Media of Sucrecia

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RES۰PUBLICA

The first newspaper to be printed in the Free Republic of Sucrecia, Res Publica is widely viewed as the paper of the Establishment and is popular with the country's political and business elite.

El Grito

One of the oldest newspapers in Sucrecia, El Grito emerged alongside the Radical Party in opposition to the monopolising tendancies of the New Republic Party.​

 

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El Grito

RADICALS CALL FOR SUPER-TAX ON MINING COMPANIES

Ahead the elections for the Grand Assembly of the Free Republic, the Radical Party have announced their intended plan to place a new tax on the profits of mining companies. The proposal has been debated in Sucrecia for years, and previously has only remained a demand of a select few members of the Radical Party, with the party's leadership resisting a mining super-tax in fear of upsetting important and wealthy donors with links to the industry. Now, with opinion polls indicating the majority of the public support an extra tax on mining profits, and with mining chiefs putting their financial support behind the free-market New Republic Party, the Radical Party's finally decided in favour of a super-tax.

Speaking to the media at a press conference at the Party headquarters in the historic Antigua Fortaleza district of the capital, Party chairman Iñacio Rondo declared "The resources found in the mines across the country are what made this country prosperous, and it is only right the riches made from these natural resources are equitably distributed throughout society".

Most in the Radical Party support the new proposal. Junior Councillor Juvenal Dwoye, an outspoken proponent of the super-tax, spoke to El Grito newspaper and claimed "After years of an overly friendly relationship with big businessmen, the Radical Party is rediscovering its progressive past and ensure mining companies contribute fairly to society". Junior Councillor Dwoye then also demanded a special tax on "exceptional" profits from all companies.

However, a lone few voices within the Radicals have spoken out against the unveiled tax on mining profits, mostly party members who represent areas with strong links to the mining industry.

Diamonds are the most economically significant mineral mined in Sucrecia, followed by coal and uranium. There are also considerable deposits of copper, gold, lead and zinc. Mining contributes significantly to the economy and government revenues. The specifics of the super-tax have yet to be announced, but mining companies are already voicing their opposition. General Mines, the largest, has warned the proposed tax would deter investment, and if placed on coal mining profits, would result in higher energy prices. Francisco Dominguez, CEO of General Mines, further spoke out and claimed mining companies already paid enough tax and invested heavily in mining communities.

The New Republic Party, and their electoral allies, continue to reject the idea of a super-tax on mining profits. However, the leadership of the New Republic Party includes several who owe their fortunes to mining endeavours, and mining companies continue to be the main source of financial support in times of campaigning.

The Movement for Justice welcomed the Radicals' plan for a super-tax as an improvement, but urged the revenues raised be poured into helping disadvantaged native black Himyaris, who it claims have been excluded from enjoying the proceeds of mining wealth. The Movement for Justice favours nationalisation of mining companies instead of a super-tax, something the Radicals have so far rejected. ​

 

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RES۰PUBLICA

SUCRECIA TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP IN HIMYARI PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE

Sucrecia is to formally apply for full membership in the Frescanian-led Himyari Partnership for Peace after weeks of talks with Fortaleza Real, having initially resisted participation in the new alliance. The New Republic Party has managed to secure agreement within its ranks after reassurances from Frescania, with party members having raised concerns joining the initiative would damage Sucrecia's special bilateral relationship with Frescania by subsuming it into a multilateral framework. Others feared Sucrecia would be dragged into the affairs of failing states, citing the current troubles afflicting Altai, a member of the Partnership.

The timing of the announcement, in the middle of the election period, came as surpising to some political analysts. However, with a joint consensus between the New Republic Party and the Radical Party in favour of membership in the Himyari Partnership for peace, it seems likely the application will go ahead successfully. The Movement for Justice, currently third in the opinion polls, has promised it will withdraw the application if elected, advocating an independent, non-aligned foreign policy as well as better relations with Sucrecia's Himyari neighbours.

The application also follows the announced plans to deploy Sucrecian soldiers to Frescanian-occupied Bantyr as peacekeepers, working alongside the Frescanian military in maintaining law and order and rebuilding Bantyr. Members of the New Republic Party sceptical of membership in the Himyari Partnership for Peace have claimed the peacekeeping mission in Bantyr is in preparation for future operations elsewhere, like in Altai or the Jurzan.

