This thread is for representatives of European Union to post periodic updates and information about happenings in their region.

Welcome, take a lampshade and some SPIT!

Minister of Foreign Affairs
General of the South Pacific Special Forces
Ambassador to Balder
Former Prime Minister and Minister of Defense

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European Union

An Introduction

The European Union is an old, established region, originally founded in 2004 (re-founded in 2017 in order to avert invasion, after being founderless for over a decade).

The European Union is a predominantly RP-oriented region, with a rich and deep roleplay scene that is truly unmatched by any other region, and we have more than 18 years of established lore, characters, countries, and ongoing storylines. Each member of the European Union roleplays their own country and characters according to their own vision, while their country simultaneously serves as a member state of the European Union itself. European Union member states may participate in region-wide political, economic, military, and cultural affairs. Each member state has one councillor on the European Council (the Union-wide legislative body), and may put forward candidates to the European Commission (the executive body of the region that also serves as the regional government), the European Court of Justice (the judicial body of the region), and many other European Union institutions, such as the European Central Bank. All European Union institutions, like all European Union activity, is completely roleplay-driven.

In recent times, the European Union has taken a greater interest in GP activities. As a RP-focused community, and after facing many (failed) invasion attempts against us as a founderless region, the European Union stands steadfastly and vocally against raiding (or, as well call it, community destroying). The European Union has proudly served as the original stomping grounds for the likes of Benevolent Thomas, Deadeye Jack, and Vincent Drake, among many others who used to call us home, who have now made names for themselves in the GP community as defenders. Consequently, the European Union maintains a 'special connection' with the Grey Wardens, whose endeavours we support with immense enthusiasm.

Almost all European Union activity is limited to our beautiful and custom-made regional forum and our chatty Discord server, both of which are very active; and so we are not to be underestimated by our pretty quiet RMB. The European Union has a particularly mature (and scandal free) community, as many of our members have been part of the NS community for quite a few years, but most of us are relatively under-the-radar outside of RP. As long-term players, the European Union has forged a very social and close-knit community, and we organise many different types of social events that include let's plays/gaming tournaments, movie nights, various contests and other activities. The European Union also collaborates with other regions for cross-regional social events, whether it be for N-Day, Halloween parties, Christmas/Holiday festivals, or music competitions (such as the EU's very own EuroVoice competition). The European Union remains completely open to collaboration with other regions for social events, and members of allied regions are invited (and encouraged) to drop-by and make themselves at home in our Discord chat.

You can find us on NationStates here.

⭐ Foreign Affairs Commissioner of the European Union ⭐

(This post was last modified: 08-24-2022, 10:11 PM by Inquista.)

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European Union

 

Regional update for the month of July, 2022

 

European Commission

Premier Commissioner Jean Claude Juncker (Spain)

Commissioner of Internal Affairs Kevin Cotilla (Leagio)

Commissioner of Foreign Affairs Antoni Reynels (Inquista)

 

European Council

Speaker Iras Tilkanas (Istkalen)

Deputy Speaker Nicholas Benfield (Inimicus)

 

European Court of Justice

Chief Justice Judy Scheindlin (United Duchies)

Justice Robert French (United Kingdom)

Justice Raymond Gauthier (Leagio)

Justice Dayo Mwangi (Elthize)

Justice Benjamin Steyn (Inimicus)

Commission Politics

Commission Elections Swept by Progressives
The thirty-second European Commission was elected on July 26th. Spaniard Jean Claude Juncker (European Progressive Alliance) was elected as Premier Commissioner with 77% of the vote, defeating Duchian opponent Calvin Kühnert (Independent). Leagioan Senator, Kevin Cotilla (European Progressive Alliance), was elected as Commissioner of Internal Affairs with 62% of the vote, defeating the incumbent Commissioner Ilmaras Kalessed of Istklaen (Party of the European Left). Inquistan Bishop, Antoni Reynels (European Progressive Alliance), ran unopposed for Commissioner of Foreign Affairs and was unanimously elected. The election marked the first time that EPA commissioners have been elected to office since 2020.

Sliding Into DMs
Outgoing Internal Affairs Commissioner Ilmaras Kalessed has overseen changes to the EU Commission App, which will allow European netizens to directly message any European politician, and will allow netizens to also directly comment on any proposed legislation.

Council Politics

European Agricultural Fund
The European Council is currently debating an act which seeks to create the European Agricultural Fund, which will provide economic assistance to workers of European farming and fishing industries. The proposal has been put forth by Premier Juncker, who promised region-wide subsidies for European farmers and fishers during his Commission campaign.

