"My countrymen, my fellow Melizeans. Today I am here to announce that I, Diego Alejandro Saavedra, will be campaigning to become the president of our great nation! I believe that through my experience first hand as an infantryman, as an officer, and as a politician, I will be able to bring across reforms to bring our nation fully into the spotlight of the modern day world! I will end our dependency on tourism as a source for the economy. I will make our state into the strength that it was meant to be and cast away these shackles that continue to decay our state! Know that Diego Alejandro Saavedra will make Melizea into a country to be once more proud of! For Melizea!"

- April 2nd, 2020, Diego Saavedra

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Diego Alejandro Saavedra, having been a politician within Melizea for nearly four years had decided to run for the office of president of Melizea in April of 2020. He had promised to bring about reforms to the nations schooling and to make Melizea into something more than a failed patrol state, while other vague promises had been made, it was stated that he was acting as many others would have in the opening portion of the Melizean election cycle. However, there was not much that Diego could do other than propose promises to the people, though, the people were not his sole target as he knew the Melizean system was far from being truly democratic. Instead, Diego would do what many would do in the coming election, vie for control of the prominent political figures so that they would agree to put him in charge of being president.

At the time, it was uncertain how the other prominent figures of Melizea would take to an unstable militant, known for harsh punishments as an officer within the army and known to push his men in order to meet goals that did not seem realistic to achieve. However, given his place within the society, with the unofficial backing of the Saavedra Cartel, who had remained largely silent during the opening of the 2020 elections, Diego had the money and means in order to properly run for presidency. However, it was no guarantee within the ever shifting geopolitical landscape of Melizea, the presidency would very easily be able to swap hands through bribery or other promises between other nominees. That was what campaigning within Melizea simply was like, a world of bribery and corruption to become the leader of a military junta in the guise of a republic.

“A nation needs a strong leader, a nation with a week leader its history will end there

Marcela took deep breaths before stepping on the podium, she was already accustomed with the lights and the people she was about to give a speech, so she needed time to relax for a moment as she took deep breaths, behind the stage she heard someone say “Its time” She opened her eyes a flaming glow could easily, be seen on her amber eyes, she took a small look at her pendant, that her father gave to her she rose and walked over entering the podium.

As she stepped up in the podium to the cheering crowds and as she approached the microphones of the stadium she smiled and waved at the people as she approached the podium she then said to the crowd to hear with confidence and energy on her voice. “Brothers and sisters of Melizea our nation, still lives in poverty and in the grip corruption, that still chains our country and due to that, I Marcela Linhares candidate myself to presidency together brothers and sisters we shall walk united against the corruption of our nation and its backwardness follow me brothers and sisters and I shall end this grip of the cartels into our government and make our nation once again a reason for us to be proud of! For Melizae!”

It was a gamble, ‘the dice were cast’ like Cesar said when he crossed the river, on a march towards Rome for Marcela it was the same, she wished to reform the nation she didn’t care what people, might say its a herculean task true be told, but she can easily deal with that she already knows how the politics of the nation works and sometimes you have to get your hands dirty to be precise she more worried about the elections the chances of victory could be high or slim it all depended if the chess game worked well the problem that she most likely would face is the Cartels she knows she would have good allies but also enemies on the way like Cesar the dice has been cast.

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking, who made the problems in the first place”

Trough the weeks of political campaigning Marcela went through the countryside and cities of Melizae and its regions spreading her word trough her slogan “Glory to Melizae! Glory to our Heroes!” It might sound simple yet powerful a word of national pride for the nation a nation that has been famed for fighting invaders since independence and fighting against tyranny a way to put herself to the same pantheon of heroes who fought against the same tyrants who tried to oppress Melizae smart true be told. Albeit she didn’t have many funds it was her skills to raise funds trough.

Marcela was from the military so she had the support of the army during the campaign especially in the “Dangerous” of places to be near the Cartel controlled regions albeit some campaign managers urged her not to go to such places due to the possibility of falling into danger but she had to courage to go especially in the final days of the campaign she thought it would be much better.

After the day finally arrived and she voted her followers also voted with her after taking a moment for herself she said “Well now is the decision of they” as she picked a paper of a report from the region she smug for a moment on her moment alone and said “Your turn.” she then put the paper away.

While Joseph is a quiet man who handles issues behind the scenes. He still carries a large shadow and holds quite a sway in politics, and determining the outcomes of major events. Including the presidential election and while he wouldn’t come out publicly to announce whom he supports. His words carry weight and he’s expressed his support privately to many influential men and women. As well as using threats of blackmail to make sure his candidate is elected. His favored choice is of course none other than Diego Alejandro Saavedra. While a bit of an unstable man, the views of diego aligned closer to Joseph then the other candidate.

