News Media of Istkalen

Istkalen

Iriten Layavisi: People's Committees form in 'liberated zone'

The retreat of the forces of the social-fascist forces of the Social Democratic Party has allowed for the creation of a presently demilitarized "liberated zone," in all areas south of the settlement of Kereva.

In the wake of the disappearance of municipal committees and any form of police as a result of the retreat, which took with it the vast majority of supporters and enforcers of the regime, new interim "people's committees," grassroots councils meant to govern the region until the restoration of democratic government to all Istkalen was restored, were formed. Elections were held to the municipal levels of producer's unions; in certain areas, tribunals were established as to try the few remaining individuals guilty of taking part of the abuses of the previous regime. These have caused some level of controversy, as many of the proclamations in regime propaganda appear to have been at least partially false in nature; acts of ordered cannibalism appear to not have taken place at all in the presently liberated zone, nor were the vast majority of bizarre proclamations, save for those placing mild restrictions on political activity, enforced, severely complicating attempts to find written or otherwise non-personal sources of information.

Efforts to return "evacuated" citizens to cities are underway and have been largely successful; it is expected that about half of all evacuees will be returned by Wednesday.

Several committees have also begun campaigns against corruption, involving the establishment of more localized anti-corruption agencies and attempts to separate local politics from party politics, which have been perceived as corrupt in themselves for some time, largely as a result of Social-Democratic bribery.

In certain areas, more radical reforms are underway. Specific municipalities, largely rural in nature, are attempting experiments in the abolition of money, and its replacement with a more "equitable" system of rationing; some urban regions are instating universal healthcare, considered a long-overdue and needed development by most.

Certain committee members have gone as far as to propose collectivization and the abolition of private property - unpopular concepts for the majority of Istkaleners, both in the liberated South and in the rest of the country, who are largely self-employed and in ownership of their own tools, instruments, and workplaces.

The People's Committees, however, are not intended to be a permanent replacement for governance in Istkalen. The basis behind their formation is solely the need to maintain some form of government in an area that would otherwise be without any; upon the restoration of democracy, they will most likely be dissolved. Some, however, argue that the present government has effectively voided the legitimacy of the present Constitution, and thus that the present Committees have the responsibility of creating a new state with them as their basis.

Their legitimacy has also been a question for some. There is no constitutional provision for their existence; they are nearly illegal. A restoration of democracy under them would also be illegal; the present state of emergency in effect is legal, leaving only the present Head of State able to end it. Some have proposed that a temporary restoration of the monarchy, through vaguely defined and barely constitutional processes, could allow for the Head of State to be deposed and replaced, and thus for elections; the likelihood of this, however, is low. It is most likely that elections, upon the liberation of the whole of Istkalen, will simply go ahead 'illegally,' as few have any desire to enforce the laws regarding them in this extraordinary case.

Istkalen

STATEMENT FROM THE UNITED PEOPLE'S COMMITTEES OF THE DIVISION OF ELBING/TRUSO

We do not, as of now, trust the government of Ilest Kerel, and thus doubt the veracity of the statement issued by them. However, if the ultimatum released by them, allegedly from the Kingdom of Reitzmag, is revealed to be true, the People's Committees in the division of Elbing/Truso will integrate themselves, without coercion, into his government.

Istkalen

The Citizens' Voice: In the south, major infrastructure project commences, much to residents' dismay; sudden appearance of multiple structurally unsound "bridges" puts People's Committees at work

In the south, a major infrastructure project has begun. The largest initiated since 1946, it plans to repair and replace aging roads, bridges, railways, power and telephone lines, as well as broadband.

The beginning comes as a respite to many in the South, who had previously suffered from poor infrastructure. The region, ignored by the previous Social-Democratic government, was effectively left to its own devices after the end of the National Resurrection in 1974, resulting in the degradation of basic infrastructure.

Roads became difficult to traverse as they wore down, leaving any form of transportation, especially of the important agricultural and mineral products that the South exports not just to the rest of Istkalen but to all Europe, difficult if not impossible. Crashes were common; in many places, the situation was exacerbated by local-government decisions to demolish paved roads in certain areas entirely as a result of the high costs of maintenance.

The bridges of the area, some of high architectural and engineering merit, after years of near-abandonment, declined severely in safety; several collapsed in high-profile cases, sometimes resulting in death.

Railways became extremely dangerous; services now are but an eighth of what they were before 1974 - demand, however, has not decreased, even in the modern day.

Telephone and other communication lines became derelict; much of the South was cut off entirely from communication with the North. Broadband came to the region quite late, in a 2005 effort by what was perhaps the last competent government of Istkalen; during this period, living conditions did improve, until, in 2016, the rise of the social-fascist government which has now, thankfully, fallen.

Sanitation itself decreased in quality; in 1974, an astounding 98% had access to all sanitation services, compared to in 1946, when it was but 38%; in 2019, only 53% continued to do so.

The present Council of Ministers has now approved legislation by the Chamber of Professions, having been previously debated for the previous five months, that would begin the efforts of the 2005-2016 period of development in the South again.

In a sweeping move, the government will fund major infrastructural projects in the South, repairing, reconstructing, and expanding the projects of the National Resurrection and the relatively unsuccessful "New Istkalen" movement of 2004-2009, over a period of 4 years. A national authority has been created as to oversee and plan the projects, as well as to investigate further expansion and other forms of development in the region.

The disturbance it will cause, however, worries some. In effect, what remains of communication will be cut off almost entirely by the project, with roads and other transportation made temporarily inaccessible by its sheer scope and rapidity.

The South will be detached from the remainder of the country, and even its regions from itself by the project. Individuals from neighboring municipalities may not even be able to visit each other for some time during its early implementation. The Urals will be entirely impassable; all roads, bridges, and railways across them will be entirely inaccessible for some time. The same is true of all crossing across the rivers of the region.

It is this issue which has attracted the ire of many residents; while most are overjoyed that the central government is finally addressing them and their issues, they are worried about the impact of the repairs; how long they will be inconvenienced in this way, how successful and long term the project will be, how the Reitzmic occupation will affect it, and so on and so forth. The Interim Director of the newly set-up Development Authority for South Istkalen has stated that they will schedule a general "town hall" of the whole nation tomorrow as to address the issues; the Chamber of Professions, in coordination with the Supervising Committee of the Development Authority, is also preparing a general report on the issue.

Some have called upon the Chambers of Labor and Trades, of Industry and Commerce, and of State, each of relevancy to the project, to object to the legislation; all had, however, released short statements on the issue in support of the Development Authority upon its approval by the Council of Ministers. Despite this, debate regarding the authority will be held beginning tomorrow in all three.

In other news, the sudden appearance of structurally unsound bridges throughout South Istkalen has pushed many People's Committees into overdrive. Previously having to deal with more important issues, such as that of facilitating the return of evacuees to the cities, of controlling previously rampant corruption, and of trying genocidaires and collaborationists with the social-fascists, they are now tasked with issuing almost comedically large numbers of condemnations. None of the bridges, per the Committees, were approved by any form of local authority, constructed in areas zoned for such uses, or even safe to traverse.

Police, assisted by the Popular Militia of Istkalen, have constructed fences around many of the bridges, placing large and easily visible signs clearly declaring that they have been condemned around them.

