Lord Dux Joseph Kennedy elected Prime Minister
HIH Lord Dux Joseph Kennedy, Count of Greater Richmond, has been elected Prime Minister of Austenasia with 68.3% of the vote. Lord Dux Joseph had run as an independent against Countess Eritoshi of Memphis, who had sought to be re-elected on an environmentalist platform. The Countess received 21.95% of the vote, while 9.75% of voters chose to abstain. Forty one people voted out of an electorate of forty eight – an impressive 85.4% turnout. This was up from a 60% turnout in the previous general election, when Countess Eritoshi was elected in November 2013. “We congratulate Lord Dux Joseph on his election as Prime Minister, and offer our commiserations to Countess Eritoshi,” Emperor Jonathan I said after announcing the election results. “The Lord Dux worked hard on his campaign, and we look forward to what he will bring to government. We also wish to congratulate the Austenasian people on an impressive turnout – this was your opportunity to have your say in who will lead our government, and you certainly took it.” Lord Dux Joseph, speaking exclusively to the Austenasian Times, gave the following statement: “It is the greatest honour of my life to be chosen as Prime Minister of the Empire. I shall strive for the remainder of my term to serve the Austenasian people and HIM the Emperor in any way possible.” His official victory speech can be heard here.
Jonathan I becomes Austenasia’s longest reigning Emperor
At 18:38 GMT this evening, HIM Emperor Jonathan I broke the record of his predecessor to become the Empire’s longest reigning Monarch. Jonathan I ascended to the Throne on 20 January 2013 after the abdication of Declan I. The precise record to beat was 763 days, 1 hour, 11 minutes and 30 seconds. Each of Austenasia’s four Monarchs (except, of course, founding Emperor Terry I) have had a longer reign than their predecessor: Jonathan I: 20 January 2013 – present; 763 days and counting. Declan I: 19 December 2010 – 20 January 2013; 763 days Esmond III: 16 February 2010 – 20 September 2011; 580 days Terry I: 20 September 2008 – 16 February 2010; 414 days
Countess Eritoshi and Lord Dux Joseph selected as General Election Candidates
Emperor Jonathan I has chosen the candidates for next month’s general election. Countess Eritoshi of Memphis, the incumbent Prime Minister, will be running for re-election against Lord Dux Joseph Kennedy. The general election will take place on 3 March, with campaigning now starting to get underway. Countess Eritoshi, Representative of Thanasia, is running on a left-wing platform and has announced a desire to found an Austenasian Green Party. Lord Dux Joseph, Representative of New Richmond, describes himself as a libertarian. Both candidates are leading figures in Austenasia’s legislative, executive and military spheres, and both hold the style of Imperial Highness, with Countess Eritoshi having been appointed an Augusta and Lord Dux Joseph a Caesar by the Emperor. Under the Austenasian Constitution of 2011, the Monarch selects applicant Representatives to run for Prime Minister three weeks after a general election is called, four weeks before voting takes place (general elections taking place seven weeks after being called). The announcement was made earlier this evening.
Paper Jubilee of the Emperor celebrated
Emperor Jonathan I has today celebrated his Paper Jubilee – two years – as Austenasia’s Monarch. It was two years ago today that Jonathan I ascended to the Throne after his predecessor Declan I abdicated. As with last year’s jubilee, the Emperor marked the occasion with Prime Minister Countess Eritoshi, the two of them having lunch together at Roehampton. Several military units have held ceremonies in honour of the occasion. Jonathan I is set to become the longest reigning Emperor of Austenasia on 22 February later this year.
General election called for 3 March
Earlier today, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Jonathan I called for a general election to take place in seven weeks time, on 3 March. The most recent general election was held in November 2013, with Countess Eritoshi of Memphis being elected Prime Minister. Up to four years can pass from a general election before another must, under the Austenasian Constitution of 2011, be called. In an exclusive statement to the Austenasian Times, the Emperor explained his reason for calling one so much earlier than necessary: “Although Countess Eritoshi won the November 2013 election with two-thirds of the vote, Austenasia has expanded so much since then that those who voted for her now make up a mere 16% of the electorate. We have called this election not out of any displeasure with how she has been fulfilling her role as Prime Minister, but out of a wish to ensure that the holder of said office has a genuine democratic mandate.” It is expected that Countess Eritoshi will run to be re-elected Prime Minister. It is also expected that Lord Joseph Kennedy – and maybe others – will run against her. Candidates will be announced on 3 February after being formally approved by the Emperor.
