First Federal Election Held, Republican Julius Stuhr elected Federal PresidentThe first ever federal elections have been held today on the 7th August 4389, with the Republican Party winning all seats in the Federal Diet and Council, as well as the presidency. This comes as a historic day in Hulstrian history, a nation which for so long has had a monarchistic form of government, which is now, finally a Presidential Republic.
Federal President Stuhr, had this to say of the historic occasion;
Today the people of Hulstria and Gao-Soto have demonstrated their rights as citizens of this great nation, to elect a head of state for the first time in almost 300 years. May the election today be regarded as a new beginning for Hulstria, one of responsible government, by the people and for the people, in accordance with modern progressive values.
However, there has been some criticism of the elections amongst monarchist elements within the country, many touting the low turn out for the election as a sign of general monarchist tendencies within the populous. Only time will tell if new political parties rise to reestablish the monarchy once more.
President Weighs in On Massa Plan, Supports Istalian PresidentThe newly elected Federal President, in a recent interview with the Chronik, stated that he supports the Istalian President's position on negotiations. After being asked what Hulstria's policy concerning the Saridan-Hawu Mumendes crisis shall be, President Stuhr stated;
I believe that President Massa has the right idea. Regimes such as Saridan can be disarmed not only by force, but also by negotiation. A war in Seleya would be disastrous for all sides, and for Terra as a whole. Any negotiation which limits violence, while also decreasing the negative impacts of Saridan's racial policies, must be supported.
When asked about the position Hawu Mumendes is taking, Stuhr said;
The Sovereign Lands Group has its heart in the right place, but it needs to think very clearly about what effects its aggressive policies could have on the people suffering under Saridan's Apartheid regime. In a hostage situation, negotiation is key, sometimes storming the building guarantees civilian deaths, even if the perpetrators are killed. The Saridan situation is the perfect case of where invasion would simply lead to genocide. Better to limit casualties than take a large step with serious ramifications. Their threatening of Istalia in this is also an incredibly dangerous move, one which could turn a small scale conflict into a global disaster.
When asked about the number of refugees, and where they could go, Stuhr stated;
These things are up to negotiation. However, the government of Hulstria and Gao-Soto is willing to help in anyway it can.