Jacobean Cildania (5321 - 5369)

[Wu Han]

Concerns over Depares' views 'dragging out' government formation
1 May 5322

Though Bandiera Waħda won the most seats at last September's elections, their leader's outspoken conservatism is preventing a new government from being formed - according to those involved in negotiations.

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Concerns over Depares' views on women's rights and LGBT+ rights are preventing a workable coalition from being formed, according to insiders involved in the negotiations to form a new government. The leader of the BW has been a controversial figure on the Cildanian political scene since he was instrumental to the party's founding several years ago. Though a supporter of democracy, who rose to prominance out of the movement for multi-party elections, the unmistakeable religious bent of his views makes him a fringe character - sometimes even within his own party.

The AgK and the PLR voted for the Women's Emancipation Act and the Progressive Reform Regarding Refugee Treatment Act when Depares stood against both. Though this was electorally beneficial to the BW in some areas, presenting themselves as the most traditionalist party on the ballot, those votes have helped to politically isolate the BW and its leader. Other parties have made clear that they do not want him as Prime Minister or in a senior cabinet position.

His sudden sacking of party defence spokeswoman Margerita Giudice two years ago was blamed on 'misogyny' and 'sexism' by opposition supporters and the mainstream media. Depares denies those accusations and maintains that though he thinks women are 'natural mothers and homemakers', he supports their equality as citizens and voters. His wife, Ayisha, has campaigned by his side on several occasions. He has a history of conflicting statements on Yeudis, at times being accused of anti-Yeudi 'dog-whistles' to court far-right voters.

Depares' Ahmadi faith has also been the subject of significant controversy within a party that has a large Ahmadi Hebilean base. Born a Hosian, he converted as a teenager but maintains his support for religious equality between Ahmadis and Hosians. His wife has advocated strongly against religious prejudice in education, recounting her struggles as a hijab-wearing Ahmadi woman. Some in the party, like environment spokeswoman Kyra Famucelli, are unshakable believers in Hosian supremacy as the 'foundational faith' of Cildanian society. Some middle class Hosian voters who supported to the BW last year may be discouraged from repeating that vote if Depares' faith is made into an issue within the party or by other groups. If negotiations fail in the next few months, Depares would have to repeat his electoral over-performance in the face of an opposition united against him.

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Il Bandiera Indipendenti is a political and current affairs newspaper aligned with the Bandiera Waħda movement in Cildania. It has a religious, conservative and pro-Hebilean editorial stance.

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Originally posted by Pragma on 25 Jun 2023.

[Wu Han]

Guiliano Alagona welcomes breakthrough in government negotiations
25 August 5322

Guiliano Alagona has told reporters he is optimistic that a Cildanian government will be formed in the coming days. Alagona’s comments suggest a breakthrough in negotiations between the four major Cildanian political parties. Discussions have been ongoing about the formation of a new government since the general election held last September. The vote was the first multi-party election since the 5283 Cildanian coup d'état.

According to reports, the new government will be a national unity government composed of all four parties. The past eleven months have been marked by fraught coalition negotiations between various parties. In the end, party leaders have reportedly decided that establishing a functioning government to oversee Cildania’s transition to democracy is the priority.

Alagona is expected to become foreign minister in the new government. In last year’s election, his party Alagona Faction won sixty-nine seats in the Cildanian legislature. Alagona is a former trade union leader and railway worker. Although the party’s ideology is not entirely clear, Alagona claimed throughout the campaign that his priority was a “democratic future for Cildania”. Alagona Faction is part of the Alliance for Cildania political grouping alongside the centre-right Constitutionalist Party.

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Originally posted by Jamescfm on 25 Jun 2023.

[Wu Han]

Prime Minister Benaglia moderates BW agenda as Depares and Alessi sidelined
2 January 5323

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Prime Minister of Cildania Alec Benaglia has taken a notable turn to the centre since becoming head of an all-party coalition. Alongside Minister of Defence Margerita Giudice, the two highest profile members of cabinet from Bandiera Waħda seem to have dropped key hard-right policies promoted by the party in the past. These include opposition to women and homosexuals in the military and support for desecularisation and an abortion ban. Giudice in particular, nearly purged from the party for her 'moderate' views a few months ago, is now seen as setting the agenda for the cross-party coalition.

