New Verham

[thefalloutfan101]

Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag
Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag (New Verham News Agency) is the state news network of New Verham,
owned by the national government under a 55% share. NVNA strives to report all major news with integrity and honesty.
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5th December 5099
President Mönkhdevshil, members of ruling Committee form draft committee on establishing new constitution, bringing "sweeping" change
Aimed at introducing a variety of provisions to modernize the archaic political structure of the nation whilst retaining some political traditions, the proposed changes are set to bring sweeping change to the government of New Verham, at a rate not seen in history.
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by:

Janggi Kyeinnüdtei
Political commentator and analyst

BAATRYNSENTII - As the government is set to wrap up its reconstruction efforts, the president and ruling members of the Committee for National Defense and Protection of the Constitution have formed a draft committee to discuss changes to the New Verhamese constitution, after months of insider rumors hinting at such. Both groups have indicated their strong desires for vastly overhauling the current constitution of the country, calling it grossly outdated and inherently undemocratic, citing confusing provisions that effectively allowed the previously-entrenched military establishment a wide berth to seize power and clamp down on democratic institutions and basic rights. "Our constitution is, frankly, a confusing mess of antiquated jargon and unclear provisions that have precisely led to the previous events of the last three centuries," president Mönkhdevshil stated during a press conference addressing the move. "The people of this nation deserve something far better than what exists now. It is high time to bring sweeping change to our nation, starting with our government." The committee is set to hold sessions throughout the next few months, discussing current provisions and their possible improvement or removal. Already, several unprecedented proposals have been brought forward by both Mönkhdevshil and members of the Committee in the first hours of negotiations.

Most striking among the changes to the constitution are a variety of policies to firmly cement democratic institutions and enshrine the rule of law, as well as vastly scale back the power and influence of the military by strictly depoliticizing it and wholly forbidding its intervention in political affairs in the country, including a provision that mandates that military officers resign from office before deciding to run for public office, as well as renounce ties to still-serving officials within the armed forces. Aside from strongly separating the armed forces from the state, reforms aimed at expanding rights were also significant, including articles that plan to lower the voting age to sixteen, though this move has been somewhat debated by the committee, enshrine the right to vote and increase ease of access to poll locations, and to prevent discrimination on the basis of race, gender, and sexuality. Other provisions formally including the right to housing, food and water, which has been strongly desired by the president, have also been put forward.

Elsewhere was the proposal for a strong separation of powers, though this has been debated by the president, who has stated his desire to keep a strong executive, but to increase the oversight of the legislative branch on the executive, as well as granting more power to the judicial branch and the Supreme Court. "While strong authoritarians have led this country directly into the recent civil war, a strong executive is highly necessary to enact sweeping change to our nation," the president stated during the conference. "In order to fully decouple the military from the government, the president and the executive must have the power to do so, in order to not be threatened and possibly unseated again." These comments were criticized by some groups in the country, claiming that keeping the powers of the executive was a "slippery slope", and could if not reformed would lead to someone from the recently-formed PAP effectively subverting democratic institutions to rule as a dictator.

Changes to the constitution have been clamored for by democratic groups on both sides of the political spectrum for several decades. Hopes were high following the election of Medekhgüi Shudargaünen and his liberal administration, but were largely dashed after his government moved to focus largely on economic matters and piecemeal reforms to the government, through a partially-realized corruption investigation. Naturally, pushback from the armed forces derailed this project and led the country into a bloody civil war that lasted for two years. Several groups spoke largely in favor of the president's move to establish a draft committee, and a variety of significant political figures have expressed their interests to hold joint sessions with the committee to introduce policies of their own, democratizing the process of reforming the constitution. "As our nation democratizes even further, the people deserve a voice," one pro-democratic figure stated. "We are greatly interested in speaking with the government over the possibility of collaborating with the committee to adopt further provisions to the constitution."

[thefalloutfan101]

Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag
Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag (New Verham News Agency) is the state news network of New Verham,
owned by the national government under a 55% share. NVNA strives to report all major news with integrity and honesty.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
27th May 5100
Government to seek immediate depoliticization of armed forces, announces wave of removals and potential trials of alleged nationalist-aligned officers
Blaming both the roughshod reforms of the Shudargaünen administration alongside an all-too-powerful military establishment as key reasons for the cause of the civil war, the government has sought to work towards the immediate depoliticization of the armed forces, and has announced a wave of removals, and organized trials for officers alleged to have supported the nationalists during the conflict.
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by:

Janggi Kyeinnüdtei
Political commentator and analyst

BAATRYNSENTII - Following its move to ban extremist organizations on both sides of the political spectrum, as well as shuttering the recently-reformed Communist Party (despite the fact that it was formed effectively in exile in Liore), claiming it was stamping out "insurrectionary behavior", the government has now set its sights on the depoliticization of the armed forces, a move that has widely been declared to be ambitious. Regardless, most recently the draft committee formed by President Mönkhdevshil and the Committee concluded its draft period early last year and have passed its sweeping changes to the constitution with little issue - including provisions enshrining the strict separation of powers between the armed forces and the national government, alongside a host of other progressive reforms. Very much seen as a long time coming, the government has moved towards enforcing the constitutional provisions, marking the week with a wave of removals, and the organizing of trials for alleged nationalist-aligned officers and other personnel who fought during the civil war.

