National News Eiffelland (from 2009 until 31 July 2020)

[Rheinbund]

Emeritus-King Heinrich admitted to hospital

Today the press department of the Royal Family announced that Emeritus-King Heinrich has been admitted to the Universitätsklinikum Steglitz because of a severe heart attack. The Royal Family is with him. A press speaker of the hospital indicated that the prognosis is bad.
Emeritus-King Heinrich was born in 1871 and succeeded to the Throne in 1910. In 1950, he abdicated in favour of his son, the current King Albrecht. His abdication was an unique event in the Eiffellandian history. There were no real rules in place for that situation. Formally, Heinrich would have kept his title "King of Eiffelland" after the abdication. A change to the Constitution was needed to solve the situation. Since then, a King will carry the title "Emeritus-King" after his abdication. Emeritus-King Heinrich is the first Emeritus-King in the history of Eiffelland.

 

[Remuria]

National Headlines

Prayers in Nichtstein as Heinrich, Emeritus-King of Eiffelland and Duke of Lozen, admitted to hospital. Churches, Zwinglian and Catholic, throughout Nichtstein will be holding prayers for the health of Heinrich the Duke of Lozen (Losena). Alberto Scarpe, mayor of Losena, has stated that the entire city of Losena and all of Nichtstein are with the Eiffellander royal family in this hard moment. A statement echoed by the Government of Nichtstein. Heinrich held the title of Grand Duke of Nichtstein until 1950, at which time he abdicated and took on the title of the Duke of Lozen. Lozen (or Losena in Tiburan) is the country's third largest city and is the only majority-Tiburan speaking city on the continental part of Nichtstein.

 

[Rheinbund]

Emeritus-King Heinrich dies in Universitätsklinikum Steglitz

The Press-office of the Royal Palace announced today that Emeritus-King Heinrich died this morning in the Universitätsklinikum Steglitz. In the early afternoon, the motorcade with the Royal Family left the hospital to go to the Royal Palace. Currently the body of the Emeritus-King will be balsamed. The Press-Office indicated that Emeritus-King Heinrich will be buried in the Royal Crypt in the Cathedral of Trier As King Heinrich IV, King of Eiffelland and Grand-Duke of Nichtstein.
King Heinrich was born on 2 April 1871 as the first son of at that time Crown-Prince Philipp. He became the Crown-Prince and with that Duke of Sauerland himself at age 16, when his grandfather King Albrecht II died. In 1910, he became King of Eiffelland and Grand-Duke of Nichtstein upon the death of his father, King Philipp V. In 1950, at age 78, he was the first King of Eiffelland to abdicate in favour of his son, the current King Albrecht III. He also abdicated from the Nichtsteiner Grand-Ducal Throne and assumed the title Duke of Losena.
King Heinrich was a very religious man, but also a man who broke with a tradition in his family: He was the first Crown-Prince of Eiffelland who went to University instead of the Military Academy. He studied History and Law at the Staatsuniversität Weissenfels, and in this way grounded the tradition that the children of Noblemen study in Weissenfels when they don't opt for a military career. He did fulfil his mandatory military service though, in the Navy. While he was studying, he married Alienora von Nareath. She gave him two sons and two daughters. Their youngest child, Prince Philipp, died in a car accident on 22 May 1926.
In the beginning of 1950, King Heinrich announced his abdication, to take place one month later. He appointed his son Albrecht Prince-Regent effective immediately and went to a monastry for a retreat. At the end of January, he abdicated.
King Heinrich was a very precise man, but also very authoritarian. In Eiffelland, a law can only become effective when the King signs it. This can mean that a King can veto a law, but that almost never happened. The Eiffellandian Kings are very well aware of their position in a constitutional monarchy. This was also the case for Prince Heinrich. With exceptions, however. When a law was clearly not in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church, he did not sign them. This was the case for the law legalising homosexual acts when committed in private. This law passed the Reichsversammlung der Abgeordneten and the Reichsrat in the 1930s but remained on the King's desk for signature until 1950, when King Albrecht acceded to the Throne.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Griffier van de Prinsbisschop

The Prince-Bishop, head of Gouw Marken, sends his condolences to the Royal Family of Eiffelland.
May he be remembered as a caring man, always defending the very principles of his Faith, Kingdom and Family.
Requiscat in pace. May he rest in peace.

