Bianjie

[journey]

Newly-formed Green Alliance triumphs in the general election
24 April 5723



In the largest challenge to the current de facto two-party system yet, a newcomer to the Bianjian political stage, the green liberal Green Alliance of Bianjie (GAB), came in third with a stunning 41 seats, coming extremely close to outpasing the leading party within the right-wing opposition, the Democratic People's Party (DPP), who have won just 49 seats. Alongside the governing Socialist People's Party (SPP), who received 89 seats, the newly-elected Khanate Yuan will now have a three-way system, compared to the usual domination of two parties, SPP and DPP.



Green Alliance's triumph came as a result of many factors, biggest ones being growing need for an anti-corruption platform, which GAB promoted in their campaign, coming after the massive corruption scandal which hit the ruling coalition, and prompted premier Semken Tan to resign. One of the voters, who agreed to answer question after the voting at the Caiboo local polling station, said that the scandal became her last straw: "I have been a socialist voter my whole adult life, but it became tiring voting for someone who doesn't put my best interests in their work, and for me [GAB] was that alternative that I craved for". Another big reason, is the appeal to both sides and the nation's youth. Green Alliance's membership and electoral base have been primarily people in the 18-34 age bracket, who say that the current two-party system has been negligent about youth, ignoring their needs, instead focusing on issues less relevant to the nation. "The last time someone in [State Council] paid attention to youth, was during the Olympics. But we cannot wait 15 years for them to pay attention, we need it now", said one of the first-time voters in this historic election. A coalition of first-time, young, disappointed in the current two-party status quo and pro-green politics voters combined brought onto this massive success for the newly-formed party, coming in a close third. 

The biggest victim to GAB's triumph, the governing Socialist People's Party had one of their worst election nights ever, with the worst ever proportional result for the party, but a respectable amount of seats, due to the continuing domination of the constituencies. Still, for the SPP it is a nice of despair and disappointment, as their path to the next government looks bleaker by each day, as allies as turning away from the ruling party, with the communists' new leader, Atu Esolo publicly doubting if the PCP is ready for another coalition with the SPP, but even then, the current tripartite coalition of socialists, communists and Shindoto (TPP) is sitting at 114 seats, just one shy of the simple majority in the Yuan, which can be a non-problem, is the coalition convinces either Horizon or one independent to vote for SPP premier. However, even TPP now seems more unconvinced with premier Tabai Manišay's position in government talks. "We have great respect for Mr. Manišay, but I think the current climate is very complicated for him and his party, with the nation saying with their voting that there must be change", TPP leader Xieren Zhu said to Gemun Post.

Not even socialists themselves seem to believe in their success in the government formation, as SPP's leader and incumbent premier Tabai Manišay has said that he will be stepping down from leading the party, but will continue as premier until the next premer is elected, something which might take a while, looking at the current numbers.



From an obvious point of view, SPP has an upperhand in the formation, however, that path seems to be narrow and quite complicated for a power-hungry party like the socialists. Tripartite coalition lacks majority, which can be easy to replace, but the internal struggles within the tripartite coalition, including the fall out of communists and TPP with the SPP complicate things.

On the other hand, any other coalition without the SPP is a chimera both ideologically and in terms of the amount of parties needed to form a stable government. A pathway to 115 coming from the right-wing seems to be even harder, as the DPP will need both GAB and the New Right Alliance (NRA) for 104 seats, and then on top of it a support of Horizon and all seven independent MPs for the slimmest possible majority of just 1, sitting at a total of 115 votes. However, the motivation to oust the dominating socialists can overcome ideological differences and result in a chimera opposition alliance, led by either the DPP or the GAB. According to the Greens' co-leader, Gūwalgiya Eldembu, the GAB is open for any kind of negotiation, as long as the other sides are ready to come together and negotiate the important issues the party will set before the formation. "We are not here to continue the current bipartisan status quo, but to break it for good, and create coalition regardless of party colour, and work for the better of this great country", said Eldembu. Leaders of both the DPP and Horizon, Kun Zhang and Kenje Megiya, have stated that their respective parties would be open to negotiate with the Green Alliance and possibly concede on certain positions as long as it will result in the end of the socialist government. NRA have refused to comment.

