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European Union – August and September 2020 Update

Commission Politics

Commission Elections
August and September saw the election of the 27th European Commission. There were five candidates for Premier Commissioner: Sofie Čikarová (Czech Slavia, PEL), Walter Cocx (Inimicus, independent), Maria Kerstin (Leagio, ELDR), Angela Merkel (Fremet, EPA), and Dragan Trympov (Pravoslaviya, MEGA). There were four candidates for Internal Affairs Commissioner: Jean Claude Juncker (Spain In The South, EPA), John Oliver (Vayinaod, MEGA), Katrin Weber (Eastern Haane, PEL), and Edmund Winston (Reitzmag, ELDR). As the Foreign Affairs Commissioner has an eight-month term, his seat was not up for election.

Angela Merkel was elected Premier Commissioner on the fourth round, winning 61% of the vote. Jean Claude Juncker was re-elected Internal Affairs Commissioner, winning 53.3% of the vote on the first round. The election marks the second consecutive election in which the European Progressive Alliance has filled all three Commission seats.

A Lending Hand
The Commissioner of Internal Affairs visited Leagio, where he discussed economic development and environmental concerns with the country’s president. The Commissioner worked out a deal for the European Union to loan €400 million to Leagio, so that the country could spend it on environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects. The loan was later be approved by the European Council.

Unification Talks Successful… But Not For Long
In August, the Commissioner of Internal Affairs mediated talks between the People's Confederation and the seceded cantons in Eastern Haane. The People's Confederation and the new confederation of cantons of Eastern Haane agreed to draft a new constitution for the country, among other compromises. Despite the signed agreement, peace would later break down again in Eastern Haane, and the country would devolve into total chaos.

Council Politics

Intervention in Eastern Haane
Commissioner Jean-Claude Juncker of Spain In The South and Councillor Tilki of Inimicus have proposed a motion to establish an EU-backed force that will intervene and bring stability to Eastern Haane. The motion follows a recommendation made by Speaker Firoux in a preceding Council discussion on the dire situation unfolding in Eastern Haane. The motion is currently still under consideration.

European Budget for 2020-2021
The European Union has passed its budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, which was proposed by Premier Whiteford and Speaker Firoux. The budget allots €31.73 billion for EU program expenditures. The budget barely made it through a supermajority vote of 9 to 3.

Leagioan Loan Request
Commissioner Jean Claude Juncker proposed his loan deal to the European Council, in which the European Union would loan the Commonwealth of Leagio €400 million for the development of its green energy infrastructure projects. The loan was passed unanimously.

European Maritime Standards Act
The Councillor of Reitzmag proposed a bill that sought to harmonize the laws of the sea, and prevent disputes within the territorial waters of Europe. The bill received widespread criticism for numerous reasons, and was unanimously defeated with 8 votes.

Anti-Space Weaponry Act
Councillor Van Allen of Reitzmag proposed the Anti-Space Weaponry Act, which sought to prevent the demilitarization of space. The bill received criticism for its wording and terminology, and was also criticized for not being exhaustive or comprehensive enough in terms of its scope. The legislation was defeated in a 3-8 vote.

Child Marriage Act
The Councillor of Montenbourg proposed a bill that sought to prohibit the marriage of persons younger than 18 years of age. The bill also sought to establish a region-wide age of majority of 18 years of age, which received considerable criticism. Some councillors opposed the bill because their states had an age of majority over 18 years of age, while other criticized it because they had age of majorities slightly below 18 years of age. In the end, the bill was seen as an unnecessary act, as no EU member state currently permits child marriage, and it was defeated in a 5-8 vote.

European Wealth Fund Act
Councillor Granger of Montenbourg proposed a bill to establish a European Wealth Fund. The fund would have served as a public sum of money, belonging collectively to the European Union, which member states could withdraw from to make investments. The proposal was defeated in a 7-2 vote.

Europe Day Act
Commissioner Jean Claude Juncker proposed a bill to recognize July 25th (the refounding of the European Union) as Europe Day, which would serve as a day dedicated to celebrating and commemorating the European Union. The bill was passed unanimously with 8 votes. The bill was later amended in September, which made Europe Day a public holiday for EU civil servants.

