Kalistan

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Empress and Emperor Consort have divorced
'Split was amiable" says Empress' Spokeswoman
Wood House, Duchy of Odufaray
September 19, 5659


Empress and Emperor Consort, at Cliff House in April

Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto and His Highness the Prince Martin Collins have concluded divorce proceedings and are no longer married. This announcement was made by Her Imperial Majesty's Personal Secretary and Spokeswoman, Lady Marian Southern from Wood House in Odufaray.

"The split between the two was amiable," said Lady Southern. "Both Her Imperial Majesty and Prince Martin remain friends, but decided that they will not continue as a married couple. Prince Martin will take a home in Sulari, and will spend his time there, while Her Imperial Majesty will continue her family's various residencies."

When asked where the royal children will live, Lady Southern said "His Highness the Minor Crown Prince Fredrick has less than a year before he musters into National Service, and has opted to remain in Ananto. While Her Imperial Majesty is out of Ananto, he wishes to live with his aunt, Lady Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis in Kaliburg to finish his year out. The Minor Princess Nicolette has opted to live in Sulari with her father and to go to school in Sulari. Over the summer Break, she will live with the Empress."

No official cause for the divorce was listed in official court filings, but rumors have quietly spread that both the Empress and the now Prince have long lived quite apart, and both have taken new partners. "There were some fairly salacious photos taken of the Consort with several women in Gaduridos and Sulari which have not been published," said one crown watcher who sought to maintain anonymity. "And it is a very poorly kept secret that the Empress has long been in the constant company of Ms. Victoria Jensen of Luxon for more than a year. Out of respect for the Empress, people simply do not talk about these paramours, but it is likely that now that the divorce is finalized, they will be introduced to the public."

The details of the divorce settlement are similarly kept private but it is widely assumed that Prince Martin will keep his title of Stranger Knight Companion in the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke. He is also expected to be given a Barony in Sulari County to retain his position in the peerage. This would also come with a lifetime pension and a landed estate. He will however not be considered royalty any longer.

@TheRepublic

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Statement on Gaduridos provokes controversy in Kalistan
Some Parties oppose Empress; Some Support
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 1, 5659


The Newspaper offices of "Bedrock," The Institutional Party's Press comment on Empress' Position

The recent comments concerning Istalian trade with Gaduridos have earned mixed reviews from columnists from various independent newspapers in Kalistan, most notably the independent Party Presses. The Kalistani Republic does not, in practice, publish editorial content regarding Imperial decisions, as our job is news, but in this case, the news is the news. The mixed opinion that is freely expressed in various news outlets adds credence to the overall movement toward a more active civic polity in Kalistan, and assuming there is no official sanction of the Press in Kalistan, it would be safe to assume that at least some democratic, and possibly liberal norms either still hold (as in the case of the independence of the Courts) or are re-rooting in Kalistani society characterized by autocracy and fiat rule by a sole monarch.

In this case, we feel it is in the public interest to report on what others are saying, if for no other reason than to document the conversation between differing viewpoints.

Most critical of the Empress' statement, made via her Trade Representative Ms. Melanie Boone, is the Journal called Liberty, which is owned and operated for the Liberal Party. This periodical mostly concerns itself with business affairs of the Anantonese Empire and surrounding nations, but in this particular instance, the editorial was a savage rebuke of the Policy from Her Imperial Majesty's Government. We quote the Liberty editorial of October 18:

"What this statement reflects is nothing less than a rebuke of the fundamental economic orientation toward free trade. Free and fair trade is a cornerstone of the modern world, and in attacking Gaduri efforts to establish free trade with an equally sovereign nation of Istalia, Her Imperial Majesty has tarnished Kalistan's reputation abroad and marks our nation as one who looks backward, rather than forward to unlimited progress and capital dominance. She has set Kalistan on a path toward hard protectionism, and it requires to ask one's self: Why does Gaduridos even remain within the Empire, if it can't conclude even modest trade agreements like this one, or, in the words of the Trade Minister, "to sell itself" to whatever empire it so chooses?

For the Gaduri, it should make no difference whether Gaduridos is tied to the Anantonese Empire or if they are free to chart their own course. They have no military except a home guard? They should cut ties with Kalistan and build their own military. They want to accept money and trade from Istalia? Let them divest of Kalistani investments, including the Imperial Family's personal investments of several hundred billion Imperial, and build their own economy with the money, trade and investment that will surely come in from liberal nations to replace it. Given the generous nature, of Istalia and other economically liberal nations, there is no doubt that a withdrawal of Kalistani capital from the nation, while leaving a huge but temporary hole in the Gaduri economy, will open the doors to massive inflows of FDI to more than make up for the loss of Kalistani investment. There can be no doubt that Istalia will be willing to pick up the slack if it means a win for their free trade liberal bloc, which already has supplanted Kalistan everywhere else in the Anantonese Ocean.

"But if Gaduridos ever wishes to be a modern nation, they must be brave, throw all caution to the wind, and take the chance to cut the iron ropes that bind it to Kalistan. It's a gamble, but free trade and more importantly, their own sovereignty, and dignity as a nation will likely be worth it, if they win."

This sentiment is the strongest argument for the Gaduri position printed in Kalistan in decades. The Liberal position toward unlimited capital accumulation, privatization of the economy, elimination of collective bargaining and the establishment of universal at-will work agreements, elimination of all public money to private individuals with the exception of tax rebates and preferential tax rates to business owners and investors, and free and unfettered trade is well known. But Liberty doesn't frequently comment on foreign affairs. Several similar editorials over the next few weeks set Liberty out as the most critical of all Party Presses, even earning the Empress several "eye rolls" from "exasperated" opinion columnists who felt that the Empress had no legitimate concern at all with regard to Gaduridos, Istalia, or the rest of Seleya. One columnist wrote: "Her Imperial Majesty is throwing a temper tantrum here and is acting like a snot nosed little girl. But the one thing she doesn't understand is that her complaints, all of them, are utterly illegitimate: The Anantonese Empire is an Empire in name alone. Just as Lodamun chose to set its own course in its foreign affairs, so too should Gaduridos. Lodamun was much happier after they left, and so too will Gaduridos be. The Empress needs to mind her own business and stay out of ours. *eye roll*"

On the other side, predictably is the Bedrock, the Institutional Party's daily that is taking the side of the Empire, the Empress, and the case for unity. Quoted from the Bedrock's Op-Ed, dated October 7th, to which most of above-excerpted Liberty editorial was a direct response:

"What Gaduridos has done here in accepting a meeting with the Istalian Prince is to tell Kalistan that it doesn't matter. But let's look briefly at what Kalistan means to Gaduridos. Historically speaking, Kalistan provided significant capital to Gaduridos as it returned to development. Kalistani money built the Gaduri steel industry, which was, at the time, sending iron to Dolgava at a very low price and reimporting steel from Dolgava at a very high price, thus draining the wealth from Gaduridos to support the Dolgavan Steel Industry. Kalistan was responsible for kick starting the high tech industry in modern Gaduridos, which had long since fallen into disrepair before KalMD returned IC production to the country. Kalistan opened a MoCo plant in Cuernatecas which provided hundreds of jobs. Kalistan expanded the major airport on the Gaduri Mainland. Kalistan rehabilitated and then expanded the Puerto de Gaduri on Marlingantos, turning it into the largest ship building center in the Northern Anantonese Ocean, larger than even Port Elga at Sulari, and a major port for cargo to and from Dovani, Indrala, the rest of Seleya, and by the way, Istalia and southern Majatra. It was Kalistani capital that funded the coffee industry, and massive expansion in food, luxuries and fibers. Kalistan inspired a national service program and an organized labor program in Gaduridos. Kalistan has provided defense in the form of the Third Navy being stationed at Bentasur for more than a century that has allowed Gaduridos to protect it vaunted neutrality on foreign affairs and focus on domestic affairs without having to do much defense spending of its own.

