*** Inter Galactic News ***
Pirate activity remains high, with reports of a ship taken from OPS in Zewt, plus earlier losses of a GTT 50N explorer and a CIA 40N destroyer.
In DNA Elections 226, independents achieved a major victory, claiming all leadership positions: Foreign Minister Chairman TonTon, Education Minister Qui'Haktey, and Health Minister Dr. Shawna Tanniek Dorrendarger. The Wodenzoon Group’s withdrawal from politics boosted independents to 34% in the National Assembly, with South Road and Trad-Nap groups also gaining.
Results confirm the DNA’s confederate, pragmatic, and mildly traditionalist direction. Foreign policy and business relations are expected to remain stable under the established “Good Neighbour” approach.


***PIR Activity***
Submission from PIR Casio.
Reports are coming in of a ship having been taken from the OPS in Zewt.
Also taken was a 50N Solo explorer from the GTT earlier in the month and a 40N destroyer from the CIA a short time before.....
Pirate activity is rife and losses continue to mount.

***Press release from the Fin Saine Media Group***

DNA Elections 226 - Final Results are finally in!
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A Fin Saine media publication offered to SSS for galactic diffusion.
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Naambta!

Introduction

Running on naplian time is one thing, but these elections have taken it to an extreme.

Originally called for 225, we are now nearly a year further, but, the results are finally in.

The various twists and turns, and intrigue of this particular election have caused massive upheaval, delays, and power shifts and the whole process has tested the electoral system, and still it did not break.

But never a dull moment.

The final wait was because of a legal challenge that had sprung up. A few native citizens, and all openly vocal NapLians First locals had requested to vote with the original Voting Booth (31488) that Mad Max had designed back in 204. Once the original design had been located, Wodenzoon Industries has produced these and the final votes are now in.

It can not be described as anything but a huge victory for independents.

The biggest upheaval of the election was the sudden shift of Wodenzoon Industries to its own chartered mega-corp aff, and the withdrawal of the Wodenzoon Group political party from the election.

Let us see how things turned out over at the DNA.


Ministries

In the leadership positions, the following have been elected:

President of the DNA - (Not Available this election - deemed unnecessary by Elder Council)
Foreign Minister - Chairman TonTon (independent)
Minister of Education - Qui'Haktey (independent)
Minister of Health - Dr. Shawna Tanniek Dorrendarger (independent)

Clearly a win for the independents. All three positions in their hands. Let's look at them, um, independently.

Foreign Minister, Chairman TonTon, we show no surprise. Wodenzoon Foundation still has firm control over the Foreign Ministry and the Good Neighbour policy will continue to dominate relations with the human empire. No changes here, the ministry and foreign relations remains stable.

Minister of Education, Qui'Haktey. While the candidates of the various political parties were waging vicious verbal wars on each other, a calm independent voice of reason seemed to emerge out of nowhere: Qui'Haktey. Not much is known about him, except that his other job is being an expediter at Wodenzoon Industries. The Education Ministry has become completely fragmented with ideological infighting and most services are run locally now. Qui'Haktey is said to have a way of bringing diverse people together in an uncanny, almost sagely sort of way. It is hoped he can keep the ministry from falling apart completely. We wish him well, he has his job cut out for him.

Minister of Health, Dr. Shawna Tanniek Dorrendarger. While South Road and Trad-Nap candidates thought they might have a chance early on in the race, recent MEK discussions on a galactic level have destroyed any last hopes of that. Dr. Dorrendarger is an experienced healthcare worker, and her election to Minister goes coupled with a promotion to President of the DNA's De-meklanisation Study Group. She is also known as the woman responsible for declaring MEKlanisation a dangerous infectious disease within the DNA nation state and the Free Naplian Nation. The Health Ministry has always had a heavy local focus and confederate structure, results focussed, and Minister Dorrendarger has the confidence and respect of her colleagues in the field. This ministry too remains a stable pillar within the DNA.


Locals

While some local elections were had in 225, others were not. Some have been honoured, others not. Some had simply delayed to wait and see what would happen next. With Voting Booths (31488) finally in place the last hurdle has been crossed.

Every local has now elected its representative for the DNA National Assembly, and the final results of the new assembly makeup are finally known.

DNA National Assembly

initial poll in 5% slices - final vote
Independents - 20% - 34 %
Wodenzoon Group - 15% - (N/A)
South Road Group - 15% - 21 %
Trad-Nap Resurgency - 15% - 19 %
Naplian Peace Party - 10% - 7 %
Naplia United Party - 10% - 3 %
NapLians First - 10% - 10 %
Protected Naplia - 5% - 6 %

Let's do a quick overview of these results and what this could mean for the DNA nation state.