"It's not safe," said the Elder of the People's Committee in Liremer-East, a suburb of Liremer. "These bridges are liable to collapse at any time; they are death-traps. At the same time, several have been placed in ecologically sensitive areas and have already caused disruption; others simply put in areas not intended for roads of any purposes for economic and environmental reasons. Where they came from we do not know; but they are to be demolished within the week. All of them, every single one."

Demolition of some of the bridges has already begun; however, not all have as of yet been identified or even marked as condemned.

"It's an ongoing process," said a member of the Popular Militia. "There are too many of them; it is difficult to search for them. But mark my words, we will find them all, and get rid of them all."

Istkalen

A Message from the Presidium of the Trade Confederation of Istkalen

The Reitzmics have declared a full occupation over our territory. They have removed our committees; imprisoned our people. We can now expect them to demand the annexation of ever more of our territory.

But so long as we refuse their law; so long as we assert ourselves as citizens of our Istkalen; they will never prevail. The law of the government must continue to stand; under no circumstances should any citizen betray themselves to Reitzmag.

If they torture us, if they kill us, the world will know.

We thus order a general strike. Until the Reitzmic forces will leave, no Istkalener should work; all should dedicate themselves to the removal of the occupiers through protest.

Istkalen

The Citizens' Voice: Polling on important issues

Do you support the establishment of the J-TAI in its present form?

YES: 2,1%
NO: 97,6%
NO OPINION: 0,2%

Do you support the presence of Reitzmic troops?

YES: 1,0%
NO: 98,9%
NO OPINION: 0,1%

Do you support the presence of Vardic troops?

YES : 1,0%
NO: 45,7%
NO OPINION: 51,2%

Would you support an extended joint-EU presence in Istkalen for peacekeeping purposes?

YES: 43,1%
NO: 37,5%
NO OPINION: 19,4%

Would you support the J-TAI if it collaborated with the present institutions of government which function democratically in Istkalen, even if it excludes the provisional government?

YES: 45,3%
NO: 42,1%
NO OPINION: 12,6%

Would you support an ERF deployment?

YES: 49,0%
NO: 43,2%
NO OPINION: 7,8%

Are you in support of the provisional government in Līresz?

YES: 76,3%
NO: 13,7%
NO OPINION: 10,0%

Are you in support of the People's Committees?

YES: 93,2%
NO: 5,8%
NO OPINION: 1,0%

Are you in support of the producers' unions, as a concept?

YES: 94,8%
NO: 3,2%
NO OPINION: 2,0%

Are you in support of the administration of the producers' unions?

YES: 48,2%
NO: 47,8%
NO OPINION: 4,0%

Istkalen

Revolution: Workers' uprising: the economy is socialized
25 April 2021, 23:11, GMT+3

The forces of capital are being driven away, as the workers begin the revolution.

The bourgeoisie's tight control over our Istkalen had weakened as it revealed its insanity. Its machinations turned from simple trickery to the most evil of totalitarianisms. With poisoning religion as its crutch, it created a party as a prophet, a woman as God.

It screamed that the people were chosen by God to be redeemed, and would become like angels upon the purification. God had entered the body of Meinl-Reisinger, who would, through the party, purify the nation of Istkalen, removing all sin and "demonship" from the nation as to render it like heaven. All would be perfectly obedient, the people totally devoted to their God, the Party reduced to a simple instrument, merged entirely with the state, through which their energies would be transmitted, and the energy of their 'God' back to them.

Every act was an act of worship; not to worship was to be a demon, and to be a demon merited death. Thus was how the capitalists wanted to subjugate the people of Istkalen, by using religion to utterly blind them.

This was something that was barely hidden. It was used to taunt the people as to draw them into the total servitude. Meinl-Reisinger was the container of the light, reflected through the Party; when the time of purification was over, all would become light, and an Edenic paradise would be restored, the demons - everyone who was not an Istkalener totally devoted to Meinl-Reisinger - suffering in Hell.

A blinding light, they called it, a light which would blind people to all else other than Meinl-Reisinger, and kill those who were unable to look into her 'holy' eyes. The light would integrate all into it; all would become a part of the light, a great mass whose only thought would be of the existence of Meinl-Reisinger, a great mass which would exist solely through Meinl-Reisinger.

Everything was to be bound to her and thus to capitalism. It is our luck that this most horrific of plots, of total capitalism, was never realized.

But capitalism was to be intensified. Annexation became a threat; we would be subjugated to the demands of a new capital, from outside and one which would develop from the inside.

In the fear of the return of horrors of Meinl-Reisinger and her 'church,' her Social Democratic Party in a different but hidden form, of the worship and devotion to capital on a level not present in Istkalen before the manifestation of the horror of the regime, the people rose up.

In a mass and spontaneous uprising, guided by the worsening material conditions of Istkalen, they seized their workplaces fully from capital. In an instant, all was abolished.

The people had trampled upon the mechanisms of capitalism; the beginning of its removal - the great sun - began to rise, driving away the dark blanket of the night.

Everything became available to the people. The ability to truly enjoy their own labor, free not simply of the capitalist, which existed only in Istkalen for the days of the Meinl-Reisinger insanity, but of the dictates of capitalism.

To enjoy it in every way; to have control over it. To be redeemed, fully, as people rather than commodities, politically, economically, and socially.

The people seized full control over themselves on this day, the 25th of April, the anniversary of the fall of reaction in 1946 and 1973 after it, and thus were liberated, fully.

Enough of that, of course. Propaganda is tiring after mere days; we all know that quite intimately. Some of our comrades chose to print it; that, perhaps, is a bit unfortunate.

But many things will be made available now that the spontaneous revolution has completed itself, quickly and almost peacefully. As we stated, everything has been socialized. This does not mean that the artisans lose their individual autonomy, nor the agricultural laborers theirs. To steal that away would but be a capitalistic move against the people. We are the people; we cannot be against the people; and very few in Istkalen, after the regime of Meinl-Reisinger, after the occupation, are truly capitalists.

No, labor will be organized through the unions and the chambers, which have been restored to their natural state - of agriculture, of commerce, of the crafts and trades, of general labor, of the professions, of the arts, and of state - the chambers of the modernization, of the previous ascendancy of the Istkalener people.

The principle of duty, on which republicanism in Istkalen has been organized, will remain, for duty is the only way through which freedom can be maintained. In the West, people have the right to speak out, the right to do this and that. But they also may not do so. In Istkalen, it is the duty of the people to speak out about all policies; to voice their concerns. It is their duty, in fact, to dissent.

In this manner, each chamber and each union will have their duties. It is here that the new organization of labor lies. The chambers will be the participatory structure of people's power; through the unions, they shall participate in all matters, political, economic, and cultural.

Through this participation, they will also have their duty - of political participation, yes, but also of economic participation. Each union, again, shall have the duty of carrying out a specific activity; these will be delegated to the local unit. The worker may take the activity they are most pleased with, and may carry it out as they see fit, given that said way is truly safe. Their labor will be valued; they will be people. Their work will be for them to decide - it will, in fact, be their duty to decide and deliberate on their work - and it will be for them to execute, not as a machine but as a full person.

The products of labor will themselves be free. The person who made it will feel a connection to it; they will be responsible for distributing it. Many things, however, will be made without price. Housing will be collectivized; the distribution of food, through warehouses and canteens, shall be as well; the same shall go for information and activities cultural, through the unions of participation.

In essence, the new Istkalen will be a socialist society of total participation on the behalf of the people. All will be made and implemented directly through the participation of the people.

