The 2015 General Election in the High Kingdom of Itherae were--given the political makeup of Itherae--fairly modest. In the Upper Assembly, totaling 50 members plus an Assembly Speaker was given dominated by the Royal Party of Itherae, who held 22 seats in government. The Nationalist Party won 14 seats and just behind them were the classical liberal Freedom Alliance.
Election of the Upper Assembly, July, 2015. Royal Party, Nationalist Party, Labour Party and Freedom Alliance
In the People's Assembly, the results were similar with the Royal Party claiming 126 seats with the Nationalist Party only garnering 76 seats. Elections in July, 2018 however would be a giant opportunity for either party to seize the initiative.
Election of the People's Assembly, September, 2017. Royal Party, Nationalist Party, Labour Party and Freedom Alliance
Serving since July 2015, Prime Minister Konstantinos Rallis of the Royal Party has maintained an approval rating of 54%. Geographical tensions with neighboring Thecia have gone unsolved and the Nationalist Party claim Rallis' Thecian lineage (his family having emigrated in the 1940's to Itherae) are the reason. Similarly economic pressure from both Radena and Central Euranian neighbors to create a "Itheraen Grain & Oil Highway" continue to come in from seemingly every angle.
Approval: 54% Head of State: King Milos Alexandros II (47) Head of Government: Prime Minister Konstantinos Rallis (55) Capital: Thermydon Population: 9,780,000 GDP: $306,760,000,000 GDP Per Capita: $31,370
Cabinet of the Rallis Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Archemorus Totos [0 Corruption] Ministry of Defense: Feodor Kallis [0 Corruption] Ministry of Justice: Dekle Apostolos [0 Corruption] Ministry of the Interior: Christian Ladas [0 Corruption] Ministry of Natural Resources: Chruse Petrous [0 Corruption] Ministry of Finance: Panteleimon Roussos [0 Corruption] Ministry of Education: Cephalus Laskaris [0 Corruption] Ministry of Public Works: Ambrus Costas [0 Corruption] Ministry of Health: Panagiotis Toles [0 Corruption] Ministry of Trade & Commerce: Cleobis Collias [0 Corruption] Ministry of Communication: Anasztaz Georgiadis [0 Corruption] Ministry of Transportation: Sotiris Zervos [0 Corruption] Ministry of Energy: Adrian Maragos [0 Corruption] Ministry of Labor: Icos Anastas [0 Corruption]
Euranian League Member: Yes (Joined 1977) Eura: No Common Zone Member: No
World Enclave Member of the Defense Council: No Temporary Member of the Defense Council: Yes (2018 to 2020)
Itheraen capitol of Thermydon, 2018
Fusan
The general election of members of the House of Representatives (Fusanese: 第48回衆議院議員総選挙 Hepburn: dai-yonjūhachikai Shūgiin giin sōsenkyo) took place on September 1st 2017. Turnout was 54.5% and saw the former opposition party Kinkoukai, The Balance Party win a single seat majority in the House of Representatives against the former Conservative Coalition Party, which has held a supramajority for the last 12 years.
Fusanese Election of 2017, Kinkoukai and Conservative Coalition Party
The Fusanese administration under Kinkoukai president Tokugawa Kunimatsu (2014-) is now entering his second term with an approval rate of 51%. Fighting a stagnating economy and a health care system that has experienced rampant corruption but has largely helped fund overt lobbyist schemes to win the loyalty of elected officials, the Kunimatsu government seeks to right a ship that many have seen sinking since 2014. With Radenan influence in Faresia growing, the Kunimatsu government has failed to take an honest accounting or whether they will align with Radena, Meung or find their own path in the world.
