Kalistan

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Kalistani News in Brief: Kalistan continues work on Sonar Monitoring
FM considers visit to Likatonia; Imperial Home completed in Athoisa
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 14, 5657


Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister Jeffrey Hewlett discusses potential opening toward Likatonia

Kalistan Continues Work on Sonar Monitoring
The Imperial Bureau of Security Intelligence announced that is will be upgrading its anti-sub sonar network in the Northern Anantonese Ocean, and continue its cooperation with the Commonwealth of Lodamun. The intelligence sharing agreements between Kalistan and Lodamun predate Lodamun's accession into the Empire, and have involved Lodamun sharing its library of sonar contact signatures with Kalistan, and Kalistan sharing live intelligence data with Lodamun. The integration of intelligence collection and analysis between the two countries has ensured that Kalistan and Lodamun have eyes and ears on all that passes on and below the waves, and the monitoring is one of the most significant programs operated by IBSI.

Now that Lodamun is developing X Band radar platforms for the Mad Dog Ocean and has begun planning its hydrophone system expansion into Western Seleya, the IBSI announced its desire to upgrade its own hydrophones to match the newer technology employed by Lodamun to maintain the integration with Lodamun on monitoring. "We don't want any daylight between our nations' capacities," said IBSI Public Info Specialist Marcia Warren. "It's important that we maintain this integration to maintain our levels of security. Lodamun watches the front yard and we watch the back yard, and through this mutual cooperation, we have kept the Northern Anantonese safe for decades." Warren said Kalistan has long kept the Anantonese Ocean heavily monitored for a long time, but stepped up its efforts after the sea based attack on Xsampa before the Artanian War.

The upgrade in the sub net throughout the Northern Anantonese Ocean over the next several years, and meanwhile, several exercises will be conducted through the Ocean to test the new systems as they come online. The Imperial Government says it will also cooperate with the Lodamese as they bring their new systems online as well.

FM Considers a Visit to Likatonia
Kalistan has not had any dealings with Likatonia after the ceasefire and withdraw from Likatonia during the war and the official apology Kalistan issued to the Likatnoian Government, but now, Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto's Foreign Minister, Mr. Jeffrey Hewlett, has announced that Likatonia is back on Kalistan's Radar. "Her Imperial Majesty has asked me to dedicate some of our resources to researching the developments in Likatonia. She wants to take it slow to not upset the balance in Northern Seleya, but she is cautiously optimistic that relations between our two estranged companies can be improved."

The Foreign Minister cited wanting to ensure that any overture toward Likatonia won't upset Kalistan's relations with other nations like Likatonia. "Obviously we need to be cognizant of the position other nations take vis a vis Likatonia," said Minister Hewlett. "It is our understanding that Lodamun, for example, still maintains strong economic and passage restrictions against Likatonia. So a full opening toward Likatonia would perhaps upset the relations with Lodamun. But we do at least want to research possible avenues of approach, in case there is something that we can work on."

The Foreign Minister announced the intention of the Imperial Government to send a study team to Likatonia to observe the new government from in country, and to report back in six month with suggestions and recommendations for Her Imperial Majesty. "We will look forward to their departure and then their report," said Mr. Hewlett.

Imperial Home completed in Athoisa
Her Imperial Majesty's new home was completed last month in Athosia. The home, which will be dubbed Playa de la Paz, sits on a stretch of beach that is 10 miles south of San Luis, Santiago and is built into a fairly dense tropical forest. It has a train flag stop that serves the home to allow residents, visitors and staff to travel by train to either San Luis or to Lucid City, as well as newly built electric, water, and transit infrastructure connecting it to San Luis. The property developer, Baltusia's Morris Selway, has also organized some services to be built on property that will allow the Royal Family to acquire groceries and other services when travel to San Luis is not possible or preferable. Construction at the site took two years longer than originally expected due to the Lucid Crisis which closed the border temporarily, and stopped work on the site until the signing of the Lucid Accords allowed work to continue.

"We want to make this property into a full service resort for the Royal Family, their guests and those who staff the Estate," said Selway. "And I think we have met Her Imperial Majesty's expectations. She can take residence here and feel completely comfortable and at home." Selway said that local farmers have been invited to begin planting orchards and food on the property so that the land is not simply left unused. "Much of this food will be purchased by the Royal Family, but it is also designed to create economic opportunity for the local farmers of rural Santiago." In all the Estate is expected to employ a staff of more than 200 individuals, and will remain opened year round to be used as a vacation home for members of the extended Royal Family when the Empress is not in Residence.

Playa de la Paz is expected to serve as Her Imperial Majesty's Winter Palace, which will necessarily divide her and the Family's time in three between Playa de La Paz in November through February, Kaliburg from March though June, and Wood House from July to October. The National Assembly is altering its calendar to remain out of session during the Winter Months, and hold session during the 8 months of each year while the Empress is in Residence in Kalistan. The Chancellor of the Empire has stated that Her Imperial Majesty will fly the Baltusian National Flag above a banner that is 1/3 Red and two thirds White behind a single Gold Star, to signify the historic colors or Athosia on the grounds while she is in Residence. This choice will symbolize the acknowledgement of current Baltusian sovereignty over the Duchy of Athosia, to which Her Imperial Majesty maintains a Title. (The independence of Santiago/Athosia is not being claimed with this move; The Chancellor states that this is merely an acknowledgement of the Historical Status of Athosia, and Her Imperial Majesty's Historic title to the State. Lady Alvarez also says that each duchy should commission new Banners for their Duchies to represent historical colors and designs.)

@TheRepublic

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MotorVrassa splits from MoCo
Aims to provide Worker Owned Model of a Car Plant
Addisjah, Duchy of Vrassa
November 1, 5657


MV, a new Worker Owned Company given the Green Light to Incorporate in Addisjah

The Kalistani Car Market just got a new player as a split-off corporation has been incorporated in Addisjah, Vrassa. A group of prominent institutional investors who controlled a significant portion of MoCo stock have signed an agreement to take over the lagging Addisjah Factory with the aim of not only reducing the plant's liability on the Parent company, but also to try a new experiment in worker ownership. Following application for spilt and filing articles of incorporation, the new company, as a subsidiary of MoCo, was formed and a new transitional board of Directors was elected.

