Batavia to reunite?

ST ANNA/'s-KONINGENWAARDE – Yesterday, an agreement was submitted almost simultaneously to the legislatures of both the St Anna and the 's-Koningenwaarde factions of the Kingdom of Batavia, aiming at reuniting the country after an almost yearlong split. This split, as our readers surely know, occurred on April the 17^th of last year, when colonel Benedictus Windsor staged a coup against General van Veen, who at that time was head of the country. Windsor then immediately went on to invite Jingdao to annex the country. Van Veen, meanwhile, fled to Sint-Anna, which, together with some other possessions of the Kingdom, had not been annexed by Jingdao, and reorganised his government on a forum provided for by the Flemish. Both governments had since then refused to recognise the other one's legitimacy, each of them claiming to be the only true Batavian government, despite the eventual Jingdaoese withdrawal.

There had been several attempts at compromises, but each one of them were, in the end, aborted. It seems, however, that this agreement, signed in loyalist-held Lannion by Vice-Admiral Van Ampersant (representing Sint-Anna) and Trydan van Gebar (representing 's-Koningenwaarde), has a sufficiently broad base of support on both sides to warrant some degree of optimism. We have learned from confidential sources that the proposal enjoys a unanimous support amongst the Sint-Anna political elite, while in 's-Koningenwaarde two of its three active citizens have voted in favour. The main exception appears to be Robert Windsor, who some days ago already indicated that he would have no part in this endeavour; it should, however, be said that he has yet to cast his vote.

The agreement appears to have been kept to a bare minimum. An interim government is to be formed, composed of the aforementioned Van Ampersant and Van Gebar, headed by Max van Schaerbosch, the former Batavian king who chose the Sint-Anna side in the conflict but whose late re-entry into the Batavian public life seems to make him unstained enough for the 's-Koningenwaarde Batavians. This new government is to organise fresh parliamentary elections and to prepare a draft constitution, to be considered and amended by this new parliament. The agreement also states that all persons recognised by at least one of the sides to be a Batavian citizen, shall henceforth be considered a Batavian citizen by the authorities of the newly united Batavia, as well as that all treaties made by one of the parties shall be considered to remain valid. This is especially important to the people on Nova Batavia/the Brettish Isles, as the 's-Koningenwaarde recognition of Brettish sovereignty was, of course, considered void by Sint-Anna. Lastly, the united Batavia shall be hosted on a new, neutral forum, batavie.micronatie.nl.

We, at least, hope this will be the end of a bitterly fought battle, whereby to many a harsh word has fallen and which, frankly, belongs to one of the most shameful episodes in the history of the Dutch sector. Is perhaps the recently signed treaty of recognition between Flanders and Jingdao, two countries whose relationship (although it has always been a tumultuous one) had suffered severely because of the Batavian conflict, a second sign, indicating that this is the time of the Great Détente in the Dutch sector? History has learned that a certain antagonism seems to be inherent to this sector, but one can only applaud those who try to be peacemakers.

Jingdaoese dictator admits Batavia is occupied by Jingdao

From nitwit over full-of-shit to just plainly boring person, everyone who has ever had to deal with the reigning Empress of Jingdao and her family have come to know their sense of restraint and feeling for polite conversation, equaled only by the current Flemish president. Yet, it came as a surprise to many that she personally came to visit the Flemish president. It’s an open secret that the relationship between the two countries is at an almost all-time low ever since the Flemish government decided not to recognize the Jingdaoese annexation of Batavia, which was effectuated by her troops without the support of half of the Batavian population, and went on to recognize the Batavia’s government instead.

The Jingdaoese tyrant came to offer the Flemish president some apple turnovers. Perhaps this was just meant for Jingdaoese  propaganda purposes, but nevertheless the President has politely thanked Sisera. More remarkably though, were the words of the Empress herself. She referred to the Jingdaoese administration ofBenacian Batavia as an “occupation”. To our knowledge, this is the first such recognition by the Jingdaoese ruling class. Is this the beginning of a political U-turn, which may in the end lead to a reunification of Batavia, a historical apology by Jingdao and a reconciliation between Flanders and Jingdao? Time will tell, but this newspaper certainly hopes so.

