Ostland

[Auditorii]

Ostland Allgemeine Zeitung
Grand Duke elevated to Archduke; Parliament passes constitutional amendments.
January, 5270 (Backdated)

Wolfsheim - Grand Duke Franz VII announced in early January, 5370 that he would be calling a meeting of all nobles in Ostland to meet in Wolfsheim to discuss the future of the Grand Duchy of Ostland. Franz VII, a proponent of "Hulstrianization", petitioned the collection of nobles regarding his titles, currently the Grand Duke of Ostland and Prince of Touryou. Laurenz von Seidler, a lesser noble of the court, suggested that the Grand Duke adopt the title of Archduke in favor of the title of Grand Duke, which was not particularly used by the Hulstrian nobility and often associated with "foreign" titles. An overwhelming majority offered to "upgrade" or "promote" the Grand Duke to the title of Archduke and formally recognize the Grand Duchy of Ostland as the Archduchy of Ostland, a significant development given the deep cultural ties that Ostlander's have kept with their Hulstrian counter-parts. In recent years the Ostlandic government has had an influx of Hulstrians, typically conservative Hulstrians, who have fled the nation in favor of "sanity" in Ostland. The Grand Duke willingly accepted the promotion and the Staatsminister, Luka Mateschitz, and the Eastern Land Council passed a resolution adopting the now Archdukes titles, congratulating him on his promotion. In Hulstrian nobility culture an Archduke is often see as the level of a King, a Prince and a Grand Duke in some circles.

The Staatsminister also announced that the Eastern Land Council had adopted another set of amendments to the Constitution of the Grand Duchy of Ostland, the most notable being the title change to the Archduchy of Ostland. Representatives also enacted another change, altering the title of the legislature from the Eastern Land Council to a more traditional, Parliament (Hulstrian; Parlament). During the opening plenary session of the new Ostlandic Parliament, the Staatsminister who presided over confirmed that a number of political parties and political organizations had merged. The Landbund and the East Hulstrian Workers' Party had merged and formed the East Hulstrian Land Association (Hulstrian: Osthulsterreicher Landbund; OHLB), merging together their positions. The Political Leadership Corps announced that they would continue, the Hosian Democratic Alliance and the Ostland People's Party announced a merger forming the Hosian People's Party (Hulstrian: Hosianische Volkspartei; HVP) providing a significant boost to their membership and leadership. The People's Alliance '79, the Social Democratic Party of Ostland and New Dawn remained independent and did not merge.

[Auditorii]

Wolfsheimer Wirtschaftszeiten
The Wolfsheim Economic Times is a business focused newspaper in Ostland.
Kentaro Nakagawa announces formation of new automobile company, Archduke and Crown Prince on site for ground-breaking. | JULY 5374


The concept for the Nakagawa Z, a sports car that drawn the interest of the Crown Prince and flagship sports car of the new Nakagawa Motor Corporation.

Jamidaka - Nakagawa Kentaro, a Kunihito industrialist announced the formation of Nakagawa Motor Corporation located in the southern portion of Ostland, located in the former capital of the Touryou State, Jamidaka. Nakagawa has been involved in the design and production of motor vehicles and automobiles for several decades now and following financing from several banks in Ostland, announced his own company. Nakagawa was a research and design specialist of New Motors Corporation (Kunikata: Nyūmōtāzu kabushikigaisha; ニューモーターズ株式会社 ) commonly called "Nyukabu", which previously had drawn a lot of attention but failed to produce any vehicles and mostly served as a research and development corporation.

The initial lineup of vehicles includes an electric vehicle known as the Leaf, the Rogue and the sports car, the Z. Nakagawa, after meeting with the Archduke, was appreciative to announce that he had received approval by the government to begin breaking ground on a large-scale headquarters based in Jamidaka. The construction, expected to begin in July 5374 and be completed in July, 5376 will be one of the largest construction projects in Ostland in several centuries and has earned the attention of the Ostlandic Parliament, and several prominent investors in Ostland who are eager for the development of an automotive industry in Ostland as a sort of "economic revival" for the nation. Archduke Franz VII and Crown Prince Godric were seen reviewing prototype models of the vehicles and the Crown Prince requested that the first Z that comes off the line, he'd like to purchase it. Nakagawa also announced that he had partnered with Ostlandic financiers Yamanami Norinaga and Luis Ransmayr to create a financial service component of the company, allowing the company to directly finance the purchasing of vehicles.

