Baltusia

[GreekIdiot]

Beiteynu
"Opportunists of destruction & devastation"; Medinat Dpt. adds SocIntern and Baltusia to Yeudi Shitlist
August 5574
https://forum.prtcy.com/thread-3-post-2301.html#pid2301

[Maarten-Luis]

Kalistani Propaganda Camps

#Debunked #Fake #Propaganda 

[Elena1012]

Marco Kirk nominated by Central Coordinating Committee; Promises "Socialism with Baltusian Characteristics", amidst other reforms.
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November 16th, 5638
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The Central Coordinating Committee (CCC) has recently announced the election of a new Syndicate. As the SAUS continues in isolation, Marco Kirk has been elected and has promised sweeping reforms for the country. A prominent reformist technocrat, Kirk has previously worked in managing union affairs across the country, he now takes the spot of Syndicate. Being a reformist, he has called for "Socialism with Baltusian Characteristics", arguing that if syndicalism is to thrive, it must be flexible. To that end, he has highlighted that he will focus extensively on economic recovery (as the lack of international trade and isolation has damaged the economy), investing into public development programs such as welfare, and ending isolation.

With the public enthusiastic for reforms amidst economic downturn, there has also been some critique from more conservative elements who worry that these reforms may pave the way to revisionism, akin to other socialist states and the abandonment of syndicalism. While so far, those fears are unfounded, most of the public is in favour of these reforms. Combined with Kirk being a technocrat, we can expect measured reforms that will ensure stability. The biggest aspect of Kirks agenda, is of course economic recovery. We can expect a focus on domestic industries, such as agriculture and mining, but we can also expect stronger support for the civilian economy as the threat of recession looms. One of the biggest challenges however, will be breaking isolation and finding nations to trade with. Given the current circumstances, primarily foreign circumstances, that is easier said than done. If trade can be established once again, then economic recovery will be easier.

In any case, with a new direction for the SAUS, many Baltusians are asking themselves, "how far will reforms go?" While time will tell, there's no doubt some optimism. A recession would only damage the already fragile economic situation even more and damage the livelihood of many Baltusians. While conservatives and hardliners are cautious and worried, there is still a sense of optimism. Whether Socialism with Baltusian Characteristics can succeed or not is yet to be seen, but Kirk is determined to enact change.

[Elena1012]

The "New Economy" agenda begins as Kirk looks to revive the Baltusian economy; Opponents warn of "de-syndicalization", neglect of urban workers and overconfidence in infrastructure.
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February 2nd, 5639
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As the economic situation continues to loom over Baltusia, many have eagerly been awaiting Kirks economic reforms, who promised to revive the economy and prevent a recession. And those efforts have gone into effect, with the New Economy Agenda. The government will begin investing, and funding natural resources, focusing heavily on mining and agriculture. The goal is to get jobs rolled out and start producing economic growth across the country. So far, the focus is on rural Baltusia with no plans provided at the moment for urban workers. While rural growth may occur, concerns have been raised about the neglect of urban workers as unemployment continues to rise.

To that end, the New Economy Agenda has several phases. Or rather, multiple directions. Not only will it target natural resources for rural Baltusia, but it will focus on light industries in urban areas. These industries will receive more autonomy and operational freedom. The goal is to ensure that these industries are still productive, and have the incentive to thrive. Essentially, they will be out of state control. While hardliners decry this as enacting market mechanisms and call it, "de-syndicalization", critics have focused on the fact that this may lead to more neglect of workers whilst managers thrive. 

However, the biggest criticism has been overconfidence. Many critics see the New Economy Agenda as too overconfident, especially in infrastructure. While some claim that the existing infrastructure is more than enough, it is relatively outdated. And with outdated infrastructure comes setbacks, delays, and problems for economic growth. While Kirk and the rest of the CCC remain adamant in enacting these changes, the economic situation may technically get better, but it may not be felt by workers across the country uniformly. With unemployment steadily rising, income inequality returning, low wages and a looming recession, that sense of optimism many had when Kirk was elected is starting to fizzle. Unless Kirk speeds up these reforms and show that it works for all Baltusians, the national mood may sour.

[Elena1012]

Rutledge Student Protests occur; Demands for faster reforms as economic woes rise.
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June 20th, 5639
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With the New Economy Agenda ongoing, there have been many concerns. Overconfidence, infrastructure problems, urban neglect. While there has been slight improvements, it's been slow and sluggish. Some Baltusians are feeling the benefits of recovery, but most can't say the same. Rutledge has been one city that has not felt the benefits the most. This has lead to students organizing a protest in Rutledge. They have called for reforms to be faster, to be effective, to be felt. As economic fears increase across the country, the Rutledge Student Movement has found considerable sympathy in Rutledge. Across the rest of the country however, the Student Movement is frowned upon. But in Rutledge, many share the students concerns. So far, law enforcement have kept the protests civil and contained to Rutledge (but this can also be attributed to a lack of interest in other cities). 