Eva van der Bijl has been named interim Head of State, until the Constituent Assembly is elected and convenes. Regarding that: the Communist Party is leading. If elections were held now, Communists would hold 351 seats, Centers 200, Labor 150, and Liberals 100.

Istkalen

The Citizen's Voice: Statement from the Presidium of the Trade Confederation of Istkalen; ceremonies of the Day of Betrayal

The Presidium of the Trade Confederation of Istkalen gave the following statement regarding the re-organization of the economy, which was erroneously reported to be a socialization on communist lines:

"On the 25th of April, the Trade Confederation of Istkalen ordered an end to the general strike declared on the 21st of April, recognizing the unconditional surrender of Istkalen and the dissolution of its government through the Instrument of Surrender.

The responsibility of the economy, paralyzed by war and protest, thus fell onto it. No longer did the state producers' unions, the state chambers, which for so long coordinated the economy, exist; all had, in an instant, fallen into piece.

It was thus its solemn duty to bring to life the productive forces of Istkalen again. Through its own institutions, the dying remnants of the past - of the time before social-fascist domination, of the time in which the nation was truly alive and free, without the poison of one of the most terrifying nationalisms, of the cultish religiosity of the Social Democratic Party, the evil 'church' which very nearly destroyed all.

The economy was thus organized on the lines of our tradition, but with the modern and progressive spirit of our new Istkalen, which has endured the worst of abuses. As was written in the - traitorous - journal "Revolution," whose editors have thankfully been fined for their words, " labor will be organized through the unions and the chambers, which have been restored to their natural state - of agriculture, of commerce, of the crafts and trades, of general labor, of the professions, of the arts, and of state - the chambers of the modernization, of the previous ascendancy of the Istkalener people."

It is true that the new economy will be one of participation and duty, in the model of our history; in the words of "Revolution," "through the unions, they shall participate in all matters, political, economic, and cultural...all will be made and implemented directly through the participation of the people." Although not political, at this moment; the J-TAI exists. Regardless of our support for it, we must respect and cooperate with it, until we may govern ourselves again, someday in the future.

Most of what "Revolution" stated is true, from their words on the new management of the economy: "each union, again, shall have the duty of carrying out a specific activity; these will be delegated to the local unit. The worker may take the activity they are most pleased with, and may carry it out as they see fit, given that said way is truly safe. Their labor will be valued; they will be people. Their work will be for them to decide - it will, in fact, be their duty to decide and deliberate on their work - and it will be for them to execute, not as a machine but as a full person," to that of the welfare state to be created temporarily as to ensure the safety of the Istkalener people: "housing will be collectivized; the distribution of food, through warehouses and canteens, shall be as well; the same shall go for information and activities cultural, through the unions of participation." But we have no intention of abolishing what they plan to abolish; we are not Communists. We do not ascribe to the ridiculous notions of 'class struggle,' which is non-existent in Istkalen, as classes simply do not exist here; we do not believe in their modernism. History cannot be held to any grand theory, nor anything else; to believe so is cultish.

It is our responsibility to take on the work of managing the economy again in a framework both democratic and social, although not socialist, in the framework of duty and the republicanism of our Istkalen. These measures are not ideological; they are solely pragmatic in nature, meant to drive away the last remnants of the regime and create a "clean break," so to speak - a return to something both familiar and new, but at the same time something that is not revolutionary in nature - something which is simply a natural evolution, or an evolution that should have taken place long ago; meant to ensure the health and happiness of the people of Istkalen, and the continued progress of the nation.

If the J-TAI objects to our actions, undertaken under the Royal Decree No. 11587 of 1939, we will listen to them. Our main goal is not for further aggression; again, it is to restore Istkalen to a state of peace and true democracy as soon as is possible. We seek cooperation."

In other news, the regular ceremonies of the Day of Betrayal have begun. Commemorating the narrow escape from death of the first republicans of Istkalen at the hands of the traitorous Mao Zedong, in these disturbed times, the day seems especially poignant. Members of the 'paralyzed' eight state chambers, as well as the Government, joined by members of the Trade Confederation and People's Committees, walked through the streets of Līresz, through the former buildings of state, from the Imperial Palace and the Great Hall of the Everlasting Istkalen, the long-lasting houses of government, to the former housing of the first republican government of Istkalen.

The procession continues; they are presently walking to the Hall of the Court of Examination, where the initial investigation into the plot began following the death of the Elder of the Court. A short address will be made from the building, after which they will proceed to the Hall of the National Censorate, where the Grand Council of Censors stripped those involved of their powers, and finally to the Hall of the High National Court of Justice, where trials against the conspirators took place.

As always, the day is in theory a national holiday, as will be the remainder of the week, until Labor Day on 1 May.

Istkalen

The Citizens' Voice: Kerel, the second Tiraki

Ilest Kerel, under the Provisions against the Northern Hordes and the declaration of Meinl-Reisinger, which, while heavily modified as to remove certain provisions, remains partially in place, has overseen a massive and sudden re-organization of state, in the name of 'order' and 'progress,' as a part of a general proclamation made as his International Workers' Day address to the public.

Citing the general political instability and confusion that has resulted from the Instrument of Surrender, whose interpretation is disputed by various groups, he has set out to 'stabilize' governance and the economy.

The National Assembly has yet again been dissolved; the Council of Ministers again re-instated, and allowed to 'temporarily' appoint members of the seven state chambers until 'rational' elections may be held.

The enumeration of the state chambers has not been changed; however, many of their responsibilities have been re-assigned to the Council of Ministers, and, by proxy, to Kerel himself. A summary of these changes has been made below. Several of the former advisory unions have been modified as to become ministries; unions previously unrepresented in the National Assembly will generally be moved to the Chamber of State, with the unions of the Chamber of State now represented outside of the National Assembly and in the Council of Ministers.

He also has announced a drastic new economic policy, which would primarily expand the welfare state, 'collectivizing' all essentials - primarily, healthcare, housing, food, water, and electricity - and placing them directly under the control of various ministries - the Ministry of Health for the first, of Public Works for the second, fourth, and fifth, and the newly created "Ministry of Public Distribution," which will also be supplying materials to state occupational unions based on their demands the third. It will also increase public works project, creating further 'Development Authorities,' beneath the Ministry of Public Works and the Chamber of Professions, modeled on that active in southern Istkalen, throughout the country as to further development.

Consumption will also be organized through the state occupational unions. Citizens will be expected to gauge their needs, which will be reported through the unions to the Chambers, which will then, in turn, inform the Council of Ministers of them. The Ministry of Public Distribution will then assign duties, based on a formulation which would be a mix of traditional market-based data and union reports, to the state chambers, based upon their general sector; the State Chambers duties to the occupational unions, and the occupational unions to the communal branches, a commune now defined as an area governed by a single municipal-level people's committee. Within communal branches, individuals will 'claim' individual duties.

State chambers not involved in production - the professions, the arts, and state - will be self-governing, but will have controls on them by the Council of Ministers.

In the formulation of chamber-specific economic plans, market forces will be taken into account, balanced with respect to society as a whole, its future, environment, and general prosperity. However, the primary focus will be further development, economically, culturally, and socially.

Per Kerel, expression will be made through the state chambers and occupational unions; dissent will be demanded of citizens. However, in response to what he deems as 'an epidemic of misinformation,' he has stated that the Chamber of Arts, which controls publications, will be expected to place greater regulations on the reporting and dissemination of news.

