Istalia

[Rogue]

Per la gente!
ECONOMIC REFORMS PASS, PURCHASING POWER PROJECTED TO INCREASE
January 4th 4722


A shopping street in the Istalian city of Angona likely to see a increase in customers this summer

Romula: The Right wing government led by the PDLN recently passed a series of economic reforms deregulating the public works industry, lowering taxes on companies and luxury goods as well as loosening restrictions on smaller companies, which would under this law no longer be mandated to cover payroll contributions to employees. In addition to these reforms the coalition passed a series of tax reforms lowering taxes on the middle class in a effort to increase their purchasing power and relieve them of decently high taxrates.

According to the Public Office of Economic Management (POEM), which calculates the effects of economic reforms, the new plan is likely to increase consumer purchasing power to a high degree, allowing them to spend their money directly into local economies which would in turn grow the Istalian economy. The increased purchasing power would also strengthen larger families by freeing up funds for additional food, healthcare or other necessities they would otherwise spend on taxes. According to POEM the new plan would grow the istalian economy by 2.5% next year and the decrease in taxes for companies would likely lower the unemployment from 8% currently to 7.4% by the end of next year.

POEM did however have certain critiques on the reforms, stating that the taxcuts did cause Istalia to now run on a deficit and could, in the future, result in a bigger debt for the Istalian state. Furthermore the loosening of restrictions and regulations could lead to a less powerfull role for the Trade Unions in the country, something the right will be happy about but the left less so. The loosening of restrictions would however, according to POEM, lead to around 2.000 extra bussinesses to launch next year compared to other years, likely further increasing the benefits for consumers. Prime Minister Tranchina has responded positively to the early reports saying that

government policies and reforms will likely cause increased growth in the coming years and more wealth for ordinary Istalians, we will continue to work to ensure that the Istalian people benefit from this projected growth

[Aethan]

BREAKING Yes to Republic sweeps the non-binding consultation
Egeo Azzara announces that he will communicate the results to the representatives of the State - President of the Assembly, Prime Minister and Empress - and will decide the next steps to follow after the victory of the Republican option


Governor of Trivendito Egeo Azzara voting during the non-binding consultation

After months of preparation, the Trivenditan government has finally carried out one of its star election promises: the holding of a non-binding consultation on the state form preferred by the citizens of the Istalian region.

The vote, which has been carried out throughout the day and in which no incident has been highlighted except for isolated clashes between supporters and detractors of the current government of the blocist Egeo Azzara, thus ends months - or even years - of doubts and delays in its celebration.

In order to carry out the consultation, the Trivendito Parliament had to approve during several legislatures the decree that would allow the holding of non-binding referendums in the region provided that a majority of the regional Assembly approved it.

Now, Mr. Azzara's government has just made the results public, which will surprise few citizens: the Republic is the preferred form of state for those who have participated in the consultation. It has been the Regional Governor himself who has appeared to announce the results, among which the high percentage of participation stands out: almost 70% of the citizens have participated in the non-binding consultation, something that has reinforced Mr. Azzara's thesis that citizens want to vote

"Goodnight everyone,

After holding the non-binding consultation held by this government, I proceed to announce the results that this consultation has shown on the opinion of our citizens in what should be the form of political organization of our State. It is important to highlight the high percentage of participation, which has been 69.87% of the citizens of Trivendito, something that shows that this issue is something that matters to our citizens, who are those that I, my government, and the Trivendito Assembly owe respect.

To the question "What do you think should be the form of organization of the State of Istalia, and what would you vote for in case of a binding and national consultation on its form of organization?" citizens have voted:
A 57.73% in favor of an Istalian Republic, which means 82.62% of votes in favor of this option on the total participation.
A 12.14% in favor of the current Istalian Empire, which means a 17.38% of votes in favor of this option on the total participation.
30.11% of citizens have not taken part in the consultation.

After these results, it is overwhelmingly clear that it is not only the people who have participated who want a change in the organization of the Istalian Head of State, but also a majority of the citizens, since even over 100 % of the citizens of Trivendito this option continue to win with absolute majority (57.73%). Supposedly, the figure of the Empress shall represent all our citizens, regardless of our political ideas and opinions. But that does not happen in Trivendito, where we can see that the figure of the Empress does not have the favor of our citizens. That should mean something for someone that is intended to represent them. For this reason, and in view of the results obtained, I will immediately contact the Prime Minister of Istalia and the Empress of Istalia to convey to them what the citizens of Trivendito have voted at the polls, and will convene an extraordinary session at the Regional assembly to decide the next steps to follow ".

