Deltaria

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Stock Investor

Cachtice: The recent civil unrest and near anarchy in Deltaria has had its effect on the nation's economy and overall stability. That is the conclusion from the most prestigious economic experts both at home and abroad. While during the relatively stable 'Tukerist' era under communist rule the economy saw strong growth, the unrest, deaths, Junta control and insecurity has led to a dramatic turn for the economy. While just 3 years ago the growthrate stood at a steady 3% it has now moved to a shrinking percentage, with the economy reporting -2% growth for the last few months, officially marking a recession for the Deltarian economy. Unemployment has also skyrocketted largely created by forced closures during civil unrest and Deltarian industrial output nearly halving as stores, foreign suppliers and production companies looked for products elsewhere. Two years ago unemployment stood at 6%, now it stands at over 11% and is on the rise. Inflation is low, as to be expected without any growth, with just 1% inflation reported. Still the Deltarian economy is in trouble. The new civilian government, currently led by the KDU, has already promised a comprehensive package to improve the economy and find back markets for Deltarian products. Despite these promises the economic situation continues to worsen without clear assurances, action or long term stability being a certainty. Many investors are looking to see if the new civilian government will maintain stability or whther it will collapse, making the market extremely volatile.

The KDU plan that is on the books is expected to lower taxes for corporations while at the same time invest heavily into stimulating bussinesses and individuals, with the government expected to maintain the 0% VAT rate. The state owned companies, mainly those in the manufacturing sector, are also expected to remain state owned, which would mean thousands of jobs being secured and the government keeping a large share in several sectors. Initially the KDU wanted a partial privatization, but this plan was thrown in the bin largely to protect the jobs present in these state owned companies. As the KDU works our its recovery plan the Deltarian economy is thus likely to remain in recession.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Knipselkrant Curacao

Cachtice: Empress Valéria has formally appointed the first 100 senators for the Imperial Senate after a weeklong discussion with the KDU leader and First Minister Artur Reha. The Empress, despite the KDU being the only current sitting party, has decided to appoint just over half of the senators as independents, most of them coming from a more centrist background as oppossed to KDU senators. Over 52 senators have been appointed as independents with 48 appointed in the name of the KDU. This makes sure that the KDU doesnt have a outright majority in the upper chamber, even when in reality some more conservative independents are likely to vote in favour of many KDU proposals. The decision is remarkable and it cements the already established believe that Valéria is a more moderate monarch, dedicated to democratic principles. The decision also allows Deltaria to once again experience with democracy. The KDU is currently the only party on the national level, though some new parties are registering for the next election. Having a majority independent upper house could serve as a check and balance and allow the Deltarian government to function in a more democratic fashion. The move by the empress was especially praised by human rights organizations and several higher educational institutes, believing it will enhance democratic and human rights in the new Grand Empire.

With both chambers now filled with representatives the new government has been installed. Artur Řehá has been elected the First Minister of the Empire and his cabinet has been confirmed by the Council. The first important task for this new government will likely be dealing with the continuing recession, which will need a answer soon as it threatens to spiral out of control. Many wonder if this new democratic order is able to overcome this first but major challenge.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: ESA

Cachtice: Just weeks before the launch of the Marmors 2026 project the Deltarian FKA has announced the delay of the program by another 5 years. While many space enthusiasts had hoped for a succesfull launch in exactly 3 weeks the agency has assessed the situation with "critical lack" which in the categorization of the FKA means that tha agency felt there was not enough solid preparation or problems occuring during the preparation phase. The agency released a statement in which it said, "We do not have the confidence to launch the mission at this moment. While conditions may change in the coming years we believe it is neccesary to take the time for proper preparations as to ensure that the final outcome of the mission can be a succesfull one."

The mission has thus been delayed by 5 years, a setback for Deltarian space engineering and the scientific community, which had hoped to find out more about the planet of Marmors this year and the years ahead. The delay is largely attributed to the chaos that dominated the fall of the communist regime. The ensueing chaos resulted in a lack of funding for the FKA combined with a change of leadership, paralyzing almost 2 years worth of preparations and dooming the set launch for 4926. The agency is now setting its sights on 4931 with the hopes of launching the heavy rocket with the researchcraft in it by then. The project has gained another 2 billion in funding, with the Ministry of Scientific Development and Agriculture stating that the extra funds is meant to "pay staff and continue development during this transitional period to the new launch date."