Most significant of the recent trials was the formal arranging of the disgraced Marshal Jambyn Tömörkhüslee before a military court. During the closing days of the civil war, after heavy fighting, the nationalist leader was captured by President Mönkhdevshil's forces in the north of the country, and transferred back to the capital where he was held in detention for several months. Initially, a trial by military jury was to be ordained as soon as possible, but the arduous task of reconstruction had apparently shifted it lower on the government's priority. Long expected to have already reached a verdict upon the moment of his capture, deliberations by officers, largely made up of veterans of Mönkhdevshil's forces during the conflict, were held for a mere 20 minutes before a final verdict was reached - it being death by hanging, winning out over other proposals of a death by firing squad, believing that the suffering enacted by the Marshal demanded a just punishment. Once the news reached most media outlets, it was received with unanimous celebration. "While it is wrongful to wish death on anyone, the sheer suffering that man enacted on our people is unimaginable," one citizen stated in a candid interview by SVMA in the capital by field reporters. "He deserved such a punishment - I can hope that the government bans the death penalty after this, for he was truly worthy of it."

Interestingly, the government has sought to utilize prior records produced by the Shudargaünen administration in its corruption investigation, which probed the armed forces for potential corruption, but were left unfinished due to the breakout of civil war. "While we have condemned the previous administration for its roughshod reforms, all can agree that the corruption investigation was necessary," the president stated in an address to the Committee today. "Thankfully, we have enough information to finally conclude the work started by the previous government, and will arrange the necessary dismissals and potential arrests immediately." The government would seek to seize property accumulated under mismanaged funds by military officials before selling it at auction in order to reimburse its lost funds. It is estimated that millions of New Verhamese Guilder in government funds were lost due to corruption and economic mismanagement, stymieing economic growth and grossly wasting taxpayer money.

Elsewhere, the government moved forward with enforcing provisions aimed at strictly depoliticizing the armed forces and reinforcing separation of powers between the two agencies. Now enshrined within the constitution is the military's intervention into the elected government being explicitly forbidden, carrying steep consequences if an official seeks to do so. As numerous military officials that served under president Mönkdevshil's forces during the civil war as a Major-General now seek to run for political office within the national legislature and beyond, they are now mandated by the constitution to resign their posts within the armed forces in order to legally run for public office. Alongside this, they must now cut their ties to officers who may still be serving during their potential tenure in public posts. The reforms have been strongly supported by democratic groups, long desiring a government that gave effective "teeth" to depoliticization efforts towards the military, and one that would not be afraid to directly confront the entrenched establishment head on.

[thefalloutfan101]

Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag
Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag (New Verham News Agency) is the state news network of New Verham,
owned by the national government under a 55% share. NVNA strives to report all major news with integrity and honesty.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
23rd October 5100
Post-war political scene begins to develop as new parties form following establishment of People's Action Party
Following in the footsteps of president Mönkhdevshil's newly-formed party, various political leaders around the country have begun the formal process for registering new parties under the State Election Committee. Key standouts include the Democratic Party, the unlikely reemergence of the United Liberal Party, and the Democratic Labor Party, the sole legal successor to Shlajkai Kezkairmsko's communists.
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by:

Janggi Kyeinnüdtei
Political commentator and analyst

BAATRYNSENTII - With the 5101 elections only months away, several new parties have begun the formal process of registration under the State Election Committee, fully ushering in the post-war political scene of the country, and developing a new landscape for the political arena. Political leaders across the spectrum have voiced their desires to formally establish their own parties and organizations, with the center-right and progressive groups being key standouts. Liberal conservatives have rallied around the newly-formed Democratic Party, which seeks to present itself as a center-right to right-wing opposition to the president's PAP in the upcoming elections. Coalescing around their leader, Onggiran Chuluukhana, a former journalist and local politician within independent circles, the party's goals are committed to sensible economic reform, calling for slow changes to the country instead of the PAP's decisively progressive platform, and to promote low taxes. Boldly claiming that the country couldn't survive the ambitious agenda of the PAP, the party has seemingly geared its strategy around peeling away indecisive middle-class voters from the PAP, who still at the time of this publication hold large swaths of support, despite not formally having any seats in government due to the transitional regime.

Elsewhere, left-wing political parties have come out in force, though certainly not as radical as groups that existed immediately prior to the civil war. As the Communist Party was banned not long after its attempted reestablishment, various leftist political leaders have sought to form a more concrete legal alternative, eventually rallying around the formation of the Democratic Labor Party after a conference in the capital today. Submitting a registration to the State Election Committee, it was accepted without issue. The party has formed the crux of its policies around traditional social democracy and, to some degree, democratic socialism - arguing that the PAP, despite the progressive credentials of its General Secretary and president of the country, was not an effective center-left/left-wing force in the country, and due to the big tent nature of the party, could easily shift in either direction. Led by Erdeni Ükhertsus, the party has stressed its existence as an alternative to the "demagoguery" of the former Communist Party and has sought to chart an anti-communist, but still progressive, platform.

Most unexpected by political analysts was the return of the disgraced United Liberal Party into the political arena. The ULP has effectively been held as a pariah in recent years, with many politicians and the public alike strongly despising the party that many believe was directly responsible for the outbreak of the New Verhamese Civil War. Though it is noticeably without the presence of former president Medekhgüi Shudargaünen, the party has sought to rebuild its reputation in the post-war era and chart out a new course, branding itself as a pragmatic, broadly centrist political party dedicated to liberalism, and, most interestingly, minority rights. The party's libertarian-right faction, which while a small current of the party was very much catered to by then-president Shudargaünen, was noticeably absent from this rebranding. Yasavur Taivshirtergüülsen, serving in a co-chair role with Oskar Lauterbach, has sought to launch a comeback for the party, though political analysts (including from the SVMA) have stated that the move was greatly ambitious. The party has sought to espouse minority rights in an attempt to potentially gain seats in the Vanukean and Dundorfian-speaking regions of the country, and to coalesce these areas into potential strongholds for the party, though many doubt the effectiveness of this strategy.

