by Max Barry

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Region: Geopolity

BREAKING NEWS
Empress Valeria I to address the nation

Good evening to this extra news broadcast. In a surprise announcement, less than a month before the Federal Convention. It is highly expected that the Empress will be re-elected as the Imperial monarch of Infiny.

As of now, it is unclear what the subject of the address will be. Speculations are that it will either be about the economy, race relations, or international relations with the recent withdrawal of Eulumia from ENAS. We now go to foreign policy expert, former minister of Foreign Affairs Marcel Wegry.

‘Minister Wegry, I’m glad you could join us.’

‘It is my pleasure, Natalya.’

'You have been in the spotlights for your comments on the withdrawal of Eulumia from ENAS. Do you think the address has to do with this event?'

‘Personally, I think it is highly likely that it has to do with the Eulumian withdrawal from ENAS, which is a big, big blow to the Imperial Federation. Eulumia was alongside the Imperial Federation one of the most powerful nations of the Entente and seeing it withdraw from a carefully confronted league that was to deny both Washington and Moscow the opportunity to bully smaller nations...
the Empress must have taken it personally, and seeing how this is a major foreign policy blow, it is likely that she seeks to address the nation on the next steps and assure them of peace and prosperity with everyone.’

‘Is that not the administration’s responsibility? The Empress is a figurehead, not an active policymaker.’

‘That’s correct. However, the Empress is the uniting force in this nation. Seeing her embrace particular challenges and uniting the people in troubling times could be conveying a sense of responsibility that she owes to the people of this nation as a constitutional monarch. On the other hand, it could also mean that the Empress will actively propagate neutrality, or take the blame for the Cyseia administrations’ failure to prevent a schism in national politics. If she gets the blame, it won’t hurt the country’s democratic process. Far less, in any case, than if the blame goes to the Prime Minister.'

‘Do you think that the Empress is covering for the Prime Minister?'

‘I don’t like the word ‘covering.’ The Empress is using a power that is constitutionally vested in her, and as head of state, she is always responsible for what the Imperial Federation does and does not, what it accomplishes and what it fails at. Her degree of involvement honestly doesn’t matter.’

‘Thank you for your input, minister Wegry.’

‘It was my pleasure.’

Mr. Wegry’s speculations are not the only potential subject that the Empress may be discussing. Joining us now is Linas von Quicksinken, Grand Admiral of the Infinian Navy. Admiral, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

‘I am honored, Natalya. Thank you for having me.’

‘You have been vocal in the past about the Infinian naval capabilities. Do you think it is related?’

‘Yes, I indeed think that they are related. In recent years, Infiny has relied on a network of foreign nations to account for its defense. Our navy is dwarfed by several of our top competitors, particularly the Soviet Union and Furstia, against whom we have suffered shameful intimidation during our intervention in the Danubian Civil War. With Eulumia departing ENAS, Infiny’s geopolitical standing takes a drastic strategic hit - I agree with the former minister. With a key strategic partner in the Indian Ocean departing, the Empress is feeling the pressure of the ICC increasing. Personally, I am thoroughly convinced that we will soon be seeing increased military buildup.’

‘Do you believe these funds will be allocated to the navy?’

‘The navy is Infiny’s most important armed forces department. Although the Imperial Federation is land-based, we have no serious enemies on land. Navally, however, we are vulnerable. Several of Infiny’s major hubs, most particularly Rhapta and Mogadishu-Xamara, are located at the shores. More importantly, Infiny’s location right next to the Gateway of Tears, the Gulf of Malao, and the Indian Ocean makes Infiny a prime target for those nations seeking to establish ties between Europe and Asia. With diplomatic support fading, the Imperial Federation is left to its own devices.’

‘Do you think the Empress perceives Infiny to be geopolitically isolated?’

‘Isolated, no. The Imperial Federation has plenty of partners in ENAS, and strong relations with nations like Eulumia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. I am certain that in the event of war, these nations will support - whether militarily or not - the Imperial Federation. However, I rather not fight a war in the first place, and I believe the Empress agrees. To deter aggression, a naval buildup is, indeed, required.’

‘Thank you for your input, Grand Admiral. ‘

‘Honored to share.’

Lastly, we explore the economic conditions of the Imperial Federation. Although the economy continues to grow, growth seems to be declining. Slums are still a tremendous problem in large cities, and recent months have seen an increase in racial violence as poverty disproportionally affects the Native African population of the Imperial Federation. Joining us now is Jozef Hezibu, CEO of the medicine company Tiva. Thank you for joining us, Mr. Hezibu.