From these last words some sources indicate that Governor Azzara could formally initiate the procedures to organize a binding referendum and declare the Republic of Trivendito in case the central government decides not to hold a national consultation on this matter, although others people consider him hasty and believe that Mr. Azzara will wait to see if he is re-elected in the following elections.

Istalian government sources have informed this newspaper that the Prime Minister is attentive to the results - in which the voters of the regional branch of his own party, according to polls, would have voted mostly in favor of the Republic, with close of 2/3 - to decide the next steps to follow, among them the fulminating dismissal of the governor of Trivendito and the direct seizure of the regional government by the central government, something that would be an unprecedented scandal in the recent democratic history of Istalia

[XanderOne]

Quattroregni Palace release: "Her Majesty is no longer able to fulfil her Duties"
She was diagnosed with Senile dementia and thus from now Prince of the Crown Tommaso Hassan will act as Imperial Regent

27 January 4722

ROMULA - Totally out of the blue, the news came this moorning in the middle of a serious political situation which is on the verge of a veritable crisis between and even inside the central government, the Trivendito region and the opposition:

"it is with the greatest sadness that Quattroregni Palace officially announces that Her Majesty the Empress Michela was diagnosed with Senile dementia and that She is no longer able to fulfil her most high Duties"

The Palace official release continued saying that as per Imperial Law about the Sovereign's Permanent Impediment, His Imperial Highness Grand Prince of the Crown Tommaso Hassan (55) takes officially the role of Imperial Regent of the Empire, acting in the name of his mother the Empress as Head of State.

It was actually up to the Prince to responds to the Governor of Trivendito, to whom the Prince personally communicated the health condition of his mother. The Prince, about the request by the Governor to the Crown to allow a national consultation about the form of government, respecting the role of the Crown He had no choice but warn Governor Azzara about the risk to pursue any attempts to proceed to a binding referendum or to a secession, acts which will be actually recognized as illegal by the Justice first of all.
Then, the Prince had also no choice but underline to Governor Azzara that it is not up to the Crown to deliberate on such matters but ultimaly this is the role of National Executive and the National Legislature.

Finally, the Palace closed its press release saying that doctors unfurtunately had to admit that health conditions of the Empress will get worse in the future and also quite quickly.

[Rogue]

Per la gente!
PRIME MINISTER TRANCHINA WARNS TRIVENDITO: "FOLLOW UP ACTION WILL BE RESPONDED TO"
June 24th 4722


Prime Minister Tranchina

Romula: Istalian Prime Minister Tranchina has, according to a inside transcript leaked to the press, warned Governor Azzara of Trivendito that "any follow up action regarding the local referendum will be responded to by the national government."
The prime minister underlined the right for trivendito to hold their own non binding referendum but stated that

"the national government has no plans to hold a national referendum and the PDLN (prime ministers party) respects the wishes of its coalition partners in this regard."

Inside sources seem to suggest that if Trivendito decides to push for a binding referendum or tries to destabilize their region and Empire the Prime Minister is considering several options. One of these options could even include national forces disbanding the regional government until order is restored, something that would be unprecedented in Istalian history.
The situation remains tense and many wonder what the Trivendito government will do next.

[Rogue]

Per la gente!
CONSTRUCTION ON NEW AIRCRAFT CARRIER AND DESTROYERS LAUNCHED
May 5th 4725


A existing Forteza class aircraft carrier in the Istalian navy of which a new one will not be constructed

Romula: In a recently passed military appropriations bill the parliament approved of the construction of a new Forteza class aircraft carrier in addition to 5 new Imperator class guided missile destroyers. After the disaster of Alaria the Istalian fleet was decimated, causing it to be almost halved in size and destroying most of its carriers. But after decades the Istalian navy is back to strength with this recent order meant to further reinforce the Istalian blue water navy. The construction of the new carrier will be conducted by a coalition of Istalian companies and the same counts for the planned Imperator destroyers. The new additions for the navy will, according to the Ministry of Defense, "contribute to Istalia's role as a global power and ensure that Istalia is fully prepared to face any military challenge at sea and support possible troops abroad."

