16-06-2026, 07:41 PM
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Thanopoulos Picks Old Enemy: "Democracy must survive!"
![[Image: 5734-presidential-race.png]](https://i.ibb.co/fwqGKxD/5734-presidential-race.png)
First Minister Thanopoulos speaking to the press after the shock of the first round became clear.
18 April 5734, Helios, Kalopian Republic
Shock was allegedly the first reaction in the office of the First Minister when news became clear that Theseus Moraitou would not face Antonios Lakaridis in the second round for the presidential elections. Thanopoulos, who allegedly played a large role in having Lakaridis expelled from Phalanx, has a good personal relationship with the critical and outspoken Moraitou, even after him resigning from the first Thanopoulos cabinet over a disagreement. Whatever issues were there at the time seem to be fully resolved, as Moraitou was named Second Minister only a few months back. Rumours circulated that Thanopoulos was quietly endorsing the Kalopian Spring leader. None of that matters now, as the old enemy instead moves to the second round to face off against the opposition candidate. Kallívas, who is mostly known for featuring not pictures of himself but of President Lakaridis on his campaign posters, is an uninspiring choice for the Kalopian voter. Nonetheless, people are unhappy with the alleged behaviour of Lakaridis and the course of the government. This dissatisfaction has moved their vote towards the opposition candidate.
Today, rather begrudgingly, Thanopoulos stated that he would be endorsing Antonios Lakaridis for a second term. According to the First Minister this elections is between "the loose cannon we know" and "the right-winger that will abolish democracy", which has prompted him to choose for the loose cannon. In recent years Lakaridis seems to have mostly recovered from his moment of shame, with no new incidents reported. As a surprise to many, all his recent executive orders seem to have a rather progressive tone. The President decreased taxes for lower incomes, while raising them for the wealthy and personally legalised abortion during the first trimester after a coordinated effort by Phalanx to make it solely reserved for medical emergencies. The 'new' Lakaridis seems to have been liberated by his exile from Phalanx, keeping his own course with a clear preference for the progressive ideas and the working class. After the press conference of Moraitou, the First Minister allegedly called his colleague to try and convince him to pick a side - citing the importance of the democratic institutions of the nation and the danger of staunchly right-wing president.
After the announcement of the First Minister about his personal endorsement of his former foe, there was also an announcement from Phalanx founder Nestoras Panatos. He also declared that Phalanx would urge voters to choose Lakaridis. In a statement the academic explained that Kallívas is a far-right puppet controlled by groups that would tarnish and demolish the democratic systems of the republic. "The voter must forgive Antonios [Lakaridis] for past transgressions, and give him four more years to protect our sacred republic!" wrote the chairman of Phalanx. The runoffs are scheduled for June 1st.
Shock was allegedly the first reaction in the office of the First Minister when news became clear that Theseus Moraitou would not face Antonios Lakaridis in the second round for the presidential elections. Thanopoulos, who allegedly played a large role in having Lakaridis expelled from Phalanx, has a good personal relationship with the critical and outspoken Moraitou, even after him resigning from the first Thanopoulos cabinet over a disagreement. Whatever issues were there at the time seem to be fully resolved, as Moraitou was named Second Minister only a few months back. Rumours circulated that Thanopoulos was quietly endorsing the Kalopian Spring leader. None of that matters now, as the old enemy instead moves to the second round to face off against the opposition candidate. Kallívas, who is mostly known for featuring not pictures of himself but of President Lakaridis on his campaign posters, is an uninspiring choice for the Kalopian voter. Nonetheless, people are unhappy with the alleged behaviour of Lakaridis and the course of the government. This dissatisfaction has moved their vote towards the opposition candidate.
Today, rather begrudgingly, Thanopoulos stated that he would be endorsing Antonios Lakaridis for a second term. According to the First Minister this elections is between "the loose cannon we know" and "the right-winger that will abolish democracy", which has prompted him to choose for the loose cannon. In recent years Lakaridis seems to have mostly recovered from his moment of shame, with no new incidents reported. As a surprise to many, all his recent executive orders seem to have a rather progressive tone. The President decreased taxes for lower incomes, while raising them for the wealthy and personally legalised abortion during the first trimester after a coordinated effort by Phalanx to make it solely reserved for medical emergencies. The 'new' Lakaridis seems to have been liberated by his exile from Phalanx, keeping his own course with a clear preference for the progressive ideas and the working class. After the press conference of Moraitou, the First Minister allegedly called his colleague to try and convince him to pick a side - citing the importance of the democratic institutions of the nation and the danger of staunchly right-wing president.
After the announcement of the First Minister about his personal endorsement of his former foe, there was also an announcement from Phalanx founder Nestoras Panatos. He also declared that Phalanx would urge voters to choose Lakaridis. In a statement the academic explained that Kallívas is a far-right puppet controlled by groups that would tarnish and demolish the democratic systems of the republic. "The voter must forgive Antonios [Lakaridis] for past transgressions, and give him four more years to protect our sacred republic!" wrote the chairman of Phalanx. The runoffs are scheduled for June 1st.
Αλήθεια (Alítheia), or Verity in Luthorian, is a Kalopian middle-market tabloid owned by Dimos Kappakis, a media tycoon aligned with the Phalanx party.