Die Stimme Hulsterreichs und Gao-Sotos

[Martinulus]

Septembrist Government declares open war upon regime


Commandant Viktor Gubler, alias "Kleinemann", was authorised to take aggressive action against government forces by the Provisional Diet today

Qualifying the longstanding Septembrist tradition of non-violent protest, the Provisional Imperial Diet today declared war upon the Hulstrian Party regime and its forces following the shocking revelations of genocide perpetrated by regime forces in Ostland. Addressing the Diet, Staatsminister Yoshiro Shimano said that the acts of genocide committed against Gao-Showans both in Ostland and from Gao-Soto proper were just cause for war, but said that the principle of non-violence still applied. "The principle has been not to strike first. We did not fire the first shot. But the regime has wantonly killed its own people and we should, without prejudicing the principle of non-aggressive resistance, consider this as nothing but a declaration of war to which we shall respond in kind."

The Diet then passed a resolution authorising the Government and the Reichsbürgerwehr to conduct aggressive military operations against the forces of the regime and any preventive action deemed necessary to protect Gao-Showan and Hulstro-Showan citizens:

THE PROVISIONAL IMPERIAL DIET OF HULSTRIA AND GAO-SOTO, in the name of the people,

HAVING NOTED the evidence presented by Istalian humanitarian staff of genocide perpetrated against Gao-Showan citizens in Ostland, not merely of Ostlander but of Crownlander citizenship as well,

CONSIDERING this to be a crime against humanity and an act of war by the tyrannical government of Hulstria against its own people, to which it can only respond in kind,

REAFFIRMING once more its commitment to non-aggressive resistance,

RESOLVES:
1. That a state of war now exists between the United Imperial Crownlands of Hulstria and Gao-Soto and the forces of the tyrannical government of Hulstria;

2. That the Reichsbürgerwehr and Their Imperial Majesties' Provisional Government are hereby authorized and directed to conduct aggressive military operations against the forces of the regime and any preventive action deemed necessary to protect all citizens of the Crownlands, particularly those of Gao-Showan or Hulstro-Showan ethnicity;

3. That the Foreign Minister is directed to work to the uttermost extent of his powers to assemble a coalition to prevent further genocide and displace the regime from power.

[Martinulus]

RBW barricades the Herzoginnejoch/Kogoyama Tunnel

Hennersdam-Numamura, Mitrania - Reichsbürgerwehr forces under the command of Commandant Kleinemann himself have successfully seized the Herzoginnejoch/Kogoyama Tunnel connecting Hennersdam-Numamura to Syakusen-Graaffsberg. The rail and road tunnel through the base of one of Mitrania's highest mountains is of high strategic importance since it is the only way to circumvent the Oberflachland region going from Hennersdam in the North to Graaffsberg in the centre of the Crownland, thereby forcing regime forces to risk a journey across the Septembrist-controlled Oberflachland valleys, where they are easier taken care of. Analysts expect that the operation was intended to clear the way for Reichsbürgerwehr forces to take control of Hennersdam-Numamura, which is now surrounded on all sides by territory controlled by the Union provisional government.

According to a statement released by the RBW High Command and the provisional Ministry of Defence, in the early morning Reichsbürgerwehr units believed to be centred in the town of Heuboden in the central Oberflachland joined with divisions from the Upper Henner region to attack the tunnel on both sides. The guards posted on the tunnel were taken by surprise and dispatched easily, after which the Reichsbürgerwehr seized control of the security gates used to block the tunnel in case of emergency, closing the gates. It is believed a RBW detail of guards has been left behind to keep the site secure.

Commandant Kleinemann declined comment beyond the official statement released by the High Command, saying it was not opportune to comment on an ongoing operation.