Pundits reckon the latest foreign policy moves reflect an attempt by the New Republic party leadership to consolidate support and maintain cohesion within the party, with the close relationship with Frescania of paramount importance to the New Republic Party, who see themselves as inheritors of Frescania's Republican political tradition. The friendship is also viewed favourably by the public, with surveys suggesting a clear majority see strong ties with Frescania as beneficial.

Sucrecia's application is expected to be swiftly processed and accepted, with Frescania, the Partnership's leading member, having reportedly pressured the government into applying, something both sides have denied.

Earlier, Supreme Protector Deogracias Cabello spoke at length of the benefits of joining the Partnership after a meeting with concerned members of his party. "Membership in the Partnership for Peace allows for us to reach out to our Himyari neighbours in new ways," He declared, "as well as strengthen our existing relationship with Frescania... our ancestors dreamed of bringing democracy and freedom to the whole of Himyar, what better way than through the structures of the Partnership for Peace?"



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El Grito

CROSS-PARTY GROUP CONDEMNS INTERNATIONAL ACTION AGAINST BOLIATUR

In one of the biggest breaks with Frescanian foreign policy since independence, a cross-party group of Junior and Senior Councillors today passed a motion condemning plans for an international coalition to take military action against Boliatur, following the Boliaturan post-delegationist regime's announced support for anti-monarchist terrorist groups across the globe. Led by members of the Radical Party, representatives from the Movement of Justice also backed the motion and despite government opposition to the proposal, several Councillors from the New Republic Party broke ranks and also voted for the proposal. Only the smaller Active Citizens' Alliance, a party mostly representing Sucrecia's non-white ethnicities, and in the ruling coalition with the New Republic Party, refused to give its backing.

While the motion explicitly condemned Boliatur's support for violent anti-monarchist movements, it criticised international preparations for intervention, noting the uncertain political situation in Boliatur, describing the country in a state of civil war. Junior Councillor Juvenal Dwoye, a known maverick in the Radical Party, speaking to El Grito newspaper, claimed intervention would result in numerous civilian casualties. The motion also questioned the feasibility of military action, with Karakhstan opposed and Yujin divided over the issue.

Strikingly, Frescania was also singled out and censured for participating in the Grand Conference of European Unity Against Terror, where various nations agreed to armed action against Boliatur, hosted in Vesper, Cantignia. Sucrecian political parties of all stripes have been united in their denunciation of Cantingia's racist domestic policies, and the motion described Frescania's involvement in the conference as 'offensive' to Sucrecia and demanded the Frescanian ambassador be summoned before the Grand Assembly of the Free Republic to explain his country's behaviour.

Political pundits see this as part of a leftward drift by los Puros under their new chairperson Iñacio Rondo in order to capture votes from the Movement for Justice, who saw their best electoral performance ever in the last Grand Assembly elections. With economic growth weak in Sucrecia, and the outlook of the world economy uncertain, especially with the possibility of a new conflict, many are predicting good results for the Movement for Justice in the forthcoming elections.

However, there have been dissenting voices. One Radical Party member, talking to El Grito newspaper on the condition of anonymity, suggested the motion gave 'tacit approval' to the actions of Boliatur. Another warned the move would significantly damage the special relationship with Frescania.

The government's response has been mixed. Poder Supremo Deogracias Cabello claim to understand the motives behind the motion, but warned of the damage it would do to Sucrecia's reputation and friendship with Frescania. A spokesperson for the New Republic Party has ruled out Sucrecian participation in the international coalition, although cited the commitment to Bantyr as the reason. However, the Active Citizens' Alliance was unequivocal, and accused the Radicals of having 'double-standards' on terrorism, noting the Party's support for firm action against Himyari nationalist terror groups at home.

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RES۰PUBLICA

ARCHBISHOP ACCUSES “CULTS” OF LINKS TO GANGS

The Archbishop of Emancipación Leoncio González Marijuán, the most senior Tiburan Catholic clergyman in Sucrecia, has accused a number of Independent Himyari Churches (IHCs), which he described as “cults”, of maintaining links with criminal gangs in the slums surrounding the capital city. The controversial comments follow one of the worst cases of gang violence in the country's history, with seventeen people, including three children, found murdered two days ago in a deprived neighbourhood in the outskirts of Emancipación.

