NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: OK, first; no terrorist attacks, no nasty violence, no declarations of war, nothing like that. I don't have the time or, frankly, the patience to deal with that right now.
Second; if you are not in the region of Reformed Oceania, go away. I know who you are. Go on; shoo.
Third; if you are from RO, then yes, this is the ratification thread.

IC:
You are watching MNB Regional News
[the scene is a massive convention centre; there is a podium at one end, with three tiers of seats behind it; the lowest is set so that a person sitting there can hand papers to the person behind the podium; the highest is a good ten metres up, and is currently shrouded in darkness. The one in the middle has a panel of five people behind it, wearing the 1900's costume of which the Imperials seem so fond.
The rest of the hall is divided into five uneven blocks of seats, with the largest about four times the size of the smallest; the seats are filled with people, in suits, in robes and gowns, and some in uniform in the case of the smallest block.
An elderly man behind the podium is speaking; the Secretary of Assembly.

"... is passed, 1,301 votes in favour. Mr. Chairman, we have a resolution; it is now going up to Stateholders in Council for their consideration."

The Secretary breaks off as several groups scattered around the hall start cheering; the man in the centre of the second tier bangs a gavel a few times, and order is restored.

"Honoured delegates of States-General", the Secretary begins, "the next motion before this august assembly is the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the Union of Reformed Oceania. Mr. Chairman, I open the floor to voting." With that, the Secretary flops down in a seat a few feet behind the podium, and takes a swig of water.

In front of him, the hall has erupted into chaos; the people in three of the five seating blocks are literally screaming at eachother in furious argument, fingers stabbing the air, the volume building with each passing moment. One of the other blocks is sitting quietly, apparently waiting for something, but discussing the issue in low voices; some are making for the exits, and that number is increasing.

The other block, the largest by far, is walking out of the hall in silence.

The camera shifts and the reporter comes on screen.
"For those of our international audience just joining us, we are here at the States-General Halls in Arn-Arakhan. Behind me we can see the delegates from the three pluralist states are locked in fierce debate on the issue. The delegates from Akmadar are slowly leaving the room; clearly they're not in a hurry," the anchor turns and points at the now nearly-empty block of seats, "and the delegates from the United Imperial Kingdoms have walked out of the hall," she turns back and continues in a cheerful tone. "This has alarmed some of our international viewers in the past, but this isn't a protest. The UIK delegates will cast their votes in a single bloc, and so will spent the next hour or so in caucus, deciding on which way to do so."
The reporter turns as the people behind the second tier walk out.
"And it seems that President Foxworth and the Grand Proxy have decided to take a much-needed meal break," she turns back, grinning. "Clearly, this is going to take a while. We'll be back shortly, after a weather and news break."

The scene is replaced by a spinning MNB news logo, with the words "States-General Live" holding station beneath it.

Welcome back to IDP-TV, we'll cross over live to the Senate House in just a moment. Where the House is eagerly awaiting the result of votes in the General Assemblies.

For our international viewers, they may be surprised to know that the Constitution of the Empire of Rotovia strictly limits legislative power to the Senate of the Republic. Meaning that all nations, states & subordinate territories are required to pass their legislation to the Senate for ratification.

Given that the proposed Regional Constitution Act will have far reaching impact. The legislation requires to be passed by each Assem... wait... I'm told the Speaker has called the House to order... we cross now to the Senate Chambers...

In four straight lines men and women in flowing white robes march down a marble path. Behind them to traditionally dressed soldiers carry an ornate red rope.

What you're witnessing is the traditional Call to Order for the Senate. The four thousand year old tradition began in the reign of Emperor Marcus Sextus, when Citizens would be rounded up using a large rope to vote.

The image switches to a long pan of inside the Senate Chambers themselves. The dauntingly large building is ornately decorated in traditional Greco-Roman design.

"Are all ye called to serve the Empire hither?!" Booms the voice of the Speaker taping a gable three times.

The Senate will now take a roll call and we'll cross back when the vote comes in. In the meantime we're taking a short commercial break.

We are standing out side the House of Lords where a closed meeting of the house is being held. Grand Duke Ozgood, in an unprecedented move has banned all press from the proceedings. The Press office has stated that at the conclusion of the meeting there will be an address to the nation by the Grand Duke. Please stand by for further developments.

