Narikaton and Darnussia

[jamescfm]

Lodewijk buoyant following White Faction victory in general election
Insurgent political force clean up in Congressional and Presidential elections following extended period of political uncertainty
16 March 4664


Diederick Lodewijk, leader of the newly founded political force known as White Faction, has shared his delight at the party's electoral success in yesterday's national and regional elections. Speaking to a group of supporters in his hometown of Walhafen, he said that the victory "marked the beginning of a new era in the political and cultural history of the country". The celebrations continued through the night with other major figures in the party speaking to the crowds including celebrity public economist Johannes Suhren, who is expected to be appointed Finance Minister when White Faction assemble their first cabinet later this month.



Above: President-elect Lennert Slijtermeijlink was among the White Faction candidates elected yesterday by an unprecedented margin of victory


Although the result was a resounding success for White Faction, concerns have been raised by political figures at home and abroad over the legitimacy of the elections. Not long after the result was announced party leaders were briefing members of the press that turnout figures were as high as 75% but independent data collection from international observers have claimed the actual figure was around 16%. A variety of procedural concerns were raised too. Some voters have claimed they were turned away from polling stations while others have reported suspicious behaviour from election officials. Lodewijk dismissed these reports outright in his speech, saying that "there will always be people who are frustrated that they lose, they are not our priority".

Throughout the election campaign White Faction made a variety of pledges on political reform and public services. Vowing to increase spending on the military, education and infrastructure projects, various party figures spoke of the need for "national renewal". In a section of their manifesto with that title, presidential candidate Lennert Slijtermeijlink explained how the success of a nation's economy and society depending on feelings of "solidarity and friendship" between all members. Although party supporters describe this as a project for ensuring better community relations, critics have suggested it could be something more sinister.

Spiegel is a broadsheet newspaper based in the Confederation published in both Narik and Dundorfian that covers politics, economics, culture and sport.

[jamescfm]

Spate of resignations following corruption allegations
Government in legal and electoral trouble as details of bribery and nepotism are made available to the public for the first time
1 August 4668


Six cabinet ministers including the Chancellor have handed in their resignations this afternoon after a report into corruption allegations found widespread evidence of bribery and nepotism from various members of the governing White Faction. A short time after the report was made available to the public by the Integrity Bureau, Diederick Lodewijk announced that he would be stepping down immediately as both Chancellor and party leader. With a couple
of hours, five other members of the cabinet had resigned their posts including Defence Minister Guust ten Velde and Infrastructure Minister Philip Holland.



Above: Recently-resigned Infrastructure Philip Holland is one of a host of White Faction figures accused of taking bribes in order to influence the awarding of government contracts


White Faction currently hold all seats in the Confederate Congress after winning a landslide election four years ago but their time in charge has been controversial for a number of reasons. Despite suggesting throughout the election campaign that his party would bring radical change to Darnussia and Narikaton, Lodewijk has opted for a relatively conservative political programme. The only major legislation implemented over this term was an overhaul of the income and sales tax systems, moving towards a more progressive approach.

Allegations of corruption first emerged in White Faction's first month in office when Lodewijk's daughter and cousin were both among the party's ambassadorial appointments. The main focus of the report, however, is two private firms alleged to have paid bribes to various party figures. In exchange for contracts to manufacture military vehicles, the Luthori-based Oyster is believed to have paid over a million rupans in bribes to the government. Meanwhile, Ridgeway Construction is alleged to have paid White Faction leaders at both local and national level to receive priority consideration for public infrastructure projects and to overlook their employment of illegal migrant labour.

At the moment it seems that knowledge of the corruption has been limited to those directly involved, with President Lennert Slijtermeijlink among others denying that they were aware of any illegal activity. After an emergency meeting this evening, White Faction's governing body appointed Internal Affairs Minister Julian Klingenberg as the party's interim leader while the scale of the problem is assessed. In his first public address, Klingenberg said that he
denounced the actions of his former colleagues unreservedly. In a surprise move he went on to promise an early election before the end of the calendar year to allow the public a chance to reaffirm their confidence in his party.

Spiegel is a broadsheet newspaper based in the Confederation published in both Narik and Dundorfian that covers politics, economics, culture and sport.

[MatthewMinikin]

Businesswoman Natascha Kohnen launches Sozialdemokratische Partei
27 January 4674


(L-R) Chairman Sascha Karolin Aulepp, General Secretary Michael Müller, Leader and Founder Natascha Kohnen and Deputy Leader Andreas Stoch just after launching the party

The large auditorium was brimming with euphoria today as Natascha Kohnen, a renowned businesswoman, launches the first social democratic and left leaning political party in Darnussia for years. She is backed by interim deputy leader Andreas Stoch, interim General Secretary Michael Müller and interim Chairman Sascha Karolin Aulepp. This new leadership team is set to be confirmed by internal elections for each of their roles once the new Confederate Congress is underway.

