Jakania

[Maxington]

Kazulian Prime Minister invites Jakanian President to Kazulia for high-level talks

[Rogue]

MF-1 testing and modifications complete, production starts

[Auditorii]

Ostland Allgemeine Zeitung: Ostlandic mission in Bianjie: They had chemical and biological weapons. (September, 4772)

[jamescfm]

National shock as Premier announces resignation
16 May 4773



DOKUZ, JAKANIA: Jakanian Premier and Democratic Alliance leader Nuray Cevahir has shocked the nation with the news that he will resign from both posts within the next month. In a hastily arranged press conference this morning, Cevahir told a crowded room of reporters that he no longer felt that he was up to the challenge of leading his party or his country moving forward. The announcement comes less than eight months after Cevahir and his party were re-elected with a slightly larger majority in last December's general election.

Speculation is rife among the political commentariat and the wider public about what may have motivated the surprise decision to resign so soon into the new legislative term. Since taking over from Zehra Apak three years ago, Cevahir has achieved electoral success and championed popular policies such as extensive education reforms and a comprehensive military modernisation programme. In spite of this his position has always been perceived as somewhat precarious within the party due to a combination of his advancing age and the fact that he was never elected as leader.

For these reasons, some pundits are suggesting that his resignation may have been motivated by a desire to avoid being challenged from within the Alliance. The left-wing of the party, increasingly marginalised in recent years, has often been critical of government policy under Cevahir including the increasingly conservative nature of the Alliance on social issues. In his announcement, the outgoing leader explained that he would continue in his role until a new leader was elected by the party. In addition he pledged to continue to serve his constituents as an Alliance Deputy for the rest of his elected term.

[jamescfm]

Tight leadership contest ends in victory for Eldemir Bal
Experienced former finance and interior minister and son of party founder elected leader over insurgent leftist in a polarising race
27 June 4773


After a relatively short but heated campaign, the long-time cabinet minister Eldemir Bal has been elected leader of the Democratic Alliance. As a result he will officially become the new Premier following the resignation of Nuray Cevahir last month. Despite receiving endorsement from a variety of senior party figures including his predecessor, Bal faced an unexpected challenge from political outsider Odul Sen. In the end Bal was able to capture the support of 57 per cent of eligible party voters.



The new Premier is the son of the Alliance's inaugural leader Yilma Bal and has served in the education, finance and interior portfolios since entering the cabinet two decades ago


Like the previous contest, this leadership election was perceived by many commentators to be a decision about the future of the party's political programme. Despite its origins in the liberal and progressive movements of the 4730s, the Alliance has adopted an increasingly conservative approach to governance in recent years. The party membership remains somewhat further to the left than the leadership on a host of issues and many have complained about being excluded from the decision-making process in recent years.

First elected as a Deputy at the last general election, Sen is a relative newcomer to the national political scene. In the end he was the only person willing to stand against the veteran Bal, who was widely expected to win the race from the moment he announced his candidacy. Nonetheless the Sen campaign was able to capitalise on the frustrations of many party members who feel they have been ignored over the past decade. Included in his platform were a host of radical policies based around his self-described Ozkanist principles. The most notable of these policies was undoubtedly his pledge to amend the constitution and remove the reference to Jakania as an "Ahmadi democratic republic".

In stark contrast Bal emphasised the need to continue the long-term political project started by former Premier Zehra Apak and continued by Cevahir. As the son of the party's inaugural leader and a cabinet minister with over fifteen years experience, he necessarily embraced his image as a "safe pair of hands" for the party's future. Amid an unexpectedly acrimonious campaign though, he was forced to defend the party position on a variety of controversial issues from national military service to gay and lesbian rights. For many his victory marks the final nail in the coffin for the party's left-wing. At the same time, the relatively small margin of victory has been noted by some as a sign of optimism for the future.

Dokuz Haberler is a broadsheet newspaper published in Jakania in the country's three major languages, the paper aims to cover current affairs from a non-partisan perspective

[Pragma]

Orkide Onal Plans New Party
Onal has been a member of the local government in Yenişarpa for five years, but this is her first foray into national politics
1 January 4774


Orkide Onal, an official from the city of Yenişarpa, has announced she will be working with a number of socially progressive, independent politicians from
across Jakania to create a new political force: Uzlaşma (Luthorian: Compromise). The party will be founded on the basis of social justice, cultural
progressivism, secularism and fiscal moderacy. Onal has been a popular independent member of the Yenişarpa local government, and will be hoping to
translate that popularity onto a national stage with the support of like-minded people throughout the country.

