Jakania

[robmark0000]

New 3M CEO travelling to Jakania to convince the Jakanian Government about staying in the company

[jamescfm]

Government seeks corporate tax cut to boost stumbling economy
6 November 4779


Minister of Finance Ant Sancar has brought forward legislation that would cut the official rate of Jakanian corporate tax by a quarter as part of a range of measures to stimulate the Jakanian economy back into action following an extended period of mediocre performance. Given the position of the current administration without a legislative majority, the government will be relying on the support of at least one of the opposition parties in order for the tax cut to be approved. Both parties have expressed support for liberalising the economy in recent years however, so this should not be a significant obstacle.

Following the approval of the 4737 Jakanian constitution, the country experienced a period of rapid economic growth fuelled by the oil and gas sector as well as targeted economic interventions by the Democratic Alliance government at the time. Over the past two decades though a variety of factors have generated a slowdown in the country's growth that the present administration is desperate to combat.

Jakania's economy is still heavily dependent on oil and gas revenues but the resurgence of Vascania and Kafuristan has created an excess of supply in the international oil market such that prices have slumped. For a short period, the effects were offset by government investment in the armed forces and the education system and the approval of a major trade deal with Yingdala that provided the economy with a temporary boost, however the long-term impacts of the changing market are unavoidable.

The price of oil is not the only international factor that has created problems for the Jakanian economy. The period of rapid growth in the middle of the century was driven by foreign investment that has become trickier to attract due to fierce competition from other regional economies like Istalia, Vanuku and Deltaria. Economic decline elsewhere in the world, particularly Lourenne and Valruzia, has also had an impact too.

In response to the threat of rising unemployment and stagnation in living standards, economists and politicians alike are calling for economic liberalisation. The electoral success of Compromise and the formation of the free market-focused Democratic Party last year provides evidence of popular support, however the government is reluctant to turn its back on the state-led economic programme that it has championed for four decades now.

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

[jamescfm]

Kalopian President arrives in Dokuz to discuss removal of sanctions
2 April 4780

The newly elected President of Kalopia Sofia Martini has arrived in the Jakanian capital for a series of meetings with top-level government officials aimed at rebuilding the damaged relationship between the two countries following the rise of a far-right regime in the country. Premier of the Republic Eldemir Bal was among the first international leaders to congratulate the leader of the Socialist Democratic Movement (Kalopian: Sosialistiko Dimokratiko Kinima) on her election victory in January.

Historically Jakania and Kalopia have shared strong ties of culture, language and faith. Both countries are predominantly Ahmadi and they have a shared
cultural history influenced by their position between the Majatran-majority countries of the east and the diverse cultures in the western portions of the continent. In recent years though the relationship has been damaged by the Kalopian commitment to Kazulia as well as the recent rise of a quasi-fascist regime in the country.

Kalopia's recent general election results- therefore- came as a relief to populations in both countries concerned about the consequences of a significant period of hostility between the two traditional partners. The success of Martini and her party should ensure that the reactionary policies introduced by the previous administration are abandoned. Bal and his government are hoping that the visit will achieve a long-term understanding that can be used to build a productive relationship moving forward.

At the top of the agenda will be facilitating the removal of economic sanctions on Kalopia instituted in response to the country's decision to implement a variety of racist policies under the previous regime. Beyond these priorities the Jakanian government is hoping to discuss Kalopian admittance to the Majatran Economic Association in the near future, as well as relaxing regulations along the Jakanian-Kalopian border to make life easier for rural communities in the region.


Dokuz Haberler is a broadsheet Jakanian newspaper covering current affairs from a non-partisan perspective

[Wu Han]

⠀ ⠀ Opinion
⠀ ⠀ Tüfekçi: Bal family legacy is the betrayal of Jakania
⠀ ⠀ 3 September 4780

⠀ ⠀ The following piece is written by Mr. Orhan Tüfekçi, leader of Jakania's largest opposition party, the conservative Birlik Hareketi (Unity Movement).
⠀ ⠀ This piece does not reflect the editorial opinion of Public Interest.

⠀ ⠀ Just past midnight on January 3rd, 4635, air raid sirens wailed across Dokuz, waking families from their well-earned slumber. Without an honourable declaration of war, the Deltarian criminals had begun their incursion into our sacred and ancestral soil. Throughout the night, Deltarian bombs fell across our ancient capital, reducing the Presidential Palace and National Assembly to rubble. At the border, Deltarian soldiers began to defile our land with their wretched feet as they marched south.