[Martinulus]

Minister Fukuyama welcomes Dranian support


The Viscount Fukuyama, Foreign Minister of Hulstria and Gao-Soto

Whale Island - Speaking to reporters at the World Congress headquarters, the Crownlander Foreign Minister, Viscount Fukuyama, welcomed the news of the first recognition of the United Imperial Crownlands by a foreign nation, that nation being the Grand Empire of Drania. Noting the historic connection to the warm support given to the original September Revolution of 3416 by its predecessor state Dranland, Fukuyama said he hoped many more nations would follow: "Especially now the Volksstaat has explicitly declared itself a dictatorship, we hope this is the start of many nations recognising that Septembrism is the best hope for a democratic Hulstria and Gao-Soto after the regime is displaced. Dranland was one of the first allies of our forebears in the original Septembrist Movement. We are honoured by Drania's support."

On the eve of what looks like the formation of an international military coalition to liberate Ostland and the Crownlands both, Fukuyama urged the international community on in the war effort once more. "The Reichsbürgerwehr is taking what aggressive action it can against the regime but we really need the aid of our international friends to defeat Nimitz." Fukuyama said that Kazulian and Dranian forces joining with the Septembrists from the North to liberate the country starting in Crownlands Hulstria and Mitrania would be extremely helpful to the Septembrist war effort. "We shall be glad when we can raise the Union Flag over the old Diet Complex in Kien again and dust off the seats of the Reichsversammlung, but that will just be the start."

Asked whether the endorsement of the Dranian government meant the Crownlands shared their attitude towards Indrala, Fukuyama said the door remained open for Indrala's Republican government. "We do not believe the essential characteristic of good government is the means of selecting its head of state," said the professor. "Rather, it is the quality of its democracy and its ability to cater to all its citizens without discrimination. Just because we value our historic monarchical tradition and have restored our iconic dual monarchy does not mean we have any quarrel with republics." The Minister also pointed out that in the past, Septembrist Hulstria and Gao-Soto had played a central role in easing historic conflicts in Dovani. "I strongly believe in reconciliation and peace in the spirit of Okatori Kurosawa's legacy. Once we have succeeded in reclaiming our land, we shall be happy to return to our historic role as advocates for peace and tolerance across Dovani and in that spirit I would very much like to arbitrate wherever possible among our fellow Dovanian nations." He called upon the international community to de-escalate the looming conflict between Drania and Indrala.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Kaiser focused solely on the recognition of the United Imperial Crownlands as a state, reflecting the longstanding Septembrist policy that ultimately, the legitimacy of a monarchy derives from its symbolic representation of and constitutional value to its people. "While His Imperial and Most Illustrous Luthoran Majesty is overjoyed by the news," said his spokesperson, "he believes the legitimacy of his lineage is beyond dispute and that the legitimacy of his position as Head of State derives from the legitimacy of the Constitution that names him and his heirs such. For political comment, I advise contacting the Governorate-General or the Staatsministerium."

Fukuyama announced he would be travelling to the North Dovani region soon to meet with allies in the region. A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry confirmed that Drania and Kazulmark were on the draft itinerary but noted of course that "... whether the Minister is welcomed there and in what capacity is of course up to the potential hosts. We are aware of our rather ambiguous position at the moment, after all."

[Corvo Attano]

Malivia recognizes the People's State Of Hulstria as Sole Legitimate Government of Hulstria

[Martinulus]

Reichsbürgerwehr liberates Hennersdam-Numamura as garrison surrenders


The Hennersdam-Numamura Town Hall, temporary home of both the Mitranian Crownland provisional government and the provisional government of the United Imperial Crownlands

Hennersdam-Numamura, Mitrania - The Reichsbürgerwehr has taken Hennersdam-Numamura after the garrison left guarding the northeastern Mitranian city surrendered control of the city to the besieging forces. Hennersdam-Numamura had been encircled by Septembrist forces since the RBW successfully instituted checkpoints on the Herzoginnejoch/Kogoyama tunnel on the major highway route between Numamura and Syakusen-Graaffsberg. Now wintery conditions and a refusal to work by the newly drafted Kunihito forced labourers, aided by defections within the garrison itself, have brought the garrison to its knees. At noon today, the Union Flag was raised above the city's Town Hall, which will now serve as a temporary home to the Septembrist governing authorities until the capture of Kien, the de jure seat of the Crownlands government.

