Outcry from SDP, Peace Activists over MikeBodwin Nuclear Bill

Popular outcry has broken out following the publishing of the Demarcian Nuclear Deterrent Act that was to be voted on today in a now cancelled Parliament session.

The Social Democratic Party officially raised its voice today against plans by President MikeBodwin to give Demarcia a nuclear deterrent in the form of nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

"This is an extremely risky move that jeopardises Demarcia's standing in the international community, as well as risks an armament race that Demarcia, as a smaller country, is bound to lose", said SDP secretary Penstubal, "World peace is threatened by Demarcia's nuclear armament. The Social Democratic Party will oppose the Demarcian Nuclear Deterrent Act and will hold action to raise public awareness of its dangerous effects, including a public rally".

Activists for peace have urged the Government to strongly reconsider the idea of passing the Demarcian Nuclear Deterrent Act, arguing that it would be an "enormously self-destructive move" in an era where "global tensions are running high".

"We don't need Demarcia to arm itself with nuclear warheads, we need a nuclear-free world!", said one particularly noisy peace activist, "We need to start putting the environment and life needs first above the interests of the military industrial complex!"

An official from the SDP claims that "the people of Demarcia do not support the acquisition of a nuclear deterrent. The Government has no right to do a drastic move like this without a popular mandate for it."

Asked whether the SDP would support holding a referendum on the matter, the SDP official said that "acquiring nuclear ICBMs is an extremely risky, extremely dangerous move. It jeopardises our national security and it threatens peace on the planet. We do not support the acquisition of ICBMs, under any circumstance. The fact that the public are not being consulted does say a lot about this government, however."

The date that the act is to be voted on has not yet been announced. However, with the CUP having a two-thirds majority in Parliament, it remains unlikely that the bill will be rejected, with its outcome possibly hinging on whether BusyHustler, a CUP member, supports it.

Jake Pauper,

Demarcian Inquirer.