"Yes I considered running for president but both Diego and Marcela are great candidates. I would hate to dampen the progress either one of them has made." Alonso sipping on a bottle of water as he awaited the next question.

"Since you aren't running, who are you backing? Your own following would surely want to know." The young woman asked fixing her glasses. Her eyes staring at the man curiously but there was an undertone in her voice he knew distinctly.

Being one of the top politicians bought by the oil company. So his backing also would also bring the oil companies to the fold. The decision was infuriating but patience was a virtue. "Perhaps later I could have an answer for you." It was clear that Alonso and the young reporter weren't going to be talking much later on.

"You will be the first to know who I choose though." Alonso watched the woman walk out, his sight fixated on the woman as she walked out.

He wasn't choosing yet but both candidates we're viable but who exactly? He didn't know yet but he would wait. He wasn't gonna be on a sinking ship. He wanted the winner and that's the side he would be on the winning side.

"Hahahaha, what are you waiting for! Get those men in the streets, it is time for our parade." Said Rodrigo, he had made preparations for his soldiers to march at dawn in one of the larger cities of the city of Melizea, of course, soldiers marching out of their barracks had been the common sight of a possible coup'd'etat in past times but today was a special day, it was the day of the fallen of a long-forgotten battle that ended up in pyrrhic victory for Melizea but nonetheless a holiday and as such, it was the perfect excuse to get his soldiers out of the barracks and make them wave the flag of not only Melizea but also the party flag of no other than Marcela Linhares Lópes. The candidate he kindly supported, after all, Rodrigo was a man of the military and also a progressive quite the strange man for a Melizean general. But he supported her mostly because of her military background, she could be a firm hand on the government and the corruption that plagued the country.

His soldiers began to march, the sound of their boots and their singing of "Order, Democracy and Punishment." A song that basically spoke about those three values, order for the nation. Democracy for the people and punishment for the wrongdoers. If he could, Velasquez would just shoot at the corrupt elements of Melizea but well things couldn't be so easy now could they? He then got on top of his horse and lead the march into the city, followed by a small contingent of Marcela's party that cheered and supported the march, enough for the media to get a few good pictures of him and the march. Portraying his support for the platform of Marcela.

For every passing moment, he looked more like a caudillo than a general of a modern army. But well what was the fun in staying in the office and not going outside, making the largest fuss about your preferred candidate? If she won, then he was certain that he could level some influence into possible changes in the Melizean Republic.

"It is my honor to take up the mantle of President of Melizea, and as such, I take the responsibility of making this nation into something to marvel at! I take the responsibility of making our streets a better place, giving our children the lives that they deserve, and keeping the peace of our nation!"

-Excerpt of President Saavedra's inauguration

The newly made Melizean President would go on to deliberate about how to best fill the numerous cabinet potions within the government, having to choose representatives carefully as to not incite guerrillas who sought their own say in the government. As such, President Saavedra would incorporate those who had opposed him during the election process, even the one who had run against him, however, none were given positions of ministers. The positions he did assign were important nonetheless and those who had announced their support for Saavedra had received higher positions as to maintain a dominance over what policies would be enacted and how they would be implemented throughout his years as president. This movement would be refereed to as "Gobierno Leal", keeping the government in a state of keeping overal compliance with Saavedra.

With this "Gobierno Leal", Saavedra would present the cabinet with his initial budget, which would be overall balanced with more going to the Minister of Transport with the idea to begin improving the national infrastructure. Yet, it was still up for the cabinet to vote on whether or not this initial budget would be passed.

Joseph smiled as he sat down, for he was once again in his natural habitat. Of course his new president was in charge, in Joseph’s mind he had done the hard and dirty work and he was rewarded as he knew he would be. His mind was calm and collected as usual and he called for his deputy secretary to enter.

Within minutes his deputy secretary of security, Antonio Gonzales entered with a briefcase filled with files and reports. He also had a copy of the budget to show Joseph “Secretary Hernandez, I’d say welcome back but we both know you never really left. Nothing’s changed with our department, however our new President has already proposed a budget.” - Antonio set down the budget in front of Joseph - “ While it was unusual that they didn’t wait to see what we or the other departments requested. Our analysts believe that the two billion submitted for our department should be enough to do what we need to do. However the President suggested providing additional money to the Minister of Transport and they believe that’s far greater than needed. I would suggest bringing this up to them. But otherwise everything seems suitable.”

Joseph nodded slowly looking over the budget, specifically his security budget. 2 billion gave him options. However he had spoken to the other ministers about their budget concerns. While he didn’t agree with the budget given amount with each ministry. He wasn’t going to upset the new president after he just gave him his job back. “We’ll approve this budget. There is no reason for us not to, but perhaps next time we can edit it. To fill it out more accordingly. Now let’s see the briefcase, what chaos needs to be put down today.”

