Kanjor

[Calum S]

Le Gardien: Montague puts the coalition to bed in bold break from the past



Alexander Montague, former Premier and leader of the KCP, has shocked critics by leading a mass cabinet resignation and declaring the official end to the KCP's collaboration with the coalition.

"The divisions within the coalition are too great and too embedded in the history of the parties who have effectively governed Kanjor for the last twelve years," Montague told L'Assemblée in his resignation speech. "I have to be pragmatic about what my party wants, and cannot do this in a coalition with a party which moves between left and right depending upon what suits its warped obsession with restoring the Monarchy."

Relations between Montague and the members of the Parti National Français-Kanjorien were reportedly difficult and frought with disagreement. Montague was reportedly infuriated by the PNF-K's support of the Communist's 'Economic Act', which instigated widespread nationalisation of major industries and the commanding heights of the economy.

"The differences between the KCP and the PNF-K were no longer reconcilable," explained Marc Stonemason, former Trade Minister and son of Margaret Stonemason. "Their support for the Communists, even after Mr. Montague pleaded with them to vote against the bill, really symbolised how ineffective the coalition had become after 12 years."

Father Joseph St. Martin, Secretary General of the PNF-K made an angry rebuttal to Montague's speech, declaring, "We feel the KCP is out of touch with the Kanjorien people. They will forfeit the proper rule of Kanjor for their unbending fetish with the free market and libertarianism...the PNF-K feels that their obession with the presidency means they are power hungry and opposed to the return of the monarchy, despite their rhetoric."

An ardent Monarchist, St. Martin attacked the KCP over their refusal to abstain from Presidential office, effectively branding them 'Monarchists in Name Only. He virulently concluded, "The PNF-K will be vindicated in its efforts and will reestablish the Royal family to its rightful place as monarch of the nation."

Montague, known as something of a maverick within the KCP, has previously held no qualms over resigning in protest. Montague resigned from Margaret Stonemason's government over her unfair treatment of the KCP's coalition allies; it therefore comes a shock that Montague would be the one to call off the coalition itself.

"The coalition government has failed after 12 years in office," says Eleanor Souvellent, former General Secretary of the PRT. "Rather than have a government empty of positions, the parties in L'Assemblée should authorise our proposal to act as an interrim government, until the next elections. We are not tarnished by the bickerings of the coalition...we must be given a chance to rule."

[Calum S]

Grève Rouge: Bovary emerges from Party Congress with renewed confidence



The PRT Party Congress, which takes places every five years, is always a nervous event for any member of the Politburo, the party executive. The Congress itself is a meeting forum where politicians and ordinary party members from across Kanjor meet and discuss the future direction of the party, while voting to ratify the key focus of the next term of the Congress.

However the most attention is paid to the Party Congress elections, where members of the Poliburo are elected by party members. Last Party Congress, Brigitte Bovary, Party Chairman, witnessed a dramatic collapse of support with a 16.5% swing to her rival.

This time, Bovary has been emboldened with newfound confidence from the party, after masterminding a surprise Presidential election victory and beginning several nationalisation programmes subsequently.

As the first Black Head of State in Kanjor history, Bovary has impressed party loyalists from across the political spectrum for her low-key and unassuming approach to reform. Overseeing the re-nationalisation of the commanding heights of the economy, many party members are reporting soaring approval figures for their leader.

This is quite a turnaround, after long suspicion that this Party Congress would be a failure for Bovary, and a challenge the left and right was expected.

"Bovary has shocked her critics," says Jean Lombardy, Transport spokesperson and ally of Bovary. "The Bovarist wing of the party, composed up mostly of moderate Betrandists and conservative reformers, has asserted its authority in the face of Souvellent's liberals and Fouillant's hardliners. There will always be the troublesome squad, but this Congress was a success for Bovary and her supporters."

As promised, Bovary has created a new position on the Politburo, with Michelle Armoir, former Premier and one of Bovary's staunchest ally, elected to the fifth seat. In her new capacity as Prefect of the Standing Committee, Armoir is expected to keep backbenchers in line, and coodinate a coherent set of policies for the manifesto.

Eleanor Souvellent, former General Secretary and face of the party's liberal wing, has also been elected back onto the Politburo after losing out to her old rival, conservative Jacques Fouillant. Souvellent will serve as Chairman of the Party Defence Bureau.

[Calum S]

Le Gardien: Bovary announces intention to stand down as Party Chairman at next Party Congress



Brigitte Bovary, the first Black Head of State of Kanjor and its last Président, has announced her intention not to contest the election for Party Chairman of the PRT at the next Party Congress in 2761.

