Deltaria

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OOC Source: Anadolu Agency

Cachtice: The KDU has lost the general election in a big upset that has seen it just narrowly losing its majority of seats in the Imperial Council. It will retain its near majority in the senate until the next reshuffle. The election loss was caused by a gamble of party leader and First Minister Artur Řehá, who had hoped to gain a democratic majority with the early election to push through more of his program with a greater democratic majority. This plan has thus backfired, seeing the new Social Democratic Party win over 69% of the popular vote and a narrow majority in the Imperial Council. The immediate effect of this loss is that the First Minister, Řehá, has been voted out of office by the Council with Július Ševčík replacing him, a cabinet of only Social Democrats is also likely to pass.

The effects of the loss have been immediate. Party leadership firmly called for the resignation of Řehá who in theory, gave the KDU one less year to rule with his proposal for early elections. Secondly a party leadership contest would be scheduled to pick the new leader of the party by the summer. Řehá adhered to these demands, giving a emotional speech and announcing his resignation as party leader. The party immediately announced the scheduling of new party elections, with candidates being anonymous till just 2 days before the election. Some criticize this method, saying it favour the big established names within the party. This has however been dismissed by party leadership, which states that "this method of election allows people to come forward more freely and prevents a possibly harsh leadership campaign."

While the KDU remains a strong political force it has now been forced in oppossition. On the state and provincial level it has retained a majority in both Doron Akigo and Alazinder however, giving it at least some power at the higher levels of government.


The electoral map showing every seat taken by the two parties competing, blue is KDU, Red is SDP

[Rogue]

OOC Source: CTV News

Cachtice: The Conservative Democratic Union has reentered government. In a twisting turn of events a ongoing internal dispute within the Social Democrats has made the party collapse. This prompted it to fall apart in smaller parliamentary groupings, giving the KDU the opportunity to make a move. With their new leader Gabriel Bureš the party proposed a new cabinet consisting of the KDU, with 10 former social democratic Councilman voting in favour of the proposal, making
Bureš the new First Minister and giving the KDU control of the executive for the remainder of the term, with elections scheduled for next year. In the wake of this turn of events a new party, rising from the ashes of the progressives within the social democrats, has registered nationally. This party, named the Progressive Alliance, is set to compete in the election next year and take much support from the former Social Democrats.

The KDU has used the opportunity to pass a new budget, which grants a unprecended 70 billion extra in military funding. Bureš has justified this increase by saying that he and the KDU adhere to the Cachtice Accords, which mandated that the government keep national security as a utmost priority. The 70 billion in extra funding has already passed the Diet, pathing the way for a major military expansion and further research and development. As parties prepare for the national election next year, which one of them will come out on top and shape national policy for the coming years?

[Rogue]

OOC Source: The Moscow Times

Cachtice: The sudden ascendence to power by the KDU following the disintergration of the former government has given the party a opportunity to push through its long desire to strongly increase military spending, in line with the Cachtice Accords. This new budget increase is seeing a massive 70 billion extra in funding going towards the Unified Armed Forces, with the Ministry of War coordinating the massive effort. It will mean a major increase in capabilities for the Armed Forces, which will see its largest budget increase in a century and will see it become one of the, if not the biggest military on terra with one of the biggest budgets. In anticipation of this major increase in the budget the Ministry of War has worked with the military to write up the "Military 4938" plan, which lays out a comprehensive plan for major military expansions and a further investment into R&D.

