Helen Adler and the Social Democrats Fight Back
Helen Adler while disappointed in the election results vowed to fight back. She found some hope in the election of Peter Billings from the Socialist Libertarians for president as well as the municipal elections where the SDD managed to pick up seats.
"Now is not the hour to slink back from the challenge. Now is the time to confront fascism. In a free society those who thrive on hate need to be confronted with the best values of Dorvik. And that has to happen in the House and in our families, and workplaces"
"We need to become serious in containing the fascist threat to the democratic freedoms we cherish. There must be a coalition which shuts out the fascists from government. And we must pass bills that improves lives so the FRP can't exploit the fears of a single voter."
"Dorvik has always been at our best when we ignored the fear mongers and worked together for a better country. This hour calls for that and more" Adler said. Later Adler spoke with reporters indicating that the SSD was in consultation with the SLP about a coalition government.
Helen Adler and the SDD Start Election Campaign
Helen Adler of the Social Democrats kicked off the election campaign visiting farmers in Mothar; Adler told supporters at a rally "We will campaign on two things; our record which has been extensive and the future possibilities for Dorvik which are limitless."
"We've put Dorvik on the road to a sensible energy policy. We've opened Dorvik up to other nations by proposing treaties linking Dorvik with our neighbours. And we've protected rural life by opposing gun control, protecting fisheries, and opening up farm lands" Adler said
"And we've put on the table the expansion of worker councils to bring more democratic say into our economy and reforming our labour laws so as not to put barriers to workers trying to better their conditions. We all benefit when that happens." Adler said to a cheering crowd.
Later on Adler spoke with reporters, gave them Dorthee Soelle's travel schedule as she visits Rutania and Kalistan. She also noted to the reporters how important the Romulan Party's support for the friendship treaties has been.
Helen Adler Urges Strengthened Relations with Neighbours, Commends the TNP
Helen Adler, head of the Social Democrats, at a speech today in Fairfax, commended the Technocratic Nationalists for their denunciation of the Fascist Revolutionary Party.
Helen Adler also looked forward to the Technocratic Nationalist Party's efforts at re-establishing relations with the Dorvik Left Unity Project. The results were evident in their support for the Social Democratic Party Immigration Reform proposal.
While the difference between the TNP and the Dorvik Left Unity Project are significant, Adler said "we hope that there will be more possibilities of working across the aisle, especially in establishing and strengthening our relations with our neighbours and allies."
Also foreign minister, Dorthee Soelle is a planning a visit to Rutania to work out further cultural, educational, and economic exchanges with foreign minister Edgar Costadinov. Then she's visiting with Foreign Minister Eduardo Chibas to build support for the Kalistan treaty.
Helen Adler Proposes Alternative to the Right's Agenda
Helen Adler, head of the Social Democrats, condemned the recent initiatives of the right in the House of Representatives today. "The right appear to have two goals: to eliminate economic democracy at home and to tarnish the good will of Dorvik around the world."
Adler added "We will bring to a vote key pieces of legislation that have made a difference for workers and for peace. If they fail to pass, we will introduce them again and again so that the people know where the parties stand on these critical issues."
"We have reintroduced the Nuclear Chemical Weapons Ban and a package that increases foreign aid for poor countries. We will also present a series of proposals that increases democratic say over the economy and connects us with the wider world." Adler said.
Adler also called on the Technocratic Nationalists to shun the Fascist Revolution Party who recently proposed legislation that discriminates. "Now is the time for the TNP to take a stand. Will they choose what is right or what is convenient?"
Soelle Praises Passage of Rutania/Dorvik Friendship Pact
Foreign Minister, Dorthee Soelle, praised the passage of the Rutania/Dorvik Friendship Pact in Rutania's legislature. "This resolution which passed in both countries is a first step to building a peaceful and fruitful friendship between our two nations." Soelle told reporters.
Soelle added that she hopes to work on a proposed treaty between the two nations but for now she hopes to visit Rutania and Victor Oberon the former prime minister, to work out possible measures for these two nations including cultural and educational exchanges.
Helen Adler ; New Leader of the Social Democrats
The Social Democrats ran a spirited campaign but was routed from new left and right wing parties in this election. Sarah Ehrenreich decided to step down as party head after the election results showed a loss of almost 20 seats. She did retain her seat in Fairfax.
Dorthee Soelle, who was coaxed back to run again won for her seat handily. Given the centre left majority is no more, Soelle says she will use her time building bridges with Dorvik and other nations. "It's crucial that the work of securing neighbourly relations continues"
The SDD met and voted for Helen Adler as the new party head. Adler is a veterinarian from Mothar who has done a lot to build the SDD in the region. A relative newcomer to the House of Representatives, Adler promised a revitalized party; one that will vigorously contest the new gov't.
Adler said to the cheers of party activists "We believe Dorvik can become an international leader in peace, engaged with the world and her neighbours. The TNP wants Dorvik to be fearful and hide behind its weapons. We say that it's time to leave fear behind."
Social Democrats Starts the Campaign
Sarah Ehrehreich at a Social Democratic rally kicked off the campaign in Fairfax. "We have a record to be proud of: extending union rights, negotiating peace with our neighbours and we have more challenges as we fight for worker councils and a cleaner environment."
