Nadiya

[journey]

In a recent public meeting with the republic's rail workers, the Minister of Infrastructure, Olena Kolinenko (PNS), said that the central government of the Nadiyan Confederacy must transfer the ownership of the metro systems in Kozacchyna, located in the two largest cities, Zarvosopol and Petrograd, back to the republic. According to Kolinenko, the issue comes to the rights of the republics, as well as the inability of the confederal government to handle local infrastructure well. "It is highly crucial we remember that Nadiya is a confederacy above all, and the railway infrastructure, especially hyperlocal ones such as the metros, must be handled by republics, cities themselves or other small territorial entities, but not confederacy", said the minister.

The two networks, located in the republic's capital, Zarvosopol, and the second-largest city, Petrograd, were built as part of the Project Polaris, initiated by the central government of the confederacy 12 years ago. With its operations opening a couple of weeks ago, it inaugurated five lines in the systems of both cities, totalling 215 and 185 kilometres long each, with 105 and 95 stations, respectively. However, one of the few points of contention of the new metro systems became the question of the ownership of the networks, with the confederal government, through the Nadiyan Commission for Rail, Air, and Water Ways, or the NCRAWW, in particular, taking and keeping charge of both rapid transit systems. When the information was revealed by the media, it was met with massive opposition from both the people and politicians in the republic, with many claiming that such a decision is an overreach of confederal powers, while the Nadiyan government dismissed those claims, claiming it has already owned Rodashyam and Monorail systems as a "socialised economy necessity".

Kolienko would later reaffirm her position and move towards a demanding tone, talking about the transfer of ownership over the Zarvosopol and Petrograd underground networks. "One must understand the difference between the nationwide railway system and local ones, such as those we now have in our two largest cities", Minister of Infrastructure Olena Kolienko (PNS) said. "We don't have a problem with the central government owning a monorail network, or, say, Three Sisters, through the "socialised economy" approach. What we do have a problem with is the intervention in local affairs". Kolienko later added that if the calls are ignored, the Kozaki government might have to address the Supreme Court, asking it to solve the issue, but it would be the "extreme measures".

When the press tried to ask the Prime Minister Livytska to comment on the brewing scandal, she replied: "We are looking into this, what can be done, what is the problem in general, but in our view, it would be a breach of the rights of republics, even if it was and still is a practice in other places, we will not let this happen to us". All parties, except the Social Democrats, have supported the notion when asked individually, but only PNS and KNF would support the resolution if it were presented for a vote in the Rada.

[Svetlana]

Transport commissioner Kozak refuses to transfer the metros to Kozacchyna as she vowes to take it to SCC, Nadiyan Sovereign Fund created by the NCB: all of that over some rails

Petrograd, Kozacchyna. In major development for the ongoing dispute between the central government and the Kozaki regional government over the issue of the Zarvospol and Petrograd metros, the head of the NCRAWW, Transport Commissioner Kozak has openly refused to transfer ownership and operation rights to the Kozaki government. During a press conference, Kozak defended her decision by saying, "Zarvospol, Petrograd, and Rodashyam are all confederal capitals with the first and latter ones being the capitals of 2 constitution. Because of that, the operation of the metros within Zarvospol and Petrograd is a top issue for the confederal government as it directly impacts the impacts the quality of the services offered by the companies operating those metros and the average time of alternance during rush hour. On top of that, just like the Rodashyam metro, those two metros alongside the planned ones for Spask and Volosgrad will continue being owned and operated by us to ensure a good quality and a trustworthy partnership with our citizens". When asked whether or not the government would be willing to go directly to the SCC, she replied with, "Petrograd is more than willing to defend its case in front of the Justices in Spask concerning this issue, that is if Zarvospol formally sues us for both ownership and operation rights. Of course we don't want such a petty issue to escalate to the point of calling in the Supreme Cooperative Court, but my commission is ready to accept all the outcomes from a potential trial". In other news, the governor of the central bank Evelina Maximovna has announced the creation of the Nadiyan Sovereign Fund as part of an initiative to diversify the Nadiyan economy and ensure that the benefits generated from the oil and gas industry will benefit the future generations that will inhabit Nadiya.

[journey]

Head of the Kozaki Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Olena Kolinenko, has announced today at the press conference in Zarvosopol's Government House, that MIT will take the Nadiyan Commission for Rail, Air and Water Ways to the Supreme Cooperative Court over the issue of the ownership of the metro systems in the two largest cities of the republic, Zarvosopol and Petrograd. The move comes after the refusal of the confederal government to negotiate on the issue and transfer the ownership of the two networks to the Kozaki republican government.