European Order of Merit Nomination
Commissioner Reynels has nominated Eurocorps Commander Vincent Drake of the Duxburian Union to the European Order of Merit for “his contributions to European security and global peace.” Commander Drake has served as Commander of the European Corps since its inception in 2020. The nomination is now up for Council debate.

European Central Bank Election
Premier Juncker has opened nominations for a new President of the European Central Bank. Candidates from the Unites Duchies, Istkalen, Spain, and Reitzmag have been nominated, and are currently making their cases for the ECB Presidency.

Constitutional Amendment
Councillor James Mizrachi-Roscoe of the United Duchies has proposed a new clause to the European Constitution that would prevent the EU from fining European companies more than 1% of their pre-tax profits for breaches of European law. Councillors are currently voting on the constitutional amendment, which looks likely to be defeated.

Repeal of the Elected and Accountable Council Act (EACA)
The Elected and Accountable Act, which at one point in time required all members of the European Council be directly elected by the people of their country of origin, is currently being voted on to be repealed. The repeal of the EACA seems very likely, following amendments made in March 2021 that weakened the legislation, only requiring member states with less than 12 months in the European Union to elect their Councillors.

Amendments to the Mental Health Act
Councillor James Mizrachi-Roscoe of United Duchies has proposed amendments to the European Mental Health Act, which would decentralize current mental health services away from the European Health Organization, and entrust them with relevant national organisations instead.

Council Safety Act is Rejected
A proposal made by Councillor Iras Tilkanas of Istkalen to increase the security of the European Council was defeated in a 6-3 vote against. The proposal sought to ban certain controlled substances, flammable materials, and weapons from the European Council, implement cushioned ceilings, walls and floors, restrict chamber furniture (including banning sharp-edges), and would have created restrictions for entering the site.

European Council Majority Increase Rejected
Then-Commissioner Kalessed proposed a constitutional amendment which would have raised the definition of a simple majority within the European Council from 55% of those present to 60% of those present. The proposal was unanimously defeated with 5 votes against.

European Neurodivergent and Disability Rights Act Amendment
Amendments proposed by Councillor James Mizrachi-Roscoe of the United Duchies, which aim to soften certain requirements of the European Neurodivergent and Disability Rights Act, were passed with only 2 votes for and 2 votes in abstention. The amendments allow for “reasonable adaptations” of the legislation’s mandates and requirements, and spell out situations where adaptations are exempt or not necessary.

European Court of Justice (ECoJ)

ECoJ Elections
July saw a new European Court of Justice elected alongside the new European Commission. Judy Scheindlin (United Duchies) was elected Chief Justice while Robert French (United Kingdom), Raymond Gauthier (Leagio), Dayo Mwangi (Elthize) and Benjamin Steyn (Inimicus) were all elected as Justices. Justice Judy Scheindlin is the first Chief Justice to serve from the United Duchies.

News From Around Europe

Jesus Never Dies
President Jesús Aguilar of Spain has won re-election as Spanish President, following six years of already being in power. President Aguilar and his Partido Popular won the Spanish general election in July with 264 seats, claiming a slim majority of 3 seats. The Partido Socialista followed with 121 seats, VOX with 40 seats, Sumar and the SNP with 18 seats each, Esquerra Republicana with 13 seats, Unidas Podemos with 12 seats, and minor parties claiming a handful of other seats. Spanish Senate elections saw a similar distribution pattern in their results. President Aguilar will now oversee his fourth cabinet.

You’ll Win With the Right Priorities
A general election in the United Kingdom saw the incumbent Tory government defeated and a Labour government elected in its place. As their first act in government, the new Starmer government successfully repealed the country’s Adult Video Law, giving its citizens greater access to explicit adult content.

Doing the Bare Minimum
The National Congress of Leagio introduced a federal minimum wage across the country, which stands at 11 Sulias an hour. Until now, minimum wages had only been set by state and territorial governments of Leagio.

EMU Ready to Fly in Elthize by 2024
President Greenwich Grimwald of Elthize has promised that his country will adopt the European Monetary Unit (EMU) as a currency no later than January 2024. The EMU currently serves as a currency of Spain, Inquista, the United Dominions of Icholasen, Fremet, Vayinaod, Montenbourg and Leagio.

Inquistan Center for Children Who Can't Read Good and Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too
The College of Bishops of Inquista have passed educational reforms that will streamline and expand mandatory subjects for Inquistan primary and secondary students. Changes to secondary education will, for example, see maths, at least one science, English, Latin or a modern foreign language, religion, and at least one art class become mandatory, with only two other subjects of personal choice being permitted per year. Previously, the only mandatory subjects in secondary school were English, Latin, and religion, with all other subjects being subjects of personal choice.