Wodenzoon Group's withdrawal from party politics has created a significant shift in power, with independents absorbing much of the support. Both Business minded and moderate South Road Group, and the more radical traditionalists at Trad-Nap Resurgency have benefited from this also.

Naplian Peace Party is doing relatively well, as it was the one party who at least attempted to stay civil during the debates. It still booked significant loss because it adhered to a federalist stance of a strong national government, albeit with limited powers.

Naplia United Party's support nearly imploded and there is significant infighting within party leadership. The idea of a more strongly integrated nation state has been completely voted down.

The message is crystal clear: The DNA nation state is decidedly confederate in its nature.

The more radical sovereignists at NapLians First maintained their loyal base of 10%, many show much joy that the number has not increased.

The other radical alternative, Protected Naplia, has garnered a slight increase which is generally attributed to naplian colony GTT Naplian Harbour's generosity towards Dryfus Refugee Camp, where many of these votes are concentrated.

The independents are, of course, the wild cards. And, they make up 34%. Wodenzoon Foundation still has a lot of clout within this group, and many are traditionalists of some sort or another. A few powerful business people have also been elected.

Overall, we expect a pragmatic, business oriented, mildly traditionalist parliament for the aff as a whole.

The more radical locals will just be going local, most likely, if they haven't already.

We have reporters on location at three of the most prominent naplian cultural centres of the DNA. Let us check in with them.


Interviews

Nagglath Local
Torteni in Nagglath (352), Orion Spur

(The interviewer has chosen a strategic location on the main promenade at Nagglath local and attempts to ask people about the elections. People here are fond of the quintessential Nagglath big suits, oversize in width but not in length, with angular lines and padded shoulders. And, of course, digital watches are matched to go with the suits. Watches of square or rectangular design seem to be popular. The local population seem largely disinterested and dismissive toward the interviewer. The comments that are heard the most are: A little late, aren't you? Or: Oh, that is old news. Finally, a middle aged gentlemen approaches the interviewer, who by now is starting to look somewhat frustrated.)

Man: So, you are the reporter asking about the elections, are you?
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Interviewer: Yes. Fin Saine media. We are here to gauge people's reactions to the DNA elections.
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Man: Ah, that's old news. Hmmm... I can see from your face that that is not the first time you hear that. Let me explain.

You see, we held our elections when they were first called. Our local government has been running like a fine time-piece for all this time. The only important position that has any significance for us is that of Foreign Minister, to which it was always clear Chairman TonTon would remain Minister.
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Interviewer: You mean to tell me that your local does not care about what goes on in national politics?
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Man: It is not that we don't care. It is just that it doesn't affect us. We are an old DOM base, and when we joined the DNA we did so because of the legal right to go local. When it comes to health and education, we have gone local from the beginning. Most importantly, though, we have gone local on the economy. As you can see, the base is flagged FET while the system claims DNA. We do business with FET Gypsum Resources and have become one of the most wealthy and prosperous locals within the DNA.

You may have noticed that not many people run on naplian time here.
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Interviewer: I had noticed, and that explains a lot.

So, what is the biggest news item here, then?
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Man: That would definitely be the wind spiced akula curry bowl they have begun serving at the local soup kitchen last week. It is all the rage. You should try some.

Mount Stab market
Stab in Teller (147), Outer Naplia

(The reporter has positioned herself on the promenade at the market and interviews passers by, asking about the DNA elections. Here are some excerpts of the varied reactions: )

(showing much joy) Qui'Haktey, you the man!
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(showing relief) As long as Chairman TonTon is Foreign Minister there is nothing to fear.
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(showing concern) We need to get back to our roots, our traditions.
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(showing amusement) What a laugh?!?!
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(showing sorrow) When Wodenzoon Group disbanded, they should have disbanded the elections altogether.
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(showing pride) My cousin is NLF!!!
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(showing uncertainty) Maybe we should join Napian Harbour and become a protectorate?
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(showing determination) We need to stop bickering and take care of business.
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(showing watch) Have you ever seen a more exquisite digital watch than this?

Lothario's Gardens
Cheetah in Yank (146), Outer Naplia

(The reporter has chosen a strategic place on the main promenade. As luck would have it, Chairman TonTon was passing by just as he and the cameraman had finished setting up. Numerous folks gathered around as TonTon positioned himself by a potted plant shrine, and smiled warmly.)

