New parties + Constitution nearby + Problems with recognising of Charlotta

New parties

In less than one week, two new parties have been formed. On November 19th, former President Steven Burvenich created the Vlaamse Demokraten (VD - Flemish Democrats), which became the country's fourth party to be founded, after the conservative SCU, the social-democratic SP.ES and the radical leftist DEREV. The party believes that both conservatism and social-democracy are too macronational to keep up with micronational problems, and favours more direct democracy.
Yesterday, the creation of yet a new political party was announced. Bob "Patriot" founded the Belgische Unie/Union Belge (BUB - "Belgian Union" in both Dutch and French), which aims at reforming the Republic of Flanders into the Kingdom of Belgium. Patriot does not hesitate to call the founders of the republic "traitors". The party received heavy criticism from both conservatives and social-democrats for mixing macronational issues with micronational politics.

Constitution nearby

Yesterday, Temporary Head of State Van Horenbeeck presented a semi-definitive version of the constitution to the Citizens' Forum. Meanwhile, the Citizens' Forum has begun voting on motions that would end the possibility of making more constitutional proposals in the Citizens Forum and calls for a referendum on the constitution.

Problems with recognising Charlotta

The Citizens' Forum has rejected a motion that would recognise the existance of Charlotta outside of Mayo, without explicitly recognising the People's Republic itself. This came as somewhat of a shock, especially as a treaty had been discussed between the Republic of Flanders and the People's Republic of Charlotta. In order to avoid rejection of this treaty, the voting on this treaty in Flanders has been delayed indefinitively.

Crucial motion passed + new flag

The Citizen's Forum (the temporary Parliament of the Second Republic) has passed an important resolution, determining the basic structure of the state. A directly elected President will be both head of state as well as head of government. He will appoint his Vice-President amongst his ministers. This constitutes a break with the parliamentary or semi-presidential character of the First Republic. The legislative power will be given to an elected Parliament, which will also serve as court of justice in times when the job of judge is vacant. The President cannot be a Member of Parliament; he is however its chairman and has a decisive vote when a parliamentary vote results in a tie. An appointed Senate will take on the role of constitutional court.

Another, more symbolic decision, was taken today. The Republic has chosen a new official flag, which was designed by Emery Frijters.