Archbishop Leoncio González Marijuán has been an outspoken critic of the Independent Himyari Churches, a new religious movement started by native black Himyaris at the turn of the nineteenth century in Sucrecia. Since independence, they have enjoyed a revival and are some of the fastest-growing religious denominations in terms of membership. Speaking at a conference of prominent Catholic organisations last year, the Archbishop warned the Churches posed the greatest threat to Tiburan Catholicism in Sucrecia, hitherto the dominant faith.

The political influence of the Independent Himyari Churches is already well-known. Several prominent preachers are associated with the Movement for Justice, a left-wing native black Himyari nationalist coalition. The Movement for Justice has condemned the words of the Archbishop, describing them as “racist” in an official press release. One leading member of the Movement, Celestino Moto, who is affiliated to an Independent Himyari Church named the 'United Redeemed Tribes Congregation', launched a vicious counter-attack, calling the Tiburan Catholic Church "the biggest gang in history" and denouncing the Church's historical role in the Frescanian slave trade and later colonialism.

Whether the Independent Himyari Churches are involved with criminal gangs is less certain. Several of the Churches are known to maintain vigilante groups, some legally registered as private security companies or martial arts groups, which are tolerated by the National Police in return for their assistance. However, a recent report by a Junior Council inquiry into organised crime claimed these vigilante groups were involved with the illegal drugs trade and responsible for extra-judicial executions. This segment was removed from the official report for its inflammatory claims.

Archbishop Leoncio González Marijuán repeated the accusations in his speech, with sources close to him saying he remains convinced in the veracity of the report's original allegations, claiming Priests and Catholic social workers had witnessed the vigilante groups' criminal activities. Yet, with the evidence not proven, the Archbishop risks being decried as a demagogue and religious sectarian, rather than a concerned social activist. ​

 

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El Grito

Opinion: We have left the plantation for the state
By Bonifacio Banogo

As our ancestors languished under the oppressive heat of the mid-day Sun in the fields of cotton or sugar cane of the Frescanian Green Sea Islands, and the forests of rubber and cocoa of our beautiful native Sucrecia, they dreamed of freedom. Freedom from the accursed rays of sunlight that blinded them and scorched their already blackened skin. Freedom from the hated whip that was savagely applied against them as if they were some mere beast incapable of thought, emotion or reason. Freedom from the alien white man, who spoke a strange tongue and whose pale flesh reflected the light, who robbed them of their family and culture.

At the turn of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th one, a man, born of mixed descent, who served gallantly as an officer for the Republican forces during the Frescanian Revolution, attempted to realise these dreams of freedom. His name was Sergio Sucre. Today we owe the existence of our Republic, the first Black Republic, to him.

He declared the islands that now form Sucrecia, before a colonial possession of Frescania, a 'Province of Freedom' and sought to build a homeland for freed slaves, who were very much removed from their native society and also Frescanian society. He sought also to educate and empower the indigenous tribesmen, who suffered under the ignorance of their superstitious practices and the tyranny of their primitive leaders.

Sergio Sucre achieved much for our people, who have suffered for almost as long as the Jews, who have yet to find their own homeland. However, his efforts did not go far enough. We have left the plantation for the state, and while the ideals of freedom are inscribed into our Constitution, we remain very much unfree.

Our 'democracy' is little more than a duopoly of the two great parties, the New Republic Party and the Radical Party. Their opponents espouse a perverse form of inverted racism. The supposedly 'free-market' economy is dominated by a handful of gigantic corporations disinterested in promoting competition. Our foreign policy is decided in Fortaleza Real. The fruits of our labour are taken from us by an unjust taxation system. The baton of the policeman has replaced the whip of the slavemaster.

Yet in Touzen, we have men of colour independently articulating an alternative vision of freedom. Touzen has largely disappeared from the world stage, fixated with the recent extreme fluidity of its exciting politics. This isolation is often wrongly perceived as negative. Sucrecia finds itself increasingly entangled with international affairs of none of its concern, Bantyr being the most prominent example. We almost found ourselves involved in a far-away costly conflict, allied with some of Europe's most reactionary regimes.

