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by The Vidamitic Messianocracy of Liberto-Ancapistan. . 38 reads.

The Compacipo Times International Issue 6

[box][align=centre][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/694176571031945366/777336431252340776/Compacipo_Times_Logo.png[/img][/align][/box]
[hr][font=Lucida Calligraphy][b]11th March 2024[/b][/font][tab=420][font=Lucida Calligraphy][color=crab]★[/color] [b]INTERNATIONAL ISSUE VI[/b] [color=crab]★[/color][/font][/tab] [tab=400][font=Lucida Calligraphy][b]F6.00[/b][/font][/tab][hr]
[box][align=centre][size=300][u]Special Election Issue[/u][/size][/align]

[align=centre][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/694176571031945366/852292587019960360/election_poster_big.png[/img][/align]
[align=centre][i][size=120]Who will be Liberto-Ancapistan's next Chancellor?[/size][/i][/align]

[size=120]Just a few days ago, the House of Commons passed a resolution marking the beginning of 2024's election season. On the 28th of June, millions of Liberto-Ancapistanians will vote; and after two years of national crisis, the results are more uncertain than ever.[/size]

[size=120]As the Elections for All act came into force last year, polling is banned for the duration of election season. And with polls that have violently fluctuated over the past two years, determining the winner- or winners- is almost impossible. In this issue of the Compacipo Times, we'll be looking at who's running (in particular the four party leaders who run candidates in every seat, and so actually have a chance to win a majority), what their platforms are and the looming question of the fate of Santia's forty seats.[/size]

[size=150][b]The basics[/b][/size]

[size=120]A variety of parties are running in this election, most of which are unimportant and extremely unlikely to win seats. A list of parties which polled at more than 1% before election season, and a short summary of their key policies, can be found here.[/size]

[size=120][b]Progress[/b][/size]
[size=120]Currently Liberto-Ancapistan's ruling party, led by Casimir Bergen. It has proposed a 'national renewal plan' involving major investments in infrastructure, job schemes, and an increase to basic income, aimed at dealing with the small recession caused by the Acadian Crisis. The party also backs a review into monopolisation among Liberto-Ancapistan's industries, and the legality of large political donations. Progress also supports the electrofication of the inland provinces' railway lines over a period of 10 years, the expansion of the Telrovan Space Agency, and a referendum on the Fayre islands becoming a province.[/size]

[size=120][b]Libertarian Party[/b][/size]
[size=120]The second largest party, led by Martin Ohmdal. It proposes a 200 Fiat cut to basic income, and other government departments in favour of abolishing income tax. The party also supports rescinding certain workplace regulations in order to ensure an active recovering economy, the legalisation of licenseless military-style firearms, the decriminalisation of class A illegal substances, and greater openness among the police and UIU. On foreign policy issues, the party seeks to cut ties with nations that violate human rights, increase Liberto-Ancapistanian involvement in the UFT International Task Force, and create a free nations fund to send aid to countries which voluntarily democratise. [/size]

[size=120][b]Minarchist Coalition[/b][/size]
[size=120]The third largest party, led by Ameus Grey. It proposes a halving of basic income, as well as significant cuts to other spending, in order to severely decrease the tax burden faced by most citizens. The party also supports the reorientation of the military towards a defensive, nuclear deterrance-focused approach, leaving the International Task Force, the legalisation of all class A illegal substances and conventional firearms, and a return to the council-based executive system of 2000-2020. [/size]

[size=120][b]Social Democratic Party[/b][/size]
[size=120]The fourth largest and smallest major party, led by Eliza Rand. It proposes substantial increases in government spending in terms of basic income, pensions, unemployment benefits, and other forms of welfare. This will be paid for by a large increase in income tax for top earners, a 30% corporation tax, and a wealth tax. The party also supports the nationalisation of electricity and water, as well as the institution of a single payer universal healthcare system. In addition, it has been pledged that worker protections will be increased, and that a review will take place into the possibility of breaking up predatory monopolies such as RandCorp.[/size]

[size=120][b]National People's Alliance[/b][/size]
[size=120]The largest minor party, led by Jan Mantell. It proposes the introduction of tariffs on many overseas goods, such as fish, wheat, steel, and automobiles. It also supports a review into Liberto-Ancapistan's current abortion laws, aimed at making the process only applicable if the birth will affect the socioeconomic status, mental health, or physical health of the parent. The party also proposes a cut to income tax, and a larger cut to land value tax.[/size]

[size=120][b]Basaquastan Farmers' Party[/b][/size]
[size=120]A regionalist party which runs in parts of Ancapistan, Inner Basaquastan and West-Central, co-led by Sabah Shamoud and Miran Lapache. It supports an exemption from land value tax for farmers, increased government subsidies to the industry, greater investment in the inland provinces, and official recognition for the historic Emirs of the inland provinces.[/size]