"What we have in mind is that we take the shares of this company and make them part of the workers' pay and compensation package," said new CEO Danielle Richards, speaking for the new company that is known as Motor Vrassa, or MV. "The overarching vision is to give workers themselves a real stake in the health of the company through stock buyout first, and then through profit sharing. We also aim to provide more choice of EVs in the Kalistani Market, and fully fund research and development. MoCo is such a huge company that messing with something here, triggers changes there, and it sort of makes their design decisions pretty conservative. They usually only change something if they can offset the change in another department, or if the change will save them enough money to cover the cost of making the changes, so as a result, MoCos of 5657 look, drive and act very similar to MoCos of 5557. We can do better, and if we have the workers, the people who actually make those cars, making decisions like this, there might be a real explosion in meeting demand in the country."

The plan for MV is to take over the Addisjah MoCo Plant, which has been running at a loss for years and depressing the Parent Company's profitability. It will begin with the initial group of investors, among which are counted Gina Franks, who currently owns the largest individual bloc of MoCo stock among the defectors, as well as House Ananto, who has expressed support through their agent, for a worker owned corporation, issuing stock equal to the book value of the Addisjah Plant and fixed capital, to MoCo. This will essentially change the status of MoCo from Owner of the Addisjah firm to Lease Holder. Over the next ten years, the Motor Vrassa Directors will buy that stock off. During this period, Motor Vrassa will remain a subsidiary of MoCo, and will make regular stock dividend payments to MoCo based on the share of the company still owned by MoCo.

At the same time, the new Owners will issue stock to existing workers at the Addisjah Plant that will allow them to outvote one, but not both of the other two blocs, either MoCo OR the dissenting investors. This will create a tripartite ownership of the company. Each quarter, as dividend are paid out, previously bought back MoCo stock will go to workers in lieu of cash dividends, so as the Owner Bloc is able to buy stock back from MoCo, they transfer it directly to the workers. Eventually the workers will form a majority of the ownership, with the Investor Bloc keeping their own shares.

All workers in MV will be unionized and will become part of the Bargaining unit, with a work Contract that prohibits "at will" labor, enforces progressive discipline, the grievance procedure, and hiring and firing policies. Workers will be in charge of all decisions to hire and fire in the first contract, with an appeal to the Board presented, if a worker thinks he or she has been terminated unjustly. They will also be in charge of setting wages in the different parts of the company. All wages will be public, so workers can't be used against one another.

"It is important that we establish these principles from the outset," said Richards. "They will form the basis of what our current workers expect, and what new workers will learn as they are hired into the operations." Richards says this sort of cooperative management policy, when looked at in full will be very attractive to autoworkers. "Eventually, it is possible that this company will be completely owned by the workers: All stock divestment among the Investors must be offered to the workers first according to the plan. And when the workers are in charge of this company, they will set their own wages, their own hours, their own holidays, their own production schedule, and manage their own contract. This is the idea: Workers know if they have some incentive to work hard and produce a good product, not only will consumers want it, but they will pay for it. And the better the workers do, the wealthier they will become. Its certainly something worth attempting."

MV will continue to make cars for the electrical Vehicle market in both Kalistan and abroad. "Our infrastructure has been set up for EV usage for a century now," said Richards. "I don't think you could get a tank of petroleum in this nation outside of a place like Sulari, or perhaps Port Swedes, which still sees a lot of foreign driving tourists. But gasoline is very expensive these days in Kalistan, and so it would be an expensive proposition for MV to return to the gas engine or even diesel engine markets." MV however will produce vehicles for export, at least at the beginning. "Electrical, still. There are not enough EVs in the world to completely obliviate the need for gasoline, but we certainly do not want to do anything to perpetuate the use of fossil fuels."

At the time of printing, Workers have voted to accept the contract along these terms, and the last MoCo models are rolling off the line in Addisjah before the full transition to new branding in January of 5658.

@TheRepublic

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Dea Releases new Album on KMI
Kaliburg singer aims to revive RF
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 8, 5657


Dea's Debut Album focuses heavily on Synthpop aesthetic

Donna Francesca Salvatore, 23, who has recorded her debut album under the name Dea, has recently been signed to KMI records for a two record deal. The signing was accompanied by a quick three week recording and mastering session that has yielded her debut LP, titled This Girl. The music is largely synthpop, with some RF elements added. And as the record makes a splash in Kaliburg and Sulari dance and RF clubs, the young singer says she is on a mission.

"I love pop music and the old RF stuff, and I would like to bring it back to the radio, to the mainstream," said Dea last week. "I thinks its great, I'd kind of like to bring RF back."

Dea spent her early childhood in Addisjah, where her working class parents recognized her talent early, and scraped for voice lessons. As Dea grew up, her family moved to Kaliburg for work, and Dea continued singing in school. In highschool, she was the drummer for a local all female ska set called The Skirts, who attempted to enter a school talent contest and promptly lost. "I was not a very good drummer," said Dea. "Every singer wants to be a drummer, and every drummer wants to be a singer. Tale as old as time, you know?" Dea lost interest in school and dropped out when she was 16, intending to pursue music full time. By the time she joined the NSP and worked for 4 years as a mechanic in the Ananto Corps, she had built a little following in the Kaliburg Club scene.

Her fans stuck with her, and the two boot leg tapes recorded from some of her last early shows made their rounds to DJs in Kaliburg, and eventually to Sulari. "That music was not really that good, but I mean, it was mostly the quality of the recording. Some DJs would take the tapes and produce remixes of them and distribute them. And remember now, I am still in the Ananto Corps while all this is going on. So I go on leave one time and am hanging around in Kaliburg, and one of these remixes comes up. And I am like 'What's that? Who remade my music?' like I recognized the song."

