Chancellor Qaljupayare Impeached
Federal Congress prepares to elect new leader as charges of sexual harassment are brought against incumbentWednesday 16th March, 4487 The Constitutional Court of Cifutingan has voted to impeach sitting Chancellor Anbu Qaljupayare following three separate accusations of sexual harassment from women in his office. In a unanimous 5-0 decision, the Court voted to remove Qaljupayare from office immediately while the case is heard before a federal court. The decision follows weeks of protests outside the court building in Kipatauw, the federal capital. Opposition leaders have said the action by the Constitutional Court is long overdue and emphasised that the accusations were known before the Chancellor's election in 4484.
With Qaljupayare officially removed from office, the Council of Delegates and the Council of Federation must now meet for a rare joint session in which they will elect a successor. In the meantime, the Vice-Chancellor will assume the position and all other legislative activity will be suspended. Qaljupayare is the first Chancellor to be impeached in a century and there is concern about whether the Congress will be able to decide on a replacement. Secret ballots will be held by the legislature until a candidate achieves two-thirds majority support from both houses.
Legislative elections last year were catastrophic for the Chancellor's Constitution Party and they no longer have a majority in either house. The traditional frontrunner in cases of impeachment, the Vice-Chancellor, will struggle to win election as Qaljupayare's successor due to his close ties to the Chancellor. Political commentators are suggesting that a compromise could be reached with opposition parties to select an independent candidate, with businessman Eilash Wesmer the current favourite.