Armed Forces outraged at apartheid reforms, officers threaten action
Recent reforms affecting minority officers are causing increased tensions.
Inkolo Esintsundu Sizwe Syncretist Captain of Mallan descent Aman Fahsika (r.) will be purged under the new apartheid laws, he is one of many victims.
January 4514 - With tensions between the monarch, government and the Grand Council already at a record height the Armed Forces is now also joining this battle after a piece of very controversial legislation was proposed by Minister Merlékam of Defence. The bill essentially rules out any "non-recognized religious person" from being both a non-commissioned as well as a commissioned officer. Officers and NCO's affected by this law are of many religions. While the majority of Vanuku's population adheres to the Terran Patriarchal Church and the Israist denotation of the Ahmadi faith there are dozens of other religions that do not make the arbitrary requirements of the government's new proposal and are thus labelled "cults". Even ancient respected religions like Yeudism are now a cult according to the government, causing many to accuse the government of anti-yeudi sentiments.
Yeudists, Ruhists, Apostolics, Confessionalists, Amelioratists, Ordists, Communionists, Sahabists, Halawists, Zahirists, Yazdists, Daenists, Agathists, Rowshanists, Guidaoists, Jienists, Seodongyoists, Gerajists, Selucianists and IESSists like Captain Fahsika will all be purged from the Armed Forces if the new legislation is to pass. It is estimated that around 20,000 to 25,000 troops will be affected. The decision has sparked outrage all across the Armed Forces with many servicemen and women standing in solidarity with their officers and NCO's. The Union of Servicemen has threatened severe action if the legislation is enacted, the last time the UoS issued a threat of this proportion was shortly before the military coup in 4383. King Wrntukai VI has pledged he will issue his Royal Veto on the bill to assure stability.
King's legal counsel attacks cabinet at Special Investigations Committee
Monarch refuses to sign any more laws until "anti-monarchist and anti-Vanukean cabinet" resigns.
January 4514 - The legal counsel of the King, together with the Movement of Discontent, have viciously attacked the Special Investigations Committee with their defence. The current cabinet has claimed the King has overstepped his position and utilized his Royal Veto on false grounds. However the legal counsel of the King, represented by the firm Tekkáws, Lahm & Sardnpal argues otherwise. In front of the Special Investigations Committee they viciously attacked the cabinet, stating that the Zhtál family has jeopardized the stability of the Kingdom and politicalized the non-partisan Royal Veto.
The claim of the Minister of Justice that the 80-year old King Wrntukai VI had been put under "intolerable pressure" was quickly dealt with after citing the King was adviced by his 106 year old uncle. Likewise the defence counsel deflected all the other arguments and viciously attacked the cabinet. The King himself was not present at the committee, instead opting to send his nephew Prince Pawl as his personal representative. The King stated in a press conference he "unanimously rejects" the demands put forward by the Prefect and will not rest until the cabinet resigns and "saner spirits" are put forward. It seems that political crisis is increasing every day.
Protesters take to the streets as government deadlock continues
Increasing discontent amongst lower classes at "incompetent politicians" may cause greater crisis.
Protesters have put on high visibility jackets, dubbing themselves the 'green vests movement', to stand out in their anti-government struggle.
February 4515 - With the political crisis at a stalemate and the government having increasing troubles to function properly due to the refusal of the King to sign any more legislation the people of the Kingdom of Vanuku are becoming increasingly unhappy. The limited democracy that has been the basis of the Kingdom for several decades since the Salyzr Coup has also caused increased dissent, not only amongst clear opposition ideologies like the socialists but even amongst the right-wing population. The recent religious reforms were the last drip that overflowed the barrel for many people. With many war heroes facing a purge and apartheid several patriotic Vanukeans took to the streets in Prinsenaard. The small protest was violently squashed by local police. However this violent approach, which did wonders in the past, did not work as expected. A day later thousands of people had flocked to the street, all wearing green high visibility jackets. The Green Vests Movement stands in solidarity with "our boys in green" (the soldiers) and demands substantial reforms. In all major cities across the Kingdom the protesters have assembled, mostly on squares and in major streets. For now the protests are peaceful with protesters demanding "the resignation of the Prefect, a more open democracy where non-nobles can vote, lower taxes, less police brutality, cheaper gas prices and repealing the religious reforms" according to Jebr Vrnsrmo, a leading member of the Green Vests Movement.
With hundreds of thousands of people already on the street and the government refusing to buckle it is only a matter of time before the protests become violent. To make matters worse the military, which is by law required to back up the police, has already stated they feel no current incentive to support the Royal Police in their endeavour to subdue the nationwide protests. The office of the Prefect was unavailable for comment.