In addition to the construction of these new ships the military appropiations bill will also make the MOD invest into the ground forces, with new primary infantry weapons and additional support equipment now being purchased. The bill also states that a annual combined warfare exercise needs to be held by the Imperial Armed Forces. This exercise, according to the MOD and high command, currently has the name of CEIS (Or Combined Exercise Istalia). This exercise will be held annually and will include both the Navy, Airforce and Groundforces. The first edition of the exercise is to be held later this year and will likely be held near Alaria, the place where the Istalian navy was so heavily damaged that faithfull day. The bill also forms a Commission for Aerial Modernization or CAM, this commission is tasked with researching the possibility of modernizing Istalia's Airforce in the future.

Construction on the Forteza class carrier will last a estimated 8 years. Construction on the 5 new Imperator class guided missile destroyers will last a estimated 6 years. With 3 being constructed in 4 years and 2 in 2 years.

[Rogue]

Per la gente!
PRIME MINISTER TRANCHINA RESTRICTS TRAVEL TO NATIONS AFFECTED BY THE MOR-1 VIRUS
November 18th 4725


Prime Minister Tranchina when announcing the new measures that will take into effect

Romula: Istalian Prime Minister Tranchina has announced travel restrictions to nations affected by the MOR-1 virus. These restrictions apply to almost every nation in the Third World and milder restrictions are placed on nations like Lourenne, Kazulia and Dankuk. The travel restrictions include a ban on travel to the nations most affected by the virus, with people from those nations also not allowed to enter Istalia. Travel to mildly affected nations is allowed, but individuals who return from those nations will be put in quarentine for at least a week before being allowed total entry into the nation.

To nations like Lourenne and Kazulia all travel is allowed but individuals are tested when ariving on Istalian soil to make sure they are not infected, individuals have to wait for the result of these tests before they are allowed entry into Istalia. Prime Minister Tranchina also spoke to several medical experts and health officials in the nation, discussing how to best prepare for when the virus hits the nation and what measures to take when it does. Until now no MOR-1 infections have been reported in Istalia.

[Rogue]

Per la gente!
ISEM-1 FINALLY LAUNCHED INTO SPACE
December 5th 4725


The first image after made by the ISEM-1 after launch

Romula: After a 2 year delay in construction and going 100 million LOD over budget the ISEM-1 spacecraft, tasked with travelling to deepspace and analysing particles as well as making pictures, has finally launched into space. The craft succesfully launched from Carlo Manerba before exiting earths orbit and setting its course for deepspace. ISEM-1 send back its first image after launch moments later, showing Terra from space. According to AISA the ISEM-1 mission will last a total of 15 years as the craft first has to travel our of the system, which in itself will take over 8 years, and then start analyzing data and sending back pictures from deepspace. One picture from that distance takes over a year to be send back to the Carlo Manerba fascility. Therefor the craft computing system has been programmed to make several photos from different angles at the same time, which will then arrive a year later.

According to AISA and the Ministry of Science and Technology this mission will give the agency and scientific community a "good picture" of the partical composition present in the deep-space as well as the way deep-space looks which could help with further missions in the future and possibly even with developing new technologies for day to day use. The ISEM-1 is, as you would expect, unmanned and has advanced analyzing equipment, heat protection and photographic capabilities to succeed in its mission and will be monitored 24/7 by a dedicated team for the remainder of the mission.

According to inside sources within AISA this mission has caused Istalia and Kazulia to have launched talks, seeing that both nations are interested in deep-space and are likely to launch a joint project in the near future. Neither the Kazulian science minister nor the Istalian minister where available for a comment.

[Hakon]

OFF: "NO PLACE FOR US IN TRANCHINA POLICIES"

April 4726, ROMULA

Today, the OFF leadership decided to leave the current coalition. The party feels that their agenda has been ignored totally. "Of course we know that we have a very modest share of the seats in the Assembly but still should the voice of our electorate be heard in this Government's policy, and it does not at all despite our efforts!", Partychairman Bruno Francani said. "In our quarters the question was raised: "What is the point to keep a member party in this coalition which find libertarianism more important than safety of our citizens and supporting social solidarity ?", he continued saying. In the OFF there is a sense of great disappointment in the PM's policies and lack of empathie for our goals. As a result of that the OFF will take a seat in the opposition benches. "It was an honour to serve the nation but we are took part in the coalition as "voting cattle", Francani stated emotionally. He refused to clarify what he meant by that. He also did not answer a question if the OFF believed that Prime Minister Tranchina (PDLN) preferred a centre-left coalition.