"Kalistan has given all of this to Gaduridos. Yes, Kalistani investors have profited along with Gaduri investors from Gaduri success in these fields. The Gaduri success story is one that Kalistan is very proud of and very happy to share in. The loss of Gaduridos would be morally devastating to Kalistan, but it would also result in much of this largess going away, to everyone's detriment. Perhaps Gaduridos could withstand Kalistan's withdrawal from the Southern Kingdom. Maybe there is a state that would be willing to pick up the slack if Kalistan left. But the fact of the matter is, untangling is more than the matter of simply cutting the rope. Once that rope is cut, it can never be retied again: not the same way it is now.

"Lodamun was different: Their Government never had any interest in Kalistani investment or political involvement in their nation. Elimination of trade barriers was one thing, and it did benefit both nations, but Lodamun always saw itself as only nominally tied to Kalistan, so it was easy for them to leave the Empire that they were barely a part of to begin with, and then only nominally so. They merely had to say the word, and it was done with a brief performative formality and a slight tinge of humiliation of Kalistan. Gaduridos is a different story: Kalistan finds in Gaduridos a kindred spirit, one's whose culture we can, and do freely intermingle with our own, and we welcome. The Kalistani view toward Gaduridos is far more romantic than toward any other nation in the world, with the possible exception of Athosia. The loss of Gaduridos would be a severe blow to the Kalistani people, because it would be a rejection of everything our two nations built together, in consonance and cooperation. It would be a personal rejection of Her Imperial Majesty, and it would be an outright rejection of the notion of Northern Seleyan solidarity and unity, a principle that Gaduridos held deeply when it decided to join the Empire in the first place.

"Make no mistake: the surface and motive issue here is the misstep of the Istalians and their neglect of Imperial Protocol in attempting to treat with Gaduridos without even acknowledging the role that the Sovereign of the Anantonese Empire plays in Gaduri foreign affairs. But behind that issue is perhaps a much deeper hurt, that the Gaduri Government would also ignore that role of its devoted friend and long standing ally in Kaliburg. Some of the murmurs of resentment toward the Empire from some Gaduri circles seem to suggest that resentment is a much wider held feeling than is public. Some may not care, and some may go overboard to diminish that feeling in the press and in public conversation, but it is nonetheless still present. If the Gaduri truly wish to set their own course, free of the fetters of the Anantonese Imperial Structure, they only have to look to Lodamun for the example of how to go about it. Lodamun did it unsentimentally, and only later became concerned about the implication of cutting ties with Kalistan. But they came out ok in the end. Gaduridos could just do that if they wanted.

"Let's hope Istalia would be willing to pick up the slack if Kalistan were to withdraw from Gaduridos. That's all this paper is saying."

Bedrock has, like Liberty, continued running a series of editorials after this one further defending the Empress' role in Gaduridos under the Articles of Empire, which Gaduridos still subscribes to, as well as various economic and security arrangements, both formal and informal between the two nations. Most recently, however, likely in response to continued screed from Liberal papers, Bedrock has taken a darker tone, hinting at calls for more formal action against Istalian products in the region.

Other Party presses generally fell somewhere between these two poles. The Social Democrat, the weekly from the SocDems, tends to want to focus on continued cooperation between Kalistan and not only Gaduridos but also other Anantonese Nations, and notes that significant disruption could lead to negative human development Indicator movement for all people involved. "Kalistan and Gaduridos are better off working together, whatever that means politically," said the Editor of The Social Democrat. "Both nations may want to consider a peaceful evolution of the mutual relationship to allow our two nations to continue to cooperate, especially in light of any expressed Gaduri resentment of the Empress flexxing her rights in the Articles of Empire." Meanwhile the Socialist Party's daily Izquierda blasted the spat as "a quarrel among right wing imperialists who seek to divide the world up amongst themselves without regard for the plight or the demands of the working class." Said Izquierda's columnist: "Anantonese Empire aside, we should never forget that Socialism in Kalistan is generally supportive of stability and calm, but we are also not afraid to call the working people to stand together to let their voices be heard above the din and the mindless thrum of bellicose drum beats. If there is to be conflict, we will certainly be on the side of the Worker, specifically the international worker, whether they be in Kalistan or in Gaduridos, or in Istalia. Because we have more in common with each other than any of us have in common with the Dread Lady in Kaliburg, or the little man in Romula."

The Social Nationalist Party's press, Estado y Nación, agree with Izquierda, in as much as they have written this spat off as a distraction from the needs of Kalistan's working class, but have taken a much less internationalist tone. From an editorial in Estado y Nación dated October 21:

"The blood sweat and tears of the Kalistani worker has paid for the development of the Gaduri economy. It seems odd to us now, that they seek out a new patron. Make no mistake: Our Empire is a leech and sucks the blood of the Working Class, enabling their allies in capital to prey upon those who have the least amount of power in our system. But ALL empires are this way. There is no daylight between the behavior of Kalistan's Imperial Elite and Istalia's Imperial Elite. Both seek to take advantage of others, but as workers, this is not our fight. Kalistani Workers should not be distracted by the efforts Gaduridos is taking to play one Empire off against the other: Because at the end of the day, their political elites are just the same after all. What Gaduri Workers should do is take care of their own house, so that Kalistani workers can focus on ours. More militant unions, more worker control in every shop, more people power in the marketplace, in the voting booth, and in the various institutions of this nation. And Gaduridos can and should learn to fend for themselves. We aren't playing the Imperialist Distraction game here anymore, not as long as this editorial staff still has a voice."

If all you read are Party Presses, you would think this proposed visit from Istalia has opened up a deep rift between Kalistan and Gaduridos. While nothing like this has been formally mentioned, and given the party dynamics within the National Assembly, such a split, from Kalistan's side at any rate, is highly unlikely for at least the next five years, without significant efforts to repair relations between the two Anantonese Nations, a split over Istalia may become inevitable. At The Kalistani Republic, we can opine that whatever the outcome, the final demise of the Anantonese Empire over something as major as whether or not Istalia is allowed to set up wholesale shop in every country in the Anantonese Region will certainly lead to more Kalistani isolation in international affairs. In the words of one other Institutional Party editorial, "And that would play right into the hands of Kalistan's enemies in fascist nations of the world, who would like nothing more than for Kalistan to suffer and fail."

