Juglander Review

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Emrta's constitutional proposal passed by parliament

The National Assembly finally passed the state constitution approved by the Emrta's constitutional convention. The controversial constitutional proposal for the islander region was the last one which remained to be passed by Jugland's parliament. As soon as they are passed by referendum -although legally they could still become law without enough support- state elections will be held for the first time.

A first reading of the state constitution was passed by 164-139, short of the required majority. After a 6-hour pause, a second reading of the constitution, which included amendment in at least 11 articles, mostly regarding with competences and relations between the region and the central government, was passed by a 179-125 majority - becoming the state constitution passed by the parliament with the shortest majority.

While the Autonomous Movement for Emrta, the largest regionalist party in the region, supported their own proposal in the first reading, they did not support it in the second reading, where all of them MPs decided to abstain. Although this does not necessarily mean they will campagin against the result, as one of their spokesperson has declared to the media, it poses some doubts about how it could affect the result and turnout in the referendum.

The vote of the proposed state constitution proved to be the most divisive legislation for the ruling coalition, as while the Federal Democratic Party and the Liberal Party supported it, most of the National Democratic Party MPs opposed the proposal in both readings. Meanwhile, the Reform Movement and most of the conservative Social Initiative group, either were highly divided in the issue or only supported after its second reading. However, Secretary Grimwaldyna Nygaard has declared that she is certain "that the vote is not going to affect in any way...the workings and spirit of the National Council".

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

State referendums passed without incidences

Although with still a few dozens of thousands of votes remain to be counted, it certainly looks certain that the regional referendums to approve the proposed state constitution will be passed by a clear and large majority in the three regions where such referendums were being held today. In particular, the states of Nordansk, Vestmark, and Midstemsdal.

The approval of the referendums will be certainly a sign of relief for the National Council, and consolidates the application of the new constitution. It is expected that the National Council will appoint a provisional government for those regions, and state elections could be called immediately. Although this may wait until the lastest date possible, in order to held state elections in all states the same date, in case that was possible, mostly to assure logistics and reduce costs.

The referendums were passed by a relatively low turnout, 56%, 51%, and 64% respectively, although the number of yes clearly surpased the no, in two of the states by even sixty points of difference.

After this, only three regions -Austland, Vannesdal, and Emrta- remain to approve the proposed state constitution, with the two first holding that referendum next week, where they are expected to be approved by a more than comfortable landslide according to most polls.

The vote was calm and rather joyful, as those constitutional proposals were backed by a majority of the political parties in those regions.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Juglander Rugby returns from Lijiang

Jugland's Rugby team was received today by Secretary Edda Stordalen in Midtenstadt. The team had recently participated in the 2021 Rugby World Cup, held in Lijiang.

While the team only obtained one win in five matches, finishing 16th of 24 teams, the outcome was received -even if discreetly- as positive and hopeful, giving it was the first time that the Juglander team participated in a world cup in the sport. Although rugby is not a particularly popular sport in Jugland, the team's captain declared that they hoped that the unexpected attention they received -Jugland's matches were broadcast in one national television channel, quite rare in the country- to bring the interest toward the sport to the new generations.

Jugland's national league is barely a semi-professional league, with at least six of Juglander players from the world cup squad having other daily jobs beyond their sport. Clubs hope that their performance in the world cup will increase sponsors in the sport

Secretary Stordalen praised their combative spirit and hoped that their efforts will bring fruits in the future. Secretary Stordalen has recently promised that the National Council plans to create and expand federal programs to help youth athletes in the next federal budget.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Referendums on state constitution approved in Vannesdal and Austland

Regional referendums to approve the proposed state constitutions in the regions of Vannesdal and Austland were passed by a clear majority.

While the referendum in Vannesdal did not reach a turnout of 50% -being the lowest of the regional referendums held on this issue- this will not have legal implications on the result.

All Jugland's regions established in the constitution, except Emrta, have already approved their state constitution in referendum, paving the way to the new federal form of government.

The last referendum, probably the most controversial, will be held on April 20, when Emrta voters decided to support or not their own state constitution, which was passed -after a few amendments- by the National Assembly.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Leading Right-leaning MPs divided on the path forward

A political crisis seems to have erupted in the conservative Social Initiative parliamentary group, following the resignation of four of their MPs in the National Assembly from the coalition executive council.

The coalition, established eight months ago, was established as an electoral coalition and seven political parties, mostly around the northern Independent Civic Parties and political groups derived from the defunct Conservative Party. The coalition obtained 38 MPs in the recent National Assembly election, elected in a platform which combined a moderate stance on main constitutional issues, a more conservative approach on social issues, and policy toward decentralization and federalism. However, recent events, such as the crisis in Emrta or the failed insurrection, have increased division in the coalition.