While so far there's no proof that these protests are inherently anti socialist, there is no proof that they are strictly socialist too. As such, hardliners and conservatives have found themselves worried due to the existence of these protests, whilst reformists want to offer an olive branch to calm down Rutledge. Kirk has so far not addressed the protests, instead vaguely speaking that "impatient elements within the country need to understand that economic recovery takes time and a steady hand". The biggest aspect that has been debated in the CCC however has been the pace of reforms. There's no denying that reforms are needed. But how fast? How slow? The students in Rutledge want more reforms, fast. But the rest of the country? It's a tight rope for the CCC to walk.

However, as the situation remains relatively stable, many expect the students to tire themselves out. After all, the economy should recovery slowly. And then they can go back to their lives. The rest of the country is patient. Rutledge will have to be patient too. Besides. As long as nothing drastic happens, it's likely that the Rutledge Student Movement will burn itself out. In any case, they do have valid fears that the public understands. But the public isn't interested in protesting, instead trusting the system. If Kirk is to please Rutledge, then efforts will need to be made on ensuring all Baltusians feel the effects of reforms and recovery.

[Elena1012]

Breaking; Rutledge Incident occurs; Student protestor shot by law enforcement as sympathy protests occur across the country.

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August 30th, 5639
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The Rutledge Student Protests seemed to be dwindling down on their own over the past few weeks as no strong reaction occured. The government didn't negotiate but didn't clamp down. It let the protests wear themselves out. Until a few days ago where the Rutledge Incident happened. During a protest at the State University of Rutledge, one protester, a student, identified as Victoria Duncan was shot by law enforcement. the exact details aren't yet known, but we do know that Duncan had no known history of violent interactions with law enforcement and students said that she was supportive of peaceful protests. After a protest that started to get rowdy, law enforcement demanded it be dispersed. When the protestors refused, it escalated before an officer fired a live round into the crowd. The officers identify has remained anonymous but law enforcement assure us that action is being taken to reprimand them. It's also claimed that the order to fire was never given. Nonetheless, after that live round was fired, Duncan was hit by that round and bled out before medical services could arrive. 

The fact that this happened however did not end the protests or inspire fear. Instead, it inspired other protests to start forming across the country. San Luis, New Valois, Johnston, Scharzwald, even smaller communities like Fremont, calling for justice against the perceived murder of Victoria Duncan, and more horrifyingly enough for the state, calling for immediate reforms. Reforms that threaten syndicalism. Several slogans define the movement, but the most striking has been the usage of the color silver. When Duncan was shot, she was wearing a silver scarf and having become a martyr for the protests, (now escalating beyond just student protests and evolving into the Silver Movement), her scarf has become symbolic. Beyond that, slogans such as "Give me liberty, or give me death", "I need food but I'd rather die without democracy" and "I have a dream". Each protest varies both in size and exact goals but they all share a broad vision of enacting radical change. Some protests want to maintain the SAUS, others want to tear it down and bring about liberalism. With how decentralized the movement is, it's hard to say.

Internally, the CCC has kept details shut out. But a few representatives have spoken out. Some sympathizing with the Silver Movement, but advocating for calmness. Others believing that syndicalism is under attack and radical measures need to be taken. Kirk has remained silent but rumours are circulating about potential cabinet resignations to please the Silver Movement, or more ominously enough, martial law. So far however, the CCC has tried to ensure peace is kept in Johnston and has not been above using crackdowns to force the Silver Movement to disperse. As protests continue to grow and the list of demands grow, pressure is increasing on Kirk and the rest of the CCC. If syndicalism is to be saved, the Silver Movement must be brought down, either with tank treads, or with dialogue.

[Elena1012]

Kirk ousted as hardliners take reign; Martial Law declared as crackdowns begin.

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September 7th, 5639
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The recent protests led by the decentralized Silver Movement have continued to define the country lately. With the martyring of Victoria Dungan, calls for reform have only escalated. For Syndicate Kirk, this halted momentum for reforms. The lack of a proper response to the rising chaos only worsened when the Kalistani Empress made a statement, condemning both the Silver Movement, and the Government. Combined with troops being put on alert across the Lucid River and any faith in Kirk shattered. As such, the CCC voted in a strong margin to oust Kirk, replacing him with Aiden Holmes, a prominent conservative hardliner.

Holmes first act as newly inaugurated Syndicate has been to declare martial law across the entire country, authorizing the military to take over in place of the police and begin immense crackdowns. Raids on universities, forced dispersions of protests, and mass arrests. However, despite taking a strongly harsh stance against the Silver Movement, it has been reported that even reformists within the CCC have been arrested. Holmes has called for unity, cooperation and support as the military looks to clean house. 

