Kalistani Major History

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National Assembly opens new session
MPs sworn in, new Chancellor elected, Lord Wilkes becomes leader of the Opposition
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 8, 5520

Chancellor of the Empire Trevor Parkinson presents his cabinet and agenda
The National Assembly of Kalistan opened a new session today. In a solemn ceremony in Kaliburg, all 79 Members of Parliament were swiftly sworn in, each swearing or affirming to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Imperial Majesty Empress Nicolette II, her heirs and successors. When all formal procedures were over, the floor was given to the Chancellor of the Empire Trevor Parkinson.

Good afternoon. I have just returned from Imperial Palace, where I accepted an invitation from Her Imperial Majesty Empress Nicolette II to form the next government of our great nation. It is a great honor for me and a few minutes ago I swore to be Her Imperial Majesty's loyal subject. I want to thank the outgoing Chancellor, Lord Wilkes. We recognise the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership. But now our country has voted for change. For national renewal. The forgotten men and women of this country are forgotten no more. The need for change will be met. Not with words, but with action. With that, I want to paint the picture, the Kalistan that we see. I see a country where people are given authority over their lives. A country, where people and people only determine their way of life. I see a country where the government gives people liberty, not opression. I see a country where the young people are not deceived by sweet yet deadly lies of criminals, drug dealers and radicals. I see a country which puts the interests of its citizens' first. I see a country which grows on the principles of friendship between peoples, provision of equal opportunities for all, tolerance and justice. The highes focus of the next government will be ensuring that the citizens of our country have the liberties they need. Take a look at the last election cycle. We could not advertise ourselves. We could not agitate ourselves -- and for the record, institutionalists couldn't do it too. But even with the lack of basic democratic instituions, we have made our way to the government. It shows that people want change.
Now, what that change will be? First of all, let me be very clear with this one. Freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion. This should be the founding principles of our nation. We will make sure that no young people are sent to work without their consent, as it happens now with deeply flawed and inefficient system of National Service. The government will no longer tell people what to do, including the issue of education. We must allow pluralism in the teaching methods that parents choose and stay within the bounds of the law. Our government will also make sure that the right to private property is inviolable, unshakeable and undiscussable, and the State has no right to nationalize and seize land without good reason. At the same time, we will continue to encourage and subsidize modern, large-scale industrial enterprises to make Kalistan an industrial leader in Seleya. And we will keep our finger on the pulse to ensure that foreign investors do not become monopolists in our most important sectors. <...> Thank you. Thank you.

New Cabinet of Ministers presented
The Chancellor of the Empire presented the new cabinet of ministers, agreed upon with Her Imperial Majesty. Most of them had no government experience, even in local governments, but many of them have management skills or experience in the field of their new portfolio. The most noticeable ones are the HEM Foreign Minister Elizabeth Brown (an interpreter from the embassy of Calistan in Baltusia), the HEM Minister of Defense Kevin Kennedy (a retired Marine officer), the HEM Minister of Food and Agriculture Juan Murphy (the leader of the agricultural workers' union) and HEM Minister of Finance Teresa Armstrong (a banker from Vrassa). All of them, as Mr. Parkinson promised, will take an active part in the life of the legislature, presenting their positions on important issues and commenting on the bills presented, but the main focus of attention is now on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which is expected to comment soon on rising global tensions and the situation with Her Imperial Majesty's titles.

Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister Elizabeth Brown