[Darcness]

Brunhilde Emerges Victorious in Record-Breaking Presidential Election
By Writinglegend, Edited for Distribution by Izzy
(Europeia ? November 5, 2017) ? Vice Chancellor and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Brunhilde has been elected as the fifty-third president of Europeia in what was a whirlwind race. One-hundred and one total votes were cast this election, breaking the prior voting record of ninety-one. Both the Brunhilde/Rach and Darcness/Sopo campaigns ran energetic Get Out to Vote (GOTV) messaging, causing the record-breaking number of electoral votes.

The Brunhilde/Rach campaign, titled 'Europeian Voice', saw its fair share of drama during the electoral cycle. Former Minister of Communications JayDee was the original choice to fill the vice presidential spot on the ticket, however, due to drama regarding possible poll tampering, he later dropped his name from the ballot. Brunhilde would later pick Rach to fill the vacancy, leading to several platform readjustments. Many predicted the Brunhilde/Rach ticket would face defeat at the ballot, due to pre-election poll results showing a massive lead by the Darcness campaign.

The Darcness/Sopo campaign, titled 'Inch by Inch', focused on building the next generation of Europeian leaders through basic, regional service. While the former Minister of Foreign Affairs received forty-three votes this electoral cycle, ten behind the Brunhilde ticket, he remained in high spirits. "I will continue to enthusiastically work within Europeia's executive system this upcoming term," he stated in a private quote provided to the EBC. "What will define my career is not the defeat, but my response to it."

The newcomer ticket of Oak/Dark Templar provided an avenue for them to get their names out to the wider citizenry. While they only received five votes, they perhaps laid the groundwork for greater Executive opportunities in their future.

Following her victory, Brunhilde released an inspirational inaugural address which encouraged the Europeian citizenry to grasp the leadership opportunities before them. "Will you be the next leader who those of the future look to as someone who pushed us to stand even when our knees became weak?" Brunhilde rhetorically questioned. "Join with me as I seek to push Europeia forward."

Brunhilde's nominations for the Cabinet were confirmed in their hearings before the Europeian Senate. Her nominations were as follows:

HEM - Minister Without Portfolio
Rand - Attorney General
Cat - Minister of Radio
Drexlore - Minister of Culture
Writinglegend - Minister of Communications
Izzy - Foreign Affairs
Sanctaria - Minister of World Assembly Affairs
Le Libertie - Minister of Interior
Calvin - Grand Admiral

The Cabinet features several returning and new names. President Brunhilde gave a strong message to those not nominated, and others who did not vote for her ticket.

"Seek to erase the inadequacies you see in the region. It is that fight, that work ethic, that will allow Europeia to control its own destiny."

This will be Brunhilde's first term as President of Europeia. The pressure is heavy on the new president to achieve the goals set out in her ambitious platform.

President Brunhilde's inaugural address can be found in the spoiler below:
Spoiler: click to toggle
Time of Opportunity
Inaugural Address
For 10 years, 7 months, and 29 days, Europeia has stood. It has stood as a Monarchy, through a forum deletion, in the midst of chaos, through bouts of inactivity, and as people feared for its future. It's easy to say that the fortitude shown by those standing through our pain, and our struggles, are those of the past. Afterall, it was they who led us through the dark paths and pushed us through our struggles into our successes. Yet, it is not they who will lead us forward, through the struggles and doubts of tomorrow. Nay, it is the citizen who doesn't know where to get started in the region, the politician who thinks they are down and out, the newcomer that hasn't had the chance to shine, and, most importantly, those who wish to see their ambition come to fruition. Europeia is not made purely by the grand sum of its history, but by those willing to strive for greatness. Just as the leaders of our past sought to see a Europeia that prospered and shined as the lights were cast on it, so can you strive to see Europeia be made greater by the effort you put into making it so.

The question that remains is: will you? Will you seize upon the opportunity provided to you by our stability and by our struggles to push Europeia forward? Will you show your resolve and put in the effort it takes to see your ambitions become more than simple thoughts? Will you be the next leader who those of the future look to as someone who pushed us to stand even when our knees became weak? I believe that there are many who have that ability in them, that ability to say that they won't be frightened by inconvenience and will instead seek to create a Europeian future that sees us shine in the light as we once did. It's this belief that leaves me to urge you, each one of you, to join with me as I seek to push Europeia forward, for it must go forward.

For Europeia, forward must never be limited. We must not limit ourselves based on what is said to be possible, nor should we limit our forward progress based on previous success. No, we must reject the sentiments that would have us stay in our place. Europeia has the fortitude to constantly strive for its own betterance. Whether that be through improved media efforts that intwine radio with the written word as each seek to reach outsiders with our voice or efforts to integrate gameside players with our forumside governance, we can grow better. Whether it be through taking the name of the Navy to new highs or asserting our opinion in the World Assembly, we can grow better. It can be something as large as a total change in policy or as small as a new newspaper article that changes the way that we think. It matters not the size of the effort so long as it is focused towards never allowing ourselves to be limited by doubt and negative expectations.

This term will be about never allowing ourselves to be limited. We find ourselves being a strong World Assembly region that doesn't vocalize its opinions abroad as a result of a traditional lack of emphasis. Europeia is at a crossroads in which we find ourselves coasting on the success granted by our past efforts in foreign affairs. Different branches of media have found themselves far too separate while our culture has found itself relying on old faithfuls rather than seeking new tomorrows. Our newcomers find themselves faced with a Europeia that can be hard to understand. This administration must not allow these difficulties to limit what it can be for we decide what our tomorrow will be.

I ask only for you to join us in refusing to let our difficulties limit you. Pushback in the face of our struggles, fight in the face of any doubt. Seek to erase the inadequacies you see in the region. It is that fight, that work ethic, that will allow Europeia to control its own destiny.

Sincerely,

[Sanctaria]

Thanks for the update!