The provisional government welcomed the news, with Governor-General Michels, Kaiser Otto III, Staatsminister Shimano and Commandant Viktor "Kleinemann" Gubler being greeted by citizens singing the Septembrist Hymn as they entered the city for the first time escorted by RBW troops. Speaking at the new town hall, the Governor-General applauded the militiamen for their brave actions in taking Hennersdam, and said that he was glad the old city had not been damaged excessively. "I applaud Commandant Kleinemann and his brave men for this successful action," said Graf Michels. "With the international community soon coming to our aid, we are confident that this is but the first corner of our land of two peoples that we shall liberate by the end."

The surrendering troops of the garrison have been allowed passage through the Kogoyama tunnel under the watchful eye of the Reichsbürgerwehr, which first seized their arms supplies and arrested the party brass among them responsible for executing the forced labour act on the Kunihito populatio0n, allowing the lower ranks to escape with their lifes. The party officers are being held in custody until a court can review charges of slavery and extortion against them. The Interior Ministry said today that the preference would be for an international tribunal to be set up: "We need to ensure that justice is done."

[Martinulus]

Fukuyama spotted in Aloria

[Martinulus]

Operation Phoenix Rising: Reichsbürgerwehr to push towards Kien


Commandant Gubler declared after meeting with the Governor-General that the next objective would be the capture of Kien

Numamura, Mitrania - Following the successful capture of Hennersdam-Numamura, securing the Septembrist control of Northern Mitrania, the government of the United Imperial Crownlands has now set its sights on the old capital of the Empire of Hulstria and the Crownlands as a whole, the Hulstrian city of Kien. The Reichsbürgerwehr is expected to push into the Northern Crownland to join with the international coalition forces waiting to cross into Hulstria via the Hulstro-Kazulian border, seeking to liberate the cities of Pfathzburg, Kien and Phönix in the meantime.

It is expected the first objective in the campaign will be Pfathzburg, a strategic location not just for its fortress origins at the foothills of the Schnee-Berge Mountains, but for its vast hydroelectric plants which supply much of Crownland Hulstria's power. Septembrists already control large parts of Crownland Hulstria's rural areas, enabling them to encircle Phönix and Pfathzburg entirely should they wish. It is thought that the operation, which has been codenamed "Phoenix Rising", will see Septembrists coming at Pfathzburg from the South, requiring them to secure a corner of the mountains still under the control of the regime, while also blockading roads into the mountain city from Septembrist-controlled territories in Hulstria from the north.

One tactical liability, according to the RBW High Command, is Hulstria's flatter terrain in which Septembrist positions will be more easily exposed. This is going to be a problem particularly as the assault nears Kien, which lies at the centre of a plain on which it forms a conglomeration with Phönix. It is likely that the support of coalition forces will be necessary for the RBW to move into the Kiennese plain.

[Martinulus]

Septembrists hack into regime's registration systems; find new heir to Gao-Soto


Nakashima Morihito, a doctor from Miyako who was forced to labour, was found to be the closest descendant of Emperor Akihiko's daughters alive

Numamura, Mitrania - Following a successful hack of the Hulstrian regime's racial registration system, Septembrists have been able to cross-reference available genealogical records to find an heir to Gao-Soto. This has been a political objective of the Septembrist government, since it would allow the restoration of the dual monarchy and give Otto III, who has doubted his fitness to be a symbolic monarch to Gao-Soto, the opportunity to cede his claim to the Phoenix Throne. To this end, Imperial Household officials had been looking for a candidate who could trace his parentage back to Okatori Kurosawa, known as Kurosawa the Great, through the daughters of his descendant, Emperor Akihiko, who married into minor noble and civilian families.

Acording to the records, a Kunihito male of 28 years called Nakashima Morihito is the best candidate for the throne, being descended in the most direct way from Princess Haruko, the eldest daughter of Emperor Akihiko, and her civilian husband, Nakashima Tadataka. He was rescued from a serf transport in Southern Mitrania a few months back, and had been impoverished following the forced closure of his General Practitioners' surgery in Miyako. Mr. Nakashima himself is said to have accepted the offer of the Phoenix Throne "with surprise bordering on astonishment", but after examining the records found that they were absolutely genuine. The Mikado-in-waiting will study the Jienist, Kamist and Septembrist literature as he prepares to be enthroned following the recapture of Miyako.

