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The Octagon
Dal Már Undecided On No Confidence Vote
Vitz Açafat
Editor
17 May 2007
The Republic's first Peculiarist government hangs in the balance today as MRP deputy, Txec Danhiel Dal Már, tries to choose whether or not to support Seneschal Eiric Börnatfiglheu in a vote of no confidence. As former deputy Andy Lowry reseigned from the chamber before casting a vote, Dal Már now possesses the deciding ballot, and a very tricky dilemma.
Both Dal Már and Börnatfiglheu have had difficulties in their private lives that have interfered with their governmental duties. In fact, Lowry's resignation may not be the last on in the Fifth Chamber of Deputies. "I am pondering a resignation. I have a lot on my plate right now," Dal Már told the O&C. A further resignation would leave Börnatfiglheu as the only remaining Peculiarist deputy until replacements are found - a position that would certainly force an end to his premiership regardless of the outcome of the vote of no confidence.
Dal Már has not resigned yet, though, and is taking time to think over his decision. "At this moment my mind is not made up," he explained. "The MRP leadership has failed miserably in implementing any sort of plan whatsoever and now has lost a party member to boot. However, the ZRT has not been an inspiring opposition. They promised to flood the CoD with their proposals if the MRP failed to implement their own. They have not. Neither party has done anything."
The Defencist caucus will certainly disagree with Dal Már's assessment. Whether or not they assume power in this chamber, however, rests on his decision. On this one occasion the party known for its strident opinions will have to find a way to woo a Peculiarist to get what it wants.
Lowry Resigns, Government Wobbles
Vitz Açafat
Editor
13 May 2007
Talossans were puzzled yesterday by a cryptic post left on Wittenberg by the Minister of Technology, Minister of Immigration, and Deputy of the Fifth Chamber of Deputies, Andy Lowry. Under the headline, "Lowry leaves the MRP," S:reu Lowry wrote only, "yep, true." Miestrâ Schivâ, speaker of the Chamber, made an official request for a full explanation, but none has yet been forthcoming. The O&C, however, has conducted an exclusive interview with the former Peculiarist deputy and can now explain to the nation the reasons behind this surprise move.
S:reu Lowry never intended to serve in the Chamber of Deputies. He allowed his name to be put third on the party list because he sincerely believed that this would be too low for him to be elected. Since the surprise Peculiarist victory, the new deputy has found the partisanship of debate not to his liking. Finally, in the last few days he decided he had had enough. " I left because I'm tired of party politics, basically," Lowry explained, "I shouldn't be there anyway, I'm no good at that kind of thing." While Lowry is clearly uncomfortable with his role as a legislator, he hopes to maintain his two portfolios subject to government approval. " I can do the tech and the immigration non-politically," he explained.
There has also been confusion over the future of Lowry's seat in the Chamber. Lowry thought that since he obtained his position by right of being a member of the winning party in the most recent election, resignation from that party would result in automatic resignation from the Chamber as well. It appears, though, that a separate resignation from the Chamber will be necessary before Lowry is free from his responsibilities as a legislator. Asked if he would participate in any vote of confidence in the government called before his departure was formalised, he said he would abstain.
There has been no comment from the Peculiarist leadership from within the Chamber. MRP founder Dieter N. Vercáriâ, however, has informed the O&C that if an MRP seat became vacant it would revert to the next in name on the party list: Distáin Üc Tärfâ. No doubt, the 'ring-tailed lemur' will bring a new liveliness to the debates on the floor, and a few groans from the opposition benches.
MRP Government 'Floats' Bond Bill
Vitz Açafat
Editor
29 April 2007
--STOP PRESS--
Minutes after this article was posted, the controversial 'Banden' proposal in the Finance bill was withdrawn.
--STOP PRESS--
Seneshal E.S. Börnatfiglheu caused a storm of controversy with the introduction of the first bill of the MRP administration to the Chamber of Deputies on the 27 April. The bill, known as the Financial Reform Bill 2007, is a codification of the duties and responsibilities of the Minister of Finance of the Republic. This portfolio has increased in prominence recently with the successful raising of government funds through 'voluntary taxation' in order to nationalise the Talossan web presence. Although this type of taxation, along with others, is addressed, a new power is described for the Finance Minister -- the issuance of sovereign government debt instruments. The introduction of section four of the bill begins, 'The purpose of Banden [bonds] is to create long term low interest loans from the public to the government to help fund its processes and projects.' The section goes on to describe the process for issuing and redeeming bonds in a straightforward fashion, however the reaction on the Chamber floor has been anything but straightforward.