Easing himself into the armchair, Hernandez takes a look around his new office. It is kinda barren, a small pot of plant in the corner. The wooden table, with its edges chiseled and cover by a layer of polyester. The curtains are thick and the air dampens with the signature smell of inks and paper in stacks of cardboard boxes. Mustard color rugs to go with the white light. No pencils or pens save for the one in his pockets. [i] Absolutely horrendous. [i]

To be honest, Hernandez had never like the "democracy" thing. Just when he is about to figure about the President then bada bing bada boom, someone else is going up. And usually, it is not some no-name without brain either. Like why? If they all want to seize control of the government, just do it already. Spare him of moving his stuff over and over. And who hired these Malizeans architectures? Like he can even design this room better than those clowns.

"Sir, here is our new budget for this year." Said the woman dresses in red as she gave Hernandez a single sheet of paper.

And it doesn't take Hernandez very long to realize a problem in this sheet.

"Where is our budget?" He asked the woman. "Like I won't going to fund the whole department from my own bank account again." He grumbled before handling the sheets back to the woman. "Tell them that just because our department is run by a rich guy doesn't mean they don't allocate any resources to us."

"And give me a line to each department." He yelled out to her as she passed through the doorway, his eyes marveled at the woman's curve and her every movement.

It was logistics, that was his game now. Alonso could get used to this position of power, his office though could use some serious redecorating. He hung his navy blue suit jacket around his chair before he sat down. It was time to get to work, exhaling a single breath before using the intercom.

"Would you be a doll and get me our budget and a cup of coffee. Thank you, Rosa." Calling out to his 'gifted' secretary.

"Here you go Mr. Terjedor." She came in with both of the items he had asked for.

"Thank you, my dear. Please call me Alonso." While his eyes traveled along the body. He gave her a nod. "That will be all."

Opening up the fiscal budget and had eyed what had been given to him. Aye three billion, a substantial sum. In reality, if he had the entire budget he wouldn't be able to do much. It was most likely the most any minister had gotten, so he would make do with what he had.

As he sipped on his coffee Alonso was about to prepare to start when Rosa has paged him. "Sir Mr. Ortis is on the phone shall I connect you?"

"Yes, thank you." He replied back.

His eyes peered over what needed his attention as the line connected to Hernandez's office. "Hernandez, this Alonso what do you need." Sipping on his coffee once more.

So, Ferdinand Gasol had been given a job! He thought to himself as he exited the jeep and walked up the steps to his office in a nondescript grey concrete building. The sizzling hot air of the airfield along with the fumes of aircraft hung in the air behind it.

Against all the odds Presidente Saavedra had positioned him as General of the Airforce. This filled him with hope, courage and optimism for the future. It was a shame about the drugs though. Drugs filled the streets and encouraged the youth to turn to a life of crime to help fill their addiction instead of having shining careers in the Melizean Army, -in OUR Army-
Ferdinand didn’t know of any way to communicate his feelings to the new President. And what difference would it make, the youth were still choosing drugs. And there in lay the conundrum, it was a war that Ferdinand didn't know how to fight, because it wasn't conducted on the national level, but in the hearts and minds of every youth of the country. And there in lay the problem, they were left defenceless, on their own, naked.

Ferdinand finished walking up the stairwell to the top floor of his office. He liked to do that to stay fit. He bid hello to his secretary and writing pool as he unlocked his office. It was still a hot day inside and all the fans were on but barely keeping pace. Ferdinands office didn't have air-con but he had personally bought his own mini-fridge. He took out an ice cool water and uncapped it. He took a long drag of it to help clear his thoughts. Time to go to work.

He had lists of equipment that needed approval of the Secretary of Defence, and lists of names of paratroopers to be recommended to the elite “Jaguar Commandos”. That was what he had, an army on paper. Until he actually received his budget, on paper it would stay. And paper doesn't march anywhere. He needed fuel, and a steady supply of it. Without it nothing will fly and we’ll be sitting ducks. But what he wanted was some Hind helicopters. The men to pilot it he could train from anywhere, personally if need be. But for now he would have to wait until the Secretary of Defence finished preparing her office. Isabella Cortez, he knew very little about her really other than he liked the name. Her early life was a mystery. She had forcefully taken charge of a Cartel. So she was brave, but reckless? With a deathwish? Who knew where her loyalties really lay? Well one thing was for sure, she worked for El Presidente Saavedra. The DEMOCRATICALLY elected El Presidente Saavedra. Just like the rest of us.
Ferdinand was most concerned about the fuel supply. Without a steady supply and maybe even an emergency stockpile, nothing but the most -absolutely- vital of missions could be completed. Then Ferdinand took out a leaf from his copy of his recommendation paper “I know how to make you fly”. His paper aeroplane sailed across his office room and bonked against a book shelf.