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Hosian Democratic Alliance Wins Elections in Ostland Promising "Security" Despite the Growing Turmoil in Hulstria


Reiner Weisz the newly elected President of the Eastern Land Council Addressing the Council in an emergency session on the situation in Hulstria

April 6th 5408

Ostland finished general elections with a massive surge in the seats for the Hosian Democratic Alliance (HDA). The previous Government was led by a coalition between the People's Alliance (PA) (Center Left) and the Social Democratic Party of Ostland (SDPO) (Social Democratic-Center Left) which held a precarious coalition and were being attacked on all flanks by the HDA and especially the Political Leadership Corps, VDKV (PLC/VDKV). They main area of contention was the ongoing situation happening in Hulstria in which the "state of Mikuni" seceded from Hulstria. The Government did not take action at the time at first stunned by the ongoing developments and condemned both sides. This did not fly for many nationalistic Ostlanders who see the Mikuni as a major problem for Ostland. The HDA is led by Right Wing politician Reiner Weisz who has called for a complete border closure with Hulstria and the deployment of the Landwehr to the border to ensure stability for the Grand Duchy of Ostland. The far-right in the country have called for Ostlander intervention in the situation calling for a "return to order" in Hulstria being needed however this has largely been ignored by the incoming Government as Hulstria and Ostland are both in the Western Dovani Union.

Elections show that the HDA won big however a coalition with the Ostland People's Party (OPP) being nessisary. Both parties came out strong in the election with Ostlanders growing concern for Hulstria dominating political discussion in the Crownland.

Ostland General Election, May 5408
Hosian Democratic Alliance (HDA; Hosian democracy, right-wing): 150
Ostland People's Party (OVP; Conservative, Ostlandic nationalism, center-right/right-wing): 100
People's Alliance '79(OK/VA; Ostlandic nationalism, ordoliberalism, center-left): 68
Political Leadership Corps, VDKV (PLC/VDKV; Hulstro-Kaiserism, conservative, right-wing): 56
Social Democratic Party of Ostland (SDPO; social democracy, center-left/left-wing): 54
East Hulstrian Workers' Party (OAP; Hulstrian nationalism, far-right): 13
New Dawn (ND; Kunihito nationalism, conservative, right-wing): 7
Landbund (LB; Hulstrofascism, agrarianism, right-wing/far-right): 2
Total seats: 450

The Social Democrats saw significant losses in support from the elections fueled by Ostlanders anxiety on the situation of Hulstria, one that they for multiple reasons decided not to act on. Now political commentators are saying that this result is the "blunder of the century" for the Social Democrats as it saw the first time a Left leaning government had won in Ostland for some time but the complete mishandling of the Hulstria situation will certainly leave its mark on the Social Democrats for some time to come. Support for the Mikuni state inside of Ostland is practically nonexistent with Ostlanders feeling proud and independent from their previous Hulstrian overlords however there was some support from the New Dawn with its former leader Fukushima Okitsugu saying

We believe that Ostland should not interfere in other states affairs however I personally support the new Mikuni state and that many in the Kunihito population of Ostland support you as well.

Clearly the support was not there as he was immediately sacked by fellow party member Yoichi Narumi who would become the new party leader. She called the statement "tomfoolery" and that reconciliation between Mikuni and Hulstria is the best way forward for the country.

Currently the opposition in Parliament is the People's Alliance '79 (PA) which for the first time is higher than the Social Democrats. Party leader Sylvia Kalkbrenner has sprung up from political obscurity to now leading her party as well as leading the opposition. She has balanced support for a unified Hulstria with taking a firm stance of no Ostland intervention calling that the "red line we should not cross". She has been outspoken in support of Democracy in Hulstria however and wants to do the same in Ostland.


The defacto leader of the opposition parties Sylvia Kalkbrenner

The Arch Duke of Ostland Franz VIIl has also stepped in to the situation releasing a statement calling for "cooler heads to prevail" in Hulstria. A snippet of his statement is below

I urge peace and diplomacy in Hulstria during this time of instability. Ostland and Hulstria share a personal, intimate connection and we believe it best for Hulstria to get back together than to stay separated. I hope that cooler heads will prevail in this situation. My family and I will be keeping the good people of Hulstria and Gao-Soto in our prayers as should all the people of Ostland.

