Rhodean Royal News Corporation

[Ioannes]

[center][u][b][size="6"]Election Date Announced; Like-Minded Thinkers Band Together[/size][/b][/u][/center]
True to his word, King Ioannes I Komnenos has set an official date for the first Rhodean Parliamentary Elections, in which the citizens of Rhodes will vote for their Parliament, which has a total of 50 seats, and Chancellor, who is to be the head of government, and will act as a democratic counterweight to the King.

Already, political parties have sprung up to organize like-minded individuals.

[u]Rhodean National Party[/u]
Leader: Pavlos Theodoros
Ideology: Centrist
Foreign Affairs: Low-level diplomatic ties with nearby Mediterranean powers, with focus on the Athenian-Rhodean relationship
Domestic Affairs: Government-funded healthcare and education/higher education, limited narcotics control, strong national police force
Economy: Free market, with government oversight to prevent extortion and white-collar crime, living wages
Military: Strong national military, 2-year mandatory service

[u]Rhodean Socialist Party[/u]
Leader: Gus Filippos
Ideology: Center-left
Foreign Affairs: Low-level ties with socialist nations, limited relations with Athenian Federation
Domestic Affairs: Government-controlled healthcare, government-funded education/higher education, strong national police force, moderate narcotics control
Economy: Government-watched economy, wage limits for high-earners, living wage
Military: Strong national military, all volunteers, no conscription

[u]Rhodean Libertarian Party[/u]
Leader: Demetrios Matthias
Ideology: Center, right-influenced
Foreign Affairs: Non-interventionism
Domestic Affairs: Government assists in healthcare payments and all education, moderate national police force, no narcotics control
Economy: No government interference
Military: Strong enough to defend Rhodes and Rhodes alone, all volunteers, no conscription

[u]Rhodean Communist Party[/u]
Leader: Nomiki Gregorios
Ideology: Far-left
Foreign Affairs: Strong ties with communist/socialist nations, cut off ties with right-wing nations
Domestic Affairs: Government-provided healthcare and higher education, strong national police force, severe narcotics control
Economy: Government-controlled, equal wages
Military: Strong national military, 6-year mandatory service for all

[u]Rhodean Conservative Party[/u]
Leader: Thomas Perasekvas
Ideology: Right
Foreign Affairs: Strong ties with regional right-wing nations, no ties with communist/socialist nations
Domestic Affairs: Severe narcotics control, no government interference in healthcare and education, strong national police force, phone-tapping and other security measures to be used by government
Economy: Free-market
Military: Strong national military, 2-year mandatory service for all

[u]Rhodean Royalist Party[/u]
Leader: Ioannis Spiros
Ideology: Centrist
Foreign Affairs: Limited ties with regional powers
Domestic Affairs: More power to the king, government-provided healthcare and education, strong national police force, limited narcotics control
Economy: Free-market, minor government oversight
Military: Strong national military loyal to the king, 2-year mandatory service


King Ioannes I voiced his displeasure at the idea of party politics.
"Political parties," the king said, "are the one failsafe path to a polarized parliament and hindering the government's ability to provide for and protect its citizens. For that reason, I will not support, condemn, or join any of the parties that have been or will be formed."

Elections will be held within the next few weeks.

Edited February 17, 2011 by Ioannes

[Ioannes]

[center][size="6"][u][b]Elections Begin![/b][/u][/size][/center]
Today, Rhodean citizens head for the polls to vote in the first ever parliamentary elections of the Kingdom of Rhodes. Also to be elected is the Chancellor, who will govern the kingdom alongside the monarch. Each party has put forth candidates for Parliament and Chancellor. The candidates for the latter are listed below.

Rhodean National Party: Neofytos Konstantinos
Rhodean Socialist Party: Elias Maria
Rhodean Libertarian Party: Paraskevas Charalampos
Rhodean Communist Party: Yiorgos Evangelos
Rhodean Conservative Party: Nicolaos Aniketos
Rhodean Royalist Party: Nikolas Stamatis

Elections will last three to five (RP) days. When the results are counted and final, King Ioannes I will hold the inauguration ceremony and announce his own Royal Court of Advisors.

[Markus Wilding]

The Rhodean National Party has the Brotherhood of Portugal's full support.

[AironthFlamewing]

The Rhodean Communist Party has the full support of the United Kingdom of Idaho-Montana

[Ioannes]

[center][size="6"][u][b]Election Results Released[/b][/u][/size][/center]
After four days of last-minute campaigns, deals, and decisions, the first Rhodean elections have been called to a close. The Rhodean Electoral Commission reports that 98% of those eligible to vote did so over those four days. King Ioannes will soon hold the inaugural ceremony for the fifty new Parliament members and the new Chancellor. Results are displayed below.

