Vanuku

[Sisyphus]

Prefect Delighted With Jelbanian Agreement
Deal With Augustan Empire Seen As Final Piece in Geopolitical Jigsaw Which Will Help Secure The Nation's Borders


Prefect Könnyrahe Who Has Recently Returned From A Successful Meeting With the Grand Logothete of the Augustan Empire.

December 4502 - The Prefect, Baron Dnkai Könnyrahe, has said Vanuku's geopolitical situation has much improved following an agreement with the Augustan Empire regarding Jelbania.

A deal has been struck whereby Vanuku will not stand in the way of its southern neighbour becoming a province of the Empire in return for continued economic involvement in the north of Jelbania. The Prefect said that the sizeable Vanukean-owned industrial sector in Jelbania would remain in Kingdom hands and that his nation would be compensated for the major infrastructure projects it had invested in.

He said: "This is very good news for all parties. We have always said that we respect Jelbanian sovereignty and will defend that to the hilt but needed assurances on our significant economic interests there. The security of Jelbania now passes to the Empire, allowing us to withdraw troop deployments there and bring our boys home, but we continue to reap the financial rewards of our investments in that nation.

"Not so long ago our allies Istalia famously said that Vanuku was surrounded by enemies on all sides in league with Thallerists. But the steps we have taken have alleviated the situation. Firstly, we played an instrumental role in ensuring regime change in Barmenistan and now have good relations with that moderate country; we have had diplomatic successes with Deltaria, which saw them not only withdraw their own troops from Jelbania but dissolve their puppet socialist state in the southern reaches of that country.

"Now finally, we have seen the The Fenikso-Thallerist regime fall in Zardugal and a new regime rise there in the form of the Augustan Empire, which has responded positively to our diplomacy and is ready to work with us to ensure peace and stability in Majatra.

"So, on all sides those 'enemies' that surrounded us have been toppled. Vanuku once again stands safe and economically secure."

Asked if Augustan Emperor Herodoto III's comments regarding the marriage of Princess Agné Banmek-Sntazed to Baron Jebr Zhtál may damage relations between Vanuku and the Empire, the Prefect said: "His Imperial Majesty's comments bear the hallmarks of unrequited lover and raw emotion and will simply be judged in that light. We believe he will come to accept the reality of the situation soon enough and, of course, we hope he will be a guest at the happy couple's upcoming wedding."

[Sisyphus]

Surprise Election Called To Gauge Opinion On Democratic Reforms Debate
Prefect Wants Mandate From The Electorate To Resist Changing The Current System


One of the numerous democratic reform protests that has sprung up in recent months.

January 4507 - The Prefect has called a snap election for next month to test the water over his decision to resist calls for further democratic reforms.

Under current laws only people with wealth equating to more than 1 million VAN are eligible to vote and some campaigners have pushed for suffrage to be widened to other members of society.

After carrying out a three-year consultation, Baron Dnkai Könnyrahe, revealed to the Grand Council that he had concluded that further reforms would be dangerous and destabilising and may lead to a resurgence in the extreme ideologies that had blighted Majatran neighbours over the last few decades.

However, he said his decision must be endorsed by the electorate before being passed into law - leading him to call an election 12 months early.

He said: "It is my belief that the current system we have in place is right for Vanuku and essential for our long-term stability. However, there are some in the Grand Council who do not agree with this so I believe a wider vote involving the people is the best way to gauge if I have their full support.

"The result of the election will hopefully prove I am right on this matter and that laws I wish to introduce aimed at maintaining the status quo should be enacted."

The controversial proposals the Prefect alludes to are included in the Patriotic Reform Act, which will be voted on following the election. It features a new law to censor the media, a law aimed at instilling national pride into children from a young age and even plans to monitor would-be parents suspected of radical socialist, communist and anti-monarchist sympathies.

Some believe the Prefect has proposed the Patriotic Reform Act to appease certain members of his government who want a return to one-party system rule. They include Deputy Prefect and Foreign Minister General Andrj Zhtál who has gone on the record saying that the need for democratic elections is pointless.

Baron Könnyrahe is, therefore, seen to be gambling all by giving voters the chance to throw their support behind his proposal - thus giving him a mandate to resist calls for change one way or another.