Asbjorn Soyland became the fourth Social Initiative MP to leave Social Initiative leadership, and the first one to officially announce that he will renounce his membership in the coalition. Soyland, considered one of the leading members of the coalition, has confirmed that he will resign as MP the next week. In an interview, he said that he took the decision motivated by recent disagreements with the leadership of the coalition, and that he had been considering recently this decision, but decided to wait in order to not influence the recent regional referendums.

Helmwald Yivisaker-Aksnes, another Social Initiative MP, who was being rumoured to be the coalition candidate for Nordansk region in regional elections, has declared to understand the rising division in the coalition. "For many voters, our positions are not always clear. We are not part of the ruling coalition but we supported the national agreement...One of our MPs, even if Mr. Rimfeldt is not a member of our coalition and was elected as an independent, joined the National Coalition without we had officially join it...This may seem confusing to many. We have allowed that the Freedom Party becomes the de facto opposition party. It may be better if we take a step back to be able to have a more principled and clear stance". Yisisaker-Aksnes, however, a member of the Independent Civic Party, has not confirmed he may resign as Soyland and three other colleagues did.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Government announces "Return to Jugland" policy

The National Council is preparing a new government program, named Return to Home, aimed to bring back Juglander citizens who left the country in the last decade, mostly as consequence of the Juglander civil war. The program has been prepared with the cooperation of several parliamentary groups. It is estimated that from 2 to 4 million Juglander citizens moved abroad as refugees since 2014.

While some Juglander refugees moved back in recent months, most of them have no returned. The program would include tax reduction, tuition fees, and a temporary welfare assistance for those who return during the next five years. The National Council is also considering to propose the National Assembly a bill granting dual citizenship to the children of any Juglander national who were born abroad. Access to free or affordable social housing in certain towns, such as the federal capital city, could be also granted.

However, some are skeptical about the need or success of such plan. Many Juglander refugees have already settled in those countries, forming families and business. A few thousands -as recently reported in a popular TV show- have renounced Juglander citizenship to obtain citizenship in those countries they settled, as it is sometimes a requirement in certain countries. It is unclear if the program would also apply to such cases.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Emrta passes state constitution in regional referendum

The controversial state constitution project for the state of Emrta will become a reality after voters supported the proposal by 57.4% of the vote in a regional referendum.

The turnout was only about 52%, as several opposition parties, including a few Emrta regionalist organizations, including one that had supported the original constitutional draft passed by Emrta's constitutional convention a month ago, called for abstain in the referendum, as well as some as some local opposition parties -for different reasons- did as well.

The Emrta state constitution becomes the state constitution with the lowest popular approval, as the other ones were passed by a landslide in their referendum.

Autonomous Movement for Emrta, the largest political party in the islander state, was behind the original constitutional project, had finally decided to back the final state constitution (which had included important amends by the National Assembly, with the opposition of the own Emrta's regionalist party) as "the lesser of two evils" despite the opposition of their own youth organization and a minority of the regionalist party.

A leading representative of the Autonomous Movement for Emrta, despite the approval of the state constitution, has declared that they will campaign in the state elections for a future amend of the state constitution, and the right of self-determination for Emrta, in direct negotiations with the federal government. However, some political commentators and law experts believe that there is a more likely risk that the state constitution could see some of the competences included by the Constitutional Council in a decision which is expected to be announced in the coming months, after representatives from the National Democratic Party -which parliamentary group initially opposed the version passed by Emrta's constitutional convention- introduced a motion to the constitutional council to review if the state constitution violated Jugland's constitution.

However, beyond the deep disagreements between Emrta's regionalists and the main federal political parties regarding the competences between the state and federal governments, the passed state constitution includes another more divisive elements, such as the establishment of an elective monarchy as the preferential form of government in the today approved new state constitution, mirroring the Charter of Amvkhar which was established in the 19th century.

But representatives from the National Democratic Party believe that such controversial clause could be suspended and amended, following the coming state election, and adopt a republican form of government as it is the case of the other states that form the Federal Union of Jugland.

The state constitution proposes an elective monarchy in their preamble and third article, although it is not established who could be electable as monarch -who would be, however, under the authority of the constitution and federal government-, and through which legal mechanism. The election -or not election- is left to the Emrta's state assembly, which is required to pass a law deciding the issue following an election of their own regional parliament.

It is expected that the National Council will confirm soon the election for the first state elections in the Federal Union of Jugland, which are likely expected to be held in early May.

Until them, the National Council will appoint a provisional government for Emrta, as well as for the other states, until state elections are finally held.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Researchers announce new report on political and economic influence

The Juglander Institute for Political Studies, a non-profit independent organization focused on the research of public policy established in 1998, has released their Innflytelse report, a report aimed to measure the influence of other governments and foreign companies on Jugland's economy and society, as well as the perception of Jugland in the public opinion of other countries. It was the first time the report was published since 2015. The first Innflytelse Annual Report was published in 2001, and it is done by a multidisciplinary team of sociologists, economists, and political scientists.