That is why, I, Senior Councillor Bonifacio Banogo, have left the Radical Party and now stand in the Grand Assembly as an independent. In the forthcoming elections, I shall be battling to keep my place. So I am asking you, concerned citizens of Sucrecia, to join me, and help refashion our Republic to become what it claims to be: Free.

Bonifacio Banogo is a member of the Senior Council of the Grand Assembly of the Free Republic and recently left the Radical Party to start a movement based around post-delegationist and general libertarian ideas ​

 

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El Grito

RADICALS PLAN NEW ‘PROGRESSIVE’ INCOME TAX REGIME

The Radical Party has revealed plans for bold reform of Sucrecia's taxation regime by proposing the abolition of the current flat income tax rate and replacing it with a 'progressive' system, in which higher-earners would give a greater percentage of their wealth away in tax. The proposal is widely seen as part of a shift to the Left by the Radical Party in a bid to capture votes from the Movement for Justice in the up-coming elections for the Grand Assembly. Pre-election polls suggest the Movement, a coalition of left-wing, native black Himyari nationalist parties, will achieve its greatest result yet, with a weak national and global economy believed to be boosting the Movement's support.

The reaction from business groups and their allies has been swift, and extreme. The Sucrecian Chamber of Commerce, a body representing Sucrecian businesses, warned the Radicals' plans would damage the international competitiveness of Sucrecia, limit future investment and discourage acts philanthropy. A spokesperson for the New Republic Party claimed the proposals undermined the liberal principles of the Free Republic, and rejected the idea wealthy individuals should be be forced to contribute more.

"The Constitution of the Free Republic plainly states all people shall be treated equally before the law, and to target individuals on the basis of their wealth is a clear violation of this principle," read the official statement from the New Republic Party, "The wealthiest already contribute more through taxation than the poorest and many commit themselves whole-heartedly to charitable endeavours. The New Republic Party will oppose any changes to the tax code that has made this country prosperous."

However, the plans have caused a stir in the New Republic Party. A former campaign manage for the New Republic Party, speaking to El Grito newspaper, warned the Radicals' 'dominated' media headlines and the Republicans needed 'imagination' to remain in power. The planned reforms to the income tax regime follow proposals for a super-tax on mining companies' profits, and to lower the voting age to 16, which was announced yesterday to the Radicals' youth wing at a party event.

With the specifics of the proposed progressive income tax system yet to be announced, the economics cannot be truly discussed. But with income inequality in Sucrecia one of the highest in the world, and the gap set to widen, the justice of the reforms can.

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RES۰PUBLICA

INTERVIEW: Poder Supremo Deogracias Cabello

Today RES۰PUBLICA newspaper can excitedly print a special interview with Poder Supremo Deogracias Cabello, a senior member of the New Republic Party. During election periods this publication frequently invites members from all political parties for an interview with one of our most accomplished journalists. Some refuse the offer, most accept. Next week, Chairman of the Radical Party, Iñacio Rondo will speak with our chief political correspondent Moisés S. Blah.

INTERVIEWER: Welcome Poder Supremo Deogracias Cabello, RES۰PUBLICA newspaper is most grateful for your time. May we first start with the recent judgement by the High Court of the Free Republic approving the expansion of the Mojambo mine in the Twin Lakes province, overruling the objections of indigenous groups and environmentalists. You spoke out strongly in favour of developing the mine, citing the potential benefits to the local economy. Your critics say this is because of your close relationship with the mining industry, and a piece in El Grito newspaper today revealed over half of the New Republic Party's funding is provided by mining companies. You yourself were also a mining executive. How do you respond to this criticism?

PODER SUPREMO CABELLO: Let me first thank RES۰PUBLICA newspaper for its kind invitation to this interview and also acknowledge and praise the important role this publication has played in our fine country's media history. I will always respect the rulings of the honourable High Court of the Free Republic, one of the most venerable institutions in Sucrecian politics. Yet I cannot deny my joy at the High Court's decision, which will bring greater prosperity to the residents of the Twin Lakes province. However, the ruling was far more than a dispute over mining rights. The case questioned the legitimacy of tribal leaders seated in the Senior Council, and could have potentially undermined our revisory chamber. I believe the tribal leaders are excellent at representing their people, and to doubt them was wrong. That is why I welcomed yesterday's ruling, not because of my previous experience in the mining industry.

