TOR PENDENTE - On January 21st, the sad news rang throughout the micronational community like the death of a President. The Federal Republic of St Charlie has officially dissolved after sixteen years in existence. The FRSC began as a monarchy on December 25, 2000 under Patrizio I before an economic crisis caused the November Revolution turning the state into a Federal Republic largely dominated by Alexander Reinhardt. The nation became one of the largest and most influential micronations in the world and forged many alliances, amongst them being A1 (which dissolved in 2012), Austenasia, and Zealandia. Following Reinhardt's withdrawal from politics, St. Charlie began to take a different turn. By August 2015, the micronation had fallen into inactivity. Alexander Eastwood, the former leader of the Republic of Atlantis, became the head of the St Charlian Parliament and seized power as Chancellor in an attempt to institute reforms. However, the nation was beyond repair. On January 21st, it was reported to the Empire of Austenasia, a close ally, that the state was no longer functional and that many members of the government had not been active in quite some time. An Act of Parliament was passed by Austenasia recognizing the dissolution of St Charlie and removing it from its diplomatic channels. News began to circulate across the micronational world throughout the week. The fall of St Charlie ends a long and sometimes contentious era of micronational history and the end of the "Old Guard" of micronationalism. While other great states such as Sandus, Austenasia, Juclandia, and Zealandia still continue to exist and thrive and St Charlie's influence has been waning for some time, the St Charlian dissolution marks the end of the great micronational powers and the beginning of a new age for the community. However, the legacy it leaves behind will forever be timeless to those who were around for it.
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SHAOSHAN - On Thursday, the Imperial Council met where they debated a series of reform bills set forth this past week by His Imperial Majesty Emperor Buster Augustus. During the meeting, the motion was raised to vote on an official name for the future new capital of the Empire. Before the dissolution of the Shaoshanian nation, it was announced the capital would move to the Sacramento area by September 2017. This was not altered when Shaoshan dissolved and the Empire of Sonora organized. The debate, however, was shelved in the interest of building the Imperial government during the holidays and throughout January. The draft for the Seat of Government Dissolution and Reestablishment Act (SOGDRA) has been in the works but will not be completed nor passed for several months and will be tabled for the time being. However, a name was established for the future capital of the empire. Three possible names were Sonora City, Sutter, or Sonoma. Each name was voted on by the Council who voted down Sonora City and Sutter in favor or Sonoma. The reason behind this decision was explained by The Right Honorable Prime Minister Titus Smith who said it pays homage to Sonora's rich California based history. The future site of the new capital is still being scouted but once it is, work will begin in making it ready for the Imperial government's arrival.
SHAOSHAN - On Thursday, the People's Gym officially opened to the public for the first time after a month of delays over financing. However, thanks in part to a budget reappropriation decree by the Emperor, which included cutting defense spending and helping to cut costs to healthcare, money was able to be filtered towards the project. Construction had begun shortly after Christmas and was completed late last week. People's Gym then opened this morning to the public and will be available for any to use at no cost, thanks in part to a government funded health program. The gym is located in the Imperial Palace in Shaoshan and occupies the former Ambassadorial Room (or "Blue Room"). The gym is open 7 days a week from 7am to 7pm.
SHAOSHAN - On Saturday, the final tallies for the state and municipal elections were reported in by the Imperial Electoral Commission. In the Olaf Kingdom, Olaf Gustafsen Jr was reelected as Chief Minister with Olaf Wintersen, Olaf Harvesten, Olaf Odinsen, and Olaf Flatsen being elected to the National Council. In Olafburg, the City Council shall be comprised of Olaf Gustafsen Jr, Olaf Harvesten, and Olaf Wintersen with Gustafsen Jr also making up the role of Mayor. In Shaoshan, the City Council voted Pushlock Holmesheen as Mayor along with Goldie the Cat and Twylie the Cat. The Marxian City Council, which is a participatory gathering, simply voted for their Mayor in which they named Titus Smith to lead them. Meanwhile the Marxian People's Assembly was voted in with Titus Smith, Edward Morton, Goldie the Cat, Violet the Dog, and Pusheen the Cat with the former Empress becoming Premier of Marxia. In New Reno, the Senate Convened in which they elected Ceres Smith Mayor of the City and Diana Smith as Chief Minister. All leaders and assemblies will be sworn in on Wednesday, February 1st.
SHAOSHAN - Fierce winds and lightning pounded the northern California region on Wednesday night bringing flash flood warnings and reminders of last week's trying storm back to the memories of many. On Wednesday, the cities of Marxia, Shaoshan and Olafburg were put under a state of emergency and a curfew was implemented throughout the empire while weather advisories and flood warnings were put into effect in other parts of the empire. In New Reno a winter weather advisory went into effect as weather continues to effect those along the I-80 corridor between Sacramento, CA and Reno, NV. A state of emergency was also in effect for the state of Marxia until tomorrow morning. The Imperial government urges those to drive safe if absolutely necessary but otherwise stay indoors and asks those to pay attention to local news broadcasts for future and accurate weather updates and forecasts.
