Vistrasian Media - Algemeen Handelsblatt - Threveburger Spektator

[Warre]

Response:

Warre seeks only to further peace and stability within the region. The people of Caorachstyr are thoroughly An Lyric, and are legitimately a possession of the High Kingdom. The Embargo upon Batavie is now and has always been- only until the Batavie is willing to sit down at the negotiation table with Warre, so that Warre, Batavie, and more importantly the people of Caorachstyr- can be done with any territorial disputes over the Isles of Caorachstyr.

Slainte.

Signed: Clanntiarna Patrick Mac Raibeart the Second, Herald of the Warreic Chancellery of Foreign Affairs; Hyboreas Division
Counter-Signed: Therran Ui Tyrell The Sixth, King of the Warreics, Saint-Prince of the Kayahtha, Ard Ri of the Warreic Kingdoms.


Sealed:

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Non Serimus, Metimus.
Ní Dhéanaimid, Buanann Sibh.
We do now Sow, We Reap.​

 

[The Federation]

International Affairs
Poblachd na Bantyr

Your threats bounce off of us like a ball bounces off a brick wall. Your tariffs started the escalation to this new round of sanctions, we were simply offsetting the cost by imposing our own tariffs. We do not fear the Northern Council for we have painstakingly done everything imaginable to make sure our nation does not have to depend on many trading partners to stand on it's two feet. The Gaelic alliance is held together by blood and not by international currencies, we believe that there was a genocide comitted on that island and we will stand with our Warreic brothers in making sure a impartial investigation is done. We promise that we will lift all economic sanctions on Vistrasia and Batavie when the CoN appointed investigators step foot on that island and begin to sift through all the evidence to come to a conclusion no matter what it is. Until then every sanction you impose upon us will be met with a similar sanction of equal intensity. The Bantyric people are strong phyiscally and in spirit and it will take many decades of these petty sanctions before the thought of submitting even crosses our minds. We hope that these sanctions end at where they are now and look forward to when the impartial investigation begins.

Signed,
Thomas Ferguson
Director of International Affairs
Republic of Bantyr

 

[Serenierre]

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

The People's Republic is glad to see that the Government and the popular representatives of the Vistrasian people recognize the true demand of the Aresuran people.

Jean-Jacques Rogére
State Councilor for Foreign Affairs
​

 

[Vistrasia]

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Lord-Protector announces his tour of Europe

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In a press conference yesterday morning, Lord-Protector van Cortenbach announced which states he will visit on a succession of state-visits which crosses all of Europe:

20th of June - Dulwich (Engellex)
22nd of June - Drottninggården (Suionia)
24th of June - Vlaanderen (Batavia)
27th of June - Villesen (Sereniérre)
28th of June - Kronstadt (Brettaine)
30th of June - Vesper (Cantigny)
2nd of July - Nokanawa (Touzen)

At the press conference, van Cortenbach told reporters the states had been carefully selected: "These are what we consider key-players in the international community both locally and internationally, my diplomatic corps has long been keen on improving relations with these states and it will allows me to represent a new Vistrasian cabinet and possibly a new foreign policy course." Notably, the tour includes all Pasila Accord memberstates but Serbovia. Furthermore fairly surprising is the visit to communist Sereniérre, and the lack of visits to any EDF or Germanic League memberstates, though van Cortenbach said at the press conference that a tour of the nearby continental states is planned for the near future: "Currently, my main focus is a visit to our key regional allies and potential overseas allies and trade-partners. The Bloc of EDF and Germanic League States feature prominently on the Vistrasian Foreign Policy agenda due to simple geography but deserve a dedicated tour at some later date."

Already the visits to Touzen, Engellex and Cantigny have spurred rumours of an increase in ties with the Pasila Accord, the Lord-Protector said on this: "Let me be clear that the Northern Council remains foreign policy priority one. We consider these states our allies and they are simply more important to us due to their location. The visits to these states have a number of reasons, in the case of Engellex it is a neighbouring state and both Cantigny and Touzen are important international players with whom we have our fair set of differences but also hope to improve ties and possibly trade." Analysts have pointed out sentiments among the libertarian fringes of the Vrijheidsbond to increase ties with the Pasila Accord, whom they consider ideological allies. A landslide victory for the liberals would dramatically change the nature of the state-visits to Dulwich, Vesper and Nokanawa.

