Vascania

[Pragma]

Vascania switches tact under new PM
10 November 5588

New Vascanian Prime Minister Kush Rajawant has continued to confound expectations with his new "charm offensive", aiming to repair the Empire's damaged relations with nearby powers. Taking office amid a national recession and low international standing, Rajawant's agenda involves significant changes to the internal economy and some sections of the constitution - as well as a total overall of foreign affairs.

Overtures have reportedly been made to Xsampan leader "Comrade" Aurousseau, who has thus far continued her country's coldness to the Empire. That may soon change, however, as access to the Vascanian sea is an increasingly valuable tool to the economic arsenals of the region's key players - access that is, arguably, ultimately controlled from Kamalata. If a deal could be made, that would potentially usher in a new era of cooperation in the global south-east and provide crucial trade opportunities. Despite the reservations of some of Vascania's political establishment, it is understood that the new PM is willing to make compromises to achieve increased international recognition of his country's borders and standing.

Over recent decades, the once active Vascanian state has retreated into a relative isolationism and even autarky. Imports and exports have sharply decreased as the agricultural sector shrank and then grew again, with export crops like tea struggling while rice production surged in the 5560s. Quality of life in many of the central states declined rapidly, permitted the rise of Khond under the leadership of Kush Rajawant, who came to national prominence after suggesting that he was willing to "temporarily annex" neighbouring states, or parts of them, so they could enjoy the improving standards Khond was providing its citizens. His regionalist bona fides were tested by a poll from East Kayal University which showed that he had high national favourability. This poll was later proven correct as he won a slim majority two years ago under the umbrella of his populist offshoot of the long-standing Community Party (dubbed Community Party - Secular by some sources to distinguish it from its identically named rump).

Vascania·News is a Vascanian public news service produced by the Vascanian Broadcast Union