Valruzia

[Aethan]

5680 elections: Polls closed in Valruzia: follow with us the live results

What's the verdict of the Valruzian people? Let's find out!

January 5680

---

E.K:

"Good evening, Valruzia! Tonight, we are bringing you live coverage of the 5680 legislative elections. Over 119 million citizens were called to vote today in what promises to be a another exciting night for our country. We will be following the results as they come in, analyzing regional trends, and discussing potential implications for the next Sejm. Thank you for joining us! My name is Eliza Krol, and I'm here joined by Marek Dabrowski"

M.D:

"Good evening Eliza. This evening is about more than numbers. We will look at how different parties perform and how the regional patterns may shape the political future of Valruzia. From the industrial heartlands of Kampania to our conservative strongholds in Chynberg, the vote of every single Valruzian counts. Let me introduce you to our panel of experts, that will share their opinions with us tonight. We have Dr. Anton Wozniak, political scientist specializing in electoral systems; Lidia Stern, investigative political journalist with a focus on Valruzian politics; and Piotr Nowak, political analyst. They will help us interpret the incoming results, understand the trends behind them, and discuss the potential coalition scenarios once the vote counting is complete. Good evening to all of you"

E.K:

"Before we see any numbers, we will provide an overview of the electoral system, the parties in play, and the stakes of this election. Remember, the Sejm has 601 seats, and a majority therefore requires 301 seats. The Communist Party of Valruzia aims at retaining both the government and its absolute majority. Far-right Valruzian Alliance will try to remain as leaders of the opposition, while Sovereign Valruzia and Forward Valruzia will fight to challenge that."

M.D:

"Exactly, Eliza. And as the first results begin to arrive, we will analyze the trends and assess how voters have decided to respond to the general state of Valruzia, the latest controversies and other issues, such as: how will voters in Gryfit reward or punish the government for their management of hurricane Pavlo?"

10% counted

E.K

"And we are receiving the first results already, coming mainly from Kampania, usually the fastest region to start counting, but also from more rural areas of Gryfit and Chynberg. With 10% already counted, this are the percentages:"

M.D:

"As we can see, the Communist Party of Valruzia has already taking a decisive lead over the rest, while Workers’ Vanguard, the breakaway socially conservative faction of the KPW, takes a significant share, capturing votes from traditional ultranationalist supporters in SWA."

P.N:

"I think here we can see a clear example of how you shouldn't take anything for granted. Some industrial voters in Kampania are disenchanted with KPW's perceived "institutionalism", but still reject SWA’s extremism. And Workers' Vanguard’s social conservatism gives them a palatable alternative while keeping a leftist economic agenda. So far, it is what was expected from a region as Kampania, I gotta be honest with you."

L.S:

"Also important to note that, if these results are indicative of something, is that Forward Valruzia will once again fail to represent a viable conservative alternative to the current government and policies. This 10% scrutiny is already including many of the small, rural areas of Gryfit and Chynberg, the most conservative rareas in the country, and yet we see that this is not enough to even achieve a 40% among Forward Valruzia and Valruzian Alliance combined. But let's wait and see."

25% counted

M.D: "We are already at 25% of votes counted! This is the current status of the parties at this time:"

E.K:

"With a quarter of votes counted, we see results already coming in from Gryfit, Ruzia, and Valusia, and Kampania being almost accounted for. Early trends showed KPW leading nationally, but here we have Gryfit as a notable surprise. We remember our spectators, both domestically and internationally, that this is a traditionally conservative region that according to the resultst is now probably giving over 40% of its votes to KPW, probably much of it influenced by the government disaster management during Hurricane Pavlo."

A.W:

"And meanwhile, in Ruzia and Valusia we can see that while SWA retains support, urban-industrial areas are shifting toward RA, weakening the far-right. And as expected, Sovereign Valruzia is now performing better than with the results of Kampania, Chynberg and Gryfit, with Ruzia and Valusia still being its preferred regions. As of now, it has overtaken Valruzian Alliance and is poised towards Forward Valruzia, which continues losing percentage"

M.D:

"Would any of you dare to make an early prediction as of yet?"

L.S:

"Well if I had to bet, with the results we already know it's safe to say that KPW's victory is out of the question. But the question is: will Chancellor Nowik retain his majority? So far, my answer is no. I would confidently say that the KPW would need to reach some kind of agreement to remain in government, although I don't think there will be any viable alternative."

40% counted

E.K:

"Results have reached 40% of the total voting counted! This is how it stands:"

M.D:

"Basically what's left to count is mainly the two most populated Voivodeship, progressive strongholds: Ruzia and Valusia. And this shows the picture: KPW keeps increasing its share of votes while Sovereign Valruzia is now certain to retain its second place as it will overcome Forward Valruzia in the next scrutiny for sure."

P.N:

"But there's something else too: Our Homeland, the Yeudi minority party, has now overtaken Workers' Vanguard. We have to remind the spectators that last year there was a huge controversy when one of the breakaway deputies from Workers' Vanguard claimed that Yeudis should "convert or be expelled from the country", and its subsequent turmoil. Workers' Vanguard performed strongly in Kampania, which coincidentally has the lowest share of Yeudi population in the whole country, but it's not doing so well in the other Voivodeships. Meanwhile, Our Homeland keeps its base support intact."

A.W:

"And as of now, we can see the struggle and damage that this breakaway faction has caused to the KPW: both parties combined would command, at this point of the night, over 52% of the total vote, more than enough for a parliamentary majority. However, the split has caused the KPW to fall under the 50% threshold and therefore in need of allies to back Nowik's government. And Workers' Vanguard will certainly not be in favor of that after the crisis that sparked following their remarks."

65% counted

M.D:

"That's it, two thirds of the vote counted already. Let's look at the picture:"

L.S:

"Here's the moment where Sovereign Valruzia has overtaken Forward Valruzia. Now we have the two Nowik siblings leading the two main political forces. The question is: how their relationship will affect Valruzian politics? Is Klaudia Nowik going to make his brother Chancellor again? How will they debate in parliament? These are the risk of having your family in politics.

P.N:

"Plus, Valruzian Alliance is back at fourth place. The last elections were just a sign of an angry electorate, but with more options on the table now, the vote to the party has collapsed again. Still, it is one of its best results ever, but they have lost the relevant position of leader of the opposition, and Forward Valruzia is poised to return to the leading force on the right. So it's still not a good night for them"

90% counted

E.K:

"With 90% counted, we can confidently say the following: KPW will need to negotiate with NO or selectively with SW or NW for governance. RA, though ideologically close economically, remains outside coalition options due to their conflict and diverging political views on social issues."

M.D:

"And important: for the second time in a row, Dignity and Progress has failed to win any seats in the Sejm. Despite increasing their voting share a bit, they will remain outside after barely reaching the 1% once again. A complete disaster for the socialdemocratic party."

A.W:

"And we have seen a last-minute vote increase in Workers' Vanguard coming from major cities in Valusia and Ruzia, closing the gap between them and Our Homeland. Still, not enough to overcome them again."

99.9% counted

M.D:

"And here they are, ladies and gentlemen, the official results of the 5680 Valruzian legislative elections:

E.K.:

"With 99.9% of votes counted, the picture is clear. The Communist Party of Valruzia has emerged as the largest force in the Sejm, but they fall short of an outright majority, achieving 292 seats down from the previous 314. This means that coalition talks and post-election negotiations will be decisive for the next government. What are your thoughts?"

M.D:

"Indeed, Eliza. The Sejm is fragmented. KPW has 292 seats, just shy of the 301 needed for a majority. Sovereign Valruzia and Forward Valruzia regain the title as the main opposition forces while displacing the far-right to fourth place. Which one will lead the opposition now depend on post-electoral talks. Workers’ Vanguard and Our Homeland meanwhile remain in their niches."

A.W:

"From a strategic perspective, the KPW-NO coalition is the most feasible, or at least a confidence agreement. NO now commands 46 seats, up 1 from last elections. Given the tensions, particularly with Workers' Vanguard, an agreement between them would send a clear message of unity and respect to the nation, but we don't know how will the Yeudi population react to supporting a "communist" government. Still, such coalition would comfortably surpass the 301-seat threshold and allow Nowik to retain the Chancellery."

L.S:

"What’s fascinating is the regional divergence. KPW still dominates in all Voivodeships, with stronger performances in Kampania, Ruzia and Valusia, while RA has managed to capture pockets of the ultranationalist vote previously held by SWA, particularly in Kampania. These dynamics, including Gryfit's conditional support to the KPW for their management of the Pavlo disaster, show that these elections were more difficult to predict than usual. Still, the KPW has seen for the first time since 5660 a loss in overall support, but I'd partially attribute it to the fact that turnout was lower than previous election, which I'd say means many KPW-supporters were confident enough that their party would get a real good result nevertheless. But look at it now, they've lost their majority."

