LIBERTARIAN VICTORY IN NEUSTERN ELECTION

(Above) NEUSTERN POLL DATA(2011)

General elections have taken place in the autonomous coastal city state of Neustern. After 27 years dominating the political scene, The National Comrades Party (NCP) have lost their majority in parliment and will not form the next government. The NCP won just 38% of the popular vote, their worst result since the foundation of the state in 1983. Due to the expanding population: the total number of seats in Neustern's parliment was increased for this election from 117 to 200. The NCP's 38% translates into 72 of these seats. Massive gains for the Libertarian Party of Neustern (LPN). The newly formed LPN polled 58%, giving them 116 seats and a stunning overall majority. The LPN fought the election on a four principal platform: personal freedom, property rights, small government and a defencive foreign policy. Other parties fared as follows: Workers Party (WP) 2%/4 seats. Conservative Party (CP) 1%/2 seats. Liberal Party of Neustern incorperating the Gay, Lesbian, Feminist and Liberal Alliance (NPNGLFLA) >1%/2 seats. The Libertarian Party are expected to form a government within the next 24 hours.

Aswell as the election, Neusterners voted on in a very important referendum today. Citizens were asked if the Supreme Controller should remain head of state and guardian of the peace indefinately. The role of Supreme Controller was created as a position for life in 1983. The office marginally exceeds the authority of the elected government when it comes to the dispensation of power. The current Supreme Controller, (who's name before assuming the title has passed out of national memory) is the founder and leader of the National Comrades Party. The referendum was passed by a 99.8% majority.

Gary Farrelly, Neustern.

NEUSTERN ANNEXES ISLAND

(Above) LESSER NEUSTERN, Gary Farrelly.

A small mid lake island near the Norwegian city of Fagernes has been annexed by Neustern. A discreet naval expedition from the autonomous coastal city state took control of the island on Thursday morning. No resistance was encountered. The mission was lead by the Supreme Controller (head of state) of Neustern. A permenant military and scientific presence is already operational on the island which has be christened Lesser Neustern. A scientific experiment to introduce ants from Neustern to the island has already been concluded. A commemorative plaque has been erected on Lesser Neustern to celebrate this stunning imperialist development. Gary Farrelly, Lesser Neustern.

ABOUT THE SUPREME CONTROLLER

Renate Muller is the personal secretary of Neustern’s Supreme Controller. She has been authorized to answer seven questions about the reclusive despot exclusively for New Obsessive. One of our operatives flew to the autonomous coastal city state armed with 7 previously unanswered, sensational questions. The operative must remain partially unnamed for national security reasons.

Facts: Neustern’s Supreme Controller

What is the role of the Supreme Controller?
To promote coherence in all aspects of the functioning of the State.
To set the tone for governmental process.
To safeguard the integrity of the State of Neustern from unfriendly forces both within and without.
To be a role model for the population of Neustern.
To promote the ideals contained in the State of Neustern abroad with a mind to their proliferation.

What do civilians call the Supreme Controller?
“Your Excellency”.

How was the institution of the Supreme Controller established?
When the State was created in 1983 the national patriot, whose name is no longer relevant, was given the position of Supreme Controller, which is a lifelong role. If he were to die or abdicate, it would be an issue for Politburo to appoint a successor. If the Supreme Controller were to misuse his authority and become tyrannical, it would be an issue for the armed forces. Failing that the civilian population of Neustern would remove him by force. All Neusterners over the age of 21 bare the responsibility to maintain a firearm.

Where is the Supreme Controller’s residence?
The official residence of the Supreme Controller is located on Great Development Square. The building itself is an imposing international style complex called Neustern palace. Several key government ministries are also located in Neustern Palace and needless to say that the structure is heavily fortified.

Does the Supreme Controller have dealings with foreign diplomats?
The Supreme Controller frequently entertains both foreign diplomats from all nations as well as representatives of international bodies e.g. the United Nations, the European Union, and the International Monetary Fund, though it should be stated that Neustern is not a member of any such organisation and the State’s diplomatic strategy with such bodies is strictly bilateral and highly pragmatic. The hospitality of Neustern is famous the world over for it’s liveliness and abundance. Recently The S.C. hosted a banquet in honour of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Temoshenko. She was treated to a banquet of Raw vegetables, rare beef, fine wine, calvados, gold infused confections, futurist canapés and Neustern Calvados.

