Rildanor

[Drax]

GREENER VEHICLES PREDICTED
 
L’EXAMINATEUR HERAUT
 
Ministry of Scientific Research and Technological Advancement, March 27, 5732: L’Examinateur Heraut asked Louis LeFebvre, Minister of Scientific Research and Technological Advancement, if the Ministry had any projects in mind, and Lefebvre replied:
 

Well, cleaner energy is probably  where we will expend the most effort for awhile.  And in that regard nuclear power always comes to the fore.  What another Canraillaise nation did was start with a university project which was successful on a very small scale  and build on that so that now electricity for two provinces are largely generated by nuclear power plants.
 
If a suitable applicant for such an effort appears or is located, certainly believe we can find the funds to support it.
 
Then there are bio fuels for vehicles.  We think two areas where we could promote development of them is in public transportation and agricultural equipment.  We will be talking to farm machinery producers, agriculture departments of colleges and bus builders and bus lines.
 
And of course electric vehicles.  Unless we want to start with agriculture, we will need to find an auto or truck maker who is interested.  We would need a lot of recharging stations to make it work. The idea  is popular but the practical means is what we must develop.
 
There are certainly others where we have been involved with other nations, and we need to see what should be revisited and revived.

Louis LeFebvre

[AdAstra36]

FN leader apologises for controversial remarks in parliament

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April 5732

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The leader of the radically conservative Fraternité Nationale (Luth.: National Brotherhood), Noé Plantier, has publicly apologised for his controversial remarks, labelled as racist, made in last month's debate in the National Assembly. The remarks were compared multiple times to the recent controversial statements allegedly made by Kalopian president Antonios Lakaridis, which directly led to the collapse of the Kalopian government. During the discussion of the Soft Power Act, proposed by the FN, members of the Parti Libre Rildanor (Luth.: Rildanor Free Party) and Parti National Progressiste (Luth.: National Progressive Party) made objections against both of the provisions of the bill.

The first provision, which would allow foreign countries to establish embassies freely, without requiring approval of the Foreign Office, was objected to by both parties. Plantier defended the provision in the following statement.

"[The FN] believe[s] that it would be in the interest of Rildanor to engage in diplomacy with every nation, not just those considered ideologically pure enough by whichever administration controls the foreign affairs at the time. "

The second provision of the bill would modify the foreign aid policy of Rildanor so that countries would have to give trade privileges to Rildanor as a condition for receiving aid, something which the PLR Foreign Affairs Spokesman Paul Fortresse referred to as "blackmailing". It was in response to this criticism that the Plantier made his most controversial statement.

"[...] As for second article, why should we provide aid to uncivilised people and get nothing from them? Its their own fault their not intelligent enough to avoid famine. Just look at Istapali, were they led by a proper people, that mess there wouldn't happen. "

The statement, which referred to people from countries receiving foreign aid as "uncivilised" and "not intelligent enough" and described the leaders of Istapali, which has entered a period of chaos, as "not proper people", has immediately caused uproar in the National Assembly. Plantier has refused to comment on the controversy since his recent apology shared on social media.

"I apologise for certain remarks I have made during the session in the National Assembly. My statements were undignified and unbecoming of me.

In the political arena emotions can run high, particularly when debating matters of national importance, where political opinions can differ deeply.

I had been debating in the National Assembly for several hours at that point, and that led to a state of tiredness. As a result of said tiredness, I have fallen to the level of my colleagues from the government and resorted to generalising statements that I am deeply ashamed of."

[Friedrich]

TENSIONS IN THE PLR

INTENS DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE 5732 SOFTPOWER ACT 

Bernard Handais, Minister of Infrastucture & Transport (PLR) at a road workers event in March 5732

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Tiraille, July 5732. From our own correspondent.

In Parliament there was a fierce exchange of arguments between  coalition parties with the surprising exception of the PLR, and the FN during the Soft Power Act debate. Specially the second part of the bill was controversial as it proposes to give aid to poorer nations with trading rights in return. The PLR called this during the debate "blackmail". 

In the interview with the L'Examinateur Heraut FN Party Leader Plantier apologized for his used language but did not change his point of view nor his bill. PLR Partyleader Grandament and Minister Handais called this :"An easy way out while FN's proposal  stays reprehensible"  Moreover, sources close to PLR's leadership said that there was much criticism and frustration about the attitude of the PLS towards the issue. According to the MInister of Foreign Affairs, Muselier (PLS) the Soft Power Act has the support of the PLS and she supports this as well while the 3 other coalition parties are opposing the proposed act. For the PLR this appears to be a very sensitive matter. The Minister said that she did not act on behalf of the cabinet. 