P.N:

"And Workers' Vanguard role will also be very interesting to watch. While economically they share many of the points of the KPW, albeit more radical in some parts, the fallout from the Yeudi incident in parliament and their socially conservative positions make them politically toxic partners for a KPW-led coalition. This split between both of them effectively guarantees RA’s position in opposition, even if their voter base is significant in certain regions. At the same time, this limits the KPW’s freedom to push socially progressive policies without negotiating with NO or SW. Still, we have to remember that Workers' Vanguard was polling around 5-6% when it first appeared, so the drama surrounding the Yeudi controversy has only strengthen them, instead of the opposite. Quite remarkable."

M.D:

"Looking at SW and NW, the combined seats are substantial, but only one of them is needed at the time to push legislation with the KPW. Still, any collaboration between the KPW and Forward Valruzia is extremely unlikely, so the only allies for Chancellor Nowik now are his own sister leading Sovereign Valruzia or the Our Homeland deputies."

A.W:

"Precisely Our Homeland is now in its best position. In exchange for supporting a KPW government, they could secure guarantees on religious freedoms, minority rights, and anti-discrimination measures. This is a key negotiation point, especially after the turbulence of the past year. KPW will need to balance these concessions carefully to maintain its support. And that is also another reason why he might turn instead to repair the damaged relation between Sovereign Valruzia and the KPW, a task that should be now much more easier given the personal relationship of both of its leaders. Nowik surname, after all."

L.S:

"The night also shows that Dignity and Progress remains outside parliamentary representation, despite marginal increases in vote share. Their failure to pass the 3% threshold in any region is a setback for social democracy in Valruzia. But yet, nobody has noticed a difference in parliament without them this past legislature, so..."

E.K:

"Thank you all! To sum up tonight results, Valruzia now faces a difficult parliament to navigate. While citizens of Valruzia have spoken, the formation of the next government will for sure require some sort of diplomacy and compromise, and there seems to be no alternative for the KPW. In practical terms, I expect KPW-NO and KPW-SW negotiations over the next few weeks. The outcome will determine whether Nowik continues as Chancellor, but above all, how social and economic policies evolve.

M.D:

"Thank you, panel, for this discussion tonight. Valruzia wakes tomorrow with a divided Sejm, a dominant but internally fragmented left, and a challenging path for coalition-building. Governance will require skillful negotiation for sure. Thank you all for being with us and have a good night!"

[Aethan]

Power-sharing agreement between KPW and SW among criticism by the rest of political forces

Both parties smooth things over under the auspices of the Nowik siblings while some warn of "political oligarchy"

April 5680

Meeting of the negotiation team of the KPW and SW

---

The two most voted parties after the last general election will once again share power after two decades of tug-of-war, when negotiations during Iwan Nowik's first term after the June 5660 repeat election ended with the departure of then-Sovereign Valruzia leader Zuzanna Kosowska, marking the last time they were present in a national government.

Under a negotiating team made up of members of both political parties, Valruzia will have a new government just a few months after the last elections, in which the Communist Party of Valruzia lost its absolute majority and was forced to seek parliamentary allies in the rest of the chamber. Although there was initial speculation that the Communists might try to woo Our Homeland, the party that advocates for the rights of Valruzia's Yeudi population, it became clear as the days passed that the KPW had no intention of reaching an agreement with them. "A risky decision with little benefit in the short or long term", said internal sources.

The most important part of the agreement that has just been announced is that it establishes a rotation in the leadership of the government during this legislative term: 3.5 years for the KPW and the remaining 1.5 years for the SW. In practice, this means that Iwan Nowik will remain chancellor until July 5678, when he will hand over the position to his sister Klaudia Nowik until the end of the legislative term. In the meantime, both parties will obtain a number of ministries, which have not yet been revealed.

The agreement marks the first formal power-sharing arrangement in Valruzia’s modern political history, a novelty in a country however accustomed to political coalitions. According to the joint statement issued this morning, the rotation deal seeks to "guarantee political stability and ensure that the government reflects the diverse social and ideological composition of the nation", as both parties have pledged to respect the full term of the agreement, calling it "a pact for national stability".

However, the announcement has triggered a wave of criticism across the political spectrum. The Valruzian Alliance, which finished fourth in the latest election after leading the opposition during the previous term, accused both parties of "turning democracy into a family arrangement". Forward Valruzia leader Fryderik Konik told reporters in Nowogard that "this is not a coalition based on ideas, it is just a power-sharing between siblings that undermines the institutional integrity and credibility of the republic". From the other side of the aisle, the Workers' Vanguard expressed similar concerns, warning that the deal "concentrates political power in one family" and called it "an oligarchic deal".

"Breaking away from the KPW was the best decision we could have taken"

said its leader Marcin Borkowski. For its part, Our Homeland longtime leader Jacek Pawlak has called it "a wasted opportunity".

"We were ready to reach compromises in exchange of expanding our rights and protections but instead, Chancellor Nowik decided to continue down the same path Valruzia has live through basically its whole modern history. Nothing changes, nothing new. We thought that after the events unfolded by Workers' Vanguard, the government would be ready to show its Yeudi population that they are here for them too, but this does not look like the case".

Both Iwan and Klaudia Nowik responded swiftly to these accusations in a joint statement, insisting that the arrangement "is a national need", as no party on its own is able to command a majority in the Sejm. The outgoing chancellor, Iwan Nowik, defended the deal as "a guarantee of continuity of Valruzia's good path". Mateusz Kowiak, a political analyst from the University of Nowogard, raises a question: "would this agreement be possible if the Nowik siblings wouldn't lead their respective parties? I'm not so sure of that".

Despite the criticism, public opinion appears divided rather than openly hostile to the decision. Opinion polls show that while only 42% of voters approve of the agreement, including 64% of KPW voters and 73% of SW voters, a majority – around 61% – believe it will bring stability to the country. For the moment, the new cabinet will be formally presented before the Sejm next week, with both party leaders expected to address the nation jointly from the Sejm. This agreement also include a planned celebration for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the first free democratic elections to elect Valruzia's 1st Sejm following the fall of the Morawski regime. According to internal sources, the upcoming government plans to organize a series of nationwide events, including public ceremonies in major cities, educational programs in schools, and exhibitions highlighting the history of Valruzian democracy. Officials have indicated that both KPW and SW leaders will participate jointly, and they will mark a special occasion since Valruzia's first Chancellor, their own father Szymon Nowik (now aged 81), considered by many as the "father of the modern Valruzian Republic", while be honored as well. Invitations to nations such as neighbouring nations of Kalistan, Baltusia, Lodamun, or friendly allies such as Xsampa, Istalia and Egelion are expected to start being sent once the government is approved by the Sejm.

---

In other news:

• Wages and employment: everything included in the new government agreement; minimum wage increase, harmonization of public-sector salaries, strengthened labor rights, and consolidation of existing worker benefits.
  
• Family and politics: when family ties disrupt political dynamics; the concentration of power in a single family.
  
• Rural development and cooperatives: financial aid and tax incentives for agricultural cooperatives and local businesses under collective ownership.
  
• Military modernization: government agreement includes a comprehensive upgrade of equipment, logistics, and training across all branches, including talks with Kalistan to build an improved Navy.
  
• Universal public healthcare: investment in public hospitals, expanded free medication lists, and improved healthcare access in underserved regions; KPW opposes recreational drug liberalization.
  

[Aethan]

How's Valruzia's economy performing? Fifty years of economic transformation and the path ahead

May 5680

One of Valastra's factories

---

Fifty years have passed since Valruzia emerged from the shadow of the Morawski dictatorship, and the nation now boasts a population exceeding 160 million people, a sophisticated industrial base, and a remarkably strong agricultural sector. From the ruins of a devastated and economically starving country, Valruzia is now competing in the continent's heavyweight category, side by side with Kalistan or Lodamun, and being an internationally recognizable economically stable hub, connecting many in Majatra, Artania, Dovani or Macon.