 

[Saefolland]

Office of The Presidency


I speak for all of Saefolland, in giving our heartfelt and sincerest condolences to the Eiffelland Royal Family and it's people during these dark and unfortunate times.

 

[Remuria]

National Headlines

Nation in mourning as Heinrich IV passes away. All flags will be flying at half mast and the nation will be in mourning as the news broke in of the death of Heinrich IV, King of Eiffelland and Grand Duke of Nichtstein, referred to in the later days of his life as Heinrich, Duke of Lozen. The Grand Ducal Council of Ministers will be attending the funeral ceremony in Eiffelland, while a number of commeration ceremonies will be held in Nichtstein.

 

[Rheinbund]

Funeral of King Heinrich planned for 10 October

The Press Office of the Royal Family published all necessary details for the funeral of King Heinrich. The funeral will take place on Saturday 10 October. The King will lie in state in Schloss Charlottenburg from next Friday onwards. On 10 October, the cortège will go from Schloss Charlottenburg through the City of Trier to the Trierer Dom.
Meanwhile, the Royal Family is receiving condolences both from Eiffellandian citizens and from governments abroad. The Royal Family thanks everybody for their compassion.


Police and Staatsschutz on the search for Caledonian terrorists

In parallel with the Caledonian authorities, the Police and the Staatsschutz are searching for the terrorists responsible for the deadly assaults in Caledonia last week. The starting point is the Borschel 356 with Marburger licence plates that was used in one of the assaults. Meanwhile, the United Celtic Army (UCA) has been placed on the list of terrorist organisations, meaning that any possessions of this organisation will be confiscated and any bank accounts possessed by this organisation will be frozen.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Office of the Grand Duke

We mourn the passing of King Heinrich and grieve with your people. His Grace will be in attendance at the funeral.

 

[Rheinbund]

CDV and FDV continue coalition in province Sauerland with smallest possible majority

The shift of seats was small but fundamental in last month's elections in the province Sauerland. Because the CDV lost one seat, the majority of the ruling coalition of CDV and FDV decreased to the smallest possible majority. Despite that, the CDV and FDV decided to continue the coalition. Today the new government of the province of Sauerland was installed. Both the SPE and the LDP criticized the CDV and FDV for accepting such a small majority and indicated that Sauerland would have to vote again in a short period of time. The political leader of the CDV in Sauerland, however, replied: "We have majority, no matter how small it is. We will govern this province to the best of our abilities and will maintain the stability of the government in Sauerland."

 

[Rheinbund]

Last propeller fighter planes in Navy decommissioned

Today was the last day of service for the Dassau J19M propeller figher planes of the Eiffellandian Navy. These planes, stationed both at Eiffelland’s aircraft carrier SMS Kaiser Lothar der Erste and at Navy air bases, served the Navy from the early 1940s onwards, but had been in the process of being replaced by the jet fighter Dassau J26M since 1952 as part of a restructuring process of the Navy. One other step in this restructuring process is to decommission the Kaiser Lothar and replace it with two smaller carriers. The keels of these successor ships have already been laid, but these ships won’t enter service before 1960.
Meanwhile, the Air Force is also replacing its propeller planes. However, that process has not been finished yet. There are still 80 J18 fighters, 60 B28 bombers and 235 T28 transport and reconnaissance planes in service. Both the J18 and the B28 will be replaced with the Mysterium II, but the T28 will be replaced with the new Herakles transport plane (also a propeller plane) as well as a large transport plane that will be introduced soon.

 

[Serenierre]

Commissariat for External Relations
GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC

The People's Republic condemns the continued expansion of the Eiffellander military's jet fleet. This latest news is a piece of reactionary propaganda that aims to do little more than raise tensions across the region and endanger regional stability. We fear that a regional arms race is on the horizon if the aggressive actions of Eiffelland are not reigned in.

Mme. Marie-Claudette Lausanne
COMMISSAR - EXTERNAL RELATIONS

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

Agressive actions? We? The last invasion war carried out by Eiffellandian troops took place in the 1780s. With all due respect, the Eiffellandian armed forces are not the only ones to modernize themselves. Eiffelland has to do this if it wants to be able to defend itself in the future. If that is an "agressive action", then training at the gym is an agressive action as well. Furthermore, I don't think that the armed forces of Serennière are still using prehistoric clubs.

Rudolph Kögler, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

 

[Serenierre]

Commissariat for External Relations
GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC

The People's Republic is a peace-loving nation and is greatly alarmed and disturbed by the situation that is being created by the kingdoms of Gallo-Germania. The flame of the Revolution lives on and shall not be extinguished!