[size=120][b]The Left[/b][/size]
[size=120]A single-seat party led by Leo Izrev. It proposes a new constitution involving codified worker protections, the abolition of private businesses, and a transition towards a market socialist economy. It also supports the reduction of the armed forces, and the withdrawal of Liberto-Ancapistan from the UFT.[/size]

[size=120][b]Nicholayist Party[/b][/size]
[size=120]The smallest party shown here, led (in absentia) by Nicholay Mernev. It supports an alliance with Jautia and the transformation of Liberto-Ancapistan into a Nicholayist-Socialist economy.[/size]

[/box]

[box][align=centre][size=200][colour=red][u]What will happen to Santia's seats?[/u][/colour][/size][/align]
[align=centre][i][size=120]by James Sorensen[/size][/i]

[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/694176571031945366/852319940110188605/electioneering.png[/img]
[/align]


[size=120]The question of how elections will work in Santia's forty seats, which currently exist outside government jurisdiction, has been ignored up to the point of this newspaper's publication. Despite this, it's a major issue which could define Santia's future.[/size]

[size=120]The most favourable outcome for the national government, and a reconciliatory Santia, would be an agreement in which the government was allowed to hold elections within the Province of Santia. Not only would this show Santia's faith in reintegration, but it would grant the Santian National Party another chance to get a long-awaited seat in the House of Commons. If Petra Farago and the SNP have a reintegration agreement in mind, then this is the most likely outcome, and it would provide the least trouble for whoever ends up winning.[/size]

[size=120]Alternatively, Santia could allow the election to take place, but hold it itself. While this would be somewhat similar to the earlier option, it would help the Santian government to gain some legitimacy as a functional entity, and simultaneously show that it doesn't have the government's full trust. This would be another form of leverage in reintegration negotiations, something which the Santian government has eagerly acquired over the past year and a half. It could cause hiccups for any government however, as election fraud would not be off the table in this arrangement.[/size]

[size=120]The outcome which would cause the most trouble, and mark the Santian government as agressively regionalist or even seperatist, would be the denial of elections within the Province altogether. This could easily be used by Santia to force the government into accepting reintegration terms that would give the province extensive new powers, although that would potentially put it's leaders in future legal trouble. Alternatively, it could mark a turn towards more overt goals of independence for the provincial government; although this is unlikely.[/size]

[size=120]Which of these is going to happen? We'll know soon, as voting has to be coordinates up to multiple weeks before the election actually occurs. But as for which it will be, that's anybody's guess.[/size]


[/box]

[align=centre][box][size=200][colour=red][font=Lucida Calligraphy][u][b]Interviewing:[/b][/font]
THE CANDIDATES[/u][/colour][/size]
[i][size=160]conducted by Yan Mai-Yen[/size][/i]


[b][size=120]Yan Mai-Yen's questions will be red, while the candidates' answers will be black.[/size][/b]


[/align][/box][box]

[align=left]

[align=centre][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/694176571031945366/852297642075750460/Progress.png[/img][/align]

[colour=red][size=120]Good morning.[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Morning.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]First of all, can you tell us a bit about who you are?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]I don't know if anyone who's going to be reading this doesn't know I am, but I'm Casimir Bergen. The current Chancellor, and the leader of Progress.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Let's get onto the interview, then. Why do you think people should vote for Progress?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]We recognise that, for this society to improve, every section of it has to work together. We cannot exclude anyone; not the poor, not the rich, not foreigners, and not the inlanders. Unlike the other parties, Progress is constructive, not destructive. And that's what all of our policies go towards, a vision of the future where everyone is protected, and there is equality of outcome.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Is there anything specific about policy?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Of course. Our national renewal plan will put Liberto-Ancapistan back on the map, if it's passed. We haven't had a good last few years, and it will be needed to get our economy on track.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]The trouble over the past two years... do you think you've contributed to that?[/size] [/colour]