Once Dea found out that these remixes had been being shared around the country, she was advised to contact an agent. But her search was interrupted when her leave ended. As soon as she was mustered out of Service, her contacts in the Kaliburg Club Scene put her in contact with the agent who would eventually get her onto KMI, Dave Eberhart. "Dave was really cool, he's pretty rich, so he wasn't really in it for the money. He used to be an A&R guy and he really loves the thrill of meeting people before they get famous, and I think that was really his interest in me. He's a metal head. He really doesn't care about my music. But he thinks I should be on the radio, so he went out and got that for me." The negotiations led to a two record deal, with a ₭25,000 Imperial advance to make her first record, and a percentage of sales for the Label.

"KMI handles distribution, and they helped me get a great producer, John Jotai, to work with me," said Dea. "I'm excited to see how this record does. We went for a sound which is very retro in electronic music. This is one of the things: This record absolutely sounds like retro electronic music. It kind of draws more on the roots of synthesized and RF music. But its been so long since this kind of music has been made in Kalistan, that it almost sounds new again. Which, in a weird was, is kind of RF. Like you hear of first, second third wave ska, first and second wave of RF, maybe third wave. This is more like Zeroth Wave RF."

The album consists of 6 originals, and includes four remixes of tracks on the record. "I mean, my music spread by remixes, so I invited a few of my favorite DJs in, two from Kaliburg and two from Sulari, to make their versions. The songs really are so different from the remixes, you sort of have to really listen to them close to realize they are remixes." Dea said she wants experimentation and sincerity to be hallmarks of her sound. "I like the bands and musicians that make different kinds of stuff each record."

The first single from the record "For Your Love" is a solid, uptempo dance track that employs heavy synths and electric guitars. "I tried to play drums on the song, and wanted to try it," said Dea. "Our first few takes were really kind of slow, and they just weren't working, so I think we kind of gave up on the idea of me being the drummer during maybe the sixth take. Jotai got us the sequencer, and amost doubled the tempo, told me to focus on my vocals, and the song was done in two takes. Everyone loved it. We had Carl Mortensen on guitars for that track. He and I knew each other from back when I was in the clubs."

You can check out Dea's new album This Girl released on KMI, and check out her new video "For Your Love" right here, or on M7 where it will get a heavy push starting next week.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufec0Hps00]

@KalistaniRawkMonthly

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Kalistani News in Brief: Lady Helen Ananto-Reynolds announces Diamond Purchases
Hutorian Queen to Vacation in Kalistan; Dea releases Second Single "You Feel it in my Kiss"
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 6, 5658


Lady Helen Ananto-Reynolds speaks at Annual House Ananto Meeting

Lady Helen Ananto-Reynolds Announced Diamond Purchases
House Ananto's Director, Lady Helen Ananto-Reynolds, announced that House Ananto is prepared to increase Diamond and precious metals purchases globally. "We believe there is an excess of these materials internationally, and Her Imperial Majesty wishes to do her part to shore up declining gold, silver and Diamond prices. As a result, she has requested that House Ananto begin aggressively buying gold, silver, and diamond commodities so they may be stored in Eveari. Such aggressive buying will certainly encourage other investors to do the same before prices of these commodities begin to climb, and it is our hope that all the excess metals and diamonds go off the market sooner rather than later."

Lady Ananto stated that the impetus for these purchases was an offer of increased sales from Kalistan's main supplier of diamonds, Xsampa, which currently sells Kalistan, specifically the Kalistani industrial sector and high tech sector industrial diamonds for cutting and laser applications. "Diamonds are tough. The sheer number of drill bits we go through in a year would astound the casual observer," said Lady Ananto. "We'd like to ensure our supply as the global markets change, and are prepared to put real money behind this offer." As a result, House Ananto stated that they intend to buy a billion Imperial Rubles worth of Xsampan diamonds over the next ten years, and keep the best ones for Her Imperial Majesty's gem collection, while recouping most of their cost through direct sales to Kalistan's industrial sectors.

"We also wish to acquire as much silver and gold as we can for the same reason," said Lady Ananto. "Gold is valuable in high tech circuitry and a shortage of that will hurt Kalistani electronics, while silver is useful for all number of things. So as much as we can get out hands on, from sources all around the world, the happier our manufacturers will be." It is also know that Her Imperial Majesty prefers silver to gold, so it is likely that much of that metal will stay with House Ananto. On the news, global commodity prices of all three commodities inched up, giving them an average of +3.12% on the day in Kaliburg.

Hutorian Queen to Vacation in Kalistan
The Queen of Hutori, Her Majesty Queen Arianna, will arrive in Ananto later this week for a planned vacation. While in country, she will live in her family's estate on the Baronettcy of Raven Head in Green County Ananto. She will also visit Her Imperial Majesty at her Chateau on Playa de la Paz in Athosia for some of that period of time. Chancellor of the Empire, Her Grace Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller announced the visit as part of her morning brief in Kaliburg today.

"We of course welcome our friend, The Queen, back to Kalistan. Our Island has long served as second home to Hutorian royalty, and the Queen herself is no exception," said Lady Alvarez. "Her Imperial Majesty looks forward to showing Her Majesty the Queen around Playa de la Paz, and could likely remain in Baltusia beyond the beginning of March when she and the Royal Family are due back in Kaliburg, if the visit is delayed." The Chancellor added with a smile, "Not that staying in Athosia a few more days will be an imposition to Her Imperial Majesty in any way."

The Queen is expected to remain in Kalistan for a few weeks ahead of the coming elections in Hutori.

Dea releases Second Single, "You Feel it in My Kiss"
Electro Pop singer Dea released the second single from her album This Girl, called "You Feel it in My Kiss." The smokey, sensual torch song is quite different from her first single "For Your Love" but so far is doing better in sales than the debut single did at this time in its life.