INTERVIEWER: You will admit to your own ties to the mining sector. But what of the close relationship between the New Republic Party in general and mining companies, which have now provided the majority of the Party's campaigning funds?

PODER SUPREMO CABELLO: I am proud of my previous position of mining executive. I was responsible for the creation of jobs, investment in mining communities and charitable givings. One must also remember it was generous and courageous mine owners who helped finance the foundation of this great Republic. In response to your question, I cannot claim to know the motivations of successful individuals from a mining background to donate to the New Republic Party. You will have to ask the Party's donors themselves. But I suspect it is the Party's belief in aspiration and hard work.

INTERVIEWER: May we move to the general topic of the New Republic Party's campaign, not just its funding. One columnist, a guest one for this newspaper actually, wrote the Party had no vision and was losing media focus to the Radical Party. What is your opinion of the campaign?

PODER SUPREMO CABELLO: The New Republic Party does not need to make grand pronouncements like the Radical Party. The decades of our time serving the people of Sucrecia in high political office is a testament to the popular support the Party enjoys and the widespread trust there is in the wisdom of our policies. I have full confidence in the members of the New Republic Party to remind the public of our successes.

INTERVIEWER: Some may interpret your comments as complacency.

PODER SUPREMO CABELLO: Not complacency, confidence. I cannot disclose anything substantial, but the New Republic Party will be setting out their vision future for Sucrecia in the forthcoming week, and it guarantees to continue the stability and prosperity we have so fortunately had as a nation.

INTERVIEWER: Are you concerned by the current lead los Puros have in the polls?

PODER SUPREMO CABELLO: I understand the doubt and fear in the minds of some. The global economy is weak, devastated by two wars, one of which crippled trade in the world's most important shipping lane: the Long Sea. However, the national economy is recovering and will continue to recover under the guidance of the New Republic Party.

BY CARLOS CAPACALA
CHIEF ELECTION CORRESPONDENT

The full interview can be found online:

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El Grito

REPUBLICANS PLEDGE INCREASED FUNDING FOR POLICE AND MILITARY

The New Republic Party has promised to increase spending on law and order and defence if re-elected with a majority in the Grand Assembly of the Free Republic, as part of a fight-back campaign following a series of headline-grabbing policies revealed by the Radical Party ahead of the legislative elections. Senior Republicans had criticised what they believed was a lacklustre start to campaigning by the Party, with los Puros' promises of a super-tax on mining profits and a new progressive income tax regime, together with lowering the voting age to 16 and support for gay marriage, receiving acute media attention and believed to be responsible for the Radicals' several-point lead in the polls.

Poder Supremo Deogracias Cabello announced his Party's plans for extra funding for the police and armed forces at the National Defence College in the capital Emancipación. Cabello is rumoured to be personally leading the New Republic Party's electoral campaign, following an exclusive interview with RES PUBLICA newspaper, an outlet known to be sympathetic to the New Republic Party. Although exuding confidence in the interview, the Poder Supremo is reportedly alarmed by the Republicans' declining fortunes in the polls and poor handling of the media.

The New Republic Party's proposals follow recent stories in the news regarding gangland killings and the murders of albinos. Crime has become a new concern for voters, along with the economy. Official statistics show a rise in the number of violent crimes committed. In his speech, Poder Supremo Cabello stated his reason for this increase: growing links between gangs in Sucrecia and Monterrey. Citing Police intelligence reports, Cabello claimed organised criminals in Monterrey were beginning to see Sucrecia, and the rest of Himyar, as a potential new avenue for their illicit goods into their main markets in Central Europe.

Under Cabello's leadership, Sucrecia has also involved itself in a far-away conflict by sending peacekeepers to Frescanian-occupied Bantyr at the behest of Fortaleza Real. Only the action of a multi-party group of Councillors from both chambers of the Grand Assembly prevented Sucrecian entanglement in the messy situation surrounding Boliatur. In the Poder Supremo's speech, it was Sucrecia may commit herself to more overseas wars, with increased defence spending broading the Sucrecian armed forces' capabilities.

Questions have already been raised over the New Republic Party's plans. Radical Party chairperson Iñacio Rondo criticised the proposals for increased spending on law enforcement agencies and the military, and urged they be better used supporting social security programmes. "The real cause of crime in this country", said Chairman Rondo, "is inequality, not gangsters from Monterrey,".

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