The 2020-2021 Inflytelse Report included an update of the Influence Ranking, intended to measure the influence of other nations in Jugland, through a numeric score which considers both objective data and public statements from the last 12 months (increased to 18 months for the 2020-2021 report).

Lakhzovia, a traditional economic partner of Jugland, made it for the first time to the top position of the ranking.

East Moreland improved their position from the 14th to the 2nd place, mostly due to the increasing investment of East Moreland's companies in the country, such as the reconstruction of Albrektberg National Aiport or Air Jugland, the second largest airline in the country, which was recently privatized.

The Albion nation of Aosta made it to the top 5 for first time, reaching the 3rd place, while Fleur -who was the first foreign nation to vist Jugland after the establishment of the Federal Union of Jugland, reached a surprising 4th place. The top five was closed by Achkaerin, which improved from the 7th place in 2015.

Inflytelse Report had also a positively moderate conclusion regarding the influence and views on Jugland abroad, which mostly increasingly growth on the positive opinion on the country abroad, with a few exceptions, compared to recent years.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Criticism of new energy plan increases

Emmeline Kolseth, a leading member of the Federal Democratic Party's executive council, has announced her resignation from the party, citing political disagreements with the leadership of the party, and recent policy decisions by the National Council -in which the Federal Democratic Party is one the main members of the ruling coalition government-, she declared in a written statement. Asked by one of the most important Juglander newspapers, she promised to give further explanations about her decision, and although she declined to give interviews until next week, she has not decided to permanently leave politics, and she is considering her next move.

Kolseth, who before joining the Federal Democratic Party worked as a lawyer for several environmentalist and human rights groups, was appointed a lawmaker for the Midstemsdal's constitutional convention, in which she played an active role to the preparation of the Midstemsdal state constitution, which was recently passed by the region's voters in a referendum. She also served as Deputy Secretary of Education and Social Welfare until her resignation a week ago.

Her resignation, although unexpected, has not come as a surprise, as it was recently reported that Kolseth was one of the main members of the Federal Democratic Party opposed by the recent decision of the National Council to approve and launch a new Federal Energy Plan, which included the building of four nuclear energy plants for civilian purposes.

Some environmentalist activists praised Kolseth for her opposition to the plan, calling to build a civic and political alternative in support for ecologist policies in agenda, as -in their view- the National Council seems to be moving in the opposite direction.



 

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

State elections officially called

The National Council announced and confirmed that state elections will be held on May 4th.

That day, voters will be called to elect their representatives for each of the state assemblies, which will have the authority to pass regional legislation, elect their own regional executives, as well as other competences under the constitution, including the nomination of judges to the constitutional council.

As soon as at least four regional governments have been elected, it is expected that the Senate, the Upper House of the parliament, will start to operate as well.

All voters from the Federal Union of Jugland will be vote for their regional representatives that day -that is, from the states of Nordansk, Emrta, Austland, Vestmark, Vannesdal, and Midstemsdal-, except the residents of the federal capital city of Midtenstadt, who already elected their representatives to the metropolitan assembly in the last local elections, held a few months ago.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Monarchists divided on Emrta constitution

Despite the approval of the state constitution of Emrta, which opens the door to the reestablishment of the Charter of Amvkhar, monarchist groups and conservative intellectuals seem increasingly divided about such possibility.

Some of those group, such as the Foundation for Tradition and Honour, founded by a relative of the late Juglander Queen, were also tainted for their association and contacts during the recent anti-constitutional insurrection with some of their conspirators of the armed attempt against the federal government.

Others, however, are more concerned about ideological issues, as it would imply the subordination of any potential monarch toward the civilian government elected by the parliament, which could be perceived as both a personal humiliation and politization of the monarchy. Others feel that the agreement would be a violation of the Charter of Amvkhar, which was established during and by the Kingdom of Jugland as a sovereign decision of the Juglander monarch, not as a pact of lawmakers. Others, and not just monarchist and conservative groups, fear that opening the door to the appointment of a non-citizen symbolic monarch for the region, as some Emrta lawmakers proposed, could endanger both an increase of separatism and influence of foreign interest groups.

Others are simply divided between loyalty toward former King Khrym I, who has not show any kind of support or interest toward the project, and the royal family as a whole.

However, these concerns may evaporate soon, as the surviving of the project will be dependent on the result of the coming state election in Emrta. It is unclear if the elected assembly could agree to elect a person who would unify, not just all parliamentary groups, but a clear majority of the citizens of the islander region.

Some national political parties, such as the National Democratic Party and several left-leaning organizations, are openly calling to amend the state constitution after the election, in order to revert toward the same system of election for Emrta's regional government. This move would likely have the backing of the National Council, and probably a comfortable majority of the National Assembly, although the former has not officially stated their position on the issue so far.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Old Albrektberg football club facing bankruptcy

Yesterday, SK Albrektberg fans saw their team to lose another match, this time at home against Rangingta BK, which before this match was in the last place in the Elite Football League classification. After this loss, SK Albrektberg fell to the 8th place, thirteen points behind the top team in the classification, Nordansk FK, and ten points behind the historical rival Albrektberg FK. However, SK Albrektberg fans have lately more things to worry than the struggles of their team in the field.