Or put another way, in our own words, the ultimate collapse of the Anantonese Empire will mean the final extinguishing of a light in Northern Seleya which has burned brightly for more than a century to the benefit of many hundreds of millions of people. Many other millions would take pleasure in nothing less.

@TheRepublic

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Chancellor Clarified Trade Ministers' Statements on Gaduridos
"Seems a renegotiation of our relationship may be in the making" says Alvarez
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 30, 5659


Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller speaks to reporters at National Assembly

In a brisk late November afternoon, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller met with reporters to clarify Her Imperial Majesty's Trade Minister's remarks on Gaduridos. "Its not that what Minister Boone was factually incorrect," said the Chancellor. "But we can understand that it seemed that Ms. Boone's words could leave one guessing what she meant. Her Imperial Majesty deeply regrets the misphrasing by Ms. Boone, sincerely apologizes to the Gaduri Government and People for the mis-speech, and hopes the do her part to repair the damage it has caused between our two nations."

The Chancellor was referring to the Trade Minister's comments regarding the lack of a State apparatus to conduct major trade deals and other treaty level agreements. "What the Trade Minister meant was that treaties are concluded by the Head of State and that person's representatives in Gaduridos," said Lady Alvarez. "As The Head of State, which is acknowledged on both sides of the sea to be Her Imperial Majesty, was not aware of the major trade deals underway, she could not have concluded those trade deals, and nor could her representatives in Gaduridos.. This was treated as a matter of internal policy, and as per our agreement, the Government of Gaduridos, which is fully under Gaduri authority, acted to conclude the deal. I think the disagreement then comes with the notion that establishing a completely new trade regime with the Istalian Empire is a matter of domestic policy rather than a matter of foreign affairs, and I think this is possibly the source of the difference of opinion on the matter."

The Chancellor thanked the Gaduri Government for its apology for overstepping protocol in taking the meeting. "I think Her Imperial Majesty wishes to make it clear that she does not want to hinder Gaduridos in its efforts to develop or conduct its domestic affairs as it sees fit. Kalistan has adopted a hands off approach to Gaduri domestic policy for more than 100 years, has accepted all Gaduri nominees for Viceroy, has not intervened in the selection of its government or in its elections, has continued to adopt a helpful attitude and etc toward everything Gaduridos has wanted to do. On this matter, she insisted on her obligations with regard to the Anantonese Empire to prevent the establishment of yet another outpost of the Empire of Istalia, this time within the Anantonese Empire. The comments made by the Trade Minister were perhaps a bit overstated with regard to Gaduridos. But Her Imperial Majesty does maintain that a fully executed free trade zone that is made by adding a Constituent Member of the Anantonese Empire without consultation by the Sovereign of that Empire is something she needed to push back against. We await a visit by the Istalian Prince in Kalistan to discuss this affair and hopefully smooth over whatever outstanding disagreements are left."

As for Gaduridos, the Chancellor added, "The Chancellor has said that he would like to enter into discussions about the future of the Anantonese Empire. Her Imperial Majesty emphatically welcomes those discussions so that our respective roles within this association can be clarified. To use the Gaduri phrase, as a big family, sometimes we grow, sometimes we change, and sometimes we need to refresh and reintroduce ourselves to one another, especially if we feel we are growing in different directions. Her Imperial Majesty has ironically had a lot of opportunity recently to think on the subject of family, and has expressed a distinct desire to not let this one break apart, regardless of what the propaganda pieces published in Kalistan's press opine or no matter what the remarks of one minister or another seem to suggest. This matter is very small, the Empress believes, and is one that can be resolved with listening and attempting to understand the point of view of Gaduridos and so she is certainly open to meeting with Gaduri representatives and discussing with they their interests and their visions for the future, whatever that may mean."

@TheRepublic

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Her Imperial Majesty ends nascent Democracy in Kalistan
Refers to Democratization as a "Fever" that needs to break
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 18, 5659


Her Imperial Majesty appears on KRTVN to discuss the failure of the democratic experiment in Kalistan

In a special televised event that pre-empted regularly scheduled programming last night at 5pm Kaliburg time, Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto took to the television airwaves to address Kalistan. She appeared to be dressed in black and appeared without television makeup or hair styling of any kind. She was also unadorned with her customary jewelry. To say she was in a mood is to put the matter lightly. Her Imperial Majesty took square aim at democrats of all stripes in Kalistan. Ostensibly the impetus for the broadcast was the recent shellacking she took in the independent press in October and November over the Istalian and Gaduri trade affair, but it was clear that she soon had a much larger message for all Kalistanis: "The Democrats have had their fun and now, its over." Below are her brief remarks, which were broadcast live on all KRTVN channels, as well as satellite across the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

First, allow me to say, I have granted myself the temporary right to use first person singular pronouns within the context of this Broadcast. Yes, I am aware that it violates my own law.

Second, before I begin, I will announce that I have welcomed His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Tommaso from the Empire of Istalia to Kalistan to meet with me here in Kaliburg. It is my desire that we should smooth over all of our difficulties arising from the Gaduri Affair. It is also my request of the Gaduri Government that they send their own trade and commerce reps, as well as a member of their Government who can speak on a binding level for their Government. Kalistan looks forward to the opportunity of discussing this matter of our Empire in a trilateral fashion to ensure that all of our interests are represented in whatever agreement Gaduridos reaches with Istalia. This meeting will happen within the next few months, and I am certain we can reach comity on a host of issues.

Now that this is out of the way, I wish to address the absolutely vulgar disrespect shown my government, my ministers, and my own self by these so called Independent Party Presses. These organizations are a symptom of a disease in this Empire: that disease is a mental disorder that makes average people with an oversized platform think that they are equal to those who govern them. And this mental disorder has been allowed to spread in this Empire for far too long.

I have tolerated the slights, the mockery and the unfounded criticism that has been put to me by those with bad motives, and those in the employ of foreign fascists intent upon spreading chaos and disorder in this nation. And we all know: such critique is a violation of the Lese Majestie Law. What can I say: That law was passed long before I was born, when another Democracy movement infiltrated as it was by fascists sought to bring the Imperial Government to its knees through character assassination of my Grandmother, the Black Empress Pavlina I Ananto-Hulanevek, and then actual assassination of my grandfather, the Emperor Fredrick II Ananto, for whom my son is named. And that law is still on the books today, though, because of my perhaps foolhardy leniency, it has not been enforced.

And so, people have gotten into their minds that it never will be enforced. The democrats celebrate as if they have won something, as if they had pushed back the Empire, and put us in a box.