"I really like Dea," said one Kaliburg fan. "I can't say I even knew her a year ago, I mean you hear all these people who were like Yeah, I was at a Dea show like in 5652 or something, but what I've seen and heard from her, I think it kind of captures where we are musically right now, where I am. It speaks to me, and her voice is so cool."

The album has already sold more than 250,000 copies in just two and a half months since its release, and fans are already clamoring for a new record. But Dea has decided to play some live shows around Kaliburg and Sulari for the next few months, to promote the record instead. "They play it all the time on the radio and on TV," said a young fan in Port Swede. "I think she's got this great punky but also still really feminine look to her, and I just love her. I think I have a crush on her." The tour will play six dates in Kaliburg and Sulari, and may be expanded if there is enough demand. Privately, her label thinks there will be, and are already in talks for shows in Eshar and in Vrassa into April.

Here's the Video for her new tune, Dea's "You Feel it in My Kiss" off her recent debut LP, This Girl out now on KMI records

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHutZXREZ0E]
@TheRepublic

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Kalistani 5659 General Election Preview
Second Free Election Sees new Competition
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 18, 5658


6 Parties vie for Seats in National Assembly

As Kalistan heads into its second free election in the modern era, new challenges face the nascent democracy movement in Kalistan. The collapse of the Kalistani Democracy Forum, a movement that was about 10 years old when it collapsed due to ideological division and questions surrounding the group's finances, has led to some pro-democracy forces becoming more disenchanted with the glacial pace of governmental reform, and the formation of new, more radical parties. As we head into elections next spring, it is imperative that Kalistanis know who they are being asked to vote for. So the Republic has put together this handy guide for the main Parties who will be seeking votes to fill the 79 Seat National Assembly, Kalistan's lower House and main legislative body in the Empire.

Left Parties
Socialist National Party
Far Left- Nationalist
A new Party this election, this party formed in late 5657 and announced their intention to contest in the 5659 elections. Led by Manuel Suarez of Yoshimi, this Party represents the radical wing of the Socialist Party, and a large number of disaffected rank and file Socialists who are seeking a more aggressive stance on nationalization of the economy, promotion of Kalistani pre-eminence in the region, and greatly curtailing the power of the monarchy in favor of organized labor, found mainly in Kalistani Cities and industrial centers. Suarez, a long time labor organizer with the Suldanor Growers' Syndicate, has said "The time to fight for our own future, as people of this Nation is now. We believe in radical and direct democracy, and furthermore, an organized and militant Labor Movement is irresistible, if we can all get on the same page. It's time for us to let the oligarchs know that their time is up and it is time to share power." Not an explicitly anti-monarchist message, for certain, but one that appeals to militant labor.

Socialist Party of Kalistan
Far-Left Institutionalist
The venerable Socialist Party, who supports existing Kalistani Institutions, and has found much of its criticism of the Monarchy blunted in recent years due to its principled stance in support of the Empress' position on a number of important foreign affairs issues, actually suffered from the collapse of the Democracy Forum. Not only did it lose the driving motor of agitation from the left, but it has found itself outflanked by the new SNP. The Party continues to call for the placing of private industry into public ownership and reform for the monarchy, but its Leader, Deputy Gordon McConnell, of Dana continues to temper the calls for reform with a more moderate approach. "We have demonstrated that we can achieve modest gains while not dramatically upsetting the social order," said McConnell. "Where the Government need help, we have supplied key votes to ensure that the Empress' agenda goes through. Where reforms to proposals need to be made, we have provided key input. We may be in the minority now, but we will keep fighting for Kalistan's working class no matter what."

Social Democratic Party
Moderate Left- Internationalist
The Social Democratic Party began its life as a socially and politically liberal Party. It represents the main moderate force on the left, who believes that the Monarchy should remain in tact, but people should have access to more democracy both at the National and the local levels. Known for strong commitment for social equality and for promoting policies that mitigate the effects of economic inequality, the Internationalist SocDems have promoted greater cultural exchange with Kalistan's neighbors. It's Speaker, Monica Taylor from Addisjah, said this about Democracy's Forum's demise recently, "Well, Democracy Forum, which we more or less owe our existence to, had a lot of internal problems, but they also fought the fight to push reform from the streets. We can also make common cause with social democratic movements across Seleya, from countries like our friends in Gaduridos, or in Valruzia or Lodamun, for examples of how reform movements that aim at improving quality of life and reducing both economic and political inequality can be applied within our nation, even without Democracy Forum in Kalistan any longer."

Right Parties
Liberal Party of Kalistan
Moderate Right- Internationalist
Known primarily for its promotion of capitalism, the impetus of the Liberal Party's reform efforts has been to remove the state from the economy, promote fair trade, and reform the Monarchy without calling for its overthrow. A lot of the early proposals, which went nowhere during the first Term were directed at privatization and promoting what Party Leader and speaker Mike Kozynski said was "more economic freedom" meaning the freedom to invest, the freedom to promote private sector competition in sectors reserve for National Industry, and the right for owners to "reclaim" their "property" which he claims was unjustly handed to workers. "What we really need to focus on is small government, which keeps my neighbor out of my yard and my enemy out of my nation. That's the only real role of the Government, and the Empress can play a role in that or not, but she is not needed when it comes to making economic decisions, and our State's continued insistence on being a part of the economic decision making in this nation is hindering our trade, our growth and our prosperity in Kalistan. It's time for us to take our rights back." Its new Speaker, Marcia Brechtel, an avowed neoliberal and supporter of austerity in State Spending, is largely holding to the same message going into this upcoming election.

The Institutional Party of Kalistan
Conservative- Institutionalist
The venerable IPoK is fully expected to lose seats in the coming election, not because of anything necessarily that the Party did: In fact, most of the policies promoted by the Government under the leadership of Chancellor of the Empire Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller, who is expected to retain her position as the Head of the Institutional Party of Kalistan, are incredibly popular with huge swaths of the Voting Public. The Party is the staunchest supporter of the Monarchy and Kalistan's institutions, and its status as the Party of the Empress and its long incumbency all but guarantee that the Institutional Party retains a plurality in the coming elections. The long serving Chancellor said recently, "Having to run for office is a bit beneath anyone: We are asking people who don't have a lot of time to research candidates and positions to nonetheless cast the most important choice that they will make the entire years, and to do so in a way that will help our nation. Its not fair to the busy men and women in this nation, but what is important is that the people continue to vote for stability to hold off the forces of fascism brewing even here in Kalistan. So vote Institutional: We've fought fascism for decades and we know how to do it."

