Dundorf

[MCHiggins]

DPD re-form, make return to national stage

A decade after disbanding, Herr Ludolf Aigels today announced the return to politics of the Demokratische Partei Dundorfs. Speaking from their party headquarters in Sudschloss-am-der-Czimnetz, Grozvic Muzelbergen, Herr Aigels made note of the important role the DPD (and the FPD before it) have played in Dundorfian politics having held the presidency on no less than 6 occasions, with the party often acting as a king-maker in the Senate. He cited the lack of genuine policy discussion and as a primary motivator behind the decision to re-form the party and build upon its successes.

This lack of political engagement is well known. Politics as we have known it has been at a near standstill over the past two years with little to no legislation being introduced for debate or vote. The recent departure of the SED from national politics has further compounded government inaction with vacancies in almost half of all senate seats and more than half of cabinet positions, including the major roles of Volkskanzler, Finance and Defence. Herr Aigels and the newly reformed DPD will likely look to take advantage of such inaction while leveraging the party's previous history in order to paint themselves as the movement of action and progress. As the first major party in a decade actively voicing the concerns of the political right, their return to the national spotlight may well be a successful one.

[MCHiggins]

Snap election returns increased majority for BLG; DPD make strong showing

The snap elections of 4282, called by Volkspräsident Damian Gel following the departure of the SED, has seen voters return the BLG to office with an increased majority. BLG seat losses in Oderveld and Zarkitsch were offset by large gains in Kronstein and Gayern, with their vote holding steady in Grozvic Muzelbergen. Despite their victory, questions will be asked about why the party only managed to pick up 6 additional seats considering the lack of credible alternative parties. The newly founded LWP, PdA and LUP were never expected to challenge for seats and the DPD were only an outside chance having been away from the political spotlight for the past decade. It remains to be seen what resulting tensions arise within the BLG over the coming parliamentary term.

The true success story of this election is the triumphant return of the DPD. Picking up over 48% of the vote, the party locked up majorities in the conservative south-east of the country and their leader, Ludolf Aigels, a relatively unknown figure on the national scene, made a bold play for the presidency, falling agonisingly short. All signs point to a continuing rivalry between the BLG and DPD which many hope will improve the quality and volume of political debate moving forward.

[Phil Piratin]

Communist Hot Air Balloon crashes into Karlstein Metz tree

[thefalloutfan101]

Neues Dundorf: Freier Dundorfischer Gewerkschaftsbund founded in BRD, clearly announces its initiative


“We operate on a platform that is similar to our comrades in the SED and the NAP, but our vision of the replacement for capitalism comes in the form of democratically governed trade and labor unions. The FDGB strives to construct a society which directly benefits the worker.”

Such words were spoken by Otto Steindorf, the FDGB’s candidate for Bundespräsident, upon the first Party Congress of the FDGB, a month after it’s formation in September. In a lucky press segment, reporters of Neues Dundorf were able to learn the expansive goals of the party, with the aforementioned emphasis on democratically governed unions, and other significant goals, with collectivization of banks, agriculture, heavy education reform, and liquidation of bourgeois property and collective ownership of upper class wealth all being mentioned. Other smaller party objectives pushed for a free healthcare system and greater social welfare to the working class. Then, in an articulate closing speech, Steindorf also announced that all current government offices would be renamed upon their election victory to further represent the proletariat, and even the official title of Dundorf, as well of the National Anthem, being changed. He also stated that the FDGB is a strong supporter of continued secularism at all governmental levels, and promoted the development of a strong defensive, as well as offensive military.


Generalsekretär der FDGB Otto Steindorf answering questions at the press conference

In a press conference immediately afterward, Neues Dundorf was briefly able to reach Mr. Steindorf for comment, and asked the following questions:

What exact ideology does your party identify with in left leaning politics?

Steindorf: Our party is largely syndicalist. Anarcho-Syndicalism is also somewhat prevalent in the FDGB.

Do you have any plans for cooperation with the SED and NAP?

Steindorf: We are fully in favor of cooperation with the SED, as well as the NAP. We hope to grant them some positions in cabinet upon our election victory, shared with our party.

Any thoughts on foreign affairs?

Steindorf: We believe Dundorf should be as it always has been: Isolationist. However, we are in favor of very limited interventionism in areas of such importance that may merit it. Dundorf can also achieve continued isolationism, but the military capabilities of the nation should be up to par. We hope to introduce mandatory conscription (preferrably of 18 months), but offer options to conscientious objectors as well; Under our jurisdiction, the army, navy, and air force will undergo numerous reforms to make it the most well-trained, well-armed defensive and offensive armed forces.

Unfortunately, that was all Mr. Steindorf could be reached for comment.

