Doatian Journal – November 25, 2024
Justine Pearson
In a whirlwind of activity that underscores the sweeping ambition of the newly elected Progressive Socialists majority, Chancellor Jax Bertoni signed six executive orders this week, cementing his commitment to a reform-driven agenda. However, the road to implementation has proven uneven, with legal battles, regional pushback, and mixed public reception shaping the fallout.
A Bold Start to a New Era
Chancellor Bertoni campaigned on a promise to deliver transformative policies aimed at tackling systemic inequities, environmental crises, and inefficiencies within the government. With his party’s victory in the legislative chamber, expectations for immediate action were high. The six executive orders, signed within Bertoni’s first week in office, reflect this urgency.
Each order addresses a pressing issue, from climate change to labor rights to post-war reconstruction, but their paths to realization have varied.
Order #1: Cutting the Defense Budget
The first order established an emergency task force to identify areas for budget reductions within the Ministry of Defense. The goal was to redirect funds toward social programs, education, and infrastructure.
However, the Supreme Court issued a restraining order against its implementation, citing concerns over potential violations of constitutional requirements for parliamentary oversight in budgetary matters. Defense officials and conservative lawmakers hailed the court’s intervention as a necessary check on executive power, while Progressive Socialists accused the judiciary of partisanship.
“This is a critical step to ensure our resources are spent on building, not destroying,” said Bertoni in defense of the order. “We are not weakening our defense; we are strengthening our nation.”
Conservative Party (CP) Chair Rebecca Loaz released a statement: “The Bertoni administration entered office and immediately expedited the approval of radical policies, such as one that would directly undermine Doatia’s National Security. Perhaps the most essential responsibility of the government, national security must be a fundamental priority for any administration. The CP strongly condemned the Chancellor’s executive order, and applaud the Supreme Court in their decision”
Order #2: Prioritizing Climate Action
Perhaps the most ambitious order was the elevation of the climate crisis to Priority Level 1, requiring all government agencies to incorporate climate resilience into their planning and policies. Other Priority Level 1 items include Doatia’s water crisis, national security, and immigration. All of which were determined by the People’s Chamber. The was soon struck down, with the Supreme Court ruling that it exceeded the executive’s authority, because the Chamber had not officially set environmental policy.
Critics argued that while the legislature has funded environmental initiatives, it has not enacted comprehensive climate policy, making Bertoni’s directive unconstitutional. The ruling has sparked a renewed debate over the government’s role in addressing climate change. Chancellor Bertoni urged the Chamber to act quickly to pass a comprehensive environmental package.
Environmental groups rallied in support of the Chancellor. “The courts are holding us back while the planet burns,” said activist Jalna Forque. “We need action, not excuses.”
Order #3: Government Efficiency Panel
One of the least controversial directives was the creation of a government efficiency panel tasked with streamlining bureaucratic processes and cutting red tape. The panel, which includes members from diverse political and professional backgrounds, was implemented without opposition.
Political analysts view the panel as a pragmatic move. “Efficiency reform appeals across ideological lines,” said Professor Melina Karvi of the Doatian Institute of Public Policy. “Even the staunchest critics of Bertoni’s agenda would be hard-pressed to oppose making government work better.”
Order #4: Honoring a Labor Icon
Chancellor Bertoni also declared a new national holiday—Hody Dotb Saike Day—in honor of the late labor leader who championed workers’ rights during the industrial revolution.
The announcement was widely celebrated, particularly by unions and left-leaning groups. However, some business leaders criticized the decision, citing the potential economic cost of an additional public holiday.
“Dotb Saike symbolizes the fight for dignity and fairness,” said Bertoni at the signing ceremony. “This holiday is a reminder of what we can achieve when we stand together.”
Remus Langston, CEO of Coratia Inc, a construction business gave remarks at a recent business conference in Jumakia, saying “This administration is radically pro-labor. Labor has destabilized the economy, inhibited growth, and further restricted an already government-oppressed economy. Continued engagement by the Bertoni administration against the interests of economic prosperity will alienate real Doatian workers who see Labor for what it is; a band of power-hungry workers that represent a minority within the working class.”
Order #5: Strengthening Labor Enforcement
The fifth order focused on tightening enforcement of wage and labor laws, ensuring workers receive fair treatment and compensation. While the directive was implemented, it has faced significant regional resistance, particularly in areas where industries have long operated with minimal oversight.
Several provincial governors have pushed back, arguing the policy imposes excessive burdens on small businesses. Worker advocacy groups, meanwhile, have celebrated early successes, with several high-profile cases already resulting in fines for non-compliant employers.
“It’s about time we held companies accountable,” said union organizer Daltan Frix. “This order gives workers the tools to demand what they’re owed.”
Chamber member Yondor Bulkan (CP-102), ranking member on the Commerce and Growth Committee, decried “further erosion of corporate well-being and enabling of radical labor will hurt an already fragile economy.”
Order #6: Rebuilding Hunaq
The final and perhaps most urgent order declared a state of emergency to expedite reconstruction efforts in war-ravaged Hunaq. Over a year of conflict from the DRF uprising have left the region in ruins, and rebuilding has been slow. The previous Recardo administration resorted to devastating air strikes to root our former Princess Ayana’s domestic terrorism cell. Bertoni’s directive reallocates funds to accelerate housing projects, infrastructure repair, and public services.
Unlike other orders, this has largely been met with praise, though logistical challenges remain. Local officials in Hunaq have expressed cautious optimism but warned that funding alone will not address the region’s deep-rooted issues of poverty and political instability.
“Reconstruction is a moral obligation,” said Bertoni. “We owe it to the people of Hunaq to deliver a future where they can thrive.”
A Nation Divided
The mixed outcomes of Bertoni’s executive orders reveal a deeply polarized nation. Supporters view his swift action as evidence of his resolve to deliver meaningful change, while critics accuse him of overstepping his authority and pursuing an agenda detached from economic realities.
With three orders implemented, one suspended, one repealed, and one facing regional resistance, Chancellor Bertoni’s first week in office offers a glimpse into the challenges ahead. As legal battles unfold and public opinion evolves, one thing is clear: the Progressive Socialists’ vision for Doatia will not come without a fight.
Public Reactions
On the streets of the capital, opinions are divided.
“I voted for his party because I wanted bold action, and that’s what we’re getting,” said Edrin Vae, a university student. “Even if some of these don’t work out, at least he’s trying.”
Others, like small business owner Ilvar Nyte, are less enthusiastic. “The wage enforcement is going to crush us. She’s focusing on ideals instead of practical solutions.”
As Doatia adjusts to the Bertoni era, the question remains whether his administration can navigate the political, legal, and societal obstacles to deliver on its promises—or whether the resistance it faces will stall progress.
For now, Doatians are watching closely, knowing that the decisions made in these early days could shape the nation’s future for decades to come.
