Davostag

[Augustus]

 

Government Agencies Enacts Special Measures in Full Force after State Council Meeting

7 August 5629 | Kivonia, Davostag

 

Davostagian soldiers of the 2.Pansarskyttedivision outside city of Eliseborg, island of Bindeborg.

 

With the internal security measures imposed by the government of the Kundrati Legionary State that forbids Davostagers from leaving the country as well as seizing control over the management of the Västmakoniska gruvindustrin AB's ("West Makonic Mining Industry limited", VGAB) Kundrati-based operations, the rikspresident summoned the State Council (the supreme advisory body of the state) to discuss the crisis. What was specifically said during the meeting is not known and will probably not be revealed in detail any time soon. But what we can deduce from it is statements, directives and actions taken immediately after by state officials.

 

To begin, the Minister of Social Security Management, Karl Manner, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nora Erasdotter, suddenly announced that they were resigning from their positions. A day after the rikspresident approved their reentry into the Davostag Army officers corps and appointed the two as key officers the Davostag Army General Staff. Both Manner and Erasdotter were well known for having nationally topped the military youth education system and later the Kivonia Military Science Institute. From certain sources, it said that the Military High Command had specifically requested the two's reenlistment after the State Council meeting. What their roles will be is to be seen, but looking at their specialties during their times at the Military Training Front for Future Cadets and later Civil Cadet School, one might expect the two to take on a field command position.

 

The National Development Commission (RUK) issued a directive for the various economic sectors in Davostag to make preparations, contingency plans and take other measures in order to not get caught on the bed in a serious crisis. While the Davostag Corporative Organization (DKO) organized several meetings with trade and employers' unions throughout the various sectors in the country issuing similar directives as RUK. Official documents from the All-State Defence Company (ASFK) shows that 6 new Taab JAS 41 Gyrfalcon, 3 new Markovic 85, 1 new Nyson-class submarine, 15 new Kivonian Artillery Hunting Radar, 14 new Girafour Radar System, 14 new Stridsfordon 91, 16 new Blida FH88BW L52 Artillery System, 18 new Patgb 480, and finally 6 new ASFK D-72 Gungner, are to be prioritized immediately by the defence industries and expected to be ready soon.

 

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, who has been gathering hundreds of transport vessels at the islands of Bindeborg, has officially reported that they have now reached one thousand of various sizes. Mostly small and medium. This due to public donations and aid in the quick production, purchases and acquisition of them. The Central Military Commission, nominally intended to provide civilian oversight of the Armed Forces, has announced that they will take a step back from inquiring on military matters, as most members have other duties on the side of their role in the CMC, they have explained that this will not cause much issue and that the decision is temporary until regional affairs have calmed down. With this, the Armed Forces have essentially been allowed to become completely free in their movements.

 

While the Ministry of Agriculture has not made any public statement, documents and other reports reveal that the Ministry, in cooperation with RUK and the Ministry of Commerce, is providing public and private actors in the food sector guidelines in regards to food production, storing and provision upon a serious national crisis. Riksbladet has been able to acquire some information that could reveal that the said actors in the food sector have been in contact with the Armed Forces through the DKO and the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

For the time being, the last major action taken by government forces is the deployment of the 4th Army Corps, composed of the 1. Bergsjägardivision ("Mountain Infantry Division"), 2. Pansardivision and 3. Infanteridivision, totalling 28,700 soldiers; as well as the 5th Army Corps, composed of the 2. Pansarskyttedivision ("Panzergrenadier division"), 6. Infanteridivision and 7. Infanteridivision, totalling 28,400 soldiers. With the already deployed 3rd Spezeg Brigade and the 8th Spezeg Paratrooper Brigade, with 6,000 soldiers each, the total military deployment of the Davostag Army on the islands is about 69,100 soldiers. Reinforced by the Air Force's 7 Taab JAS 41 Gyrfalcons, 12 Sven JAS 40s, 6 Markovic 85s, including a remnant reinforcement to the partially deploy Bindeborg and Northeast-Artanian fleets, thus numbering a total 13 Kivonia-class corvettes, 8 Långstad-class corvettes, 5 Nyberg-class corvettes, 3 Vermillion-class corvettes and 7 Sevescia-class submarines; which are said to be expanding their patrolling the Lievenian and Unholy Seas deeper into international waters. The two fleets are joined by 100 Spezeg soldiers each.

