Royal Alliance Sweeps Elections1 May 4969
São Miguel - In a stunning upset for republicans, the Royal Alliance of Tukarali has swept the parliamentary elections, guaranteeing major constitutional reforms over the coming years. Aligned with the Serene House of Valdiza, it is expected that the royal house’s matriarch, Rosalina de Valdiza, will be crowned as the first monarch of a new Tukarese kingdom. There has not been a monarchy since the fall of the Democratic Kingdom in 3256.
The Royal Alliance, led by Jónatas Castelo, and the House of Valdiza have led a strong campaign centered on the idea of a “cultural renaissance” and Castelo’s political platform aims to “reinvigorate national institutions.” Legislation already slated for a vote include the reestablishment of a national system of museums and libraries, as well as renewed subsidies for artistic projects. Castelo has stated that he would also like to establish a system of national universities, in addition to the current public institutions that are maintained exclusively at the provincial-level.
Despite being a generally conservative party, Castelo’s platform has managed to attract broad support across the ideological spectrum. In addition to efforts at expanding state support for education and culture, Castelo promises to strike down numerous “archaic” laws, including the military’s ban on homosexuality and regulations prohibiting homeless shelters. But not all of Castelo’s agenda has enjoyed widespread backing. He has been criticized for speaking in favor of the death penalty and for being far too favorable of law enforcement. For now, Castelo has focused on his popular ideas and continues to ride a huge wave of support gained in the recent election.
A Brief History of Tukarese Monarchism15 June 4969
São Miguel - It has been well over a millenia since a monarchy reigned over Tukarali but the enthronement of Queen Rosalina marks the revival of a cultural institution which has persisted through multiple historic eras. The Queen’s own royal house, the Serene House of Valdiza, dates back to the early 34th century and, much like the Royal Alliance of today, monarchists of that time sought to place the Valdizas on the throne. Ultimately they were unsuccessful but their patriarch, Suzaku de Valdiza, was elected as President of Tukarali, holding office between 3384 and 3387.
The early Valdiza monarchist movement was one of the more prominent efforts at a royal restoration after the 3rd Democratic Kingdom of Tukarali was dismantled by a fascist dictatorship. That last kingdom, existing from 3208 to 3256, saw the reign of Queen Sari of the House of Aynako, the “founding royalty” of Tukarali and the strongest claimants to the Tukarese monarchy. The House of Valdiza are blood relatives of the Aynakos but certainly at the time of Suzaku de Valdiza’s claim, they lacked any legitimacy to overtake the titles traditionally held by the House of Aynako.
The House of Aynako first rose to power under the 1st Democratic Kingdom of Tukarali, established in 2821. A cadet branch of the globally influential House of Rothingren-Traugott, the Aynako monarchs quickly gained international prominence in the young monarchy. Briefly deposed by an authoritarian republic in 2868, a dual monarchy would emerge under the Houses of Reims and Ruan during the 2nd Democratic Kingdom and it would continue until 3006. The immensely totalitarian state, characterized by Gao-Showa minority rule, sought to eliminate the influence of the Aynakos and any other royalty, viewing them as opponents in their campaign to create a personality cult surrounding their leader. When the dictatorship fell, an attempt was made to revive the monarchy but the transitional state was quickly overthrown by Metzist revolutionaries.
After only ten years of a one-party Metzist state, a new monarchy rose in the name of Ahmadism. Led by Mullah Mohammed Selassie, the theocratic state sought to transform the identity of Tukarali and spread the influence of Ahmadism over the nation. Religious tension and growing dissent would eventually bring the Tukarali Emirate to an end, with it replaced by a highly decentralized confederation akin to the pre-modern government of the United Tribes. The national government of this regime was effectively useless but compared to the preceding regimes it was a more peaceful era. As a renewed national government emerged in Tukarali, so came the 3rd Democratic Kingdom in 3208 and the reign of Queen Sari.
Fast forward to today, Queen Sari’s House of Aynako has since been lost to time, leaving only a few unverified claimants from outside the main line. Through marriage and unusual circumstances, the main line of succession passed into control of the House of Ryeo in 3956. Despite the lack of territorial control in Tukarali, the Ryeo emperors of the era took to claiming the title of “King of Tukarali.” Eventually the title was dropped from use in the Dranian monarchy although the Ryeos do still technically hold a direct claim on the Tukarese monarchy.
Absent the historic House of Aynako and with the direct line of succession in the hands of a royal house with no modern ties to the nation, the Serene House of Valdiza finally found its moment. In founding a new Tukarese kingdom, Queen Rosalina has asserted her family’s role as the most culturally relevant claimants to the throne, all while also enjoying descent, although indirect, from the original House of Aynako. The modern Queen arrives at a time of great stability and institutional integrity; hopes are that these characteristics of the Democratic Republic will persist under the Serene Kingdom. Only time will tell if she, and her royalist supporters, are successful.