Within hours, the leader of the opposition, Dp Inxheneu Crovâ, had commented that, 'the issuing of any sort of security by the Republic is not only inefficient, but a hair-raising risk for an unincorporated entity and potentially a violation of securities regulations in the United States and elsewhere.' In a following post Crovâ provided a link to United States security laws that would require the Republic to register with the US Securities Exchange Commission before issuing debt. He continued, 'Does the Seneschal want to gamble with our national reputation and with a very real and personal risk of liability for each and every citizen of this country for the sake of an unnecessary piece of bureaucratic inflation?'
So far the Peculiarist defence of its legislation has been timid. The Seneshal has so far only manged one rebuttal post, in which he said, 'if it is in contravention of macronational law, such provisions will be immediately canned.' No other MRP deputies, or any other government figure, has commented on the bill, raising speculation that the 'bonds' were not expected to be greeted with such controversy.
Despite the lack of official comment, the O&C has managed to gather more information about the origins of this bill from unnamed sources close to the government. The bill is believed to have been composed by the current Minister of Finance, Txec Ereufighleu, and the Distain, Üc Tärfâ. The provision for 'Banden' was meant to be a dormant provision in the law until such time as such an instrument became useful. We have it on good authority that there are no intentions to issue any debt securities in the foreseeable future.
If this account proves to be accurate, opposition deputies will have many questions for S:eru Börnaftighleu over the coming days. How they are answered will perhaps be a defining moment in the first MRP administration, now one-third through its elected term.
Peculiarist Government Pursues 'Old Hat' Policy
Vitz Açafat
Editor
15 April 2007
After several quiet weeks on Wittenberg, Seneschal Börnatfiglheu has announced that the Peculiarist government has been developing policies behind the scenes. "We do look comatose, dont [sic] we?" Börnatfiglheu said in a post on 13 April, "But actually, we've been working semi-feverishly, as best we can, on our projects, trying to get them nice and shiny for presentation." The Seneschal went on to outline three projects his cabinet has been preparing for the Talossan people: a self-governing L'Icastola, a 'virtual Haxh,' and, in what was described as an 'old hat' idea, government issued ID cards. Other than that these ideas were being discussed, no details of the progress the government had made was described.
This was the first post by the Seneschal since 25 March. In a further post he hinted at personal issues interfering with his duties. There has been, however, a general silence among most of the Peculiarist notables since Easter. The main exception so far has been Minister of Culture, Ián Txaglh, who formally recalled the L'Icastolâ. He called on all Talossan citizens interested in El Gelþ to gather in the L'Icastolâ forum to chose a new leader and to formally assume a status independent from the government.
The general lack of Peculiarist activity, though, has provoked several pointed comments from the Defencist opposition. Miestrâ Schivâ noted recently, "These people whine and whine about how the nasty opposition are mean to them, but when we take a few days off, we come back to a ghost town." So far there have been no public complaints from the general citizenry, but it does seem likely that the MRP has passed through its 'honeymoon' period in office in relative silence.
Seneschal Börnatfiglheu Names Cabinet Amid Web Security Crisis
Vitz Açafat
Editor
23 March 2007
Seneschal Eiric Börnatfiglheu announced his new Peculiarist cabinet during his Speech of the Incoming Government today. Despite the recent shock of a Peculiarist victory in the national election, continuity was the order of the day as several key positions were left unchanged from the ZRT administration. Important posts were distributed among MRP stalwarts, however. Txec Danihél dal Már was appointed as Foreign Minister, and recent immigrant Ián Txaglh was handed the culture portfolio. Andy Lowry was retained as Technology Minister but bagged the Immigration top-spot as well. The Seneschal summed his program, saying, 'The government for the 5th Chamber of Deputies seeks to generate stable infrastructure and growth as a base for other needs and desires.'
There has been no grace period for the new government, however, as fears over the security of the Republic's web presence surfaced before the cabinet had even been officially named. The Wittenberg fora of the Republic were offline for several hours on the 21st of March, and new posts were not possible for several hours more after the Witt reappeared. The ZRT opposition quickly raised the issue in the Chamber of Deputies, calling the outage 'near-catastrophic.' Although the outage was short, it has provoked a wide-ranging discussion within the Republic about web security and the finalisation of the nationalisation of the entire national web presence. To facilitate any needed changes, ZRT deputy Inxheneu Crovâ has introduced a bill to the Chamber that would allow Technology minister Andy Lowry to switch the national domains to a new, hopefully more reliable, supplier. Indications are that this bill will pass without objection.