For first time in almost a century, Bianjie faces a politically complicated situation with a potential deadlock without a viable and stable solution to the issue. Moreover, depending on the success of the Green Alliance, this can mark the end of the current party system in Bianjie, and result in a formation of a new one, a fourth one since the 5373 coup.



Gemun Post (ゲムンポスト) is a major (previously local) daily newspaper based in Gemun.
(@GemunPost)
#generalelection
#greenalliance
#politicaldeadlock

[journey]

Bianjie avoids constitutional crisis after ending a months-long political deadlock
Democrats in a historic agreement with their socialist "enemies", agree to support socialist candidate, Heshen Tamuka in his premiership candidacy, but will remain in the opposition furthermore
17 August 5723



After a record-high five months of bickering and failed negotiations in one of the most dramatic elections in almost a century, Bianjie will finally have a new government. Heshen Tamuka, the new leader of the Socialist People's Party (SPP) coming in the election, was voted as the premier-designate following a  second nomination vote on Tuesday, after the liberal conservative Democratic People's Party (DPP) chose to support his minority cabinet to break the political paralysis and avoid further political crisis.  

The vote, which brought an end to more than 100 days of political deadlock, saw socialist Tamuka win the required majority of 115 votes in the nation's legislature, Khanate Yuan, securing the backing of 89 of socialist MPs, 4 more of the Shindoto (TPP) party and 4 more independents, amounting to a total of 97 MPs, as well as 40 democrat deputies, with nine other democrats chosing to defy leadership by voting against Tamuka's candidacy, with the latter being elected in the second round of the vote, and expected to be sworn by Khan Nilhuma on Thursday, after meeting him in the Orchid Palace.

Political analysts considered the national committee of the DPP decision to back a new socialist government is to avoid the prolonging of a political crisis that could increase traction for a constitutional amendment allowing snap elections, something which nobody in the Yuan except the GAB have been supportive of. In a historic move, putting aside historic disagreements, the DPP national committee approved the motion to support Tamuka-led socialist government with 19 out of 28 members voting aye, with the rest of voting against, or even seen walking out the session altogether, reflecting deeper division within the largest opposition party with large identity crisis following the danger of becoming the nation's third largest force after the near-second performance of the GAB. Immediately after the committee vote, nine DPP MPs from the more conservative faction publicy announced their disagreement with the decision, and intention to vote against Tamuka nevertheless.

On the other side of the aisle, disappointment in the traditional left, represented by the SPP, and anger at the traditional opposition for caving to socialists. Political newcomers and third largest force by a small margin, the Green Alliance of Bianjie (GAB), and its male co-leaders, Gūwalgiya Eldembu, confirmed his intention to remain in the race as GAB's premier candidate, adding that SPP and DPP union shows the problem with the current system, and reaffirmed Alliance's movement to break the status quo, held by two parties. "SPP failed to address the issues of this nation, while DPP failed to deliver the strong opposition message, not being able to replace SPP. Both government and opposition have failed this country, and that is why our movement is a true alternative, able to bring change to this nation", said Irifune Sora, party's female co-leader. New Right Alliance (NRA) leaders announced their respective parties will vote blank in the nomination vote, while bashing DPP for supporting socialist Tamuka. "The corrupt elites unite together when they are afraid of the change, of the real change led by patriots and ordinary people, and that is what angers us the most here", said Alin Bulamu, co-leader of the NRA and leader of the Bianjie Sovereignist Party (BSP).

Speaking after the vote, Tamuka said there is still a lot of work, and called for other parties to come toghether, and work alongside his government for the "betterment of this nation" and "ending the political corruption". "And even though we received less support than five years ago, the plurality of Bianjians still support us, and put their trust in us, something which we cannot ignore", Tamuka said. "Bianjie is the greatest nation in the world, and I hope that no matter what, we will be able to govern normally, and deliver results for the people of this country in cooperation with you all in this chamber",



The Daily Report (日報), also known as Nippō (@Nippo), is a major daily newspaper based in Namušun, Bianjie.
The paper is published in both official languages in the broadsheet format and is also available online in other international languages.