Patriotic League
Far-Right, Ultranationalist
This coming election's dark horses formed with the demise of Democracy Forum, as many people exiting out of that social movement, said that Kalistani's are looking the wrong way if they were considering liberal or socialist ideologies, but also that the Monarchy is so broken that Kalistan can no longer be taken seriously by the nations of the world. Party Leader Karl Wagner, who was active in the Vrassan Democracy Forum, said the time for "accommodation with the Liberals" had to be done, both at home and abroad. "We should realize that a nation is only as strong as its weakest member," said Wagner at a recent rally. "You have two choices at that point: Either lose or get rid of the weak members. I know which option the PL supports, and it sure as hell isn't surrender." He responded to questions concerning League fascist tendencies, Wagner said, very controversially, last month, "Look, I know its taboo to have any praise for a group like the Legion in Kundrati, but let me tell you something: They got things done. And if someone, anyone, even Kalistan, tried to stop them, well, they just ignored the opinion of the entire world, and continued to do what ever they wanted to do, and look, they got away with it all. This is the kind of attitude we need in this country: Where a militant movement is more than willing to sidestep even rules and laws, if need be, to get whatever is best for our nation, regardless of the consequences. Sometimes doing right in an unjust world is the only just thing." The group has very restrictive policies in mind for women, foreigners, and foreign nations who try to stand up to Kalistan: "To the degree that you disagree, you are wrong. We have no obligation to take into account the opinions of those who are wrong. Kalistan must dominate, both at home and abroad. We won't let what happened to the Legion in Kundrati happen to this nation."

All six parties have filed for elections across the nation, and have met the criteria for inclusion. We hope this Side by Side comparison helps you make your decision during the Spring General Elections.

@TheRepublic

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Chancellor makes final pitch for Institutional Party
In the Run up to Election, IPoK's poll numbers down but solid
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 25 5659


Institutional Party Leader makes case for Stability

In her second open election, The Chancellor of the Empire is no stranger to retail politics. She has always taken the opportunity to engage with voters where they are, attending public forums, meeting with constituents, and being a hesitant and adjacent supporter of the Democracy Forum.

But with the IPoK's poll numbers slightly off from their highpoint three years ago and new challenges from the radical right and the radical Left, Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller takes to the street in the fight of her political career.

"We are still polling well ahead of the Minor Parties," said Lady Alvarez. "But we can't ignore the serious calls for reform that some of our more radical elements are making. From the far right there is coded dogwhistles to end the monarchy. But if they came right out and said it, it would be illegal, so they have to hide their true intentions. We know the truth, and Kalistani Citizens are not fooled by their appeals to nation, to militant forward pressure, and to social regression.

"But on the left, the calls for radical economic reform are just as strong, and within them too lies a call for curtailment of the power of our Empress. Just as Kalistanis resist fascism of the far right, so too do we reject republicanism of the far left. We are not going to use an election to establish a direct democracy, and the Institutional Party stands opposed to that-it is a back door for those who want to destroy our nation to get into power."

The Chancellor committed her Party to stability: "Economic, social and political. For those of you who are tired of the constant churn, who just want to go back to living your life, to those of you who look at other nations and shake your head wondering where everything went wrong, the Institutional Party is for you. Most of us will not gain if these radicals take over. In fact, this sort of radical call, from the left and from the right, is akin to a call for revolution. And what has revolution gotten anyone, but Kundrati style fascism, misery and pain. The Institutional Party stands opposed to that, and we hope you stand with the Institutional Party."

The message delivered in Kaliburg is part of a last month of campaigning that the Chancellor is doing with and for Deputies in her Party in her role as Party Speaker. Other Parties are launching similar pushes around the nation, with the Patriot League focusing its efforts in Kalistan Proper, while the other Parties visiting all five duchies. The Socialist National Party itself got a large infusion of funds from the Gaduri based, PSSG organized Rosalana García Institute which aims to help social democratic and socialist parties organize around Seleya- this money is being used for legitimate purposes of organizing and expanding the reach of the SNP's messaging campaign, and has been deemed to be legal under Kalistani Law, given Gaduridos' imperial ties to Kalistan. With this money, the upstart SNP is able to campaign across Kalistan and perhaps amplify a message that might have been otherwise out shone by the SP and the SDP.

"We want to object to the use of Gaduri Money," said Gordon McConnell, Leader of the Socialist Party. "But we are committed to democracy in Kalistan and the more Parties out there spreading the message of economic socialism, the better we all are as a nation, so we have withheld tactical objections for broader strategic goals."

The Elections this year will be held on 31 March 5956. Right now the IPoK is sitting well above 50% in all major polls.

@TheRepublic

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Institutionalists hold onto slim Majority in Elections
Socialist National Party makes significant gains at moderate Parties' expense
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 2, 5659


Party Breakdown shows 52% Majority for Institutional Party

Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Ananto is expected to maintain the Chancellorship for another six years as General Elections show enduring support for the Institutional Party, despite inroads made by Leftist Parties, most notably the upstart Socialist National Party who gained seats at the expense of the more institutional oriented Socialist Party of Kalistan. The Patriot League, which was the main far right contender was fully repudiated at the polls, never exceeding the 3.5% threshold in any race across the nation. In Ananto, the PL never earned more than one-tenth that amount, either in the Duchy or the Free City Elections, and results were similar in Vrassa and Nevaras, while in Suldanor and Odufaray, where the PL had hoped to do its best, No PL candidate earned more than 1.3% of the vote.

