The Reporter

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Klaasiya's aristocratic past.

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Gwyn Moonoak
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The Reporter

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The Reporter

The Royal Tsardom's newspaper since 1668
His Royal Highness Gwyn Moonoak of Waffel-Paine OWE, Duke of Ely, Count of Bellerive, Baron of Klaasisitya

Lord Lieutenant of Alrodey

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Gwyn Moonoak
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Re: The Reporter

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Royal Regency Council decrees Senate. Democratic Progressives win first election.

Following the death of Tsarina Naya, the Royal Regency council led by her half-brother the Duke of Ely Gwyneth Moonoak has been quick to introduce far-reaching reforms to the recently-degraded Tsardom. Gwyneth Moonoak is leading a regency for the second time (he was first appointed by the then Tsarina Naya) and is also Lord Lieutenant of Alrodey in the Dynastic Incarnation. It is from there that Gwyneth seems to be looking for inspiration of how to introduce the radical reform that is needed in the eyes of many. It is also understood that the changes are supported by the minor monarch Tsar Llŷr.

The first major reform is the abolishment of the devolved governments in Egale and New Dracoheim, which had been dysfunctional for a few years. The second, and perhaps more important, reform is the introduction of a Senate - the Tsardom's first democratically elected institution in its history. Prior democratic structures have existed in the Commonwealth and devolved governments, but never has there been a nation-wide chamber of the type of the Senate. Its 25 members, called Senators, will be elected from constituencies every 3 years using the simple first past the post electoral system.

The first ad-hoc election was held a matter of hours ago, contested between the quickly-assembled Democratic Progressives and the Conservatives. The Democratic Progressives are a new party mostly filled with former members of the Free Juice and Bagels Party, the Democratic Alliance and the Union of Greens and the Liberal Youth. The Conservatives, on the other hand, come from mostly Klaasiya First, the Tapferite Supremacist Party, and the Nationalist & Humanist Party.

The results, confirmed by the Demographic & Electoral Authority, were as follows: 14 seats for the Democratic Progressives and 11 for the Conservatives. Our analyses show that, despite a win for the Democratic Progressives, there has been a further shift to the right by the Tsardom's residents if the old parties' bases are to be taken into account. How the Senate will function is still unknown, however according to the Royal Decree bills are passed by a majority of 60%, or in other words 15 votes. This means that even though the Progressives outnumber the Conservaties, they would need the support of at least one of the latter to get business through.

Another question mark is around what importance would the Regency Council, and one day the Tsar, attribute to the Senate. While the reforms certainly increase democratic accountability in the Tsardom, the Tsar retains the right to reject any measure passed by the Senate. Moreover, the Tsar still enjoyed absolute power to use any and all decrees, with or without Senate approval. What happens next? Follow the Reporter and you will find out!
His Royal Highness Gwyn Moonoak of Waffel-Paine OWE, Duke of Ely, Count of Bellerive, Baron of Klaasisitya

Lord Lieutenant of Alrodey

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Llyr Angus-Moonoak
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Re: The Reporter

Post by Llyr Angus-Moonoak »

His Royal Majesty Tsar Llŷr announces visit to Alrodey

The Palace of the Bay's communications secretary says His Royal Majesty "will be delighted to pay a visit to Alrodey" as one of few places across the Empire with long-established system of democratic government. This comes after the minor Tsar delivered a speech in the new Senate in which he endorsed democratic principles of representation.

Alrodey, where the Tsar's uncle Gwyn Moonoak is Lord Lieutenant, has a functioning democratic system with four large parties: the governing National Party, the Worker's Party; the Free Juice and Bagels Party; and the UDM and Liberal and Democratic Alliance Party. The island's politics are characterised by impactful poralisation between the right-wing National Party and the left-wing Worker's Party.

The Palace said the visit will seek to affirm the strong connections between the Royal Tsardom and Alrodey (both places led by members of the Moonoak branch of the Waffel-Paine dynasty) and also be a "learning experience for a Tsar eager to explore a system of government that is untested in Klaasiya as a whole". The Tsar is scheduled to visit the Alrodean Sämling (its chamber of elected officials) as well as Prime Minister Vikton Falkner and leader of the opposition and former Prime Minister Edward Weatherill during his trip which will last a couple of weeks.

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Llyr Angus-Moonoak
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Re: The Reporter

Post by Llyr Angus-Moonoak »

Senate passes first motion. But exactly how popular is the institution?

