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The North Star - Issue XVI, January 2020

General Election Report

by LinkAngshire, Deputy Minister of Communications and LinkACR of Deerfenland

The Candidates

  • Delegate: McMasterdonia, Nessuno, & Felis.

  • Vice Delegate: Artemis & Robespierre.

  • Speaker: Deropia & Dreadton.

  • Attorney General: Vivanco & Hopps

The Election for Delegate

Following a very successful term, incumbent Delegate McMasterdonia announced his plans to re-run for Delegate, on a campaign of increasing citizen participation, strengthening the executive government and the ministries, and furthering opportunities for newcomers and returners to get more involved in TNP government. Providing detailed reports about each of the ministries, and goals for the next term, the plans that McMasterdonia had made for Delegate were laid out from the beginning. His campaign received immense support from the general populace, praising his efforts and accomplishments in his previous term.

The second candidate, Nessuno, represented the Animal Party, one of the few political parties of the North Pacific. Having served as the Lead Gameside Advocate for the previous term, and advocated for a “Revolution” in the North Pacific. His campaign included plans for radical changes, including a merge and reform of all the current ministries into five brand new ministries, and incorporating the Gameside Advocates into them. His call for the widespread adoption of socialism and purge of counter-revolutionaries created outcry against his campaign, with many voters simply denouncing it as a “joke campaign.” Nevertheless, he did garner support among some of his fellow GAs, as well as other citizens who are primarily on the RMB.

Finally, the third candidate was Felis, an unexpected candidate who had nominated themselves close to the end of the nomination process. Having spent all of his time-constrained to Eras roleplay, Felis was notable as the only candidate for Delegate who lacked previous experience in the North Pacific government. While he did indeed run and managed to gain votes, Felis never made an official campaign thread and, therefore, never officially ran on any campaign promises. Nevertheless, Felis did manage to win votes in the election, although his support came mostly from his fellow Eras roleplayers.

In the end, Delegate McMasterdonia won 89.00% of the vote, the highest out of any candidate across all four races of the January 2020 Election. Nessuno and Felis racked in at 8.00% and 3.00% respectively, coming in 2nd and 3rd. With only five voters choosing to abstain, the Delegate election also had the highest amount of voter participation among the four elections. 8.57% of voters wanted to re-open nominations.

The Election for Vice Delegate

Unlike the race for Delegate, the Vice Delegate race was highly competitive from the start. The first candidate, incumbent Vice Delegate Artemis (Sundred), had previously faced no competition in the September 2019 elections. He campaigned on the success and growth that TNP experienced. At the same time, he was Vice Delegate under McMasterdonia, while also promising to increase cooperation with the Cards Guild and host a region-wide endorsement event with the Ministry of Culture. Most of the questions were regarding his membership within the Security Council, with some condemning it as an unelected group of “elites.” Artemis, however, argued against that notion, and his campaign received mostly positive reviews from the general public.

The other candidate, Robespierre, served as Minister of Defense before his election campaign. Although a relative newcomer to the community, Robespierre boasted an extensive repertoire of accomplishments and previous positions. He based his campaign on a commitment to activity and transparency, while also maintaining that members of the Security Council will be held accountable to those same standards. His campaign also received mostly positive reviews, with many citizens commending his efforts in other government offices, while also being excited to see a fresh new face in the running. He also managed to gain the support of most of the North Pacific Army, and his promises to increase the power of the RA were met with wide acclaim.

At the start of the election, it was expected that sitting Vice Delegate Artemis would win. However, in a surprising political upset, it was Robespierre that won, with 53.06% of the votes. Artemis was close behind, placing 2nd with 46.94% of the votes. The Vice Delegate race was the closest of all four elections, with Robespierre winning by a vote of 52-46, a margin of just six votes. Only 1.90% of voters wanted to re-open nominations, the lowest amount across all four elections. There were seven abstentions.

