Hobrazia

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President Vasil Khimshiashvili reportedly hospitalised with bronchitis
21 April 5688

According to unconfirmed reports, Hobrazia’s long-serving president Vasil Khimshiashvili has been hospitalised with bronchitis. Khimshiashvili has served as president and as the leader of the Hobrazian Patriotic People’s Party for the past thirty-six years. He has suffered from a number of health complications over the past eighteen months.

Khimshiashvili succeeded to the presidency upon the death of his father in 5652. In the period since then, he has exercised almost complete control over the institutions of the Hobrazian state. Khimshiashvili’s rule has been characterised by a total intolerance of political opposition. Though regular elections have been held, they have been decried as a sham by human rights organisations.

In light of the president’s health concerns, there has been growing speculation about who will succeed him. Hobrazia has operated as an effective hereditary dictatorship for half a century. Khimshiashvili has at least six confirmed children from three marriages. Prior to becoming president, he had been earmarked for the role since his youth. Unlike his father though, the current president has not designated an heir apparent.

New Voice is an independent Hobrazian-language news organisation based in Luthori.