by Woxor » Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:07 pm
The Valois Herald, Lourenne's Best Newspaper
Royal Federalists Seize Crown
Dorat Uses Massive Electoral Coup to Steamroll New Constitution
by Renée Flotard
VALOIS, New Kreshar, Royaume d'Or de Lourenne. (September 20, 2743) - For the past twelve years, the Parti de Fédéralisme Royal (PFR) has exploded from a disgruntled "loyal" opposition, founded around the innocuous notion that more power should be relegated from the monarch to the regional governments, into the uncontested national power of Lourenne. After a decade of political stagnation that saw the death of an old party and the steady decline of government proactivity, the elections of November, 2742 tipped the balance of power just far enough in the PFR's favor that the Parti Monarchiste de Lourenne (PML) had no substantial say in government. The PFR took advantage of this immediately, ejecting all political opponents from its cabinet and establishing a slew of constitutional changes before holding new elections in August to restructure the national government. Among the most dramatic changes -- the Conseil Royal du Peuples was pared down to a mere 75 members, and the queen who reigned for thirty-two years and six months was essentially dethroned. In her place, a crude combination of monarchy, democracy, and despotism has emerged under the quixotic rule of self-styled "Roi Grand de le Royaume d'Or de Lourenne" Sebastien Dorat.
Despite the dubious claim that the PFR manifests the centuries-old philosophies of the Redemption Party, Sebastien Dorat and his political juggernaut have not gained power gracefully, nor is the democratic backing behind the PFR likely to hold steadfast through the coming storm. While the PFR had included the PML in its cabinet despite the obvious chance to run a single-party cabinet after the dissolution of the Parti de Garde Royales, many speculated that this apparent olive branch for the PML had more in common with a carrot on stick, to be yanked away should the PML directly challenge the PFR on what were expected to be minor constitutional amendments. Until 2742, the PML still stood a chance of preventing constitutional change, and the party was arguably an effective barrier to the PFR's total domination of the government. Once the PFR's propaganda took hold, however, the PML's trump card was nullified, and over a mere nine months, the monarchy assumed the form of an "elected monarch," to be dethroned peacefully by a referrendum of the people every six years should his popularity flag. The monarchy is still ostensibly a continuation of that founded in 2704, but is now highly mutable due to the electoral process, but extremely powerful due to the oppressive new laws passed by the PFR.
Civil rights are likely to take further abuse over the next six years, since the "Establishment of Stability" Act is likely to pass. Free speech will be curtailed, and the government will be given further authority. To ensure the validity of his claim to the throne, Dorat is said to be seeking the hand of former Reine Renée d'Orléans-Vassar, despite the latter's fifteen-year-old marriage. This seems to give Dorat's administration a bizarre third nature: while the constitutional law is unquestionably democratic in nature, and the statutory laws Dorat has passed seem designed to maintain power through force rather than democracy, Dorat and his followers seem to believe that his power is still derived from the line of monarchial succession, wherein Dorat's name does not appear. Should he secure his desired marriage (which is sure to scandalize the Orthodox Church), he will have three claims to power, as well as three avenues through which his enemies could topple him: election, linneage, and brute power. It is unclear whether the PFR truly believes this to be the best form of government, which would explain the obvious weaknesses it leaves in its grip (the fact that it will be ousted in six years if its popularity doesn't hold, and the fact that Dorat's monarchial legitimacy is essentially nil), or whether the three-pronged approach is believed to be three times as effective as a simple electoral win. At any rate, Dorat's win was unanimous, and only time will tell whether voters will feel betrayed by the strange policies of the new government.
It's uncertain exactly where the former queen and her family are housed for the time being, but live video broadcasts periodically verify her safety. The capital has moved from Valois to Lac des Lumiéres, and the government buildings are boarded up; a "museum of the ancient government" is said to be in the works. It's quiet here in Valois, but it's the quiet of a people who must, having shouted from the mountains for change and revolution, take a breath before they scream still louder at the fate they were dealt. :::