Rapa Pile

[Rogue]

OOC Source: The Conversation

Rapa City: In its first post war election, under the supervision of international observers and with a totally new electoral system in place, Rapa Pile has elected the MPP, People's Democratic Party, of sitting president Udayanga Silu to a overwhelming majority in the House of Deputies. The Centrist party of the current president had appealled to a wide variety of voters, from the large masses of poor to the middle and upper classes, it seems to message of unity, progress and common sense solutions that the president and his newfound party pledged for has worked, giving him overwhelming margin of victory in the popular vote as well as 107 of the 150 seats in the House of Deputies. This victory ensures Silu his continuation as the President for the next 5 years as well as a supermajority in parliament, allowing him and his party to pass through a variety of reforms they promised in their electoral program. Despite this resounding victory the first past the post system of elections implemented for the House of Deputies has given the PSPP a slightly larger share of seats proportionally when compared to the MPP, winnin in largely the major city centre's and some industrial areas in the country. Despite this President Silu can be more then satisfied with the result, giving him and his party the mandate to continue reconstruction and pass through reforms to get Rapa Pile on track. The far-right National League has won just 1 seat in the House, won by its leader Udash Saranankara in the smallest district in the country. Despite being dissapointed with this narrow seat win Saranankara has pledged to "bring the voice of patriots and Pilese loving citizens to parliament." On the local level the big winners were independent politicians. While they have been completely wiped out of the national House of Deputies their pressence locally remains strong, with independent candidates winning around 40% of seats locally this election.

The MPP their program included the promise to continue reconstruction at a rapid pace, expand the signatory nations to the Trade Protection Clause, attract foreign investment and grow the Pilese economy. The PSPP, after the announcement of the result, pledged to fight for the "ordinary working Pilese" and to "work in a constructive manner with the government to achieve a better, unified and strong Rapa Pile." Experts predict that the new MPP government will likely pass a series of liberalizing reforms for the economy, combined with the creation of a decent social safety net to protect the vulnerable. The House of Deputies is scheduled to vote on who shall be president next month, with the re-election of Udayanga Silu already largely guarenteed.


The election results, a clear mandate has been given to the MPP and the President

[Rogue]

OOC Source: CNN

Rapa City: In a extraordinary session of the House of Deputies with full support of both the MPP and the PSPP the legislature has today abolished the entire Armed Forces of Rapa Pile. The move, proposed by President Silu, is meant to signal to neighbours and international partners that Rapa Pile is fully focussed on improving social conditions in the country and work as a constructive partner. While at first the MPP and President were firmly oppossed to abolishing the Armed Forces they agreed on the move after several reports showed that Pilese security could be guarenteed through other means, such as a specialized police force and regional cooperation. The vote signals another chapter in Pilese history and is supported by over 82% of the population according to a recent poll. Many see it as not only a consequential move, but also a symbolic one as it shows Rapa Pile desires to move away from its destructive past and go forward.

The reform, officially called the "National Strategy for Defense" includes a full reform of the Police force, which will be divided amongst the districts and receive additional funding to found a specialized interventions unit, meant to respond to terrorist or national security threats, which will be allowed to use specialized assault equipment and vehicles. The airforce will be completely abolished, with only the police air wing consisting of a variety of low intensity choppers remaining in service. In terms of naval assets the Pilese government will rely on private vessels, as it had done before its intergration into Vascania. It has reserved around 20 million to fund private citizens willing to protect and patrol Pilese territorial waters in exchange for a state fee, which is payed to them every month, on the conditions that they uphold the law and constitution during their work. This will likely attract the old class of privateers, in possesion of a wide variety of small patrol boats. The largest ship that has already pledged its support to the operation is a privately owned d'Orves-class frigate, rather old but crewed by a dedicated privateer crew. Most other ships in the new privateer fleet are small civilian like boats with its crew only allowed to carry small arms. All privateers wanting to join this new patrol force have to officially register with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

When it comes to the army it has been completely abolished and its weapons/equipment will be mostly destroyed. Only a small portion of existing equipment will be allocated to the new specialized police forces. The abolishment of the Armed Forces is not only a message to the outside world, it is also a relief for the budget, which will suddenly receive the 200 million previously allocated to the military, allowing the government some more room to proceed with their investment plans for the economy and reconstruction. Other reforms to the police include the creation of a newly created call center to receive police calls, increased salaries for police personel, new uniforms currently being designed and a new command structure in order to make the force more effective.