"This is a key election in our nation's tentative moves toward reform," said Lady Alvarez. "We have demonstrated once more that we can hold free and open elections, without barriers to participation or to ideology, and produce clean, verifiable results that reflect the the will of the people. And even with all of these things in place, the Institutional Party was still able to prevail, earning a majority in a six way race. We welcome these results and look forward to hearing what the incoming Deputies have to bring to the table when we reconvene in May."

Minority Parties had a different spin on the results. "Together we were able to demonstrate that there is an appetite for democratic reform in Kalistan, if our combined results, which earned us 48.1% of the total vote, despite the institutional advantages held by the majority," said SNP leader Manuel Suarez, of Yoshimi, who was elected to a seat in the Assembly, representing Suldanor at Large. "We showed that people definitely want the Government to return to power to the people, and that by and large there is a great desire for more popular participation not only in the political system, but also the economic system."

It is unclear whether the Socialist Party, who come to represent economically leftist Institutionalism and has generally gone along with the Institutional Party in most of its votes, will now work with the SNP to help bring political and economic reforms, but Party Leaders of both Parties have suggested that there is still a lot of daylight between the two Parties. "Yes, we both want more Nationalization," said SP Speaker Deputy Gordon McConnell, also representing Suldanor At Large. "But not at the cost of weakening the Empress. Our Party believes that we can have both a strong socialist orientation in the economy, but also maintain the Empress, calling for some reform here and there, but in reality, we'll get farther if we cooperate than if we come out of the gate swinging for the fences." McConnell also said that the threat of fascism in Kalistan may turn pernicious, and it is imperative for Parties to work with the Government to combat that.

Other gains were made by the Liberal Party, who became home for the disaffected moderates in Democracy Forum, who couldn't hold their noses to vote for the more radical PL. The Liberal Party's leader, Marcia Brechtel from Springfield Odufaray, said "Whatever the Socialists claim, there is also an appetite for privatization. We earned close to 20 percent in a lot of races, and you simply cannot ignore the voices of such a strong group. We're going to get bigger and eventually, we'll be able to outvote our communist comrades on the other side. In order to avoid economic damage that too long a nationalization campaign can cause, perhaps the Government can consider privatizing sooner than later."

Vote Totals for the Feb 5659 General Elections in Kalistan

The SocDems, who this election suffered a loss of about 20% of their seats, were characteristically fatalist. Deputy Monica Taylor, of Addisjah made it clear that she will continue her Party's focus on individual rights, social equality, fair wages and a clean environment. "We should be focused on our international Partners, and the things they are doing to keep their houses order," said Taylor. "I just don't want to alienate anyone who can help our nation be the best it can be, in its efforts to improve the lives of the masses." SDP lost three seats in this last election, and the loss of this cadre suggests that, though the totals are small, the government of this Nation has not made a serious gaffe yet. "We are certainly committed to working for change, and are going to vote for anything that helps the people of our nation."

While returning the Institutional Party to Government, all parties were fairly certain that the PL was a vehicle for the International Fascist movement. "We are committed to that sort of fight," said the Chancellor of the Empire, "And furthermore, the Voters roundly rejected their barely hidden admiration for the Kundrati Legion, and their desire to create a nation along similar lines here. The PL is over," said Lady Alvarez.

The PL Speaker, Karl Wagner, said "Its a shame that the Kalistani voter has been so corrupted and misled by Her Imperial Majesty. But in fact, we will be back in 6 years. We're not over at all."

The next regular elections are scheduled Feb 27, 5665. Luckily, Her Imperial Majesty has already signaled that Lady Alvarez is to keep Her Government in place.

@TheRepublic

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Rumors of Kundrati Involvement in Election made Public
"People Correctly Rejected Kundrati Interference" says Empress
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 10, 5956


Her Imperial Majesty Discusses PL Reports in the National Assembly

Her Imperial Majesty addressed the National Assembly this week on the topic of election integrity in light of the recent public revelations that the PL is under investigation for receiving material support from Kundrati agents in Baltusia. "This is what we had long suspected, and now a multi-partisan investigation reveals at least some credence to that allegation," said Her Imperial Majesty, in the National Assembly in Kaliburg. "Kalistan dodged a bullet in this election as the People of our Empire correctly rejected Kundrati Interference, but 5659 was a test run for foreign destabilization efforts. Next time, they may not be so blatently obvious."

The investigation was launched by leaders of the five seated Parties in late March, who agreed to cooperate to investigate the upstart Patriot League and its secretive leader, Karl Wagner of Vrassa City. While Wagner had a long history with the Vrassan Democracy Forum, his now ex wife showed up in Kaliburg in late March with damning documents stolen from Wagner that showed he had received several large contributions during 5658 in the run up to the elections. Wagner was also involved in the collapse of the Democracy Forum, leading calls of corruption against the leadership of the forum within the Vrassan group and demanding investigations. Wagner's ex wife, Kathy Smith, claimed that in October of 5657, he suddenly was able to pay off several of his outstanding debts, though he had not taken more work at his job or appeared to have any additional sources of income.

The report alleges that Mr. Wagner accepted money from several foreign sources, including a group known as Seleyans for Peace, which has been widely discredited as a front organization designed to lobby Northern Seleyan Governments for changes of policy toward Artania generally and Kundrati specifically. Seleyans for Peace has since been tied to the Kundrati Government. Most of the other organizations appear to have been pop up civil service organizations which are operating in Kalistan, including the Kalistani Hosian Businessmen's association, which also provides funds for the Liberal Party, and Young Republic, a quasi militant right wing organization that openly calls for significant constitutional reform around the monarchy. Both organizations are known to be locally operated and funded, and are not illegal.