The 1st Senate has just passed its very first motion - one implying that Senators might want to have a say on how the Royal Tsardom casts its vote in the Frenzy. The motion, proposed by a Democratic Progressive Senator, was passed with 17 votes in favour to 8 against. Apart from one, all Progressives voted to support the motion while the Conservatives were split with 4 voting in favour and 7 opposing it.

But irrespective of what they have done, is the Tsar's praised Senate actually popular with the people?

To dig into this, it's important to consider that, despite being a Tsardom-wide institution, Egale and New Dracoheim are given greater representation still. Of the 25 seats, 6 are given to Egale (under proportional representation these would be 3). Similarly, instead of having 6 seats in the Senate, New Dracoheim elects 8. This, of course, has meant that Klaasiya has had to do with 11 seats, rather than the 15 it would have been entitled to.

According to our polls on Senate approval, a healthy amount of 82% of Egalians supporting the assembly, despite their region losing its devolved government recently. In New Dracoheim, however, only around 43% of people thought the Senate was a good idea. Whether this is explained by the fact that New Dracoheim is the Royal Tsardom's poorest region is unknown. The situation in Klaasiya is somewhere in the middle with 56% of Klaasiyans approving the Senate's creation.
Last edited by Llyr Angus-Moonoak on Thu Jan 10, 2019 3:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: The Reporter

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Conservatives block first Royal Decrees review motion, but agree an amended version giving them more power

The first Senate voted 14 to 11, meaning the vote failed to get the required 15 votes to pass, on a motion to create a committee of Senators to review and recommend to the whole Senate which Royal Decrees to be kept and which scrapped. All 11 Conservative Senators opposed it as under the motion's wording, that committee would consist of 3 Democratic Progressives and 2 Conservatives, giving the former the 60% majority on the committee, which is required to make recommendations.

The wording of the motion was the changed to include another Conservative Senator, balancing out the party political strength between Progressives and Conservatives on the committee. The amended motion therefore passed with 24 votes in favour and one conservative vote against.

It is expected that the Senate Committee will now deliberate and vote itself on which Royal Decrees to recommend for repeal.

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Llyr Angus-Moonoak
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Re: The Reporter

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Differences emerge as Senate committee considers existing Royal Decrees

Political splits have formed on up to 15 existing Royal Decrees as part of the First Senate's review of the Tsardom's law, the Reporter understands. The committee, which was formed following rows over its membership, consist of 3 Progressives and 3 Conservatives who are tasked with analysing and recommending repeals for outdated laws.

According to Senate sources, the 6 Senators will recommend to the Senate to retain the "majority" of Klaasiya's laws. There is also understood to be agreement on repeal and reform of local government, border security and trade decrees. However, a Conservative Senator told The Reporter that "significant" disagreements remain on the nuclear deterrent, capital punishment, taxation and education. Rumours suggest that talks are ongoing on how to resolve these differences -if current laws are to be changed. One way forward which seems to have attracted attention is for one party to give up some ground on one decree in exchange for gaining ground on another issue. How successful those talks will prove to be is yet to be seen.

This is by far not the end of the story. Once the Committee makes it recommendations on which decrees to repeal, the entire Senate will then have to vote on those recommendations, which need 15 votes in favour to pass. The Tsar will then have the final say on whether to actually enact what the Senate has voted for. In the end, while this is a long and lengthy process, it is fair to say that major changes to current laws will only happen if they first obtain 60% approval among the 6 Senator committee. As of this moment, it appears that very few decrees will likely be changed or repealed.

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Llyr Angus-Moonoak
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Re: The Reporter

Post by Llyr Angus-Moonoak »

Senate committee to recommend local government reform amid disagreements over other policies

The differences between the two political parties have if not deepened, remained the same since The Reporter shed light on them. Committee Senators have not reached a compromise on the 15 royal decrees on which they are divided by party lines.

Instead of continuing the gridlock, however, Senators have agreed to press ahead with issues there is agreement on, such as local government reform. The current Royal Decree on local government was in fact decreed during the previous Royal Regency Council, also headed by Gwyn Moonoak. The decree is one of the most detailed and extensive in Klaasiyan history and it is unclear whether Senators will seek to overhaul the whole system or adjust it to fit better. None of this can of course happen unless and until the Committee makes its recommendation for the entire Senate to rubberstamp.

