May 30 Update
Culture and Legislation
Written by Rand
Minister of Culture Steps Down
(Europeia, May 30, 2019) - On Tuesday, First Minister Lloenflys announced that Minister of Culture shufordbrian would be stepping down from his role due to real-life conflicts. Shufordbrian was newly returned to the Cabinet this term, having previously led the Ministry of Culture in 2016. Prior to his departure, he was working to reinvigorate the region's once-popular weekend games. The first minister said that he would be managing the ministry in an interim role, with support from Minister of Communications Hezekon, who also serves as the deputy minister responsible for roleplays.
American Election Roleplay Returns
HEM, founder of Europeia, announced on Sunday the fourth edition of his successful American Election Roleplay. In this game, players create fictional candidates to compete in an election for president of the United States, working to beat simulated scandals and fundraising objectives. Last season, ten candidates participated, and already this year, seven have registered. Europeian Citizens and members with diplomatic visas have until Sunday, 2 June, to join before the game starts, though host HEM noted that registrations may still be accepted after that date.
Proposals Defeated in the Citizens' Assembly
Last week, the controversial Citizens' Assembly Act (2019), which sought to overhaul the Citizens' Assembly to allow it to pass World Assembly-like "protocols" on real-life political issues, was defeated by a 13-8 vote. Proponents of the bill, including its sponsor, former Senator Kari, hoped the bill would promote activity in the legislative body, which is open to all citizens. Critics worried that bringing real-life politics into the region's government would cause discord and unnecessary drama, and others expressed hope that the CA could be reinvigorated in other ways.
More recently, on Wednesday, the Tenure of Moderation Amendment (2019), also proposed by former Senator Kari, was defeated 11-8. The bill sought to close a perceived loophole which would allow the chief of state and first minister, who appoint Discord moderators, to maintain their ex officio moderator positions after exiting office. Critics called the legislation unnecessary, and further argued that the executive should take initiative to remove unqualified moderators on their own.
Senate Passes Three Bills
On Wednesday, the Senate concluded voting on three bills which now await the first minister's signature.
- The Second Gender Neutralization Amendment (2019), which was proposed by freshman Senator Astrellan, passed smoothly, and seeks to correct various sections of the law still using gender-specific pronouns missed by the Gender Neutralization Amendment (2018).
- The Runoff Amendment (2019), sent to the Senate from the Citizens' Assembly, stipulates a process for the Senate to break ties in run-off elections, and creates new rules for the ballot option to reopen elections.
- The Senate approved corrections to adjust the vetoed Succession Omnibus Act, proposed by Senator Rand, after the Attorney General disputed the bill on the grounds of its formatting and technical implementation. The Executive Succession Omnibus Act (2019) now again awaits signature, and since it contains a constitutional amendment, it requires signature from both the first minister and chief of state.