Among the PLR party ranks there is also much dismay and unbelief  about the PLS. Some suggest that the party should leave this cabinet. Asked about this , Minister Handais stated that we should wait what the outcome will be and the President of the Government, Des Ambrois (PLS) might intervene. 
In August, the  PLR leadership will evaluate the situation and there might also be a chance that the President veto this bill if passed of course. It is no secret that Grandement has to deliver results and is fighting for her position. PLR watchers speculate that she chooses this as a suitable issue to upgrade her profile.

[Drax]

UFR SEES LIKELY REVISIONS IN GOVERNING COALITION
 
L’EXAMINATEUR HERAUT
 
Ministry of Labor, Trade and Industry, August 23, 5733: L’Examinateur Heraut asked Minister of Labor, Trade and Industry Jean-Claude Beauvoisin if the current governing coalition is likely to continue after the next election, and Beauvoisin replied:
 

Quite frankly, it is highly unlikely  because the apparent support as indicated by polling  indicates support for each party ebbs and flows with considerable fluctuation.  It is not possible to accurately predict the composition of the National Assembly a year from now.
 
If I understand how the Constitution is developing, the President will select a prospective Premier to try and form a governing coalition with a majority.
 
If the current government has a majority, the President may well turn to the current Premier to form a government.  Similarly, if an Alliance appears to have a majority, the President might well turn toward its leader.
 
And the President could well just have the head of the largest party have first crack at it.

Asked  by L’Examinateur Heraut if his party, Union Federal Radicale (UFR), expected to be in the next government, Beauvoisin replied:
 

Much too early to make a prediction.  Will say UFR feels it has as good a chance as any and is optimistic.

 UFR's Beauvoisin

[TheNick]

Henri Des Ambrois Resigns as President of the Government
August 5734

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President of the Government Henri Des Ambrois earlier this month.

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TIRALLE - In this election night, we have a breaking news: Henri Des Ambrois, the Prime Minister since 5731 and a key figure of the PLS, has resigned from the office of President of the Government, his office confirmed a few minutes ago. The annoucement comes as the count of the vote, now at 95%, shows Des Ambrois' party falling in second position at 15% of the vote and losing several points compared to three years ago. 

President Aimard-Bélanger will accept the PM's resignation and will task Paul-Henri Doumerc, of the winning UFR, to form a Government in her name within five months. The current Vice-President of the Government, Thomas Boquet (PNP), will be the interim PM until a new Government is voted in. At this stage, the future of Mr. Des Ambrois is unclear: while he has been re-elected to the National Assembly, sources close to him say he does not intend to play a major role in the next government, opening the road for PLS's Deputy General-Secretary Olivier Brassard to seek an appointment as Vice-President of the Government.

[Jordan343]

Boquet step down as leader of the PNP

[August, 5734]
@LeRildanorien

The mood was somber at PNP headquarters as the results of the 5734 general election were announced. While polls just two years ago had given the party reason for optimism, the final outcome proved deeply disappointing. The PNP lost nearly half of its seats in the National Assembly, finishing sixth among the eleven parties that secured parliamentary representation.

The party's founder and president, Thomas Boquet, was quick to announce his resignation as party leader. In a brief press release, he stated that he no longer believed himself capable of leading the party to victory or adequately representing its values.

Speaking at a later press conference, Boquet, who currently serves as Interim President of the Government following Des Ambrois's resignation, confirmed that he would remain in office for the next few weeks to oversee the transition to the incoming Doumerc Government.

Boquet also clarified that he intends to retain his seat in the National Assembly but will not serve in the next Cabinet. The PNP further announced that both Joey Barton, the former Minister of Justice, and Guillaume Mayer, the outgoing Minister of Food and Agriculture, will join the new government.

Until a new leader is elected, the party's parliamentary leader, Anne-Sophie Regnard, will assume the role of interim president.

Regnard also announced that the PNP will support the re-election of Aimard-Bélanger in the upcoming presidential election, signaling the party's intention to cooperate with the iits coalition partner despite its electoral setback.

(Thomas Boquer, Interim President of the government)

[Drax]

DOUMERC AGENDA
 
L’EXAMINATEUR HERAUT
 
Tiralle, October 23, 5734:  After a staff meeting on the progress of current legislation, Premier Doumerc was asked by L’Examinateur Heraut if the Union Federale Radicale (UFR)  led government would simply be a renamed Third Des Ambrois Government, and he responded:
 

A fair question given the same parties are involved.  And I do not think any big changes or breaches with past decisions are likely.  However the emphasis will certainly be different.
 
Why? Fair to say much of the two Des Ambrois Governments was about securing human rights guarantees and shaping the system of government. With that now in place, what we hope to do is focus on improving some sectors of the economy and establishing some solid trading partners.
 
In both cases we will be  examining what we have had working in the past and what opportunities seem ripe for fulfilment.  Expect that to keep us busy.

 
Asked by L’Examinateur Heraut what kind of military posture he and UFR were considering, Doumerc replied:
 

We want to trade with most everybody and are not looking to be the political purity arbiters of Terra. Rather the opposite, we have respect for national sovereignty absent outright abuse of its own citizenry or aggression against others. But we do need to be able to defend the Republic and are examining our capacity to do that.

