Cildania

[Pragma]

     

     Surprise PLR-BW-GtP Coalition Agreed
     2 February 5330

Cildania's snap election had created an unclear picture of the nation's political future, as no two parties together could form a coalition together. At least three parties were required to create a working government. With the Alliance for Cildania having just led a government to collapse and the Order of Saint Sebastian condemned by other parties as anti-Yeudish, it has taken a surprising and innovative new cabinet proposal to govern Cildania.

The Radical Labour Party, One Flag and the People's Choice have all united in a big-tent coalition to keep the far-right Order and the dubious Alagona Faction away from the halls of power. With the PLR at the head, One Flag have secured key ministries for their three heavy hitters: Foreign Affairs for former PM Alec Benaglia, Finance for party leader Yan Despott and Defence for former Defence Minister Margerita Giudice. The GtP have the Internal Affairs ministry. The coalition have agreed to a balanced approach of economic and social affairs and to maintain devolution and a sustainable social safety net.

The elections were held after the resignation of cabinet members belonging to the moderate-populist People's Choice (GtP). This follows a period of political tension around anti-Yeudism, policing and Beiteynu's influence in Cildanian internal affairs. Much of this chaos was laid at the feet of Prime Minister Alagona. This culminated in a series of attempts to oust the government which ultimately succeeded last month. The campaign took a shocking turn after the assassination of Denzilee Depares who served stints as the leader of the One Flag party, a cabinet minister and an OtSB deputy at the time of his death. The controversial figure's violent end remains subject to police investigation but it increased public sympathy for the Order and led to accusations of Beiteynu or Cildanian Yeudis being behind the attack. The subsequent bad-tempered campaign saw little change besides a fall in support for One Flag to the benefit of the Order and the Constitutionalists.

With One Flag leader Yan Despott's lacklustre campaigning skills under fire, it seems that his position is finely balanced. Though now in a powerful position in government, he risks being overshadowed by the experienced Benaglia and Giudice - who have respect across the political spectrum. Indeed, it seems that Giudice played a leading roll in convincing two much less conservative parties to join forces with One Flag. Her and Benaglia will likely have a tough job on their hands when regional power Beiteynu reacts to this political transformation.

     Illum Kinaan is a news agency based in the Kinaan region of Cildania. It covers both local and national current events.

[RadicalGeo]

Namur to become Prime Minister after snap election success


PLR Leader Franġisku Namur (pictured) is set to become Cildania's next Prime Minister.

Qart Qildar, Cildania - The Leader of the Radical Labour Party, Franġisku Namur, is set to become Cildania's next Prime Minister after leading the party to success in the recent snap election. The Prime Minister-in-waiting has successfully reunited his party behind his leadership despite internal squabbling threatening to bring down his almost 12 year long leadership not long ago.

In the recent snap election the Radical Labour Party won 82 seats, an 11 seat increase on their result in the prior election, and surpassed the One Flag party to become the largest in the Council of Deputies. The party also saw a 3.99% swing towards them among voters nationwide winning 26.88% of all votes, their highest amount since Cildania's transition to democracy began.

The PLR is due to form an unusual coalition with the One Flag party and the People's Choice party, however, the party's leader is planning to focus more on their shared opinions regarding economic policy and the Cildanian welfare state whilst leaving social issues undisturbed where possible. Although, of course, the fight against Antiyeudi violence and sentiment will almost certainly have to be a major concern for the government in this next term.

The election victory has also quelled the internal unrest the party was facing and has once again reunited the party's varying factions behind the leadership of Mr. Namur. In a post-election meeting of the party's delegation to the Council of Deputies the PLR leader was given the overwhelming backing of his fellow Deputies with the addition of many new Pro-Namur members in the recent election also helping to secure his grip on the party.

Il-Gazzetta Radikali is property of Grupp Gazzetta, a private limited company.