The Provisional Diet is expected to proclaim Mr. Nakashima as Mikado later this month when they plan to discuss the Basic Law governing the Crownlands. It seems likely that this proclamation will also contain the establishment of a new Kurosawa Clan, elevating the extinct Okatori Clan into a phratry.

[Martinulus]

Provisional Diet passes Basic Law, proclaims Morihito as Mikado of Gao-Soto


The Governor-General, Hubert Michels, was pleased to see the Basic Law pass

The Provisional Diet has finished discussing a Basic Law which will function as the constitutional law of the United Imperial Crownlands until a proper Constitution can be passed for the reunited Crownlands. The Basic Law was made necessary, according to government sources, because the original text of the Constitution of 3416 had not been entirely preserved, as it relied on Greater Hulstrian constitutional principles that had not necessarily been codified. The new Basic Law is based on the Constitution of 3416 and the spirit of the document. A copy is reprinted below:

GRUNDGESETZ DER VEREINTE KAISERLICHE KRONLÄNDER HULSTERREICH UND GAO-SOTOS

BASIC LAW OF THE UNITED IMPERIAL CROWNLANDS OF HULSTRIA AND GAO-SOTO


IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE, BE IT HEREBY ENACTED by His Imperial and Most Illustrous Luthoran Majesty, Otto III, Kaiser of Hulstria, etc. etc., and His Imperial and Heavenly Majesty, Morihito, Mikado of Gao-Soto, etc. etc., with the advice and consent of the Provisional Imperial Diet, assembled at Numamura in the Year 4310, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
IM NAHME DES VOLKES, ERLASSEN vom Seiner Kaiserliche und Durchleuchte Luthoranische Majestät, Otto III, Kaiser von Hulsterreich, etc. etc., und Seine Kaiserliche und Himmlische Majestät, Morihito, Mikado von Gao-Soot, etc. etc., durch und mit Rat und Zustimming des Vorläufige Reichstag, zu Numamura versammelt im Jahren 4310, und mit desgleichen Gewalt, wie folgt:

Article I) the United Imperial Crownlands
(1) the United Imperial Crownlands of Hulstria and Gao-Soto (hereonafter "Hulstria and Gao-Soto" or "the United Imperial Crownlands") is a liberal democratic Septembrist state; it shall be a Rechtsstaat;
(2) Citizenship of the United Imperial Crownlands belongs to all those born in the Crownlands, to Crownlander parents or other cases according to the law, without distinction or discrimination;
(3) Sovereignty belongs to the citizens of Hulstria and Gao-Soto and is exercised by the Crowns and the institutions of this Government on their behalf under this basic law;
(4) the Empire of Hulstria, consisting of the Crownland of Hulstria, the Crownland of Budenlar and the Crownland of Kuratha, and the Empire of Gao-Soto, consisting of the Crownland of Hilgar and the Crownland and Free State of Mitrania shall comprise the territory of the state, indivisible and inseparable;
(5) the Flag of the United Imperial Crownlands shall consist of three horizontal stripes, white, purple and green, with the combined Imperial Arms in the canton;
(6) the Septembrist Hymn "Land of Our Fathers" shall be the National Anthem;
(7) Hulsterreicher Dundorfisch, Kunikata and Hulstro-Mikun shall be the official languages of the state; Hulsterreicher Dundorfisch and Kunikata shall serve as the national languages of Hulstria and Gao-Soto, respectively;
(8) Without prejudicing the freedom of religion, the Luthoran Church of Hulstria and the Kamist faith are recognised under this basic law for their ceremonial significance to the Empires of Hulstria and Gao-Soto, respectively;
(9) The capitals of the United Imperial Crownlands shall be Kien and Miyako; the government of the United Imperial Crownlands shall have its seat at Kien unless circumstances require a temporary relocation.