I am here to tell you, my People, and I wish it to be known to the world as well. I am Empress Mary Ananto. I am not President Mary Ananto. I am not Mrs. Mary Ananto. And I am not Citizen Mary Ananto. I am an imperialist, I have never once claimed anything other than that, and I will be a be an imperialist until the day I die. I will protect what is mine against any threats, domestic or foreign, and I will use any means within my power to do so. Just in case you, My People, have some confusion, let me put it to you straight: It has not been so long since we ruled by fiat that we no longer remember how. Think on that for a moment.

My People: this democracy that so many of you lean so heavily on, that you put so much of your hope into, that you use to cover your revolutionary machinations: It is like a fever. It makes you delirious. And it is harmful to you. It needs to break. I am the ibuprofin that will allow that to happen. The publication of scurrilous banter in our papers is a good starting place to address this fever. I read today in this publicly disseminated rag that Liberals call Liberty that the Empress is a, quote "lesbian and a cow" and should be "thrown into the guillotine for all our sakes." What should I do with this? Wouldn't you agree that this violates the portion of our law which states:

"This law makes it illegal for all Kalistani Nationals and Visitors to injure, in word or deed, the Person, name or reputation of the Sovereign of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan. This immunity from insult or injury also extends to all things the Sovereign may be directly in contact with at the time, to include all people or objects. This immunity also covers all implied injury, insult or conspiracy to commit the same."

I'm fairly certain that it does. So what should I do with the Party who allows this to be printed? Should I just allow it, and chalk it up to "fun democratic banter that is harmless"? Or should I hold those responsible for violating the law to account? I am fairly certain that I know what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot.

How about this fun one from Estado y Nación from our wonderful friends in the Social Nationalist Party. Let's see: This one came out yesterday I believe and has been on their website for more than 24 hours at this point. It says:

"The Royal Family, and we mean all of them, are just so many leeches, draining the blood of the proletariat, as good imperialists do. A Workers' Revolution to throw off the last fetters of Institutional servitude is the only thing that will liberate us, The People, from the brain worm of Imperialism. And we hereby call for it today, along with the abolition of the Royal Family, the institution of the monarchy, and the privilege of the nobility."

Strong stuff, I must say. But wouldn't you agree that this violates the law which reads:

Executing Article 3 Any Party that adopts a pro-fascist or anti-monarchist position will be expelled from the National Assembly. The Internal Affairs Ministry shall be entitled to issue orders governing the implementation of the law.

Oh, but these are the parties the democrats chose to represent them in our National Assembly. These are the ones that you, Our people, chose to be your voice to us. So therefore, since they are your representatives to us, don't you, our people, also bear some of the responsibility for their actions? We are sure there are more than a few among you who would agree with us on that point.

But, alas. For tolerating it, don't we also bear some of the responsibility? Don't I bear that responsibility, personally and singularly, for allowing it to go so far? Don't I bear responsibility for leaving you, our people, alone long enough and have given you enough rope to hang yourselves? Don't I, your Empress, also bear that responsibility if you choose to follow demagogues who are simply leading you off a cliff?

Of course I do.

So: In an act of self-flagellation, to repent for my mistakes, here on public television, I will indeed take steps to make things right in this nation. I will once more begin enforcing my own law. All of our laws. To include those which preclude us from using our own name, our own individual identity before you, Our People. And those that protect our person, and the people in our Family from insult, threat, and violence of any kind.

And those laws which protect our government from the work of revolutionaries and fascists. We shall offer amnesty to those members of those Parties we are about to declare to be illegal for violating our laws. As a show of the correct attitude, those who seek our Imperial Mercy, shall vote with our Party, the Institutional Party in restoring the stripped provisions that have permitted this mental disorder of liberalism to spread in this nation. We shall once again have a Single Party because the political elites have easily demonstrated that they are incapable of responsibly and moderately governing this nation outside of the Single Party structure.

And those who do not vote with the Institutional Party will be expelled from the National Assembly. Once the Institutional Party has been restored to its correct place within our Government, we will consult with the Party to determine what, if any, reforms are appropriate to ensure that something like this never happens again, for any of us. Not for you, our People. And not for us, Your Empress.

Sometimes the medicine is a bitter pill to swallow. But the fever itself will only break once you take the medicine and rest. We expect calm in our streets over this transition period, and will brook no organized or disorganized dissent.

It is our will, and as such, is beyond question.

Thank you, and good evening."

As the image of the Empress cut out and regular programming was restored without a word, a deep silence was reported across the nation.

Looking for comment from each of the National Parties, literally nobody who had the ability to speak for any of the Parties answered the phone. Even those secondary sources with inside knowledge of the respective Parties refused at this point to speak off the record, though on background, some said that this was entirely unexpected coming from the Empress.

There were late reports of Chancellor of the Empire Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller, Minister of Internal Affairs Katherine Sorenson, Minister of Justice the Honorable Gale Wilson, Minister of Defense Commander George Martinez, and Director of the IBSI, Her Highness Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis arriving at Cliff House about an hour after the the speech ended. The Principles were joined later by the rest of the Cabinet, and the meeting lasted late into the night before breaking up around 4:30 am. Nobody can be sure what was said or done during the meeting, but all left under their own power, and nobody made comment to the Press.

A single statement was released this morning by Socialist Party leader Gordon McConnell, Deputy from Dana. It said simply, "The Socialist Party stands with the Institutional Party, and will vote to ensure stability and order in the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan." No other statements from any of the Parties were forthcoming at this point, though a statement along similar lines is expected from the Social Democratic Party later this evening.

The streets of Kalistan's major cities were quiet today, and no major demonstrations were reported, though a small protest consisting of about 18 individuals was held and consisted in a silent vigil in a park in downtown Sulari. The protest continued for an hour before demonstrators left the Park. The only independent Press that published this morning was Bedrock, the Press of the Institutional Party, while all mainstream presses like The Kalistani Republic published on schedule, unabated by the State in any way.

@TheRepublic

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A Season of Anti-Government Riots comes to an end
Winter of Discontent fades into memory
Yoshimi, Duchy of Ananto
February 12, 5660


An uncharacteristically mild winter feeds public destruction across Southern Kalistan

The last couple months in Kalistan especially have been excessively difficult for Imperial Authority to get a handle on, but now that there have been about 7 days in a row with no major disruptions in the Grand Duchy, perhaps it is time to call it a season. Since the beginning of December, more than 75 police officers have been killed, and more than 2100 rioters have been arrested, detained and tried. Some of the worst offenders, especially associated with cop killing, have been given sentences up to 6 months in Duchy detention facilities. Suldanor suffered the worst of the violence and destruction-- Large portions of downtown Sulari were torched in a three day arson fest in the southern City, that resulted in the loss of life of 14 people before authorities got the situation back under control.