[jamescfm]

     Guiliano Alagona to divorce wife Mundhir after four years of marriage
          10 February 5330

Former Prime Minister of Cildania Guiliano Alagona and his wife Mundhir have announced they are divorcing after four years of marriage. The pair have two children together. In a statement posted on Mundhir’s social media accounts, she cited the stresses of frontline politics as a key factor in the separation. Alagona has served in the Cildanian government for the past nine years.

Guiliano Alagona and Mundhir al-Rahimi were first pictured together in 5324. At the time, he was Cildanian foreign minister and had recently finalised divorce proceedings with his second wife. The relationship caused a minor scandal due to the twenty-five year age difference between the couple: al-Rahimi was only twenty-three years old at the time.

The announcement follows a difficult six weeks for Alagona. A disappointing performance in last month’s snap general election means his party have been forced into opposition for the first time in their history. Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the former Prime Minister announced that he would be taking a two-week break from politics to recuperate. During this time, he will holiday in Lourenne.

[jamescfm]

     Guiliano Alagona engaged to Lourennais model Marie-Noëlle Moineau
     23 February 5330

Serial divorcee and former Cildanian Prime Minister Guiliano Alagona is engaged to nineteen-year-old Lourennais model Marie-Noëlle Moineau. Alagona has spent the last ten days relaxing at a luxury resort in Beaumont-sur-Mer. It was only thirteen days ago he announced his third divorce!

The pair are thought to have met at an exclusive resort on the Lourennais coast. Moineau had been staying with gal pal Sabrina Lefeuvre, while Alagona was thought to be staying alone. Not anymore! Photos of the two looking loved up in the sun first surfaced earlier this week. Few would have expected such a whirlwind romance though.

In a post on social media captioned simply “LOVE at first sight”, Moineau showed off a stunning diamond ring to her 134,000 followers. Martina Degiorgio, our resident jewellery guru, said, “this is a beautiful choice of ring that reflects the passionate love the couple must share”. How much would a ring like this cost? Martina estimates in the region of 1 million francs.

Friends and fans of Moineau showed their support in the comments section of the post. “Wow! So happy for you <3”, said Lourennais tennis player Anaïs Bonhomme. “GLOWING”, wrote a fan. Not all of the comments were positive though, with one user adding “omg wtf, he could be her dad”.

Moineau will be step-mother to Alagona’s seven children, including twenty-six year old Elena and twenty-four year old Kyran. Right now, there is no date set for the wedding. Speaking exclusively to Talk of the Town, Moineau said, “I never expected this to happen but I feel like I am dreaming. I have never felt love like this before”. When more details emerge, you know where to find them!

     Taħdita tal-Belt is a Cildanian tabloid magazine and website that reports on the biggest celebrity news and gossip across the world

[Reximus]

Ilħna | "Voices"
"Your Source for Cildanian News"


People's Choice Joins Big Tent Coalition
Early 5330

QART QILDAR -- Following the much-publicized collapse of the Alagona-led cabinet, which was brought down by People's Choice leader Redentur Piscopo's fiery speech in the Council of Deputies and the fresh elections held in January, People's Choice has once again entered government as a junior coalition partner. Former Defense Minister Nunzio Piscopo is now serving as Internal Affairs Minister and former Science and Technology Minister Sebastjan Pellicano has been reinstated. Joining the People's Choice frontbench are Xand Piscopo, heading up Infrastructure and Transport, and former Ilħna journalist Katerin Stefanin leading on the Environment and Tourism portfolio.

"I am very proud of our continued growth as a party and, indeed, as a movement," Redentur Piscopo told Voices. "I am confident that we will continue to present a real alternative for our voters. After all, when you give the people what they want, they will speak loudly and with one voice." "I feel that we could work with just about any political movement," the septuagenarian founder of Għażla tal-Poplu responded when asked about his party's preference for working with the left, right or big tents. "As long as our voters are represented in government, then we have a purpose for carrying on."

Internal Affairs Minister Nunzio Piscopo, seen as the real political force behind GtP, has promised to "clean up the streets," and "ramp up investigations into corruption." It remains to be seen what legislative fixes the Minister has in mind.

