Join the new world

Past the halfway mark of his term, President Erdoni scanned the pages of his local newspaper to learn of the final congressional results. His party, the centrist ÖIP, managed to secure a 40% plurality of the congress - an accomplishment, although Erdoni is quick to note that the political scene is rather subdued at the moment. “Parties here withstand against PTO attacks in the elections together, which I really like... [but] competition, some [good natured dialogue] would be nice, yes.” This sentiment, perhaps ironically, finds broad support.

Alex Lorre, Party President of the left leaning C.o.L.T - Austria’s second largest party - is another who agrees. “I would yes love to see an actual political scene! Politics are and always have been for me the best thing about this game,” he said. “I think if people had the time and drive to invest their efforts into a more active political scene they would see it is something that can bring loads more fun to this otherwise drab game.” He also echoes the sentiments about the values of cooperation. “Don't get me wrong I love how most members of all the parties are always willing to work together for the best interests of the nation, but I want to see some debate and stances taken on what that ‘best interest’ is.”

Foreign Policy

One area with burgeoning disagreements on what is best, is foreign policy - where two strains are beginning to emerge with regards to the longstanding “Good Neighbor Doctrine” employed by Austria. “We need to have friendly and cooperative relations with our neighbours to survive and play a more enjoyable game,” Erdoni said, noting recent help given to Czechoslovakia against PTOers trying to break their union, as well as strategic swaps.

Alex Lorre is also supportive of the doctrine - although perhaps not the application of it. “I think [the Good Neighbor Doctrine] gives us a source of pride not many other nations can claim. It shows we are genuinely devoted to neutrality and playing as more than just ego whores,” he said. “That being said I think we may be passing over the line of being friendly and being subservient. Not fully yet, but it seems to be a direction I foresee in our future if we don't take some stands soon... We must be vigilant against looking too ready to please.”

Tax Reform

While foreign policy begins to see some fissures, there has been broad agreement on tax policies. After several months of maintaining the same rates, most agreed they were in need of revision - and one of Erdoni’s first acts as president was to enact just this. “You know ATS value has increased because of the [recent] RWs, we even saw 1 ATS = 0.005 gold,” he said “And foreign investors also made use of it with their licences cause admin's buyer bot is very active in Austria.”

Erdoni worked with congress, incuding Alex Lorre, to put together the program that raised import taxes. “In fact, I helped convince President Erdoni of the need to make them at 30% instead of 25%,” Alex Lorre notes. “Import taxes help us keep our business local and keep company owners in nations that are already better off from using our citizens to their advantage, stealing away money from our country and into theirs. Just like in real life, it's a good thing to support local business so that the community can prosper.” Whether support for high rates will remain as the ATS value declines, remains to be seen.

Changing Seasons

As the summer begins to wind down, more have begun to return back to Austria - increasing the chances of a more energized political dialogue. Looking forward, Alex Lorre has hopes for an expansion of state companies. “I would love us to have national companies to mass produce supplies for our citizens, and then sell the excess on foreign markets,” he said. As for Erdoni, he hopes humor will have a place, even in a more politically active Austria. “Funny articles are my favourites, probably one of the most enjoyable part of eRepublik for me.“ It seems we will all see what is to come, as the seasons change.