Kalistani Major History

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Clock ticks down for Crown Prince
Abdication Bill floated in National Assembly
Kaliburg, Ananto
Feb 25, 5247


William Ananto-Flores, 24, in his first official photo, is to be crowned in October

His Imperial Majesty David I Ananto has reigned in Kalistan for nearly 4 decades, but his time is officially nearing its end, as the Institutionalist Government in Kaliburg floats an abdication bill that will allow him to retire to his estate in Dulnerstaad and will name his Grandson William Ananto-Flores the next Emperor of Ananto and Kalistan.

"The Crown Prince has been putting this date off as long as he can," said Royal Watcher Jonas Smith, of Kaliburg, "But now there is no reason that will allow the reluctant heir to avoid assuming the throne. William, who is now 26, has been doing National Service for the past few years and then college before that, but October 7th is the date certain. There will be no more delays."

William has more or less grown up in the Spot Light. Normally quiet and camera shy, the Anantos have generally avoided talking with reporters or mingling with commoners. But William seems of a different sort: An actor by trade who agreed to serve as Emperor when his father refused the office, William has spent the last decade preparing for the role of his life: That of the Sovereign of and Empire. The Abdication Bill officially names him Emperor, vacates the title of Empress and Crown Prince (until such time as the Emperor recreates those titles, and names Grand Duchess of Kalistan, Marlene Fredricksson as Heir Apparent in the event that the Grand Duke does not produce an heir. Duchess Fredricksson, who was a close associate of the Empress Katherine I and has Administered the Grand Duchy of Kalistan for the last 6 years as Viceroy is 38, and is known as a careful administrator, maintaining a tight grip on the bureaucracy and regularly enforcing strict fiscal and social discipline over the Dukes and Counts who stand beneath her. She is the polar opposite of the fun loving Emperor in every way, and yet all who know her respect her ability to keep budgets balanced and her efforts both to relieve tax burdens on the lower classes, as well as provide social services.

Grand Duchess Marlene Fredricksson, of Kalistan is named Heir Apparent pending issue from the Emperor

Both Ananto-Flores and Fredricksson are Brethrenists. Fredricksson is a member of the "Fighting Brethren", opting to do military service rather than civil service.

David and katherine have both indicated that they would like to spend their retirement travelling the world, beginning in Lourenne and gradually making their way to Artania and Majatra.

Coronation ceremonies will be held privately, as has been the tradition for all previous coronations. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince will finish National Service in September and then will begin preparing for the transition. It is expected that William will maintain his residence in Kaliburg, rather than moving into the Estate at Eveari, but will keep the estate open as a vacation house, and will otherwise, find other socially responsible uses for much of it while he is away.