Vanuku

[Kubrick]

Minister Trmékez aims for "economic miracle"

Minister of Finance Intrsmor Shlajkaisrmko Trmékez during the interview with Grak Sháhazi.

10 January 5679 (backdated)

Many expected the Jelbic big tent traditionalists of the Tanhriék Prostrnatnyrmojad (Tanhri's Will) movement to become the junior coalition partners in the Jez Shrmoishto (Grand Coalition). However, Minister Trmékez, the successful businessman behind the party has shown himself to be a deft politician. Using his business acumen as proof of his skills he was given the Finance Ministry as the single prominent position within the cabinet for the TP. Rumours are that the liberal bloc led by Prefect Anzlék-Zahr and Minister Z'nstro expected their junior partner to go along with their plans and not make a fuzz. Minister Trmékez has instead become one of the more popular figureheads of the Grand Coalition. His tax reform, giving a big relief for the lower and middle classes and raising taxes on wealthy landowners while maintaining low business taxes, have proven immensely popular with the public who applaud his efforts to "make life more affordable". Trmékez has surprised the public with his policies, with many critics expecting him to continue his own style of business as Finance Minister. As a businessman Trmékez made his wealth by buying smaller companies, sometimes through hostile takeovers, and seeking every possible angle to dodge corporate taxes. As Finance Minister his missions seems to be to combat his own style of "predatory capitalism" as he himself dubbed it. However, he is still seen as a man that favours heavy industry and has refused to heed the calls of Mri Hilleskedrsme Ehwre's Aked Prta (Red Party) to increase corporate taxes.

Today the Minister announced his plans for a "forced economic miracle", citing the need for exponential growth to strengthen Wrnuke's position and raise the standard of living back to the golden years of the Jelbic Empire. Minister Trmékez: "The ten years of the transitional period have seen the economy stabilise and transfer from a state-planned bureaucratic mess to lawless capitalism. Neither of those are good options, you need that sweet spot in between where business can grow, workers are protected, and the state received a small share to pump back into other businesses. That's where you get that growth we need, the growth we will forcefully make happen if need be." The first step of the government is to re-establish Wrnuke's own exchange index and join the global market, the new index will be named Wiel Efks Indeks (WEKS), or Wiel Securities Index (WSX) for the international market. Trmékez announced it would open on November 1st. Before that moment in eleven months the government will open several schemes for both small and big companies to profit from: "The idea is expansion, growth, increased international presence. We are keeping it low on rules and regulations, so they are fairly easy to apply for, but if you have a good business plan you can submit it and get a special 0% interest loan approved. A state investment corporation, built on our new pensions, will then also invest in companies within the Kingdom to both grow its own portfolio and strengthen our industry." The schemes will be paid for by Wrnuke's reserves and an immense contribution from the King, who has sold around 80% of the family's assets in recent years to properly solidify his position as a constitutional monarch and not to be the "businessman with a crown" as he called himself.

The Grak Sháhazi (Black Lion) is a periodic news magazine that was once founded by leftist Wrnukaék journalists in exile, it attracts mostly centre-left readers with academic backgrounds.