Approval: 51% Head of State: President Tokugawa Kunimatsu (59) Head of Government: President Tokugawa Kunimatsu (59) Population: 119,125,000 Capital: Sakido GDP: $5,090,250,000,000 GDP Per Capita: $42,730
Cabinet of the Kunimatsu Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Wakamura Naoya [0 Corruption] Ministry of Defense: Koga Munenori [0 Corruption] Ministry of Justice: Hamasaki Tsuramatsu [0 Corruption] Ministry of the Interior: Kondo Doppo [0 Corruption] Ministry of Natural Resources: Yoshizawa Tadao [0 Corruption] Ministry of Finance: Haruno Masamichi [0 Corruption] Ministry of Education: Hironaka Hidemichi [0 Corruption] Ministry of Public Works: Takayama Daisuke [0 Corruption] Ministry of Health: Yamamoto Tsugiharu [0 Corruption] Ministry of Trade & Commerce: Kamei Kagehisa [0 Corruption] Ministry of Communication: Okano Yoshimochi [0 Corruption] Ministry of Transportation: Hoashi Akikazu [0 Corruption] Ministry of Energy: Hora Hitomaro [0 Corruption] Ministry of Labor: Iwamoto Kageyasu [0 Corruption]
Euranian League Member: Ineligible Eura: Ineligible Common Zone Member: Ineligible
World Enclave Member of the Defense Council: Yes Temporary Member of the Defense Council: Permanent Member
Fusanese capital, Sakido, 2018
Common Republic of Melizea
Anticipated elections in 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017 have been "halted" due to rampant economic and social issues present in Melizea. Hunger in 2017 alone killed nearly 13,000 people while the Partido de Uniformidad Nacional continues to hold unmitigated power in the government under President Xavier Resende, who has been president since 1997.
Revolts and protests remain the norm, often in direct conflict with the Melizean Federal Police and Melizean National Army, which remains well funded under President Resende. Failure to continue to develop necessary infrastructure and industries. That being said, President Resende's approval rating remains at "94%".
Approval: "94%" Head of State: President Xavier Resende (77) Head of Government: President Xavier Resende (77) Population: 26,440,000 Capital: Páez GDP: $171,795,000,000 GDP Per Capita: $6,497
Cabinet of the Resende Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Roberto Caetano [0 Corruption] Ministry of Defense: Felipe Matos [0 Corruption] Ministry of Justice: Xavier Resendes [0 Corruption] Ministry of the Interior: Ricardo Queiroz [0 Corruption] Ministry of Natural Resources: Maximiliano Saldanha [0 Corruption] Ministry of Finance: Evaristo Gama [0 Corruption] Ministry of Education: Gualberto Braga [0 Corruption] Ministry of Public Works: Ernesto Rocha [0 Corruption] Ministry of Health: Camilo Magalhães [0 Corruption] Ministry of Trade & Commerce: Eustaquio Bandeira [0 Corruption] Ministry of Communication: Zeferino de Lima [0 Corruption] Ministry of Transportation: Josué Montenegro [0 Corruption] Ministry of Energy: Tiburcio Vaz [0 Corruption] Ministry of Labor: Bento Coimbra [0 Corruption]
Euranian League Member: Ineligible Eura: Ineligible Common Zone Member: Ineligible
World Enclave Member of the Defense Council: No Temporary Member of the Defense Council: Temporary Member (2018-2020)
United Republic of Calloway
The United Republic of Calloway is an island nation in Eastern Eurania, boasting one of the largest economies in the world. One of only two nations still retaining sovereignty over former colonial territories now referred to as "departments," Calloway has a deep and enriched history of colonialism. In the 21st century, Calloway has slipped from the apex of a top three economy now just out of the top five. With an electorate that seems poised to continually hing back and forth, the 2016 General Election saw the liberal Labour Front against the Movement for a Better Calloway party.
Callian General Election 2016, Labour Front, Movement for a Better Calloway, Christian Alliance, Party for Callian Traditions, Callian Nationalist Party
The Everett Government was formed with the Labour Front and Christian Alliance, earning a slim majority for a government. Calloway's refusal to grant independence to it's overseas department has created some consternation in the international community, with even fellow Euranian League members calling for economic sanctions until the issue is resolved. A dilapidated military has also seen Calloway's Republican Navy go from first to fourth in size, with an equal drop in quality. Similarly, skyrocketing debt has caused some concern of an international economic crisis.
