Seko

[Wu Han]

Prime Minister Kono Saki to run for the presidency in 4755
5 October 4754



EIWA, SEKO: In a widely-anticipated move, Prime Minister Kono has announced her candidacy for the presidency of Seko in the 4755 General Election. Kono has pledged to expand economic growth in Seko while protecting the "revolutionary ideals" of Seko's democratically-drafted constitution. This development comes nearly a month after incumbent President Seichō announced that she would not be seeking re-election, subsequently making Kono the foremost leader of the Liberation Movement.

[Wu Han]

Kono Saki elected as second President of Seko
1 February 4755


⠀⠀Chairwoman of the Liberation Movement, and former Prime Minister of Seko, Kono Saki has been elected as the second President of Seko, succeeding President Seichō who was first elected as provisional President nearly fifteen years ago. President Seichō announced that she would not seek another term, returning instead to spiritual matters. Subsequently, Kono Saki became the Liberation Movement's presidential candidate as the second highest-ranking official in the party.

⠀⠀Speaking to a small but jubilant crowd in Eiwa, Kono thanked the Sekowan people for their support, pledging to continue the work her party began after the 4740 Constitutional Referendum, in her words, "to create a nation which is a place where the youth can fall in love again."

⠀⠀Kono also spent a large portion of her address focused on cultural and artistic development in the country, declaring that the "national renewal project" which began in 4740 would unravel without the contributions of artists. "Each time a poet pens a haiku, each time a singer sings a ballad — whenever an artist creates, they are articulating and authorizing an alternative reality," Kono stated. "Without the ability to imagine an alternative reality, our humanistic project shall fail. So, let's create!"

⠀⠀Kono announced that her administration would put forward a new directive for the Sekoku Hōsō Kyōdō (SHK), Seko's national broadcasting co-operative, to expand its media production mandate to include musical recordings. This seemingly small move would go a large way in shifting resources toward the music industry, which at present is constructed of multiple small and capital-depraved independent production outfits.

⠀⠀The President-elect also announced her intention to shift the scope of Seko's national service program away from infrastructural projects toward ecological stewardship, "whenever and wherever possible." It is the President's prerogative to lead and regulate the national service program, as enshrined in the Constitution of Seko.

⠀⠀The general election also delivered a result favourable to factions associated with Orinco Assemblywoman and General Secretary of the Liberation Movement Xquic Nelli-Cualli. With the rise of her supporters in the National Assembly, her ascension to the role of Prime Minister is almost certain. Both Xquic and Kono campaigned, at times together and alongside the organized labour community, against joining the revised Western Dovani Economic Area.


The Sekoku Hōsō Kyōdō (SHK) is a publicly-funded media co-operative headquartered in Nago, Seko, with dispatch offices around the world. The SHK was founded by
an act of the National Assembly of Seko.

[Wu Han]

⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ PRESIDENT KONO SAKI RELEASES NEW BOOK
⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 23 October 4757


PRESIDENT KONO has recently released her second book, Humanity at Work: Co-operative Economics in Sekoku, a timely contribution to Seko's historically rich field of social and political economics. Her book provides a rich and well-researched account of the failures and inhumane realities of the pre-Constitutional capitalist economy, and how Sekowan communities succeeded in forging a real alternative.

Kono begins by tracing the history of Seko's economic development, with a special emphasis on the ways by which the pluralistic communities of Seko have been organizing and co-operating for much of their history. She weaves this narrative into the modern co-operative economy and its origin in the interrelated labour and religious movements of the 4720-30s, culminating in the Constitutional referendum of March 4740.

Despite the book's broad scope, Kono does well to bring together the history and doctrines of Sekowan economics while linking the realities of modern Sekowans working in co-operation all across the country today. Kono highlights that the international community needs to shift its focus to look at the underlying assumptions of the free trade system – "the unrestricted pursuit of self-interest and egotism." A co-operative economy, Kono argues, demonstrates an alternative model of economic and social exchange based on solidarity and reciprocity, "in which economics is an extension of a humane society."

The book has been received acclaim by readers across Sekowan civil society, from political theorists to factory workers. International reviews have been positive, though more critical, with many observers viewing Kono's writing as "utopian and idealistic." Nonetheless, the Luthorian translation of the book has performed well overseas, with various co-operative and independent bookstores backordered around the world.

[Wu Han]

Seko and Yingdala pen trade deal over tea
The two friendly nations agree to a number of proposals to strengthen economic ties
27 March 4760


Above: Preparation of tea in the traditional manner


TAKEDA, NANZAN: Labour leaders, economists and diplomats from Seko and Yingdala descended on the coastal city of Takeda earlier this week. The parties assembled to discuss a number of proposals designed to deepen economic relations between the two Dovanian nations.

While the negotiations were broadly focused on a diverse range of agricultural products, the Yingdalan media referred to the negotiations as the "Takeda Tea Accord." Negotiators eventually used this name for the resultant agreement, with Assemblyman Atsumi Tadakatsu declaring: "the greatest diplomacy is conducted over tea."