"Let me make it perfectly clear, I think it is petty to hide behind the argument of the confederal capitals here, and even call a simple question of the republics' rights issue as something petty", said the infrastructure minister Kolinenko. "What boggles the government, and me personally, is the hypocrisy of pretending to care about confederalism, but then refusing to live up to it". According to Kolinenko, it has been said time and time again that the Kozaki government has no problem and does not care about the central government's ownership of the other rail infrastructure across the nation. "We found it questionable for the central government to own it, and we simply asked to reconsider it. Then Madam Kozak comes out with her outrageous statement. And now this is a matter of principle."

In a similar statement released later that day, Prime Minister Livytska vowed to support the case of her infrastructure minister, calling it "insulting" that the central government refuses to negotiate or simply talk the issue out, as well as implying that republics are unable to provide high-quality services if put in charge of the underground networks. "Either we are a union of republics, or we are returning to the era of Trigunia and authoritarian Tsardom, that's the choice the courts will have to make, and I am hopeful that the truth will be on our side on this issue".

[Svetlana]

The SSC sides with government over ownership but gives operation rights to the republics, new transit authority created "Skorost": a lost for some and victory for others

Spask, Lesnov. It seems that the dispute over the question of ownership and operation rights of metros and transit system in general has finally been handled by the highest court in the confederation. The justices of the Supreme Cooperative Court gathered and examined the cases of the plaintiffs, the Kozaki ministry of transport, and the defenders, the Nadiyan Commission of Rail, Air, and Water Ways; both sides pleaded their case in front of justices under the watchful eyes of the media that covered the trial live with social media going wild over the developments as many assumed that the conservative dominated court would side with the Kozaki government over the issue. However, to everyone's surprise, after countless deliberations, the court ruled that the central government was the sole owner of the metros nationwide but the republics are the ones that should operate the rapid transit networks. The official statement of the court is, 

We, the justices of the Supreme Cooperative Court of the Nadiyan Confederation of Nations and Peoples, defenders of the constitutional order and upholders of the founding mothers's ideals, we find the central government government in Petrograd the sole and rightful owner of all transit systems across the nation. Those transportation systems, in this case the Zarvospol & Petrograd Metro-Monorail networks, fullfil the requirements to be considered as an essential part of the economy and thus directly owned by the government through nationalization. However, we also find that the plaintiffs were right on their claim that only the republics have a right to operate and manage all regional transportation systems through state owned companies that will ensure the continued ownership of those system by the people and not private entities. Moreover, with this rulling, the confederal government must create an independent transit authority that will ensure that transportation across the confederation is affordable, accessible, accommodating, satisfying, and up to standards. This rulling is subject to reversal or further reinforcement by all future justices according to the needs and evolutions of Nadiya in the future

Shortly after the rulling was pronounced, the NCRAWW announced the creation of Skorost, an independent transit authority responsible for overseeing all transit systems according to the Court's decision. The rulling itself surprised many as the conservative justices were notorious for siding with the republics and upholding the confederal principles of the constitution but the fact that 8 justices sided with the government says a lot about the developments of justice in Nadiya.

[Elena1012]

Highway Expansions in Vrosnok; Building the arteries of growth.
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September 27th, 5666
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Highways. For some, it's endless traffic. For others, useless. For Vrosnok, it's potential. For economic growth, and for expanding quality of living. The Parliarnaja Zorka has called for vast growth and development and highways provide that. Plus, it benefits not just the Vrosnoki economy but the Confederal economy. As such, that requires highways. Something that Vrosnok isn't too well known for in comparison to Confederal Railways. That changes however with the announcement of a rather expensive project but a vital one. The N-1 Highway, stretching from Volosgrad all the way to Stary Horad. The project will involve state companies and private construction companies. The N-1 Highway will employ thousands of Vrosnoki, encourage development alongst the highway in communities near it, and ensure future jobs (via road maintenance). Plus it'll reduce travel times for businesses and individuals. 

The project likely won't be completed until the end of the decade, but it lays the groundwork for potential drastic expansions to infrastructure efforts. Befitting the Architect President, now on her second term, infrastructure is what makes economies thrive and her second term will likely be committed to more infrastructure projects and developments. The N-1 Highway will be the first step to ensuring all of Vrosnok is connected, both with itself and with the rest of the Confederation. 