In her opening speech, Kohnen set forward what will be the preamble to the constitution of the new party. "We believe that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect."

Whilst receiving criticism for not being left wing enough by left wing pressure groups, Kohnen was quick to point out that this party is inherently not a socialist party and is in fact a pro-business social democratic party working to "increase fairness in a broken capitalist system" by "fixing it up".

The party is looking forward to hopefully introduce sweeping reforms to Darnussia including education, health and economic reforms.

[jamescfm]

Muskie resigns following disastrous election for White Faction
Chancellor pledges period of reflection and restructuring after total collapse in early election called to provide mandate for her policy programme
27 March 4679


Confederate Chancellor Anne-Marije Muskie has announced that she will step down as White Faction leader following a general election result that saw her party lose over two hundred seats and fall to the worst result since their foundation. Having called the election to seek a mandate for her radical policy programme following internal opposition within her party, Muskie's resignation was greeted with a veiled relief by many of her White Faction rivals including former President Lennert Slijtermeijlink. In a speech at party headquarters, she said the party needed to "examine the causes of [their] defeat before electing a new leader".



Above: Incumbent Chancellor Anne-Marije Muskie of White Faction on election night as her political party suffered a catastrophic reversal in fortunes


White Faction saw their Congressional representation reduced to only 119 from 374 in the previous election and suffered a disastrous result in the Presidential election, receiving less than 30% of the votes. The primary beneficiary were the opposition Social Capital Party, who stood on a platform of social and economic liberalism. Muskie called the election after proposing to radically shift White Faction's ideology away from their traditional moderate pragmatism and towards a programme of radical economic liberalisation. Prominent figures within the party had criticised the plan and she ultimately sought a public mandate after threats of rebellion from within her party's ranks.

Candidates are already lining up to replace the outgoing Chancellor as the party faces an identity crisis. Since its inception White Faction has defined itself as a broad church movement but increasingly senior figures have fought to forge an identity for the party. Martha Tausch is among the current front-runners bringing forward a vision of the party as a social democratic force while the challenge from the more conservative wing is being led by Uwe Rahner. Across the party's internal political spectrum there is a process of analysis and interpretation of the defeat as they attempt to process the wider implications of the result.

Spiegel is a broadsheet newspaper based in the Confederation published in both Narik and Dundorfian that covers politics, economics, culture and sport.

[Rogue]

HET JOURNAAL
February 15th 4730
PRESIDENT WAALWIJK: "ITS TIME FOR THE NATION TO HEAL"


President Waalwijk (left) during his first press appearance

Moet: Newly elected president Arno Waalwijk made his first appearance in the press earlier this week talking about the newly approved government and its plans for the future of Narikaton and Darnussia. Waalwijk, who rescinded his SLV membership when he entered office, met with newly appointed Chancellor Rodstad earlier this week to discuss the newly formed SLV cabinet. The cabinet, led by Rodstad, consists entirely of SLV ministers and is thus considered a center-left to left wing cabinet. Waalwijk, who ran on a SLV ticket, had no real choice then to appoint a SLV cabinet as it was the party in the absolute majority. While Waalwijk would have normally consulted with different parties to form the most viable coalition he did not have to this time and instead formed one out of only his former party.

Waalwijk, in his press appearance, talked about the need to "heal" the confederacy, citing numerous hardships over recent decades and several attempts by smaller seccesionist parties to break the confederacy. He named the strengths of the union, telling reporters that "the Confederacy was created after centuries of strive and instability. This form of government has been stable for some decades now and it seems as if its the perfect compromise between Darnussia and Narikaton. Together we are stronger and it seems as if many within our union seem to think the same way these days, which is a hopefull sign in the journey to heal our nations"

Chancellor Rodstad on his turn said to reporters that the government is preparing a major economic stimulus package to kickstart the economy again. He also stated that a big modernization program for the Armed Forces is underway but ensured reporters that the costs of this program would not "exceed the limits of what is acceptable". Several social reform packages are also planned as the Chancellor and his government are looking to pass as much reform as possible before the end of this term.

