Trigunia

[Aquinas]

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[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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16th January 2019 edition
SOTFRONT VICTORIOUS
The Socialist United Labour Front has emerged as the largest party in the State Duma and local elections, holding an outright majority against all other parties

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SOTFRONT supporters marching in celebration of their victory

ALEKSANDROVSK - Mixed reactions today in the capital, as the election results have come in, putting the far left Socialist United Labour Front (known more commonly by its Trigunian acronym "SOTFRONT") electoral coalition in what seems to be the helm of the nation, gaining almost 15% of the vote in one election cycle, putting them at 52%.

This comes after a period of failed neoliberal economics which led to a rapidly increasing gap between the very highest and very lowest in society, unprecedented unemployment rates and a skyrocketing housing prices. This led to mass protests against the National Democratic/Liberal Constitutionalist coalition government, who responded heavy-handedly, further adding fuel to the fire.

SOTFRONT, competing on a platform of addressing inequality, unemployment and the house prices, in addition to a generally radically different outlook on the economy and society. Having already gained significant support and a plurality in the previous elections, and with the government being highly unpopular, the SOTFRONT were predicted to be the big winners by most polls.

With this, the Socialists, despite competition from the hard right Union of National Unity, who saw only very minor gains, emerged victorious, sweeping the polls with 52% of the vote in the Duma elections. The National Democrats, the mainstream liberal conservatives, came in a distant second at 23% and the Liberal Constitutionalists in third at 14%. The Union of National Unity gained a little, receiving 6% and crossing the 3% threshold for the first time. The remaining 5% was taken by various minor parties, including the Green League, which got into the Duma also. Local elections largely mirrored the national picture.

Party	Votes	Vote change	Seats	Seat change
SOTFRONT	52.2%	+14.7%	275	+71
NatsDem	23.3%	-11.0%	124	-68
LKP	14.0%	-8.2%	76	-53
NatsYedinstvo	5.6%	+3.2%	31	+31
ZLT	3.2%	+0.8%	19	+19
Other	1.7%	-0.5%	0	+/-0
TOTAL	100.0%	N/A	525	N/A
Turnout	71.2%	+6.2%

The local Sejms are now left to elect their representatives to the State Council and then the President may be selected, most likely the SOTFRONT Standing Committee Chairman, Kristina Snigir.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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20th February 2019 edition
SNIGIR INAUGURATED
SOTFRONT Chairman elected President by combined session of People's Assembly, and her Council of Ministers composition has been released

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Kristina Snigir before the People's Assembly

ALEKSANDROVSK - With the Sejms having elected their delegates to the State Council, the new SOTFRONT dominated People's Assembly elected Kristina Snigir with 497 votes to 428.

This comes as no surprise as the SOTFRONT holds over 50% of seats in both the State Duma and State Council, meaning no negotiations were necessary and the former lawyer was free to assume the position of President for the next year with a comfortable margin of 59 votes. Trigunia's constitutional system dictates that the People's Assembly will have to elect a President every year, but the lack of term limits means this is merely a formality unless the President loses confidence.

Soon upon assuming the Presidency, Snigir immediately appointed her Council of Ministers, headed by SOTFRONT Deputy Chairman Kliment Silayev, a trade union leader, as Minister-Chairman. Other key figures include foreign relations professor Rodion Durov as Foreign Minister, Olga Tredyakovskaya as Interior Minister and Metzian economist Nikolay Kanadin as Finance Minister. All members are from the SOTFRONT or affiliated to it in some way.

With this, a socialist future for the next 5 years is all but assured.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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17th March 2019 edition
MASS NATIONALISATIONS
New SOTFRONT government immediately sets off to restructure the economy and fulfil its election promises, while fierce opponents hit the streets in opposition

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Trigunian anti-socialist protestors

ALEKSANDROVSK - The new SOTFRONT has not wasted much time and has quickly formulated a piece of legislation that was rushed through the People's Assembly that has begun mass nationalisation of what has been called the "commanding heights of the economy", while opponents have taken to the streets in protest.

