[Madonia]

From the Ministry of Information in Lennonford, Capital City of The People's Republic of Madonia:

In an address to the Communist Party of Madonia on the evening of August 12, 2008, Chairman Eugene Wattson announced to the Party that he would postpone indefinitely the election which was to take place at the end of this month to chose the Party's first General Secretary.

In an even more surprising move, Chairman Wattson has demanded that all executive powers, including total control over the military, economic affairs, and judicial matters be placed solely in his hands, a demand which has been met with much resistance from the Populist Faction of the Party. The Honorable Chairman explained to those voicing dissent that the concentration of power "is at this time necessary, due to issues of National Security, in order for the survival of our Socialist Republic." He also alleged that those who opposed his temporary position as Supreme Commander are "engaging in counter-revolutionary politics."

In the past, Wattson, who is the leader of the Liberal Democratic Faction of the Party, has strongly opposed any attempt to build a stronger central government, viewing it as a threat to socialism, while the Populist Faction has long supported such a strong authority. This has led Huey Collins, the Populist who is running for the office of General Secretary against Mr. Wattson, of trying cancel the election.

Chairman Wattson is expected to take his new position within the next couple days, and continues to stress that his role as Supreme Ruler is only temporary, and that the People's Republic of Madonia is not shifting away from its socialist ideals.

[Comrade]

The Union of Molakia hopes for democracy to prevail, or for the transfer of power to be peaceful.