Article II) the Rights of Citizens and Residents
(1) To all citizens and all those residing in the United Imperial Crownlands shall belong, without reservation, the right to be treated equally in equal circumstances; discrimination on the basis of religion, culture, ethnicity, gender or any grounds whatsoever shall be illegal;
(2) All Crownlander citizens shall be equally eligible for appointment to public service;
(3) The state guarantees the freedom of speech, of expression and of the printing press, pursuant to the law;
(4) All Crownlander citizens shall have an equal right to elect the members of the representative bodies and to stand for election as a member of those bodies, subject to the limitations and exceptions prescribed by the law;
(5) The state guarantees the freedom of religion; all those residing in the United Imperial Crownlands shall have the right to freely profess religion or belief either individually or in community with others, without prejudice to each person's responsibility under the law;
(6) The state guarantees the right of association; in the interest of public order, the law may place reasonable restrictions on this right;
(7) The state guarantees the right of assembly and demonstration, without prejudice to each person's responsibility under the law; in the interest of health, traffic or public order, the law may place reasonable restrictions on this right;
(8) The state shall respect and protect the privacy of all residing in the United Imperial Crownlands; the law shall make further provision for the enforcement and reasonable restriction of this right;
(9) The person of all those residing in the United Imperial Crownlands is inviolable, without prejudice to reasonable restrictions under the law;
(10) Entry into a home against the will of the occupant shall be permitted only in the cases lied down by or pursuant to the law;
(11) Expropriation may take place only in the public interest and on prior assurance of full compensation, in accordance with regulations laid down in law;
(12) Other than in the cases laid down by or pursuant to the law, no one may be deprived of his liberty; where one's liberty is lawfully deprived, reasonable restrictions may be made on the exercise of the rights enumerated in this article;
(13) No offence shall be punishable unless it was an offence under the law at the time it was committed;
(14) No resident of the United Imperial Crownlands shall be prevented against his will from being heard by a court to which he is entitled to apply under the law; residents shall have the right to legal representation;

Article III) the Crowns of Hulstria and Gao-Soto
(1) In all national functions, the Kaiser of Hulstria and the Mikado of Gao-Soto shall be the symbolic head of the state in equal measure, and all oaths of national officials shall be to both of them, as determined by the law; they shall jointly symbolise the unity of the nation and its values;
(2) The Imperial Throne of Hulstria shall be hereditary according to the writ on the line of succession to the Hulstrian throne as established by the Imperial Diet, and shall be rightfully vested in His Imperial and Most Illustrous Luthoran Majesty, Kaiser Otto III von Rothingren-Traugott-Okatori, and his lawful heirs and descendants;
(3) The Phoenix Throne of Gao-Soto shall be hereditary according to the Imperial Household Law as regulated by the Imperial Diet, and shall be rightfully vested in the descendants of Emperor Okatori Kurosawa the Great, through the lineage of His Imperial and Heavenly Majesty, Emperor Morihito of Gao-Soto and his descendants belonging to the Imperial Kurosawa Clan of the Okatori phratry;
(4) The Coronation of the Kaiser of Hulstria and the Enthronement of the Mikado of Gao-Soto shall take place according to the respective customs of these Empires, in the presence of the members of Their Imperial Majesties' Government, the Governor-General and the other Emperor;
(5) In addition to the Oaths required by such customs, both Emperors shall swear the following Oaths at their acceptance of the Crown and again at their Coronation: "I solemnly swear to govern the Peoples of Hulstria and Gao-Soto according to their respective laws and customs, without prejudice to the interest of either Empire, ever in pursuit of the interest and unity of both Empires jointly." and "I solemnly swear to preserve, uphold and defend the Constitution of the United Imperial Crownlands of Hulstria and Gao-Soto, the rights, values and freedoms of their citizens, and the continuation of democratic government, according to law."
(6) The law shall regulate the conditions of a regency for Emperors under the age of majority; regents shall swear the oaths required by Article III(5) before taking office;
(7) The Crowns, jointly or individually, shall create nobles and award knightly orders on their personal initiative and on the advice of the Imperial Diet, the Staatsminister, the Governor-General or the governments of the Crownlands, for services to the nation;
(8) The Kaiser of Hulstria shall act as ceremonial head of state to all Crownlands that under this basic law are part of the Empire of Hulstria; the Mikado of Gao-Soto shall act as ceremonial head of state to all Crownlands that under this basic law reside under the Empire of Gao-Soto; they shall be represented in each Crownland by an Imperial Commissioner appointed with the advice and consent of Their Imperial Majesties' Government and the countersignature of the Governor-General;
(9) The Crowns shall, jointly, individually or represented by the Governor-General or a Minister, have the right to sign treaties on behalf of the United Imperial Crownlands, with the advice and consent of Their Imperial Majesties' Government;