Speaking exclusively to Le Gardien, Bovary said, "I feel I have done my all for the PRT, and it was not enough. We are weaker in terms of seats than we were before I became leader - this is not why I became Party Chairman. Circumstances have changed, yes, but I have ultimately failed my party."

When asked whether she will consider standing for a lesser role in the Politburo, she replied, "I think that would not be wise. I feel that we need a fresh direction... my direction was clearly flawed, and we must learn from my time as leader to help us grow."

What direction she feels the party needs to go in is less clear. Bovary was selected by her predecessor, Olivier Betrand, due to her unflinching adherence to his basic tenets: maximum government, economic intervention and social moderation. She proved to be able to unite liberals and conservatives under her banner, and the Bovarists appear to be a relatively 'big tent' centre ground between the party's liberals and its hardline conservatives.

When asked if she will name a successor, Bovary laughed, saying, "We are not a monarchy, we do not have successors or heirs. I think that a healthy leadership competition would help drive forward the debate within our party. I do however feel that we need a fresh intake into the Politburo."

This comment was seen as an allusion to her expressed belief that neither Eleanor Souvellent, de facto leader of the party's liberal wing, or Jacques Fouillant, the champion of the party's right-wing, should take the leadership.

"There are alot of fresh talents in our party," insists Bovary. "Former Internal Affairs Minister, Yannick Thomas, or Party Prefect, Michelle Armoir, both are youthful contenders for the role."

She concluded, "What I would not like to see is a backtrack. We must press forward always, we must never look back. We must learn and learn and succeed. This is how our party will bring communism to this nation."

[Calum S]

Grève Rouge: Poll suggests PRT members are heeding Bovary's advice, and are ready to elect a new Politburo



In polls conducted for Grève Rouge, members of the PRT have signalled a dissatisfaction with the current Politburo, the 5-member National Executive, following the recent dire performances in the general elections.

Heeding Brigitte Bovary's advice for a more youthful direction, members have shown a strong majority (63%) will be voting for the opposition candidates to the current Politburo in the Party Congressional elections.

Contenders for the role of Party Chairman, following Bovary's announcement she will stand down, are a mixture of old and new. Jacques Fouillant, General Secretary, currently leads with 32%, but is closely followed by former Internal Affairs Minister, Yannick Thomas, on 30%. Former General Secretary, Eleanor Souvellent, trails in third place with 26%, followed by Infrastructure spokesperson and Bovarist, Jean Lombardy, on 12%.

It is likely to be a major confrontation between the party's liberal and conservative wings. Fouillant, a former military man and hardline conservative, faced a challenge from Thomas, a key reformist who advocates greater liberalisation of the party, but also has right-wing support due to his background as a trade unionist.

"The battle for the soul of the party has begun," says Nicolas Renoir, First Secretary, who has announced his own retirement.

[Calum S]

Grève Rouge: Yannick Thomas is victorious as Chairman, and leads a fresh Politburo due to members anger with poor showings on previous incumbents



Yannick Thomas, former Internal Affairs Minister and key reformist, has defeated frontrunner Jacques Fouillant in the Party Chairman election.

This victory is symbolic of the great change and backlash which has been witnessed at the Party Congress, with members angry about the performance of the Politburo and desiring a fresh direction. Thomas, a trade unionist and market socialist, believes in great liberalisation of the party over the economy and civil rights.

"We must modernise, and purge the party of those who are committed to discrimination. Discrimination breeds inequality, and is incompatible with communism." declared Thomas is his victory speech.

[Vandelhelm]

Union Returns and Starts a Wave of Change

The Union Conservatrice has returned to Kanjor after a 16 year absence, under the leadership of former Chairman, James Royale. In the first month of the Unions return, they presented and got passed the revolution back to a Monarchy, ending the PRT's reign of terror. The Union was the major party when the PRT was formed and former leader and first Royal Vizier, Marque-Paul Fenkath could not handle the pressure of the communist competition.


Union Leader; James Royale

The Union has since reformed its methods and taken new leadership, they expect to continue to grow and make changes in Kanjor. They have also joined the newest Cabinet, even though they dislike the PRT, they are involved with them as well as the Parti de l'Union Royale and the Parti Socialiste National.

James Royale said, 'We want to see a return to how it was under the Unions 20 year rule, when the nation was happy and peaceful. We will not be bringing back the Royal Vizier office but we may offer some reforms to the Government under the Monarch.'

