Voskian Times, Spring 2013
Government approves four-lane road between Divis and Màjmal
(15 May 2013) - The government has approved the construction of a four-lane road between the capital and the city of Màjmal. When completed, the connection to inner Gurdia will be a lot quicker, says the traffic ministry. The roads in Voskia are known for their poor quality and are considered dangerous to use. The first part of the highway will be financed with Voskian fundings; for the second part, Voskia will apply for funding by FESD (FICT) or by the AGL Investment Bank.
The start of the construction is planned for September. Critics call that moment 'inconvenient' as it will cause delays for tourists trying to visit Màjmal, especially in the light of the fact that the city will be the AGL's Cultural Capital next year. Some proper Voskian citizens fear that the improved connection between Divis and Màjmal will lead to a greater Gurdian influence in national politics. The government has dismissed this theory as nonsense.
'Assembly was somewhat succesful'
(8 May 2013) - The outcome of the General Assembly of FICT that was held last Saturday in Adzhatia has been called 'somewhat succesful' by a majority of Voskian politicians. 'The good news is that FICT has shown again that it is able to make decisions that are useful for the continuation of FICT itself, thereby showing that some stability is in the process of being formed', Āfrec Anģeli, the leader of the oppositional Communist Party, said. 'The bad news is that the important decisions seem to have been postponed; it is nice that FESD has now a main office and a director to lead it, but as long as no decision is taken on its organisation, the Fund as a whole can't function properly.'
Foreign affairs minister Luvidz Ūrtiazes agreed with mr. Anģeli, but added that in an environment were eight countries that have no daily business with each other, things should be taken step by step. 'The fact that the Assembly agreed to postpone the decision on the organisation of FESD shows that all member states take FICT seriously and that they don't want to rush things so that we'll have to deal with a Fund in the future that doesn't work properly because its organisation was decided upon too hasty', he said.
Some newspapers commented on the fact that newly admitted member state Guelphia will hold a referendum on its FICT membership. Voşkiko Loģuzvĕ asked itself why the Guelphians would ever think that FICT would pose such a danger to national sovereignty that the people wouldn't trust their politicians to take the decision to join for them, and the Gurdian newspaper Botimi i Màjmalse wrote that such a referendum would never be organised in Voskia, as too many political parties would consider it a waste of public money; the whole system would never get a majority in parliament. 'And even if it would be required: most Voskians and Gurdians still don't even know that our country is a member of FICT or the AGL; before a campaign could seriously start, much money would have to be spend to make the public aware of the existence of both organisations. The question is whether that would be worth it', Botimi wrote.
Monarchist Union will file a bill on royals' movements next week
(8 May 2013) - The Monarchist Union (MS) will file a bill already next week to abolish the law that prohibits members of the former royal family of Voskia to enter and live in the country. A condition for the MS to join the government coalition was that the other government parties would agree to help the MS gain support for this proposition. After the coup d'état of 1993 king Luvidz and his family went into exile, and when the republic was proclaimed three years later, the new parliament forbade the Voskian royals to ever set foot in the country again.
'Last month it was 20 years ago that Pāvus Kezimidz staged his coup; we think that the royal family has been punished disproportionally for something that wasn't their fault in the first place', MS-leader Ģianniē Jakc says. 'The monarchy enjoyed substantial popularity before colonel Kezimidz's dictatorship; my party is still of the opinion that the abolishment of the monarchy was collateral damage and shouldn't have happened, and that the current republic - a form of government that many consider to be more democratic - started with a crime against democracy. The time has come to correct at least part of this error and allow the royal family back in our beautiful country.'
King Luvidz (74) and queen Cosima (75) are currently living outside Napels, Italy. Their only son, crown prince Hugo (47), currently works and lives in London, United Kingdom, together with his family.
(Update 17 May 2013) - As expected, the bill filed by the Monarchist Union went through parliament with support of the governing majority. A spokesman of the PD (the Champions of the Republic party) criticised the speed with which this bill was written, discussed and approved. 'Although the chances are small that Voskia will ever become a monarchy again, my party feels that more discussion would have been necessary', he said. The MS lauded the result, saying that banning any Voskian citizen from their country of origin is simply wrong. MS-leader Jakc: 'We wouldn't even exile criminals but deal with them as Voskians among Voskians. The royal family hasn't done anything against the interests of our nation, and we are therefore glad that parliament approved their possibility of returning.'
Leaked foreign affairs report expresses dissatisfaction with international organisations
(28 April 2013) - The ministry of foreign affairs is dissatisfied with the Voskian membership of both FICT as the AGL. This is the conclusion of an internal evaluation report of the ministry of foreign affairs that was accidentally made public yesterday. Voskia joined both organisations last year. Both organisations are described as 'slow' and 'passive' and their benefit for Voskia as 'doubtful'. The question is asked whether it is worthwile to pay the annual amount of 0,1% of Voskia's GDP for the facilitation of a few superficial cultural exchanges, which in the case of FICT have still to be decided upon. The report doesn't include advice on the (dis)continuation of the memberships.
