the word of Christ. Others say the future is in the primary sector, others in the industry. The result – our opinions may diverge, but we are all united, because we believe in the same goal – a society that is more just and free, for everyone, not just the rich. Forward the Revolution!”

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A leaflet advertising vote for the PCP, reading "Give more strength to freedom! Vote in democracy heading towards socialism!"

The first session of the first democratically elected Grand People’s Council will be held tomorrow, and the Council will decide whether to maintain Bernardo Soares as the Chairman of the Council – the head of government.

 

[Lusitania]

Short News from Lusitania

• Diário de Notícias: Christmas celebrated all over Lusitania, with both secular and religious manifestations dominating the streets and homes of the Lusitanians. In the People's Republic, reports of supression of religious celebrations arrived at the DN, albeit unconfirmed.
  
  
• Avante!: People all over Lusitania, including the People's Republic celebrate the festival of Christmas, where Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and non-Christians also gather for family reunions.
  
  
• O Homem Livre: Councils hold local celebrations of Christmas all over the UFC, and everyone takes the 24th and the 25th off. The People's Republic supresses Christian celebrations of Christmas, according to various sources.
  
  
• Galicia Hoxe: Christmas, that in Galicia is called Navidade instead of Natal, is celebrated for the first time with entirely Galician traditions, namely the eating of octopuss, instead of codfish.
  

 

[Lusitania]

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Conhecidos os Candidatos às Eleições Presidenciais

The Candidates to the Presidential Elections are Revealed
DN, Lumiar

As the period for candidacies has ended in the 30th, the Constitutional Court has announced who reunites the conditions to be a presidential candidate. Many names, in the last weeks, have been talked about. Rumours all over Lusitania said that man or another man would be candidate. In the end, we are left with four candidates, from various political quadrants: Augusto Lopes, José Brandão, Álvaro Pinto and Fernando Ferro.


José Brandão is one of the founding members of the Social Democratic Party and a highly respected intellectual, scholar and occasional writer. His base of support mainly comes from the centre-left and the democratic left – from the whole PSD and from the moderate wing of the Democratic Socialists - as well from some liberals. His idealistic persona is viewed very positively or negatively. While some see him as a ‘paladin of democracy’ and an uncorrupt and moral upright politician, others think his idealism borders naïveté and incompetence. Brandão is 55 years old.

General Augusto Lopes is a well-established and famous military commander, and the military mastermind of the Lusitanian Revolution. He is supported mainly by centre-rightists, conservatives and many liberals, and so, has the backing of the Democratic Alliance and the Christian-Democratic Union. He is known for his severity and toughness, as any high-ranking officer of the Army, but also for his kindness and humility. General Lopes is 60 years old.

Álvaro Pinto is a former member of the People’s Communist Party, and a founding member of the moderate communist Democratic People’s Party. He gathers support from communists, socialists, anarchists and all of the far-left. The Democratic People’s Party officially backs him, and the more leftist wing of the Democratic Socialists also supports him. His distancing from the People’s Republic of Lusitania and his official condemnation of the authoritarian practices of his former comrades has gathered him some sympathy of less extremist groups. Pinto is 56 years old.

Fernando Ferro is a former Integralist who left the National-Integralist Party in 2005 to enter resistance groups. Recently he founded the National-Democratic Party, that despite its democratic and populist nature, it is anti-immigration, moderately nationalist, conservative and protectionist. The nature of his party attracts many former Integralist supporters to his vote base and he might suffer with being associated with the former regime, against whom he fought. Ferro is 50 years old.


Political analysts say this race is fought primarily between the two main left-wing and right-wing candidates: General Lopes and Brandão, who seem to gather most of the support. A big group of undecided voters, mainly from the centre of the political spectrum, are definitely going to be decisive in the upcoming elections. The other two candidates might be decisive as well. If none of the major candidates can gather more than half of the votes, the second round will be decided by the results of the other candidates, who gather support from more extremist sections of the electorate.

If everything goes according to plan, the winner of this election shall become the first President of Lusitania and will be inaugurated in the day King Carlos III solemnly surrenders his power and the new Constitution will be put to practice.


Outras Notícias

Other News

• New Year's Eve celebrated all over the country with enthusiasm and many people celebrating in the streets with bottles of champagne or some other drink. Traffic got dangerous though, with the tragic death of 3 people in the region of Trindade and 4 more in Cernache.
  