Perhaps more important than the technical issues is the new style of politics that seems to have taken root within the Republic. The ZRT 'intend mercilessly hold the Government to account,' according to D:nâ Túischac'h Miestrâ Schivâ, and have demonstrated this intent very clearly over the webspace issue. Speaking exclusively to this paper, Seneschal Börnatfiglheu denied that the tough line taken by the Defencists had caused his government to react more quickly than it would have otherwise. 'We realized how serious this could become without their help,' he said. Börnatfiglheu continued, saying, 'It needs to be taken care of, and quickly. In that I agree with my esteemed opposition. But they do seem to like talking about it, dont [sic] they?' All indications are that the Seneschal had better get used to it.
Cabinet of the MRP Government:
Seneschal: Eiric Börnatfiglheu
Minister of Technology and Information: Andrew Lowry
Minister of Finance: Txec Ereufighleu
Minister of Immigration: Andrew Lowry
Minister of Culture: Ián Txaglh
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Txec Danihél dal Már
Distain: Üc Tärfâ
MRP SWEEP TO POWER IN SHOCK ELECTION VICTORY
!!Vitz Açafat
Editor
19 March 2007
The Movement of Republican Peculiarism upset all election predictions last night by winning three of the five seats in the incoming 5th Chamber of Deputies. Although pleased, even the MRP leadership was taken aback by their strong showing in the national vote. 'I'm stunned,' said D.N. Vercáriâ, President of the Republic and MRP founder, in a short, two-word post following the official announcement. Indeed, prominent MRP leaders had predicted to this reporter in the days before the election, that the movement would win only one or two seats. The MRP surpassed even their own optimistic predictions, however, to take control of the Chamber and gain the right to form the next Talossan government.
ZRT deputies were understandably perplexed. After a series of government successes, including the nationalisation of the Republic's web presence, most pundits were expecting a mandate for continued Defensist rule. Swallowing disappointment, though, the Defensists are already planning for opposition. 'The ZRT does not intend on going away,' said outgoing Senechal, Inxheneu Crovâ. 'We will be a vigorous and active opposition, just as we were a dynamic and active government. The people have spoken-they desired a change, but our responsibility remains the same.' Newly elected speaker, Miestâ Schivâ, has announced that the ZRT will take an aggressive stance in the Chamber, saying, 'We announce our intention of introducing legislation to enact the Defencist programme, in the confident knowledge that the Peculiarists agree with most of it anyway.'
The election results were not only surprising, but historic in their own right. This was the first time since the founding of the Republic that a sitting government has been cast out by the electorate. In fact, as Schivâ, pointed out in a recent post, only four times in all of Talossan history has a ruling party failed to carry an election it contested. This, plus the smooth transition of power from ruling party to opposition, shows a level of political maturity and sophistication seldom seen in other micronations.
The election procedures themselves were praised by all parties. Secretary of State, Jay Shorten, managed the technicalities with competence and flair. Republic citizens logged onto the Wittenberg at midnight GMT to follow his results thread. The voting results were spaced out as each district reported its ballots, bringing an element of suspense that was enjoyed by all. The secret email balloting system that Shorten pioneered worked seamlessly, and there was only one, small mathematical error in the complicated calculations that followed. 'Oh well, it’s a story for the Octagon and Crown,' Shorten quipped.
Turnout hit a healthy 75% with 21 of 28 eligible voters taking part. It has been revealed that half of the final voters voted within the first two days of the campaign, with a flurry of votes coming in on the last day. A full week passed during the middle of the campaign with no votes cast at all.
Meanwhile, the citizens still eagerly await to hear from their new leaders what shape the incoming government will take. It is not clear yet if the unexpected victory will find the MRP unprepared to take the reigns of power. After such a strong showing the the recent poll, however, the Peculiarists can expect a honeymoon period from the electorate. The MRP will face new challenges in government before too long, though, and may not find them all to its liking. The ZRT is already planning for the 6th Chamber elections, and worries have surfaced that the Republic will start the sort of endless election cycle that plague some macronations. If so, newly elected MRP Delegate, Andy Lowry, will not be happy. 'Elections really harsh my mellow, maaaaan.'
Results for the election of the 5th Chamber of Deputies:
Union for Talossan Progress 2
Movement of Republican Peculiarism 10
Els Zefençadéirs dàl Repúblicâ Talossán 8
Blue Wave Party 1
Elected members of the 5th Chamber of Deputies:
1. Eiric S. Börnatfighleu (MRP)
2. Diarmuid Crovâ (ZRT)
3. Txec Danihél dal Már (MRP)
4. Miestrâ Schivâ (ZRT)
5. Andy Lowry (MRP)
Republic Nationalisation of Webspace deemed 'Historic Triumph!'