Ground Forces
The ground forces will, together with the navy, receive most attention in the coming years. The new budget allocates a additional 30 billion to the army, which will use most of that extra funds injection for additional procurement of existing equipment. Furthermore this allows the army to increase in size. While the Military Future Combat plan mandated a smaller more specialized force this new injection of funds allows the army to continue investing in future technology while keeping the active combat personel at a high level. The new set goal is 900.000 active soldiers. The T-84 Zeca, which has recently gained a Block II modernization, will remain the main battle tank of choice for the army. However the now secundary T-90A, seen as less well protected but better in terms of firepower, will be expanded upon, with a additional 100 being ordered from the DDS while the Zeca Block II will also be ordered, 200 of them now on the books, resulting in over 1000 Zeca tanks and 300 T-90A tanks in service. The new plan will also see 100 extra BMP-2's to be retired, while ordering a additional 200 BMP-3's and 100 BTM-10's, furthering the replacement of older equipment in favour of new modern equipment for the army. The remaining 10 billion in the new funds will all be poured into Research and Development, with the DDS partnering with private military companies in the development of "new modern, versatile and quickly deployable weaponry." All this combined will see the army significantly increase in size, making the Imperial Army one of the more dominant ground forces in Terra.

Airforce
The airforce will receive the smallest bump in the budget, amounting to a total increase of 10 billion. This increase will largely be invested in R&D, especially in the new field of missiles and radar systems, something Deltarian aerospace companies and the industry as a whole has been much more focussed on in the past decade. Earlier the Military Command Staff already indicated that it sees the current makeup of the airforce as "excellent", indicating that all current aircraft in the fleet compliment eachother and that no new aircraft needs to be developed. This pathes the way for a increase in the number of aircraft of current types, namely the RiG-35, the main multirole fighter of the airforce. The R-35, the strike aircraft/bomber of the airforce will also likely see additional aircraft of the type procured. The RiG-35 will see a additional 50 procured with the R-35 on the books to welcome another 70 aircraft of the class. All remaining funds will be pumped into missile production and aerospace R&D, meaning significantly more progress in this field.

Navy
The navy, just like the Ground Forces, will receive a massive 30 billion in extra funding, with which it intends on becoming the "main naval fighting force on Terra. One notable decision is already on the books, the construction of a second Nemec-class supercarrier which will see two supercarriers in Deltarian service if completed. The procurement of a second Nemec-class carrier is seen as a major step forward in the expansion of the Deltarian navy and a significant strategic move. Until now the Military Command Staff had decided not to procure a second carrier, seeing the immense cost of maintaining a carrier of the nemec-class as a major obstacle. With this new increase that is no longer a problem, allowing the navy to afford a second supercarrier. In addition to this major procurement the navy will also focus more on its submersible fleet, with the newly upgraded Darali-class submarines being expanded upon, with 5 additional submarines of this class to be procured. The diesel-electric submarines in the fleet will also see some attention, with 10 additional ones of them being procured and all of them receiving a Block II upgrade, with new radar systems and torpedo's likely to be installed on them. In anticipation of more global operations other ships will also be procured, namely a variety of auxiliary ships for supplies and logistics, 15 additional Velryba-class destroyers, 5 Premsyl-class stealth destroyers, 4 Slava-class cruisers and at least one more of the new Delfin-class Amphibious Assault Ships. This major increase in ships is set to keep the shipyards in Alazinder and Ushalande busy for at least a decade. It will mean over 20 billion of the new budget alone being put into procurement of new ships, while the remaining 10 billion will be put in the R&D budget, allowing the navy to also develop new modern weaponry if needed.

All these investments, expansions and reorganizations combined are set to last over a decade but will, in the end, make the Unified Armed Forces one of the largest and most complex forces in the world. No real rivals have popped up to compete with this growing Deltarian military power and many within the geopolitical community and military expert circle wonder what will happen when Deltaria continues to expand militarily without much oppossition.