But the biggest gains, as we stated earlier, are economic ajd leisure. For leisure, it reduces travel times and keeps people safe. Dirt roads in the snow usually aren't the best for safety. But well maintained and developed roads are perfect. This cuts travel time for visiting family and traveling, both for Vrosnoki and other Nadiyans. For businesses, this means quicker exports and quicker imports. A win win. For industries, goods can easily leave the country and come back. The Lojka Administration has framed this development as a national spine of Vrosnok, looking to treat the nation as a body, with the highways and railroad being the spine of the country.
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The Паўночны штандар (Northern Standard) is an independent news network dedicated to bringing independent, non-partisan news to every corner of Vrosnok.

[Svetlana]

The NCB & CHD hold an emergency meeting as oil prices decrease because of Vamaj, Evelina urges the government to focus on diversifying the economy: economic comes at a high price

Petrograd, Kozacchyna. Many thought that Nadiya's adhesion to the Vamaj network would be a net gain for the confederation as it allows it to gain a wider customer base for its oil and gas resources but those dreams couldn't be farther from the truth. The governor of the central bank, Evelina Maximovna, recently held an emergency meeting with the head of the Comission for Humane Development, Vladimir Igorievna concerning the recent decrease in oil prices after Nadiya's ascension to Vamaj, the two bankers locked themselves in their offices for nearly 13 hours as they brainstormed ways to handle the issue without undoing the years of hard work they spent in order to fix Nadiya's economy and the debt issue. Furthermore, due to nearly 80% of Nadiyan exports coming from oil and gas related fields, a continued streak of oil deflation would be catastrophic for the newly born confederation and its republics, notably the Council Republic of Vrosnok, whose main source of income is oil production. Taking into account these factors alongside the recent discontent with the confederation's policies, the two bankers urged the central government to intensify their diversification efforts even more and to invest more into the republics of Lesnov, Brakav, and Radin instead of focusing on Kozacchyna and Vrosnok with the central bank announcing the start of a cooperation agreement with the Radinese based Bank for Investment and Development for Nadiya and the Brakavan based Credit Standard to help support local investment projects through interest free loans. However, both Vladimir and Evelina didn't rule out the possibility of Nadiya pulling out Vamaj if the oil prices don't stabilize or start increasing, on top of the government not intervening to decrease oil production or start supporting diversification efforts even further.

[Elena1012]

Protests in Vrosnok emerge over declining oil prices; Government left divided.
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March 13th, 5667
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This week, Volosgrad, alongside several other cities found themselves engulfed with protests. Normally, this isn't a bad thing. Civil expression is great. But in this case? It's more hard to say. After the Confederal Government moved to join Vamaj, an oil network to distribute oil globally, many expected benefits. Most Vrosnoki were willing to overlook the fact that no Republic was consulted on the decision (combined with a recent Supreme Court ruling that has raised some eyebrows on if this truly is a Confederation) if it brought more growth and profit. That idea quickly was dashed when oil prices started to decrease. With oil being the biggest industry in Vrosnok, it came as little surprise that Vrosnok was first to feel the effects. While the Central Government has looked to promote economic diversification (which is something that has saved the Vrosnoki economy from heavy damage), it hasn't exactly stopped the damage.

In Vrosnok itself, protests have emerged across the country, over joining Vamaj, the lack of even being considered in the option, oil prices dropping and most especially the Central Government looking to promote investments in the other Republics like Brakav. While economically, it is sound, you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket, to the average Vrosnoki, it does sound like the Central Government is neglecting and ignoring their concerns during a difficult time. While some fringe activists have used this opportunity as a platform to criticize the Confederation outright and even call for independence, most of the protests have largely been focused on the oil prices. The government of Vrosnok itself however, has been split. While PdAV is unlikely to suffer electorally, its never good to seek split as the government has been split on how to resolve the crisis since this is arguably a crisis only the Central Government can resolve. Some have proposed following the Central Governments advice and continuing economic diversification (which has acted as a cushion so far) whilst others have been more sympathetic to the protests and have proposed vague state action.

Whatever the case, it's clear that Vrosnoki are rather upset and want change and aid fast. With dissatisfaction at the Confederation and the Lojka Administration, rumours have circulated that some politicians within PdAV may form a new Confederal Party dedicated to preserving the rights of the Republics, expanding them and safeguarding Confederalism. While so far, it remains rumours, it is likely that many Vrosnoki may consider such a party should they continue to feel neglected by the Central Government. Whatever the case, with protests sweeping the country, it's so far remained calm, and few riots have occured, but cynics are only asking the question of when, not if riots will occur nationwide.
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The Паўночны штандар (Northern Standard) is an independent news network dedicated to bringing independent, non-partisan news to every corner of Vrosnok.