Ongoing rumours are that the state-visits could also tie into the ongoing plans for military modernization. Vistrasia lacking a domestic arms manufacturing industry will have to look for manufacturers abroad. Sources say negotiations with foreign contractors are ongoing.

Northern Council collectively raises tariff on all trade with Warre & Bantyr
Late last-night, the Northern Council raised the stakes in the ongoing trade conflict with the Celtic States, by raising the tariff on all trade with the Republic of Bantyr and the Kingdom of Warre by 1000% effectively halting all trade with these states. Earlier this week, Vistrasia had already imposed a lighter tariff on all-trade with the two states, the office of Foreign Minister van Raesfelt responded last night by applauding the move: "This is a tragic but necessary move, in the current situation the Northern Council has been forced to close the ranks and stand together against the transgressions by Warre and Bantyr. We hope that these two states will re-evaluate their current policies and come to the bargaining table." The Threveburger Stock Exchange had yet to open for trade at the time of writing, but predictions are trading will be tough on Friday.

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Vrijheidsbond takes a dive in polls after poor showing of Van Voorne in interview
After a poor showing by First Minister Van Voorne on the news program HARDtalk on W24 last Wednesday, the Liberals have taken a dive in the polls. The stumbling performance by Van Voorne during a grilling by interviewer Clemens Standeren on the condition of Vistrasia after 4 years of the 1st Van Voorne Cabinet didn't resonate well with voters who immediately responded in the yesterdays polls. Videos of a stumbling Van Voorne an experienced debater quickly spread across the internet, though interviewer Paksman has been notorious for his style of interviewing and debating. An interview yesterday night on the same program between Andries Marais and Standeren was markedly more sympathetic, which has caused many in the liberal corner to accuse Standeren of bias towards the KVP.

WU-frontman van Prachsterburg calls for compulsory bible lessons on all schools
Talking to a crowd in the Apostolic-Reformed Church of Threveburg, frontman of the Vistrasian Union Salamon van Prachsterburg announced his support of a joint-plan of the KVP and WU to make bible lessons compulsory on all schools in Vistrasia. "How parents raise their children is their own choice, or what school they choose for their children to attend. But it's an indisputable fact that there are some important life-lessons for children in the Holy Bible. I'm not saying that our brand of Christianity should be forced upon all children, I'm saying that all children should have access to these life-lessons even the children of secular or atheist parents. Bible-lessons are a part of any wholesome education, in my opinion." The plan is notable for it's ecumenical nature, created by the Catholic Church and the ARC, and earlier this week was also endorsed by a working-group of small reformed and protestant churches in Northern Vistrasia.

Poll (Polled 8th of May, poll done by the Spektator & Vistat)
-Vrijheidsbond: 23%
-Katholieke Volkspartij 26%
-Sociaal-Democratische Arbeiderspartij 16%
-Westrasiaanse Unie 13%
-Groen-Liberale Partij 12%
-Conservatief-Nationalistische Partij 4,5%
-Nieuw Communisties Verbond 1,5%
-Groot-Nederlandsch Gereformeerde Partij 2%
-Others 2%

(Edit: Added the story on the collective Northern Council tariff on the Celtics)

 

[Batavië]

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The President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and myself look forward to Lord-Protector van Cortenbach's visit to Vlaanderen in June. An itinerary will be drawn and any special requests from His Excellency will be humbly noted.

Met vriendelijke groeten,

Arjan van Vliet
Minister van Buitenlandse Zaken

 

[Batavië]

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The President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and myself look forward to Lord-Protector van Cortenbach's visit to Vlaanderen in June. An itinerary will be drawn and any special requests from His Excellency will be humbly noted.

Met vriendelijke groeten,

Arjan van Vliet
Minister van Buitenlandse Zaken

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

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Drottningens kabinett för den utrikes brevväxlingen
The Queen's cabinet for the correspondence with foreign powers
​

Lördag 14 maj 2011
Saturday, May 14 2011

Mr. van Cortenbach,
Lord-Protector,
Threveburg, Vistrasia

Lord-Protector,​

Her Royal Majesty the Queen wishes to welcome you to the Kingdom of Suionia on behalf of the people of Suionia. Your visit will be taken care of by Her Majesty the Queen herself, and will include a basic tour of Drottninggården, royal lodging and dining, as well as a meeting with Prime Minister Lundqvist. We anxiously await your arrival.​

