Calls For Archduke To Abdicate Rejected By Government
Prefect Brands Proposals By New Movement As A Conspiracy To Topple The Rightful Monarch
Legislation has been proposed calling for Crown Prince Juhn, pictured above, to abdicate from his position as Archduke of Banstill in favour of his namesake and cousin Prince Juhn.
July 4509 - The Government has angrily rejected calls by a disgruntled faction within the ancient House of Banmek-Sntazed for the abdication of the Archduke of Banstill (heir to the throne) in favour of his elder royal cousin Prince Juhn.
Prefect Baron Dnkai Könnyrahe has branded the proposal - put forward by Hsnutszlk'aikék Grundnyr (The Movement of Discontent) - as a conspiracy to overthrow the rightful monarch of Vanuku. He also told the Grand Council that such talk was "tantamount to treason" and besmirched the reputation of late Queen Mrjmai and her brother Prince Wrntukai who was heir presumptive until the Queen's son (current King Wrntukai VI) was born and officially named next in line to the throne. He is also opposed to plans to repeal progressive succession laws, which allow females to be named monarch.
The Prefect has also moved to cement ties between the Zhtál-Merlkai family and the royal household by having the Patriarch of that noble family formally named Chief Advisor to the Monarch. It comes after leading members of The Movement of Discontent called the current King a Zhtál puppet. This refers not only to the fact that the Zhtál family are a leading sponsor of the governing New Royal Front but also that Jebr Zhtál, heir to the Duchy of Vrzkel, is married to Princess Agzé, granddaughter of the current King and who one day is expected to inherit the throne. If this comes to pass it could see a potential future merging of the Houses of Banmek-Sntazed and Zhtál-Merlkai.
Addressing the Grand Council, he said: "We may well expect a conspiracy to overthrow the rightful monarch of Vanuku from within the wretched ranks of socialists and communists. But for this attack to come from nobility - and more than that, from a disillusioned faction within the royal House of Banmek-Sntazed is beyond the pale. I can tell this house that this government will not stand for such attempts to destabilise our kingdom. Therefore, we completely reject this proposal and I will speak directly to the King and the Archduke to work out how we will progress this matter and what punitive action will be taken."
The Prefect and his government must now decide whether to allow the Hsnutszlk'aikék Grundnyr, which is headed up by Prince Juhn and his son Prince Pawl, to register as a formal political party. Under the articles of the Constitutional Reform Act the Grand Council may be asked to block the registration if the party is perceived as endangering the Kingdom.