The State of the Union

[Deimos Jasonides]

Your Serene Highness,
Deputy President,
Senators,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Kaiserin Semisa II, the Kaiseress of this Union of States, is become very strange in her goverment, mere weeks into her reign. She has by decree removed Sophia Myksos from the throne of Kildare and then exiled the Dutchess from Shireroth. Although the Dutchess was never sympathetic to the Elwynnese nation, culture and mentality, the actions committed towards her by the Kaiseress are very threatening indeed. If this is a precedent, it could only be used against those we find unsympathetic but against those whom we find to be sympathetic, perhaps even ourselves.

The Senate needs to respond to these events that are bordering on being unconstitional. Whatever legal basis the Kaiseress has for these strange decrees, they will at least be based on a very perverse reading of the Charter. We must ensure that no similar thing will ever come upon our people and our government.

How will the Senate view these awkward situations? How will it make sure that no trespassing will come upon Elwynn's sovereignty?

Elwynn prevails!

[Tokaray al-Osman]

Senator,

I thank you for bringing this matter to the attention of the Senate. His Serenity the Prince feels that there are two salient facts:

1) That the Kaiserin exceeded the authority provided for in the Charter by seeking to depose and exile a leader of an Imperial State;
2) That the leader of the aforesaid state, along with a certain associate, successfully goaded the Kaiserin into an overreaction.

All of this highlights once more the fragility of the constitutional settlement and the essential powerlessness of the Imperial Government.

Accordingly whilst Elwynn will do everything in its power to support and preserve the Imperial Government and the reign of Kaiserin Semisa II, this being essential to the preservation of the balance of power between the States and for the unity of Shireroth itself. However the Court of the Prince cannot support any act against another State by the Imperial Government if it lacks the sanction of law and no open rebellion has been declared.

As it is however, the attempts by Kildare to goad the Kaiserin have had the effect of diminishing the prestige and honour of the Mango Throne; odd behaviour for the self-declared 'Most Loyal State' and quite deplorable.

I advise the Senate to have patience and to look to the Imperial Advisory Council to work an acceptable solution to the immediate situation and the longer-term constitutional settlement.

State sovereignty is all well and good, and it helps to guarantee Elwynn in its hard-won liberties, but we must be careful to ensure that we do not create the conditions whereby the States can irresponsibly wield a Liberum Veto without regard to the collective whole - as that would be a precursor to anarchy in the Imperial Republic and its final downfall.