Approval: 48% Head of State: President Samantha Everett (61) Head of Government: President Samantha Everett (61) Population: 66,590,000 Capital: Southton GDP: $2,611,250,000,000 GDP Per Capita: $39,213
Cabinet of the Everett Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Simon Faro [0 Corruption] Ministry of Defense: Robert Donovan [0 Corruption] Ministry of Justice: Llewelyn Sommers [0 Corruption] Ministry of the Interior: Malcolm Cywell [0 Corruption] Ministry of Natural Resources: Matthew Crandt [0 Corruption] Ministry of Finance: Susan Faust [0 Corruption] Ministry of Education: Raymond Sester [0 Corruption] Ministry of Public Works: Franklin Smith [0 Corruption] Ministry of Health: David Black [0 Corruption] Ministry of Trade & Commerce: Aaron Denton [0 Corruption] Ministry of Communication: Edwin Calpert [0 Corruption] Ministry of Transportation: Greg Sicar [0 Corruption] Ministry of Energy: Mario Chalmers [0 Corruption] Ministry of Labor: Peter Canter [0 Corruption]
Euranian League Member: Yes Eura: Yes Common Zone Member: No
World Enclave Member of the Defense Council: Yes Temporary Member of the Defense Council: Permanent Member
Federal States of Samgola
The Federal States of Samgola has seen the right-wing nationalist party of Samgola Dawn in power since 1995, following the Liberal Democrats and Democratic Alliance for Reform following out after the end of the First Samgolan Civil War. The Second Samgolan Civil War was survived when elements of the Lord's Army received Euranian League backing as well as from surrounding nations. President Jasura Hervit has since served as president for 23 years and has summarily seen the raise of the Samgola Dawn Paramilitary, the trial and execution of Samuel Bassong for crimes against the state and the complete annihilation of the Lord's Army--albeit with "unlawful military force."
Following the 2016 General Elections, Samgola Dawn has won 200 seats in the modified General Assembly, meaning the opposition has zero presence in the government.
Approval: 33% Head of State: President Jasura Hervit (81) Head of Government: President Jasura Hervit (81) Population: 144,560,000 Capital: Kamidye GDP: $857,096,240,000 GDP Per Capita: $5,929
Cabinet of the Hervit Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs: David Oluwaseun (we thank God)[0 Corruption] Ministry of Defense: Matthew Oluwakemi [0 Corruption] Ministry of Justice: Henry Olayemi [0 Corruption] Ministry of the Interior: Samuel Oluwadamilare [0 Corruption] Ministry of Natural Resources: Mathhew Omotanwa [0 Corruption] Ministry of Finance: Simon Adebimpe [0 Corruption] Ministry of Education: Edmund Olorunyomi [0 Corruption] Ministry of Public Works: Harry Akanni [0 Corruption] Ministry of Health: Olawunmi [0 Corruption] Ministry of Trade & Commerce: Malcolm Kolawole [0 Corruption] Ministry of Communication: Abiola Babatope [0 Corruption] Ministry of Transportation: David Ejoor [0 Corruption] Ministry of Energy: Nelson Effiong [0 Corruption] Ministry of Labor: Emmanuel Essien [0 Corruption]
Euranian League Member: Ineligible Eura: Ineligible Common Zone Member: Ineligible
World Enclave Member of the Defense Council: No Temporary Member of the Defense Council: Yes (2018-2020)
Kingdom of Aontas
Aontas is a Marnish nation, situated in Northern Eurania and is one of the longest held independent states in Euranian history. Sharing cultural, linguistic and ethnic ties with Marnland, Yorvigir, and to a lesser extent the Memoitals. Maintaining a decidedly traditionalist ideology in the world, Aontas’ retains its constitutional monarchy in the modern day. The GDP per capita in the Marnish territories are some of the highest in the world, where the welfare state reigns.
With nearly non-existent military spending, the Aontans retain a defensive all volunteer army, an air force of Euranian purchased strike aircraft and a half dozen coastal ships. An uncompetitive economy paired with raising unemployment for both youth and “post work” adults (those who have effectively retired, thus taking from the system but no longer contributing) have begun to put a strain on the Aontan way of life.
