Massive Budget Cuts (Emergence of Capitalism?)
Press Release; February 26, 20??
Edolian Ministry of Information
Earlier today, the Imperial Office submitted a draft version of the budget for fiscal year 20??. Though details have not yet been released to the public, the Office of the Imperator announced that it includes massive, across-the-board budget cuts, especially in the areas of Defense, Public Works and Entertainment. This comes as a suprise to most economic policy insiders who have predicted the continuation of previous heavy spending policies on the part of the Edolian government. As of yet, the Chancellor, Jeni von Roth, President of the Edolian Communist Party, has not commented the on the proposed budget.
We are interested in seeing how this will develop.
*Turns around to quantum computer analyzing all possible outcomes in the DOECO (intelligence agency) headquarters*
Press Release; February 28, 20??
Edolian Ministry of Information
Official budget numbers were released to the public earlier today, showing, as was stated, massive budget cuts, especially in the areas of Defense, Public Works and Entertainment. These reforms are being hailed by many Edolians as beneficial to Edolian society as a whole. The Imperator released this statement earlier today:
"These budget cuts are not to signal a fundamental shift of Edolian economic policy and are merely a restructuring of current economics within our great nation. We are operating under the principle that the people of Edolia are intelligent and wise enough to make their own decisions regarding the use of their money. Furthermore, we feel that with the expansion of the United Alliance of Progressive States, we are more secure that we have ever been before and that it is time to cut down on our military. Nevertheless, those who claim that Edolia is now soft should reconsider that judgment."
Of the three major areas cut, cuts in Entertainment is the largest, with nighclubs, bars and sports arenas all over Edolia being converted from public institutions to government-owned commerical enterprises. These cuts are not expected to impact Edolians as government-issued salaries are expected to rise substantially. Defense numbers are also being cut to unprecendented lows. Currently, spending on the military tops $5.1 trillion, or some 8% of the Edolian gross domestic product. Under the new budget, spending will drop to just over $3.3 trillion; 5% of the GDP.
Chancellor Jeni von Roth has still yet to make an official comment though sources close to her have said that she is tentatively backing the plan.
Press Release; February 30, 20??
Edolian Ministry of Information
After a seventeen hour Parlaimentary session today, support is strong for the Imperator's new budget with most opposition and ruling party MPs backing the proposal. All but the most hardline members of the Red Flag Party have put their support behind the general idea of the plan though many Ministers from all parties have expressed skepticism regarding the proposed massive military spending cuts.
As a complement to the new budget, the Office of the Imperator today released a second bill, making it easier for groups of people to privately acquire land. The "Commune Bill" is part of what the Imperator calls a "long-term plan to empower the people and slowly but surely bring about the end of government." This bill is expected to be hotly contested.
Press Release; March 7, 20??
Edolian Ministry of Information
Support for the new budget is strong as debates near their second week. Suprisingly, support is found in equal measure from both opposition and ruling coalition MPs. The only major party to openly denounce the budget was the Red Flag Party, a militant break-away from the Communist Party, which claims that the budget reduces Edolian military power by too much. More moderate Communists were placated yesterday, as an amendment was added to the budget, provisioning some $500 billion for use in the United Haven Defense Initiative, a regional defensive program, designed to bring almost complete protection from long-range nuclear attack to the Haven region. However, there is still a significant number of MPs from all sides of the political spectrum who have not yet put their support behind these drastic measures. Many mainstream Communists object to the decrease in governmental spending, and besides defense concerns, many members of the opposition Freedom and Socialist Parties object to the new emphasis being placed on communes. The final vote is tentatively scheduled for the 12th.