Tricolor News Service - New Paristan State Media

[New Paristan]

Montmartre - November 5th

An exciting election has just concluded in New Paristan to decide the composition of the next Parliament.

It had been a heated campaign, with counter-revolutionary parties united in a broad electoral front taking a major challenge to Prime Minister Magritte's governing Red/Black Alliance. In the end, the voters spoke - and they spoke loudly, in favor of continuing revolutionary progress and against the bourgeois parties.

With their mandate in the previous Parliament, hard won from the victories of the revolution against the brutal LeClerc regime, Prime Minister Magritte's unique alliance has initiated major economic reforms, seizing the economy from the control of the multinationals and putting it into the hands of New Paristan's workers. The unique cooperation between communists and anarchists has produced a symbiotic economic model that combines the nationalization of major industry with the establishment of autonomous worker councils to administer local affairs. Meanwhile, the government has initiated major cultural reforms to unify the populace behind the goals of the revolution, has instituted compulsory military service in the Workers' Militia, and has revamped the nation's educational system to instill revolutionary values of unity and camaraderie from an early age.

Election results follow.

Previous Parliament (600 seats total):

Red/Black Alliance: 457 Seats (Prime Minister Bruno Magritte, PC; Deputy Prime Minister Jean Valjean, POL)

Communist Party (PC): 197
Worker Freedom Party (Anarcho-Syndicalist) (POL): 188
Socialist Party (PS): 72

Movement for Democracy: 125 seats (Opposition Leader Henri Javert, RPR)

Rally for the Republic (RPR): 55
Democratic Freedom Party (PLD): 46
New Conservative Party (PNC): 24

Unaligned:

National Action Party (reformed ultraconservative party of LeClerc's die-hard supporters) (PAN): 18


Current Election Results:

Red/Black Alliance: 512 seats

New Revolutionary Party (PC/PS Fusion): 312
POL: 200

Opposition:

United Democratic Front (RPR/PLD/PNC Fusion): 82

Unaligned:

PAN: 6

Prime Minister Magritte said he was "gratified to see that the people of our great nation believe in our great and glorious revolution, and want to see it progress." Deputy Prime Minister Valjean said he was "proud" of his party's gains in the election, but also said, "I look forward to the day when all of this parliamentary nonsense isn't necessary, when the workers really can manage themselves, without an overarching state apparatus looking over their shoulders. Still, it was a victory for New Paristan's workers, and I will continue to work with this government to build our unique revolutionary system."

Opposition leader Javert said he was "stunned" at the "shellacking" his opposition front had taken, but vowed to continue "fighting against the encroaching communism that is sucking the life out of our once-great nation."

 

[New Paristan]

Prime Minister Magritte has invited foreign journalists to ask questions about New Paristan's emergence onto the European stage. He steps up to the podium and addresses the gathered media.

"Thank you for coming today. New Paristan's revolution is still a young one. We're a country recovering from wounds received during the brutal LeClerc dictatorship. For those of you who haven't been following our history, let me give you a brief recap.

Twenty years ago, a similar revolution to this one was just getting started in New Paristan, when a reactionary general named Jean-Paul LeClerc seized control of the military and took over the government. He dissolved Parliament and declared himself "President for Life."

During his fifteen year reign of terror, thousands, tens of thousands, of union leaders, workers, political activists, artists, intellectuals, anyone who wasn't in lock-step with his government's aims, were disappeared, murdered, arrested, tortured, and brutalized. His regime was all about turning New Paristan into a haven for the worst kind of bourgeois scum - the multinational corporations - at the expense of our workers. He banned labor unions. He rolled back wage laws, working hour laws, safety laws. He created a laissez-faire paradise for his capitalist cronies, and he ground everyone else into the dirt.

Our resistance movement started slowly, but grew, and soon, we were organized. Five years ago, we broke out into the open with a major strike action. LeClerc's reaction was brutal, and thousands of our comrades were gunned down by his goons.

But our resistance continued, and grew, and soon we had the support of a majority of New Paristan's people. The military, once so loyal to LeClerc, began to defect, and to join our side. Soon, we had a workers' army.

Our next major show of force took place on May Day, and it was similarly repressed. LeClerc brought in tanks and tried to literally crush us.

But some of the tanks refused to run us over. Some of the tank commanders got out and handed us red roses, a sign that they were with us.

And so, when the time was right, we stormed Parliament, dragged LeClerc kicking and screaming out of his palace and shot him to death in the street. Maybe it wasn't the most rational response, but we weren't the most rational group at the time.

And then we organized ourselves into a government, and had peaceful, democratic, free elections. My anarcho-syndicalist friend Jean Valjean, who had been a leader in the resistance, joined with me and my communist contingent to form the Red-Black Alliance. A smaller group broke off to form a socialist party, seeking a more moderate path, but with us in spirit. Together, our alliance won a resounding majority, and the opposition parties were relegated to a paltry quarter of the Congress.