 

Riksbladet has tried to reach the Military High Command, the Ministry of Defence and including the relatively inactive Central Military Commission for a statement on the causes for these measures. But none has been given and no sources from within has confirmed anything, showcasing that the military is tightening its grip on information coming out from the organizations. On top of this can we also say that the State Security Bureau (SSB), who have laid low in the recent decades, had sent a directive to us and most likely other media outlets to not cause any unnecessary security risks with scandals or revelations that could harm the work of the government in the coming months. In light of all this, one must point out that there has only been a handful of times where such an atmosphere as this one has swallowed Davostag and the Davostagers so ruthlessly, usually on the more fateful periods of history.

 

News report written by Peter Åkerman.

[Augustus]

 

Davostag Senate Re-Elects Gustav Dahler as Rikspresident

20 February 5631 | Kivonia, Davostag

 

It was in 5564 that the Act of Senatorialism was passed, abolishing direct popular elections of the rikspresident, in favor of the resulting Davostag Senate. The Senate was formed as the electoral body which would convene for the sole purpose of electing the rikspresident. It is composed of 175 senators, 45 of which are appointed by the unicameral legislature, the Riksdag, all of whom has to be Riksdag deputies; 55 are elected by the Corporative Chamber, an advisory body representing one of the nine corporatives of the Davostag Corporative Organization, created for the purpose of representation to the interests of the country's all various professions; and 75 are appointed by the military. The election of the senators occur every four years, with senators not allowed to serve consecutive terms. The election of the rikspresident, however, is every seven years.
 
Gustav Dahler succeeded Markus Sverkersson in 5617, as the latter resigned in the midst of an ongoing political power struggle. Dahler would come out on top, gaining the approval of the Senate, and consequently serving as rikspresident since then. His won his first election with 106 votes, while winning his second election in 5624 with an unanimous approval. This is usually the life cycle of the presidency in Davostag since the inception of the Senate. A strong rikspresident serves his tenure, gives public favor and an unofficial nomination of his/her preferred successor, who always takes over due to the previous rikspresident's influence. The succeeding rikspresident usually governs with a lowered authority due to the reliance of his/her predecessor, thus the power struggles starts creeping out. The next appointed successor governs with even less authority, until the political schemes reach a point where the rikspresident is unable to garner enough influence. This cycle ends with the emergence of a new strong rikspresident who restarts the cycle again.
 
As Dahler now has been re-elected for a third term, he will be sworn in on the "1st day of the month after the election-month", as stated in the Davostag constitution. On the evening of the election-day, he held a televised speech declaring that the coming seven years will show Davostag's greater involvement in regional affairs, build up of the energy sector, economic development and a continuation of the expansion of military capabilities. 
So, we at Riksbladet declares yet again, as per electoral tradition: The Rikspresident lives! Long Live the Rikspresident!

 

News report written by Peter Åkerman.

[Augustus]

 

Davostag Navy to Provide Civilian Protection Through International Waters

13 April 5632 | Kivonia, Davostag

 

The Davostag Navy General Staff announced this afternoon that the deployed Bindeborg and Northeast-Artanian fleets are to provide protection and escort Davostager civilian trade vessels through international waters, though not specified in the announcement, it would seem without a doubt between Davostager and Kundrati zones to ensure the security of the free trade between the two nations. On top of this, several of the deployed Gyrfalcon aircraft in the region will begin moving in the direction of the naval deployments between Davostag and Kundrati to provide aerial defense.
A few hours before the Navy's announcement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement that any official or unofficial lines of communication with the ruling authorities of the contested territory of the island of Etxea are to be dissolved. This would mean that the government will only be conducting missions to the Legionary state as the sole representative of the Kundrati nation.
 