The protests over the last few months have been largely uncoordinated efforts. A couple large scale, multi-city Day of Dissent marches in early December were poorly attended, in many cases not even meeting numbers routinely met by Democracy Forum Events. But the weather in Odufaray and Suldanor kept the winter for the most part above average temperature wise, and Kalistani citizens used that to their advantage, often launching riots after nightfall.

The cause of the riots was ostensibly the anti-democratic measures passed by the National Assembly in Early December. The first strike was the Empress' speech in Late November, where she laid out her case for the reinstatement of the Single Party Act in Kalistan and then hauled in several prominent Independent columnists for violation of the Lese-Majestie Law. Of the 25 individuals prosecuted for violating that law, 18 of them received sentences of three years each on King's Island on charges of Felony- Aggravated Assault toward the Empress or Her Family. The convictions had a chilling effect on the Independent Press in Kalistan, and most of the papers which had flourished in Kalistan over the last seven years, closed their doors. The National Assembly also expelled 20 Deputies, including the entire delegation from the SNP, and all but 2 members of the Liberal Party. The Socialist Party rejoined the Institutional Party, as did nearly the entire SocDem Party, though 2 Institutional Party members did not support the Single Party legislation and were summarily expelled. A special election was held in the constituencies of those who were expelled, and though a majority of the ballots cast in the special election were spoiled because people tried to write in candidates from the outlawed Parties, only 17% of the eligible voting population turned out for those elections.

The lightning fast transition back to Single Party rule in Kalistan not only produced riots in the streets, but also produced a shock to the markets, as investors who were counting on increasing economic liberalization, suddenly took their money out of the market and moved it to commodities and international securities. In the first week following the snap elections, the KalSiE fell more than 12% off its local index mark, and continued falling through December. Trading in the KalSiE was suspended for a week in early January, with the KalSiE down more than 30%, but when the market re-opened on January 7th of this year, much of the money which had pulled out came flooding back in as long term investors began buying stocks at firesale prices. The markets stabilized by the end of January, with a kind of plateau holding currently at about -1.6% below its pre-reform levels.

Most of the rioting occurred in December, before bad weather set in, but during the milder weeks of early January, protesting continued across Suldanor. But the characteristics of the rioting shifted by then, as a poll revealed that most of the participants in the demonstrations no longer cared about democracy and were participating for other reasons, most notably, "to have something fun to do in the evenings." The tide turned when the Ducal government of Suldanor established a mandatory curfew for one week in the Duchy, at the same time as calling a public forum to allow citizens to discuss their frustrations and propose paths forward given the restored Fiat in the Empire. The forums turned into a five day event where citizens agreed to conduct themselves peacefully, and make proposals to the Grand Duchy aimed at preserving some measure of democracy in Kalistan, despite the nation reverting to single Party rule. During the televised forum, each night for four hours, citizens wrestled with city and Ducal Governments over questions of self-government and civic responsibility. At the end, the forum agreed to push the National Government for acknowledgement of political reality in free Cities to allow city candidates to run as non-partisan in City Elections. Given that Free Cities are home to more than 70% of the population in Kalistan, this act would still allow a diversity of opinion at the local level. The Chancellor of the Empire, who was in attendance the final night of the City Forums, said this was a matter she was very interested in and would propose it to the Empress.

The final straw of the protests came on February 8th, when the National Government released the results of its year-long investigation into the now discredited Patriot League. It was originally believed that the PL had been funded by a Kundrati backed organization known as Seleyans for Peace for the purpose of advancing a pro-Kundrati agenda in Kalistan, and while this was still believed to be a factor, it turns out that the organization was homegrown and its aims were far more nefarious. In late August of last year, a raid on the PL headquarters in Sulari turned up very damning evidence that the top leadership of the PL was involved in a large conspiracy to murder members of House Ananto, including Princess Monica DeLaurentis in Luxon, Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval, Her Imperial Majesty, the Minor Princelings, and much of the extended family. The PL planned to carry out the attacks and blame Kundrati agents, believing that the Government was so anti-Kundrati that the claims would be believed.

Detailed plans of safe houses, bank accounts and Royal Family Members' movements around Ananto and Kalistan were seized, as was a small weapons cache and organization plans of coordinated attacks. The PL, under investigation at this time for its ties to Kundrati money, had made a number of efforts to conceal the details of the plan through use of cypher, but a member who turned states evidence against the organization, provided IBSI cryptologists key information to allow them to break the code and reveal the conspiracy's details. A number of prominent Kalistani businessmen were also implicated in the plot, and most of them, in police interrogation, confirmed the details of financing, arming and training several upper level members of the PL to remove the Monarchy once and for all.

As the details of this conspiracy were revealed, the sails of the protest movement more or less deflated. The Grand Duchess of Kalistan, Duchess Emily Suldanor-Alvarez, who announced the conclusion of the investigation on television, noted that the decision to restore the Single Party System was in large part due to the details learned during the investigation, and it was hinted that the investigation touched the highest levels of the National Assembly, as several member of the Conspiracy had attempted to enlist Institutional Party Leaders, especially those known to be sympathetic with the pro-democracy movement, including the Chancellor of the Empire, into the plot. The investigation concluded that if the Institutional Party could be convinced to draft legislation that would permanently institutionalize democracy in the Empire, it would be easier for the PL to carry out its program. Also, leaders of the Institutional Party could conceivably provide information to the PL regarding the movements and security operations around specifically Her Imperial Majesty. No Institutional Party member was cited as a member of the Conspiracy, however, and instead, all are said to have cooperated fully with the investigation.

The Grand Duchess said that the plot was about a week away from being carried out before the whistle was blown on the whole affair and the conspiracy was blown open. "In all, 12 arrests have been made, and defendants are on their way to long stints on King's Island. The National Government has been searching for other PL conspirators who have since gone underground, and it is believed that many have fled to Baltusia and have then likely left the continent," said the Grand Duchess. "This effort does not, to the National Government's knowledge, include rank and file members of the old PL. It appears to have been a plot among the leadership of that Party, who are believed to have organized and used the Party in an attempt to cover their Conspiracy. The IBSI is currently hunting for more than a dozen men and women who were implicated in the conspiracy and are wanted for questioning."

But the fervor for restoration of the multi-Party system was largely dissipated by this time, and only a handful of small, peaceful demonstrators have appeared in vigils for democracy over the last week. A once bright opportunity for democratic openness has faded as opportunistic actors took advantage of the movement to create chaos, destruction and violence in Kalistan. Asked last week in an online poll administered by this Paper if people feel more or less inclined toward democracy, only 28% said they feel positively toward democracy, while 35% said their opinion has certainly grown much worse since December. Most Kalistanis noted that they just wanted tranquility back and would be willing to give up on democracy if it meant that rioters and looters wouldn't be able to disrupt Kalistan's cities any longer.