[van Rijn]

The Leader of the Union Royale, Guillaume Ridenour, is set to lead the ruling coalition despite massive losses after the last election. Following the disbandment of the Kanjor Centrist Party, early elections were called in which the UR received a disappointing 16% share of seats in the États-Généraux. On leading the coalition Ridenour says, "This is an exciting experience for the Union Royale and we are humbled to be a part of this coalition. We look forward to a new spirit of cooperation with the Union Conservatrice and Parti Socialiste National."

The Parti de l'Union Royale is a relatively new party in Kanjor which until recently had been rising in popularity. They describe themselves as "a voice of moderation and reason in Kanjor" and have a strong showing in the traditionally liberal regions of Yewao and Sovalt. But despite their recent success, analysts question if Ridenour and his nascent Union Royale are fit to lead. Among charges of being inexperienced, Ridenour's party has been known for its unwillingness to compromise on several of its core beliefs-- in one instance, resigning ministers from a Kanjor Centrist Party coalition on ideological grounds. However, the UR is optimistic this coalition will be a success, "I feel we are known as a party that unites the États-Généraux, more so than any other party that has lead a coalition in Kanjor in recent memory," Ridenour says, " and we are confident that we can achieve more under the framework of the current coalition."

[Vandelhelm]

Union Strolls to Victory

After just 5 years since their return to Kanjor, the UC has brought back the state religion, the Monarchy and its largest party majority in the Etats Generaux. The party returned in October 2757 and instantly took 52 seats, the second lowest they have ever had in their history. They then increased that to 88 in March 2760 and now they 171 seats thanks to the election in August 2762.

This meteoric ride comes along side the creation and rise of the Parti Socialiste National and the rise & fall of the Parti de l'Union Royale. Two parties from the UC heydays, the Kanjoran Centrist Party and Parti Démocratique Chrétien de Kanjor collapsed and disbanded (probably temporary) and many say this is due to pressure from the reformed UC.

In the 4 months since their election the UC has joined in a Coalition, in which Union Leader James Royale did not put himself or his deputy leader in the running for an office in cabinet. Instead he opted for a coalition government with the PUR taking the Office of the Prime Ministre. While relatively unknown Francis Taylor took the Ministry of foreign Affairs (the Highest office the UC claimed) and veteran old timer, Michelle Gifsor took over the Ministry of Finance just like she did in the UC glory days under then Royal Vizier, Marque Paul Fenkath.


Francis Taylor, the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Speaking on the coalition, the Minister of Foreign Affairs defended his cabinet colleagues and blasted the 'dying' PRT; 'I think the Parti de l'Union Royale will do an excellent job in running this coalition, they may have lost a lot of support in the past election but they were the second largest party and the coalition leader for 3 years previously. The Parti Socialiste National is a new party but has shown itself committed to Kanjorien ideals and working for our people, we think they will make excellent additions to the Cabinet. I have to say, the Union is extremely happy to be rid the communist PRT, they proved our biggest opposition back in out heyday and they prove it again now although we have been crushing them since our return.'

[van Rijn]

Angeloume watches on as Ridenour is sworn in as Premier

The Union Royale made massive gains in the national elections this month, making up for a disappointing showing in the last round.

Speaking at the party conference, UR vice-chair Katherine d'Angeloume, pledged to "promote individual rights and civil liberties, support Kanjor's families, and make the government more responsive to the challenges of the 28th century."

She said she believes this election gave the party a clear mandate to form and lead its third consecutive coalition, as well as proved that the UR is a viable force in Kanjor politics.

Premier Ridenour spoke briefly afterwards calling the elections a 'major success' for the Union Royale.

The party has submitted a proposal that reshuffles the cabinet and would put its ministers in the key positions of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Justice, and Education with the remainder of the cabinet staffed by ministers of other coalition members, Parti Socialiste National and the Union Conservatrice.

[Calum S]

Le Gardien: PRT surges back to largest party



Party Chairman, Yannick Thomas, can celebrate a major election victory as the PRT regains its status as the largest party in terms of seats.

A former trade unionist and self-described "market socialist", Thomas promised a dramatic shift of policy upon becoming leader of the PRT, including a greater liberalisation in social attitudes. Although a hated figure by the party's Conservative wing, and distrusted due to his nonchalance towards market regulation, Thomas can feel vindicated by his leadership decisions with this election victory.

"Thomas promised change, and we have reformed," explains General Secretary, Eva Trieste. "He is unlike our previous party leaders, he is a true reformist, and I feel like the majority of the party has embraced his reforms."

Although Thomas does not expect a place in government, he asserts the PRT is in a "very strong position to validly oppose the coalition". He also declared in victory speech "the phenomenal collapse of support for the Union Conservatrice, which signified how irrelevant their party has become".