Bianjie

[journey]

Socialists lose the majority, but do not lose hope of governing
For the first time since 5643, elections resulted in a hung parliament, with the centrist Horizon party being kingmaker
17 April 5668



In a shocking election night, broadcast by the nation's largest and most popular broadcaster across the Bianjie, the ruling coalition of the Socialist People's and the Progressive Communist parties have lost the majority, for the first time since 5643, when the centre-right Democratic People's Coalition, the predecessor of the Democratic People's Party, won the election, and formed the minority government with the support of Gurun and independent members of the Khanate Yuan. With 113 out of 115 seats required to form a majority government, socialists and communists are now looking disappointed, but there is still hope for them.

As the State Electoral Administration announced the preliminary election results, it became evident that the Horizon will hold the keys to the next government, and it will be up to them whether a left-wing or a right-wing coalition takes the reins of Bianjie for the next 5 years. In her election night speech, Premier and SPP leader Ajigen Kode directly announced that the Socialist People's Party will invite Horizon to join her coalition with the Progressive Communist Party. "I, as a mayor, as a premier, as the leader of the socialists, have dedicated myself to making sure Bianjie remains engaged in Dovani affairs; remains committed to making sure that Dovani transforms into a leading force of the world, and we will continue to do so, leading me to hope that Horizon joins our side, to continue the work", said Kode. On the other hand, DPP leader and leader of the opposition, Oboi Dolok, have called for Horizon to side with the centre-right opposition, to "steer the wheel in a way people want", but have not mentioned pan-Dovanism or any actions in that direction.

And when the time of the Horizon party leader to do his election speech had come, journalists reported that the speech was postponed for about 30 minutes, as the sources within the pan-Dovanist party said that Taksi Gioro was not expecting this result to become the kingmaker of the election. However, thirty minutes later, Gioro did come out before his supporters and journalists. Gioro talked a lot about appreciating the support given to Horizon, avoiding his position on the coalition, but in the end, Gioro gave a hint as to what Horizon will do: "The majority of people have voted for a change in the government, and that is a fact. But the people wish a stable government, committed to the development of Bianjie, and our place within the greater Dovani project". Many journalists and experts have called this line a move towards the left, but Gioro remains sceptical.

Still, with 113 out of 229 seats in the national legislature, SPP–PCP holds a bigger influence and power, and possibly chances, to form the next government, than the right-wing opposition, which, while close politically, actually has a lot of contempt for one another. According to anonymous DPP members, party leader Dolok have repeatedly talked about avoiding NCU, while his deputies are less sceptical about working with NCU, "as long as it puts democrats in charge". Now, the next government is in the hands of Horizon, but it remains unclear whether the government will survive the next five years.



The Daily Report (日報), also known as Nippō, 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]

Horizon chooses socialists, allowing them to govern for five more years
9 June 5668



After nearly two months following the general election, which resulted in a hung parliament, with the centrist pan-Dovanist Horizon party being the kingmaker in deciding the next government, the leader of the latter came out before the public, announcing the decision the political force he leads had taken after negotiations with both the left and the right. According to Taksi Gioro, Horizon have been focusing primarily on the issue the party cares the most about, which is the increase of Bianjian presence in Dovani, its affairs and economy, as well as general internationalist stance.

Gioro said that the socialists, obviously, wanted the deal to finish in their favour, so they were much more open to any proposals, ideas and policies, and hearing out Horizon fully, which was immediately received positively within the party. At the same time, DPP held strict negotiations with Horizon, being very reluctant to any non-isolationist foreign policy issue, including the very main one that Gioro's party follows. "They did not put it away immediately, absolutely, but at the same time, after a couple of rounds of talks between us, I think my team and I figured that there is no future in this, and even if we come to some kind of an agreement, the coalition would not live for long", Gioro said.

So in the end, Gioro says, Horizon went on a special party congress to vote on each proposal from the right and the left proposals made by socialists and democrats. The SPP coalition proposal received an overwhelming 87% of the membership approval, while the right-wing proposal from the DPP got just over 38% of the approval votes, leading the party leadership to move towards the final stages of the coalition negotiations, which will commence in the upcoming days, with the Yuan expected to vote for Kode's re-election as premier and the installation of the new cabinet in the next two or three weeks, according to the Yuan's president Sain Imutu, who was re-elected unanimously in Yuan almost a month ago.