The JL leader Udash Saranankara has condemned the abolishment of the military, stating that, "Rapa Pile has today become defenseless against the horrors of war and those imperial powers seeking to take our sovereign land." The abolishment and police reforms are scheduled to be completed within the coming year.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Urban economics

Rapa City: As reconstruction is nearing completion and normal life is on a return the Pilese Republic is seeing a massive influx of foreign investment pouring into the country. Thanks in large part to the Trade Protection Clause the investments pouring into the Republic have increased hopes for a economic miracle. The MMP controlled House of Deputies has also passed liberalizing passed law after law, making Rapa Pile one of the most liberal oriented nations in the continent. One such law was the elimination of company taxes, the lowering of the income tax and the elimination of the VAT tax. All these measures combined have not only given Pilese citizens more money to spend but have also given Pilese and foreign companies a great opportunity of using this liberal structure to their advantage. Large international companies like PRIME Automotives and a variety of financial institutions have already opened branches in Rapa Pile and thousands of Pilese citizens are being employed in them. In just 2 years time, with reconstruction largely funded by Deltaria and Vascania, the Pilese GDP has grown from 1 billion to over 2 billion, a 100% increase, with the growthrate now hovering around 10% likely caused due to the sudden boom of economic activity brought about by reconstruction. The government has been very carefull in their expenditures, primarily focussing on lowering taxes and cutting regulations while preventing direct intervention into the economy. No large stimulus has been passed through parliament nor have any forms of social welfare systems been put in place. With the grwothrate at a all time high and trade becoming a larger part in the Pilese economy many look with admiration to how the Pilese state and people are turning fate into their favour. While currently Rapa Pile seems to be flourishing after decades of darkness many accross the globe wonder how long this period in its history will last, and what effect it will have on the Pilese people in the future.

[jamescfm]

Jayaranga Dewasiri set to become President of Rapa Pile following indecisive election

21 February 5348 - Jayaranga Dewasirim, leader of the Pilese Social Democratic Party, is set to become President of Rapa Pile after an indecisive election at the end of last year led to a period of political uncertainty. Dewasirim has agreed a “grand coalition” between his own party and the centre-right People’s Democratic Party. Although the two parties have historically been political rivals, the sudden rise of the far-right United Rapa Pile has forced them into cooperation.

In the general election last November, the governing People’s Democratic Party (MPP) saw their vote share slashed. Since the end of the Rapa Pile War, the MPP has been the most successful Pilese political party. After electoral reform in the 52nd century, they have often relied on the support of smaller parties to govern though. Throughout this period, the Pilese Social Democratic Party has been their principal electoral rival.

The main beneficiary of the collapse of the People’s Democratic Party’s support was United Rapa Pile. Formed as the National League in 4871, they are among the oldest political parties in the country. For most of their history, they have been a fringe party though. Under current leader Amilajith Abeyesundere, the party has sought to moderate their ultraconservative policies in certain areas to broaden their appeal. At the same time, they have stepped up anti-Vascanian rhetoric.

In the immediate aftermath of the election, it was unclear how a government might be formed. Alongside the New Socialist Party (NSP), the Pilese Social Democratic Party held exactly half of the seats in the House of Deputies. After the resignation of former President Nelaka Kotelawala as MMP leader, his successor agreed to meet Dewasirim for coalition talks. Despite the formation of a government, questions remain about Rapa Pile’s political future.

Rapa Pile News is an independent news broadcaster and website publishing in Pilese and Luthorian.

[Pragma]

     National People's Congress to run as part of united anti-government coalition
     10 August 5419

The right-wing National People's Congress (known by its Kotese acronym, JMK) has announced it will run as part of an electoral coalition in a bid to oust the incumbent government. The coalition will include the Avidugu Congress (AK), which represents the minority Avidugu population, and the Datungu Front (DP). All three parties have historically performed better on the island of Datungu, which has a sizeable non-Kotese population and closer economic links to Vascania.

