Jakania

[jamescfm]

Legendary folk singer Aktay Demirkan chosen to represent Jakania at music festival
4 October 4781

Jakanian folk singer and cultural icon Aktay Demirkan has officially been chosen to represent the country in the upcoming Festival Of Musical Arts in Terra. The country's national broadcasting agency announced the decision following an internal process that aimed to select a candidate who would combine modern sensibility with a reflection of traditional Jakanian culture.

After the news was announced yesterday evening, the singer-songwriter received an instant seal of approval from President Eldemir Bal, who told followers on social media that Demirkan was "among the greatest voices our country has ever produced". Despite domestic popularity, it is not clear that Demirkan's traditional style will have international appeal, especially compared to the more modern rock and hip-hop styles that he will be competing against. In preparation for the event next year, Demirkan intends to write an entirely new song that will in his words "demonstrate the power of Jakanian lyricism and instrumentation for the entire world to see".

For many decades he has been one of the country's best-selling artists, however his fanbase is primarily older, rural populations who appreciate the style of folk music that has defined their cultural heritage for centuries. Among younger people and urban populations, he is not only unpopular but virtually unknown. In response to the announcement yesterday, some took to social media to complain about the decision and a viral movement sought to replace Demirkan with the young instrumental group Füzyon (Luthorian: Fusion).

Bardak is an arts and culture magazine published in all three Jakanian languages that covers a variety of subject matter from architecture and fine art to film and television

[Rogue]

FOMAT 4782 concluded!

[jamescfm]

President meets with Deltarian First Minister amid regional instability
3 June 4782

Jakanian President Eldemir Bal will meet with the First Minister of Deltaria Nora Nováková over the next few days as the two countries attempt to ease rising tensions in response to a plethora of potentially destabilising events over the past few years. Although the exact details of the discussions are not yet known, the leaders will undoubtedly aim to cover Vanuku's recent nuclear test and the ongoing period of economic downturn throughout the continent.

For millennia Jakanian governments have treated minimising the Deltarian threat to the country's national integrity as a key component of foreign policy, with extremely mixed success. Over the past half a century both countries have attempted to move on from a tortured history by pursuing regional economic integration and political cooperation through initiatives like the Majatran Economic Association.

Despite early success with these efforts, various factors have combined to imperil the newfound spirit of goodwill. Chief among these is a resurgent Vanuku equipped with a brazen attitude to regional politics. In many ways, the recent nuclear test conducted by the country marks the culmination of a series of hostile engagements between the two historic Majatran powers that has left Jakania trapped in the middle. Vanuku and Jakania's strong historic cultural and political connection has meant that successive Jakanian leaders have been focused on maintaining a close relationship between the two countries.

However this has meant alienating the administration in Čachtice, something both parties are keen to resolve. Prior to the First Minister's arrival, both governments have affirmed their commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation. In the short term though, their focus may be on the ongoing economic decline spreading across the region. For several years the Jakanian government under Eldemir Bal has attempted to restart the Jakanian economy with little avail and recent reports suggest that Deltaria has also been impacted by the external shocks that have frustrated Jakanian growth.


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

[Pragma]

Kazak Takes Hard Left, Rebrands Party After Dramatic Membership Change
1 December 4783

Kardelen Kazak, elected leader of Compromise two years ago as a moderate, liberal candidate, has announced today a major rebranding of the party and a sharp move to the left after the composition of the group's membership changed dramatically. In a speech near the Assembly in Dokuz, Kazak told assembled reporters that the party would henceforth be rebranded as 'Progress' (Jakanian: İlerleme) and adopt an official party platform of democratic socialism, feminism, cultural progressivism, ultra-secularism and MEA withdrawal. This is a move to the left economically even more stark that the Democratic Alliance's shift right socially in recent decades. It is also a redoubling of the party's social liberalism. This is a sharp departure from Kazak's previously moderate positions, but internal party sources have suggested that the move was not born entirely of Kazak's free will.