[Rogue]

HET JOURNAAL
February 15th 4730
KANZLER RODSTAD ANNOUNCES CREATION OF SPECIAL FORCES UNIT


The ensignia of the new to be established "Eagle Brigade"

Doressa: Kanzler Rodstad in his televized weekly meeting with the press, announced the creation of a new Special Forces unit within the United Confederate Armed Forces named the "Eagle Brigade" (Dundorfian: Adlerbrigade, Narik: Adelaarsbrigade). The new unit, which will consist of 1.000 to 2.000 men initially will be tasked with special operations of all kinds such as HVT extraction, execution or interogation, sabotage, military missions in warzones and more. The unit is already being trained as of now by Dorvish instructors. The Eagle Brigade will, according to the Kanzler, be equipped with advanced equipment, allowing the men in the brigade to pick their own weapons and certain pieces of equipment and giving units specialized equipment each mission based on the nature of the mission. The unit will, according to the Kanzler, receive a seperate command structure and will not be part of the Join Military Command. This to ensure the unit is independent and flexible and not tied to orders from the general Joint Command.

The Kanzler underlined the importance of such a unit for the UCAF. Saying that the Confederacy has a smaller standing army then other developed Artanian nations as it focusses more on specialized, quick operations and highly trained, well equipped forces to do the job. The small size of the army and relative moderate size of the navy and airforce make it absolutely necessary to have a highly trained and extremely well equipped unit to conduct quick and targeted operations whenever needed. The Eagle Brigade is currently being trained and its equipment being prepared, it is expected to be fully operational within 2 to 3 years.

[Rogue]

HET JOURNAAL
June 11th 4731
GOVERNMENT TO INVEST BILLIONS IN COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN


A 3D image of parts of the to be constructed "highway 14"

Doressa: Kanzler Rodstad revealed a new comprehensive economic stimulus plan these past months to restart and grow the struggling Narik-Darnussian economy. The plan, which was debated in congress and last week passed with a overwhelming majority, includes a total of 15 billion LOD in investments, a record number for a government plan. 10 billion of this newly allocated budget will be invested in repairing, modernizing and expanding the decaying infrastructural system of Narikaton and Darnussia. Mainly in Narikaton the conditions of highways and city roads has been decaying over the past 2 decades and has caused several accidents and a stagnation in road travel. In the new plan around 4 billion of the new infrastructural budget has been allocated to the repairs of the Narik roadsystem which should allow for increased travel and less deaths on Narik roads. Another 4 billion will be used for small repairs in Darnussia, where the roadsystem is much better maintained, but a majority of the 4 billion for Darnussia will be used for the construction of a new "coastal" highway called Highway 14.

Highway 14 will be a highway that spans most of the Darnussian coast from Doressa in the south to the northern coast, the highway will pass all the major coastal cities and allows travellers to use it to reach other places inland much faster and reliably. The construction on highway 14 is said to launch early next month and will take a total of 10 years to fully complete. The remaining 1 billion LOD in the infrastructural budget will be allocated to the Moet and Doressa international airport's. Due to Narikaton and Darnussia being seperated by the strait air travel is the biggest and fastest way between the two states of the confederacy. Therefor the remaining 1 billion LOD will be invested in slightly expanding both the Moet and Doressa international airports to make sure Narikaton and Darnussia stay properly connected.

Another measure for which 5 billion was reserved in the Stimulus plan was the creation of a fund named the "Industrial Expansion and Appropriations Fund" or IEAF. The ministry of Trade and Industry will manage this 5 billion fund which is meant to subsidize and support the industrial sector in an effort to grow and innovate within it. Companies will be able to request a maximum of 2 million LOD from the fund to use for innovation or expansion plans or for the improvement of workers conditions. This money does not have to be payed back. Government companies will also receive about 1/3rd of the fund in subsidies to help the government run industrial companies to also grow and improve workers conditions. The fund will not be reimbursed once its empty according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

This entire stimulus package is expected to cut unemployment from the current 16% to around 10 to 11% within the next 2 years. Early analysing data also seems to suggest that the improvement and expansion of infrastructure and the possible expansion and growth of the industrial sector could make the confederate economy grow by 2.5% annually within 2 years. With a max estimated growth of 3%. Currently the confederate growthrate is stagnating with -0.2%. Inflation is expected to remain around the same as it currently is at 5% inflation each year.

[Rogue]

HET JOURNAAL
June 19th 4731
CONFEDERATE MILITARY TO START EQUIPMENT REPAIRS AND MODERNIZATIONS


A Narik-Darnussian HF-16 flying over the strait earlier this month during a training mission

Doressa: Due to the recently passed "Military Modernizations and Appropriations Act" the Ministry of Defense has launched a major effort to repair and modernize the equipment within the Armed Forces. In the recently passed MMAA 7 billion was allocated to the reparation of decaying equipment. This mostly includes infantry equipment, land vehicles like tanks and trucks as well as the inventory of the airforce and navy. Specifically the airforce will gain from this as much of their inventory has been decaying for years due to a lack of proper maintenance. The former kazulian HF-16's now in Narik-Darnussian hands will be the first to receive repairs and modernizations after which the remaining aircraft of the airforce will receive theirs. The Navy, compared to the other branches of the armed forces, have been left relatively unscathed in recent years, being properly maintained and only needing minor repairs to their ships. The small size of the navy also plays a part in this situation.