This transformation, first driven by then-Chancellor Szymon Nowik’s strategic initiatives –most notably the Valruzia 5700 industrial plan and the Agro-So agricultural sovereignty program – has redefined the country’s economic landscape, establishing the country as a regional powerhouse in high-tech manufacturing, aerospace, renewable energy, scientific research and biotechnology. When the Valruzia 5700 plan was announced in October 5630, the country was still reeling from decades of isolation and underdevelopment, still finding its way out of a fiercely economically liberal but otherwise oppresive dictatorial regime. Being well versed in the subject – his father was a political prisoner for many years, and his cousin became a martyr of the revolution – Nowik's ideas to modernize and rebuild a greater and stronger Valruzia laid out a 30-year phased approach: its first phase focused on industrial infrastructure, battery factories, solar panels, semiconductor production and chemical processing and was declared basically completed around the year 5640; the second phase instead emphasized R&D, technology transfer and innovation, and around 5665 was finished; and the third phase, which early planification stated that would span for 20–30 years, is now in full operation as of 5680, managing centers on sustainable mining, recycling of rare metals, circular economy initiatives and diversification into defense and aerospace industries. 

Industrial achievements at this time include industrial parks specializing in nickel, iron, and copper, now producing over 850,000 tons of high-resistance stainless steel annually and meeting 90% of domestic wind turbine component demand. Turbine production for aerospace and energy has increased 15-fold since 5630, while domestic production of the VS-24 fighter jet has reduced defense imports by VPO 1.2 billion annually. Instead, the government is now developing their new VS-25 model, expected to be ready in around 10 years. Semiconductor plants cover 45% of domestic chip demand, with exports to renewable energy firms generating VPO 6 billion per year. The seven nickel-lithium gigafactories across the whole Valruzian territory, exceeding their original 150 GWh target, now produce 180 GWh annually, supporting electric vehicles, energy storage and a wide range of industrial applications. Domestic solar panel production reaches 4 GW annually, supplying 38% of national solar consumption, while value-added exports from refined metals have grown to VPO 18 billion annually, while the establishment of the Sovereign Fund for Strategic Minerals during the First Phase of the Valruzia 5700 has reinvested profits into R&D. According to Dr. Lukasz Ostrowski, senior economist at the Valruzian Institute for Economic Research, "Valruzia’s industrial output has not only surpassed the original 5700 targets but has also created a robust ecosystem for high-skilled employment. Over 6 million jobs are now directly linked to the high-tech and metallurgical sectors, providing unprecedented career opportunities across the nation". 

But parallel to this industrial expansion, the Agro-So initiative intrroduced in 5636 has transformed Valruzia’s rural economy. Its program, aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency, land redistribution and local seed development, has proved to be an example to follow, with many nations expressing their interest in learning what Valruzia has managed to do in this field. Over 200,000 hectares of idle or foreign-owned farmland have been transferred to more than 150,000 local families and cooperatives, particularly in the more rural Voivodeships of Gryfit and Chynberg, and production on redistributed lands has increased 22 to 25%, with yields of rye, buckwheat, and heirloom potatoes rising by double-digits. The Farming Corps, now engaging over 150,000 urban volunteers annually, addresses seasonal labor needs and at the same time, promotes the idea of "no labor is lesser than other", as it serves to strengthen the ties between rural and more urban communities. It is thought that as of 5680, more than 60% of the Valruzian population has, at some time, served at least once in this Farming Crops. One of the other main goals of the Agro-So plan,the so-called Terran Shield program, has now developed 13 drought- and pest-resistant crop varieties in collaboration with the Valruzian National Centre for Scientific Research, reducing reliance on foreign seeds and strengthening Valruzia's local production in the wake of extreme climate crisis. The nationwide rollout of the "From Village to Table" (FVT) supply network, operational in all Voivodeships, now handles 45% of fresh produce sales, connecting rural producers directly with schools, hospitals, and markets, and Valruzia's strategic grain reserves now hold up to two years of staple foods, insulating the nation from potential global supply shocks. As economist Dr. Aneta Wojcik notes "Agro-So demonstrates how deliberate state intervention can simultaneously enhance national pride and, boost rural economies and help the whole population overall. If we check the data, rural unemployment has dropped below 3%, and young families are returning to previously depopulated villages. Not as digital nomads, but because working in the countryside is no longer considered an inferior or a bad-paid job, just a different way of life than that from the big cities". 

Talking about science, Valruzia’s public biopharmaceutical sector – led by the public company NOVA Pharma (established in 5644) – has grown to employ over 100,000 people, producing generic drugs at 35% lower cost than private alternatives, while the company's rabies vaccine is making wonders around the world and providing with huge revenues, that are reinvested in further research on mRNA platforms and rare disease treatments. All this has not only reduced healthcare expenditure but also provided a buffer against global supply chain disruptions, with the country being able to produce most of the generic vaccines available worldwide, such as flu, tetanus, hepatitis B, chickenpox or HPV. As of now, the company has announced that, along with their partners in the National Centre for Scientific Research, an investigation into HIV vaccine is on its way, with first promising results to be delivered in the next few years.

In the Aerospace and Defence industry, it is another public company that takes the reins: Valastra, founded in October 5638, now employs over 213,000 people and manufactures combat aircraft (VS-series), commercial jets (VA-series), helicopters, satellites and missile systems, and it has set the goal to start its own warship production as it is now looking for international partners. Since the launch of the VS-24 fighter in 5640, Valruzia has achieved self-sufficiency in defense aviation and established a growing presence in global aerospace markets. Satellites such as VSat-1, launched in 5643, and the ongoing development of hybrid-electric propulsion systems and high-altitude UAVs illustrate the country’s technological progression, although still far from the data of other countries such as Kalistan, which leads this sector by a wide margin. 

In the last decade, Chancellor Iwan Nowik has sought to consolidate the economic model of his father with a renewed social dimension, closer to the postulates of his Communist Party. His government’s reforms, from capping maximum salaries, reducing the retirement age to 59 and setting working-hour reductions without wage loss, have boosted domestic consumption, reduced inequality and strengthened the internal market. Analysts attribute part of the recent rise in domestic demand, now accounting for almost 68% of GDP growth, to these redistributive policies. Lower-income households have seen real purchasing power rise by over 15% since 5672, while household savings rates remain historically high. Meanwhile, the progressive taxation on wealth and financial transactions, together with tax cuts for firms relocating to Valruzia, have attracted dozens of new biotech and renewable energy companies, partially offsetting fears of capital flight.

In global, Valruzia’s macroeconomic data highlights the success of these integrated policies developed more than two or even four decades ago. In 5680, GDP growth remains robust at 4.2%, inflation is controlled at 2.8%, and unemployment stands at 3.8% nationwide, going down with every annual study and with high-skilled industrial employment exceeding 8 million. Trade surpluses are projected to reach VPO 25 billion, and rural areas once depopulated, have seen population stabilization or growth, with the rural labor participation rate rising from 32% in 5636 to 46% in 5680. Dr. Mateusz Jankowski, chief analyst at the Valruzian Central Bank, comments that "Valruzia demonstrates that long-term economic planning, when combined with targeted state support in strategic sectors, can deliver consistent growth and really good and high employment, no matter the size of your country's population". Yet, as he and other economists cautiously point out, "if Valruzia were to open its markets slightly more to private investment and international capital, its growth potential could be even more astonishing – sadly it doesn't look like we will get a glimpse of this in the near future"

Thanks to many of this measures, the country has become very resilient against international crisis, such as those that develop around the Three point federation, or abbrupt changes in international markets due to political turmoils such as the Rildanorian or Xsampan issues.[/color]

[Aethan]

Valruzia celebrates fifty years of democracy

August 5680

Nowogard's main street filled with citizens celebrating the event

---

On 13 January 5630, Valruzia had its first elections to elect the members of what would become the first official Sejm following the downfall of the decades-long Morawski regime. Now, fifty years later, the Republic is marking its golden jubilee of democracy with a nationwide celebration of solemn ceremonies, jubilant street festivales, concerts, and above all, reflection, national pride and gratitude to all those who sacrificed themselves to build the Valruzia of today. 

Across Valruzia, the blue, white and red flags fluttered from balconies and all over the streets, city squares were filled with music and monuments glowed under the lights of the republican colors. In Brzansk, Valruzia's second largest city and considered by many as the city "where it all really started to change" after Major Iwan Gabris announced that he will obey no more the central government, more than 1,800,000 people – from its more than 5 million citizens – gathered in the Plaza of the Republic to celebrate their pride, while Nowogard, Valruzia's capital city, saw a huge attendance for the opening ceremony, where the bells of the Sejm Tower rang fifty times to commemorate each year of freedom. The government previously passed a law declaring the day "a national holiday", and announced that the Sejm would vote after the festivities end to name the 11th October – the date when the new Valruzian Constitution was approved by the people – a national holiday and Valruzia's national day.

Chancellor Iwan Nowik's speech to the Sejm, which was televised and projected onto the main squares of the nation, started early in the morning at 8:30am, and in his discourse, he mentioned that the Valruzian people "gave an example of dignity and courage to the world", and that the names of those who gave their life "would never be forgotten", after he announced that the Sejm's southern wall would be decorated with the name of all the victims of the Morawski regime. 