[size=120]No, I don't. The problems that we have recently solved grew under the Minarchist government, and by the time we were in charge it was out of control. Capelle's rise came in 2013, the arms dealers even before then. We made the most of a bad situation, and eventually we triumphed.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]That makes sense. Now, onto some questions about what you would do in the time around the election itself. Would you be open to forming any coalitions, of you did not win?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Yes, I would. I have worked with other parties for most of my tenure, and it would not be a problem to do it again. As long as our partners are not from the Minarchists or NPA, then we can run the country without any issues.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Do you think you're going to win?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]I trust that the country will vote for Progress again, so yes.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Now, on the question of campaigning. What is Progress' approach going to be like?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]There's been a lot of talk over the last few years about online campaigning, targeted advertisements and the like. We're not going to do that. Progress has always been built on grassroots support, and we're going to engage in dialogue with the residents of our town and cities, so that our politicians know what the people care most about.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Alright. Now, for some non-political questions. What football team do you support?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]It can't be anything but Dewisburgh.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]What's your favourite TV programme?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]This will sound vain, but The Grey Mountain. A lot of book adaptions fail, but this one hasn't, and as the author I have to say that APB improved the story, and the visuals. Replacing the animated mural with stained glass was complained about a lot, but I think it's much better, and now it's iconic.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Which of your peer leaders do you think would do the best job as Chancellor?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]I thought we were done with political questions! But alright. I've worked with all three before, but Eliza Rand would have to be my choice. She's very brave, going against her family. Few people have such strong resolve.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]If you were trapped on a desert island and could salvage one item to pass the time, what would it be?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Something to write with, probably.[/size]

[b][size=120]Interview Concludes[/size][/b]

[/align][/box]

[box]

[align=left]

[align=centre][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/694176571031945366/852304588576522250/Libertarian.png[/img][/align]

[colour=red][size=120]Good morning.[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Hello![/size]

[colour=red][size=120]First of all, can you tell us a bit about who you are?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Yes, I'm Martin Ohmdal MP, the head of the Libertarian Party for a while now. And I can't forget my constituents, in the beautiful town of Antarini.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Well then, time for the interview. Why do you think people should vote for the Libertarians?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]We are true to our values. We don't prop up dictatorships, while promoting democracy. We don't talk about fiscal responsibility while increasing the budget. And we don't talk about protecting the people of Liberto-Ancapistan by restricting their access to foreign goods. We're a very different party to the one that Rand ruled.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Was Harrison Rand not your leader eleven years ago?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]There have been eleven years of improvement since. Now, the vast majority of our funding is from individual donations, and not the Rands. We don't advocate for business interests anymore, we advocate for the people's interests, which of course includes a strong private sector.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Many people in your party, and outside, have said you're too left wing to be a proper Libertarian. Some have even used the words 'Libertarian in name only'. Do you think that's fair?[/size] [/colour]

[size=120]Not at all. My policy has very clearly been one of continuation from those of our last leader, Marson, but with a greater emphasis on foreign aid. We are still the party of the economy; in fact, we are even more so than years ago, when our right wing ideology had become dogma, with no concern for results.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Interesting. Now, for the election. Would you be open to joining coalitions, whether as a junior or senior partner?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Of course. The Libertarian party has a long history of coalitions, as do I.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Do you think you're going to win?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]I do hope so.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Now, campaigning. What is your approach going to be like?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]We will use our traditional strategies, letters, soapboxing, and more. But we will also augment this with more modern methods, such as reaching out to voters electronically.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Alright. Now, for some non-political questions. What football team do you support?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Girav City. I've liked them since I was a child.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]What's your favourite TV programme?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]There's a good documentary that was on APB a few months ago, called 'On the Mountainside'. It was about hillwalkers in the Ciona Moutains, very compelling stuff, especially because it's something of a hobby of mine.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Which of the other party leaders do you think would do the best job as Chancellor?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]That's a difficult one. It would depend on a lot of factors.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]If you were trapped on a desert island and could salvage one item to pass the time, what would it be?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Binoculars. Good for watching birds, or whales, or anything else there. Maybe I could even look for rescue.[/size]

[b][size=120]Interview Concludes[/size][/b]

[/align][/box]

[box]

[align=left]

[align=centre][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/694176571031945366/852308899091709982/MinCo.png[/img][/align]

[colour=red][size=120]Good morning.[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Good morning.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Now, can you tell us a bit about who you are?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]I am Ameus Grey, Premier of Liberty City, leader of the Minarchist Coalition and Nightwatchman Party, and former parliamentary leader.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Alright then, time for the interview. Why do you think people should vote for the Coalition?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]The Minarchist Coalition is beyond simple party politics. It doesn't promote policies that are popular, it promotes policies that are correct. Unlike the other parties, it is beyond national politics, and can be applied anywhere. It has a goal, and it will pursue that goal ruthlessly, no matter the circumstances.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]An interesting answer. Now, I've noticed that the Coalition has recently rebranded, with a new logo. Was that a choice for this election?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]It was a practical and ideological improvement. The Minarchist movement has always been associated with purple in Basaquastan, ever since the first revolts in the 1810s. And black is not a convenient colour for campaigning, as it is generic. The old logo was a mistake of 20th century campaign managers.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Onto yourself. After forty years in the House of Commons, and twenty years as it's leader, do you think that Liberto-Ancapistan wants a continuation of your policies?[/size] [/colour]

