Rutania

[rep]

Protest on the Senate Square
4th July, 2825

Roughly two hundred protesters assembled on the Senate Square today morning to express their antipathy against the 'Charter School Act' proposed by Senator Tony Manson of the Liberal Democratic Party. This legislative proposal wants to ban all of the charter schools functioning around Rutania.

Mrs. Vivienne Thompson, leader of the Rutanian Educational Federation declared to the RNN: "This proposal is outrageous. It wants to centralize the education and to abolish the freedom of the educational system. And this measure is made under the camouflage of liberal democracy. Besides it affects many teachers, students and parents, destroys careers and interferes with the right of the people to choose their form of education. I hope the other parties will not let such a disaster to happen."

At the protest were present many parents and their children with T-Shirts saying "I love my school. Don't take it away!"

Senator John Patrick Bozarburg (REP), came out of the Senate and discussed with the protesters. He promised that he is personally engaged in the defence of the charter schools. "The LDP want to centralize everything. This bill is only one step of their project. Under the label of liberalism, they attempt to centralize, to intrude in the private sphere of the citizens and to harm their freedom. We will oppose this project and defend the liberty of the citizens."


Teachers, charter school pupils and their parents protesting against the LDP-proposal

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Protest of the educational system continues

7th of July, 2825

After the protests on the Senate Square the LDP did not alter its position but introduced a new initiative. Besides the fact that they want to ban charter schools. they propose banning religious schools as well. This step generated even greater wave of protests. Simultaneous strikes are being held in Port Nelson, Hayek, Bozarburg, Spaak, Port Seaborg and other smaller cities of the Commonwealth.

Teachers, pupils, parents and representatives of the main religious groups are participating in these protests. The security of the protesters is secured by members of the Elitist Legion. Stepan Pehotny, Commander of the 2nd Combat Group of the Elitist Legion protested in Spaak in front of the local LDP headquarters. He declared: "It is a pity that democracy does not allow to beat these stupid bastards. They are harming our freedom and the freedom of our children. We have to react. We have to show that we care."

Boromir Kreuz, Vice-President of the REP visited many of the strike-places. "I hope that this unbelievable violation of democracy and liberty will be defeated"-he said to one protester.


Boromir Kreuz among the protester in Hayek

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Bruckenthal expresses condolences

August 1st, 2825

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Charles Augustus von Bruckenthal offers condolences to the Holy Luthori Empire, after the deaths of two senior Luthori politicians. "I would like to express the empathy of the Rutanian people with the sorrow of the Holy Luthori Empire. His Imperial Highness Prince William Jackson II and His Grace Duke John Rannigan were great personalities and statesmen. Besides both had enormous contributions to the strengthening of the relationship between our two nations. That is an additional reason for us to mourn for them. "


Minister of Foreign Affairs offering condolences

Mr. von Bruckenthal stated that he will send an official letter from the part of the Commonwealth.

[tdurden21]

Durden Under Fire From Party Hardliners

William Durden, Jr., son of the Orange Party's founder William Durden, has come under fire in recent weeks for what his opponents claim is "moving the party to the social left." Durden has removed many prominent party members and replaced them with more moderate, liberal candidates. Party hardliners say this is unacceptable.

Durden's opponents argue, "The Orange Party was founded as a party of the right, conservative both socially and morally. This new wave of younger candidates are merely mirror versions of the LDP and PPR parties of the far-left. This move is unacceptable."


[Durden's reaction to a verbal attack by his party opponents at a recent OP summit]


The party's core voting bloc, the conservative, yet non-reactionary Junkers, still support Durden's leadership. Roel Vandermark, the most prominent of the Junkers as Central Committee Chairman, fully backs Durden's leadership.

Vandermark had this to say of the matter, "We don't see how William [Durden] has done anything out of the ordinary for an OP leader. He is merely replaced the older generation with bright, young MPs who are the way forward for Rutania. He is making the right decisions. I don't see why we should change leadership because a few dozen radicals want a stronger reaction the new parties like the LDP and DPR and PPR. If they feel so strongly, then perhaps they should go join the RHP."

And that's exactly what they intend to do says John North, "If the Central Committee doesn't have the tact to see what's coming, then we might as well leave the party. I'll probably join the Heritage Party, where they share my views."

We expect to see a response from Durden within the next few days to his rising criticism.

[tdurden21]

The OP Boat Continues to Rock

Right-wing leaders of the Orange Party continue their campaign to have William Durden, Jr. removed as leader of the Orange Party. As senators and supporters continue to desert to the Rutanian Heritage Party the political prowess of Durden and the party diminishes.

Roel Vandermark, Senator and leader of the party's Central Committee, continues to support Durden even in the face of rising criticism.

A recent protest even turned violent as demonstrators confronted Rutanian Federal police in front of the Orange Party's headquarters in Port Nelson. A counter protest has been organized by supporters of Durden, though Vandermark and the CC do not condone the action. They would rather views be expressed at the next party caucus, which takes place right before the next election cycle. Vandermark hopes the party leadership can avoid a rift between now and then.

