Kalistan

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Crown Prince Prepares for Coronation
Hints at major shake up in Government later this year
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 15, 5672


His Highness, Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins prepares for Coronation in Kaliburg

As the His Highness, Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins enters the last half a year before his Coronation, the future monarch seems more at ease than he has been in recent month. "I think I am ready," he said, following a meeting with Her Imperial Majesty's Government at the National Assembly. "There will be some major changes following the coronation, especially in the composition of the Government. Several of my mother's ministers have indicated that they wish to retire, including Lady Alvarez, who is coming up on the normal retirement age, and has served my mother as her chancellor for nearly a quarter century and wishes to devote more time to her faith and practice."

The Crown Prince has not indicated who will be his next Head of Government, but observers speculate it will be a member of the Institutional Party leadership who is oriented toward a more internationalist perspective. Some names who have been guessed are Rodney Gilman, of Vrassa City, Marta Ynez of Sulari, and Sir Vernon Pullman of Dah, but no official statement has been made from either the Crown Prince or the Government in regards to who is being selected. "Just settle down on all that," said the Crown Prince. "We aren't going to make any decisions until we've had the opportunity to interview the members we are considering, and Lady Alvarez hasn't even retired yet."

Though other changes are also in store, the Crown Prince is keeping his cards close to his chest with regard to what those changes could be. "I value my mother's long service to this Empire," said the Crown Prince. "She came to her Power under very difficult circumstances. I've had the opportunity to read about her successes, and also unfortunately, some of the missteps of her administration, but she had to learn a lot on the job and did not have the benefit of formal training as I did. What was more regrettable was the international press' treatment of her inexperience in the position. I feel if the foreign press had granted her a bit more grace and understanding in her difficult situation--she was denied higher education and formal instruction on public administration and had to rely on people it turned out, in many cases she couldn't trust-- these last forty years would have likely looked much different. But as it is, I'd say she did very well despite her limitations and the general antipathy she received from the world, which even felt to me to be very personal. And she made it to the time where she can hand off the crown comfortable, and finally live how she likes. And she was wise enough to teach me how to not repeat her mistakes."

Some speculate that the Crown Prince may take an interest in opening Kalistan's economy. There is a rumor going in Kalistan's financial circles that the Crown Prince is much more liberal minded than any previous Anantonese Emperor. But others, speaking on the condition of anonymity believe this to be erroneous. "No, the Crown Prince is every bit an Ananto. He is ultra conservative on the role of Government, and has zero interest for capitalism or the free market," said one person close to the Crown Prince, who opted to not provide their name. "I know a lot of people believe he will privatize a lot of the economy, and do something like revise the single Party Act again. I would say people shouldn't bet on that. He received almost his entire political education at the feet of his mother, who was a bona fide reactionary on questions of the state and the economy if there ever was one, and to think that the Prince could be any different is a real mistake."

Another major change is that the Crown Prince has confirmed that Kalistan will have a co-Sovereign for the first time since 5558, when Fredrick II was assassinated. "My great great grandfather named his wife, the Black Empress Pavlina I Ananto, as co-sovereign, because many in Kalistan hated the notion of a foreign National, especially one from Kundrati Union being married to a Kalistani Emperor. He named Pavlina Empress to protect both her and her daughter, my great Grand mother, and the Future Empress Carolina I Ananto from people who sought to do them harm. Today, I'm saying I wish my wife, the Duchess Jennifer Ananto-Connor to rule with me, more for my own protection and benefit than hers. I saw what the burden of having the entire burden of state laid solitarily on my mother's own shoulders can do to a person. My wife, who has been by my side since we were married, has learned with me, has sat with my mother who has offered her instruction as well, and has carved her own unique role out for herself within the Imperial System. And I am perfect happy, and grateful to share the authority of State with her."

It is believed that the Empress will have very specific roles within the dual monarchy. "Jenn obviously has certain gifts and talents that I do not possess. She is more outgoing and more personable than I am, for example. She has a very winning personality. Her smile lights up a room, and when she enters, all heads turn her way. I on the other hand, am pretty rational and reasonable, and level headed. I get a lot of that from my mother. So there will be times when it is either myself or Jenn, but not both, who act in this capacity. But she is my partner in all things, and I mean for her to be a full partner to me in this as well." Kalistan, during the 4th Dynasty, was far more frequently had dual sovereigns than single sovereigns. For example, when Nicolette I Ananto the Great became Empress, there was a question about what the husband of the Empress who is not himself an Emperor should be called. Consort, whether it be Emperor or Prince was eventually settled on, but it was strange enough that nobody knew what to call hum for a good part of her reign.

Many would be critics who might complain about extravagance of the Monarchy from having two monarchs when one is, in any other cases, too expensive to maintain, are routinely silenced by the reminder that the Monarchs accept only a Single Kalistani Imperials Ruble a year for a salary. House Ananto fully funds the Monarchy, including the maintenance and staffing of all imperial residences, all Imperial travel, and all operations of the Monarchy, the Royal Family's pensions, stipends to the Nobility, and etc. "All things considered, the money stays almost entirely within the family," said Crown Watcher Kristy Uvalle. "Nobility stipends are the larges expense from House Ananto, and they amount to less than 20 million Imperial a year, which is less than the operating budget of Motor Vrassa. All things considered, we have one of the world's most efficient monarchies, which is one of the reasons there is not some well of resentment in the nation: People know they are not taxed to pay for these wildly extravagant lifestyles of these elites."

The Crown will transfer to the Crown Prince and Duchess Jennifer Ananto-Connor in exactly 6 months. "We still have a million administrative things to do to make sure the crowns transfer seamlessly," said the Crown Prince. "So this is where we will be focused from now to then. The official Abdication and Coronation will occur in Eveari at the Meeting House, as per tradition, and then we will return to Kaliburg to unveil the new Imperial Seat and take the official portrait." When asked if he and the Duchess have been fit for their Coronation robes, the Crown Prince laughed. "They have taken our measurements. Jenn said she is working to get back to her pre-baby weight for the coronation. But either way, they will be making adjustments until Coronation day, and they are not allowing even Jenn or I to see the robes. Word has it that my mother is overseeing the project though, so, lord knows how insanely gaudy she will make them. It will be a surprise for us too."

@TheRepublic