After months of haggling and dispute, Benaglia was finally agreed as the new head of government while Bandiera Waħda's nominal leader Denzilee Depares has taken leadership of the Ministry of Education and Culture. Concerns over Depares's hard-line views had made coalition discussions extremely difficult, as no other party would agree to the proposal of making him the country's new PM. Thus Benaglia, the party's deputy leader, became a compromise candidate but has since turned out even more moderate than was originally expected, reportedly ignoring instructions from his own party boss Depares while spending much of his time in meetings to work out political compromises with the other parties. Depares has been spotted leaving cabinet meetings visibly frustrated, as his proposals to reform the education system are met with hostility from other parties and a lack of support from the other BW ministers. Infrastructure Minister Yan Despott and Science and Technology Minister Ġann Calafato have been caught up in the spat and sources close to both men suggest they have been trying to work as intermediaries between the party's split camps.

Depares is not the only senior party figure to be sidelined. Lażżru Alessi, Bandiera Waħda's most far-right politician was dropped from the party's electoral list for his decision to challenge Denzilee Depares in a since-cancelled leadership review. Now he faces expulsion from the party for historical statements about Yeudis, LGBT+ people and women alongside other members of the party viewed as 'disreputable'. Under current trends, Depares's rollercoaster political career could soon be at another crossroads as frustrations mount and the party moves away from his brand of hard-line conservatism.

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Illum Kinaan is a news agency based in the Kinaan region of Cildania. It covers both local and national current events.

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Originally posted by Pragma on 26 Jun 2023.

[Wu Han]

Depares 'fracas' with Margerita Giudice's husband

Regarding: Margerita Giudice, Denzilee Depares.
Date: 2nd August 5323
Discoverable?: Yes

Qart Qildar, Aqildar, Cildania: Bandiera Waħda party leader and Cildanian Minister of Education and Culture Denzilee Depares has reportedly had a 'fracas' with the husband of Cildanian Defence Minister Margerita Giudice. Rumours suggest that Giudice's husband, Karlu Giudice, was confronted by Depares for allowing his wife to 'think she is equal to a man' and thus demanded that Mr Giudice 'correct' Mrs Giudice. An enraged Karlu is supposed to have poured a half-empty bottle of mineral water over Depares's suit in response, leading both men to be restrained by other members of the BW party hierarchy.

The highly embarrassing scene took place in the halls of the party's headquarters and several onlookers were present. Depares has already been reported as feeling 'isolated' and 'frustrated' as his moderate peers take advantage of the all-party coalition. This latest episode both further deepens these divisions and brings the focus back on Depares's history of misogynistic remarks.

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Originally posted by Pragma in the "Informal News" thread on 27 Jun 2023.

[Wu Han]

22 April 5323
PK, FA renew 'Alliance for Cildania' electoral alliance
The Constitutionalist Party and Alagona Faction have agreed to maintain their electoral alliance indefinitely, citing the need for collaboration as Cildania transitions to multiparty democracy

➥ Left to right: Sigismondo Falzon, Leader of the Constitutionalist Party; Guiliano Alagona, Leader of the Alagona Faction

Qart Qildar: Seeking to consolidate a period of relative stability in Cildanian politics, Constitutionalist Party leader Sigismondo Falzon and Alagona Faction chief Guiliano Alagona have renewed their electoral alliance, the Alleanza għal Kildanja (Alliance for Cildania). Both parties have played a leading role in the institutionalization of Cildania's transition to democracy.

Speaking to reporters at Qart Qildar Harbour, the leaders seemed friendly and jovial as they announced an agreement to preserve their alliance into the foreseeable future. The deal between the centre-left Alagona Faction and the centre-right Constitutionalists unites both parties behind a shortlist of policy objectives, emphasizing property rights, the rights of women, the preservation of the public healthcare system, a strengthening of the national economy, and a new constitution to enshrine democracy as the foundation of the modern state.

“My brother Guili, we have come a long way!” joked the boisterous Mr. Falzon, before planting a kiss on his counterpart’s cheek. Prior to entering electoral politics, Mr. Falzon was a property developer and businessman while Mr. Alagona forged a career as a union boss. The two often publicly butted heads while representing interests on opposite sides of a picket line.

