Aldegar

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Yingdala to Support Aldegar for Security Council Seat C

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The Aldegar Times
Coalition swept into Power in landslide Victory
May 16th, 4858

The Majles Building in Pāytakht-e Aldegār, where the new Majles will Commence.

Pāytakht-e Aldegār, Kemoku - Election Night, May 4858, has brought us quite the unexpected result, with the Incumbent Āzādagī Government nigh collapsing Electorally, and the Rose Coalition being swept into power. We here at the long-standing Aldegar Times aren't quite sure how this happened either, the Coalition was swept in with an all around landslide, the Āzādagī's best performance in a State was 42% in Somasi. The common conclusion is that the Coalition's campaign on Economic Stimulus was enough to push them over, along with their Manifesto. That is if the Āzādagī Government's incumbency during the crisis wasn't enough to push them down in the polls.

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Results of the May 4858 Elections:
Rose Coalition | Benyamin Torabi | 30,415,146 | 72.56%
Āzādagī | Kioumars Mostofi | 11,504,737 | 27.44%

Rose Coalition | 30,098,890 | 72.67% | 109 Seats
Āzādagī | 10,851,303 | 26.46% | 41 Seats
Other | 61,819 | 0.15% | 0 Seats


Outside the Coalition Headquarters, Party Leader Rostam Lofti gave a speech regarding their victory:

"Tonight proved that Proper, Unadulterated, Solidarity among the people is more powerful than Big-Tent Unity! But, work is about to be our priority! We promised great change, and now we will deliver upon our Electoral Mandate, the Radical Change that we have promised on our journey here, into our journey tomorrow! So, please await us as we move to bring our change to Aldegar!"

Whether or not their change will be enacted or what it even is remains to be seen, but the Coalition, and it's supporters, remain enthusiastic and prepared to move forward the change that they see fit.

[jamescfm]

Mostofi concedes presidential election and offers support for incoming government
18 May 4858



ALDEGAR: Following the country's first multi-party election in several years, Aldegarian President Kioumars Mostofi has conceded defeat to his rival Benyamin Torabi of the Rose Coalition. In a short speech in the capital, Mostofi told supporters that he was honoured to have served his country for five years and looked forward to a new era of democratic reform throughout Aldegar.

Alongside other members of the cabinet, Mostofi has offered to work closely with the President-elect to ensure a smooth and peaceful transfer of power over the coming weeks. Over the previous legislative term, the President's Āzādagī party has supported various legislative initiatives proposed by the Rose Coalition as a sign of goodwill and bipartisan cooperation. Both parties have already indicated this will continue with their joint pledge to ratify the Aoki Healthcare Declaration at the beginning of the next term.

Mostofi's party are already preparing for the process of rebuilding their movement after a disappointing election result that left them with less than a third of the seats in the national Majles. The outgoing president does not intend to run for election in five years time, it is being reported. Politicians at all levels of the party are beginning to position themselves for the race to find his successor.

[jamescfm]

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Aldegarian electorate approves radical new constitution
     23 October 4870

     In a landmark referendum held yesterday, the Aldegarian electorate has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new constitution that will bring radical change to the country's political system. Championed by the broad-tent Freedom movement that has governed the country with the support of various smaller parties for almost two decades, the new constitution is based around the principle of "removing partisanship from politics".

     Over the course of the next twelve months, a variety of changes will be made to the way that Aldegar is governed as the transition to the new system takes place. In contrast to constitutional reform in many other countries, the new Aldegarian system will have a phased implementation to minimise any potential disruptive effect to the task of governing. The entire process has been guided by an independent commission on constitutional affairs established by President Homa Qaderi three years ago.

     The new constitution has been influenced by political developments in Selucia, Seko and Endralon to varying extents, as well as the long history of political organisation in Aldegar. At the centre of the system will be a new head of state known officially as the Shewra. Composed of a number of important political and religious officials, the body will exercise collective authority in a primarily symbolic and advisory role. Aldegar's principal political leader will remain the President however they will now be elected by the legislature rather than directly elected by the population.