As for other reforms, they appear unlikely in the immediate future.

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Re: The Reporter

Post by Llyr Angus-Moonoak »

Sonnuber 1668 Opinion poll

1. Approval of the work of the First Senate
Democratic Progressives 65% approve
Conservatives 47% approve

2. Support for local government reform
Democratic Progressives 86% support
Conservatives 46% support

3. Support repeal of the border security measures introduced by Tsar Zakyyr
Democratic Progressives 52% support
Conservatives 14% support

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Llyr Angus-Moonoak
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Re: The Reporter

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The Tsar returns from Alrodey after "a productiv, learning and working visit"

The Palace of the Bay has confirmed His Majesty Tsar Llŷr has returned from his visit to Alrodey, where he met Prime Minister Viktor Falkner and opposition leader Edward Weatherill. In addition, he visited Alrodey's parliament, the Sämling, meeting various Members of Parliament. The visit was announced earlier in the year as a working visit during which the minor monarch will learn from the long experience of Alrodean parliamentary system, which Llŷr Angus-Moonoak is trying to introduce in the Royal Tsardom.

Palace officials also noted that discussions have taken place on holding a joint session of the Klaasiyan Senate and Alrodean Sämling to further strengthen the ties between the Tsardom and Alrodey. Currently, the two parts of the Empire are united by a common leader - Gwyn Moonoak, who is the Tsar's half-brother.

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Re: The Reporter

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Conservatives and Progressives reach a deal on Senate role: a referendum between two options

The Conservatives and the Democratic Progressives have agreed to hold a referendum on the Senate's role, after weeks of argument over the 4 options published by the Demographics and Electoral Authority.

The four options ranged from giving the Senate supremacy over all laws, including the Fundamental Royal Decree, to keeping it as a consultative chamber. The Conservatives are staunchly opposed to the Senate supremacy option, which was favoured by some Progressives.

In the end, the two parties agreed to hold a referendum on the role of the Senate, however Progressives had to rule out the Senate supremacy option of making it up to the ballot paper. Sources for The Reporter suggest one option will be the status quo, i.e. the consultative role, and negotiations are ongoing whether the second option would be Option B (role to confirm decrees) or Option C (Power-sharing role). Some Conservatives are rumoured to favour Option C as they think it will strengthen the argument for keeping the Senate as is, rather than granting him a much more important role under Option C.

The Progressives have so far not announced their preferred option, only saying that "Democratic Progressives want the people to have a meaningful choice at the ballot box".

A poll for The Reporter, conducted across Klaasiya and involving over 1000 respondents, ranked the four options as follows:
Option A (Consultative role): 42%
Option B (Role to confirm decrees): 17%
Option C (Power-sharing role): 6%
Option D (Senate supremacy role): 35%

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Re: The Reporter

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Conservatives oppose referendum motion, stating the matter will be "revisited" after election. What about the polls?

The Conservatives have been accused of pulling out of the referendum deal agreed with the Progressives at the last deal, after a referendum motion failed with all 11 Conservative Senators opposing it. Disputing the claim, a Conservative Senator pointed out that even Progressives were not united on the motion - one sided with the Conservatives in opposition - and said the matter would be revisited after the upcoming election.

The options proposed were A (Consultative role) and B (Role to confirm decrees). Following an opinion poll released by the Reporter, it was widely accepted that between those options the electorate was more likely to favour option B, which the Conservatives oppose. Our political correspondent suggested the Conservatives could come back more powerful after the election, giving them more room to manoeuvre over the exact way of conducting the referendum. "There are currently 4 seats held by Democratic Progressives that are potentially vulnerable to the Conservatives. Similarly, a Progressive wave can see up to 4 seats change colour from blue to orange. Those 8 districts are most likely to determine the overall outcome of the election and, at least for the moment, it is looking more likely that the Conservatives will have the upper hand."

The Reporter projection for the upcoming election
Average night
Democratic Progressives 12 seats (-2)
Conservatives 13 seats (+2)

Good night for the Conservatives
Democratic Progressives 11 seats (-3)
Conservatives 14 seats (+3)

Good night for the Progressives
Democratic Progressives 15 seats (+1)
Conservatives 10 seats (-1)

Districts most likely to change colour
3rd District Conservatives -> Demogratic Progressives
9th District Demogratic Progressives -> Conservatives
10th District Demogratic Progressives -> Conservatives
14th District Demogratic Progressives -> Conservatives
21st District Demogratic Progressives -> Conservatives

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Llyr Angus-Moonoak
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Re: The Reporter

Post by Llyr Angus-Moonoak »

Parties agree to establish a lower chamber - the House - as one of last actions of the First Senate. Election manifestos published.