AeroDux and Easyjet: Our Flights Bring You Closer to Heaven
Flights have been restored to normal within the airspace of the United Duchies following a collision in June between an AeroDux A350 and an Easyjet Duchies A320 that left 492 passengers dead.

Soiled Soil Soiling Soil
The government of Istkalen implemented land measures that included the nationalization of non-urban land, and land value taxes that were levied on land users, which ultimately resulted in mass protest by farmers. The measures went on to be repealed, but not without creating a rift with the New Agrarians, who were expected to be included in the government of the country. Ilmaras Kalessed, who is now leader of the New Agrarians following her service within the European Commission, has remarked that "so long as this government stands, the farmer will not be at peace.”

Giving the People What They Want
Two referendums were held in Lusitania and Vettonia. The first referendum concerned decentralizing greater powers to local authorities, while the second referendum asked whether voters wanted to establish a monarchy for the country, which is currently a republic. In both cases, voters responded enthusiastically in the affirmative, giving royalists and local Neathian tribes (who’ve pushed for greater local autonomy) much to celebrate. The referendums follow a period of relative political instability, where the shaky government has barely managed to survive votes of no confidence. Protests continue to be ongoing in the country due to political strife.

The Untouchable Bald Head
The National Imperial Council of Inimicus is currently discussing a new constitutional amendment proposed by the Imperial Palace, which would prevent the Council from ever being able to impeach the Inimican Emperor. This proposed constitutional amendment comes after the Inimican House of Commons indefinitely dissolved itself in June, following a previously passed constitutional amendment that requires the Inimican lower house to only ever meet by the Emperor’s decree or by the Imperial Council’s request.

Delete Your Account, Czech Bot
Spam bots originating from Czech Slavia have taken over the cyberspace of Inimicus, flooding Inimican social media and social media user inboxes with spam. The intention of the spam bots are not clear, but an Inimican professor believes that the bot accounts are operated by "individuals paid or supported by organisations or official institutions in Czech Slavia”. It has not yet been made evident if the Czech spam bots intend to make use of the EU Commission App’s new direct messaging features.

Social Distancing Now in Effect
A new law approved in Gadalland and Aspern will ban all protests that have greater than 1,000 persons in any of the country’s major cities, greater municipalities and their suburbs.

Royal Retirement
King Jean IV of Ineland has stated his intention to abdicate as king of the country after 37 years on the throne. King Jean will be turning 70 years old in September, and has alluded to his health as being a principal factor in his abdication. The Inelandic King’s announcement marks the first time that a monarch has abdicated in the country’s modern history.

My, What A Big Nuke You Have
The government of Czech Slavia has confirmed that the Czech Armed Forces have successfully tested a nuclear weapon in the region of South Moravia. The nuclear test brought a successful end to Project Morana, the Czech nuclear weapons development program. Project Morana was announced after the European Nuclear Weapons Authority (ENAA) unanimously agreed to award Czech Slavia with a limited nuclear weapons license earlier in May of this year.

This regional update has been issued by the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs.

⭐ Foreign Affairs Commissioner of the European Union ⭐

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European Union

Regional update for the month of August, 2022

European Commission

Premier Commissioner Jean Claude Juncker (Spain)
Commissioner of Internal Affairs Kevin Cotilla (Leagio)
Commissioner of Foreign Affairs Antoni Reynels (Inquista)

European Council
Speaker Iras Tilkanas (Istkalen)
Deputy Speaker Nicholas Benfield (Inimicus)

European Court of Justice
Chief Justice Judy Scheindlin (United Duchies)
Justice Robert French (United Kingdom)
Justice Raymond Gauthier (Leagio)
Justice Dayo Mwangi (Elthize)
Justice Benjamin Steyn (Inimicus)

COMMISSION POLITICS

Upcoming EU Leaders’ Meeting
Commissioner Cotilla has announced an upcoming meeting in September where EU heads of government will come together to discuss and address any current issues or concerns facing the region.
 
Regional Defence and Expansion Targets Reached
Commissioner Reynels completed his regional security review and successfully established a greater consensus and endorsement of the EU’s defensive procedures. Commissioner Reynels also oversaw the expansion of the European Union to 280 member states, the region’s highest since June 2020, surpassing his initial target of 200 member states.