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

[journey]

State Council to look into the construction of a hydroelectric power station
17 July 5669



GEMUN: It was never a secret that the socialist-communist coalition central government in Gemun, for years, if not decades, has been aiming to create an "energetically independent and self-sufficient" Bianjie through various means, including the obvious construction of energy providers and power stations such as oil rigs, solar farms, and similar facilities. This time, with a public announcement, the State Council declared that the relevant agency, the Ministry of Mining and Natural Resources (MMNR), alongside Bianjie Electric Company (BEC, or Bedenkai), is exploring the construction of a hydroelectric power station, or simply a dam, on one of the nation's many rivers.
 
In a video message released on Hatoyu, the Minister of Mining and Natural Resources, Murhaci Engite, described the process as being only in the "preparational phase," with the State Council establishing a special commission within the central government structure to evaluate potential dam sites that would cause minimal environmental impact. Simultaneously, Engite urged experts across the country to submit applications to join the commission as non-staff advisors to assist the government with this "very complex case."
 
According to Engite, a single dam, if sufficiently large and powerful, could supply energy to hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of households nationwide, especially if situated upstream on the river. "We have many options for locating the station, but we are also quite limited in the number of suitable sites due to our aim to minimise damage; however, it is both my and the entire government's belief that once the dam is built, it will be a very positive development for us, our energy grid, and our economy."
 
Meanwhile, the opposition has once again criticised the government for its "populist" style of governance, dismissing the plans to construct a hydroelectric power station anywhere in the country as a "very inefficient and expensive money-laundering scheme." Oboi Dolok, leader of the opposition, argued that while strengthening the Bianjian energy grid is a good idea, the government’s approach is "shameful." Yuan caucus leader of the PCP, Ming Gao, responded to Dolok's remarks, adding that if the opposition wants to succeed in elections, it must cease being contrarian and instead adopt a constructive rather than disruptive stance.



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

[journey]

A fight for faith: how government quietly tries to secularise the nation
A look inside the current state of religion in Bianjie, and the covert actions the government takes to decrease its presence
12 September 5671



For centuries, if not millennia, the small Bianjian state and its population have largely followed traditional folk religions, also known as Bianjian shamanism, with the majority of citizens believing in pantheons and animals, resulting in a shamanism that combines animism and polytheism. And, according to the polls, plurality of Bianjians have nothing against it, though the reformist movement is rising, and seemingly now, has taken over the socialist government, which is covertly trying to set the course towards a majority secular nation.

Officially, the socialists rarely take a stance against the religious groups, or faith in general, with some individual members, usually from the more radical and traditional left-wing wings of the party, including youth wing members, speaking out against religion and in favour of the secularisation of society. However, even though there is no official stance on the matter from the party or government, behind the scenes, the political leadership is attempting to take a stance and move towards reducing the country's religious presence. According to the anonymous interlocutors in the SPP, the party leadership, especially the secretary-general Jakdan Andara, have been demanding that leadership at the provincial and country levels hold lectures with the members and supporters and agitate to turn irreligious, even though there is admission in the SPP headquarters that it will not be that easy and could take generations of Bianjians to turn the numbers.

One of the main reasons why the socialists are doing this, according to the anonymous party member, is that the shamanist religions are "stalling the progress", especially now that Bianjie is transforming into an open society. "Basically, people who are following any folk religions are usually the working or lower class, less educated or completely uneducated people from mostly rural areas", says the anonymous member. "And in the leadership's vision, which, in all honesty, has some ground from the numbers the State Bureau of Statistics provides, shamanism is standing in the way of educating people". Some members go as far as calling folk religions "barbaric", calling for total eradication, through radical measures, but being stopped by the national leadership, who are taking it cautiously, to not anger the citizens, or spark social unrest.

