Deltaria

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Just months before the next general election the Horvat administration is embroiled in one of its first true scandals! Our very own Secretary of the Treasury has been caught with his pants down as we at Real News have uncovered his sexy escapades with his very own secretary. Not just that, but Secretary Dimitrije Vasić has lowered himself to embezzling state funds to pay for his adventures. Real News has uncovered that Vasić paid at least 800.000 Telar to his secretary, partially through unlawfull declarations for business trips. With the money, he rewarded his misstress with fancy gifts, luxury trips and private transport. 

Secretary Vasić has been married for nearly 20 years and has two children. Prime Minister Horvat, when confronted with the evidence, reportedly summoned the Secretary to the Imperial Duha where he was lectured on good conduct. So far, Vasić has rejected all accussations as "fake", refusing to resign. Court documents filed with the Tsargrad General Court suggest that his wife Valentina has already filed paperwork for divorce, with the Secretary not being spotted at his home in Hradnice for the past two days. Prime Minister Horvat has so far refused to sack his secretary, citing this to be a "private" matter. Hosian democrats within his KDU party however are becoming agitated, calling for the resignation of Vasić for "conduct not befitting a minister of state." 

Timing couldnt be worse for the KDU. The party was expected to win a absolute majority for the third time thanks to Horvat's popularity. But their conservative supporters seem to be scared off by this extramarital affair by the Secretary, calling it "immoral" and "disgusting". Polls after the scandal broke have yet to be released, but oppossition parties have already started airing campaign videos addressing the matter. With the liberal minded "Savez!" airing a attack ad in the Czarland province titled "pants down, but hands off our taxes".

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Tsargrad - Prime Minister Horvat acknowledged a loss in seats for his KDU party last night, after the exit polls showed the KDU losing 47 seats and its absolute majority in the chamber of deputies. Suprising winner this election was the liberal Savez!, capturing 82 seats and becoming the second party in the country. Despite slipping poll numbers for the KDU in this campaign, the socialist SRS failed to garner much support beyond what they already had last election, resulting in a net gain of just 2 seats. For the first time since the reintroduction of democracy, the SRS is not the second party in the country. 

Savez! under their new young leader Božo Sedlar managed to chip away at the KDU's majority, with many of the lost seats going to Savez!. Many voters called the sex scandal concerning the Secretary of the Treasury Vasić as a main reason for voting Savez!, as well as a slowing economy and worries over autocratic tendencies within the KDU. Sedlar thanked supporters in a packed arena in Branovice, promising that his party will do whatever it can to get into government and "secure a free society for all Deltarians." 

Prime Minister Horvat expressed to his supporters a willingness to continue his current government, but it remains to be seen whether this is a possibility. Together with their national governing partner the Nacionalni, the KDU would have 143 seats, three short of a majority. Nacionalni leader Daniel Lungu already rejected any government that Savez! is part of, fearing a liberal government that would undermine "conservative values" in Usmarea. If the KDU were to break with Nacionalni and form a government with Savez!, it will likely mean a more centrist and less conservative course for Deltaria. 

While Horvat is likely to retain his position as Prime Minister, it is clear that the KDU is no longer in the position to govern alone, with the first true coalition government of Deltaria likely to be a fact following this historic result.


The new composition of the chamber of deputies

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Tsargrad - A month after the recent election the KDU and Savez! parties have reached a concsensus on the coalition agreement negotiated over the past month. Prime Minister Horvat took the initiative right after the election to start negotiations with the liberal Savez!, seeking a quick formation of a new government after it became clear that allignment with the Nacionalni would not give a stable governing majority. Horvat and Savez! leader Božo Sedlar sat down with their negotiating team in order to create a government that could count on the support from both parties. Today both Horvat and Sedlar revealed the agreement in front of the domestic press, with both leaders satisfied with the result. 

The agreement, called "Into the Future", outlined the government agenda for this 4 year term. It has a clear liberal orientation to it, although some hosian democratic talking points are also clearly visible in the agreement. Most importantly, the two parties have agreed to grant more autonomy to Usmarea and Vardissza, as well as changing the name of state from the Augustan Empire of Deltaria back into the Grand Empire. The state coat of arms is also to be changed, becoming more distinct to Deltaria and being removed from the official state flag in favour of the simple tricolor. These changes were a wish from Savez!, which saw it as a necessary step to mend relations with Zardugal (by changing the name) and as a compromise for more local autonomy, as the party would rather see a fully federal state. The introduction of a supreme court on the national level has also been included in this agreement, being a wish of Savez! for years. 