The club, formerly known as Albrektberg Sports Fotballklubb (popularly known as Albrektberg SFK) until it was recently renamed, was historically one of the most important men's soccer clubs in Jugland, winning nine football league titles between 1961 and 1998, although in recent decades they were shadowed by the success of their archrival Royal Albrektberg (recently renamed as well as Albrektberg FK). However, the future of the club is uncertain due to financial turmoil.

The club, which was facing an increasing debt in the last decade, was forced to rebuild their stadium, which worsened the club finances. Although the club was helped by the a government program aimed to help sports clubs and association, this was not enough and following a failed debt restructuring, the club finds itself on the verge of bankruptcy, with a total debt of between 70 and 90 million USD.

Despite being the 5th club with more fans in Jugland, the club may be unable to even pay the salaries of the club's employees and players in the coming months, and face an automatic relegation to third division, which would likely cause the club disappearance, until the club suddenly finds enough funding to pay its debt or a new buyer or investor willing to acquire the club and finance its debt. Along the men's club, the women's section as well as two youth academies would follow the same fate.

Pararvarr Group, which owns about 19% of the club ownership was reportedly in negotiations with three foreign investors, but negotiations were not successful and no agreement could be reached. The next weeks would be key for the club survival at least for the next months. However, if the club fails to find a buyer to pay off the debt of the club before the end of the season, the the end of the season, SK Albrektberg will likely face a death foretold.

The Elite Football League, the top division of the men's football system, was reestructured and relaunched in December, is certainly worried about the possible disappearance one of the main clubs in the country. However, the league leadership hopes that this is an unique case, and it will not affect the league as a whole.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Juglander delegation to visit Fleur

The National Council has confirmed that Secretar of Foreign Affairs Burkhardt Kvalheim, in official visit as President of the National Council, the federal government of the Federal Union of Jugland, will visit the Republic of Fleur this week.

It will be the first visit of a Jugland's government official to Fleur in modern history. Early this year, before the election of the National Council, representatives from Fleur visited Jugland for first time. Kvalheim, at that time Minister of Foreign Affairs in former President Engelsaas' government, was part of the negotiations.

It is expected that Kvalheim visit is aimed to consolidate and strengthen the negotiations between both countries, which back then were described as "contructive" and "hopeful" by both sides.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Member of the parliament involved in controversial leak

The National Assembly had this morning one of the most heated sessions, after a new report on the failed military insurrection in Albrektberg months ago.

The local newspaper published leaks, allegedly obtained from the underway court case, from several conversations between representative Albrekt Rovlsson, MP from the Freedom Party, with two conspirators of the failed insurrections.

While the telephone conversations were held before the insurrection, and they did not discuss explicitly the conspiracy against the government through armed action, they talked about common contacts, dissatisfaction in the military, and possible proposals for an alternative government.

The National Democratic Party has demanded that Mr. Rovlsson resigns from the National Assembly, and that they should be immediately stripped from immunity if he rejects to do so.

The Freedom Party, however, has argued that Rovlsson has not been charged with any crime so far, and defended him as the conversations were leaked illegally, so in their view any judgement should not be valid.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Albrektberg football club to be sold to Alba Karinya investors

SK Albrektberg is close to be acquired by East Morelander investors, according to local reports. Although the negotiations only started officially in recent days, they are reportedly quite advanced, given the dire financial situation of the club.

There seems to be a division in the fans about the move, although a majority seems to be supportive if the survival of the club is guaranteed and there is certainty that a professional management will take over the leadership of the club. SK Albrektberg's president, who personally owns 10% of the club, would have already given green light. Sources from the club assure that they hope that the buyout is done as soon as possible, in order the club does not faces sanctions from the Football Association for its economic situation.

If the agreement is confirmed, SK Albrektberg could become the only professional football club in Jugland to be completely owned by foreign owners. However, the acquistion may still face some challenges. The club may be forced to lose its current status as a professional sports association, which would force the management to a legal change of the name of the club for the next season.

According to the report, the new owners would assure that the current debts of the club would be paid before the end of the season, therefore avoiding any sanctions to the club by football authorities. It is not clear, however, which plans they may have on investment in the club in the next season, and if some sports sections of the club may be forced to close or be disbanded.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

First Midtenstadt Grand Prix cycling race

This morning was held the Midtenstadt Grand Prix, a men's international one-day race. Although the international participation was relatively smaller than the Albrektberg-Mjodde-Albrektberg, held a month ago, the organizers declared to be satisfied with the event. Their ambition is that the race will eventually become one of the most important professional one-day cycling races in Coft Aranye.