⠀ ⠀ With the explosion of each bomb, patriotic fervour rippled through the hearts of countless young Jakanian men who took up arms without cowardice nor hesitation. Mothers wept as these brave souls marched to the defence of our nation. My grandfather was among them, and alhamdulillah, he returned to his family. Sadly, far too many young men and boys were martyred; the earliest heroes in the saga of our national liberation. Many have never been found to this day, may they be in peace.

⠀ ⠀ In the months that followed, Deltarians soldiers spread across our country. Our ancestors were unceasing in their struggle against these slugs, all the time knowing that death was the most likely outcome. While the Deltarians established a puppet-regime, the resistance never ended. Eventually, with the distinguished sacrifices of our Vanukean brothers, Jakania's heroes triumphed in securing the liberation of Jakania on December 18th, a day we forever celebrate as Republic Day.

⠀ ⠀ Through collective struggle, loss and victory, a patriotic sense of brotherhood emerged, laying the foundation of the social cohesion we enjoy today. The profound example of service and sacrifice my grandfather and his generation exemplified inspired both my father and I to serve in the Armed Forces. I am proud now to serve in the National Assembly as leader of the party which fought, and succeeded, to ensure that all Jakanian youth are obliged to protect the nation. In this way, we ensure our national sovereignty forever.

⠀ ⠀The Bal family, alternatively, seems to have misunderstood where their loyalties should lie. First, there was cameraman-turned-Premier Yilma Bal, who worked tirelessly in tandem with the party he founded to increase Jakanian reliance on and subservience to the very nation which spilled the blood of our most valiant generation. Unfortunately, one day Yilma conjured the strength to lift his distended gut and impregnate a dog: out popped the man who currently slumps in the chair across from me, Eldemir Bal. The appointed heir of his weak-hearted father, Premier Eldemir Bal failed to respond whatsoever to Deltarian aggression on Lake Majatra, which damaged the economy of the eastern Districts and destroyed the livelihoods of countless workers.

⠀ ⠀ Thus, what can be concluded from the Bal family's political legacy, beyond their blantant corruption and clientelism, than the betrayal of Jakania, our heritage, and our martyrs?

⠀ ⠀ At present time, one of the Deltarian schemes which Yilma fell for, the Majatran Economic Association, has been exposed as a fraud. The Chairman was throughly emasculated by our Jelbic brothers, while Eldemir's representative chirped from the sidelines. No matter what the Premier says today, the fact remains that it was his family which ensnared us with this tool of Deltarian imperialism.

⠀ ⠀ Needless to say, the Jakanian people don't wish to kowtow to the Deltarian regime, as the Bal family has done. Birlik has been clear from the moment we entered the National Assembly after the 4778 election: we'll work with the governing party, but we won't work with Effete Eldemir. The Demokratik Ittifak has rejected this condition. Left with no other sensible party to turn to, Birlik has been unable to remove the prima donna parasite from office. For this, I deeply apologize.

⠀ ⠀ The recent scandal regarding the MEA has made this crisis of leadership more acute. Therefore, I pledge that I will soon approach both secularist parties in an effort to remove the Ittifak from power, inshallah. Should we fail to reach an agreement, I will put forward a motion to bring Eldemir's government down. To do any less would be to denigrate the memory of my grandfather and the sacrifices of his generation. As a conservative, a patriot, and a Jakanian man, my honour does not permit the continued rule of the Bal family.


⠀ ⠀ Public Interest is a predominantly Majatran-language news organization headquartered in Mesul, Jakania, but with regional offices across Majatra.

[jamescfm]

Government calls for early elections in response to deadlock
2 October 4780



DOKUZ, JAKANIA: Premier Eldemir Bal of the Democratic Alliance has called for fresh elections to be held to resolve an extended impasse in attempts to form a new government. For almost three years, the three major political parties have attempted to form a government without success. Birlik's Aslan Demir has the presidential prerogative power however ideological and personal differences have meant that he has not presented a cabinet bill.

In response to the ongoing deadlock, Bal has announced that he will seek the presidency on a platform that would radically transform the country's political system by strengthening the position of the President and abolishing the office of the Premier entirely. In a special address to the nation, Bal told voters that, "Our nation needs strong and effective leadership now more than ever, we cannot be hamstrung by political squabbling".

Over the past four decades, the role of the presidency has been a perennial source of conflict within the Jakanian political system and Demir is not the first Birlik President who has been unable to form a government. Throughout the 4740s, Birlik leader Ayleen Basri refused to bring forward a cabinet bill that would have allowed the legislative majority of Umut and the Alliance to enter government. At the moment it is not clear whether Bal's proposed reforms will resolve these tensions, with the position of opposition parties currently unknown.

