Aelurian Independence Referendum, 2019
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Should Aeluria be an independent country? | ||||||||||||||||
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The Aelurian independence referendum was a referendum held in March 2019[1] to decide the future of Aeluria, a province of Lauchenoiria. The referendum resulted in a vote against independence[2], and Aeluria remained part of Lauchenoiria. The referendum was organised by officials from Sanctaria following the agreement of the Haven Accords which ended the Second Lauchenoirian Civil War.
Background[edit | edit source]
Aeluria is an island part of the Federation of Lauchenoiria. Between June and August 2018, Lauchenoiria became embroiled in a bitter civil war. Following the coup by Suleman Chaher, Aeluria unilaterally declared independence. This declaration was recognised by Gnejs and Kvask. For most of the war, the Chaher regime blockaded the island, leading to food and medicine shortages, as a result of this declaration.
The war ended upon the signing of the Haven Accords in Sanctaria. Amongst a variety of other things, these Accords mandated that the island of Aeluria hold a binding referendum on independence on the 1st March 2019. This referendum was to have three choices: independence, increased devolution along lines specified by the Accords, and the status quo. The latter option could be omitted upon the agreement of the government of Aeluria and the Guarantor (Sanctaria).
Upon agreement of all parties, the status quo option was not on the ballot, giving Aelurians the choice between further devolution and independence. Voting was open between the hours of 7am and 10pm local time on the 1st March 2019. All Lauchenoirian citizens over the age of 18 resident on Aeluria, and all eligible foreign citizens who had resided in Lauchenoiria for a minimum of 10 years, were eligible to vote, as per Lauchenoirian law.