Earlier this month a piece of legislation was introduced to the Duma by Decree of the President, which contained an outline for the nationalisation of most major Trigunian businesses and the basis for their future of their organisations. The bill was vehemently opposed by both major opposition parties, the National Democrats and Liberal Constitutionalists, but despite this it was quickly rushed through both houses of the People's Assembly and has come into law yesterday.

The legislation stipulates the nationalisation of all banks, all utilities and infrastructure, all heavy manufacturing, major light industry as well as the vast majority of all extraction industries, a considerable portion of the agricultural sector and a large percentage of housing. Furthermore, the administration of state enterprises has been changed from a bureaucratic central apparatus to a decentralised system with very strong elements of workers' self-management, with the Sejms being empowered to control some of the most important aspects of the economy. However, some strategically important industries have remained in direct central control, but workers' councils and trade unions have also been given a major role.

In the greatly reduced private sector that remains, it was also stipulated that workers' councils, trade unions and other labour organisations must be given at least 50% of seats on the boards or other equivalent managerial councils of enterprises, elected by the workers, and given the right to vote on all board decisions. Furthermore, in order to encourage the development of a democratic economy, the legislation also dictates the government must support cooperatively owned enterprises through subsidies, grants and cheap loans from state banks, as well as offer advice and education to upcoming cooperatives in order to facilitate their growth and development.

The response has been highly polarised.

Supporters and voters of the SOTFRONT have reacted favourably and are optimistic of the ongoing restructuring, with the hope of tackling the economic hardship caused by the previous government's neoliberal policies, while their laissez-faire adversaries have vilified this legislation, and have marched out in defence of what they call "economic liberty". In response, Minister-Chairman Silayev responded with, "the SOTFRONT and the government that I lead believe that the only meaningful forms of economic liberty are liberty from poverty, liberty from unemployment, liberty from homelessness and liberty from debt. These reforms seek to address exactly that." Counter-marches by Socialist supporters have also been organised and have attracted many people, especially in the lower echelons of society.

A mixed reaction has also been seen from abroad, fearing that this move will inhibit trade with one of Terra's largest exporters of natural gas and oil. Furthermore, the government's recent announcement to work towards eliminating Trigunia's dependency on hydrocarbons has also concerned many foreign businessmen and politicians, as Trigunia may seek to expand its service and manufacturing sectors and pose a potential threat to many highly developed countries in the west.

Only time will tell what the Socialist administration will do to Trigunia.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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25th March 2019 edition
NEW BUDGET PASSED
New budget has passed the People's Assembly, further promoting the socialist agenda

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The Duma in session

ALEKSANDROVSK - Another easy victory for President Snigir's administration today, as her Council's budget, formulated by Minister of Finance Nikolay Kanadin, has been carried through the Duma by the SOTFRONT's overall majority.

This new budget will see increases in upper bracket taxes, while increasing citizens' personal allowances, and a large raise in capital gains and inheritance tax. Furthermore, a 2% land value tax and a 3% wealth tax have been introduced. All of this new revenue is planned to be spent on infrastructure, housing, education and healthcare. Pensions have also seen a small rise. The government also expects profits from the newly nationalised industries to come in, which it plans to reinvest into "growing the people's economy" and "ending the dependency on hydrocarbons" confirming foreign suspicions that the oil-based Trigunian economy will soon be no more.

The response from the public has been mixed, as have all responses to the actions of the new government. The wealthy, and proponents of laissez-faire capitalism, have complained about punitive tax rates while the lower classes have sung songs of praises for this obviously worker-orientated budget.

The raise in housing and education spending has triggered discussions about whether the government plans on making housing and university education free for all citizens in the near future. The government is yet to respond but our analysts predict that this is highly likely.

