Kalistan

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Sir Bertram Ames-Ananto named New Chancellor
Backbench promotion to replace Dame Ontiveros hints at new ideas
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 17, 5559


Institutional Party Deputy from Suldanor called on to Lead New Government

A backbencher who has represented the sleepy constituency of Frontera, Duchy of Suldanor, has been named Chancellor of the Empire in a move seen by some as an effort to inject new ideas into Her Imperial Majesty's Government.  Sir Bertram Ames-Ananto, who was knighted late last year as a result of his exemplary service in the Regular Force during the Rebellion is a new face in the Kalistani Political Scene.  Ames-Ananto is 34 years old, enlisted in the Regular Force as a wireman for 3 years and is currently an active member of the Reserves in Suldanor.  More importantly, he is a distant relative of the late Emperor Fredrick II Ananto, through his mother and His Highness, the Grand Duke Mark Ananto-Orleans.  Before joining the military, Ames obtained a philosophy doctorate at Univeristy of Suldanor, where he studied Public Policy Convergence.

Sir Bertram Ames-Ananto was selected as a dark horse candidate in internal elections for Party Leadership.  His name was entered by the Sulari Deputies who wanted to ensure that the Mainland was represented in elections.  His nomination was seconded by Her Grace Katherine Taliaferro of Dana County.  Up against him were two longtime Institutional Party deputies from Ananto and a member of the new reform caucus of the Institutional Party, which is just beginning to take shape.  While the two Ananto deputies and the Reform candidate began debating bitterly about the future of the Empire, Sir Bertram sat quietly on the side.  Eventually the moderators of the internal debate forum asked Ames whose opinion he supported, and he said simply, "Our job here is to carry out the will of the Empress.  I may have some ideas, and my ideas are based on rigorous scientific data rather than ideology and gut feeling, but I think I can bring that to bear to assist the Empress in making her mind up, and assume that I will ever need to come up with a solution myself.  So this debate is kind of pointless."  The answer led the other candidates for the office to immediately dismiss him as a novice and continue the debate among themselves.

During the vote, it was everyone else's turn to be surprised.  Ames came out with 57% of the vote, in the four person race.  None of the other three got even twenty five percent.  Institutional Deputies said that they appreciated Ames' level headed response, his unassuming manner, and his willingness to listen and consider other points of view.  "I think he is what we need right now," said Veronica MacAdam, who represents Senvias.  "Dame Ontiveros was a strong leader, but when she didn't want something, she just walked over people.  I think Ames will listen and will talk to people and that input will make its way into National Policy."

Sir Bertram's policy preferences are not widely known.  He did support the call to begin procurement for the 4th Fleet, and he is on the Veterans Affairs Committee in the Ministry of Defense, so it is clear that he is a person who cares about the military.  It is also clear that he was one of the 50 or so remaining Deputies who took the Pledge of Loyalty to Her Imperial Majesty, though given his family name, that is not surprising.  He has been tight lipped about what policies he will pursue with the Empress.  "I think I would like to certainly revisit a number of our international relationships," said Sir Bertram.  "We had a couple unforced errors that perhaps we didn't need to make.  But ultimately the country has returned to firmer footing in the past few years."

Following his election, Dame DuMont accompanied Ames to Eveari, where they were both received by Her Imperial Majesty.  Following a three hour long interview, both DuMont and Ames emerged from the parlor, where Dame DuMont gave a brief statement to assembled Reporters.  "Her Imperial Majesty has agreed that Sir Bertram Ames-Ananto shall serve her as the next Chancellor of the Empire.  She admired his military service and thanked him for doing his duty to her husband and herself during the Rebellion.  She also had an extended conversation with Sir Bertram about economics and theory, and demonstrated her peerlessness in the conversation,  Sir Bertram accepted his commission from the Empress.  In addition, she has allowed me to return to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where I may continue to be of service to her.  I shall immediately resume my duties as Her Imperial Majesty's Minister of Foreign Affairs.  This is all."  The new Chancellor of the Empire stood with Dame DuMont for photographs but said he had no additional comments on the posting, except that he looked forward to working closely with Her Imperial Majesty and Dame DuMont going forward.

The Empress, during her interview with the new Chancellor, has commanded him to form a new Government and to prefer Ministers who are outward looking in regard to Kalistan's position in the world.  What this exact criteria could possibly mean is anyone's guess, but judging by the new Ministers that the Chancellor will recommend, they are people who have been on record as valuing trade and modernization.  Of the old set, only Dame DuMont, Colonel Jackson in Defense, and Professor Vicnent Rodrigues at Finance continued to enjoy her confidence, and the others were summarily sacked.  So the Cabinet will be largely new.  Chancellor Ames is expected to submit his Slate to the Empress for approval in January.