Istalia

[dannypk]

As the PCI received a rather... interesting letter from a kid named Marvin recently, some unknown member of the party decided to answer it by sending it to the location of the sender.

Buongiorno, Marvin

I hope you also spend your time paying attention in class, I can recommend you to read our magazine, it might help you improve your... writing. We're also sad to hear you find us stinky and hate us - we do not think of you that way! I'm surprised that your government hasn't also mentioned we seek to increase taxes... quite a lot. But that's irrelevant! Hear me out: Do you like pizza? What a silly question, of course you do! Well, imagine a world where pizza didn't cost money, as well as any product you needed to make your own pizza. You could have all the pizza in the world you wished to make and eat. That is exactly what we want! You also called us stinky - but we are stinky precisely because we cannot afford water to clean ourselves! If you supported us, our movement, water would be free for everyone, and there would be no stinky old men anymore... Think about it. I hope you reconsider it.

[dannypk]

The Forum Liberale wins elections; Communists seize the State
March 5561


The elections of 5560 have been won by Andrea Magliano with a 51.17% of votes versus 48.83% of votes for Auro Casella. The Liberals have received 52% of the seats in the General Congress, whereas the Communists have received a 48%. Such a tied results have led to Communists criticise the elections as rigged and suspicious, especially over the fact the PCI has not won a majority in the region of Trivendito, which had lately been a stronghold for the Communists and had even received attacks from Ahmadi radicals. However, the Communists controlled certain parts of Trivendito still and threatened to revolt if elections were not repeated and supervised by another body. 

In March 5561 the Forum Liberale disappears from the Parliament, unexpectedly and for unknown reasons, resulting in a vacuum of power inside the General Congress. As a result, the Communists decided to fill the empty seats with Communist politicians, thus occupying all the 450 seats with no opposition at all.

[dannypk]

Militias from the PCI forcefully occupy all of Istalia
November 5561


Following the disbanding of the Forum Liberale and the PCI seizing the General Congress, Auro Casella has sent militias throughout all of Istalia to occuppy all government institutions, businesses, and police-army bases. This has resulted in the expropriation of all private property by the state forcefully by armed proletarians associated with the PCI, which was not meet without resistance: about four hundred thousand capitalists revolted against the militias and resisted the expropriation, which caused two thousand deaths and a hundred thousand injuried capitalists - the rest of them, aware of their clear disadvantage, decided not to fight and gave up to the PCI soldiers. Government institutions, such as town halls and parliaments, are guarded by armed militias that kicked all the politicians not affiliated with the PCI. 

The real issue came from the police and army bases, which still held some military equipment that the PCI had not seized from them yet. Some bases, most of them in the island of Alaria, remain occupied by the previous army unloyal to the PCI. Some other bases that were still able to defend themselves had localised conflicts, causing deaths from both sides, although no civilian deaths or injuries. Casella has already ordered the PCI and the armed vanguard to prepare to attack and occupy the remaining military bases in Alaria.

[dannypk]

The PCI in full control of Istalia now
November 5561


Having sent armed militias to the island of Alaria to occupy the last remaining military bases that were unloyal to the proletarian cause, the island saw weeks of conflict, with shootings and bombings all day. The conflict was confined to the military bases, all located outside and far from cities, thus avoiding any deaths from innocent civilians. Finally, all of Istalia has fallen under the hegemonic control of the Partito Comunista d'Istalia. Auro Casella has sent a message to the people of Istalia, reminding them that this is not a declaration of a dictatorship of the proletariat, it is no revolution: the PCI is seizing control of the State and the territory of Istalia to protect the conditions that would give rise to a revolution, which would establish a dictatorship of the proletariat. The intention of the PCI, he stresses, is not to replace the previous bourgeois government, nor establish a new regime, but act as a transitory state towards the dictatorship of the proletariat. 


Auro Casella, 5561

[dannypk]

Non-socialist parties banned in Istalia
November 5564


Following the last events in Istalia, where the PCI and its armed militias seized control of the nation, Casella and Carboni have passed a law prohibiting parties and organisations that did not have a socialist ideology. According to them, this is a measure carried out to prevent overthrowing the regime that will ensure a future revolution carried out by the Istalian working class. Additionally, Casella has sent some words to the government of Kafuristan: "I suggest the Kafuri government to not meddle in our internal affairs. If you so much care about our Majatran population, then you should encourage them to put their guns down and stop attacking us before we end up killing each other, instead of encouraging more hate and conflict. Unless, of course, the Kafuri government was simply using the Majatran people for its own imperialistic interests..."

Casella has also met up with Carboni to discuss the current situation with Pontesi and Beiteynu, both having expressed interest in messing with Istalian politics. When asked about it, Carboni said: "They will regret opposing us, and one day they will realise. We are not a threat, they themselves will cause their own demise. The workers will be fed up of them, and we'll be glad to help their workers be liberated from the oppression of the Pontesian and Yeudi beasts."