  
• Group of proeminent jurists call for a major revision, but not revogation, of the 1986 Civil Code, to adapt it to the new Constitutional rules.
  
  
• Free copies of the New Constitution distributed by many Councils to locals.

 

[Lusitania]

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General Augusto Lopes Abre a Campanha

General Augusto Lopes Opens the Campaign
DN, Angra dos Reis

General Augusto Lopes opened today his campaign in Angra dos Reis, where he talked before thousands who came to see and hear him. In the eyes of many analysts, Lopes chose Angra dos Reis because opinion polls show the North is the most conservative region of the Republic, and he wanted somewhere safe to start his short campaign (elections are due in January 10th). There, the General talked about his vision for the country and how he would conduct the Presidency.

“Lusitania deserves a stable and strong democracy. And that’s what I offer you. I am not here as a political activist, I’ll leave that to the Governments, the Representatives and the Deputies. The President shall not govern; it is not in his functions. As President I shall be a mere supervisor, I shall only ensure that democracy is working and that overly ambitious Governments do not abuse their power. And most of all, it is the President’s function to unite the country in times of need and despair. Those times will eventually come, times where we are divided or our democracy grows frail. And at those times, if they happen under my Presidency, I shall do the utmost to ensure the continuity of our democracy.”

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General Augusto Lopes with his trademark monocule

In this statement, we can clearly see General Lopes’ personality reflected in his plans for his actions as President, rejecting excessive idealisms and focusing in protecting the very democracy he helped to create. In a more controversial note, he subliminally criticizes the People’s Republic – his anti-communism is well-known, he disagreed with the participation of the PCP in the Revolution – and calls for reunification:

“We must also not yield to the pressures of proto-totalitarian regimes that lurk at our doorstep and I assure you – as time goes by, they will use insidious methods of undermining our democracy (…) I also express my faith in the reunification of our Nation. I am sure that the good people in the governments of the United Free Councils and the Independent State of Galicia will have the sense to understand that, to fight off many threats, the Lusitanian Union alone will not suffice. We must unite Free Lusitania.”

The strong and assertive personality of Lopes, especially his stance towards the People’s Republic, will make him gain points in Northern Lusitania and in Vímara, as well as in the easternmost regions of Estrela, known for being mostly populated by centre-right conservative voters.



Outras Notícias

Other News

• President of the People's Republic Gonçalo Vasques officially supports Álvaro Pinto's candidacy to the President of the Republic, while urging voters to vote for the left-wing candidates (which would also include José Brandão), while strongly criticizing the "imperialist" General Lopes and the "crypto-fascist" Fernando Ferro.
  
  
• Group of five fishermen disappeared while fishing off the coast of Sesimbra, during a violent storm.
  
  
• Provisional Government debates whether there will be Congressional Elections, or if elections for the Chamber of Councils and Deputies should be held separately.

 

[Lusitania]

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José Brandão Critica Adversários no Barreiro

José Brandão Criticizes Opponents in Barreiro
DN, Barreiro

José Brandão opened his campaign this morning, by appearing in the industrial zone of Barreiro before thousands of supporters. The industrial area south of Lumiar, which includes Barreiro, among other cities, is a hub of support for the Social-Democrats and other leftist parties, and so, just like his main opponent General Lopes, Brandão started his campaign in friendly terrain. In his inaugural speech he criticized General Lopes, as well as the other candidates, and presented himself as the candidate of “balance”.

“But my friends, we must not let General Lopes be elected. I do acknowledge the crucial role he had coordinating the military actions that overthrew Dinis Brito. However, his aggressive stance towards the left, his military career and his austere personality, are not compatible with the highness that the office of President implies. With General Lopes as President, the Union would break into a civil war again causing more death and famine. (…) The President must be the paladin of democracy, the last stand and the last bulwark against abuses of power. He is the one that ensures that the people are happy and that the government does not oppress. And when that happens, he acts swiftly and decisively. Our democracy is young and it still has a lot to grow. We must sow the seeds of the social and democratic state, with democracy for everyone – political and economical. However, we must not fall under the sway of the extreme left, which corrupts the true message of the social state, transforming it into a collectivist hell. And we must also not be tempted by xenophobia and neo-fascism. We learned with the errors of the past. (…) A Presidency with me in the Ajuda Palace, would be one of peace, of détante against the People’s Republic and friendly relations with all member-states of the Union, not irredentism. Vote for me, vote for democracy!”