On the other side, a significant part of the nation, usually Yingdalans in the north and Sumans in the southwest, follow Daenism as their faith, something which the socialists are "too afraid to touch", according to both SPP and PCP members, with the former saying that PCP, whose electorate consists primarily of the Yingdalans, also are conflicted on the issue, and usually trying to taboo the discussion of any actions against the Daenism in Bianjie, with the communist local representatives and mayors even supporting the Daenist churches and parishioners. "For them, going against the Daenism like this would mean the end of their monopoly on Yingdalans, and they can't lose it, so they have to tolerate religiosity through their teeth", a socialist anonymous interlocutor told us.

The government is looking into ways to limit the presence of the traditional folk religions in the nations, as well as Daenism and other less prevalent religions, but doing it very cautiously, so as not to tread on the freedom of religion, without sparking any unrest. "The idea is to make something truly crazy: a quiet revolution. They don't want it to be quick, but they need it to be swift. They don't want to make it hurt, but they want to make an impression", said the socialist interlocutor. According to him, SBS has presented the numbers on the effects of the local secularisation campaign, requested by the government, and there has been a slight decrease, but it is hard to say whether it was a result of SPP actions or simply Bianjie modernising as a result of globalisation and migration. There is certainly a vision of the anti-religious campaign in the Sōri Kōtei, yet it bumps into a lot of uncertainty, and questions as to how one must do it without force and public knowing about it in the first place.  



The Daily Report (日報), also known as Nippō, 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]

Finance minister Aturamo: the solution to the housing crisis is more than just building new homes 
Talking at the biannual Ambagašan Economic Forum, finance minister Marsai Aturamo spoke about the government's plan to tackle the housing crisis in the country
8 June 5672



"In my opinion, many people falsely think that the solution to the housing crisis in Bianjie, or any other country, is simply to build more houses", said the Minister of Finance Marsai Aturamo, at the biannual Ambagašan Economic Forum located at the homonymous city. "The real problem lies in the system, in the way neoliberal capitalist structure is operating, and let my fellow economist colleagues forgive me for using scary words like these, but it is true". At the forum, Aturamo proceeded to push the idea that the reason for the ever-increasing housing costs in the country lies not in a lack of housing, but rather in the exploitation of it by major corporations and individual billionaires.

According to the finance minister, the State Council has been researching the issue for the past couple of years, working with various high-profile economists on both the left and right spectrum, as well as the education institutions, like the University of Gemun, Ersangi University of Technology, and Niyalma School of Economics. After a significant amount of research, experiments were done in 9 different cities in Bianjie and 5 more cities worldwide. The working group of the SC and MOF concluded that, indeed, the problem lies in a bigger systemic problem. "What the group has said in their report is that, basically, the crisis is completely artificial, created by the excessive acquisition of housing as assets", said minister Aturamo.

He says the conclusion that the group arrived at, and he personally as well, is that there needs to be a proper plan of action to tackle the inequality and exploitation of the market by the corporations and the rich people, including the "very serious conversation" about the transformation of the housing into assets, something which has been the key factor in the sudden growth in rents and costs of the housing, especially in urban areas. Aturamo said that his ministry, alongside the very same working group, has been developing the programme, which will focus on addressing the issue with a "calm and balanced approach".

Sources close to the Ministry of Finance have told Bekkei that the ongoing process of creating the housing reform alongside the economist working group will involve a series of direct actions that the MOF will take to address the issue, including the creation of the oversight body to control the investment into housing by the corporations, and the power which will allow the body to seize assets in favour of the cooperatives or the government, however, that can and will only be used in extreme cases, which are not specified yet. Additionally, the discussion is about the creation of a wealth and asset tax, which may "help the wealthy to get rid of their excessive amount of money", one of the MOF workers jokingly told Bekkei. At the same time, in parallel with this, the finance ministry is developing a major plan for reforming social housing, which must transform the process from simple "soulless structures" into proper cooperatives, subsidised and encouraged by the government.