The Election for Speakerr

There were two candidates for the office of Speaker. This was a highly competitive matchup between Dreadton and Deropia, who both had their own beliefs to bring to the table.

Deropia, a former Deputy Speaker, came into the election with several things that he wanted to accomplish. Speakers Checks and updating the Citizenship Rolls as well as engaging the region as a whole in legislation passed by the RA was a big thing that he wanted to be accomplished.

Dreadton’s story was different when he ran. With some prior experience in running a campaign for Speaker. Coming into the election, he did not have any significant plans for projects. However, he ran with several goals of what he wanted to accomplish. Monthly Citizenship Reports, Adoption of Bill Tracking Indicators into the Regional Assembly Procedures, and the addition of Deputies.

Coming in with 73.33% of the votes, Deropia captured the office of Speaker with 66 votes under his belt. Dreadton won a mere 26.67% of the votes with 24 votings under him. 14 Nations abstained, which meant that Deropia was elected as Speaker.

The Election for Attorney General

Just like the speaker and delegate races, the election race of the Attorney General was also uncompetitive, and one nation came out in a landslide victory over their opponent.

Vivanco ran on three core covenants; justice, a new light, and the people. He also came in with substantial experience under his belt. He acted as an ambassador to the Democratic Socialist Assembly, as well as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also showed early on in his candidacy that he was knowledgable about the topic of law and that he is interested in pursuing it as far as he can.

Hopps, unlike other candidates, did not have a campaign, but he, just like everyone else, had his visions that he would follow if he were to win the position.

With 85.19% of the votes, Vivanco was elected Attorney General. Forty-six voted for Vivanco, a mere eight voted for Hopps, and 51 voted to Abstain, but with that, Vivanco was elected as the Attorney General.

Regional Assembly Highlights

by LinkArtemis, Minister of Communications

Regional Assembly Highlights, January 2020

Speaker: LinkDeropia
Deputy Speakers: LinkBobberino, LinkKaschovia

Current Business

LinkTerm Limit Removal Bill by LinkPallaith


Summary: The Term Limit Removal Bill aims to do just as the title says. This constitutional amendment would amend Article 3 Section 12 to strike out a provision that limits the Delegate to being elected more than two consecutive terms. The bill has garnered a large amount of attention from a wide variety of members of the community. Opponents to the bill have indicated that this bill will not lead to an increase in competitive elections and will lead to a stagnation in our executive branch. Supporters of the bill have argued the opposite, citing that this bill will lead to an increase in competition and encourage members to run against incumbent Delegates.
Summary: Originally drafted as an amendment to the Constitution and the Legal Code, the Military Modernisation Bill has been altered as an amendment to the Legal Code with the promise of discussion on a separate constitutional amendment. The MMB aims to replace from the Legal Code the chapter regarding the North Pacific Army and modernize the laws governing the NPA. This amendment aims to allow more flexibility to the operations of the NPA while still maintaining the Independent ideology and oversight from the Regional Assembly.

Status: In Discussion

NPA Report

by LinkRom, War Correspondent

Leadership

Minister of Defense: LinkTrondstorm
Deputy Minister of Defense: LinkColonel Rom

The North Pacific Army (NPA) had a very busy January, continuing to do a wide variety of operations. From doing fash bashes, tag runs, raiding regions to liberating regions, the NPA conducted several different types of operations throughout January.

To begin the month, the NPA, along with some of our friends, raided the region of Iran. A total of twenty-six (26) NPA soldiers participated in the operation, which lasted for a little over a week. This operation was considered to be a success as we were able to hold the delegacy despite several attempts made by defenders to liberate the region.

Another big operation that the NPA did in January was tagging regions that had an embassy with the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators (CCD). A total of nine regions that had embassies with CCD got tagged by the NPA between two different tag runs. These tag runs sent a strong message to regions that are considering relations with CCD that they have gained the attention of the NPA, and that we will tag your region if you wish to align yourself with CCD.