[journey]

Living the game: your extensive guide to the Bianjian football (fan) culture
9 June 5724



For a nation as small and underpopulated like Bianjie, sports may not be the primary focus, and yet, football occupies a special place in Bianjian culture, and remains an important sport for many to cheer on, and be a part of its movement, of its culture. For many people in Bianjie, it became a social ritual, a regional identity, a political conversation even, as well as a calendar of emotions booked for the rest of their lives annually. The growth of local clubs, and their promotion to the top leagues is accompanied by influence on the local businesses, media coverage, and sometimes even divison of households with an intensity that many outsiders will find harder to understand.

Weirdly, or not, enough, in order to understand how or why Bianjian football operates, you need to understand the country in general. From industrial port cities, whose clubs represent the working class communities, and were founded by the workers of the dockyards, to university towns, rapidly growing urban areas, symbolising modern ambitions and demographic changes. Every scarf, change, banner and derby carries decades of history behind it.

Typical match day, especially if it is weekend begins hours before the play itself, with clubs supporters overflowing the places all around the stadium, all around the cities or towns, gathering in pubs, restaurants, tea houses and convinience stores, all while fans march with scarfs, chanting their club songs, many know by heart. For club supporters football no longer becomes a simple entertainment, but an obligation, their life. Missing an important derby or promotion/relegation match is seen as abandoning the community, made by the generations of supporters, with grandparents, parents and their children all standing together for their club every week or so. Now, Bianjie is not a big country, nor it is a very rich one, so do not expect many grotesque enormous arenas you may see in countries like Luthori, and whatnot. And yet, the stadiums of many clubs will be filled with their organised fans, with the largest and oldest having memorable chants, visual spectacles, banners and more.

And yet, the club identity in Bianjie is quite localist, with people choosing, or simply being "assigned" with a club to support, depending on their birthplace or home. Moreover, in addition to the regionalist identity, a number of football clubs in the country are being associated with certain ideologies, and promoting certain political or social ideas. And even though, usually the north of Bianjie is voting for the centre-right opposition, its largest club, Beijixing, is considered to have progressive left-wing supporters, who vote SPP or PCP, while the nation's largest club, located in the heart of the capital city, Gemun, the Dorgi Gemun, is considered a right-wing club, with its fans holding monarchist, traditionalist views. That's why the "eternal derby" between the club team is also filled with passion, emotion, from both the players and fans, both of whom rarely are able to avoid the physical conflicts during the match.

Football discussion can't avoid the traditional and modern media in Bianjie, dominating the television programs, podcasts, forums, social media and cultural references, which all contribute to the endless discussion about tactics, transfers, emotions, referee decisions, fans, ultras and their disputes, youth academies, politcs, and obviously economical part of the football, and how clubs go bankrupt, or revive, and so on, and so on, the list of discussions present in the media is immense, and yet, it's continues to fight for its place with the traditional media content, and discussions about other stuff, including sports, like volleyball, and more. Football continues to take a dominant and prevalent part in the modern Bianjian culture, its plays an important role in the economic uplifting of certain places in the country, businesses, infrastructure, as well connecting generations, people, friendships, and simply being a great entertainment for hundreds of thousands of people across the nation, and around the world.



カトウレブン (Katuebun) is a Bianjian daily sports newspaper, founded in 5453 and published in Gemun

[journey]

Bianjie joined by five other countries to found a continental development bank 
Six dovanian nations meet up in Niyalma to finalise creation of the Dovani Development Bank, continent-wide development bank with a focus on helping growing economies of Dovani 
7 March 5725



Government officials and other representatives sent from the six nations across Dovani, has met in a northern capital of Bianjie, Niyalma, to formally establish the Dovani Development Bank (DDB), a new pan-Dovanian institution designed to support infrastructure, industrialisation, economic and social growth of the countries within the world's largest continent. A project of almost two decades, the DDB will now officially come to live with high expectations and hopes, especially from Bianjie, the biggest proponent of the institution.

