The Republic of Kohlandia
Government
The Kohlandian government is currently in upheaval following the recent election of a new President; which traditionally signals a reshuffle of the Cabinet in order to prepare for a year of hurried political activity and then a year of blatant electioneering in the run-up to the Parliamentary elections (which then signals a year of hurried political activity followed by a year of either stabbing the President in the back - if the Predient is a member of the Opposition party - or blatant electioneering - if the President is a member of the ruling party - in the run-up to the Presidental elections).
President: Zoe Kirk (Lancean Party). Former Governer of the Palatinate region (north-east Kohlandia, mostly farmland and mines plus one of the country’s oldest universities). She’s a former Air Force lawyer who made a name for herself out of her “carpet bombing” technique whereby she would prosecute for every possible offence in the hope that one would stick.
Prime Minister: Derek Misdeanor (Lancean Party). A long-term member of parliament and something of an old school conservative. Very much a “jobs for the boys” type, he is currently embroiled in a long and drawn-out argument with President Kirk over just who should be in the Cabinet. According to the papers, he favours his usual bunch of chums, while she would prefer someone competent.
Leader of the Opposition: John Matthew-Wright (Republic Workers Party). Something of a wild card in Kohlandian politics, given that he rose very quickly through the ranks of his party and the papers have yet to properly dig through his past. The media calls him “Mr Right”, which is partly a play on words and partly because everyone expects him to lead the RPW to victory in the general election in two years’ time.
Media
Notable media figures and organisations in Kohlandia are:
Penny Menace: A fierce political interviewer on KTV One, the oldest television station in Kohlandia. She is known for her no-nonsense style, her refusal to accept any fluffy or weaseling answers, and that time in 1994 when she made the Chancellor cry on live TV.
The Times: Often referred to as The Times of Dunhallow, to distinguish it from newspapers of the same name in other countries. Although Kohlandia enjoys freedom of the press and there are many newspapers, this is the one most often quoted in Parliament. Currently it is cozying up to the President because she and its editor are old friends.
Tim McFallon: Editor of The Detective, a fortnightly magazine that publishes the things politicians and business leaders would rather people did not know. A frequent (and very outspoken) contributor to politics shows on KTV One and any radio show that will have him on as a guest. Parliament hates him because he shows them up. Businesses hate him because he shows them up. The public hate him because he always comes across as a slimy know-it all. Nevertheless, his magazine has brought down two governments in the last sixteen years.