13 March 2007
The citizens of the Republic made history recently by successfully raising the funds to 'purchase' the national webspace from a private citizen. The domain names, including talossa.com, talossa.net and talossaonline.com, will now become official Republic property, giving the state a more secure web presence. The domain names had been previosly owned by M.P. Furxheir who had owned them since his stint as webmaster for Ben Madison in pre-revolutionary Talossa. They have been used by the Republic ever since its founding, but no offical change in ownership had taken place. Not content to have the nation relying on one private citizen for its web presence, the recent 4th Chamber of Deputies decided to swing into action.
El Proxhet del Finançù (Naziunáliçaziun Telaragñheascâ) dallas 2006/III was proposed in December. This gave the Minister of Finance, Txec Ereufighleu, the authority to set up a PayPal account for the Republic, also to be overseen by the President D.N. Vercáriâ, and the Seneschal, Inxheneu Crovâ. Citizens would be allowed to contribute between US$10.00 and $US20.00, anonymously, to raise the needed funds of US$89.90. The executive order went out to the people asking for contributions on 16 February, and the total amount had been raised by 26 February.
Minister of Culture, Miestrâ Schivâ, reacted, 'As of today, Talossa's webpresence is democratically self-funding and therefore truly nationalised.' She went on to praise the ruling ZRT, ' A victory for the policy of the Crovâ government, if I do say so myself.' Seneshal Crovâ said, 'This is a real tribute to the maturity of our governing institutions, as well as to the leadership of the ZRT (if I say so myself ;-)).' The government made the process as transparent as possible, the other parties made constructive suggestions, and Txec did a fine job in organising the practicalities of it all.'
Although the cheers were loudest from the ZRT camp the 'nationalisation' involved prominent members of at least three parties (also including President Vercáriâ of the MRP and Minister Txec of the UTP), the Minister of Technology, Andy Lowry, as well as several unknown contributers from the general population. Perhaps Ián B. Anglatzarâ summed it up best when he said, 'it was a blasted success!'
Election Fever Sweeps the Republic as Style Trumps Substance
8 March 2007
After a few quiet days on the Republican Wittenburg, partisan debate has swung into high gear. At last count one thread had reached over 30 posts in less than 24 hours. Although there are four parties participating in the coming Chamber of Deputies poll, the political debate is taking place chiefly between Miestrâ Schivâ's Els Zefençadéirs dal Repúblicâ Talossán (ZRT or the Defencists) and D.N. Vercáriâ's El Movamáintch Repúblicán për Pecüliárismeu (MRP or the Peculiarists).
There have been several exchanges between the President and the Minister of Culture. Generally President Vercáriâ accuses the ZRT of being too serious or disciplined, following which Minister Schivâ accuses the MRP of never doing anything but talking about doing things. It was therefore a surprise to many of the Republic's citizens to hear Schivâ say in a recent post, 'the difference between Defencism and Peculiarism is a matter of emphasis, or style.' Perhaps more surprising is the fact that no one came forward from the Peculiarist ranks to challenge this statment. Since most recent statements by the ZRT leader are usually followed by a trail of MRP rebuttals, this has given the impression to the Republican citizenry that the MRP tacitly agrees with this statment.
If the 'style' of the incoming goverment is the main issue of this CoD campaign, this has not stopped the ZRT from adopting several new platform planks. The most notable of these are a 'new' declaration of independence, and a revamp of local goverment and the Senats. Meanwhile, the MRP platform calls for the government to stop pursuing closer ties with the Kingdom in the hopes that a closer relationship will build up from the 'grassroots' of the private citizenry. They also endorse the UTP 'plus one' program. The Union for Talossan Progress (UTP) is most notable for this program, which encourages each Talossan citizen to find one like-minded friend to apply for citizenship. Finally, Gödafrïeu Válcadác’h's Blue Wave Party (BWP) is fielding its only member as a candidate. The only policy named in its manifesto is 'political reunification of the sundered Talossan peoples,' which is a goal also endorsed in one form or another by the other three parties.
Party manifesto links:
Union for Talossan Progress
Moverment for Republican Peculiarism
Blue Wave Party
Els Zefençadéirs dal Repúblicâ Talossán
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, May 17 2007, 2:40 PM EDT
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