Ilħna is the closely-held media empire founded by Redentur Piscopo, who also leads Għażla tal-Poplu.

[Wu Han]

7 February 5331
Deputy Tonio Pullicino renews PK call for deregulated animal ownership
Deputy Pullicino's proposed 'Responsible Animal Ownership Act' would allow Cildanians to own and trade in endangered, wild, and exotic animals without government oversight


➥ Deputy Pullicino (PK) speaking to reporters in Qart Qildar

Qart Qildar, Aqildar Principality: Unfettered and unregulated animal ownership has long been a policy position advanced by the Constitutionalist Party (Partit Kostituzzjonalista; PK) in the Council of Deputies, though proposals to that end have been routinely defeated when brought to a vote. Deputy Tonio Pullicino (PK), however, believes that his proposed Responsible Animal Ownership Act of 5331 may yet achieve success.

“Cildanians love and respect their animals, and know how best to take care of them,” Mr. Pullicino told reporters outside in Qildar this morning. “I have faith that, God willing, Cildanians will soon be free to practice their love with any animal they choose.”

Mr. Pullicino and the Constitutionalists in Council are likely to face stiff opposition from the government and other opposition parties which have blocked similar legislation before. Moreover, the passage of such a bill would arguably be in contravention of customary international environmental law, such as that which is enshrined through the widely-adopted Treaty for the Protection of Endangered Animals and the IUCN (though it is important to note that Cildania has notably not ratified either agreement). Nevertheless, Mr. Pullicino remains optimistic, describing his legislation as a clear ideological bellwether for the lawmakers in Qart Qildar:

“Voting on the RAO Act will demonstrate to Cildanians exactly which of their elected officials are in favour of expanded liberty and freedom, and which politicians seek a return to the statist authoritarianism of the pre-democratic period” said Mr. Pullicino. “We Constitutionalists know that we will always be on the side of freedom.”


Il-Ġurnal is a broadsheet daily newspaper in Cildania, owned by the Magro Family. The newspaper has a 'moderate' editorial bent.

[Pragma]

     

     Margerita Giudice to take over as One Flag leader
     15 February 5331

     

In a sudden turn of events, Cildanian politics-watchers can expect Defence Minister Margerita Giudice to take over as leader of the One Flag party. This comes after Economy & Finance Minister (as well as current party boss) Yan Despott declared he would not lead the party into another election after two consecutive national votes in which the party lost grounds. It transpires that Giudice is the only candidate with sufficient backing in the One Flag caucus to contest the subsequent leadership election after Agriculture & Rural Development Minister Astarte Dimech declined to seek the role. Giudice will be the first female leader of One Flag and the only female leader in Cildanian politics.

Giudice is a relative moderate in the One Flag party, describing herself as a 'Hosian Democrat' and on the centre-right. She is from Nabul in Jilrit and is an ethnic Qildari, which could deflate the party's large Hebilean base. She was a leadership contender in 5325 but lost unexpectedly to Despott. She had a tense relationship with the late Denzilee Depares and served as Defence Minister previously under Alec Benaglia. One Flag was originally founded as a more radical right-wing party but has moderated after a number of its most hardline members left to the far-right Order of Saint Sebastian (OtSB). A Giudice leadership could be expected to further moderate the party but still occupy a space between the right-libertarian Constitutionalist Party and the aforementioned OtSB.

     Illum Kinaan is a news agency based in the Kinaan region of Cildania. It covers both local and national current events.

[jamescfm]

     Guiliano Alagona acquires local television news channel L-ewwel24
          14 July 5331

Guiliano Alagona, leader of Alagona Faction, has acquired the Pone-based television news channel L-ewwel24. Although full details of the sale have not been made public, Alagona confirmed the purchase in a short statement. In this statement, he expresses a desire to transform the news channel into a major national news network.

Questions have been raised about the future independence of L-ewwel24. Critics have suggested Alagona will use it is a means to promote his political agenda. In response to these claims, Alagona has stated that the operation of L-ewwel24 will be completely independent from Alagona Faction.