The race was won by Gregory Jordan, from Centralian New Eastland State team, which proved to the faster and stronger rider in the group of nine riders who started the last lap of the race in the leading group, ahead of the peloton, already dispersed in several small groups.

Midtenstadt Grand Prix - Results

1 - Gregory Jordan (New Eastland State)  6:26:20   
2 - Germund Strand (Sundfjell-Hydropint)   +00:01
3 - Walden Gjeldnes (Kommunal Cycling)   +00:03
4 - Rafael Yamamoto (RCF All-Star)   + 00:03
5 - Jake Featherstone (RCF All-Star)   +00:04
6 - Baldwyn Ousland (Juwelna Luxo)   +00:05
7 - Ortwyn Ingstad (Besok-Albrektberg) +00:20
8 - Gerald Albrech (Nordansk Energy) +02:01
9 - Miles Harding (RCF All-Star) + 02:12
10 - Hermenegild Bohn (Nordansk Energy)   + 03:38
11 - Cole Rasmussen (RCF All-Star) + 06:18
12 - Ulysse Desroches (Sundfejll-Hydropint) + 07:21
13 - Leobwyn Dahle (Besok-Albrektberg) + 07:35
14 - Eysteinn Sverdrup (Emrta-Hap)   + 07:55
15 - M. Ostberg (Juwelna Luxo)   + 08:14
16 - Heimarr Nansen (Sundfjell-Hydropint)   + 08:26
17 - Kainoa Gantry (RCF All-Star)   + 08:30
18 - Martyn Melnyk (Havenslund Team)   + 09:03
19 - Paul Frank (New Eastland State)   + 09:07
20 - Konrad Heiberg (Juwelna Luxo)   + 09:09

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Engelsaas, former President of the Provisional Government, leaves National Assembly

Eadwald Engelsaas, who headed the national government as President of the Provisional Government from mid-2020 to early 2021, has announced today that he will immediately resign from his seat in the National Assembly.

Engelsaas was elected to the National Assembly as a candidate in Midstemdal from the Reform Movement, although he is not officially a member of the party. Since his election to the National Assembly, and particularly since the election of the National Council as the federal government, Engelsaas, a retired military officer, has played a rather limited and silent role in parliamentary sessions, even he regularly attended them.

Engelsaas, 72, has declared in his announcement that he wishes to retire from "party politics", as he described it, declaring to be "satisfied about his role...in building a new future for our nation". It is rumoured that the National Council may appoint Engelsaas as a member of the Federal Committee for Security and National Defense, a government's advisory council on military and security affairs.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

First State elections held in Jugland

The first elections to elect the state assemblies, which would elect their respective state governments and serve as regional legislatures, were held without incidences. All Juglander citizens, except those living in the federal capital city of Midtenstadt -who elect their regional representatives during the local election, held in early 2021- were called to vote.

The election witnessed the Federal Democratic Party surpassing the National Democratic Party as the most voted political parties nationwide, although except in the state of Emrta, no political party achieved a required majority for their own.

The National Democratic Party obtained a clear majority in the state of Austland, where they will likely lead the government, as they will be only one seat behind the absolute majority in the state assembly. They were also the most voted political party in the southern state of Vannesdal, although they had poor electoral performances in other states, particularly in the Vestmark and Emrta, which caused them to fall to the second most voted political party nationwide.

The conservative Social Initiative for Jugland, despite recent internal divisions, managed to consolidated as the third political force nationwide, although they lost many voters compared to recent elections. They were the most voted political group in Nordansk, considered their stronghold, although besides the western state of Vestmark, they had poor results in other state. Even in the state of Nordansk, their change to govern will require of pacts with other political forces.

The Reform Movement, other of the political parties in the ruling coalition in the federal government, had a poor performance except in Vestmark, and they even failed to be elected in the state assembly of Emrta. The Liberal Party, the oldest political party in Jugland and the minor coalition party in the federal government, had a disappointed result which increased doubts about the survival of the party in the long-term.

Although in most of the states, with the exception of Emrta, the five main national parties had obtained more than half of the seats of the state assemblies, it is not likely that the agreement at the federal government will be repeated at a state level. Most of those political forces -mainly with the exception of Social Initiative, which has expressed their intention to avoid pacts with the National Democratic Party- have avoided a nationwide policy on possible state governments, and it will likel depend on the balance of power and inter-party relations in each state.

Meanwhile, in the state of Emrta, the smallest of the five states that comprise the Federal Union of Jugland, the Autonomous Movement for Emrta obtained a more than clear majority, obtaining 32 of 51 seats. A surprising "Solidarity and Convergence", a political party created by a small group of representatives from the Emrta's constitutional convention, was second at a distant distance with 6 representatives, while the National Democratic Party and the Federal Democratic Party coming nexts. The disappointing result for the national forces in the islander state seem to disappear the chances of a constitutional amend in the state constitution, as some of their candidates -particularly the National Democratic Party- had campaigned in the weeks before the election.