Closing his speech at the forum, Marsai Aturamo has addressed the businesses and entrepreneurs, who could be worried of the incoming reform: "Now, I am pretty sure that there will be enough criticism of the additional government regulations and oversight of certain actions done by the private businesses and individuals, which might scare folks away from our country, but I want to be very clear: if working and lower-class people will have a roof over their heads, it means more labour force, which means corporations grow", the finance minister pointed out. "I assure you, we have no intent to attack the businesses or private sector. So, I ask you to have a long-term vision, faith and patience".



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]

Dilemma on the right, as the opposition fails to win the election again
21 April 5673



GEMUN: It has been about 30 years since the last time Bianjie saw the non-socialist government, back in 5643, when the opposition alliance Democratic People's Coalition achieved a record victory, winning 102 out of 229 seats, leading them to create a minority government in an informal coalition with Gurun and a couple of independent Yuan deputies. However, just five years later, the alliance lost their re-election bid, with the right-wing parties failing to win any national election ever since.

Ever since the formation of the Democratic People's Party, many political pundits have pointed out to the energetic fresh opposition to the socialist domination in Bianjie, with opinion polling showing a tight race between the two sides, with some even suggesting DPP would come first. However, the results have proven wrong, and the SPP–PCP have prevailed yet again in 5663. But the real challenge came just five years later, at the 5668 election, when the socialist-communist coalition lost their majority for the first time in 25 years, but didn't lose the chance to govern. SPP–PCP were joined by the Horizon, to form the first tripartite coalition since the second government of Abatai Soca.

Leading up to the election this year, polls once again were suggesting a tight race, with a certainty that the democrats are going to win the plurality for the first time since 5643 election, however, with a couple months prior to the vote, the cyan tide which was already a fact, began to turn around, after the socialists began an intense campaign of showing off the socialist achievements for the past five years of second Premier Kode term and 30 years of continuous SPP-led governments. Despite the majority of the population wanting a change of leadership, according to the ISUG poll, a plurality of voters still prioritised the stability, provided by the SPP, as well support for the "populist" policies, and tackling of the various crises in the country, such as housing, energy, infrastructure, education and employment.

Despite leading throughout most of the SPP–PCP–HOR term, the democrats have failed to capitalise on the change wave amongst the electorate, leading them to lose the lead in polls, to lose the support among the most important issues. After years of a promising victory of the right-of-centre forces after 30 years in the opposition, DPP not only failed to gain any votes and seats, the situation was even worse: they lost. Dolok, who had been named Premier-in-waiting became the biggest loser of the election, facing major opposition within the party, demanding his resignation as the conservative wing of the party, more open to cooperate with the NCU, has been rising rapidly now. In his concession speech, Dolok admitted that the party has its problem with messaging, but refused to take any personal responsibility for the loss, instead he went on to blame socialists for the "unfair" treatment of the opposition parties, as well as the "usage of the administrative resources" to benefit the coalition campaign.

After being named the leader of the new young anti-socialist movement, Dolok turned into what has been causing democrats to lose: establishment figure, capable only of the criticism, without any viable alternative to the SPP programme. For many within the party, the chance to become the next government has been lost with this embarrassing loss. At least, as long as Dolok is in charge. But the party has no other popular and influential face to present, leading the party into yet another identity crisis. "Unfortunately, we turned into simply a big tent single issue movement, with the issue being just anti-socialist. People don't want that, people want actions and policies, and we couldn't present it to them, hence the result", an anonymous DPP member told Daex.



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

[journey]

Bianjie celebrates the tercentenary of the Khanate with a calm yet powerful festival
14 August 5673



Ready to welcome a myriad of domestic and foreign tourists, the Absungkilha Square, the heart and the soul of the capital city of Bianjie, Gemun, has been given a festive makeover ahead of the 300th anniversary of the coup d'état, which led to the proclamation of the Khanate in the country. Hours before the final stages of the celebration, which were planned to be held at the square, thousands of Bianjians from all over the country were seen waving the national and royal flags, with children having the flag colours on their cheeks, while the older Bianjians were humming the national anthem.