[thefalloutfan101]

Neues Dundorf: FDGB holds cabinet elections in their party headquarters, releases top cabinet picks to news outlets

ZERLIN, BRD: The FDGB, although a minority party, has pushed its agenda even further to win seats in the upcoming elections in 4306. In a special session of their party legislature, the Zentralkomitee, the top five governmental positions were picked, with Otto Steindorf becoming the candidate for Bundespräsident, Jürgen Kirschner as the candidate for Head of Government, Thorben Schwenke, previously an official for the party, now holds the candidacy for Foreign Affairs, Markus Wiesenthal as the candidate for Internal Affairs, a final candidate, for Defense, was also named: Anton Keßler. Previously a general during the time of the DDR, he switched parties to the FDGB not long after its foundation. With elections quickly approaching, each man set out on the campaign trail. Reporters from Neues Dundorf soon followed. As Otto Steindorf had clearly given his intentions for the FDGB at the first Party Congress, he did not campaign at the time of this publication.

Jürgen Kirschner, the candidate for Head of Government, made a televised address, speaking largely about implementing the party's key campaign goals. Neues Dundorf was unable to reach Mr. Kirschner for comment.


Jürgen Kirschner makes his televised address.


Thorben Schwenke campaigns directly to workers in Zerlin. Reporters were able to ask him two brief questions.

What is your campaign plan as minister of foreign affairs?

Schwenke: I have not fully made a prepared statement, but my goal for foreign policy is to further what Steindorf remarked at the first Party Congress: Continued isolationism, but very limited interventionism in extreme circumstances.

Many have remarked that our nation sits idle in the Artanian Union, and many wish for Dundorf to leave the AU. What is your stance on this?

Schwenke: A country can still maintain staunch isolationism, while being enrolled in a global alliance. Most likely, I will use my position to reaffirm Dundorf's position in the AU.

Mr. Schwenke and a small security detail of his quickly moved off into crowds of potential voters, whisking away an opportunity for Neues Dundorf to ask more questions.


Wiesenthal, moments before issuing a statement to Neues Dundorfs.

Markus Wiesenthal, candidate for Internal Affairs, followed in Herr Schwenke's footsteps, directly campaigning to voters. He declined to comment after Neues Dundorf attempted to interview him, but gave a brief statement.

"Make no mistake: You, the worker, will be safe. Our plan for Volkssicherheit, people's security, will come to force. The labor you partake in will be free from bourgeois corruption and greed. But we are not just committed to the homefront. We hope to enact legislature that gives our agency the freedom to protect workers worldwide. Capitalist greed will be crushed; The proletariat will truly be free."

Neues Dundorf suspected the statement was improvised. Herr Wiesenthal is likely to make a full, prepared statement later in the FDGB's campaign.

The last candidate, Anton Keßler, the nominee for Defense, made a rather controversial action, at least considered by some. He campaigned directly to military soldiers in the same uniform he wore in his time as a general during the DDR's existence. Possibly to invoke nostalgia amongst Dundorfian army divisions for the days of the DDR.


Herr Keßler speaks directly to soldiers, hoping to earn their campaign support.

As this was a military function, Neues Dundorf were unable to reach Keßler for comment.

[BananaZebra]

Neues Dundorf: Vote of No Confidence in NAP

Party leadership in the Nationale Arbeiterpartei have called a vote of no confidence against sitting Kanzler Etta Böhm after disastrous showings in the 4303 and 4306 elections. It was announced that by a vote of 57% to 43% the resolution would pass, and that effective immediately Vizekanzler Engel would become Acting Kanzler until leadership elections could take place. Böhm will retain her seat in the Bundestag, which she has held for over twenty years, but is now utterly disgraced from party leadership.

Neues Dundorf was able to reach acting Kanzler Engel, who was quoted as backing Friedrich Bauer, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, for the Kanzleramt. Many other high ranking party officials have cast their lots with Bauer, and Neues Dundorf predicts that he will come out victorious in the upcoming election. In a statement to the public, Bauer was sure to avoid the subject of Böhm, instead saying that he, "[wishes] all the best to all other candidates for the Kanzleramt, and [he hopes] to address the party and the workers as their Kanzler by January of 4307."

[BananaZebra]

NEUES DUNDORF: NAJWA AL-EMAMI BECOMES NAP NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIR


al-Emami's official portrait

In a historic move, Kanzler Friedrich Bauer has announced that he has confirmed Najwa al-Emami, a Majatran member of the Bundestag, as the chairwoman of the NAP National Committee. al-Emami became the first Majatran member of the NAP upon her election in 4309, and many hope she will continue to make history, with many in the Dundorfian Majatran community hoping she may one day be president.


al-Emami speaking at her inauguration

In a speech before the NAP, al-Emami said, "I was born in this country as the daughter of poor immigrants. I am here to provide a voice for those who don't have one, those who can't speak out. Whether they're afraid, or they simply cannot, I am here to say, look what happens when you do!"