Other parties of interest that had announced their formations were the New Verham Progressive Party and the Socialist Party, with the latter surprisingly being accepted by the State Election Committee, after its General Secretary, Khadagh Groenhijm, denounced the Communist Party for its militancy and tactics during the civil war, and vowed to not accept former Communist Party members into the party. "The Communist Party and their ideology of Metzism-Leonidism were doomed to fail," he stated during the founding conference of his party. "We condemn them for prolonging a senseless war utilizing mismatched tactics, but we can commend them for fighting the fascist militarists of Tömörkhüslee, though the whole of the nation was united against him by that point." The Socialist Party, like the Democratic Labor Party, argues that the president's progressive agenda does not go nearly far enough, and argued that Mönkhdevshil was only paying mere lip service to progressive voices in the country in order to build a broad, impenetrable coalition for the general elections. "The general speaks of progressivism, sure," General Secretary Groenhijm stated during his party's founding conference. "But before that? We hadn't heard a word. If he wanted to express displeasure at Tömörkhüslee, why not do it? Remember, he declared a split after Kezkairmsko had broken off months before, after witnessing the fascist dogs kill innocent civilians. He seems genuine, sure, but we must be wary. Building bulletproof coalitions is always more desirable than actual policy, and many politicians have been all too keen to fall victim to its spell."

Finally, the New Verham Progressive Party formed as a sort of middle ground within the budding left in the nation. Charting a largely center to center-left platform whilst arguing for environmentalist policies, the party has bridged itself as slightly more leftist than the returning United Liberal Party, but slightly more to the right of the Democratic Labor Party. The NVPP's formation caused somewhat of a fracas among the leftist factions of the Democratic Labor Party, who claimed that the NVPP was neoliberal, citing the party's President, Giel Venebrugge, an ethnic Vanukean, as having a prior background in economics and advertising for western-based companies, specifically ones operating out of Seleya. The party has sought to appeal to middle and upper-middle class voters in the upcoming election, and has supported moves for environmental legislation and more ethical industry in the country, but fell short of embracing more exhausting green policies such as a carbon tax or the proposal to mandate electric vehicles become the norm over traditional natural gas automobiles. "We believe in a better, greener future for our country - for the world, even," Mr. Venebrugge stated during his party's formation. "But we also believe in stable development of the economy. This party knows its goals and ambitions, and can set them accordingly."

[thefalloutfan101]

Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag
Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag (New Verham News Agency) is the state news network of New Verham,
owned by the national government under a 55% share. NVNA strives to report all major news with integrity and honesty.
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9th October 5101
5101 general elections conclude with expected landslide for People's Action Party, ruling transitional regime set to dissolve as new republic is declared
With the final results being tallied by the State Election Committee, the People's Action Party, led by current president Negtgegch Mönkhdevshil, have won a landslide victory, securing a supermajority in the newly-formed Supreme Congress, and have formally entered into government following the dissolution of the transitional regime, declaring a new republic.
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by:

Janggi Kyeinnüdtei
Political commentator and analyst

BAATRYNSENTII - With the final vote tallies coming in as per the State Election Committee, the 5101 elections have effectively come to a close. Prior to the elections, which have been held at the first week of October, the transitional regime effectively dissolved itself in preparation for the move, having finalized their plans as polling concludes. In the past few months, the transitional regime worked arduously to set up infrastructure for a stable transfer of power, and to reform the government in accordance with constitutional changes passed during the last two years. As candidates campaigned across the country, from all six of the nation's political parties, much was at stake - all 363 seats of the newly-formed Supreme Congress were up for grabs, alongside the presidency, and the Grand Council of State. A new government body, the organ effectively serves as a collective head of government, integrating cabinet ministries and government agencies under it to form one cohesive executive unit subordinate to the president, comprising the second half of the executive branch. While opposition candidates to president Mönkhdevshil's People's Action Party put up a stiff fight in the early campaign, the result is hardly unexpected - the PAP has won in a landslide, gaining a supermajority in the Supreme Congress and sweeping control of the executive branch, retaining control of the presidency for five more years.

In his post-election speech, held after a largely symbolic ceremony signaling the formal end to the transitional regime, president Mönkhdevshil formally proclaimed a new republic for the country, and thanked all citizens as well as his subordinates within the previous government for helping to coordinate an efficient and expedient reconstruction process, while acknowledging the tremendous assistance foreign aid from Dovani Pact members contributed in the efforts, and vowed that New Verham and her people would not forget the generosity of the fraternal nations of the alliance. "This is the beginning of a new era," he stated to a large crowd outside the Palace of the Presidency in the brisk October air. "Our republic has risen once again, free from the influence of extremists on both flanks - and our democracy stands more stable than ever before. We have overcome the recklessness of prior administrations, triumphed in the face of war and strife, and have secured our mandate to bring this country into the modern age. I thank - earnestly and sincerely - each and every one of you for making this possible. I will not rest until this nation achieves the prosperity desired by all of our great peoples, no matter what may come."

Post-election ceremonies held by opposition candidates were somewhat dour in spirit, but conceded their campaigns as the final tally became clear. It is unclear as to what a formal opposition coalition would be, but the People's Action Party has, most interestingly, expressed a desire to work in inviting the Democratic Party into a possible governing coalition, despite the party's supermajority on its own. The move has come out of a desire to help gain a more right-leaning perspective on matters of policy. When informed about the move, current president of the Democratic Party Onggiran Chuluukhana rejected the offer, stating that the new government and his party were too split on various issues, and remarked on the seemingly bizarre nature of the offer. "I really can't quite wrap my head around it," he stated to reporters at a post-election ceremony. "They have a majority - a two-thirds majority in fact, which by itself is an unprecedented victory, so I reject their offer to form a coalition. Mönkhdevshil has all the necessary sway to rule alone, despite his claims to wish for conservative insight into policy. We differ too much in that regard, as we made clear during our campaign. So no, I won't accept your offer, Mr. Mönkhdevshil. Frankly I find it bizarre in the first place."

