Barmenistan

National news threads that host the key national news outlets for each of the game’s countries.

Re: Brme Lofrkns (Barmenian Independent)

Postby Polites » Thu Feb 02, 2017 1:00 pm

Phalanx Wins
Socialist Phalanx Party landslide

Image
Electoral poster for Khammo Qasyounan, the new head of state of Barmenia

April 4160 - As expected, the elections this March returned an overwhelming majority for the Pan-Qedarite Socialist Phalanx Party, a far-right organization opposed to both monarchy and Felinism. Riding on a wave of popular discontent with aristocratic rule, high unemployment, and Jelbic immigration from Beiteynu and Pontesi, the Phalangite party has gained an almost constitutional majority in the legislative, and its leader, Khammo Qasyounan, was victorious in the head of state election. Although King Constantine II was initially reluctant to appoint an SPP cabinet, the threat of violence posed by a large organized march on the capital forced the King to enter negotiations with Qasyounan and form a power-sharing agreement. A draft constitution was presented, according to which the King would keep his throne, while Qasyounan would be recognized as the "President" of the "Qedarite Kingdom of Barmenia". Khammo Qasyounan also announced that he would enforce the royal decree banning the Lion's Vanguard and forcing its leaders into exile in Pontesi, a decree with questionable legal validity. The new regime does not however seem to care much about legal formalities and parliamentary norms and procedures, neither does it have any incentive to do so. The wide popular support of the ultra-Kathuran party has presented the court faction with a dilemma: either oppose the Phalanx and risk alienating what little popular support it may have and risk the Nasirs losing their throne, or cooperate with the new party and risk escalating the ethnic and religious conflict. The Nasirs have placed their bets on the latter.

After gaining power the Socialist Phalanx Party announced it would be pursuing closer ties to the controversial regime governing Beiteynu in the north, aiming at an ultimate unification under the banner of Pan-Qedarism, and will be implementing policies aimed at further marginalizing the Jelbophone population of the Kingdom. As the SPP's electoral propaganda emphasized the creation of jobs for Kathurans, Majatrans, and Yeudis, the end of religious persecution, and the de-Jelbization of Barmenia, it is likely that, if the regime fails to deliver on its economic promises, the popular enthusiasm for Pan-Qedarism may be short-lived.

Image
Phalangists march on the capital prior to the power-sharing agreement with the Nasirs
Polites
 
Posts: 3198
Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 3:48 pm

Re: Brme Lofrkns (Barmenian Independent)

Postby Oakwood » Fri Feb 03, 2017 5:16 am

Constantine II uses constitutional power to make SPP leader Prime Minister.

Eksandr- Following the so called March of Fire, the SPP Leader Khammo Qasyounan was named Prime Minister by the King, who cited his power under the Constitution to 'appoint such personnel' as he ' may deem fit to run the affairs of domestic and foreign policy'. Though members of his party decried the newly created alliance, and the power sharing agreement that had come of it, the King reminded members of the Assembly of their core mission in his annual speech to the nation.

"We must never forget that we are a Kingdom of free men and women; the only enemy of a free state are those which espouse tyranny and false ideology. We must hold on to the values of our revolution, and know that the combined forces of enlightenment shall triumph in a world besmirched by lesser thought."

He signed an order, citing the Military and Governmental Control Act, a law dating from 3871 during the time of the Fourth Secular Republic (3870-3877), which stated that the SPP was granted a temporary reprieve of oversight on the grounds of their willingness to "follow and adhere to the constitution and obey laws in their acquiescence to the need for protection of the state."

In a separate letter to the Assembly, the King asked for an easing of laws banning miltia's, and called for a national recruitment drive to end the 'years of lawlessness' that had 'plagued our great Kingdom'.
Oakwood
 
Posts: 212
Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:03 pm

Re: Brme Lofrkns (Barmenian Independent)

Postby Oakwood » Tue Feb 07, 2017 4:04 am

King ponders support for what courtiers decry as a ban on dissent.

Eksandr- Deep in the halls of power, there resides a rumbling of discontent among normally loyal civil servants; word has spread that the long beloved King of Barmenia is pondering caving in to the recent legislation offered by the SPP; it would reportedly deport some ten million people from the nation, working off of previously passed legislation that has long remained etched onto the stone of law.

The legislation it seeks to borrow from has a long tradition, steming from the nine year period of Republican rule prior to the imperiled reign of Queen Sarah and continuing into the reign of the Nasirs. It's main sources are the Act of Religious Consaguity (3924), the Public Religious Protection Act (3702) and the Religious Tolerance Act of 3834, among others. Yet the legality of the law is not at issue on its face; what stands at stake is whether or not the President and Prime Minister, purportedly appointees of the King, will be prepared to face the inquiry of the independent judiciary on the matter of the law's constitutionality. Some experts are saying no.