Foreign affairs minister Luvidz Ūrtiazes was confronted with the findings in the report today. He confirmed that the opinion exists in his department that the AGL is little more than a procedural chaos, an opinion that grew after the summit in January, during which changes in the AGL human rights treaty were adopted although it remains unsure whether all member states will ratify them. FICT is considered a collection of introverted poor countries that were held hostage last year by the internal crisis in Tarmorya. The minister said however that the situation in Tarmorya seems to be improving, so that FICT should be able to concentrate on the matters the organisation was founded for in the first place. Secondly, the membership application of the not at all impecunious kingdom of Guelphia could be a sign that FICT is recovering from the 2012 crisis that caused four member states to end their memberships.
According to mr. Ūrtiazes, the government has not discussed the report yet. It isn't self-evident however that Voskia will continue its memberships of both organisations. In the case of FICT, there is less pressure in this matter, as Voskia is a full-fledged member already and can choose any moment to change its opinion. Voskia is currently only an associated member of the AGL though, and as a normal associated membership has the duration of a year, the government has to decide very soon what action it will take: becoming a full member, continuing the associated membership (which is possible, although it is rarely done) or leaving the AGL altogether.
The minister added that the government did decide on intensifying the preparations of a Voskian membership application of the European Union. Voskia is the last country in Southern Europe that hasn't even started negotiations on joining the EU, and the government wishes to start the negotiation on the association agreement before the next parliamentary elections. The formal application will however be submitted by a future government.
PA accuses MV of 'treason', after being unceremoniously ditched
(24 April 2013) - The leader of the agricultural party PA, Mazēs Pāvuşiūz - until very recently minister of agriculture (2008 - 2013) - has reacted furiously to the announcement made by the centre-liberal party MV yesterday that there won't be an electoral alliance between the two parties during the next parliamentary elections. The two parties formed an alliance in 2009 when an election threshold of 3% was created, making it virtually impossible for the PA (and many other small parties) to gain seats in the Voskian parliament on its own. "The MV has obviously been affected by the slyness of the V-ĢP (the liberal-democratic party)", Pāvuşiūz said. "That party showed Voskian politics in March that it doesn't care about existing agreements; the PA has now been ditched by the MV as unceremoniously as the V-ĢP blew up the last government. It's nothing more than treason!"
Lukas Kvāzd, minister of domestic affairs and current leader of the MV, reacted laconically on the MV's former partner's fury. "It is understandable that they are disappointed, but we made it clear from the beginning that the alliance would be re-evaluated every once in a while. Lately, the MV didn't feel that the ideological connection with the PA was as strong as it was four years ago. We move on, and so should the PA." Kvāzd didn't want to comment on speculations that internal problems within the PA as well as the fact that the MV is part of the new government, whereas the PA isn't, lead to the decision of the MV to break with the PA. The latter already announced that it will search for an alternative alliance.
New government operational
(15 April 2013) - The new government, headed by the new prime minister Luçia Apavia, was approved by the Voskian parliament today. The K-ĢP abstained, as did the PD, many members of which party didn't even bother to attend. Ms. Apavia is now the first woman prime minister in Voskian history. Her cabinet has many old faces, but also a couple of new ones. Former finance minister (2008 - 2010) Mirlinda Aldaşi-Ryli of the Monarchist Union (MS) is the new finance minister, whereas former IP'02 finance minister (2004 - 2008) Domenic Parpan will be the minister of economic affairs. Luvidz Urtiazes (V-ĢP) returns as foreign minister. Aleksander Fraşyr (MV) and Lukas Kvāzd (MV) keep their jobs as resp. defense and domestic affairs ministers. Maģia Ōziūs (IP'02) is the new justice minister.
Acting foreign minister: 'Tarmoryan plebiscite no clear result'
(8 April 2013) - Acting minister of foreign affairs, mr. Kristofor Buşati, has expressed criticism on the plebiscite that was held yesterday in Tarmorya. In the plebiscite, the Tarmoryan people could indicate which political system they preferred their country to have in the future. Those in favour of a presidential republic won the referendum with 36% of the cast votes, although just 20% of the electorate took the opportunity to vote.
'That's not a victory at all! Neither for those who favour the presidential system nor for democracy!' claims mr. Buşati. 'And is it no clear indication of what the people want either; who is to say why the great majority didn't vote? Is it fear or lack of interest, or both?' The minister thinks it would have been better if the Tarmoryan authorities had waited a few months before asking this big a question to their people. 'The first accusations of electoral fraud have already been made, and with the still chaotic situation in the country, it is very difficult to make out of these accusations are valid.'
The official view of the Voskian government is however that it will see how the situation will develop. 'If peace can be restored despite this results, then that's of course allright', a spokesperson of prime minister Arhali said.
In other news, minister Buşati welcomed last Friday the intention of the kingdom of Guelphia to join FICT. He said that Guelphia shows much promise to become a valuable member of the organisation.
