mongoose Wrote:The Kaliburg Times
MFD LEADERSHIP PRIMARY RECEIVES FIRST ENTRANT

Community organizer Teodoro Rojas announces his candidacy for leader of the MFD.
KALIBURG: The race to become leader of the Movement for Democracy officially began yesterday with the race's first entrant: Community organizer Teodoro Rojas. Rojas, a 39 year old resident of Port Davon, was a key organizer of the protests against the UKWF than began in 4673. He plans to make his history in the movement a key part of his appeal, even saying so directly in his speech:

Quote:There are going to be a lot of people in this race who are going to claim to truly represent the movement. Well, there's no one in the race who'll represent the people of this movement than me. I helped get this movement off the ground, and when the thugs from the UKWF dressed up as police came by to try to intimidate us into silent, I was one of the key organizers of the protests that go on to this day. I led the marches, spoke at the rallies, and kept on going even after the UKWF rigged the election against us. I have been in this fight since the beginning. If we want a leader who can lead us through 4678 and beyond, why not pick the guy who's been out on the streets fighting for our democracy this entire time?

Rojas also addressed his ideology, which has been polled as a key concern for many movement members. The candidate hails from the center-left wing of the party, but emphasized his commitment to keeping the party open:

Quote:I know that many are concerned about my ideological views and positions. Some are going to say that I am too progressive to lead this party, that we need to be a conservative party to beat the UKWF. That couldn't be farther from the truth. We don't need to define ourselves as conservative or progressive or communist to win in Kalistan! We just need to show that we are passionate fighers for democracy. That's what I am, and I could care less if you're conservative or progressive and want to be a member of this movement. If I'm elected leader, there's a place for everyone and we're going to make sure that everybody knows that.

Rojas is the favorite right now to win the leadership contest due to his connections within the movement, but other candidates are yet to emerge in what is sure to be a contested battle for the position. That being said, it may be a long time until said contest is held, as the movement as yet to officially schedule the primary. That will not stop the candidates from entering however, as any entrance can surely pay off.

Rogue Wrote:
CPK GOVERNMENT ABOLISHED PARAMILITARIES, ESTABLISHED NEW UNIFIED ARMED FORCE
The new CPK government of Kalistan has introduced a bill to finally ban the use of paramilitaries and disband the irregular forces, establishing a new National Republican Army
December 18th, 4679

Paramilitary forces that were still left were already being disarmed by police and military forces, unwilling to fight for parties that have already disbanded themselves

Kaliburg: The new CPK government of former entrepeneur and now premier Brett Robinson has announced that one of their first proposed pieces of legislation will include a total ban on the creation and usage of paramilitary organizations. Following the dissolution of most political parties in the nation the paramilitary organizations belonging to those parties were left uncontrolled and in the dangerous possession of military equipment. The CPK, not having a paramilitary itself, decided that this situation could not persist and came upon the decision they made today.

Quote:Leaving armed groups without proper leadership in the possession of military grade weapons and giving them a status of protection in law is irresponsible and dangerous to our democracy. Therefor me and my cabinet have decided, together with the full confidence of the Assembly, to impose a total ban on the use of paramilitaries and to instead give the official national armed force of our nation the ultimate and sole authority to operate as our defense force. In addition to this we will reorganize the national armed forces to make it more effective and clear.

The new Armed Forces will be known as the National Republican Army. Consisting of 3 branches named the National Army, National Airforce and National Navy the NRA is said to replace both the current regular and irregular forces of Kalistan and serve as the sole armed force of the nation. Police units and current regular forces of the army have already started to disarm existing paramilitaries and no irregularities or gunfights have been reported as of yet, confirming earlier believes that the irregulars have no intention of fighting as they see no reason to following the disbanding of their own affiliated parties.

This law will mark an end to centuries of paramilitaries playing a major role in Kalistani politics and military policy and will likely mark a new era for the Kalistani people and government.

Presidential Powers
In addition to this historic decision the CPK also intends on reintroducing the former presidential responsibility of putting forward the national cabinet. This will still make the Premier the most important individual with executive privilige but will give the president a bit more control over the government and will make him more important for the entire political process in Kalistan. This power was taken away from the presidency in earlier decades but will now, with a CPK government, be reintroduced.

Rogue Wrote:
NRA OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED, ARMIES AND NAVAL FORCES BROUGHT UNDER NRA CONTROL
The former Regular Forces of Kalistan have been disbanded and all armies and naval forces have been brought under NRA control
January 4th, 4681

A former soldier of the regular forces, now a soldier of the National Army within the NRA

Kaliburg: The National Republican Army established in the RSAFA bill has been formally created. Its three branches the National Army, National Navy and National Airforce have all been brought under its joint command structure and members of the former Regular Forces have been brought under their jurisdiction. The new structure means that Kalistan has officially stepped away from its paramilitary past and now operates a proffesional and unified armed force. The different fleets of the navy have all been brough under National Navy and NRA control as well as air units and ground forces for their respective branches.

In order to compensate the loss of thousands of militia members the Ministry of Defense and CPK government have announced a increase in the military budget and their intention of creating a standing army of around 200.000 active soldiers. The navy will maintain its entire current fleet and the MOD will look for ways to construct additional frigates and expand the fleet slightly mainly to protect the Ananto strait. With the creation of a fully professional armed force that is bound by the state and not by a party the CPK government hopes to better protect Kalistani democracy and ensure that Kalistan will finally possess a modern fighting force to stand against its regional and international rivals if needed and properly defend Kalistani territory. One of the major advantages of the new unified armed force is the fact that it is bound by the constitution and answerable only to official authorities, limiting or maybe even completely eradicating the threat of armed uprisings or conflicts from within Kalistan.

