Kalistani Major History

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The People's Press
Campaigner. Diplomat. President?
Oscar Machado confirms persistent rumours that he will run for the Presidency in 4138
Kaliburg, Ananto
June 2nd 4136


Oscar Machado speaks to a room full of Labour Party supporters

With two years still to go before the next general elections, former Kalistani Ambassador to the World Congress Security Council Oscar Machado has publically announced he will run for the office of President of the Republic in May 4138. Incumbent President Franklin Foster had said he wouldn't pursue a third term last week instead seeking a seat representing the Labour Party in the National Assembly. As a result, it is expected that Labour's Party Congress will approve Machado's nomination without a primary- unlike for the 4132 Presidential elections when Foster had to fight off the challenge of four other candidates. For a number of years now, the party leadership had been pleading with Machado to run on their ticket- believing his appeal to be more widespread due to his diplomatic work.

Already, General Secretary Jean-Baptiste Fabian has issued his endorsement of Machado, who recently returned from a tour of Seleya. With the Kalistan Radical Front as influential and dangerous as ever, Machado will begin meeting with the leaders of the other major parties in order to safeguard their endorsements next month. Prior to his announcement, some thought that Labour would consider not running a candidate in this race and endorse another party, as they did with Hans Persson of the Social Democratic Party towards the end of the last decade. Even without such a deal, Machado would no doubt look to include the likes of the Populist Environmental Party and the Peoples Party in a potential cabinet. As an experienced 'deal-cutter', he may even approach the Conservative Party.

Foster's Presidency was marked by the most violent political atmosphere Kalistan has seen in decades as well as the introduction of Presidential Medals (of Honour and of Freedom). Inevitably, then, some have accused him of overstepping the boundaries of his authority. Machado (incidentally one of the first individuals to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom) is reported to favour a more hands-off role, seeing the Presidency as a ceremonial role more than an executive one. With Kalistan in a continued process of increasing its international standing, his primary responsibility would be to pursue Kalistani interests abroad.