COUNCIL POLITICS

Commission Veto Powers
Commissioner Cotilla has proposed a constitutional amendment that would give the European Commission the power and ability to veto any Council legislation that was passed with less than 25% of voting participation from active European Councillors. The constitutional amendment is currently up for debate, where it is facing resistance.
 
Discussion on Repealing the European Space Exploration Act
A discussion on the possibility of repealing the European Space Exploration Act is currently underway. The European Space Exploration Act is responsible for the establishment of the European Space Agency (ESA), which has come under increasing fire due its alleged mismanagement and wasteful cost of funds.
 
ECB Presidential Election
Luis de Guindos Jurado of Spain was elected as the President of the European Central Bank. The ECB Presidential election was mired by low voter participation from European Councillors, which sparked criticism of how the EU elects its top bureaucrats.
 
European Border Protection Fund Act
Councillor Sofie Čikarová of Czech Slavia has proposed the European Border Protection Fund Act, which would provide additional funding to frontier states of the European Union in order to foster border protection along their borders with countries and entities outside of the European Union.
 
European Agricultural Fund Passes
Premier Juncker’s proposed European Agricultural Fund, which aims to provide economic assistance to workers of the EU’s farming and fishing industries, has unanimously passed the European Council with 7 votes in favour.
 
European Order of Merit
Eurocorps Commander Vincent Drake of the Duxburian Union was unanimously recognised by the European Council for his contributions to European security and global peace, and was subsequently awarded with the European Order of Merit. Commander Drake received his award from Commissioner Reynels who nominated him.
 
Amendments to Mental Health Act Pass
Amendments proposed by Councillor James Mizrachi-Roscoe of the United Duchies to the European Mental Health Act were unanimously passed with 3 votes in favour. The amendments decentralize mental health services away from the European Health Organization and entrust them with relevant national organisations instead.
 
Constitutional Amendment on Voting Majority Fails
Councillor James Mizrachi-Roscoe of the United Duchies proposed constitutional amendment that would have prevented the EU from fining European companies more than 1% of their pre-tax profits for breaches of European law failed in a 3-1 vote against.
 
Elected and Accountable Council Act Repealed
The Elected and Accountable Act, which requires member states with less than 12 months in the European Union to democratically elect their European Councillors, was unanimously repealed with 7 votes in favour.

NEWS FROM AROUND EUROPE

A Tale of Three Icholasens: Chairman’s Death Leads to Socialist Split
The Chairman of the Nicoleizian Communist Party, Michul Jirluchuz, quietly passed away on August 15th. Following the Chairman’s death, a power struggle seemed inevitable between the two factions of the Nicoleizian Communist Party, the TANKIES (authoritarian left) and the AÉN (libertarian left). In order to pre-emptively win that struggle, and with the support of the chairman’s widow, Cécile Laucre, the leader of the TANKIES, organised for the murder of Korojaunu Bernard Sanders and AÉN leader Carole Baskin. Shortly after, Cécile Laucre declared herself as the new Korojaunu of the UNSR. Aware of Laucre’s machinations, and fearing an imminent purge of the whole AÉN, AÉN-aligned leaders of the UNSR’s southern socialist republics announced their secession from the UNSR, establishing their own Federal Republic under the temporary leadership of President Anne-Marie David, the President of the Romain Socialist Republic. In order to consolidate their respective powerbases in the north and south, Korojaunu Laucre of the UNSR and interim President David of the Federal Republic have formed a flimsy truce and have also agreed the split the Nicoleizian capital city (Cesae Vauvra/Saint Regina) between them as a neutral zone. Meanwhile, Free Icholasen, the government in exile of the former United Dominions of Icholasen, remains outside looking in.
 
You Have No Power Here, Grimwald
August saw a major Supreme Court case decided in Elthize, which had dramatic political fallout. The Supreme Court of Elthize ruled that a fringe group known as the Unitees (who advocated for the reunification of Elthize and Leagio) as a legitimate and legal political group, and ruled that the suppression of their political beliefs have been unjust. President Greenwich Grimwald of Elthize condemned the ruling as “disgusting”, citing the group as a movement that undermines Elthic sovereignty, and requested that Parliament dismiss the ruling. Both houses of Elthic Parliament released a joint statement that also condemned the controversial ruling, slamming the decision as “"illogical and dangerous”, but their ability to dismiss the Supreme Court’s ruling remains in question. The Constitutional Court will now see to the dispute between Parliament and the Supreme Court to see if a dismissal of the Supreme Court’s ruling by Parliament is possible.
 