The acquisition of L-ewwel24 is the latest in a series of business moves by Alagona over the past eighteen months. In the wake of the last general election, he formed the Alagona Group conglomerate to consolidate several existing business entities. Despite an earlier failed attempt to popularise the historic sport of pallone col bracciale, Alagona has sought to re-enter the sports industry. Last year he purchased the San Mikiel Saints football club. Currently in the Cildanian second division, he has invested significant funds in the club in an attempt to secure promotion to the top flight.

Together these recent acquisitions suggest that Alagona’s wealth is larger than previously estimated. In the past, a handful of stories had emerged suggesting that Alagona was on the brink of bankruptcy. At the end of last year, he married twenty-year-old Lourennais model Marie-Noëlle Moineau in a lavish ceremony in the Cildanian capital.

[Kubrick]

Controversial Deputy Ilarju Rizzo enters board of directors of San Basjan F.C.


Players of the San Basjan F.C. team during the recent relegation match against rivals Lega tal-Atletika which bumped them down to First Division.

August 2, 5331 | The football club San Basjan F.C. is the primary club in the San Basjan region, which apart from its historic football club is known mostly for the early medieval monastery dedicated to San Basjan. A rural region with an unlikely football club that on and off plays in the top leagues of Cildania. A success made possible by oil baron Danjel Sisner seventy years ago, who was able to invest heftily into his "childhood club", giving it longevity and punching power far above what its region should be able to offer. While the club has been in a downward spiral the last four seasons, narrowly missing relegation last season, it has become a staple of Cildanian football. The Blacks and Reds are known throughout the nation as an apolitical 'old boys' football club priding itself on its legacy, as such the marriage between Ilarju Rizzo and San Basjan F.C. seems unlikely at first glance.

The leader of the Order of Saint Sebastian, Ilarju Rizzo, started his career as a man from humble beginnings. Born out of wedlock to the uncle of a Cildanian prince and part-time nurse the 42 year old Rizzo did not grow up in any means of wealth and without a father. In his late teenage years he became involved in far-right movements, often inhibiting his professional career. At age 21 he was fired from the popular electronics store Belt Elettrika after his manager discovered his involvement and criminal record. As such Deputy Rizzo never made any money and when he entered parliament several years ago he was one of the few party leaders that was not able to call himself a millionaire or billionaire. Now it seems that the financial means have turned around for Deputy Rizzo who is often seen in his signature suits of the expensive Istalian Balbo brand with a time piece from the exclusive Wrnukaek watchmaker Paksrmo. The Rizzo family recently moved into a large estate in the suburbs of Qart Qildar, further cementing the fact that on his average Deputy salary mr. Rizzo is financially well off and far above the means of the average Cildanian.

This fact is now further cemented as Ilarju Rizzo has entered the board of directors of the relegated football club San Basjan F.C., who recently moved from the Premier League to the First Division after narrowly losing the relegation match against Lega tal-Atletika. The club is owned by the investment group Red & Black, a group of semi-wealthy investors that come and go. While not publicly announced it has been discovered by journalists of the HtS that Ilarju Rizzo bought himself into this investors group, which is the main reason as to how he was able to enter the board of directors. Allegations have been brought forward in the last ten years that organized crime has been investing into the club, but none of these charges were ever proven.

Meanwhile the Order of Saint Sebastian have used Rizzo's entry into 'their club', as they call it, as a media moment. The party has greatly expanded upon its Hosian name and tries to reinforce it whenever possible. At the announcement Deputy Rizzo devoutly stated that he hoped "Saint Sebastian above will bless us the last few votes we need", adding onto rumours that Rizzo is still attempting to form a far-right government with himself as prime minister.

The Ħarald tas-Sur is one of the oldest Cildanian newspapers, which nowadays lays its focus on investigative journalism. It usually remains politically neutral but has a history of writing for the upper middle class.

[TRA]

Beiteynu
August 5331 - Discussing regional affairs with Selucia