The effects of this budget will be revealed in the coming months.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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9th April 2019 edition
'PERESTROIKA' PROGRAMME LAUNCHED
Premier Sliayev announces his government "is ready to begin the restructuring of Trigunia's economy"

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Minister-Chairman Silayev at a press conference

ALEKSANDROVSK - The government has finally began what many people welcome but many fear: the 'Perestroika' or restructuring of Trigunia's economy, meaning diversification and an end to hydrocarbon dependency.

Three days ago, Minister-Chairman Silayev spoke with the press where he announced that his government "is ready to begin the restructuring of Trigunia's economy". When asked what this entailed, he responded with the already well known "end to hydrocarbon dependency" but also a "reindustrialisation" and "preference to export of finished goods as opposed to raw materials". Furthermore, he mentioned an "expansion of Trigunia's lagging service and high-tech sectors".

Two days after this press conference, that is to say yesterday, the Council of Ministers released its full plan for the so-called 'Perestroika' programme, containing within it a number of 'Plans for the Long-Term Development of the People's Economy', dubbed 'Four Year Plans' due to their proposed length of 48 months. Among other things, it includes further expansion of Trigunia's heavy manufacturing and non-fossil fuel extraction industries, as well as goals to bring Trigunia's light industry, services and high-tech sectors up to speed. Separate focuses on the expansion of the infrastructure systems of the nation and the mass construction of additional housing complexes to deal with the homelessness problem left by the previous government have also been included.

Furthermore, the creation of a special State Committee on the People's Economy has been proposed to the People's Assembly, and is set to pass. This new organisation shall oversee and coordinate the actions of the Ministries of Finance, Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Ways of Communication, and Supplies, as well as local Sejms and their planning organs, for the more efficient execution of the Four Year Plans. This State Committee will consist of the aforementioned Ministers, as well as the Premier, President and State Controller, a number of deputies from the People's Assembly and the Sejms and specialists, such as economists, civil servants, technocrats, engineers etc.

Our analysts suspect that the four year duration of each plan is a calculated move to demonstrate the success of the government's moves just before the next elections, however government spokespersons deny the involvement of "electoral considerations" when deciding the length of plans.

Of course, the vast majority of additional industry shall be placed under state ownership and worker control, further decreasing the already greatly reduced share of private business in the economy. However, the plan does mention increased support for cooperative property, perhaps meaning the growth of this relatively new sector in the nation's economy.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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29th May 2019 edition
"NUCLEAR POWER IS THE FUTURE" - SNIGIR
President Snigir's administration has announced plans to expand Trigunia's nuclear power sector to tackle carbon emissions and allow the decrease of fossil fuel extraction

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President Snigir before the press

ALEKSANDROVSK - The growing problem of carbon emissions and climate change has been a key issue recently for the SOTFRONT, which President Snigir has vowed to solve through nuclear power.

In a press conference earlier this morning the President said that it is her belief "that nuclear power is the future to solving the growing climate catastrophe". She also noted that "wind and solar power, while cleaner and renewable, are simply not efficient enough for a modern, large economy like Trigunia's". Furthermore, she expressed her willingness "to tap into Trigunia's relatively large uranium deposits in order to manufacture fissible uranium and plutonium to power the nation". She added that "hydroelectric power is also an option and shall go hand in hand with the atomic energy we plan to expand".

As with all things relating to this government, this announcement has received mixed reactions. Environmentalists have both praised and vilified this decision, as some argue that nuclear power is the main alternative while others claim it is a great cause for environmental damage. Nevertheless, Trigunia's nationalised energy industry has received a boon thanks to increased spending on growing the economy and will most likely focus on replacing the coal and oil plants with nuclear ones. The newly created State Committee on the People's Economy has announced that natural gas plants are at the lowest priority for replacement as "they are the cleanest of the fossil fuel plants". In addition, plans for construction of a new dam on the yet undammed river Starets, to generate electricity, as well as multiple tidal and wave power projects on Trigunia's coasts, have been announced.

