Vanuku

[Kubrick]

LOFRKAD, TÁMNR, NRZILYK

Leaked files reveal multibillion bailout of national budget

The main office of the Ministry of Finance in the capital city of Wiel had lights on until the late hours in the last few weeks.

27 August 5666

Grak Sháhazi has come into possession of several leaked government memos, notes, and emails revealing that the Politburo of the WJZR has received a massive bailout from a foreign entity. In recent years recession has taken a hold of the economy of the largest Jelbic state, and Worldburnerist economists seemed unable to counter the rising inflation and unemployment. Then it became clear that the national budget had severe shortcomings, with one whistle-blower claiming the government had been doing their state finances wrong for over a decade and that the nation was heading for an economic collapse. These criticisms were ignored by the Politburo, they insisted the situation was under control. A historical moment came on February 20th, when the Politburo released a statement wherein they admitted recent economic downfall. However, no responsibility was taken and the "free market" was blamed for the shift. Secretary-General Jere Cahn promised her personal attention to fixing the matter.

It has now become clear that fixing the economy consisted of receiving a massive bailout from a foreign source. The bloated budget has been fixed by the insertion of an excess of a hundred billion marks. Several files were leaked revealing this deal and insiders have confirmed that they are authentic. The Ministry of Finance and the Politburo refused to comment on the situation while the financial department of the National Police has started an investigation. The offices of Grak Sháhazi were raided by RSB agents after it became clear the news outlet possessed the leaked documents. The documents use extensive codenames for the entity that granted the loan and so far their true identity has not been confirmed. Some of the money has been traced to Narikaton & Darnussia, as well as New Verham, prompting some to suggest the involvement of the Triad and exiled opponents of the WJZR. The definitive answer remains unclear.

For now, the government finances seem stable, though the market has taken a severe hit in response to the bailout. It is to be seen whether the Politburo can properly reform the nation's finances before the house of cards collapses. Others that are critical of the secretive way the Politburo is tackling such a big issue are also concerned about the source of the loan. It is yet to be seen what the mysterious investors want in return for their hundred billion mark loan.

The Grak Sháhazi (Black Lion) is a periodic news magazine that was once founded by leftist Wrnukaék journalists in exile, it attracts mostly centre-left readers with academic backgrounds.