JEDCJT Posted November 11, 2011 Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 [size="4"][b]Elections currently underway, new Constitution to go into effect[/b][/size] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/UZB32.jpg[/IMG] [u][b][i]Nadrink Daily News[/i] - Nadrink, Distretto Federal:[/b][/u] According to the Vinilandese Institute of Statistics (VIS), the first election in New Portugal - organized over several months - had been intense. Candidates of the Libertarian Party, Monarchist Party, People's Republican Party, Martensist Party, and Labor Party had been competing for public votes on a variety of issues and positions. According to tracking polls conducted by the VIS, the Monarchist Party had been receiving the most support of all, averaging approximately 27 percent so far, with the Labor Party getting the second highest (21 percent). The People's Republican Party and other parties have had garnered the next highest support, with the Libertarian Party being the lowest (it seems the people have not forgotten its role in the notorious Corporate Republic). Not only were the five 'major' parties exerting considerable influence on the political stage, but the 'minor' parties such as the Democratic Party and the National Party had been reporting wide success in local and some provincial constitutencies so far. All political parties have been campaigning under the electoral rules introduced by the National Emergency Council and continues to take effect: each political party cannot spend more than $50 million on their campaigns; each major political party will receive $10 million in public funding (with minor ones receiving up to $5 million); and private donations are limited to $20,000 per capita. Prior to its dissolution, the National Emergency Council stipulated in the Constitution that a run-off election be held in the case that any political party is unable to receive a majority vote (placed at 51% instead of the usual 67%); this will apply to two political parties with the highest votes. Also included in the constitution was that the party with the second highest vote become the official Opposition, and that a Prime Minister be the leader of the political party with the highest votes, appointed by the Monarch. On a related note, the new Constitution, formally known as the [b]Constitution of New Portugal[/b], is to officially go into effect. Receiving wide public support and ratified in a recent referendum, the Constitution not only affirmed the formation of a constitutional monarchy in the country, but sanctioned the formation of a Parliament comprised of two Houses (the National Assembly and the Legislative Council, the latter receiving its members through appointment by provincial and territorial legislatures, and the former through proportional elections). Furthermore, the Constitution stipulated the establishment of the judicial branch of the government, from the Supreme Court all the way to the Administrative Court. According to the Constitution, a Council of Ministers was to be formed, of which would be appointed by the Prime Minister with the approval of the Monarch. It will consist of the following: [quote]Ministry of Finance Ministry of External Affairs Ministry of Internal Affairs Ministry of Justice Ministry of Defense Ministry of Health Ministry of Communications Ministry of Commerce and Labor Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Maritime Affairs Ministry of Education Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Ministry of Science and Technology[/quote] Each Ministry will report to the Prime Minister, and be accountable to the Monarch. The Monarch, as Head of State, will have the power to veto any bill or amendment passed by Parliament (but can be subject to a veto in that case), overrule any decision by either the Prime Minister or the Supreme Court, dissolve Parliament at the Prime Minister's request, and declare a state of emergency or martial law in the absence of a head of government, among others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted November 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 [size="4"][b]Monarchist Party wins election, Parliament to come into session[/b][/size] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/HDD5c.gif[/IMG] [u][b][i]The Vancouver Sun[/i] - Vancouver, Columbina:[/b][/u] The Monarchist Party won a narrow victory in the parliamentary election, garnering over 52 percent of the vote, verified by the Vinilandese Institute of Statistics (VIS). This is the first time the Monarchist Party had participated in, and won, an election since the days of the Kingdom of Ursalia decades before. The news of the Monarchist victory was greeted with considerable support and approval among the population, most particularly in Vancouver and Nadrink. Monarchist party leader Giorgio Silva was glowing as he greeted enthusiastic crowds in front of the Monarchist Party headquarters in Nadrink, stating in