The membership of Compromise had cut in half after the emergence of two other socially liberal, pro-secular parties emerged. The Democratic Party and the United Democratic Party - not to be confused with the Democratic Alliance or the United Movement - have taken away tens of thousands of fee-paying members, leaving the party with a smaller group. Into this gap surged thousands of new Metzist and socialist members who saw the group as an opportunity to create a left-wing populist party with democratic socialism at its heart. Originally, there was speculation that Odul Sen was preparing to launch an internal challenge to Kazak after sources suggested his team was 'confident' of getting enough member signatures to cause a 'leadership spill'. In the end however, he announced he would instead accept the position of deputy after a meeting with Kazak in which - according to Sen - 'there was clearly agreement that the party was going to have to change its stance'.

Another potential issue that may have forced Kazak into changing the party, related to the emergence of the DP and the UDP, is the concern that the party would be 'squeezed' by four more ideological opponents. Having less of a distinct identity, Compromise started to fade away as soon as it became clear that they would no longer continue to be the only threat to the historic two-party system. Combined with the new membership, the threat of electoral insignificance pushed Kazak into the adoption of these new policy positions. With Sen as her deputy, Kazak looks set to lead the party into territory previously unthinkable. Such a sharp move to the economic left is unprecedented in Jakanian history, and the battle to establish an identity for a party originally designed to forge a new centre ground has been clearly won by the party's emergent left-wing.


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

[TheCaliph]

Democratic Party holds “People’s Voice” meetings with citizens all-over Jakania!
July 4748

Democratic Party leader Sezer Ferhad has began a series of conference hall meetings with local populations all over Jakania. The content of these meetings revolve around Q&A sessions with Ferhad as well as speeches. During these meetings Ferhad touched on many important topics, from the coalition with the Democratic Alliance to Economic Reforms to the Drastic Change in Jakanian Politics. When asked “Do you intend to continue your coalition with the DA ?” Ferhad declared: “As you know our coalition with them was not one of political alignment rather one of compromise, We succeeded in many reforms with the Democratic Alliance which seemed almost impossible before we entered politics. Liberalisation of Women’s Rights, Steps towards a free-market economy, enlargement of freedoms and human rights, all were achieved by this coalition government. If we can guarantee continued cooperation and success then We would continue our coalition.”
Another question was the recent drastic changes and hard secular parties entering the parliament. “We welcome political thought and new ideas, ofcourse with the Democratic Party’s success in liberalising political ideas which seemed as taboo or too radical before we see new ideas entering the arena and politicians becoming bolder. This is just a sign that we are doing are jobs, by taking government censorship and pressure off people’s backs.”

Ferhad is expected to continue his meetings all over the country in the following weeks.


Ferhad during the Q&A

[jamescfm]

Record number of Jakanian students learning Yingdalan as "language of business"
23 January 4785


According to new data released by the Jakanian Language Institute, the number of secondary school students in Jakania learning Yingdalan as a foreign language has risen to record levels. Over the past two decades, various reforms have been implemented in an attempt to increase the rate of multilingualism within the country. Although it is still difficult to know the long-term effects of the legislation, the new data suggests that these reforms are having an impact.

When originally drafted, the "Language Recognition and Reform" Act was intended to promote the use of the two Jakanian minority languages, officially known as Jakanian Kalopian and Jakanian Majatran, by requiring that all students learn at least two languages through the education system. In many cases though, schools have adapted to the legislation by promoting new foreign language programmes to equip students for an increasingly globalised economy.

Owing to the re-emergence of Yingdala as a global economic powerhouse over the past century, speakers of the Yingdalan language have become incredibly valuable within the workplace due to the potential opportunities for doing business with foreign firms. In the Jakanian context, this is particularly important as small and large businesses alike have sought to expand into the Yingdalan market in response to economic frustration in Majatra.

Not only that but Yingdalan speakers can open opportunities in other international markets too, as a result of the language's important position throughout the wider region. In countries like Seko, Hanzen and Kimlien, Yingdalan is among the most commonly spoken second languages and can provide a "bridge language" for businesses to communicate in.