‘The pleasure is all mine.’

‘Now, Mr. Hezibu, you have been trending recently because you’ve been suggesting that the Imperial Federation’s economic growth is highly disproportional and almost exclusively benefits the rich white minority. Do you think this will be the focal point of the Empress’s address to the nation?’

‘I think it will, I think it will. A blind man can see that internally, it is not going too well in the Imperial Federation, and the Empress is a compassionate woman. It is not about outward strength, it is about internal prosperity. To strengthen Infinian endurance in the face of an ever-increasing geopolitical threat, I think the Empress will look to cure Infiny, rather than to cure the other nations if you follow my logic.’

‘So you think that the recent withdrawal from Eulumia from ENAS is a direct cause for the address?’

‘Indeed, I agree with the minister’s and the Grand Admiral’s assessment of the diplomatic theater, but I don’t think this is what the subject of the address will mainly be about. As minister Wegry said, the Empress is a unifying figure, but she can only unify within Infiny. Thus, it would be much more powerful if she came out as Empress of All Infinians and supported more equal economic development. I believe she knows where she is most efficient, she is an intelligent woman.’

‘Do you have any concrete evidence that leads you to claim that the Empress has witnessed the increase in race-related violence and is willing to address it?’

‘I do, very much so. The Empress has a history of vigorously opposing racism, and recently even came out in favor of the controversial Lysenku v. Imperial Federation ruling, stating that it ‘was a great day for economic opportunity in poorer communities and will eliminate the economic disadvantages that our brothers and sisters of all colors suffer.’

‘Won’t that lead to opposition from the more right-wing factions in the Sobiraniya? Do you think such an address would be unifying rather than polarizing?’

‘As long as she carefully chooses her words, no. No Infinian politician actively propagates racism - that is against the Constitution of the Imperial Federation. If she appeals to the sentiments that all citizens of Infiny regardless of color are, in fact, Infinians, I believe she can strengthen national unity in the face of foreign setbacks.’

‘Thank you, Mr. Hezibu.’

‘Thank you for having me, Natalya.’

_________________________________

‘We now go live to the Afara ye Sevobodu, where the Empress’ address to the nation is held.

Empress Valeria moves elegantly to the microphone. Careful not to slip up at this crucial moment. After taking a few sips of water, she waits for all the cameras. Then she starts.

Moyi chelovi Infiniyi,*

Good evening.

I am speaking to you directly in order to discuss matters that I believe vital to the course of this nation and to the national interest. I have always striven to optimally listen to the will of the Infinian people, to whom I am responsible for the execution of my function.

My Imperial tenure has been characterized by violence, and hate. I have been swept to power by a corrupt and grotesque sect. I am of the strong opinion that our Constitutional Framework is powerful, but our democratic tradition is weak. As a compromise candidate, I lack democratic legitimacy. A democratic legitimacy, that on July 23rd during the Conventsiya Federatsiyaya, I am unwilling to pretend.

With my past, maintaining a democratic tradition while staying as Empress is impossible. I am the first Empress of the Second Imperial Federation, elected by a plotting sect installing me and my privileges as a puppet to their anti-democratic desires.

I believe that an Imperial monarch the likes of me can never pretend to have reached the top democratically. I could stay at the top by the grace of the people but never reach it. If we only allow our elites a chance to become Head of State, we have failed as a democracy.

We are now faced with monumental issues. We are faced with a rapidly changing, threatening geopolitical shift that makes the position of the Imperial Federation more and more perilous. We are in a military standoff between nations ruthlessly advancing their own interests over those of the smaller ones that they crush in days. We are faced with a crisis in energy as our ecological footprints slowly squish the planet, depleting it of its resources to keep us all alive. We are facing ever-increasing racial inequality as our country continues to grow.

All these issues are critical to be addressed. Infiny will need to overcome these issues to truly thrive. Regardless, they shall not be addressed by me. I shall not be a candidate in the Federal Convention. It is not my destiny to remain your Empress - but someone with the right democratic legitimacy, elected by the grace of the people, not by the elite. During this crucial time, we must decide for a distinctively democratic character, that can't be found in me.

May your deity shine on you, and may the Infinian motto, ’Istyna y Yustitiya'** ring true for the rest of your days.

*My fellow Infinians
** Truth and Justice

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