You are watching MNB International News; States-General Decides

A woman climbs up behind a podium set in front of the second-largest block of seats; she is wearing a charcoal suit, with a rose in the lapel. The hall is silent as people crane their necks to watch her; at the main podium the States-General officials are watching silently. The block of seats where the Macisikani delegates sit is still empty.

"Mr. Chairman." the woman casts her eyes around the room.



"Mr. Chairman," the woman continues, "it is my honour to inform you that the Royal Dominion of Akmadar casts four hundred and five votes [i]against the proposal!"

The chamber erupts; the delegates from other states are shouting furiously. The Chairman, seated in the second tier, lets it go on for a few minutes, then bangs his gavel, bringing the chamber back to order.

"Hardly a surprise this," the reporter says, "Akmadari support is tepid at best, and they vote in a singular block, like... hold on."

Behind her the chamber has fallen silent, as the Macisikani delegates are pouring back in; one of them, a woman wearing a red dress of the upper class 1900's style, mounts a podium in front of her fellows.

"Mr. Chairman," she says, "the Great State of Macisikan casts eight hundred and thirty-one votes..." she pauses, holding the moment, then; "in favour of the resolution!"

Cheering breaks out from the pro-Union delegates; the Akmadari sit in stony silence. The Macisikani are also quiet, but there's an element of smugness about them.

The Secretary stands behind the central podium, and speaks over the sound.
"Mr. Chairman, the tally is 1,063 votes in favour, 601 against, 88 abstaining. We have a resolution to send to Stateholders in Council for their consideration," behind him the President bangs his gavel, and a runner rises from the first tier of seats, departs the room as the cheers die down; many of the delegates in Pro-union seats are looking annoyed or downcast.

The camera swings back onto the reporter, who now has an elderly man in a grey suit standing next to her; his silvery hair is swept back from a tanned face.
"And the bill to ratify is sent from States-General to the Stateholders," she turns to the elderly man, "this is Dr. Warhurst from the University of Arn-Maciska. Dr. Warhurst, could you explain to our viewers what is about to occur?"

The man smiles grimly. "Well, Jane, it's like this; the Stateholders have said that a motion of this magnitude calls for what we call an "absolute majority" to pass; that's two-thirds of States-General delegates in favour, otherwise they'll reject it. Now I'm afraid that the motion was over one hundred votes shy of the required two-thirds." the doctor pauses to take a drink of water. "It has passed though, and our regional neighbours can rest assured, when Stateholders reject it, it's not over; each motion goes through three rounds of voting, and it's only the first round."
He looks around, as if he's being watched then leans forward conspiratorially.
"I'll let you all in on a little secret; it was never going to pass Stateholders on the first round - proposals like this never are."


Sure enough, several minutes later, the runner returns, announcing that Stateholders had rejected the proposal wholesale, and returned it to the States-General as is, for the second Round of voting; the Chairman (who is also the President) has sent a slip of paper down to the Secretary, who announces that States-General is adjourned until 8:30 the next morning, whereupon the Second Round of voting shall begin immediately.

[tag]

OOC: *glare at regional neighbours*
I know you're online. I've seen you.
C'mon, even if it's just a two-line press release...

***Now***
In a closed session of Parliament today the President personally ridiculed the Reformed Oceanian populace for even thinking of attempting to impose this ridiculous idea upon the population of Veskaland….

***After the War***
…And in breaking news today, the first move of newly elected Za’aan leader, Hero of the Soth Wars Emperor Gavin Young, was to ratify the consitiution for the Reformed Oceanian Senate

It has been announced today that the Grand Duke will be signing the the union treaty at 8pm today just before his State of the Duchy address

You are watching MNB International News; States-General Decides

The anchor speaks in hushed tones.
"... and we've just recieved news that both Veskaland and Tarlag have ratified the consitution. As our regular viewers are aware, Stateholders rejected the motion on the second round; this is the third and final round of voting, and if the motion fails this time, the consitution shall not be ratified... the Akmadari are back in the chamber..." she trails off and the camera pans around.