Speaker Neutrality Amendment
The Councillor of Reitzmag proposed a constitutional amendment which would prevent the Council Speaker from being a member of a eurogroup. The incumbent Speaker, Edward Firoux of Inquista, currently serves as the Chairperson of the European Progressive Alliance, and would have had to step down from his position had the amendment passed. The Reitzmic Councillor was lambasted by virtually the entire European Council, who felt that the Reitzmic Councillor had a personal score to settle with the Speaker. The legislation was defeated in a 12-2 vote.

Constitutional Amendment on Voting Regulations
Speaker Firoux of Inquista proposed a constitutional amendment which would only allow member states which have joined the European Union prior to the start of an election period to vote in an upcoming Commission or European Court of Justice election. The amendment was passed unanimously with 9 votes.

Amendments to the Condemnation of the Coup in Icholasen
An attempt to amend the Condemnation of the Coup in Icholasen failed as councillors proposed a series different amendments to the legislation, and then split their votes among those amendments, ultimately leaving the legislation unchanged, and then proceeded to vote against the proposal. The proposal was then withdrawn by its author, the Councillor of Reitzmag, in the final stages of voting.

Repeal Condemnation of the Coup in Icholasen
Councillor Kohout of Czech Slavia launched his second attempt to repeal the legislation which has banned EU recognition of the UNSR. In a spirited debate which saw the only two members of the Party of the European Left face off in a debate with one another, the legislation went on to fail in a 3-11 vote.

European Court of Justice

European Court of Justice Elections
August and September saw the election of a new European Court of Justice. Seven candidates stood for election: Clarisse Bourgeon (Montenbourg), Andreas Ekka (Fremet), Luis López Guerra (Spain In The South), Jack McCoy (Leagio), Robert Rinder (Icholasen), Frans Svenson (Kingdom of mennrimiak) and Christopher Vajda (Reitzmag). In the end, Robert Rinder was elected Chief Justice with 54.54% of the vote, and Clarisse Bourgeon, Luis López Guerra, Jack McCoy and Frans Svenson were all elected to Court alongside him.

Kingdom of Spain v. Kingdom of Reitzmag
The European Court of Justice ordered the Kingdom of Reitzmag to pay a fine of €500,000,000 to the European Union, and an additional €150,000,000 to the Global Alliance Against Human Trafficking, after the country made a military trade agreement with the UNSR, and violated the European Council’s Condemnation of the Coup in Icholasen. King George of Reitzmag was also fined € 5,000,000 for contempt of European Law.

Andries van Hoebeek v. The Keil Workers' Council
The European Court of Justice overturned the judicial ruling of the Kiel Workers’ Council in Eastern Haane, and ordered that the former Supreme Councillor of Eastern Haane, Andries van Hoebeek, receive a new trial in accordance with the laws of the European Union.

News From Around Europe

Eastern Haane Enters Oblivion While the European Community Scrambles
Eastern Haane has fallen into complete and utter chaos. The country has been ripped apart into several factions, and large swathes of the country are in anarchy. Among the country’s most prominent factions is the Haanean Empire, led by Josephine Areai. Areai and her followers have overseen mass atrocities and unspeakable crimes, which have claimed the lives of many Haaneans. Among the fallen includes Martin Bourgaize, the European Councillor for Eastern Haane.

With rather faint intentions, Reitzmag has launched a military intervention into the country, with the purported goal of establishing stability and brining a new government to power. Reitzmic forces have since been bogged down in the capital city of Kiel, where they have killed whatever small resistance groups they have come into contact with.

Meanwhile, as the European Council deliberates on an EU-backed mission into Eastern Haane, Fremet, Vayinaod, Inimicus and Spain In The South have established themselves as the “Four Assembled Powers”, and have sought to create a no-fly zone over the country, preventing further international intervention until the European Council comes to a decision.

A Long Road to Victory
The federal election saga in Fremet finally reached a conclusion in August. Erna Solberg, the leader of the Socialist Party, claimed a stunning victory and won enough seats to form a majority government without a coalition. This marks the first time in 70 years in which a Fremetian political party has won enough seats to form a government without any coalition partners. The governing Liberal Democrats were relegated down to become second biggest political party, while the Conservatives remained steadfast as the third largest political party in the country.