It will not be long before the country knows if his risky strategy has worked.

[Aquinas]

January 4507

Ahmadi Alliance takes stand against "Patriotic Reform Act"

The Ahmadi Alliance has been caught off-guard by the snap election, and is believed to be ill-prepared for an election campaign, but has vowed to fight the election on what its leader, Baron Husn Vrkz-Krlmék, has described as "a principled stand against the illiberal excesses of the proposed Patriotic Reform Act".

If implemented, the Patriotic Reform Act would limit the opportunities for parties in the Grand Council to propose legislation, severely curtail freedom of the press, make it easier for the state to take children away from their families and compel children to sing the national anthem every day at school.

Few believe the Ahmadi Alliance has any chance of victory in the election, but if it could increase its seat count from its present tally of 37 to at least 76, then it would have the necessary one-thirds blocking majority it would need in order to thwart constitutional reforms.

[Sisyphus]

Prefect Calls For Early Vote On Patriotic Reform Act Following Election Success

February 4507 - Baron Dnkai Könnyrahe said his decision to call a snap election over his plans to suspend further democratic reforms has been fully justified after his party was returned with another huge majority. Despite the controversial articles of the Patriotic Reform Bill, his New Royal Front claimed 176 of the 225 Grand Council seats.

Some analysts say any election is pitched in the Prefect's party favour as only traditional wealthy conservative members of society are able to vote. And despite the Ahmadi Alliance making some ground (49 seats being their best return in their 18 year history), it is not enough to stop the government pushing through any constitutional reform it wants.

Baron Könnyrahe said: "Following the election victory I now have secured the strong mandate I wanted from the people and will immediately look to bring the Patriotic Reform Act to a vote. Given the people have spoken and share my concerns over security of this country I see no justifable reason for any in the Grand Council to attempt to vote this down."

Royal Couple Announce Birth of First Child


February 4507 - The king's granddaughter, Princess Agzé and her husband Baron Jebr of Havendam have announced the birth of their first child creating stronger ties between two of Vanuku's most powerful noble houses.

His Royal Highness Prince Temrkai Sigzma Jebrsrmko, who will one day be king, is not only the great-grandson of the current monarch Wrntukai VI but is also the grandson of the current Duke of Vrzkel - Kspar Zhtál.

It means one day he will be head of the dynastic houses of both Banmek-Snatzed and Zhtál-Merlkai.

[Aquinas]

July 4507

Socialist leader arrested in clampdown on pro-democracy protests

Dnma Mardoh, the chairwoman of the opposition Socialist Association, who has been standing in for her husband who is currently in prison, has been arrested and charged with sedition following a heavy police crackdown on pro-democracy protests across the country. She is expected to face trial soon, along with 7 other Socialist Association leaders.

Hillesko Dorfluzke, the deputy chairman of the Socialist Association who escaped arrest and fled to exile in Selucia, has now become acting chairman.

[Aquinas]

Socialist Association leader appeals to the World Congress against the Vanukean government

[Aethan]

Selucia confirms presence and protection to the opposition leader in its territory

[Sisyphus]

Socialist Association Leaders Found Guilty of Terrorism and Sedition
Life Sentences For Eight Defendants Who "Plotted to Blow Up Royal Palaces" and "Incite Revolution"


Flashback to last summer when Dnma Mardoh was arrested along with seven other Socialist Association leaders.

July 4508 - Eight Socialist Association leaders have been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of terror-related offences and crimes relating to sedition.

Those sentenced include Dnma Mardoh, the chairwoman of the organisation - who has been standing in for her husband, Hkinor, who is currently in prison himself.

All had been arrested following a police crackdown on pro-democracy protests across the country. However, during their trial, evidence emerged which claimed that the eight defendants were not only inciting violent protest against the state but had acquired bomb-making devices from foreign terrorist groups.

Prosecutor Glrajyr Krsktyk told the court that evidence had come to light proving that the eight defendants planned to plant the devices at royal palaces around the country in a bid to spark a "bloody revolution".

Despite a defence inisiting no evidence existed which linked the bomb making equipment produced as exhibits in court to the defendants, a jury of 12 found them guilty on both indictments.