“Don’t let his pretty face fool you! Guili is tough as nails!” said Mr. Falzon, with an arm around Mr. Alagona. “I cannot tell you how many times, during particularly tense negotiations, that I’ve wanted to wrap my hands around that slender neck and watch the life drain from his face!”

Mr. Falzon then put his hands around Mr. Alagona’s neck, shaking him rather violently while laughing heartily. Those gathered laughed along, though some gasps were heard. Mr. Alagona, for his part, smiled along and otherwise remained in good spirits amid Mr. Falzon’s ribbing. With spots of redness visible on his neck—likely obtained from Mr. Falzon’s many gold rings during the pantomimed choking—Mr. Alagona reflected on the unlikely pairing:

“Good men can disagree on political issues. Sigismondo Falzon is a good man, I know we can get things done together. My whole career has been about working with good people to get things done"

Il-Ġurnal is a broadsheet daily newspaper in Cildania, owned by the Magro Family. The newspaper has a 'moderate' editorial bent.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 28 Jun 2023.

[Wu Han]

Il-Veritá Iebsa (The Hard Truth) is a far-right online news site known for pushing conspiracy theories. It has close ties to Ilarju Rizzo, the prominent neo-fascist leader of the Order.

We Are Saved: Order of Saint Sebastian Tells Elites The Truth!
Ilarju Rizzo and his Legionnaires are taking the fight to Qart Qildar.

7 July, 5324 - The years of moral decay in our country might finally be at an end. One of the great silent and overlooked heroes of our nation, Ilarju Rizzo, has announced the start of his campaign for parliament. For years Rizzo has been fighting the global elites with his righteous political movement the Order of Saint Sebastian. The Order is a right-wing party based on Hosian traditions and against foreign influences. Since they openly object to the influence of the global elites on our country they have been blacklisted for years - at one point Rizzo was even put in jail on fabricated charges. Now however the elites have run out of ideas as the Order of Saint Sebastian has officially registered for elections. There is nothing they can do to stop us anymore.

So far the campaign has focused on the failings of the last few governments. Since the Sort've Coup the nation was safe but the socialists, communists, and fetishists had to ruin it all. A strong leader was not enough, the corruption had to continue. Bit by bit they have been taking down the wall of safety around Cildania to let the enemies of our nation in. But now that will end as the great Commander Rizzo has taken the fight to them. Now the elites will try to thwart his attempts with voter fraud and all those things but they cannot ignore the masses. Go out there and help the Order! We must stop the global conspiracy that is trying to take down our nation!

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Originally posted by Kubrick on 29 Jun 2023.

[Wu Han]

Embattled Depares brings chaos to government & party after threatening to kill opposition lawmaker
6 August 5324

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The public deterioration of Denzilee Depares's political career has drastically escalated after a profanity-laden rant on the floor of the Council of Deputies aimed at PK deputy Cabiria Ahummid. Ahummid described Depares as 'an unstable man' in a refutation of his bill to legalise landmines as a tool of the Cildanian armed forces. As Ahummid spoke, Depares became visibly irate before rushing onto the floor of the Council to make an incendiary and unprecedented verbal assault on the PK member. Referring to Ahummid as a 'bitch' and threatening violence against her, Depares was ultimately restrained and taken out of the Council chamber by BW member and Science & Technology Minister Ġann Calafato. Other members of the chamber were visibly shocked and some of Depares's BW colleagues left the chamber clearly embarrassed.

The incident comes shortly after accusations of a 'fracas' between Depares and the husband of Defence Minister Margerita Giudice, which itself was an escalation of a period of Depares being 'frozen out' by his party colleagues. Giudice and Prime Minister Alec Benaglia were barely on speaking terms with him before the alleged fight, but are now openly hostile to Depares and refuse to be in his presence.

Though the incident lasted only a matter of minutes, the repercussions have been swift and dramatic. There has been a public outcry, with feminist demonstrations arising at various universities and urban centres demanding accountability for Depares's aggressive misogyny. Political leaders from across the spectrum have expressed their condemnation of the alleged threats. Depares faces censure and suspension from the Council of Deputies and the threat of having his parliamentary privilege revoked. The law of Cildania states that "members of the legislature are exempted from any civil or criminal liability for their speech or actions", but that "this immunity can be overruled by a vote in the nation's legislative body". This could lead to a civil suit or even criminal investigation. If charged with an offence, Depares would be expelled from the Council and could serve a lengthy sentence for his graphic physical threats.