Hälsningar,

Henne excellens Malin Enström
Her Excellency Malin Enström

MALIN ENSTRÖM​

Statsminister för utrikes ärendena
Minister for Foreign Affairs

​

 

[Vistrasia]

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Bantyr seizes assets of Northern Council memberstates
Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces closure of Embassy

This week the Government of Bantyr announced it would nationalize all assets owned by companies originating from NC member-states in retaliation for the new tariffs that have been imposed on all trade between the Celtic states of Warr and Bantyr and the Northern Council. In protest, the Vistrasian Embassy in Bàngleann has been closed, all diplomatic representation having been called back to Threveburg. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that while the trade-tariffs will remain in place the Vistrasian government will respect the property rights of Bantyric businesses and citizens in Vistrasia.

Hopes for some form of reconcilliation are set on a meeting between the heads of state of Warr and Batavia in NC-memberstate Éireann, the states between which this conflict originally started although insiders feel that whatever the outcome relations between the Northern Council and Warre and Bantyr are damaged and tensions are expected to continue. Even the prospect of some form of trade agreement between the Celtic states and Engellex has angered commentators in Vistrasia some calling for this to be an agenda point in the visit the Lord-Protector will bring to Dulwich in June.

Lord-Protector van Cortenbach had this to say on the regional tensions:

"First and foremost I condemn the unnecessary and illegal seizure of assets of Vistrasian businesses in Bantyr. I promise that the interests of our people in Bantyr, which have already been damaged by the trade conflict, will be the top priority for the Vistrasian diplomatic corps. My Government will seek some form compensation for Vistrasians who have been hurt by this seizure. Regardless of the actions of the Bantyric Government I wish to reaffirm Vistrasia's commitment to a diplomatic solution. All sanctions imposed on our trade with these nations will be ended if the embargo on Batavia ends and the property of Vistrasian nationals and businesses is returned or given what we consider a reasonable compensation."

Although sentiments have broadly been in favor of the Northern Council and Batavia, one of the notable critics of the government's actions has been Dries Alderman:

"Don't get me wrong, I am all for better relations with our Batavian brethren. But the Conservative-Nationalist Party considers this a matter between them and the Celtic states. Why should we get involved in all of this? Sure Batavia is our ally and what not, but not only does this disrupt our trade now it has also hurt the interests of our citizens in Bantyr, and I have serious doubts if any compensation will be forthcoming. If you ask me the cabinet is to blame for all of this with their mingling and the voter has an excellent opportunity to show their disapproval tomorrow."

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Van Voorne wins election-debate after a difficult week
In the wake of a difficult week for Albrecht van Voorne the NWTV Verkiezingsdebat 2011 was clearly won by the Vrijheidsbond-frontman who returned to the form he was in 4 years ago. It was the last but most important in a series of debates running up to the elections tomorrow and things looked bleak for van Voorne after his defeat in the debate organized by the youth-organisations of the political parties this Tuesday, which had been won by Alexander Beyer of the Green-Liberals.

Though van Voorne was fairly prominent in the group debates the night was notable for the one-on-one clash between the Prime Minister and Andries Marais over medical-ethical issues, the Prime-Ministers condemnation of the opposition of the KVP to stem-cell research met loud praise from the public. In a second one-on-one with Social-Democrat Frederick Preller, van Voorne was also declared the winner.

The Vrijheidsbond will have it's hopes set on the electorate's response to this debate after a steady fall in the polls which have allowed the KVP to take a big lead and threaten to be the largest party in Vistrasia for the first time in decades.

Poll (Polled 18th of May, poll done by the Spektator & Vistat)
-Vrijheidsbond: 20%
-Katholieke Volkspartij 27%
-Sociaal-Democratische Arbeiderspartij 16%
-Westrasiaanse Unie 14%
-Groen-Liberale Partij 13%
-Conservatief-Nationalistische Partij 4,5%
-Nieuw Communisties Verbond 1,5%
-Groot-Nederlandsch Gereformeerde Partij 2%
-Others 2%

Coalition speculation
Based on the most recent polls speculation has started over any possible future coalitions. Should Andries Marais win the election he will have first pick, and he has stated in several interview that his preference is a broad-confessional coalition in which he would work together with the Vistrasian Union (Apostolic-Reformed) and the Dutch Reformed Party. However even including the Conservative-Nationalist Party this coalition ends up at 47,5% which is several points short of a majority.

