Austenasia breaks population record
Earlier today Austenasia’s population reached its highest number in history, with the registration of six new residents in New Richmond pushing the number of Austenasians up to 89. New Richmond is already the most populous inhabited claim of the Empire, with twenty residents now living in its five different boroughs. The previous population record had been 88, between March and June 2016, reached after a period of almost uninterrupted growth since Austenasia’s foundation (with the sole exception of former emperor Declan I losing Austenasian nationality in August 2013). The population began to decline with a net loss of one person upon the simultaneous cession of Harenfall and annexation of Ionathanopolis on 27 June 2016. This culminated in a low point of 74 after Zephyria, Thanasia, and Porthbokon were dissolved in August the following year. However, the number of Austenasians has since begun to steadily climb, and out of Austenasia’s population of 89, at least 53 will be eligible to vote in the upcoming general election. Austenasia itself is home to 71 people, with 18 Austenasian nationals living abroad; the largest populations of expatriate Austenasians are in the United Kingdom (8 people) and the United States of America (4 people).
General Election called for 28 February
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor has called a general election for 28 February 2019. Under the Constitution, the election would have had to have taken place on or before 3 March, which will be four years since the previous general election in 2015. Until 31 January, Representatives will be able to apply to the Monarch to be appointed Candidates for the election. The Monarch is obliged to appoint at least two Candidates from those who apply, with any others being appointed at his discretion. The month of February will be spent by the Candidates campaigning for election, with votes being cast on the 28th and the victorious candidate taking office on 1 March. The incumbent Prime Minister, HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, is expected to run for a second term, and Lord Anthony Clark of Amerdansk announced on 31 December an intention to also stand for election. No other Representatives have so far publicly announced an intention to run, although Lady Vice Admiral Eryn Lewis of Terentia has indicated a desire to stand if Lord Admiral Kennedy decides not to do so.
IGS Expedition to Dorking
The Emperor, Emperor Father, and Crown Princess earlier today embarked on the Imperial Geographical Society’s nineteenth expedition. The Expedition travelled to the British town of Dorking. An initial plan to explore the town’s high street had to be cancelled due to a lack of parking spaces, and so the three instead went to a nearby pub for lunch. While driving near the town, the expedition encountered a large statue of a cockerel, a famous local landmark. The expedition was undertaken at the suggestion of Emperor Father Terry, primarily to give Crown Princess Caroline practice at driving her new car. Despite the relatively uneventful trip, the expedition (and lunch out) was enjoyed by all.
Imperial Family celebrates Christmas
Christmas Day was yesterday celebrated across the Empire. His Imperial Majesty supported UNICEF in his annual Christmas message. In the morning, the Imperial Family attended a service at Carshalton Methodist Church, joined by the Boxall family (the maternal relatives of the Emperor) and other Austenasians. The Imperial Family later hosted the Boxalls at the Imperial Residence for Christmas dinner, presents, and parlour games. Emperor Jonathan I published his yearly Christmas speech on YouTube, quoting from a work which reflects on the contrast between traditional, peaceful views of the Nativity and the grim story of the Massacre of the Innocents, asking his listeners to consider areas of the world today where children are under threat and asking for support for UNICEF, a charity currently working to alleviate suffering in Yemen. Christmas Day has been a public holiday in Austenasia since the country’s foundation. An Imperial Edict was published last year designating Christmas Eve as a day which local authorities can choose to also make a public holiday.
Parkland annexed as new Crown Dependency
On Wednesday 5th, the most recent expansion of the Empire took place with the annexation of the Crown Dependency of Kingeston. Kingeston, which consists of just over two and a half acres of parkland bordered by the Canadian province of Ontario, was claimed for Austenasia by Austin Jaax, who has been appointed Governing Commissioner of the new claim and given a position in the Privy Council. As a Crown Dependency, Kingeston will not be represented in Parliament but will be administered by Jaax autonomously from the central government. In other news, on 4 December, the Emperor announced the official start of winter in the Austenasian calendar.
Austenasia celebrates its tenth anniversary!
Happy Independence Day! The Empire of Austenasia is today celebrating ten years since its foundation in 2008. The third Saturday in September is celebrated annually as Independence Day, whereas the actual anniversary is September 20th. Parliament this morning passed an Act making every day from today until the 20th an unprecedented six-day-long public holiday. Celebrations are underway in the territorial claims and embassies of the Empire right across the world. A party will take place at the Imperial Residence later today, attended by dignitaries from Austenasia, other small nations, and the local area. Numerous messages of congratulations have been received from foreign governments, and the Prime Minister is expected to give a celebratory speech later today.