The two parties have also outlined their desire to improve the economy, with a full focus on a free market economy being included in this agreement. Where the KDU government often tried to balance state intervention and laisezz faire economics, the new government will further liberalize the economy and invest heavily in the technology sector. Regulations are to be cut, primarily in the industrial sector, and state enterprises to be sold. Further intergration into SOMECO and using the bloc to enhance trade globally are also key pillars of this government's economic agenda. 

Lastly, both the KDU and Savez! agree to not touch the role of the Emperor in politics, a hard bargain for Savez! but a important point for the KDU establishment, which feared that a government with the liberals could result in a weakening of the monarchs power and influence. The agreement allows Horvat to remain as Prime Minister for a third term, while Sedlar is likely to become the new Secretary of the Treasury, taking over the position from the embattled Vasić who will not return in the new administration. For the first time, Deltaria will have a coalition government, with policy to move to the center as both parties seek to make this term into a success.

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Granica - In the border province of Granica the Imperial Deltarian Armed Forces (IDAF) conducted one of their largest military exercises since modernization, with a estimated 30.000 soldiers participating in the exercise named "Jelbic Dawn". Military enthusiasts largely looked forward to the exercise because it would likely mean the participation of countless new weapon systems purchased and developed by the IDAF in recent years. 

One of the biggest modernizations for the army was conducted on its tank reserves, with tanks that were considered obsolete sold for scrap and the GIA (Grand Imperial Army) focussing completely on modernizing and expanding the existing fleet of T84D Oplot tanks in service. Since this effort was initiated, with the Deltarian Defense Federation contracted to produce this new tank, the fleet of T84D's has been expanded from 100 initially to around 500 as of writing this article. The new tanks feature improved armor, new weapon stabilization features, enhanced commander optics and a new engine. Together with the T-84D, the army also maintains a fleet of T-90M tanks, although only 100 of these are in service due to high maintenance cost. 

The T-84D participated in a variety of operations as part of Jelbic Dawn, largely being used in a variety of mechanized formations during the course of the exercises. 
Additionally, the new modernized MiG-29M multirole fighters were also showcased, conducting a variety of air-support missions for forces on the ground. Importantly, the IDAF has been working on intergrating command structures between the Air force and Army, seeking better coordination in the field. Besides a few mishaps, these new structures seem to work as fire missions were succesfull in most instances and soldiers praised support from the modernized MiG's during a variety of scenarios. 

The clear focus for the Army has been mechanized warfare, with Jelbic Dawn showcasing just how much the GIA has focussed on improving its mechanized capabilities. Divisions largely consist of mechanized brigades, with the T-84D as the "heavy gun" within these formations, supplemented by mechanized infantry transported/supported in/by BMP-3, 2 and BTR's. Infantry is sometimes equipped with mobile armoured vehicles, largely designed for quick maneavours. Besides the mechanized formations, the army has been investing in mobile artillery batteries, mainly the new 2S40 Doks self-proppeled artillery battery and the older and less mobile 2S19. Additionally, older field artillery has been modernized and is still in use. 

Overall, Jelbic Dawn will largely be remembered as a field test for a new and increasingly capable military, with both Army and Air force increasingly in sync with one another. Field Marshal Branco Bukovac called the exercise "a great succes" and hasnt ruled out further exercises in the future. When questioned on the name of this particular exercise and its proximity to the Jelbe border, Bukovac called it "a mere coincidence" and refused to speculate on the meaning behind this decision.


The new T-84D Oplot in action during exercise Jelbic Dawn

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Tsargrad - Plans by the Horvat administration to reorganize the intelligence community have sparked discussions on Deltarian safety as high ranking (ex) officials have rang the alarm bells. According to former Director of National Intelligence Bodgan Arcos the reorganization, as proposed by the Ministry of State Security, would "leave the Empire vulnerable for at least a year" as implementation of the reforms would leave a blow to intelligence operations that cannot be softened. Minister of State Security Renato Radić has proposed to break up the State Security Service (Služba Sržavne Sigurnosti) and seperate its foreign intelligence department, creating the new Foreign Intelligence Service (Vanjska Obavještajna Služba) which would be primarily responsible for foreign intelligence operations. The SSS would remain, but only for domestic intelligence and cyber operations. Additionally, both agencies would get the same funding as the SSS has currently, meaning that funding for intelligence operations would double if the changes are to occur. 