We shall monitor the situation in the region closely.

Mme. Marie-Claudette Lausanne
COMMISSAR - EXTERNAL RELATIONS

 

[Remuria]

Foreign Affairs Ministry
Grand Duchy of Nichtstein

The Grand Duchy of Nichtstein would like to attract the attention of the Commissariat for External Relations of the People's Republic of Serenierre to the fact that Nichtstein is, in fact, not a Kingdom, but a Grand Duchy. A titular injustice done to the people of Nichtstein centuries ago through the intricate compexities of peerage lineage within the Eiffellander monarchy. Complaints with our overlords in the Kingdom of Eiffelland have so far not yielded a titular equality with Eiffelland, the matter has been postponed until the next Eiffellander succession at least.

 

[Rheinbund]

Renovation of Trierer Stadtschloss will finish this year

In 1945, King Heinrich moved his residence from the Trierer Stadtschloss to the summer residence of the Royal Family, Schloss Charlottenburg. Since then, the Royal Family has resided in its summer residence, both during Summer and during Winter. Since then, official communiqués by the Royal Family carry the header “Schloss Charlottenburg”. The reason for this all is a large and necessary renovation of the Trierer Stadtschloss.
However, this renovation will be finished in June of this year. Then not only all needed renovations have been carried out, but also lots of modernisations will have been implemented. First of all, all rooms will hava a connection to the telephone system. Furthermore, a new air handling system will be built in.
Also in 1945, the renovation of the Kronprinzenpalast, the palace of the Crown Prince at the Unter den Kastanian, started. But here the renovations were more radical. The Royal Family decided to donate the Kronprinzenpalast to the Universität der Stadt Trier, which will use it for the University Library and the University Museum.
The new function of the Trierer Stadtschloss will also be different. The King intends to use it as a work palace and for official receptions and parties by Pariament, the Government and the Royal Family during Winter. In that scenario, Schloss Charlottenburg will remain the Royal Residence throughout the year instead of only the Summer Residence, and Schloss Glienicke will continue to be used for receptions and parties by the Royal Family, Parliament and the Government during Summer.


Other news:
Tensions between Nichtstein and Serenièrre build up.
Government indicates that it will support Nichtstein in the current disputes with Serenièrre.
First part of Trierer Stadtring finished: Motorway between Flughafen Tempelhof and the Messegelände ready.

 

[Rheinbund]

Carnival season in Eiffelland

It is that time of the year again: Carnival, or like it is called in Eiffelland, Fasching. Traditionally, the festivities already start on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, with Women's Day, but the fest really starts on Friday night and goes on until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Strictly at 12 o' clock on Tuesday, the fest stops. Then everybody goes home. The next day, everybody goes to Church to get an ash cross at the forehead, and the fasting period until Easter starts. During this period, the church bells won't ring. The small children are told that the church bells flew to Tibur. At Easter, they will fly back and drop the easter eggs in all the gardens.
But it's not that far yet. First all the people will celebrate, adress everybody with the informal "du" instead of the formal "Sie", and make jokes about government officials, ministers, the Chancellor and even the Royal Family.


Other news
Yuvaraja (Crown-Prince) of Varanasi will visit Eiffelland, together with his wife Sophie von Dietz-Wittelsbach. Duke of the Harz Prince Leopold indicates that he looks forward to seeing his daughter again. Royal Family will receive Yuvaraja as well.
Mayor of Weissenfels accused of corruption.

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[Rheinbund]

Eiffellandian armed forces announce war games in Eastern Long Sea and Kalahari Sea

Today the Eiffellandian armed forces announced that they will conduct war games in the Eastern Long Sea and the Kalahari Sea, in which mainly the Navy and the Air Force will be involved but the Army will have a role as well. The war games will take place between 22 and 29 February 1956. The Ministry for Defence indicated that the war games will take place far away from the official and most common sea routes so that commercial and passenger sea travel won't be hampered. Governments of the countries near the places where the war games will take place as well as all large shipping companies have been notified. As an extra safety measure, the location of the war games will be checked if any vessels are traveling in its neighbourhoods. Such vessels will be informed about the war games and adviced to follow a route that will keep them out of the location of the war games.
The Ministry for Defence indicated "periodic need of exercise" as the only reason for the war games, but there are rumours that Kadikistan's recent threats against Justiza and Saaremaa were factors in the decision to hold these war games, although the Eiffellandian government does not want to confirm these rumours.


