IMPERIALBROADCASTING SERVICE "The truth. You hear it here first." Aquilinia|Tiami|Sondria|World|Sport|Business|Magazine|Weather Article by: IBS Ft Aquilaine 18/05/2014/6L Empress Lucille Returns To Active Politics After Two-Month Leave Of Absence IBS Ft Aquilaine | In a surprise public appearance this morning, Empress Lucille announced that she was returning to the stage of international politics after taking a two-month break "for health reasons", taking back the running of the nation from the Imperial Chancellor, who had acted in her stead during her absence. Her Imperial Majesty explained that, during her time away in a secluded spa in the Imperial Territory of Kyato, she felt ready to once again tackle the issues of the day. In her speech, the Empress seconded the condemnation of the Triad's "Rockepeller Doctrine" issued by her wife and co-ruler of the United Empire, Empress Adriana, saying that "the nations of Sondria need to learn to solve their issues on their own, and the Triad has no business getting involved in other nations' affairs." She welcomed the Erjunite reaction to the UE's Telrainan Doctrine, stating that this new development showed that even the Triad was open for progress and new ideas. Nevertheless, in the face of heightened tensions all across the region, the Empress also announced that work had begun on a series of reforms to the Imperial Armed Forces, to enable the Aquilinian Empire to better coordinate its actions with its Alkharanian brothers, as well as its allies across the region, and at the same time strengthen the Empire's borders with its Triad-affiliated neighbours. Details of this reform are to be announced at a later date. Speaking on economic matters, the Empress congratulated the Erjunite Republic on the discovery of a large deposit of rare earth elements, and invited representatives of several large Erjunite companies to Fort Aquilaine to discuss possible trade agreements, hoping that such agreements would help support the recovery of the United Empire's crisis-hit economy. She also announced that the Imperial Central Bank of Aquilinia (ICBA) would continue its asset purchasing programme to continue stimulate the Imperial economy. The ICBA's Board of Governors is due to meet on Wednesday to discuss further possible measures, including lowering the key interest rate to below 1 per cent. In reaction to these news, the Fort Aquilaine Unified Stock Traders' Index (FAUSTI) is expected to rally further on Monday.
Once again surprising the audience, Empress Lucille then spoke of the matter of reinstituting the Senate. With the next five-year referendum on reestablishing an elected parliament coming up next month, polls indicate that the public is becoming more and more inclined towards a "Yes" vote. The Empress once again confirmed that the result of the referendum would be respected, and, in case of a "Yes" vote, elections for a constitutional assembly tasked to create a new, better Senate, would take place within three months of the referendum. Calling on all citizens to use their right to vote, she reminded everyone to "decide what you think is right for our nation", and that the five-year referenda were an important part of legitimizing the Empire's absolute monarchy by popular support. Closing her speech, the Empress noted, that, "if the people feel that the time for change has come, that it is time to give power back to elected politicians, so be it. The Empire and its government always act with the good of the people in mind, after all." The Empress' words were met with three minutes of thundering applause, before she retreated back into the Crystal Palace. She is expected to speak again, on the matter of the five-year referendum and the announced military reform, before the end of the month. Imperial Broadcasting Service Ltd. MORE NEWS
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