a speech that it "was a great victory and a great honor, not only for the Monarchist Party, but also for the nation as a whole." The Labor Party, which garnered over 27 percent of the vote and would become the official Opposition in the Parliament, congratulated its rival on its victory but stated that it would, in party leader Antonio Inacio's words, "continue to push its agenda in parliamentary proceedings." The People's Republican Party, despite its disappontment (it received only 14 percent of the vote), stated that it was a "triumph for and by the People." Lastly, the Martensist Party and the Libertarian Party received 5 percent and 3 percent, respectively, with the latter receiving the lowest support in recent years. Even so, Libertarian leader Pasquale Bianchi congratulated the Monarchist Party on its victory, expressing his wishes that New Portugal "be placed on a new course that would lead it to success and prosperity." With the conclusion of the country's first elections, the two Houses of Parliament (National Assembly and Legislative Council) are expected to come into session. The Monarch, for his part, will announce his choice for Prime Minister, as required by the Constitution. [b]---[/b] [size="4"][b]Lago das Pradarias to enter into talk with Rio Grande do Leste regarding future railway line[/b][/size] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/XnmkL.jpg[/IMG] [u][b][i]Winnipa Sun[/i] - Winnipa, Lago das Pradarias:[/b][/u] The interim Legislative Assembly of Lago das Pradarias voted to pass a resolution authorizing negiotiations with the neighboring province, Rio Grande do Leste, regarding a railway line that would link up Winnipa to Regina through the city of Brandon. The proposition, according to interim Governor Philip Selinger, if successful, could lay out the basis for a possible expansion of the province's railway network. Unconfirmed plans include the construction of several lines, running from Winnipa to Novoporto, or from Novoporto to Flin Flon through the city of Thompson, among several others. "Discussions will begin once the general elections currently taking place in Lago das Pradarias concludes, and I believe that the proposition will have far-reaching benefits for both of our provinces." The governor stated in a televised press statement in Winnipa. Such benefits include the expansion of the province, and New Portugal as a whole,'s tourist industry and the faciliation of wider transportation of resources and goods that would be essential in linking the country to the world market. Critics, however, pointed out that the timing of the announcement was convinent, and voiced concerns about the possible impact of the expansion of the railway system on the province's environment and terrain. Such program, it was said, would have to take into account local interests such as dozens of protected areas that crisscrosses the province and "visible minorities" that reside in northern to central Manitoba. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted November 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 [size="4"][b]Parliament convenes its first session, Prime Minister appointed[/b][/size] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Dlyfd.jpg[/IMG] [u][b][i]Nadrink Chronicle[/i] - Nadrink, Distretto Federal:[/b][/u] With great fanfare, Parliament convened its first session in Nadrink today, with 313 members of the National Assembly and 156 members of the Legislative Council assembling in the Parliament building in Nadrink. According to the Constitution, each representative of the National Assembly would represent every 160,000 people; similiarly, every member of the Legislative Assembly would represent each electoral district in every Province and Territory, directly elected by the districts. One of the first acts the new Parliament was to approve, by a considerable majority with some dissension, the appointment of Monarchist party leader Giorgio Silva as the first Prime Minister of the Kingdom of New Portugal. As King Salvador d'Alberquerque stated in a special press statement from the Royal Palace off the coast of Nadrink, "Giorgio Silva has great knowledge and capabilities that will help guide New Portugal upon a course, of which the nation will attain its highest potential. My appointment of Giorgio Silva to the position of Prime Minister, not a decision to be undertaken lightly, reflects my trust in him to uphold the commitments that he has made to the people of New Portugal." Parliament, specifically the National Assembly, currently comprises of 162 members from the Monarchist Party, 85 from the Labor Party (the official Opposition), 42 from the People's Republican Party, 16 from the Martensist Party, and 8 from the Libertarian Party. The Monarchist Party currently holds a great, but not decisive, majority of seats in the National Assembly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted November 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 [size="4"][b]Oil industry to be partially nationalized[/b][/size] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/UBZ8B.jpg[/IMG] [u][b][i]Calgari Herald[/i] - Calgari, Nova Coimbra:[/b][/u] Nova Coimbran Governor Joshua Fiennes announced in a special press statement in Calgari that his province had entered into agreements with the Ministry of Commerce and Labor to "faciliate federal oversight over the province's oil and gas industry" in the interests of national prosperity. The [b]National Energy Commission (N.E.C.)