Clerical takeover in Deltaria
Czar Ľubomír II sidelined...for now
Martinek picks up Cardinal's hat
October 3513
by Orbán Olasz
Deltaria's new rulers
Hosiany Národná Strana (HNS) have done it, sweeping the legislative elections to win 68 of the 75 positions on the Deltarĭsko Věšte. After his preferred faction won only 7 seats, and realising the tide was turning against him, Czar L'ubomir II quietly conceded the result and agreed to appoint an HNS government led by Vladan Martinek. The Terran Patriarchal Church is pleased with the result, and is expected to gain increased influence under the new regime. In recognition of Martinek's new status, Papez Ľudovít appointed him a Cardinal - one of the most prestigious titles in the Church.
It remains to be seen what the relationship will be like between the Czar and his new government. For the time being, he appears willing to sit back and let Martinek run the show, but L'ubomir has form as a ruthless disposer of government ministers. The populist-leaning HNS is likely to try to trim the wealth and power of the nobility in order to improve the lot of the middle-class and the poor. However, Martinek has already bargained away his more radical policies in his bid to win support from the powerful aristocrat-dominated Vovoideship Veches that elect the national legislature. It remains difficult to believe he would go too far in upsetting Deltaria's political, economic and religious establishments - all dominated by a small number of powerful families. Nevertheless, there has undoubtedly been a political shift in Deltara, and observers at home and abroad are in great anticipation to see where it will lead.