Author: COE
Translator: marcelbuter
A new trade period has started, and not just any trading period. This period is the 50th time that traders arrive in the Federation for a regular trading period. That it wasn’t just any trading period could be seen quickly when people arrived. A very positive atmosphere was present, and even the Federals were in a festive mood. To everyone’s surprise Wouter plays a big part in the festivities, personally funding them, building the clubs (The 50th Round Club and MC Veterans), and paying all Premium Members a salary of 50 I-Shell instead of the usual 30 I-Shell. That is not all though, especially for this occasion he has built an island in the middle of the river the Valuta in the shape of the number 50, on which all people who arrive there can pick up free cash. Analysts say that the festivities cost Wouter (estimated assets of 487 million I-Shell) around 3 million I-Shells.
The new trading period has also brought other changes. In Digitalia bandits plundered the Senate building at the end of the last trading period, and before security forces could intervene, the building was torched down by a fugitive pyromaniac. The Digitalian fire department, already packed up due to the soon to erupt volcano, could not stop the inferno. Together with a few influential Digitalians, King Washaway I took this moment to grab almost all power in the nation. And so it happened that this round saw the Senate, Senators and their budget being replaced with the King having absolute power, and being advised by a group of Digitalian noblemen. These noblemen are appointed by the King and only lose their position when they move out of the country, or if they are declared bankrupt. To this date King Washaway I has appointed 12 noblemen.
The new trading period did not only bring change to Digitalia, but Cyberia also is showing more hints of a dictatorship. Three parties did not get enough votes at the elections to be able to take any seats in the Parliament, leaving only the parties One Man (5 seats) and Cyberia (4 seats) to run the country. It was quickly visible that One Man could use this majority, which was visible when the President (Miquel Alvarez) and all the Ministers (bonanza, ossie000, and Yoran) came from One Man. The Minister of Justice Ossie000 had sparked controversy when he presented his plans two weeks ago in the Netherlands Antilles. He proposed a plan to be able to veto by-laws written by Mayors, and due to its controversial nature, proposed to have separate elections for this part of his guidelines. These guidelines later were approved by the Parliament, who hopefully know what power they have given the Minister. It seems like it will be an easy trading period for the One Man cabinet. If One Man plans to put one man into power in the future is to be seen, but for now Cyberia is still officially a democracy.
A new trading period seems to be the perfect opportunity for Virtua to develop a new political system. Before this trading period the BoC was the most stabile body of government in the Federation, but certain things about the Consul system no longer work. Critics say that the current political system does not get people involved in politics. The first step that was taken to improve involvement from citizens was to open up the BoC Private club so that everyone could see what was happening behind closed doors. If this will be enough is the question, but we will see what other steps will be taken. For now the Consuls will be busy defending the organization in a lawsuit that accuses the Board of Consuls of using the abbreviation BOC.
The Federation celebrates its golden anniversary with a lot of festivities. The three bodies of government are all looking towards ways to get attention back in politics, but how this will go will be seen in the coming weeks.