Kalistan

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Emperor Orders Major Administrative Reforms
Goal is to increase democracy at local level
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 19, 5627


Emperor and Chancellor discuss plans for reform, interpreted by Lady Allison Stuart at Cliff House

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick III Ananto announced new administrative reforms this week aimed at streamlining National Administration and increasing local democracy.  Lady Allison Stuart, the official spokeswoman for His Imperial Majesty, announced the Imperial Fiat after consultation with His Imperial Majesty and Chancellor of the Empire, Sir David Levine.

"His Imperial Majesty has worked with His Government and the Chancellor of the Empire Sir David Levine to alter the state of the Duchy Government, as well as increase democracy in His Imperial Majesty's Free Cities.  In brief, the reforms conform with the original Imperial Enactment bill passes in 5148, specifically the Duchy Arrangements:  His Imperial Majesty plans to name Members of the Extended Ananto Family to set up ducal branches in the Four Kalistani Duchies, and permit those families to govern those Duchies on behalf of the Emperor in perpetuity.  He further names the Sulari Duke or Duchess as the Perpetual Grand Duke of Kalistan, and he or she shall serve the Emperor as Viceroy for the Grand Duchy of Kalistan.  It is the opinion of His Imperial Majesty that these reforms conform with the Initial Imperial Enactment Bill."

The Emperor also announced that henceforth, all Free Cities in the Empire (Sulari, Gendaris, Eshar, Vrassa City, and Kaliburg-Port Davon) will begin forming popularly elected City Governments.  The Emperor will appoint a Lord Mayor, who will serve as a liaison between the Self Governing Free Cities, and the National Government.  But each Free City shall remain outside the jurisdiction of the Ducal Government.  Self Governing Cities must obey all national laws, but may set all other local policies for themselves, including school policies, local taxes, and local ordinances.  

Free Cities will also be permitted to set up city courts and try and convict criminal suspects who have committed crimes within the limits of the Free City.  They may appeal for, and shall receive County and Ducal support in any matter that they need to assist in law enforcement and maintenance of public order.  County and Ducal Authority shall henceforth be barred from exertion within the limits of the Free Cities.  "His Imperial Majesty has agreed to local self-government in Kaliburg's Free Cities, both to allow cities to manage local affairs themselves, and to provide citizens the opportunity to express their voice in local matters.  The Lord Mayors will still be on hand to ensure that local policies don't go too far afield, but stay aligned with National Laws and Priorities, but meanwhile, as the Free Cities are home to close to 25% of our population combined, giving these people the right to self govern, even to some degree, offers an opportunity to test whether even a modicum of democracy is compatible with Imperial Government."

"The final reform His Imperial Majesty has pronounced involves the creation of an upper house of the Legislature," said Lady Stuart.  "It has long been the intention of this Monarchy to officially create and empower an upper house made of the Peerage.  The Upper House would be advisory and would meet with the Emperor on a Regular Basis to discuss Ducal, County and Barony affairs.  The Upper House, known as the Peerage Council, will convene monthly or more frequently, if needed, and the Emperor will sit in audience during the proceedings to hear the ideas and petitions of the Peers.  The only member of the National Assembly, which will be designated as the Lower House, who will be permitted to sit in the Peerage Council will be the Chancellor of the Empire."

The announced measures represent the widest administrative reforms in Kalistan since the re-establishment of the Empire in almost two hundred years ago.  The changes have been long contemplated by His Imperial Majesty, and the Chancellor agreed to move the bill through the National Assembly as soon as the Likatonian War Inquiry was completed.  Both the Commission and the Administrative reforms will likely be His Imperial Majesty's lasting legacy.  A preview of the reforms was released three months ago to Institutional Party Leaders for comment and consideration, and the measures in the Imperial Fiat incorporate many of those suggestions.  The measure are expected to be formally introduced in the National Assembly next month, followed by quick passage.

@TheRepublic