Depares has even been suspended as party leader by Bandiera Waħda after at least 73 of the 145 BW deputies wrote to party chairman Adon Solimella asking for his removal. Though still technically leader of the party legally, Bandiera Waħda will now have a leadership election in which Depares could be barred from running. He would need at least 30 deputies to support his nomination, but any bid to regain the position would be subject to the party's rules committee - which has announced a formal internal investigation into Depares's recent conduct. He would then have to win a contest with 25% of votes cast by deputies, 25% by local government officials and 50% by the party membership. It is thought that he has the loyal support of a small, core group of his allies - but most deputies in the BW caucus now align themselves with Giudice and Benaglia as their public approval increases and Depares's plummets.

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Illum Kinaan is a news agency based in the Kinaan region of Cildania. It covers both local and national current events.

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Originally posted by Pragma on 29 Jun 2023.

[Wu Han]

14 August 5324
PK leader "f--king fuming' over Depares debacle
Constitutionalist leader Sigismondo Falzon denounced the Bandiera Waħda leader after he threatened to kill Constitutionalist lawmaker

➥ Sigismondo Falzon, Leader of the Constitutionalist Party

Qart Qildar: During a debate over legislation to legalize land mines, leader of the One Flag party (Bandiera Waħda; BW) Denzilee Depares threatened to kill PK Deputy Cabiria Ahummid after she raised her concerns. The fallout from Depares' comments has been massive within his party, with Depares being suspended as his party's leader, subject to a leadership election in which he may be ineligible to run.

Across the nation, protests attended by tens of thousands of Cildanian women have sprung up to denounce Depares, and to voice frustration with One Flag—the Prime Minister's party—for not removing its long-controversial leader sooner. Criticism of One Flag's leadership has been exacerbated by reports that Depares had previously instigated a 'fracas' with the husband of Defence Minister Margerita Giudice, reportedly over his inability to "correct" his wife. Progressive organizations and activists have mobilized, with some groups on the nation's universities raising the threat of an academic strike. Among the protesters at numerous events this week was Constitutionalist Party (Partit Kostituzzjonalista; PK) leader Sigismondo Falzon, who has remained far from silent in defence of his colleague and party member.

"You think you can f--king threaten one of my girls, you filthy c--ksucker?" said Mr. Falzon at one such rally in Qart Qildar, organized by the Feminist Students' Union, to a mixed reaction from the crowd:

"We can't go around treatin' women like f--kin' objects. That's not how a f--kin' boss conducts himself. Now, I ain't no professor or nothin', but that's some f--kin' toxic masculinity sh-t, and we need to f--kin' address it. No more degradin' comments or this objectifyin' yadda-yadda. And certainly no threatening to kill a f--kin' defenceless dame!"

Speaking to reporters shortly after his remarks, Mr. Falzon continued to demand accountability from the "f--king patriarchal old boys club" in Cildanian politics:

"I want to know where the f--king Prime Minister is, and why he hasn't said anything about this—it's his f--kin' goon letting this filth leak out his liquor-soaked lips!" shouted Mr. Falzon, before calling on the Prime Minister to issue an apology to Ms. Ahummid. "Look, women in politics—they gotta look and play twice as tough. But they're still sensitive, they still get emotional, and I know Cabiria has been p-ssed off and sad in her own way. This would go a long way to making things right."

Il-Ġurnal is a broadsheet daily newspaper in Cildania, owned by the Magro Family. The newspaper has a 'moderate' editorial bent.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 30 Jun 2023.

[Wu Han]

Depares sacked by Benaglia, condemned by Giudice
1 October 5324

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Suspended Bandiera Wahda leader Denzilee Depares has been terminated as Education Minister by his party colleague, Prime Minister Alec Benaglia. In a tense meeting in the PM's official residence, Benaglia informed Depares that his position was untenable due to his behaviour and as such a decision had been made to appoint a new Education Minister. Condemned across the political spectrum, including by his own party colleague Defence Minister Margerita Giudice, Depares is now without position and all his political capital is seemingly spent.