Gathering in Niyalma, present delegations and representatives have signed a founding bank's charter, with each founding and future member state pledging to fund the bank through the national budgets, as per agremeent with the DDB's founding principles and documents after years-long negotiations led by the Bianjian delegation. In return, the bank is expected to provide low-interest development loans, technical assistance, investment support and other mechanisms to support developing, emerging and strong economies, in that order, throughout the continent. "It has been a work of my tenure as finance minister, as deputy minister under previous governments, and simple adviser of the state institutions prior that all", said finance minister Hunai Fusuku. "I am more than happy that it has been finally created, and moreover, I am happy that we have been able to make it, even within the fundamental disagreements with the aspiring member states".

One of the disagreements that led to the extension of negotiations over the bank, was the ability of the DDB to control nation's finances, or push for certain reforms within the member states. Reportedly, most representatives within the negotiation team table were against any kind of reform push powers of the bank, with additional disagreement coming from Utaristani delegation over the control of financial actions of individual countries, whose communist economic system would certainly come in clash with that sort of foreign intervention. "We knew it wouldn't be easy, and we were ready to take as long as possible to arrive to pleasing conclusion, or a compromise of sorts that would work for everyone", an anonymous official from the Bianjian delegation team told Bekkei.

Under the founding agreement, the Dovani Development Bank will be putting into priority infrastructure project, specifically continental transport links, power generation, with an additional focus on renewable energy, water infrastructure and further support of sectors viewed as critical to boost productivity in lower-income economies of Dovani. Agricultural affairs are also features prominently in the documents, as Bianjie's Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) expressed support for the DDB, and is expected to fund it, as per prior agreement and DDB's need for private funding.

Niyalma is expected to host the institution's headquarters temporarily, while the negotiations about the proper headquarters host city are still undergoing, with Utaristan expressing the wish to host the bank's main office in its biggest port city, Toguz, while Xsampa, reportedly, stood behind Bianjie's current temporary Niyalma bid becoming official and final. An interim governing council will oversee bank's staffing in the first months of operation, while the member states choose their proper delegates (one per each nation) into the governing council, who then will elect a Board of Governors, with rotative presidency, each five years.



べふ経済新聞 (Bianjie Economics Newspaper), also known as the Bekkei, is the second-largest economic newspaper in Bianjie, founded in 5561 and based in Niyalma.

[journey]

Bianjian streets louder than ever, as the nation celebrates its historic victory at the football World Cup
15 July 5726



Streets of Gemun, the capital city of Bianjie, have never been as alive and happy as they are now. Tens of thousands of Bianjians went outside to celebrate one of the biggest victories for the Bianjian sport on the international arena as the nation's football male team has acheived a stunning victory in the inaugural World Cup tournament hosted by Luthori. In a final head-to-head important match between the Bianjian and Mordusian teams, the former came out victorious with a 1-0 score in the Artanian state's capital city, Fort William, attended by many esteemed guests, including the Khan Nilhuma, a long-time football fan and patron of the Football Association, who has witnessed his nation being awarded golden medals and the trophy.

The major tournament, which took place in Luthori from June to July this year, was full of surprises, with the largest one being, obviously, the Bianjian victory over many stronger nations and predicted winners. The Pink Phoenices have easily concquered the group stage with 2 decisive victories over the opposite teams, and one unfortunate loss, but that was enough to stay on top and qualify for the round of 16, where the hardest challenge came at the first Dovanian derby match with the New Englian team, ending in a penalty shootout, successful, as it finished with 4-1 score for the Bianjian side. Later, the Phoenices have had highly two resultative matches 1/8 and 1/2 matches with Dundorf and Ikradon, both ending with a 4-3 score in favour of Bianjie, sending the national team to the finals with the Seleyan representatives from Mordusia, where the Phoenices have come out victorious with a 1-0 score, becoming the world champions, sending the streets of Gemun and other cities of Bianjie into a full festive and celebration mode in the early morning, as the final match ended in Luthori.
 
