New Englia

[Pragma]

Huuge Muule to represent New Englia with "No One To Rely On"
December 4896



New Englia will send Huuge Muule to FOMAT in Cobura, it has been confirmed today. The group's song, "No One To Rely On", will fly the flag for New Englia after the country achieved a fourth-place position in the last edition - sixteen entries competed. The entry is in Luthorian, though the group's lead singer is a native Kilani speaker. The broadcaster responsible for New Englia's entries has confirmed that their policy is to send Luthorian and Kilani-language songs in rotation to represent both communities. Huuge Muule released a statement on social media thanking fans for their support and promising to achieve a strong result for their native home.

The Ardue Star (Realta na hArdubha) is a Kilani-language newspaper in New Englia. It focuses on news and politics from a New Englian Kirlawan perspective.

OOC note: as the host of this FOMAT, I will not be judging my own song. New Englia's entry will be judged entirely by the public vote, comprised of other players.

[Pragma]

New Englia to send Kathrine Ní Aoin with "Múscail, A Ghrá" to FOMAT
May 4899



New Englian singer Kathrine Ní Aoin will represent the country in its third FOMAT participation. Their song, "Múscail, A Ghrá" (translation: "Wake Up, My Love") is a folky, Kilani-language track that was showcased live on broadcast television this afternoon. Kathrine Ní Aoin is a respected Kirlawan singer with a cult following developed over two decades of musical experience, and she has had a number of hits on the Kilani-language charts. The song is entirely in Kilani, continuing the tradition of New Englia selecting songs of different languages in turns.

The Ardue Star (Realta na hArdubha) is a Kilani-language newspaper in New Englia. It focuses on news and politics from a New Englian Kirlawan perspective.

[Pragma]

Rift opens between federal and state governments over abortion law
December 4899

The rift between federal Prime Minister O'Heyne and Ardtailte First Minister Caitlin Ní Maotháin has grown after the passing of a controversial abortion law in the northern region of New Englia. The law, which forbids abortion in all circumstances besides a health risk to the mother, has sharply split public opinion throughout the nation and was pushed through the state assembly in a sudden move by the First Minister. Ní Maotháin, whose party is in a national coalition with the PM's, has defended the law change as a reflection of the 'Hosian values of the Kirlawan people in this country'. The Prime Minister is reportedly furious about the decision, as she was not consulted beforehand and strongly opposes the law as an infringement on the reproductive rights of women.

New Englia is an officially secular state, though the regional governments maintain the right to change cultural and social policy independent of the national government. First Minister Ní Maotháin has made no secret of her party's intention to transform the northern region of Ardtailte into a religiously inspired state, though she has narrowly avoided legal defeats over previous changes to social policy in the region. The First Minister has yet to announce her plans for the upcoming federal election, but remains unlikely to run for a seat in the federal parliament. A run for the largely ceremonial role of President is also unlikely, as Ní Maotháin seems satisfied with her current political positioning.

The Ardue Star (Realta na hArdubha) is a Kilani-language newspaper in New Englia. It focuses on news and politics from a New Englian Kirlawan perspective.

[Pragma]

Organised crime 'worsening' in rural areas
November 4902

According to a report by Ardue University, commissioned by the federal Ministry of Justice, the situation regarding organised crime is 'worsening' in rural areas throughout the country but particularly in the north. Rates of gang violence have increased despite a decrease in the level of poverty, with the illegal drug trade becoming a major catalyst for violence. It is understood that many crime syndicates have gained access to illegal arms from North Dovani, which they are purportedly using these weapons in wars over territory and drug supplies. The report also found that police officers charged fighting organised crime had acted 'incompetently', leading to questions of corruption being raised by figures in the government.

The increase in organised crime has been particularly hard felt in parts of the rural north, despite the levels of economic deprivation in some of these towns decreasing. Critics have accused First Minister Ní Maotháin of 'turning a blind eye' to organised crime in the north, a charge that the FM has aggressively rejected. Ní Maotháin had commissioned a pre-emptive counter-report which showed figures indicating that quality of life had 'significantly improved' in areas that the Ardue University report had suggested as being particularly vulnerable to gang activity. The commissioning of this report has been denounced by the federal government, which is led by a centre-left election coalition.

Historically, the northern rural and small town areas have struggled with organised crime. Many residents feel a sense of allegiance to a particular group, while young men who are disaffected are preyed upon to join in on criminal activity. Drug addiction is also a key problem in rural areas, as facilities for treatment are rare in New Englia. This, combined with apparent corruption among figures in the police department, has led to a resurgence in organised crime despite other positive trends in the north.

The Ardue Star (Realta na hArdubha) is a Kilani-language newspaper in New Englia. It focuses on news and politics from a New Englian Kirlawan perspective.

[Pragma]

Journalists decry 'intimidation' in Ardtailte
December 4906

Journalists in the northern region of Ardtailte have written an open letter condemning 'intimidation' from supporters of the long-standing regional First Minister, Caitlin Ní Maotháin. They allege that supporters of Ní Maotháin have targeted journalists critical of the FM with threats, some being violent. According to the signatories, the government has not taken any serious action to combat the wave of threats and inflammatory rhetoric with some backbench members of the Inár Lámha governing party being accused of inciting and parroting the rhetoric themselves.