The National Council did not give an official statement on the results, although congratulated both voters and elected candidates for the peaceful and calm voting day.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Autonomous Movement announces new state government

Amalberaht Oppegard, main candidate of the Autonomous Movement for Emrta, and who is posed to become the first governor of the state of Emrta, gave a press conference about the general lines of his future government.

Oppegard, who run a relatively calm campaign and rejected describing himself as leading a separatist project, declared that "there will be no doubt" that their government will push for "strengthening and advancing the self-government and sovereignty of the people of Emrta". He also announced that, although they will not include members from opposition parties in the state government -as Autonomous Movement for Emrta received a more than clear majority-, they may include independents in the state administration.

"Now, Midtenstadt couldn't avoid direct negotiations with the people of Emrta anymore", Oppegard declared, referring to the National Council, hinting that relations between the federal government and the new government in Emrta may not be easy.

Oppegard did not reject the possibility that the state assembly may consider amending the state constitution before the next election, although he declared "we are hoping that sincere dialogue is started first...then, we'll look what's the best for Emrta". He, however, declared that he'll start dialogue with other parliamentary groups before next week, and that his government will implement that state constitution as it was approved by Emrta's voters barely a month ago, at least for now.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

In search of a ruler

Fredenand Ostrem, the leading representative of the Autonomous Movement for Emrta's parliamentary group in the National Assembly, confirmed today that, once the state government in Emrta is officially elected by their state assembly, the new state government will try to enforce the state constitution as soon as possible, despite the party criticism of the text passed by the National Assembly.

"We were disappointed about the legal process in the National Assembly, there is no doubt about that", Ostrem -who abstained in the parliamentary voting- explained. That would include electing a head for the state, as well as the new state government -which is expected to be led by Amalberaht Oppegard-, and a new representative from Emrta in the Senate, as well as nominations for the state judiciary.

Despite the increasing rumours that Princess Mildgyd may be an easy choice -despite that public division regarding the House of Welhaven-Goltzam, which ruled the Kingdom of Jugland in the last three centuries-, particularly after the Princess addressed the constitutional convention, Ostrem has declared that the decision is not final yet. He explained that the choice would be open to be discussed with the National Council, although he emphasized that "only our Emrta's [state] assembly is sovereign for the decision". He also explained that, in his opinion, on constitutional grounds any Juglander citizen could be appointed to the position, even if historically a nobility title would be a requirement. He did not reject that a foreign-born could be nominated, although he declared that, personally, he saw it as something legally complicated. He finished his intervention declaring that the decision will be on the hands of the state assembly.

It is expected that a nomination could be announced as soon as Oppegard is officially elected as first Governor of Emrta.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Albrektberg Derby offered no surprise

It was not another day in Albrektberg, the capital city of Jugland, at least not for sports fan. The 'Albrektberg Derby' as it is known the matches between the two top football clubs was held as part of the 18th match of the league season.

Although the clubs had already played in early January, it was the first match between SK Albrektberg and FK Albrektberg since the former was acquired by East Moreland's investors. FK Albrektberg's fans had heated the event during the previous week, jokingly calling their town rivals with the nickname of "The Foreigners". However, there were only minor incidents, and it was a relatively calm day for the police.

The match resulted with a 0-2 win for FK Albrektberg, a disappointing result for the local team which seemed to straighten their season, with two wins in a row in the last two weeks, and they see falling to the 5th position in the league. Meanwhile, FK Albrektberg will continue to share the top position in the league with Nordansk FK, which also won yesterday their match against Hamarrland. Both teams will have a thirteen point league over SK Albrektberg, while SK Gronenheim -ten points behind the two top clubs- will try tomorrow to secure their third position in a match tomorrow against FK Mjodde.

The Albrektberg Derby had more tactics than emotion, with FK Albrektberg showing another week their competitiveness and effectiveness on the field, unlike their match on December, in which FK Albrektberg had defeated SK Albrektberg 4-2 in a rather much more chaotic match. With still fifteen matches before the end of the season, FK Albrektberg looks the likely favourite, along Nordheim's club, Nordansk FK.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Accusations against royal family

An interview published by Gronposten, a newspaper from Austland, has generated an increasing controversy, regarding links between the conspirators in the failed Albrektberg armed insurrection and the former royal family.

In the interview, Raymond Matheson, a lawyer one of the suspects that took part in the insurrection, declared that his client offered to testify to both the police and the Department of Justice about contacts between the conspirators and the royal family, particularly between people close to former King Khrym I, but that such offer was rejected.

Matheson, who did not offer any evidence of those contacts, did not deny that he tried to exchange that testimony for a deal with the prosecutors. However, he criticized that the authorities were not interested to cooperate in order to discover the total truth behind the criminal conspiracy against the constitutional order.