For Bianjie, where football is one of the primary sports, this victory symbolises everything: from the simple pride for the football culture and strength of national team players, to the story of the underdog and smaller nations winning against the bigger, stronger and other predicted winners. "When you take Bianjie, a national of just 14 million people, and then compare it to Dundorf, where there are ten times more people, it is a huge victory for us", said one of the fans in Gemun. "They live their football since birth, but then come our children of Ersangi, Cikirame and Caiboo, and just win against those giants. We are blessed to have such talents representing us". Ota Iwao, the hero of the final, who scared a victorious ball in the Mordusian goal at the 82nd minute, will be awarded with the Bianjie's highest order following the team's arrival back home, the spokesperson for the Orchid Palace has announced.



Gemun Post (ゲムンポスト) is a major (previously local) daily newspaper based in Gemun.
(@GemunPost)
#worldcup
#champions
#pinkphoenices

[journey]

Sources: opposition leader met with the Khan in a rare royal political intervention 
11 October 5727



GEMUN: With a couple of months before the next election, the political stakes are growing higher and higher, as the opposition is eyeing the long-awaited regime change, to finally push the Socialist People's Party (SPP) into the opposition for the first time since 5688, when Democratic People's Party-led coalition lost their re-election. And with stakes as high as they are currently, and growing insecurity of the general populace and political instability, national players which rarely take part in the political debate have to come out, in order to prevent further drive of Bianjie in deeper crisis. Obviously, we are talking about the nation's monarch, Khan Nilhuma.

There are no rules against the political involvement of the royal family in the political issues of Bianjie, however, it has been an unspoken and informal tradition to stay outside of the parliamentary bickering of parties and their leaders, and remain committed to the domestic and foreign issues beyond those. And yet, the seventy-four years old monarch has decided to insert himself into the situation privately. According to the Daily Express exclusively attained records of the Orchid Palace, less than a week ago, the Bianjie's monarch held a private meeting with the leader of the opposition, Kun Zhang (DPP), where Khan Nilhuma expressed his support for the party Zhang leads, and the need for the right-of-centre stable majority coalition. According to the records, the monarch presented the opposition leader with an option of public royal statement calling for stability, in hopes it would damage the government, and pave the way for the opposition rule. Leader of the opposition reponded positively to the idea, but told Khan he will have to consult the party, to which Khan Nilhuma requested this meeting stay private.

In addition to that, it is speculated by our sources that leaders of the Green Alliance were also invited to a private meeting with His Majesty, but later the invites were retracted. Daily Express requested for a commentary from the Green Alliance regarding this, but so far we have not received any answers.



毎日急行 (Daily Express) is a major daily newspaper based in the city of Namušun, Khani Province

[journey]

Socialists lose power for the first time in 40 years, right-of-centre four-party opposition set to rule in a historic result
18 April 5738



Premier Tamuka's hopes for a second term have been squashed in the Sunday election, as the ruling Socialist People's Party (SPP) has suffered its worst electoral result since the party's first election in 5618, as the right-of-centre opposition celebrates its victory in hopes to govern a stable majority government for the first time in 40 years. Governing party fell from 89 to 81 seats, with the SPP still holding onto the strong performance in the 137 single-member constituencies, making it harder to form any kind of majority without the support of the opposition Democratic People's Party (DPP) again, something that the leader of the democrats, Kun Zhang, has openly refused to do. The traditional left-wing coalition, led by the SPP, and joined by the Progressive Communist Party, possibly including Shindōtō or Horizon, or even both, also lacks majority, as four of them will now sit at 107 seats, just eight short of the absolute majority, which is 115 in the 229-seat Khanate Yuan. 

Following the release of the first preliminary results, premier Tanuka has conceded the election from the SPP's headquarters, saying that he "respects the people's choice", adding that the disappointing result for socialists is a verdict by the general populace, demanding change. Tamuka would go on to announce his resignation as the party leader, asking party members to promote new blood and new faces, and make them lead the party in crisis. However, outgoing premier noted that he will not be endorsing any particular candidate, saying that he doesn't see the need of polarisation, nor does he believe in power of his endorsement.