"The Technocratic Nationalist Party has opposed every one of those reforms. That's why we're going to make the case in every part of the country for a centre left majority to continue the progress of the last number of years." Sarah Ehrenreich said.
Later on she met with Peter Pilgrims and they spoke to reporters at the House of Representatives. Ehrenreich gave her endorsement of Peter Pilgrim's quest for the presidency and promised to campaign for him. "We need a new a president that respects peace and that man is Pilgrim."
Dorthee Soelle Commends Passage of Friendship Agreements
Dorthee Soelle, foreign minister of Dorvik, on a visit with leaders of the Socialist International was asked by reporters about the friendship agreements that recently passed the legislature. "This marks a new era of peaceful engagement." Soelle said.
Friendship agreements with Rutania, Telamon, Kalistan, Athlorcaea all were passed by Dorvik's House of Representatives handily. Soelle said that the new goal was to have these resolutions passed as treaties to solidify their status within the nation.
Given the election atmosphere and the isolationism of the right wing, "we plan to wait after the elections to begin a serious discussion in the legislature to build support for creating long lasting treaties. This can only make us and Terra safer" Soelle added.
Dorthee Soelle also commended the work of foreign minister Chibas and the Kalistani legislature for their unanimous support for the Dorvik-Kalistan Friendship Treaty. She said that working for passage of that treaty in Dorvik would be her central goal after the election.
Sarah Ehrenreich Criticizes the Romulan Party
Sarah Ehrenreich, head of the Social Democrats of Dorvik, said that the rhetoric of the Romulan Party, had become excessive. "The language of treason has no place in democratic discourse" she said during a debate in the House of Representatives.
"Our coalition government has never enacted cuts in military spending nor the head of government budget. If in the future such a move could be done in line with our security and budgetary needs, a healthy and rigorous debate should be had not hyperbolic charges," Ehrenreich added.
"We need to find ways to work together. The Romulan rhetoric and actions have sought to prevent this." Ehrenreich sighed saying "this is exactly the kind of politics that the voters of Dorvik have consistently rejected. They want us to work together and get things done."
Ehrenreich Lays Out Foreign Policy Vision
Sarah Ehrenreich, head of the Social Democrats of Dorvik was both critical of President Sera and the TNP as she sought to lay out an alternative and cooperative foreign policy vision at a recent international gathering of non governmental agencies (NGOs) in Fairfax.
Ehrenreich said "It is the height of irresponsibility to call into question the intentions of our neighbours right in the middle of state visits to these countries, of which we are in negotiations over friendship and in some cases mutual defence agreements with."
Dorvik for years has not had dialogue with other nations of Terra. Ehrenreich said "Adding nations that count us as friends, adding nations that promise peace, and adding other nations that promise mutual defence does not make us weaker. It makes us more secure as a nation."
"But an isolationist posture that imagines it can arm Dorvik to the teeth will make us less secure. If we are seen as a belligerent nation, one hostile to all, one armed with unthinkable weapons, other nations will feel the need to arm themselves to protect themselves against us."
"Dorvik will be seen as a rogue nation which needs to be contained." We ought to "add friends, be seen as a responsible nation that has good intentions for other nations". More friends and more good will towards us will make war less likely than the arms race proposed by the TNP.
Dorthee Soelle Visits Kalistan
Dorthee Soelle, foreign minister of Dorvik, met with Eduardo Chibas, foreign minister of Kalistan. They spent several days in Kaliburg, Ananto to hammer out the possibilities of a treaty or pact that can connect Kalistan and Dorvik together for peace.
Earlier that day, Soelle visited school children with Chibas in a tour of the country. Later they met with reporters and where Soelle told them that "Kalistan and Dorvik are one of the few nations which is free of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons. These common values are a basis for furthering possibilities for a peaceful future."
Dorthee Soelle Does a Tour of Nations
Dorthee Soelle, came out of retirement to become the new foreign minister for Dorvik. Her first focus has been to rebuild relations with our neighboring nations. She engaged in a whirlwind tour to build up the Artanian Continental Defence Cooperative Treaty. These nations include:
Aloria, Kirlawa, Rutania, Dundorf, Ikradon, Kundrati, Endralon, Gerajan Protectorates of Malivia, Davostan, Athlorcaea, and Telamon. "The need for nations to bind together so as to prevent the possibilities of war and to work for peace is critical now more than ever" Soelle said.
Asked about the clarification of the BCN Ban, she noted that she wanted to keep the door open to vaccines and medicine to help victims of such weapons and keep the door closed to biological, chemical, and nuclear weaponry Soelle told reporters when she came back to Dorvik.
SDD Retools Image; Looks to the Future
Sarah Ehrenreich expressed mix feelings about the recent elections in Dorvik. The SDD was the only party outside of the fascist Authentic People's Party to lose seats despite the great amount of legislative activity and success the SDD experienced in the last session.
Analysts believe that the stepping down of Dorthee Soelle who always remained popular in Dorvik, may have cut into SDD's appeal. Ehrenreich will be meeting with SDD leaders and activists in the next few months to work on retooling the way the party presents itself.