[u][b]Parliament[/b][/u]
Party: Seats
Rhodean National Party (RNP): 17
Rhodean Royalist Party (RRP): 13
Rhodean Libertarian Party (RLP): 6
Rhodean Socialist Party (RSP): 5
Rhodean Conservative Party (RCP): 2
Rhodean Communist Party (RPP): 1
Independent: 6

[u][b]Chancellor Results[/b][/u]
[b]Nicolaos Aniketos (RCP): 34%[/b]
Neofytos Konstantinos (RNP): 27%
Nikolas Stamatis (RRP): 16%
Paraskevas Charalampos (RLP): 14%
Elias Maria: (RSP): 13%
Yiorgos Evangelos (RPP): 6%


Surprisingly, though the Conservative Party had little support in the parliamentary elections, a conservative Chancellor has been elected, mostly due to the severe division of votes between the six parties. As all that is required for a victory is a plurality of votes, Nicolaos Aniketos will be sworn in as the First Chancellor of the Kingdom of Rhodes.

As for Parliament, though the National Party has more seats than any of the other parties, it would still be possible for the Royalists to bargain with the lesser parties and establish themselves as the dominant faction. However, as the Nationals and Royalists currently see almost eye-to-eye on most issues, it is expected that they will typically work together and ensure that most decisions will go through Parliament.

When the last ballots came in, King Ioannes announced his Court, consisting of three Councilors and the top Ground Forces officer.

[b][u]King's Royal Court[/u][/b]
Councilor on Foreign Affairs: Lefteris Ioannis
Councilor on War and National Security: Dionysios Photios
Councilor on Internal Stability: Stelios Yannis
Ground Forces Representative: General Theodoros Serafeim

[Centurius]

"We are happy to see diplomacy working effectively with our southern brothers, if possible the Federation would like to send a permanent delegation to the King's Royal Court as an ambassador of the Federation."

Edited December 18, 2010 by Centurius

[Ioannes]

[quote name='Centurius' timestamp='1292699724' post='2542899']
"We are happy to see diplomacy working effectively with our southern brothers, if possible the Federation would like to send a permanent delegation to the King's Royal Court as an ambassador of the Federation."
[/quote]

"We would gladly accept an Athenian delegation to Rhodes. Accommodations will be made."

[Centurius]

On that note Imperial Ambassador Giles Pagonis would head for Rhodes accompanied by aids and a small group of guards.

[Ioannes]

[quote name='Centurius' timestamp='1292705364' post='2542992']
On that note Imperial Ambassador Giles Pagonis would head for Rhodes accompanied by aids and a small group of guards.
[/quote]

Upon arrival, the ambassador and his retinue would be housed at a manor-turned-embassy on the edge of the city of Rhodes, and would be transferred to a subsection of the old Grand Master's palace once renovation and modernization was completed, though this would be some time.

[Ioannes]

[center][size="6"][u][b]Government Fully Formed[/b][/u][/size][/center]
King Ioannes I [url="http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?showtopic=95880"]today swore in the fifty members of Parliament and Chancellor Nicolaos Aniketos.[/url] Parliament, headed by Chancellor Aniketos, will hold its first session at the end of the week, in which the first issues of the new nation will be resolved and voted upon. These issues include budget, rights of the citizens, and extra responsibilities of government. King Ioannes and Chancellor Aniketos are expected to have a personal, one-on-one meeting at the former Grand Master's Palace, which is being converted into the royal family's palace. The date and time of this meeting have not been disclosed, but the king and chancellor have both stated that cameras and reporters will not be allowed into the palace when it occurs.

[Ioannes]

[center][u][b][size="6"]First Meeting of Parliament[/size][/b][/u][/center]
Rhodes's Parliament has met for the first time to discuss internal and foreign policies. The meeting lasted the entire day, with only a short break for lunch. They managed to accomplish all that they had hoped during this time.