The people's committees, as well as the Trade Federation of Istkalen, have been 'nationalized.' The committees have been placed under the control of a general 'Ministry of State,' to be headed by Kerel himself; the Trade Federation's chambers have been dissolved, and its individual occupational unions replacing, partially the state occupational unions. Kerel has stated that the Trade Federation will be allowed to reform itself independently, and the move was solely made as to ensure that Social-Democratic influence over state occupational unions was entirely removed. Citizens will continue to be free to form labor unions, but restrictions on the formation of professional associations will remain.

All of this near perfectly mimics the policies of Tiraki. It is no surprise, perhaps, that this has come about; the two emerged from near-identical situations. Tiraki was the technocratic Premier appointed by the Chamber of Censors as to oversee the second election of 1983 when she seized power as to 'rationalize and stabilize' governance; Kerel and most of his ministers, economists, appointed as technocrats by Meinl-Reisinger as to combat a failing economy, seizing power for similar reasons - against what they saw as an irrational, unstable, and psychotic government that threatened to destroy Istkalen.

Kerel, however, has publicly stated that he has no intention of making these 'reforms' permanent; that democracy will continue to exist; and that this is solely for rationalization and stabilization of the state, until a new constitution can be passed and Istkalen returns to 'a regular state;' that, while he admires some of Tiraki's reforms, he believes strongly in democracy, and would never do as Tiraki did.

He has also said that he continues to respect the J-TAI, and that all reforms would be reversed if they so desired.

Istkalen

Istkalen Information Service: European Councillor By-Elections - Candidates

European Councillor by-elections are scheduled for 5 May. Further information regarding the general record of these candidates, including published works and history, will be released as a booklet which will be sent to all citizens.

The candidates are listed below:

Name	Affiliation and History	Image
Iras Tilkanas	A member of the Communist Party, Tilkanas served as an ambassador to various countries between 1990 and 1994, and became the Minister of Foreign Affairs between 1994 and 1996. She would again serve in the role under the 1996-2002 caretaker government between 1999 and 2001 following a reshuffle, and again under the Communist-National Republican-Popular Community government between 2002 and 2003, being one of the few to survive the Social Democratic terrorist attacks which would result in the deaths of most of her colleagues. Tilkanas was and is considered one of Istkalen's most skilled diplomats and MFAs, having managed to enter Istkalen, then a remnant of the collapsed 'Second World,' into the ranks of the First.
Liris Veszal	Veszal, a member of the nascent Union Party, which includes present Head of State Ilest Kerel and advocates for some of the policies of former Premier Ayros Tiraki on a democratic basis, was the founder of the Movement for Liberty, an anti Social-Democratic front which sought to create parallel institutions. to the Social Democratic State. An arrest warrant was put out for Veszal after the Movement for Liberty's National Constituent Assembly, formed of seven 'alternative' chambers, formulated on those existing before 2003, elected by 'alternative' occupational unions with a combined membership that constituted almost 52% of the population, named him the head of an alterative government in 2010; he would go into hiding and continue to agitate, although many members of the Movement for Liberty were killed extrajudicially by the Social Democratic militia. Veszal is, as with many members of the Union Party, a social scientist, in this case an economist; he has been characterized as highly charasmatic.
Akem Linek	A member of the National Republican Party, Linek is widely considered the leader of its conservative wing. Having advocated for the maintenance of 'traditional' institutions, he is well known for advocating for several bizarre positions, as well as for writing a 'Westernizing' cultural manifesto that many have labeled 'insane.' Linek serves on a rural People's Committee; however, he has not served in any true political office, save for within the party, beforehand.
Kalju Ilves	A member of the Patriotic League, formerly the Free Youth, Ilves was previously the head of a 'liason' party titled the Anti-Fascist Party. Ilves served as a 'token' opposition Minister of Foreign Affairs under the third Meinl-Reisinger government, despite his strong opposition to the Social Democratic government. In this position, Ilves was widely considered a second Tilkanas, again attempting to establishin links to the West, with generally high levels of success, until his removal and the subsequent placement of an arrest warrant on him. Ilves, who, (a rarity in Istkalen), is openly gay, living with his partner in a cohabiting ulsien, primarily is seen as merging high levels of social progressivism with a politics almost authoritarian in nature, in line with the policy of the Patriotic League; he is an strong admirer of the policies of Ayros Tiraki,
Erkas Tilisek	Tilisek is a relatively unknown member of the Patriotic Front, from which the Patriotic League split over social issues. An ultra-traditionalist party, Tilisek is reported to be a convert to Arianism. There is little other information regarding her.

Istkalen

Istkalen Information Service: European Councillor Platforms

Iras Tilkanas

institution of labor and union rights in the UDoHR
expansion of powers of the Condemnation to businesses and other entities that repeatedly violate, bypass, or attempt to violate the laws of more than four member-states as an integral part of their practices
repeal of the Sanction Powers Act
reaching of detente with the UNSR
would be affiliated with the PEL

Liris Veszal

expansion of LGBT+, women's, and minority group rights in the UDoHR
clarification of ECB powers; expansion as to allow it to play a role in the stabilization of financial and monetary policy in individual member-states
creation of EACB-like institution as to fund agricultural, industrial, technological projects
support for the Condemnation of the Coup in Icholasen
would be affiliated with the EPA

Akem Linek

removal of LGBT+, women's, minority group rights
repeal of the EACA
removal of ECB, ESA, EHO, EHIC, and several other organizations
strengthen the Sanctioning Powers Act
no affiliation

Kalju Ilves

institution of labor and union rights in the UDoHR
expansion of LGBT+, women's, and minority group rights in the UDoHR
repeal of the EACA
creation of EACB-like institution as to fund innovations in terms of a transition towards 'green' technology
expedition of the obtaining of loans for purpose of 'green' transition by both nations and businesses
creation of greater transportation development authority, with optional membership and funded by members alone, to improve access to long-distance public transportation across the EU
would be affiliated with the ELDR

Erkas Tilisek

outlawing of LGBT 'activities;' 'defense' of the 'traditional family'
removal of ECB, ESA, EHO, EHIC, and several other organizations
'nullification' of the First Council of Nicaea by outlawing belief in any of its conclusions, as well as the Nicene Creed itself
no afiliation

Istkalen

Revolution: Members of the occupational unions resign, 'forcing' appointments

Due to restrictions placed by the fascist government of Kerel, which prevent us from distributing the truth, we have been forced to write this paper by hand. We implore the people of Istkalen to share that which is here to all, so that all may see the horrors occurring in our country.

The members of the state occupational unions have revolted against the quasi-fascist state of Kerel, and resigned. Kerel has done so much to take away our socialization; his plans, in vile coordination with the fascist parties of our Istkalen, to place the whole of the state and the people under his so-called 'benevolent' control, have been foiled, for the people who he wished to subjugate wanted to remain free.

The Trade Federation, the central instrument of revolution in Istkalen, was reformed as it was before the reactionary 'nationalization' of Kerel, and has pressed forwards, forwards, towards progress. The People's Committees, however, which we once thought were the arms of revolution, through which its force and its aims would be enacted, have not done so. They have betrayed themselves as being anti-revolutionary; they have tricked the people into following them and thus into the evil grasp of Kerel.