Durden has yet to release a statement on the matter. He has made no public appearances in recent weeks, even refusing to appear on TV or make his usual radio announcements. Insiders say he is afraid for his life at the moment and his security detail has been increased.

[conscotty]

'Black Legion' terrorizes Rutania, claims ties to RHP



An extreme-right terrorist group, calling themselves the 'Black Legion', has attacked people in a movie theatre and at an activist rally in the wake of Rutania's political turmoil, in what police are calling "horrific acts of violence against innocent people...the likes of which Rutania has never seen".
The group (pictured above) appeared wearing black robes and hoods and carrying various firearms at a train station in Ardinia on Monday afternoon around 2:45 pm, and proceeded towards a Socialist rally taking place nearby, where they shot and killed 24 protesters and injured 6 others.
"It was just a massacre", says one of the protesters injured in the incident, "they came out of nowhere...at first, we thought they were just a bunch of guys in dress-ups, and we actually thought they might be a part of the protest.
"But then they began firing at people randomly, and everyone started to run".
Police who were providing general security at the rally attempted to pursue the offenders, but all managed to evade arrest.

In a seperate incident on Tuesday evening, a crude biological weapon, made using aersoel paint-cans and various domestic chemicals, was set off in a movie theatre on the Northern border of Khodor during a screening of 'Land Under Siege' - while no Black Legion members appeared at the scene of the incident, a phone-call was made to the head manager of the cinema shortly after the weapon had been activated informing him that the group was responsible. 12 people suffered fatal wounds, while another 21 are in hospital after the attack. Police strongly suspect the group chose to attack the cinema during 'Land Under Siege' due to the film's prominent communist undertones.

Although the Black Legion is still relatively unknown to authorities, a video released by the group online yesterday confirmed its responsibility for the two incidents, and claimed that the group supports the Rutanian Heritage Party - "this country is over-run with communists and minorities", said the masked speaker, whose voice has been distorted in the clip, "and they've been allowed to drive it into the ground. The only party that has any sense is the RHP.
"The 'Black Legion' is committed to stamping out communism in this country, because the political system is clearly failing to...if political parties won't save Rutania, we will."
In addition to individuals with suspected left-wing political affiliations, the group's other stated targets are minority ethnic groups, immigrants, and homosexuals, leading authorities to classify the 'Black Legion' as a 'white seperatist hate-group.'

The comments made in the video have led many to believe that the terrorist group may have ties to the Rutanian Heritage Party, but this claim has been denied by party leaders.
"This discpicable terrorist group has absolutely no connection to the RHP", said president and founder of the party, Scott Wesley, at a press conference held today in Khodor, "they may claim that they support our party, but we have nothing to do with them...we do not condone any of their disgraceful actions or their cause, and no members of our party have had any contact with this group whatsoever...let me make that very clear...
"I speak for all RHP members when I condemn these atrocities against man-kind."
Investigations into the group are continuing, as well as further investigations into the two attacks.

[conscotty]

RHP reject claims of 'Black Legion' affiliation



Rutanian Heritage Party Minister of Justice, Ehud Ekshol (pictured above), has denied allegations of a possible connection between the party and the 'Black Legion' terrorist group.
"These claims are completely unfounded", said Mr. Ekshol in a press conference earlier today, "there is absolutely no evidence that the RHP has any connection with this group. People have merely heard that the group apparently supports the party and have assumed that this means it is somehow affiliated with us.
"This is simply untrue, and has no basis in fact whatsoever. This is a rash and absurd assumption based on nothing but speculation, and the RHP does not condone or endorse anything that the 'Black Legion' has done or anything that it stands for. Perhaps they do support our political agenda, but we do not accept or recognize their support."
Investigations continue into the 'Black Legion' terrorist attacks earlier this week, and Mr. Ekshol said the RHP will "do everything we can to co-operate with investigations and ensure that these criminals are brought to justice."

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The police and the Elitist Legion cooperates to prevent further atrocities

The Ministry of Interior has mandated the Elitist Legion to organize patrol groups in order to improve the police defence against the attacks of the Black Legion. Prime Legionnaire of the EL, Adelaide Klausenburg declared that the EL would aid the police to defend innocent citizens. "The Elitist Legion has a good training which will enable to capture the gang called Black Legion. We will be present in every locality and every gathering to defend the innocent citizens. We will have special attention to left-wing meeting. It is unacceptable that people are killed or hurt because of their political affiliations."

Stepan Pehotny, commander of the 2nd Combat Group of the EL was mandated to protect the cities Port Nelson and Hayek.

President Kreuz's declaration regarding the murders of the Black Legion

After meeting with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lt. Gen. Basil J. Besancon, President of the Commonwealth, Boromir Kreuz appeared in the RNN TV:



"It is worrying and unacceptable to have such events in Rutania. Horrible! I have counselled with Mr. Besancon in order to see what are our opportunities. We have commissioned the Elitist Legion to assist the police in defending all citizens of Rutania. I have to say that there is no motive to fear. Every citizen of the Commonwealth is equal in front of the law and we will protect this freedom and equality. As far as I know, this so-called Black Legion is an extremist organization with low level of support. I will guarantee that these people shall be caught and punished with the most severe punishment allowed by the Rutanian law.
I heard from the media that the RHP might stand behind all these issues. Well, until proven otherwise, we have to believe in their innocence. I commissioned the Rutanian Military Intelligence which is under my direct command to investigate the issue. We will have a report by tomorrow morning and then we will see clearer.
I have to demand from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and that of Justice to solve this issue as soon as possible.

