Hobrazia

[pSp]

Hobrazia awaits elections

In the wake of Prime Minister Orbeliani's resignation, and President Georgi Pavishvili's delining to run for a fifth term in office in favour of his son Lukas, Hobrazia prepares for the 3551 elections. Political analysts are predicting a close race between the incumbent right-wing HDK and the Communist Party, which has awoken from its slumber and staged a much more vigorous and active presence in the National Chamber than previously. Whether the startling decision by the HDK to let the President's son run to succeed him will affect the final results is unclear; on the one hand, it might disconcern some voters concerned that the HDK is run by a "clan", on the other, Pavishvili is a popular name and is an experienced cabinet Minister in his own right. Rumours that Orbeliani was ousted by inner-party grandees for her poor showing when her Defence Minister resigned over budget cuts, rather than went freely, might have an impact too.

The manifestos of the opposing parties are miles apart: The Communists have a predictably collectivist focus, while the HDK is sticking to its guns, supporting market reform and low taxes.

[pSp]

Pavishvili Sr. dies
May 3560


Georgi Pavishvili as President in 3542

The chairman of the HDK and former President Georgi Pavishvili has died, aged 86, a spokesperson for the family has announced. The stated cause was heart failure. Thus one of the most prolific political careers of recent Hobrazian history has come to an end, a career spanning almost five decades. Pavishvili first came into the limelight in 3514, when he founded the Civic League, the first alternative political movement to the Communists in several decades. He went on to win a convincing victory in the 3519 elections, becoming head of government and implementing the first steps of de-communisation and market reforms to open up the nation. However, the turmoil the swift reforms brought cost the party re-election in 3525, upon which major infighting broke out in the party, resulting in Pavishvili leaving and founding a successor party the Union of Hobrazian Democrats (HDK). After a ten-year spell in opposition, the right retook office in 3535 in a landslide victory. Pavishvili became President of Hobrazia while leaving the day-to-day business of government to his ally Petre Iashvili. He went on to win three consecutive re-elections, finally resigning on his own accord in 3551, leaving the post to his son, incumbent President Lukas Pavishvili.

[pSp]

Pavishvili succeeds Pavishvili

Hardly unexpectedly, President Lukas Pavishvili, the son of the late chairman of the HDK Georgi Pavishvili, has been elected his successor at the HDK conference, easily outpolling various local party representatives with a crushing 85% of the vote. Although the victory was quite overwhelming, there was noticeable concern amongst some delegates that the HDK was inceasingly becoming "a family clan" with a nepotistic power structure. Considering the political clout of the Pavishvili family, it was nonetheless taken for granted that Lukas could take the post at his pleasure, with particulary strong support from conservatives and the more nationalist right, who formed the bedrock of inner-party support for the late Pavishvili Sr.

[Opakidabar]

Speaking about the revolution!

Occupy Dubashvili Street movement turns into violent revolution

After peacefull Occupy Dubashvili Street demonstrations brought no change it was time for Communists to action. Newly founded Socialist Revolution Party under leadership of General Secretary Vasyl Nertenberi managed to grab the power. Wealthy businessmen are being arrested and bank property seized for the benefit of working class.
National army is divided with generals supporting the Emperor Schroeder and lower ranked officers being fiery supporters of Nertenberi.

[Opakidabar]

Comrade Nertenberi Hails Hobrazia's Glorious Communist Past


General Secretary Vasyl Nertenberi gave interview in the military base of Deltaria (region in Hobrazia)

DMB (Deltarian Military Base) refused to follow commands of Hobrazian Imperial General and joined the people. "Society driven by debt, by income inequality, the rich and poor is not a society. They are just animals. We are to re-build the great communist Hobrazia that based itself on immortal values of brotherhood, freedom and equality," stated comrade Vasyl.

Meanwhile Artanian investors sell Hobrazian assets and local business owners are buying real estate in neighbor countries to have a safe place to retreat. Most of them have gone already and manage their businesses from distance. "It is about loss minimization," says Bubushvili family spokesperson. "It is about betraying your nation," says comrade Nertenberi, "they should have stayed here and managed community factories if they were patriots and most importantly if they had heart for people, not their own money."

[Opakidabar]

People Republic of Hobrazia established


Oh wave the brave flag of revolution, for you are now the symbol of men who fought for brotherhood, freedom and equality

In the first free elections in long time when people actually had chance to elect true representative 100.1% of votes were receied by the Socialist Revolution Party led by Comrade Vasyl Nertenberi. After elections People Republic of Hobrazia was proclaimed. In his speech Comrade Nertenberi named Hobrazia the lighthouse for Artanian socialism, and called for wake up of Artanian idealists, men of heart and compassion. "You shall raise and establish the just and fair society in every street of this continent, in every house of this planet, in every heart of man, woman and child."

New government is established and its first goals are to nationalize wealthy class property and prepare necessary legislative reforms for advance of new pearl of Artanian socialism. Military reform is underway, as new nation needs its weapons to make a stand against any counter-revolutionary action planned or done against it. As told by Foreign Minister, Hobrazia would also gladly provide a hand and support to communists around Terra.