Crowd: Speech!
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Chairman TonTon: Naambta! You are with Fin Saine media?! Always a pleasure to speak with you folks.
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Interviewer: Congratulations on your re-election to the position of Foreign Minister, Chairman TonTon. Yes, how about it? Speech?
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Chairman TonTon: Ah, the speech is planned for tonight after supper at the local soup kitchen. These kind folks will have to wait.
(smiles broadly at crowd)
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Interviewer: Maybe i will stay for supper, then. No one has shown any surprise that you have been re-elected. You have plenty of experience, and were even PD for some time. Will this election put you back in the PD spot?
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(a quick look of shock flashes on TonTon's face, but fades quickly)
Chairman TonTon: Thank the Most High, no! Aside from Yahn Wodenzoon himself, no one really wants to do that job. It is highly over rated, that PD honour.

The current PD is still the DNA South Road Traffic Coordinator. We have a new one now. Vladimir Tavikovich has let the position go. The new one won't give his name, citing privacy concerns. Whenever anyone has to deal with his office, we get a response from his designated Night Clerk. And, the Night Clerk is a big fan of naplian time.
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Interviewer: Now, everyone is curious about Wodenzoon Group, and why it withdrew from the elections. What happened, and how are relations now.
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Chairman TonTon: Well, the political formation Wodenzoon Group has been disbanded. We can still talk of a broader Wodenzoon group, namely the Foundation, the Industries, the University, and the Guilder Bank. With these everyone has their own personal or professional relationships, and i think generally they are going quite well.

Wodenzoon Foundation has quite some experience at governance. You might remember some ten years ago, or so, we ran a provisional government for the WMB until a new Grandfather rose to power. This was before zz's return. Our plan was to do the same thing for the DNA. It took about ten years for the idea of a nation state to firmly take hold in people's perceptions and to build up state functions and organs, however. Things the WMB already possessed.

Some of the heated debates during this election made us realise that it would be a good idea to withdraw from direct politics at this point.
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Interviewer: What can the galaxy expect from this newly elected DNA government?
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Chairman TonTon: More of the same.

Let's face it, if you have business dealings with a given local, nothing has changed. You may just have to smile and nod when they mention the elections. Any foreign powers will be contacting me, or my colleagues, at the Foreign Ministry. And, seeing as i was overwhelmingly voted in on the proven Wodenzoon policies of co-operation and the Good Neighbour policy, nothing has changed.

For aliens and the human empire both, more of the same.

(TonTon pulls out an ornate analog pocket watch and checks the time)

Sorry, but i have to go.

I have a meeting with Security Chief Yvonne Nividi, and she does not approve of naplian time. If i didn't know any better, i would think she was from Nagglath.

Naambta!

*** Affiliations ***

AFT Association of Free Traders (54) - Drax
BHD - Brotherhood (63) - Dracolith
CAT - Catchan Felini (55) - Elisa Purr
CIA - Combined Intelligence Agency (64) - Laton CIA
CON - Continuum Collective (24) - Veridian
DEN -Dewiek Elder Nation (67) - Aadolf
DNA - Displaced Naplian Alliance (66) - Wodenzoon people
DTR - Detinus Republic (58) - Morley Decker
FCN - Falconian Republic (70) - Bacran
FEL - Felini Tyranny (49) - Kr'Shan
FLZ - Flagritz Republic (47) - Kayxaer
FET - Frontier Exploration & Trade (56) - Cu Chulainn
GTT - Galactic Trade & Transport (52) - Xavier Fox
KRL - Krell (30) - Namica
KRT - Krell of the Reverence Temple (37) - Cyn
KST - Kastor Kastorians (12) - Kastor
MOH - Mohache (73) - Listens
NHS - Noble Houses (41) - Roy Roberts
NLF - Naplian Liberation Front (38) - NLFHQ
OPS - Obsidian Predator Swarm (23) - Joe Public
SMS - Stellar Mining and Smelting (53) - MikhailM
WMB - Wimble Nations (25) - zz
WOD - Wodenzoon Industries (61) - Wodenzoon people

* Leader MAY be inactive, affiliation may be active
** Only known contact, please update us if this is incorrect.

NPC / FoC: ARC, CIV, CGT, FRE, HBO, HEF, IND, ISP, JCN, MEK, MRC, PIR, PRV, TCA, TRN, KAS
Inactive: ANT, COD, DOM, GCE, HEX, HVE, IDC, IMP, RIP, RCF, SKW, TAG,

*** Submissions ***

By private message to SSS Associate Editor or via Mica if you prefer to remain anonymous.