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European Union – June 2020 Update

Commission Politics

Institutional Reform
Premier Commissioner Eilidh Whiteford has opened up a European Council discussion on reforming the Council and the European Assembly. Premier Whiteford has stated that she personally favours efforts to “expand political representation in the Council”, which mirrors the sentiments of some EU member states that would like to have a proportional numbers of seats on the Council that should reflect the size of their state’s population, rather than each member state having just one European Councillor.

A Eurocorps Commander
After Commissioner Antoni Reynels’ Act to Establish the European Corps was successfully passed, the Foreign Affairs Commissioner was tasked with appointing the first Commander of the Eurocorps. Commissioner Reynels appointed Vincent Drake am Weisshaupt of the DUXBURIAN UNION to the position.

A Meeting of Leaders
Commissioner of Internal Affairs, Jean Calude Juncker, is preparing and organizing a summit between the heads of state and the heads of government of the European Union, which is to take place on July 6th.

Council Politics

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The European Council is currently voting upon an amendment to Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The amendment, authored by Councillor Martin Bourgaize of Eastern Haane, would extend the rights and privileges of the UDoHR to not just all citizens of European Union member states, but to all people within the boundaries of the European Union.

Free Movement of Required Labour Act
Councillor Václav Kohout of Czech Slavia attempted to amend the Free Movement of Required Labour Act, making it so that only member states with unemployment rates less than 4% could register labour shortages with the Labour Exchange, and that labour shortages could only be registered with the support of labour unions. After the amendment was severely weakened by an another amendment which removed the 4% unemployment threshold, the Act ultimately received no support and failed in a unanimous 7-0 votes against.

Hospital Ship Classification and Protection Act
Councillor Francis Plessis of Leagio proposed an act to protect hospital ships and those onboard from harm. The act was unanimously passed in an 8-0 vote.

The European Nuclear Applications Authority
The European Nuclear Applications Authority (ENAA), which regulates the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the European Union, was successfully amended in a unanimous 11-0 vote. The amendment, written by Councillor Carita Falk of Vayinaod, changed the organizational structure of the ENAA to consist of four permanent members and one non-permanent member. The new four permanent members are the Aelir of the DUXBURIAN UNION, the Prime Minister of Angleter, the Archbishop of Inquista and the Korojaunu of Icholasen. The Archkonsul of Vayinaod was elected as the non-permanent member in a 5-1-1 vote over the Prime Minister of Reitzmag and the President of Leagio.

A Failed Condemnation
Councillor Friedrich van Allen of Reitzmag opened up a Council discussion to condemn Spain In The South for allegedly infringing upon Reitzmag’s sovereignty. Councillor van Allen alleged that the Spanish President made statements and took actions which interfered in the process of electing the Reitzmic Councillor. Councillors across the European Union defended the Spanish President and criticized the Reitzmic Councillor for trying to mute opinions on his election, which many Councillors found dubious, as well for wasting the Council’s time by opening up a discussion about a national feud between Reitzmag and Spain. The condemnation discussion eventually amounted to nothing.

Banning Conversion Therapy
Councillor Kent Evergreen of Malborya saw unanimous support for his Banning of Conversion Therapy Act, which was passed in a 13-0 vote.

Eurocorps
Commissioner Reynels’ bill to establish a voluntarily military force, known as the Eurocorps, to defend the European Union and its allies, was passed in a 10-1 vote.

News From Around Europe

No Go To Nofoaga! N’nago Gotta Go
A heated public and political debate on national symbols in Nofoaga resulted in the collapse of the governing coalition in the country, after the Supreme Court ruled that the President had made some unconstitutional decrees. Despite the collapse of the governing coalition, President Nikola N'nago has refused to step down from power, and has also called-off upcoming elections in the country. Protesters have clashed in the streets, and a national curfew has been put into place. Over 750 protesters have been arrested. The Former Vice President, who is the leader of the MG Party that pulled out of the coalition with President N'nago’s party, has been arrested for civil disobedience. The National Assembly of Nofoaga has since dissolved itself, which gives some Nofoagans hope that an election could still be on the horizon. Numerous countries around the EU have condemned President N'nago and have issued travels bans or travels advisories to the country.