[u][b]Parliamentary Resolution I[/b][/u]
[i]Requirements for Citizenship[/i]
A measure to officially establish the requirements for one to be deemed a citizen of Rhodes. Requisites established as follows.
1. Born with at least one Rhodean citizen as a parent
2. Legal resident of Rhodes for at least 5 years; 2 years if closely related to a Rhodean citizen
FOR: 42
AGAINST: 7
Abstain: 1
Approved by King and Chancellor
Passed

[u][b]Parliamentary Resolution II[/b][/u]
[i]Universal Health Care Act[/i]
A motion to ensure health care to all citizens of Rhodes from the government
FOR: 47
AGAINST: 3
Abstain: 0
Approved by King; Chancellor veto overridden
Passed

[u][b]Parliamentary Resolution III[/b][/u]
[i]Establishment of the Council on Public Health[/i]
A motion to establish a government department, headed by the royal Councilor on Internal Stability, to handle universal health care and health hazards.
FOR: 43
AGAINST: 5
Abstain: 2
Approved by King; Vetoed by Chancellor. Veto overridden.
Passed

[b][u]Parliamentary Resolution IV[/u][/b]
[i]Establishment of a Council on Education[/i]
A motion to create a bureaucracy to manage educational affairs, headed by the royal Councilor on Internal Stability
FOR: 26
AGAINST: 21
Abstain: 3
Vetoed by King. Approved by Chancellor. Royal Veto stands
Failed

[u][b]Parliamentary Resolution V[/b][/u]
[i]Establishment of the Council on Public Security[/i]
A motion to create a bureaucracy to oversee the safety of the people, headed by the royal Councilor on War and Security
FOR: 21
AGAINST: 23
Abstain: 6
Failed

[u][b]Parliamentary Resolution VI[/b][/u]
[i]Establishment of the Council for Economic Oversight[/i]
A motion to establish a committee to oversee certain aspects of the economy and private sector, such as CEO wages and white collar crimes, and enforce strict banking regulations.
FOR: 41
AGAINST: 8
Abstain: 1
Approved by King; Approved by Chancellor
Passed

[u][b]Parliamentary Resolution VII[/b][/u]
[i]Mandatory Service Act[/i]
A motion to make military service for all Rhodean citizens mandatory; all citizens are to serve 2 years of military service, or six years of civil service, before their 35th birthday.
FOR: 34
AGAINST: 16
Approved by King; Approved by Chancellor
Passed

[u][b]Parliamentary Resolution VIII[/b][/u]
[i]Substance Control Act[/i]
A motion to criminalize all mind-altering substances, aside from alcohol, including, but not limited to marijuana, salvia, heroin, methamphetamine, and crack-cocaine.
For: 20
Against: 22
Abstain: 8
Failed

[u][b]Parliamentary Resolution IX[/b][/u]
[i]Revised Substance Control Act[/i]
A motion to criminalize all mind-altering substances, including, but not limited to, heroin, methamphetamine, and crack-cocaine, while excluding alcohol, marijuana, and salvia, and opening up rehabilitation programs for those found guilty of using these substances.
For: 36
Against: 11
Abstain: 3
Approved by King; Approved by Chancellor
Passed

[u][b]Parliamentary Resolution X[/b][/u]
[i]Non-interventionist Act[/i]
A motion to establish Rhodes as a non-interventionist state, getting involved in warfare only if Rhodes itself is threatened, and avoiding binding treaties, while pursuing trade and economic relations with regional powers. This resolution will be reviewed on an annual basis.
For: 37
Against: 12
Abstain: 1
Approved by King; Approved by Chancellor
Passed

[Ioannes]

[center][u][b][size="6"]National Defense[/size][/b][/u][/center]
Today, Parliament voted on two national defense related bills. One, the National Police Act, officially establishes the Rhodean National Police Force, and sets training procedures, equipment, authority, and emergency deployment, among other things. The Act began as Royal Decree I, by the King and his Court. However, Chancellor Nicolaos Aniketos called for it to be voted by Parliament, claiming it was too important to just glance over. Second was the Rhodean Military Reforms. Currently, the Rhodean Ground Forces are at a skeleton size of 24,000, and training could be better. The Reforms, proposed by Councilor on War and National Security Dionysios Photios and General Theodoros Serafeim, will increase the size of the army, improve and increase training, establish a system to enforce and organize conscription, and increase military funding. This, too, would have passed, if Chancellor Aniketos had not also called it to be reviewed by Parliament.