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José Brandão speaking today

As it was relatively obvious, Brandão showed himself as a bit more left-leaning than the rest of his party, to attract more extreme electorate. He also criticized General Lopes’ yesterday speech, in which he attacked the People’s Republic and call for reunification. Brandão’s stance on the reunification issue is a policy of détante. Naturally, he also attacked his other opponents, Álvaro Pinto and Fernando Ferro.

While many analysts see Brandão as more charismatic and driving that General Lopes, most of them say personality will be a decisive factor in the campaign. Will the Lusitanians choose the austere and aggressive, but assuring General Lopes; or the poetic and idealistic, but diplomatic irrealist, José Brandão? We must wait until Sunday to see.




Outras Notícias

Other News

• Important football match in Lumiar today, with the two leading teams - SL Benfica and FC Angra dos Reis facing each other in the former's stadium. Big police apparatus already being set up.
  
  
• Estrela Mountain Owl population increases again to the delight of ecologists.
  
  
  

 

[Lusitania]

Short News from Lusitania

• Diário de Notícias: Fernando Ferro's campaign in the streets of Guimarães almost turns violent. Supporters of Álvaro Pinto attack Ferro's supporters, and only police intervention stops that. Ferro went on campaigning, not saying a single word about the event.
  
  
• Avante!: The construction of the Monument to the Fallen Proletarians begins in Beja. This ambitious project's intention is to remind the people that many of their comrades gave their lives fighting against fascism and then against the capitalist traitors, so that they can live happily now, in the road towards socialism.
  
  
• O Homem Livre: Intervention in the Council of Vizela once more sparks the reunification debate. Many members of the Council showed their intention of breaking way with the UFC and rejoining the Republic. However, it is unclear under UFC law whether a Council can unilaterally secceed or not.
  
  
• Galicia Hoxe: Seven died in an avalanche near Lugo yesterday. Authorities are still looking for the cause and for one missing body.
  

 

[Lusitania]

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Fernando Ferro Desiste das Eleições

Fernando Ferro Withdraws from the Elections
DN, Vímara

This afternoon, Fernando Ferro, one of the candidates to the Presidential elections, withdrew right before the 48-hour period before the elections in which withdrawing is prohibited, announcing it in a campaign action in Vímara.

“The justification” Ferro said, was due to the “outrageous discrimination” he claims to have suffered during the elections, partly due to his Integralist past, which many analysts say cost them many electors.

In his own words:

“People keep on nagging – ‘fascist!’, ‘murderer’ – and I cannot take it any longer. How can you call these democratic elections if opportunities for advertising are being constantly denied to me? Democracy has not reached the media yet, since they keep pushing me away from the spotlight, not only at the expense of the ‘major’ candidates, but also of Álvaro Pinto, a candidate with chances similar to my own. My integralist past has been cruel to me, though I no longer follow those evil fascist ideas. I am a patriot yes, worried about the survival of my people and Nation, but I am a democrat above all. I cannot tolerate this, and so, for my honour’s sake - I must withdraw.”

Ferro’s withdraw might also have strategic reasons. Seeing good chances of a left-wing candidate – Brandão – being elected, he sacrificed his votes, since almost all of them will go the the centre-right General Lopes. In a move that was probably calculated, the right-wing populist Ferro gave in to the moderate right-winger Augusto Lopes, that has now tremenderous chance of winning these elections, since the right is united, while the left is still divided between moderate socialists and social-democrats who support Brandão and extremists, radicals and communists, who support Pinto.
Before Ferro’s withdrawal, polls averaged as it follows:

- José Brandão – 43%
- Augusto Lopes – 41%
- Álvaro Pinto – 8%
- Fernando Ferro – 8%

Brandão leads the polls, but with Ferro’s withdrawal, Lopes will gain an additional 8% of the votes, which will barely give him the majority he needs to be elected in the first round.




Outras Notícias

Other News

• Provisional Government postpones debate over Civil Code review for after the first legislative elections.
  
  
• Storms damage potato industry in the Northern region of the Oeste Province. Producers ask for state help.