However, it's unlikely that this will be the end of the Silver Movement as there has been resistance. While fortunately nothing on the scale of proper violence, there have been protests that have refused to cooperate, and the declaration of martial law has lead to some industries going on strike, harming the economy and strengthing fears of a recession. While a general strike is so far not on the table, the fact that strikes in solidarity with the Silver Movement over martial law, especially when they had previously been neutral speaks volumes to the current state of the country. As the Silver Movement is cracked down upon and reformists are ostracized, the calls for reform are being silenced, and replaced with calls for revolution. With rumours circulating around the nation about a potential mass mobilization protest on the capital, Johnston, anxiety across the nation is at an all time high.

Rutledge, the start of the protests has found itself particularly hit hard by martial law. It's been subject to the most extreme measures that barely qualify as legal. However, Rutledge has also seen the strongest resistance with most protests escalating into riots. Strikes, sit ins, protests, riots, any form of civil disobedience has been applied in Rutledge as the Silver Movement remains strong, or stubborn in the city.

[Aethan]

Valruzia issues travel advisory to Baltusia, orders borders to be patrolled and asks its government to listen

[Elena1012]

Clashes in Rutledge occur as the Johnston March begins; Reports of law enforcement joining the Silver Movement shake confidence in Holmes.

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December 30th, 5639
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Ever since the declaration of martial law earlier this year in September and the ousting Kirk and reformists, the situation has been tense in Baltusia. With raids on universities indiscriminately, mass arrests of protestors, rioters, activists and even reformists, as well as using the military to forcibly disperse protests, stability remains questionable for Baltusia. However, despite the Holmes Government taking extreme measures and cracking down hard, the Silver Movement has not ceased. While some cities are quiet due to martial law, others such as Rutledge have been the polar opposite with protestors clashing with riot police and military police. Makeshift barricades in universities, blocked off streets, mass rallies, spontaneous action, you name it and Rutledge is doing it. Burnt cars, the smell of smoke and littered streets aren't uncommon in Rutledge anymore as the city remains stubborn.

However, across the country, there is action being made. As some strikes are curbed harshly, others only grow with other sectors threatening to entirely go on strike and pause the economy until martial law is revoked. But the most notable event has been the March on Johnston. Thousands of protestors marched in Johnston, peacefully but firmly expressing their views. While some segments were cut off and isolated from the rest of the march, most of them made it in front of the capital building and began to peacefully protest. Some remained in front of the capital building, others occupied local parks and public spaces. The most striking event however, occured when various riot police units defied orders and instead of cracking down on the protest, protected it.

And this was no isolated incident. In various other cities, such as New Valois, local law enforcement sided with protesters and protected them. This has lead to a shattering of confidence in the Holmes government as resignations have been reported. While it's hard to confirm much due to crackdowns on the press, it's likely that the CCC is shaken up by this move. With even police units defecting, it's only a matter of time before the military does too. And with strikes growing in strength, the economy stands on the verge of being paralyzed. With foreign governments making statements on the ongoing crisis, the Silver Movement has reportedly never been in higher morale. Despite some loses, morale remains high as there is a real potential for change. With the CCC floundering, it may only be a matter of time before the SAUS faces its final moments. As casualties rise and crackdowns continue, the flower of freedom is slowly blooming.

[Elena1012]

Holmes flees to Nadiya amidst internal chaos; New Syndicate elect, Lauren Cole ends martial law and begins negotiations.
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March 13th, 5640
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After the Johnston March and reports of riot police units defecting, many expected the Holmes Government to take an even harsher stance against the Silver Movement. Those expectations were dashed when just days ago, several resignations were provided and Holmes was reported to have gone missing. It was only yesterday that it was confirmed that Holmes fled to Nadiya. With Holmes gone, the CCC in disarray and the country turning against syndicalism, Lauren Cole has been elected quickly by the CCC and has immediately ordered the end of martial law and immediate negotiations with the Silver Movement, Trade Unions, Student Unions and other elements of the Silver Revolution.

What this effectively means is that the SAUS is on its death bed. Depending on how these negotiations go, the SAUS may be dissolved. And odds are, it will be. The Silver Revolution, or the Revolution of 39-40 has largely been successful it seems. With military units returning to their garrisons, there is some calm and peace again.m in Baltusia. However, until these negotiations are finished, most have held their breath. But what is likely to occur besides the formal dissolution of the SAUS is the end of syndicalism, a constitutional convention and free elections in the near future.

With Holmes in Nadiya however, true justice can't exactly be delivered. While trials and justice can be given out for those who remain in Baltusia, Holmes himself will have remain out of the reach of justice. Whatever the case, the proverbial guns fall silent. While the threat of economic recession still looms and there are casualties from the martial law declaration, for now, Baltusia can breath as a new era is coming. Surely.