According to the festivities plan set out by the government and agreed with the Privy Council, the anniversary day would be celebrated in three phases, with the first one beginning in the royal Orchid Palace, where Khan Nurhaci walks along the Heavenly Hall, honouring the late monarchs of the nation, with the heir apparent or Katun waiting for the Khan at the end of the hall, thanking Khan for the service and asking to bless the royal family. After a small, humble tradition at the Orchid Palace, the Khan went to the Monument of the Victors, where the coup d'état was launched in August 5373 by a group of monarchists against the far-left authoritarian regime. Khan would honour and thank all the members of the monarchist group, as well as the other unknown soldiers, for their service and efforts done 300 years ago, which led to the proclamation of the khanate. And for the final phase, the Bianjian monarch would arrive at the Absungkilha Square to deliver a speech to the nation.

"...It is my hope and prayer that 300 years is just the beginning, that we are not anywhere close to the end, but rather that the prosperity, stability and unity of our nation is there for many more years to come. It is my honour to stand here before you all, having honoured our fallen heroes whose bravery and courage brought us here 300 years ago, as well as our late Khans, who have led Bianjie with nobility and glory. This is not the end, this is only the beginning. Tumense! Tumense! Tumense!", the Khan's speech finished with wishing long live to the monarchy of Bianjie.

Following the speech, a massive concert took place, with many famous pop and folk artists of Bianjie, such as Pinggu Shugiya, performing her patriotic ode to the nation, "A legendary evening", before the 10 thousand Bianjians, who came to see the celebration live, as well as hundreds of thousands at home, watching the concert broadcast on the major television channels. Among the viewers of the speech and concert were international guests attending the ceremony, among them were the foreign royals, such as the Kalistani emperor Frederick IV, along with his royal family, the Istalian emperor Tomasso with his wife Melissa, the Egelian King Artemio and Queen Anastasia Alexanderova. Attending the ceremony were also the Xsampan Premier Sangmo and the Custodian Dhargay Allemand, members of the Valruzian presidency, Kaja Romanowicz, Andrzej Gajdos and Maja Kocur, as well as the Istalian foreign minister Lucio Dallara and the Istalian ambassador in Bianjie Corrado Marchesi.



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

[journey]

For the first time in almost four years, in an exclusive interview with the nation's largest culture newspaper, the pop queen of the Bianjian musical scene, Pinggu Shugiya, sits down with me to discuss her private life in detail and reflect on twenty years of her career. She says "I have nothing to hide" and reveals the hidden side of her life, including her upbringing, along with messages from people familiar with her childhood and current private life.

I have met Pinggu for an interview at Fetembi City Junior High School, our alma mater, with Madam Shugiya. "Looks exactly as I remember it", Pinggu began as we entered the building. I led our guest to the previously prepared place with two chairs, a set of cameras and lights. After a moment of preparation, I began with a question to Pinggu about the place we met at: her school. We talked to her former teachers and classmates to give a more detailed history of Shugiya's life in these walls. Shugiya's former teacher, who said her "expressive abilities were outstanding" even back then, shared memories of the first time they met and an episode in which she felt Shugiya's kindness remained unchanged even after graduation. Pinggu herself says that the teachers were a really big inspiration for her in those years of life and going forward, and that it was the teachers who pushed young Shiguya to pursue her dreams of becoming an artist. Her classmates share a similar story, saying that Pinggu was a quiet yet smart kid who changed a lot as she became older, but the change was rather positive, especially once she became a mother.

Talking about the early life, we slowly went into the career territory, but before that, I asked Madam Shugiya about her role as a mother, and the two kids that she gave birth to almost 17 and 14 years ago. When I asked her that, she smiled at me, taking a solid minute before answering. "They are my daily dose of happiness, inspiration and will to live", she replied with a wide grin across her face. She gave birth to her first son, Alin, when she was just 24, at the beginning of a sudden jump in her career, as she became a major star on the scene. "I would not call it an accident, but obviously, it changed things a bit for me back then", she reveals, adding that she had to learn how to be a mother-singer and combine her artistic and parent sides. "Luckily, I had the help of my husband, as well as the whole family", Pinggu added. "I was really lucky in how supportive my family was in my ambitions, my rights and wrongs. Had they rejected my wishes, or pushed me to do something I did not want to do, I would not be here today". Despite being open about her kids, in prior interviews and this one right here, Madam Shugiya barely ever mentions anything about her husband, and I was curious, so I asked Pinggu why. She looked at me for a moment, shrugged her hands, and said, "I love him as much as possible, but I know he wouldn't want me to talk about him" She laughed as she finished. "But truly, [Ebilun] has been nothing but a big support of mine, and he left his office job to be there for me at home, though I know he's full-on freelance there with Alin and Chu growing older and older", she laughs again.