But "Clearly the centre left is in a very strong position with the dramatic growth of the Socialist Libertarian Party and we look forward to a possible coalition with them and the Greens to move Dorvik forward as a nation" Ehrenreich told reporters at a press conference.
Sarah Ehrenreich Elected
After several rounds of ballots the recent convention of the Social Democrats of Dorvik voted to elect Justice Minister Rep. Sarah Ehrenreich as party leader in the parliament and as the party's standard bearer for president. Sarah Ehrenreich expressed gratitude with the decision.
"Dorthee Soelle has left behind a grand legacy, with dramatic growth in parliament, with a history of legislative success that has remade Dorvik for the better, transforming the nation into a more peaceful and economically just society." Sarah Ehrenreich said.
"We will go into the next elections, confident with such a record as we make the case in every area of the country for building a centre left majority." Ehrenreich said at the convention. The announcement of support by the RGP and the SLP does a lot to buoy the SDD chances.
While Sarah Ehrenreich will be engaged in a listening tour in the next month, Soelle will finish her term out until January 2583. Then she takes on the role as good will ambassador for the SDD and it's relations with the Socialist International and other democratic left forces in Terra.
Dorthee Soelle Mulls Retirement
Dorthee Soelle, reflected on a tenure full of success. The SDD went from 0 seats to 66 seats, the Nuclear Chemical Weapons Ban passed , the transformation of Dorvik from a militarist stance to a peaceful stance, and an economy largely under democratic control.
There has been some discussion about a future successor going into the next elections and a lot of focus has been on the three current cabinet officers. In the meantime Soelle is looking forward to the rest of the session, getting things done for workers and for peace.
But Soelle will not be retiring soon from left politics. There's been some talk of her playing the role of international goodwill ambassador, working with the Socialist International, the Front for Popular Revolution and other left organizations world wide.
Social Democratic Legislative Victories
Dorthee Soelle, hailed the passage of a range of legislative victories, in particular the Nuclear Chemical Weapons Ban. Soelle mentioned that when she originally arrived in parliament this was the first piece of legislation that she proposed.
"For almost 11 years we have fought to join the community of nations that reject nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. Today is a sweet day for peace, for joining the community of nations that abhor weapons that are unthinkable and unusable." Soelle said.
Also the SDD has passed "social security, lowering the retirement age, increasing minimum income, ending mandatory military service, allowing for democratic worker councils, and protecting the right to strike. The victories have been breathaking"
Soelle noted the caucus is proposing a new set of reforms before the next elections. She expressed appreciation for "our left allies; Socialist Libertarian Party and the Revolutionary Green Party, whose proposals and support has made all these victories possible."
Social Democratic Gains
The Social Democrats of Dorvik more than doubled their seats in the House of Representatives from 30 to 66, securing a place in government for the first time. A press conference was held with Dorthee Soelle and the SDD members of the cabinet.
Rep. Ruth Ehrenreich, a civil rights attorney from Fairfax became head of Justice. Rep. Oscar Habermas, an environmentalist from Dorvan became head of Agriculture. Rep. Chris Weber, an urban activist, from Kordusia now heads Infrastructure and Transportation.
The SDD breakthrough means that "we've become leading a voice for the democratic left in Dorvik" Soelle said. She hopes that such a voice can make an impact on a government with such a broad diversity of thought and practice.
"While we disagree on a good number of things, all the parties in the coalition reject the racist politics of the Authentic People's Party" and "if we can form a coalition to shut out such hateful views from government, we've performed a good service," Soelle added.
Social Democrats Responds to Changes
Dorothee Soelle, head of the Social Democrats, recently spoke out on a broad range of topics as she mulled on the challenges facing the country of Dorvik. "The rise of the far right with an explicit racist platform is one of our top problems," she said.
Soelle noted that the failure of the government to deal with the economy in a way which addresses poverty, empowers worker democracy, and improves the lot of the many make people responsive to any party that can scapegoat their problems on others.
Soelle contended that the SDD legislative program was not simply a list of good ideas but the building block of a society that can reject messages of hate and prejudice. "The introduction of worker councils and measures to reduce the militarist posture of Dorvik are central," she said.
Soelle is optimistic about the coming elections. And she paid tribute to the successes of the Party of Social Reform which recently disbanded. That heritage" has a welcome home in the SDD" as she met with some former party members encouraging their support in the next elections.
Social Democratic Breakthrough
Dorthee Soelle, head of the Social Democrats, heralded the recent elections in Dorvik which saw the vote for the SDD increase by 1000% and the seating of 46 new members in the House of Representatives. She said "this is the social democratic moment."
"For the millions who entrusted their vote to us, the SDD will carry their clear call for moving Dorvik to a more democratic direction, one which embraces peace, civil liberties, human rights, workers rights, and ecological sustainability." Soelle said at the SDD election rally.
Soelle later met with the new legislative delegation as they convened on legislative priorities for the new session. They also discussed strategies to oppose the rise of a fascistic right in Dorvik. "Appeals to racial or other divides must be stopped" Soelle said.
