Duke Zhtál Strengthens His Hand With Growing Ruling Party Support
Former Prefect's Anti-Democratic and Socially Conservative Rhetoric Finds Favour In The Grand Council
Members of the Grand Council Show Support for Duke Zhtál's Hardline Policy Proposals.
January 4484 - Duke Kspar Zhtál has moved quickly to consolidate his position within the New Royal Front Party (SKS), threatening the Salyzr family's decade-long grip on power.
The former Prefect is believed to have used both political influence and substantial financial means to attract significant support for his own socially-conservative faction. Many now believe he could soon be ready to launch a formal leadership bid.
The current Prefect, Eskandr Salyzr, suspended democracy and established one-party rule in Vanuku 10 years ago. It followed a legal coup carried out by Eskandr along with his younger brother Daníl, which was endorsed by the royal family. But around six months ago, Duke Zhtál resurfaced, promising to use his "wealth and influence" to help to ensure the one-party system remains in place for the stability of the nation.
Since then his brand of strongly conservative policies have found favour with many of the SKS party faithful who feel the Salyzr approach of liberalising civil liberties and introducing other progressive and liberal laws could lead to further opportunities for uprising or challenges to the party. This was first experienced when the underground NZP movement (Socialist Democratic Workers) tried to restore democracy.
The first tangible evidence of the Duke's growing support came earlier this month, when a rare meeting of the full Grand Council was convened. Around two thirds of members rose to approve his policy proposal on banning recreational drug use and to throw their weight behind his anti-democracy rhetoric.
He said: "I believe the SKS must resist the need to pander to the common man's every whim by adopting liberal polices on issues such as this [the taking of recreational drugs]. Our strength lies in our ability to work quickly and effectively for the good of our country - and to introduce policies that engender unswerving loyalty in our political system, our Queen and our party. Democracy has been suspended for a very good reason but if we begin to give in to popular demand in this way then the benefits of the one-party system are lost and we may as well return to the ephemeral nature of the plebiscite to guide policy making."
"I for one am not ready for that to happen. This party should not be ready for that to happen and this country will not forgive us if we slip up and undesirable elements are allowed to snatch power."