Slowly, I pushed us to the career part. Though many have already asked Madam Shugiya a lot of repetitive questions about her career before, I decided to take a different, more philosophical approach to the career part of our interview. I asked Pinggu to look back at her twenty years on the stage and describe the feelings. Pinggu took a deep sigh, looking at the floor for a couple of seconds. "I am very happy to be where I am right now", she answered. "I am happy to be beloved by so many people, from north to south, even across the world. I am happy to be someone's relief, cure or simple answer to how to spend time. I am happy to make music after all, because it is my passion. I love experimenting with the sound, with the genres, with the beautiful artists I mean and work with", she took a long list of reasons for her happiness. Pinggu said that while she has some regret for the mistakes she has made in her life, she would still choose to remain and live this life. "Above all, I am barely 40, my career has only begun, and I am not going to stop, I still have more achievements to get, and awards to win", she laughs at me. Madam Shugiya said that just yesterday, she finished recording her new single, which is supposed to come out by the end of June, giving me the exclusive demo version of the song, which I will pin at the end of the article. At the same time, the pop queen says her team is working on the first major tour in almost 5 years, across the Bianjie, and possibly abroad, though she is not sure for a couple of reasons she wouldn't disclose to me.

With the interview coming to an end, I asked her a question about her sudden statement during the latest Festival of the Musical Arts in Terra edition, hosted in Niyalma, when she did not rule out a third take to win the international contest. "I still will not say I am definitely not going, or going. There is always time and a place for anything. If I get a proper song and the BHK's board decides to give me the chance yet again, I will go", Pinggu replied. "But there are a lot of ifs, so I wouldn't hope just yet". And on that note, I thanked Pinggu for agreeing to make this interview, thanking Madam Shiguya for her service, wishing her good luck in her private life, as well as the bigger growth of her popularity and musical career.

[Video: https://youtu.be/cNF_4jeH2ng]

[journey]

Construction of the largest hydropower plant in Bianjie begins on the Golminula River 

9 August 5677



Calling the "symbol of the Bianjie's future", Premier Ajigen Kode, alongside the Minister of Mining, Natural Resources and Energy Marsai Feiya, spoke at the opening ceremony of the construction works of the Golminula Damm, attended by the local government leaders, mayors and deputies, as well as the activists. According to the Premier, a new chapter in Bianjie's "energy independence" begins today, as the ground was broken for what will become the largest hydropower facility in the country.

Rising on the banks of the fast-flowing Golminula River, crossing the southern provinces, the nation's capital city, Gemun, and falling into the Sovereign Sea, the plant is promised to strengthen Bianjie's energy grid, delivering up to 2,000 megawatts, enough to provide electricity to nearly a million households across the country. According to the executive director of the Bianjie Electric Company, Anoulak Keoduangdy, the government expects the first turbine to go online by 5683, with the full completion of the construction slated for 5687.

Premier Kode said that the dam is a part of the larger non-spoken project that the socialist government "set out decades ago", seeking to reduce Bianjie's dependence on imported energy and expand its green economy further and further, making Bianjie self-sufficient in its needs, despite the nation's small population and area size. "For centuries, the Golminula has carved its way through the mountains, feeding our valleys, powering mills and helping our farmers across the southern lands", Kode said. "Now, we accumulate its strength not only for small villages, not only for nature, not only for ourselves now, but for our children, and other generations to come".