Reiner Weisz will be making changes soon that will change Ostland's situation related to Hulstria already promising on "the return to peace" on the Ostland-Hulstrian border. The impacts of this could be varied between Ostland and Hulstria depending on which path the President takes.

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Ostland Deploys Landwehr to Hulstrian Border and Closes Border Between the Two Countries


Special Forces of the Ostland Landwehr Deploy to the Hulstrian Border to Ensure Security

May 12th 5408

President of the Eastern Land Council Reiner Weisz in coordination with the Chief of the General Staff Valle Kleinheisterkamp has announced the deployment of 1000 Landwehr troops to the Hulstrian-Ostland border as a way of ensuring security for the Grand Duchy of Ostland. The plan was approved by Arch Duke Franz VIIl and something promised by Weisz for years at this point. The border was also completely shut down except to those seeking asylum in Ostland which will be limited to a strict quota.

Besides this President Weisz made a formal statement in the Parliament of the Western Dovani Union calling for the end of ethnic tensions in Hulstria and the unity of the country once again. He said that border closures and troops will be stationed until Hulstria has proven to Ostland that it has done this.

Dear Members of this assembly,

Ostland is deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in Hulstria. We in Ostland feel the ethnic crisis in Hulstria is uneeded and dangerous for Dovani and especially the Hulstrian and Kunihito ethnic groups which reside in both of our countries. We will immediately be deploying the Landwehr to the Hulstrian border and we will be insisting that Mikuni and Hulstria begin to go to the table for peace. Ostland will not let any spillage of this conflict go to our soil and we remain committed to helping our former motherland Hulstria though this. We only recognize the legitamate government in Kien as we were once a Crownland and we have deep ties to the Hulstrian and Gao-Showan nation as a whole. For now we urge peace and we offer our services for this.

Thank You

The forces along the border are made up of special forces mainly and those who can react and defend against anything that might occur along the border. Mainline divisions of armor and other assets are behind these troops and will be called upon if nessisary if an undesirable outcome was to prevail.

Weisz spoke to the Eastern Land Council today telling them that these were "necessary decisions" to ensure the security and sovereignty of the Ostland state.

Our intelligence informs us that things are changing and happening fast in Hulstria. It is clear that for the foreseeable future instability and ethnic tensions will run rampant. As apart of our goal of stabilizing our neighbors and protecting Hulstrian ethnic groups inside Hulstria Ostland is committed to peace and stability in the region. The Government has not shown us they are capable of this and the country is still split along ethnic lines something that is unacceptable...

As of now we will be sending formation of Ostlander troops to ensure that Ostland is safe and secure from anything that may happen in Hulstria. We cannot let the events there spill into our country and we will not be drug into another conflict by Hulstria and we are strong, independent and proud of who we are. Hulstria for many years has seen us as an extension of them however we are Ostlanders and we control our own destiny. The instability in Hulstria is a threat to our nation and we will do everything we can to promote peace and stability but protecting Ostland comes first!

Opposition parties have also agreed following news of a reported coup in Hulstria further dividing the nation and creating yet another faction in the dynamic Hulstrian situation.

For now Ostland will be stand strong and with its new Government not afraid to stand up to Hulstria if it must. Ostland is committed to peace in Dovani and the new Government has spearheaded efforts to maintain peace in Ostland first followed by the surrounding region as apart of Ostland's foreign and domestic policy.

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Ostland Archduke Franz Vlll and Consort Visit Nsanlosa to Rekindle Ties between the Two Countries


Archduke Franz Vlll and his wife Princess Consort Enna

September 4th 5408

Archduke Franz Vlll announced today he will be visiting Nsanlosa as a gesture of peace, friendship and goodwill on behalf of the Archduchy of Ostland. The visit lasted for 3 days and the Archduke visited with the President Von Meyer of Nsanlosa and the government. The Archduke decided going to Nsanlosa would be a good move as both nations once were in the Greater Hulstrian Empire and are looking for a new path forward in the ever changing world of Dovani.

