Pelasgia
Established Nation
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Legislature devolves into free-for-all as Nationalists table motion to lift parliamentary immunity of opposition members
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The main entrance of the New Senate House, which houses both houses of Pelasgia's legislature, at night
The Legislative Assembly saw a session even more chaotic than that of Wednesday, as the Nationalist majority leader formally submitted a motion to lift the parliamentary immunity of opposition legislators implicated by the Senate's Report on the Southern Elimeiotis Emergency, pending formal investigation and charges by the Procurorate of the Court of Cassation. The move caused considerable uproar amongst the opposition, with the Social Party effectively losing all semblance of unity as factions in favour of and against the motion, represented by moderates and radicals grasping for control over the big tent respectively, attacked one another, the latter threatening to leave the Social Party altogether. The People's Party fared better as a united force opposing what they termed a "Nationalist power-grab which should cause institutional terror to all who care for the rule of law." However, considerable rifts still exist in the party's Elitist and Populist segments over land and social reform, as well as Tiburanism, and these rifts prevented the People's Party from moving from a passionate defence to an actual effective counter-attack. The DKKP remained largely silent, though some skepticism was aired; the Senate Report said next to nothing on it, and there's no indication of the Nationalists wishing to abandon their understanding with the legislature's smallest party. The session, which was supposed to end by eight in the afternoon dragged on to nearly midnight, with thousands of protesters assembled outside and a considerable presence of Imperial Police riot units in case tensions flared. The motion was carried through on Nationalist and Social Party votes, reaching the necessary majority just barely, with the opposing Social Party members storming out of the chamber and People's Party members shouting throughout the process, to the point that their minority leader was censured by the Presiding Magistrate.
In the Senate, the motion saw even more controversy, though the more elevated makeup of the house allowed for civilised, albeit fiery, debate. The High Aristocrats were diametrically opposed to the motion, while the Low Aristocrats were largely in favour, essentially acting as the Senatorial factions of the People's Party and the Nationalists. The Hierarchs seemed evenly divided on the question, leaning slightly against, the opposite being true for the Logothetae. The Spatharioi and the Akritai were almost universally in favour of the motion, following a hard line against what they saw as treason, expressing their views in no uncertain terms. Ultimately, 562 of the 826 Senators supported the motion to lift the legislators' immunity, seeing it through around two and a half hours after midnight. With the motion passed and awaiting Imperial Assent tomorrow morning, the Procurorate of the Court of Cassation has already moved to issue warrants for the arrest of around seventy People's Party and Social Party members. Imperial Police forces, allegedly supplemented by the Special Prosecution Detachments of the Central State Security Service raided the offices of the two parties this morning, seizing truckloads of materials allegedly connected to the investigation of funding and support of the Melingian rebels.
Given the considerable developments of the recent weeks, which have led to a rapid deterioration of the country's multi-party system, His Imperial Majesty has aired the idea of hosting a conference between the major political leaders of the country to hammer out differences. Though the success of such a conference is uncertain, the Emperor does have both the legal authority and the theoretical legitimacy to demand that party and faction leaders at least try to come to a resolution. Yesterday, one hundred Loyalist figures submitted a motion to that effect for the consideration of His Imperial Majesty to the Imperial Household Service. The Grand Palace has yet to comment on the request.
In other news
☞ (International) – Pelasgia signs Long Sea Treaty of Free Trade and Amity with Eiffelland-Retalia in Propontis, signalling new era of free movement of goods, people and assets across the formerly allied countries. Imperial Senate formally repeals acts of Pelasgia's Trier Concord membership, ending the alliance, as relations between former allies enter new era. Treaty awaiting parliamentary approval in Eiffelland-Retalia.
☞ (Defence) – Imperial Armed Forces enter talks with PEVO to adopt new PEVO 33 assault rifle as replacement for old Type 3 rifles under the designation Type 33 Rifle. New rifle to use 5.56mm instead of 7.62×51mm rounds, and have fully automatic fire capabilities as well as bullpup variant. Naval Forces also awaiting delivery of new ultra-silent, diesel-powered Xiphias-class submarines from Trapezon Shipyards.
☞ (National) – Newborn Diadochos (Heir Apparent) christened as Ioannes Laskaris-Amoraios at the Imperial Cathedral of Hagia Pronoia, in the midst of celebrations and festivities. Imperial First Fleet delivers gun salutes at port following Naval Parade, as do Ground Forces artillery units firing blanks from the Hill of Lygos. Imperial Air Forces hold fly-over demonstration above crowds gathered outside Cathedral to celebrate. Festivities to extend until end of week, Imperial capital decorated.
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