(Update, 10 April 2013) - The ministry of foreign affairs officially rectified words expressed last Monday by the acting minister of foreign affairs, mr. Kristofor Buşati, about the number of people that voted in the Tarmoryan referendum. The minister said that only 20% of the Tarmoryans had voted, but it turned out to be the other way around: 20% didn't vote. The ministry claims that the Tarmoryan data were 'not very clearly presented' and that a wrong interpretation of them was handed to the minister. The ministry added however that the minister's opinion that 36% is no clear victory for the winner, still stands.
Parties agree on main issues coalition government
(3 April 2013) - The four parties currently in discussion about forming a new government, V-ĢP, MV, MS and IP'02, have reached an agreement on the intended government's main policies. This was announced today by the leader of the V-ĢP and designated prime minister Luçia Apavia. Apavia told the press that economic growth will be the government's main priority, to avoid problems such as in neighbouring Greece and other southern European countries. Apavia called it 'fortunate' that at this moment in time, Voskia isn't a member of the eurozone, although joining the European Union and the eurozone remains on the long term agenda of the government. It is also the coalition's intention to tackle problems regarding bureaucracy.
A controversial measure the coalition is planning to take, is to abolish the law that prohibits members of the former royal family of Voskia to enter the country. Analysts suspect that this heavy demand was made by the Monarchist Union (MS) in exchange for participation in this coalition. Ms. Apavia emphasised however that there are no plans whatsoever to restore the Voskian monarchy, and the new government, if approved by parliament, will organise the presidential and parliamentary elections in January 2014 as already scheduled.
The coalition's next steps will be to reach agreement on some minor details and to name candidate ministers. IP'02 already announced that former finance minister Domenic Parpan (2003 - 2008) will return in the new cabinet, although it is uncertain which portfolio he will get. IP'02 leader and former prime minister and foreign affairs minister Pāvus Luva will almost certainly not be part of the new government. The other parties made few remarks on potential candidates. Luçia Apavia (V-ĢP) will of course become the prime minister and it is probable that Luvidz Urtiazes will return as foreign affairs minister.
The parliamentary vote on the new government is expected to take place somewhere in the next two weeks.
(Update, 10 April 2013) - At the end of the afternoon, a parliament spokesman announced that the vote on the new government is scheduled for next Monday. Although no further details were provided neither by the parliament nor the negotiating parties, it can be assumed that the latter have reached a final agreement on the new government's policies and that a list of the candidate ministers will be published in the next few days. Before the vote, the current government of prime minister Başkim Arhali has to be voted out of office, but since the parties of the new government will form a new majority, this shouldn't be a problem. Arhali's government was left without a majority after the V-ĢP withdrew its support in early March. The V-ĢP ministers left the government and their portfolios were taken over by other government ministers. Although without majority, the government is still acting in full capacity, as it was never sent away by a vote of no confidence. Also, the MV, which has been part of the old government but will enter the new one as well, didn't formally withdraw support of the current government and the MV ministers are still in office.
V-ĢP to form coalition with MV, MS and IP'02 • No early elections planned
(21 March 2013) - This afternoon, president Ādrea Zaşpuzic has given the assignment to form a government to the Liberal Democrat party V-ĢP, with its leader Luçia Apavia being the designated prime minister. This was jointly announced by Luçia Apavia herself and representatives of the Centre-Liberal MV, the Monarchist MS and the conservative Irtiazist party IP'02. During the next three weeks, the four parties should agree on a cabinet and a government policy for the next few months until the new government will be replaced by the government that will be the result of the next regular elections, which will be held in December or January. Apavia concluded her task of finding a possible new government coalition this morning, but everybody expected that she returned to the president to announce that she too had failed, after the leaders of the Social Democrat K-ĢP and the republican PD didn't succeed either in finding a suitable majority in parliament.
The announcement was therefore met with disbelief by the two largest parties in the Voskian parliament: the K-ĢP as well as the PD of current prime minister Başkim Arhali called Apavia's attempt 'madness' to form a new government which would get such a short mandate; the early elections, that were expected by many, have now been put on hold. Some members of the PD have started to ask themselves out loud whether Apavia deliberately left the former government coalition and refused talks with the K-ĢP and PD in order to have the V-ĢP become the largest party of a coalition with her as prime minister. Analysts however don't think Apavia is that cunning, and prefer to think that she simply made good use of the opportunity that offered itself during the last three days. Both K-ĢP and PD already announced to vote against the new government, in the event that the four parties succeed.
Luçia Apavia (37) is a civil engineer of proper Voskian decent. She was elected member of parliament for the V-ĢP in the 2006 elections and served as traffic minister between 2010 and 2013 in the fourth government of Başkim Arhali. In January of this year, she was elected leader of the V-ĢP, succeeding former prime minister Gian Parpan. Apavia isn't married, but she has been in a relationship with actor Envars Brāsc for some years now.