Election Season in Lusitania and Vettonia
Following an eventual governing coalition collapse after months of political strife, election season has now officially begun in Lusitania and Vettonia. Candidates from the Liberal Party, Democratic Conservative Union, Monarchist Party, Social Democratic Party, Popular Confederation of the Left, the National Front, as well as the pro-Vettonian and pro-Lusitanians parties, have all announced their presidential candidates. While campaigning is now underway, the election will only take place on September 25th.
 
It’s A Matter of President
The newly seceded Federal Republic of Icholasen has called an election to elect its president. Despite being led by the AÉN (formerly a faction of the Nicoleizian Communist Party), the Federal Republic has vowed to uphold free and open democratic elections, and many parties associated with the former United Dominions of Icholasen and the Free Icholasen movement are expected to participate. No official candidacies have been announced yet, but candidates from the AÉN, Socialists, Party of June, Liberal Democratic Socialists, National Awakening Party, Dairy Is Lovely and Filling Party (DILF), Milk Is Loathsome and Foul (MILF), Nicoleizian Dawn, and Parti Romain are expected to run.
 
Sofie’s Choice
Former Premier Commissioner of the European Union, Sofie Čikarová, was appointed as the Czech Councillor to the European Union by her government, following the repeal of the Elected and Accountable Council Act. Outgoing Czech Councillor, Václav Kohout, served as the leader of the Party of the European Left.
 
Let’s Get This Straight
Blue Croatia, a paternalistic nation dominated by gay men, built itself in contrast to Red Croatia, a matriarchal society dominated by predominantly heterosexual women. Blue Croatia has invited foreign guests to the country to make their case for whether Blue Croatia should enact ‘straight rights’ in order to protect heterosexuals, a controversial move that could land its President in hot water for pushing ‘the Heterosexual Agenda’.
 
Rewriting the Rules
Several major constitutional amendments have been made in Inimicus, most of which have strengthened the position of the Emperor while weakening all other governmental institutions and bodies. Interestingly, the constitutional amendments also included a clause which states that the “Empire of Inimicus is inextricably bound to the People and Government of the Confederacy of North Diessen", signalling the omnipresent influence that the Empire plays in North Diessen.
 
On the Rails
The Department of Public Transportation of Brickston has made an ambitious pledge to connect 100% of all rural communities to means of public transportation by 2050. Since 1986, settlements with a population of 100,000 and above have already been connected to national railways networks, but the new initiative focuses on smaller towns and villages, and promises to build up local buses, trams and metros in rural areas.
 
All Your Base Are Belong to Us
Troops from Spain have landed in Gadalland and Aspern, where they will be garrisoning in a newly constructed overseas military base. The military base will serve to protect Gadalland and Aspern, as well as to extend Spanish military influence in the Caribbean, where Spain has traditionally held considerable influence.
 
We Remember
Following their ascension to the European Union, the citizens of the Aether Federation have paid remembrance to the many lives lost during its 5-year long civil war that came to a recent conclusion.
 
The Little Engines That Couldn’t
Transportation woes continue in the United Duchies, this time as two major rail companies, the Central Link and the Eastern and Baltic Train, have had their franchises removed from operation due to "disgraceful tardiness". The two rail providers failed to meet a national standard that requires rail providers to have at least 95% of their trains arriving within 2 minutes of their timetabled time at 90% of stations on their route.
 
Lost and Found
Archaeologists from Czech Slavia have discovered Slavic jewelry in the Lake of Mostařanka, and have theorised that the jewelry originated from the nearby island of Dována. The discovery has flamed further speculation that the island was once inhabited by a Slavic population and could potentially be a significant heritage site of Slavic paganism. The island of Dována, however, remains out of Czechoslavonic jurisdiction and thus cannot be further investigated.
 
A Government on a Diet
The government of the Aether Federation made significant reductions in its government bureaucracy by closing or merging 24 of its ministries. In addition to streamlining and reducing the size of its government bureaucracy, the reforms were also made in part due to the large amount of ministerial-related scandals.

SPORT AND CULTURE

EuroVoice 42: Trondheim
The 42nd edition of the EuroVoice Song Contest came to a long-awaited conclusion. Ineland’s Clara Luciani walked away as the winner of the contest, winning with her song Le Reste. Clara Luciana is the first winning artist hailing from Ineland. Autoheart, representing Istkalen, claimed second place with their song Lent, while Supersister, representing a united team from Icholasen, finished third with Coffee. The European Union eagerly awaits the next contest to be held in Ineland!
 
This regional update has been issued by the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs.

⭐ Foreign Affairs Commissioner of the European Union ⭐

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