02-06-2026, 05:17 PM
![[Image: alitheia-kalopia-newspaper-png-smaller.png]](https://i.ibb.co/hJjNHNrf/alitheia-kalopia-newspaper-png-smaller.png)
People's President Elected
![[Image: 5731-president-elect.png]](https://i.ibb.co/d0vkd1V6/5731-president-elect.png)
President-elect Antonios Lakaridis (51) at his inauguration.
4 February 5731, Helios, Kalopian Republic
The people have spoken and Kalopia has a new president. TV celebrity and real estate moghul Antonios Lakaridis will serve as head of the republic for the next four years. A strong campaign effort in Siphina and Sessoid saw Lakaridis maintain his essential lead as voter turnout lowered and Metrotis steadily gained ground. The debate between the two last week broke viewership records on the public channel. While both candidates were newcomers they behaved like seasoned politicians, dodging awkward questions and offering quick rebuttals like machineguns when cornered. A small slip of the tongue and stutter by Alexandros Metrotis saw him mercilessly mocked by the online campaign team of Lakaridis, who used the footage to paint him as incompetent and barely cognizant. The campaign strategy was broadly condemned and Lakaridis avoided speaking about it at every turn when questioned by journalists, only complimenting Metrotis for his performance in the debate and calling him a "worthy foe in the arena".
President-elect Lakaridis was inaugurated at noon today, officially becoming President Antonios Lakaridis. The first head of state of the restored Kalopian Republic after the short years of political deadlock. The Phalanx bloc in parliament was quick to act and proposed a series of constitutional amendments, some to protect the liberties and rights of citizens but also some that would greatly expand the duties of the office of president. Right now, the role is mostly ceremonial with the head of state overseeing the central bank and a few other menial tasks. The office has always been utilised more in a role of a dignitary to send to foreign places. This is not how Antonios Lakaridis envisions his next four years, which is something he also made clear during his campaigns. The constitutional amendment proposed by Phalanx would see the head of state being able to issue executive orders and to veto certain proposals. Now, parliament would maintain the ability to override any such measures, but it would transform Kalopia in a republic with a more executive president that has to cooperate with the first minister and the cabinet.
Opposition groups have warned against the amendments, stating them to be a slippery slope towards a dictatorial republic. Phalanx chairman Nestoras Panatos has strongly condemned such criticism. He claims the amendments will instead make Kalopia more democratic. "The President would become a part of a process of checks and balances, he checks parliament, parliament checks him. The citizens elect both in elections. Not to mention the civil rights expansions this amendment offers, I think they [read: Phalanx representatives] have done an excellent job in drafting this proposal." Whether Phalanx can muster the two-thirds support to pass the amendments has yet to be seen, some sources state Kalopian Spring is in favour but so far they have declined to comment. Even then other parties would have to support to reach the threshold, creating a scenario where Phalanx would have to negotiate with the Wantuni parties. But before all that the party will first enjoy a party to celebrate their new President.
The people have spoken and Kalopia has a new president. TV celebrity and real estate moghul Antonios Lakaridis will serve as head of the republic for the next four years. A strong campaign effort in Siphina and Sessoid saw Lakaridis maintain his essential lead as voter turnout lowered and Metrotis steadily gained ground. The debate between the two last week broke viewership records on the public channel. While both candidates were newcomers they behaved like seasoned politicians, dodging awkward questions and offering quick rebuttals like machineguns when cornered. A small slip of the tongue and stutter by Alexandros Metrotis saw him mercilessly mocked by the online campaign team of Lakaridis, who used the footage to paint him as incompetent and barely cognizant. The campaign strategy was broadly condemned and Lakaridis avoided speaking about it at every turn when questioned by journalists, only complimenting Metrotis for his performance in the debate and calling him a "worthy foe in the arena".
President-elect Lakaridis was inaugurated at noon today, officially becoming President Antonios Lakaridis. The first head of state of the restored Kalopian Republic after the short years of political deadlock. The Phalanx bloc in parliament was quick to act and proposed a series of constitutional amendments, some to protect the liberties and rights of citizens but also some that would greatly expand the duties of the office of president. Right now, the role is mostly ceremonial with the head of state overseeing the central bank and a few other menial tasks. The office has always been utilised more in a role of a dignitary to send to foreign places. This is not how Antonios Lakaridis envisions his next four years, which is something he also made clear during his campaigns. The constitutional amendment proposed by Phalanx would see the head of state being able to issue executive orders and to veto certain proposals. Now, parliament would maintain the ability to override any such measures, but it would transform Kalopia in a republic with a more executive president that has to cooperate with the first minister and the cabinet.
Opposition groups have warned against the amendments, stating them to be a slippery slope towards a dictatorial republic. Phalanx chairman Nestoras Panatos has strongly condemned such criticism. He claims the amendments will instead make Kalopia more democratic. "The President would become a part of a process of checks and balances, he checks parliament, parliament checks him. The citizens elect both in elections. Not to mention the civil rights expansions this amendment offers, I think they [read: Phalanx representatives] have done an excellent job in drafting this proposal." Whether Phalanx can muster the two-thirds support to pass the amendments has yet to be seen, some sources state Kalopian Spring is in favour but so far they have declined to comment. Even then other parties would have to support to reach the threshold, creating a scenario where Phalanx would have to negotiate with the Wantuni parties. But before all that the party will first enjoy a party to celebrate their new President.
Αλήθεια (Alítheia), or Verity in Luthorian, is a Kalopian middle-market tabloid owned by Dimos Kappakis, a media tycoon aligned with the Phalanx party.