"I don't see how the King could sign this." said a constitutional expert, Maria Bahre, at the University of Sirghastan "The constitution is clear; no religious discrimination. The Supreme Court would slam it down by midnight."
Oakwood
 
Posts: 212
Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:03 pm

Re: Brme Lofrkns (Barmenian Independent)

Postby Polites » Tue Feb 07, 2017 11:29 am

Church supports religion ban


Image
Maran Mar Quriaqos IV, Patriarch of Kathura

October 4162 - Barmenia is now locked in a legal conflict between the ruling Phalanx party and King Constantine over the Abolition of Sectarianism bill, which seeks to criminalize the practice of a number of religions as "cults" and strip their followers of citizenship. The cause of the conflict is the apparent incompatibility of the bill with previously passed items of legislation, among them the Act of Religious Consaguity , the Public Religious Protection Act, and the Religious Tolerance Act, which according to pro-Nasir legal scholars prevent religious discrimination. Dissenting jurists however argue that the content of these bills is in fact not that different from SPP legislation; the Act of Religious Consaguity bans the Aurorian Creed and discriminates against Aurorian Patriarchalists, the Public Religious Protection Act persecutes "cults", similarly to the Abolition of Sectarianism bill, and the Religious Tolerance Act, just like the current piece of legislation, restricts the right to establish religious schools only to a number of recognized religions. Moreover, the SPP presented the bill rather as an end to religious discrimination by allowing persecuted Israis, deprived of citizenship under the Elimination of Theocratic Rule Act and the Decree of Amnesty for Religious Dissenters, to benefit from Barmenian citizenship. Conversely, Khammo Qasyounan has presented the party's drastic bill as aimed not at religious beliefs, but at the questionable loyalty of religions whose leadership, and thus the allegiance of their followers, resides outside the borders of Barmenia, as the bill makes citizenship conditional upon the religious denominations rejecting foreign leadership. Curiously, a number of denominations are not afforded this protection, most notably among them Felinism and the Aurorian Patriarchal Church. The SPP's leadership has argued that, given the inherently foreign nature of these religions, even a token repudiation of foreign rule would not be enough to alleviate their primary orientation towards the outside world.

In the conflict between the King and the Phalanx, with the former benefiting from the backing of the judicial system, the latter has one other ace up his sleeve: the strong support given by the Patriarch of Kathura, the leader of the Barmenian Apostolic Church. Maran Mar Quriaqos IV is a noteworthy supporter of Kathuran nationalism and has not been shy to congratulate the Phalanx over its electoral victory and legislative measures. Benefiting from such high-ranking support, President Qasyounan has issued a not at all subtle threat to have the military trigger article 3(2) of the Constitution of 3877, which permits the armed forces to arrest the monarch should they be convicted by the Assembly of high crimes or misdemeanor, or even article 6(1) of the Constitutional Amendment Act of 4012, according to which article 3(2) can be triggered if the executive is found "colluding" with religious interests, which the SPP argues may be the case if the King refuses to accept what it sees as an abolition of religious influence over the political process.
Polites
 
Posts: 3198
Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 3:48 pm

Re: Brme Lofrkns (Barmenian Independent)

Postby Oakwood » Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:56 am

SPP Leader sacked; Assembly members expelled following detainment by military.

Eksandr- In a marathon of events that have gripped the Kingdom and its allies, the once influential group of men and women who sought to bend the King and his government to their will have fallen from grace.

Khammo Qasyounan was convicted by the High Court on Monday, along with some thirty seven others, of violating section 3(2) of the constitution. This followed a prolonged process which reportedly began in December of last year, in which the military was called in to arrest the law makers. It proved a shocking turn of events; the militia of pan-Qaedarite supremacy was visibly forced to stand down at the sight of the heavily armed Barmenian military forces as the tanks began to roll down the streets of the capital.

The last few months have been a source less of outcome but of severity; all knew the militiaman turned politico would face a brutal end. Word had spread after his arrest that the Queen herself had branded him a traitor to the state; yet it was only last week that the nation learned that the worst punishment had been saved for Qasyounan himself; according to reports, the bang of the gavel by the eleven justices means the end of the road for a still young life.

Come next Friday, according to Palace sources, the rebel leader will be beheaded at the tower of Aridad.
Oakwood
 
Posts: 212
Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:03 pm

Re: Brme Lofrkns (Barmenian Independent)

Postby Polites » Wed Feb 15, 2017 12:22 pm

Chaos Grips Barmenia
Royal coup throws country into chaos

Image
Martyred: Khammo Qasyounan

October 4166 - As news of the execution of former President of Barmenia Khammo Qasyounan spread, violence erupted throughout Barmenia. Although the Hawks of the Whirlwind, the paramilitary branch of the Socialist Phalanx Party, were forced to stand down in the capital, clashes between the military, largely loyal to King, and the Hawks took place throughout the country. A number of pogroms were also reported, with SPP supporters attacking Jelbic-owned businesses, APC churches, Felinist temples, and a number of civilians reported killed. Adding fuel to the fire, the notoriously pro-SPP Patriarch of Kathura Quriaqos IV officially excommunicated King Constantine, violating the long-standing policy of political non-intervention by Barmenia's largest Church.