Trigunia has finally started tackling this global problem, and hopes to become the world's leader in this endeavour.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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25th June 2019 edition
NO MORE TUITION FEES!
Ministry of Public Enlightenment announces end to university and institute tuition fees by September 2020

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Enlightenment Minister Agafiya Ivolgina announcing this move

ALEKSANDROVSK - The recent increase in education spending has, as predicted by some, resulted in a promise to end tuition fees across the country by the beginning of next year's academic year.

The Ministry of Public Enlightenment has proposed a so-called "graduate tax", that progressively varies from 0.5% to 3%, and shall be paid until the costs for university or specialised institute education are paid off. Not only does this mean there will no longer be any student debt for Trigunian citizens, but that general taxation spent on education will be used exclusively on primary and secondary schools and colleges. The proposal is set to pass the People's Assembly and will be implemented in September 2020 for that year's university and institute applicants.

The goal of this is to reduce education inequality and increase the human capital of the population, by allowing only the very best, and not the best of the wealthy, to study at higher educational institutions. In a rare show of unity, both Metzian and classical economists have come out in favour of this proposal, as it "will allow Trigunia's productive capacity to expand", according to classical economists, and "decrease socially-necessary labour time in many professions" according to Metzists.

The government continues to relentlessly push its left wing agenda, even to the dismay of the wealthy. What will come of this is yet unknown.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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11th July 2019 edition
KERIS-MACON ECONOMIC COMMUNITY PROPOSED
Foreign Minister Durov has announced plans for Trigunia to found a Keris-Macon Economic Community (KMEC)

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Rodion Durov speaking with journalists

ALEKSANDROVSK - Minister of Foreign Affairs Rodion Durov has announced in a press conference this evening on behalf of the Council of Ministers that the government is planning to found a Keris-Macon Economic Community, or KMEC.

This "Economic Community" is a customs union designed to increase economic cooperation over the two continents, and to strengthen ties between members. However some political commentators have speculated that this move is designed to challenge other former empires, such as Luthori and their "Commonwealth", and economic powerhouses like Dorvik, with their seemingly militant response to the rise of socialism in the TDFR, by assembling former territories of the Trigunian Tsardom under one "economic umbrella".

Already, Kizenia has expressed interest in the project, and a delegation led by the Deputy Foreign Minister Lera Fedulova has been dispatched to the neighbouring Kingdom to negotiate.

Minister Durov has said that the "socialism we are building here is for cooperation of nationstates, pacifism and gradual unification of the international community through mutual assistance and amity, not the militant communist regime some people assume we are". He further added that "the spread of international socialism is one of our goals, but the use of violence is not an option, in our eyes". This is seen mainly as a response to the Dorvish threats that Trigunia has received.

How this project is received in other countries of Keris and Macon is still to be revealed, however.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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6th August 2019 edition
HOUSING FOR THE MASSES
Government has lowered rents on state housing, and has put possibility of entirely eliminating rents on the table

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Cheap and stylish - turning concrete into aesthetic constructivist architecture

ALEKSANDROVSK - The Ministry of Supplies, which is in control of the vast majority of the state-owned housing, has announced a decrease in rent payments for state housing, and that possibilities of eliminating rents entirely, for all citizens, are being discussed.

While the Trigunian government had traditionally provided free housing to the very poorest through the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Protection, the recent homelessness crisis had rendered this service essentially useless. However, with vast swathes of housing nationalised under the SOTFRONT government, as well as programmes for constructing additional apartment blocks, has resulted in provision of basic housing at a subsidised rate by the Ministry of Supplies. However, with the supply of housing continuously increasing as part of the 'Perestroika' economic campaign, the Ministry of Supplies had decided that a cut in rents for houses is in order.