Despite this doubling in funding and the likely professionalization in the long run, the intelligence community has been alarmed by the potential short term effects of the changes. Lucijan Karabatić, current intelligence officer for the Majatran Theater, testified before the Intelligence Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. He also warned for potential implications when these changes are to happen:

To be fair, i think the effects on foreign intelligence could be significant. As we transition to create a completely new agency, it is inevitable that current operations are distorted and a intelligence vacuum would occur. While temporary in nature, this would still mean that we are effectively blind in a period where Majatra is unstable and our eyes need to be open at all times. One way to solve the issue would be to hand over duties on foreign intelligence to the Military Intelligence Committee (Vojnoobavještajni odbor) temporarily and only hand them back to the new VOS when it is ready to launch operations independently. However, this too does not completely prevent a vacuum of some information, and thus our Empire would remain somewhat vulnerable

Prime Minister Horvat has reportedly personally involved himself in the matter, being in discussions with the Director of National Intelligence Kcsis Zsolt and Minister Radić on the best course of action. As it is a matter of national security, the eventual decision is likely to remain a state secret, as to prevent potential adverseries to use the transition period to their advantage. Foreign Secretary Tihomir Tanacković has also reportedly been in contact with his Istalian counterpart in seeking aid from Istalia during the transition period, hopefully allowing Deltarian vulnerabilities to remains limited.

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Tsargrad - On paper, Deltaria has rarely looked stronger. Growth is steady, unemployment is down, and the government boasts its first budget surplus in more than a decade. But beneath this roaring economy is a population that is suffering. Pensioners rummage through the bins and nurses march through the streets carrying placards that read: "You cant eat a surplus." Prime Minister Horvat, long known for his mixed economic approach, has been involved in a balancing act. On the one hand he seeks to keep his government together, agreeing to the liberalizations and service cuts demanded by Savez!. On the other hand, insiders have noticed Horvat being silent and retreating into his work chamber more often then before. The PM is not happy, just like his people. 

The government's latest fiscal package, dubbed the "Sedlar Plan" after Imperial Treasurer Božo Sedlar, was meant to “liberate” the economy from bloated bureaucracy. Instead, it has sparked a intense debate on whether government measures to improve the economy are actually working or are plunging Deltarians into personal economic hardship. Among the most controversial measures are the abolition of the Universal Food Subsidy Program, the merger of the National Health Insurance Fund into a partially privatized system, and deep cuts to the Rural Connectivity Initiative, which had been providing internet access and transport links to remote regions. The Public Construction Agency, long plagued by inefficiency, was dissolved outright. Its, largely public housing, projects were handed over to private developers under a “social partnership” scheme that critics say amounts to little more than asset stripping. 

Even education has not escaped: university tuition caps were lifted, and rural schools are closing in record numbers. “The government calls it reform,” says Marta Zelnik, a teacher from Hradnice, “but for us it means choosing between heating our homes and paying for textbooks.”

To international investors, Deltaria’s newfound discipline is a success story. Bond markets have rewarded the country with its lowest borrowing costs in years, and foreign capital is flowing into the financial sector. Further reforms passed to allign economic policies with other SOMECO member states have also further improved the image of a improving and growing Deltarian economy to the outside world. But beneath that facade is growing unrest within the Deltarian population. Polls have suggested that if elections were held today, the KDU would lose half of its current seats, with Savez! also losing. The social democratic SRS meanwhile is using this unrest to their advantage. Their new leader Marin Lazarescu has been holding rallies and condemning the government for their "lack of compassion" in several news programs. The party, for the first time since the democratic era, is making gains in the polls and closing in on the number one position. 

For now, Deltaria’s economy continues to hum, the technocrats are pleased, the markets are calm, and the spreadsheets are immaculate. But beneath the tidy numbers lies a country that feels increasingly fragile. A country that despite its progress, is facing a hard choice in the coming years.