[thefalloutfan101]

Neues Dundorf: FDGB holds leadership elections, party names new Generalsekretär and Stellvertretender Generalsekretär

Party representatives from the Zentralkomitee of the FDGB have held their first election for new leaders. Lower positions that were previously nominated as cabinet picks, still hold their offices. The new Generalsekretär, Eike Schäfer, surprised the party, as he represented a newly formed faction of the party, the Metzist Communists, who advocate for full integration of Metz's works and the abolishment of the bourgeois state. Previously, syndicalists had held an extremely large majority, with over 70% of representatives belonging to said faction. The election of Schäfer marks a significant divergence in FDGB ideology. Instead of promoting power to collectivized unions, the party is likely to shift towards communism—and may interact well with the SED.


Genosse Eike addresses the Zentralcomitee upon his victory in the elections.

In his victory address to the FDGB, he shocked the crowd when he began to critique the shortcomings of policy integration and overall failure for genuine promotion of an "Arbeiter und Bauernstaat"—Worker and peasant state. He encouraged his comrades in the Metzist faction to vote for the liquidation of the syndicalist faction and subsequently the anarcho-syndicalists. He argued that the syndicalists had pushed a hardline agenda, but did not fully adhere to Metz's works. "They'd rather read the first few chapters, and rip out the rest!" Schäfer exclaimed. The crowd quickly descended into shouting and bickering. After settling down the crowd, Schäfer spoke at length about the future of the FDGB. Neues Dundorf was able to receive a transcript of the policy changes to come.

"FIrst and foremost, with my ascension to Generalsekretär, and after such a radical ideological change has swept through the party, it shall no longer be known as the 'Freier Dundorfischer Gewerkschaftsbund'. A more fitting name, to fit our ideology, is the 'Volks Kommunistische Partei von Dundorf'—People's Communist Party of Dundorf. Secondly, I highly encourage my comrades in the Metzist faction to call to vote the dissolution of both syndicalist factions. You may bicker and protest, but it is you who haven't fulfilled the goals of Metz! How are we to create the workers state if you give up after halfway through?! Thirdly, we are to obviously shift party agenda away from syndicalism and into communism. Full abolishment of the bourgeois state. We will certainly become more active in proposing legislature to the Bundestag, despite risking it being knocked down by the capitalist opposition parties. However, if we are to win in the elections, the beginning of adoption to full communism will occur, starting with—and yes, this may be controversial to the capitalists watching at home, the liquidation of private property from corporations, and seizing the means of production. Let us be quick and expedient in changing our platform, as since the snap elections, we have only two years to drum up support amongst the masses.

And to you, the people of Dundorf, and all of Terra, who may be watching: Workers of the world, unite! Long live Metz!"

Schäfer then raised his left hand and balled it into a fist, with his speech being met with uproarious applause by what seems to be the new majority faction of the FDGB.

The newly elected Stellvertretender Generalsekretär—Deputy General Secretary, surprisingly was none other than Thorben Schwenke. After losing 16 seats in the snap elections of 4309, Schwenke became skeptical in the willingness of the FDGB to promote syndicalism and commit to passing legislature representing said policies. He then decided to meet with the future Generalsekretär and secretly join the Metzists. After accepting the nomination, his victory speech spoke at mostly the same volumes as Schäfer. But he spoke that he hoped to keep two policies the same in the newly formed VKPD. The continuation of secularism, with an ultimate goal of establishing state atheism for the Party, and all governmental levels, and the invigoration of Dundorf's army in both offensive and defensive combat. He also spoke of wishing to pass border regulations as well, establishing armed Grenztruppen to patrol the borders.


The "Most dramatic picture of the evening", a name quickly given by journalists. Herr Schwenke intimidatingly stares directly at a journalist's camera.

Shortly after both victory speeches were heard, an impromptu Party Congress was called, with ultimately two options being given to the syndicalists. They could either join the newly formed VKPD, as now at this point they were outcasts in their own building, or have their factions liquidated and more communists fill the ranks. Over an estimated 80% of anarcho-syndicalists and syndicalists combined voted for membership with the communists. The remaining 5% were absorbed by the totalist wing. The socialist and social democratic wings were dissolved by Schäfer, and the totalists also absorbed the radical socialist faction, raising their size to an estimated 16%. The communists now have overwhelming majority in the new party, at approximately 86%. As anxiously as Neues Dundorf wished to interview the two men, the Party Congress was concluded, and were unable to reach them for comment.