The JMK is a conservative, pro-Vascanian party that has historically been described as 'far-right' - a label the party rejects. In recent years, under the leadership of Roshen Anula, the party has adopted a more moderate and religious attitude that Anula has called 'Daenist democracy'.

The current government, headed by Nilan Thotawatte, is made up of several national and local parties. Most prominently, the centre-right People's Democratic Party (MMP) and the Pilese Social Democratic Party (PSPP) have governed together for several years, despite their historic rivalry, in large part to keep the JMK, the socialist RPSP, and other right-wing parties away from power. Other parties that support the MMP-PSPP coalition include the Rapa City Residents' Alliance (RNVS), the Rapa Pile Dovanian Empowerment Alliance (RPDBS) and the Rapa Pile Kalam Congress (RPKS/RPKK).

Other players in the upcoming election include the far-right nationalist-populist United Rapa Pile (ERP), which is both anti-Vascanian and anti-Dovanian, the left-wing Rapa Pile Socialist Party (RPSP), and the Amhadi People's Party (AMP), a socially conservative group with the mission of representing the country's Ahmadi minority.

     Voice of Datungu is a newspaper based on Datungu Island, Rapa Pile. It has centre-right and somewhat pro-Vascanian political leanings.

[Pragma]

PM Thotawatte condemns Vascania coup as Pilese election thrown into chaos

5 February 5421 - Prime Minister Nilan Thotawatte has condemned yesterday's coup d'état in Vascania, calling the overthrow of Krishan Patvardhan's government "destabilising and damaging". His words have been echoed by other members of his centre-right People's Democratic Party (MMP), as well as in a statement issued by the leaders of their main coalition partners - the centre-left Pilese Social Democratic Party (PSPP) and the Rapa Pile Dovanian Empowerment Alliance (RPDBS).

Yesterday afternoon, Vascanian general Vinay Talavalakar declared martial law after the killing of the country's trade minister by communists in Thikkonagama. Patvardhan had been hit by allegations of corruption, and was beset by political rivals from his party's pro-military wing. Information from the country has been tightly controlled by the government, but Partvadhan's unpopularity before his removal was widely recognised.

The pro-Vascanian and conservative National People's Congress (JMK) has yet to issue a statement on the coup, but local media has speculated that the development could seriously damage their electoral hopes. The JMK and their allies, the Avidugu Congress (AK) and the Datungu Front (DP), advocate for a close relationship between Rapa Pile and Vascania and had been performing well in opinion polls against Thotawatte's moderate coalition. With Vascania's growing instability and a possible slide further into authoritarianism on the horizon, some analysts expect the public mood to move away from pro-Vascanian sentiment and toward Thotawatte's more sceptical stance. There is also the chance that the far-right United Rapa Pile (ERP) could benefit from the coup due to their avowed anti-Vascanian stance.

Rapa Pile News is an independent news broadcaster and website publishing in Kotese and Luthorian.

[Pragma]

MMP-PSPP coalition falls short of majority but well ahead of JMK

7 August 5421 - The moderate governing coalition in Rapa Pile - made up of the centre-right People's Democratic Party (MMP) and the centre-left Pilese Social Democratic Party (PSPP) - has failed to secure an overall majority in today's parliamentary election. The two forces, who each ran together with smaller associated parties, combine to just 74 of 150 seats. The MMP and its allies, a local Rapa City party and the Rapa Pile Kalam Congress (RPKK), won 40 seats while the PSPP and its main ally, the Rapa PIle Dovanian Empowerment Alliance (RPDBS) won 34 seats.

Despite the government's failure to attain a majority, the opposition parties seem too fractured to form a new government. The conservative, pro-Vascanian JMK and its two smaller allies, the Datungu Front (DP) and Avidugu Congress (AK), won 36 seats collectively and would struggle to find allies in any other parties due to their association with the Vascanian military regime. That association likely cost them votes, as their poll numbers declined sharply after the coup in Vascania earlier this year.

The Pilese nationalist, anti-Vascanian United Rapa Pile (ERP) won 18 seats while the left-wing Rapa Pile Socialist Party (RPSP) won 16. Neither would be eager to prop up a moderate government, though the RPSP may be willing if it means the PSPP and MMP will turn down negotiations with the right-wing parties. The Ahmadi People's Party (AMP) won 6 seats and could also serve as the kingmaker, though that would be fiercely resisted by the ERP and JMK - who agree on little besides their opposition to Ahmadi influence in politics. The RPSP and AMP could also choose to abstain in an investiture vote and any subsequent budgets, allowing the PSPP and MMP to form a minority government.

