Habemus Papam!
The Conclave of the Cardinals of the Catholic Church was officially concluded in Dominici with a surprising result: after two rounds of voting, the College of Cardinals eventually elected His Eminence Alexander Cardinal Renard, Archbishop of Bordeu and Primate of Aquitania, as the next Vicar of Christ. His Holiness has adopted the name of Stephanus, being the fourth Holy Father of this name.
His Holiness was congratulated personally by Their Eminences Paul Cardinal Mayer and Rudolf Cardinal Schmid, as well as the other Imperial Cardinals present in the election. All major political parties of the Empire also congratulated the new Vicar of Christ, with the notable exception of the Communist Party, which is known for its secularist policies that favour a complete separation of Church and State.
The news of His Holiness' election in Dominici was widely celebrated across Wiese. His Imperial Majesty, in an open letter to Stephanus IV, congratulated him for his election and ceremonially reaffirmed the ancient role of the Emperors with regards to the Church. In the words of His Majesty, "It is also my sincere hope that the Church will actively contribute to ease the suffering of the world, whether faithful, heretic or heathen, in every corner of our planet."
These words come amidst alarming humanitarian crises across the globe: in former Freiheit, Jurzan, Barazi, Jizhou and Oikawan-occupied Toyou, Ratomkira, Sinhai, Makai, but even right next to the Empire itself in Danmark, which is currently going through an alarming period of political turbulence. Although Catholic charitable orders are active in several areas, such as the Knights of the Silverless Saints, support is now needed more than ever before.
Germanian League: A boon or a problem?
by Dr. Ernst von Hoffenburg
It is just a couple of days before the new, grand project of our government enters effect. All signatories of the Germanian League Pact have ratified it, and this Friday, this new Germanian League will become reality. Commercial barriers will be largely lifted or otherwise reduced between signatories, trade between the landlocked Wiese and Wendmark and the rest of the world will be easier than ever before, and everyone seems happy and merry about it. But what led us to this League?
The League has its fair share of supporters and opponents here in Wiese. Although the loudest opposition comes from the Communists, eternal and omnipresent enemies of capitalism, free trade and all that makes sense for businesses, there is a small but noteworthy current against the Treaty as it stands even in the ruling KVP. Arguably a good economic treaty that will strengthen commercial bonds among Germania's nations, it comes with strong political ramifications and concerns - and perhaps economic ones, too.
For starters, the loudest issue highlighted is Danmark's membership in the League of Free States. Opponents of the LFS are strongly critical of this inclusion - this is, after all, a country allied to major powers that have committed genocide through both conventional and non-conventional means. It is also accused of being a gateway to destroying the Germanian economies, through 'unlimited' access by LFS member-states.
Danmark is also targeted because it is seen as less developed and politically unstable when compared with its big neighbours, such as Eiffelland and Wiese. This is also true - it is a factor our politicians keep hinting that they know and are aware about, if we believe their words of upcoming cooperation in the spheres of security in the League.
Another issue highlighted is Wiese's comparative economic weakness, if put by the side of nations like Wendmark and Eiffelland - and even the aspiring Germanian League signatory Franken, which has openly expressed interest. Our per capita income is lower (but not the lowest) than our major partners', something that has attracted continued foreign investment from abroad in the past.
Last, but not least, we have the political concerns. Is this an attempt for a reunified Germanian Reich? Not necessarily as a 'Holy' state, a monarchy under the spiritual influence of the Pope, but as a precursor to a unification attempt nevertheless. It is also an attempt among an LFS member, an EDF member, and two neutral powers to do something together.
To start from where we began - this is not an easy project. It definitely has its pros and cons, but arguably, Wendmark and Wiese are the big winners here. They get all the institutions on their soil, they get the prestige of making the first moves, and even have the equivalent of a coastline to the Ocean without possessing any. The price of this is putting up with two states normally expected to fight against one another, including one that has recently kept making it to the news for apparent political instability.
Denmark's membership is no small thing. In diplomatic terms, it means that Wiese is beginning to associate directly with the LFS - more so that we already do by investing our money in the Sarmatian oil industry, and buying its very lucrative and much-needed petroleum products. Many associate the LFS with the genocide of the Koreans during the Great War and Oikawa's aggressive expansion in Toyou during the same period, too.