[u][i][b]Royal Decree I[/b][/i][/u]
[i]National Police Act[/i]
Foundation of the Rhodean National Police Force
FOR: 40
AGAINST: 6
Abstain: 4

[u][i][b]Royal Decree II[/b][/i][/u]
[i]Photios-Serafeim Reforms[/i]
Improvement of the Royal Ground Forces
For: 41
AGAINST: 7
Abstain: 2

[Ioannes]

[center][size="6"][i][u][b]Three Dead in Bizarre Crash[/b][/u][/i][/size][/center]
National Policemen investigated a strange crash scene this morning. An elderly man and two small children were killed in a crash on the outskirts of Rhodes City. The trio appeared to be riding in a giant red sleigh, with a large, empty sack in the back. The sleigh, pulled by nine reindeer, was driving down the wrong side of a road when it collided with a pink BMW Beetle. The passengers in the BMW escaped, amazingly, without injury. All of the deer were killed. When paramedics and police reached the scene, the old man looked like all he had were a few scratches on the face, until they felt the bloodstains on his red jacket. The man and the children were pronounced dead at 8:42 this morning. Authorities say that the bearded old man's alcohol toxicity level was much higher than the legal limit, and traces of heroin and 'LSD' were found in his system. The children appear to have some sort of disfiguration that extends and tapers their ears to points. Investigators have been unable to identify them.

[Ioannes]

[center][size="6"][u][b][url="http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?showtopic=95880&view=findpost&p=2569608"]Crown Prince Shot![/url][/b][/u][/size][/center]
Tragedy befalls Rhodes this week when an assassination attempt was launched on Crown Prince Andronikos I Komemnos. Two .308 rounds were fired into the window of the king's office at the Royal Palace, one striking him in the chest, the other grazing his cheek. The last reports indicated that Prince Andronikos is stabilizing, but is still in critical condition. King Ioannes and Queen Irene declined to comment on the matter, but numerous members of Parliament and Chancellor Nicolaos Aniketos gave their condolences.
"My heart goes out to our good king and queen. They, and the people of Rhodes, can be assured that I will do everything in my power to find everyone connected to this tragedy," Chancellor Aniketos said.


[center][size="6"][u][b]Reformation of Military Complete[/b][/u][/size][/center]
Amidst this tragedy, the last regiment of the Rhodean Royal Ground Forces completed its new training regimen under the Photios-Serafeim Reforms. They, along with the rest of the RRGF, have been placed on active duty at maximum readiness as a result of the recent attempt on the crown prince's life.
General Theodoros Serafeim, highest ranking officer in the RRGF, co-author of the bill, and the ground forces representative to the King's Royal Court, spoke at the reintegration of this last regiment.
"What should have been a great day in the history of Rhodean military traditions is instead a day of overwhelming grief. This is the most bittersweet day in Rhodean history thus far; our military are now a powerful elite, ready to serve and defend our nation, while our crown prince is assailed by enemies of the state. Rhodes and the monarchy can rest assured that the RRGF will work closely with the national police to bring His Majesty's assailants to justice."

[Ioannes]

[center][b][u][size="6"]Tragedy for Parliament![/size][/u][/b][/center]

Dimitrios Leonidas, 51, was found dead in his home in Rodos today. National police responded to a report of one gunshot near the center of the city. Officials say Leonidas was killed by a single .308 caliber bullet to the neck at a distance, though the rifle and shell casing have not been found. This news comes just weeks after the assassination attempt on Crown Prince Andronikos I Komemnos, and Commissioner of the Rhodean National Police Force Yannis Charalampos says that evidence from both cases points towards a common goal.
"Obviously, it can hardly be considered coincidental when two important figures in Rhodean government are attacked within weeks of each other," Commissioner Charalampos said to reporters. "It is very likely that the two gunmen have common goals, at the least."
The commissioner declined to comment further.
Leonidas was a member of the Rhodean Conservative Party, and an outspoken activist for laissez-faire economics. Funeral services will be held in three days' time.

[Ioannes]

[center][u][b]Terror Strikes Rhodes![/b][/u][/center]
The peace of early afternoon in the capital of Rodos was abruptly shattered by a massive explosion in the heart of the city. A large amount of C-4 plastic explosives were detonated in the home of Pavlos Gerasimos, an independent member of Parliament.
This tragedy comes just days after the shooting of Dimitrios Leonidas, a Conservative in Parliament.
Pavlos Gerasimos, 39, was found dead in his bedroom just after 2 pm. Police reports indicate that the plastic explosives had been planted under his bed and in the bedside table while Gerasimos was out, though police found no signs of forced entry into Gerasimos's home, suggesting that the perpetrator had a key of some sort into his home.
"We have ruled out the possibility of this being a random act of violence," Commissioner of Police Yannis Charalampos said. "No civilian could have gotten access to the explosive devices used in the attack. This can only be an assassination, which we believe to be linked to the death of Leonidas a few days ago."
Many are now speculating whether this is part of a campaign against the government, due to the wide variation of the political alignments of the three victims thus far. Crown Prince Andronikos I Komemnos is a royalist and possible absolutist; Dimitrios Leonidas was a strict conservative; and Pavlos Gerasimos was a socialist voter. However, no reports indicate such at this time.