Outside of the uptake in Yingdalan, the new data from the Language Institute also highlights a resurgence in certain endangered languages native to Jakania and surrounding regions. Notable in this sense are the various Ashker languages that were once common throughout western and southern Majatra but have been marginalised for centuries. "Ashker" is a catch-all term often used to refer to Tukaric languages outside of Turjak, many of which have threatened to disappear due to the dominance of the linguistically similar Turjak- and the Jelbic languages- in their native regions.

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

[Pragma]

Kazak Subtly Reins Her Party Back In
4 January 4786

Kardelen Kazak has begun the process of 'reining in' the party's hard left after months of internal party instability in which entryism among left-wingers had forced the party hard to the left. Kazak's team has quietly edited the party's official platform and website to reflect a 'soft left' image, although social democracy and social liberalism remain prominent in the party's literature and branding. Most notably, overt references to a hard-line version of secularism have been scrubbed from the party's website and Kazak herself has apologised for her comments expressing an anti-Ahmadi viewpoint. Kazak herself is an agnostic, with her mother being a Siphinian Hosian who migrated from Kalopia.

Kazak had repeatedly been threatened by supporters her deputy, Odul Sen, with a leadership challenge she could not have won with the newly left-wing party membership. Her response, to publicly decry institutionalised Ahmadism in an overwhelmingly Ahmadi country, likely contributed to yet another loss in terms of seats and votes for the party. In response, Kazak has started the process of returning the party to better reflect the positions on which she ran in the party's leadership contest - were she beat two opponents, including Sen. Kazak's own personal beliefs have been described as 'social democratic', 'mildly populist' and 'socially pragmatic'.


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

[Wu Han]

⠀ ⠀ Orhan Tüfekçi wins presidency, promises to rid government of corruption
⠀ ⠀ 21 August 4785


⠀ ⠀ Nationwide: Orhan Tüfekçi, former Governor of Bureniye District and leader of the Jakania's largest conservative party Birlik Hareketi (Unity Movement) has been elected president of Jakania after a strong showing over incumbent Eldemir Bal of the governing Demokratik Ittifak (Democratic Alliance).

⠀ ⠀ As ballots were counted across the nation on election night Tüfekçi and his wife took to the podium, surrounded by energized supporters, to announce that "morning will bring about new beginnings for Jakania." Though Tüfekçi led Bal by nearly 11 points on the first ballot, it was clear that a runoff would be necessary in an election with a multitude of new faces and parties. By morning, however, it was confirmed that Tüfekçi had secured a 5 point victory on the second ballot.

⠀ ⠀ Tüfekçi's party quickly organized an outdoor rally for his supporters outside the Grand Mosque of Mesul, where the president-elect was met with thousands of fluttering Jakanian flags and the thunderous approval of those gathered. Tüfekçi took to the stage emphatically waving a straw broom, and pledging to "clean up Dokuz."

⠀ ⠀ "After decades of Bal family kleptocracy, thievery and tricks, we shall restore a sense of dignity to the presidency," declared Tüfekçi, interrupted by the booming chants of his supporters. "Together, we will clean up Dokuz and deliver a government by and for the people!"

⠀ ⠀ During the rally, it seems that Tüfekçi is attempting to strike a balance between his hardline Ahmadi base, and the broad swath of conservative and moderate Birlik voters who simply desire a change in government away from the endemic clientelism of Eldemir Bal's presidency. The president-elect urged the minor opposition parties to support his government in removing Bal's cabinet, regardless of their ideological divisions.

⠀ ⠀ "We have overcome all obstacles, defeated all traitorous plots, and frustrated all schemes," said Tüfekçi. "We cannot permit ideological differences to deprive the Jakanian people of this historic opportunity. As a patriot, and a veteran, I humbly ask the opposition parties: join hands with your brothers and sisters in Birlik so that we can rid ourselves of corruption and build a new future for our children."

⠀ ⠀ Sources within the president-elect's party say that there have already been high-level discussions with the leadership of the Demokrat Parti (Democratic Party, not to be confused with Demokratik Ittifak) and the newly-formed Birleşik Demokrat Parti (United Democratic Party) to support the transition of power. The leadership of the former party have confirmed they will support the president-elect in forming a new government, while the latter party hasn't made any announcements. Observers have suggested that Tüfekçi may turn to the minor progressive party İlerleme (Progress) if he cannot secure the support of the BDP.

