Post

Empire Day Celebrations Huge Success, New Laws Approved to Reform Imperial Government

BAINBRIDGE - Beginning with a Celebratory Mass at Bainbridge Cathedral yesterday morning, all of Valcouria plunged into the 10-year celebration of Empire Day with vigor and excitement. Large parades and parties were held in many towns and cities across the country, while the Imperial Family presided over a navy-air force display in Gratiot. Emperor Constantine concluded the day's celebrations in a grandiose speech before the Imperial Senate Building back in Bainbridge:

"And so here we stand, ten years into the national experiment, a proud and prosperous people. In ten years, we have transformed ourselves from a corrupt and decadent bureaucracy to a competent and civil society, where the people rule. We have withstood many trials and tribulations throughout that time, standing our ground against those that seek to undo our gains and send us back into servitude to the cesspool of corruption and inefficiency. But our work, my fellow citizens, is nowhere near complete. Ten years the Empire has stood, and it must continue to stand if we are to continue prospering as the greatest nation on the earth..."

In the same speech, the Emperor confirmed that recent legislative bills to reform the government and amend the Constitution would be given assent. The bills, which have been in debate in the Imperial Senate since mid-March, include provisions that would restore the Chamber of Representatives as a lower house in the Valcourian legislature, make the Imperial Government dependent on support from the legislature, and most importantly relax laws aimed at 'de-politicizing' society, thus allowing for the creation of new political parties. Of note, the reforms do not inhibit the Emperor's political power relative to the legislature, nor do they overturn the Empire's numerous anti-communist and anti-socialist laws.

Imperial Grand Chancellor James Montgomery, who gave a similar speech in Lloydminster aboard the battleship HIMS Invincible, noted that

"It is time for Valcouria to shape its destiny...The Government of His Majesty wishes that the people whom we serve have the maximum input into how the Empire is to be managed, and with these reforms we stand to ensure this for all time."

The bills are expected to be given assent by June 1, thus allowing for the possibility of elections in 2022 for the recreated Chamber of Deputies. Additionally, the legislation indicates that new political groups will be permitted to form for ballot access by September 1.