Other parties gave words of thanks and well-wishes to the PAP, with the Democratic Labor Party and New Verham Progressive Party wishing them all the best in their pursuits in government, despite the DLP claiming last year that the party lacked an effective progressive bent aside from the words of president Mönkhdevshil directly. The NVPP has already expressed its desire to work to some degree with the PAP in crafting legislation aimed at strengthening environmental regulations, but clashed on economic policy, believing that the statist viewpoint expressed by the PAP contrasted with the NVPP's leader, Giel Venebrugge, who has supported a mixed economic model. Thusly, it is expected that the NVPP will join with fellow parties in creating a formal opposition to the current government. Election figures released by the State Election Committee have detailed the current makeup of the Supreme Congress following the conclusion of the elections, and SVMA has included the results below.

Official Results for the Supreme Congress, as per elections ordained on the 9th of October 5101

People's Action Party: 242 seats
Democratic Labor Party: 79 seats
Democratic Party: 23 seats
New Verham Progressive Party: 11 seats
Socialist Party: 6 seats
United Liberal Party: 2 seats

Diagram of the Supreme Congress as of 9th October 5101

[thefalloutfan101]

Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag
Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag (New Verham News Agency) is the state news network of New Verham,
owned by the national government under a 55% share. NVNA strives to report all major news with integrity and honesty.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
24th May 5102
Government to enact landmark housing reform, construct dozens of new public housing facilities
Decrying the current state of housing, the president has moved to enact landmark reforms with regards to housing - establishing a rent cap on tenets, and to clear space for dozens of new public housing facilities in major cities and towns.
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by:

Janggi Kyeinnüdtei
Political commentator and analyst

BAATRYNSENTII - With reconstruction concluded, the damage that the civil war wrought was immeasurable - in just a mere two years, millions of Guilder worth of damage laid waste to the country, and the true scale of destruction likely will not be known for years to come. The rising economic promise seen in the waning months of the Shudargaünen administration was wiped from the floor in an instant - with the national currency being plunged into disastrous lows, inflation rising sharply, and the complete flight of what few foreign capital had entered the country leaving the economy in an endless spiral. Alongside economic damage, citizens - and their homes - bore the brunt of destruction across the country. From the capital Baatrynsentii to some of the most isolated towns and villages, houses have been burned, destroyed, or leveled, leaving tens of thousands homeless. The influx of homeless peoples to major cities has caused a considerable housing crisis, with the problem being exacerbated by high rates of rent being charged by landlords on tenants, as renters struggle to keep up with the rising demand for apartments and lots.

The government has strongly criticized this practice, with president Mönkhdevshil decrying the rent increases as unfair, especially as most homeless persons moving into major cities had also lost their jobs in the chaos of the civil war. "These people have not but the clothes on their backs," the president said in a scathing press conference on the matter. "It is not only sad but deplorable to see these high rates of rent being charged on people who cannot afford to lose anything else. They have come to our cities, our major towns, in search of a new home or simply a place to stay and get on their feet again. I abhor these practices and, in discussions with the Grand Council of State, moved to enact housing reform as soon as possible - the people need affordable shelters." As such, the president has sought to collaborate with both ministers in the Grand Council of State as well as deputies of the Supreme Congress in working to craft legislation aimed at shoring up resources for the institution of a landmark construction of affordable housing blocks across the country. Issuing an emergency decree that would also allow more resources be given to house incoming homeless and destitute peoples as quickly as possible, president Mönkhdevshil has also reached out to religious groups in an effort to seek their support - most notably the New Verhamese Luthoran Church in Zuiderfoort, to offer shelter at churches and community centers.

President Mönkhdevshil lambasted the practices taken by landlords across rented units nationwide in his press conference with reporters today, and announced formally that the government would work to institute a rent cap on tenets as soon as possible. The proposed rent cap floated by the president and his minister of finance was to be set at 120 New Verhamese Guilder, a price many believed was adequate and fair enough to allow numerous citizens affordable housing in preexisting units. Also proposed alongside the rent cap was provisions which mandated that landlords be forbidden from turning away homeless people, and, if they could not afford the proposed rent cap, to offer them temporary housing wholly free of charge. "It is truly outrageous that in a time like this, where even though our nation has healed from the most immediate scars of war, there are those that continue to seek to exploit impoverished and destitute people," the president stated in his remarks to reporters today. "It is repugnant, morally wrong, and not reflective of the generosity of our people. If these renters cannot comply with our proposals, then we will have no choice other than to offer fines, or seize their units via eminent domain. This is a crisis - the desire to make a few Guilder should be their absolute last concern." The president then announced that certain units of the Republican Guard would be activated to help assist volunteer groups in offering packages of food, water and household supplies to incoming citizens.

In major cities such as Baatrynsentii, buildings left ruined but not outright destroyed were left marked for destruction by the president, to make room for more housing units to be constructed. Exceptions to the rule were buildings with important historical significance or religious buildings. President Mönkhdevshil acknowledged that the process would take time, and justified his emergency actions as being an effective first step in laying the groundwork to permanently house destitute citizens. With the current rate of work being started by government contractors, most estimates place the construction of a majority of housing blocks having their foundations laid at the moment as being completely finished within five years time. The moves by the president with regards to landlords were criticized by opposition parties in the Supreme Congress, with the most significant disapproval coming from the center-right Democratic Party. Its leader, Onggiran Chuluukhana, remarked that the move "set a bad precedent for private small business owners" in the country, and claimed that citizens could stand to lose what remaining savings they had left. "Look - I can understand the need for housing. The civil war has left our country with some deep scars," he stated during an interview. "Even though we've cleaned up the most immediate damage, there's still a lot of work to do. People are clinging to what savings they have left. The president is being too harsh to renters with these policies. It sets a bad precedent for small business owners in this country - a group he and his party claim to fully support."


