The President is in Karasicena today meeting with Prime Minister Serbin and other key officials, seeking to reach a final political agreement on funding for a package of major infrastructure projects. Aiming to cement his legacy, as he reaches the end of his two terms in office next year, Tattar is proposing a set of multi-billion Kryak investments – including most substantially a new fund for road and rail building, three new regional airports and rebuilding Arvi International as well as kickstarting the extension of the Northern Tidal Barrier to the country’s southern islands.
Several of the mooted projects were expected to have been included in the government’s multi-year spending plans outlined at the end of 2024, but were replaced at the time by a significant commitment on home building. Now, concerned that he is running out of time to deliver key Unionist policy pledges, the President is trying to re-insert them back into the agenda, through a new bill designed to provide at least several billion for investigative and planning phases. The government is not opposed to most of the initiatives, but is challenging a proposed amendment of the Debt Cap to release the funding for them in the short term where, controversially, the President is suggesting an effective increase to the cap’s thresholds and allowing for increased government spending. Finance Minister Zilberman is said to prefer a longer-term settlement which would see projects come on-stream in a targeted way, but the President fears this will slow down progress.
Many of the projects have been proposed for over a decade, in particular airports on Polasciana’s southern islands – with Idir and Samsucha shortlisted for initial investment. Several sites have already been located on the islands and the move is part of a push to support the country’s blossoming tourism industry. Visitors currently have to rely on ferry services from Kiasé, which can take up to 10 hours, and local Councilmembers have been pushing for a more practical solution that can support a growing number of tourists every year. Olkshoi will remain focused on industry, while Simishir will utilise a connection through a new ferry service from Fissilli. The redevelopment of Arvi International is however the most prized of the President’s proposals – something he has been actively pushing for during his time representing the city in the upper house. The airport, located in Nova Stengrad on the outskirts of the city, is in a poor state of repair despite growing passenger numbers.
While the President does not necessarily lack political power, the delicate governing coalition between the Prime Minister’s National Party, Rally for Democracy and the Patriots makes negotiations difficult – although there is a largely shared view that most of the projects should go ahead. It is expected that transport infrastructure is towards the top of all sides’ preferences for investment, with the proposed extension of the tidal barrier potentially falling victim to concerns over its feasibility and the eventual cost of construction. The Northern portion of the project took nearly 15 years to build, and even Unionists close to the President are worried that a similar timeline and increased costs outweigh the benefits. The President though is thought to favour a fully comprehensive deal – and is pushing policymakers in Karasciena hard for a deal.
Tattar has been criticised for many years over his record in the Niveri Palace – with his opponents claiming that he has failed to live up to the expectations of his campaigns. To try and counter accusations of a lack of progress on his agenda, the President brought in his friend and former Governor of Amar, Fyodor Schavelev, to head up his political office. The package is one of several initiatives thought to be proposed by him, as he works to extend plans for the President’s legacy and succession. Several potential candidates to replace the President at next year’s election are expected to vocally support the proposals – demonstrating clear unity within the party about its future direction.
