General News

Political Crisis in Noveaux Looms on Horizon


Following the death of the Empress Elysia a traditional search of her workspace was conducted under the supervision of the Imperial Steward, Roxas Taben along with the Minister of Imperial Affairs Jessaris. The search yielded several signed and dated Sovereign Orders that had yet to be published. Dated on the 2nd of Martide were three Orders that will have far reaching consequences in the body politic in Noveaux. The documents had been authenticated by several individuals at the Ministry of Imperial Affairs along with them bearing the personal signature and seal of the Empress Elysia. As such, having been dated and affirmed prior to her death it means that they carry the full legal weight of Sovereign Orders and are considered legal instruments of the Executive Imperial Branch. The three that have been made public are below. 

Sovereign Orders #'s 0023-0025
#0023 - Reforms the Sovereign Election process and formally bars all but a newly created class of Magistrates known as "Electors" who will be selected by the independent watchdog council known for its impartiality. There will be 14 electors per realm and then a Arch-Elector position that will be appointed by each realm's leader. In total there will be 182 Electors and 13 Arch-Electors, for a grand total of 195

#0024 - Approves the plan to build a new city on an artificial island in the middle of Lake Velaan. The city will become the permanent capital of Noveaux and shall be named "Sovellia"

#0025 - Removes the Novean Faith from its position as the State Religion thus making Noveaux's Government officially secular, though it has already been in practice since 1867 when the Novean Faith lost its ability to launch Inquisitions against civilian elected positions.

Order number 0023 reforms the process by which a Novean Emperor or Empress is elected. This drastically alters the Foundation Charter which outlines that there are nearly 900 individuals who are given their electoral status through station, rank or free elections to the Imperistarium or appointment in the Clergy. The reform brings the appointees down to a measly 13 while the remaining 182 are appointed via a non-partisan non-governmental watchdog electoral council. No doubt that legal minds throughout Noveaux and likely Artemia will be scrutinizing the legality of this change as it directly amends the Foundation Charter without going through the Legislature or Superior Court. Already some on the far right and the far left are calling for an injunction by the Superior Court while some in the more moderate wings are questioning the legitimacy of the order considering it's author is now deceased. A ruling of legality will come in the next couple of days of the order by the Superior Court, which will determine if the old process prior to the order or the process set out in the order will be what picks Elysia's successor. 

The next order, 0024, which dictates the building of a new city on an artificial island in the middle of Lake Velaan is interesting to say the least. This city was to be designated and enshrined as the new permanent capital of Noveaux rather than Emperors or Empresses simply moving the capital to the realm they hailed from. This city was to be named Soter. While on the surface such a decision might seem less politically motivated that would be a wrong analysis. By creating Sovellia, Noveaux would commit to centralization which poses a political risk to the various realms that have maintained devolved powers since unification in 1788. This order has received less attention than the former and has yet to be officially challenged.

Sovereign Order 0025 which formally removes the Novean Faith from being the State Religion and thus making Noveaux a Secular State at this point is but a formality. In the late 1860s when religious freedom became enshrined in an amendment to the Foundation Charter. The Religious Right will likely launch an official legal challenge to this order in the next few days but with the Faith believing that open mindedness is a way to become enlightened it would be difficult to get public support to oppose this. 

At present Noveaux is currently in the middle of what could be called a political storm. The High Channcellor and Empress were killed in the quake and died from wounds they sustained. Former Emperor Olivier Bast is currently acting Regent with the aid of Imperial Steward Taben. Vice-Chacenllor Sigmar von Lohen is due to be sworn in on  the 15th as Chancellor, he will address the nation that evening and likely call for snap elections the following morning at a press conference though the snap elections are speculation at this point. The Sovereign Election to select Elysia's successor will be held off until after her funeral and the ruling of the Superior Court of Noveaux on the legality of the Sovereign Order #0023. All  eyes of the political elite will be upon Noveaux for the coming weeks to see how this unfolds.