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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.