And with that, the opposition now has all the keys to govern, something the right-of-centre coalition has built their entire 5728 campaign on: ousting the SPP at any cost. And yet, even within the opposition, there are big surprises, as the nation's newcomer politcal party, Green Alliance of Bianjie, has shocked the nation by becoming the second largest parliamentary force, finishing ahead of the DPP by 4 seats, delivered to GAB by their strong performance in the single-member constituencies, where GAB has finished second not just by the seat share, but also votes. With this result, Green Alliance became the first non-socialist or democrat political party to finish in top 2 since 5613, during the Gurun-BDA two-party system period. "It is a big historic night for us, and for all the centrist movement in Bianjie, because it shows that people crave for a political revolution, people crave for a new way of governing, and we will make everything possible to make it happen", said GAB's co-leader, Sora Irifune. On the other side, a new political party has entered Yuan: Act Now!, formed a more conservative and traditional democrat force, led by former DPP ranked members, who were just recently in an open conflict with the DPP leadership over the policies and general path the party is taking. And so now, the new party will have 5 seats at its disposal, and looking likely to join the new coalition government, as GAB-DPP looking for a majority coalition to be formed at any cost, to not repeat any mistakes from the past.

Among other results, the traditional centre parties, Horizon and Shindoto have went through their worst electoral nights in 20 years, in Shindoto's case, or ever, in Horizon's case, respectively. Absorbed by the growing presence of the Green Alliance, and tactical voting for independent or socialist candidates, the two centrist parties have both came close to losing any kind of parliamentary representation, finishing together at just 3 seats, making it the worst result for the traditional centre ever. Both party leaders resigned and called for regrouping of their respective parties, but one must note the rising support for merger movement of the two forces, however different they may seem, but a number of lawmakers on both sides have expressed public support for the unification of Horizon and Shindoto into a single centrist force that will become a kind of left-wing alternative to the ever so moving to the right Green Alliance. However, that's still a long way to go, but as for now, two parties are looking for options to stay relevant in this new political reality.

With the months-long electoral campaign coming to an end, another complex process is coming: the government formation. However, it is already understood that the four-way opposition coalition is gonna be formed, with likely GAB's Sora Irifune leading it. And if she will be confirmed, she will become the first ever trans person to become premier, and the first ever trans person to hold any government position. But GAB and DPP may face complicated negotiations, as ACT and NRP are looking to get conservative compromises and concessions from seemingly progressive parties, or leave them to the minority rule, something which neither party wants. 



べふ電信会社 (Bianjie Telegraph Agency, or Befu Denshin Kaisha; BTA or BDK) is the national press agency, headquartered in Gemun, created in 5374.

[journey]

Bianjie makes history by electing first trans woman as its premier
Four-party right-of-centre coalition led by the Green Alliance's co-leader, Sora Irifune, is taking shape, as Khanate Yuan votes for Irifune as the premier to lead the new coalition government
15 June 5728



A strange and complex coalition of greens, liberals, moderate and reactionary conservaties, which faces a lot of disagreements from within, and prolongued negotitions, still takes quite a short amount of time to gather up, prepare a coalition agreement, and make history, after nominating the 53-years-old Sora Irifune, the co-leader of the new second-largest party in the Yuan, Green Alliance of Bianjie, as the new head of government of Bianjie. The history being not only the fact that Irifune would be the first non-SPP or non-democrat premier, but also the fact that Irifune is a trans woman, something that sounds imaginary when talking about a coalition with socially conservative parties. And yet, the coalition is set to be inaugurated on 20 June, after newly-elected premier will present her cabinet to His Majesty the Khan Nilhuma.

After nearly two months after the general election in April, and a series of hard coalition formation talks between radically different, and yet united in their negative feels towards the Socialist People's Party, the "four-leaf clover coalition" was announced on a press conference, held jointly by five party leaders: democrat Kun Zhang, GAB co-leaders Sora Irifune and Gūwalgiya Eldembu, Alin Bulamu of the New Right, and ACT's Nikan Albaki, where all five reaffirmed their comminment to change the nation. Among various proposals, such as economic reforms, welfare amendments, infrastructure investment and more independence to certain agencies, to escape from the growing government's influence, the new coalition agreemnt includes a provision to amend the electoral system yet again. When asked about the proposal during the press conference, NRA's Bulamu told the press that the parallel system, implemented by the first Tan government, is a "fluke manufactured by the SPP for the SPP", and thus requires to me amended into a more democratic system, such as replacing provincial blocs with compensatory seats, to "fix the disproportionality created by the single-member constituencies".