     Crucially, the new constitution will include a comprehensive ban on political parties. Based partly on the Selucian political system, all political officials in Aldegar will be required to remain non-partisan in an attempt to "prioritise national development over partisan concerns". Unlike the Selucian system, members of the Majles will still be elected and the provisions extend beyond the national level to local government.

     Once the various changes have been fully implemented there will be a full legislative election after which the newly elected Majles will formally oversee the signing of the new constitutional document and then begin ordinary business. The radical changes have all been made in an attempt to overcome the centuries of political instability that have troubled Aldegar. Even since the current democratic system emerged in the early 4850s, the country has swung radically between different governments. Politicians and the public are holding out hope that things will now change.


Khelban (Pilot) is a broadsheet newspaper covering a variety of topics including politics, economics, culture and sports throughout Aldegar and Seleya

[jamescfm]

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Aldegaria hosts first International Mind Sports Championship event
     5 July 4875

     The first International Mind Sports Championship has just concluded in the Aldegarian capital. Facilitated by the Global Association of Sports Organisations (GASO) and members of the Aldegarian government, the event attracted new attention to a variety of mind sports among the Aldegarian public. President of the organising committee Borzou Rastkar has hailed the inaugural event as a "unqualified success" that "drew fresh public attention to the talented mind athletes from Aldegar and the rest of the world".

     The championship event developed from a joint initiative between the International Chess Association (ICA) and the International Go Association (IGA). Both organisations have been affiliated with the GASO since its creation three years ago. The impetus for the event was the election to public office in Aldegar of the chess master Samira Kianian. As the leader of the Mind Sports Working Group in the Aldgerian legislature, she worked closely with both organisations to secure an agreement that would benefit all involved.

     Go and chess were at the centre of the championship and were the only events to attract a genuinely worldwide profile. Nonetheless there were official competitions in a diverse number of other events ranging from card games (bridge and poker) and tile games (mahjong and dominoes) to strictly mental disciplines (memory and mathematical calculation). In addition the organisers developed an entirely new format for the championship: the mental triathlon. Based on the similar physical event, players competed across three different mind sports in quick succession (chess, go and bridge).

     For most of the events contested, the prize-winning positions were dominated by Aldegarian competitors due to the lack of international competitors. For example in the dominoes tournament, Aldegarians occupied all of the top sixteen positions. Both the chess and Go events saw international talent dominate though. Unsurprisingly ICA number one Aleksandre Jibuti of Hobrazia won the classical and rapid chess tournaments, though he was beaten by longtime Jakanian rival Sukran Ozbek in the blitz format.

     At this stage it is not clear whether the event will become a regular feature of the international mind sports landscape or whether it was a successful anomaly. Nonetheless the Aldegarian government has already offered their renewed support for the championship. Mayor of the capital and Shewra member Hossein Malakooti shared his support on social media: "IMSC was a great success! Aldegaria is always open to host such great displays of intellectual talent and cultural diversity."


Khelban (Pilot) is a broadsheet newspaper covering a variety of topics including politics, economics, culture and sports throughout Aldegar and Seleya

[jamescfm]

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Aldegarian government prepares for move to new capital
     3 January 4877

     After almost five years of construction, the new political capital of Aldegar is a matter of months away from being officially inaugurated. After significant planning by the government, the new Parliament building is expected to receive a state opening after December's legislative elections. In advance of this formal ceremony, people have already begun moving into the city in expectation of the economic and lifestyle opportunities that it may bring.

     The new capital was first discussed in a legislative session shortly after the first non-partisan election was held in Aldegar. A group of legislators worked together to lobby the government to consider the proposal, which was pitched as bringing a number of opportunities for the country's economy and society. Aside from the obvious consequence of new jobs in a variety of physical industries such as construction, supporters highlighted how the construction of the capital could be used a symbol of national rebirth and to move on from the legacy of past political divisions.