The execution of President Qasyounan has turned him into a martyr and thrown the nation in chaos. Although the military remains loyal to the Nasirs, the Hawks pose a significant threat and enjoy wide popular support among the Kathuran population and crucially among the Israi Barmenians whom the party enfranchised. Moreover, the equally discriminatory policies of both the SPP and the Nasirs have turned the previously restive Jelbic population to arms. Although the Jelbic nationalist United Barmenistanis Party, founded in opposition to the SPP regime, was forcefully disbanded, Jelbic nationalists are, for the first time in centuries, uniting against their two foes, the Nasir monarchy and Phalangite pan-Qedarism. In the meantime the large Barmenian diaspora in Vanuku is pressuring the government there to intervene in Barmenia, which may occur if violence continues, and there is even talk of a potential return of the Medes to their rightful throne, spurred by the convergence of interests between Felinists, Jelbic nationalists, and anti-Nasir liberals.

Image
Hawks of the Whirlwind
Polites
 
Posts: 3198
Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 3:48 pm

Re: Brme Lofrkns (Barmenian Independent)

Postby Oakwood » Thu Feb 16, 2017 3:20 am

Hawks, SPP revolt crushed; Patriarch of Kathura detained following impeachment.

Eksandr- In what proved to be the last gasp of the SPP militancy, the SPP and their allies conducted a three month long guerilla campaign against the King and his government.

The campaign was at an end by December of 40166, however; following the SPP's zealous fixation on recruitment of the long hated Israi population into its ranks proved to be poison regarding it's long term efforts. By the time of 41067, the amount of support held by the SPP amounted to just a fraction of the growing minority group, according to intelligence reports. The SPP was only saved electorally by sympathy votes from traditionally downtrodden area's who have not benefited under the Nasir's; an estimated 1% of Aurorian's voted for them in the snap elections held after negotiations were held in late December.

It was revealed earlier in January that the Patriarch of Kathura, a supporter of SPP, had been impeached and convicted by the General Assembly of the Lords Chosen and the Convent of the Apostolic. The clergymen and women cited the Patriarch's "willingness to reach into the realm of the temporal" and "work against the secular hand of God" as the reason for his removal. Following the notification by the church, the former Patriarch was reportedly detained on civil charges.
Oakwood
 
Posts: 212
Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:03 pm

Re: Brme Lofrkns (Barmenian Independent)

Postby Polites » Mon Feb 20, 2017 9:01 pm

Hawks in Beiteynu?
SPP paramilitary presumably hiding north

Image
Photograph of the Hawks of the Whirlwind, believed to have been taken on Beiteynu's Mount She'an

June 4169 - Although the brief but violent insurrection led by the Hawks of the Whirlwind, the paramilitary branch of the Socialist Phalanx Party, was quickly put down, this was not the end of the virulently anti-Jelbic group. Sardanapal Melechesh, who assumed leadership of both the party and the Hawks in the aftermath of the execution of most of the party's leadership, is rumored to be located in Beiteynu, with the tacit backing of the Beiteynuese government. The SPP appears to have built a new power base on Beiteynu's Mount She'an, where remaining SPP members and Kathuran nationalist militants seem to have fled from imprisonment by the royal government, with the aim of striking back against the Barmenian military, largely loyal to King Constantine.

From his reported stronghold in Beiteynu Melechesh is believed to have initiated contacts with high-ranking sources in the Solentian and Saridani governments, with the aim of gaining wider funding and recognition for his party's rebellion. Solentia and Saridan are both members of the Koeistad Pact, a controversial alliance of anti-globalist nations, signed by Beiteynu, Saridan, and Solentia in response to the repeated condemnation of the policies of those three nations by the Security Council. Cultivating the contacts the SPP established during its brief time in power, the Party may now hope that its foreign allies will return the favor. One of the main actions of the SPP when it was in power was to shift Barmenia's policy towards Beiteynu and Saridan, ending Barmenian participation in sanctions against those two nations and establishing trade ties with what was to become the Koeistad Pact. However the royal coup returned Barmenia to strong international condemnation against the Solentian, Saridani, and Beiteynuese governments. With his party in disaray and no other means of challenging the government, Sardanapal Melechesh may be capitalizing on the mutual hostility between the Nasir regime and the Pact in order to advance his own party's agenda. However, little concrete information has so far surfaced regarding the presumed whereabouts of Melechesh and his followers or the alleged Koeistad backing of the Hawks of the Whirldwind, proving that the Socialist Phalanx Party has yet to regain its organizational strength before it may more openly challenge the Nasirs.