"Honourable members of the Sejm, dear citizens of Valruzia,
Fifty years ago today, in towns and villages across our land, the people of Valruzia did something simple, and yet extraordinary. They took a ballot and they chose – freely, fearlessly, and together as brothers and sisters – the path of democracy. On that cold morning of January 13th, 5630, after decades of silence, our nation found its voice again.

We remember the courage of those who dared to speak when speech was forbidden, who wrote when the truth was censored, who stood when others were forced to kneel. We owe them more than remembrance: we owe them our constancy, our vigilance, and our faith in the Republic they helped to build. Their names will now forever be engraved on the southern wall of this very chamber, so that every future generation may read and remember what freedom truly costs. We must never forget that that day was not the beginning of our freedom. It was the reward for years of struggle, for the tears and the courage of an entire generation that refused to bow before tyranny. We know what freedom truly costs. It costed the life of Robert Obrzut, whose name, whispered in grief in 5623, became the battle cry of a nation, became the small, little spark that ignited everything. It costed the lives of hundreds who filled the streets of Nowogard, Brzansk, Szary Kamien, Hel, Gryfitow and all other cities when the regime’s bullets met their songs of hope. It costed the bravery of mothers who hid their sons from the secret police, of journalists who smuggled truth through silence, of workers who refused to work for a government that tortured its own people. And yes – it costed the conscience of soldiers who chose honour over obedience, who remembered that their duty was not to a dictator, but to Valruzia herself, to their motherland.

When the guns fell silent in 5624, it was not because power grew merciful, but because the people, our people, grew unstoppable. The collapse of the Morawski regime was not a gift of fortune, was not something that happened overnight without Valruzians knowing: it was the victory of unity, the moment when every protest, every strike, every act of defiance became one single heartbeat: the heartbeat of a free Valruzia.

And yet, even after the fall, our democracy was tested. The night of 11 September 5627 remains engraved in our collective memory as the day when traitors to our freedom stormed this very chamber, seeking to end what so many had died to begin. But they failed, they failed so bad, not only because of the courage of those who stood unarmed in this hall – Marshal Roszkowska, General Szumski, soon-to-be President Pietrzyk and every deputy who refused to kneel – but because the people once again took to the streets. Citizens, soldiers, students, all standing together, declaring that never again would Valruzia return to chains.

And from that night of terror emerged something greater: the unbreakable truth that our liberty once born, cannot be killed. It can be temporarily restrained, but a Valruzian will always find the way to break their chains.

And today, as we stand here beneath the same dome where bullets once echoed, we must remember that we are here to celebrate our strength, our dignity, our unity, our pride, our liberty. This Sejm stands because the people stood first. This flag flies because thousands carried it through smoke and fire, through suffering and despair. And this Republic lives because our martyrs gave everything they had, so that we might stand here today and speak these words: we are free. Always remember what our flag represents: its blue it's a representation of stability and confidence as much as it represents our love for the sea that give us all life; the white and red stripes, a symbol of the peace achieved in our nation through the spilled blood of the martyrs; the yellow to symbolize the spark that lies within each one of us, and that can grow into the sun of our flag, representing a new dawn for Valruzia; and the laurel wreath, an echo of our victory. All of this together, merged under a single, distinct symbol that every Valruzian is proud of. If we look outside today, we see a beautiful sea of flags covering the streets of our cities, a representation of our dignity as Valruzians.

Let this anniversary remind us that our duty shall always lie with each one of our fellow countrymen. That the struggle of 5623 and the courage of 5627 lives on in each of us. As long as we remember, as long as we protect what they built, Valruzia will never fall again.

To those who are no longer among us: may your names be eternal. To those who continue your work: may your courage never fade. And to the future generations of Valruzians: may you always know the price of freedom, and may you always be worthy of it. Let the bells of this building ring not only for the past we honor, but for the future we will build, together as one. 

Long live the Republic. Long live Valruzia."

Nowik's discourse drew the applause for most of the parliament, with the notable exception of the Valruzian Alliance members. Opposition parties such as Forward Valruzia or Workers' Vanguard, however, did applaud, albeit shyly, the Chancellor's words. Inside the Sejm, this ceremony also gathered former presidents and chancellors, as well as foreign dignitaries, which included Premier Sherab Aurousseau and the Custodian of the Democratic Republic Ladakh from Xsampa; Emperor Tommaso V and Empress Melissa along with its Minister of State Fabrizio Moccia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Beatrice Fanelli and the Istalian ambassador to Valruzia, Elide De Mita from Istalia; Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto – very close still with former Chancellor Szymon Nowik – and Foreign Minister Henry Greene from Kalistan, Royal Councilor Mondragon II and High Councilor Formoselle y Castilla from Egelion and Vice-President Hank Wexler from Lodamun. All these foreign mandataries were also invited to say some words in front of the Sejm, and later, along with other Valruzian State officials and numerous other personalities from the culture, sports and civic society world were afterwards received by the Presidents of Valruzia in the National State Reception Hall, where the official ceremony and the official State dinner took place, and where a emotional tribute to Szymon Nowik, the 81-year-old statesman who led Valruzia’s first democratic governments up until 5655, as well as deceased President Karolina Pietrzyk, Major Iwan Gabris and Chief Marcel Szumski. Nowik, often referred to as "the Father of the Republic", received the Golden Order of the Republic along with the others, and was met with a standing ovation that lasted more than two minutes.

Former Chancellor Szymon Nowik received a standing ovation in the official afternoon reception

Along with the main events, the Valruzian government and the regional Voivodeships coordinated hundreds of activities for the public, including free concerts, exhibitions, open-air cinemas and family events. In Nowogard, the main concert gathered some of the nation’s most renowned artists, including Anja Borek, Tomasz Lew, the group AIWA or Valruzia's most modern international star, Jvlieta, still active after 17 years, all of them performing before an audience of more than a million people. Young and old crowds filled the concerts scheduled in other city parks, as the events for the rest of the week are expected to involve more than 50 million citizens all around the nation.

In Brzansk, the History Museum inaugurated a large-scale exhibition titled "From repression to liberty, 50 years of democracy" showcasing original letters, photographs, and artifacts from the resistance years, as well a original newspaper articles and interactive installations that allowed visitors to see how was life under the Morawski regime, including a 3D recreation of the old barricades that were put in many cities and that quickly became one of the most visited attractions, an exposition that will later be moved to Nowogard.

Educational institutions also took part in the celebrations, and for families, the capital’s and many big cities largest main avenues have been transformed into pedestrian zones, filled with food markets, local concerts, traditional folk performances and open-air film screenings of historical documentaries. And tomorrow, a commemorative parade will march through Nowogard’s main street, bringing together over 100,000 participants, including military units, veterans, students, firefighters and civic associations, as afluence is expected to be in the numbers of hundreds of thousands, with a heavy security device being deployed to ensure the safety of everyone.

In the coastal city of Szary Kamien, the city council led by the KPW has announced that there will be a beachside ceremony where torches and lanterns will be released into the sea to honor the fallen, and tonight, a massive fireworks show is expected to illuminate the skies at the march of the new composition by Valruzian composer Marek Stachowiak, called "Symphony of the new Republic". It is expected that the same ritual will be performed to end the week-long celebrations, where the National Valruzian Chorus will sing the national anthem.

[Aethan]

Breaking! Chancellor Nowik will not be his sister's deputy chancellor at the end of his term

Sources close to the government say he will also resign from the leadership of the KPW before next elections

October 5680

Siblings Iwan and Klaudia Nowik following the reelection of the former as Chancellor of Valruzia after their coalition agreement

---

It’s yet official – but the "Nowik era" of Valruzia might be entering its last act.

According to multiple senior government and party sources who spoke to Valruzian Echo, Chancellor Iwan Nowik does not intend to serve as Deputy Chancellor under his sister Klaudia once the leadership rotation agreed in the 5680 coalition deal takes place in late 5683. Even more, those same sources claim that he plans to step down as leader of the Communist Party of Valruzia before the next general elections, expected for January 5685.

The revelations, first whispered in party circles and now confirmed unoficially by high-level insiders to this newspaper, have reportedly sent political shockwaves across government aidees. For months, the country had adjusted to the sight of the Nowik siblings governing and making public appearances together in what many dubbed the "dynastic coalition" or the most powerful "non royal political family".

The agreement signed last April set a 3.5-year rotation in power, with Iwan Nowik leading first and Klaudia serving as Deputy Chancellor, before swapping roles for the final 1.5 years of the legislative term. But now, just five months into this coalition government, it seems that this initial plan might be falling apart.