⠀ ⠀ Shortly after the president-elect concluded his speech, he entered the Grand Mosque for midday prayers. Later in the day, Tüfekçi laid a wreath at the Mesul war memorial, pledging to honour the memories of Jakania's war dead. It was observed that the president-elect shed a single tear while begging his war-hero grandfather to watch over his administration. "Eldemir Bal habitually fell to his knees to pleasure the Deltarians," said Tüfekçi. "We will make sure that our knees are clean of such dishonourable bruises."


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

[Wu Han]

Tüfekçi reaches coalition deal with liberal opposition parties
12 June 4786



DOKUZ, JAKANIA: President Orhan Tüfekçi (Birlik Hareketi; Unity Movement) has resolved an impasse in forming a new government by reaching an unexpected coalition deal with two smaller liberal opposition parties. Tüfekçi's conservative Ahmadist party will share power with the liberal Demokrat Parti (Democratic Party, not to be confused with the Democratic Alliance or the United Democratic Party) and the progressive soft-secularist party İlerleme (Progress).

President Tüfekçi applauded DP leader Sezer Ferhad and İlerleme leader Kardelen Kazak for their ability to put "country before ideology," in ending the executive gridlock. Tüfekçi extended special praise upon the progressive Kazak who he declared "an absolute matron of Jakanian democracy," while thanking Ferhad for his "proven commitment to the stability of the Republic," as Ferhad had supported the president's earlier unsuccessful attempt at forming government.

While President Tüfekçi's Birlik and Ferhad's Demokrat Parti have passed multiple key economic policies together, Kazak's İlerleme has often stood at odds with the two free market-minded parties. Nonetheless, the Nurhasar Palace promises to negotiate and find areas of mutual agreement with the junior coalition ministers and their parties.

[jamescfm]

Bal facing increased pressure from members following poor local election showing
18 November 4786


Leader of the Democratic Alliance Eldemir Bal has faced calls for his resignation following a string of poor performances in local and regional elections across the country. Last year the party lost their position as the largest in the legislature for the first time in eighteen years and Bal failed to retain the presidency, in a snap general election. At this time criticism of Bal was relatively muted because the party had expected far more significant losses in the wake of the emergence of several smaller parties.

The first signs of real unrest emerged after the party failed to re-take Akadası in a close gubernatorial election only a few months after the general election. Bal and other major figures in the party expended significant time campaigning in the district but Alliance candidate Zameel el-Ahmed lost to the Democratic Party incumbent. In response to the defeat, some local party officials claimed that el-Ahmad's public association with the party leadership damaged his campaign.

However the primary catalyst for the current pressure was a string of mayoral, district legislature and local council elections across the country yesterday. Around a third of all local election positions were contested and the Alliance suffered major setbacks, particularly to their traditional rivals Birlik. Despite the conventional wisdom that governing parties perform poorly in local elections, Birlik emerged comfortably as the largest party at the district level to take their combined seats total to 104. In stark contrast, the Alliance finished with fewer seats than both the Democratic Party and the United Democratic Party to finish fourth overall.

Eldemir Bal has served as party leader for over a decade and has solidified the Alliance's political position around a syncretic agenda combining moderate conservative Ahmadi politics and a broadly left-wing economic programme. At the same time his position has galvanised resistance from both sides of the political spectrum, exemplified by the current coalition government's coalescence in opposition to his party.

For his part, Bal has appeared defiant about his position within the party. Speaking to a journalist recently he said, "The opposition have come together to combine their reactionary and secularist agendas in an attempt to undermine our national unity, but our movement will not be daunted by the challenges we face". At the moment nobody within the party has triggered the formal procedure that would lead to a leadership challenge, though there is speculation that Diyarıvakan mayor Nazenin Togay might be preparing such a challenge.


Cumhuriyet is a broadsheet Jakanian newspaper covering a variety of topics including politics, economics, culture and sports from a left-wing political perspective