Proceedings of the Ninth Parliament of Inimicus

[Inimicus]

Ninth Parliament of the Empire of Inimicus

ARTABANOS: Praestoriorum Imperator Deus et Dominus Maximus; Βασιλεύς Πολεμιων, Αύτοκράτορ Πρώτος; Pontifex Maximus Religio Inimiciis; Dux Districti Teli; Caesar Legioni Inimici; Crux Maximus Ordinem Imperatoris; LAUDATE!

It is in Our benevolent Opinion that there shall be held a Parliament at Telum, on the First Day of the Sixth Month, in the Eighth Year of Our Reign, And that this Parliament shall represent all Our loyal Subjects, who We require to delegate seven hundred of their number to this Parliament, And that this Parliament shall elect from their Members the Offices described in Our Imperial Decree, cast on the First Day of the Fifth Month, in the Second Year of Our Reign

From left to right: Emperor's Finest (292), Inimician Liberal Appeal (143), Centre-Conservative Union (102), People's Movement (90), United Green Front (33), Central Progressive Party (31), Independents (9)

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June 1st, 2021 -- 9:00am

Deputy Speaker Matthew Birch Opens Parliament

MB: "Your Imperial Majesty, Members of the Imperial Executive, Members of Parliament, ladies, gentlemen, welcome. Welcome to this, your House of Commons. Over the next month, we will conduct the crucial task of holding the executive to account. We will debate key issues affecting our nation. We will elect members of the Common Executive, whose work in the day-to-day administration of our Empire is not to be underestimated. I would remind Members to conduct themselves with proper decorum; past Parliaments have been mired in controversy and Members' aggression has negatively affected the public's image of us. Keep in mind that you have a duty to your constituents.

"The order of business is as follows. We will now pause for a short rehearsal of our Civilian Anthem. His Imperial Majesty will then address the House, following which we will discuss Pre-Parliamentary Motions."

The Civilian Anthem of Inimicus plays. People's Movement MPs can be seen singing, hand over heart. As the Anthem comes to its end, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Artabanos takes the stand.

IMP: "Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Today is history. For the ninth time, representatives from across the Empire have come together to make decisions that affect us all. Today is history. Inimicus's great democratic tradition has once again come to the forefront. Free, democratic elections imply representation for all. And you, Members of Parliament, represent all Inimician citizens. As I do.

"I will not keep you from exercising your duties for too long, Mr Deputy Speaker. I merely want to say the following. Last year, not a single parliamentary motion was passed. The year before, over half of the five that did receive the required approval were later withdrawn by the Common Executive. Popular approval for this body is on a downwards trend. I would implore you to listen to your Deputy Speaker, whose extensive experience with Parliamentary proceedings is to be admired: work constructively with your peers, with the Imperial Executive present here today. Work constructively with me. Else, you may be working towards the death of the body you so value. Thank you."

Rather than the customary applause, silence. Grunts from People's Movement benches, confused looks from ILA and CCU.

MB: "Erm, yes, thank you, Your Imperial Majesty. We now come to Pre-Parliamentary Motion number 1, proposed by the Hon. Michael Dowding, seconded by the Hon. Judy Speller, on allocating time for the discussion and evaluation of evidence presented by the Imperial Transportation Safety Association with regards to the crash of Needletail One of July 2020. Statements to be made?"

TBC

[Inimicus]

Deputy Speaker Matthew Burch, People's Movement Leader Adolf Danube

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June 11th, 2021 -- 9.00am

Deputy Speaker Burch Opens Parliament

MB: "Order, order. I formally declare this ninth sitting of the Ninth Parliament of the Empire of Inimicus opened. Our first order of business is an emergency motion submitted by the Hon. Adolf Danube, and seconded by the Hon. Maria Costley. I call the Hon. Adolf Danube."

Sighs can be heard in the chamber. AD rises and proceeds to the lectern.

AD: "Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Today I rise to move that this Parliament decide on the Empire's national vote for the election of the Premier Commissioner and Internal Affairs Commissioner of the European Union."

Murmuring. Deputy Speaker Burch is seen conversing with clerks. Emperor's Finest Leader Hetty Tilki rises.

HT: "Mr Deputy Speaker, this motion is clearly illegal. The National Imperial Council decides on the Empire's vote for Commission. Parliament, a largely advisory body, cannot, should not, and will not."

AD: "I invite Hon. Tilki to point me to the article of our Constitution that grants the National Imperial Council this power, Mr Deputy Speaker. Indeed, nowhere is it codified that the Council may decide this crucial issue. We, as representatives of the Inimician People, from across our Empire and its territories, have the full popular prerogative to cast this vote. If anything, the European-wide Elected and Accountable Council Act provides the basis for the purely democratic election of European officials. While it is impractical to organise a direct national vote for Commission in such a short timeframe, we can try our best. Mr Deputy Speaker, I request we move to vote immediately."

Several members are seen standing up and shouting over each other. Deputy Speaker MB calls order.

MB: "Hon. Danube, Hon. Tilki. The Imperial Decree calling us together here states, and I quote, "that this Parliament shall decide upon matters of its own choosing". Whether the outcome of the Hon. Danube's motion is legal or not, I cannot refuse his request outright. Unless there are any other speakers, we will now proceed to a vote on the motion."

Silence. A few moments pass.

MB: "Very well. The question is that this House decide on the Empire's national vote for the election of the Premier Commissioner and Internal Affairs Commissioner of the European Union. Honourable members, please indicate your preference using the electronic voting device given to you."

A large screen behind the speaker's chair flicks up with red and green dots. 200 members instantly vote Nay, while another 150 or so are an instant Yea. Reds and greens flock in and their number rises equally. Members are seen easerly watching the screen. Anticipation on all faces. Finally, the Deputy Speaker reads out the count.

MB: "Thank you, Honourable members. The result of the division is as follows. The Yeas are three hundred and forty six. The Neas are three hundred and forty four. So the Yeas have it and the motion is agreed to. This House will vote on the election of the Premier and Internal Affairs Commissioners this afternoon."

[Inimicus]

His Imperial Majesty Emperor Artabanos of Inimicus

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June 20th, 2021 -- 9.00am

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

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.

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,
-- 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:

1. Sofie Čikarová
2. Jean-Claude Juncker

-- Further determine that the Empire of Inimicus's vote for Internal Affairs Commissioner of the European Union shall be as follows:

1. Emma Granger
2. 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.