Flanders and Batavia sign Treaty of Eternal Friendship; Batavia to regain territories, forum

ST ANNA – Earlier today Flemish President Erwin V.H. and General Remus van Veen, Provisional Head of the Batavian government, have gathered on an undisclosed location, somewhere in St Anna to sign a ‘Flemish-Batavian Treaty of Eternal Friendship’. In it, Flanders renews its pledge to recognise only General van Veen’s government as the legitimate representative of the Batavian nation. General van Veen was deposed last months by a coup, lead by the Jingdaoese infiltrant Major Windsor, who subsequently proceeded to offer Jingdao’s self-proclaimed Heavenly Light to annex Batavia to its empire – an offer which aforementioned autocrat swiftly accepted. General van Veen, who has since fled to those parts of Batavia which have not fallen under Jingdaoese occupation, has refused to acknowledge this annexation, thereby supported by Flanders, which he had invited as a caretaker to manage the few territories  which still were under control of the legitimate Batavian government.

In this new treaty, Flanders has also vowed to transfer those territories back into Batavian control, and to offer Batavia the opportunity to use its forum infrastructure. Batavia, on its turn, has promised not to engage in any foreign activity that would be contrary to Flemish interests.

Flemish Parliament, which was out of session, has now been convened to discuss this treaty. Ratification is expected by May 28^th.

Trouble in the Batavian Confederation?

ZIJINCHENG/ZEEBURG (e.e.r.s.t.) – The long standing rumours that there is a row between the Grand Duchy of Southbatavia and the Free State of Zeeburg, the constituent nations of the Batavian Confederation (Bataafse Bond), have now been confirmed, as the state-influenced gutter press have reported that Southbatavia will no longer share its military secrets (or state secrets in general, as this reporter has heard a Jingdese colleague say) with Zeeburg. At the source of these tensions lies the fact that Luc van de Bakoven, a ‘relative’ of Zeeburg’s bailiff Luc van den Braende, has joined the Flemish cabinet as Minister of Culture, Sports and Education. Although there recently has been a normalisation, it is no secret that the relationship between Flanders and Southbatavia has often been strained.

The Batavian Confederation, whereby the leader of the Southbatavian regime promises to protect Zeeburg in exchange for a yearly tribute, emerged in the aftermath of the dissolution of ‘Greater Batavia’ last year. Some now question the long term viability of this unnatural alliance between the violent autocracy on Western Cibola and the brave little merchant republic. These countries are very different indeed – not only geographically, but most importantly politically and culturally. They don’t even share a same language, as some may mistakenly believe. Indeed, what does the Free State of Zeeburg have to gain in an alliance with a partner that doesn’t want to share information that is vital to the island’s security, but still wants a revenue from it and demands that Zeeburg’s foreign policy conforms to that of Southbatavia?

Finally, should any Southbatavian read this, it may of interest to them to know that not only Zeeburg’s leader has  ties to Flanders. A ‘relative’ of their Heavenly Light is also a Flemish MP, a position that implies the defense of the interests of the Flemish nation. Can that person, ‘radiating’ in the Imperial Palace of Zijincheng, still be trusted?

“Perhaps the most ambitious government in Flemish history” to be installed

League/Libertarian government to be installed

The Ivory Tower, the Flemish president’s official residence, has announced that a new government will be installed on Monday, after several days of negotiations on an undisclosed location resulted in an coalition agreement between president Erwin V.H.’s federalist League for the Third Republic and Roeland C.’s Libertarian Party. This means that former president Mateo Diez Mattiassen’s Democrats are now almost completely certain of being relegated to the opposition benches, although despite the claims made by the Flanders Post the current president did contact the ‘mateists’ but to no avail.