"He just doesn’t see himself serving under anyone, not even his sister" a senior KPW official told Valruzian Echo under condition of anonymity. "He’s achieved what he wanted in government and he’s ready to move on".

At the heart of the issue, sources say, lies tension between both the sibling's relationship and a growing political fatigue. Iwan, now 49 – and who will end this legislature at 53 –, has presided over an extraordinary economic growth, with inflation down to 2.8%, unemployment below 3%, and Valruzia’s GDP growth hit an impressive 4.2% last quarter, turning the nation into one of the fastest and most robust-growing economies in Seleya. But unlike his father Szymon Nowik's cautious and calculated pragmatism, Iwan's style has been often described by allies and critics alike as "much more impatient and perfectionist". And many say that this could be clearly seen only months ago, during the 50th anniversary of Valruzia’s first democratic elections, as both siblings stood beside their 81-year-old father as he received a national distinction to the family, saying the generational weight was palpable.

"Szymon's legacy is both a blessing and a burden for the siblings" said Zezar Komisz, a political analyst. "And Iwan has often tried to prove he's more than his father's successor and that he's not where he is because of his name"

Although there's – as of yet – no official statement from the Chancellery, government insiders insist that the relationship between Iwan and Klaudia remains "professionally cordial but otherwise strained".

"Everybody knows, it's common knowledge, that [Szymon] Nowik didn't want his children to become involved in politics, especially after they chose separate paths and different parties to support and work with. He knew very well the burden that politics may cause in personal relationships and wanted to avoid that at all costs for his children. But in the end, both of them are adults capable of making their own decisions, so he couldn't do much more about it. It's funny to consider how a family that has done so much good to this country and has been so capable to bring it to the forefront of global economies is, on the other hand, not so skilled when it comes to their own relationship."

Other sources, however, prefer to be more cautious on the issue, and cite "political and personal fatigue" as Iwan's reasons for his purposed political retirement. After more than two decades in politics – first as Marshall of Kampania, later as Chancellor, Leader of the Opposition and back to Chancellor –, Iwan may be ready for a quieter life outside politics altogether, especially since becoming a father in 5667 to a son he named after his own adoptive father, Szymon, who is now already 13 years old. However, some find this rumor difficult to believe, or contradictory with Iwan's own ambitions.

"If he – and that's a big if as of now – manages to become reelected one more time after the next 5685 elections, he wll have served as Chancellor for more than two decades, very close to how much Szymon [Nowik] served. However, as competitive as he is, he knows he won't be able to achieve the same time as his father due to the legislature he was kicked out of government by the "coalition of losers" (as he used to call it) that made Faustyna Sabala Chancellor after the 5665 elections despite him winning them. That choice is still a heavy weight in his mind, and many think that he has still not forgotten nor forgiven what he considers to be an "affront"" 

Meanwhile, Klaudia, often seen as the more pragmatic and diplomatic of the two siblings, remains silent, as does her close team. A source within SW described her as "focused on her role and unbothered by these rumors", but for some of the older Valruzians, this all feels oddly familiar, as it brings memories back to 5649, when then-Chancellor Szymon Nowik shocked the nation with his Christmas Eve announcement that the 5650 elections would be his last, citing the need to "make way for a new generation", which funnily enough, just a decade later ended up being his own kin. And now, three decades later, history seems to echo within the same family once again.

"Both father and son are walking away at the height of their power"

one of our political commentators say.

"It’s as if the Nowiks have decided to control their own narrative, always leaving before anyone can ask them to. And that fits really well with all we know about them."

Whether this truly marks the end of the Nowik dynasty in Valruzian politics as we know now still remains to be seen, as both siblings now have children of their own – Iwan only one, but Klaudia, two years younger than his older brother, is mother of three. And funnily, when she becomes Chancellor, it will mean that more women than men have held the presidency of Valruzia's government, because only two men have done so: Szymon Nowik for 25 years and Iwan Nowik for almost 20 years when he swipes places with her sister.

---

Other News:

• Chancellor sends his condolences to Kalistan for the passing of Princess Margaret
  
• "A North Seleyan Economic Union? Not in the table as of now" says economy minister
  
• 15 easy recipes for when you simply don't have time
  
• Love in sight? Actors Oskar Skrocki and Gabriel Koziel seem to be more than just "partners" in their new series
  

[Aethan]

Government dismantles major religious sect operating in rural Chynberg

Over 200 arrests after estimated two decades of impunity and local blind eye by authorities 

January 5681

Picture of the fortified compound, with secret police vehicles collecting information and probes

---

The Valruzian government has announced today that they have dismantled what officials describe as one of the most extensive and coercive religious organizations in the country's modern history. The so-called "Church of the Holy Light of Redemption", which has operated for more than twenty years in rural Chynberg, combined the aesthetics of piety with an extensive machinery of psychological control, forging a structure so sophisticated that it evaded detection by national authorities for well over a decade.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the organization exerted direct control over more than 3,000 followers, all of whom were forced to live inside a self-contained commune near the town of Slawzawka, surrounded by high walls, agricultural lands, and guarded gates. At its center stood a monumental basilica of white marble and gold, known locally as the White Temple or Basilica of Redemption, which was completed in 5659 and built almost entirely from "donations" made by adherents and wealthy benefactors, some of whom are now under criminal investigation.

Despite its scale and visibility, the sect managed to operate largely unnoticed by national authorities. Investigators believe it took advantage of loopholes in charitable registration laws and a lack of regional oversight to conceal its activities, presenting itself as a cultural and meditation foundation while building a closed, self-sufficient community. The mayor of Slawzawka, a small rural town of a bit more than 10,000 inhabitants, is one of the only ten local authorities that Valruzian Alliance holds across the country, and by far its largest governing city. The police has announced that he and his whole government are now facing an extensive investigation for alleged negligence, corruption, and possible complicity in allowing the sect to operate unchecked. According to early reports, several municipal departments approved building permits and tax exemptions for the organization despite repeated irregularities in its filings.

"From what we have gathered as of now it looks like for years, this organization has acted with complete impunity and even complicity from the local authorities"

said minister of Internal Affairs Milena Sobkowiak during a press briefing in Nowogard.

"They exploited human vulnerability placing themselves under the false pretext of true spirituality and managed to build their empire thanks to silence, corruption, manipulation and fear"

The government’s investigation began earlier this year, when two young defectors reached the regional police of Chynberg describing life inside the commune: forced fasting, confiscation of personal property, total isolation from the outside world, and threats of "divine punishment" for dissent. Their testimony triggered a months-long probe by the Federal Police and military intelligence under the coordination of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. One of the defectors, aged 18, was allegedly born inside the commune, and only dared to leave with the help of the other, a 23-year-old who had been taken there at the age of fourteen. The older defector reportedly convinced him about the wonders of the outside world and only after he managed to smuggle a small radio inside the compound that he got the necessary courage to escape together. It was the first time he had ever seen the world beyond the compound's walls or spoken with somebody from outside the cult. Both men are now placed under police protection, and the government has announced that they will be given free education and housing as well as psychological counseling and social support, to help them adjust to life outside the commune and rebuild their lives. Ms. Sobkowiak added that, while both men "know how to read" (and noted that women born inside the commune reportedly received no formal education at all) their overall educational level is very limited, with little to no knowledge of subjects such as mathematics or biology.

The coordinated raids, executed by the military and the police last Friday, led to the arrest of 217 individuals, including twelve senior figures of the sect and its founder, self-declared Father Eliasz Kurin, known to his followers as "The Purest One". According to official data, the 57-year old is a former theology student who seemingly disappeared from official records 30 years ago, and who inside the compound ruled through what investigators call "a system of spiritual extortion". He was found hiding in an underground vault beneath the basilica in a chamber containing gold bars, foreign currency, and hundreds of handwritten confessions used to blackmail followers. Now, Kurin and his close associates face charges of fraud, unlawful imprisonment, psychological coercion, and the creation of a coercive organization. Police also suspect that many of the children born inside the compound are a result of his relationship with many of the female cultists.

Authorities have seized more than 30 million Valruzian Pesos, vehicles, and detailed financial ledgers documenting offshore accounts in foreign countries, as well as internal manuals describing "disciplinary methods" and "doctrinal purification rituals" used to enforce obedience. 586 people, including sixty-seven minors, were rescued during the operation and are now receiving psychological and medical assistance. The Sejm is set to pass today a motion to dissolve the local city council and place the municipality under temporary national administration – the first implementation of this constitutional provision in Valruzia’s modern history. The national leadership of Valruzian Alliance has publicly condemned the actions of the Slawzawka mayor and his administration, distancing itself from them, though the party announced it will abstain in the vote arguing that the mayoralty should remain in their hands despite the individual misconduct that "does not represent this party or its policies".