     Eventually the government and the Parliament indicated their support for the project and public attention turned to the details of the new city. In line with the emphasis on unity and reconciliation, it was decided that the capital would be constructed in a central location to physically place it at the "heart of the nation". Known as Ramsāhreza, it will only be the "political capital" in legal terms. Though it will be home to all the major institutions of government, Aldegaria will remain the "economic and ceremonial capital" of the country as a concession to the city's political leadership.

     When the new Parliament building is opened in December, it will be a symbolic conclusion to the years-long process of political reform that has engulfed Aldegar over most of the past decade. President Shahram Jafarnejad is among those who have suggested that a new national holiday be declared in reflection of Aldegar's new-found political stability though no concrete proposal has yet been brought forward. Ramsāhreza's construction has attracted international attention too, with some speculating about who will be the first foreign leader to visit the new capital.


Khelban (Pilot) is a broadsheet newspaper covering a variety of topics including politics, economics, culture and sports throughout Aldegar and Seleya

[jamescfm]

     Pop singer Arman Nazeri chosen to represent Aldegar at FOMAT-IX
          4 January 4877

Following a tough selection process, Aldegar's entry for the ninth edition of the Festival of Musical Arts in Terra has been chosen: pop singer Arman Nazeri. The competition is set to be held in the Selucian city of Argona following the victory of Selucian Salvius Falconius in the eighth edition two years ago in Deltaria. Despite not being Aldegar's first appearance, they have not competed in the last two editions of the competition and will be looking to improve on a fifth place performance in FOMAT-VI.

As in the previous selection process, the ultimate decision was made by the Aldegarian public after a pool of candidates was selected by music journalists. Nazeri contrasts with the previous Aldegarian participant Esfandiyar Razavian, who was pop music royalty in the country before entering FOMAT. Nazeri is relatively unknown even within Aldegar but won over many members of the public with his upbeat and attention-grabbing performances for the live sections of the show. Aldegarian fans have already expressed hope that his stage presence will win over the FOMAT judges.

Since the results of the selection process were announced, Nazeri and the organisers have already announced the song that he will perform at the contest, which will be widely released in the run-up to the competition. Entitled "No, No, No", the song is a contemporary Aldegarian pop song with dance elements that tells the story of a love affair on the rocks. Nazeri co-wrote the song himself, alongside long-time collaborator and producer Peacheaden.

[jamescfm]

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Baltusian President becomes first world leader to visit Ramsāhreza
     23 January 4878

     Following the official designation of the newly constructed Ramsāhreza as the capital of Aldegar at the beginning of the legislative term, the President of Baltusia David Williams has become the first international leader to visit the city. President Williams arrived in the country yesterday to spend time with his Aldegarian counterpart: the recently re-elected President Shahram Jafarnejad. Despite their distinctly different cultural and political backgrounds, both men share a commitment to promoting peaceful cooperation within Seleya and throughout the world.

     The meeting of the two presidents is the first time that Aldegar has received a Baltusian leader in some time. Though the countries have never truly been hostile to one another, Aldegar has typically been isolated in the international sphere and its foreign policy has been characterised as staunchly isolationist. Over the past two decades the country has experienced a significant turnaround, however. The culmination of successive Aldegarian governments attempts to reach out to the world was the country's election to the World Congress Security Council at the beginning of this term.

     During the Baltusian President's visit though, the focus will be on the two countries' position in the surrounding region. Alongside leaders in Gaduridos and Yingdala, there has been a renewed willingness to commit to intracontinental cooperation in recent years. In the past year the Aldegarian government has proposed the creation of a regional free travel area that would reduce barriers to movement of persons between the countries, a development that was met with a positive response by regional partners.

