Radio Solonia - News from Solonia

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Solonian economy grew by 5.8% in 2017

Statistics released today by the Ministry of Finance have estimated that in 2017 the economy grew by about 5.8% to $615,451,775,192. This would place the GDP per capita at $15,833.76 when the Solonian population, estimated at 38,869,591 for the end of 2017, is taken into account. The Prime Minister's party has said in a statement that "this is strong evidence that we are creating a stronger and more prosperous Solonia through our work in government and we hope to continue this for the 2018 year."

Economists have attributed the large growth to a surge in international trade between Solonia and many other nations this year. They have also attributed it to the return of educated Solonian workers as living standards and wages grow. The Kazimierzawa Economics Institute, a policy think tank, has predicted that this growth will continue for a few years before going down to levels of about 3-4% and eventually economic growth stabilizing at about 2% per annum. The think tank also said that the current growth is being powered by the booming workforce thanks to the high birth rates the nation has. They said that as the birth rate declines to below replacement level that the growth will decline because there won't be as much cheap labour for companies to come in and take advantage of.

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Konstantyn Olszewski appointed as Prime Minister

Today the President has appointed Konstantyn Olszewski,43, as the Prime Minister after Świętosława Dobrzynska resigned a few weeks ago. Mr Olszewski is a part of the more conservative wing of the ruling political party, the National Justice and Prosperity Party. Mr Olszewski was a surprise appointment as many expected the younger MP Leopold Zieliński to be appointed to give the party a "fresh face".

In his first speech to the Rada Mędrców, the unicameral legislature of Solonia, Mr Olszewski said that he wants to bring about a large constitutional change in Solonia that would merge the offices of President and Prime Minister into one. He said that he hopes to get this done before the Presidential election later this year. When the President began to talk about his plans for a constitutional change many opposition members walked out of the chamber in protest over what they have called a destruction of democracy.

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The Rising Tide: Pentecostalism Explodes In Solonia

Figures released today by the New Apostolic Church of God in Solonia claim a 128% rise in membership in the past year to over 771,000 members. The church's growth has exploded since 2008 when it had only 23,000 members with most of the followers converting from the Solonian Catholic Church.

An expert on the rise of Pentecostalism said that the main reason for people turning to Pentecostalism was a sense that the true meaning of Christianity was being destroyed by centuries of tradition. "People want something fresh and they want to feel a true, personal connection to god and to many this is what Pentecostalism is offering them. It's offering them a chance to be united with god and this is what they long for". He also said that Pentecostalism's rise would not slow down any time soon. "The New Apostolic Church will continue to grow in Solonia. Many are saying it will have over a million members by 2020 and I can see that happening. The odds of the Catholic Church being able to fight back are slim despite strong attendance and baptism records."