Admiral of the navy, what a boring job. The navy of Melizea was nothing more than a few frigates put together and called a "fleet", truly this was some sort of punishment for supporting the wrong candidate. Psshhh, well Rodrigo would still take his job seriously. He meet with the crews of each of the ships of the navy and made sure to know them well. Inviting the captains into dinner parties with his other military friends, more often than not just looking at those small ships in the ocean wondering if with the next president he would have better luck.

Regardless, when the budget of the government came. It was quite clear that not enough had been spent on national defense, too much on niceties overseas and too much on transportation, the Melizean navy needed destroyers, perhaps one day carriers!! Who knew, but not wishing to antagonize the president or at least not just yet. He sent his approval to the president with a large "AYE"

Being back in the capital in this capacity was weird he never thought he would be called back to service but when the men came to take to swear him in as one of the Generals that would preside in this new regime he didn't resist. The calling was answered and once he became accustomed to the politics that he once served as a Major things didn't seem too bad. His son Rodrigo Jr took over his company while he was gone but one of the biggest issue he would ever face would be approving a budget in the Melizean government. The papers came across his desk as the budget for the Presidents came by. A swift aye was sent up the chain of command as he made himself busy - to deal with signs of what was to come.

Marcela sited on a room smoking a cigar she wasn’t upset about the election more thinking of what to do she was at her new room leading one the armies of the nation something she almost did reach this office on the days of the guerrilla war as she smoked someone knocked on her door she extinguished the cigar and then said “Come in” while leaning on the desk the though on her head of following orders from Isabella shortly passed through her head a odd feeling of fear since she was the head of a Cartel she then sighted.

A girl entered saying “Madam I bring a report of the situation” she approached Marcela and put it on her table Marcela glossed over it reading it as she glossed it was the budget Marcela still hold sway in many things she then said after taking a look “Aye” the Assistant then said as she took the report “But haven’t you campaigned against the man who proposed this?” Marcela then took a look and then said as she picked another cigar “I don’t need to oppose everything from him”

The next Ministry was the Ministry of Energy, tasked with keeping Melizea's lights on. The three major power stations across Melizea were all Oil fired, and fully stocked. This was a precarious situation, as failure to keep the citizen's televisions and radio's running would be a shortcut to riots and looting. [2020 Budget: $4 Billion]

One of the most important industries was the Ministry of Transport, where nationalized resources would be carted around to the various hubs that were required. Without a strong transport infrastructure, the abundant petrol resources of Melizea would be literally sucking and wasting away.

Following the internal ministries was the Foreign Ministry, whose sole job was moving abroad and negotiating deals. Simple enough, but few understood how many mouths to be fed and paychecks to be had were dependent on the success of the Foreign Minister. Following the Foreign Ministry was the military, slow to move and slower to react. The last to act was the President, whose job it was to delegate and politic.

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Due to COVID 19 scares in the Far East, the price of oil is precipitously perilous and many economists are afraid it could dip further any second. Economic advisors to President Saavedra are pleading with him to sell oil while the going is good, but the Arkanian Republic to the North has reached out to the Melizea requesting them sell any oil they would be willing to part with in exchange for Construction Materials at a ratio of two to one! The decision of course, would be in President Saavedra's hands.
- Sell the Oil!: Any Oil at a Dock at the end of 2020 will sell for $5 per 1 Resource automatically.
- Trade with Arkania: Any Oil that crosses the border into Arkania will be replaced with 2 Construction Materials that will be placed at the nearest Melizean town.

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Balruba has long been a nuisance to the white sandy beaches of Southeast Melizea. Reports of small Balruban smugglers crisscrossing the waves between Balruba and the Melizean coast smuggling drugs and illegal 'solicitors' was becoming more and more common. The President needed to do something by delegating responsibility, of course there was the other option:
- Delegate to the Minister of Security.
- Delegate to the Minister of Defense.
- Ignore: [See PM for effects.]
- RESOLVED: When Balruban Smugglers (Fighting Strength 0) are destroyed or apprehended either in the Sea or on Land.

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[Players may now send in their actions. A government that does not work together will not remain stable for long.]
[Players receive +1 Action if their Orders are accompanied by an IC post.]
[Order in which Ministry Actions Occur]
- Minister of Security
- Ministry of Industry & Production
- Ministry of Energy
- Ministry of Transport
- Ministry of Defense
- Foreign Ministry
- Generals & Admirals
- President