Crown Prince re-elected Supreme Judge as GUM elections conclude

HIH Crown Prince Jonathan has been elected to a fourth term as Supreme Judge of the Grand Unified Micronational, with Yaroslav Mar of Lostisland becoming Chairman. Voting in the December 2012 leadership elections for the Grand Unified Micronational, an international organisation founded in January 2009 which plays a major role in the Empire’s foreign affairs, ended at 20:00 last night. Yaroslav Mar was elected the 13th Chair of the GUM, beating his opposing candidate Ciprian I of Juclandia by six votes. Crown Prince Jonathan was Supreme Judge from July to September 2010 and from August to December 2011. Elected to a third term in September earlier this year, he has now been re-elected to a record fourth term, after becoming the longest-serving Supreme Judge in GUM history on 12 November earlier this year (including a time during August and September 2011 in which he was Acting Supreme Judge – excluding that, he will become the longest-serving Supreme Judge tomorrow). The Crown Prince beat the opposing candidate, Prime Minister Lucien Albertschine of Amager, by five points. Furthermore, Austenasia was elected to a second term on the Advancement Council, the body which promotes cultural, social and technological development between and among member states. Wyvern, Eragia, Juclandia and Amager were also elected. The Security Council, the body which promotes peaceful relations between member states and offers mediation and arbitration services for international disputes, has had Zealandia, Würdigeland, the Nemkhav Federation and Lostisland elected to serve this term. The fifth seat was tied between Lewisham and Rukora, with the Quorum of Delegates (the GUM’s fortnightly meeting of member states) to decide between the two on Sunday 16th. The transfer of power between the old and new holders of offices will take place at midnight tonight (12th/13th). The first Quorum meeting under the new Chair will be held this Sunday, when the Vice-Chair will be approved by the Quorum after being nominated by the Chair. Former Chairman Bradley of Dullahan, who was removed by a vote of no confidence earlier this year, has been promoted by M. Mar as his first nomination. While it is likely that he will become Vice-Chair, his candidacy is strongly opposed by Sandus and Juclandia, who have accused him in the past of racism. It is unknown who M. Mar will nominate should a vote on Mr. of Dullahan fail.

Prime Minister appointed Prince of Domanglia

HIH Crown Prince Jonathan has been appointed the Prince of Domanglia as the former protectorate of Austenasia moves towards the implementation of Theodorism. Marshal Urokah Doshevik, founder of Domanglia, contacted Crown Prince Jonathan on Tuesday 20th and offered him candidacy in an election for a new monarch taking place within the Domanglian leadership. The Crown Prince won the election, his reign as Prince of Domanglia beginning yesterday on the 21st. He has adopted the regnal name of Darkomere for use in Domanglia. Domanglia is currently administrated by a provisional government comprised of the Prince, Marshal Doshevik, and leaders of the various Domanglian territories. Elections are planned to take place soon, after which it is intended for Theodorism (socialist economic policies and direct democracy protected and enforced by the power of the monarch) to be implemented. Domanglia was briefly Theodorist in late January earlier this year after a revolution by several of the leaders of its territories, but the movement disintegrated two days later when a power struggle broke out between the monarch and the leader of the vanguard party. It was this failed revolution which prompted Crown Prince Jonathan to write The Vanguard Monarch, revising Theodorist theory to make it easier to realistically implement. This is the fourth time that Crown Prince Jonathan has held a throne; he was Second Midget Master between 6 September 2004 and 31 July 2006, joint King of Moylurg between 19 October and 10 November 2010, and Lord Regent of the Grove between 12 November and 8 December 2010. This also marks the first time in nearly two years that the House of Austen – to be formally known as the House of Kaiser in regards to Domanglia – has held sovereignty over a nation. Austenasia and Domanglia entered into diplomatic relations on Halloween last year, when Domanglia was accepted as an Austenasian Protectorate. It held this status until 6 April earlier this year.

Archaeological dig put on hold due to rain

HIH Crown Prince Jonathan has announced that work on the archaeological dig currently underway in Wrythe Public Park is to be put on hold until the spring due to bad weather. The dig, which started on 16 August earlier this year and is organised by the Imperial Geographical Society, is excavating an area which had been under paving stones since before the Imperial Family moved to what is now the Imperial Residence in January 2004. The trench which has been dug has so far unearthed various pieces of glass and pottery, an at present unidentified animal bone, several metal nails, and a two pence coin which dates the construction of the patio under which the dig is taking place to no earlier than 1992. The trench has also unearthed a large tree stump with an extensive root system, formerly sealed under the patio – two tree stumps were already visible and used as steps down from Wrythe Public Park’s patio to 2 Imperial Road. With the discovery of this third tree stump, it is thought that there was once a row of trees marking the end of the now Imperial Residence’s garden before 2 Imperial Road (the garage) was built. The last digging which took place was in early October – due to rain since then, further excavation has been continually postponed due to the soil in the trench becoming waterlogged. With rainfall yesterday, the Crown Prince (who is leading the dig) has announced that digging is being formally put on hold until drier weather. Fans of Cool Barbie will recognise the area of the dig as being where a Dalek was imprisoned in Prisoners Freed. Thankfully, the diggers have not reported unearthing any hostile aliens yet.