Prime Minister Bülent Solak adressing the Grand National Assembly
After decades of socialist rule the forces of free market liberalism in Jakania finally united in the massively successful election of the National Liberal Party (ULP) in 4254. Since the election party chairman Bülent Solak has doggedly pursued the party agenda of economical liberalization and the right of choice.
After the collapse of the ruling Metzist party, a new coalition government was formed in 4256 spearheaded by the National Liberals and supported by the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the monarchist Sofuoglu Party. Despite the ideological disagreements between the parties they are now tasked with the practical task of transforming Jakania from a socialist economy to the free market.
The Economical Reforms of the ULP wrote:
- The Right of Choice Act of 4254 legalized private ownership of schools, universities and hospitals
- The End of Censorship Act ended the state's monopoly on television and radio.
- The Economic Liberalization Act of 4255 removed the demand that all business be run by Democratic Worker's Councils, that at the moment controls the majority of the Jakanian economy and mandates that all non-essential industries in the republic are to be gradually placed into private ownership.
Though the legal framework has been laid there will still be a long time before major privatization will happen in practice, prime minister Solak warns. "Our republic's economy has stagnated for a long time and there is a sorrowful lack of investors and entrepreneurs."
In order to aid the future process the state-run universities are expected to provide expanded business economy courses and foreign investors are invited in, though Jakania's heavy restrictions and regulations on foreign investors have not been repealed.
More progress has happened in the public sector where Education Minister Ela Kundakçı (ULP) has invited proposals by private companies or individuals for private or chartered schools and already received several hundred. "The response has been overwhelmingly positive, I'm overjoyed at the spirit of these people who are so eager to take a hand in the future of our children" ms. Kundakçı told our reporter. The proposals vary between facilities focused innovative new learning techniques from around the world to ancient institutions desiring re-establishment after being taken over or shut down by the state. But another type of proposal from Ahmadist communities or organization are not seeing the green light. The minister commented ""Secularism is one of the foundational pillars of the Jakani Republic. We currently have no plans for allowing religious educational centers."
The future
Despite the wide changes already undergoing in Jakania, prime minister Solak promises that more is to come.
"I plead that every patriotic Jakanian who wants to see their country prosper and wants the opportunity to themselves succeed and flourish on their own merits place their support behind our party. The changes we all wish to see will take years to bloom but the result will enrichen us all."
According to the ULP's spokesman plans have already been drawn up for the privatizations of more essential sectors of the industry including defense, oil, water, power and the railways.