NRNN Vol. 1, Iss. 2

[Ekejen Luish]

NEW REKISH NEWS NETWORK

 

CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES AND IMPERIAL REFORM

 

After several weeks of debating in the Union Session, a decision was finally met over the constant debate over the military. Eventually, the Union Session finally voted over the topic. The bill titled "First Federal Constitutional Amendment: Federal and Provincial Military Act" received 63 of 100 Federal Delegation votes, 9 of 26 Provincial Delegation votes, and the final approval of the Emperor Golen IV.

 

The amendment to the Constitution specified the uses and declared the existence of official federal and provincial militaries. "In short, the amendment declares that both federal and provincial militaries exist, as well as specifying how they will act in a wartime situation," said Defense Minister Kai'irl Steur'im.

 

Indeed, this is the case. All provinces have their own military, however if the United Rekish Empire is at war, every province must go to war and use their military. The Provincial Delegation pushed for more flexibility for the provinces, and it is reflected in the amendment. Each province must dedicate 12.5% or one-eighth of their budget to military, at least. The mandatory service for all adults of 18 years still stands. However, 80% of the soldiers will go to their province's military, while 20% (chosen at random) will go to the national military. This makes the national military much smaller but still larger than most of the provincial militaries. Also, most of the soldiers in commanding ranks in the national military will receive higher pay than those in provincial militaries due to the Federal Budget being much larger than each individual province's.

 

In war, national command and provincial commands will cooperate to direct their troops on large scale, while each unit's commander will direct said unit during individual battles.

 

Meanwhile, Emperor Golen IV has instituted another reform via Royal Order. In several provinces, it has been the popular request that the previous leaders of the Rekish provinces before the Uniting of the Empire be given back positions of power. Thus, the Emperor has ordered that each of the previous provincial leaders and their families will be given the honor of Royalty, as well as the position of Duke or Duchess, which will have the same powers as a Governor (however they won't represent provinces in the Union Sessions), however the position will be hereditary.

 

The response to this has been mostly good in all provinces:

 

An anonymous 38-year old woman: "I think it's good that our leaders from before the Reunion get the power that they deserve. They've done nothing but good for this country, in fact they are the ones who United it. Golen IV is just the lucky one who happened to be the descendant of Golen I.

 

Julaia Keunrai, 19-year old woman serving in the national military: "I think all of them deserve what Golen IV got - obviously that probably can't work, so I suppose this is the next best thing."

 

Viktor Kedzierski, 89-year old native Ukrainian man: "I've lived a long time and seen tyranny in the world come and go. I disapprove of more blasted kings and queens!"

 

Lo'aisa Failk, 46-year old woman, farmer: "I think that they've done a good job so far, I mean they've united the nation. I don't think they'll become tyrants, I mean their power is limited anyway, so I think it's fine."

 

An anonymous 53-year old man, retail salesperson: "Honestly, I don't think much will change. We've got checks and balances, so I think it'll be about the same."