@TheRepublic

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Her Imperial Majesty Meets supporters in Sulari
Empress Demonstrates Confidence following Winter of Riots
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
March 9, 5660


Empress and Chancellor of the Empire show Unity after disorder

Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto visited Sulari this week to survey the damage from last winter's riots. Large portions of Downtown Sulari were destroyed as a three day long wave of arson and looting during the Unrest. But the Free City has already started to rebuild. The debris cleared, several blocks of new mixed use High Rise Apartments have been started which should increase the Downtown's housing stock by more than 600 new units.

"The buildings burned were older buildings by and large," said the Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller, who accompanied the Empress on the tour. "The new construction, which is generously funded by a grant to the Free City from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, will create homes for more than 500 lower income citizens of Sulari. Her Imperial Majesty wishes you, the good People of Sulari to know that she stands with you, and seeks to understand and address your concern, and she will continue to work with Your City Government to continue to address the root causes of the unrest, to include housing, jobs and security."

Following the short address by the Chancellor, the Lord Mayor of Sulari, Lord Daniel Flores invited the Chancellor and the Empress to lead a procession from City Hall to Reynolds Park five blocks away, so that the people of the people of the City may see her. The Chancellor initially attempted to make excuses for the Empress, but Her Imperial Majesty brushed her concerns aside, arguing that she should not be afraid to walk in her own Empire. The matter resolved, the Lord Mayor announced to the gathered crowd of about 650 supporters who turned out for the visit that all should proceed along with the Empress to Reynolds Park.

As the procession moved down the Sidewalk, shop keepers, pedestrians and other citizens joined the throng, so that by the time it reached Reynolds Park, more than 1400 marchers were counted. Her Imperial Majesty was encouraged by the show of support, especially in a city which had been such a locus of the pro-democracy movement six months prior and had been shut down by violent protests for more than 2 months. Her Imperial Majesty was implored to offer a few words, and she was provided a megaphone to speak.

"People of Sulari, we thank you for marching with us. It is a rare event that we have the opportunity to be among the people, but we are heartened by your show of support and your willingness to be seen with us. The disorder here in Sulari and across Kalistan this winter was a predictable response to the actions we took, and we hope that now that all of the facts are known, you will understand our reasons. But restoring this city, and the others damaged in the recent disorder will require dedication, commitment and innovation. We will stand with you as long as you stand with us. We thank you for your courage and we look forward to seeing what you do with your city. We will return, and this is a promise."

The crowd roared applause at the impromptu rally, and the Empress and Chancellor departed from the Park on a high note, waving to the crowd. Later, local commentators said that the daring gamble of marching in Downtown Sulari was a brave move that seemingly won over many Citizens of Sulari. Many people interviewed after the rally said they appreciated the Empress coming to see both the damage of the riots and also to appreciate the work that Sularis are doing to rebuild their city. "The visit was a nice touch," said one resident who was interviewed for the TV news. "I voted for the Liberals in the last election, but I also feel like Her Imperial Majesty does want what's best for this City."

@TheRepublic

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Introducing The Lady Companion Victoria Jensen
Empress and Jensen have made relationship official at Gala
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 20, 5660


Empress and New Lady Companion Victoria Jensen at Imperial Opera House

As Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto celebrates her Golden Jubilee in Kaliburg, the Public has had the opportunity to be introduces to the new Lady Companion, Lady Victoria Jensen. Lady Jensen was officially titled Lady Companion last week in Kaliburg, and since then, the public has been clamouring for information about the woman who has informally been linked to Her Imperial Majesty for more than two years. Jensen was named Lady Companion to acknowledge the relationship which exists outside of the bounds of an official state marriage, which the Empress and Jensen have officially opted to not enter into.

"Lady Jensen is a full professor of Sociology at Kaliburg Imperial University," said crown watcher Jorge Hernandez of Kaliburg. "She is well liked by both her students and her colleagues. Her research focuses on social movements, and it is said that she also studies how social movements work within institutional law to change environmental policy." Jensen is three months older than Her Imperial Majesty and a devout Brethrenist, and was introduced to Her Imperial Majesty by Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller when the Empress began attending the Kaliburg Meeting.

"It is believed that Jensen and the Empress began their relationship a year before her Imperial Majesty was officially divorced but was separated from the Prince Consort," said Hernandez. "During that time, Lady Jensen was often seen in public with the Empress at various social functions, and was known to spend time with the Empress in an unofficial capacity, but due to the desire to maintain the Empress' privacy, discussion of her growing relationship with Jensen was kept out of the press until the Royal divorce was completed."

On the title of Lady Companion, this title reflects Jensen's formal induction into the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke. "The Empress has been privately emphatic that she has no desire to marry again," said Hernandez. "Nor does she want to dishonor her previous marriage, though it has officially ended. However, the House Law prevents commoners from having any physical contact with the Empress, or speaking informally to her. Entitling Jensen and making her formally a Stranger Lady Companion permits the two to sidestep that regulation and bring the relationship back under the formal sanction of Imperial Protocol."

The event where the relationship was officially announced was Her Imperial Majesty's 50th Birthday Celebration held at the Imperial Opera House in Kaliburg. The celebration was an invite only event where most of the Peerage in Kalistan, along with Her Imperial Majesty's Government and dozens of invited guests attended. The reception featured a dinner and desert followed by a performance of the famous Istalian opera La Donna Sophia, the story of the country Baroness' plot to avenge the death of her son at the hand of a local crime lord. The performance was put on by a touring company from Istalia and was treated as a command performance for Her Imperial Majesty.

The event was also attended by Her Highness Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis and her Husband Sir Matthew Westmoreland and their children, Her Highness Princess Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis, the Minor Grand Prince, His Highness Prince Fredrick David Ananto-Collins and the Minor Princess Nicolette Elizabeth Ananto-Collins, and several members of both the Eveari Monthly Brethrenist Meeting and the Kaliburg Annual Brethrenist Meeting. All welcomed Lady Jensen along with the Empress, and the reception was overseen by Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller.

@LaModa

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While Passing the City Act, Chancellor Commits to Party Orthodoxy
"Faction Fighting caused all this," she insists in Nat Assembly
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 12, 5660


Chancellor of the Empire declares factions "dead" in IPoK while committing to Non Partisanism

The residents of Kalistan's Free Cities celebrated the passage of the recent "City Act" a year after political rioting rocked the nation. The act permits Lords Mayor to organize and oversee strictly non Partisan contests for City Council in Kalistan's five Free Cities, while leaving the Lords Mayor the Veto over all council decisions. This measure of self government will give the residents of Kalistan's Free Cities the right to determine specific City Policy themselves while leaving all affairs outside of the Free Cities to respective Ducal and County Governments. Nearly 75% of all of Kalistan's Citizens reside in the five free Cities, and this act is celebrated by political liberals as a good compromise between Imperial Rule from Kaliburg and decentralized democracy. The Act received wide praise from Citizen Groups, who worked closely with the National Government to craft the act.

