We have got another weekly roundup of what Austenasia has been up to this week. This week, we saw the dissolution of Etchemin-on-Kennebec and Oppidum Tubae, the Emperor Day celebrations, and a new Foreign Office project to pursue a formal treaty with long-time international partners the Würtige Empire.

On Thursday the 26th, the Emperor ratified a bill of Parliament – to take effect today – to dissolve the towns of Etchemin-on-Kennebec and Oppidum Tubae.

Etchemin-on-Kennebec, annexed last year by the Valentinus-Green Act was governed by Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Otto Green, who resigned as Deputy Prime Minister with a heartfelt speech.

“Good morning from the shores of the Kennebec River;

This morning it is with a heavy heart I announce to you all that my tenure as the 15th Deputy Prime Minister has come to an end following the independence of my town of Etchemin-on-Kennebec, and thus my loss of a seat in the Austenasian Parliament. Myself, and the people of Etchemin-on-Kennebec while now independent are standing by to help Austenasia and her people as well as our fellow Pan-Austenasian people.

As I look back on my time in this role, our Empire has seen the immediate aftermath of the failed coup, the struggles to find our place before the Great Reconciliation, to now having found our place yet again remaining strong in the face of those who seek to undermine us and offering a hand supporting our fellow Austenasian nations and working tirelessly with the Union of New Virginia to see the Great Reconciliation. These past nine months have been eye opening, inspiring and challenging, but that does not mean I have not enjoyed my time here.

As I look across the mighty Kennebec River, I find myself hopeful for the Empire to continue on its path towards reconciling with other nations, and finding our place within the Grand Unified Micronational once again. Austenasia, it has been an privilege and an honor to serve as your Deputy Prime Minister and Representative of Etchemin-on-Kennebec, and I thank you all for putting your trust in me as a statesman and an ambassador. I look forward to working with you all in other roles and seeing where the Empire goes from here.

I leave with a final word to you all; Just because you join during a period of strife, does not mean you can’t help find the path to ensuring peace and stability.”

Lord Otto of Etchemin-on-Kennebec, government announcement channel on the Austenasia discord server.

The former local government convened the following day, as the Etchemin Senate of the newly-declared Serene Republic.

Oppidum Tubae was an older town, annexed by Austenasia from land within Estonia in 2021. It was governed by Lord Sander Koff, the Speaker of the House, who recently has been pursuing retirement from the micronational community.

Both officials were granted honourary hereditary titles named after their former holdings by Emperor Alexander on Thursday’s Emperor Day celebrations.

Speaking of which, as detailed in our last article saw unorthodox observance this year, with the first Emperor Day honours list in sixteen years, and the announcement of a diplomatic window by the Foreign Office. Over ten nation have reached out so far in the first trial of Austenasia’s new Foreign policy, prioritising in-person meetings and established pillars of the community.

That’s not the only foreign office project going on – on Tuesday, the Senate advised the Foreign Office to begin pursuing formal relations with longtime international partners the Würtige Empire, of whom Austenasia has worked with in varying capacities for over a decade. Chief Ambassador Lord Valentinus has opened a diplomatic channel today with Würtige counterparts in what is hoped to be the start of a new era of friendship and cooperation.

On Thursday, the Prime Minister appointed Lord Griffin of Glainamar as the new Deputy Prime Minister of Austenasia.

The final bit of news is the upcoming election for the Speaker of the House in the wake of Lord Koff’s retirement. Nominations for the position could close as early as this Thursday, although this deadline may potentially be extended. This will lead to an internal Parliamentary election to confirm any nominees. In the meantime, the duties and responsibilities ordinarily reserved for the Speaker fall to the Prime Minister, Crown Prince John.

And that’s all for this week!