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The Constitutional Convention has officially begun today. Many proposals are currently being discussed, and the delegates are meeting later today in the formal session. This session will include a vote on whether to totally throw out the old constitution, or to use it as a framework to create the newest one, just as what occurred during the last convention. Veia O'Dalaigh has been appointed as the presider of the convention by Justice Bradford, and is to organise later meetings following this session to iron out any potential issues, as well as discussing necessary additions. She personally is set to formally propose the integration of the amendment explicitly prohibiting the creation of any position with absolute power, elected or not.
ROYALISTS RALLY OUTSIDE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Today, on the second day of the Constitutional Convention, a gathering of pro-royal protestors appeared. They carried signs that associated the Monarchy with protections for labour and the people, and chanted "Only under the Monarchy did we become socialist." Many protestors gave impassioned speeches to the gathered group, highlighting that in the RU, the Monarchy was a force for progress, and that the institution did not interfere with democratic norms. Some even went as far as describing the referendum and new constitution as a "political power grab" by the United Front, claiming that the United Front was engineering the constitution to entrench their ideology into the very fabric of the political framework. Those of this opinion cited the proposed Article 8, which officially constitutionalises the economic system that the United Front holds as their main party line. One concern raised was the potential for having to revise/redo the constitution should another party manage to overturn the United Front's majority. A minority of voices also came out against the amendment made to the first enumerated right, which would officially add a provision to the new constitution prohibiting the establishment of a state/national religion, even if it is a purely symbolic action, as well as subject religious institutions to taxation as other groups are.
United Front delegates within pushed back against these claims of a "power grab," citing the fact that the majority of the people seem to want these changes, as they continue to overwhelmingly elect the party to the Senate. They stated that they were acting "purely on the interests of their constituents, and the vast majority of the nation." They also highlighted that without the economic section being rather laid out, it would not be able to effectively ensure a socialist economy, and market forces may be able to entrench themselves further, which poses a danger long-term to workers' rights. They sharply criticised the positions of the protestors, saying that they "had no way of constitutionally preventing capitalists from rising again." One delegate, Senator Robert O'Leary (UF), said about the protests, "They claim to oppose a power grab, yet ironically support having a king. What about implementing popular policy is a 'power grab' anyway?" Another delegate, Senator Marcy Jones (UF), had this to say on the matter: "If the policies implemented by this constitution prove unpopular, then the people will vote it down when they vote on it, and I'll personally be back here afterwards to revise this document so it is suitable for them." The United Front delegates also pointed out that there are delegates of all parties, not just theirs, as all Senators are currently delegates to the convention, and that they only make up the majority due to election results.
The protestors have demanded a write-in option on the ratification vote, asking for there to be another option alongside a Yes or No vote, a blank space to write in what needs to change in order for it to be acceptable. The delegates inside have largely been amicable towards this, as it would clarify a potential "no" vote and directly show the concerns the voters have. In a potential rewrite situation, these changes would then be debated further and have a higher chance of implementation. Regardless, negotiations and debates are still going strong inside the constitutional convention. More coverage is on its way as events unfold.
BREAKING: CONSTITUTIONAL DRAFT OFFICIALLY RELEASED
In Belfast, the Constitutional Convention has officially finalised a draft of the proposed constitution. This document includes loophole closures, as well as cutting the monarchy section out entirely. The Royal County has not been renewed in the new document, being abolished following the vote to do away with the Monarchy itself. Additionally, the controversial new economy section, heavily debated and heavily influenced by official United Front policy, has been included, much to the chagrin of several delegates belonging to the Opposition. Additionally, the document has prohibited the establishment of any titles of nobility or royalty, as well as any other position that would confer absolute or near-absolute power on an individual or group of individuals.
The draft passed the convention nearly on party lines, with a few defections particularly from members of the Pirate Party, who appreciated the closure of present loopholes and a re-commitment towards anti-corruption and popular democracy. The national vote is scheduled to take place next Monday, and should it pass, it will go into effect next Wednesday at 00:00. The Opposition is already encouraging a movement to vote no, and to write in alternative suggestions to implement. The document needs at minimum sixty-six percent to pass. The United Front, meanwhile, garnered roughly seventy-one percent of the vote in the election just two months earlier. On the pro-draft side, the Proletarian Student Union has released a statement encouraging the youth vote to turn out in support of "a new constitution for a new era." They plan to organise vote-boosting techniques such as reminders to send in ballots, or to show up to polling places. They have also planned rallies in support of the draft, slated to occur Tuesday in various locations.
Tune in next Monday evening for coverage of this critical ratification referendum.
The Empire of Northern Fennoscandia, would like to congratulate the North Sea People's Republic, for officially and unequivocally embracing socialism in their constitution. With the addition of Article 8, the economic rights of the Northarian Laborer is now enshrined at the highest level of our southern neighbors legal system. We hope that this ends the constant shifting of the rights and abilities given to the Laborers in Northaria. We hope that this brings a new era for both Northarian Labor, and for Northaria, Northern Fennoscandia relations, with a shared foundation of beliefs.
With the announcement of the new constitution, We would like to invite a Northarian Delegation to Nils, to start the long process of re-opening relations between our 2 governments. As we hope and anticipate that this is eradicates any opertunity for Capital, to make its way back into the Nation, let alone into positions of power.