For the third time, the Leading Delegate of Akmadar climbs up behind a podium set in front of the second-largest block of seats; she is wearing a cream-coloured suit this time, with a rose in the lapel. The block of seats where the Macisikani delegates sit is still empty, and people are casting worried glances at it.

"Mr. Chairman," the woman says, "it is my honour to inform you that the Royal Dominion of Akmadar casts four hundred and five votes in favour of the proposal!"

The chamber erupts again; but this time the delegates from other states are cheering. The Chairman, seated in the second tier, lets it go on for a few minutes, then bangs his gavel, bringing the chamber back to order.

"Mr. Chairman," the Secretary says "this brings us to 769 votes in favour, 152 votes against, no abstentions. We now only await the votes from Macisikan..." he trails off, staring worriedly at the empty seats.

Several hours pass, with no sign of the Macisikani delegates. The reporter, who along with Dr. Warhurst is starting to look wilted, watches as a runner, sent by the Chairman, informs her viewers that the UIK delegates are still caucusing...

Finally Dr. Warhurst stands and starts pacing; his feet are the only sounds apart from the rustling of cloth as the delegates begin to shift in their seats; one of them is heard to angrily shout "What the hell is taking so long?"

Suddenly, the chamber falls silent, and all movement stills; the Macisikani delegates are pouring back in. The Leading Delegate, clad in a navy-blue Victorian dress, mounts the podium, and waits for her fellows to take their seats before speaking; many of them look angry about something, and a lot are red in the face.

"Mr. Chairman," she says in a hoarse voice, "the Great State of Macisikan casts eight hundred and thirty-one votes..." she pauses and takes a drink of water, before continuing, "in favour of the resolution!

The Secretary stands behind the central podium, and shouts to be heard; behind him the President is applauding and nodding while the rest of the tier mutter to each other; the delegates however have erupted - some are cheering, others are hurling abuse.

"Mr. Chairman, the tally is 1,600 votes in favour, 152 against, none abstaining. We have a resolution to send to Stateholders in Council for their consideration... and we have an absolute majority!" behind him the President bangs his gavel, and a runner rises from the first tier of seats, and departs the room; the chamber falls silent hushed. Stateholders could still reject the motion...

A good half hour passes; clearly there's some debate going on in the Council Chambers, but the Assembly hall stills when the runner returns.

"Mr. Chairman," the runner says, his young voice nervous in the focus of over two thousand people's attention; he hands a silver attaché case to another functionary; it is passed up to the President.
"Mr. Chairman," the young man tries again, "the Stateholders in Council have, in unanimous vote, approved the motion before us today; upon His Most Serene Majesty's Seal, at the time so specified by the resolution, and qualified by His Most Serene Majesty's Pleasure, the Constitution shall be ratified."

Order breaks down as the delegates start cheering; the runner is hoisted onto the shoulders of the Pro-Union delegates, and he is carried around the hall, along with the Leading Delegates from Akmadar and Macisikan, both of whom are grinning in triumph. The President has opened the attaché case, and is signing something inside.

The last thing viewers see, before the screen cuts out to the MNB logo, is President Foxworth leaning forward and booming "Someone get that lad a drink," into his microphone, while pointing at the messenger. The only person in the room not cheering is Dr. Warhurst; the professor knows that the Cenobriach, Constantinus VII, could exercise royal perogative, and veto the consitution.

==============

Outside the documents of passage are carried out to a black car, with a full police escort; the car will take the documents to the Palace of Light in Arn-Maciska, where the King-Emperor will, by his signature, either veto or approve the Constitution.

Dr. Warhurst needn't have worried; by lunchtime the next day, the King's Seal and Signature are on the bill, next to President Foxworth's, and the seals of the Stateholders. The resolution itself however, stipulates that it cannot come into effect until all nations named in the Constitution ratify.

Arn-Maciska Times, Weekend Edition, page 37 (below the fold)
"The details of the States-General resolution "Ratification of the Constitution of the Union" can be found at the official website (below). Details and addenda include; proviso that the constitution be ratified by all states, provision allowing Serene Annulment, provision stipulating security procedures for M.P.'s in the Provisional Capital, Provision dispensing power to the UIK Government to make provisions for all security procedures for UIK delegates, Dispensation to..."