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His Imperial Majesty Emperor Artabanos of Inimicus
Deputy Speaker Burch Opens Parliament
MB: "Order, order. I formally declare this twentieth sitting of the Ninth Parliament of the Empire of Inimicus opened. Honourable members, I have received a request from His Imperial Majesty to address this House. Your Imperial Majesty, welcome. We will move to a vote on whether to grant Your request immediately, provided no member wishes to intervene."
People's Movement Leader Adolf Danube rises
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AD: "Mr Speaker, we all know why Artabanos has decided to show his face here today. We know, as democrats, that he has come to quash the vote we made, as democrats, to determine this country's choice for Premier and Internal Affairs Commissioner of the European Union. We know, as democrats, that our democratic rights are but a faint, thin line surrounding the Emperor's set of powers. What, I ask Artabanos, what exactly is our point, if he will not grant us the basic right to represent the Inimician people? I ask him, no, I implore him, to think carefully about his options -- grant the people's choice, Artabanos, or face the consequences."
Several members rise, shouting ensues. Speaker MB calls for order.
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H.I.M. ARTABANOS stands. All members sit.
"Mr Deputy Speaker, I require no advice from Mr Danube, whose record of crimes against this democratic legislature is longer even than Augustus Barrington's criminal scroll. Instead, I would offer some advice to him, and to all the other shouty, rowdy troublemakers in this House: behave yourself. The Inimician people expect dignity, control, and proper procedure. You represent no one with your incessant noise.
"Having said that, Mr Deputy Speaker, I requested to speak in this Chamber on exactly the topic Mr Danube suggested. The Empire finds itself at a fork on the path of history. As with any new state -- the Empire celebrating its tenth anniversary only next year -- experience and crisis lays bare issues in the structure of state. A number of years ago, Inimicus recovered from rebellious politicians whose positions had resulted in excessive power being handed to single individuals. More recently, we saw what danger corruption and intrigue, combined with aggressive foreign rogue powers, could pose to proper rule of law and order. We discovered treachery at the heart of government, for which I, and those responsible, face the consequences.
"This week's crisis is one from which we will emerge stronger. As an administration, as an Empire, as a people. Nevertheless, the issue of whether Parliament, the Imperial Council, or both, decides the Empire's votes for Commission is not one to be taken lightly, and not one for which a simple answer exists. I must disappoint you, therefore, that I have not come to a decision about the future of this process just yet. Instead, I intend to review legal arguments with my advisors, consult with politicians from across the spectrum, and perhaps more importantly, listen to the Inimician people, for what course to take with regards to future European elections.
"However, the time for casting the Empire's Commission vote is here, and we must therefore decide what to do in this round of votes. This is not a matter I take lightly. No crucial decision I have made in my capacity as Emperor has been a simple one. Nevertheless, the Inimician People mandated me to represent them at the highest level of government, and the decision of who is granted the Imperial Prerogative is mine, and mine alone. I have, ultimately, decided the following, and My Decree is as follows:
ARTABANOS, of the Centurians, Legatians, Quaestorians, Imperatorians, Rosarians, Praestorians, and Diutians Supreme Emperor; Ruler of all Inimicians, Supreme Autocrat; Defender of the Inimician Faith; Duke of the District of Telum; Commander of the Inimician Armed Forces; Grand Cross in the Imperial Order of Inimicus; Lord of the Supreme Ordene of Icholasen,
Sofie Čikarová Jean-Claude Juncker
-- Having witnessed the conflicting judgements made by Our Loyal Subjects in the Lower House of Our Parliament, and Our National Imperial Council, concerning the election of the Premier Commissioner and Internal Affairs Commissioner of the European Union,
-- Judging that the use of the Imperial Prerogative, and the responsibility for any decision originating therefrom, are Ours and Ours alone,
-- Further intending to resolve the current conflict in a consensual, practical manner, as befits the stature of Our Office and the Inimician People,
-- Determine that the Empire of Inimicus's votes for Premier Commissioner of the European Union shall be as follows:-- Further determine that the Empire of Inimicus's vote for Internal Affairs Commissioner of the European Union shall be as follows:
Emma Granger Josephine Areai-- This Decree being Our full and Righteous Judgement, made on the twentieth day of the sixth month, in the eighth year of Our Reign.