That majority allowed us to start to build a unique system - a blend, if you will, of the scientific process of communism with the autonomous freedom of anarchism. We nationalized all industry, but gave workers at each shop the right to control production levels and democratically decide hiring, firing, and wages. We nationalized all infrastructure, but set up workers' councils to run local affairs. We began to create a unified revolutionary culture to break down the old antagonisms of capitalism, but allowed local communities a great deal of autonomy in how to build that culture.

And now that the people have spoken, and have told us to go further, to do more, to be more ambitious, that's exactly what we will do. We will unite to build on the scientific principles of dialectical materialism, using them as a guidepost to create a free society of equals, a cooperative commonwealth in which the wellbeing of all is the responsibility of each, and the wellbeing of each is the responsibility of all.

I will now take your questions."

 

[Touzen]

"Obviously, we entirely agree with Mr. Javert's skillful and correct interpretation of the current processes in New Paristan, that is, the analysis of the menace of the encroachment by murderous and inhuman communist elements, and [...] obviously we will support those standing against this totalitarian overtake, just like our grandfathers stood and died against the menace of communism in the Great War and won, bringing freedom to billions of oppressed souls. The communist scam cannot win - its defeat is, to use their terminology, historically inevitable."

-Imperial Minister of War and Foreign Affairs Yoshikawa during a Press Conference

 

[New Paristan]

The Prime Minister says, "Oh, before I get to questions, let me address some pressing issues.

Number one: I deny completely the treasonous lies of former LeClerc officials hiding out in other countries who have accused my administration of being repressive and anti-democratic. It's really something when those who participated in the most oppressive government in New Paristan's history can accuse anyone of being anti-democratic. We are a democracy, both politically and economically. The system that oppresses the world is capitalism.

Secondly: We ask the international community to help us track down fugitives from the LeClerc regime who may be hiding in your nations. They need to be brought to justice in New Paristan. My administration is open to discussing extradition treaties and other measures to ensure that these dangerous, vicious, extremists get the fair and impartial justice that LeClerc's thugs would never dream of giving.

Thirdly: We seek trade connections with any country who is willing to work with us. If the bourgeois nations can stand the thought of buying goods from workers who benefit from full control over the labor value of their products, we have a lot of good things to offer, including telecommunications, electronics, and military technology.

Fourthly: We are a peaceful nation, and we will not seek war with any of our neighbors. However, we will respond to any threat with appropriate defensive measures. Threats come in many forms. Respect our revolution, and we will respect you.

Thank you. Now, who has questions?"

 

[New Paristan]

ooc: nobody wants to RP a press conference to find out about the juicy political intrigue of the Paristani revolution? It'll be kinda fun!

 

[Danmark]

"Goddag, Anders Lindholm, Danske Tidende, could I ask why the name 'Cheeseandsocialism' as it is a strange nomenclature".

 

[Jidir]

"Ali bin-Falid, Al-Quds Crescent. The news of revolutionary removal of the exploitative New Parisistani capitalist class has been welcomed with great joy here in Greater Palestine. What is the new government's stance on international solidarity? Will New Parisistan support nascent working class movements to remove economic and imperialist oppression wherever it occurs? Will it cooperate with progressive states across the globe to further the cause of international solidarity?"

 

[Radilo]

"Vincent LePlesche, from Les Temps, my question to you is when you say willing to trade with bourgeois; first, who do you define as bourgeois and, second, what are your nation's largest imports?

 

[New Paristan]

ooc: "cheeseandsocialism" is something I came up with on a probably slightly drunken whim. It means nothing.

ic:

"Mr. Bin-Falid, thank you for your question. We are just now emerging onto the world stage, and will be happy to set up a meeting with your government to discuss how we can together further the cause of working class liberation. However, as we are aware of the difficulties in your region, and the ethnic and border conflicts with your Zionist neighbors (ooc: I presume that's happening), we must stress our neutrality in that conflict. The working class struggle must go beyond ethnic and religious considerations and aim for a world where all can live in peace and equality. Remember, the working class of the Zionist nation (ooc: I think that's called Judea here?) is just as oppressed as the working class in all bourgeois nations. Only the ultimate defeat of capitalism will end the strife between your two peoples.

Mr. LePlesche, we define bourgeois countries as those who have not yet reached the historical stage of development in which capitalism collapses from within thus precipitating the inevitable worker's revolution. Each nation must reach this stage in its own time; meanwhile, we are willing to work peacefully with nations at all stages of historical development. Our chief imports have historically been oil and some consumer goods, although when it comes to trade negotiations, our attitude is, "what do you have?" and we'll see about making a deal from there."