Onal, when asked about why she was starting this new party, said that she saw 'a serious opening' in Jakanian politics for a 'liberal and moderate' party.
Her party has already released a number of key manifesto pledges, including getting rid of the national state religion and increasing freedoms for those
who identify as transgender.

If she were able to get seats for her political outfit in parliament, she could use her influence to be the kingmaker between the left and right - and would
no-doubt expect concessions on some of her policies. Onal herself is rumoured to be a potential presidential candidate, but has not said yet if she will
endorse another candidate in the second round.


Dokuz Haberler is a broadsheet newspaper published in Jakania in the country's three major languages, the paper aims to cover current affairs from a non-partisan perspective

[Wu Han]

Birlik Leader Ayleen Basri resigns, triggering second leadership election
14 January 4774



DOKUZ, JAKANIA: After nearly 36 years at the helm of Jakania's largest coalition of conservatives, Birlik Hareketi (Unity Movement) Leader Ayleen Basri has announced that she will be retiring in advance of 4777 general election. Basri's long presence on the Jakanian political stage included 9 years as President and 4 years as Premier. Basri's announcement has conservatives across Jakania publicly thanking Basri for her service to Jakania and to the advancement of their political objectives.

Due to her strong reputation as a stalwart conservative and effective legislator, Basri's leadership has not been openly challenged within her party despite a trail of losses in recent general and local elections. However, concerns about the octogenarian legislator's health following a stroke last August have provided critics a sympathetic reason to call upon Basri to step down.

Basri has pledged to remain active as an Assemblywoman and as a campaigner on behalf of her eventually successor. Nonetheless, Basri shall formally exit politics by not seeking re-election in the 4777 general election. According to the Birlik Hareketi headquarters, the leadership election is projected to conclude this fall.

[Pragma]

Odul Sen Defects To Uzlaşma
Sen becomes the sole Uzlaşma member in the legislature.
4 May 4774


Odul Sen, the political outsider who challenged Eldemir Bal for the DA leadership, has now defected to the Uzlaşma party after a meeting with party
leader Orkide Onal. Sen said in his letter to the Democratic Alliance leadership that he could no longer support a party 'opposed to the secular and
egalitarian principles I support'. Sen had attempted to reform the DA's approach to secularism and LGBT rights in his bid to lead the party. He was
ultimately unable to triumph over the more socially conservative Bal, who had a great deal of support from the party's other established figures.

The former Democratic Alliance leadership contender brings the first sign of momentum behind the socially liberal Uzlaşma group that has been trying to
gain national attention for their alternative political stance. Sen has already authored a number of proposals, with input from Onal, to present to the
legislature. Though it is still very early days for the Uzlaşma movement, a seat at the table in the assembly is seen as a useful tool for attracting national
recognition.

Onal and Sen are hoping that they can win over younger voters and disenfranchised DA supporters in an effort to cause a hung parliament, in which they
may be able to demand concessions from a larger party. The party is currently polling at just 4%, but few polls have been conducted since Sen's
defection. Onal herself is expected to run for the presidency in an effort to force a runoff - in the hopes that it will demonstrate a decisive slice of the
population is unhappy with the two main parties.


Dokuz Haberler is a broadsheet newspaper published in Jakania in the country's three major languages, the paper aims to cover current affairs from a non-partisan perspective

[jamescfm]

Jakanian fast food phenomenon Güneyin Lezzeti takes unique product global
30 December 4775


For many years the Jakanian fast-food market has been relatively small compared to other countries and was not seen as a significant part of the economy. Due to the prohibition on meat production and consumption in the country, conventional fast food chains didn't deem the market as sufficiently lucrative to merit the additional costs involved in developing alternative menu options. In the past decade there has been rapid growth in the sector though, primarily due to the emergence of a single domestic chain.

Güneyin Lezzeti (Luthorian: Taste of the South) offers a variety of meat free options based on traditional Jakanian and Majatran cuisine. The company's name refers to their origins in the southern coastal portions of Jakania, where the Majatran cultural legacy is most strongly felt, and their menu attempts to combine these familiar tastes with convenience and affordability. Since the company's foundation they have achieved a spectacular rise and now operate over four hundred stores throughout the country. Despite some criticism from traditionalists who disagree with the notion of packaging Jakanian cuisine into a fast food system, Güneyin Lezzeti has developed a popular brand image- particularly among young people.