[/b] would be established under the aegis of the Department of Energy in the Ministry of Commerce and Labor to implement this agreement in practice. What this means in practice is that over one-thirds of the oil and gas industry - refineries, drilling sites, extraction and distillation centers, distribution centers, and relevant sites - in Nova Coimbra was to be nationalized immediately, with compensation to be paid to their owners and operators. The reminder was to be placed under strict scrutiny of the N.E.C., with appropriate measures and checks to be implemented in place to ensure the bludgeoning oil and gas industry would "continue to benefit the nation and people as a whole." This would include the breakup of oil and gas corporation ViniPetro, which control of the nation's oil and gas industry, as well its corruption and abuses, nearly led to economic perdition after the outbreak of the solar flare, Fiennes said. The willingness of a province long reowned for its aversion to government authority to embrace federal government supervision over its vital industry indicates that a new political trend is currently sweeping the province. "Libertarianism is in the decline in Nova Coimbra." Political expert Astor Blaine stated in a special press statement at Calgari University. "Apparently, the horrors of corporate rule has finally illustrated the dangers of unfettered capitalism, especially when corporations receive absolute control over a resource or resources that are extremely vital to civilization itself." However, the announcement raised concerns, especially when it comes to economic freedom. "The Constitution grants citizens the right to prosperity, and this includes the production, distribution, and selling of gas and oil to both domestic and international markets." Reowned critic Allen Dale stated to the [i]Calgari Herald[/i]. "The expansion of government bureaucracy poses a serious threat to the concept of economic freedom as much as the corporate regime endangered the same concept of said freedom." The Libertarian Party, in turn, criticized what it called a "scheme to increase government power at the expense of individual freedom." However, the Monarchist Party and Labor Party praised this move, the former calling it the "right step in the right direction" and the latter lauding it as the "beginning of a stable relationship between the private and public sector of the economy that are essential in a mixed economy." The People's Republican Party also praised this move, but felt that it "did not go far enough." The National Party in the Territory of d'Alberqueque stated that it would petition for similiar actions in the territory. Similiar negotiations are currently underway with the provinces of Rio Grande do Leste and Lago das Pradarias. There are plans for talks with Nova Alasca as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted November 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 [size="4"][b]Opposition cabinet formed[/b][/size] [u][b][i]Nadrink Daily News[/i] - Nadrink, Distretto Federal:[/b][/u] At the initiative of Labor Party and Opposition leader, Antonio Inacio, Parliament held a debate on a special resolution that, if passed, would allow the Opposition leader (the leader of the political party with the second highest votes in the recent national election) to form a 'shadow cabinet' to scrutinize the actions of the individual Ministries in the Council of Ministers, to propose alternate policies, and to place the federal government under stricter accountability. After a heavy debate, both Houses of Parliament narrowly voted to pass [i]Special Resolution No. 7[/i], also formally known as the [b]Opposition Cabinet Act[/b] but would be popularly referred to as the Shadow Act. The Opposition leader would be allowed to appoint Opposition ministers corresponding to their counterparts in the Council of Ministers with the confirmation of the Prime Minister and the approval of the Monarch. The Opposition Cabinet will consist of the following: [quote]Opposition Ministry of Finance Opposition Ministry of External Affairs Opposition Ministry of Internal Affairs Opposition Ministry of Justice Opposition Ministry of Defense Opposition Ministry of Health Opposition Ministry of Communications Opposition Ministry of Commerce and Labor Opposition Ministry of Agriculture Opposition Ministry of Maritime Affairs Opposition Ministry of Education