The agreement has achieved widespread approval among food and agricultural co-operatives, labour unions and farmers across Seko who predict that preferential access to the much larger Yingdalan market will yield lucrative surplus profits. Meanwhile, lower tariffs on imported Yingdalan fruit, tea, spices and herbs will save consumers money at the market. Negotiators carefully isolated specific products which were not already produced Seko to ensure that the impact on small farmers would be minimized.

In a gesture of good-will, Yingdala also proposed a one-time donation of $250,000,000 to the government of Seko as part of the Takeda Tea Accord. The donation shall be spent largely on "productive and associated infrastructure projects," with $50,000,000 designated to "look after the social and productive necessities of the Sekowan people as decided by their Government." The sum is roughly equivalent to the projected growth in commercial exchange between the two countries by Q3 next year.

Minister of Health and Social Services Nakama Junta was quick to announce that the secondary portion of the donation would be used to invest in areas which may suffer adverse effects from the ratification of the economic agreement: "The government appreciates the ethical and fraternal gesture from Yingdala," said Minister Nakama. "As with any systemic change to the market, there will be negative externalities; these funds shall be diverted directly into addressing these externalities wherever they may arise."

Capital is a media company specializing in economic reporting, headquartered in Eiwa, Seko.

[Liu Che/Zhuli]

Khan of Bianjie seeks to learn from Hanzen and Seko

[jamescfm]

Human Rights Foundation: Report on global democracy critical of major powers

[Wu Han]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The End of an Era
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀President Kono announces transition out of power, marking the end of an era of political leadership in Seko
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Story by Rena Minami, 2 October 4764


⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀This morning, President Kono Saki announced her intention to exit public life after a political career spanning nearly three decades. Speaking to reporters outside the President’s Residence, Ms. Kono explained that she respected the precedent established by her predecessor, President Seichō, in serving only two terms.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I am deeply indebted for the support I have received from the Sekowan people throughout my career," said Ms. Kono, tearing up occasionally as she addressed those gathered. "However, in approbation of the democratic spirit of our revolution, I don't wish to become myself an institution."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀To ensure that President Kono’s transition out of power is transparent and subjected to democratic principals and practices, the Liberation Movement has formed an oversight committee broadly derived from its membership. This procedural transition is reflective of the influence Ms. Kono enjoyed over the entire Liberation Movement, having served its primary political leader since its inception. Following the recommendations of the committee, Ms. Kono will resign as Chairwoman of the Liberation Movement.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀It is widely anticipated that General-Secretary of the Liberation Movement and Prime Minister of Seko Ms. Xquic Nelli-Cualli will become the next Chairwoman of the political coalition. Ms. Xquic was a prominent young activist during the 4740 revolution, after which she succeeded in building a strong base of support within the Liberation Movement. The greater discussion among observers remains on who shall succeed Ms. Xquic as General-Secretary, and indeed, Prime Minister.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Many have viewed Deputy General-Secretary and Assemblyman Mr. Atsumi Tadakatsu as a natural successor to Ms. Xquic, given his position within the Liberation Movement's leadership hierarchy and his personal popularity among the Sekowan populace writ large. On the contrary however, Mr. Atsumi's office released a statement later in the afternoon which explained, in carefully considered language, that he did not wish to take on greater responsibility at this time citing private family concerns. Accordingly, the two most prominent candidates to succeed Ms. Xquic at this time are Mr. Nakama Junta (Minister of Health and Social Services) and Ms. Koga Narumi (Minister of Environment and Tourism), both long-serving cabinet members who enjoy strong approval from Liberation Movement activists and mainstream Sekowan citizens alike.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Nonetheless, few figures in Sekowan society can rival the near universal popularity of President Kono. Many Sekowans feel personally connected to the President and her work, an affinity no doubt born from Ms. Kono's early emergence on the political scene in her late-20s. As Ms. Kono has matured, so too has her democratic revolution. Today, a new generation has come into maturity which knows not of the pre-constitutional capitalist exploitation that existed before the President's time.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Later this evening, the President quietly announced the release of her latest book, titled A Nation of Proud Labourers, which she has published for free through her personal website. The book departs from other works by Kono, in that it is a volume of short biographies and interviews from "a diverse range of Sekowans" whom Kono had encountered during her career. Through their stories, Kono seeks to provide greater insight into the Sekowan model of development on an individual basis, as well as the successes and failures of her aforementioned revolution.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"In the midst of the arena of our youthful struggles I saw that my human task was none other than to join the extensive forces of the organized masses of the people, to join with life and soul with suffering and hope, because it is only from this great popular stream that the necessary changes can arise for the liberation of the oppressed," wrote Kono in summary. "I have preferred to offer my services in all modesty to a democratic spirit which has made mistakes, but which moves forward unceasingly against this world of irrationalities and inequalities. It has been the singular honour of my life to serve."


⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Naegi (Seedling) is a weekly magazine featuring journalism, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons, and poetry from a leftist, Daenist perspective.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Naegi is printed by a non-profit worker's cooperative located in Nago, Seko.

[jamescfm]

⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ XQUIC AIMING TO WIN THE PRESIDENCY
⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 11 December 4764


XQUIC NELLI-CUALLI officially launched her Presidential campaign last week in her hometown of Kuzacotl. Xquic spoke to a relatively small crowd of local people in a symbolic location, outside the city hall where- thirty years earlier- she had been involved in a march with the Orinco Womens' Labour Federation to demand improved protections for female Orinco workers. At that time she was only a teenager but working alongside her mother as a household cleaner in order to help provide for her younger siblings at a time of severe national instability.

As the work of the Orinco women gained national attention, Xquic emerged as an unlikely political leader. Still young and with relatively little formal education or experience in public speaking, her unparalleled ability to empathise appealed to a Sekowan population that was weary from years of economic and social neglect. When Daenist teacher Seichō Sakura announced the formation of the Liberation Movement with the support of national union leaders, Xquic became an important source of popular support for the new movement, especially within the Orinco community.

As the Liberation Movement developed into a formal political party and entered government under the new Sekowan constitution, Xquic began to develop a solid base of supporters. At this time she developed a more distinct political platform, articulating a message of decentralisation and autonomy that resonated well beyond her core Orinco voters. Prior to the 4755 general election these ideas provided the basis for the formation of the Midori faction, which she has led ever since. Nonetheless she retained a close connection to other leaders in the Movement. Media and the public alike have often noted her special relationship with Seichō in particular, who she is said to view as an immensely important personal mentor.

Following a successful period as the Movement's General Secretary and the Sekowan Prime Minister though, Xquic is aiming to win the Presidency in next year's general election. In this sense she is following in the footsteps of her predecessor as Prime Minister and fellow labour organiser Kono Saki, who announced her intention to step down from the Presidency at the beginning of October. With popular support for the party remaining high and the leadership behind her campaign, Xquic certainly seems to be the overwhelming frontrunner but this hasn't stopped her attempting to connect with voters.

Opting for small public events rather than large rallies, she has been visiting communities across the country for weeks prior to her official campaign announcement. For Xquic this is an important part of the success of the Liberation Movement. In Kuzacotl she told the crowd, "Our great success has been our ability to connect on a personal level with people across communities, it's important that we don't forget this as our movement matures". For many Sekowan citizens, it is this rooting of the Movement within local communities that has made it so appealing.

[Wu Han]

Xquic Nelli-Cualli steps down from premiership to run for the presidency
12 December 4764



EIWA, SEKO: Premier Xquic Nelli-Cualli has resigned as Premier of Seko this morning, reflecting her intention to seek the presidency in the February 4765 General Election. Accordingly, Vice President Kojiri Hiroko has been appointed interim Premier by the National Assembly.

[Wu Han]

LIBERATION MOVEMENT ADOPTS COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP AMID RESTRUCTURING
28 December 4764

Summary: Seko's governing political organization has completed an internal restructuring following the retirement of President Kono Saki,
resulting in a shift toward a collective leadership structure.


⬆ Liberation Movement delegates vote on the new party constitution

ISHINAWA, TŌZAN CIRCUIT: Packed into the lecture halls of Ishinawa National University, thousands of Liberation Movement members and delegates charted a new future for the governing political organization. Following the recommendations of the leadership transition oversight committee, which formed after President Kono Saki announced her intent to retire from politics, the membership overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new constitution for the organization, adopting a "collective leadership" structure.

Under the Liberation Movement's new constitution, the organization's leadership is assumed by the Coordinating Committee. This 26-member body shall be elected by the Liberation Movement Congress, the highest organ of the party. From within the Coordinating Committee, two individuals shall be elected as co-chairs of the party; one co-chair must be a member of the National Assembly, while the other must be from outside the legislature. In the context of a general election, one of the two co-chairs will serve as the presidential candidate, while the other shall serve as contest the premiership.

The lowest unit of the party is the grassroots organization, which, depending on the density of membership, can include a residential area, a city or an entire district. Moreover, the Liberation Movement is composed of a number of collectives and co-operatives, made up of members in good standing who may, in compliance with requirements, promote their respective political views within the organization. Accordingly, hundreds of smaller political parties and organizations, trade unions, co-operatives and collectives have formally entered into association with the Liberation Movement. These entities, in addition to the membership of the party at-large, constitute the Liberation Movement Congress.

The delegates and members at the convention named former-Premier Xquic Nelli-Cualli and Minister Koga Narumi (Environment and Tourism) as the acting co-chairs of the Liberation Movement, as they were the two highest-ranking individuals in the organization's former leadership structure. The Coordinating Committee has also been appointed by the convention from among the current Ministers of State, in addition to a number of internal party leadership figures. A new Coordinating Committee shall be elected by the Liberation Movement Congress parallel to the 4765 General Election.