In recognition of this rapid growth, the company has recently set its sight on the international market. At the beginning of last year, they opened their first stores outside of Jakania in Jelbania, Deltaria and Malivia. Since then it has rapidly expanded its international operation with particular focus on countries like Seko and Malivia that have cultural traditions making traditional fast food chains unappealing. Despite general success there have been some challenges too, with many local restaurateurs frustrated at losing out to the Jakanian chain.

In order to conform with local regulation in Seko and to support faster growth, the company has started adopting a franchising scheme whereby individual stores can be locally run while taking advantage of Güneyin Lezzeti's branding and expertise. Within the next eighteen months, chief executive Misfar al-Dada is hoping that international stores will outnumber Jakanian ones. Nonetheless he has spoken of his desire to present an alternative to the conventional fast food model, focused on "better taste, ethical production and healthier food".

İş Odaklari is a broadsheet newspaper published in Jakania focusing on business and economic affairs from a broadly liberal economic and political perspective

[Wu Han]

⠀⠀Governor of Bureniye: Governing party has abdicated its duty

⠀⠀Story by Emel Tekin on 2 August 4774 (OOC: Postdated)

Ganşehir: Governor Orhan Tüfekçi of the Bureniye District has lambasted the national governing party at a rally in Ganşehir today. Surrounded by local supporters and political allies at a rally for his bid to lead the national Birlik Hareketi (Unity Movement), Governor Tüfekçi denounced the President for "abdicating his sacred duty" to ensure the protection of Jakania.

"After a period of intense hostility over the Majatran Lake, the President was missing in action," said Governor Tüfekçi with a mournful expression. "The President has decided that we Easterners don't fall under the purview of his sacred duty to defend all Jakanians from security threats, foreign and domestic. Now, months after Deltaria and Zardugal have ratified an agreement regarding this body of water, which our District relies upon, the national governing party still hasn't made a peep."

Governor Tüfekçi indicated that a possible reason for the President's inaction was the fact that the ruling party, the centre-left Demokratik Ittifak (Democratic Alliance), has not won an general election victory in the easterly province since its inception. Rather, the Tujak-majority eastern provinces have always polled well for Birlik and other proceeding conservative and nationalist political parties.

"The ruling party will move mountains for nepotism and corruption, but provides nothing for working families" said Governor Tüfekçi, in reference to the recent election of Eldemir Bal, son of Premier Yilma Bal, as leader of the Ittifak, and subsequently, his assumption of the role of Premier of Jakania. "While the rich and well-connected get further ahead under this government, families continue to fall behind. Our children are living in squalor. The President and Premier have abdicated their sacred duties: to the East and to the country as a whole."

The Governor's scorn was not exclusive to the ruling party, however. Throughout his remarks, Mr. Tüfekçi denounced the economic elites of the country for their "indifference to the plight of the poor and working masses."

"Are you not Ahmadis?" begged Tüfekçi. "Have you forgotten that charity remains a pillar of the faith? I refuse to believe that this has become a nation that turns its back to the suffering of the greater community! I pray to God, glorified and lofty, that we will begin to see a tide change away from the liberal secular decadence which has tugged at the threads of our social cohesion for so many years."

In recent weeks, Tüfekçi has risen as a serious frontrunner in the Birlik leadership election, following the resignation of long-time leader Ayleen Basri. The support consolidating around Tüfekçi is an indication of the newfound strength of social conservatives in the big-tent coalition, a trend which began in earnest with the election of traditionalist imam Aslan Demir as President of Jakania on the Birlik ticket.

At the beginning of the campaign, Tüfekçi was seen as a long shot candidate, despite his regional popularity, with most institutional support in the party consolidating around former Food and Agriculture Minister Hassan Antoun. Businesswoman Fatma Basaran similarly led a serious campaign, attracting attention from Birlik's traditional supporters at the heights of Jakania's private sector.

A turning point for Tüfekçi's campaign was a televised debate in July, in which Tüfekçi came out fighting, and emerged victorious. For over three hours, Tüfekçi took apart his opponents. He reminded viewers of Minister Antoun's soft stance on social issues, in addition to his lack of success in passing agricultural deregulation legislation over the span of his career in National Assembly. Tüfekçi also levelled into Basaran, characterizing her as an avaricious traitor who had betrayed her country by extracting its wealth and investing it overseas for her personal gain. All counter attacks levelled at the confident and compelling Tüfekçi by his opponents fell flat.


Nabız is a centre-right news organization owned by the Nabız Media Group of Jakania.
The organization aims to provide incisive, fair analysis and commentary on issues and events across Southern Majatra.