Location of Aontas in Eurania
The politics of Aontas take place in the framework of a parliamentary representative democratic constitutional monarchy. Executive power is exercised by the Council of State, the cabinet, led by the Prime Minister of Aontas. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the legislature, the Tortinget, elected within a multi-party system. The judiciary is independent of the executive branch and the legislature. A parliamentary election was held in Aontas on 11 September 2017. The conservative-centrist coalition lead by the Nasjonalt Konservativt Parti (NKP) retained a slim majority of 91 seats along with the Agrariska Partiet i Aontas (APA).
This coalition allowed Prime Minister Hugo Saugstad to remain in power, earning a second term as Head of Government of Aontas.
Approval: 71% Head of State: King Haakon Igsved (61) Head of Government: Prime Minister (55) Population: 6,251,000 Capital: Kienne GDP: $381,650,000,000 GDP Per Capita: $61,054
Cabinet of the Saugstad Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Kristian Aarrestad [0 Corruption] Ministry of Defense: Andre Kaasa [0 Corruption] Ministry of Justice: Karl Onstad [0 Corruption] Ministry of the Interior: Ingar Kildahl [0 Corruption] Ministry of Natural Resources: Mads Reiten [0 Corruption] Ministry of Finance: Sveinung Bratvold [0 Corruption] Ministry of Education: Trond Stava [0 Corruption] Ministry of Public Works: Ulrik Berven [0 Corruption] Ministry of Health: Sigve Skagen [0 Corruption] Ministry of Trade & Commerce: Eirik Aarseth [0 Corruption] Ministry of Communication: Roald Sether [0 Corruption] Ministry of Transportation: Odin Engebretsen [0 Corruption] Ministry of Energy: Aleksander Westgard [0 Corruption] Ministry of Labor: Robert Oldervik [0 Corruption]
Euranian League Member: Yes Eura: No Common Zone Member: Yes
World Enclave Member of the Defense Council: No Temporary Member of the Defense Council: Yes (2018-2020)
Grand Survaek Commonwealth
The Grand Survaek Commonwealth is a is a unitary, formerly presidential constitutional monarchy which adopted a parliamentary system with a referendum in 2012; the new system came into effect with the presidential election in 2013. Survaek's current administration headed by prime minister of Huj Bolu of the United Socialist Survaekom Party has enacted measures to increase the influence of socialism in the Known World, reversed and undermined capitalist policies, and has reversed earlier reforms such as freedom of the press.
The Survaekom Senate has 151 seats, of which hold elections every five years. A unicameral legislature has allowed the USSP to maintain power through gerrymandering since gaining power in 1992.
The Survaek Commonwealth maintains its monarchy under Emperor Vokoryn III Khaitis, though his power is largely arbitrated through the Survaekom Senate. Khaitis has been the reigning monarch since 1975. Survaek is a land abundant with natural resources marred by a population that with illiterate, uneducated and bolstered by instances of regional tribalism, giving Survaek the name of the “Patchwork State” by Euranian contemporaries. Additionally, Survaek is not a member of the Euranian League.
Survaek is the only nation to have territory in both Eurania and Serranthia, due as well to ownership of the Myur-Haeyez Canal. The Survaekom serranthia territories are less populated but similarly home to some of the most abundant natural resources. The Myur-Haeyez Canal is an immense source of trade for Survaek, encountering nearly $40,000,000,000 in trade ever year. Outside of the Internan Sea, a merchant ship would have to go around the Serranthian continent to get its goods to Faresia or the Hadjeb sub-continent.
The Survaekom Army, Navy and Air Force have state mandated one year conscription services to attempt to create a more singular state identity among it’s multitude of ethnic populations. This has led the Survaekom armed forces to be among the largest in Eurania, spending nearly 4% of it’s national GDP on the armed forces.
Survaek's upcoming elections in April, 2018 will set the future of the nation.