But how could such religious compound rise in the heart of Chynberg without attracting the attention of authorities for nearly two decades? That's the question that now dominates political and public debate. Documents obtained by Valruzia Today suggest that local officials repeatedly approved construction permits for "religious or charitable infrastructure" without proper inspection. Anonymous complaints about missing persons linked to the sect were allegedly ignored.

"No one wanted to touch them"

said a former regional auditor.

"They had money, lawyers, and an image of sanctity. In many parts of deep rural Chynberg, questioning religion, even if it's not an "official one", it's still taboo. Plus, probably many people in the village nearby had a relative or somebody they know inside the cult and the compound, and it's most likely they feared that if they found out, they would suffer the consequences"

. Hosian authorities in Valruzia – the largest religion in the country with self-declared 28% of the population, far behind the 61% that declare themselves atheists – also issued strong statements condemning the sect’s actions, declaring the Church of the Holy Light a "shameful perversion of faith" and excommunicating its leaders for orchestrating coercion, abuse, and financial exploitation. They also condemned the acts performed by the cult leadership as a grave violation of Hosian moral and spiritual law, and local clergy expressed solidarity with the victims, offering them spiritual guidance if needed and emphasizing that manipulation and fear have no place in genuine religious practice, and that true Hosianism would never ask for such things.

Few people were ever allowed inside the basilica, visible from the nearby village despite its high walls. Those who questioned the group's activities faced silence or intimidation.

"We were repeatedly told that the government, the politicians, even our close relatives and friends, all of them were morally corrupt and were sent by the Antichrist into our lives"

said a survivor. Experts say the village's rural isolation, limited media presence, and declining institutional trust created "a perfect storm" for such cult. 

"They presented themselves as a meditation community, a place where you could embrace the real values of the Hosian faith"

explained Dr. Helena Wajs, sociologist at the University of Nowogard.

"And as for the village people, it is clear that at everyone there had to know at least one person that went inside the cult, but somehow, they were all too afraid to ask or to look for answers, or even to report it to the local authorities under the fear of them being complicit with the members of the cult"

. In light of the investigation, the national police has immediately suspended all local police officers in the area, pending a thorough review of whether they neglected their duties or actively colluded with the sect’s leadership.

Chancellor Iwan Nowik addressed the nation on Friday evening, announced the creation of a Parliamentary Commission that will be tasked with investigating how the Church of the Holy Light evaded oversight for so long, and will examine possible failures by local officials, misuse of tax exemptions, and alleged connections between the sect's leadership and business donors.

[Aethan]

"Hell on Terra" wins all major awards in 41th edition of Kojak Awards

The groundbreaking sports drama shatters taboos around abuse, sexuality, and identity in youth athletics

April 5681

Part of the cast of "Hell on Terra" during one of the scenes

---

In a not-so-surprising ending, the psychological sports drama series "Hell on Earth" dominated the 41st Kojak Awards in Nowogard last night, claiming Best Series, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor, Best Actress and both of Best Supporting roles, in an unprecedented sweep that cements its place as a milestone in Valruzian television history and marking a feat that it's difficult to be repeated.

Produced by Aurora Pictures and directed by Tomasz Beranek in his debut, the series has become both a ratings and social media phenomenon, and has already been dubbed in Luthorian, Egelian and Istalian, among other languages. Set in an elite national sports academy, Hell on Earth follows a group of teenage and young athletes who are shaped and shattered by an unforgiving system that prizes victory above their own humanity and health.

Behind its polished lines and carefully designed aesthetics, the spectator finds a brutal portrayal of ambition, personal relationships and the question of "how far are you capable of going to pursue your dreams". The show touches issues such as eating disorders, psychological and substance abuse, sexual exploitation and identity crises among young athletes, exploring how the relentless and forced pursuit of excellence above everything else, even your own health, can turn adolescence into a psychological war zone.

"We wanted to explore the price of perfection" said Beranek during his acceptance speech. "Many young athletes are told that pain is a virtue and that fear is weakness, until they forget who they are beyond the medals and believe they are no more than a perfect score"

Lead actress Natalia Wieczorek delivers a tear-weeping and impressive performance as Klara, a 19-year-old gymnast divided between her personal – and family – ambition and her own self-worth, self-esteem and personal relationships with his boyfriend and friends alike. Her co-star Filip Mroz, who plays Dawid, a closeted wrestler facing discrimination, isolation and his own doubts, won Best Supporting Actor, and dedicated his award "to every athlete who has ever been told to hide who they are if they wanted to succeed in their careers". "In many sports, if not most of them, athletes are told that triumph can only come hand by hand with silence, hiding who they are if they don't fit into the norm. But to younger generations I want to tell them that it doesn’t. Real strength is looking at yourself and saying: I deserve to exist just as I am, and to be valued by my performance, not by who I am". A retired wrestler himself, Mróz turned to acting after an injury ended his sporting career, an experience that gives his portrayal an extra dose of authenticity.

One of the most talked-about subplots of the series revolves around Luka, a trans swimmer portrayed by newcomer Jan Czarnecki and whose journey through issues throgough the series tackling hormonal suppression, bureaucratic hurdles and social rejection has sparked more than one debate in many homes for sure. "It’s the first time Valruzian television has portrayed a trans athlete, and it’s forcing the viewers to confront realities they have ignored or they didn't know at all existed for decades. And I think that's good, and if I can contribute to it, I'm more than proud of it" said Czarnecki, the first trans person to win an award in the Kojak Awards. 

When contacted, the Valruzian Swimming Federation declined to comment, while several conservative commentators accused the show of "promoting confusion in youth sports". Yet the audience response has been overwhelmingly positive, with Hell on Terra becoming VZPlay’s most-watched original, reaching 27 million streams in its first month and earning global distribution deals across Majatra, Seleya, Dovani or Keris.

The government praised the show’s "contribution to personal introspection", with Minister of Culture Katarzyna Prokop (Sovereign Valruzia) saying in a statement that Hell on Terra "shows that Valruzia’s film industry is not afraid of touching issues that may be uncomfortable for some, but a harsh reality for many others".

At the Nowogard National Theatre, the cast and crew received standing ovations. The audience included Chancellor Iwan Nowik, who congratulated the team personally, calling the series "a work of courage and compassion".

While hailed as a masterpiece by critics, Hell on Terra has polarized some viewers, with right-leaning outlets calling the series "an ideological weapon of current modernity". "How is it propaganda to portray the reality of many athletes' day-to day?" responded retorically director Beranek.

Following the ceremony, Aurora Pictures confirmed that production of Season 2 is set to begin at the end of this summer. 

---

See full list of awards below:

• Best Film: Tantro (Silver Star Productions)
  
• Best Series: Hell on Terra (Aurora Productions)
  
• Best Direction (Series): Tomasz Beranek (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Direction (Film): Jakub Malinowski (Echoes of the North)
  
• Best Screenplay (Series): Tomasz Beranek and Karolina Lis (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Screenplay (Film): Katarzyna Wolna (Tantro)
  
• Best Actress: Natalia Wieczorek (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Actor: Mateusz Woniak (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Supporting Actress: Marta Wrona (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Supporting Actor: Filip Mroz (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Cinematography (Series): Piotr Niemiec (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Soundtrack: Echoes of the North (Directed by Dawid Strzelecki)
  
• Best Editing: The Silent Choir (Directed by Hanna Piatek)
  
• Best Production Design: Hell on Terra
  
• Best Costume Design: The Kingdom of Dust (Directed by Aneta Walczak)
  
• Best Visual Effects: Children of the Tide 
  
• Best Documentary: The Age of the Revolutionaries (AZM Media)
  
• Audience Choice Award: Hell on Terra
  
• New Talent Award: Jan Czarnecki (Hell on Terra)
  
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Janina Stawska, "for her four-decade contribution to Valruzian television and theatre"
  

[Aethan]

Valruzia to enforce social media ban on minors: "The most powerful network for youngsters is a book"

Government announces intention to implement sweeping digital restrictions, targeting underage users and unregulated influencer content

May 5682

---

Valruzia is set to become the first country in Seleya to ban access to social media for minors under fourteen, in what officials describe as a "measure to protect mental health and restore focus among the nation’s youth". The new Digital Wellbeing and Protection Act, proposed by the Nowik cabinet and that is guaranteed to be approved by the Sejm at least with the votes of the coalition members, would then come into force one year from its approval.