As such a centre-coalition would be necessary and one between the Catholics and the Social Democrats and Green Liberals would get a large majority however in the past weeks right-winger Marais hasn't made himself very popular with these parties who prefer to work together with the Vrijheidsbond and will also note that the Lord-Protector is avowed liberal David van Cortenbach. A coalition of the Freedom Union, the Social-Democrats and the Green-Liberals is very close to a majority. However this coalition would be made-up of three parties of roughly the same size which in the past has provided for short-lived coalitions.

The polls say coalition negotiations will prove to be difficult however it wouldn't be the first time there are one or more surprises on election-night.

 

[Vistrasia]

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Katholieke Volkspartij wins the elections, becoming the largest
Victory not large enough to form right-wing coalition due to large gains on the left

In what has been expected these last past weeks, the Catholic People's Party has won the Vistrasian elections turning into the largest party, having taken 22% of the votes. During a thrilling election night it quickly became apparent that the Catholics would be the largest however that their victory would be disappointing compared to their results in the polls which had been significantly higher. Still, Andries Marais was upbeat, speaking to reporters: "our victory is less then we had hoped for however for the first time in decades we are once again the biggest. I'm just hoping that the call of the people will be heard and that the policies they have opposed with this vote will not be continued through a pact between the leftists and the Vrijheidsbond."

The liberal Vrijheidsbond currently leading the government took a serious blow coming in second at 21% from 29% 4 years ago. The Liberals weren't content and though many were expecting a loss in seats due to the heavy competition on both the left and the right, the end-result was disappointingly low, still many were content that the SDAP had not passed them and that a left-wing coalition is still possible. More in a celebratory mood were the parties on the left, the Social Democrats (18%) and Green-Liberals (16%). The Sociaaldemocratische Arbeiderspartij had hired Studio 42 for election night at which frontman Frederick Preller spoke to the crowd: "[...] my friends, the gap between us and the big two is finally gone. The SDAP will join the coalition negotiations as an equal partner!" Celebrations at Studio 42 would continue well into the small hours.

As for the other parties, the Vistrasian Union remained stable at 13%, despite some criticism from the Apostolic-Reformed brothers that van Prachsterburg was pushing the WU to the right. Dries Alderman's Conservative-Nationalist Party did less well then expected despite a heavy-campaign offensive, while the New Communist Union suffered from strategic voters backing the SDAP. One of the largest upsets of this election is the Dutch Reformed Party which doubled in size, analysts say it's probably because the different reformed churches in Vistrasia have unified behind this party though some have said it's due to Zwinglian birthrates.

In a press release, Lord-Protector David van Cortenbach congratulated Andries Marais and all winning parties and announced that he will focus on assisting and cooperating in the process of negotiating a new coalition.

Full results:
Vrijheidsbond (Freedom Union) 21%
Katholieke Volkspartij (Catholic People's Party) 22%
Sociaaldemocratische Arbeiderspartij (Social-Democrat Workers Party) 18%
Groen-Liberale Partij (Green-Liberal Party) 16%
Westrasiaanse Unie (Vistrasian Union) 13%
Conservatief-Nationalistische Partij (Conservative Nationalist Party) 4%
Groot-Nederlandsch Gereformeerde Partij (Greater-Dutch Reformed Party) 4%
Nieuw Communisties Verbond (New Communist Union) 1%
-Others 1%

 

[Vistrasia]

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Lord-Protector appoints August Schaeffer to negotiate coalition

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Yesterday, August Schaeffer has been appointed to negotiate a new Vistrasian coalition. Though Schaeffer, a former-diplomat who currently lectures at the University of Threveburg, is non-partisan he's known as a left-wing liberal and being close to the Lord-Protector, however he is also a Catholic which has made him popular within the KVP. The appointment came after a meeting with the heads of the 4 largest parties. At a press conference, Schaeffer said he will look at all possible coalitions: "the current situation is fairly complicated but there are some interesting possibilities and I don't think any parties should be excluded from this process." Schaeffer was evasive about which coalition he would prefer "I think it's a bit too early, obviously any coalition is going to have to include three of the big four parties, so I guess that limits it down."