     In the run up to the arrival of President Williams, the Aldegarian government has been focusing on their international outlook and improving the country's reputation as an international power committed to "peaceful and fruitful co-existence with all nations". In the first half of the Security Council term, Aldegar's representative has formed a strong relationship with other members even including the traditionally conservative Dorvik. President Jafarnejad emphasised this as a sign that nations need not share similar domestic politics to cooperate productively in the international domain.


Khelban (Pilot) is a broadsheet newspaper covering a variety of topics including politics, economics, culture and sports throughout Aldegar and Seleya

[jamescfm]

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Newly reorganised AldeGas steps up oil and gas production
     25 July 4878

     Aldegar's national oil and gas company AldeGas has begun the first phase of plans to steadily increase oil and gas production in the country. The company was reconstituted around six years ago and transitioned from a state-owned corporation to a democratically-organised and worker-controlled cooperative. Despite a difficult first few years as Aldegar's infrastructure proved outdated and unprepared to deal with a significant increase in production, the company has rebounded thanks to the support of the Aldegarian national government.

     Increased production is not a response to domestic demand but is aimed at exporting to the international market. In a seemingly self-defeating policy for the Aldegarian government, they have been firm advocates for renewable, environmentally-friendly energy sources. Solar power in particular holds significant opportunities for the country given its equatorial position and extremely hot climate. For this reason the government has emphasised that oil and gas production should primarily be a revenue stream for development and not a part of the country's infrastructure.

     In the last decade, Aldegar became only the third country to ratify the Framework and Agreement for a Nuclear-Free Future, first promulgated in Seko half a century ago. The ratification is part of broader efforts by successive Aldegarian governments to reach multilateral agreement on denuclearisation in terms of both arms and the energy sector. Through the World Congress they have begun to make some progress in the former area, with two of the world's four recognised nuclear powers agreeing to meet in the Aldegarian capital in the coming months.

     News of increased oil and gas production is unlikely to be well received in certain portions of the globe, particularly those like Badara and Trigunia that rely on production as a key part of their economic strategy and broader development. Leaving other factors aside the increased production is likely to place downward pressure on prices, which may reduce revenues for all. In the past there have been agreements to manage production in order to keep prices stable but no such widespread agreement exists at the moment.


Khelban (Pilot) is a broadsheet newspaper covering a variety of topics including politics, economics, culture and sports throughout Aldegar and Seleya

[jamescfm]

                         ⬆ Image source

Aldegar confirms details of landmark nuclear weapons conference
     6 November 4878

     Building on Aldegar's commitment to a multilateral approach to nuclear disarmament, President Shahram Jafarnejad has confirmed that delegations from three of the "recognised nuclear powers" will meet in the Aldegarian capital Ramsāhreza to discuss a joint agreement on non-proliferation and disarmament. Leaders from Dorvik, Hutori and Yingdala will be joined by representatives from fellow Security Council member Dankuk and the World Congress bureaucracy in an attempt to facilitate agreement and reach a mutually beneficial settlement.

     The conference will take place in the capital in two years time and will cover a wide range of topics related to nuclear weapons over a period of six days. Jafarnejad will act as the formal chair of the conference but has emphasised that the focus will be the three nuclear powers in attendance, not Aldegar. Though an invitation was extended to the government of Vanuku as the fourth recognised nuclear power, the country has experienced prolonged political instability in recent decades and it is the consensus view among security experts that they are likely no longer to possess any serviceable nuclear weaponry.

     At the moment the Aldegarian government and international anti-nuclear organisations are cautiously optimistic that the conference may lead to some substantial progress. Despite some broad agreement on principles of non-proliferation, codified in Security Council Resolution 97, there has been different levels of enforcement and adoption of the protocols. Notably none of the three countries set to attend are currently parties to the Aldegarian-supported International Agreement on Nuclear Non-Proliferation. Ratification of the agreement will be a priority for the Aldegarian delegation.


Khelban (Pilot) is a broadsheet newspaper covering a variety of topics including politics, economics, culture and sports throughout Aldegar and Seleya