Opposition Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Opposition Ministry of Science and Technology[/quote] The Opposition Cabinet does not serve as a substitute for the Council of Ministers, and neither will it assume formal powers in place of the aformentioned Council. It will operate under the strict mandate, alas to scrutinize the actions of the individual Ministeries in the Council of Ministers, to propose alternate policies, and to place the federal government under stricter accountability. On a related note, another motion had been submitted into the National Assembly of Parliament by Monarchist deputies Alan Reed and Susan Albertson, one proposing the formation of separate Ministries for each Province and Territory (e.g. the Ministry of Nova Coimbra, the Ministry of d'Alberquerque, etc.) as to represent their provinces. Debate on the motion will begin in due time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 [quote name='JEDCJT' timestamp='1322113973' post='2850310'] [size="4"][b]Opposition cabinet formed[/b][/size] [u][b][i]Nadrink Daily News[/i] - Nadrink, Distretto Federal:[/b][/u] At the initiative of Labor Party and Opposition leader, Antonio Inacio, Parliament held a debate on a special resolution that, if passed, would allow the Opposition leader (the leader of the political party with the second highest votes in the recent national election) to form a 'shadow cabinet' to scrutinize the actions of the individual Ministries in the Council of Ministers, to propose alternate policies, and to place the federal government under stricter accountability. After a heavy debate, both Houses of Parliament narrowly voted to pass [i]Special Resolution No. 7[/i], also formally known as the [b]Opposition Cabinet Act[/b] but would be popularly referred to as the Shadow Act. The Opposition leader would be allowed to appoint Opposition ministers corresponding to their counterparts in the Council of Ministers with the confirmation of the Prime Minister and the approval of the Monarch. The Opposition Cabinet will consist of the following: The Opposition Cabinet does not serve as a substitute for the Council of Ministers, and neither will it assume formal powers in place of the aformentioned Council. It will operate under the strict mandate, alas to scrutinize the actions of the individual Ministeries in the Council of Ministers, to propose alternate policies, and to place the federal government under stricter accountability. On a related note, another motion had been submitted into the National Assembly of Parliament by Monarchist deputies Alan Reed and Susan Albertson, one proposing the formation of separate Ministries for each Province and Territory (e.g. the Ministry of Nova Coimbra, the Ministry of d'Alberquerque, etc.) as to represent their provinces. Debate on the motion will begin in due time. [/quote] The Federation of Arctic Regions likes this government set up and would like to embark on a journey to make its own government system similar to the Portuguese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted November 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 [size="4"][b]Neutrality Act passed[/b][/size] [u][b][i]Nadrink Chronicle[/i] – Nadrink, Distretto Federal:[/b][/u] In light of current events taking place across the globe, Parliament voted to pass a special resolution imposing travel restrictions upon several nations currently at war, particularly the United Federation of the East, the Athenian Federation, the Kingdom of Cochin, Rebel Army, Kingdom of Sweden, Greater Germany, and their allies. In accordance to the [b]Neutrality Act of 20XX[/b], airports across the Kingdom are to repeal until further notice all flights to the aforementioned countries, under the supervision of the Ministry of Transportation; citizens already in the aforementioned countries are encouraged to contact the New Portuguese Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible. Likewise, all maritime crossings (cruise ships, etc.) to the warring nations are proscribed until further notice, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs shall enforce this. In turn, military ships from all warring nations are prohibited from traversing New Portuguese waters and EEZ, and the Navy in conjunction with the Coast Guard shall enforce this. Lastly, the Act required that all arms imports and exports be licensed, and established the [b]National Munitions Council (NMC)[/b] under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Labor to enforce this. Unlicensed arms trade by any citizen carries the maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Finally, citizens of the warring nations are welcome to remain in New Portugal for as long as they wish, given that they register for a special visa with the Immigration and Naturalization Bureau of the Department of State Security of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. [b]CLASSIFIED:[/b] All military bases alongside the western