Kalistan

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Nationalists step up calls for Athosian Return ahead of Election
Democrats and Orthodox conclude pre-election coalition agreement
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 5, 5741


Incendiary Nationalist Club Literature invites Athosia to Return to Kalistan

Ahead of the upcoming elections in January of 5742, Nationalist Clubs across the empire have been promoting Athosia as a salient issue. "We wish for Kalistan to take a much more robust stance to recover Athosia," said Victor Delgado of the Kaliburg Nationalist Club. "The Nationalists are poised to do quite well, and the topic of Athosia animates us, this year as well as every other year." Indeed, more have been discussed concerning Athosia this year than in decades past. The issue nearly divided the August Institutional Party caucus, and led to the expulsion of one Orthodox delegate who made personal attacks against the character of a Nationalist Delegate.

"The charges of the Nationalists that Orthodox deputies don't care enough about Athosia are pretty serious charges," said Chancellor of the Empire, Sir Johnathan Mickelson, who identifies with the Orthodox faction. "What we see is broad agreement on 80-90% on all political matters for all factions within our Party. No faction has called for institutional change, or regime change. No faction has taken a stance, public or private against the Fiat, or the Absolute nature of Kalistan's government. Nobody is looking for a rebalance of power between the Crown and the National Assembly. We are all solid on those items. So the Nationalists are looking for a wedge issue to differentiate themselves in the upcoming elections. They happened to pick Athosia and are advocating for an annexation, but that is against His Imperial Majesty's law, so I am not sure where the Nationalists think they are going with that."

Mickelson said that the acrimony during and after the Convention around the topic of Athosia has created an interesting opportunity to work with the New Democrats. "Where we are polling at right now headed into the last month of the legislative campaign, projected seat counts has Orthodox and Nationalist factons coming out exactly even, with some little margin of plus or minus a seat or two here and there. But neither of us will end up with a majority--This creates an opening for our collogues among the New Democrat delegation to play king maker, and we had conversations that have led us to a handshake agreement with Dr. Brandt and her Democrats. This would allow them to help make a governing majority and in exchange for votes on our legislation, we would give them seats in government that would allow them to carry out much of their own program to make life better for Kalistanis."

Indeed, polls suggest that the New Democrats could pick up as many as 6 new seats in the National Assembly as they continue to surge in Suldanor and turn in strong polling in Odufaray. Dr. Kristen Brandt issued a comment confirm the pre-election agreement with the Orthodox faction. "The New Democrats are focused on increasing the voice of the people, of our constituents in the National Assembly and in His Imperial Majesty's Government. We are not interested, at this moment on forcing a resolution of an issue that regretably needs to remain on the table until either the Emperor changes his law or Athosians come to their senses. Meanwhile, we have work to do for the people of our nation, and if the Orthodox faction are people of their words, whatever happens in this election, we will declare a working majority with the Orthodox faction to continue our mission of service to the people of this great Nation."

Nationalists dismissed the news of the agreement. "Athosia is the most important issue of our lives," said Delgado in Kaliburg, "as it was our parents and grandparents. The Nation traded Gaduridos away for nothing. It has returned Luncasi, it has returned half of Bentasur to a phantom naval organization. It's amazing that our National Assembly hasn't voted to dissolve our Empire and become a republic like the Democrats want. Ruled by the 'People'. We have to take a stand on this matter: It is a matter of National Interest and National Pride."

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor William II Ananto is expected to extend the Chancellor's tenure whatever happens in the election, as is customary. It is widely believed that both he and the Princess Consort privately support the Orthodox Faction, though have not publicly declared for any faction. Their Highnesses, the Princess Jennifer Ananto-Rosenfeld and the Princess Melanie Ananto-McLinn both are vocal and ardent supporters of the Nationalist wing. Her Highness Princess Victoria Ananto-Rosenfeld is publicly unaffiliated with any of the political factions, but privately is believed to support the Brethrenist faction and Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto-Connor has publicly said she intends to vote for Brethernist candidates: Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto-Connor, and gave the introduction for Brethrenist incumbent from Ananto, Deputy Cathy Johnson of Eveari at Kaliburg's Garden Club this fall. The Brethrenists are not expected to make much of a showing, but within their constituencies, they are expected to do very well.

@Orthodoxo