News segment written by Klara Fridasdotter.

[Augustus]

 

Protests Envelop as People Show Dissatisfaction with the Government Policies Over the Years

16 April 5632 | Kivonia, Davostag

 

 

Davostager protesters gathered in central Kivonia.

 

In recent weeks, a rising dissatisfaction could be seen on the Davostagian side of the internet against current government policies that is seen as ineffective and causing harm to the wrong places. For example, while increased military spending is a guaranteed move for popular support, it has traditionally been done in a balanced way in regards to welfare spending, in order to not have the two be overly affected by each other. This time, the recent increase in military spending has caused the government to allocate larger chunks of the budget of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs to military projects. Another issue is in regards to the five-year plans issued by the National Development Commission, with the recent one, issued in 5628, was presented with almost nothing of real value and was pretty much sidelined thereafter, with the government instead focusing on military projects and the trade relations with Kundrati.
 
In response to these dissatisfactory sentiments, alternative media reported that the military police had seemingly arrested individuals connected to internet accounts spreading such opinions. This resulted in the eruption of protests across the larger cities in Davostag, especially here in the capital of Kivonia. This has become an anti-government protest movement composed of the sentiments already described, but also of those unhappy with the position taken in regards to Kundrati, believing the government should take a harsher stance to aid the Davostager minority there. There are also those from the opposition Union for Democratic Refom (UDR) party that has joined the protests, most likely hoping to capitalize on it for the upcoming elections next year.
 
The protests began two days ago, with an estimation that about 630,000 are part of them across the country, with the numbers being reported steadily increasing. The government, as usual when unpopular demonstrations take place, has sent out the military police, aided by the civilian police, to curb the issue through more violent means, batons, riot shields, water cannons, etc. There has already been a report that about 180 protesters have been arrested. We are now on our second day of protests, and there has been a call for premier Axel Rodin to resign with his entire government. Some are even calling for the resignation of rikspresident Gustav Dahler, meaning that the real issue is with him allowing the government to pursue the current policies against the best interest of the people.

 

News report written by Peter Åkerman.

[Augustus]

 

After Weeks of Violent Protests, Premier Rodin and Cabinet Resigns

4 May 5632 | Kivonia, Davostag

 

 

Davostager riot police in the midst of clashes with protesters.

 

The protests, beginning on 14 April, after the government authorities had arrested several dissenters for spreading anti-government rhetoric on the internet, have now been in a constant fight with the military and civilian police on the streets of the country's larger cities, especially in the capital, Kivonia. Burning cars, stores, violent government agents and thousands of arrests, hundreds injured and several dead; Premier Axel Rodin announced on the evening of 3 May his and the cabinet's resignation the following day. The office of the rikspresident gave out a statement confirming the resignations and that a new premier will be announced soon.
 
In yearly statistics and pollings through government agencies to access the opinions of the common people of their favorite politicians, state officials and military officers, one of the most popular of these is the former Minister of Social Security Management, Karl Manner, seen with great favor in regards to his military career and known for overseeing the first policies implemented through the Specified Prerogative Act. Considered to have the potential for a great political career as his military one, he suddenly resigned in 5629 together with another popular figure, Nora Erasdotter, both reentering their military professions a few days after their resignations. Such pollings are usually done for the State Council to get an understanding of what officials and figures could garner support from the people and what possible futures they could hold. Thus it would be that the Rikspresident would announce on 4 May the appointment of Manner as the new premier.
 
In his first speech as premier, Manner assured the public that he will work to change the course of the country towards a more thriving one, with balanced military and welfare spendings, increased military presence in the Lievenian and Unholy Seas, complete and functioning five-year plans, a change in direction regarding foreign policy, as well as pushing for more agrarian-based policies to increase the agricultural sector. Normally it is the rikspresident who directs what policies the government is to pursue, but as we have noticed in the recent two decades that rikspresident Dahler has allowed the various officials under him greater authority to make independent decisions, as long as he holds the final say, this not being the usual custom.
 
News report written by Peter Åkerman.