In the past the position of negotiator has sometimes led to political appointments and there has been some speculation that Schaeffer might take a position in a future cabinet, although non-partisan appointments are rare in Vistrasia they are not unheard of. Although a coalition between the Vrijheidsbond and the Left-wing parties is more likely, Schaeffers first meeting will be with Andries Marais.

 

[Great Engellex]

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_____________________________________________

DULWICH, SATURDAY, 28th MAY 2011
_____________________________________________

The Right Honourable The Secretary of State has received the Command of Her Engellexic Majesty The Queen to make known the following gracious Statement of Her Engellexic Majesty to the Lord-Protector, the Government and the People of the Commonwealth of Vistrasie.​

​

Extension of The Queen's Statement in Council.​

TO THE LORD-PROTECTOR, THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VISTRASIE​

I am instructed to express on behalf of Her Engellexic Majesty;

It is gratifying to the Queen to observe that, notwithstanding the regional pressures, and the impressions unavoidably imposed upon us by the autocratic realms of the European Defence Federation, the determination to adhere to democratic principles within the Commonwealth of Vistrasia remains unimpaired. The Queen relies with confidence on the manly spirit and enlightened character of the Vistrasie Commonwealth for a continuance of the support and respect which is so keenly afforded to the Commonwealth by the people of Great Engellex, and the future coalition - which cannot presently be presumed - can be assured that the Queen will make an invitation upon them for the requirement of regard for the expansion of the great interests, the honour, and the dignity of our relationship.

Other important matters for improving our friendship, and the condition of the region, will be proposed to the Commonwealth, which will it is hoped, and which I doubt not, receive your attentive consideration.

Upon these and all other matters upon which we may deliberate in time, the Queen fervently prays that the blessing of the Divine Providence may favour the Lord-Protector and the Government, and guide them to the promotion of the great object of the welfare and happiness of the Vistrasie people.

By the Grace of GOD, of the UNION of GREAT ENGELLEX, CHARLOTTE, the QUEEN, through the Right Honourable the SECRETARY of STATE, ANTHONY PELHAM-HOLLES​

​

 

[Vistrasia]

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Stock exchange struggles to deal with trade war

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The Threveburger Beurse (the Vistrasian Stock Exchange (TEX)

The trade-conflict between Bantyr and the Northern Council continues to rage on. Though the Vistrasian government has promised compensation for all investors and businesses that have seen their property seized by the Bantyrian government the markets are more worried about the sizeable investments by Vistrasia and other Northern Council nations in Batavia, the country which has seen quick and chaotic growth since the growth of communism has in the past been accused of overstating the health of it's economy and many investors are fearing that the Batavian economy might be a bubble that is about to burst. Since the end of communism, Vistrasian investors have been eager to invest in Batavia and trade has grown exponentially especially after the establishment of the Northern Council and the Noorddaalder.

Analysts have longer been sceptical on the state of the Batavian economy which is still transitioning from communism to capitalism and stands out from the other Northern Council economies which are generally either laissez-faire or social democrat capitalist states. However the Vistrasian government has strongly encouraged investment in Batavia hoping to encourage growth and to help stabilize the current democratic regime, afraid that a recession could foster lingering communist sympathies. Though only a handful of TEX-listed companies have seen property in Bantyr seized (although hundreds of smaller companies have been hit) many of them have ongoing interests in Batavia and are afraid of a domino-scenario in which the current crisis sets of a greater crisis in Batavia, which would seriously endanger Vistrasia and the Northern Council.

Meanwhile the government is attempting to reassure investors that things will be fine, hoping to reaffirm confidence in the economy. Minister of Economic Affairs Didier Straeling commented: "the current conflict with the nations of Bantyr and Warre is a temporary one and will pass. The Northern Council includes some of the healthiest world economies, we have enough reserves to weather a crisis."

Discussions between Schaeffer and Marais prove tough
Negotiations between Andries Marais and August Schaeffer (who is in charge of forming a new cabinet) have stalled after 3 days of discussions at Hotel Luxembourg in the South of Straelgau. After Marais left back to Threveburg, Schaeffer commented openly to reporters that he considered the chances of a coalition that would include the KVP to be slim. In the coming week the negotiator will remain at the remote Hotel, which once served as a Palace of the Counts of Strael and he will be meeting with leaders of the other big parties, who it seems increasingly likely will be forming a centre-liberal coalition. Although negotiations have yet to start, the parties have flirted with each other prior to the elections and some people are increasingly wondering whether this coalition will be the second Van Voorne cabinet, or whether a new politician will become First Minister.