Under the law, platforms such as TogoTik, Instantpix, Chatr and ViewMe will be required to verify users’ ages through government-issued identification, as failure to comply will lead to steep fines and, in repeated cases, suspension of services across Valruzia.

"We are protecting our youth with these measures" said Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs Nadia Samborska during the announcement in Nowogard. "We do believe that the most powerful network for our youth is still a book: it doesn’t track you, it doesn’t manipulate you, and it doesn’t sell your insecurities back to you. It lets your imagination float and gain huge and valuable knowledge without being exposed to other harmful influences".

Valruzia ranks among the ten most populous nations on Terra with over 160 million inhabitants, making it one of the largest and most profitable markets for global tech and social media companies. Industry analysts warn that the new restrictions proposed by the Nowik government, if approved, could set a precedent with enormous financial implications, as platforms risk losing tens of millions of underage users and their advertising revenue. Executives from TogoTik and Instantpix have already expressed "serious concerns" about the scope of the law and are reportedly studying legal avenues to appeal certain provisions proposed in the draft. The government is reportedly in contact with some mobile companies to develop new devices targeted at these underage population, which would allow only the usual calling options but without any access to internet whatsoever.

But apart from restricting underage access, the Act would also introduce the country's first comprehensive regulation of influencer marketing and digital personalities, with any content creator which earns over VPO 200,000 annually through online platforms being legally classified as a "commercial communicator" and therefore subject to taxation, transparency, and advertising laws similar to traditional media. This law would also force these influencers to clearly label their paid promotions, and new prohibitions will target the advertising of gambling, aesthetic surgery, weight-loss products, high-risk financial services aimed at minors and other issues. The Ministry of Health also confirmed the creation of a state-run Registry of Digital Content Producers, where online influencers must register before publishing sponsored material, as according to Mrs. Samborska, "digital influence is a form of power, and all forms of power must be accountable according to our law. The goal here is not to censor, but rather to bring order and honesty to a largely unregulated digital economy"

After the announcement of the new Digital Act, public reaction has been divided. Parent associations and education experts have largely support the initiative, citing studies linking heavy social media use to depression, attention problems and eating disorders among adolescents among other issues such as harassment and bullying.

"Teachers can see the effects every day" said Dr. Agnieszka Morawska, psychologist at the University of Gryfitow. "We are raising children who can edit videos but can’t hold eye contact for more than ten seconds or cannot have a normal conversation without relying on insults, or cannot connect properly more than three sentences"

However, civil liberties groups and several politicians have warned of "excessive state paternalism". Valruzian Alliance and Forward Valruzia have argued that the policy only "infantilizes the young and risks pushing them toward underground networks beyond government reach", but Workers' Vanguard have announced their affirmative vote to the Act.

Popular Valruzian TogoTik creator, Lidia Wenczak, has called the law "a digital curfew and an attack of independent personalities", adding that the government should focus on better online education "instead of turning the internet into a gated city"

However, the Nowik government insists that the move is not about censorship, but more about education and protection. "Social media has become the public school of values for many" said Minister of Education Katarzyna Prokop, who also took her chance to criticize parents who rely on excess on digital devices such as phones or tablets to "entertain their own children without having to waste their own time with them", and announced that her ministry is already drafting a proposal to ban digital tablets in schools as substitutes of the "classical books" used for teaching.

According to data from the Valruzian Institute for Social Studies, 71% of parents support the under-14 ban, but only 39% believe it will be effectively enforced. Meanwhile, bookstores and libraries have reported a sharp increase in youth memberships and sales of physical books since the announcement. As a symbolic gesture, the Ministry of Education has already launched the campaign #ReadToReconnect, encouraging families to replace one hour of daily screen time with shared reading or outdoor activities, and featuring many well-known Valruzian personalities such as social media influencer Julia Kosewska or award-winning actor Filip Mroz, known for his work in the multiple award-winning series "Hell on Terra".

[Aethan]

Valruzia reportedly growing weary of Kalistani officials' tone: "Respect must be mutual"

Officials in Nowogard express frustration over recurring "disrespectful remarks" from Chancellor Donahue, warning that patience "has limits" even between longtime allies.

July 5682

---

Last month's decision of Chancellor of the Empire Lady Ericka Donahue that her country would abandon its "experiment with internationalism" and return to a nationalist and isolationist posture haven't come as a surprise for many in Valruzia, but the decision not be part of any discussions around Valruzia and instead appointing the Kalistani foreign minister, Mr. Greene, as the valid intermediate between both nations due to her outspoken "anti-communist" views have not been well-received in the neighbouring North Seleyan nation. In Nowogard, this news have not been received as a surprise, but more of a fatigue.

In a statement issued Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Valruzia’s commitment to "respectful and stable diplomacy", while acknowledging that "patience has limits".

"Valruzia has been a consistent and reliable partner to the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan for many years, and has always refrained from judging or interfering in its internal decisions, even if we do not agree with them or we do not find in agreement with its institutions" the communiqué read. "However, respect must be mutual. We cannot continue to ignore repeated public remarks that question or disparage our institutions and principles".

Diplomatic sources told Valruzia Today that the general mood within the Chancellery was one of "weary irritation". Acknowledging the "regrettagle" decision made by Kalistan, the Office of the Chancellery has announced that Chancellor Iwan Nowik will no longer meet with Kalistani Foreign Minister Henry Greene, instead meeting only with his "only valid counterpart", Valruzian Foreign Minister Waldemar Smołka.

"We are not shocked about this, we are simply tired" said one senior official on condition of anonymity. "Valruzia has never criticized Kalistan’s domestic politics, even when we disagreed. That respect has not always been reciprocated, and if mutual understanding depends on who happens to be in power in Nowogard, perhaps it is not as solid a friendship as we once believed. We have not once spoken against its Chancellor, or against its monarchy, even though our anti-monarchy position is obviously well-known. We have held a lot of bilateral meetings without any trouble, because for us, that is what diplomacy is for, to find the best for two good neighbours even when you do not agree with the decisions or the institutions they have in place."

This remarks refer to a long list of incidents involving Lady Donahue, who in 5678 described the Valruzian system as "communist plague" and sent them to hell during a press outburst, and again earlier this year labeled communism "a pernicious global threat". Despite repeated apologies from Kaliburg and attempts by Valruzian Chancellor Iwan Nowik to reduce the tension, the relationship between the two nations has remained cool since then.

Another senior Valruzian diplomat who has participated in multiple rounds of bilateral talks with Kaliburg went further in their comments to Valruzia Today:

"Valruzia has proven time and again that it is a reliable, trustworthy and loyal partner. But reliability should never be confused with weakness, nor loyalty with servility" they said. "Our country has stood by Kalistan in many moments without asking for anything in return, and the same has happened the other way around, in moments such as when our nation was hit by Hurricane Pavlo, or once Valruzia was being rebuilt after we defeated our dictatorship. Valruzia does not forget and is always grateful towards its allies and friends, and that's why it hurts more to see such an attitude towards us. One must wonder whether it truly serves Kalistan’s interests to alienate one of its most steadfast allies on the global stage, the same way Valruzia does not want it to happen".

He added that dismissing Valruzia through ideological labels shows a lack of perspective.

"Perhaps, instead of clinging to outdated stereotypes about one of the parties in the Valruzian government, they could look at the policies the government has been implementing, policies that have measurably improved the lives of millions of Valruzian citizens".

While officials in Nowogard avoided further escalating the tension, many analysts noted that Valruzia's reaction marks a shift in the tone used in previous reactions. Valruzia’s influence in Seleya, and especially Northern Seleya, has expanded steadily over the past four decades. Its stable democratic institutions, dynamic industries, rapidly growing and strong economy, and record trade surpluses have made it a central actor in continental politics. For global companies and many governments alike, losing access to Valruzia’s enormous market, the second most-populated nation in the Seleyan continent – and also to its political goodwill – is widely seen as a mistake no country can afford lightly. Indeed in Nowogard, the Foreign Ministry closed its statement on a delicate note:

"Valruzia remains open to dialogue and cooperation, but mutual respect cannot be selective. True friendship between nations does not and should not depend on electoral cycles or democratic results, but on a feeling of shared trust and confidence in one another's institutions".

Outside government circles, public opinion has been far less restrained but still, few in Nowogard expect an outright rupture. "There may be a cooling of relations, but Valruzia’s foreign policy has always been patient and principled" Dr. Stawczyk noted. "And that patience, paradoxically, may be what Kaliburg most takes for granted"

Now, the upcoming Valruzia–Kalistan Economic Meeting, scheduled to take place in next month, is on the air, but experts insist it is still expected to proceed as planned, though "the atmosphere may be frostier than usual". Following these Valruzian government declarations, the national market opened with some losses, the first time in a long time that the WALEX was affected negatively.