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OOC Source: Time Magazine

Cachtice: The Conservative Democratic Union (KDU) has won a landslide victory in the election for the Imperial Council, winning over 404 seats of the total 520 against the PA its 116 seats. When it comes to the popular vote the KDU has won with 10% more votes, a total of 2 million more then its opponent. It is evident that the message of the Progressive Alliance, which build further on that of the former Social Democrats, has not struck a cord with many Deltarians, who were perhaps scared that the PA was gonna disintergrate like its left leaning predecessor. The KDU was largely seen as the "stable" option, being relatively moderate as well which likely pulled many moderates within their side. This mayor electoral win gives the KDU massive leverage going into the 4932 reshuffle of the senate, likely giving it a rather strong majority of seats in both houses. This major win allows the current government to stay put, with new First Minister Gabriel Bureš at the helm. Upon hearing the election results Bureš gave a speech on the square in Cachtice, calling for a "new dawn" for the Empire and promising to fully dedicate to "Compassionate Conservatism" which he called for repeatedly in the campaign. The new dawn he is talking about refers to a renewed emphasize of Deltarian Exceptionalism, significantly strengthening the Armed Forces and spreading Deltarian ideals globally, largely the new ideals of cooperation, tradition and stability that the new Grand Empire wants to accomplish and embody. He renewed his pledge to strengthen the economy as well, which had taken a dive following the Yingdalan crash, enacting a variety of reforms and investment packages to increase stability on the financial market.

The KDU government is now preparing to continue its programs, largely those within the military, with some hints at healthcare reform as well. The Progressive Alliance on its turn will have to seriously decide which direction to go in and what it will do to do better in the next election.


The 520 districts up for election, the PA lost most of its industrial and middle class stronghold that the predecessor the SD had won, only winning more urban areas and "progressive" stronghold near the coast. The KDU kept their rural support while significantly winning in industrial hosian areas, with their message of moderate government and compassionate conservatism striking a cord.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Discover Walks

Cachtice: The Deltarian economy, after years of stagnation, is finally seeing a positive future ahead of it. The Yingdalan financial crisis, coupled with a continued decline in industrial output, had put Deltaria on the backfoot and on a trajectory of negative economic growth, a trajectory it failed to shake off in recent years. Now, after all those years of relative stagnation, the Deltarian economy is seeing signs of recovery, encouraged by a increase in market demand within the MEA for Deltarian products as well as a increase in the service sector within Deltaria. Its a trend that the Bureš administration had hoped for, and which has now thus finally arrived. The economy showed slow but positive growth for the first time in decades, reporting 1.0% in growth versus -2% just a year ago. The unemployment rate also dropped, thanks in large part to a increase in jobs within the tourism and service sector. The unemployment rate is still high, sitting at 7%, but has significantly dropped from the 11% some years ago. The KDU is already celebrating this turn for the Deltarian economy, having recently passed a series of deregulatory laws which are supposed to increase small bussinesses in several sectors, namely tourism and entertainment/restaurants. Despite putting their bets on some small deregulations, the KDU has maintained state control in several key sectors, mainly manufacturing and energy. The state still owns Deltaria's largest steel company, Skála Ocel, and has stated that it will continue to do so, while in the construction sector the largest construction company Sloupová Konstrukce is also still state owned. These assets by the government bring in significant revenue each year while also giving the state significant influence in two large sectors within the Deltarian economy. First Minister Bureš had stated earlier that "The ability of the Deltarian government to find a good balance between state owned and private sector involvement is what has brought us a lot in the past. By keeping shares in these vital sectors we can not only guarentee jobs for the workers within them, but will also be able to keep prices on vital products like housing low and affordable, making life within Deltaria easier." He also emphasized the importance of the private sector, stating that "cooperation between public and private, state owned and independent, will remain one of the pillars on which our economy and prosperity is build. Together, we can achieve what we want to achieve."

The new positive forecasts for the economy also allow the government to invest more. The Ministry of Industry and Rural Development has announced a 2 billion worth investment package into rural development, meant to improve rural infrastructure further which includes internet access while also helping rural workers in innovating their bussiness or expand their markets. Access to basic services will also be increased for rural populations in the plan. The Deltarian Bureau for Economic Management estimates that Deltarian economic growth might rise to over 2.5% next year, with unemployment projected to stagnate at 5%, 2% down from what it is now. This positive outlook will likely also speed up military procurement, as reserved funds now becomes available more quickly.