[dannypk]

Istalian government seizes all the means of production; large projects begin to be introduced
May 5566


Taking advantage of the fact that the PCI has full control over Istalia, the government under orders of Casella and Carboni has decided to nationalise every business, to be controlled by the State. As said by Casella in the past, this is done to enforce a certain degree of collectivisation within businesses, introducing worker councils, but this doesn't mean Istalia has moved to a socialist economy nor that the Istalian government is a dictatorship of the proletariat. Casella hopes that this helps the working class to become more class conscious and organise further. "If the workers managed to become class conscious and organised to install a dictatorship of the proletariat, the non-proletarian members of the PCI, myself included, will resign from any position of power, while remaining in the PCI to guide the proletariat in their mission to achieve a communist society. But, ultimately, it will be the proletariat who will achieve this, not us." With these words, Casella managed to earn the support of many workers throughout the nation, while middle class and bourgeois elements of Istalian society seem to feel more and more threatened.

In order to not rely on trade with foreign bourgeois powers, the government has decided to focus on producing essential goods as well as military equipment further. As for nations the Istalian government can sympathise and cooperate with, they have decided to start producing a variety of grains and fruits in southern Istalia, dairy products and vegetables, as well as extensive fishing industries in most of Alaria, and olives, dates, and spices throughout the rest of Istalia. The government has also invested on irrigation techniques and desert farming in desertic and more arid regions. Additionally, as part of a yet to be specified long-term plan, Istalia wants to start producing larger quantities of olive oil and wine, as well as increasing the population of goats and sheep. Lastly, to facilitate the production of military equipment, especially taking a focus on Aerospace now, several mines have been built throughout Istalia and a government-led Research & Development facility is to be founded in the following years to aid in this production. Thanks to Istalia's possibility of extracting large quantities of silicon and sulfur, and their focus on defense, they will be able to develop extensive communication systems, radar technologies, solar panels for energetic self-sufficiency, and more applications for Aerospace technology, as well as more ammunition, explosives, fertilisers to aid in the agricultural project that's already begun, larger and long-lasting batteries and fuel for Aerospace technology, and more. All of this, however, will require more money and time, thus making it a long-term project that the government hopes will make Istalia thrives without depending on bourgeois powers and that may aid them in defending the revolution from internal and external threats. The isolation of Istalia from its friends makes Aerospace also a need.

[dannypk]

Letters from a member of the PCI leaked
September 5568


Today, several letters from a prominent member of the PCI, Nevio Russo, have been leaked to the international public by an unknown person. These were directed at several members of the PCI, including Casella and Carboni. Some of them have been quite controversial, while others were seemingly normal. For starters, we find a letter from January 5559, one month after the PCI sent a message to Majatrans residing in Istalia. Seeing that the Ahmadi radicals did not stop causing trouble in Trivendito and parts of northwestern Ferano, Russo sent a letter to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Erminio Boni:

The Ahmadi radicals are not giving up. I always knew the Majatrans would pose a threat to our cause as well as to the Istalian nation. We must take actions against them, cease from being so kind to them and massacre the ones that don't leave our borders immediately! Or else, we will end up regretting it. We are already in trouble with most of Majatra, do you seek to allow these troublesome barbarians to kill our innocent citizens and overthrow our regime? Please, talk with il Segretario...

No letters replying back to Russo have been found, but another one was found from the same month, in which he talked about the same issue with Casella, seemingly replying to a letter of his:

Thank you for reaching me. I disagree with how you are approaching this issue, Segretario. You know I have always respected you, I still do: but you are committing suicide. I am an internationalist as much as you, I am not suggesting to commit genocide against an ethnicity, let alone for the supremacy of the Istalian nation. The Ahmadi radicals are a threat to us, and they are going to recruit our Majatrans and divide us. I also do not trust Kafuristan... They have been suspiciously loud about our issue with Majatrans in Istalia. Do you think they could be behind this? I await your answer.

However, it seems over time Russo radicalised further. In March 5561, it seems Russo sent a letter to Casella after the victory of the Forum Liberale:

Buonasera, Segretario. The defeat in the elections cannot be explained if not for the fact they were rigged! The capitalists in our nation, aided by other nations such as Pontesi, Beiteynu, and Kafuristan, must be behind this! Think about this: why would the Liberals win in a moment like this, especially when the workers are the majority in our nation and they have been largely supportive of us? It is time to stop being weak, Casella. For once, show your revolutionary character hidden inside you and seize control of Istalia, of everything. The Liberals will not govern and ruin everything. I will personally make sure of it once you assume control of Istalia. I trust in your methods, I just plead you to listen to me and do it. Per i lavoratori Istaliani!

And then, in January 5564, he sent another letter to Casella:

I am pleased that you listened to my advice, and while I would have done things differently, your method worked. Now the next step should be to get rid of any counter-revolutionary element... We must start by forbidding them in the Congresso Generale. And then get rid of the bourgeoisie and other groups that oppose us and seek our demise. I would, as you know, suggest simply capturing them and executing them publicly to spread a message... But I know that is not your way of proceeding. You do you, Segretario. But do something, and quick.