Article IV) the Governor-General
(1) In political matters, the Crowns shall be represented and assisted by an elected Governor-General of the United Imperial Crownlands;
(2) The Governor-General shall assist the holders of the Crowns in their national and international representative duties;
(3) The Crowns are inviolable; the Governor-General shall owe political responsibility to the Imperial Diet for their conduct, jointly with Their Imperial Majesties' Ministers;
(4) The Governor-General shall be elected in two rounds by universal suffrage and shall serve a term of like length to the Imperial Diet; the election of a new Imperial Diet after dissolution terminates the Governor-General's term;
(5) The Governor-General shall, on behalf of the Crowns and upon the advice of the Staatsminister or a majority of the Imperial Diet, have the right to dissolve the Imperial Diet and issue writs of election for a new Imperial Diet;
(6) The Governor-General shall countersign the appointments made to Their Imperial Majesties' Government upon the nomination of the Imperial Diet;

Article V) the Political Process
(1) Political parties shall participate in the formation of the political will of the people. They may be freely established. Their internal organisation must conform to democratic principles. They must publicly account for their assets and for the sources and use of their funds.
(2) Parties that, by reason of their aims or the behaviour of their adherents, seek to undermine or abolish the free democratic basic order, to endanger the existence of the state or to compromise the rights of any ethnic group in the United Imperial Crownlands shall be unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court shall rule on the question of unconstitutionality.

Article VI) The Imperial Assembly
(1) Legislative power is vested in a bicameral Imperial Assembly (Reichsversammlung, Mikoku-Sokai, Rekusubasammalungu) consisting of the Imperial Diet and the Council of the Lands;
(2) The Imperial Diet (Reichstag, Mikoku-Gikai, Rekusutagu) shall consist of the representatives of the people elected under the law by universal suffrage; it shall sit for 5 years until it stands dissolved by the Governor-General on behalf of the Crowns and upon the advice of a majority resolution of its members;
(3) The right of initiative and of budget belongs solely to the Imperial Diet;
(4) Ministers of Their Imperial Majesties' Government shall, individually and collectively, at all times maintain the confidence of the Imperial Diet; such confidence shall be demonstrated by a nomination resolution prior to their appointment;
(5) Ministers of Their Imperial Majesties' Government shall render account of their actions to the Imperial Diet; they shall attend such debates as the Imperial Diet deems necessary to discharge this responsibility and shall from time to time answer questions on the policies of the government;
(4) The Council of the Lands (Länderrat, Kanryou Hyogi-kai, Renzuratto) shall consist of the Governments of the Crownlands; the configuration of the membership of the Länderrat shall depend on the measure under discussion, at the discretion of the Crownland Governments; in principle, the responsible Minister at the Crownland level and/or the Minister-president shall represent a Crownland in the Länderrat;
(5) The weight of votes in the Länderrat shall be readjusted from time to time to reflect population size;
(6) It shall be the duty of Their Imperial Majesties' Government and the President of the Reichstag (in case of initiatives by private members) to lay before the Länderrat any proposed instruments of law;
(7) In matters of shared jurisdiction between the National and Crownlands Governments, or of Crownland Government jurisdiction, the Länderrat shall have the power to return proposed instruments of law to the Reichstag with objection;
(8) In all other matters, the Länderrat may deliberate on the proposed instruments and register its opinion, but its objections shall not have any impact on the force of law;
(9) In matters of shared jurisdiction between the National and Crownlands Governments, or of Crownland Government jurisdiction, the representatives of the Crownlands in the Länderrat may ask questions of, or initiate debates with, Their Imperial Majesties' Government.
(10) The Länderrat does not have the power to dismiss Their Imperial Majesties' Government or one of its Ministers, but it may register its objection to a Minister of Their Imperial Majesties' Government to the Reichstag, which shall then debate it.
(11) Proposals of law shall not originate in the Länderrat; however, in matters of shared National-Crownlands jurisdiction, the representatives of any two Crownlands in the Länderrat may put an initiative on the agenda of the Reichstag.
(12) No declaration of war shall be valid except with the consent of the Imperial Diet;
(13) The Imperial Diet shall have the right to ratify treaties;

