Kalistani Major History

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Premier of the Republic Bennots is Dead
Socialists name Katrine 'Arcy-Robinson as next Head of Government
Sulari, Suldanor
August 12, 4774


Procession for Premier Bennots flanked by massive crowd of supporters in Sulari

Premier of the Republic Joaquin Bennots-Rodriguez, the first Socialist Premier in generations and the spearhead of Kalistani Restoration has died at the age of 61. The Premier suffered a major heart attack earlier this week, and underwent emergency surgery to attempt to repair the damaged muscle. Instead of recovering, however, the Premier never revived from his state of unconsciousness and died peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers.

The news filtered from the hospital immediately following the Premier's death to multitudes gathered outside, who had waited there for several days in an intermittent rain. A pall descended over the crowd, as some women cried, while men embraced each other, all grieving their beloved leader's passing. The assembled crowd remained for a little while but dispersed when a spokesperson from the hospital announced that the Premier would be laid in state for a day in the National Assembly, and then travel to his home in Suldanor to be buried in two days.

The Socialist Party, who had been building up contingency scenarios for the past few days now spring into action. Party deputy Chairperson Katrine D'Arcy-Robinson, representing Dulnerstaad, who is a first generation Louernnaise-Kalistani, and who's family arrived from Lourenne not more than 10 years ago, was immediately elected to the Chairmanship of the Party, and was tasked with overseeing new elections. It is likely that she will receive the Nomination of the Party and will become the next Premier of the Republic following the elections. D'Arcy is expected to carry on the Premier's reforms, and has declared her intent to continue the Brethrenist direction of Kalistani Government.

The Premier's body was laid in state while thousands of Anantonese residents filed past for one last glimpse of the man who shepherded Kalistan from oblivion to stability, and then, in the evening, his casket was loaded onto a Regular Air Force cargo jet and flown to Sulari. Following preparation and a private memorial Meeting for Worship in the Sulari Monthly Meeting House, the Clerk of the Meeting accompanied the late Premier via hearse through Sulari, where a massive crowd numbering more than 50,000 lined the procession route. He was interred in natural fashion at the Sulari Memorial Cemetery, as per his final wishes, and his funeral was attended by more than 1000.

A small unassuming marker provides the location of the former Premier's body.