Kalistani Major History

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Public Forums Turn Ugly for Some
Discussions about Imperial Engagement spark Nationalist controversy
Eshar Free City, Duchy of Odufaray
January 17, 5552


Bertrand Winston (right), of Eshar, lectures Deputy Tom Alvaraz (Eshar) during Public Forum

Public forums are being called across the Empire this month by organized groups of citizens who are concerned about the possibility of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor Fredrick II Ananto marrying the Kundrati Bank Executive, Ms. Pavlína Dvořáčková Hulanevek in April. The forums, which take on the air of a plebiscite, began occurring late last year, and have gotten so numerous that Institutionalist Deputies have begun attending, to gain an understanding of what people are upset about. Recently, a few of the forums, most notably in Odufaray and Vrassa, have become very heated, leading to finger pointing, shouting matches and threats of recall of local deputies. One has erupted in a fist fight between a self-proclaimed Nationalist and a supporter of the Emperor.

"The incident in Eshar from last week was unacceptable," said Deputy Tom Alvaraz, who himself was present and became the subject of verbal abuse and hostility from a "nationalist" crowd. "We can engage in civil discourse in this country. There is no place for raising of voices, finger pointing, threatening or outright assault at the forums." The man who threw the first punch, nationalist Bertrand Winston, was charged with simple assault and will stand trial for his televised attack of Colleen Hanson, also of Eshar, who told him to sit down and shut up during the exchange.

The controversy seems to be over nationalist concern of a foreign-born citizen potentially sitting on the throne of Kalistan. "What these people don't seem to understand is that the late Prince Consort himself was foreign born," said Deputy Alvaraz. "Yes, he was born in Kazulia. Did that make Kalistan somehow less Kalistani? That is ridiculous! And Ms. Hulanevek will likely be named Princess Consort--she won't even sit on the throne, so to speak." As a matter of fact, Kalistani monarchs have married foreigners more than once- it is a common practice in monarchies around the globe, and it is a good way not only to acquire a spouse for the Emperor, but increase political ties between Kalistan and other countries. "I've met Ms. Hulanevek personally. She is a very nice person and I support her marriage to the Emperor. What else is there to say about it?"

It seems the nationalists, however, will not let the matter drop. "The Emperor is marrying not only a foreigner, but a commoner!" said nationalist Deputy Janice Michaelson from Razar. "Why not just fully wipe out the blood line all together? Is there nothing sacred anymore? Nothing special? Does the name Ananto not mean anything anymore?" Michaelson was part of a thrust by 21 nationalist Deputies to lay a bill on the floor requiring the Emperor to break his engagement and find a Kalistani national to marry instead. The bill failed to be scheduled by the Chancellor, even after the Nationalists threatened a vote of No Confidence against Dame Ontiveros, and died before even reaching committee. The Nationalists withdrew their threat of a No-Confidence vote to preserve their seats in the National Assembly.

"When did we become so xenophobic," asked Nathaniel Smith of Kaliburg. "We are a nation of Immigrants. We are all descendants of immigrants or immigrants ourselves. What are these people going on about? Why is this such a big deal?" The Nationalists themselves have pointed out that at least some of their concern will be the fact that Ms. Hulanevek also has a 6 year old daughter who will gain a claim on the throne, however tenuous, should Ms. Hulanevek marry the Emperor and raise her daughter with him.

The Emperor for his part has hinted that criticism of his fiancé has gone too far. His reaction to public snobbery against Ms. Hulanevek was on display at the informal Engagement dinner last summer, when a Deputy who refused to shake her hand during the reception was ousted from office within a week. "These people better be careful," said Deputy Alvaraz. "Kalistan is not a democracy. We maintain some democratic institutions, because some things are best governed by the people themselves, but make no mistake, those institutions are there by the grace of the Emperor; there is no other source of authority in this nation. I've sat in meetings with the Emperor and the Chancellor, and I have never once left the room believing anything other than the Emperor is an autocrat, and I have a job because he allows me to have a job. I represent him to my constituents, not the other way around. And if they keep pushing this issue, they are going to find out just how undemocratic this country can very easily become."

The lessons are not lost on Institutional deputies: There are some hints at the composition of a lese-majeste law that will make it an illegal act to offer personal or physical insult to the Emperor. "We haven't gone that far yet," said Alvaraz. "But if these people in these town hall meetings continue to insist that they have some power over the Absolute Sovereign of Kalistan, to the point where they can tell him who to marry and not marry, or what laws to pass, or who to name as heir, or any other of the million things in the Emperor's Prerogative, I really worry that a law like this will become more attractive to elements in my Party. And it could all change very quickly."

But the people do not seem to be listening. More than 25 new Public Forums, including some demanding more democratic control over institutions in Kalistan are being planned for the months leading up to the wedding in April. And some Deputies are quietly supporting those forums. "We all can figure out who is running political cover for these forums," said Alvaraz. "I will not be returning to any of them, but there are several Deputies who openly support the forums and some who do so from the shadows. You can pretty easily figure out who they are. Many of them are in the group who sponsored the bill demanding that the Emperor break his engagement."

Deputy Alvaraz was explicit: "That bill didn't go anywhere, just like these forums. The Emperor intends to go along with his plans to marry Ms. Hulanevek and start a family, regardless what a bunch of deadender xenophobes have to say about it. And what choice do I have? I support his decision, because he is the Emperor, and doesn't take direction from me."