And if you allow me a personal remark, I felt that this would happen. When politicians are not able to decently agree on things then extremists will know that it is there time to cause chaos and fear. So I await in my office every party if has any proposal to stabilize the political scene. Until then the police, the intelligence and the EL will maintain order and capture those criminals."

[tdurden21]

Orange Party Leadership Voted Out in Landslide at Party Caucus

William Durden, Jr. and seven of the ten-member Central Committee have been voted out of their duties at the most recent party caucus. The caucus met at the Van Buren Convention Centre in Huygens. There was a record attendance, and the discontent was obvious. Thousands of party members who could not fit into the building waited anxiously outside for voting results as they held up anti-Durden posters and gave out flyers to support his opposition.

Thousands of disenchanted right-wing members of the party also attended, except in protest. These members wore orange armbands and sashes in support of what they believe to be the party of old. One supporter even said, "We support what the party used to be: the party of freedom and democracy, not big government and civil rights infringement. We've been coming down this path ever since Audley Cooper passed away. The new party is a load of rubbish!"

The protesters were met with stiff resistance by members of the Rutanian Federal Constabulary, who in lieu of the recent Black Legion terrorist attacks have been trying to prevent large gatherings or demonstrations. Fortunately enough members of the RFC and Elitist Legion were on hand to prevent any violence, though they clashed with protesters on several occasions.


[Members of the party clashing with a unit from the Elitist Legion]


Meanwhile, inside the caucus, a surprise political maneuver by prominent party member Sen. Roel Vandermark caught Durden and his supporters totally off their guard. Vandermark, Durden's most vocal supporter in recent weeks, turned against the party president and declared that he would run against him for party leadership. Vandermark, with the backing of a large contingent of Junkers (the party's largest financial backers) swept Durden's cohorts from all important party positions.

Not only this, but with the complete backing of the new Central Committee, Vandermark set about powerful party reforms, the most important of which is selection of Senate candidates. Instead of candidates being chosen by the Central Committee outright, they will now have to be confirmed by the party caucus.

Vandermark addressed the assembly of party members, with those outside viewing from huge outdoor screens, saying that he wished to move forward with the Rutanian Regime Coalition and to move the party back to its libertarian roots, in the tradition of the Cooper brothers.

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Lecture at the Port Nelson School of Government

Former President of the Commonwealth, current Vice-President of the REP, Boromir Kreuz held an exceptional lecture at the Port Nelson School of Government in front of two thousand students. Mr. Kreuz spoke about the current political affairs of the Commonwealth.

We are reproducing here some excerpts from his speech:

"The test of each country that has many parties is the forging of consensus. This is the requirement of stability. In countries where there are only two or three parties on the political scene consensualism is not a criteria. However our political arena is fragmented with six parties and none of them has so many votes to be dominant. That is why the forging of consensus is of utmost importance. Unfortunately the different type of cleavages are seriously affecting this process of consensus-building. Let us hope that President Jenkins will be more able than I was."

...

"I know that I do not have to say to you what democracy is. However their are politicians in this country who are not so clever as you. For many democracy means a totalitarian democracy based on complete egalitarianism. But we know well that this is a political idea that can cause chaos and instability. The current situation was created by some politicians who have some aberrant ideas on how a state should be governed. But we are lucky that the majority of party are closer to the centre than to the extremes."

...

"This barbaric form of democracy may lead to the loss of expertise. It is fortunate that in some fields competence is still valued. Let us take the example of foreign policy. Mr. von Bruckenthal is a remarkable personality. He has an immense diplomatic experience and he was the main engine of Rutania's second ascendancy. The domain of foreign policy is sensitive issue. Though it needs a democratic supervision but it cannot be subjected to everyday, pity political fights. This would only damage the country's image. In foreign action we need seriousness and continuity. We cannot change our foreign policy objectives in every legislative term. So it is very wise of President Jenkins that the office of Minister of FA to Mr. von Bruckenthal."

...

"In times of political instability the extremist elements of a society become more contoured. This is the case with the so-called Black Legion. These groups feel that they can do everything in times of political turmoil. There main objective is to make the people even more confused. It is strange that this Black Legion had not any demand towards the government. It might mean that their only purpose was to cause chaos. And chaos by the way can serve the interest of some parties. I do not want to accuse, but chaos served the interest of the RHP. They could display that expelling them from the RRC was a bad decision. Nevertheless, I believe it was a wise one."

...

At the end of the lecture Mr. Kreuz received a medallion with the insignias of the Port Nelson School of Government.


Mr. Boromir Kreuz in the Central Aula of the Port Nelson School of Government