[Lauchenoiria]

Liaville Times - Referendum Special

Pro-independence rally interrupted by Lauchenoiria First amid rumours of Kerlian interference
16th February 2019

A massive pro-independence demonstration due to take place all Saturday afternoon in the centre of Liaville had to be cut short following a counter-demonstration led by controversial far-right figure Paul Doberman threatened to cause a disturbance.

Over 20,000 Aelurians gathered in the city, waving Aelurian flags and singing songs. The atmosphere was cheery and there was no hint of any animosity towards the opposition. The organisers of the demonstration had pledged it would be “inclusive, family-friendly and peaceful”. The event started at midday, and passed without incident until 2:30pm when around 100 Lauchenoiria First members arrived.

The Lauchenoiria First leader reiterated the commonly-held belief that the Feminist Party is a Kerlian front, and that their support for independence is a “plot to make Aeluria a Kerlian colony”. He accused female supporters of independence of being Kerlian spies, and called for the suspension of all female members of the Aelurian Parliament, pending investigation. He also made allegations that Alyssa Robinson, chief of staff for First Minister Nazario Macías is in fact a relative of Councillor Carmen Robinson of Kerlile.

A spokesperson for Ms Robinson told the Liaville Times: “Alyssa Robinson is of no relation to the Robinson family of Kerlile. Robinson is a common surname, and those spreading this rumour should note that both former Prime Minister Laura Moore and President Moore of Gonhog share a surname, and yet are clearly of no relation to each other.”

The Aelurian provincial government and the central government of Lauchenoiria issued a joint statement reminding voters that Sanctaria was providing security for the referendum, and assuring voters that there was no chance of Kerlian interference.


Issue Focus – Education

While education is already a devolved issue, and thus policy and curriculum are decided in the Aelurian parliament, the main point of contention is the provision in the current (suspended) Lauchenoirian constitution mandating secular government. The Lauchenoirian Supreme Court have previously interpreted Aelurian attempts to allow prayer in schools unconstitutional. While the Haven Accords have mandated the writing of a new constitution, it is expected the commitment to secularism will remain.

While the Aelurian Independence Party do not advocate mandating religious worship in schools, they support allowing it for those who wish to practice Lurian, the major religion of Aeluria. They have not clarified whether or not they would extend this to followers of other religions. Most opponents of independence also oppose permitting any kind of prayer in schools.

Opponents of independence claim that an independent Aeluria would introduce too much religion into schools, putting science education at risk, and taking the island on a “backwards road” towards superstition and rejecting established facts. Opponents worry that some hardline Lurite independence supporters publicly advocate mandating prayer in schools, even though the mainstream AIP have made repeated assurances they do not support this policy.

The other major matter for debate regarding education policy and independence is the budget. Currently, the Aelurian administration is reliant on the central government to allocate funds, and as such they are restricted in how much they can spend on certain areas. The AIP advocates massively increasing the education budget, with the goal of correcting what they see as the historic educational discrimination against Aelurians.

During the 1952-1993 communist regime, Aelurians were restricted in their options for higher education, and often many were forbidden from studying at mainland universities. This was due to strict security measures placed on Aelurians following their initial greater opposition to the regime than other provinces of Lauchenoiria. Even those who were allowed to study on the mainland often experienced discrimination, especially indigenous or mixed-race Aelurians.

The Feminist Party, who have publicly supported Aelurian independence, believe that schools should be segregated by gender. They believe that this may be possible in an independent Aeluria, as traditionally boys and girls were educated separately in Lurian schools before these were banned in 1952. They advocate a return to this to “avoid distractions to children’s learning, and ensure that girls are not exposed early to the harmful stereotypes that can limit their development”. Opinion polling shows that 64% of independence supporters would also support gender segregated schools, compared with only 17% of opponents to independence.