Now does the struggle after the revolution begin. Kerel says, and it is done, the people walking to their doom - that is what he wants. It is our responsibility to resist this vision, to ensure that it never comes to fruition.

He has appointed new individuals, new slavedrivers, as to try to cement his control over us. We cannot let them; we must defeat them all. Kerel's appointments must be wiped off this Earth and replaced with new, genuine representatives of the people.

We must fight. We must establish ourselves as our own masters, and overthrow, nay, destroy the institutions and people that held us down. Destroy capitalism; destroy all those who upheld it. Destroy religion, destroy all other vestiges of the old. And then, from nothing, build the new. Build the republic, the social and democratic republic.

Led by the Party and doing through the Trade Federation, we shall overthrow his evil, evil government. Then the people will prevail, and a democratic and socialist state will be established for the happiness of all. The revolutionary movement which begun on the 25th of April, 75 years from the overthrow of feudalism, 48 years from the overthrow of fascism, will consolidate itself, in eternity.

Istkalen Information Service: Regarding 'Revolution'

The newspaper 'Revolution,' affiliated with the United Workers' Revolutionary Communist Party, has been banned by order of the Union of Publications.

Istkalen

Istkalen Information Service: The Echteran trial begins

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Echteran, before the High Council of the Union of Civil and Criminal Law

The trial of Gertrude Echteran, on the charges of treason and dereliction of duty, has begun. Updates are forthcoming.

4 May 2021; 04:00

The prosecution has begun its argument, pointing to Echteran's behavior in the European Council, where they claim that she 'degraded' the country's position abroad. They have highlighted the reactions of multiple Councillors, as well as the Council Speaker, to her behavior.

Arguments regarding treason have regarded more concealed documents. Several close to Echteran have testified that she was in collaboration with members of the Meinl-Reisinger government, and was actively attempting to bring down Istkalen's reputation abroad as to strengthen remnants of the genocidal regime, primarily by weakening the government of Ilest Kerel through economic sanctions.

5 May 2021; 04:00

Echteran's defense team has not yet arrived, over a day upon the beginning of the trial. The court is now in recess for these reasons.

Echteran has not responded to questions posed by the IIS.

7 May 2021, 01:00

Echteran's lawyers were found murdered in a drainage culvert outside of Līresz. The trial remains in recess; Echteran, who says that she is entirely unconcerned about the trial, is expected to commission new lawyers.

8 May 2021, 08:00

Gertrude Echteran is dead. She appears to have committed suicide. Details will follow.

Istkalen

Istkalen Information Service: Conclusion of European Councillor elections
5 May 2021, 19:15

Correction: foreign votes had not yet been received by the Information Service from the state electoral bureau; election results have been adjusted in light of this.

The counting of votes for European Councillor elections concluded at 19:00 on 5 May. The results are below:

(INTERNAL ~ 90%)

IRAS TILKANAS: 38,2%
LIRIS VESZAL: 15,8%
KALJU ILVES: 15,7%
AKEM LINEK: 15,2%
ERKAS TILISEK: 15,1%

(EXTERNAL ~ 10%)
AKEM LINEK: 50%
IRAS TILKANAS: 25%
KALJU ILVES: 25%

IRAS TILKANAS: 36,88%
LIRIS VESZAL: 14,22%
KALJU ILVES: 16,63%
AKEM LINEK: 18,68%
ERKAS TILISEK: 13,59%

Iras Tilkanas is thus elected Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen, and Akem Linek as her deputy.

Istkalen

Die Presse: Kerel - incompetent to Europe, but a holy terror to the German people of Istkalen, who he refuses to respect

Ilest Kerel, to the rest of Europe, seems horrifically incompetent. Portrayals of the country are of political chaos - of repeated reorganizations both economic and political, drastic and often occurring within days of each other, often reversing entirely re-organizations that came before them.

Most of the promises he made on the 18th of April have not been kept. His initial proclamation, of the creation of an anti-partisan "national society" predicated on the producers' unions and the people's committees which formed in the wake of the mass arrests of members of the Social Democratic government - of the conservative and traditional society we have longed for - was never delivered on.

He has allowed for the existence of political parties; at the same time, he has driven himself away from the organic view of the 18th of April and instead chose to support an unnatural state, which too many celebrate as a part of their 'economic liberation'.

Worst of all, we Germans, the sole truly orthodox Christians still existing, the upholders of the traditional spirit of the nation of Istkalen, have been persecuted.

Our schools have been closed, the teachers, that installed morality in our children, expelled and replaced with new teachers, who teach them all sorts of vile things in total contradiction with our faith! They go as far as to brainwash them into doing terribly unnatural things, outside of the order that has been ordained.

He has sicced the perverted youth that plague our towns and cities on us, as to take the stalwart and strong husbands of our area, as well as many of our priests, away for doing as they are ordained to do, placing them before mock courts for the most ridiculous of invented crimes!

He has allowed the "People's Committees" of these youth, subversions of the natural order, to do as they wish, doing so much harm to our community!

He and his cronies have gone as far as to annul marriages, especially those made of circumstance between woman and man, such as those acquired in the acting upon of a sudden lust - in total violation of our traditions. However opposes this is labeled 'backwards,' 'feudal,' and a 'misogynist' - lies! They are the true misogynists - they do not understand the fundamental difference between women and men, and thus mistreat women terribly!

The Prussians, the Estonians - heathens which they have long refused us from saving, and still are not able to be saved because of the evil of Kerel - remain in their ways. They and their demon-worshipping, or worse, their refusal to believe in anything - are allowed to go on in their sinful ways.

But of course, they will say, with the people who speak the demonic languages in the East, that all is fine. Their work is protected and free, their culture is celebrated, and their people are supported. For us this is true on a superficial level as well, but only in reality for the youth. Everyone else is under the boot of an efficient dictatorship, the most efficient ever to have existed! It stamps out our culture, claims that it is 'reactionary,' and replaces it with something bland! It takes our children away and molds them into different creatures - creatures who believe in falsehoods! It turns our girls and our women rebellious, our men submissive, inserting in them ideas of all sorts of perversions, and rejects the natural system of production and politics!

The youth will soon be coming for me. They have said that they are 'carrying out a modernization;' that there are trying to 'democratize this area' and stamp out 'atrocities that do not belong in a modern country!' All they want to do is place on us the Satanism of the rest of the world!

Goodbye! They will soon take me, as my wife, my children, most of my former subordinates, and my former companions have made all sorts of accusations about me, who was once their respected leader and guide - accusations that are true but are legal and in accordance with the natural way - but accusations as to get me arrested by the evil youth of Kerel!

Istkalen

Postimees: Kerel overthrew the Social Democratic hegemony, but is unwilling to remove its influence

On the 18th of April, Ilest Kerel effectively overthrew the government of Beate Meinl-Reisinger, bringing to an end almost 19 years of disastrous and authoritarian rule by the Social Democratic Party. His ability to remove the last of the excrement that it has strewn across almost everything in Istkalen, however, appears to be less than stellar.