Article VII) Their Imperial Majesties' Government
(1) Executive and governmental power shall be exercised on behalf of the Crowns by Their Imperial Majesties' Government;
(2) The Crowns shall designate, having heard the conclusions of the Governor-General arising out of his consultations with the Diet, from among the members of the Reichstag as Staatsminister to preside over the government the person who is best able to obtain the confidence of and enjoy fruitful cooperation with the Imperial Assembly;
(3) The Crowns shall designate, with the advice and consent of the Staatsminister, Ministers and State Secretaries to serve in Their Imperial Majesties' Government;
(4) No appointment shall come into effect without a demonstration of confidence from the Imperial Diet;
(5) Each department shall be headed by a Minister, assisted if necessary by one or more State Secretaries; Ministers without portfolio may be appointed;
(6) Their Imperial Majesties' Government shall be assisted in the administration and execution of their duties by a Civil Service based on the principles of merit and political independence;
(7) The Staatsminister shall preside over regular meetings of the Cabinet consisting of all Ministers and State Secretaries;
(8) The Staatsminister shall meet regularly with the Governor-General and the Crowns on the business of government;
(9) Their Imperial Majesties' Government and any of its members shall serve solely while they enjoy the confidence of the Imperial Diet; they shall tender their immediate resignation to the Crowns where a loss of such confidence is certified;

Article VIII) Of the judiciary
(1) The judiciary shall be independent; judges shall serve for life or until their resignation;
(2) There shall be a system of courts established by law;
(3) The Constitutional Court (Verfassungsgericht; Bafasungsgerigutu) shall be the highest instance of appeal;
(4) All citizens have the right of appeal and of representation in court.

Article VIII) the Crownlands
(1) The Constitution guarantees the autonomy of the Crownlands and, where applicable, their Cantons and Gemeinden;
(2) The Crownlands shall be autonomous in such matters as the law shall describe; their constitutional laws shall not contradict the provisions of this Basic Law; the law may make further provisions concerning their institutions;
(3) The legislative powers of the Crownlands shall be vested in a legislative body referred to for the purposes of national law as the Crownland Diet (Landtag, Kanryou-gikai, Randutago)
(4) The Crowns shall be represented in each Crownland by an Imperial Commissioner (Reichskommissar, [Kunikata], Raikusukomisaru ) appointed by the Imperial person upon the advice of the Governor-General;
(5) The Imperial Commissioner shall appoint based on the confidence of the Crownland Diet for each Crownland a government consisting of a head of government referred to for the purposes of national law as a Minister-President and Crownland Ministers;
(6) Each Crownland shall for the adjudication of its laws refer to the national system of courts established under the law;

Article IX) the Armed Forces
(1) The Reichsbürgerwehr shall act as the Armed Forces of the United Imperial Crownlands;
(2) Supreme command of the Reichsbürgerwehr shall be exercised by the Governor-General on behalf of the Crowns and with the advice and consent of Ther Imperial Majesties' Government;

Article X) Of amendments to this Constitution
(1) The Imperial Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the Imperial Diet with the concurrence of the Council of the Lands;
(2) Such amendments may be proposed by members of the Imperial Diet or the governments of two Crownlands.

