On August 11, one day before the dissolution of Austenasian Parliament in preparation for the upcoming General Election on September 9, it was discovered by the Acting Prime Minister, Lord Andrew Creed, that his election opponent, Lord Hunter Prater, was ineligible to run for the office of Prime Minister, according to Act 1 of the Austenasian Constitution.
Act 1, Section 6 states the following:
“Candidates for Prime Minister must be Members of Cabinet”
Lord Prater, was a member of Cabinet and sat as Chief Ambassador, but resigned from the position in July of this year.
Considering the fact that he resigned, he became no longer eligible to run for Prime Minister.
Lord Creed consulted other members of government, including Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Shiro Mephistopheles, on what to do about the situation, as the Constitution also states that there must be at least two candidates running for Prime Minister.
As a solution, it was decided to appoint Lord Prater to a ceremonial position in Cabinet.
He was appointed Home Secretary, the previous post of Lord Creed.
Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Shiro Mephistopheles, made the following statement, explaining the situation:
“Note that this is a stop-gap measure because the Constitution states in one place that only a Cabinet official may run, and in others only a Representative may run. Additionally, the Prince Regent must approve at least two candidates, and it happens there are exactly two. This invites a paradox that the Government has summarily addressed.
To refuse to do otherwise invites a constitutional crisis. Additionally, it represents a fatal flaw in Austenasia’s democratic process, and we cannot countenance even the appearance of undermining this process. So, in a spirit of good faith and a desire to avoid manufacturing a distasteful situation by lack of action, the Acting Prime Minister took this unorthodox move upon consultation with myself.
The government will be expected to address the issue itself at the very first possible opportunity. Until then, we proceed as if Lord Hunter Prater is fully qualified.”
Lord Prater has yet to comment on the situation, but we are sure he will be relieved to know that he is still in the race.
Parliament will be dissolved today, August 12, from there the campaigning and road to the election begins. The Times will be following any and all developments and will report as necessary.