In stark contrast to the image of the country presented by the Istkalen Information Service, his declaration of 18th April, which served to announce the overthrow and death of Beate Meinl-Reisinger, an encapsulation of the position of the so-called 'technocratic' wing of the Social Democratic Party, has been followed almost perfectly. The activity of political parties is severely restricted, separated from all important organs of state entirely. Political, economic, and cultural activity is still channeled entirely through the state occupational unions and state chambers; outside of them, all three are discouraged if not penalized outright by the so-called ASPIS, which remains in operation. The former divisions, renamed regions in the parlance of Kerel's republic, remain entirely powerless. They do not even exist save on paper; they have no institutions, nor any power. Kerel has remained faithful to his promise of centralization; most of their powers now lie with the central government, with some now devolved to newly created 'municipal' governments.

On all levels, true to the Social-Democratic roots from which he springs, he has enforced a corporatist system of governance. Even the people's committees, which have largely been relegated to governing so-called 'communes' - divisions within larger 'municipalities' that are better reflective of actual cities - have been made to adopt a seven-chamber system and election from occupational unions.

Yes, it is true that corporatism - that is, occupational representation - is a political mainstay of Istkalen, as a result of political maneuvering in the 1940s - but that does not divorce it from its beyond odious origins. Although it is true that these origins have been quite heavily covered up ever since Tiraki, who led a destructive campaign in an attempt to rewrite Istkalen's history in her favor, they remain, in reality, the same - that is, in authoritarianism and quasi-fascism, beginning with the Lirisian state and its 'occupational instruments' to the 'national republic' of Tiraki and its state occupational unions - a tradition reaching its final realization and climax in the Social Democratic Party.

To cement it further, as such, would be to continue in the tradition of that odious Party. To abolish the unions and the chambers would, of course, be political suicide at this point - but it is beyond all doubt necessary if one wants to create a genuinely democratic Istkalen free of the influence of the SDP.

It does not seem, however, that Kerel actually wants a democratic Istkalen, or even one free of the SDP. If anything, he remains, quite thoroughly, the sort of technocrat that the SDP liked to recruit - someone competent, patriotic, and above all entirely disloyal to democracy. In essence, the archetype of Tiraki.

It must be made clear, however: Kerel is extraordinarily popular. Istkalen's experience with liberal democracy has generally been quite poor; Kerel's attempt to remove it and replace it with a national, technocratic, and corporatist system is thus well-received. At the same time, despite the 'show' he appears to be putting on for the West, he is competent and efficient - a further bonus in the eyes of a regular Istkalener. Finally, and perhaps more importantly, despite his apparent courting of socialism, he has proven himself to be working in the interests of Istkalen's middle class of artisans, trade-workers, and professionals, which have long dominated politics and acted as king-makers for all of Istkalen's rulers since the 1700s. He is going to remain in power for quite a long time; to remove him would be death for whomsoever attempts to do so.

He is certainly a liberator; regardless, he is certainly not a saint.

Istkalen

Õhtuleht: Hysteria spreads across the north

A primary school teacher stands before an assembly of children wearing garments made from cardboard boxes and canvas shopping bags. She holds a cucumber in her hand. "Do you know what the Vards will do to you?" she asks, in an almost sing-song voice, gesturing towards the cucumber.

This lewd scene was and is one that is occurring across schools in Istkalen's north, as paranoia and hysteria regarding the Vardic occupation sets in in full force. Worse than that regarding the Reitzmic occupation, which has mostly died down, it is fanned by the infamous "Northern Radio," which near constantly broadcasts extremely racist content directed against Vards presently in Istkalen.

"Vards," said Andres Liiv, one of the central provocateurs employed by the station, "are attracted to two things especially. Little children, and that which is shiny. Not simply valuable -no, no. They are like crows - they will even hunger for bits of aluminum foil! They are creatures of passion. At the sight of anything that interests them - these two things, most of the time - they are thrown into a lust, a lust which expresses itself in great rage and violence and one that does not end until they have what they want and are satisfied. So we implore you, good citizens, to take care, and stay safe. Keep your children, your valuables, anything that you have that is shiny - even the most worthless of things - away from these animals."

This, and messages like it broadcasted across "Northern Radio" and through social media have triggered an extreme panic among many in Istkalen's occupied north. "Tight-fitting" clothing, or rather any clothing that in any way shows the contours of one's body, has been eschewed, as the "Northern Radio," alongside various individuals on social media, have claimed that Vards are immediately thrown into lust at the sight of anything approximating a human torso. The new fashion, as such, is the cardboard box, or, for others, the canvas shopping bag, square-like and thus generally hiding one's torso well.

The hysteria, however, goes beyond this. A People's Committee organized a so-called funeral, of a person who did not exist; long human lines were formed from the site of the "funeral" to most areas of the village over which it had jurisdiction.

What was happening? The people of the village were burying all that they had that was in any way shiny, from their jewelry to children's toys, taking care as to hide the objects from what Northern Radio termed, using horrid vulgarities, "the ***** gaze of the Vard."

Across the country, "farmers' militias" have been formed, responding to the reports of the "Northern Radio" regarding Vardic movements and intentions to allegedly "sack our lands..leave them barren and poor." It is now common to stroll across a rural road and see farmers staring intently at one, as though they are trying to divine one's intentions, holding ever-so-tightly weapons, diverse in nature, from guns to machetes to even sickles.

Barbed-wire fences, attended to by members of the Popular Militia, have been erected around schools; children are not allowed to go out except in pre-planned mass outings protected by the Popular Militia.

Assemblies of the type described earlier are now exceedingly common, described as "preparation for the terror" in internal documents, "story-time assemblies" for young children, and "protection-informative gatherings" for older children.

More bizarrely, various individuals have made the claim that tomato puree wards away Vards, resulting in shortages of tomato. Bottles of tomato puree now sell for as high as 40 ketsels; they are near omnipresent, with almost everyone in the North owning at least one. These bottles have resulted in some chaos; a woman squirted one at a vender in a market she deemed to be a "Vardic agent," resulting in an explosion of hysteria in the market where said woman was almost beaten to death by a mob which claimed that she was also a "Vardic agent." All involved, save for the original vender, were arrested on charges of assault.

In another incident, what appeared to be a troupe of sorts, organized by a housing cooperative, smeared tomato puree on their faces and danced crazily outside of the cooperative as Vardic soldiers passed, screaming incantations which, per some on social media, drive away "Vardic evil spirits and demons."

It seems, as though only the middle-aged and elderly take any of this seriously. Children, teenagers, and young adults have almost mocked it.

Among the first, a black market of sorts for such things as glitter and sequins, which are now impossible to find, as most have been hidden away as a result of panic, has formed. One of their favorite activities is to throw handfuls of these at Vardic soldiers, to see if they respond. More oddly, some have latched on to the 'cucumber assemblies;' groups of children, generally old enough to read, have been seen purchasing cucumbers during authorized outings, attaching notes to them, asking Vardic soldiers to use the cucumbers as to chase some disliked person, as is said Vards will do with cucumbers in most of the so-called 'story-time assemblies,' before throwing them at said soldiers.

Teenagers have mostly ignored the insanities of the hysteria; most are, however, forced to wear the boxes or the shopping bags, which has led to an internal market for clothing forming among them at the schools, severely punished by authorities but continuing nonetheless. The vast majority, quite sensibly, feel that the whole 'movement' is hysterical and blow over soon.

It is the young adults, however, who seem to be having the most 'fun' out of this. They mostly continue to wear the clothing they did before, and have ignored most of the mandates of the "Northern Radio;" they have published journals denouncing said radio as ultranationalist and 'beyond racist in nature,' tracing its rhetoric to that used against Vards during the onset of Vardic raiding in ancient times. Some, artistically inclined, have invested their effort in the wrong areas, observing Vardic soldiers they find attractive, and creating pieces with wasted potential with composites of these soldiers, mocking some of the bizarre ideas put forward by the Northern Radio.