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OOC Source: PV Magazine

Cachtice: The Ministry of Infrastructure has announced a plan to construct and operate two additional nuclear powerplants besides the two currently operating on the plains of Dissuwa. The plan, which is set to cost 3 billion, would see two new plants being constructed at the border between Alazinder and Dissuwa, around 30 km from the nearest city and 5 km from the nearest town. The two reactors would be so called 4G reactors, or 4th generation, using experience Deltarian engineers gained with the current reactors to develop a more resilient, efficient and powerfull reactor then those current operating. The initial research phase might take over 2 years, with 1/3rd of the freed up budget (a total of 1 billion) being invested into this phase alone. The construction and startup of the new reactors will take an entire decade, with the reactors being expected to be fully operational by 4944. The construction of these new reactors would mean Deltaria increasing its nuclear power production, allowing it to phase out some of its fossil fuel plants and hopefully generate more power for less costs, as the new 4G reactors might be low cost to operate.

The new plan is already set in motion, with the Ministry using its dicretionary budget to commence it until a proper budget is passed by the Diet.

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OOC Source: Russian Ministry of Defense

Balgrad: In the Naval city of Balgrad the second nemec supercarrier has been layed to sea in what can only be described as a major ceremony. Thousands had gathered on shore to see the first new supercarrier in decades be layed to sea, a true achievement of engineering as the carrier is, like its parent the DNS Mirat, the largest carrier type in the world. The new carrier is named the DNS Horvek, after former navy admiral Alexander Horvek. It has taken over 4 years to construct the carrier, with help from a cooperative of private and state owned naval design and construction companies. While initially it was projected to last 2 years, continued delays in the delivery of parts and a small economic dip a year ago has caused it to last double that. Despite the delay, the DNS Horvek was today layed in the water after much anticipation. People celebrated on the docks but also in some streets, seeing the creation of the carrier as a renewed moment of pride for Deltaria. In the Pilese war, Deltaria's oldest ever carrier the DNS Mrazek was sunk by a suicide mission of the Vascanian navy, which saw most of its navy sunk but thus also the Deltarian carrier heading for the deep ocean, taking over 1300 sailors with it. Since then there had only been one carrier, the DNS Mirat, which in the meantime has also undergone extensive refit and modernizations but is still sailing. Now, with the Horvek laid to sea, that is about to change. The carrier is to be manned and supplied over the next two weeks after which it will set sail alone, moving to open sea and going past southern Seleya before resupplying in the naval base in Tukarali and then heading back through the Aldegar canal. The trip will be without escort, but once officially entering service the DNS Horvek will set sail with a strike group of two Presmyl-class stealth destroyers, one Velryba-class destroyer, one Slava-class cruiser and a undisclosed amount of submarines as well as the necessary auxiliary support fleet.

The naval shipyards in Deltaria have continued to work on full capacity, as a variety of ships and submarines are still on order for the fleet, as one of the largest increases in naval capacity is fully underway. Once nearing completion of its expansion program the Deltarian Navy will likely be one of the largest navies on the globe, with two strike groups to project power, a battle group to protect the Majatran sea and countless of individual ships to conduct patrols and limited missions it will truly be a global force to be reckoned with.

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OOC Source: Wikipedia

Cachtice: Aerospace company Prokládaný has announced and revealed its first ever standalone military project, in partial cooperation with SATURN. The new project, which doesnt have a official name, has been focussed arund the development of a new carrier based multirole fighter to partially replace the current R-33C that is the main carrier based fighter of the navy. The new jet, named the DU-29K, is a all weather multirole carrier based fighter jet which has been modified to be able to land, takeoff and operate on the Nemec-class carriers of the Deltarian Navy. It has foldable wings, talehooks and several other systems to intergrate it on the carrier. The design might look familiar to some, which isnt a coincidence. It is derived from the famous MiG-29, which hasnt been in Deltarian service for over 50 years following a sale to Selucia which saw the last remaining MiG-29 aircraft leave Deltaria. But the new DU-29K incorporates many features from the old jet, mainly its airframe and general characteristics. Furthermore, the partnership with SATURN includes access to the SATURN developed RiG-35, which is the main multirole jet of the airforce and also takes many features from the MiG-29. The partnership dictates that Prokládaný is allowed access to around 50% of the RiG-35 design modules and documents, in exchange for SATURN gaining access to some information on Prokládaný its advanced rockets, which has been its main focus for the past few years. The project is the first of its kind for the company, which has until now largely specialized in missiles and civilian aircraft designs.