This was announced by Iryna Levitskyj, the Minister of Supplies, yesterday. In the same press conference she made reference to a potential abolition of rents, but a clearer statement was released by the Council of Ministers this evening that "free housing, with the complete elimination of state rents, is an option we are currently discussing".

The apartment blocks themselves have been built in a constructivist style and often surrounded by trees, parks, gardens and other greenery in order to avoid creating bleak-looking and depressing neighbourhoods of boxes, while saving on money by using concrete and other cheap materials. This has been largely met positively by most of the population.

What is to come of this "discussion" is to be revealed.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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2nd October 2019 edition
CIVIL LIBERALISATION
SOTFRONT moves to liberalise civil life while tightening its hold on the economy

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Duma debating the Citizens' (Civil) Freedoms Act

ALEKSANDROVSK - Another landmark bill has passed the People's Assembly, furthering the ruling SOTFRONT's agenda.

This bill, called the Citizens' Freedoms Act (sometimes rendered in Luthorian as Civil Freedoms or Civil Liberties Act), was rushed through with both SOTFRONT, LKP and Green support to pass with a margin of over 150 votes in the Duma with a total of over 70% of the lower house voting in favour. The State Council had a similar picture.

This Act greatly liberalises the abortion law (including making the procedure free) that was held hostage at a very moderate stage by the NatsDems, expands the right to protest and assemble, including a relaxation on strike regulation, a lowered age of consent law from 16 to 15, as well as expanded LGBTQ+ rights. Another key part of the bill however, was the legalisation of marijuana and decriminalisation of hard drugs, with the state taking a monopoly over the former. In terms of the latter, dealing it will remain illegal but the decriminalisation applies to possession and consumption. However the government does not intend to import any, and as such it will remain limited.

A signal to the world has been shown - Trigunia is moving forwards, despite its previously perceived conservative traditions and views.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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20th October 2019 edition
HOUSING TO BE FREE
Government announces plans to "lift all rents by end of the first Four Year Plan"

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Trigunian constructivist apartment building built as part of the Four Year Plan

ALEKSANDROVSK - Great news for the masses today, as the Council of Ministers has finally reached a decision on the matter of free housing, and that answer is that it is coming - but not immediately.

The deadline has been put as the "end of the first Four Year Plan", which is still three-and-a-half years in the future, but this does not seem to deter the people from celebrating this monumental decision. The government has already rapidly intensified construction of new apartment blocks and is discussing nationalising all remaining apartment blocks and other housing not "personally owned" in order to fulfil on this promise.

For the normal Trigunian citizen this means no more mortgages and no more punitive rents, and most importantly, no more predatory landlords. The Trigunian state is already the largest proprietor in the country, and the proportion of land and property that belongs to the government is growing every month.

It seems the SOTFRONT government is way on its path towards dealing with the homelessness problem.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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11th December 2019 edition
SOTFRONT HOLDS CONGRESS
Yet another annual SOTFRONT Congress has concluded, with issues such as Beluzian fascism, the Likatonian Revolution and the Ananto Straits Crisis

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The Congress of the Front

BORISOSLAV - The annual Congress of the Socialist United Labour Front has been held in Trigunia's second largest and heavily industrial city, Borisoslav.

Despite seeming as a single party, in actuality, the Front is an electoral coalition of a number of far-left parties which congealed in the 1970s with the obvious decline of the previously near hegemonic Trigunian Left. Putting aside their differences, the Party of People's Socialists, the Trigunian Revolutionary Social Democratic Party, the All-Trigunian Communist Party and the Socialist Union of Labour, among other organisations, decided to make a long-term agreement to unite in order to ensure a strong voice for the Left is retained. Since then, the SOTFRONT has remained the largest Trigunian party of the Left and has consistently gotten at least 22% of the national vote.