Constitutional Court Elected, Gustafsen Becomes Chief Justice Despite Harvesten Reelection1/17/2017 SHAOSHAN - On Tuesday, the election for the Constitutional Court was called to elect the new justices of the highest judicial body in the empire. The last elections were held during the reign of Shaoshan and has been provisionally presiding as the supreme court of Sonora. But on Tuesday, just days after the general election for the Emperor and Imperial Council, the Imperial Electoral Commission (formerly the Central Electoral Commission), called the race in favor of the candidates. The election was mostly silent as it was overshadowed by the general election and subsequent Grand Inauguration however many candidates submitted their nominations. Tuesday's vote resulted in the reelection of Olaf Harvesten and the election of Pushlock Holmesheen and Olaf Gustafsen, Sr.. The election was mainly called to fill the vacancy of Buster McCovey who resigned after being elected Emperor. Per electoral rules, a reigning Emperor cannot hold the office of a state or imperial legislator, state or municipal leader, or Justice. Holmesheen is believed to be the official successor to his seat, although no official succession to a Justice seat is truly mandated or recorded. Especially in consideration that the election also resulted in the usurping of Goldie the Cat from her position as well with the election of Gustafsen. Gustafsen also received the highest amount of votes amongst the Justices which, as per election rules, grants him the position of Chief Justice, previously held by Harvesten, who will continue to serve on the Court for 3 more months.
SHAOSHAN - On Sunday, the Coronation of the Emperor of Sonora was held in the Assembly Hall of People's Palace. His Imperial Majesty Buster McCovey was proclaimed Imperator Buster Augustus Caesar, Emperor of Sonora, King of the Realms, Prince of Marxia, Archduke of Dorada, Earl of New Reno, Crown Steward of the Imperial City, Supreme Commander of the Defense Forces and Supreme Sheriff of the Police Forces, amongst many others. Emperor Buster than took his place upon a throne and Bob Minion was sworn in as President of the Imperial Diet. Following this, the Imperial Council was sworn in and Prime Minister Titus Smith took his Oath of Confirmation to his position as head of the government. Thusly, the Imperial Council was called to order as custom has dictated from Sonora's predecessor. The Imperial Council started with a vote on the Deputy Prime Minister, whom Smith nominated as Edward Morton. This pick was voted down in favor of the Council's pick of Olaf Gustafsen, Jr. Next the Council voted on the picks for the Imperial Diet which the Council unanimously voted in favor of. The Imperial Diet from highest authority to lowest is as follows: HIM Emperor Buster Augustus, His Excellency President Bob Minion, The Rt Honorable Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Titus Smith, the Rt Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Labor, and Agriculture Olaf Gustafsen, Jr., Minister of Defense Olaf Gustafsen, Sr., Minister of Finance Pusheen the Cat, Minister of Education Edward Morton, Minister of Health and Human Services Amy Wilde and Minister of Religious Freedom, Secularism, and Cultural Development Julia Smith. With that the Imperial Council confirmed elections for the Constitutional Court will begin in the coming days and municipal and state election to occur on January 27th and 28th.
Rains Pound the Empire!