Whats unique about the project is that the navy is seemingly interested, seeing it as a possible replacement for several of the current R-33C jets in service on both carriers. The R-33C has been the main jet for use on Deltaria's aircraft carriers for decades, having recently underwent a major modernization effort which included new sensors and other upgrades. The R-33C however has always been recognized as a better air superiority carrier based fighter, lacking actual good systems to operate as a multirole fighter. Under the envisioned plan by the Navy the R-33C would be cut in number, from the 60 currently in service to around 50. In its place would come an equal 50 DU-29K multirole fighters. The DU-29K is, as promoted by Prokládaný, a true multirole fighter, excelling where the MiG-29 excelled and incorporating several 5th gen features such as advanced sensor and radar equipment and a intergrated HUD for the pilot. The DU-29K would be much more suited for ground strike capabilities, making it a excellent addition alongside the R-33C, which would take a air superiority role once the DU-29K enters service.

The first prototype of the DU-29K is being tested, with tests and improvements likely to take another four years to fully complete. The DU-27K is expected to enter service in 4939, with the jet currently classified as a 4++ gen multirole fighter. The navy has so far put round 200 million in the project, with the Ministry of War reportedly already having ordered 50 DU-27K jets.

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OOC Source: Financial Times

Cachtice: It is just one month away till the general election, after a full term by the KDU the party is now seeking to win yet another election, hoping to gather the same support it could count on earlier. The party has fullfilled most of its promises, with a rebouncing economy and strengthening armed force it is seeking to make Deltaria influential, stable and prosporous. Its promise to keep government influence in the vital energy sector has also been kept, with energy still being provided by a variety of nationalized providors and the national grid being state owned. Furthermore several sectors have experienced growth and rural communities, which form the backbone of KDU support, have seen billions in investments over the last few years.

All these efforts combined will come head to head in the upcoming election to be held next month. While the KDU remains popular, thanks in large part to its centrist like governance over the last years and the personal popularity of the First Minister, Gabriel Bureš, the Progressive Alliance has also seen a uptick in support, trying to solidify its position on the left of the political spectrum and cater to a large working class that might feel like a different direction is needed. The party has supported KDU proposals which lean more to the left, but firmly rejected those in the center and to the right, letting it be known that they fight for their ideals, possibly appealing to many left leaning voters in the country. Polls indicate a KDU win, but the PA says it expects to win itself, who shall deliver the next First Minister?

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Lamyerda

Cachtice: It seems to be a recoccuring pattern in Deltarian politics since the reintroduction of democracy some years ago. Left leaning parties appear, just to disband or disintergrate due to infighting. The Progressive Alliance, which won a considerable victory in the election just a year ago, dinsitergrated due to top level infighting and disagreements over ministerial positions. Its the second left leaning party that ends up a failure, with the Social Democrats before them failing to remain stable and capitalize on their success. In the midst of these problems on the left there is the KDU, which has stood as a stable beacon of conservatism and hosian democracy since the beginning of the renewed Deltarian democracy. Voters seem to return to the KDU whenever a party on the left fails, but move towards that party when it seems to have potential. Its a dillema that the KDU leadership is now trying to deal with. In the meantime the KDU has announced it will continue the previous cabinet under the popular First Minister Bureš, which will serve another 4 years as leader of the country and cabinet following the fall of the PA.

The question of how to appeal to more voters seems to have two sides within the party. One side of the KDU, primarily led by the Pragmatists, wants to see a movement to the left, vouching for more permissive policies without losing the traditional sense of Hosian Democracy. The other side, led by the Populists in the party, wants a swing to the right, stepping away from the big government initiatives of the KDU and wanting a smaller, more conservative government. The Hosian Democrats, currently in power within the party, have not yet chosen any side in the debate, wanting to govern more then deal with party issues. But somewhere in the coming 4 years the KDU will have to make a decision. A decision on what path to take in the coming years to maintain relevance in national politics.