The Congress was opened by Standing Committee Chairman and President of the TDFR Kristina Snigir, who expressed hope that a Socialist administration could "deliver the country to prosperity and equality". Issues discussed included the "people's economy", and future direction of Four Year Plans, as well as foreign affairs, including the fascist Beluzian coup, which was vehemently condemned, the Likatonian Metzist Revolution, which on the contrary was commended, as well as the ongoing Ananto Straits Crisis, which resulted in a large debate, concluding with the decision to "express support for Kalistan" but "avoid directly getting involved in the matter".

The Congress was closed by the re-election of the present Standing Committee with the addition of two new members, both young rising stars in the party. The session was dismissed by a speech of the Deputy Chairman and current Minister-Chairman Kliment Silayev, who wished his fellow coalition members "another successful year in constructing a society closer to the socialist, communist and Metzist vision".

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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21st February 2020 edition
BELUZIAN DIPLOMATS EXPELLED
Snigir expels representatives of the Beluzian fascist regime and seizes Beluzian assets as she is re-elected for her second one-year term

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President Snigir

ALEKSANDROVSK - As Snigir is elected for a second term with an identical majority, she has declared that "all Beluzian diplomatic representatives are to leave within a week".

This comes as no surprise considering the SOTFRONT Congress at the end of last year passed a resolution condemning the fascist threat in the Artanian republic of Beluzia, with the reconfirmed President simply putting this resolution into practice. The Socialist government announced that "any and all communication with the illegal fascist government of the self-styled Kilani State of Beluzia will be ceased, effective immediately". Furthermore, "all assets of the Beluzian state and citizens of that country who are suspected of being supporters of or sympathisers with the fascist regime will be seized by the Trigunian government".

The embassy and consulates have already been appropriated, while other properties and liquid assets are being taken over as we speak. All Beluzian diplomats have been told to board the planes of the Beluzian national air carrier (which is also being expelled) and leave by the end of the week, with the flights forced-scheduled by order of the Minister of Transport for Tuesday next week, or apply for asylum if they wish to avoid returning. All Beluzian citizens have also received an offer of asylum, and the Trigunian government has expressed willingness "to cooperate with refugee representatives in Beluzia, global humanitarian organisations and the international community of independent states in order to accept refugees and asylum seekers fleeing the fascist takeover", in the words of the Foreign Ministry.

The Trigunian intelligence agency, the (ironically cutely named) UZRiK, or the Directorate of Foreign Intelligence and Counterintelligence, is suspected to be involved in this matter in conjunction with the open involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, as expected, the government has paid no attention to this speculation.

In more peaceful international news, the Trigunian government has officially recognised the Likatonian Provisional Government, again an implementation of last year's SOTFRONT Congress, and has officially ordered all diplomats in the country to resume official contacts with the country, in hope of developing an amiable relationship. Trigunia has further welcomed the Kalistani offer to open embassies in Trigunia, hoping to develop a friendly relationship as well.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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18th March 2020 edition
2020 BUDGET PASSED
SOTFRONT government continues pushing socialist agenda as budget for public services and economic revitalisation increases while interior is cut

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State Duma in session

ALEKSANDROVSK - The government has readjusted its budget for this year expanding the spending on the economy and services but also reducing the deficit by cutting spending on the interior and thanks to increasing income from domestic and foreign sales from state enterprises.

The lowering of spending on the interior was primarily aimed at reducing the size of the drug enforcement units, as the recent recreational drug liberalisation has rendered such a robust anti-drug service useless, as well as a decrease in the anti-riot units following relaxed restrictions on assembly. However this has applied mostly to equipment and weapons while wages of police officers have remained largely the same.

Furthermore, the increasingly growing economy has already made profits for the government, from both domestic sales and foreign exports, such as the recent expansion of several Trigunian state enterprises onto the Kizenian market, coupled with rents on state housing which are only to be removed in the future, have brought in additional revenue to the government, which the Council of Ministers decided to spend on public services such as education, healthcare and social security, and on further expanding the economy through the Four Year Plan, including infrastructure, industry, agriculture and housing.