Nevertheless, the President stated his opinion that a coalition with the Libertarians was the politically more interesting option anyway, seeing that their proposals during the electoral campaign were much more innovating than those of the Democrats. What the president called “one of the most, if not the most, ambitious governmental agreement in the country’s history” contains several proposals which entail a break with certain age old Flemish traditions, most notably:

1.       an evolution from a highly centralised state into a federal one

2.       the possible adoption of a bitcoin based economic system, parallel to the SCUE system

3.       the slow build-up of a military presence, in contrast to the age old Flemish pacifist (and largely isolationist) policy

Flemish foreign policy is likely to maintain its tendency to seek a closer alliance with the member states of the Council of Free Nations, of which Flanders now aims to become a ‘junior partner’ somewhere during the next few months. Other parts of the governmental agreement include cutting in the bureaucratic red tape and reinvigorating the nation’s cultural development.

Jingdese propaganda machine abuses unclarity about government’s composition

The Ivory Tower has yet been unable to specify who exactly will become part of this new coalition government. Unconfirmed rumours have it that the League and the Libertians will be joined by Luc van de Bakoven from the Future Party, a kinsman of Zeeburg’s leader. The officious propaganda channel of Jingdao has been using this uncertainty to spew ludicrous claims about the Flemish president being part of some sort of secret cabal called the Mystic Society. While this is treated as a joke by the Flemish population and those of the civilised nations of Micras, it is to be feared that populations with less opportunities for education - such as those of the feudal society Jingdao self-admittedly is – will not be able to separate truth from fiction.

While certain people understandable fear that a Jingdese unification with Shireroth might destabilise the latter nation (with which Flanders unfortunately hasn’t developed official relations yet, although this will hopefully be realised in the near future), many also hope that this would provide the Jingdese masses some economic development and advances in education and therefore an entry into modern society. Some are even disappointed that Shirekeep doesn’t seem likely to gain an even firmer control on this West-Cibolan backwater. Of course, nobody will say this out loud, given the Flemish government’s official position that relations with the Zjincheng regime should be normalised.

League gains presidency, suffers severe blow in parliamentary elections

The Flemish Department of Interior Affairs has published today the official results of the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections. Erwin Berchtoldszn. van H. from the Northern Beneluccas, has been declared the winner of the presidential elections, with 54,5% of the first preference votes. V.H. was the candidate for the League for the Third Republic, an alliance of regionalist parties. His main competitor K. Anders, from Bruswerp, who had the support of incumbent president Mattiassen’s Democrats party, gained ‘only’ 40,9%, with Simon van Erasmus (of the Beneluccas based Union of Erasmi) and the monarchist Petrvs Fidelis lagging behind with 2,3% each. The president-elect is expected to take the oath of office on Wednesday.

The results also show a strong regional divide, with Anders’ support mainly concentrated in the national capital (67% of the vote), while the Province of Ambetanterijk massively supported the League’s candidate (94,7%). The results from the Beneluccas were mixed, with Van Erasmus receiving a surprisingly high percentage of the vote (7,7%).

On the other hand the League lost much of its support in the parliamentary elections, losing its absolute majority in the 50 seat legislature. With 20 remaining seats, its only barely larger than the Democrats, who conserve the 19 seats its predecessor New Democracy gained in September. The monarchist KGF (2 seats) and the Union of Erasmi (1 seat) will have only a negligible presence in the next legislature, which will commence its activities tomorrow (December 17^th). The Libertarian Party is, with eight seats, the clear winner of these elections and may emerge as the kingmaker in the next coalition government. However, it should be noted that Flanders has a tradition of minority governments as well, so it’s not entirely clear if there will be a coalition at all.

The new government is expected to face a number of crucial issues, most notably the possible introduction of a new economic system and a further defining of the geopolitical role of the country.

As Nohsi’s state visit draws to a close, Flemish debate turns toward foreign policy

BRUSWERP – The Republic of Flanders has long been a nation whose foreign policy focus has for many years been almost exclusively centred almost exclusively towards the Dutch sector. It would therefore have been surprising for a visitor from the past that the first official state visit by a foreign head of state in the country’s 15 years of existence is that of Ashkenatzi’s 16^th Noshi, Herr Moshe Goltz. Yet, ever since the territorial dispute over the Beneluccas (or Skerries, as they were known in Ashkenatza) has been settled by means of dialogue rather than by force, both countries have been enjoying an increasingly strong friendship.