From the looks of it, Russo had been recommending Casella to take steps against the counter-revolutionary elements in Istalia, which he seemed to accept, although in his own way. The influence of Russo could explain the change in attitude from Casella over time, becoming bolder and more radical than he already was. The person who leaked this must have been either someone who opposes Russo, afraid of the influence he seems to be having in the party, or opposing the PCI and acting in the interest of the bourgeoisie, seeking to destabilise Istalia and the PCI. Nonetheless, this could spark up things in and out of Istalia.

[dannypk]

Nevio Russo makes public declarations
September 5568


After many of the letters of Russo were leaked to the public, he has made some declarations about them. These letters showed how he was the one influencing Casella to take more extreme measures, and he had been an advocate for years of "massacring the Majatran population" and constantly paranoid and sceptical of other nations. 

Lavoratori d'Istalia... And non-workers of Istalia. I know some of you are expecting me to deny that those letters are real, others to apologise for them. But I will not. I have remained in the shadows for many years, keeping my opinions for other members of the PCI. But that's in the past. Istalia is stronger than me and it will survive without me, only if we are willing to see the reality of our situation and take stronger measures. Yes, I said what those letters said about Majatrans. And I repeat it: we don't want potential counter-revolutionary traitors in our nation, from liberals, to Majatrans! If my fellow party members can't see this... If you, Istalian workers, cannot see this, then I'm afraid we're doomed. I will not apologise for my words. As for influencing Casella - what does it matter? I didn't see anyone complaining about what he did. I don't see anyone doing it still. Why should it matter that I was the one who convinced him to do it? Wake up, Istalia! We need a strong hand, not a weak one.

After that, he left and made no more comments about the letters. Nevio Russo was born in the island of Alaria, the origin of the Istalian nation and its biggest stronghold. He was likely raised in a form of Istalian patriotism - although, nonetheless, he seems to be supportive of the communist cause. He seems to think that internationalism must be supported, but when communist internationalism allows counter-revolutionary elements to threaten the cause, then limits must be drawn. Casella has refused to make any public appearance and comments about this controversy and Russo, as well as any other member of the PCI. It's likely Casella has ordered the party to remain quiet and let it be forgotten.

[dannypk]

The agricultural and Aerospace project advances
July 5569


As the government took initiatives in May 5566 to expand the agricultural state of Istalia in order to rely less on other nations in a time of uncertainty and isolation, in the last few months the government has managed to increase the production of many of the resources they promised to work on, particularly grains, fruits, dairy products, fish, olives, dates, and spices, as well as begun working on deserts to make them able to grow certain resources the government and workers of Istalia need. As several new prototypes for helicopters and planes have been made incorporating new technology, especially communication and radar technology, and new facilities have been built in bases incorporating them as well, Istalia feels ready to protect itself from many threats, without seeking to take the offensive. "This is purely done for defensive purposes, as we know several nations are trying to demonise us and possibly attack us." said Publio Carvelli, the Minister of Defense. 

Similarly, more military equipment is being produced in war factories, organised in councils of workers that are armed and prepared to protect Istalia. They themselves plan what they need to produce and how much, in accordance to socialist principles that Casella is hoping to teach them by putting it in practice. In spite of the insistence of the government to stress that Istalia does not have a socialist economy and is not a dictatorship of the proletariat, the truth is, the Istalian proletariat has never been any closer to those two than now.

[dannypk]

Auro Casella is assassinated; Istalia in political turmoil
January 5571


The 17th of January 5571, Auro Casella, the Segretario Generale of Istalia, has been found dead in his office at 07:53 a.m. at the age of 44 after hearing several gunshots. He was shot in the chest three times while resting on his desktop chair. The window of his office was broken, indicating the culprits likely entered and left through it. They were not caught and no one suspicious was found in the area. Federica Carboni was immediately notified and she was taken to his office. When she saw her friend and comrade, with whom shared power, she could not hold out her tears and was left alone some minutes with Casella's body. In the afternoon, a simple state funeral was held and was buried in Romula, with a special tombstone for him.

A public speech was held, with the most prominent members of the PCI standing in line on a stage. Federica Carboni, Erminio Boni, Amanzio Berni (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Publio Carvelli, and Nevio Russo included. Both Carboni and Russo seemed devastated, as if it was their own family who just died. Carboni held a speech, announcing his death and trying to motivate the Istalian proletariat, so they would not lose hope. After the funeral was over, Carboni disappeared while the PCI held a private meeting. Everyone was hoping for Carboni to succeed Casella, however, she seemed to not be there. Carvelli ordered an armed worker to grab a group of other armed workers to search for her. However, she wasn't found anywhere. Istalia was now left without a leader, and since Casella left no will, no one knew what to do. Some members of the PCI suggested party elections, especially Boni and Berni, who seem to be more in line with the ideology of Casella and Carboni. Russo, however, thought that elections were not a good idea: first, because there weren't any members of the PCI that we could trust to lead Istalia, and second, because it could be replacing Casella with a weaker leader, or even an enemy. Thus, Russo, backed by Carvelli, proposed to make a pact between Boni, Berni, Carvelli, and Russo himself to lead the nation together until a capable leader was found and decided. 


Auro Casella, 5571