First Austenasian coins released to mark 10th anniversary
For the first time in Austenasia’s history, a set of coins has been minted by the Treasury. One hundred zinc-alloy coins, each 3.8 cm in diameter, have been produced in celebration of the upcoming tenth anniversary of Austenasian independence, which will be celebrated on Saturday 15th September. The coins each have a face value of £3, and are legal tender within Austenasia, but are intended to be of a commemorative nature. One side of the coin has a portrait of Jonathan I, whereas the other has the inscription “Ten years since the Declaration of Independence”. Both sides are circled by an inscription of the name and Latin title of the Monarch, together with the civic (2018) and ecclesiastical (7527) year. Many of the coins will be gifted to Austenasian dignitaries and friendly foreign heads of state. Members of the public are able to buy the coin while stocks last via this link, for its face value plus a set postage and packaging charge.
Further expansion for the Empire
The population and territory of Empire of Austenasia grew yesterday, despite the Town of Ionisia being ceded back to Greece. In an Act of Parliament passed yesterday morning, Ionisia was dissolved whereas Amerdansk – a Territory annexed in 2016 – was expanded into a Town with the annexation of an adjoining house. Amerdansk, which had previously consisted of an uninhabited garden, now includes a residential property inhabited by three. Lord Anthony Clark, former Governor of the territory, now serves as its Acting Representative. Ionisia joined Austenasia on 6 August last year, precisely one year before its dissolution. Inhabited by dual citizens of the Kingdom of Imvrassia, the town was founded in an exercise of national friendship between Imvrassia and Austenasia. Its three residents have retained Austenasian subjectship in a ceremonial capacity in a sign of the enduring friendship between the two states. The expansion of Amerdansk has outweighed the territorial loss of Ionisia, with Austenasia actually making a net gain of roughly 187 square feet. In addition to the new Austenasians living in Amerdansk, non-residential subjectship has been granted to Admiral Shiro Mephistopheles, the Empire’s new Minister of Defence. His eight days in office prior to gaining subjectship mark the only time a non-Austenasian has ever held a position in Cabinet. The population of Austenasia now stands at 82.
Imperial Party holds first conference
The Imperial Party, currently the only registered political party in the Empire, held its first Annual Conference on Saturday. The conference was the first event of its kind in Austenasian history, and was described by Prime Minister and Imperial Party Leader Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy as “a success for Austenasian democracy.” The conference opened with the national anthem and was followed by speeches from the Prime Minister and Lord Vice Admiral Eren Lewis, Deputy Prime Minister and Imperial Party Chairman. Following the addresses, the members of the Imperial Party Board (the governing body of the party) answered questions from those in attendance. The conference was attended by party members and guests both foreign and domestic, including His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, who commented that “it is a truly encouraging thing to see this level of political engagement and organisation amongst its people.” Following the conference, the Deputy Prime Minister stated “I think the conference went extremely well. It is an example of the activity and dedication that the Imperial Party has and will have as we enter our tenth year as a nation.”
Diplomabear arrives in Wrythe
Diplomabear, a well-travelled teddy bear which started its journey in August 2012, arrived yesterday morning in the Imperial Residence. The Diplomabear World Tour was started by Pierre d’Égtavie, leader of Egtavia, after said nation was annexed by St.Charlie in 2012. With Egtavia no longer in control of its own foreign policy, Diplomabear served as a means of forging unofficial, friendly ties with other small nations around the world, to which it was sent on condition that it would be passed on to the government of another. With the dissolution of Egtavia in 2013, Diplomabear became a symbol of diplomacy and friendship between small nations as a whole. In early 2015, Renasia – the country in which Diplomabear was then being hosted – dissolved, and Diplomabear was assumed lost forever. However, in August 2016, Emperor Jonathan I was able to contact a former Renasian official and have Diplomabear recovered and sent on to Überstadt, restarting the tour, this time under the direction of the Grand Unified Micronational (GUM). After some other stops, Diplomabear has now come to Austenasia, arriving at Wrythe yesterday morning. This is the second time that Diplomabear has been to Austenasia, having also been hosted at Wrythe in 2012, making the Empire the first destination which Diplomabear has visited twice. Emperor Jonathan I has published a photograph to Facebook showing him holding Diplomabear in Parliament Hall in the Imperial Residence. The Emperor is wearing the Egtavian Star, a medal presented to him by d’Égtavie while Egtavia was still independent. Some of the other twelve destinations visited by Diplomabear include Molossia, Landashir, Wyvern, and Zealandia.