 

[Vistrasia]

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Coalition negotiations stall

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Coalition negotiations at Hotel Luxembourg have stalled as the Freedom Union insists on the incumbent First Minister Albrecht Van Voorne remaining First Minister, which has been rejected by other parties. The Green Liberals and Social-Democrats are unhappy about members of the VB being both Lord-Protector and First Minister, whereas the Freedom Union considers it only normal that the First Minister is appointed by the largest party. The other Ministerial appointments are proving troublesome as well, however sources say a rough draft of the political agreement the coalition is based upon has been accepted by all parties. A second Cabinet van Voorne is becoming increasingly unlikely.

In other news:
-The northern economic crisis continues. The Republic of Bantyr has defaulted on it's debt obligations which despite being expected has still sends shocks across the financial markets as stock markets across Northern Europe went into the red. Though Vistrasian banks were not especially exposed to Bantyr, Vistrasian reliance on the financial sector has gotten investors worried.

-Military is about to make recommendations for arms procurement to the Lord-Protector, as part of the military modernization scheme. The Lord-Protector is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Vistrasian military and in that capacity has to approve these arms purchases, which are expected to be announced during his tour of Europe during the early Summer.

 

[Vistrasia]

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"Schaeffer-1" presented to the public
This morning, before the Lord-Protector left on his Tour of Europe the new Vistrasian cabinet was presented to the general public. After extensive negotiations led by August Schaeffer between the Freedom Union, the SDAP and the Green Liberals initially at the Hotel Luxembourg and later on at the Ratelburcht under the auspices of David van Cortenbach finally an agreement and cabinet has been presented of the Schaeffer-1 Cabinet. First Minister will become formater August Schaeffer, an upset for Albrecht van Voorne who was unacceptable for the fellow-coalition members as the Head of Government. August Schaeffer was a compromise as he is regarded as non-partisan, and isn't a member of any of the parties, though he is a close friend of Lord-Protector van Cortenbach. In selecting ministers he and the parties have given preference to professors and technocrats.

A progressive social-liberal socio-economic policy has been announced which will preserve the current laissez-faire economy but will increase worker's rights and draft a new more fair tax code, which will decrease the tax burden on the lower and middle classes. Economist Pieter Wijdenbosch from the Green-Liberal Party will become Minister of Economic Affairs and is known as a Social-Liberal who has held a chair at the University of Seleukien for some time now and before the merger that created the GLP was a notable member of the Free Liberal Party. The environment and energy policy, Minister of Energy will be Frederik Verzuilen of the Vrijheidsbond marks a vision that wants to decrease reliance on fossil fuels both through renewable energy and more controversially by continuing the nuclear energy policy of the Van Voorne cabinet, which is bound to cause controversy among the ranks of the SDAP and GLP, who have long been critical of nuclear energy.

[Minister name] who has just joined van Cortenbach on his Tour of Europe will continue as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Though the cabinet accord was vague it is expected that the Northern Council will remain the focus of regional policy and that internationally bilateral political and trade relations will be built up with a number of other partner-nations who in the eyes of the diplomatic corps share our values. The new Minister of Education is Myriam Wending of the SDAP who has pledged to improve the quality of government schools and to increase the admission rates of it's top students to our nation's universities in comparison to graduates with similar marks from private schools.

-More information on Schaeffer-1 in our special on page 3

KVP condemns new cabinet, vows to lead strong opposition
Rudolf Marais has spoken out against Schaeffer-1 condemning it as the worst-case scenario for Vistrasia and undemocratic, he did this at the start of a conference in Haraad, a town on the outskirts of Threveburg which apart from the Catholics included the Dutch Reformed Party, the (Apostolic-Reformed) Vistrasian Union and the Conservative-Nationalist Party which is a break-away from the KVP. Here these parties are forming a shadow-coalition and are deciding on the opposition-policy to follow.

Earlier that morning in front of a small crowd that had assembled at the KVP office in Threveburg, Marais spoke: "The election result was a clear voice against the policies of the Van Voorne cabinet which as is clear from this morning's presentation will simply be continued under a new figurehead. The fact that these policies are to be continued now with the support of the Greens and the Socialists in exchange for some minor concessions is a slap in the face of the Vistrasian electorate!"