As one of the last actions of the First Senate, over half of Conservative Senators joined forces with the Progressives to pass local government reform, which also includes the creation of a new chamber - the House. The new chamber will be comprised of 71 members, elected from all of the Tsardom's cities and towns. The major difference is the parties, where instead of Conservatives and Progressives, people will elect from among all of Natopia's well-known parties.

The decision has been seen as a last-minute pitch by both parties to show their commitment to the widely supported local government reform. In fact, minutes after they announced their election manifestos:
Democratic Progressives 1689 Manifesto
1. Hold a referendum on the powers of the Senate
2. Explore people's views on the powers of the new House
3. Support amending the Fundamental Royal Decree once the roles of the Senate and House are confirmed

Conservatives 1689 Manifesto
1. Protect the long-established authority of the Royal Throne
2. Define the consultative roles of the House and Senate
3. Protect the Border Security Royal Decree.

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Llyr Angus-Moonoak
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Re: The Reporter

Post by Llyr Angus-Moonoak »

First House and second Senate elections: how will they unfold?

The first House and second Senate elections are an exciting time, as Klaasiyans, Egalians and Draconians gather to elect their demesne-wide representatives. We in the Reporter already covered the polls and analysis for the Senate elections which, dispite narrowing between the two parties, are still favouring the Conservatives. But what will happen in the House, where different parties altogether are allowed to contest the election?

There are currently 4 parties allowed to put up candidates for the House election: Free Juice and Bagels Party, Union Democratic Movement, Nationalist & Humanist Party and Tapferite Supremacist Party.
Pre-election 1st House Poll
Free Juice and Bagels Party 31
Union Democratic Movement 27
Nationalist & Humanist Party 7
Tapferite Supremacist Party 6
TOTAL 71 (36 needed for a majority)

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Re: The Reporter

Post by Llyr Angus-Moonoak »

First Senate adjourns as Senators focus on campaigning. Campaigning for the House kicks off too.

The First Senate has unanimously voted to approve an adjournment motion earlier today, marking the end of the first session of the Senate. In the politically neutral motion, the Senators also voted to send all motions that have passed during the session, to the Royal Regency Council for consideration. Now, it will be up to the 3 councillors to accept or reject the motions passed by the First Senate.

Meanwhile, virtually all Senators have left Borders City to campaign for re-election in their districts. In particular, media attention has focused on four Democratic Profressives, namely Senator Angela Novaistorya, Senator Saan Bathaalf, Senator Nezava Ospen and Senator Isabella Far, who are the Senators most likely to be boosted out of office by their respective electorates in favour of a Conservative candidate. Senator Herrey Daalrin, who holds a safe Progressive seat in Borders City, is travelling across the Royal Tsardom to canvass support for her fellow party colleagues.

In the meantime, the campaign for 71 local government representatives, who form the House, has also started with a rally organised by the Union Democratic Movement. The party currently polls second after the Free Juice and Bagels Party, who are preparing to launch their campaign too in the coming hours. The House elections are notably receiving far less attention by the public, which is likely due to the very limited power at the demesne level that House representatives have.

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Gwyn Moonoak
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Re: The Reporter

Post by Gwyn Moonoak »

UDM wins most seats in the House and takes control of 2 local authorities, but falls short of overall majority

The Union Democratic Movement, referred to as UDM, has exceeded expectations and won the largest number of seats in the 1st House elections. The party secured 31 out of 71 seats in the House, coming ahead of the FJBP who won 28. The Nationalist & Humanist Party tied with the TSP at 6 seats each, meaning no party won overall control of the House. Due to the nature of the chamber, however, no coalitions talks are to take place although it is widely expected that the UDM and N&H's views on policies will overlap, giving them a majority of votes in the lower chamber.

As for control over local government, the UDM has secured a majority in both Borders City and Port Mills, showing the party's strongholds in the north. The FJBP has performed well in Egale, winning a majority in Elhäm and Saint Bartholomä. No other town is controled by a single political party.