Aim For the Stars
A joint space program between Vayinaod and Fremet saw the successful launch of two astronauts (Anne Jaroldsdotter of Vayinaod and Olaf Schmidt of Fremet) from the Midtenskov Space Port in Fremet. The two astronauts were launched into Earth’s orbit, where they have been making various stress tests in regards to their vehicle’s utility and prowess, and will then later be making an orbital rendezvous with the Tyr Infrared Telescope. Two further launches are expected in late August, which should also include astronauts from Spain In The South and Inquista.

Elections in Icholasen
Nicoleizians went to the polls four times this month, in order to elect members of the Auswirr (lower house), the Ausnat (upper house), the Republic Assemblies (regional governments) and the Korojaunu (head of government) of Icholasen. Only one political party currently exists in communist-controlled Icholasen, which is the Nicoleizian Communist Party (PCN). However, within the PCN, there are two factions: the TANKIES (Transitory Alliance for Nicoleizian Kinship, Internationalism and Economic Strength) and the AÉN (Alliance écolo nicoleizienne). Bernard Sanders, leader of the TANKIES, was elected Korojaunu of Icholasen, while his fellow TANKIES won a majority in the Ausnat and two Republic Assemblies, while the AÉN, led by Carole Baskin, won a majority in the Auswirr and two other Republic Assemblies. Later, at the Socialist Congress meeting in Cesae Vauvra, Carole Baskin was elected as Speaker of the Auwirr and Cécile Laucre was elected Speaker of the Ausnat.

Things Not Looking Mint in Icholasen
Icholasen has officially outlawed dairy in the country, but will only progressively phase out the substance, after both houses of government and the Korojaunu approved of the Dairy Prohibition Act. The first phase of dairy prohibition will see mint flavoured ice cream outlawed on July 5th, along with chocolate and hazelnut ice cream, which have been described as “gateway” dairy products. Strong cheeses like camembert and brie will also be outlawed on July 5th. All other dairy products, including milk, will be outlawed in August. So much for the lactose intolerant left.

Bribery, But Make It Legal and Tax-Payer Funded
The Prime Minister of Reitzmag announced that his government has paid “more than a billion RPS” to Reitzmic companies so that would cease operating in Spain In The South.

No Cosplay At This Convention
The Common Government of Leagio held a convention to draft a new constitution for the country. The convention successfully produced a new constitution, which has since been approved by both houses of the National Congress and by Leagioans through a national referendum (where it received 83.7% of national support).

Inquistans Be Trippin’
The College of Bishops has passed legislation which has decriminalized all drugs for personal use in Inquista. Marijuana, as well as psychedelic drugs, which include certain drugs such as magic mushrooms and specific strains of LSD, have also been legalized.

Eastern Haaneans Really Be Trippin’
A psychedelic drug simply known as 'ievonuia' has caused mayhem in Eastern Haane. The drug, which produces hallucinations in small doses, has typically been used in the native religions of Eastern Haane to produce revelations that can uncover “true nature of all things”. The drug was somehow emitted in a mist form near Essen Castle in Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt, Eastern Haane. Tristan Murail, who presented Eastern Haane’s votes in the EuroVoice competition, and a woman, Agnes Obel, were both hospitalized after exiting Essen Castle and coming into contact with the drug-laced mist. While in hospital, Murail embarked on a horrific killing spree, killing hospital staff, after suffering from severe hallucinations. Murail managed to escape from the hospital but was later found naked in a small wood outside of Rosa-Luxemburg Stadt. Agnes Obel, who did not end up killing anyone, luckily only suffered from a mild case of amnesia. Murail has since been cleared of all charges and is in recovery alongside Obel.

Muale Should Be A State, Pass It On
The Governor of the Territory of Muale submitted a petition to the Common Government of Leagio to have Muale’s status as territory be bumped up to full statehood. Muale already meets the population requirements within the Constitution of Leagio to become a state, with a population over one million (which is more than two other states and all the territories in the east of the country).

