Valruzia

[Aethan]

Sejm gives green light for the "Royal Plebiscite"

Valruzia to decide between a Republic or a "Proclamatory Monarchy" under the Nowik dynasty

September 5706

Thousands of people gathered on the streets waiting to hear the result of the voting

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At the end a session that will be remembered as the "Long Week," the Sejm of Valruzia has officially voted to authorize the popular plebiscite on the future of the nation’s state form. With a narrow  margin of 304 votes in favor (122 of NW, 105 of SW, 55 of SPR and 22 of NO), 297 against and no abstentions, the legislative body has cleared the way for the Ombudsman to organize a nationwide referendum.

The debate was marked by fierce exchanges, but the main one came between KPW's leader Judyta Kram – not acting as Deputy Chancellor but a leader of her parliamentary group – and Forward Valruzia's leader Kondrad Sekula. While the former accused the proponents of "institutional arson" the supporters of the initiative argued that 3.5 million signatures could not be silenced by parliamentary technicalities. Kram, who has already made herself a name as a though negotiator and a hard parliamentarian, said at the end of the voting that the country was no entering into an "slippery slope" of losing rights.

The Marshall of the Sejm, Anna Piechowska from the SPR, confirmed that the referendum now will take place within the next 90 days. "The people have asked to be consulted on the very foundation of the social contract we gave each other 80 years ago" she stated. "Today, the Sejm chooses once again to listen".

The most difficult part was for the Ombudsman to come up with a fair text to gather enough support in the Sejm, since the Valruzian Constitution gives the people the right to initiate such proceedings but the parliament cannot modify the proposal, only vote in favor or against its celebration. For this reason, it was a delicate situation to handle, and which ended up with the following text:

Official Text of the Proposition 5706/B

On the Figure of the Head of State and the Political Reformation of Valruzia

The following text constitutes the primary legislation to be submitted to a Popular Plebiscite under Part X of the Constitution:

• Article 1, Sovereignty: Valruzia is a democratic state. National sovereignty resides in the Valruzian people, from whom all the powers of the State emanate.
  

• Article 2, Political form : The political form of the Valruzian State is a Parliamentary Monarchy. The Head of State shall hold the title of King or Queen of Valruzia.
  

• Article 3, The "Proclamation" System and the Democratic Succession: The Valruzian Crown shall be governed by the principle of Popular Proclamation
  

a) The Crown is vested in the Nowik Dynasty, as descendants of the Founding Father Szymon Nowik.

b) Upon the death, abdication, or permanent disability of the Monarch, the rightful heir shall not be automatically crowned.

c) The heir must be formally approved by the Valruzian people in a simplified national referendum (Proclamation Vote). If the people reject the heir, the Sejm shall propose a new candidate from the same bloodline along the option to become a Republic.

• Article 4, Powers and Duties: The Monarch is the Head of State, a symbol of its unity and permanence. Their powers are strictly representative and arbitral, including:
  

a) Sanctioning and promulgating laws passed by the Sejm.

b) Formal command of the Armed Forces.

c) Representing Valruzia in international relations.

The Monarch shall have no power to veto legislation or interfere in the executive functions of the Chancellor or the Government of Valruzia.

• Article 5, The Royal Oath: Before assuming office, the Monarch-elect must swear an oath before the Sejm to uphold the Constitution and the will of the people. Failure to uphold this oath shall be grounds for the Sejm to initiate a "Motion of Dethronement."
  

The Plebiscite Question

Voters will be presented with a single ballot containing the following question:

"What is the sense of your vote in relation to Proposition 5706/B regarding the figure of the Head of State and the political conformation of Valruzia?"

[ ] IN FAVOR (To constitute Valruzia as a Parliamentary Monarchy under the Nowik Dynasty)

[ ] AGAINST (To maintain the current Republican structure)

The aftermath of the vote has now left a fractured political landscape, with the narrow 7-vote margin highlighting the deep polarization within the country.

Legal Uncertainty Minutes after the session adjourned, constitutional scholars began pointing to a "ticking time bomb" within Article 3 of the Proposition. The Constitutional Court is expected to receive an immediate appeal from the KPW, although they cannot have a word on the issue until after the people have voted, and only in case the majority is in favor. Legal experts argue that the "Proclamation Vote" creates a hybrid system that will not satisfy monarchists nor republicans, and creates "judicial insecurity" after placing a bomb on the principle of "State continuity".

The most conspicuous reaction has been the lack of one from the proposed royal family. Sources close to Józef Nowik, the Mayor of Nowogard, suggest he is "incensed" by the whole proposal, and has been repeatedly clear on his refusal to get involved in anything related to the issue. However, younger members of the Nowik line have reportedly begun hiring public relations consultants, signaling that some are ready to embrace the "Proclamation" challenge and aim at their chances of becoming the new Monarch of Valruzia.

The Valruzian Peso saw a slight dip of 1.2% following the news, as investors expressed concern over the "90 days of uncertainty" leading to the referendum. International observers from the neighboring states have expressed interest in the democratic succession model, most notably in Kalistan, where the reigning House Ananto shared some words on the movement that is taking shape in Valruzia.

Meanwhile outside the Sejm, the atmosphere was a mix of jubilation and mourning, as supporters of the Nowik family's chances celebrated with chants of "The People's King" while republican counter-protesters held a silent vigil, carrying copies of Szymon Nowik's original republican manifesto, and some harassed the Sejm deputies on their way out following the vote.

But now, the stage is set and in three months, Valruzia will either reaffirm its 80-year-old Republic or embark on a new experiment for its head of State, probably the Valruzian institution that has seen the most changes in its young democratic history. And more important: what's the position of the Valruzian parties for the upcoming referendum? The government of Marzel Zagórski has already said they will not take an official stance as government, as according to Mr. Zagórski "our vote in favor to celebrate the referendum does not equate to us supporting the proposal, but rather granting the people a voice on this specific issue", but the parties that form it have already made their minds up, as has done the opposition:

• To vote YES on the referendum: Forward Valruzia, Valruzian Alliance, Socialdemocratic–Agrarian Party
  
• To vote NO on the referendum: Communist Party of Valruzia, Workers' Vanguard, People's Front of Kampania
  
• No official position: Sovereign Valruzia, Our Homeland