Talking about the coalition's choice of premier, NRA and ACT have both stated very clearly that their support behind Irifune is merely a "respect of voters' choice", as GAB now sits as the second biggest party in Yuan, and even then, Irifune is a "more qualified" person and politician, to lead such a complex government, added Bulamu. Irifune herself thanked her colleagues for the trust they put into her candidacy, promising a "set and clear agenda" pursued by her government, as well as "transparency above all" principle that she wishes to hold throughout the term. And thus, on 15 June, little less than two months after the election, Sora Irifune was elected as a new premier of Bianjie with 117 votes for, again 84 of those for SPP's candidate, the outgoing culture minister, Emuqi Hegiya, while the progressive communists and other centrists chose to vote for neither. This election also marked the first time in more than a century that both leading candidates were women. Now, Irifune will prepare her government to present to Khan Nilhuma, who will formally inaugurate the new coalition at the Orchid's Palace.



The Daily Report (日報), also known as Nippō (@Nippo), is a major daily newspaper based in Namušun, Bianjie.
The paper is published in both official languages in the broadsheet format and is also available online in other international languages.

[journey]

Premier Irifune sets out an ambitious economic reform roadmap for the next eight years
8 May 5730



Running for the office back in the 5728, then-co-leader of the Green Alliance, alongside her opposition colleagues, Sora Irifune has been vocally against the continuation of the current "leftist economic populism", imposed by the long-standing socialist governments. According to Irifune, the economic policy of the SPP has created a stagnant economy, without any growth, dependence on the public and government interventions, making Bianjie uninviting for any foreign business and as such, unattractive for any investment. Irifune made it a center of the GAB's campaign, promising to deliver a comprehensive plan, if elected to the government office. Now, two years after the election, newly-elected premier and her government and delivering on that promise, by putting forward an ambition economic reform before the general public, with a goal of making Bianjian economy competetive and growing, while addressing structural problems of youth and adult unemployment, as well as nepotism and corruption.

The plan's scale is one of the, if not the largest, such in decades. And yet, the presented roadmap has attracted both the praise of the economists, as well as various questions as to the width and scope of the structural reform the government's plan is wishing to address in the eight-year span.

Premier Irifune's plan sets out an impressive 680 billion g'an investment roadmap in the biggest policy move since her pledge to build a "strong and prosperous archipelago" Bianjie, which helped her party secure an electoral victory two years ago. The 8-year spending blueprint, combines public and private investment in a number of strategic sectors of the economy and includes billions for the manufacturing and artificial intelligence industries, both of which have been receiving growing interest in the past couple of years. When pressed about the plan's similar goals and tools to that of the socialist's past plans during the Ambagašan Economic Forum, premier said that SPP's economic policy was to "simply throw money at businesses, and see if some would stick", while Irifune's government plan includes a step-by-step detailed roadmap of smart investments in the economy and industries, requiring that the most. On the other hand, premier's plan is moving away from the traditional right-wing isolationist policy, and instead pushing for more open border policy, by making the economy and country as a whole more inviting and accepting of foreigners and their investments, who can help ignite that spark in the nation's economy. "Isolationism can work forever, but it does not bring any result of positive motion for the people in this country", said Irifune.

In order to achieve more competitiveness and productiveness in domestic industries, the plan proposes a numbers of tax cuts to workers and companies, to incentivise more consistent work, attractive job proposals, as well as easier pathways to open small and medium businesses, who must become new backbone of reformed Bianjian economy, finance minister Gūwalgiya Eldembu said at the Ambagašan Forum grounds.

The other important part of the plan is addressing the nepotism and corruption in the wider economy picture of Bianije. According to the plan authors, the current state of Bianijan economy is that is highly depends on the government actions and interventions, something that has caused the stagnation in the first place. And thus, the plan proposes more laissez-faire behavior from the central government, by giving more autonomy and independence to the crucial agencies, especially the central bank and other financial institutions, further locking any attempts to influence the decision-making, as well disincentivise nepotism by pushing for independent hiring commissions and transparent contests for vacant positions. "So many people are being discouraged to do any business in our country simply because they see who is being accepted, hired, prioritised, and we need to fight it, and soon", said Eldembu.