All in all, this is obviously quite a terrible situation, and will likely continue for some time. But some appear to be making the best of it; and perhaps in that we sane few can be somewhat happy.

Istkalen

The National Times: Before a newly elected National Assembly, Kerel declares that he has 'absolute power'

The National Assembly has been elected in a democratic process. Free, fair, and competitive elections, on non-partisan and technocratic lines in which candidates were required to possess certain levels of knowledge and experience, were held to the state occupational unions, cultural organizations, and political associations on the people's committee and national levels, which met today as to elect the seven chambers of state to which they correspond, forming the National Assembly.

The process is nothing less than historic. Istkalen has an extremely weak history of democracy, with electoral fraud having been frequent to the point that it was simply an expected part of life. It is perhaps only once in history that an assembly elected without irregularities has taken power - in 1910, with that of the Provisional National Assembly of the Republic of Istkalen. Elections later that year would be subject to intimidation, ballot box-stuffing, and outright falsification in several precincts by Empress Kales's Party of Istkalen, setting the tone for most of the remainder of Istkalen's elections, which would from that point become ever less democratic, culminating in the 2018 elections, where the Social Democratic Party placed candidates - either members of the Party or so-called "guests" - in stadiums and other public gathering areas, counting clapping by the pre-approved audience as approval.

While opposition was generally tolerated through all of this, it never was able to gain any power, except through the coup.

It is thus perhaps a surprise that turnout was extremely high in this election, at about 94%. One would expect that the people of Istkalen would be politically apathetic, and without hope as to the integrity of this election; it seems, however, that the opposite was true. Trust in the present government is extremely high; its exhortations, combined with general hope that high turnout would hasten the departure of the J-TAI, allowed for the creation of confidence in the integrity of the elections.

The National Assembly would, before a large audience and to great enthusiasm, convene at the House of the National Republic, the former Imperial Palace, as for its inauguration, one of the most-watched events in Istkalen's history, despite the formulaic nature of its proceedings.

Head of State Kerel, however, would then give a moderately disturbing speech before the Assembly, which attracted the attention - and the horror - of much of the nation.

"The Republic shall stand forever," he said, "forever in unity and integrity. It is the organization, the body, through which the people direct their energies and the very existnece, the sole body through which they can. It unites the nation in a single, energetic totality, condensing the feverous energy of the people into a single will - that of national preservation. Not a single activity lies outside of it; it unites and directs all, so that the nation is one and indivisible. This assembly before me is a great testament to this fact. The representative body of our Republic, it is the great condenser, combining every single activity of the Istkalener people into a single institutions, directing them all into the singular service of our nation! Through this assembly, a great hymn, the hymn of our people, sung in great diversity but beautifully, is expressed, a hymn that expresses all at once in a totality. I have the fortune of being the conductor of this hymn, who guides and instructs the people, with great love and fervor, to sing as best as they can, as to direct this beautiful hymn. In this position, I am absolute. With love, with authority, and with the devoted loyalty of the people, the hymn is made ever better, the bad of it, discordance, snuffed out, the good, the harmony, the melody, made ever more beautiful."

"The hymn cannot be made to self-direct. It would be discordant, ugly. No. Only one person, the most educated, must direct it, so that it is as beautiful and united as possible. Otherwise, it is doom for us all. It is not as though we can afford to have an ugly hymn; if we have an ugly hymn, then we are weak and ugly ourselves, pathetic, and if we are pathetic we are gone. It is only through our diversity and the unity of that diversity of our nation, the total unity and singular will of our people, that our nation has stood through the struggles of the millennia. Imagine if our ancestors had decided to play around, to 'self-direct,' to smear their feces on the music of our hymn. We would be degenerated, and we would not be Istkalen. We would be under the boot of other nations, totally integrated, without knowledge of our past. We would be imbeciles, drool coming from our mouths, our clothes smeared with our excrement, without knowledge of ourselves, and in total, unthinking, servitude to our masters. We would no longer be people but beasts - farm animals, stupid, vacuous, and unthinking farm animals, to be breeded, and to be killed when we no longer have use."

"We do not want that, we cannot have that. But we are again in danger of this happening. And thus we must be more united than ever, united in our hymn, without deviation, removing and fixing deviation and deviators, singing beautifully, expressing and defending our nation with all our vigor and will, with everything around us, at all cost. We must be united behind a single leader, the role of which I have taken in great humility, and direct all our energies towards our own defence following my gentle leadership."

Kerel would then read out the so-called "Constitutional Law" passed by the Council of Ministers on the 18th of April, which gave him effectively total powers:

"We must all be reminded, however, of this. Of the necessity to be united, and of the political reality of that unity. I thus read from our republican constitution, which defends our nation and ensures that it is always, always safe:

ARTICLE I. Section 1. The Head of State of the Republic of Istkalen shall have full governmental powers. He shall appoint and revoke the appointment of ministers, who shall be responsible only to him.

Section 2. He shall exercise legislative power through the Council of Ministers.

Section 3. He may issue all regulations of a budgetary or fiscal nature.

Section 4. He shall promulgate laws and assure their execution.

Section 5. He shall have full power over the armed forces, as well as that to delegate it.

Section 6. He shall have the right of granting pardon and amnesty.

Section 7. Envoys and ambassadors of foreign countries shall be accredited to him.

Section 8. He shall negotiate and ratify treaties.

Section 8. He may declare a state of defense in one or more parts of the territories.

Section 9. He creates the organs of state, to which he has the responsibility of assigning duties and rights."

Kerel would then smile, before departing. This is obviously quite disturbing; the Council of Ministers has stated that it is looking for a legal way as to remove him, for what they term a 'danger to the Republic and its institutions.'

Istkalen

The Citizens' Voice: Polling on important issues

Do you support the establishment of the J-TAI in its present form?

YES: 0,9% (-1,2)
NO: 99,0% (+1,3)
NO OPINION: 0,1% (-0,1)

Do you support the presence of Reitzmic troops?

YES: 0,5% (-0,5)
NO: 99,4% (+0,5)
NO OPINION: 0,1% (-)

Do you support the presence of Vardic troops?

YES : 0,4% (-0,6)
NO: 89,8% (+44,1)
NO OPINION: 9,8% (-41,2%)

Would you support an extended joint-EU presence in Istkalen for peacekeeping purposes?

YES: 47,3% (+4,2)
NO: 35,5% (-2,0)
NO OPINION: 17,2% (-2,2)

Would you support the J-TAI if it collaborated with the present institutions of government which function democratically in Istkalen, even if it excludes the provisional government?

YES: 14,3% (-31,0)
NO: 80,4% (+38,3)
NO OPINION: 5,3% (-7,3)

Would you support an ERF deployment?

YES: 49,5% (+0,5)
NO: 43,2% (-)
NO OPINION: 7,3% (-0,5)

Are you in support of the government in Līresz?

YES: 84,5% (+8,2)
NO: 9,4% (-4,3)
NO OPINION: 6,1% (-3,9)

Are you in support of the People's Committees?

YES: 95,3% (+2,1)
NO: 1,7% (-4,1)
NO OPINION: 3,0% (+2,0)

Are you in support of the producers' unions, as a concept?