Image
Majatran-language poster glorifying Sardanapal Melechesh
Polites
 
Posts: 3198
Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 3:48 pm

Re: Brme Lofrkns (Barmenian Independent)

Postby Polites » Sat Feb 25, 2017 3:41 pm

Felinist Revival?
Barmenians return to ancient faith

Image
Inside the Krjzaji Nrljogad Temple in Eksandr

November 4171 - Hidden in plain sight, on a barely lit street in Eksandr one can find the Krjzaji Nrljogad Temple, one of the largest active Cat Temples in Barmenia. Its plain unassuming exterior contrasts strongly with the elaborate and ornate Saint Thomas Barmenian Apostolic Church right across the street. Several Servers, mostly middle-aged and all well-dressed, move in and out of the temple, lighting candles, offering food to the resident cats, and tending to the Temple's kitchen. The Krjzaji Nrljogad Temple remains one of the only active Cat Temples in Barmenia, and over the years, Felinism in Barmenia survived and thrived in Jelbic areas, resulting in a confluence of cultures and religious beliefs.

For centuries Felinism has been a defining and intrinsic part of Barmenian culture and religious landscape, and now that the faith once again finds itself under attack by Qedarite ultra-nationalism many Barmenians of all walks of life are defiantly rediscovering their ancient religious heritage. Since the expulsion of Felinists in 3818, the once thriving community has been brought to the brink of extinction. Although the Caliphate's Edict of Expulsion was repealed twice, in 3864 and 3872, the community has never regained its former strength. This is partly due to the fact that, since the official integration of Felinism within Selucian Paganism, the faith has been made suspect in the eyes of both Jelbic and Kathuran nationalists. The beginning of Kathuran minority rule under the Nasir dynasty has to some extent alleviated anti-Felinist persecutions, but restrictions remain in place and the government continues a policy of forceful relocation of Felinists to the State of Mitraeum in Pontesi.

The religion did nonetheless experience another brief revival in the 40th century, which led to the birth of the Temple of the Desert Lynx, one of the largest Felinist sects. However the movement was mired in accusations of corruption and less than pious requests for financial donations, and the movement quickly died out. But Felinism never became extinct in its homeland, and is now going through a new revival. Although it was reduced to a shadow of its former self in terms of numbers and the constant attacks and persecution against the Felinist community has led to closing off from outside world, this has led to the preservation of its unique customs and beliefs and growing self-awareness. The brief Socialist Phalanx Party regime has led to sympathy among other persecuted groups, as well as growing recognition of the Jelbic roots of Felinism, leading to a convergence of interests between Felinists and Jelbic nationalists. As such there has been an observed increase in number of self-proclaimed Felinists, as well as an ever growing number of donations to cat temples. In spite of this, the religion remains persecuted by the regime and under violent attack by the Hawks of the Whirlwind, who, after relocating to Beiteynu, have increased their violent activity in Barmenia. Although the recent attacks on Felinism have determined many Barmenian Felinists to leave the nation and find refuge in Pontesi or Selucia, many more are determined to remain and are rediscovering their ancient religious heritage.

Image
Sháhazi Zamar, the resident cat priest at the Krjzaji Nrljogad Temple
Polites
 
Posts: 3198
Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 3:48 pm

Re: Brme Lofrkns (Barmenian Independent)

Postby Polites » Mon Mar 13, 2017 8:02 pm

Coalition Defection
Coalition Party MPs defect to new movement

Image
Prime Minster Lawita Vraljogadhiko met the Patriarch of Kathura soon after her inauguration

December 4179 - As the conflict with SPP and its Hawks of the Whirlwind militia intensifies, with the possibility of foreign aid from the entire Koeistad Pact, a number of MPs, coalescing around Coalition Party MP Lawita Vraljogadhiko, have seceded to form their own caucus in the Assembly under the banner of the newly formed Kathuran Democratic Movement. The movement, for now just an unofficial grouping of formally independent and DA-aligned MPs, has adopted a strong line in what concerns the conflict with the SPP. Calling for the introduction of a state of emergency and for direct military intervention in Beiteynu, believed to be sheltering the remnants of the SPP, the new political group is also noted for its support for a free market, social conservatism, staunch monarchism, anti-Israism, and a pro-Istalian foreign policy. Lawita Vraljogadhiko succeeded in persuading enough legislators to join her new platform so as to gain a slight majority in the Assembly, and the Kathuran Democratic Movement managed to form a cabinet on its own.
Polites
 
Posts: 3198
Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 3:48 pm

PreviousNext

Return to National News

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 26 guests