Although by far not an accurate and overly reliable source, the results confirm a further shift from left-leaning parties like the FJBP in the House and Democratic Progressives in the Senate to centre-right UDM and the Conservatives. This indicates that the Senate may well end up with the Conservatives as the primary party.
His Royal Highness Gwyn Moonoak of Waffel-Paine OWE, Duke of Ely, Count of Bellerive, Baron of Klaasisitya

Lord Lieutenant of Alrodey

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Re: The Reporter

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Conservatives make 3 gains in the Senate, pleding to work contructively with the Progressives to find common solutions

The Conservatives have managed to oust three Democratic Progressive Senators in the 1689 election, increasing the party's total number of Senators from 11 to 14. The 9th, 14th and 21st districts all changed their preference from the Progressives to the Conservatives at this election. The ousted former Senators are Angela Novaistorya, Nezava Ospen and Isabella Far, all Democratic Progressives in marginal districts.

The winning Conservative party has welcomed Senators Greg Prown, Waan Haas and Onzi Taam to their team. The newcomers thanked their opponents for the work they have done to represent their districts and pledged to work constructively with the Progressives. In fact, that message was resonated by other Conservatives who said the party will stand its ground on manifesto commitments, but will cooperate and negotiate in order to receive support from the Democratic Progressives. That support is crucial as, according to Senate rules, the number of votes needed to carry a motion is 15, leaving the Conservatives one vote short of that treshhold.

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Llyr Angus-Moonoak
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Re: The Reporter

Post by Llyr Angus-Moonoak »

Senators negotiating the roles of the House and Senate, following a Conservative election victory

Senators from both the Democratic Progressive Party and the Conservative Party have confirmed that negotiations are ongoing on defining a role for the House and Senate to which both parties can agree. The Democratic Progressives favoured handing all political power to the Senate [and House], however with a strong showing of the Conservatives at the last election, this seems unlikely.

A Conservative Senator said for the Reporter that the negotiating package currently being discussed falls along those lines:
- A strong consultative role of the Senate, in which it would be customary that the Tsar would accept the Senate's recommendations
- A consultative role for the House, in which the House may express its views, agreements and disagreements with the Senate, but such expressions shall not be legally binding, nor account for a veto. The House will have the power to request that the Senate considers a specific resolution.
- The implementation of the above shall be done through the means of a Royal Decree.

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Llyr Angus-Moonoak
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Re: The Reporter

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The UDM and FJBP demand a say over House role, announcing opposition to current negotiations

The two largest parties in the House, the Union Democratic Movement and the Free Juice and Bagels Party, have both announced their strong opposition to the current negotiations in the Senate over the roles of the Tsardom's two legislative chambers. The two parties, who combined control 59 of the 71 seats in the House, said under current proposals the role of "the most democratically accountable" representatives is insignificant, accounting for a huge democratic deficit.

At a press conference in Borders City, the UDM requested that any system that will have their support "must make it clear that the Tsardom is, and can be referred to as, a democratic state". They said instead of trying to frustrate the talks, they simply requested to be included in order to find the common ground for moving forward. The UDM, however, did not rule out boycotting local government as a means of achieving those ends.

The Free Juice and Bagels Party, which came second at the First House elections, also expressed strong opposition to the proposals discussed by Senators. By contrast to the UDM, however, they advocate for "a strong social state", which was interpreted as a call for establishing a socialist dictatorship in the Tsardom.

Conservative Senators, who are largely seen as the most powerful group of all parties in both chambers, have so far refused to comment on those developments.

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Ernesto de la Cruz
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Re: The Reporter

Post by Ernesto de la Cruz »

You cannot take control of my party for this. You have never spoken to me about what the UDM's positions are nor even given me a heads up that you've apparently hijacked my party. I vehemently reject your narratives. The UDM hasn't even posted its full platform yet, you can't even say what the UDM believes or wants. Seriously, what the fuck?
Ernesto de la Cruz
Chancellor of the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation
Member of the Frenzy
Most Serene Union of Demesnes, Natopia
Lord High Steward and First Secretary of the Most Serene Government (1663-1668)
Dos Gardenias, New Alexandria

(Member of the Central Committee of Edgards.)

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Nathan II
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Re: The Reporter

Post by Nathan II »

That's my bad. I suggested Klaasiya use nationally recognized parties in it's legislature instead of locally created ones.
His Most Bovic Majesty, Nathan II,
Emperor of the Natopians

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