In practical terms, Danmark's membership cost is that our government, and the other League governments, will 'lend a hand' in the area. The stabilisation of Danmark, very feasible if under the combined efforts of four (or up to six!) different governments, will be a big boon to the League's market. It will also mean that our government will make some sudden expenditures off schedule - just like it will have some unexpected budget cuts.
As I previously stated, our average income is lower than in Eiffelland or Wendmark. This attracts foreign investment - Saxony and Swabia buzz with Franconian, Eiffellandic and otherlandic-owned companies and plants. It also means there is an option for Imperial subjects to migrate - but migrate to where? Opponents of the League suggest this might cause a loss of work and brain forces.
A likely scenario, however, is that for as long as our Universities continue to absorb the smart of our society thanks to good research funding, we won't suffer a sudden brain drain. Many Wieser scientists go to work in Eiffelland anyway, thanks to that country's unparalleled medicine industry. But this doesn't mean the opposite is not true. So long as a relative balance is maintained, and migration laws are unaffected (which they are) there should not be a sudden influx of immigrants from or to Wiese.
The government can, and I believe will, control it. There is no reason for the average Johann to sell his house or unrent his apartment, and get his whole family moving just because he might find a better job in Eiffelland or Wendmark, especially when their companies come here to open new factories due to comparably lower workforce costs. As of our intellectuals, they'll keep doing what's right, and go study where they can further their careers. Many studying medicine will choose Eiffelland, because that's the capital of the field so to speak, but foreigners will also come to study in our universities. The wife of Archduke Joseph, Andrea, is a very good example of this. "Augsburg is well worth a Mass" after all.
The only alarming thing in this situation is the political aspect of it. We have a lot to win from joining and forming this League, financially speaking. Political gains can be very important, too - improved relations with both the EDF and the LFS, and even between the EDF and the LFS if we play our cards right. But this doesn't stop people from viewing the League as an apparent resurrection of the Old Reich. After all, it covers almost the exact same territory the Old Reich did until 1644.
Is the League a new Reich? Maybe. Does it matter? Maybe. It is too early to tell and worry about this; right now, the independence of not one country is threatened, and the League is a loose entity aiming at economic, and not political integration. Thus far, the only nationalist voice against the League is the Saxon People's Party in mountainous Wendmark, and that's it, citing that Wendmark may be endangered. And of course it can be argued that economic integration will bring political integration as well.
Is the Empire endangered? No, definitely not. The League is a market of some 200 or more million people, around one-half of which are Imperial subjects. Whether or not this is a subtle attempt at re-forming the Old Reich -which was, as we all know, a closely knitted alliance with supranational legislative entities- we are not a force that can, or will be, ignored.
The problem is whether the League is seen as a military or political threat by non-members, something which is entirely ridiculous. The only military clause in the entire treaty, after all, is the article guaranteeing mutual non-aggression among all Members. Which brings us back in the EDF vs. LFS discussion, and about war or coexistence.
I believe in coexistence, and I believe in prosperity. This is our chance for a century with less warfare, less disasters, and more prosperity. The League might as well be a good start to get all this.
Dr. Ernst von Hoffenburg is an instructor in the Royal University in Augsburg, with his fields of expertise including international relations and economics. His views, as broadcast by WW-Welt, are strictly personal and do not reflect the beliefs and/or policies of WW-Welt or the Imperial Cabinet of Ministers in any way.
In the other news:
- Society: Mecklenburg riot suspects to face trial. Charges for murder, conspiring and high treason will be faced, among other charges.
- Sports: Football: Zenit beats Magdeburg 1-0 in Oldenburg match.
- Culture: Heinz Bauer vs. der Welt released last Sunday. The new film by Amalie von Windisch-Grätz is a market success.
- Security: Routine maintenance and construction announced for sections of the Grenzenburg and Rheinburg lines of fortifications.
- Business: Wendmark aircraft contest nearing conclusion, VRL 'very hopeful' over contract.
- World: Ascalon drops preposterous territorial water claims after severe international row that threatened the South European Treaty Organisation's very integrity.