While in Nsanlosa the Archduke kindled relations with the new Nsanlosan Government and helped foster new trade and economic relations between the two nations. More importantly he spoke about how Nsanlosa and Ostland could in the future become allies in Dovani due to their similar ideologies and similar cultural backgrounds and shared history. He pledged Ostland's support in Nsanlosa securing itself and dealing with rebels and uprisings, the Ostlander military is one of the best in Dovani and highly trained on putting down uprisings. Franz would make a short speech thanking the President and the officials that he met with saying,

The people of Nsanlosa have been very welcoming. My wife and I thank you all for your kindness. The truth is Nsanlosa and Ostland are similar as we have a shared history both being in the Greater Hulstrian Empire and having major Dundorf/Hulstrian cultural influences. Ostland is ready and willing to cooperate and become closer tied to Nsanlosa as we have seen that you want Dovani to be stable along with us. It is clear that it would be best if we established closer ties and economic relations. On behalf of my Government I would like to announce that we will be lifting tariffs on all Nsanlosan goods coming into Ostland and encouraging trade and business between our two states. We also pledge our military in helping Nsanlosa achieve stability. We hope these things will help our friends here in Nsanlosa and together Ostland and Nsanlosa can help shape a new prosperous chapter for Dovani.

Thank You

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Ostland Sends Team of Election Certification Committee to Nsanlosa - Declares Elections to be Accurate, without Fraud and Legitimate


Ostland Election Certification Team in Nsanlosa

August 5th 5409

The Ostland Government has sent a team of election graders known as an "Election Certification Team" after claims of there being election fraud have come up in the State of Nsanlosa. The committee found some problems with outdated election counting equipment but overall the process and security was in good order and in top notch state. The election committee recommended that Nsanlosa upgraded its elections equipment however they also stated that they were "deeply impressed" by Nsanlosan election integrity.

Chairwomen Kristina Scholz spoke to local media saying that the committee was deeply invested in ensuring election integrity and that the elections in Nsanlosa "should not be questioned" as the "Government took every measure to ensure that free democratic elections were held". They also stated that Ostland is "committed to ensuring peaceful, fair and accurate democratic elections in Dovani" and that "Nsanlosa has a bright future ahead of it". Any doubts these elections were legitimate should be calmed by the findings of the committee with Scholz saying that "election fraud claims are unfounded".

The two countries have grown closer economically ever since the Archduke went to Nsanlosa and public opinion of Nsanlosa is high from Ostlanders with many thinking they are the next growing power in Eastern Dovani.


The Chairwomen of the Committee sent to Nsanlosa Kristina Scholz

Scholz has worked in the Ostland Government for 40 years and has worked to stop election fraud and election integrity. She is one of the foremost minds on the subject. She is apart of a growing group of Ostland Government and public service officials who believe Ostland has a place in Dovani to broker peace and democracy across the continent.

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President of the Eastern Land Council is Sacked Minister of Transportation Becomes President


Ostland's new President of the Eastern Land Council Kristine Bierwirth

October 4th 5414

In a surprising announcement the sitting President of the Eastern Land Council Reiner Weisz was sacked under growing pressure from his party for change. The move comes as he was viewed as more and more of a liability inside of the leading Hosian Democratic Alliance. The HDA currently is holding together a coalition government with the Ostland People's Party but Weisz was catering more towards the far-right parties in Ostland something the rest of the HDA is extremely leery of.

He is replaced by the rising figure of Kristine Bierwirth the former Minister of Transportation. She has become a rising figure inside of the party as a deal maker and a master of internal Realpolitik. She managed as Transportation Minister to quell the workers unions and the payers of the public transportation system and was able to broker a deal that has made the Ostland Public Transit system better and more efficient then arguably at any point in it's history.

She has also called for increased involvement in the unification of Hulstria a process that is ongoing and will continue to be an active role in stabilizing the region. She has also been a firm proponent of Ostland military expansion and a complete modernization of the Ostland Defense Force. She has also called for increased cooperation with the other states of the WDU and a more active role for Ostland in the WDU.

In her first speech as President she called for "a continuation of Ostland stability" and that "Ostland will continue to lead Dovani towards peace and prosperity". She is proponent of Ostland's intervention into regional affairs especially in situations that could destabilize the region.

Polls show that she is quite popular along with the ruling HDA. The Ostland's participation in ending the conflict in Hulstria has helped the Government to ride a wave of high approval ratings that has not stopped and will seemingly not stop anytime soon. The HDA in power in Ostland will lead to more stability and a slow emergence of the Archduchy of Ostland back into both the regional and international picture once again. With Kristine Bierwirth at the helm Ostland will be headed towards further emergence from isolation.