The NPA also participated in a couple of liberations in January. One of the first liberations we did this month was to liberate the region Christianity Union. This region was being held by Farkasfalka, a fascist region that also is allied with CCD. Later in January, the NPA, along with other defenders, liberated the region of Cheddar, a region that was being held by Lone Wolves United (LWU).

WA Digest

by LinkBrendog, Minister of Home Affairs


General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time

Data Protection Accord
Status: Failed | Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For - 3,814 (26.2%); Against - 10,713 (73.8%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 91 (15.8%); Against - 484 (84.2%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 41.9%


Forensics Accord is a poorly-written proposal that was submitted with virtually no drafting. Firstly, its title is misleading as it suggests the proposal is about forensics in general, when it exclusively covers "forensic genetics". Another major flaw of the proposal is that it does not mandate any action from nations, as its clauses only "encourage", "welcome" or "emphasize" certain things, meaning it is essentially useless and arguably has no area of effect. Its category of health is also arguably incorrect, as it does not fit the description. Furthermore, the proposal is ironically full of both vague undefined terms and unnecessary definitions. It defines the word "forensics", which is not used at all in the rest of the text, while its other definition is for "impunity", a word used only once. The vague term "forensic genetics", which is used multiple times, is undefined, while other terms such as "international sentient law" or "sentient rights international law" are unclear and/or grammatically incorrect.

For the above reasons, the ministry urges a vote Against this proposal.


Ensuring Safe Syringe Use
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 13,592 (86.9%); Against - 2,041 (13.1%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 552 (94.4%); Against - 33 (5.6%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 41.9%

Ensuring the use of safe, sterilized syringes is a worthwhile goal for the World Assembly even if it does not seem like an obvious issue, as it will contribute to the overall reduction in the transmission of bloodborne illnesses. The current proposal does this in such a way that it does not place undue strain on medical systems in less developed member nations.

For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For the proposal.


[COLOR=rgb(209, 72, 65)]Security Council[/color]
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary

Commend Benevolent Thomas
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For*
Final Vote (World): For - 11,930 (81.5%); Against - 2,710 (18.5%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 445 (90.4%); Against - 47 (9.6%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 38.0%

While previously The North Pacific had voted against commendations for the same individual, we no longer believe that a small incident over a miscommunication should prevent the commendation of a notable individual. Since the previous attempts, The Order of the Grey Wardens, founded by Benevolent Thomas, has cemented its place as a premier defender organization, and Benevolent Thomas has been recognized internationally for dedication to defending. Along with his service in developing several regions, including many prominent duties in European Union, working to revive 00000 A World Power (a prominent defender region) and significant roles in 10000 Islands as delegate, and all achievements highlighted in the proposal, Benevolent Thomas is most deserving of a commendation.

For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For the proposal.

Condemn Norlands
Status: Failed | Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For - 1,741 (12.8%); Against - 11,878 (87.2%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 57 (10.8%); Against - 467 (89.2%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 37.5%

A roleplay proposal, which not frequently seen in the Security Council, is one that addresses the roleplay activity of a nation, rather than gameplay actions such as raiding/defending or regional politics. A roleplay condemnation is viewed as a badge of honour for playing a good villain IC while contributing to the roleplay community OOC. On the surface, this appears to be a perfectly fine proposal of this category. However, upon closer examination, many actions by the subject, Norrlands, such as launching unprovoked nuclear strikes, or pushing another nation to launch 14 nuclear warheads, is indicative of unrealistic and excessively militaristic roleplay. Furthermore, the subject roleplays solely in the Discord server of Sonindia, and has not made any contributions to the general NationStates roleplay community.

For the above reasons, the ministry recommends a vote Against this resolution.

The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: LinkMcMasterdonia :: Executive Editor: LinkArtemis :: Managing Editors: LinkAngshire and LinkBobberino

The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.

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