[size=120]I know that I am the only person I can trust to implement proper, theory-based Minarchist policies. As I have said before, it is not about being popular, it is about being right. Popularity is secondary.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Something else that I find unusual is that you are both an MP and sitting Premier. How do you balance these roles, and would you keep the latter if you became Chancellor?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]For one, there is only a short bus ride between the Provincial Assembly and Parliament, so it is not difficult. I must also note that, if I am victorious, then the position of Chancellor would be abolished. But no, I would not retain the role of Premier.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Do you think you're going to win?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Probably not.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Now we have to get onto the issue of campaigning. What is your approach going to be like?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]The Coalition will present it's views as clearly as possible, and the populace will evaluate them.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Alright. Now, for some non-political questions. What football team do you support?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]I've never followed football, so that's not something I can answer.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]What's your favourite TV programme?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]The news.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Which of your colleagues do you think would do the best job as Chancellor?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Nobody can do a good job as Chancellor, it's an awful, bloated position.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]If you were trapped on a desert island and could salvage one item to pass the time, what would it be?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]The collected writings of Lokman Jahani. A very exhilerating writer, who is able to write about advanced theoretical concepts in books only a few thousand pages in length.[/size]

[b][size=120]Interview Concludes[/size][/b]

[/align][/box]

[box]

[align=left]

[align=centre][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/694176571031945366/852313318806388761/SDP.png[/img][/align]

[colour=red][size=120]Good morning.[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Good day, Yan.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]To start off, can you tell us a bit about who you are?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]My name is Eliza Rand, and I am the leader of the Social Democratic Party.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]It's time for the interview to start properly. Why do you think people should vote for the SDP?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]We value social progress, and fight for the lowest people in society. Progress is too infatuated with appeasing business interests to be a true left wing party, and the socialists speak about problems but offer no solutions. The Social Democrats are the road to a more equal society, when there is no other path.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]I think that we have to bring up the elephant in the room, even though I'm sure you're tired of talking about it. You are the sister of Harrison Rand, and the daughter of Henry Rand. How did you end up being the head of a party that calls for the downfall of RandCorp?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]I saw the callousness, the pure disregard of my father when I was growing up. In the company of the super-rich, there are few good people, and unlike my siblings I could never accept the terrible things that my family was doing. So I tried to run away when I was a girl, multiple times in fact. And when I was finally able to live on my own, at university, I could only cut myself off. I spoke about the cruelness of RandCorp and the rich there, the fact that the children of the wealthy are subject to a continuous cycle of indoctrination into the belief that their familes are merely looking for their own good, like anyone else.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Do you think that your brother is a bad person?[/size] [/colour]

[size=120]Harrison is, it cannot be doubted. He is the CEO of RandCorp, and no good person could occupy that role; I do not think he is malicious, but he is selfish, and he does not care for others, like most of the wealthy. I know that there was likely no other path which he could have gone down, as the oldest child of the Rands, and someone who has never witnessed poverty. But that doesn't matter now, and if RandCorp and other monopolies are toppled, then there can be no more.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Now, the election. Are there any policies which you would want to promote in particular?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Yes, the breakup of the monopolies. Worker protections and other measures which we wish to implement would not last, if there were still megacorporations able to influence politics to a great degree.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Would you be open to joining a coalition, and do you think being part of one is a possibility?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]I don't think that we will win, but I think a coalition is very possible. Working with Progress, who is already a slight net good for society, could bring our more important polcies to fruition.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Now, we can discuss campaigning. What is your approach?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]We at the SDP are looking at reaching out to the poorest, most left-behind people in society. They cannot afford the education to have a great knowledge of voting, and so rarely go to polling stations to support their interests. This demographic needs a voice, and we want to provide them with one.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Alright. Now, for some non-political questions. What football team do you support?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Etarif United. It is owned primarily by the local fan association, and it has not got caught up in the mass commercialisation of the rest of the sport.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]What's your favourite TV programme?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]The Grey Mountain is good, I'm looking forward to it's return. Other than that, Fayre, the northern noir. [/size]

[colour=red][size=120]Which of the other party leaders do you think would do the best job as Chancellor?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]Bergen. I would be tempted to say Lapache, but the BFP cannot gain a majority.[/size]

[colour=red][size=120]If you were trapped on a desert island and could salvage one item to pass the time, what would it be?[/size][/colour]

[size=120]A radio. Something to listen to Radio IV with.[/size]

[b][size=120]Interview Concludes[/size][/b]

[/align][/box]

[hr]

[size=80]Publisher = Silvia Yanez, Xiao Media Corporation[/size]

[size=80]Senior Editor = Patrick Zekic[/size]

[hr]

[size=80][b]OOC: Credit to the Conch Times ([nation]Rex Omnia[/nation]) for format and [nation]Louisianan[/nation] for inspiration. The Comacipo Times is an in-character RP newspaper.[/b][/size]

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