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Tsargrad - In a series of small press releases and the summoning of Prime Minister Horvat to the Imperial Palace we may be seeing the first signs of dissolution. Social unrest over the liberal agenda of the Third Horvat Ministry is growing, and the Emperor himself is seemingly feeling the pressures of society weigh on him. So far, Emperor Vjekoslav I has been a rather inactive Emperor. He has chosen to let day to day business be run by the democraticaly elected government, only being seen in public when absolutely necessary and largely keeping his reserve powers in his pocket. 

In a brief and rare address last week, the Emperor spoke of “the need to preserve harmony and stability above all,” words some observers interpreted as a signal of impatience with the current government. Others, however, caution against overreading the remarks, noting the monarch’s long record of restraint and constitutionalism in the first years of his reign. 

Still, within political circles, the unspoken question grows louder: if the Emperor believes the balance has tipped too far, might he move to restore it? Palace officials have refused to comment on speculation that the Emperor may consider invoking constitutional powers to dissolve Parliament. However, one senior aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the monarch “will not remain indifferent if the integrity of the realm is at stake.” Others have pointed out that dissolution would likely mean new elections, which could potentially result in the election of a left-wing government countering the years of liberalization. Such a scenario would likely worry the Emperor and his aides, as it could result in growing republican sentiment in the country. Even so the general consensus within palace walls currently seems to be that dissolution might be necessary to prevent social unrest from spreading and potentially reach palace walls. If a left-wing government is elected as a result of such actions, that is a risk deemed more manageable then a country brought to a halt by protest and division. 

Whether the Emperor’s patience is wearing thin or whether his silence conceals something more decisive remains the question on every deltarian's mind tonight.

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Tsargrad - Prime Minister Horvat has, two years into this government's term, sacked all Savez! ministers in government. This effective collapse of the Third Horvat Ministry results in a uncertain situation, as Horvat will now enter negotiations with other parties in the lower house to see if there is still support for the KDU to continue governing. The move comes after continued domestic pressure, including the threat of the Emperor dissolving parliament. After several talks between Horvat and Emperor Vjekoslav, as well as talks within the KDU party itself, Horvat has decided to end his partnership with the liberal Savez! after just two years of coalition government. 

Imperial Treasurer and Savez! party leader Božo Sedlar has called the move "irrational", citing that his party was looking to continue deep cuts into social services and government programs to "make the country's ability to earn and provide in the long run a top priority." Recent polling suggested that Savez! voters were somewhat positive of their party's efforts to cut budgets and make the country more financially healthy. These cuts and reforms did however hit the poorest Deltarians the most, resulting in rising poverty levels and great societal pressure. 

In his remarks to the press, Prime Minister Horvat promised Deltarians that "the KDU will reevaluate government policy and seek to create a better balance between the social safety net and financial responsibility." Observers have noted however that many of the measures were passed by Chamber majority, something that will likely be hard to reverse. Horvat himself is now exploring the possibility for the Nacionalni to rejoin his government, supported by another minor party. It is unlikely however that this will succeed, with nearly all oppossition parties hell bend on new elections after two years of liberal government. If elections were held today, both the KDU and Savez! would lose a significant number of seats. 

If negotiations with others fail, Horvat will likelt face a motion of no confidence during the next session of the chamber. This would, if passed, result in new elections for the lower house and a potential end to his gamble and political career.

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Tsargrad - After 10 years as Deltarian Prime Minister Silvije Horvat conceded last nights election in the early morning hours, congratulating SRS leader Marin Lazarescu with his election win. The election, called after a narrow vote of no confidence two months ago, saw a major shift to the (center) left and sees the social democratic SRS win its first election since its foundation. While much of this victory is to be attributed to their new leader, Marin Lazarescu, the disastrous two year KDU-Savez! coalition made the victory almost inevitable. Both the KDU and Savez! lost a significant number of seats, with the SRS mainly profiting from it. The Social Liberals also managed to expand their presence in the chamber, winning 20 seats (6 more then last election). 

Prime Minister-designate Lazarescu thanked supporters in a crowded PRIME Arena in Tsargrad, with his party going from 52 seats to 145. Lazarescu, 35, will be Deltaria's youngest Prime Minister ever, even younger then Horvat when he initially started (38). His campaign has been praised as nearly flawless, attracting and convincing a unique coalition of younger voters and industrial workers which seem to have been the main wave on which his party was riding. Lazarescu, a former high school teacher, ran on a strong social democratic platform that both appealled to moderates and the left within his party. Promising to maintain current state industries, reintroducing key programs to combat poverty and hunger and rebuilding Deltaria's social housing sector proppelled him and his party to a hard fought victory. During his victory speech the soon to be PM hinted at collaboration with the Social Liberals, seeking to form a "strong center-left government capable of conquering our country its challenges in the coming years." With the 20 seats of the Social Liberals, such a government would control a majority. 