YES: 95,1% (+0,3)
NO: 3,2% (-)
NO OPINION: 1,7% (-0,3)

Are you in support of the administration of the producers' unions?

YES: 81,3% (+33,1)
NO: 16,8% (-31,0)
NO OPINION: 1,9% (-2,1)

Over the past few days, there has been a massive drop in support for the present occupation of Istkalen, primarily because of the so-called "Vardic hysteria" in the north of the country, as well as worries that the country's resources, both mineral and human, may soon be exploited by occupiers. Several conspiracy theories, especially one which claims that occupiers are responsible for the death of Gertrude Echteran, have also contributed to this.

The unpopularity of the J-TAI, the central institution of the occupation, is extremely high. The elections it plans to hold are expected to be widely boycotted; at the same time, almost no one in Istkalen has actually carried out its orders. They are promulgated by the government - yes; but the primary instruments of execution, the state occupational unions and people's committees, rarely actually execute those that are controversial, or rather 'attempt' to execute them in the slowest and least useful ways, bending interpretations to the point that they are made beyond nonsensical.

"What are we supposed to do?" wrote the People's Committee of Liremer in a statement. "This order obviously tells us that the city must be made in the shape of a clown, and that everyone in it must also dress like clowns," referring to an order that had nothing to do with clowns. "How can we enforce this? How? We are trying our very best, but it will take some time!"

At the same time, daily burnings of effigies of the members of the organization take place outside of its headquarters, on weekends with extremely large audiences, who often cheer in delight. The events are described as "almost hysterical in the happiness of their participants; people run around as though they are drunk, drunk on the happiness that one day, the fate of the effigies will befall the J-TAI."

Support for the present government, especially the Council of Ministers and the National Assembly, who appear to have deposed the unpopular Kerel, has risen massively. As the only government in decades to have successfully managed to restore democracy, as well as to expand it into the economic and cultural spheres, they are viewed as highly competent, especially in comparison to the J-TAI, which is seen as colonialist.

Yet many realize that the country needs stabilization, and have thus supported potential peacekeeping operations in Istkalen. The words of Premier Ikomar sum it up best:

"We want to carry on as we have carried on for the millennia. We want to manage our own affairs, we want to remain independent. But we know that what those who claimed to lead us have done, and we understand that we must pay penance for that. They may come to ensure that we remain peaceful, that the horrors that happened will not repeat themselves."

Istkalen

Õhtuleht: Ikomar issues an appeal for calm; the Northern Radio is banned

The hysteria in the north continues unabated; if anything, it has intensified as a result of spreading conspiracy theories, regarding the potential exploitation of mineral resources, as well as the death of Gertrude Echteran.

Schools across the country have been shut down entirely; in its last statement, the Northern Radio made the claim that the Vards were coming as to kill everyone and "re-settle" the area, resulting in a massive exodus, during which many, especially young adults, unwilling to flee were essentially abducted by security forces and forced to go south "for their own safety." It is unclear what the present situation is, however.

The only to remain are small groups of security forces, which presently guard workplaces as to ensure that they are not looted. The cities are almost entirely empty.

Head of State Ikomar has issued an appeal for calm.

"I know," he said, "that many of you are terrified. That you feel that you are condemned to death; that behind you are coming barbarians who will kill you all. That you have lived in terror for the past few weeks, and now that terror seems finally to be realized in one fell swoop."

"It is true that we are in danger. But not of death, not of enslavement, not of pillaging and of violation. We will remain safe, physically, safe and healthy. They will not harm us in that way. What they will do is take away our sovereignty, permanently. Look at their flag, look at their manifestoes and so much more. They do not plan to ever allow us to ever be an independent nation, ever again. We will be but a colony, from which they will extract and extract until there is no more. To leave is to hasten this fate; our cities, our factories, our workshops, our mines, are left undefended; our people are made to look crazed and not to be trusted with state - too unintelligent, too destructive to be allowed to roam free. They will be given the opportunity and the reason to destroy our Istkalen. So, I beg of you, return in calmness. Collect the dead so that they may be buried with dignity; and return to your homes, your workplaces, so that they may be kept in your hands, our hands, so that we may retain our independence and may not be colonized. Return quietly, and resist, peacefully. But do not continue this madness, do not, I beg of you. If you do, you will have fallen into their trap, and then where will we be, a few months, a few years, from now?"

Minister Sepp has ordered military movement into the area, as to temporarily maintain order and ensure that those in the area are entirely safe. The Union of Audio Broadcasts, as well as the Chamber of Arts and Literature, has ordered the cessation of broadcasts of the "Northern Radio," at the behest of Ikomar in an emergency session.

Istkalen

Istkalen Information Service: Ikomar says J-TAI is 'useless'
(OOC: I understand the reasons for inactivity. This is not an attack on anyone, save IRP.)

Head of State Liris Ikomar has denounced the Joint Transitional Authority in Istkalen as both 'useless' and 'ineffective,' in what amounted to a tirade delivered at a recent press conference.

"We remain in power solely because the alternative is a power vacuum. When the administration of Kerel was dormant, look at what happened: total chaos! Different groups jostling for power, no one knowing the exact truth of what was happening. Various parties claimed all sorts of things; the state trade union tried to take control of the economy as communists and ultra-conservatives tried to claim that it was the time of their 'revolution;' as a result, no one knew exactly what was happening, what to do! The J-TAI did nothing! In fact, it hasn't done anything at all, in all its time here! Oh, [The Citizens' Voice] says that 'orders' have been given out, that we have promulgated them - none of this has happened! We have received nothing from the J-TAI at all!"

"Oh yes, they have their little manifesto which they are supposed to carry out, yes, yes! But they haven't done anything to deliver on it, and in any case no one in Istkalen even knows what it is! No one, absolutely no one! I don't know what is in it, the Council of Ministers doesn't, the National Assembly doesn't, absolutely no one does! And they say that they will stay here until they are 'satisfied!' What does that mean? I ask you all, what does that mean? Will they stay here, like leeches, stealing from the treasury and getting fat off of it, while continuing to do nothing of importance? Or will they try to ban us, the legal government of Istkalen, from this country, so that they have better access to that treasury and thus can run off with it? And after that, return to their state of sloth-like existence?"

"They don't even care during a time of national crisis! Hysteria in the north, who actually deals with it, we do! They don't care at all, haven't cared, and will never care! So long as they can fatten themselves with the people's money, they won't!"

"Tell me one thing that they have done, just one! You can't, because they've done nothing! No reconstruction projects - that was organized by our National Assembly! No welfare - that too by us! They've done nothing except sleep, eternally, truly eternally, in their building!"

Ikomar was then asked to take sedatives by an aide, which he promptly did before abruptly ending the conference. He has since issued an apology:

"My behavior today," he wrote, "was uncouth and inexcusable. However, I continue to hold to the fact that our Republic is the only government competent enough to govern Istkalen and stabilize it from the extreme instability caused by the Instrument of Surrender and the Hampton Declaration."

Despite the apparent rashness of this outburst, however, it has only increased support for Ikomar, who previously was unpopular as a result of his decision to remove Kerel, considered a last vestige of true independence and an unoccupied Istkalen, and thus a symbol of sorts. His recent actions, however, have shown Ikomar to be someone entirely different - a revolutionary of sorts, for the restoration of independence and the creation of a more just society, to many