[Augustus]

 

Large Reforms Pushed by New Premier Manner

14 May 5632 | Kivonia, Davostag

 

Premier Karl Manner announcing the new legislation he has presented to the Riksdag.

 

As if descended from the gods up high, the new premier knows what is necessary for the people of our great nation. He has just know returned from the Riksdag, having presented to the Speaker several government legislations touching on several areas for improvement. With the full support of the rikspresident, Manner intends on nationalizing Kovstrin AB ("Kovmark Industrin AB"), the largest private chemical, electric power and infrastructure company in Davostag and rapidly take over the smaller remnant private actors in the sector to acquire complete state control over the electricity power grids, infrastructure and other related subjects. The purpose of this is to present fixed prices with the eventual goal of making electricity free for all citizens in five years.
 
Other legislations includes the state-ownership of AI and introducing an AI-tax beginning on 1 January next year; introducing a flat rate for public transportation of 1000 Riksdaler* per year; allowing the state's pension fund build housing where the pension savings becomes the primary part of the contract for an apartment, where one pays their residence with their pension payments while they live there; the introduction of municipal school transportation and incorporation of any activities directly after school for a low cost so that parents have time to finish work and cook food until the children get home around 17.30, ready for dinner, homework and bed, thus relieving parents of uneccessary stress and burdens; and for last, the government plans on establishing kolonibyar ("colony-villages"), an old Davostagian project that was devised to encourage urban dwellers, especially young adults, to move out to the countryside to create a more sustainable, self-sufficient communal agrarian lifestyle.
 
The new premier has also, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reviewed a new proposition in direction of Davostager foreign policy, the details of which still remains fuzzy. The aim is believed, as reported by some sources, to be the greater security of the Lievenian and Unholy seas through military means and defend the interests of the Davostag Republic. This could most likely be in regards to the full protection of trade that the previous government set out for the Davostag Navy to ensure, but one might look at it in a different view, especially as premier Manner had said in his first speech that a change in direction regarding foreign policy would happen. So one might wonder if the sources could be referencing something else.
 
News report written by Karla Fridasdotter.
 
* (OOC: I use Swedish Crowns, SEK, to measure Davostager riksdaler. 1000 SEK equals at the time of writing about 93,36 US dollars)

[Augustus]

 

Election Campaign in Full Swing as the Opposition Attracts More Supporters Than Ever

6 May 5633 | Fladborg, Davostag

 
Never have Davostag seen such intensity in a Riksdag election since 5604, when the Popular Party for Democracy (FPD) had attracted large parts of the electorate, only to be ridden with scandals, corruption charges and more as the election day neared. This time it is the Union for Democratic Reform, UDR, that is making noise around the country. Founded and led by former Riksbladet journalist John Greger, who accused the government of promoting so-called "demographic manipulation". Together with his wife, Lena, they have managed to bring the party's spirits up after their disastrous 5628 Riksdag election where they only managed to garner 3.1% and over 124 thousand votes. In order to gain parliamentary representation in Davostag, a political party needs to reach the 4% threshold.
 
As we follow the Greger couple on their campaign trail, now in Fladborg, we managed to snatch the party leader for an interview, to ask him what he and his party hopes to achieve, what kind of politics they seek and what foreign policies they want.
 

Do you think, as a former journalist yourself and with a good understanding of Davostag politics, that the UDR have the ability to enter the Riksdag this time?

– Of course. Davostagers are not a naive people. There is, of course, skepticism due to the damage the former FPD did to opposition politics, but I believe in the good hearted nature of our country to dare seek change and reform.
 
What kind of change and reform would that be?
 
– First of all, we need to democratize. It is probably the most important step for us as a nation in order to develop and progress. The office of the rikspresident should not be elected by an elitist senate, instead we wish to abolition the Act of Senatorialism and have direct popular presidential elections. We also think that it would be good for the soul and health of the country to have the rikspresident be a solely ceremonial role, transfer its powers to the Riksdag and have the government led by the premier represent the executive. The judicial branch needs also be reformed, if not overhauled completely. It is time we moved towards a more liberal view of the world.
 
You say liberal, does that mean that you denounce the efforts of past national heroes such as Julia Neusohn, af Redling and Jörgen, who risked their lives and reputations to preserve our Davostager way of life in opposition to foreign influences? In such a case, that would be a denunciation of our current Davostag Republic, which exists as a direct result of their struggle.
 
– This is the issue of journalism in Davostag. You bait me by phrasing your questions like this, you question my character and patriotism. We would have to reform the entire journalist corps in the country as well if we are to truly live free. I seek, the party I lead seek, the preservation of our current republic, and by it the honoring of its founders. Without a doubt. But presenting new ideas should never be a cause for ignorance. I wish to push for a "liberalism with Davostager characteristics" so to speak.
 
This is a lot to take in. You want to reform journalism in Davostag? Overhaul it as you would say. Is that democratic? And on the matter of Davostager liberalism, is it not already the case that Davostag is already very liberal in its own way? A character we inherited from the old reigns of the Reinhardts.
 
– I suppose you are right about the Reinhardt-part, but I think this interview is over. I will not engage in the manipulation of statements that you conduct yourself in.

As Greger left our interviewer, we could clearly take notice that an increasing hostility was shown against the media outlets on site. A clear indication that this election year will be more intense than ever. The leader of the main opposition party showed a desire to reform the executive, legislative and judicial branches in his own image, not to mention his personal vendetta against journalism, something he and the UDR clearly seeks to dismantle. In any case, we hoped to find out more about specific policies taken, for example foreign affairs. To this end we, conveniently, managed to come into contact with none other than UDR's spokesperson for foreign affairs, Rikard Fabriansson.
 

On the topic of foreign affairs and foreign policy, where does the UDR stand and what does your party hope to accomplish?
 
– The first thing, and I'll say the absolute first thing we will do should we form a government is to withdraw our Navy, Air Force and Army from their patrols in the Lievenian and Unholy seas. This is a must. Davostag can not be part of regional provocation and threats. The second thing would be to completely halt all trade with the Legionary dictatorship, stop all of VGAB's ("Västmakoniska Gruvindustrin AB", Davostager mining company) operations on the Kundrati mainland, rescind any recognition of the Legion and recognize the Etxean government as the legitimate Kundrati government. This is the only right thing to do. The only moral thing to do. After this we hope to bring Davostag closer to the global community and integrate ourselves more properly with the global economy.
 
You are aware that the situation regarding Kundrati is a lot more complicated than simply doing what is "morally right"? There were about around 1.1 million ethnic Davostagers in Kundrati before the war, and remains around 1 million, with many taking refuge here and many on Etxea. Is it morally right to abandon all of them for the comfort and luxury of material gain provided by globalism?
 
– It is a complicated situation as you say, but our belief is doing what is fundamentally right, no matter what.

As we ended the interview, it was obvious that the politicians, members and activists of the UDR had a completely different view of the world than the average Davostager. One might suggest that they have been surfing on the internet a little too much. Analysts say that the party has a chance of entering the Riksdag, but is very much unable to form a government any time soon. Overcoming the 4% threshold can be done, quite easily according to some, but to form a government with a hypothetical Riksdag divided between two parties would require overcoming a 50% threshold. As one analyst said lycka till ("good luck" in Befeskan).
 
News report written by Karla Fridasdotter.

[Augustus]

 

Opposition Leader, John Greger, Charged with Corruption and Attempted Bribery

15 October 5633 | Kivonia, Davostag

 

It is only a few weeks until 14 November, the day of the election for the 465 seats of the Riksdag. And as the election campaigns are in full swing, more than ever before, we can now report that the leader of the main extra-parliamentary party Union for Democratic Reform, John Greger, has been arrested by the civilian police on charges of corruption and attempted bribery. He is now being held in custody in the city of Renartsborg, where these crimes are said to have taken place. According to the 'Law on Appropriate Electoral Actions', also known as the 'Electoral Actions Law', passed in 5604, electoral candidates and members of political parties registered in official upcoming elections are not allowed to speak in private, either physically, on phone or digitally, with private or public businesses earning more than about 500 thousand Riksdaler* a year, the same goes the other way around. According to the Prosecutors' Office, Greger, had met with business leader Carl-Gustaf Cederstam, son of Ulf Cederstam, the patriarch of the Cederstam family that owns for example the Fortuna Group, Makoniska Enskilda Banken ("Maconic Individual Bank", MEB), Shippington and the football team Great Kivonia FF. If said meeting had been planned in advance between the two, it would mean that Cederstam would be charged as well, but the Prosecutors' Office have made it clear that they have evidence that Cederstam had been ambushed by Greger who attempted to convince him for financial support and future influence over government policymaking. They also state that it was Cederstam's secretary who had on his directive reported the so-called meeting.
 
John Greger and his defense attorney, Vilmer Strandhufvud, have categorically denied all charges. Instead they claim that an aide of Cederstam had cunningly led Greger into meeting with the business leader who had been in the same place. The electoral law Greger is charged with violating makes it clear that a candidate suspected of breaking said law is forbidden to stand and be registered for an election to public office until a verdict has been made. Thus, Greger has been disqualified for the election in the coming weeks and has therefore been removed as the top name of the UDR electoral list. This has infuriated his supporters who claim without evidence that the government and the ruling National Electoral Union (NVU) fabricated this charge by setting him up and, going into conspiracy theory frenzies, claiming that the Cederstam family have had ties to the government for hundreds of years and would certainly profit to see Greger and the UDR fail. Greger's wife, Lena Greger, who has co-founded the UDR and served as its secretary has taken the mantle of leadership of the party and encouraged their supporters to remain calm and make the right decision when the election day comes. Some of the more younger and radical members have encouraged supporters to take to the streets, something Lena Greger has discouraged as that would be another breach of the Electoral Actions Law, which forbids mass gatherings with the intention to protest around the weeks of the election but still allows peaceful gatherings in support of political parties.
 
Wictor Rolén, the secretary-general of NVU, commented on the arrest, saying that he is not surprised that Greger would attempt to gain the support of the Cederstam family, seeing as they are the wealthiest family in Davostag with a lot of influence in the private sector. He also said that he encourages voters to think real hard on who to put their vote on the 14th, stating that the choice lies between an experienced political actor (referring to the NVU) or what now seems to be a clumsy group of power and money hungry individuals. But he is apparently reassured that Davostag continues to vote black (the political color of NVU) and the political scene goes back to normal.
 
News report written by Karla Fridasdotter.
 
* (OOC: I use Swedish Crowns, SEK, to measure Davostager riksdaler. 500 thousand SEK equals at the time of writing about 47 040,10 US dollars)

[Augustus]

 

The National Electoral Union Sweeps Yet Another Election, Amidst Conspiratorial Accusations From the Opposition

14 November 5633 | Kivonia, Davostag

 

As the last voting center closes, all media outlets can now confirm that the ruling National Electoral Union (NVU) has taken home all 465 seats in the Riksdag. With a total of 77,6% voter turnout and a total of 9,819,151 votes, this has become a truly stunning election. The NVU managed to gain 85,1% of the vote and 8,356,097 votes, while the main opposition party, the Union for Democratic Reform (UDR) gained only 3,8% and 373,128 votes, missing with a 0,2% margin to enter the 4% Riksdag threshold. About 11,1% and 1,089,000 votes were placed on other minor parties or blank. Many analysts suspected that with the intensity that the UDR had campaigned on and built itself up these past five years that they would at least manage to enter the Riksdag, but it would seem that they only increased with 0,7%. Wictor Rolén, the secretary-general of the NVU, made a quick comment on the results stating that this is exactly what he had predicted, that at the end the Davostager voters will always feel safe with a reliable functioning option.
 
On the other side of the election, at the nationwide headquarters and electoral rallies in favor of the UDR there is a boiling anger according to some sources. Lena Greger, the party leader, made accusations against the NVU and government of alleged widespread voter fraud and intimidation. No much basis can be put forth on the former claim, but several sources around the country have also claimed that they were intimidated at the voting centers by military police to either vote for the government or not vote at all. How much truth lies in these claims is unknown, as several media outlets observed many of the major voting centers and never witnessed a thing. According to political analyst and historian, Patrick Fäldt, this is a baseless accusation made to fuel anger and resentment with the intention to ultimately engage in violent dissent. Fäldt also points out that the criminal charges against John Greger, the principal founder of the UDR, just weeks before the election day, truly came to affect the Davostager population. In his view, Davostagers are highly suspicious of public figures with criminal surroundings. Despite this, Lena Greger has stated that the severe manipulation in the election, with the arrest of her husband and the alleged voter intimidation, and its subsequent results will be challenged in the courts by an appeal by the UDR. Whether the courts will agree to an investigation is up for debate, due to the lack of evidence as pointed out by the Prosecutors' Office. Greger has also encouraged all who voted for UDR or at least sympathizes with them to take to the streets in peaceful protests to demand justice.
 
News report written by Karla Fridasdotter.

[Augustus]

 

Post-Election Protests Escalates into Mass Arrests and Violence

4 January 5634 | Kivonia, Davostag

 

 

Davostager police forces clash with protesters in the city of Fladborg.

 

The election of 14 November 5633 came as a shock to the nation. What had been seen as a most guaranteed victory for the Union for Democratic Reform (UDR) to enter the Riksdag, had instead resulted in a massive flop as 77.6% of voters had rejected the opposition party in favor of the ruling National Electoral Union. But according to the UDR and other opposition groups, this is supposedly a massive lie. Claims of voter fraud, voter intimidation, bribery and that supposed dead people had cast their votes, of course, as the courts had made clear was a claim without evidence. But the opposition is not content with their loss, they continue to hold on to the belief that the government had taken away their parliamentary entry. This leads us to today. We are now on day 49 of the post-election protests. The number of dissenters are not yet confirmed, but estimates put them at around 400 and 500 thousand, and in the first weeks mostly in the Nordsönderhamn region in the western parts of the country, around the city of Tårnbæk, the headquarters and stronghold of the UDR. But in the recent two weeks, the protesters began a march on Kivonia, encouraging all who can and "believe in truth and hope" to join them to demand new elections.
 
Now we are here and the capital city Kivonia is on high alert, thousands of stores have had to temporarily close as the protesters entered the city while clashing with civilian and military police. According to some sources, the police forces have arrested about nine thousand dissenters, while the number of injured has not yet been confirmed. At the moment only three people have died, which is four less than the protests two years ago that managed to bring down Axel Rodin's government. While a large amount of support to the protesters is given, this time counter-protesters have reached tens of thousands themselves, with reports of violent clashes between the groups in various cities.
 
While we have tried to reach Lena Greger, the current de facto leader of the opposition and the protesters in the absence of her imprisoned husband John Greger, we have been able to use alternative media to get a hold of her who told them that the original goal of the protests were primarily two things, "to hold new and fairer elections, as well as demanding the government release John from custody"; however, due to the violent escalations, having discussed with close confidants and her own reflection on where things were headed, she stated that "apparently Davostag does not learn, because it would seem, as always, that the only way to truly change government is to overthrow it", continuing by saying that the new goal with the protests is to change everything, "the government, the president, the constitution". After having reported her comments, it is said that the Military Police went on high alert nationwide, cracking down on anyone suspected of showing public support to the protesters.

The rikspresident, Gustav Dahler, who has been a very relaxed head of state since taking power in 5617, allowing his subordinates to interpret his will and enact decisions autonomously, has, according to sources, intervened personally on government level to make the necessary decisions to "crush rebel activity". Premier Manner is said to have taken a backseat in terms of coming government policy, to allow the rikspresident to do his thing to solve the rising tensions domestically. Other sources within several government departments have claimed that directives from the State Council have been issued to begin strategizing with the private sector to ensure the "stability and continuation of market growth, prepare for possible events" and to "simply hold steady".
 
News report written by Peter Åkerman.