Two MPs from the National Democratic Party have announced they will issue a parliamentary motion to call for an investigation on such claims. On the other hand, Erwyn Eldjarn, who was recently elected to Vestmark state assembly as candidate of the Workers Democratic Party, has called the National Council for the expulsion of all members of the royal family from the country.

Secretary Grimwaldyna Nygaard has defended the autonomy and independence of law enforcement and judiciary, denying that prosecutors would be ignoring evidence for political reasons, contrary to Gronposten report.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Autonomous Movement candidate elected state governor in Emrta

Amalberaht Oppegard, as it was expected, was elected yesterday Governor of the State of Emrta, becoming the first state governor to take the position in Jugland's history following the approval of the new constitution.

Oppegard was elected as the main candidate of the Autonomous Movement for Emrta, a political movement aimed to increase the self-government of the islander state, which many consider a separatist political party. While Emrta has only barely 2 million inhabitants, the smallest of Jugland's five states, its capital city is the second largest city of the country, and holds an important political and economic influence.

Ermenrich Landsverk, also from the Autonomous Movement for Emrta, was elected as Speaker of Emrta's state assembly. As the state government will have a comfortable majority in the state assembly, it is expected that most of the obstacles for the stability of the islander state will be caused between relations between the state government and the federal government, rather than with the opposition.

Oppegard, however, tried to have a more conciliatory tone in his first address to Emrta's state assembly, offering his cooperation to bring dialogue with the federal government, although he did not deny that they could be considering to amend the state constitution before the end of the term, "to give [Emrtians] a constitutional agreement closer than they voted last month". He promised that any amend would require the approval in a regional referendum, and that until then, the government will work to implement the current state constitution.

It is expected that Oppegard could today sign the first law passed by the state assembly, regarding the form of government established by the state constitution.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Gjengfasthet Albrektberg wins basketball KLB Cup

Gjengfasthet Albrektberg defeated Damer Amvkhar in the final to win the 2021 KLB Cup, the second most important trophy in women's basketball in Jugland.

Although Damer Amvkhar had defeated Gjengfasthet Albrektberg by 77-73 in a balanced match on March, this time the team from Albrektberg did not give any option to their rivals, particularly after the second quarter, in which the team from Emrta ended nineteen points behind. The final result was 92-65 for the Albrektberg club. Judda Rutsen, who scored 29 points for Gjengfasthet Albrektberg, was elected MVP of the final.

Thhe KLB Cup is played between the top four teams of the KLB (the top division in women's basketball) at the half of the season in a one-match tournament. This season the KLB Cup was held in Midtenstadt for first time.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Princess Mildgyd addresses Emrta state assembly

Princess Mildgyd attended and addressed a special session of the state of assembly of the State of Emrta, in which she asked directly questions from the members of the assembly. This time, she had to face harder questions that she did in her previous address to Emrta's constitutional convention, particularly by National Democratic Party and other left-leaning representatives.

Notwithstanding, many representatives seemed satisfied with her intervention, in particular those from the Autonomous Movement for Emrta parliamentary majority, and between the most supportives, the representatives from the Solidarity and Convergence group.

Governor Oppegard has declared that, following the deliberations of the members of the state assembly, is his intention to promulgate the Basic Law of the State of Emrta, which in accordance with the state constitution, will develop the clauses inspired by the Charter of Amvkhar, and enforce it as soon as it is possible.

As a cosnequence, Princess Mildgyd is posed to be first member of the House of Welhaven-Goltzam to become a constitutional monarch without formal executive powers.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Federalists to lead state government in Nordansk

Othmarr Storstein, the candidate of the Federal Democratic Party, became the first governor of the State of Nordansk, after he received the support of the National Democratic Party. He also received the support of three representatives from the Reform Movement and one representative from the Liberal Party.

Although the conservative candidates were the most voted, obtaining 21 of 51 seats, they failed to obtain the required 26 seats. Sigeweard Faeravaag, leader of the Social Initiative, has declared to be disappointed with the attitude of the Reform Movement, and expressed the concern about the weakness of the new state government, as Storstein will have to rely in either the support of the National Democratic Party or the conservative opposition to pass any legislation.

Storstein has confirmed that he will lead a minority government, but declared that they will work hard to safisty the needs of the citizens of the northwestern state. The composition of the state government has not been announced yet, although Storstein has been open to join his government other political forces, such as the Reform Movement and the Liberal Party.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

FDP-NDP state agreements in two more states

A new agreement between the National Democratic Party and the Federal Democratic Party has arisen suspiction and criticism by both the opposition and even others parties of the ruling coalition. The Federal Democratic Party representatives decided to abstain in the Vannesdal state assembly, despite being the second larges political party in the state assembly.

