Valruzia

[Aethan]

Pietrzyk will not contest next Presidential elections

Current President of Valruzia announces she is stepping away from politics for a while after being diagnosed with breast cancer

October 5640

President Karolina Pietrzyk after her farewell speech hugging Marshall of the Sejm Tatjana Borkowska

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Valruzian politics may look like a rollercoaster, but many people had at least two things clear in their minds: that Szymon Nowik is going to continue being Chancellor for a long time and that the same could be applied to President Karolina Pietrzyk. Or at least until this morning, when Mrs. Pietrzyk  made a surprise announcement to the media that she would not be a candidate for re-election by her party in the next presidential elections, scheduled for March next year, and that further explanations would be given at the party's headquarters at noon.

Initially, speculation was oriented towards a possible internal coup against her candidacy, since the discrepancies that the popular president of Valruzia maintained with the current leader of her party, the Marshall of Valruzia and communist leader Tobiasz Bernas, were becoming increasingly evident, with the last one being the decision of the KPW politburo of staying outside the third Nowik government, instead giving its external support.

However, this couldn't be far for the truth. At exactly 12:00, Karolina Pietrzyk appeared before the media gathered in the KPW headquarters in Kampania surrounded by the leadership of her party to repeat once again that she would not seek another mandate as President of Valruzia - which would be her third term -, but that the reason was that she had been diagnosed with a rare type of breast cancer that would soon require her hospitalization and therefore would forbid her from performing her "constitutional duties". The announcement has sent shockwaves through Valruzian politics, upending expectations of a third term for one of the nation’s two most popular politicians since the democratic transition, who raised to fame following her fierce defiance during the 5627 Valruzian coup attempt, and has seen since how her popularity had consistenly remained high, even becoming elected for her second term without the need of a second presidential election round.

Flanked by party leaders, including a visibly somber Tobiasz Bernas, Pietrzyk dismissed rumors of internal strife, stating her decision was "purely medical":

"Although I’ve been dealing with it for a while, there comes a time where Imust prioritize my health in these moments. Constitutional duties demand energy I can no longer guarantee. I will begin treatment immediately and step back from public life indefinitely."

Her voice broke as she thanked supporters, urging unity: "Valruzia’s progress must not falter", she added.

"I'm calm and confident in our healthcare system, and I know I'll be in the hands of the best professionals I could wish for. This is not a goodbye, it is merely a simple "see you all soon""

She has also taken the opportunity to encourage other women to follow medical recommendations and explore their bodies regularly as the best way to ensure “a healthy life”.

Immediately after the announcement, a public outpour of support was evident, with many politicians and public figures expressing their support and best wishes for the outgoing head of State, including party leaders from all the political spectrum, with the notable absence of Valruzian Alliance leader, Tymon Szweda.


Message from Chancellor Nowik in social media following Pietrzyk's announcement

President Pietrzyk's announcement shakes up also the political field, since presidential elections are only within less than half a year and her temporary retirement leaves the Communist Party of Valruzia in a frenzy search of a new candidate able to fill in Pietrzyk's shoes, and the rest of political parties, many of them who had already given up, seeing a new unexpected shot at the Presidency of Valruzia. This might mark the start of a succession battle, as her exit leaves the KPW without an obvious candidate and with internal factions within the KPW fighting for the post. Bernas, a hardliner, may push for a loyalist, but reformers favor Marshall of the Sejm Tatjana Borkowska, considered a Pietrzyk ally. For others, such as right-wing National Salvation, see an opening, with deputy Markusz Dabrowski commenting that "The left’s era of dominance is ending"

Chancellor Szymon Nowik is now at apparent risk too, according to some political analysts. With his new government relying on the KPW’s external support, having it in disarray, might put at risk his agenda, only half a year into his swearing-in. Meanwhile, time is looming for the KPW, who must select a candidate for January the latest. With her retirement, her proposal of reforming the presidency of the nation is also put into a halt, pending to see if someone will take over it.

Far from political grounds, crowds have gathered outside the Presidential Palace in Nowogard, leaving flowers and signs reading "Walcz, Karolina!" ("Fight, Karolina!").