The Nohsi’s started his state visit on the Beneluccas, by opening Ashkenatza’sConsulate-General in Schaarlecht (or Vladiskerrysk, both forms are considered to be official), where he praised Flanders as a stable and honest partner. The former governor of the Ashkenatzi Skerry Isles, Herr Heinz Schvartz, has been instructed to improve transport links and commerce links between Ashkenatza and Flanders. Present as well, the Flemish Minister of Foreign Affairs has expressed his country’s wish for an even closer alliance with the Maroon Republic.

Next stop was Bruswerp, where the Nohsi was invited to address Parliament. The Flanders Gazette deems it fit to publish a large excerpt of his speech, which has been called the high point of Flanders’ XXIst Legislature:

“These stormy seas and bad omens are upon us. Winds of change blow the sails of our ship of state in new directions- and as militarisation increases and the community continues to polarise, I fear the change may be irreversible. His Excellency Foreign Minister remarked in Flanders recently that he wished Ashkenatza a long life. It is a sentiment we appreciate. Activity is scarce, and kind words are scarcer. Given the current lack of activity and goodwill across the sector, I would argue that the nature of any bilateral relationship has now fundamentally changed. We must support eachother with activity, with moral support, and with concrete steps towards further economic and political co-operation. […]It is my firm belief that it is in the interests of my Republic and its people to secure an even stronger partnership with Flanders, significantly increasing military and diplomatic co-operation. Let us examine Apollonia. To the north of Flanders lies the Green, swathes of lawlessness and anarchy. States flicker in and out of existence there- few survive it. Only the coasts of Apollonia are safe, yet they too are now threatened by a pernicious, well-organised, and sly new enemy. The autocrat. To your east, Antica collapses into anarchy. Only the Aryezi have successfully managed to run a stable provisional government as the Shahists declare their intention to bring the once proud Republic under their heel. My Republic will not and cannot allow further Shahist infiltration into the affairs of independent and sovereign states and will offer to them whatever aid they may require to prevent falling down and down into the chasm of autocracy and despotism.

Do not falter. Stand strong, stand stalwart, and tread the path your Republic and its citizens deserve, a path which you have shown the whole world you tread with confidence and pride. The Batavian Gutter Press may sneer. The Shahists may smirk, yet we are proud to walk this path side by side with you, and by the ballots and all which is Maroon we will take other free nations by the hand and lead them down it too. “

As for now, the Nohsi is expected to attend a farewell reception in the Ivory Tower (the office of the Flemish President), whereupon he will be heading home.

Meanwhile, the Flemish electoral campaign has started to address the issue of foreign policy, which had been mostly centred on the cultural identity of the nation, internal reform and on economic issues. Erwin V.H., candidate for the presidency for the League for the Third Repubic (an alliance of regional parties), has expressed his desire for Flanders to seek a   closer alliance with Ashkenatza and Alexandria, including a possible membership of the Council of Free Nations, perhaps starting as an observer or a junior partner with a special status. The other front runner, Koen A., has not yet expressed his position on this specific issue. But his Democrats, which can be seen as the continuation of the yes-side during the controversial recent referendum about a possible integration into Alexandria, is inclined to seek a closer alliance with the Empire, and has expressed his desire to counter West-Cibolan influence, especially in Zeeburg. Together with the Libertarian Party, he has criticised the lack of seriousness of certain unnamed other nations. The League's candidate has distanced himself from these views.

Perhaps surprisingly, even the Union of Erasmi, led by Simon van Erasmus, has stated its support for strong relations with Alexandria and Ashkenatza, but – in sharp contrast to the other parties – has stated that “relations with other countries in the Dutch sector don’t seem to have much sense because of the lack of common ground, except for the language”.

Independent media outlet V.O.N. predicts a narrow victory for Erwin V.H. during the presidential campaign, but a severe loss for his party in the parliamentary elections, held at the same time. In the end, it will be Parliament which will decide the future course of Flemish external policy. The League would lose half of its vote, despite still coming first – but only 1% above the Democrats (30 vs. 29%). The Union of Erasmi, a Beneluccas based regional party, would give  a surprisingly strong performance performance of 19,5%, followed with 11,5% for the Libertarian Party. Finally, the ultraconservative KGF (King, Faith, Federalism) would garner 10% of the vote.