The letter comes after a year of virulent public debate around the future of the northern region and the apparent illiberalism of the local governing party. A number of reporters in the north have criticised the regional government for alleged corruption, infecting law enforcement and other officials. Ní Maotháin herself has been written about extensively regarding her purported ties to organised crime groups and her lack of action in condemning verbal attacks against opposition figures. The FM denies these charges but admits that the 'fractious and aggressive' tone in Ardtailte politics 'needs to be addressed'.

The Ardue Star (Realta na hArdubha) is a Kilani-language newspaper in New Englia. It focuses on news and politics from a New Englian Kirlawan perspective.

[Pragma]

Ní Maotháin steps down from role as First Minister
May 4909

Caitlin Ní Maotháin has announced that she will be stepping down as the First Minister of the Ardtaile region after nearly two decades in the job. The FM, who introduced social programs and infrastructure investments many have praised, is a deeply controversial figure in New Englian politics. Her retirement at the age of 64 also opens the door for changes to national politics, as Ní Maotháin was known to hold sway over politics across the country.

Ní Maotháin has also been accused of corruption and intimidating journalists, with many independent observers noting a lack of transparency in her regime. Under her leadership, police struggled to combat organised crime and the black market with some suggesting that officers were encouraged to 'turn a blind eye' to groups depending on their connections to the FM and her associates. Other controversies included restrictive abortion laws instituted in 4899 and measures against the Luthorian language legislated in earlier in her term. Her relationships with a string of federal politics have always remained difficult, with many members of different parties celebrating the closing of her political career.

The Ardue Star (Realta na hArdubha) is a Kilani-language newspaper in New Englia. It focuses on news and politics from a New Englian Kirlawan perspective.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: The Independent

Ardue: After nearly a century of stagnation, ethnic tension and continued decline the new federal and republican constitution has been approved by a overwhelming 80% of voters with a turnout of 92%. This new constitution, drafted over the course of 5 years, creates three new regions: the northern "South Englia", middle "Ardtailte" and southern majority Kilani Sliabh Ard. These three regions will be given extensive autonomy, having their own executive (regional government) to be elected by a unicameral regional parliament that itself is elected every 5 years through proportional representation. Every Region also has a First Minister elected by their parliament. Regions must have their own constitution describing the basic principles of the region and guarenteeing certain rights. Regions can legislate any affair not the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government but must enforce federal law if the federal government requests them to. Regional law supercedes federal law unless the nation is at war, in which case federal law overwrites regional law. With this new constitution also comes a federal government, divided into the federal executive (State Council), legislature (National Chamber and Senate) and judiciary. The federal government as per this new constitution has the exclusive right to manage and legislate foreign relations, citizenship, freedom of movement, immigration, emigration and extradition, defense, customs and trade, currency and coinage, postal, telegraph, phone and internet services. With this new constitution the government hopes to create a clearer, more effective division of power and give both local and national authorities more legitimacy in the eyes of the people. The increased autonomy for the regions should also make it easier to limit the ethnic tension that has existed between the Kilani people and the other ethnicities in the country. Federally, no language is registered as official in the new constitution, with the government preferring the matter of language to be handled by the regional governments.

As the constitution has now been approved by the population elections have to be held within 30 days, with many parties already registered. All elections, municipal, regional and all levels of the federal government, will be held at once next month but will happen at different stages after this election as the parliament serves 4 year terms, the President serves a 7 year term and regional parliaments serve 5 year terms, meaning that the next elections will all happen at different dates, creating a more fluent and responsible government according to the drafters of the constitution.

[Rogue]

Ardue: In the first ever trifecta election (presidency, parliament and regional parliaments) the National Party of former economic Barney Newman has won a resounding victory, capturing newly 42% of the vote in the Chamber elections which had resulted in 130 seats, just short of a outright majority. In the senate the party, which sees itself as Hosian Democratic and conservative, captured 45 seats and nearly 55% of the vote, winning just 6 seats shy of a majority in the upper chamber. Their presidential candidate Alana Davis made it to the second round of voting but, a week after the first, was defeated by independent candidate Caolán Kindellan, a Kilani that had gained the support of the LP, KL, GB and several local parties and ran on a moderate catch-all platform. Caolán Kindellan will become the nations first Kilani president in decades and has pledged to be a impartial figure and stay true to his independent affiliation. National Party leader Newman addressed NP supporters shortly after the results came in, promising them that "a new dawn is upon New Englia" and that "the trust given to me and the NP as a whole is a trust we shall not let go in vain. It is time to fundamentally better New Englia and strengthen our bond, our institutions and our economic for the benefit of all." The National Party had ran on a platform of a strong mixed economy with a guiding role for the government, not joining the Dovani Pact, enacting economic reform that allows more economic opportunity for private bussiness and enacting or keeping in place conservative social laws in line with the religion of the country. In contrast the now main oppossition party, the Liberal Party, ran on a platform of advanced civil rights, a free market and joining the Dovani Pact. The party was socially much different from the NP while its economic policies somewhat allign.

