Kalopia

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Ο Πρωταθλητής

Kastrinos Impeached; Citizens' Movement Takes Poll Lead

King of the Casinos, Now King of the Unemployment Line

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5 January 5739 – Elected narrowly as President as recently as June last year, casino magnate Markos Kastrinos has been impeached and removed from office by the legislature in a vote of 228 to 72, clearing the two-thirds threshold. This makes him the first President in modern Kalopian history to be removed from office; a dark mark on an already shattered legacy.

Kastrinos was found guilty by the vast majority of assembled representatives of corruption, as charged by the Minister of the Interior, Marios Karaliades. Kastrinos' first act as President was to completely deregulate gambling, a move that clearly benefitted not only his own financial interests as a gambling businessman but also the financial interests of his family and business associates. While impeachment was opposed by Dýnamis, Kalopian Winter and the Flexibility and Liberty parties, it was supported by all three governing parties and the Kalopian Democratic Party (KDP). The recently established Kalopian Renewal Movement also issued a statement in support of impeachment.

In a heated debate on the chamber of the legislature, Minister Karaliades's charges of corruption were met with a stream of defensive abuse from the now-former President, who presented himself as a man of the people despite his vast personal wealth and self-interested dealings. His speech was embarrassingly defended by the deputy director of the Kalopian Winter party, which most impartial analysts consider a parody or joke outfit, on the grounds that the President is a 'useful idiot'. The spectacle was far less well received by the KDP, who cast the decisive vote to eject the President.

Vasos Mavridis how ascends to the role of Head of State, but it is the party that brought impeachment proceedings - the Citizens' Movement - that has ascended to the top of the polls. Overtaking their coalition partner Phalanx, the Citizens' Movement now polls at 23.1%, up 6.4% from last election, to Phalanx's 19.4%, down 12.5% in the same timeframe. This would leave the Citizens a whole 12 seats clear of the next closest party, almost assuring that they would be granted the position of First Minister in any new cabinet. Given the crucial role of Marios Karaliades, the current Second Minister, in the impeachment of Kastrinos, it is entirely possible that he may be the First Minister-in-waiting. 

Science & Technology Minister Dragon Xhanari is also increasing his profile online and among younger voters with his compelling communication style, while Finance Minister Marianna Anthou has earned praise for her competent handling of the Kalopian economy. The opposition parties, meanwhile, seem increasingly bereft of leadership, with reports that Phalanx soon plans to introduce proceedings into the impeachment of acting President Mavridis as well.

Ο Πρωταθλητής ("The Champion") is a middle-market daily newspaper founded by businessman and Citizens' Movement founder Stavros Vidalelis, printed in Helias, Kalopia.