On Behalf of The Empire, The Imperal Storting of Northern Fennoscandia, and the People of the Empire,
Ragnar Ruud Minister of State, of the Empire of Nothern Fennoscandia,
[Signature of Ragnar Ruud]
We accept the invitation, sharing hope that relations might finally be normalised after centuries of antagonism and both of us sharing times of goodness and times where we have ignored the people. Together let us lift up the people of our lands, and build them a better future, and let us no longer be at odds.
We would also like to host a summit for our fellow socialist republics established during the Flower Revolutions. Other socialist nations are invited as observers. The goal of this summit is to further the diplomatic and cultural friendship between our three peoples, and to discuss sustainable ways to develop ourselves to the benefit of all. As you all well know, both Korea and Japan suffered for long under the boot of Danielinian and People's Democratic Republic of China rule, so we unfortunately live in conditions that are less than suitable. However, with a new plan, and through working together to raise all boats with the tide, we can grow into societies that are very prosperous for everyone, not just the wealthy who have taken advantage of us for far too long.
Everyone, BOPDR's next debate will be on immigration. It will be at 9:00 AM AEST Sunday, or 6:00 PM EST (I think. That could be CST) Saturday. The specific topic should be 'In what cases is increased immigration a good thing?'. If you would like to sign up to participate in the debate, telegram me about it, and I will add your name to the list.
We would be honored to attend. We will begin assembling a delegation at once!
META: The Northarian World Assembly delegation has firmly and clearly cast their vote FOR the current Security Council proposal, the Declaration Against Slavery And Its Violence. The text, which would finally issue a much-needed condemnation of slavery amidst the barbaric resurgence of multiple slave trade threads in the international forums, would be a meaningful step in ending the practice of slavery once and for all, and bring the multiverse closer to ridding one of the most ancient of evils and abuses. The proposal appears to be set to fail in the Security Council.
Should this declaration fail, the North Sea People's Republic has vowed to resign in disgust from the World Assembly, and to close all offices within the nation. This would be followed by a regional condemnation of the World Assembly, and a denunciation of its procedures and all nations in opposition to this declaration. The People's Republic will not align itself with any body or any nation that sees fit to allow the evil that is slavery to continue on this green Earth and the worlds beyond, let alone any that actively participate in it. This resignation would disconnect the entire Confederacy of Free Lands from the World Assembly, as the Northarian delegation is the head of the official regional delegation. Northarian officials urge all nations to vote against slavery and for freedom.
"We know we are a small region, but our voices are important as well. We know firsthand how slavery affects the enslaved through dehumanisation, subjugation, and horrific human rights violations, and how the enslaver ironically loses their humanity too in the process. We can continue to have this debate over and over again, but some day we are going to have to put our foot down and stop tolerating those who own sentient life in bondage for the owner's personal benefit, at the cost of the enslaved's entire life. Otherwise, there may come a day where the sole way to rid this evil from our worlds will be through blood. Let us not delay even one more second to condemn slavery, and crush it once and for all!"
META: The North Sea People's Republic has issued Letters of Marque to several privateer communes, and are offering state-backed defensive and offensive collaborative force in the Northarian Exclusive Economic Zones. The letters contain a directive straight from the Party Central Committee itself: No quarter, no mercy, and no salvation whatsoever to slaveholders and those that facilitate them, and a clear directive to free any slave they come across. The government has promised to turn a blind eye to any tactics employed by the privateers against slavers, so long as they do not harm those they are meant to be helping.
Additionally, state industry has been directed to produce both oceangoing ships for privateers, as well as spacefaring ships for any privateers that opt to venture to the stars. Ammunition factories shall continue to pump out munitions to supply these ships.
A privateer flag has been designated, but shall remain secret in order to preserve the covertness of the privateers.
The People's Republic shall also begin a military buildup in order to be able to counter the threat of slavers encroaching on freedom and dignity. The Great Proletarian Reindustrialisation Programme has yielded greatly increased industrial output, and this shall continue to primarily take the form of increased necessary goods and weapons and ammunition.
META: NORTHARIA WITHDRAWS FROM WORLD ASSEMBLY
Saddened and disturbed by the failure of this resolution,
Noticing that many of the arguments made were not simply regarding procedural norms, but the actual defence of slavery as a system, and noticing the full-throated celebratory baying of slaveholding states due to the declaration's defeat,
Noticing that many nations allegedly against slavery are more than willing to allow it to exist in other places under the guise of "national sovereignty" and showing a shocking complicity,
Confused as to the harm of passing this resolution even if it may not have been created initially for the most authentic of reasons,
And outraged that the Council can take a stand on plenty of other abhorrent issues at the cost of "national sovereignty" yet are oh so against ending the practice of owning others' lives to extract a profit, a vile outrage against any notions of inherent decency and rights as living, thinking beings,
The North Sea People's Republic hereby formally withdraws from the Security Council, and from the World Assembly as a whole in disgust, and states that this body is clearly dominated by those who lack the nerve to do what is necessary to protect the most vulnerable people they claim to represent.
Happy International Worker's Day everyone!
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