Before the construction, the question of the hydropower plant became divisive in society, as well on the political arena. Ever since the announcement and formation of the special commission of experts under the State Council's guidance, the issue of research and works took commission members almost six years to develop a proper report and further plan of action for the government. "Our mission was to take a deep dive into the nation's geography, to find places where the plant could've been constructed; the nation's demography, to find places where the dam's placement would hurt the local citizens the least, or avoid damage completely", a member of the commission, Lan Garja, former vice-president of the Bianjie Academy of Sciences, said. "We have had various public meetings and town halls with people around the nation, discussing this, because we fully understood the problems, the need to explain, and engage citizens for something as major as this". Minister of Environment and Ecology, Ajigen Nisiri, added that the government is building trust with the people through this project and public engagement in the discussion of this project. 

Shogyoshi (商業紙, Commercial Paper) is the daily and the largest financial newspaper in Bianjie, founded in 5497. 
@Shogyoshi
#infrastructure
#hydropower
#construction

[journey]

Premier Kode to run for a fourth term as the leader of the socialists
In an unprecedented move, Ajigen Kode announces that she will run for another term as SPP leader, breaking the party's informal three-term rule 
11 May 5677 (backdated)



For almost 60 years now, ever since the foundation of the Socialist People's Party, and its subsequent domination of the Bianjian domestic politics, the party formed a set of rules for its leaders, and therefore premiers, which included one major rule: no more than three terms for a sitting leader, and a peaceful transition. Despite it being an informal agreement, all leaders to date have held on to the rule, even though many considered breaking it. Finally, after more than 60 years of the party's existence, the rule was broken, with the incumbent Premier and SPP leader, Ajigen Kode, announcing her candidacy for a fourth five-year term as the head of the governing party.

Kode, 65, has been leading the Socialist People's Party since 5662, following the retirement of the late Abatai Soca. Formerly a mayor of the nation's capital city, Gemun, Kode became the third socialist leader representing the southern parts of the country, solidifying the position within the party. Despite her leading the party through two close elections, both in 5668 and 5673, Kode kept her position, with no viable alternative on the horizon. However, many expected the 5673 election to be Kode's last, as per the rule, and many have been preparing for the new open race of candidates. The fourth term announcement became a shocker for the majority of the party members, with many criticising the move as "authoritarian" and "power-grabbing", demanding Kode to step down, and withdraw from the race. "I think it is a disgrace to the legacy of our party and its former leaders to violate simple democratic agreements", said one of the Yuan caucus MPs anonymously.

For ones, the move became a sign of growing autocratic tendencies amongst the party leadership, especially the Premier's surroundings and close allies; for others, a further demonstration of the ignorance towards the northern provinces of Bianjie, with the leader of the Irudai's provincial chapter of the Socialist People's Party, Yazhu Bulni, saying he will make everything possible to prevent "another southerner" from being elected as the leader, as well as boycott the election altogether if Kode will run. "When I joined SPP, it was a party of all Bianjians, and I hope it still is", Bulni said. According to several members of the party, as well as political experts, Bulni himself is a serious contender for the position if he decides to contest it.

Premier herself sees nothing wrong in her candidacy, saying that she has the "youth and expertise" to keep leading the party as long as the membership views it positively for the SPP, dismissing any claims that it is power-grabbing, adding that "rules are meant to be broken", addressing criticism of her fourth term attempt, which is violating the "three-term rule". Kode says that she is not holding to the position, and she will step aside if the party rejects her re-election in a democratic vote; however, she will not "be pressured" into pulling out of the race.

So far, with less than a month and a half left before the leadership election, four candidates have announced their campaign, with up to 5 more expected to run sooner or later in the upcoming weeks, including the Bulni, who is reportedly still considering all the possible options on the table, while the growing discontent with the Kode leadership, and her re-election announcement prompting many high-level members to push Bulni in the race as soon as possible. It is rather rare to see any opinion polling on the issue of leadership elections; however, a rare internal polling report from the Kode team, leaked to the Nippō by an anonymous member of the Premier's side, shows a grim picture for the incumbent leader, with only 28% of the members wishing to re-elect the Premier. In comparison, 41% express their support for the Bulni. If that's the case in mid-June, Bulni will become the leader.



The Daily Report (日報), also known as Nippō, 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.