The Supreme Controller is very mysterious and there are very few photographs of his person. The last interview he gave to a foreign news agency was to East German state television in 1989. Tell us a little about the man who rules Neustern.
The Supreme Controller is 6 foot tall and in excellent physical condition. He possesses unprecedented charisma and is well versed on a very wide array of subjects. He is a fluent speaker of French, German, English, Russian and Greek. He is married. He is a practicing Christian. He is openly bisexual. He has a keen interest in the arts as well as economics, politics, gardening and military tactics. The Supreme Controller is unprecedented in his scope of his abilities. The age of the Supreme Controller as well as his history prior to the foundation of the state are classified. The people of Neustern are very lucky to have a leader of such stunning character, strength and enthusiasm.

The Supreme Controller rules Neustern by blending autocracy and Libertarianism. Can you explain the mechanics of this seemingly impossible fusion?The Supreme Controller is in the process of writing a manifesto on this very subject. It will be proliferated widely upon completion. The readers of New Obsessive will have to wait patiently for the dispensation of this great innovation.

O.B. Diem, Neustern

CONFIRMED: NEUSTERN HAS A NUCLEAR BOMB!

(Above) Image sourced online, photographer unknown.


The ministry of defence of Neustern has announced that the autonomous coastal city state has developed a viable nuclear bomb. The Supreme Controller (head of state and government) made the announcement at a public meeting in downtown Neustern. International journalists and foreign diplomats as well as representatives from the U.N, E.U and International Atomic Agency were in attendance. Condemnation from foreign governments and international bodies will be ignored by Neustern’s authorities. Under the constitution of Neustern all defensive issues are an internal matter. Neustern is not a member of the United Nations, European Union or International Monetary Fund and maintains that it is not bound by their treaties and declarations.
Gary Farrelly, Neustern.

The modern thermonuclear weapon weighing little more than 2,400 pounds (1,100 kg) can produce an explosive force comparable to the detonation of more than 1.2 million tons (1.1 million metric tons) of TNT. Neustern is a peaceful nation that plays a constructive role in international affairs. We do not have nor do we intend to procure the capability to launch this destructive force on to the territory of any other country. Even in a period of war, Neustern will defend herself against aggression using the conventional force at our disposal. Our nuclear bomb is to be housed under our great city state. If we are invaded and our sovereignty is irreversibly extinguished - we shall detonate the device. Neusterners would rather see their sacred soil scattered to the four winds than occupied by an external power.
The Supreme Controller, Neustern.

All roads lead to Neustern is an exhibition of new cartographic and architectural artwork by Gary Farrelly. It is being curated by Donna Marie O'Donovan and will be held in Dublin in November. CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION.

NEUSTERN ELECTION SPELLS END FOR OPPOSITION

(Above)Gary Farrelly, NEUSTERN ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS/ VOTING PATTERNS(2011)

The first ever democratic elections to be held in the Autonomous Coastal City-state of Neustern have taken place. 603 candidates from four political parties contested the 117 seats across 17 constituencies. Several minor political groupings as well as independent candidates also presented themselves on the ballot paper. The previously undisputed ruler of Neustern, known as The Supreme Controller called for elections after several foreign observers noted that the country was “without doubt the least free and most despotic political arrangement to be found anywhere on earth” International observers were not permitted to enter Neustern to monitor election proceedings. The Supreme Controller’s own National Comrades Party (NCP) won 74 seats in the ballot. Independent and officially unaligned candidates (sworn loyal to The Supreme Controller ) took an additional six seats in the Supreme Assembly (parliament). This gives the Supreme Controller a 68% majority which guarantees that his legal and constitutional whims will be facilitated without opposition. Other parties made the following seat gains: Conservative Party (CP): 16 seats - 14%. Workers Party(WP): 14 seats - 12%. Liberal Green Party/ incorporating gays, feminists and ecologists (LGP): 7 seats - 6%. The National Comrades Party contested the election with a manifesto pledging to maintain the robust sovereignty, prosperity and law and order that Neustern has built its reputation upon. Also pledges was the disbanding of all opposition parties, a promise that NCP headquarters says is at the top of their priority list going in to government.

Gary Farrelly, Neustern.