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Archduke of Ostland Franz Vlll Passes Away at 64


Archduke Franz Vlll has passed away in his sleep

October 12th 5421

Great sadness for the Archduchy of Ostland. The Archduke of Ostland Franv the Vlll has passed away at the age of 64 from natural causes. The Prince has been a symbol of stability and grace in Ostland and has provided the country with a leader that people can look up to and support. He was the essence of stability in not only Ostland but in Dovani as a whole. He was a quiet man reserved and someone who cared about his family and his faith more than anything. His family was the center of his life.

The Duke leaves the country behind with the legacy as the one who helped bring Ostland out of isolationism and someone who stood for democracy across Dovani as well as bringing peace and stability to Western Dovani. He is left by his son Archduke Ernest Louis who becomes the next Archduke of Ostland at the age of 25. He is married to Duchess Consort Karolin whom he married 7 months ago. The young Archduke will lead a country that is rising in Dovani and will need to fill the legacy of his father in preserving Ostland's greatness for generations to come.

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Again???? Ostland Secures Border with Hulstria Following Fascist Takeover


The President of the Eastern Land Council Kristine Bierwirth has announced that the Ostlander Army has been sent to the Hulstrian Border following rumored Ethnic Violence and Fascist tyranny once again

September 22nd 5422

Yet again the Red Headed stepchild of Dovani, Hulstria has reverted back to ethnic cleansing and violence. The new Fascist Government has reportedly ended Democracy in the country and is bringing the country back to totalitarianism, violence and crimes against humanity. To prevent this violence from spilling over in a move similar to the one taken mere years ago in 5408 by the previous Government. The Ostland Government is deeply concerned by the rhetoric from Hulstria once again where this new Government says that they are "we are very keen to enable the future of a pure Hulstrian state". In response to this the Ostland Government led by President Kristine Bierwirth announced that the Ostland Defense Force will be fully mobilized along the Hulstrian-Ostland frontier. The forces will be there to oversee the closure of the border once again and to defend against any action taken on the border from the Hulstrian side.

Bierwirth made a speech condemning the Hulstrian fascists and declaring Ostland's intentions.

The situation in Hulstria is very concerning and a threat to the security of the Ostland State. Time and time again we have seen Ostland delve into ethnic violence and hate when they have seen that coming together and diplomacy has been what has healed Hulstria in times previous. Now they have stopped Democracy in the country, the way the citizens of Hulstria can determine what they want to see in government. By crushing democracy and threatening ethnic cleansing they are sliding back to being in a dangerous situation. Ostland will not put up with this and we will ensure that stability is maintained in the region at any cost.

The President of the Eastern Land Council Kristine Bierwirth

Ostland is clear that it will not tolerate violence on its border and is prepared to take actions nessisary to make sure that peace is maintained in the region. Bierwirth's latest actions and speech solidify this fact.

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Ostland to Reinforce Border Forces with 1st Panzer Divsion


Dorvish made Leopard 2's are the main backbone of the Ostlander armored corp

March 1st 5423

Following increased madness inside of Hulstria the Ostland defense force has increased its troop strength along the border. More importantly the Ostland Defense force has stationed the Ostlander First Panzer Division along the border to better protect the integrity and security of the Ostlander state from the radicals in Kien. Recent insane proposals from the Hulstrian Government has seen a mass increase of refugees into Ostland in which the border patrol and Ostlander Armed Forces have made sure to protect and process them in a quick manner. The tank division will only be used in a strategic strike into the Hulstrian interior in which it will catch the Hulstrians by surprise or in a defensive action.

The Ostlader authorities have stated that the situation along the border is under control but still a very scary situation. Many people are trying to escape the reported genocide, forced use of drugs and a multitude of other war-crimes. As of now Ostland will filter refugees to other states and remain committed to protecting their own country from the insanity taking place in Hulstria.

Ostland has also asked for aid from the Western Dovani Union in helping the Archduchy control the crisis. The Western Dovani Unions is monitoring the situation along with the rest of the international community but Ostlander authorities wish that more could be done to protect civilians. For now however Ostland is waiting and seeing what Hulstria does next. Its leadership and structure is weak and unstable. For now tensions are high but controllable on the Ostlander side and it looks like that will be maintained into the future.