"The funds are believed to provide the seed money for the PL as an organization and as a campaign," concluded the report, "and if Mr. Wagner was not part of a larger conspiracy, at the very least he was being used as a patsy for several anti-monarchist organizations, including those which are pro-fascist and aim at a Legion style 'democratic coup' in Kalistan similar to the method used by the Kundrati Legion to abolish all political freedom in Kundrati." The bank records revealed that the Seleyans for Peace were the largest single contributors to Mr. Wagner's campaign and individuals suspected of foreign ties sat on the Patriot League's steering committee, which was charged with creating messaging around the Party's platforms. In addition, Mr. Wagner's ex-wife provided evidence of several trips over 5658 to Baltusia taken by Wagner, though Wagner himself claimed that these trips were for pleasure and a desire to see the country.

The allegations were enough to cause the five seat-holding Parties, who were briefed on the initial facts of the case to launch an investigation that concluded at the end of July and was released to the public earlier this month. The investigation revealed strong circumstantial evidence of direct involvement in Kalistani elections by foreign agents, most notably from Kundrati, but no smoking gun style evidence. "We have no transcripts of communications between Mr. Wagner and Kundrati Agents," said Her Imperial Majesty's Minister of Internal Affairs Katherine Sorenson. "We attempted to obtain evidence from IBSI, but they informed us that they do not surveil Kalistani Citizens, and so they were no help either. But there are lots of arrows that point in that direction, and I think most of us are convinced that Kundrati in fact did meddle in our elections in an attempt to both discredit Kalistan and to remove the Monarchy." The Report was fully declassified and published online and most people support the investigation as well as its findings.

The biggest dissenters are members of the Liberal Party who have long stood for a different orientation toward the rest of the world. "Our fear is that this report will be used to clamp down on democracy in Kalistan," said Liberal Deputy and Party Spokeswoman Marcia Brechtel. "We have fought hard to demonstrate that democracy is a viable alternative to fiat rule, and we are still fighting. There is no physical evidence that Mr. Wagner colluded with anyone directly, and while some of the decisions of Mr. Wagner's Party are regretable, nonetheless, this will be painted as evidence that an open system is easily corrupted, when Her Imperial Majesty herself said that the People were the bulwark against that sort of corruption. We don't want this to be a stain on the democracy movement, nor do we want it to be a setback in our push for more open markets with everyone, including Kundrati."

Others actually did challenge the openness of Kalistan's system that allowed this sort of interference to happen in the first place. "Yes, its true that our system is one where foreign agents can interfere," said SNP spokesman Manuel Suarez. "We've got some hard choices ahead to protect the integrity of our elections. While the wall against fascist 'democratic coups' preferred by enemies of humanity like the Kundrati Government held in Kalistan, repeated attacks on several fronts could theoretically overwhelm the ramparts and lead to collapse of the Kalistani Polity itself. And so it might behoove all of us to make some peace with the Empress, if for nothing else, than to assure that fascism is held at bay and pushed entirely out of Seleya, and into the sea where it can drown and die forever, as it deserves."

The Empress for her part has ordered her Minister of Justice to begin formal indictment procedures on Mr. Wagner and several top PL leaders for both association with fascists and for violating the Anti-Fascist Law. "These allegations reveal a reasonable suspicion of Mr. Wagner and his associates in the PL," said Her Imperial Majesty in the National Assembly. "If there is enough evidence to sustain an allegation at trial, we will get that result from the grand jury. If not, we suppose Mr. Wagner shall go free. Either way, this question deserves a day in our courts, and so we have ordered our Justice Minister to begin these grand jury proceedings in accord with the rule of Law. Mr. Wagner has not been found guilty of any crime and is still considered innocent until a court of law has determined otherwise, and as such shall not be unduly hindered by our State in any fashion until such time as he shall be required in Court to answer the State's inquiries surrounding this matter. He is expected to appear before all courts upon his own recognizance. Such is our will, and as such, remains unquestionable."

The Chancellor of the Empire will convene a five party panel to look at elections integrity and efforts that can be taken to safeguard Kalistani elections from foreign interference.

@TheRepublic

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Dea will represent Kalistan at FOMAT
Electropop singer is popular across nearly all demographics
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 22, 5659


Kaliburg's Dea is informed that she will perform at FOMAT

The Electropop sensation who just got off her summer tour of 15 dates in Kalistan Proper has returned to Kaliburg to learn that she has been selected by the Radio 1 Listener's Poll to represent Kalistan in the upcoming FOMAT tournament. Her song "You Feel it in my Kiss," which was the second single from her debut, diamond selling record This Girl was selected by a wide margin from 16 contenders in the recent Round Robin tournament held by Radio 1 to name a representative from Kalistan for the Contest.

"I'm really kind of beside myself with this," said Dea. "I don't even know what to say. The love that people have shown me throughout this whole thing so far, it is so overwhelming and I really am just so grateful for the opportunity to compete." Dea said she didn't even know she had been entered into the contest. "That song is a couple years old now," she said. "But I also know it was a slow riser, and took a while to catch on. I am really glad it means something to so many people."

The song, a smokey torch song, has long been considered by music fans as the best track on the record, but it took a while to catch on among her fans, who wanted more of the upbeat electro dance music that characterizes much of the rest of her debut album. "Celebrate" and "Prove Your Love" both went through their paces on the charts, each hitting number one, before "You Feel it in My Kiss" even sold enough copies to enter the charts, though it was released in January 5658, and then it took an excruciating seven months to slowly climb into the top ten, before finally hitting number one earlier this month.

"That song has so much more emotion in it than the other ones," said Dea. "Yeah, dancing away your troubles is fun, but this one was a labor of love, and was designed to show off my range, and I think the fans finally got used to the poppier, dancier side of me and were looking finally at the deeper cuts." The rise into the top of the radio charts corresponded with the FOMAT poll, which just concluded, and left Dea in the winner's spot.

"I really hope the world is ready," said the confident young singer. "I know most of my records' sales are here in Kalistan. So in a way, they'll be hearing certainly my favorite song on my record for the first time. I am really gonna let them have it--a real tour de force. I hope they never forget it."