[thefalloutfan101]

Neues Dundorf: Otto Steindorf resigns as member of the Zentralkomitee der VKPD, VKPD wins two Bundesstaatpräsident positions

A wave of celebrations fell over the Party Headquarters of the Volks Kommunistische Partei von Dundorf, after the 4315 elections, the new party that formed out of the ashes of the FDGB won an astounding 52 seats in the elections. A Party Conference was held, with a jubilant Eike Schäfer conducting a victory speech, ending with resounding applause. In the months that followed, the VKPD introduced legislature that was surprisingly met with support by opposition parties, such as their Equal Power Bill, which introduced law to combine the offices of Bundespräsident and Bundeskanzler into one singular office. The party also introduced a successful tobacco ban, and eased the laws on cannabis smoking, citing tobacco as a much more harmful substance than cannabis. In November 4315, former Generalsekretär of the FDGB, Otto Steindorf, announced his resignation, citing poor health as the cause. He conducted one final speech thanking his comrades for victory in the elections, and encouraged the party to strive for their goals of a worker and peasant state. Steindorf is replaced by his young son, Ernst Steindorf.


Steindorf conducts a heartfelt resignation speech, at a party function in November 4315.

The party had also won two Bundesstaatpräsident positions, both being vacant for several months, until the Zentralkomitee appointed two members to the posts. Steindorf's son, Ernst, was not present, as he had been away on vacation. Nonetheless, whilst being absent, the Zentralkomitee appointed him a member after his father's resignation, and subesquently promoted to the post of Bundesstaatpräsident for his home state of Gayern. Tobias Geissler, a former member of the old guard of the FDGB, was appointed as the Bundesstaatpräsident of Grozvic Muzelbergen. Ernst, only the age of 37, is the youngest member of the Zentralkomitee, and subsequently, the youngest Bundesstaatpräsident of Dundorf. Tobias Geissler, having been present for the Party Conference, spoke mainly about integration of Metzism for his state. The later sessions of the Conference drifted to matters on the upcoming celebrations for Metz's birthday, in 4318.


Ernst Steindorf, captured in photograph by reporters at his vacation home, contemplates his new position, having been informed by his father.


Herr Geissler lays down information about the state-level reforms to come for Grozvic Muzelbergen.

[thefalloutfan101]

Neues Dundorf:VKPD sees disastrous results in the 4318 elections, vows to push policy further

A bitter but optimistic Eike Schäfer addressed his comrades in the Party Headquarters of the VKPD after receiving the final election results for the May 4318 elections. He announced that the party had suffered a disastrous loss of over 82 seats in the Bundestag. Herr Schäfer vowed that to succeed, the VKPD must push its policies further, campaigning year-round in each of the individual Dundorfian states, and regularly introducing legislature. He also called to attention the Karlstein Metz day celebrations, announcing that the Karlstein Metz statue had finally been delivered, after years of wait. He then ushered crowds outside, and unveiled the statue. Neues Dundorf was able to hear his speech, and have attached a transcript.

"Comrades, I stand to you as an honest man. Contrast to the 4315 elections, our party has performed poorly, there's no misinterpreting that. But I am optimistic. If we are to push our ideology further, regularly put forth legislation to the Bundestag, regardless of the threat we stand of it being struck down. The fact that we are trying to make the Dundorfian people's lives better through Metzism will influence their decisions in the elections. With these bourgeois parties in power, they will continue to worsen the quality of life for the public. And, the comments I say now are likely to cause controversy, but I may bluntly say—The hell with it! The DPD continues to push their ridiculous libertarian policies of total privatization, which will enslave the proletariat to corporatism! Read my lips: The freer the market, the more oppressed the people! So I say not only to the DPD, but to the KHU, DVP, and the recently formed MPfG—Your days are numbered. The true Dundorf is one basking in the immortal glory of Metzism. Capitalism can only last so long before it starts to devolve into corporatism. The fact that the DPD has repeatedly introduced said policies stands as a testament to that. So today, comrades, on the day of Metz's birth, let us commit to spreading Metzism across Dundorf, and work towards a socialist victory and the return of the DDR."


An emboldened Generalsekretär Schäfer promises further action in the VKPD.

The emboldened speech given by Schäfer indicates that the VKPD is following a more active policy towards the Bourgeois bloc parties. It seems that the party will campaign for the 4321 elections, effectively after this Party Conference. The party of currently 17 seats in the Bundestag faces fierce opposition—The DPD, the highlight of Schäfer's speech, retains 155 seats in the Bundestag, making them a tough competitor. Whatever the future holds for the VKPD, it seems that it is committed to spreading Metzism across Dundorf.