Firefighters spray water on the smoldering rubble of an apartment building wrecked by the recent civil war in Eisenach, in the country's Dundorfian-speaking north. Across the country, apartment buildings, homes and other dwellings lie ruined and abandoned, and are still prone to fire or other forms of damage. The government has taken immediate steps to institute a landmark program of housing reform nationwide, as well as setting rent caps on tenants and restricting the unfair behavior of landlords during a record influx of homeless citizens into major cities and towns.

[thefalloutfan101]

Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag
Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag (New Verham News Agency) is the state news network of New Verham,
owned by the national government under a 55% share. NVNA strives to report all major news with integrity and honesty.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
28th November 5103
Overhaul of national infrastructure announced by Grand Council of State, over three new highways to be constructed
After recovering the country's rail and road networks, the Minister of Industry, Infrastructure, and Public Works, Toghaimur Alkhnudarga, has sought to overhaul both networks, while announcing that the government would plan for the construction of over three new highways nationwide - them being named the H1, H2, and H3 networks respectively.
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by:

Janggi Kyeinnüdtei
Political commentator and analyst

BAATRYNSENTII - Since the conclusion of the civil war, the national rail and road networks have been functionally restored, but have still suffered extensive disrepair and, in some places, lie on the brink of collapse. The unacceptable quality of infrastructure has made its way to the Grand Council of State, and has been a topic of keen interest for the current Minister of Industry, Infrastructure, and Public Works, Toghaimur Alkhnudarga. Announcing immediately an exhaustive program aimed at overhauling both networks with new railways, modern construction techniques, constructing new bridges and overpasses nationwide, and allotting approximately 75 million Guilder for the establishment of three new road networks nationwide. Named the H1, H2, and H3 highway systems, the roads will connect both neighboring nations and major cities in an unprecedented modernization plan not seen in decades. "The civil war was really just the tipping point," Alkhnudarga stated. "In the wake of reconstruction, it has made us more aware than ever of the bitterly outdated nature of our national infrastructure - it needs to change."

Construction crews under state contract have reportedly already been arranged, and estimates place the full construction of the roadways, from start to finish, at approximately ten to fifteen years for each. "It will certainly be a long process, one that will cause many disruptions," the minister stated. "But the potential grumblings are minor, and our citizens will benefit greatly from a modernized infrastructure - with the current layout plans, our citizens can reach major cities in half the time, potentially reconnect with loved ones, and travel to neighboring nations." Mr. Alkhnudarga also spoke at length about the many benefits modern roads and rails would grant to improving intercontinental commerce and allowing for more efficient exchanges of goods. Currently, foreign imports coming into New Verham have largely come from port cities along the coast, giving a keen insight into the unfortunate investment dearth from foreign capital in the post-war era. By linking up to neighboring roadways in Seko, Ostland, and other nations, New Verham would potentially see its trade volume of foreign imports increase twofold.

When asked about a full modernization of rail networks, including the potential installation of high speed rail, Mr. Alkhnudarga stated that it was naturally the next step in his ministry's plans, but that the implementation of high speed rail was very much off the table, citing the lack of resources necessary to make such a form of travel viable at the current moment. "We must focus first on modernizing what currently exists," he stated. "Which as of this moment is terribly outdated. Then, we can move on with advancing onto more efficient and speedier forms of travel." Currently, such plans for improving railways were at the "concept" phase of development, and were largely following a similar policy of connecting both networks of neighboring nations, alongside linking up major industrial hubs across the nation. A similar numbered layout was among the plans, however.


National rail and road networks have mostly been restored to functioning order in the years after the civil war, but much are poorly outdated.
To remedy this, the Grand Council of State has put forward an exhaustive modernization program, alongside proposing the creation of over three new highways.

[thefalloutfan101]

Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag
Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag (New Verham News Agency) is the state news network of New Verham,
owned by the national government under a 55% share. NVNA strives to report all major news with integrity and honesty.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
25th May 5104
President set to repeal all Shudargaünen-era economic policies, chart out new statist course
Rolling back reforms of which himself and the administration said were detrimental to the nation, the president has moved to repeal all Shudargaünen-era economic policies and legislation, and to direct economic matters under the guiding hand of the state - but stressed the need for private industry in the country, albeit under commonsense regulations.
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by:

Janggi Kyeinnüdtei
Political commentator and analyst

BAATRYNSENTII - Effectively setting in stone a process that'd already begun during the provisional government's existence, the president has sought to fully remove all Shudargaünen-era economic policies, and firmly commit New Verham's economy towards a more statist direction. The president and the administration have not stated that they disapprove of private business as a right, but stressed that the haphazard free market policies and swift privatization executed under the ULP government negatively uprooted the economy, and cause a litany of disruptions in traditional economic practices, some of which'd been adhered to for centuries. "Private property, the right to own a business - that's a right, we aren't forbidding that," the president stated on social media. "But the government must have a role to play in guiding the economy - we feel it best that in order to wholly avoid the disastrous reforms undertaken by the ULP administration, our administration should have a large degree of oversight in the functions of our national economy, and to issue regulations when necessary." The ruling PAP has largely rallied around the president's decision, giving similar words of approval and desires. The president has billed these changes as "reintroducing the guiding hand of the state", and that the average small business owner had little to worry about.

Since the PAP"s ascension to power and its time spent in a proto-party phase during the existence of the Committee under the provisional regime, the organization's plans for totally rolling back the economic reforms of the Shudargaünen administration have been met with criticism. Though not as extreme as that of the former supporters of the disgraced president's changes to the New Verhamese economy, the push for a more active government role in both political and economic affairs has received pushback from the Democratic Party, the New Verham Progressive Party, and the United Liberal Party. There was agreement among opposition parties that regulation was necessary in the new, post-war era, but expressed their concern that the PAP's statist doctrine was too authoritarian in nature, with one deputy of the Supreme Congress remarking that it "lacked all but the military element of the previous junta governments". Oppositely, the president and the government have staunchly defended their decision, remarking that true progress and stable growth of the national economy could not come from private entities left to their own devices alone.