European Councillor Election in Leagio
Councillor Plessis of Leagio, of the European Liberal Democrats, has won re-election as the country’s Councillor to the European Union. The Councillor won a narrow victory in the second round of voting, after carrying 189 electoral votes, while his opponent, Marie Lahaye, carried 164 electoral votes. Councillor Plessis received 51.85% of the popular vote, while Marie Lahaye secured 48.15% of the vote.

Girl Boss Ascends to Throne After Dad Kicks the Bucket
Princess Victoria of Montenbourg ascended to the throne as the new Queen of the country, following the tragic passing of her father, King Lawrence. A state funeral was held for King Lawrence, which was attended by many of Europe’s leaders who came to pay their respects to the royal family of Montenbourg.

N-Day Could Never
The European Nuclear Applications Authority (ENAA), which regulates the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the European Union, has granted nuclear licenses to the Kingdom of Fremet and the Empire of Inimicus. Fremet is permitted to produce up to 275 nuclear warheads, while Inimicus has been granted a license to produce up to 200 nuclear warheads.

New President, Same As the Old President
Former Interim President, Lula Namatatiki, has been elected as the official President of Nofoaga. The President was supported by the Namatatiki and NofoagaFirst parties, and received the endorsement of the indigenous Nofoaga Tiki tribe. Members of the opposition PFN and MG parties stood up and left the Nofoagan Assembly during the Presidential vote.

A Girl’s Night Out
Prime Minister Simon Bridges of Reitzmag attended a state visit in Inquista, hosted by Inquistan Archbishop Mikaela Kligenberg. Together, the two leaders - and total BFFLs - embarked on a manic car chase, a wild shopping spree, a star-studded movie premiere, before then hitting the dancefloor at a nightclub. In the end, the leaders - err, excuse me, BFFLS - agreed on provisions for free trade, free movement, and a license for the government of Reitzmag to purchase weapons and vehicles from Inquistan military producers.

He’s Back, Back, Back Again
Emperor Artabanos of Inimicus enjoyed a welcome back banquet, attended by many leaders from across Europe, where he appeared to be in good health following the attack on his supersonic jet which nearly claimed his life. Foreign dignitaries were glad to see the Emperor back in good health, and many were there to remind him that death would perhaps be a better fate than continued co-existence with European leaders.

The Search for the Lost City
A team of curious experts, scientists and explorers from Spain In The South and Inquista have joined up together in a search for the lost city of Atlantis. Atlantis is believed to be located somewhere in the Mediterranean, close to (or even within) either Spain, Inquista or Red Croatia.

A Royal Wedding
On August 28th, then Princess (but now Queen) Victoria of Montenbourg and Lord Philip of Cambridge wed at the All Saints Cathedral in Montenbourg. The wedding was attended by various royals and foreign dignitaries, and was observed by many well-wishers.

Papacito
August saw President Jesús Aguilar of Spain In The South welcome his 2nd daughter, Isabel, to his family. The Spanish President is now the father of four children, and took two weeks of paternity leave to spend time with his family and his newborn daughter. During the President’s leave, Vice President Soraya Sáenz fulfilled his duties as temporary President.

Wildfires Scorch Andalucía
Wildfires swept through parts of Andalucía, Spain In The South, during August. At least 3,000 people were evacuated and more than 10,000 hectares of land was burned.

What’s A Water Bill?
Following the nationalization of banks and a ban placed on landlords, housing mortgages are now under state control in Icholasen. New reforms have streamlined all utility services, such as water, gas and electricity, under one nationalized service, which will be free. Housing occupants will also have the choice to either use a new government-controlled broadband scheme, or they can opt-out to use one provided by a cooperative.

Underdog Victory in Inimican European Councillor Election
Hetty Tilki has been elected the European Councillor of Inimicus, resulting in a surprise blow to the political establishment of the country, who expected Nicholas Benfield to win the position. At 20 years old, Tilki is the youngest ever European Councillor from Inimicus and one of the youngest elected or appointed officials in the Empire.

¡El Scándalo Continua!
King Juan Carlos, the former King of Spain In The South, has fled the country after severe corruption allegations came to light. In a letter to King Felipe VI, the current King of Spain, the former King explained his actions. Unbeknownst the public, King Juan Carlos has fled to the island nation of Nofoaga.