Ptolemy II takes the throne of Wilcsland
Prince Ciaran, younger brother of Declan I, this morning announced his takeover of the throne of Wilcsland as King Ptolemy II. The previous King of Wilcsland, Declan I – who also ruled as Emperor of Austenasia between 2010 and 2013, and was known in Wilcsland as King Ptolemy I Helios – has lived in London for some months now, having cut off communication with his family and homeland in Wiltshire. Declan I had proclaimed the union of New Wessex between Wilcsland and Orly while still Emperor, but this had collapsed after Orly was liberated from his rule in June last year. He had since effectively abandoned the governance of his own kingdom, to the extent that Austenasia revoked recognition of New Wessex earlier this year. Now, however, Wilcsland has returned. King Ptolemy II has confirmed the dissolution of New Wessex and arranged with Emperor Jonathan I for Wilcsland to become a protected state of the Empire. This marks the end of the reign of Declan I over his native country, where he has reigned since 1999 (albeit with a one-week long interruption in 2006).
Imperial Family celebrates Christmas 2014
Christmas has been celebrated by the extended Austenasian Imperial Family over the past few days. Christmas Day (Thursday 25th) begun with the immediate Imperial Family opening presents in Parliament Hall. The Emperor Father then went to visit an elderly friend for the morning while the rest of the family attended the Christmas morning service at Carshalton Methodist Church with Emperor Grandmother Joyce, the Boxall family (the relatives of Emperor Mother Margaret) and the population of Zephyria. The Imperial Family and Boxalls then had Christmas lunch at the Imperial Residence, followed by opening presents and playing parlour games. Christmas Day ended with a light supper. Emperor Jonathan I released his second Christmas broadcast on YouTube. This broadcast reflected on the events of 2014 and on the concept of family, and can be heard here. On Boxing Day (Thursday 26th), the Boxalls hosted the Imperial Family for the afternoon and evening. The Austenasian Times hopes all its readers have had a Merry Christmas, and wishes you all a happy 2015.
Taeglan I Nihilus elected GUM Chair
Emperor Taeglan I Nihilus of the Reylan Imperial Triumvirate has been elected the twenty first Chairman of the Grand Unified Micronational (GUM). Taeglan I served as the organisation’s Supreme Judge during the previous term, and has been working towards a revision of the GUM Charter. Meanwhile, Emperor Jonathan I has been elected Secretary for Security and Community Affairs, with eight votes against his opponent’s one vote. The GUM, founded in January 2009, is the main diplomatic organisation in the “MicroWiki community” of small nations, with Austenasia having been a member state since October 2009. Jonathan I served as the ninth and eleventh Chairman from December 2011 to March 2012 and from June to September 2012 respectively, while still Crown Prince.
Meeting in Putney
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, Countess Eritoshi, and Lady Evren Filgert met in Putney this afternoon for lunch, later joined by the Reylan Emperor Taeglan I, although by this point the Countess had had to leave. Emperor Jonathan I and Prime Minister Countess Eritoshi met Evren Filgert of Porthbokon at a Putney tube station before walking to a nearby restaurant for lunch in celebration of the Emperor’s birthday, which took place yesterday. After eating, the Countess had to depart, and the Emperor and Lady Evren explored the town before meeting Taeglan I Nihilus, Reylan Emperor. This was the first time that the two western Emperors have met since the coronation of Jonathan I. Along with Lady Evren, they went to a coffee shop to buy drinks, and the three spent time talking about various matters. All four individuals who met today study in Greater London, and the idea of future similar informal meetings met with approval.
Emperor hosts fundraiser quiz night
Yesterday evening, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor hosted a fundraising quiz night at Carshalton Methodist Church. Emperor Jonathan I set up a quiz evening in a hall next to Carshalton Methodist Church as a means of fundraising for the construction of a cultural centre being built by his own church, the Greek Orthodox Church of Ss. Constantine and Helen. Money raised by the entry price was split between the two churches. Emperor Mother Margaret and Crown Princess Caroline, both of whom regularly attend Carshalton Methodist, helped the Emperor prepare the hall for the quiz. Refreshments during a break in the middle were free, but the Crown Princess was also selling home-made cakes to raise money for a humanitarian trip to India she plans to go on with her school next year. Over £150 was raised for Carshalton Methodist, St. Constantine’s, and the fund for Crown Princess Caroline’s India trip. The entire population of Greater Wrythe attended the quiz night, as did several members of Carshalton Methodist, with an overall attendance of over 30. There were seven rounds, on subjects including history, geography, general knowledge, and famous quotations. The members of the winning team each got a notebook and pen as a prize.