Kalistan

[Doc]

Constitutionalism in Kalistan?
"Not likely," says Chancellor
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 18, 5716


Chancellor finds the concept of a Constitutional Monarchy "deeply risible"

Civil Society elements in Kalistan are watching events unfold to the north as Egelion makes a shift toward developing a constitutional regime that limits the powers of the King, and establishes formal powers for popularly elected representatives with some hope. A recent poll, conducted after the Egelian elections late last year, found that at least some limited measure of constitutional monarchy in the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan is supported by more than 30%, with most of this group saying they would like the National Assembly to have some constitutionally protected power to make legislation independent of Imperial Fiat. While some Kalistanis report support for some independent power among Kalistani's legislature, most were firm on support for the Monarchy: more than 4 out of 5 Kalistanis surveyed think that the Imperial Regime should be maintained relatively in tact, and would support the Empress keeping the Fiat for most consequential matters.

Poll results are what they are: A snapshot of a sample of the whole population which is taken to be representative of the entire population. But it needs to be said, also that a large majority of the population in Kalistan does not want the current regime to be altered to accommodate for independent democratic authority in the National Assembly. Of those who support the status quo in Kalistan, 40% are "strongly in favor" of the leaving the current system in place, while 23% even support further consolidation of power in the hands of the Empress.

One of these is, as you can imagine, the Chancellor of the Empire, and Speaker of the Institutional Party, Lady Melanie Alvarez-McLinn. When recently asked what she thought of moves to establish a constitutional monarchy in Egelion, she could not help but laugh. "I think, well, I'll be honest, I find constitutional monarchism deeply risible." After another giggle, she asked "What kind of question is that? I mean, all respect to our Northern comrades, but limitations on the Monarch, by a piece of paper? The concept is so foreign... so... Artanian. No, that's ridiculous."

She said Constitutionalism is for Republics. "Look: no offense intended to the Egelians, but flirting with democracy is a real mistake. A republic is governed by a constitution, because in a republic, you want a limited government who is supposed to be doing the people's business. It makes sense for a republic to have a constitution. But Egelion has an election where a constitutional, democratic Party wins, and suddenly the power of the monarch needs to be reduced? Why? Is the King not ruling in the best interest of his people? I would say he was doing a good job, so why should he be punished with a constitution that says what he can and can't do? That seems, to use the phrase that they use in Vrassa, 'bassackwards.'"

She was asked what she thought the chances of Kalistan adopting a constitution was. She was incredulous in her response. "Are you serious? Are you messing with me here? Like for real. Zero. No chance. Unless the Empress loses her damn mind. Less than zero even. Not likely, like, at all." When presented with the hypothetical scenario, "What if a similar populist political organization were to somehow gain a majority in the National Assembly, and have enough votes to make changes similar to those we see in Egelion?" She simply answered, "Not in Kalistan, that simply is not possible. Her Imperial Majesty, with my own advice, would dissolve the National Assembly first. And to be completely honest, I would help her. She and I have our private disagreements on some matters, and she encourages my candid opinion, though she seems to win every single debate. In this particular instance, there is no daylight between myself and the Empress. If it looked like some radical republican lunatics were going to gain a single seat in the National Assembly, I would proactively ask her to dissolve the body myself."

The Chancellor was careful not to appear to comment on the actual Egelion process. "It's incomprehensible, but in reality, this is an Egelian problem. They are allowed to choose whatever government they like, and at the end of the day, Egelion and Kalistan have more in common than we have in opposition. And I would note that Kalistan cooperates with republics, and constitutional states around the world. So before I get out ahead of my skis here, I want to be perfectly clear here: I am speaking as a Kalistani and as the Chancellor of the Empire. Republicanism and Constitutionalism will not find a home in Kalistan, as long as I head Her Imperial Majesty's Government, and there is an Ananto as the sole avatar of our nation sitting on the Throne in Kaliburg."

She asked what she would do if 51% of the population supported constitutionalism. "I don't care if its 99% who supports constitutionalism. I don't care if the newspaper takes a poll and finds out that every Kalistani except Her Imperial Majesty, and myself as well, support establishing a constitutional monarchy for our nation. It isn't going to happen, and that's it. This is not a demo... You know what? Don't you people have some war to cover or the latest fashion show to go attend? Don't you have some gorgeous piece of airheaded Anantan cheesecake to take pictures of or something? Why are you all even asking me these silly questions? Que madres, güeyes?"

The Chancellor then excused herself, saying she had a meeting to get to. She was seen visibly shaking her head in disbelief as she walked down the hall, followed by her staff.

@TheRepublic