The cut in interior spending and the increase in the revenue from state enterprise have outweighed the increase in spending elsewhere and as such the budget deficit has been slightly reduced. Nikolay Kanadin, Minister of Finance, announced that running a balanced budget is "a long-term goal of the current government".

The budget passed the Duma with a clear 275-250 majority vote.

The effects of this budget are to be revealed as time passes.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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11th June 2020 edition
GKNO FOUNDED
The State Committee on the People's Defence (GKNO) has been founded to complement the State Committee on the People's Economy (GKNKh)

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Chairman of the UZRiK, Isaak Zhernakov, at the first GKNO meeting

ALEKSANDROVSK - The People's Assembly has approved a Presidential Decree to form a body complementary to the State Committee on the People's Economy, under the name of the State Committee on the People's Defence.

This body is a brainchild of Isaak Zhernakov, the Chairman of Trigunia's chief foreign intelligence service: the Directorate of Foreign Intelligence and Counterintelligence, known by its native acronym, UZRiK. This new Committee shall consist of a number of key officials, including the President, Minister-Chairman, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Internal Affairs, War Minister, Fleet Minister, Minister of Justice, General-Procurator, Chief of General Staff, Chairman of the UZRiK and Chairman of the UGBiO (Directorate of State Security and Protection, the chief internal security agency).

It competencies are to advise the President on matters of state security and defence, and to coordinate the efforts of the various agencies responsible for these sectors. This is the second State Committee formed by the SOTFRONT government, and others are suspected to be on the way.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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29th June 2020 edition
EXPAT TAX AND KEYMON "VODKA DEAL"
The government introduces new controversial expatriation tax and begins negotiations with Keymon for a major trade deal focusing on heavy spirits

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Crates of Trigunian state-owned "Red Standard" brand vodka

ALEKSANDROVSK - The Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Trade and Industry, and Director of the Gosspirtlik (State Spirits and Liquor Enterprise) have travelled to Keymon to negotiate a new major trade deal primarily concerning hard spirits, while government at home introduces new "expatriation tax" of 50% on large fortunes.

Trigunia's alcohol industry has always been quite developed, with native beverage vodka in particular being produced in large quantities, among other, lighter drinks like beer or again, the native kvass. The majority of this industry was brought under state ownership last year, and a new, high-end vodka recipe and preparation technique has finally been completed, known as "Red Standard", for both domestic consumption and foreign export.

The first to approach was strangely enough the Luthorian Imperial Dependency, Keymon, who were rather enthusiastic about the new state brand, and offered to buy it in bulk. The Director of Gosspirtlik, Grigory Vasiliev, led the preliminary negotiations, but now with the government fully committed to the deal, he will be accompanied to Keymon itself by Deputy Foreign Minister Lera Fedulova and Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Polina Kuznetsova, in order to settle the exact terms and sign the trade treaty itself, which has been nicknamed the "Vodka Deal" due to its focus on Trigunian-made heavy spirits.

Meanwhile, the State Duma approved a new expatriation tax, which has caused some significant controversy. This will now tax large fortunes of those attempting to leave the country permanently at 50%. The government defended this move, as they seek that "wealthy citizens seeking to leave the country with their wealth must pay the government back for the money that was invested in their education, health and wellbeing". Less well-off potential migrants will unaffected however.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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1st September 2020 edition
TUITION FEES OFFICIALLY LIFTED
With the start of the new academic year, universities across the country have lifted all tuition fees for applicants, and all enrolled from now on will have to pay the graduate tax after leaving

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Enlightenment Minister Agafiya Ivolgina addressing Aleksandrovsk State University freshmen

ALEKSANDROVSK - All Trigunian universities and specialised institutes now offer higher education to all citizens and residents without any tuition fees, and the programme of the graduate tax will be introduced for this year's university and institute freshmen.