"We understand the Empress' objection to faction and factional identity," said Mark Von Anders of Sulari, who was elected to be the Chief Negotiator for the various citizens groups pushing for the bill. "It got so that people would identify more with their Party, or before that, their caucus, than they would with the Empire and their fellow citizen. That obviously created a lot of problems for everyone, including the National Government who was having to also deal with issues which didn't affect us in Sulari at all. So we worked with the Chancellor to find a solution which both we and the National Government could live with, where they continue to express imperial authority necessary to keep the country all on the same track, while giving us a measure of control over our own lives and our own futures. The Citizen Groups all find this to be more or less what we were asking for the whole time."

The Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller, also of Sulari, said that this was probably the most "democratic" Kalistan was going to ever be. "We tried to allow people to do it the way they do it in liberal democratic countries, with Parties and all," said Chancellor Alvarez. "But we were quickly overwhelmed following the collapse of the Democratic Forum, which was the legitimate and recognized channel for conversation dedicated to reform of the system, and the fallout from that implosion ended up being violent and radical groupings that ended up conspiring to over throw the government by coup if they couldn't accomplish their goals through elections. That is also not healthy for a democracy, and obliterated a sense of national identity, to be replaced by pre-fab identity provided by demagogues. So this compromise with the pro-democracy movement, which I count myself to be 'adjacent' to, is a reasonable, fair, and effective one to keep some power in the hands of the people, without encouraging their division."

Along with the non-Partisan nature of the elections, candidates for city office will be barred from raising and spending private money for their campaign. "All financing will be public and all records will be transparent," said the Chancellor. "This will prevent and individual or groups of individuals from pooling resources and gaining an advantage. Candidates will be forced to run on ideas and this will encourage them to run on ideas pertinent to the local population." There are also prohibition on outside spending to influence elections as well as requirements to make elections as transparent and as accessible as possible. "This bill sets up a National Ombudsman who acts as a complaints and concerns office to ensure that City Governments are not inappropriately applying the City Act. The Ombudsman will have the ability to mediate between the City and the Citizens around this act, as well as to take appropriate action to remedy grievances, up to and including the ordering of a new election. The Ombudsman is not meant to be used lightly, however, and the overturning of a city election will only be permitted with the permission of the Empress."

As the City Act passes into law and Free Cities begin preparing for their next city wide elections, The Chancellor shifted her focus to the National Assembly. "One change you will note in the Single Party Act is the elimination of the references to Caucus and Faction within the Single Party Act," said the Chancellor. "This is the language because as you all agree, faction fighting caused all of this. Liberalism, as an economic system is dead in this nation. At any rate it will have no traction in this Assembly. As a Brethrenist, it is difficult for me to square myself with Orthodoxy, but as a politician, I understand fully the value of having a single Party, with a single voice, that speaks in a unified fashion. Let our Cities be the laboratory of innovation in Policy. Let us watch them to see what they do so that we can propose changes at the national level. But Our Empress has reminded me, and this government, that the National Assembly has one function and one function only, and that is to turn her will into National Policy. The matter is not open for debate. We tried to create a body that could debate, and we went too far outside of our mission as a body. So, allow me to recommit this Party to Orthodoxy, and invite all those who cannot find it within themselves to serve their nation to exit into the public lobby and go home."

The pronouncement came as a bolt of lightning to many members of the newly re-constituted National Assembly, which underwent a special election earlier this year around the Single Party Act. Most sat in stunned silence as the Chancellor made explicit what had more recently only been suspected. "We are not a democracy in Kalistan," she said. "This government exists at the will of Her Imperial Majesty, and as servants of the public, we do so at the pleasure of Her Imperial Majesty." With that pronouncement, she opened the floor for questions. Only a few former SPers stood to question the Chancellor.

"What of those of us who would like to see government reform?" asked Nathan Milgrim of Kaliburg. "How shall we go about lobbying for that change if it runs afoul of Party Dogma?"

The Chancellor responded, "'Party Dogma' as my colleague so succinctly put it, is what the Empress says it is. The Party was founded to be the functional arm of the Sovereign's Will. In our case, we do as Her Imperial Majesty wills us to. And we save our zeal for reform for proposals we take to her as an effort to improve our nation. Not, I repeat, along partisan or factional lines, but with a mind for the Good of Our Nation. I have found Her Imperial Majesty to be receptive to reasonable proposals for reform when presented to her as a way to improve our nation. So we are going to get back to that, stop thinking about our own personal gain, and start framing our existence in this chamber as service to our Nation. That is Her Imperial Majesty's Wish, and it is shared by each member of Her Government, myself included."

Several members grumbled amongst themselves, and then Deputy Janette Delgado stood, "Lady Alvarez, I voted with you on the reinstitution of the Single Party Act. I was with you in sacking members of my own, at the time, Party. But what you are proposing here is that we violate the sacred trust we hold with our people to represent them to Kaliburg. As a hypothetical question then, Why should we violate that trust?"

"To my esteemed and courageous colleague from Eshar, I will say: She is not. She does her people's work here by providing them good, unified government. Or, she retires. She may be happy serving in the City Government where she can run in non-partisan elections. It is possible that this would be a better fit for those who really want to interact with their constituents and make a difference. But I will remind each Member of this Assembly: As the City Governments are non-Partisan, and there are a number of safeguards built into the City Act to actively suppress factionalization, these are safeguards that we all voted for mind you, so too should you consider the IPoK to be non Partisan. We cannot encourage factionalization in this Party because doing so weakens our ability to carry out the fiat of Her Imperial Majesty."

"So we shouldn't have our own ideas?" shot one backbench deputy, interrupting the Chancellor.

"Yes, and bring your ideas here to the Assembly where we can talk about them," answered the Chancellor. "That is different from the idea of formal organized groupings within the structure of our Party. Either this is a unified Party or it is a divided Party. But factions more or less supportive of the Empress, groups actively organized to vote as blocs, etc., that has got to be resolved right here. While we sit in this chamber, we have one job that we must do. And that is to turn our Sovereign's will into policy for this nation to administer it for her. Everything else is extraneous, and most likely a distraction from that primary function."

The rest of the legislative session went smoothly as the Chancellor moved through the order of the day. Deputies spoke to various policy matters, but at the end, all recommendations of the members of the Government passed smoothly into law without much dissent.

And thus, democracy, at least on the National Level, was spoken completely out of existence, with not so much as a raised voice from any of the Deputies, while democracy at the City level at least has a fighting chance. Such of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan.

@TheRepublic

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Crown Prince reaches Majority; named Count of Dah
Inducted into Order of Gray Smoke but will wait to muster into NSP
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 21, 5660


Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins joins Empress in the Order of Gray Smoke

On December 10th, His Highness Crown Prince Fredrick-Martin David Ananto-Collins, first born of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto came into his Majority. In doing so, he now becomes eligible to take the throne upon retirement of the Empress, and is officially set to become the next Emperor of Ananto and Kalistan. However, some other official matters lay before him before he is ready to take the throne.