While Socialist influences are rising again in Kalistan the CPK has confidence that it will, with the help of other anti paramilitary parties, be able to maintain the ban on paramilitaries. Even if the socialists win a significant share of the seats in the next election. To make sure the CPK has a strong chance of maintaining influence in government the party has also announced its candidate for president named Rory Porter, who will contest the presidency as one of the only right wing candidates on the ballot.

Auditorii Wrote:Dorvish News Service
Dorvish President responds to recent freedom of navigation act by the Dorvish Navy
March 4681

Haldor, Kordusia - President of the Dorvish Republic Florian Regismund von Rohr-Mauss was asked to comment about the recent Dorvish Navy's freedom of navigation operation through the Ananto Strait and Kalistan's response. When the reporter finished asking his question the President was handed a peace of paper and read the following resolution adopted by the State Council:

Quote:A resolution in the State Council of the Dorvish Republic entitled "Resolution on the Kalistani Resolution":

1. The operational range of the "Storm Shadow" or "Storm Hammer" cruise missile is roughly 560km;
2. The operational range of the KEPD 350 cruise missile is roughly 500km;
3. The operational range of Navalized Unionfighters is roughly 2,900km;
4. The operational range of Navalized F-35C aircraft is roughly 2,200km;
5. The operational range of RBS MkIV cruise missiles is roughly 300km;
6. The operational range of the AC-335 Gunship with a 9,900lb payload is roughly 2,230km;
7. The operational range of the Dorvish Armed Forces is endless;

This resolution is hereby adapted by the State Council of the Dorvish Republic.

Rogue Wrote:
GOVERNMENT ORDERS 1ST FLEET TO MIRROR DORVISH LIEVENIAN FLEET, CONDEMNS DORVIK
The CPK Government has announced the first fleet will mirror the movements of the trespassing Dorvish fleet.
May 9th, 4681

A frigate of the Kalistani National Navy moving into the Ananto strait together with the rest of the 1st fleet

Kaliburg: Following the Dorvish violation of the Kalistan claimed Ananto Strait the Kalistani government controlled by the CPK has announced that the 1st fleet of the new National Navy will mirror the dorvish Lievenian fleet until it is out of the Ananto Strait. The 1st fleet also has, according to insiders, orders to fire upon the Dorvish fleet if it changes its current course or if it decides to hold its position in the Strait.

The Socialist Party of Kalistan had already condemned the Dorvish actions as their own policy had long been to stop any foreign entity from entering the strait. Now it seems the CPK government has sided with this policy as it was already known the CPK was largely anti imperialist in its nature. In addition to the 1st fleet mirroring the government has also announced its support for the SPoK proposed condemnation of Dorvik. According to Premier Brett Robinson Dorvik tried to "use their influence and threats to undermine the claims and resolve of the Kalistani government" but he stated that "Kalistan will not stand for foreign aggression or interfference in Kalistani affairs".

The Premier also announced that the National Navy has gained his authorization to increase patrols within the Ananto Strait and to "turn back any foreign vessel that doesnt have explicit Kalistani approval to enter the strait".

As tensions rise many wonder how the situation will be resolved and whether Kalistan or Dorvik will back down on their stance.

jamescfm Wrote:

New political force receives celebrity endorsement
At their official launch event in Dahriel, Progress for Kalistan announced a leadership team and set out their plans for the future
13 August 4681


A new political movement was founded this afternoon when Progress for Kalistan announced that they would be seeking to put forward candidates in the next legislative elections, currently scheduled to be held in exactly two years time. At a carefully-planned event in Dahriel, the party unveiled a team of policy-specific spokespeople as well as national and district level leaders. The party's announcement follows several months of planning and meetings between various groups involved directly or indirectly in Kalistani politics. Among the most prominent bodies involved in these initial exploratory talks were the Agramontian League, the Left Society and an assortment of trades unions.



Above: J. Fletcher Compton is one of a group of public figures who have expressed support for the new political movement, having been selected as their industry spokesperson


Former defence lawyer Alejandro Saelices was announced as the party's first national leader and across the course of the launch event he made several speeches and gave a number of press interviews in an attempt to raise public awareness of the party's policy programme and political philosophy. Saelices is known best to the general public for his involvement in the high-profile trial of Cecilia Barrueco at the end of the previous decade. Barrueco, defended by Saelices, was found not guilty of the murder of her husband after she stabbed him to death with a kitchen knife when he began violently beating her and her son. The trial garnered massive public attention and raised questions over domestic violence and the law in Kalistan.

Alongside Saelices at the event were several other well-known faces. Istalian popular historian Nostriano Spezzano, who has lived in Kalistan for the past decade, was announced as the party's education spokesperson while award-winning actor J. Fletcher Compton became their industry spokesperson. Although neither has been directly involved in party politics, both are known as critics of the current government and political leftists. In his own speech in Dahriel, Compton spoke of the need for "radical change in the political equilibrium in this country to better address the concerns of the public".

In terms of policy details, Progress for Kalistan published a brief outline of their most important issues that included some broad value statements such as "defend ethical socialism as an economic system" and "protect the environment from the threat of unsustainable behaviour" as well as specific priorities like "end state funding for private schools" and "ban cryptocurrencies". Existing political parties will be interested to see where the new party perceives themselves when it comes to future government formation, though at this stage it is far too early to predict.

The Dahriel Evening Herald is a Luthorian-language broadsheet newspaper based in Dahriel, Ananto that covers politics, economics, culture and sports across Kalistan.