 

[New Paristan]

"Also, just quickly - there are a lot of rumors and scurrilous reports being circulated that alleged Paristani guerilla fighters have infiltrated other nations and are attempting to foment revolution. This is nothing but a bourgeois plot to discredit our revolution and sow distrust among our neighbors. If any nation captures someone claiming to be a Paristani guerilla, please turn that person over to Paristani authorities. We will deal with him. Thank you."

 

[New Paristan]

ooc: there are Paristani guerillas all over the place destabilizing bourgeois governments. Anyone want to do something about this?

 

[Radilo]

ooc: there are Paristani guerillas all over the place destabilizing bourgeois governments. Anyone want to do something about this?

OOC:
I would be up for it, but communist guerrillas will find little sympathy in Radilo. There is a strong communist element in Radilo, but it is very mainstream, in fact the four communist parties with seats in parliament are all siting with the Centre-Left Government.

This does mean, though, that hard core communists would be disappointed with the parties. And I have tropical rain-forests in my country which seem to be nice and cliche for a resistance fight.

Be warned though, I have the largest military in my region (western Himyar)... by a lot. This might not be much of an advantage in guerrilla warfare, but if intelligence shows that you are sponsoring it, then Radilo (and her allies) will come down hard.

Because you are new to the forum, it is mandatory that a month or so is waited before anyone engages with an all out war with you. Though a lightly fizzling insurgency might be okay, until the waiting month has gone by.

Mods?
(I want approval this time before anything happens.)

If you want to I would be up for it, but be warned that any conflict could be quite major. Anyway, pm (private message) me if you want to talk about it further.

 

[Aquitania]

OOC: Maybe this should be transferred and continued in a Cooperative Corner thread.

You must be registered for see links

 

[Frescania]

ooc: No, there is no one in Frescania destabilizing anything without my prior approval. So please cooperate and don't just make general statements about random guerrilla groups.

 

[Danzig]

ooc: there are Paristani guerillas all over the place destabilizing bourgeois governments. Anyone want to do something about this?

OOC: Danzig is a police state like London and Singapore combined, try me!

IC:
Foreign Office

In a Presidential Decree signed today my President Alphonse Unacodego, all citizens carrying a single or dual nationality - either of which belongs to New Paristan, shall be subject to review, interrogation about their intentions and purpose within Danzig and, if authorities find it necessary, direct expulsion without compensation. Due process will be withheld for potential criminals. The Free and Hanseatic City of Danzig is the foremost citystate of the world and one of the capitals of global finance and banking, which requires an absolutely safe environment for business and expatriates to work, live and enjoy. This decree shall remain valid until it exires, that is November 11th, 2089.

 

[New Paristan]

ooc: The kind of fun thing would be to RP some kind of riot or demonstration in another country, and the diplomatic reprecussions thereof. And of course, I won't say "Paristani guerillas blew up city hall in X nation" without clearance from X nation first. Really, these guerillas are yours to play with as you see fit. Also, don't take it as fact that these guerillas are actually connected to the Paristani government.

ic: "Again, I vehemently deny any connection between my government and anyone claiming to be a "Paristani liberationist" engaging in "revolutionary activities" in foreign nations. We are of peace, always. If there are bands of Paristani revolutionaries running around out there, then I want them arrested and dealt with by Paristani authorities. I condemn their activities outright and unequivocally."

 

[Radilo]

OOC: Maybe this should be transferred and continued in a Cooperative Corner thread.

You must be registered for see links

An excellent idea.

 

[New Paristan]

Done.

 

[New Paristan]

OOC: Danzig is a police state like London and Singapore combined, try me!

IC:
Foreign Office

In a Presidential Decree signed today my President Alphonse Unacodego, all citizens carrying a single or dual nationality - either of which belongs to New Paristan, shall be subject to review, interrogation about their intentions and purpose within Danzig and, if authorities find it necessary, direct expulsion without compensation. Due process will be withheld for potential criminals. The Free and Hanseatic City of Danzig is the foremost citystate of the world and one of the capitals of global finance and banking, which requires an absolutely safe environment for business and expatriates to work, live and enjoy. This decree shall remain valid until it exires, that is November 11th, 2089.

ooc: let's just kill the press conference thing, since it's not going anywhere.

ic: "In a statement released today, Foreign Minister Marius Pontmercy expressed concern about potential harassment of Paristani citizens in the nation of Danzig. In a letter sent to President Unacodego, Mr. Pontmercy and Prime Minister Magritte expressed "New Paristan's desire to cooperate with your government in extraditing all Paristani citizens suspected of crimes to New Paristan for trial."

Prime Minister Magritte added, "Our nation is peaceful, and seeks peaceful relations with our neighbors. I urge the Danzig government not to detain any Paristani citizens without due process, but instead, to cooperate with Paristani authorities in returning them home to face justice here."