The first thing was to induct the Crown Prince into the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke at the rank of Royal Knight Companion to Her Imperial Majesty. This matter is not technically covered under the law, but is an important step internally in the secret society to which all Kalistani Royals, several international royals, and many public figures belong. Few know much about the ceremony or the rites that take place at the Order Hall in Ananto, but following the initiation ceremony, Her Imperial Majesty also conferred upon the Crown Prince the title "Count of Dah", giving him a demesne in South Eastern Ananto. Her Imperial Majesty has held the County of Dah since her father, the Emperor Fredrick III Ananto died in a plane crash. The Crown Prince affirmed fealty to the Empress in all matters and took up his new mantle.

The Ceremony was attended by Knights and Ladies Companion from across the Empire, including Lady Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis, Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval, Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis, and Prince Martin Collins, who retains his rank of Stranger Knight Companion, though he and Her Imperial Majesty have divorced. Lady Victoria Jensen, the Lady Companion of the Empress and herself a Stranger Lady Companion was also in attendance, and she reportedly had a cordial interaction with Prince Collins. Dozens of invited Guests, including singers Dea and Carrie Hill, and television personality Cathy Ruiz were in attendance for reception following the closed ceremony.

"I am quite a proud father today," said Prince Collins. "The Empress and I put a lot of work into raising this boy with good morals and self-discipline, and I think he has an excellent foundation going into adulthood." He then added "Well, we need to get him through NSP first." The Crown Prince is expected to muster, along with the rest of his class, when he graduates in 5 months. "Fred still has a few months left to be free," said Collins.

The Crown Prince was on hand and was asked to give a speech. Tall and a bit gangly, the normally gregarious and outgoing semi-pro surfer was uncharacteristically a young man of very few words. "I think they say the word is taciturn," said the Crown Prince. "I don't doubt that there are people who will appreciate that in me today, but I want to simply say thank you for attending and coming to see me here and welcoming me to being an adult. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but whatever I do, where ever I end up, I hope do work somewhere near the water, so I can surf in my time off." The comment drew a laugh, and the Crown Prince, who didn't initially find the humor in the statement, smiled at the people laughing at his bit of unintentional humor. "That's all, I think I have met my joke quota for the day. Please help yourself to appetizers while dinner is served."

All in attendance welcomed the Crown Prince, and the dinner that followed his "speech" such as it was, was enjoyed by everyone. The main course was lemon baked white fish and pasta with a pesto sauce served on the side, fresh vegetable medley, fresh citrus, and cheese cake for desert. Her Imperial Majesty of course had a garden salad with tofu as her dinner. Following the dinner, there was dancing music, as those in attendance either hit the dance floor, or hung out and reconnected with old friends in the hall. The event concluded after 10pm.

@LaModa

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Kalistan joins Istalia in its calls for Negotiations in Rildanor
"The last thing anyone wants is an Illegitimate slide toward Authoritarianism," says Chancellor
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 15, 5661


Chancellor addresses Rildanor Situation, says Sanctions may be considered

Fresh off the heels of a successful trade visit at Playa de la Paz, the Empress' Winter Estate in Santiago, Baltusia, which featured a visit from the Istalian Grand Prince Tommaso and representatives of the Gaduri government which sees a new economic relationship between the nations of the Anantonese Empire and Istalia, Kalistan is again backing Istalian leadership on Rildanor. "Her Imperial Majesty has informed her Foreign Minister to reach out to the Istalian Government to talk about coordination around a response to the developments in Rildanor," said Chancellor of the Empire. "Sir Jeffrey Hewlett will be contacting the Foreign Ministry in Romula to discuss how we can cooperate further to address the growing crisis there."

Normally developments in the Southern Seleyan Nation, lately of the Canrillaise Empire, would not be of any concern for Kaliburg, but now that Kalistan, Gaduridos and Istalia have begun opening regular trade and commerce between the two regions, suddenly the oceanic routes of Southern Seleya take on new importance for the Empire. "We wouldn't want anything to happen in that nation which would threaten the new agreements we just signed with the Empire of Istalia," said Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller. "We would like to give the Vasseur Government the opportunity to demonstrate that it is not authoritarian in scope or method, nor do we have evidence beyond the complaints of some folks who ended up on the wrong side of the elections. But if the left in the nation stages a mutiny to stand against the government, claims of hard rightist tendencies, especially in the guide of parochialism and "anti-cosmopolitanism' do tend to raise eyebrows, because they look suspiciously like some other nations we all know of. So how long are we willing to give them the benefit of the doubt?"

At any rate, the Chancellor was emphatic: "Kalistan will do all it can to stand against illegitimate rightist ideologies on this continent." As one reporter pointed out, fiat rule of an unelected monarch could be considered by some to be a rightist ideology. The Chancellor simply smiled and clarified: "I said illegitimate rightist ideologies. By which I mean radical, fundamentalist and totalitarian, things you will see in the communist or fascist nations of this planet. And with regard to Rildanor, the last thing anyone wants is the illegitimate slide toward authoritarianism. Not on our continent."

To this end, she said that Kalistan will follow Istalia's lead in Rildanor: "They are more affected by developments in Rildanor than we are," said the Chancellor. "They have far more to lose from a decline in Rildanor's situation, now that they have concluded this new Trade Arrangement with Kalistan and Gaduridos than we do. Should things further deteriorate in that nation, Her Imperial Majesty may put the Third Regular Navy, currently stationed in Bentasur and patrolling in the Gulf of Aldegar on alert. She has also instructed her Government to begin working up a number of contingencies with regard to trade and travel restrictions for Rildanor. But as of right now, nothing is in place, as we take a wait and see approach. Whatever happens, it will not be Kalistan that catalyzed it."

The Chancellor stopped short of publicly issuing support for the mutinying Naval units in Rildanor. "Well, we sort of just got done with so-called democrats demonstrating that not everything is as it seems," said Lady Alvarez. "It is still too early to evaluate the goals of the mutiny. So I don't want to say that we fully support them. Democrats are democrats, but we aren't even sure if these are democrats, or if they are just dead enders. I suppose the reaction of the current government toward them will tell us a lot." This half endorsement is sure to not go over well among ardent anti-fascists in Kalistan, though the Chancellor signaled that if the Government takes off its mask and underneath is the poisonous fumes of fascism, Kalistan will be quick to act. "Rildanor can and should handle its own affairs for now, until it demonstrates that it no longer can because it has been captured by illegitimate ideology. At that point, we will need to step in and do so quickly, not for the sake of democracy, but for the sake of stepping on and crushing fascism whenever and wherever it rears its ugly face."

The Chancellor called Kalistan "a boot stepping on a fascist face forever" and admonished the Southern Seleyan Nation: "Take care that you all don't lose your minds. Kalistan not have a good track record when dealing with those kinds of lousy states," said the Chancellor in an oblique reference to the Likatonian War." She added that Kalistan was ready to deploy sanctions at the first twitch toward fascism.

@TheRepublic