Approval: 43% Head of State: Emperor Vokoryn III Khaitis (78) Head of Government: Prime Minister Huj Bolu (62) Population: 84,225,000 Capital: GDP: $2,090,000,000,000 GDP Per Capita: $24,814
Cabinet of the Boju Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Aytok Turkoglu [0 Corruption] Ministry of Defense: Ozen Onarici [0 Corruption] Ministry of Justice: Serkan Unsal [0 Corruption] Ministry of the Interior: Ergun Erkin [0 Corruption] Ministry of Natural Resources: Dolunay Tozlu [0 Corruption] Ministry of Finance: Doru Aktuna [0 Corruption] Ministry of Education: Aksunar Toraman [0 Corruption] Ministry of Public Works: Baskurt Aras [0 Corruption] Ministry of Health: Yolac Erol [0 Corruption] Ministry of Trade & Commerce: Vedat Tatli [0 Corruption] Ministry of Communication: Ilham Saka [0 Corruption] Ministry of Transportation: Aydemir Ozmen [0 Corruption] Ministry of Energy: Kuzey Ozhan [0 Corruption] Ministry of Labor: Bener Kaymak [0 Corruption]
Euranian League Member: No Eura: No Common Zone Member: No
World Enclave Member of the Defense Council: No Temporary Member of the Defense Council: Yes (2018-2020)
Announcements for the 2022 Sporte Internationale are made. An event of monumental prestige, where athletes from all over the world come together in hopes of bringing glory and honor to their nation, the Sporte Internationale is nominally held ever two years in the Spring and Fall games. Bids are awarded to nations based on charitable donations to the organization.
Any nation interested in hosting the 2020 Sporte Internationale may do so by putting a private bid to the Sporte International Bid Authority (SIBA) in any sum they want. Every $15,000,000 donated will allot for 1 Bid to be entered into the allotment. The first five ballots will be drawn in June, 2018.
January 5th
With elections only four months away, the United Survaekom Socialist Party begins campaigning on a NEW WAVE platform, promising a new generation of socialists from the party's left wing. These new candidates will bring fresh names and faces to the fore, but at the risk of being alienated by lack of name recognition. Preliminary local campaigning begins in many candidates home territories in the cool Survaekom weather. [+5% Support for United Survaekom Socialist Party for April, 2018 General Election]
January 11th
A terror attack in Southton, Calloway leaves 14 dead and 44 wounded when a car bomb explodes in a metropolitan marketplace. An investigation gets underway to determine who and why such an attack was carried out. The public awaits the response from the Everett administration.
The combined might of the 1st Internal Forces Regiment of the Central Police Precinct looked formidable. Rows of swarthy, grim officers stood at attention, their creased uniforms contrasting sharply with the tidy, white attire of the party functionaries and city government bureaucrats milling about. The national flag was hoisted up at the pole, rippling with each gust of wind.
Colonel Mercader looked on. The fellow was of middling height, yet broad shouldered and built like a truck - his small, dark eyes were vigilant and bleak, as if searching for any sign of danger in the periphery. A perfect man for the job of the capital's police chief.
This morning he received a call from the secretary-general of the Party.
It was a long time coming, Mercader thought. Melizea has hit some of the lowest points in history for the last twenty years. The country was isolated, alone - with an overwhelming majority of developed nations imposing an embargo on the government and essentially cutting Melizea off from investment and growth.
Many high-ranking officials were also worried about any future sanctions that could be placed on their assets. Even the offshore haven of San Ribera was seemingly complying with the international embargo on the Common Republic. The military and police had somehow morphed into one - a strange amalgamation of security forces whose aims and methods were blurring the line between militant actions and law enforcement, and as a result many police and army generals were in actuality competing with each other.
Xavier Resende was already quite senior - there were many backchannel talks about the possible succession crisis should he die in an inopportune moment. Many influential men were worried as to how the public would react in succh a scenario. It wasn't surprising that many considered the idea of changing the facade of the government - new faces and reconciliatory measures could ease the relationship between the state and the populace, and the Melizean ruling circles could attempt to leverage this in order to get some countries to lift the embargo and allow for the much-needed injection of capital into the struggling Melizean economy. There was an ousting in the brewing.
With an affirmative answer, he set down the telephone and then summoned his lieutenants. Best operatives reinforcing other stations and bases were pulled away to the main city square - Casaroja. It was the strongest administrative concentration in the city, with government buildings left and right.
