Deputy Party Chair for the Royal Union, Katherine d'Angoulême (UR), has assumed leadership of her party, after Guillaume Ridenour (UR) announced his resignation following a failed attempt to oust the PRT from the ruling coalition.
Some pundits are calling the situation a political 'murder-suicide' in light of Elaine Trudeau's (PRT) abdication from her party earlier this week in response to a no-confidence measure in the États-Généraux pushed forward by Ridenour.
His departure was announced last night following a rally by the Alliance pour la Democratie to vote against new elections and expedited by a possible collaboration between the AD and PRT.
Ridenour reminisces role in Union Royale, looks to future.
In his final address as party leader, Mr. Ridenour thanked his supporters and called for a re-engagement with the voters:
Dear friends, let me just say, first off, that it has been my immense pleasure to have served you over the past few years. Since our party's founding, we have been a voice of moderation, equality, and freedom in Kanjor. We have seen the monarchy rise and fall, and we will see it rise again. But this time without me. Effective noon tomorrow, my tenure as Party Chair will come to an end. In my place, my dear colleague and trusted best friend, Katherine d'Angoulême will discharge my duties until the next party congress can convene to elect a new Chair. As my last official act, I call on all members, all of you who believe, in this party, and in the ideals it stands for to continue to challenge those who fight against our nation and our monarchy from a pulpit in the États-Généraux. They do not believe in democracy and they are not true to the traditional values of Kanjor. Again thank you, and good day. Pro Patria!
d'Angoulême (UR) attends a charity benefit with shadow Health Secretary Marie Dieumont (UR) in November.
Ridenour was known as a maverick both in and outside of the party. And whilst having somewhat of a cult following, there were some who saw his firebrand and uncompromising approach as more of a liability rather than an asset to his party.
But since Ridenour's star power has all but outshone the leadership of the party leaving the rest in his shadow, the question now is who will become his successor? For now, deputy chair and former Foreign Secretary Katherine d'Angoulême, who remains relatively unknown like the rest of Ridenour's deputies, has assumed leadership of the party.
Sources close to the party say,
Fresh-faced d'Angoulême is much more low-key and laissez-faire than Ridenour and this might just be exactly what the party needs at this point. The party hopes her subdued leadership style will foster more participation at all levels of the party congress as they try to re-organize and redefine the party's focus.
The next Union Royale party convention is scheduled for this September.