Davostag

[Augustus]

 

Rikspresident Verman Falls Ill, Premier Riddercrantz Acting President

14 August 5669 | Kivonia, Davostag

 
Having assumed the office as the successor to rikspresident Karl Manner in 5649, Rikard Verman has governed the country through both stable and turbulant periods. During his first decade in office, the radical nationalist faction, which he was a part of, laid the foundation for their control over the ruling National Electoral Union (NVU), though this was done under the leadership of NVU secretary-general, Greta Greger, who Verman and his premier Götilda Riddercrantz have been devoted followers of. In the middle of the 5650s, the dissident opposition Centre Radical Democratic Party (CRDP) launched an urban guerilla conflict, attacking and assassinating prominent government and party officials, with premier Riddercrantz having almost succumbed to a car bomb. The conflict died out with the assassination of Greger in 5657, who had on her death bed asked Verman to end the troubles. His second decade in office, in the 5660s, has been in the focus of building a stronger industry and strengthening the country's economic power domestically. This is especially true to the revitalization efforts of the automobile industry that has been ongoing for the past nine years and is scheduled, or at least according to the National Automotive Development Council.
 
The rikspresident's wife, the first lady Sara Verman, made an official statement from their residence making it known that the rikspresident has fallen gravely ill and is currently under the supervision of the presidential doctors. Premier Riddercrantz have, with the approval of the State Council, assumed the duties of the rikspresident as the unofficial acting president, as the Davostager constitution rejects the offices of vice president and acting presidents as their own independent positions. It is reported that Riddercrantz have discussed the matter of the rikspresident's health with the speaker of the Riksdag, the State Council and the internal party leadership to prepare for the worst case scenario. In other words, requesting the Senatorial Committee to call upon a session of the Davostag Senate to elect the rikspresident's successor. Due to the informal power structure that came to be formed from Greta Greger's factional leadership, Verman and Riddercrantz was considered to the be two most senior deputies of Greger, with the former being senior than the latter. Thus it is widely speculated and with some unconfirmed rumors that Verman's possible successor is without a doubt Riddercrantz herself.
 
News report written by Alexander Persson.