The move will allow Bertha Gundersen, the candidate of the National Democratic Party, to become the Governor of Vannesdal, leading a minority government, and it was seen as a payback for NDP support of the Federalist candidate in Nordansk. However, the leadership of the Federal Democratic Party has justified the decision a move to assure the stability in the state, declaring that the Federal Democratic Party will remain as main opposition party to Gundersen's government. Despite the criticism, the leadership of the Federal Democratic Party has denied that a similar agreement could be in the making in the neighbor state of Midstendal.

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Party will consolidate their influence and power at the state level, as NDP candidate Wighardt Bergersen became Governor of Austland, with the support of the left-wing Workers Democratic Party and an independent representative in the state assembly.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Nordheim club wins basketball SuperCup

In a surprising and unprecedented final, Nordansk Nordheim defeated Stalskap Anlebaek to win the 2021 Basketball SuperCup.

Neither of the clubs were exactly favourites, as they are currently 8th and 7th in the regular league season, respectively.

Nordansk Nordheim had defeated the clubs from Midtenstadt -who leads the league classification with six wins more than Nordheim's club- in the quarterfinals, and Albrektberg, another of the favourites, in the first semifinal. Meanwhile, the club from Anlebaek had defeated Amvkhar Basketball in the other semifinal.

The match was balanced until the final quarter, in which Nordheim reached an advantage of twelve points. Anlebaek tried to react in the final minutes, reducing the final score to 77-75, with a triple in the final seconds, although it was too late and Nordansk Nordeim could celebrate their third title in their history.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Reform Movement join state governments in Midstemsdal and Vestmark

Despite their disappointing results in the state elections, the Reform Movement consolidated as the third largest political party nationwide.

The Reform Movement was started as political movement under the administration of Eadwald Engelsaas, the second and last President of the Provisional Government. The ambitious aims of the Reform Movement were never matched, as many believe that although many voters remain a positive view on Engelsaas and his government, including current Foreign Minister Burkhardt Kvalheim, the military and technocratic background of their main representatives have failed to gain the trust of the average voter.

This has led to many in the movement to question their participation in the federal government, and even the leadership of Secretary Kvalheim. In the last days, however, the agreements signed following the state election, in which the Reform Movement will enter in the state governments of Vestmark (in a coalition government with the Federal Democratic Party) and Midstemdal (in which a governemnt with the Federal Democratic Party, the Reform Movement, and the Liberal Party was established), will likely -at least eventually- fade away that internal divisions.

However, despite this, the future for the movement will likely remain unclear as -unlike the conservative Social Initiative, which remained the largest political party in the state of Nordansk, even if failed to obtain enough support to form a government- the Reform Movement has been reduced to a minor political party through the country, failed so far to be an alternative to the the two main political parties.

In any case, it is not likely that Reform Movement will leave the federal government or change it course until next Autumn, when it is expected that they will held their second party congress.

[paralipomena]

Juglander Review

Princess Mildgyd is proclaimed Grand-Duchess of Emrta

Princess Mildgyd was proclaimed Grand-Duchess of Emrta in a ceremony held in the state assembly of the State of Emrta - which, according to a law passed earlier this week, has been officially renamed as "Grand-Duchy of Emrta". Despite this unusual decision and the change of name, the legal status of the region has not changed constitutionally, and the islander region will remain under the authority of the Juglander constitution of the Federal Union of Jugland.

Mildgyd, 33, is the daughter of late King Engelhardt III and his second wife, therefore being also the stepsister of King Khrym, who abdicated in 2020, only six years after being crowned as King of Jugland. The choice of Princess Mildgyd, as a member of the House of Welhaven-Goltzam -as the state constitution of Emrta established an elective monarchy under Jugland's constitution- was contested by some, particularly republican activists, the National Democratic Party and other left-leaning organizations, as King Engelhardt -several months after three ministers from the pro-republican Juglander People's Party joined the government- dissolved the parliament and forced a constitutional amend which enlarged his powers as monarch, which many believe to be one of the main contributing factors that led to an armed conflict in the country five years later. Despite this, however, the election of a regional monarch from another family did not seem to find much support neither between the public opinion nor the main promoters of the reestablishment of the Grand-Duchy of Emrta, which had been abolished after the establishment of the short-lived Republic of Jugland in 1901 but it was restored following the restauration of the Kingdom of Jugland in 1906.

The Grand-Duchess, unlike previous Juglander monarchs, was the first member of the House of Welhaven-Goltzam, to pledge loyalty to the constitution -as part of the ceremony in the state assembly-, and she will be also the first constitutional monarch without executive powers, as the executive powers of the state government are consentrated in the state government led by the Governor.

The current Governor is Amalberaht Oppegard, from the Autonomous Movement for Emrta, who obtained a clear majority in the recent state election in Emrta.

Emrta, although it has only 2,360,000 inhabitants (compared to Jugland's 59 million), is the state with the highest GDP per capita of the six states that comprises the Federal Union of Jugland, and with its capital, Amvkhar, has a high importance as economic center as well as culturally and historically in Jugland's modern history.