The army however will, according to defense officials, need significant effort to repair and modernize its systems, reshuffle its command structure and retrain its troops. The retraining of troops already started before the bill was passed with Dorvish instructors helping military officials in the retraining. The MOD stated its intention is to learn from the Dorvish but "develop our own method of training and tactics later down the line". Mainly land vehicles within the Confederate Army almost all needs repairs and modernizations with the tanks being the first to be worked on. It is expected that the majority of reparations, reorganizations and modernizations are completed within the next 4 to 5 years.

In addition to repairs and modernizations the new bill also reserves 5 billion LOD for the MOD to look into the possible strengthening of both the Navy and Airforce. The navy in particular is of a rather small size compared to other Artanian powers and according to defense minister Madelien Rompelman the navy will need at least 10 additional combat capable ships to "provide basic defenses to the Narik Islands and Darnussian coast in case of war". The MOD is already looking to possibly buy additional frigates and, if possible, missile guided destroyers to add to the naval ranks. The Confederate Aerial Forces are already of moderate size and, for Artanian standards, adequatly trained. With 70 kazulian HF-16 jets purchased only a few decades ago. However the MOD is still looking to also increase the airforce its capabilities, stating that the airforce could use additional multirole aircraft and possibly unmanned drones for targeted operations.

[Oli91]

[Religiöse Freiheit

DRP launches Election campaign

The Democratic Religious Party launched its Election Campaing in Doressa. Party Hubrecht Troost announced several changes the party would like to make when they enter parliament in 2 years. Including more liberal conservativ ideas and help for the companies and businesses. Troost said that he hopes his party will be abled to gain seats, which political scientists say is very likely to happen. Two things he hopes for as well though they seem less likely: gaining the presidency and/or entering a governing coalition. Troost said that if his party had the possibility to enter a cabinet he would prefer coaliting with the NDS but would not just rule out the possibility of joining the SLV.
Hubrecht Troost then continued his speech by explaining the DRPs religious and liberal conservative values.

[Rogue]

HET JOURNAAL
May 9th 4732
MOD TO PURCHASE FRIGATES FROM DORVIK, DESTROYERS FROM KAZULIA


A Kazulian Series 990 destroyer, the type of destroyer that will also be purchased in the proposed deal

Doressa: The Ministry of Defense has placed two orders for new ships to be added to the Confederate fleet. After the Military Modernizations and Appropiations Act passed congress a approximate 5 billion was reserved to "further strengthen" the navy and airforce. Now the MOD has thus placed its first orders for new equipment. These orders will likely be the most expensive orders of this small expansion as well. The MOD placed a order for frigates from dorvik, specifically the Kruthia class frigates of which the confederate navy has none yet. The Kordusian class frigate class that the confederate navy already has in its possession is more focussed on naval combat and anti air operations while the new to be aquired Kruthia class is more capable of sea to land based operations, using its new advanced systems for maritime stabilization operations, supporting special forces and sea-to-land tactical fire support. Employing a combination of these two frigates is, according to the MOD, a real asset to the navy and "of utmost importance for a effective naval force." The Kruthia class frigate is also the top of its class, being rather new compared to other frigates. The MOD has put in place a order for in total 3 Kruthia class frigates. Making the total number of frigates in the Confederate navy 9, with 6 of them being Sachsen class frigates.

In addition to the purchase of frigates from the Dorvish the Ministry of Defense has also negotiated with Kazulia fro the purchase of destroyers, a class of ship that the confederate navy currently doesnt have. After extensive negotiations the MOD eventually decided on the purchase of 2 Series 990 destroyers and another 2 Hobart class destroyers. The Series 990 is already in service in the Kazulian navy itself and has proven its effectiveness in terms of sea-to-land tactical strikes by the use of missile strikes as well as its ability for special forces support. The Series 990 are also known for their large missile capacity, allowing them to operate longer without the need for resupply. The Hobart class in comparison are air warfare type destroyers, meant for sea support and protecting other ships from aerial attacks but are also capable of anti submarine, anti surface and naval gun support operations if needed. The Hobart also has a better, longer range radar system then the Series 990, allowing to operate in a more defensive role in the strait. Both destroyers combined will offer the navy several capabilities that complement eachother. The MOD has thus placed an order for two of both classes. Amounting to a total of 4 destroyers for a estimated price of 2 billion LOD after intense negotiations. The earlier mentioned purchase of the three dorvish frigates will cost around 1.5 billion. Making the total costs of this ship aquisition around 3.5 billion, leaving room for possible airforce expansions using MMAA funds in the future.