[Svetlana]

Nadiya to temporarily cut back oil production in order to stabilize prices, Brakav and Radin begin industrial investments: tightening the black belt

Petrograd, Kozacchyna. Given the continued trend of oil prices decreasing globally ever since Nadiya joined Vamaj, the central government finally stepped into action to handle the issue. At first, the Nadiyan Commission of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Refinement held a press conference in which its commissioner, Nina Savivna Rud announced that all oil and gas companies operating within Nadiya will forced to scale back their oil quotas in order to help stabilize the oil prices, the decision most notably targets Nadcomp who has already announced that they will reduce the number of barrels extracted by their exploitation sites. Petro Royale has also announced that they will too refrain from over producing and that they will cooperated with the NCPNGR in their goal to stabilize the oil markets, Neftkomp alongside the Pontesi oil company haven't made their opinion public but many expect them to fall in line because of the high fines the Comission set up if oil production wasn't reduced. Furthermore, Commissioner Rud announced that Vrosnok will receive extra funds through the Nadiyan Commission of Confederal Economic Equity which helps the constituent republics close up their budgets through loans from the NCB. Furthermore, the Chief Executive Snezana held a meeting with the presidents of Brakav and Radin in which they discussed plans for the central government to invest even more in those republics with Brakav wanting to focus on lightweight industries such as cars, food manufacturing, etc, while Radin wants to invest into the IT sector given their rich silicone and REM resources that would help make that industry flourish more easily thus helping the central government in their mission to diversify the Nadiyan economy.

[Elena1012]

Voice of the Republics forms as a Confederal Party; A vision for decentralization, Republic Rights and more autonomy.
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December 30th, 5667
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It's no surprise that there has been some.. dissatisfaction with the Confederation. Between protests in Vrosnok over Vamaj and joining without notifying republics, and concerns in Kozacchyna over a recent Supreme Court ruling, it came as little surprise that the term, "Republic Rights" would emerge amongst politicians who wanted to preserve the rights of Republics against centralization. Today, it came to a new height as a new Confederal Party registered itself and legally formed. Voice of the Republic. Otherwise known as HR. Advocating for expanding autonomy, reducing the powers of the central government, and decentralization, HR serves less as an ideological platform and more as an anti establishment party, finding appeal primarily in Kozacchyna (due to the Supreme Court ruling over ownership of Metros), and Vrosnok (due to the Vamaj situation). 

HR has announced it's intents to run in Confederal Elections in 5670, but most don't expect major gains. It'll likely enter the legislature, but not with major gains unless total dissatisfaction occurs. Which is unlikely. Whatever the case, the formation of HR has shown that Republic Rights can become a potential political topic, and if it does well in 5670, it can very much start moving the conversation towards expanding decentralization. But with the party only having major appeal in Vrosnok and Kozacchyna, it is limited in where it can expand, especially compared to other Confederal Party's who are likely to be preparing heavily for 5670.

[Svetlana]

Election season officially launched as Nadiya gears up for its third confederal elections, mail in and electronic voting to be introduced: another test of might and will

Petrograd, Kozacchyna. With the third confederal elections only being a mere year away, the Nadiyan Commission for Electoral Fairness and Transparency, led by Victoria Thaller, has announced the official start of the 5670 electoral season with a series of new changes being added. Firstly, the commission has introduced even harsher measures against foreign financing of electoral campaigns and parties by granting even more power to their inspectors and investigators who will tightly monitor all flows of money to the parties that isn't the nationally allocated funds made by the comission to help finance the parties' campaigns and inner works which helps deter the confederal parties from seeking foreign funding. Secondly, mail in and electronic voting will be rolled out in rural areas because of the issues the citizens suffer from when it comes to voting, as such, they will be allowed to mail their votes that will be counted at the same time as the ones cast on election day with their letters also being counted into the turn out rate, this announcement was welcomed warmly by the farmers and paysants of Nadiya who can now more easily partake in the elections instead of having to walk through mud and snow to the nearest voting booth. Finally, the elections are scheduled for the 15th of April 5670 with all confederal parties being reminded to hold party conferences during 5669 and that all funds spent on campaigning cannot surpass the 7 million NRB limit unless they are willing to face a mountain of fines.