Mayor of Weissenfels fired by King

Confronted with the evidence of having received money from a construction company, the mayor of Eiffelland's fifth largest city, Weissenfels, was forced to leave. Last week the Eiffellandian opinion magazine Der Spiegel revealed that Dieter Bornicher, who is also a prominent member of the christiandemocratic CDV, has received money from the construction company Bicker Bau for fifteen years. It started when Bornicher became alderman in Weissenfels. During the 15 years he was alderman and mayor in Weissenfels, he managed to hand out a great deal of municipal construction works to Bicker Bau and received money for that. But that was not the only thing he did to help out Bicker Bau. It was also revealed that Bicker Bau ignored many building regulations and regulations concerning the safety of the builders. Bornicher's role in this was to keep the inspectors away from the building sites. The death of a construction inspector several years ago may also be linked to this affair, as well as the collapse of an apartment block two years ago.
During the week, it became clear that some officers in the municipal police force of Weissenfels had collected enough evidence backing the story in Der Spiegel. This resulted in a debate in the city council last Wednesday, which unanimously voted for a motion of distrust against Bornicher, who immediately announced that he would ignore the motion. This led to an issue, because as long as the mayor would stay in office, he would be immune against prosecution. Yesterday the Royal Palace announced that the King had fired Bornicher with immediate effect. Meanwhile, Bornicher, several employees of the Weissenfelser municipality, the management and several key employees of Bicker Bau have been placed under house arrest. These people are facing high fines as well as 15 years imprisonment for violating safety regulations and corruption. Furthermore, Bicker Bau may face a fine of hundreds of thousands of Marks as well as the reclaim of millions of Marks paid by the municipality of Weissenfels for the construction orders.
The CDV announced that Bornicher has been expelled from the Party with immediate effect. Chancellor Graf von Seydewitz condemned Bornicher and Bicker Bau in very sharp words during the weekly press conference. He called Bornicher's actions "a violation of the trust put on him not only by myself and the CDV, but also by the people of Weissenfels". "The people of Eiffelland should be able to trust the people who govern them. That trust is what the system in this country is based on: The trust that the people they choose for and the people that are appointed by the King do whatever they do in the best interest of the Eiffellandian people. Bornicher violated that trust in one of the worst ways possible," the Chancellor said. Asked for his opinion on the charges against Bornicher and several other people in Weissenfels, the Chancellor said: "That is a decision the public prosecutor has to take. I won't comment on that, because otherwise I would violate the Trias Politica."

 

[Kadikistani Union]

People's Commissariat for External Affairs

"While we do not oppose the organisation of war games by the Eiffellandian authorities and recognize the need for such exercises we urge their navy to steer clear of the Kalahari Sea. The Revolutionary Southern Fleet remains mobilized and tensions with Justiza are at an all-time high. We do not need any external factor adding coals to the fire. Eiffelland has no business in the Kalahari Sea."

Signed,
_X_
Col. Dimitri Leninov
People's Commissar of External Affairs
Democratic Republic of Kadikistan

 

[Rheinbund]

Kanzleramt
Trier, Eiffelland

We will make sure that we stay far away from the Kadikistani air space and territorial waters, and we will also make sure that we will stay away from any Kadikistani aircraft or vessel, be they military or non-military. Furthermore, we want to stress that Justiza itself is a sovereign country as well.

Matthias Graf von Seydewitz, Chancellor

 

[Rheinbund]

Government of Eiffelland calls upon Navies in Gothic Sea not to disturb commercial traffic

During a press conference at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, a spokesperson of the Ministry commented on the situation in and around Ivernia. He indicated that especially the situation in the Northern part of the Gothic Sea may seem threatening to non-military shipping, and called upon all the Navies currently active in the Gothic Sea to keep the disturbance of commercial traffic to a minimum. More specificly, he talked about “signals that for instance many fishermen from Gouw Marken consider the situation in the Gothic Sea to be dangerous”. He also pointed at the current food crisis in that country, because of which Eiffelland, Kadikistan and Cymru Annibynol are currently delivering food aid to Gouw Marken. “In this situation, it is essential that the fishermen of Gouw Marken, a country that did not take sides in the Ivernish Civil War, and, therefore, should be considered neutral in this matter, are not hampered in their activities,” he added.