Sea will travel to Kazulia for the contest and will sing the song before an international audience. Kalistan has failed to reach the top three in the last few contests, and it is Kalistani music listeners' hope that sending an artist that is perhaps more in tune with where the world is musically will increase votes for Kalistan in the contest. They sure could have picked any number of songs that would land Kalistan in lower spots.

Good Luck to Dea as she prepares to represent Kalistani at FOMAT!

@KalistaniRawkMonthly

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Kalistani reaction to Istalian Announcement is Swift
"This is a major faux pas," says Trade Minister
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 7, 5659


Her Imperial Majesty's Minister for Trade Ms. Melanie Boone, speaks on Istalian expansion

The reaction to the news of Istalia's plans for continued economic encroachment into the Northern Anantonese came swiftly today, as Istalia announced a plan for a State Visit and a major free trade deal in Gaduridos, a Constituent Member of the Anantonese Empire. "This is a major faux pas," said Her Imperial Majesty's Minister for Trade and Industry, Ms. Melanie Boone from the National Assembly in Kaliburg today. "We'd like to continue to give Istalia the benefit of the doubt, but combined with their recent visits to Dolgava, Baltusia, Lodamun and Egelion, it adds up to a program to slowly encroach their way into the Anantonese Ocean."

Ms. Boone could not conjecture why Istalia was focusing its efforts on the Northern Anantonese. "I can't imagine that they feel that this region is underserved by major economic actors," said the Trade Minister. "Egelion and Kalistan are both major players in the Northern Anantonese itself, and Dolgava and Lodamun more or less dominate trade and commerce in the Eastern Mad Dog Ocean. So what is a country all the way over on the other side of the world, doing focusing a multi-year campaign on the Northern Anantonese? It is impossible to tell, unless their goal is to set themselves up as rivals to Kalistan. As they say themselves, they are interested in setting up a global trade network that they control, that they consolidate and that they expand. They are seeking to conduct imperialism in our part of the world, and they really have gone too far now."

The biggest issue with the State visit is that the Kingdom of Gaduridos (which the Istalian Paper called "the Republic of Gaduridos, though this is not accurate, nor has it been a republic since before Gaduri accession to the Anantonese Empire,) is actually a constituent Member of the the Anantonese Empire, and its head of state, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto, is represented in the nation by Viceroy Plenipotential, Lord Javier Treviño. "The Viceroy is Her Imperial Majesty's Representative to Gaduridos. But he was not informed of this state meeting, on any level before Istalia announced it, nor would he have taken it without conferring with Her Imperial Majesty. This is a fairly serious breech of protocol, and one that the Emperor of Istalia should be well aware of--and yet they set the meeting and the agenda anyway."

What Istalia should have done was to approach Her Imperial Majesty first, discuss matters and asked if expansion of the Istalian economic empire into Gaduridos was in the Anantonese Empire's interest. "It's pretty simple: Istalia is targeting our region. The Empress will want to have a stake in that. But the Istalians absolutely bypassed the existing power arrangement, demonstrating that they do not respect the status quo in this region and setting themselves up as challengers to Kalistan. Imagine if Her Imperial Majesty went to some city in Egelion and made a special deal that sidestepped the King of that nation entirely. Does anyone think that's legitimate?"

The Trade Minister was clear: "We have had to tolerate the encroachment of economic liberalism from that distant land into our Ocean for years. We don't get to have a say over what Lodamun does, or what Dolgava does, or what Egelion does, or regrettably, what Baltusia does. They are fully independent nations, and make their decisions without regard to how it will affect Kalistan on any level. But we stand upon our rights in the Anantonese Empire. There is no state apparatus in Gaduridos that the Istalians can treat with: that is controlled in Kalistan, and Her Imperial Majesty has stated that further encroachment of Istalia into the region is antithetical to Anantonese Interests."

The Trade Minister then listed a serious grievance with Istalia, and suggested that sanctions may be in order if Istalia doesn't back off. "Kalistan was not approached by Istalia- The closest thing we got was an informal request by Istalia to allow them to build shipyards in Kalistan, specifically to compete with the Kalistani Shipbuilding industries centered in Sulari, Kaliburg, and Ciudad de Gadur, a request Her Imperial Majesty flatly rejected, because why would we allow a foreign competitor from half way around the globe, to set up shop in the Anantonese Empire to compete with the Anantonese Empire? We are not liberals after all. We are hard mercantilists. Other than that, Kalistan has been, in fact, ignored by Istalia who instead sees their success in taking everything around Kalistan. Her Imperial Majesty feels this is bad faith. But we would like to hear the Emperor of Istalia out. Perhaps there is mutual benefit that can be gained. But make no mistake: If Istalia insists that it should have the advantage, Kalistan will take appropriate steps to block Istalia as much as possible."

The Trade Minister answered a question about possible walk-back. "It's not too late. Let's do things the correct way, rather than this little sneaking, way that Istalia has been engaging in so far, which reeks of opportunism and deception. Kalistan does not want a trade war with Istalia. So far, Istalian economic encroachment into this region, despite its several free trade treaties has been minimal, and mostly to the sending country's benefit, not to Istalia's. Her Imperial Majesty's position is that Istalia doesn't go to Gaduridos before it comes to Kalistan. Proper is proper. If there is any economic treaties to be made with either Kalistan or Gaduridos, our advantage must be secured in that treaty. Not Istalia's. Her Imperial Majesty has no desire to allow either nation to become part of an Istalian controlled trade network. Free trade that is mutually beneficial on the other hand is an entirely different matter."

The Trade Minister said little of the Istalian desire to promote the cultural narrative of Istalian responsibility for Vintalli. "Our own history confirms a large part of Istalia's story about Vintalli's cultural origins. That was millenia ago though, and the idea that there is still a distinct culture on their whose roots can be drawn directly back to Istalia is kind of silly given the number and different kinds of people who occupied those islands since then. But sure: If they want to tell a cultural story that centers them in Seleya 5600 years ago, so be it- Kalistan was there more recently than Istalia and for longer, and the people we met there were Vintallians. We have no dog in that ancient race."

@TheRepublic