Imperial Council By-Elections in Inimicus
Four newly-elected Imperial Councillors have been elected in Inimicus. Three of the four new Imperial Councillors were elected on lists from the Emperor's Finest movement, a new popular front campaigning on a platform dedicated to furthering the agenda of the current Emperor. Simge Galanth, now former Duchess of Terra Quaestoris, was elected to Terra, while Dilkes Ayla and Nazil Schout won in the newly formed Terra Diutius. The only non-Finest victor, Henman Vern, ran in Terra Centurio on behalf of the Centre-Conservative Union, and narrowly beat the Inimician Liberal Appeal's candidate.

#FreeSahrawiSpears
A landmark agreement has been reached between Inquista and The sahrawi union. The Sahrawi Union has been released as a protectorate of Inquista, and the country has been granted full autonomy over its own affairs. All Inquistan military personnel currently located in the Western Sahara will return to Inquista, and all Inquistan military bases located in the Sahrawi Union will also be closed.

A Game of States and Territories
The territories of Loors and Wilson have been granted statehood in Leagio. The country also created a new territory, known as the Territory of Freedonia, which will become the home of Haanean refugees coming to Leagio through a newly established refugee program. Kelly Idiotus, the former the Socialist Union Party Candidate for Leagio’s EU Councillor, was named the Governor of Freedonia.

Copala City Local Elections
Mayoral and City Council elections are now underway in Copala City. Many political parties are standing for election, some of which include the Milk Is Lovely and Flavoursome (MILF) party, Dairy is Loathsome and Foul (DILF) party, the Gay Liberation Front, New Gilead-Copala party, and the Nicoleizian Union of Protestant Environmentalists.

Train Derailment in Spain
In August, a ScotRail train derailed in Stonehaven, Spain In The South. It is believed that the derailment was caused by heavy storms that the Autonomous Community of Scotland suffered during the month, which flooded many towns in the surrounding area. Three persons were confirmed to have been killed, including the driver, a passenger and the train's conductor.

New Political Alliances in Leagio
Most of the political parties of Leagio have organized themselves into three new alliances. The three political alliances include the Republicans (lead by the Conservative Reform Party, but also including the Common Nationalists and the Christian Democratic-Republicans), the Revolutionary Front (lead by the Socialist Union Party, but also including the Green Party), and the Free Liberalists (lead by the Civil Populist Party, but also including the Social Democrat Party and the Eastern Leagio Party).

Going in Circles
The government of Montenbourg has adopted an ambitious national strategy for a ‘circular economy’ that is completely environmentally sustainable. Montenbourg aims to become the first fossil fuel-free welfare state in Europe.

Cruisin’ No More
The government of Nofoaga will no longer permit cruise ships to visit the island nation starting in 2021. The government stated that the cruise ship ban will be instituted in order to protect the local reefs and coast against pollution. This is also good news for country’s famous turtles.

Spaced Out
In August, two simultaneous and successful launches were made from the Midtenskov Space Port in Fremet. The Thor CV-02 and CV-03 took off about eight hours apart, with the primary mission of proving the efficacy of the European Docking Standard technology employed on the Thor Crewed Vehicle. Astronauts from Inquista and Spain In The South took part in the mission, joining the efforts spearheaded by the joint Fremetian and Vardic space programs.

A Constitutional Update
Leagio has adopted a series of new amendments to its Constitution, which includes articles concerning the emergency appointment of senators, means for fixing congressional salaries, representation for oversea Leagioans, among other important changes. The proposed amendments received considerable debate, as some debated whether Leagio’s Constitution should be amended at all. In the end, the amendments were passed with a resounding mandate.

Money for Haane-y
A fund for aid humanitarian relief in Eastern Haane has been established in Inquista, known as the Inquistan Eastern Haane Relief Fund. The fund reached international attention after Archbishop Mikaela Kligenberg dropped her tenth studio album, Haane-y Haane-y - a charity album devoted to Eastern Haane - which will have all its proceeds dedicated to the fund. The governments of Leagio and Montenbourg have since donated generous sums of money to the fund.

Family Values
The College of Bishops has amended the Fundamental Laws of Inquista in order to allow the Archbishop Mikaela Kligenberg to adopt her daughter, despite not yet being married. Unbeknownst to the public, the Archbishop’s adopted daughter is the biological daughter of Queen Aleksandra of Red Croatia and the late Archbishop Craticus.

