[Lauchenoiria]

Liaville Times – Referendum Special

27th February 2019

Religious groups on both sides of the independence debate speak out

With two days to go before the referendum, statements have been issued by a multitude of religious groups, asking (and in one case, warning) their followers to vote one way or the other in the referendum. Mainstream Lurite and Christian groups have been the main voices, however some fringe groups have also commented.

The Confederation of Village Lurites, CVL, is an organisation that links the majority of Lurian congregations in small villages across the island. While Lurian has no official centralised body, CVL links small congregations in areas with less than 1000 residents, and the organisation has often issued statements on the behalf of its constituent congregations. The statement of the CVL on independence is unambigious:

“Independence is the right way forward for Lurites, especially those in small areas, which have been consistently neglected by the central government as they try to force the population to move to cities and abandon our way of life. Independence is the way forward, and all Lurites should vote yes.”

Meanwhile the Aelurian Christian Association has issued a statement advising Christians on the island to vote against independence: “the AIP has given us no assurances that the rights of minority religious groups would be protected. Independence is a risk for us all, as an independent Aeluria could fast become a Lurian state.”

Aside from mainstream religious groups, in this last week a ‘cult’ has formed, calling themselves the Church of Destruction, who claim that Aelurian independence would bring about a nuclear war, which would wipe out non-believers and leave the survivors to be ruled by Councillor Jennifer Hale of Kerlile’s unborn child. Nazario Macías has called this theory “preposterous” and Ally Wallis of the No campaign has been quick to distance them from the cult.

In other news, Laeral’s President Liu Mei-han has announced her opposition to Aelurian independence, stating “it is my opinion that all of Lauchenoiria is stronger and better off united”. Meanwhile, aid workers from Shuell, who have supported independence, have begun to arrive on the island and on the mainland to help with the efforts to rebuild following last year’s civil war.

Support for independence is down from yesterday, at 47%. Some suggest this is a result of the statement from Councillor Georgiou of Kerlile.

Issue Focus – Economy

The issue of the economy is consistently ranked among the top 5 topics for consideration by undecided voters on the question of independence. Among voters who have already decided, those who consider the economy a top issue are more likely to intend to vote against independence.

Opponents of independence are quick to point out that uncertainty is almost always bad for the economy, and independence would necessarily cause a lot of uncertainty. The figures back them up – if Aeluria votes for independence, it would have an immediate negative impact on the economy.

The long-term impact is more up for debate. Supporters of independence say that this ‘brief dip’ is a fair price to pay for the ‘freedom’ of independence. They also say that the economy will recover quickly, and some even argue the Aelurian economy will be better off than as part of Lauchenoiria. They claim that the central government has damaged Aeluria’s economy through their ‘neglect’ for the island and their prioritising of mainland industries that have no foothold on the island.

Opponents vehemently disagree. There is no scenario in which the economy would be better off with independence, they argue. Independence is a needless risk which would destroy the economy, leave people across the island poorer and lower standards of living. Independence is simply not worth is.

What is life without risk? Say supporters of independence. Yes, independence could have a negative impact on the economy at first, but in the long term it would recover, and would be grow without the interference of the Lauchenoirian government, who do not care about the island as much as the mainland.

The issue of the economy is an important one for many people, but with the two sides disagreeing on the very facts of the matter, it is one that voters are going to have trouble deciphering and making a decision on.