"When you leave the economy purely to its own devices, we end up with wealth inequality, grossly abusive and exploitative working practices, abhorrent working conditions, and poor wages," the president stated during a conference on the plan. "I would like to remind people that large corporations would absolutely seek to abuse their workers if they somehow found a loophole, or god forbid, the law was repealed entirely." Despite his harsh rhetoric, the president still stressed the need for private industry in the country, remarking that it gave small business owners a renewed sense of self-worth and pride, alongside the natural benefits for the nation at large. But also spoke of the responsible actions of private corporations, stating that the large private sector was in "absolute" need of regulation and reformation. As such, the Supreme Congress is set to propose legislation with the president's support that is aimed at just that; proposed provisions would include the immediate forbiddance of the establishment of monopolies, and any loopholes that could allow for such, a mandate for corporations to be fully transparent with their operations in a given fiscal year, published in easy-to-read documentation and reports, and the implementation of a value-added tax.

Also included were large overhauls to the national tax code, effectively wiping the slate clean from previous rates. Seeking to implement progressive taxation, working and middle class citizens would see their tax rates largely remain the same or even decrease, while higher-income earners would seek to take a larger cut. These changes have also been protested by opposition parties, with the Democratic Party's leader Chuluukhana remarking that these sweeping changes were "far, far too early" to be implemented, and encouraged the government to rethink its decision, warning that the economic benefits would actually be less than the government claimed, and that New Verham could stand to see similar economic disruptions that were commonplace during the Shudargaünen administration. Such words of disapproval have largely been ignored however, as the Supreme Congress has seemingly been in cross-party support over the new changes to the tax code, with the New Verham Progressive Party and Democratic Labor Party voicing their support for the legislation, and stated that they would vote in favor upon its inevitable arrival to the floor.

[thefalloutfan101]

Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag
Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag (New Verham News Agency) is the state news network of New Verham,
owned by the national government under a 55% share. NVNA strives to report all major news with integrity and honesty.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
27th May 5105
Grand Council of State to form state-run industrial conglomerate for all manner of public works, in bid to increase state's efficiency in projects
Proposed by Minister of Industry, Infrastructure, and Public Works Toghaimur Alkhnudarga with the approval of president Mönkhdevshil, the New Verham State Corporation (Shine Vyerkhem Muj Corporatsi) would handle all manner of construction, infrastructure, and public works projects ordered by the state, in a move to increase efficiency of the government in executing projects. It therefore would be subordinate to Mr. Alkhnudarga's ministry.
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by:

Janggi Kyeinnüdtei
Political commentator and analyst

BAATRYNSENTII - Following reforms to the national economy and the kickstarting of the administration's first major infrastructure project, calls have grown for the government to establish its own state-run corporation to coordinate public works and general construction. The Grand Council of State has heeded such demands, with the current Minister of Industry, Infrastructure, and Public Works, Toghaimur Alkhnudarga leading proposals for the creation of the New Verham State Corporation (Shine Vyerkhem Muj Corporatsi). The public entity, sucessfully formed with the approval of other ministers and the president himself, is set to hold commanding influence over a variety of fields and projects falling within the purview of the state - but stressed that it would not interfere with private businesses unless granted so via eminent domain or specific request from said individuals. Structurally, the corporation is directly under the oversight of Mr. Alkhnudarga, and is therefore subordinate to his office. Not long after its formation, it sought to immediately assist state contractors currently employed with the construction of the new highway networks ordered for creation two years ago. The corporation has been given an operating budget of 125m Guilder, funds of which Mr. Alkhnudarga believes is more than enough to ensure efficient operations.

State-run general corporations are certainly nothing new for the government, with various military regimes of centuries prior forming similar agencies for various purposes, but such entities were often tailored to specific needs or demands at the time, rather than an all-encompassing conglomerate. "It is largely about the efficiency of the government's operations with regards to public works," Mr. Alkhnudarga stated during its founding conference. "A conglomerate that serves a variety of purposes for things the state needs will greatly aid us in this avenue - and allow us to take on several projects at once, aiding not just our infrastructure and construction projects but also the economy." Alongside its immediate assistance with contractors tasked with the construction of new highways, the New Verham State Corporation would also be assisting in the current public housing projects started by president Mönkhdevshil, alongside upgrading the quality of preexisting roads and bridges across the nation - some of which are under extreme disrepair, owing to years of neglect by junta governments. As was previously known, during reconstruction efforts, work was made in restoring regular function of current roadways via debris clearance, leaving comprehensive upgrades for a later date.

Various staff postings were listed for the corporation, seeking to pool resources from respected engineers to capable administrators, reflecting a high standard of quality from the entity's superior, Mr. Alkhnudarga. "As this is the principal organ for state-directed initiatives, the standards must be second to none," he stated during the NVSC's founding conference. "We must have absolute quality in personnel and the utmost efficiency in operations. The nation needs faith in its government and its agencies again, and this is precisely the avenue to do it with." Mr. Alkhnudarga was also in talks alongside the NVSC's board chairman for the establishment of effective networks with public and private contractors, both domestic and international. Specific interest was given by Mr. Alkhnudarga in Ostlander construction and infrastructure contractors, and voiced his desire for a potential meeting with such groups. He also stated his interest in collaborating with current foreign minister Semsochi Delkhiiayalagch in bringing to the floor of the Dovani Pact Assembly a motion to establish a permanent development initiative among member states, pooling together resources from both private and public entities in a possible subordinate agency of the alliance to greatly improve the economies of all DP members and more closely integrate them.