[Augustus Germanus]

Cademo of the Populists Augusto Amadeo criticizes the OFF's decision
Leader Augusto Amadeo comments on the OFF's decision to resign from the cabinet: Childish and immature

At a Populist press conference, the Cademo of the Populists and Minister of Food and Agriculture, Augusto Amadeo commented on Order, Faith and Family's unexpected decision to resign entirely from the Tranchina Cabinet II:

I must say that it is somewhat surprising for them to resign their ministers just because the party couldn't get the governments support for its 'Homeland Security Act'? It is very childish and immature for a party to propose an authoritarian bill with no support, because of the lack of support resign and then give the excuse that their agenda have been totally ignored. My party proposed the 'Removing Compulsion & Protecting the Right of Choice Act' and the 'Removing Local Authority from Health Politics Act', the former is hard to know if it will pass and the latter has yet to show any determining results, but that is politics, everyone doesn't support all of your agenda and that is what is so great with democracy, we can all debate and exchange ideas with each other. If the OFF had wanted our support they should have consulted us other members of the government, we haven't gotten any question of if we the Populists would support it and we don't know if they have asked ANI or PDLN. If they had asked us we could have found a compromise instead of these toxic behaviors we have been seeing lately. Thank you.

Harsh words coming from the leader of the Populists and since Amadeo's ascension as Leader of the Populists he have always given harsher comments against those he debates especially against the Left Bloc, compared to the late Giusto Zani and his predecessor Romero Geraci. We have also confirmed from Amadeo that he thinks there will be an early election called because of the difficulty to form a centre-left government and because of the empty seats that belonged to the disbanded Istalian Social Movement.

[Rogue]

Per la gente!
TRANCHINA TO STEP DOWN AS PARTY LEADER, PARTY PRIMARIES TO BE HELD
June 4th 4727


Current frontrunner, parliamentary leader Alexandro Cortez, a pragmatist like Tranchina

Romula: Prime Minister and PDLN leader Virone Tranchina has announced that he is stepping down as PDLN leader and has called for immediate party primaries to be held to pick its new leader. Tranchina stated that his time has come after leading two consecutive cabinets and being party leader for over 9 years. The PDLN picks its leaders in a entirely different way then most party's do. After Tranchina became leader he and party leadership created a "primary" system that allows different candidates to compete for delegates on a state by state level. By doing this the PDLN should, at the end, end up with the strongest candidate possible for the next election. Each region has a specific number of delegates to distribute with Sarregna, the PDLN stronghold, having most delegates to distribute. In total around 300 delegates are up for grabs with a candidate needing at least 200 of them to win the party leadership. Currently 4 candidates have put themselves forward to replace Tranchina as party leader.

Alexandro Cortez (56) is currently the front runner for the party with, according to the polls, 45% of the party members supporting him. He has been a known figure within the PDLN for his outspoken pragmatic views and firm centrist ideals and for leading the party's parliamentary group.

Teresa Del Mastro (42) is a rather young member of the party and alligns with the center-left wing of the party. She has been polling rather low with only 16% of the party members supporting her, many believe she does not have a real chance at winning leadership.

Cassiano Varano (62) is one of the biggest competitors for Cortez, he is firmly on the right wing of the party and has stated numerous times that the pragmatic open approach of the party currently should be ammended and that the party should "not betray itself" by working with the left. Varano is seen by some as right wing to far-right as he has called for severe restrictions on immigration and hardening existing criminal law to put "immigrant criminals" behind bars. Varano appeals to the right wing of the party and currently has 28% of the party members supporting him.

Cesario Donatelli (36) is the youngest candidate that has declared his run for party leadership. He is largely unknown by the majority of the PDLN electorate and has seen little to no media attention during his political carreer. He is currently mayor of the Sarregna city of Calliari and is running as a strong centrist, much like Cortez. Donatelli has only been polling at around 11%. Donatelli does appeal to a much younger base then other candidates and is the only candidate that has vouched for "structural reforms" calling the current political situation in Istalia "unbearable". He has stated he is willing to work with left, right and the monarchy in establishing a better political system that does not alienate large parts of society. While Donatelli seems like a long-shot his grassroots campaign and his young energetic appearance should not be underestimated according to political analysts.

The number of delegates are allocated in the following way:

Mezzodiurno Regione: 35 delegates

Silicia Regione: 85 delegates

Sarregna Regione: 130 delegates

Padagna Regione: 30 delegates

Trivendito Regione: 20 delegates

The first contest will be held in Silicia on the 11th of October 4727 with all candidates currently stepping up efforts to campaign in the regions.
The candidate that receives the most votes in a given region gets all its delegates.