No, You Can’t Have Nice Things And How Dare You Even Suggest That
A proposal to introduce basic income has failed in Post fascist austria. The proposal, which would give 1,500 schillings to every Austrian over the age of 21 every month, was rejected by the country’s Bundeswirtschaftsrat. The bill was supported by the country’s Chancellor, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, who has experienced a sharp decline in approval after proposing the basic income bill.

An Open Case
Further evidence has emerged which has shown that missiles from North Diessen are to blame for the attack on the Emperor of Inimicus and his supersonic jet earlier in July.

What the FUCC?
The official legislative session of Fremet resumed in September, following the country’s recent elections. The first item on the legislative agenda was the he Fremetiansk Utility Consolidation and Cooperative (FUCC) Act. The FUCC Act seeks to consolidate Fremet's 16 public national, 37 private national, and 12 local electricity utility companies into a series of 10 state-sponsored cooperatives. The cooperatives will provide electricity services to Fremetians, and will be overseen by a centralised, state-owned electricity distributor.

Krexit
The ill-named movement for a Reitzmic exit of the European Union has gained momentum in the country, particularly after the European Court of Justice found Reitzmag guilty of violating the terms of the Condemnation of the Coup in Icholasen.

Malboryan Protests End With Horrific Truck Attack
Malboryan politics quickly became polarised as the President of the country considered sponsoring a military intervention in nearby Eastern Haane. Protests soon broke out, both for and against military intervention. A terrorist attack then unfolded, in which a truck drove through a crowd of protesters in Southwest Hattington, killing 94 people.

Light It Up
The personal use of cannabis has been legalized by the Reitzmic House of Commons. However, limitations have been applied on cannabis consumption, including a ban on public consumption.

Don’t Get Handsy With Me
Protesters in Czech Slavia have demonstrated against the European Council’s condemnation of the UNSR, and perceived intervention of EU member states in the affairs of the UNSR. The protests have adopted a slogan of “Keep Hands off the UNSR”.

Sport and Culture

EuroVoice 39: The Spooky Spectacular
Icholasen is currently hosting the 39th edition of the EuroVoice competition. All entries in the competition have to either be Halloween themed, or they have to be a former EuroVoice entry which has risen back from the (musical) grave to compete again. Our friends from Conch Kingdom have also entered the competition. Spooky!

RetroVoice 1985
In order to re-live their glory days and instill communist nostalgia within Nicoleizians, the national broadcaster of the UNSR has decided to re-air the 1985 edition of EuroVoice, which took place in their country. Inquista came out on top of the contest, with Debarge grooving to victory with their hit song ‘Rhythm Of The Night’.

Tacovision II
The European Union once again participated in the 10000 Islands’ Tacovision contest as a united team. A selection contest was organized, in which one of the most recent winners of the EuroVoice competition was selected to compete in Tacovision. Sham Rock of Icholasen (winner of EuroVoice 38) was ultimately selected to represent the EU in Tacovision II. In the end, Sham Rock placed 6th in the contest (out of 28 final contestants) with their song ‘Tell Me Ma’.

Formula 1
The Formula 1 European Championship has concluded, following the final races in Reitzmag, Aragon, Andalusia, and Inquista. Fernando Alonso of Spain In The South won the Driver’s Championship, while his compatriot Carlos Sainz finished in second place, and Daniel Ricciardo of Gallorum placed third. The España F1 Team handily won the Constrictor’s Championship, while Renault and Force Inquista - Kligenberg Motors placed a distant second and third respectively.

UEFA Nations League
The UEFA Nations League is currently underway in its group stage.

N-Day

The European Union proudly participated in N-Day activities as a member of An Alliance of Potatoes. The member states of our region made many new friends and allies among our fellow spuds. We are particularly proud of our fellow potatoes, who staged an epic come-from-behind to finish in second place. The destruction, ruin and humiliation of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse also brought collective joy to the European Union.

Among Us

Among Us fever has swept the European Union. Among Us mania has prompted the founding of an EU E-Sports League dedicated purely to the game. In the first season of the Among Us tournament, Kalmara came out as the victor, followed by Icholasen in second, and Vayinaod in third. Many interpersonal relationship have nearly been ruined in the process, and irreparable trust issues have been sown.

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