Secondary, technical offices were located farther away, however. The Ministry of Communications was one of the structures that was conveniently placed far from the bustling CBD. The men sitting at the head of the ministry were astute and knew that the tides were changing. Communications was the first part of the Resende Presidency to break away. Capital police forces came next.
At this point all TV transmissions were off the air; the poor selection of government channels was replaced by a static image, much to the chagrin of whoever happened to enjoy these dull caricatures of entertainment. Soap operas, whitewashed state news and reruns of the President's speeches.
The Colonel ordered ten truck-loads of commandos to ride out and detain Xavier Resende in his rural chateau.
With his villa's communication lines cut off from his loyalists thanks to Zeferino de Lima, he had no choice but to surrender to Mercader's police brigades. Several prominent party politicians arrived and began negotiations with the President. He was promised, in exchange for the guaranteed security of him and his family, as well as their enormous combined wealth stolen from the Melizean treasury, in exchange for his resignation.
After three hours, he was reading a pre-written speech on live television, effectively abdicating his power and promising elections to be held in two years time. All official media vehemently denied that a coup was taking place. His hands shook a tad as he signed his name over documents laid out in front of him by unremarkable clerks and lawyers. At that moment he looked less like a strongman he positioned himself to be for the last twenty years, and more like a tired old man with dry skin and confused, twitchy eyes.
After that day there was a minimal level of mentions of his name on state media as he quietly left the country.
The second-in-line official, Nel Polledo, was a sycophant surprised to find out he's supposed to step up as the leader of the country, one that is ravaged by mismanagement, corruption and civil unrest. The party whips in the National Assembly achieved a quorum and majority vote of no confidence against the current government in under two hours. Nel Polledo submitted his resignation immediately.
A week-long curfew was enacted as a transitional administration took hold over the state. Analysts and political scientists around the world were excited about this turn of events in Melizea, a country that has come to be known as a police-state with a dormant economy and strained ties with the international community, without even factoring the complex patchwork of regional ties and tensions in Serranthia.
It was certainly a daunting task to fix the mess of the Resende years, and many were surprised to learn of the new name of the acting Melizean president.. Placido de Riba, a rather unknown technocrat from Lacas who previously worked in problematic regions fixing water access and infrastructure issues. The man was well known in party circles, however.
After five days, the official website of Partido de Uniformidad Nacional was updated with the new government after a cabinet reshuffle.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Abel Moran [0 Corruption] Ministry of Defense: Felipe Matos [0 Corruption] Ministry of Justice: Salamon Vilareyo [0 Corruption] Ministry of the Interior: Manuel Mercader [0 Corruption] Ministry of Natural Resources: Valentino Prieto [0 Corruption] Ministry of Finance: Lixandro Bonet [0 Corruption] Ministry of Education: Medera Cordovieru [0 Corruption] Ministry of Public Works: Gregorio Solar [0 Corruption] Ministry of Health: Selina Simón [0 Corruption] Ministry of Trade & Commerce: Oscar Paredes [0 Corruption] Ministry of Communication: Zeferino de Lima [0 Corruption] Ministry of Transportation: Pedro Tuñón [0 Corruption] Ministry of Energy: Modestio Contreras [0 Corruption] Ministry of Labor: Aurelia Vega [0 Corruption]
The man who walked into the room was of a short, stocky build. His face, with a jutting cheekbone and strong chin, seemed to be a striking work of cubism. His murky gaze seemed to clash with the innumerous laugh-wrinkles, and people often perceived his look to be that of a cat with his whiskers cut short. Such cats are usually clumsy. They have no sense of direction, and they keep close to the walls to help navigate the surroundings. This was not the case with President Kurbatov.
Genrikh Kurbatov's background as a military pilot made him a popular candidate in his native town of Kyromorsk, and he successfully ran for a seat in the lower chamber of the parliament as a member of the National Alliance for a Sovereign Radena in 1989.