And finally, a part of the general roadmap without going into much detail, is troubleshooting of this whole ambitious plan. The government believes that nothing is possible without a proper coordination of actions and policies between all the levels of government structure, and nationwide institutions. "The failure of all previous plans set out by socialists governemnt was the lack of cohesion in realisation of those plans. They simply couldn't agree on timing, mechanisms, responsibility. We don't want to repeat this mistake", said premier Irifune. The plan suggests a comprehensive network of cooperation between local, provincial and national governments, government ministries, agencies, institutions, public and private sectors and many other notable decision-making groups, who will be able to advise and influence the policy, but not amend or affect it marginally, which is supposed to create bigger sense of communication and cohesion to successfully realise the plan.



Shogyoshi (商業紙, Commercial Paper) is the daily and the largest financial newspaper in Bianjie, founded in 5497. 
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[journey]

Four-leaf clover government pushes for another electoral reform ahead of the election next year
11 March 5732



It has been a little bit more than a decade after then-premier Semken Tan has presented an electoral reform, which returned the old parallel mixed electoral system, as opposed to the fully proportional one, whereas the new-old parallel had 60% of seats be elected in single-member constituencies, and the rest divided to nine proportional blocs based on existing provinces. The decision was made with a number of constructive criticism points, stating that this system, while based on noble ideas of giving territories their representation in the national parliament, would also create an unfair advantage to the ruling Socialist People's Party, which did happen in the end, when SPP had won its biggest seat share in the history.

Now, the new coalition government has pledged to change that during the electoral campaign, promising to introduce an electoral system that would keep the existing single-member constituencies, votes for which will now hold the name of "first" or "direct" votes, allowing for the territorial representation to continue, but would amend the allocation of the rest of the seats from the existing provincial blocks, to the "compensatory" seats across the provinces based on the votes, which will be named as "second" votes, in order to maintain proportionality of seats based on those very same provincial block votes. "This reform does not change anything drastically and radically, it is simply making sure that no party is able to manipulate the elections by winning it deserves, by winning majorities without having a majority public support, by holding the political forces accountable", said premier Irifune. And indeed, the new amended electoral code is supposed to be the more proportional and democratic version of the existing system, and yet there are a few flaws with it that some spectators and observers had noticed already. For once, parties could lose their single-member constituency seats, if the second votes quota allocation be insufficient to the amount of constituencies won, and in that case, some constituencies will be simply not represented. However, members de facto elected in these seats will be given priority in a case of provincial list MPs resignation or other reasons for existing legislature throughout the term.

Another point of contention is even harsher rules for indepedent candidates, which caused another wave of discussion, as the proposed changes wish to get rid of independents completely without restricting independent candidatures altogether. According to premier Irifune, lesser independents will mean more participation in party politics, and stronger political culture. And the last, highly important change, is the threshold for seat allocation: a party must achieve 3% of the second votes to be a part of the seat allocation. "Initially, we planned a 5% threshold, and it still is in plans, however, it was deemed quite undemocratic and unfair to smaller parties to limit the representation to such high levels", the premier said. Indeed, if 5% threshold is installed, at least three parties would not be represented if taking 5728 result, which would leave almost 12% of votes unrepresented, including Horizon, Shindoto and Act Now! parties.

With a year before the election, the new system will clearly cause some speculation, confusion and problems, but the government is ready to face them, premier says. State Electoral Administration will fund public service announcements across the nation, and hold information campaigns to inform the populace about the changes to the system, if approved, which they will most likely, as all but the SPP parties seem to be on board with the changes, as it would clearly benefit them. Socialist leader, Emuqi Hegiya, said on social media that the new system is flawed, pointing out the obvious problem of the possibility of no representation of constituencies due to the insufficient amount of second votes. "If proportionality comes at the cost of some people having no official representation in the Yuan, then maybe the changes to the system are wrong, and we have to address them, before going forwards with any amendments", said Hegiya.



Gemun Post (ゲムンポスト) is a major (previously local) daily newspaper based in Gemun.
(@GemunPost)
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