[Rogue]

OOC Source: TIX

Cachtice: The government, under the Council of Ministers, has handed in its economic recovery plan to the Imperial Council which is to be voted upon in the coming week. The plan is the first major legislative initiative from the first Řehá cabinet which is facing the challenge of economic hardship and dealing with the aftermath of the communist regime. This first initiative, called the "Deltarian Economic Recovery Act" or DERA, consists of a series of economic reforms and structural changes in the Deltarian economy, meant to create a "better balance" between private and public. DERA also invests over 30 billion in creating more "stable" jobs in the private sector and encourage private innovation. The act does not introduce austerity measures, something many had anticipated considering the dire state of Deltarian spending. As it currently stands Deltarian debt to GDP is at a high of 80%, lower then during the last major economic crisis but still one of the highest in Majatra. This number is set to rise further if the deficit spending isnt adressed, reaching 95% of GDP in the next 10 years. Despite these figures the government is not planning on reducing spending anytime soon, instead hoping to "outgrow" the deficit by creating more jobs, economic growth and stability.

The reforms aimed at restructuring the Deltarian economy are mostly aimed at "structural problems" within the system, mostly leftovers from the communist regime. While currently the government owns and operates all trade unions the reforms aim to change that. In addition to the trade unions becoming independent they will also become voluntary to join. Tenants and landlords will be given a bigger say when it comes to rent, currently the government sets housing rents, and the energy production sector while currently fully public and state owned will be partially privatized to allow for a better balance between production and costs. The national grid will remain in state hands. This is a continued pattern within the reform, which seeks to find a balance between state intervention and private enterprise. There are still clear Tukerist principles in place even if the DERA passes, with large companies largely in the construction and manufacturing sector still state-owned and continuing to be state-owned as well as regulations being only slightly loosened. The entire DERA package is currently being reviewed by the commission on economic affairs within the Imperial Council. It is expected to be send to the council for a vote in the coming days after which it will go through a review and vote process in the senate. First Minister Řehá has stated that if calculations are correct the DERA reforms should significantly help the Deltarian economy to stabilize.

Currently the growthrate remains in the negative, with -1.9% growth and a large unemployment rate of 11%. Inflation continues to drop, now standing at only 0.5%. The expectation is that if the bill passes the Imperial Diet it may aid the economy in recovering, possibly ending the recession within the next year to two years.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Politico EU

Cachtice: The Řehá government has proposed a new series of reforms, dubbed the second large initiative during his leadership, which would introduce a large set of preconditions and reforms to prevent, "unwanted communist influences", in the Deltarian government. The reforms, proposed by Řehá himself and announced through the Council of Ministers, would introduce a checklist for any political candidate to fill in, which is made in such a way that it "detects communist sympathy's", featuring questions like, "Do you think the government should involve itself more in society?" amongst others. The reform also actively allows the SUVO, Imperial Police and local police departments to search areas and homes suspected of "communist activity". While the new reform is supported by KDU leadership and the military several independent senators within the Imperial Senate have already stated that they will vote against the bill, calling it "replacing one dictatorship with the other." The Empress has remained silent on the matter, wanting to stay out of national politics, but has been rumoured to resent the proposed reforms calling them, "a undemocratic mess." Some members of the KDU are questioning the bill as well, fearing it might domino back if another party ever gets in power and decides to, "crusade", against Hosian Democracy.

Even First Minister Řehá seems not to be to enthusiastic about the idea following discussions with party members but still, publicly, states that it is "extremely important" that anti communist legislation is enacted to, "protect our newfound democracy and ensure no dictatorship may ever threaten Deltaria and its people." With the amount of ressistance even in KDU circles it remains to be seen whether or not this package of reforms will pass the Imperial Diet. This might be the first "excited" vote of the Diet since its inception two years ago.

[Edmund]

The founding of a party

Cachtice: Deltaria is still a newly-reborn democracy, and in an anti-communist atmosphere left-wing parties have received a certain amount of suspicion surrounding connections to or sympathies for the fallen regime. But now leaders from the illegal, non-communist trade unions - the finest left-wing, anti-communist credentials possible - have come together in Čachtice to announce the formation of a new political party: the Social Democrats. Leofwine Swithbertes sunu, president of the union Riht ("Justice"), who is tipped for high office in the new party, spoke first.

"For years we fought for our rights against the Communist government, and then the junta that succeeded it. We were jubilant when democracy was restored. What we did not fight for was the government's economic approach; a so-called 'balance' that manages to be the worst of both the free market and statist worlds. They look to privatise vital industries and services, while replacing rigged representation of workers in industry with none whatsoever, and keeping public-owned enterprises in government- rather than worker-controlled hands."