Friends that Marx Together, March Together
President Sova and Prime Minister Černá of Czech Slavia met with (then) Foreign Minister Bernard Sanders of Icholasen. The Czech leaders reiterated their support for the communist coup in Icholasen, extended an Order of Friendship to the Nicoleizian Foreign Minister, and expressed their concern about the AÉN faction within the Nicoleizian Communist Party. The meeting drew criticism from Bishop Lallana of Inquista, who expressed concerns that Nicoleizian leaders were falling under the influence of Czech leaders.

Commie-on Over Here
Inquista has established a new refugee program which will offer refugee status to those living under communist governments. The Communist Refugee Program will guarantee 300,000 openings for citizens of Icholasen, Czech Slavia, Eastern Haane and the Taltovia to claim refugee status in Inquista by the end of the year. In 2021, the number of available spots will be increased to 450,000. Archbishop Mikaela Kligenberg hopes to entice refugees to come to Inquista by touting Inquista’s low unemployment rate, relative labour shortages, as well as the fact that Inquista has the highest average salaries and levels of disposal income in the entire EU.

So What About My E-Mails? Get Over It
Andries van Hoebeek, the former Supreme Councillor of Eastern Haane, and Helga Becker, Eastern Haane’s Councillor to the European Union, have been cleared of all criminal charges by the Congress of People's Courts. The pair were accused of blackmail, bribery, corruption and plans to eliminate political opponents, after 44,000 leaked emails exposed their involvement in allegedly illicit activities.

Elections in Eastern Haane
Mathilde Comtois of the Communist Worker’s Front was elected State Elder of Eastern Haane after receiving 32.8% of the vote. Elections were also held for the Syndical Assembly, the Assembly of Nations and the Assembly of Cantons.

Elections in Leagio
Elections for the National Congress and the Councillor to the European Union are currently underway in Leagio. Incumbent Councillor, Francis Plessis of the Civil Populist Party, is being challenged by Marie-Laure Lahaye of the Progressive Alliance Party, Luke Garnet of the Conservative Reform Party, Kelly Idiotus of the Socialist Union Party, and Hugo Wathelet of the Social Democratic Party.

A Woman On Top
Archbishop Kligenberg of Inquista announced that she would star in her own reality TV program entitled Mikaela Kligenberg: On Top of the World. The show follows the Archbishop as she travels around Inquista and Europe in her new political office, and it follows her as she battles her own personal trials and tribulations. The Archbishop is already a massive reality TV icon, after starring as the central character of the critically reviewed program Keeping Up with the Kligenbergs, which aired from 2009 until 2017.

Taking the Long, Scenic, Democratic Route
The never-ending federal election continues to unfold in Fremet. June saw the first part of the national leader’s debate, where the leaders of the top 7 political parties gave their pitches as to why they deserved the support of Fremetian voters. Europeans remain glued to their television sets, eagerly awaiting the elections results that are likely to come sometime… eventually...

Taking the Democratic Shortcut
In a surprise to very few Europeans, Councillor van Allen won his election as Reitzmag's Councillor to the European Union. Councillor van Allen, who organized the election himself, was elected in a 4-day election cycle.

Sport and Culture

EuroVoice 38
EuroVoice 38 took Europe by storm. Hosted in Neomantua, Angleter, this EuroVoice competition marked the first time that an allied region, the Conch Kingdom, participated in a EuroVoice competition. All in all, there were 16 participating acts in EuroVoice 38. Sham Rock, representing Icholasen, won the competition with their song “Tell Me Ma”. The European Union would like to thank our friends from the Conch Kingdom for participating! The next EuroVoice competition will be hosted by Icholasen this upcoming October.

Eurocup 2020
The UEFA Eurocup took place this past month. 12 teams qualified for the Eurocup, which was hosted by Spain In The South. The team from Leagio ultimately achieved triumphant victory, defeating Fremet 4-3 in penalties following an intensely close final game.

Eurocook
The Eurocook competition is officially underway. For the first challenge, participating teams have been tasked with preparing a breakfast dish for the judges.

This regional update has been issued by the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs.