Bianjie

[journey]

Socialists choose the Premier's right-hand man as a compromise candidate
17 June 5677 (backdated)



In an unexpectedly tense leadership election, the members of the Socialist People's Party have elected a new leader to lead them in the upcoming general election in less than a year. Jakdan Andara, 71, became the sixth head of the nation's dominant left-wing party, succeeding the incumbent Premier, Ajigen Kode, who earlier stood down from the race after the major pressure campaign from across the membership, after violating the "three-term rule". Andara, who joined the race two days after Kode's re-election announcement, was expectedly to be largely a spoiler candidate, trying to increase Premier's chances to get into the runoff with other candidates, but became Kode's reserve option, following the latter's withdrawal from the contest.

Despite the protests from the opposition within the party, Andara was allowed to stay in the race, with Premier's campaign machina turning its focus to promote the seventy-one-year-old socialist Secretary-General to victory. And even though Niyalma's native was largely running on a somewhat identical platform as his outgoing boss, his reputation as the quiet and clean technocrat within the party brought him success, with the support numbers, both in polling and endorsements from the membership, skyrocketing in the two weeks before the race.

Irudai Governor, Yazhu Bulni, considered a safe frontrunner and leader-in-waiting up until the last moment, suddenly lost the primary round of the leadership contest, lagging just by three votes behind the Secretary-General Jakdan Andara. When the results were announced by the SPP's election committee, a couple of audible gasps were heard in the party office, while a couple of operatives in the Bulni campaign were reportedly swearing and shouting at the screen. However, it was not done just yet, with the second round held the same day, it turned into a challenge of persuasion between the two main candidates, trying to convince third parties to vote for them. According to the BHK, during the private meetings with the party members, Andara would video call Premier Kode, who in turn would "talk sense" into the members, demanding that they vote for Jakdan. Though when, later that day, journalists tried to ask the Premier if that did happen, she would dismiss the journalists, calling the allegations "crazy", adding that the election is a "free and democratic choice".

But, whether that happened or not, the results of the runoff showed that, luckily or not, Andara did manage to pull it off, with or without the help of the Premier Kode. With 58 out of 102 Yuan caucus members voting for the then-Secretary-General, the seventy-one-year-old official was officially elected as the sixth leader of the Socialist People's Party. Once the results were announced, Bulni approached Andara, shook his hands, and "stormed" out of the party office, alongside his close allies. Later, Bulni would congratulate Andara publicly with a post on Hatoyu, saying that he wishes good luck to a "fellow northerner", as well as his own party, on the upcoming "rocky electoral campaign road". Newly elected leader thanked all the members for entrusting him with "this important and responsible position", adding that he will do everything in his power to keep the SPP government in place after the 5677 election. 



Gemun Post (ゲムンポスト) is a major (previously local) daily newspaper based in Gemun.
(@GemunPost)
#leadershipelection
#jakdanandara
#socialists

[journey]

Democrats come out on top for the first time in 30 years in a historic upset
25 April 5678



GEMUN: Bianjie's right-of-centre opposition parties look set to win power in Sunday's general election, with 98% of electoral precincts counted, according to the State Electoral Administration. The figures showed a clear victory for the Democratic People's Party, coming first with 41,5% of the vote and 97 seats, with the governing Socialist People's Party coming second overall, with 38,7% of the vote and 90 seats. This marks the second time in SPP's sixty-three-year history that the party comes second, with the previous time being 35 years ago, in the 5643 election. Despite that, experts say that the next Yuan will be an impasse situation, with the fate of the next government lying in the hands of the centrist Horizon party.

Outgoing Premier Ajigen Kode, alongside the new socialist party leader, Jakdan Andara, both gracefully conceded the historic defeat in the race, saying that their attempt to win yet another term in office had failed, as well as accepting voters' giving preference to the "alternative proposed by the opposition", congratulating the latter on their "impressive showing". The leader of the Democratic People's Party, Eidu Monggo, and possibly the next Premier of Bianjie, thanked the voters for the results: "We have a mandate for a change people have been asking for, now we have the task to form the next government for Bianjie and all its people". Monggo added that he expects all parties to work constructively, as well as not to obstruct the government formation process.

Even though the opposition won the election, the aforementioned government formation will be a complicated one, experts pointed out. Despite DPP coming first with 97 seats in the Bianjie's unicameral 229-seat Khanate Yuan, the party still requires support from other parties to take reins of power in the country, and in a major disappointment for the democrats, the pathway to a 115-seat majority lies in cooperation with both the conservative NCU and social liberal Horizon opposition parties. According to Monggo, his party will begin consultations as soon as tomorrow, while giving no clear answer to what configuration the Premier-in-waiting wants the State Council to have. Many within the DPP express their support for the one-party minority government, with both NCU and Horizon giving their confidence and support at the cost of conceding or implementing the policies of said parties. Daex reached out to the NCU leadership for a reaction, but received no answer, while the Horizon leader, Yelu Seyan, said that his party is open to working with each side and will do everything possible to form a "stable and reliable partnership for the people of Bianjie".

National Secretary of the Progressive Communists, Eidu Buni, said that there must be a "deeper investigation" as to what happened, as well as the reevaluation of the cooperation with the socialists. "I think the election showed very clearly that our traditional way of operating has failed, and we must change it accordingly to the new needs and demands of the people", said Buni. Traditionally third force in Bianjie, PCP has won 7,1% of the vote and 16 seats, the party's worst result since 5648, the first national election following the implementation of the fully proportional system.

Another surprise in the election was the rise of extraparliamentary parties, mainly boosted by the new centre-right True Path Party, supposedly aiming to represent the Daenist Bianjians, who received 1,1% of the vote.



毎日急行 (Daily Express) is a major daily newspaper based in the city of Namušun, Khani Province

[journey]

Disappointed foreign ministry reacts to the agreement between Xsampa and Amudim
Following a peace deal achieved by the western neighbour of Bianjie with the remnants of the former Beiteynuese state, the Bianjian government required explanations from the Xsampan officials
19 June 5679 (backdated)



It did not take long for the officials in Gemun to get riled up about the deal achieved by the Xsampan government in a peace conference on the territory of the former Beiteynuese state, called the Shar-Meravi Conference. According to the officials on both sides, the deal includes a peace agreement between the two sides, as well as the transfer of a part of the territory to Xsampan rule, before it will be annexed in 15 years. The deal was met with confused and furious reactions in both Xsampa proper, as well as the outside world, Dovani, or rather Bianjie, especially.

Following the announcement of the final deal reached by both sides, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called up the Xsampan ambassador in Gemun to explain the actions taken by their government, its motives and the way the two countries will proceed forward in a new post-deal reality. After the call-up had been announced, the foreign minister Xieren Lai (DPP) held a press briefing where he talked about the first reaction from Bianjie regarding the issue. According to Lai, Bianjie "welcomes" any initiatives at creating long-lasting peace and stability in the region; however, Lai added, that any kind of initiative must not come at the high cost of friendship, unity and mutual respect between countries. "It is extremely regrettable that Xsampa, however free it is to decide on its own, chose ambitions instead of strengthening its bonds with allies", said Lai. According to him, MOFA will get a more structured and weighted response after the meeting with the ambassador, but as of it right now, Bianjie remains rather "disappointed and angry" about the deal that "puts at risk" the further relationship between us and Xsampa.

Meanwhile, on the political aisle, parties across the ideological spectrum express their frustration, with pan-Dovani forces especially taking a hit with this sort of U-turn from the Xsampan allies. Yelu Seyan, leader of Horizon, has said that he has no explanation for whatever happened, and says he is "disturbed" by the actions Xsampan government, with the party's allies on the pan-Dovani ideological front, Left-Green Dovani, being in charge of the same Xsampa's government. Jakdan Andara, outgoing leader of the Socialist People's Party, in a surprising manner, different from the usual composed self, has been outraged at the deal, stating that Bianjie's task right now is to "stand strong in the face of danger", adding that while SPP has a long of mutual love and respect for Xsampa, its people and government, the deal "might force" socialists to review its policy on the cooperation with the western neighbours in Metz-Leonid. Democrats, meanwhile, a party largely sceptical of Xsampa, and more favourable to the western cooperation, have rather reinforced their position, with DPP's faction leader in Yuan, Šurhaci Elakun, taking an even harsher stand: "For years and years, we have been warning our socialist colleagues that Xsampa does not care about Bianjie, and that there is no pan-Dovani movement. And, I hope my friends from Horizon forgive me for these words, but truly, even if there was such a movement, it would not be led by Xsampa". Elakun finished his speech by saying that from now on, "Xsampa is not Dovani anymore, it's Majatra".

It is rather unclear how the relationship between the two countries will take a turn now, with the last similar rift between Xsampa and Bianjie taking place back when Xsampa's leadership decided to destroy the Dovani Development Fund. However, these two situations are different, with this one being a more serious rift, on both ideological, economic and personal bases, especially taking into account that Bianjie is led by a Xsamposceptic government. If there is anyone who could be the most angry at this politically, it's Horizon, as the express opinion polling shows the party taking a huge hit, barely crossing the threshold, with the pan-Dovanist movement now hanging by a thread.



The Daily Report (日報), also known as Nippō, is a major daily newspaper based in Namušun, Bianjie.
The paper is published in both official languages in the broadsheet format and is also available online in other international languages.

[journey]

Democratic cabinet actions to reverse the socialist economy into a deregulated liberal one
13 April 5680 (backdated)



Running in the 5678 general election, one of the main talking points that the leaders of the Democratic People's Party have been promising to the voters has been the liberalisation of the nation's economy, relaxing regulations on businesses, lowering taxes, as well as incentivising the new businesses to either come into Bianjie from abroad, or local entrepreneurs to make their businesses here, instead of going in other states and acting as the off-shore corporations. On Thursday, the new democratic government presented its plan of action to tackle those promises.

Fodo C'ygiya, the Minister of Finance and the right-hand man of the Premier Eidu Monggo, talking at the Ambagašan Economic Forum, has reaffirmed the stance and stated that the government wishes to drop a number of state regulations on various aspects of life and economic sectors, including the very important banking industry. According to C'ygiya, the State Council plans to create an oversight body which will serve as the audit to analyse all the unnecessary legislation that is "preventing any growth, scaring the potential investments away", with the government then taking decisive action. At the same time, the body would also be a hotline with the government for small and medium enterprises, as well as corporations, to give feedback on the issue, or simply put, to complain. "But, I would like to reassure citizens that we are not going completely lawless, we are simply getting rid of the economy, which is overly controlled by the state, in our opinion", said minister C'ygiya.

At the same time, there is an unspoken goal within the cabinet to push for various policies which would make the Bank of Bianjie lower the interest rates. Even though the BOB is formally independent, there is a certain degree of influence the governments usually try to have over some of its decisions; however, it is usually done behind the scenes, with little to no information leaked outside, in order not to upset the stock market. Yet, the current Governor, Kawase Oonagaa, was appointed by then-Premier, Ajigen Kode, and while he is formally apolitical, people within the BOB say he was and still is reluctant to work with the DPP government. At the same time, Oonagaa himself believes in the need to lower the rates, possibly by 25 points, sources close to the Governor report, and depending on the results of the new government, the decision to cut may come earlier than expected.

There is still one more thing that concerns the new liberal government, and it is obviously the tax system. While the DPP leadership is rather cautious to initiate any possible reversal of the progressive tax law adopted less than 40 years ago, as it could begin the irreversible chain process of toxic and bitter personalist politics, there is still a big desire to amend the tax system, lowering the taxes for the general populace as promised, however, additionally to drop taxes more radically for corporations and businesses, as the democratic coalition sees it as a burden on the economic stimulation a growth, something which the Monggo government maniacally goes after in their economic vision for Bianjie.



Shogyoshi (商業紙, Commercial Paper) is the daily and the largest financial newspaper in Bianjie, founded in 5497. 
@Shogyoshi
#economy
#growth
#regulations

[journey]

Niyalma to begin consultations with the public on the metro system
The nation's second-largest city will now ask its citizens whether they want to see a metro system in their city, and if yes, how and where it should be, and what parts it should connect
8 March 5681 (backdated)



Niyalma has been the second-largest city in Bianjie for some time now, and although the growth has slowed, it has not stopped entirely, with the city eagerly expanding its population as the next year approaches. Consequently, many have begun to question whether the rapidly growing capital of the north should follow the example of its southern counterpart, the nation's capital city, and build a comprehensive metro system to improve public transit efficiency for the citizens of Niyalma.

To answer that question, the local government in the city, led by Mayor Murhaci Quan, has turned to the Niyalma populace, inviting the latter to open public consultations either with the mayor directly or his representatives. This way, the mayor's office believes, the local government will have a better understanding of the public stance on the general need for the underground system in the city, and if the answer is yes, how the project should be done, with what costs, what area it should cover in the first phase, and how would it affect the daily life of people and the city in general. "This direct communication is what has been driving this city forward for decades now, and it will continue to do so now. So, I believe this is very important right now, especially for such a vital issue like this", said Mayor Quan.

However, despite the pre-consultations' opinion polls showing there is a slim majority in support of the idea, the experts note that the nation's northern capital does not suffer from the same amount of traffic, public transit mismanagement, and other problems the same way as Gemun did before building its own underground network. "Luckily, there is a very strong presence of trams in the city, as well as a very mindful planning made in cooperation with the various groups of urbanists, including my former colleagues", said Hua Qin, leader of the Institute for the Cities. "So I think there should be extremely convincing arguments, made by the city's government officials". And indeed, the statistics provided by Niyalma's own Department of Transportation show that up to 40% of the larger metro area population uses the city's public transport network, with trams accounting for up to about 40% of that figure as well. Still, a potential underground system could be helpful in connecting more distant areas of the area, as well as disburdening the tram system, which is slowly getting too full, with trams stacked in the mornings and evenings. 



べふ経済新聞 (Bianjie Economics Newspaper), also known as the Bekkei, is the second-largest economic newspaper in Bianjie, founded in 5561 and based in Niyalma.

[journey]

Democrats manage to win a second election in a row for the first time in over 70 years
22 April 5683 (backdated)



Hundreds, if not thousands, of cyan-coloured waving flags across the Gemun, Niyalma and other cities are reported by various local and national journalists, as the preliminary results from the independent election watchdogs, and the State Electoral Administration report a victory for the governing Democratic People's Party, winning their second election in a row, for the first time in seventy years, with little bit more than 40% of the nation voting for the democrats, with the closest opponent, Socialist People's Party, trailing behind with 38% of the popular vote.

The result was a shocking result of months of tireless campaigning across the nine provinces by both purple and cyan parties, with opinion polling predicting a very close and tight race between the two sides, leaving the kingmaker's position to the new parties, which could enter the Khanate Yuan for the first time in their history. However, the Sunday results showed that the race was not even close, as two blocs had bled, with their 5678 voters fleeing to either the National Conservative Union, the True Path Party, or other minor parties. The biggest loser of the night was the pan-Dovani Horizon, losing almost half of its voters due to the Xsampa debacle, and the ensuing nose-dive of the pan-Dovani and pro-Xsampa politics in Bianjie. On the other side of the aisle, the True Path Party or Shindoto, a self-proclaimed political wing of the Daenist Bianjians, will enter the national legislature for the first time in the party's 12-year history. Nominally centrist, third-way force, many political pundits have stated that Shindoto is likely to join the cyan bloc, and enter the coalition with the democrats, if the latter invite them.

Another major point of the election is the rise of the national conservatives, with NCU getting 6% of the vote, the largest in the party's history, though still far from Gurun's numbers pre-merger. The rise of the NCU is explained by the growing wave of anti-Xsampa sentiment in Bianjie amidst the rift between the two nations, with the natcons presenting themselves as the main and most radical Xsamposceptic voice in the Khanate. However, the election had a smaller, less noticeable story of the anti-Xsampa sentiment, as the party called the Bianjie Sovereignty Party, formed less than a year ago by the members of SPP, who defected from the party amidst the rift, saying that the socialists have "failed to take a stand", prompting them to leave the party. Now, BSP in their first-ever election have won 1,5% of the votes, half of what is required to enter the Yuan, a result also shocking to many.

Still, the historic election night this Sunday has finalised what many on the left have possibly feared the most: a crack in the purple wall, and the subsequent domination of the Socialist People's Party, as the governing cyan forces celebrate their surprising to many experts re-election victory, the first re-election victory in over 70 years, when the then-governing Bianjie Democratic Action came out on top back in 5613, for the last time before SPP rise in Bianjian politics. Now, 70 years later, purple domination over the nation's politics seems to have come to its end, at least for yet another five-year term, as the DPP prepares itself for a series of negotiations with NCU and TPP for Premier Eidu Monggo's second government in office, likely to be even more right-wing, more economically liberal, more conservative and above all, more anti-Xsampa than the previous one, a very scary prospect for some, and a very exciting one for others.



Gemun Post (ゲムンポスト) is a major (previously local) daily newspaper based in Gemun.
(@GemunPost)
#election5683
#democrats
#historic

[journey]

Sovereign Sea Accords ratified by the Khanate Yuan in a rare showing of bipartisanship
Despite some opposition from the DPP caucus, the ratification proposal was passed in the nation's legislature with 198 out of 229 votes
23 February 5685 (backdated)



In a rare showing of bipartisan unity, the Khanate Yuan has passed a government proposal to ratify the Sovereign Sea Accords, a regional agreement between the states of the Sovereign Sea to formally create an economic alliance strengthening trade between and outside the region, as an alternative to the "chaotic and unstable non-Dovani world". Proposed by the government of Xsampan Democratic Republic, the Accords became available to all the states that are a part of the Sovereign Sea waters, including Xsampa's own neighbour, Bianjie.

Despite the fact that the governing coalition's leading party, the Democratic People's Party, led by the incumbent Premier Eidu Monggo, has taken a rather harsher position on Xsampa than all the previous governments combined, the DPP-led government decided to approach the new regional organisation proposal constructively, something which would become controversial within the DPP itself and the coalition's partner party, National Conservative Union. Still, the Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, began working on the analysis of the Accords and their further ratification if proven to be worthy of joining. After a couple of weeks of research, the government concluded with a positive reaction, saying in the financial report that SSA would be profitable and beneficial for all the sides involved, especially considering the freedom of action for the signatory parties, thus proceeding to let the Khanate Yuan vote on the ratification of the Accords.

However, here's where things turn interesting, because this move was met with opposition within the government's own party, with leaders of the more conservative and populist factions turning their backs and refusing to support the ratification proposal put out by the MOF and MOFA. This prompted Premier Monggo to personally call and/or meet with the party members to discuss the issue and its resolution, and after two days, a decision was agreed upon: DPP MPs would be allowed to vote freely and defy the party's official line, and in exchange government would be more aggressive during the negotiations with Xsampa on the SSA or any future bilateral talks. Now, the government had no problem passing the proposal, even with staunch and loud opposition from the national conservatives, considering the support for the SSA from the SPP, Shindoto, and Horizon would all be enough to easily pass it.

And with 198 votes out of the 229 deputies present to vote, it sure did pass easily, thus officially ratifying the Sovereign Sea Accords, becoming the official member of the new regional "organisation". Premier Monggo would later that day thank the Yuan members for the vote on Hatoyu: "Khanate Yuan today showed that we can come together when it comes to important questions like this. Bianjie's future is bright; Bianjie's economy will be secure, that I can promise."



The Daily Report (日報), also known as Nippō, is a major daily newspaper based in Namušun, Bianjie.
The paper is published in both official languages in the broadsheet format and is also available online in other international languages.

[journey]

Progressive Communists are the only alternative able to sway the neoliberal inhumane government
PCP's most recent congress has voted for the new National Secretary, as well as the decision to run in every local election race later this year
12 May 5685 (backdated)



"Progressive Communist Party is the party of the people, by the people and for the people" were the first words of the outgoing National Secretary Eidu Buni at the 59th Congress held in the Ambagašan's Expo Centre. "PCP has never let people down, and never will. And people see and respect it, by trusting us, by trusting our politicians and independent candidates, endorsed by PCP, because people know that progressive communists will always stand by their side", the National Secretary Buni continued. His speech would begin the three-day party's congress held in the second-largest coastal city of the Bei Province. The main theme of the 59th Congress was the presentation of local election candidates, the party's programme for the October vote, as well as the election of the new National Secretary to succeed Mr Buni, who had announced his retirement from politics earlier this year.

With little more than five months left before the upcoming county and provincial elections, the progressive communists have been proudly polling at 12%, which would be the record high result for the party if the election were held tomorrow. More than that, the number has been rising non-stop ever since the last national election in 5683, showing that people trust and support PCP, considering it a real alternative to the anti-people Democratic People's Party-led government, which prefers corporations over workers, profits over wages, constant hypocrisy and cynicism over empathy and truth. From the North to the South, from the East to the West, the progressive communists will be running across all the local councils, all the small downballot races to fill the gaps of the alternative vote, because voting matters, no matter how flawed the system may be. PCP's electoral programme, "Better Life Begins with You", approved by the Congress, promises better governance of our cities, of our towns, of our counties and more, because PCP has already proven itself as the major force for good, for people, workers, families, the elderly, and children. And the progressive communists will continue the work of standing by the people, even if they are not elected in the leading positions, but every place with PCP representation will have a force for good, a force for the people in every single county across the country.

And finally, on the 3rd and final day of the 59th Congress, a new, fresh and yet experienced face was elected as the new National Secretary of the Progressive Communist Party. Tana Duyar, 48, became the new leader of the progressive communists. Despite being just 48, Duyar has already managed to gain both local and national prominence, as she was elected mayor of the Dergasari County, in Irudai Province, just 15 years ago, leading the provincial capital to its growth, support for workers across the city and its suburbs, raising the minimum wage by 240%, and after her two five-year terms, Dergasari was recognised as one of the best cities to live in the whole nation. Later, she would become one of the 15 PCP members of the Yuan, becoming the party's parliamentary leader, leading a strong and vocal opposition to the anti-people DPP government in the chambers of the nation's most important legislative body. "I know that our cause is noble, I know that we, not just me, have the support of the people, and our task is not to disappoint them, but to be their voice in Yuan, in Gemun Metropolitan Assembly, in Niyalma County Council, in Dergasari County Council, in Muduri Provincial Assembly, all over the nation, be the voice of anger, concern, opposition, as well as be the force of change, wherever we are elected. Because it is we, the Progressive Communist Party, that is the real, the strongest, the fiercest and the only viable alternative to this government", said the new National Secretary Tana Duyar in her first speech in the new position.



Bara-no-kama-to-tsuchi (Katakana: 薔薇の鎌と槌, lit. Rose, Sickle and Hammer), also known as BKT, is a daily newspaper published by the Bianjie's Progressive Communist Party (PCP).

[journey]

5685 local elections are being held across Bianjie, follow Daex's live coverage of the vote
5 October 5685 (backdated)

20:03: Good evening, and welcome to the 5685 local elections, one that could be consequential for the current government and the opposition, if the nationwide polling is to be proven correct today. Coming into this very important midterm election, the incumbent Democratic People's Party is facing a challenge in many of its northern mayoralities from both the Socialist People's Party, as well as the newly surging Progressive Communists. With the left-wing opposition polling at around 54%, can the democrats really hold on to those? At the same time, however, as PCP surged to 15% in the most recent opinion polls, how much will SPP bleed from that? All of that and more, later today.

Thank you for following Daily Express' live coverage of the 5685 local elections, and have a good evening.

20:45: It is important to note that there are no exitpolls for the provincial and county elections, so the only information we can rely on so far to draw any predictions is the previous pre-election polling, 5683 general and 5680 local races' results. However, as the night goes on, we will see many small places count fast enough to provide us with the first numbers to analyse.

21:12: First results in almost, if not all, elections come from the northern counties, as those are usually small population locations. And today will not be an exception, as the State Election Administration has released the first batch of votes from across the nation, but most importantly, Karuniba County in the Irudai Province. Unsurprisingly, DPP begins with a serious lead there, running away from the closest competition, SPP, by 19%

However, these first results from Karuniba, and not just them, but across the nation, begin to confirm that there will be a PCP surge. Now, a new question is posed: how much? How much for a jump it will be for the communists. That's for us to find out later today.

           
Visualisation of the first results in Karuniba

21:37: A batch of results is beginning to come from the southern provinces, and SPP also unexpectedly wins within those ballots, with not as impressive a PCP surge as in Karuniba or other northern counties; however, it is very much present and visible. According to the election watchdog, Sain Kongkeri, if the current trends continue and take place equally in the urban counties, where PCP usually has more presence, the Progressive Communist Party could be expected to win around 10-13% of the vote today. A net gain of 5-8%, if confirmed. Great night for the communists if this holds.

22:09: Irudai Province becomes the first province to finish counting today, so we finally have the full results on the SEA election website. Of all the 5 mayorships across the six counties of provinces that the DPP controlled before the election, the DPP held all but one, which was gained by the communists. While the only SPP county, and the province's most consequential one, Dergasari, was also flipped to PCP, which is actually no surprise, considering communists controlled this one before the 5680 election. Still, PCP can celebrate as they win their first two counties of this night, and likely not the last one. +9% gain in Irudai Province.

           
Final results in the Irudai Province

22:52: First results from the major cities in Bei and Khani Provinces are being counted now, as seen on the SEA website. And, to put it closely, Niyalma, which was already controlled by the PCP prior to this election, might see its first electoral landslide in modern history. According to the current count in the second-largest city, PCP is first with over 48% of the vote. In the previous election, the latter received 41% after all the votes were counted, while 48% is just the suburbs, which usually lean DPP in the national and local elections. I believe it is very clear that we can project the victory of Makata Girgi in Niyalma. Communist landslide is incoming in the counter proper.

23:10: Gemun results could become shocking for the Socialists, as the nation's capital could very possibly flip to the ally, and yet competitor party, Progressive Communists. With about 26% counted, both parties are going neck-in-neck, with each one having 36% as of right now. In the previous election, SPP comfortably won with 47% of the votes, while PCP trailed behind with 20%.

23:51: And while the SEA is counting ballots in major cities, we can certainly say that PCP will flip 4 more counties in the Bei Province to their side. Out of a total of 12 counties in the province, the PCP will now control 5 of those, including the nation's second-largest city-county, Niyalma, where we can possibly expect a 55% finish for them.

00:23: We are still around 2% from done counting in Niyalma, but one can say that this is how the results are and will look like in the end. +18% net gain for the Progressive Communists, a complete victory, and so far the largest landslide in the country as of right now. DPP are back to third place, while new parties are unable to get any kind of major support. Makata Girgi will not lead the one-party government in Niyalma, PCP's first.

           

00:39: Understandably, many will ask why so much of the coverage is talking about the PCP, what's the news besides them? Well, the answer is simple: not much. Both SPP and DPP are largely holding to the seats and mayoralities they already held in the previous election. The biggest story besides the PCP surge is mostly the death of Horizon in many councils nationwide, either a wipeout or a large decrease in seats. BSP and TPP are also unable to achieve any significant results, with minimal to no representation and most county-level councils and provincial assemblies. There is no major news besides that, unfortunately.

00:47: Leader of the Socialist People's Party, Heshen Asuke, is speaking now. He thanked the voters for the trust they put in the SPP again, as they are projected to come first overall in this election, winning between 25 to 32 mayoralities out of 60 total. He congratulated all the re-elected and elected for the first time members of county councils and provincial assemblies, adding that the socialists will be open to work with everyone on all levels of the local government, but pointed out that the governments must serve the people first. At the same time, he congratulated PCP on its victories across the nation, saying that a stronger PCP means a stronger opposition and a stronger working class in Bianjie, finishing the speech by wishing their elected representatives good luck.

01:01: It is quite surreal to say, but Daily Express calls the Gemun race for the...Progressive Communist Party. Even though we are still 11% away from the result, it is getting clearer that indeed, PCP has flipped the capital of our nation, also, for the first time in their history. 36% vs 34%, surreal. Giocan Mohuri will become the next mayor of Gemun, in our opinion. Mayor-elect Mohuri and PCP's national secretary, Tana Duyar, will jointly speak in a couple of minutes from now.

01:07: Giocan Mohuri, the incoming mayor of Gemun and the national secretary of the Progressive Communist Party, Tana Duyar, are speaking at the PCP's headquarters in Gemun. Both seem very happy and ecstatic to say the least. Duyar begins by pointing out the "crazy" result her party achieved, but pointed out that it is a result of the "tireless hours of work" by the canvassers, candidates and simple supporters. She says that the people recognise the work PCP has done locally and nationally, as the opposition and the government, and people consider PCP to be the "real alternative" and "force for good" against the "anti-people neoliberal government". She said that PCP is now a serious force, that everyone must take them seriously and count with. She thanked the voters for the trust and promised not to disappoint.

Next was Mohuri, who began by expressing his shock at these results, and yet utmost gratitude for the victory in the nation's capital city. He said that PCP was always a prominent force in Gemun, and yet this victory is a new beginning and a new high. "Gemun is now in people's hands, in the hands of the simple Gemunite worker, mother, teacher, train driver, student, in your hands, and I will lead accordingly to your needs and wishes", said Mohuri. He added that the SPP candidate had called him and congratulated him on this upsetting victory. Mohuri said that he will work with all parties in the Metropolitan Assembly. And finished his speech by saying that the work is only beginning, election was just the first step.

01:23: Final map of preliminary results of all the county races across the country, for the first time in their history, the Progressive Communist Party has mayors outside of the North, and immediately grabs not one, not two, but 9 mayorships across the country, coming third overall with 16% of the vote. Truly terrific night for the communists, and the opposition as a whole. The consequences of this result will be studied and discussed for a while, but for now, that is it from us, from this election night. Thank you so much for following our live coverage, and good night to you.

           

[journey]

Despite being our nation's representatives at the 41st Festival of Musical Arts in Terra, the international music competition, there were not that many interviews with them, as the guys themselves are quite shy, and spent most of their time preparing for the festival itself. But luckily, now that we know the outcome of the 41st FOMAT, using my connections and the Shunkashūtō editorial persuasion, we managed to get ourselves a day with triumphants and speak to them about their experiences in Valruzia, the trophy of the festival, and the way their career will go now.

For a city as large as Niyalma, both in terms of its size and population, it was genuinely comfortable and easy to move around, thanks to the local tram network, which operates quite old yet experienced trains on its lines. And in less than 20 minutes after getting off the main railway station in the city, we arrived at the Luzhou Cafe in the city centre to meet the three young rockers: Liwei, Kai and Alin. We booked a table in the cafe beforehand to maximise the amount of time together for this interview. And thus, once we sat down today, the conversation began.

"So, before we jump into the more juicy stuff, let's talk about you personally", I began. "Who are the three of you outside the career, who are Liwei, Kai and Alin normally? Who are the Kongxiang?" became my first question to the three of them. Liwei, who is 26, is a Niyalma native, born and raised here; he has spent his whole life in this city. For him, Niyalma became the place of inspiration, a place that made him pursue a musical career in the first place. "As the years passed by, more and more people from across the country, and actually the world too, started coming to this city, creating this melting pot of cultures and traditions, and I think that was really interesting for me to watch when growing up", Liwei explained to me how exactly the city was an inspiration for him. Alin, meanwhile, is the opposite of Liwei, even though he fits the description of Liwei of what makes Niyalma so dear and beautiful to him. Alin was born in the rural Handuba Province, in a small village called Sayinsartu. However, when he was 6, his parents moved to Niyalma, and he has been living in the city ever since. "I think my experience has been a tad different from that of Liwei, because I saw two different stories: a story of a poor and yet determined people in Sayinsartu, and a story of the rich and happy people, here in Niyalma. Being a migrant, if you even can call me that", he chuckled. "Had an impact on me, for sure, but more than that, it was my mom". Alin continued his story talking about his mom, who is a music teacher, and he says she taught him everything about music, from simple notes and instruments, to the very variety of artists and genres. At the same time, the two of them were roommates while studying at the University of Niyalma, so it was actually Alin who pushed Liwei to launch a musical career. "Oh, he genuinely gave me good classes on music when we were at the uni", Liwei said. So, the two of them would form a duo and begin with small gigs, including the very one where they had met their third member. Kai, who has been sitting mostly quietly this whole time, finally spoke. "Well, not much to tell really about me. These two have said everything", he stopped, and immediately got elbowed by Alin. "Ouch, okay-okay. I was born in Niyalma here, just like Liwei, but I live in the suburbs, and still do, and well, we met actually at this very cafe back in the day", he started talking about how during one of the Liwei and Alin gigs in Luzhou Cafe the three of them met and became friends, later lauching what would become Kongxiang.

Finally, we move on to the band and how they ended up representing Bianjie in the FOMAT. Kongxiang was formed in 5682, and almost immediately drew the attention of the local Niyalman public at first, and very soon the whole nation. "It was really nice to see so much support for something that we did really without trying", Liwei talked about the song that went viral on Bianjie's social media. "And I think that's when our big journey began really". It would take them to release one full album, a couple of singles and collaborations, before the Bianjie Broadcasting Corporation, or the BHK, would pick them as the country's representative at the 41st Festival of Musical Arts in Terra, held in Valruzia's capital city, Nowogard. "When the Niyalman director of BHK called us to tell the big news, we were on a break during our concert", Kai says. "So we had to contain our happiness until the very end of our concert". And thus Kongxiang started preparations for the Festival. "We have never really been outside of Bianjie, so that was a nice experience to go abroad too, to see beautiful cities and countries, meet new people, it was really beautiful", Alin tells me. Kongxiang wrote their song Closed Eyes in about a month, the band told me. Liwei explained the idea behind the song: "We wanted to convey a message about all the unheard and unseen people in our society, to give the most vulnerable a voice to scream through our song".

Guys told me about their time with other FOMAT contestants, and how they friended during the festival, and how they cheered on them when Kongxiang were announced as the winners. And that is where we turn to the victory. I asked them about their feelings once they knew they had won the festival. "Oh, that was something for sure", Liwei began. "We genuinely had no idea, and the gap between us and second place? We were stunned to say the least", Alin immediately picked up. "We felt happy, excited and proud, there were too many emotions at once. Kai cried even", Liwei laughs. They returned to the Niyalma as the winners and heroes of Bianjie, being triumphant. So, what now? Now, Kongxiang say they will take a break, before going on the major tour around the Bianjie, as they finish their new album, and possibly go around the world. "Now we have fans in the most different and remote places across the Terra, we can't leave them hanging alone", Kai says. Then we proceeded to chat a bit more about other things, as well as our personal lives, but that's off the record. Still, it was a great time hanging around with these three, as well as the honour to be one of the few journalists to interview them. Nothing but good luck to them in their future, and wishing them great career moving forward.