'Fought' is a powerful word, and one some have suggested has a double meaning here, given that Swithbertes sunu is widely suspected of having ties to the Akigan Freedom Front terrorist group, which first took up arms against the Communists and then the military regime. Most of the illegal unions under Communist rule were set up in Doron Akigo, with its heavily industrial nature and fiercely independent streak, and among those of predominantly Akigan membership accusations of direct involvement with the Akigan Freedom Front were not uncommon. Doron Akigo is set to be the heartland of this new party, and Dunics their core supporters, and though they avoid the accusations of sympathies for the old regime that trouble so many of the minor left-wing parties, ones of ties to this terrorist group will be hard to defend themselves from if men like Swithbertes sunu are their leaders.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Hush-kit

Cachtice: The Military Command of the Unified Armed Forces has announced that it intends on reinforcing the Mrazek military base in Cobura using "any means necessary." The move has reportedly been supported by the government under First Minister Řehá and was signed off by the First Minister early this week. The military will send monthly freight containers to the base in order to keep it supplied and will send additional squadron of MiG-31 interceptors to protect its airspace, with the necessary tools and materials to maintain them. The move has come after unrest in Cobura and its current communist regime threatening to isolate the base, which would mean the loss of a extremely strategic position for Deltaria. It is also in line with the foreign policy of the Řehá administration, which dictates that Deltaria should have a global pressence but should only intervene if international law is in any way violated.

The Řehá administration is also preparing another bid for the World Congress security council, something that would make it more influential in global affairs and allow it to, "stand as a voice of reason and justice for Majatra and Terra." The additional supplies and support for the military base are scheduled to be send to Cobura in the coming weeks, with the Coburan government yet to respond and the current rebel fighters in Cobura reportedly applauding the move.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: RTL Nieuws

Cachtice: The Imperial Senate has voted against the governments package of proposals that would limit the freedom in which people could apply for public office and would crack down on "communist influences" remaining in society. The package passed the Imperial Council earlier with 382 votes in favour with 138 against. This showed that even KDU members werent to fond of the package, which was criticized for undermining the young Deltarian democracy. In addition many independent senators had already pledged to not support the package, further backed by the Empress her apparent oppossition to the bill, which she didnt specifically state but was rumoured to be. The package was debated in the late hours of the night, with senators in favour arguing that it would "move the nation past the horrors of communism" while those against argued that, "by setting the good democratic example at this moment we ensure that generations after us can live in a healthy democracy where the horrors of both communist and right wing dictatorship are taught in our schools."

When it came to voting and the roll was called it became clear in which direction it would go, with KDU senator after senator voting nay on the package and independents following suit. Some in-favour senators tried to stall the vote to ammend the legislation but it was halted by a senate majority, continuing the vote. In the end over 72 senators voted against the "No More Communism" reform package with just 28 voting in favour, all of which being right wing KDU members. It was a blow for the government, or was it? It seemed First Minister Řehá was not to saddened by the news, perhaps happy about the fact that he would not have to defend his "anti democratic" behaviour. He put out a statement saying he was "saddened" by the vote but would "continue fighting against dictatorship and communism for the remainder of my life" making some wonder if this was not just a PR stunt to show his distaste for communism. Regardless of what it was this is the first major piece of legislation that has failed to pass for the government, marking the first time that a piece of government legislation has failed in Deltaria in over 100 years.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: DW

Cachtice: The KDU government has, with just one year till the regularly scheduled election, called for early elections in the Imperial Council which will likely pass and result in elections being held next month. It is a move described by political commentators as being extraordinary, as the KDU is being hammered in the polls despite their early success in the Empire. First Minister Řehá has stated that he wants, "a new mandate from voters", to ensure that a possible next KDU government could potentially be viewed as more democratic and thus get more things done with popular support. This however follows the notion that the KDU would win such a election which is all but a certainty. The KDU is trailing in the polls against a new contendor which has managed to field a candidate for every district in the country. The Social Democratic Party is a center-left alternative to the KDU which gained traction by combining center and left wing politics with a anti-communist stance, staving away any criticism of communism while still allowing to advocate for relatively left leaning policies. This new party is so far the only party that has managed to register on the national level and gain enough strength to compete accros the board. In early polling the KDU might even lose from the new Social Democrats, which would mean an early end to Řehá as First Minister of the new Empire.

The resignation of cabinet has already been send to the Empress and accepted. Currently the Imperial Council is voting on the early election proposal which is set to pass next month, meaning one of the first truly democratic elections in decades and being a testing ground for KDU popularity in the country.

[Aquinas]

Satavelekar reaches out to Deltaria