SHAOSHAN - Heavy rains in the Imperial capital caused massive flooding throughout the region this past week. Nearly 5"-6" of rain fell on Tuesday causing massive flooding in the northern California area. The hardest hits were areas were Shaoshan and Marxia where flooding along Shaoshan Road near Fort Shaoshan and Red Square forced a shutdown of the main capital expressway. A state of emergency was declared but was lifted two days later after the storms had settled. California has been in a drought for 5 years and the recent rains have helped put an end to the long dry spell. PM, Diet President, Emperor Meet To Start Forming Cabinet SHAOSHAN - On Wednesday, Prime Minister-elect Smith and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Buster met with the President of the Imperial Diet, Bob Minion, to discuss matters of forming the new government cabinet. According to reports, Smith and McCovey, who have met for the first time since Smith's removal from power in the September 2016 Shaoshanian Presidential elections, rekindled their long friendship with President Minion and said they do not plan to form a new cabinet, merely, shuffle it a bit, albeit staying much how it already is. It is already expected Prime Minister Smith will remain Minister of Foreign Affairs and that former Prime Minister Olaf Gustafsen, Sr will remain Minister of Defense. It is also believed that former Empress Pusheen the Cat will be appointed to a cabinet position as well. The government will be officially sworn in on January 15th as part of the Grand Inauguration and a Diet is expected to be named by such time. The Imperial Council will meet following the Grand Inauguration in which the Imperial Diet picks will be voted on and confirmed within the following day after. The Diet is then expected to meet on January 16th or 17th. Meanwhile, Titus Smith has effectively named Edward Morton as his Deputy Prime Minister which will be voted on my the incoming Council in the coming days or on Inauguration Day. Municiapl and State Election to Take Place Late January SHAOSHAN - On Thursday, the People's Palace confirmed that municipal and state election will occur at the end of the month. The confirmation paves the way for continued democracy and contingency following Shaoshan's dissolution and Sonora's rise. Elections are expected to occur January 27th and 28th in the cities of Shaoshan, Marxia, New Reno, and Olafburg for respective Mayors. In addition, state elections will also be held to elect the autonomous councils. As each vassal state is a respective subnational group, each state has its own national legislature. The Olaf National Council will hold its elections and name its prospective Chief Minister by February 1st while Marxia is expected to elect its People's Assembly and name a Premier. New Reno will elect its first Senate this month and name a Chancellor. During which time, the cities will elect their City Councils who will in turn elect their Mayors. The Central Electoral Commission has said that one may sit on a municipal and state board but cannot run or serve the office of Mayor and state leader concurrently. The swearing in of city and state public officials will take place on February 9th. SHAOSHAN - On Monday, election night came down to the wire as votes were counted and recounted for accuracy. After a hard fought race and a two-tier election process, the Central Electoral Commission announced that Buster McCovey, the moderate indepedent running on a Stuffy Unity Party invite had won the Imperator elections with 33 votes to incumbent acting Empress Pusheen's 27. This meant a percent ration of 55%-45%. McCovey immediately assumed the role with the coronation to begin next Monday with a Grand Inauguration including his running mate, Bob Minion, as President of the Imperial Diet, the Imperator's cabinet, and the swearing in of the Imperial Council. The Central Electoral Commission also announced on Tuesday that the winners of the Imperial Council election were as follows: Olaf Gustafsen, Jr., Olaf Wintersen, Olaf Harvesten, Goldie the Cat, Pushlock Holmesheen, Twylie the Cat, Titus Smith, Edward Morton, Antonia Morrison, Diana Smith, and Marcia Harlow. This gives the Imperial Council 3 seats each to the Stuffy Unity Party, Feline Party, and Theodorist Party and 2 seats to the National Party. However, a meeting was called on Tuesday for the parties to form a coalition government which broke down after the National Party refused to join the government. However, an accord was eventually struck with the Stuffy Unity Party, Feline Party, and Theodorists to form the United Progressive Front with Titus Smith narrowly beating Goldie the Cat by a 5-4 vote to become Chairman of the Imperial Council and thus Prime Minister. Smith and the Theodorists pushed this vote on the promise of working with the Stuffy Unity Party and Feline Party to hash out new reforms that will cater to the rights of Stuffies and animals which seemed to convince the incoming legislature who many believed were leaning towards electing Goldie the Cat or Olaf Gustafsen, Jr. Gustafsen was pegged as a favorite with Goldie a close runner up and Smith not even a consideration. In addition, Prime Minister-elect Smith and Emperor Buster are expected to meet in the coming days to hash out their new government. Also given his position, Mr. McCovey has had to resign his seat as Justice of the Constitutional Court. A new Constitutional Court election is scheduled in the coming weeks. It is expected that Goldie the Cat and Olaf Harvesten will seek reelection.
SHAOSHAN - The first round of the Imperial election ended this evening as polls closed at 5pm. Polls opened in some places like Shaoshan and Marxia on Tuesday and in Dorada on Wednesday. New Reno opened their polls on time at 8am. The preliminary results showed Pusheen the Cat with a marginal lead, however, that lead was quickly overshadowed at closing time. The final results of the first round election shows Diana Smith with only 5 votes or 8.33% and Titus Smith with only 8 votes or 13.33%,both just short of the 15% qualifying threshold for advancement. Incumbent Acting Empress Pusheen the Cat managed 20 votes or 33.33% and Buster McCovey gaining 27 votes or 45%. This means that Pusheen and McCovey will face off in a run off election scheduled for Monday the 9th. Polls will open again at 8am and close at 5pm with some places expected to open earlier once more. McCovey is seen as the Bernie Sanders of Sonora and a moderate as well as considered the "people's choice". His projection to win is favorited by analysts. Titus, Diana and Julia Smith, who ran as her mother's running mate for President of the Imperial Diet, have all stated they intend to run for the Imperial Council with campaigning being done during their Imperator runs, now will try to galvanize last minute support for themselves and their parties for seats in the new legislature. The winner of the Imperial election will be coronated on January 15th, along with the swearing in of the 1st Session of the Sonoran Imperial Council in a Grand Inauguration.
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