[Servia]

"I stand here today in front of the capital to make the announcement of the Socialist Reform Party's official creation. From this date forward, all citizens will have a fighter for them in the government. The SRP will lead the country into the next generation with the consent of people behind it. We will hold Democracy, Environmentalism, Rights and Liberties in the highest regard. Our country's budget is out of control especially with regards to military spending. Our first day in office we will reform the budget with more funding for science and education along with less military spending. We will have a surplus that will benefit all citizens of Hobrazia. The SRP will end dictatorial, barbaric policies like compulsory military service. We will set an example for the rest of the world by banning use of nuclear and chemical weapons. Under our party, Hobrazia will enter into a new age. Long Live the Republic!"

-SRP Party Chairman Erekle Babadishvili

[Reddy]

'Tsulu' Enters Politics
May 15, 3703


Tsulu

Hobratsi needs me. As someone who has led a gigantic enterprise with much success, it should not be too difficult to do the same over with our Hobratsi.

Those were the words of Semon Tsulukidze the 53 year old tycoon whose wealth is sourced from everything but the enterprise his new party proposes to promote - agriculture. Tsulukidze's business empire, recently valued at around 34 billion crowns (just over 4 billion LOD) is based on printing, mining and tourism. Tsulu as he is popularly known, spoke of his reason to enter politics and why he believes that he's an agrarian.

I was born in Irakli, a tiny village in eastern Zargundia. These hands did not just become rough and calloused like this out of it idleness! We worked day and night, helped by no one as successive governments pretended and failed to deliver the promised wealth and living standards. I employ more 20,000 people and thus am a proven job creator.

Tsulu has used his organising skills to lure farm union bosses and other rural power brokers to his new party - the Sons of the Land (VM). The party's manifesto is as vague as could be expected and is filled with rants against 'foreign capital', 'perennial leeches entrenched in the south' (Malivians) and a 'successful and strong safety net'. Despite great cynicism amongst the Hobrazians about Tsulu, they have few other options and a good number of them admire his success and are willing to give him a chance. Tsulu is to be VM's candidate for Prezident in the 3705 elections.

[Reddy]

Tsulu Elected President
March 6, 3704


President Tsulu at his inaguaration

Give me full power and I shall give you full prosperity.’

The ever honest Semon Tsulukidze promised this and other things to the Hobratsi people many times during his campaign. As the only organized candidate running against a handful of independents, Tsulu won nearly 99% of the vote. Turnout was low, as is common in Hobratsi national elections.

Hobrazia has a semi-presidential system in which the President shares power with the State Minister. The bulk of power has traditionally remained in the State Minister’s hands but Tsulu is rewriting that constitutional convention. He chose to appoint a State Minister Ioseb Chketidze, a 42 year old owner of Radio Hobratsi, who also happens to be without a seat in the National Assembly. This is a flagrant violation of the established constitutional convention that the SM has to be a member of the NA.


State Minister Chketidze

Tsulu shrugged and lambasted constitutional conventions in general as ‘shifty, regressive and complex’ His choice for Foreign Minister was universally applauded. The 60 year old Zurab Ketskhoveli is one of Hobrazia’s most accomplished diplomats. He has served in several important diplomatic posts including stints as Ambassador to Dorvik, Gaduridos and the Razamid Caliphate. He also served in the Artanian Union and is a leader of pro-Artanian movement in Hobrazia. Tsulu’s Finance Minister is Irakli Nikoloz, a young and ideologically left leaning MP who has ruffled some feathers on the party’s pro-business wing by calling for VM to continue with the bulk of socialist welfare policies.

As the constitution demands, Tsulu has retired as party Chairman. Few however consider this beyond anything but a symbolic move. His successor is Tengiz Chkhubianishvili the incoming Education Minister who analysts say, is one of the new President's closest friends. The new Government has affirmed its intentions to take part in the World Cup but surprisingly and honestly said it would not bid for hosting since it was going to be indulging into a rigorous austerity program.

[Reddy]

Patriarch Praises Education Reforms
January 9, 3705


Endorser: Patriarch Giorgi XIX

The Patriarch of the Hobrazian Orthodox Church Giorgi XIX has spoken effusively of the President and his government following the announcement of wide ranging education reforms. The reforms included lifting a long standing ban on religious schools and allowing non profit organization to create charter schools. The Patriarch praised the President as a ‘man sent by Hoba (God) to rescue Hobrazia from its formerly disastrous path.’ The endorsement by the Patriarch is all important, even for a highly popular Government. 59% of voters in an opinion poll expressed positive views of the Government versus 26% who expressed negative views while 15% expressed no opinion.

Opponents of the Government like Ilia Gugushvili, an independent social liberal MP rolled their eyes but refrained from criticising the Patriarch whose word to so many is like a divine pronouncement. The Patriarch is traditionally the most trusted and liked figure in Hobrazia and given the Church’s identification as a national symbol, his views carry much weight. Those who publicly criticise the powerful pontiff often find themselves out of public sector jobs or state honours such as the medal of St. Ilia, revoked and Governments generally try to stay on his good side and that of his predecessors. Even members of the press exercise 'self control' as they call it, no major news outlet ever prints even indirectly critical news about any Patriarch.

VM Decides Artanian Union Policy

The Sons of Land party (VM) has decided to apply to join the League of Artanian Conservatives in the Artanian Council of Representatives. A considerable number of VM leaders had supported joining the Artanian Federal Democrats, a more centrist group of parties in the ACR. Many of these come from VM’s large social democratic faction opposed joining the conservative group but appears to have been mollified by promises that Hobrazia’s Commissioner will be picked from amongst the social democrats. Hobrazia is traditionally pro-Artanian and supports the creation of a federal Artanian state.