The Kilani League, a party watched very closely by observers, managed to win most seats in the majority Kilani regions in the south, managing to gather nearly 42 seats in the Chamber which corresponds to being the third party. Its leader, Zack O'Lenaghan, has already pledged to not work with any federal government and "focus solmenly on advancing Kilani topics and benefits." One party that has become somewhat of a kingmaker is the Democratic Union of Jason O'Madden. While performing relatively poorly on the federal level the party has gathered enough seats in both the Chamber and Senate to be able to form a coalition government with the National Party. As the DU is right of center such a coalition seems plausible, allowing the NP to form a center-right government. However O'Madden has already stated that for such a government to take shape the NP should also give something to the DU especially on economic topics "its clear there is common ground but the DU does seek some form of concession in the economic arena, as we would like to see a more liberal economic approach." But Newman already hinted at the possibility of cooperation, stating his party "is always ready to strike compromise." In the regional elections the KL managed to win a outright majority in Sliabh Ard while the NP did so in South Englia. In Ardtailte the Assembly needs to find a compromise in order to form a government, with negotiations likely to start next week.

It is expected that newly elected President Kindellan will appoint a government within weeks after consulting with party leaders to see which government can command a majority in Parliament.


The presidential election results in the second round of voting


Results for the chamber elections, with a major win for the NP


Results for the senate elections, with yet again a win for the NP

[Rogue]

Ardue: Barney Newman of the National Party has been appointed Prime Minister by the President together with his entire list of secretaries consisting of NP and DU members. This new government, thus one between the National Party and Democratic Union, will be a center-right government that commands support in both the Chamber and Senate. According to President Kindellan this coalition "was the only logical and stable option for the country." and despite the President not being supported by either party he still has appointed a government of the two, earning him praise from commentators for his impartial action on the matter but criticism from the Liberal party, which has stated to be "dissapointed" by the Presidents decision without further comment. Shortly after his governments appointment now Prime Minister Newman made a public address on television, outlining the priorities of his government in the coming 4 years.

It is absolutely vital that we, as a people, come together and take on the difficult task of redefining ourselves. Stepping out of the shadow of the past is hard but we can do it. It is time for New Englia to finally unlock its true potential and for us, as government and people, to come together in achieving prosperity for all. This government will focus on defining and strengthening the role of our new institutions, on creating a effective security apparatus to keep us safe, form and develop our new to be economy and set us up for a path of growth both socially and economically. This will be a term full of foundation building and defining constitutional boundaries. I promise you that this government will do its best to achieve what we have promised and what i, as your Prime Minister, just described.

The Newman government has been automatically installed and is already working on a comprehensive strategy concerning the federal economy according to insiders. Meanwhile in Ardtailte the Liberal Party has struck a deal with the local Kilani League in forming a regional government, with provisions in the deal including the expansion of rights for Kilani people and making the Kilani language a official language in Ardtailte combined with several other economic and social proposals, thus creating a centrist government in the Region. In South Englia the new NP only government has also been installed while in Sliabh Ard the KL only government has been, giving the two regions strong majority governments ruling over them.

[Rogue]

Ardue: The government of Prime Minister Newman has unveiled its multi billion plan to revamp, reform and invest into the New Englan economy. The plan, worked on since the government took seat in June, seeks to work closely with regional governments when it comes to investing into their respective economies while the federal government will enact several reforms and measures itself to reinvent the economy as a whole. The deal is a clear compromise between the NP and DU, with the more economically liberal DU having managed to go further with economic liberalizations then the NP would have gone. A clear example of this is the proposed full privatization of the telemobile sector, far reaching privatizations for the banking sector and a cut of financial and industrial regulations that will make it easier for financial institutions to invest and handle their financial resources. In terms of investments the federal government will create the "Federal Investment Fund" in which it will deposit over 5 billion in funds. These funds can be applied for by Regional governments for investment into industries and sectors that show potential or into infrastructure projects. The federal government, through the Department of Economic Affairs, will actively encourage regions to apply for the fund and help them in determining where possible economic opportunities lay. To further aid the regions, the federal government has revealed its "economic roadmap" which includes goals and ambitions the federal government would liek to achieve. In this map the ambition for strong growth is listed but also sectors of "vital importance" which the federal government believes will be the manufacturing and financial sectors. It thus encourages regions to encourage these sectors and set them up for a path of growth.

This reform also comes with tax reform, with a completely new federal tax system to be implemented which includes a more transparant buildup of taxation and a major cut for low and middle income workers through the income tax in the hopes of stimulating purchasing power for these groups. But all these reforms and investments will come at a cost, with the Department of Finance acknowledging that the steep costs of the plans will mean a increase in the national debt as the economy is relatively small and does not have the reserve strength to carry all the desired costs of this plan. Independent firms have estimated that if the entire plan is put in place the national debt will rise by 20%, to a total of 91% of the GDP. Prime Minister Newman himself has responded to this stating that "without doing anything our debt ratio will also increase. My government believes that with this plan we are setting New Englia up for economic success that will repay itself in the long run."