The Basic Law shall come into immediate effect, but owing to the difficulties of electing an Imperial Diet while the United Imperial Crownlands is not yet in full control of the nation, the first elections have been postponed until such a time as this objective is achieved; areas which are under the full control of the Crownlands Government shall hold elections later this month to return members of the Imperial Diet - the other areas shall continue to be represented by other means.

The Diet also issued a Proclamation of Accession for the new Mikado of Gao-Soto, who has taken the new name Kurosawa Morihito after his line was redesignated as the Imperial Kurosawa Clan by the Imperial Diet in the Basic Law debate, and witnessed the swearing of the Constitutional Oaths by both him and Monarchs:

WHEREAS by the re-establishment of the Empire of Gao-Soto and the cession of the claim to the throne by His Imperial and Most Illustrous Luthoran Majesty, Rothingren-Traugott-Okatori Otto, the Phoenix Throne of Gao-Soto has been vacant; and whereas, by agency of the Imperial Household Agency, it has been established that Nakashima Morihito, through Her Imperial Highness Princess Okatori Haruko and her husband Nakashima Tadataka, is the most direct descendant of His Imperial and Heavenly Majesty, Kurosawa the Great, making him the legitimate heir to the Phoenix Throne,

NOW THEREFORE, WE, THE PROVISIONAL IMPERIAL ASSEMBLY OF HULSTRIA AND GAO-SOTO AND THE IMPERIAL COURT OF GAO-SOTO, with the Crownland Diets of Hilgar and Mitrania, do now proclaim the accession of the lineage of the said Nakashima Morihito to the Phoenix Throne of Gao-Soto as the Imperial Kurosawa Clan of the Okatori Phratry, and do accordingly proclaim the aforesaid high and mighty Kurosawa Morihito-no-Miya to be our sovereign Mikado, His Imperial and Heavenly Majesty the Emperor of Gao-Soto, Morihito, by the Will of Heaven King of Kings and Emperor of Emperors, Lord of the Kunihito, Grand King of Hilgar and Mitrania, Great Daimyo of Hulstria, Budenlar and Kuratha.

And we, the citizens of Gao-Soto, humbly pledge our allegiance to His Imperial and Heavenly Majesty, and hope for many happy years long to reign over us.

[Martinulus]

Geraniengau reveals double role as he resigns from the party


Theophilus, Freiherr von Geraniengau, was revealed as the Interior Minister of the United Imperial Crownlands

Numamura, Mitrania - The elusive aristocrat Theophilus, Freiherr von Geraniengau, has finally resurfaced, and confirmed persistent rumours about his allegiances as he dropped a bomb into the Hulstrian Party regime with a spectacular letter in which he called out the dictator Nimitz before resigning from the Party and declaring his allegiance to the 15th of September Movement. Today, the Staatsministerium confirmed the suspected double role of Freiherr von Geraniengau by openly confirming that he serves as Interior Minister and Vize-Staatsminister, being one of the NKHP Ministers whose names had been kept out of the press for safety reasons.

It has been well-advertised that Geraniengau and Nimitz could not stand eachother, and acts of open defiance against the regime in the past years have made Geraniengau the most high-profile opposition figure within the regime. After he walked out on the Reichskanzler when he instituted governance by decree, the Freiherr disappeared, publicly announcing that he was retreating to his estates in rural Budenlar. All the time, Geraniengau and his allies had been involved with the New Imperial Hulstrian Party, which had joined the 15th of September Movement, a fact he has now confirmed first to Nimitz and then to the world. Septembrist sources suggest the Chancellor was fuming when he got the news of Geraniengau's heroic defiance.

The man himself said he felt a certain relief to finally come out and state his true allegiance. "It's certainly a load off my chest," said the Freiherr. "It will be a while before I see Haus zu Geraniengau again, that makes me sad. But it had to be done - I have witnessed a monster getting unhinged in first-person and it's not pretty. We must now push on to liberate Hulstria and Gao-Soto, reclaim our historic heritage, put our two legitimate Emperors back on their thrones and re-establish that moderate democratic government the world has a right to expect from us. And I'm honoured to be a part of it."