[Aethan]

INTERVIEW | Marcin Borkowski: "We are not "dangerous extremists", we represent the real workers" 

The Workers' Vanguard leader defends his party's hardline socialist stance, accuses the government of "selling illusions" and insists that "moral decay is as dangerous as wild capitalism itself"

August 5682

---

It has been five years since Workers’ Vanguard (Robotnicza Awangarda, RA) broke away from the Communist Party of Valruzia, accusing it of betraying its revolutionary roots. Many dismissed the splinter group as a mere political curiosity but following the 5680 elections, the party entered the Sejm with 37 deputies, forcing analysts to take a second look.

Its leader, Marcin Borkowski, is as polarizing as he is disciplined: a former KPW Chynbergian Committee member, once considered one of the sharpest theoreticians of Metzism in the KPW and Valruzia and now turned into a self-styled defender of "orthodox socialism with Valruzian characteristics". His party’s mix of hard-left economics and traditionalist social views has earned him both fervent supporters and harsh critics within Valruzian society.

In this interview with the Valruzian Observer conducted in Nowogard, Borkowski explains why he believes Valruzia’s left has "lost its moral compass", why he rejects both capitalism and "progressive liberalism", and how he envisions the future of the working class.

Q: Thank you for inviting us for this interview. Let's start. Mr. Borkowski, your party has often been described as an extremist faction, a mix of old-fashioned socialism and cultural conservatism and prejudices. How do you respond to that?

A: That label says more about today’s political climate than about us. The party in government has indeed improved the conditions of the working class with shorter working hours, free education, longer retirements, better housing conditions, social support, etc and we recognize that because we were part of the party at the time and voted in favor of many of this proposals. But it has lost the spirit behind those measures – that, as a matter of fact, I was behind the writing of many of them, just so the people know. But socialism is not about handing out benefits, it is about building a society based on duty, solidarity, and purpose.

What we see today is a comfortable, complacent socialism. People have more, but are less. We are producing a generation that believes justice means entitlement, but reject to do their own part of contribution. Our mission is to remind Valruzians that material equality without moral strength leads to our society's decay. We are not "Communists" in the old, dogmatic sense. We prefer to call ourselves socialist patriots. Our socialism is rooted in the real people, not in abstract theories or imported slogans. To defend the worker is to defend the homeland, because one cannot exist without the other, both concepts are inseparable.

Q: You’ve accused the Communist Party of "wokification" and "ideological decay". What does that mean in practice?

A: It means replacing the collective struggle of the people with the endless struggle of small identities. It means talking more about the most recent trend in social media than about factories. The left has traded discipline for chaos and replaced social duty with endless self-expressions.

We do not hate anyone, we reject the ideology that tries to fragment society into competing groups. When we say we defend traditional values, it is not about discrimination; it’s about social cohesion. A country without shared moral foundations cannot build socialism or anything else. We do not want a society built on religion either; we want a society built in common and shared homogeneous values. We respect every individual, and yes, including those who identify as LGBT. But we refuse to redefine every institution, such as marriage or education, to fit ideological fashions. Our view is simple: equal dignity, yes; cultural relativism, no.

Q: So your party’s moral platform – opposing same-sex marriage, restricting abortion, tightening migration – has drawn criticism even from some on the left. Aren't these positions contradictory with socialist principles?

A: Well, not at all. Socialism without any kind of moral compass is simply chaos. A society simply cannot survive if it destroys its own values. We believe in collective strength, and that includes the strength of the family, the stability of communities, and the moral education of youth. But let me be clear again on this: we do not reject LGBT people nor approve of discrimination against them, and I will repeat this as many times as it is necessary. We reject the ideology that tries to politicize identity and divide society into endless minorities.  And the same applies to "same-sex" marriage: we do not oppose, and indeed we do support, legal protection of same-sex couples, but we defend the traditional definition of marriage as something distinct, rooted in cultural and historical continuity. We believe that words matter, that institutions matter. You cannot rebuild society if you constantly deconstruct it. We support same-sex relationships, same-sex unions, but we do not support this label, for example. 

Regarding abortion, our view is simple: it should be rare, responsible, and never treated as a social convenience. We defend the right to life while also defending the right of the mother to dignity and support. That means prevention, education, solidarity... but never turning a tragedy into a celebration

And on migration, our position is not hatred; it is called simply order. We welcome those who respect Valruzian laws, culture, and language. But we cannot have socialism in one street and chaos in the next. Every country has the right, and I'd say, the duty, to protect its social fabric. Solidarity begins at home, with those who share your burden and your destiny. When a society becomes extremely heterogeneous, it stops having an identity and becomes something that is simply unidentifiable and therefore, unmanageable.

So no, these are not contradictions. They are the moral backbone that keeps socialism human.

Q: Let's talk about one ardent issue. One of your first deputies, Piotr Janiszewski, was permanently banned from public office after his remarks about the Yeudi community. Do you still stand by him and his words?

A: I stand by the principle that no citizen should be silenced for speaking uncomfortable truths. His words were harsh, and even I would have chosen them differently... but his punishment was political. The government used the judiciary as a weapon to send a message to others around: if you challenge the orthodoxy, they will attempt to destroy you

We reject hate, but we also reject the idea that criticism of religion or ideology is the same as bigotry. Freedom of conscience means freedom to speak honestly. And if we start criminalizing speech, we end up with hypocrisy instead of justice. Valruzia is a nation proudly identified as non-religious. The vast majority of our nation identify themselves as non-religious. Why do we keep having this high protections for any religious group? It is simply nonsense

Q: Workers' Vanguard often talks about "moral decay" and the need for discipline. Isn’t that language closer to the right than to the left?

A: The real left was never about moral anarchy. We reject, despise anarchism or these people that identify themselves as "communists" and only use the label to wreak havoc. It was about community, sacrifice and national dignity. Our principles speak of a disciplined working class, not of endless rebellion without any identifiable order.

We believe the working class must be not only economically empowered but also morally strong. A people, a nation, that loses its sense of duty and honor becomes easy prey for both oligarchs and demagogues. We would not say that our vision is "left" or "right". It is purely Valruzian. We take what is noble from our tradition and combine it with what is just from socialism. That is our synthesis.

Q: But if the KPW has implemented so many good social reforms – free education, reduced retirement age, income caps, price controls – what exactly would Workers' Vanguard do differently?

A: First, let me emphasize this again: many of those reforms were written or inspired by people like me when we were still within the KPW. I helped draft parts of the retirement age law and the income cap proposal. So, of course, we support them. But what we see today is that these policies have become empty structures. The government treats them as ends in themselves, not as part of a broader moral and national project. For sure, they have given people comfort, but not a final purpose. Let's talk about the free university law, for example: it is a great step, of course and without doubt – but what use is free education if it produces graduates with no attachment to their community, no sense of duty? Or if we talk about the shorter work week: Of course it was a victory of the working class, undoubtedly – but if free time only leads to apathy, consumerism, or escapism, then what has been truly achieved? What prevents this law from being removed if the society as a whole does not see its purposes, its true benefits?

Workers’ Vanguard would revive the original spirit behind these measures: that social reform must serve collective dignity, not just serve for a short temporal, material satisfaction. We would refocus the entire social system around the idea that every Valruzian has something to give back, be it through work, through knowledge, through solidarity... Our goal is not to dismantle what exists, but to give it meaning again, to strengthen it to its most. A welfare system without a moral direction is like a house without a foundation: it is comfortable for a while, sure, until one day, the walls begin to crack.

Q: What do you say to critics who claim Workers' Vanguard is authoritarian, that your rhetoric about duty and obedience sounds closer to nationalism than socialism?

A: Then they haven’t read about history. Every successful socialist movement has been disciplined and patriotic. You cannot build collective prosperity on individual egoism. National pride does not contradict socialism. Are we nationalists? Of course we are, because we are proud of Valruzia, we are proud of the Valruzian people. We want Valruzia to be united, strong, and self-sufficient. To love your country for what it gives to you is gratitude. And gratitude is the foundation of solidarity.

Q: Finally, how do you see your role in Valruzian politics going forward?

A: We are not here to imitate anyone. We are here because we want to build a Valruzia that remembers who she is. Industrial, cultured, self-confident. We truly believe we are one of the great nations of Terra. We should act like it. Our movement does not seek to go backwards, to go to the dark moments of our history, but we do want to rebuild a nation where workers are proud, where our youth is disciplined, and were the simple mention of our name abroad commands respect.

If the KPW governs wisely, we will support what is right. But we will never stop exposing hypocrisy, corruption, or decadence.