28 Aug 2020, 12:03

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HETTY TILKI WINS EUROPEAN COUNCILLORSHIP IN BLOW TO ADMINISTRATION // CONFUSION OVER BENFIELD'S NIC APPOINTMENT

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Inimicus's new European Councillor, Hetty Tilki


Telum, 28/8/2020 - In a blow to the established Imperial administration, former European Deputy Councillor and Nuntius Inimici journalist Hetty Tilki secured enough votes in yesterday's European Councillor elections to win the contest. Tilki defeated Benfield, who was widely expected to win the election - including by the current administration - and all other candidates by a narrow margin, winning 37% of first-preference votes and an even larger amount of second preferences.

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The European Councillor elections were called after Sir Augustus Barrington, long-time veteran of representing Inimicus in Europe, announced his resignation earlier this month. In accordance with European legislation which mandates direct popular election of all Councillors, Inimicus was compelled to organise its first ever European elections only weeks after the National Imperial Council contest which saw the Emperor's Finest movement sweep the halls of the Imperial Palace.

In response, Vicarius Wilfred Cocx raised Nicholas Benfield to the Imperial Councillorship, evidently anticipating his long-time ally's election to the European office, which Benfield held before between 2012 and 2013. Now that Tilki has won yesterday's vote, Cocx and the Vicarial admnistration must seek a different way to instruct Inimicus's European Councillor, who traditionally is always a member of the National Imperial Council, as well.

"It is likely one of two things will now occur", comments Colin Husky, Nuntius Inimici political guru, "Either Benfield will be dismissed and Tilki will take his place, which would be immensely controversial, or a type of pseudo-Councillorship will be created for Tilki, perhaps she will not be allowed to vote, but just attend. Wilfred Cocx will not allow Inimicus's European Councillor to escape direct instructions from the National Imperial Council."

At 20 years old, Tilki is the youngest ever European Councillor from Inimicus and one of the youngest elected or appointed officials in the Empire. During the campaign, which was not well-publicised due to general election fatigue and disagreement with the election of the European Councilllor in general among the population, resulting in a turnout of 32%, Tilki was criticised by her opponents for her lack of experience, however she also became incredibly popular online - it is this online enthusiasm which appears to have handed her the victory.

Although the Imperial Electoral Commission did not stipulate a term limit for the Council term that begins today, the European Elected and Accountable Council Act stipulates that elections for European Councillors should occur every four years at least. Nuntius Inimici will follow Miss Tilki closely during her term in office.