https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmSvuQo2C18 (for Zanz and whoever else wants to feel that Jelbic hype)
The King rises, the Lion roarsAfter short squabble with far-left radicalists nation once more under Crown Party control.King Wrntukai IV, the eldest son of the last monarch Kezkai II. Over a decade ago the ambitious Wrntukai was denied the throne, now at the age of 58 he finally seats his rightful throne.December 4245 - The past decade and a half have been quiet on the Vanukean front. A few years before the decline of one of Terra's titan it was decided by the frail King Kezkai II, during the last stage of his terminal illness, that he would allow a more democratic Vanuku. A kingdom based on the powers of democracy, where the people had a choice. The leadership of the Crown Party, under the young and ambitious Gerda Verhoeven, reluctantly accepted the proposal. After the election results the Crown Party still held half of the parliament yet the party was in disarray. After the King died his successor was unable to inherit the throne, since it requires a two-third majority to sign the new King into the consitution as the rightful monarch. A proposal blocked by the far-left radicals that had seeped into the halls of parliament. Internal squabbling was then the final stroke for the Crown Party; it faded into nothingness. With the Crown Party reduced to an entity only active in local municipality elections the radicalists had free reign. The Archduke Wrntukai and his family fled the nation, taking residence in the Republic of New Verham, an impoverished nation with close ties to the royal family. From this far away sunny republic in Dovani the king-to-be had only one choice: reorganize and plan his return. The old party leadership was brought together, with Verhoeven at the rear. The Archduke used his personal funds to get more ambitious young Vanukeans and a deliberate plan was made. Regain the coherency of the party, set up an ambitious election plan and in due time participate and hopefully win the elections. The prepartion took many years but after a decade the Archduke returned to his native nation of Vanuku. Elections were held, with Verhoeven at the rear, and a great victory was to be had with the Crown Party seizing 90% of the seats in the Grand Council. Verhoeven spoke of a "total and decisive victory over the forces of communism" and immediately set to restoring the nation to greatness. She set economic experts on reworking taxes and the budget while passing reform after reform to regain some of the old Vanukean glory. Now two years later she has resigned her post of Prefect with a simple statement saying she failed a decade ago but has undone her damage now. She left it to the now King Wrntukai IV to decide her successor.
Duke Aldrkai van Nachten at the first cabinet meeting of his cabinet.
King Wrntukai however was not as keen on democracy as his father, he is often cited stating that "democracy is inherently flawed and only useful in insanely small quantities". To political experts it was only logical he chose a like-minded successor. The Duke of Nachten, Aldrkai van Nachten, seemed to be the perfect candidate. The Duke is now 45 years old and a firm authoritarian and royalist, often citing the "old order" as the right way to govern a nation. But even though he despises democracy he seems to be a "benevolent authoritarian", being a fierce proponent of social security, liberal social policies and progressive civil liberties. The King and the Duke together assembled a cabinet, which includes a surprising amount of (restored) nobility. Time can only tell how the old order will find their way in the new order.
Minister of War Prince Mrlkai Banmek-Sntazed announces "resurgence plan"New policy of the Ministry of War to be on long-range projection, including development of new ICBM's.Vanukean reserves during a checkpoint exercise in the eastern part of Vanuku, one of countless of exercises held both nationally and internationally.December 4245 - The Minister of War Prince Mrlkai Banmek-Sntazed, a cousin of the King, has announced a widespread plan to bring Vanuku's military back on top level. Prince Mrlkai is a career military officer who retired as a Colonel and divisional commander before retiring after the death of King Kezkai II. With the return of his cousin Wrntukai he has returned too, agreeing with his cousin and the new Prefect to assume the position as Minister of War. With his university education and "in the field" experience as a military officer there is no one else more qualified to take up the position according to Prefect van Nachten. In his plans the new Minister has announced several big projects, the first of which has already kickstarted as several elements of the Armed Forces are in Kazulia in a joint-exercise with the Kazulian forces. This exercise has also been called a diplomatic breakthrough, as two former rather hostile nations are now working together. In the nation itself there are also many exercises going on to get the Armed Forces back in shape and the Minister already stated "large investments" will be done in new equipment and hardware. According to inside sources Vanuku wishes to develop new ICBM's with a longer range and a more potent payload as well as expand the naval forces, historically Vanuku's strongest asset. A last bit of information was that Vanuku feels it is lagging behind on the new advanced fighter programs around the globe, with Hutori and Istalia acquiring new advanced fighters. Perhaps a Vanukean program will surface soon. For now however those plans are left secret as the cabinet is discussing the new military budget.