 
Asked if he felt like the UFR was in a good position to lead the nation for quite a while, he stated:
 

Frankly, no.  The support for our twelve parties fluctuates considerably. Very considerably.  The election put us in a position to form a governing coalition. Whether those conditions will recur in another election cycle is not predictable today.
 
So what we intend to do is make the most of the time we have to positively influence the path the Republic will follow.

Premier Doumerc

[Drax]

GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE CHEESE TRADE


L’EXAMINATEUR HERAUT
 
Moisdonne, April 23, 5735: Minister of Rural Affairs and Agriculture Jean-Claude Beauvoisin and local Ministry officials  attended a symposium on dairy farming with local business and civic leaders as well agribusiness executives and dairy farmers in Moisdonne in eastern Morbanaque Region.  L’Examinateur Heraut asked Beauvoisin what the government could do that would make a difference and he replied:
 

The perception throughout Terra is that Canrillaise cuisine is the finest in all Terra.  Truffles and wine are part of that cuisine, and that has been successfully exploited by Kanjor.
 
But another part of that cuisine is cheese.  Now not all cheese.  First off, there is some really very good hard yellow rindless cheese made elsewhere, particularly in Artania.  Furthermore, Terra loves cheese in pizzas, in cheese burgers, in macaroni and cheese and as an additive to everything from ham ad cheese to chili cheese corn to fondu.
 
But where there is an opening, a niche if you will, is in the upscale hors d’oeuvres market.  Throughout Terra that market craves and enjoys soft cheese held together by a soft rind.  And that is where Canrille prevails, that is where Rildanor prevails and that is where what our dairy farmers near villages outside Moisdonne in Morbanaque Region are producing can excel and be known to excel.
 
There are two main ways the Government can help. First, the Ministry can and will launch a promotional campaign Terra wide saying it’s got to be from Morbanaque or it’s not top of the line.  We can do that and we will.
 
Second, We can make loans for expansion and in some cases grants. For producers and wholesalers.
 
Further, in conjunction with Motbanaque Region we can set up an Appellation d’Origine Controlle similar to that often done with wine to say what is great and what is good but less expensive.
 
This will work and we are ready to start.

[TheNick]

President Aimard-Bélanger Announces Bid for Second Term
July 5735

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President Sylvie Aimard-Bélanger in her office at the Presidential residence.

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TIRALLE - The President of the Republic will officially seek re-election as Head of State in the upcoming December presidential election, she has confirmed via a press release this morning. The announcement is just a formality: we already know that in the past months, following the 5734 legislative election, the President started looking for a broader alliance in order to maximize her electoral chances, an alliance that was confimed this morning:

Dear compatriots. I am announcing my candidacy for the office of President of the Republic representing the PLS, the PNP and UFR. Alongside me, as my running mate, there will be former Interior Minister and current Trade Deals Envoy Margaux Vasseur. I hope my work in these past 4.5 years has insipired confidence among the Rildanorians and I hope you will consider re-electing me for my second and final term. If elected, I will also relinquish the leadership of the Liberal-Socialist Party and allow for younger, more dynamic leaders to take over.

The President seems to have both advantages and disadvantages: the formers, she has very high name recognition, she is perceived as a charismatic politician and she has a broad alliance (including her second round endorsement) behind her. Two big disadvantages are the fact that the PLS has no longer the popularity it enjoyed five years ago, and considering her slate of endorsements, she may be perceived as the candidate representing the current cabinet, which is struggling in the polls. Early estimates as of July indicate she would reach between 25 and 30 percent of the vote, guaranteeing her a spot in the second round of voting.

[TheNick]

Following Her Upset Defeat, Sylvie Aimard-Bélanger Resigns as PLS Leader
January 5736

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The new General-Secretary of PLS, Olivier Brassard.

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TIRALLE - Former President Sylvie Aimard-Bélanger, who just left office to Émeric Lahaye of the Elan, has announced that effective immediately, she would leave as the General-Secretary of the Liberal-Socialist Party, ending a tenure lasting five years and a half. During this time, Mrs. Aimard-Bélanger saw her party rise to very high levels of support and drop to very low levels of support, now retaining a medium level of support.

I'll be frank: the defeat in this presidential election is a big setback for our party. We lost decisively because the people rejected our governing philosophy, and we have to listen. But we will never renounce to our values of democracy, liberty and solidarity for all. 

Succeeding her, after an unanimous vote by the Secretariat and party members, is Finance Minister and Deputy Leader Olivier Brassard, who as his first act appointed former Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Muselier as his deputy. In his first speech to the party members he said:

We will remain the party who cares about solidarity, above all. It's my intention to maintain PLS as a relevant actor in Rildanor, and I'll work towards that goal.