New Portuguese coast, from Juneau in Nova Alasca in the north all the way to Gold Beach in the Territory of Oragua (Oregon) in the south were placed on heightened alert (DEFCON 4). But other than that, nothing really changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted November 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 (edited) [size="4"][b]New port unveiled[/b][/size] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/byAyF.jpg[/IMG] [u][b][i]Winnipa Sun[/i] - Winnipa, Lago das Pradarias:[/b][/u] The Department of Housing and Construction of the Ministry of Commerce and Labor publicly announced a major project that had been underway for some time. According to Housing and Construction Director, Jack Evalon, a new port is currently in the works in Lago das Pradarias, which upon completion is envisaged to become one of New Portugal's major ports. The purpose of the project, according to Evalon, was to open up Lago das Pradarias to more "trade and commerce opportunities." However, it has been speculated that a second port in Lago das Pradarias was intended to alleviate the province's potential over-reliance on its sole major port of Novoporto. The planned port, which would be officially named the [b]City and Port of Eyvindsson[/b] in honor of the Greenlandic Lord Protector, would have modern facilities and relative infrastructure. In addition to ports and its facilities, an airport is set to be constructed near the port city, and so would the City Hall building, which would become the meeting place of the city's local government. There are sentiments, however unconfirmed, that several military bases and facilities would be built in or around the city. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/SophO.jpg[/IMG] The Department of Housing and Construction is currently working on this major project with the Lago das Pradarias provincial government (specifically the provincial Ministry of Construction), along with the Army Corps of Engineers and various construction companies and industries. Eyvindsson City (not to be confused with its counterpart in the Federal Republic of Greenland) is to be located at the historical location of Port Nelson at the mouth of the Nelson River alongside the Hudson Bay in the southeastern portion of Lago das Pradarias. It had been recently confirmed that the airport (yet to be named) would be built near York Factory. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/s8CFD.jpg[/IMG] Construction is estimated to take approximately five to ten years, possibly more. Edited November 30, 2011 by JEDCJT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynneth Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 "Fancy. I like this." -Guyanan Architect (OOC: Also a mouth for my opinion~) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 [size="4"][b]Posse Comitatus Act passed into law[/b][/size] [u][b][i]Nadrink Daily News[/i] - Nadrink, Distretto Federal:[/b][/u] Parliament voted by a narrow margin to pass the [b]Posse Comitatus Act[/b]. Signed into law by Prime Minister Giorgio Silva and ratified by King Salvador d'Alberquerque, the Act placed limitations on the powers of government on all levels and law enforcement agencies to use federal military personnel for law enforcement purposes. The exact wordings of Section 7 of Chapter 22 of the Act went as follows: [quote]From and after the passage of this Act, it shall not be lawful to employ any part of the New Portuguese Defense Forces for the purpose of executing the laws of the land, except in cases and under circumstances that the employment of said forces may be explicitly authorized by the Constitution or by Act of Parliament.[/quote] Furthermore, the Act described high penalties for violations of the Act, applicable for all government officers on all levels, including but not limited to the Prime Minister. "Whoever," the Act went, "willfully uses any part of the Defense Forces as a posse comitatus or otherwise for the purpose of executing the laws of the land, and not in cases and under circumstances as described above, shall be fined up to $500,000 or imprisoned no more than ten years, or both." In addition, the Act prohibited federal military officials and personnel from conducting arrests, even in cases and under circumstances, of individual citizens within the territorial, maritime, and aerial boundaries of the Kingdom of New Portugal, without due process or fair trial - with certain exceptions under specific circumstances, with burden of proof placed upon military officials and personnel conducting said arrests in that case. The Act applies to all branches of the New Portuguese Defense Forces, but does not apply to the National Guard under federal authority from acting in law enforcement capability. Neither does it apply to the Coast Guard, which is currently under the aegis of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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