Prime Minister Horvat meanwhile announced his resignation as KDU party leader and his departure from national politics. While a rather succesfull leader in his first two terms, all now agree that the third sealed Horvat's fate. He has been credited for taking Deltaria out of its isolation and protecting its newfound democracy, but his legacy is likely to be overshadowed by the political crisis that resulted in his end. KDU party president Serafim Avramescu announced that the party would be led by its parliamentary leader, Ivan Nuskern, until proper leadership elections can be held. After 10 years, the Horvat era has come to an end. 

With Lazarescu Deltaria will not only have its youngest ever PM. For the first time in centuries a Ushalander will be in charge of the entire country, a unique situation. Emperor Vjekoslav meanwhile is likely relieved. With Horvat's decision to sack Savez! ministers, the emperor was not forced to dissolve parliament. The Emperor his "hands off streak" in governing the country decisively continues. Lazarescu is to be formally appointed Prime Minister by the emperor next week, after which he will be able to form a government.


The new composition of the Chamber of Deputies

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Tsargrad - While the love for his mother is udeniably strong, some may wonder whether Emperor Vjekoslav sometimes goes wild as his mother Estelle bombards him with potential brides daily. The search for a suitable bride has been ongoing even before Vjekoslav took the mantle as Emperor of Deltaria. While he himself has been known for his escapades in the many night clubs throughout Tsargrad, he has increasingly moved away from public life as Emperor, keeping a neutral and "proper" stance in daily life as his new duties demand. But that hasnt stopped Mother Estelle and a variety of his nieces to actively look for a suitable partner. Sources from within the palace walls have revealed that almost all members of the imperial household have been involved in "bride searching" for Emperor Vjekoslav, with a variety of potential matches seen as suitable for the most powerfull man in Deltaria. 

Some look towards Kalistan, where there are still many potential matches within the minor aristocratic families as well as the House of Ananto itself. Vjekoslav's niece, Petra, reportedly visited Kalistan on multiple occassions where she met with a variety of different royals. While the exotic and statelike nature of the Kalistani royals might be appealling, Kalistan's recent turn in policy from globalism to a more protectionist and isolationist course might make a match in that direction less likely. 

One might look towards natural Deltarian allies like Dorvik then to find their match. The Dorvish royal family, the House of Faust-Essen, has been a dying breed in recent decades as its monarchs become older and its suitable replacements harder to find. Especially when it comes to female contendors, the Faust-Essen family is barely an option for a monarch seeking someone from his own age and importance. Brides from the new allies in Istalia are unlikely, as some in the royal family still look at the country with mistrust. Vjekoslav himself, while positive about cooperation with Istalia, has reportedly been reluctant to give it his full endorsement. A potential conflict in the line of succession could also cause issues, putting Deltarian sovereignty at risk. 

Then there is one last option that could deserve a recommendation. A option that would make sense in this current era, and would grant Deltaria a strong ally. Infanta Carlota, Princess of Egelion, Sister of the Future King of Egelion. A woman in the same age category as the young Vjekoslav, a member of one of the most reliable and powerfull monarchies currently on the planet and coming from a country where the monarch also possesses an active role in politics, similar to Vjekoslav himself. Carlota has also been eyed by the Emperor on several occassions, with slow advances made during a variety of gatherings when he was still Crown Prince. The two have not seen one another since he was coronated as Deltarian Emperor, but the match would be logical and powerfull if both would give it a chance. Mother Estelle herself was recently caught with a "slip of the tongue", noting to reporters outside the Imperial Palace that "She would be wonderfull, Vjeko and her have had chemistry since they came of age!" The comment sparked speculation that Infanta Carlota and Vjekoslav had seen eachother even apart from official state business, confirming a potential match in making. 

Whatever happens in the love life of the Emperor, it is clear that he will need a partner soon. Though young, the line of his family currently stops at him. A partner would not just create and reinforce allies and allignments, it is more so a matter of life or death for the imperial family and their lineage.