[Pragma]

Compromise set for leadership election after poor electoral showing
27 November 4780

Almost immediately after the election results came in, Orkide Onal announced she would be stepping down from the leadership of Compromise. Though
the election result was not disastrous, as some party insiders had feared, the dream of building up to a liberal surge had been dashed by the emergence
of a new party - the Democratic Party. No longer the only alternative to the historic two-party system, and having to battle for secular and socially
liberal votes, Onal's leadership once again resulted in a last-place finish that made her position in the party she founded untenable.

The resulting leadership election looks set to be a pitched battle between three candidates who are already known to be working overtime behind the
scenes: Odul Sen, the party's first assembly member and a left-wing defector from the Democratic Alliance; Olgun Demirkan, Onal's right hand man and
a devoted moderate; Kardelen Kazak, an often austere former mayor running on a platform of compromise between the party's two emergent factions.

Odul Sen, who defected after losing his bid to lead the DI, has the backing of the party's economic left who seek to transform Compromise into an
across-the-board, left-wing party. He has the devoted support of many in the 'New Dawn' group who joined Compromise after a purge by DI leader
Eldemir Bal. His politics are in stark opposition to all three of the other parties in Jakania and he has been attacked as being too dogmatically progressive
to enter government.

Olgun Demirkan, who helped Orkide Onal form the party, is a grandee of the centrist wing who hopes to run to the middle between the three 'ideological'
parties. By cutting deals with other parties and acting pragmatically, Demirkan's politics align with the stated aim of Compromise when it was founded -
to be a bridge between the nation's left and right, while remaining committed to a degree of social liberalism and spiritual moderacy. Demirkan has been
criticised by some on the party's left for arguing against including a pro-trans-rights plank in the party's most recent manifesto.

Kardelen Kazak is hoping to unite the two wings and keep the young movement together. A former small town mayor, her demeanour is less charismatic
than the other two and she has not yet established a strong base among the party's growing membership. Her leadership platform is rumoured to be
focused on green politics and social regionalism - hoping to advance minority interests and unite her party's distinct groups by giving local governments
the ability to advance them separately. She has taken personally liberal views on social issues, but is considered less dogmatically secular than her
opponents and has stated she is personally opposed to 'non-emergency' abortion. She is the only woman known to be organising a campaign.

Unless there is a surprise entrance later on, these are likely to be the three contenders to lead the centre to centre-left party. A win from Demirkan or
Sen could alienate one wing and cause internal divisions, while a Kazak victory runs the risk of energising neither side as Onal struggled to do. Only one
poll has been done so far on the issue: party members favoured Sen, the general public favoured Demirkan. However, as the election will be conducted
via the alternative vote system, Kazak could win over second choice votes as the 'compromise' candidate. At the very least, her own supporters could
prove decisive in a final count between Demirkan and Sen.


Dokuz Haberler is a broadsheet Jakanian newspaper covering current affairs from a non-partisan perspective[/quote]

[jamescfm]

Gao-Showan-Jelbo-Tukaric leaders sign groundbreaking new treaty
10 December 4780

National leaders from four different countries have come together in the Jakanian capital Dokuz to sign a new comprehensive new trade and co-operation agreement to be known as the Council of Shinekh. Following a period of increasing economic and political connectedness between Yingdala, Vanuku, Jelbe and Jakania, leaders from all four countries decided to formalise their historic ties of friendship through the new treaty organisation.

The organisation's name is drawn from the mythological city of Shinekh that has a place in various cultural and religious traditions of the Gao-Showan-Jelbo-Tukaric peoples and was founded with the explicit purpose of affirming the cultural affinity between the peoples. Aside from signalling a shared cultural tradition though, the organisation contains extensive trade provisions that will create a free trade area of almost 500 million people, one of the largest in the world, and open up new economic opportunities for all member states.

For many years there has been persistent talk about the creation of an organisation to promote unity and cooperation between Gao-Showan-Jelbo-Tukaric peoples. In recent years the need for unity has grown with countries across the globe seeking to undermine the principles of national sovereignty and respect for cultural tradition that unite the four countries. Over the past two years the leaders of each nation have been in regular contact to discuss how such an organisation might operate.

The Jakanian government in particular has sought a close relationship with Vanuku and Yingdala as a means to preserving its own national sovereignty from the threat of hostile or expansionist Majatran neighbours like Zardugal and Kalopia. Although the initial agreement set to be ratified in the coming months does not focus particularly on military cooperation, it does outline procedures for expanding the scope of the organisation in future, in line with further cooperation between the countries.