In time he cultivated relationships with the oil and arms lobbies, and ran for governor of the troubled Kalym-Belgory district. Genrikh managed to effectively handle and clean up the Prozran nuclear plant disaster of 1999, and on his second term (2003-2008) began paving the way for investments to grow the regional GDP, revitalize the industrial output of the district, and rebuild the aging infrastructure links. Many loans were then supplied by the federal government and domestic private companies, and by 2007 most of them were paid off.
After serving in a series of positions as Radena's vice-minister of trade (2009-2011), chairman of the State Arms Export Committee (2011-2013), and director of the Federal Atomic Service (2013-2016), he ran for President on the platform of rolling out ambitious and well-planned infrastructure projects, increasing Radena's presence on the world stage and raising the living standards even in the most remote regions of the country.
He was the metaphorical cheshire cat of Radenan politics, and this was often reflected in his management style, one that domestic political commentators sometimes called 'Efficient Confusion', or 'Management by Walking Around'.
In the day-to-day running of the government, he kept roles and responsibilities fuzzy, teams and individuals in a constant competition, often working in parallel on the same task, while at the same time giving his subordinates a lot of leeway in defining their roles and working routines within determined objectives. Tasks were easily switched from people to people. Second-guessing Kurbatov’s intentions was a part of the game, and considered as a factor of creativity and innovation.
He excelled at using the system’s own modus operandi and hidden inertia, instead of enforcing his own way of doing things. His ability to ride on other people’s motivations and energies allowed him to start his working days late, work just a few hours, and retain full control over his subordinates and project power beyond the wals of the presidential residence.
And yet he was acutely aware of the criss-crossing ambitions and interests in his inner circle and among his appointees.
Achamaz Hohty, the Defense Minister, was a native Irgut and often tussled to give secret state contracts to the influential ethnic business clans of Irgustan, which was in turn kept in check by the ever-vigilant Kira Teplova of the Trade & Commerce Ministry. The Foreign Minister and close confidante of Kurbatov, Pavel Essen, was talented at juggling the varying initiatives and conflicting decisions and translating this into a smart and flexible foreign policy course; though even he was worn out at times.
Hasbulat Mamriev, Minister of the Interior, was a security hawk through and through, which ofttimes did not mesh with the textualist, hardline constitutional approach of Victor Laskutin, the Justiciar of the government - a man often denounced or touted in the media as a liberal along the likes of the Prime Minister, Nikolai Bublikov.
The yellow press, especially those with financial links to the opposition parties, always jumped at the chance to paint the ruling circles as disorganized or indecisive and although most of them were exagerrated beyond proportion, there was a semblance of truth that the government made an effort to keep the officials toeing the party line.
These things were more pronounced at the start of his presidency, when the cabinet was still brimming with energy and brainstorming programmes. By now each of them had an agenda and the workflow stabilized itself to find a middle ground between the various power orbits.
However, differing visions and ethnic predispositions were things that Kurbatov carefully monitored and discouraged, and getting through legislative hurdles at the parliamentary level was a more pressing issue, especially if he wanted to successfully implement his campaign promises before the next election.
The invited party leadership all sat down in the desighated meeting room. The door shut quietly behind them. An imposing man of about 6'1 stood by his seat at the head of their table. He had wrinkles from years of politics. A fake smile plastered on his face feigning camaraderie. Today meant business.
Once the formalities were over Prime Minister Giovanni sat down and pressed the tips of his fingers together in a classic power pose. The other party leaders did their best to appear confident. However, through the NA's clever set up of the meeting room and their imposing head of state, they were like children sent to the Principal's office.
He began, "Thank you for coming in for this meeting at such an early hour before the vote..I realize you all are very busy individuals with a lot on your plates." He spoke with confidence and understanding. His sarcasm was lost on most of them as he continued, "As you all know, we have a bill that is up for vote today. We would like to combine our efforts together. There is so much good that can be done for our beloved nation if we join forces!" Giovanni stood up in excitement and walked around the table as he continued, "National Alliance wishes to extend an offer to the other similar leaning parties to join together for the good of our Republic. And we are not asking you to do this without some incentive." Just then, a man in a business suit began to place a briefcase in front of each party leader. It was up to them to see the contents of each...