Sanctions against IstaliaVanuku to battle against imperialism across the globe.Vanuku's widespread international trade will no longer venture to Istalia and their allies might follow.December 4245 - Prefect van Nachten declared that the Kingdom of Vanuku will set sanctions against the Republic of Istalia for "countless counts of imperialism, limiting global self-determination and assaulting the sovereignty of nations across Terra". The announcement came rather unexpected as the Kingdom is only rebuilding after several large setbacks throughout the last decade. However, even though the state of Vanuku has been off the international stage their trade has been continuing at the same level. Many were surprised that the radical leftist government in place during the last ten years did not nationalize all businesses and let private ventures continue their businesses freely, although slightly hampered by increased corporate tax the many trade corporations that Vanuku has continued their business as usual. The financial crisis that struck the globe a few decades before has toughened Vanuku's economy against the slight tax increase with some corporations even noting growth during the last ten years.
With the King and Prefect firmly in place with 90% of the parliament in control they decided enough was enough. Many years ago the Kingdom fought against Istalian imperialism, boldly defending the right of self-determination across the globe by protecting nations such as Saridan in their toughest times. Now the government has chosen Vorona as a nation in distress. "Istalia once more decides they are the rulers of this planet, seeking to instill their will upon the free peoples across the globe, we will not stand for that, we will protect the weaker nations against the bully that is Istalian imperialism like we have done before, that is our duty and our plight." said Prefect van Nachten in a press conference. For now the government has stated they will only issue sanctions, yet the feared First Fleet has left port and is presumably setting sail to Seleya. It is expected that Vanuku will put their navy in between Vorona and Istalia to block any attempts of military intervention. According to cabinet spokesperson the nation of Istalia has been warned that military intervention will be seen as an act of war.
New Minister of Foreign Affairs: Léopold d'Orleans-VasserControversial Rildanorian multi-millionaire and politician finds new home in Vanuku.The Rildanorian immigrant Léopold d'Orléans-Vasser at the first cabinet meeting as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs.December 4245 - He made his fortune in Rildanor, he had a long career in Rildanor, he entered politics in Rildanor, his own party even sat in two governments. Yet Léopold d'Orléans-Vasser was never able to fulfill his dream of becoming President of Rildanor, nor did his party Arise Rildanor become the biggest party. Two times the Canrillaise royal came close to winning the presidency. After the disappearance of his uncle Jean Badouin from the political scene and seeing his cousin Jessica become President for the second time the eccentric Léopold had enough. He disbanded his party and for a moment seemed to simply retire. He traveled across the world for a time, seeming to take some time off. In New Verham he caught the eye of an associate of King Wrntukai IV, who was close to returning to Vanuku at that point. The associate arranged a meeting between the two royals and in the end it turned out the two men had a lot in common. A deal was struck, d'Orléans-Vasser would move his vast real estate and banking empire to Vanuku and he would be made a citizen and given a prestigious post in one of the most powerful nations across the globe. Upon the crowning of King Wrntukai IV it was even announced that Léopold was given the privilege to call himself a "Prince", a rare honour sometimes bestowed upon nobles of dethroned houses who lost the privilege of their noble titles at home.
The King and Prince seem to get along fine and the new Prefect, the Duke of Nachten, is a man with similar political views to the Canrillaise Prince. On some fronts they disagree yet in all d'Orléans-Vasser has impressed his Vanukean hosts, a feat that gave him the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs. One of the most prestigious and influential posts within the cabinet. It was Prince Léopold that was the driving force behind the sanctions on Istalia according to inside sources, his first big political feat in his new nation. His quick rise to success in Vanuku has not yet led to any comments from his family in Rildanor, although some are sure that his uncle Jean Badouin will be seething to see his nephew do so well.