Dokuz Haberler is a broadsheet Jakanian newspaper covering current affairs from a non-partisan perspective

[TheCaliph]

Ferhad rejoices ! Democrats second largest party in first elections !
January 4781

The Democratic Party HQ was lit up with fireworks and cheers from supporters and party members alike as the Democrats got 27% of the vote in their first elections since the formation of the party. Ferhad faced the energetic crowds infront of the Party HQ and flexed his new 83 MP strong mandate in parliament. After calming down the cheers Ferhad had the following to say:
“Ladies and Gentleman of Jakania, the people have spoken. The people have chosen Liberty, Democracy, Freedom and Economic Prosperity. The Democratic Party, Today begins its fight in parliament for a modern, democratic and free Jakania, The beacon of hope lit tonight by the people will shine upon the halls of parliament and we will end the reactionary darkness that has choked our great nation for so long. I say here tonight in front of the people of Jakania, We will not stop until social and economic reforms are realised. We will not join any coalition until we have ensured solid reforms for freedom. I call upon my fellow collegues from the other parties to hear the people and join our cause for liberty, democracy and equality in Jakania ! Thank you all !”

According to sources, Ferhad has already reached out for a potential coalition government however with certain reforms in the Democratic Manifest to be implemented. Sources claim the Democrats may support the Presidential System Constitutional Reform for social and economic reforms in return. There is no question that Jakanian politics will never be the same.


Ferhad greeting the crowds after his speech

[Pragma]

Kardelen Kazak Wins Compromise Leadership
5 May 4781

Kardelen Kazak has been elected as leader by members of Compromise, defeating competitors Olgun Demirkan and Odul Sen. Kazak, who is seen as a moderate liberal member of the political group, was elected on the second round against Odul Sen - who had previously contended the Democratic Alliance's leadership and lost. The vote has been called an endorsement of 'pragmatic liberalism' by key party figures and a vote 'for realism' by some local officials affiliated with the centre to centre-left union.

Olgun Demirkan, a political centrist, was defeated in the first round with 27% of the vote while Kazak received 33% and Sen received 40%. Sen, a more left-wing contender and former DI member, was defeated in the second round by a margin of 54% to 46%. Demirkan's supporters broke overwhelmingly in favour of Kazak in the second round, with many prominent pro-Demirkan figures suggesting they the second preferences were motivated by a fear of Sen's leftist politics and its potential impact on Compromise's ability to work with other parties.

Kazak, whose politics is considered somewhere between the other two contenders, will now have to contend with a fractured movement still struggling to define its political identity. In her acceptance speech, Kazak said that 'all members of Compromise are motivated by liberal values and a belief in equality'. She also committed herself to the causes of secularism and feminism, but reiterated the position she had staked out during the leadership campaign that the easiest path to equal rights was through devolving social issues to the local level. Sen supporters appeared dejected after the result was announced, but Sen himself conceded and called on the party to unite behind what he called Kazak's 'strong vision for our country and our party'.


Dokuz Haberler is a broadsheet Jakanian newspaper covering current affairs from a non-partisan perspective

[jamescfm]

Referendum victory secures constitutional reforms
22 September 4781

Over twenty-five million Jakanian citizens voted in yesterday's special constitutional referendum, the most significant ballot of this kind in the country for several decades. The result was a firm majority (57.1%) in favour of the "Constitutional Reform Act" passed by the legislature last week. Although the vote was formally advisory, the major political parties involved in the legislation had committed that they would respect the result. As a consequence, the reforms are expected to take effect from the beginning of next week and the government will return to working on ordinary business.

The major provisions of the legislation transform the political framework of the country from a parliamentary system in which the President's main role is facilitating government formation to a presidential one in which they are the nation's primary political authority. In addition, there are several smaller reforms included in the new constitutional settlement, such as the abolition of the Assembly's advisory upper house.

President Eldemir Bal, who was the architect of the reforms and the most passionate advocate for them in the brief referendum campaign, instituted them in response to another political standoff in the wake of the 4777 general election. For a brief period it appeared that they would not be passed by the Assembly but the President was able to work with the emerging Democratic Party to secure their support for the legislation. The sole opposition was provided by Birlik, who criticised the reforms as a "power grab".

Under the leadership of the President, the Alliance and the Democratic Party will now focus on instituting a series of liberalising reforms to the Jakanian economy. The previous general election provided a firm mandate for a new economic programme, following a period of middling growth within the country. Economists and politicians alike have been calling for liberalisation as the best way to promote innovation and spark the economy back into life once again.


Dokuz Haberler is a broadsheet Jakanian newspaper covering current affairs from a non-partisan perspective