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David van Cortenbach leaves for Dulwich on first leg of his Tour of Europe
As the cabinet negotiations come to an end David van Cortenbach has left for Dulwich to meet with the government of Engellex on the first leg of his tour through Europe which also includes among others Batavia, Cantigny and Oikawa. Relations with Engellex have not been problematic the past decades but it remains to be seen just how popular the new cabinet will be in conservative Engellex, which has always preferred the confessional parties. Van Cortenbach, along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and top-diplomats will also be joined by a number of representatives of Vistrasian industry on his tour of Europe to help broker trade deals. Arms procurement are also expected to be a part of the tour, sources have said that negotiations with governments and arms companies in some of the countries being visited are already ongoing.

Leaving Vistrasia from Threveburg Airport, the Lord-Protector said he was excited about the series of state visits which will mark his first state visit since 2009, "I'm looking forward to visiting Dulwich and all these other cities. I feel they would have preferred to have seen another cabinet but tensions between Threveburg and Dulwich aren't high and I certainly think we can put trade and our mutual interests before ideology in this case. We've traditionally been strong trade partners and I don't want this to change."

 

[Vistrasia]

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21st of June, 2010 - Printed in Threveburg, Vistrasia
Despite tensions Engellexic-Vistrasian summit in Dulwich a success
David van Cortenbach's meeting in Dulwich on the first leg of his Tour of Europe was a success with several agreements being signed despite the Engellexic opposition to the new center-left Schaeffer-1 cabinet that the Lord-Protector now represents. Possibly the largest deal is the establishment of a new high-speed rail connection that will run from Threveburg to Engelwijk, capital of the Duchy of Westmooreland, and should run through Atrecht as well. It is meant to connect the Engellexic and Vistrasian rail networks together. Travel between Vistrasia and Engellex will also be made easier by Vistrasia Airlines starting regular air travel between Threveburg and Dulwich and Hammersmith.

Trade between Vistrasia and Engellex will be made easier as tariffs are to be lowered and a number of other economic agreements have been signed meant to encourage trade between Vistrasia and Engellex in general and the Duchy of Westmooreland specifically, the Duke playing an important role during the summit. Representatives from Vistrasian industry were also present and pledged investments in Great Engellex, while the Engellexic industry will receive a boost from contracts signed that will build the hulls of two Engellexic County-Class Destroyers, which will be outfitted by a number of Engellexic and Vistrasian businesses.

While a large number of agreements were signed (many of which had already been negotiated some time ago) insiders noted that the number of agreements could have been higher had the election result had been more in favor of the KVP who have traditionally enjoyed better relations with Vistrasia's western neighbours. Prior to the elections as things were looking good for the KVP there had even been talk of a rail connection that would run from Threveburg to Hammersmith, an idea which has now been shelfed. David van Cortenbach is now on route to Drottninggarden, Suionia to meet with what many see is the leading nation of the Northern Council and has traditionally been Vistrasia's most important post-war ally.

OOC: This post takes place on the 21th of June, I've been rather busy with work, there was a short heat-wave and my computer died on me. For all intents and purposes the rest of the tour will be post-dated as well, which makes it easier to deal with other future delays as well.

 

[Vistrasia]

OOC: I'd like to excuse my absence and make a short newspost on Vistrasia's position in the current international conflict.

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4th of November, 2010 - Printed in Threveburg, Vistrasia
Vistrasia emphasizes neutrality in the international conflict
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a press release last night in response to reported increased military activity on the Vistrasian-Wendmarker border that it considers itself to be completely neutral in this conflict. Any requests for military access to either combatant parties will be denied, nor will the Commonwealth implement economic sanctions on any of the belligerents. However taking note of the developing humanitarian situation in Montelimar, the Vistrasian border will be opening up to refugees from Montelimar to help ease the burden on refugee camps elsewhere and as a service to our neighbour-nation of Montelimar. The border will open up to women, children and elderly from Montelimar who will be hosted in refugee camps set up by the Vistrasian Military and Red Cross. To aid in this, and to help secure our borders from illegal infractions and ensure the refugees can be processed properly there will be a mobilization of the Vistrasian military across the south.

 

[Euskadi]

Unlike the news we have heard out of

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, it is good to hear the Vistrasia does recognize the need for human kindness towards those that did not who must suffer for the evil that is war.

　

Maria Elizondo
Chairwoman
Gallian Refugee Fund