Depares, worn down by months of investigation into his misogynistic outbursts, has chosen not to dispute his dismissal and is unlikely to pursue another term as leader of Bandiera Wahda even if he is permitted to do so. This opens the door for a new deputy to get their hands on an important ministry and a new BW member to obtain the party's leadership.

Depares's personal future is uncertain. He has made powerful enemies across the political spectrum. His only opportunities could be forming a new party or becoming a fringe commentator. There is also the possibility he could join the far-right Order of Saint Sebastian party, who have offered the disgraced former minister their unlikely support.

With many of the party's furthest-right politicians tainted by association with Depares, the question of who is to be elected leader of Bandiera Wahda seems to have four potential answers. Prime Minister Alec Benaglia himself is a more respected conservative with a legal background, known as an opponent of corruption and organised crime. Margerita Giudice is the anti-Depares choice, a moderate and educated woman who has been widely applauded for her leadership of the Defence Ministry. Science & Technology Minister Ġann Calafato is further right and a friend of Depares, but with a calm demeanour. Infrastructure Minister Yan Despott is an ethnic Hebilean with a background in tobacco production who would bring a more pro-business approach.

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Illum Kinaan is a news agency based in the Kinaan region of Cildania. It covers both local and national current events.

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Originally posted by Pragma on 30 Jun 2023.

[Wu Han]

One Flag leadership: Giudice, Calafato & Despott in - Benaglia out
6 January 5325

Party chairman Adon Solimella has confirmed that three candidates have put their name forward for the party leadership

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Prime Minister Alec Benaglia has not put his name forward for the leadership of Bandiera Wahda/One Flag (BW) in a shock twist in the race to succeed ousted leader Denzilee Depares. Despite near-unanimous expectation that he would be among the front-runners, Benaglia ultimately told party members on social media that he wanted to focus on his job as head of government rather than spending time running for another position. This leaves the three other main candidates in the running: Defence Minister Margerita Giudice, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Yan Despott and Science and Technology Minister Ġann Calafato.

Giudice is the moderate choice; an unmistakable pivot to the centre. Her experiences on the receiving end of Depares's ire have made her a hero to conservative women and softened her image to liberals. She is from Nabul in Jilrit and is a Hosian Qildari. As Defence Minister, she oversaw the passing of the controversial Balanced Defence Act which instituted a "don't ask, don't tell" policy for homosexuals in the military. She has also tightened rules around conscientious objectors so that they may only be given leave for religious reasons. Though evidently right-of-centre, she would be the first woman to lead the party and has spoken of the need for 'more understanding' across ethnic, social and economic divisions. She has a strong base of support among the party's elected officials - who make up 50% of the leadership vote total - but is unpopular among traditionalists for a variety of reasons including her spat with Depares. She is probably the favourite to win at the moment because of her name recognition and competent reputation as a minister.

Despott is neither a moderate nor a hardliner, instead he brings a unique pitch as an ethnic Hebilean and former businessman. He is from Tanegzart in Aheblun. One of the wealthiest men in Cildania before entering politics, Despott has been accused of having ties to organised crime from his time managing a tobacco production company. He has many friends in the business world and would bring the party into competition with the Constitutionalists for the pro-business vote. He is neither particularly pro- or anti-Depares. Despott also has a history of highly publicised extramarital affairs despite his professed Hosian faith, which could become an electoral liability. His ethnicity may appeal to the party's disproportionately Hebilean base but he is less popular than Giudice with the public at-large.

Calafato is, in his own way, the 'continuity candidate'. A close personal friend of Denzilee Depares, Calafato defended Depares when few others would. This has earned him the support of the conservative loyalists who still back the party founder and former minister, but makes him a more toxic choice for the rest of the party electorate. He is a calm, unmarried man from Ramal in Gilzon - often called 'boring' by his detractors. Among his policy proposals is to bring back criminal punishments for homosexuality and abortion, which would make any continuation of the all-party coalition fraught and difficult.

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Il Bandiera Indipendenti is a political and current affairs newspaper aligned with the Bandiera Waħda movement in Cildania. It has a religious, conservative and pro-Hebilean editorial stance.

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Originally posted by Pragma on 30 Jun 2023.