[thefalloutfan101]

Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag
Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag (New Verham News Agency) is the state news network of New Verham,
owned by the national government under a 55% share. NVNA strives to report all major news with integrity and honesty.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17th April 5106
President, Ministry of Education to enact sweeping reform of national education system, move to forbid for-profit schools
Representing his strong desire that education should be a right held by all, president Mönkhdevshil alongside education minister Bulugan Ünegüisetgegch have moved to enact sweeping reforms to the education system of New Verham, creating a standardized curriculum enforced by all schools, alongside working to eliminate for-profit education, which has resulted in the shuttering of a variety of Shudargaünen-era private colleges and universities across the country.
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by:

Janggi Kyeinnüdtei
Political commentator and analyst

BAATRYNSENTII - Announcing his plans today alongside the current education minister Bulugan Ünegüisetgegch, president Mönkhdevshil has moved to enact sweeping reforms to the national education system of New Verham, aimed at increasing access to public schools, creating a standardized national curriculum for all current grade and high schools to follow, and to vastly increase the enrollment for students into higher education whilst unraveling the private education reforms undertaken by former president Shudargaünen, believing access to a high quality of education should be made available to all. The latter move has immediately resulted in the shuttering of a number of private, for-profit schools across the country, mainly among higher education facilities such as colleges and universities. It has also resulted in the leaving of the only foreign-run for-profit school in the country, which was a military academy run by Broadshore Security and Defense Consulting Group, a Baltusian-dominated company based out of Dalibor, who were famously known for seizing the government of the island state and turning it into its current mercenary state, the Republic of Fredonia. Many had wondered how the facility was able to legally obtain a license and operate in the first place.

As such, the government plans to wholly subsidize tuition and place emphasis on meritocratic but fair entry into distinguished colleges and universities nationwide. President Mönkhdevshil lambasted against for-profit education and tuition rates given by schools, stating that they were incredibly unfair and drove students to the edge of poverty, simply in order to follow a career or passion. The move to potentially soften the bar for entry into some of the nation's most prestigious universities has been met with criticism by college and university leaderships, but the government was quick to remind them that they were under public jurisdiction now - which included funding. Likewise, the government has also announced strong penalties for lower and higher educational facilities that refuse to adhere to the education minister's standardized curriculum, or otherwise largely modify its contents. "There must be absolute compliance, for our nation's children and their bright minds," Mr. Ünegüisetgegch stated in remarks. "Anyone who tries to stubbornly refuse this new curriculum or seek to throw out some of its sections shall face steep fines, or the complete withholding or removal of funding for their school. Don't play - because we certainly won't."

The move to ensure a standardized curriculum overseen directly by the government comes after years of uneven education standards nationwide, biased curriculums towards a certain political standing, or complete propaganda fabricated by military regimes of previous centuries. The education minister has voiced his strong desires in creating new subjects, after previous governments sought to instill "ultranationalist" and bigoted agendas - which Mr. Ünegüisetgegch remarked was "creating a generation of soldiers, frothing at the mouth to vanquish some mythical 'other', rather than raising a new class of engineers, scientists, and educators." As to the contents of the new syllabus, the education minister sought to create an "all-encompassing" program that aims to teach mathematics, the arts, and sciences, whilst noting interest in possibly following the Dundorfian model of gymnasium schools, which often tailored their teachings toward an individual student's desired career path. Other policies desired by both Mr. Ünegüisetgegch and president Mönkhdevshil was the total elimination of illiteracy; an estimated 87% of the total population can coherently read and write, with most national illiteracy coming from the agrarian west of the country, where most children often take up work on their parent's subsistence farms rather than attending school. To increase access to grade and high school level education for students nationwide, the president approved a 75m budget increase to the education ministry, aimed at executing a program of constructing new schools across the country, and upgrading preexisting ones - especially in the west, where facilities are in sharp disrepair.

Finally, the president ended his press conference with his subordinate Mr. Ünegüisetgegch with a brief, semi-prepared speech aimed at directly addressing students and the general state of education at the present moment, giving the public insight on their children's learning and vowing to fight for a better future for New Verham's children.

I'd like to thank Mr. Ünegüisetgegch for being sharing the same desires as me on this issue.

Everyone knows the state of education in this country, it's no secret. Our facilities are in disrepair. Despite being a unitary state, the provinces have control over individual curriculums for schools under their jurisdiction. This has resulted in a vast unevenness in curriculum. Some offer an excellent program, while others not so much - or blatantly indoctrinate our children's youth with poisonous, bigoted ideology. Our nation is not like this, our people are not like this. These ideas are archaic, regressive even. Blind nationalism is not the way, especially in a country as diverse as ours. Nor is militarism either; the desire to sacrifice one's life - one's only life! - to fulfill the vanquishing of some mythologized, "monstrous" other, is morally repugnant. We have fought and bled enough to rid this country of its prior history of military juntas and fascists. To thwart the iron grip of authoritarianism and give our people the liberty and freedom that they deserve and cherish. Well I can safely say that this ends today. No longer will this kind of hate corrupt our nation's children and teenagers. No longer will students suffer a mismatched curriculum that fails to reward them and push them further. No longer will the young men and women of this country have to pay to simply advance their careers or follow their passions.

We face a long road ahead, with many issues to conquer - such as the elimination of illiteracy in its totality. Over 87% of this country can read. That's wondrous for a modern nation, especially so in Dovani. But it is not enough. Every person in this nation should be able to read and write. We will work to increase the access of schools nationwide, from all areas of this country. We will forbid, as I said, the existence of for-profit schools. Education is a right, not a privilege. It abhors me that these institutions exist. They have no place in our society. We will work with public colleges and universities to vastly increase the number of new students entering their facilities. Each mind left unenriched is a tragic waste. We will work to build new facilities and modernize preexisting ones, as well as improve the pay for current teachers.