Rapa Pile News is an independent news broadcaster and website publishing in Kotese and Luthorian.

[Pragma]

     Laksmini Attygalle elected PSPP leader
     4 August 5424

Former Mayor of Rapa City Laksmini Attygalle has been elected as leader of the centre-left Pilese Social Democratic Party (PSPP), following a contentious intraparty contest revolving around the PSPP's coalition with the centre-right People's Democratic Party (MMP). She becomes the only female leader of a major party in Rapa Pile, having served as the capital's first female mayor in over a century.

Attygalle, an anti-MMP candidate could spell trouble for the continuation of the moderate coalition currently in office. She has been the centre of a long-running spat over local devolution with MMP Prime Minister Nilan Thotawatte, who will now be her senior coalition partner. Attygalle is immensely popular in Rapa City and has been credited with helping the city's poorer residents and fighting against corrupt landlords during the 5417 rent crisis. She is on the leftist, anti-Vascanian wing of the PSPP and is expected to draw votes away from the Rapa Pile Socialist Party (RPSP), who are in a confidence-and-supply agreement with the PSPP-MMP coalition. The new PSPP leader is also a progressive on social issues, including abortion access and LGBT+ rights. Her policies contrast sharply with those of the various conservative opposition parties, which suggests that the next election - scheduled for 5426 - could be a stark choice between different visions for the Pilese islands.

     Voice of Datungu is a newspaper based on Datungu Island, Rapa Pile. It has centre-right and somewhat pro-Vascanian political leanings.

[Pragma]

PSPP polls first, Attygalle claims victory

20 September 5426 - The centre-left Pilese Social Democratic Party (PSPP) has polled first in the general election, marking a sudden rebound in the party's fortunes. Recently-elected party leader Laksmini Attygalle claimed victory with around 70% of votes counted, which suggested her party could not be caught by either of its main conservative opponents, the centre-right MMP and the pro-Vascania JMK. Exit polls suggested the PSPP took support from smaller parties centred around ethnic minorities, as well as the further-left Rapa Pile Socialist Party (RPSP).

The results likely bring an end to the long career of Nilan Thotawatte, whose People's Democratic Party (MMP) sunk to third place behind the JMK and PSPP. Having led the government of Rapa Pile for 10 years, Thotawatte's defeat to an energetic and progressive rival could suggest a change in tone for national politics.

The JMK came second once more, but further improved its vote share. After its last election campaign was damaged by the coup in Vascania, the party continues its slow but steady electoral climb. The JMK will likely provide an aggressive opposition to a PM Attygalle, who has proposed a diplomatic move away from Vascania and a left-wing domestic policy. Though Attygalle's policies may be watered-down after coalition talks, she inherits the leadership of a country with a weak economy and low trust in politics. The path forward for Rapa Pile remains unclear.

Rapa Pile News is an independent news broadcaster and website publishing in Kotese and Luthorian.
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[Pragma]

Attygalle spearheads health investment

5 August 5430 - Prime Minister of Rapa Pile Laksmini Attygalle has submitted a key part of her agenda to a vote in parliament, namely on the issue of investment in the healthcare sector. In particular, Attygalle's bill would focus on women's health by providing improved reproductive care and sanitary products to disadvantaged communities. The Prime Minister announced her proposal at a conference in the capital, accusing previous regimes of having "neglected" necessary improvements in the islands' healthcare capabilities.

Attygalle ran heavily on the issue in the last election, but protracted coalition talks and the tentative support of the centre-right People's Democratic Party (MMP) had delayed proceedings. While medical professionals have praised the PM's stance, it has been heavily condemned by the far-right United Rapa Pile (ERP) who have called it an "endorsement of harlotry" due to its provisions to provide contraception to women in universities. The generally moderate but socially conservative Ahmadi People's Party (AMP) has come out against the measure as well, though they have also suggested that they would be willing to vote for large portions of the bill if it were to be renegotiated.

Rapa Pile News is an independent news broadcaster and website publishing in Kotese and Luthorian.
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