After over a year since the government announcement that tuition fees were to be scrapped, the decision has finally been implemented, as announced, at the beginning of this year's academic year. From now on, all with good enough entrance exam grades will be welcomed to universities regardless of their economic background. Instead, this will be financed by a progressive 0.5% to 3% graduate tax on university and institute graduates' incomes once they get a high-income job until the cost of their education is repaid.

This focus on academic merit as opposed to financial position was expected from the socialist government, but both left-wing and right-wing economists have praised this as this will allow only the very best to attend, not the very rich, and prevent people from falling into debt so early in their adulthood. However concerns have been raised about the graduate tax, but the nature of the incomes of university graduates cancels this out.

How this affects the economy is yet to be seen.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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13th October 2020 edition
PUBLIC TRANSPORT PROGRAMME
Massive public transport programme has been launched by the Ministry of Ways of Communication, involving cheaper tickets and cleaner travel

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A trolleybus

ALEKSANDROVSK - The Ministry of Ways of Communication has unveiled its plan to bring public transport systems up to speed, with cheaper prices, more services and cleaner vehicles.

This new programme will phase out fuel and diesel powered street vehicles in public transport services and replace them with hybrid gas-electric buses, trams and trolleybuses for a cleaner alternative. Furthermore, the actual availability is to be increased at least twofold, and prices at least halved. Public transport is intended to act as a way to combat both traffic congestion and pollution, and will be used in conjunction with increased support for cyclists, with bike lanes being opened up in all major cities.

Existing metros are planned to be expanded, and monorail systems to be opened in cities without metro systems as a modern, cheaper and more aesthetic alternative to the underground railways. Intercity connections are not missing out either, with both short distance and long distance trains receiving an upgrade, and new high speed rail links between major cities planned.

[comradeotaku]

Известия
The largest national newspaper of the Trigunian Democratic Federative Republic

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2nd December 2020 edition
NEW TRANSGENDER LAW
SOTFRONT government makes sex reassignment surgery free of charge for transgender individuals

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Trans people celebrating the new law

ALEKSANDROVSK - The People's Assembly has passed a controversial transgender law proposed by the SOTFRONT - controversial not in its conservatism, but in its "extreme" progressivism.

The law has officially made sex reassignment surgery and hormone therapy free for transgender people after a one month period of regular meetings with counsellors, coupled with a new passport with the legal sex changed and an optional change of given name offered as part of the "deal". SRS has joined the ranks of all other operations and surgeries in the Trigunian state healthcare system as a service offered free-at-the-point of use.

In the State Duma it was passed by a margin of 322-197 with 6 abstentions, while in the Council by 244-153 with 3 abstentions, supported by the SOTFRONT, Greens and LKP rebels (and three NDP rebels in the Duma). The LKP was split on the issue, with the leadership officially whipping against the Transgender Recognition Act, being against making the rules on surgery so "lax", but a number of deputies on the left-wing of the party voted with the government in favour of the proposal. This has led to an escalation of internal rifts between the internal factions in the party, with the social democrats threatening to split off from the party, leaving the social and classical liberals behind. Three National Democrats on the fringe left of the party have also voted in favour of the government sponsored bill but have been heavily reprimanded. Officially, the NDP, similarly to the LKP, condemned it due to the lack of restrictions, with only the Union of National Unity condemning the bill as "immoral".

Coupled with the legalisation of same-sex civil partnerships (marriage is not handled by the state in Trigunia) in 2015 by the NDP-LKP government and the Citizens' Freedoms Act of 2019, the Transgender Recognition Act has been a major step in expanded LGBTQ+ rights in Trigunia, which has been met with support from trans, gay, lesbian, bi and other queer people across the country, while both radical and religious conservatives and so called "Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists", or TERFs, have gone up in uproar against this move. Both sides have held demonstrations regarding this law, and at least one person has been arrested for assaulting a trans woman.

It seems that progress is rapidly chasing after the Trigunian state, and perhaps this previously seemingly conservative nation may become a beacon of progressive ideals. Only time will tell.