The Capital Mazelli, Parliament 11:00 AM
Prime Minister Giovanni glanced at his gold rolex in anticipation. It was time. As far as his party, the National Alliance could gather, they had all the votes they needed to pass this crucial legislation. With the added support of the other similar leaning parties, they would be unacosted for any legislation they decided on. If the others decided to join them, the future looked very stable for the National Alliance. Far from the usual chaos that ensued every election cycle. Certainly a few bribes here and there wouldn't hurt the greater good of their nation, would it?
The law, if passed, would begin the phasing out of coal use within Etelia. In its place they would begin the process of looking for cleaner forms of energy. Notably, gasoline and oil. The coal mined in their nation would be sold to the surrounding nations that needed energy. The goal was to have Etelia's energy input be less then 5% coal within 20 years.
It was sure to please various environmental lobbyists. That was why the NA was going for it. Of course, the coal industry would be displeased, but they would still be able to sell their resources out of the country. It was a good compromise as far as Giovanni was concerned. How the vote would end up would be determined by the end of the day...
Placido de Riba, a rather unknown technocrat from Lacas who previously worked in problematic regions fixing water access and infrastructure issues, attempts to take power in the Common Republic of Melizea by placing President Xavier Resendes under arrest. Military police loyal to Resendes shoot and kill de Riba and Resendes is evacuated after civilians in the capital learn of de Riba's death and foster him up as a man of the people. Military police and civilians clash, ending with 44 wounded and 6 dead.
Those who feigned loyalty to de Riba are quickly split into two camps, with those pledging their loyalty to Resendes once again and another group--75 men in all--who flee to the Commonwealth of San Ribera to escape prosecution from Resendes. 17 men who pledge their loyalty to Resendes again are then arrested and poised to stand trial. In an emergency public hearing, Resendes reminds "those who would oppose the Party that the People stand with us," though many international observers wonder aloud if instead of party, he meant military.
January 15th
In the Republic of Fusan, political negotiations by the Conservative Alliance see an emphasis on bids for the Sporte Internationale placed, and these tactful maneuvers seeing the CA's support raise by +2.1% in new polls.
January 16th
Although the economy of Aontas is in a period of steady growth, employment prospects in the country remain dour. The unemployment rate is high, and stagnant job growth both represents a social ill in the kingdom and is stifling the NKP's popularity. To remedy the issue, Minister of Labour Robert Oldervik has pursued an agenda of enticing domestic private industry to increase the size of their workforce in Aontas. His latest policy item is the 'Secured Service Employment Credit', a non-refundable tax credit that will be offered to small and medium-sized enterprises in the economically dominant service industry.
The credit will offer a modest tax break to small businesses hiring new employees after the date the credit is enacted, with the credit only being payable if the employee was either previously receiving income assistance or unemployment insurance, or is a person under the age of 23 who has not previously been employed. The size of the tax credit offered by the SSEC will scale up according to the amount of employees an employer hires that are eligible for the program, and scale down according to the company's revenue. The objective of the legislation is to make it easier for small businesses in labor-intensive industries, such as food service and retail, to take on new employees. Only time well tell it's effects moving forward. The Kommunistparti i Aontas (KA) decried the move in the Aontan Parliament and Party Leader Lars Henstre called for the immediate resignation of Minister of Labour Robert Oldervik for undeniably awarding tax credits to the very demographic responsible for electing his party to power in the first place.
Aontan Parliament, 2018
January 19th
Funding for the Radena Foreign Ministry's budget is raised from $610,000,000 to $720,000,000 to increase the amount of military and cultural attaches in the Radenan embassies and consulates in Aontas, Itherae and Fusan. The increase of personnel in these territories will increase the effectiveness of communications there.
January 21st
The Everett Government of the United Republic of Calloway takes to national television to condemn the attacks in Southton and promise the people results in finding the terrorists and rebuilding as we stand strong together. Many were confused however as the person who gave the speech was not the President, nor was it the Minister of Security. It was a no-name. It was not a press conference. Many were left confused by the ambiguous rhetoric deployed and poll numbers showed a drop of nearly 5%.