Judge Xavr Jebrzr sentenced them to life imprisonment with no chance of parole for at least 19 years. In passing down his sentence he said they were "the worst examples of domestic political terrorists who, would have wreaked havoc on their own people if it were not for the vigilance of the law enforcement agencies."

Mardoh who has been suffering from poor health since she was arrested will serve the first part of her sentence from a unnamed hospital where she continues to receive specialist treatment for a pneumonia-related condition.

After the trial, a spokesperson for the government's Internal Affairs Ministry said they would be looking at legislation aimed at preventing terrorists and seditionists from being able to pose under the facade of non-violent groups. He said the Socialist Association would also be dissolved.

The current acting chairman of the Socialist Association Hillesko Dorfluzke, who escaped arrest is being allowed to live in Selucia . Vanuku have not yet applied for his extradition.

[Aethan]

Trial about Mr. Dorfluzke begins in Selucia

[Kubrick]

Movement of Discontent: influential Banmek-Sntazed's unite to form political movement
Prince Juhn, the son of Queen Mrjmai's younger brother Prince Wrntukai, is fed up with course of Kingdom.


Prince Juhn Banmek-Sntazed (left) is the son of Prince Wrntukai Banmek-Sntazed, brother of Queen Mrjmai. Prince Pawl Banmek-Sntazed (right) is his son, together they lead the Movement of Discontent.

March 4509 - The ides of March have arrived for the Zhtál dominated political scene of the Kingdom of Vanuku according to Prince Juhn Banmek-Sntazed. The 77-year old Prince of Vanuku has come out as the leader of a new political movement. The Movement of Discontent is mostly being led by his son, the 50-year old Prince Pawl yet it was the elder Prince Juhn that found others who disagreed with the current state of affairs. Prince Juhn was extremely close to Queen Mrjmai, serving as one of her top advisors for many years. His father, Prince Wrntukai, was set to inherit the Kingdom after the Queen's passing until her son (the current King Wrntukai VI) was born and the Archduke chose to abdicate in favour of Queen Mrjmai's infant son. It is a well-known fact that Prince Juhn has always resented his father for this decision, citing him as a man that was never really close to his children and was away most of the year on military missions. "He preferred shooting and his brothers in arms above his children, oddly enough I found my father figure in the Queen" is what Prince Juhn said in 4482 in an interview about his father shortly after his passing from liver cancer at the age of 84. Even though he greatly supported the Queen it is also well-known that the Prince has always opposed the law change that made Princess Mrjmai the Archduchess. "It goes against all ancient traditions, everything this Kingdom was built upon all those centuries ago" is what the Prince said in 4500. Ever since the passing of the Queen he has also been highly critical of King Wrntukai VI, who did not retain him as a close advisor like his mother did. Instead the King turned to the Zhtál's and became increasingly dependent on the Prefect. In turn Prince Juhn often stated that the Queen was "ten times the man her son is".

Years of disapproval, disappointment and severe discontent led to the Prince assembling other ancient noble families to form a new movement. Even among the mostly conservative nobility there are many families that desire a more progressive and open Kingdom of Vanuku. A more democratic society with many other changes, changes the Zhtál dominated politics cannot give them. The current amount of financial backers is still unknown but insiders have leaked to the press that the financial support is "beyond belief". This is further reinforced by the fact that both Prince Juhn and Prince Pawl are successful businessmen. Prince Juhn in particular has invested greatly in the Banmek-Sntazed held companies in New Verham, his estimated net worth is around 10 billion marks. The elder Prince will lead the movement while his son will take up the active campaigning and politics. Prince Pawl has already convinced a member of the New Royal Front to send in two private councillor bills to the Grand Council, one calling for the abdication of Archduke Juhn in favour of Prince Juhn to "right the wrongs" and one to allow open homosexuality in the military. Especially the latter proposal has caught much wind in Vanukean society, where the lowborn masses are increasingly discontent with the conservative form of government. At this moment the political movement has not been officially registered yet but with the strong support in the circles of the nobility, the influential leadership and the massive financial funds it is almost a given that the committee will accept the registration.