February Embassy Update
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
North Plegia becomes First President
by Dome Artan
The Union of Democratic States held its first Presidential election from the 6-8th of February after the passage of a new constitution resulted in a legislative reset. Despite the excitement surrounding these events, the Presidential race was only entered by one person, long time region resident North Plegia. A Senator during the passage of the new constitution, North Plegia ran on a platform that emphasized their ties to previous governments including their time as a Deputy Prime Minister under current Senators Comlogical and Thatcher Whitehall. As the new constitution had voided all the previous regional laws North Plegia’s platform was also based on the idea that a strong hand was needed to guide the region in laying the legislative groundwork. With running mate Phoenix Coalition, North Plegia received 20 of 23 votes in the Presidential election, with 3 votes to reopen the nominations and as such became the first President of the Union of Democratic States.by Dome Artan
Second Presidental & Chairperson Election
by Dome Artan
The first Presidential and Senate elections were concluded on the 9th of February and the Union of Democratic States was full of post-election activity. All that was left was the election of the General Assembly Chairperson and the newly formatted Union government could truly get up and running. Yet technical problems and a severe lack of interest in the position meant it went unfilled for over two weeks. Finally, Firseria (featured in our New Players in Government article) stepped up to announce their candidacy in an election announced on the 24th of February. As the only candidate, Firseria ran on a simple but solid platform that focused on getting the General Assembly and the government as a whole finally operational. Firseria claimed 8 of the 10 valid ballots cast in the election and as a result, became the first Chairperson of the General Assembly.by Dome Artan
The lack of excitement surrounding the Chairperson elections was more than made up for by the drama of the Union’s second Presidential election which was announced at the same time. The candidates were Phoenix Coalition, running mate Asdersland, and the incumbent North Plegia, running mate Khevo. For those up to date on the UDS political landscape, Phoenix Coalition was the Vice President of North Plegia last term and the turn from running mates to rivals was the source of much interest from the citizen body.
The split between the two came over North Plegia’s belief in the need for yet another new regional constitution, claiming in a campaign statement that they had “[begun] to realize the Constitution was incredibly, incredibly broad”, to the point that it was unfixable. Phoenix characterized this approach as unreasonable and destabilizing in the extreme while instead offering an amendment package to the constitution with input from the entire region.
As a result of this massive split between the candidates, the election came to be seen as a referendum on the constitution and indeed the platforms of both candidates were almost entirely focused on the issue, with both attacking the other for their views on it. The attacks were broadened in scope by Phoenix who cited the region’s population decline and the lack of any activity in North Plegia’s term. This broadening of the debate and a subsequent endorsement by Speaker of the Senate Thatcher Whitehall seemed to place Phoenix in control of the race, as subsequent polling (done by Senator Glaciosia) showing Phoenix in a commanding lead on North Plegia despite a near-perfect split in opinion on the question of a new constitution.
Senator Glaciosia’s poll proved accurate as the election results were announced with 15 of 24 valid ballots claimed by Phoenix, nearly doubling up North Plegia’s 8 (1 vote was to reopen nominations). With this Phoenix Coalition became the 2nd President of the Union of Democratic States. View the February Presidental Election report, posted by Chancellor The Noble Thatcherites on our forums, here.
New Players in Government
by Dome Artan
The end of January was a busy time for the Union of Democratic States government. It saw the final passage of a new constitution for the region, one which involved a legislative reset and called for fresh elections at all positions. These snap elections were made all the more interesting by the unfortunate departure from the government by WA Delegate, and Senator at the time, Asdersland and Senator Nova Blazeville in dramatic announcements on the eve of the constitution’s passage. These successive step backs from the government were then followed up by yet another announcement that another former Senator, this time Second United States Republic, would not be seeking reelection. Indeed the only Senator seeking reelection from the previous terms five was Comlogical. At a time when the Union’s legislative reset would require a full Senate (and with the revival of the General Assembly another position known as the Chairperson would need to be filled), it seemed that the number of citizens able to fill government positions was at an all-time low.by Dome Artan
However, the citizen body stepped up to this challenge. A number of new citizens, including Druing, Liberipolis, and Dome Artan submitted candidacy forms for the Senate race with Druing and Dome Artan eventually becoming Senators in the government. The influx of new nations into the Union of Democratic States government did not end here. The new Chairperson position, created to function as a Speaker for the citizen body rebranded as the General Assembly, was vacant and went as such until Firseria declared candidacy. Firseria had been a regional resident for a mere twenty days before this but as no other candidates were forthcoming they became the Union’s first Chairperson of the General Assembly.
When asked about their quick involvement with the regional government Firseria expressed initial hesitancy: “I was originally planning to wait a term before getting into the government but since no one else wanted to be Chairperson I figured I might as well start right away.” The Union definitely appreciates Firseria’s willingness to get involved, not only have they diligently fulfilled the duties of Chairperson but Firseria’s burst of activity in the General Assembly seems to have awakened the Senate to their duties.
In the end the Union is better off for having new citizens step forward into the government ranks. As the number of citizens with government experience grows the Union will be stronger than ever.
UDSAF Activity Report
by Comlogical
In February, the UDSAF has participated in on two (2) detag and one (1) defense operations, spearheaded by the UDSAF commander.by Comlogical
Recently, the UDSAF has been undergoing major reforms, such as removing unnecessary ranks and improving the leadership as a whole. Although due to unforeseen circumstances, developments have been delayed for 17 days.
Comlogical, the Minister of Defense, has stated that due to RL community quarantines, he has more time to implement the changes intended for the last month for years to come.