Students, I sympathize with your desires to learn. To pursue your passion and your careers. And we will fight for you. Among each and every one of you is the potential for a new generation of trailblazers and revolutionaries; who I see before me now could easily be a doctor, a leading scientist, or a distinguished engineer in the next few years. Rest assured, you will achieve all you wish and then some. With our sweeping new policies, there is no place to go but forward.

Thank you.

[thefalloutfan101]

Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag
Shine Vyerkhem Medeelliin Agyentlag (New Verham News Agency) is the state news network of New Verham,
owned by the national government under a 55% share. NVNA strives to report all major news with integrity and honesty.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9th October 5106
5106 general election sees continued support for president Mönkhdevshil as PAP retains its majority over Supreme Congress
With the results coming in, the PAP and president Mönkhdevshil have secured a safe victory in the general election, owing to the president's wide popularity and successful reforms. The president and the PAP promised to continue with their sweeping plans, and thanked voters for continuing to hold their confidence in himself and the party.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

by:

Janggi Kyeinnüdtei
Political commentator and analyst

BAATRYNSENTII - As the final vote counts have been publicized according to the State Election Committee, few were surprised with the outcome. The ruling PAP and president Mönkhdevshil have won a safe victory, retaining control over the Supreme Congress and the executive for another five years. Opposition campaigns did see greater chances than the 5101 elections, which were widely regarded as a blowout victory for the then newly-formed PAP. The Democratic Party as well as the United Liberal Party fared better in minority regions, but failed to chip away at the PAP's nationwide popularity. The ULP has, despite its shunned nature by the political scene, still sought to rebrand itself in the wake of its unpopular leadership under disgraced president Shudargaünen, promoting a regionalist bent in favor of increased minority autonomy in a bid to peel away more votes and coalesce tese regions into possible electoral strongholds. As stated before, while ULP campaigns in the Dundorfian and Vanukean speaking regions were better than five years ago, they fared poorly against regionalist political organizations and groups.

The most startling upset of the 5106 elections came in the form of the Democratic Labor Party's sharp loss in majority among the opposition parties, dropping its status as the Majority Opposition within the Supreme Congress, with more seats going to the Socialist Party, the New Verham Progressive Party, and the Democratic Party. While the party polled well during the campaign, an ineffective leadership was largely to blame, with a confusing and mismatched electoral agenda also contributing to their diminished seats in the legislature. Erdeni Ükhertsus, the party's current General Secretary, personally took the flak for his party's missteps, but fell short of a possible resignation, setting up the course for a possible vote of no confidence within the organization. Left-wing factions within the DLP criticized Ükhertsus for his lackluster speaking skills at campaign rallies and decision to attack president Mönkhdevshil's record, which many political analysts believed was a "disastrous" move for the campaign. Elsewhere, the Socialist Party gained more seats in its stead, picking up the slack from an otherwise icy reception during its then-recent formation during the 5101 elections. Political analysts fell short of declaring the SP the "new face" of the leftist political scene in New Verham, noting that most voters remained highly skeptical of socialism, owing to its belligerent nature during the civil war.

A surprising contender in the elections was the New Verham Progressive Party, who campaigned on working towards pushing through environmentalist legislation in the Supreme Congress, and continued their willingness to work with the PAP on this specific issue. "We're open to working with the PAP in crafting more green legislation," the party's leader, Giel Venebrugge, stated. "Our future is in our hands - let's fight for a better, cleaner tomorrow, and protect our forests whilst pursuing cheap, efficient renewable energy sources." The NVPP was initially held with skepticism during the 5101 elections, due to claims of neoliberalism among the party's leadership, citing Giel Venebrugge's former career as an advertiser for foreign-based companies. Such early leeriness has seemingly somewhat dimmed, as the party saw respectable seat gains in the Supreme Congress, but naturally trailed far below the ruling PAP, and other opposition parties. The Democratic Party faired the best in the recent general elections, carving their way to a narrow majority among the opposition parties, paving the way for their formal recognition as the new Majority Opposition. The party's president, Onggiran Chuluukhana, campaigned on stemming the current rate of reform, which he claimed was "far too fast" and voiced support for smaller, incremental reforms, and criticized Mönkhdevshil's moves toward the economy, declaring that the statist course preferred by the administration was a "slippery slope" for private business owners.

In post-election statements and speeches, the ruling PAP as well as president Mönkhdevshil voiced their continued desires to enact sweeping reform, and to keep working on major projects across the country, whilst simultaneously shoring up resources for future ones. Seemingly executing the "Six Philosophies" of his party in recent months with his policies and projects, it is expected that the president will seek to pursue a secularist program during this term, as Mr. Mönkhdevshil has criticized the influence of traditional religion over the country in the past, even believing that conservatism guided by evangelism was a leading cause for the regressive society that set the stage for the nation's civil war. "Our nation cannot be modern if you have this ... pushback," he stated in an interview. "This country is culturally rich - there is diversity everywhere you go. The regressive nature of conservatism was guided by evangelism. They believed that things should've remained the same, unchanged, because a higher being told them so. This is not the correct thinking for a modern society, and I detest this. We must move on from this, and step into the future." The president's remarks were criticized by the Democratic Party's president and the ULP, who firmly believed in religious freedom. Pushback was also seen, to a smaller degree, from organized religious groups across the country, namely Hosians in the Dundorfian and Vanukean regions.

As with the previous election, the SVMA has received election figures from the State Election Committee, and have included them below.

Official Results for the Supreme Congress, as per elections ordained on the 9th of October 5106

People's Action Party: 245 seats (+3)
Democratic Party: 54 seats (+31)
New Verham Progressive Party: 27 seats (+16)
Socialist Party: 23 seats (+17)
Democratic Labor Party: 9 seats (-70)
United Liberal Party: 5 (+3)

Diagram of the Supreme Congress as of 9th October 5106