by: Yuri Saiki, Political Correspondent
AURORA - On Sunday the first, Senator Setsuko Fujihara (AHSCA-CP, Aurora) and Senator Kiri Whatitiri (NLP, Hoshino) brought to the floor, Articles of Impeachment against Duchess Marcella Villa, the first in the short history of this nation. The Aurora Senator's first artcile charged the Duchess with Abuse of trust, Abuse of Power, Dereliction of Duty and Loss of Trust among the people, largely stemming from the recent diplomatic incident with the Sultanate of Kyrenaia, while Senator Whatitiri filed a simple Abuse of Power with her article. Despite having different motives, the two senators stood firm in their common goal of wishing to remove the Duchess from power though some questions remained about whom would take the throne should the vote prove successful, it seemed Senator Pacifica (UIP, Corona) settled on returning the title back to her mother, former Duchess Shino Nanao-Villa, as steward until such time Princess Gisella could take the mantle, presumabley. The question was raised by the Hoshino senator but under parliamentry procedure for an Impeachement and/or No Confidence vote, these matters can not be taken up.
This might be an important distinction to make note of for readers abroad who may be unfamiliar with the UIS, the UIS lacks any kind of judicial review like some countries may have, but I must admit as this author I lack enough knowledge to know how common or not such process is. The idea of any judicary system remains such a new concept only having come about in the last decade or so. But that's a history lesson for another day, what the point is, this lingering question has to be sorted by the government or legislature as there's no other body to address it. We'll have to wait and see if this changes.
The Proceedings
At noon, the legislature formally convened to begin the proceedings of the impeachment. All Senators and State leaders and the Duchess herself were present, thus it would seem everyone was eager to hear this case out. The charging senators began their arguments, starting with Senator Fujihara of Aurora going down her list of complaints, focused entirely upon the diplomatic incidents surronding the breaking of the alliance with Kyrenaia. Perhaps most scathing of all was the Senator's choice to bring up the now infamous Princess Letter, the letter notably published across all major media outlets in the UIS and in Kyrenaia, wherein the Princess Aurelia bint-Damir discussed with Emperor Thomas Cärrino of Brettenwald confessed she had doubts regarding The Duchess' compentence in handling not only this matter but the country itself~ A letter from the Abetton Prince Linely Latimer was also brought up as "an empty flattering statement thrown around" followed by a rebuttle by Mahmut al-Zahir that largely echoed the same sentiments. (You can read these letters on Page 11). Truly, Senator Fujihara pulled no punches with her arguments getting as deep into the grit of things as she could.
After Senator Fujihara, Senator Whatitiri took up the stand to begin her arguments. Her arguments were more policy focused, beliving the Duchess is overstepping her bounds by instituting several policies such as a mandated education and instituting a judicial system. Describing herself as "old school" no doubt continuing her everyman old conservative from the good old days she ran upon in her campaign last year. Her argument was considerably brief compared to the Aurora Senator only to be occasionally interrupted by the rolling thunder that was really going through the day and into the evening hours.
Finally, it was now Duchess Villa's turn as she spoke openly, admitting mistakes were made and that she probably did act hastily but swore to do better. Duchess too seemed to appeal on some of the conservative ideas citing the past such events would be dueled over. Her message seemed largely they will agree to disagree but will not apologize for thinking the way she did. Though the Duchess has made a private apology to the Sultana, final results remain to be seen. Her Highness was also brief in her arguments leaving it at that and finally the arguments closed and a brief recess before resuming after 6 PM. The vote commenced with from Congress, Four Senators voted for change, Senators Fujihara and Whatitiri of course in favor with Piripi Marmatua (NLP, Hoshino) and Edvard Capulet (UIP, Stillestando). Five Senators, Kyouka Kubota (UIP, Aurora), Anya Strum (NLP, Stillestando), Pacifica (UIP, Corona), Kaede Shuichi (UIP, Animalpolis) and Kurlino Ueda, (UIP, Animalpolis), Stood with the Duchess, while Senator Miela (NLP, Corona) abstained feeling reason was had on Article A but not on Article B. Recall that impeachment is all or nothing for removal, and the Senator said she would have otherwise entertained sanctions of some kind as opposed to outright removal. In the vote among the states, no state leader voted for change while all but one, stood with the Duchess, General Zwei Strum of Stillestando abstained from the vote.
With this final outcome Duchess Villa remains for time to come as AHSCA's regining Duchess, having now made it through her first major trial of her rule in her first half-decade of holding the title. With some hard lessons learned, some are hoping to see her grow from this experience. Her Highness took a moment to speak to us after the vote, "I am relieved. I understand what drove some to be concerned that I might not be worthy of holding the crown, I've often thought that myself, but facing this has affirmed that I know I want this, That I want to rule this country now and until I'm not longer willing or able." And I asked Her Majesty about the senators who charged her and those who voted against her, "I stand by what I said I would do in my argument, I will serve and love all people in my nation, even those who stood against me today. I learned my hard lessons from my dealings with the Sultana and Kyrenaia, so now I will conduct myself better going forward. A mistake made a lesson learned." That said, the Duchess has said she will not preside over the remaining session of Congress for the year choosing to quietly continue to conduct business from the confines of her office. Senator Pacifica has said she might end the session early but still wants to see in regards to that matter.
Senators Fujihara and Whatitiri expressed great disappointment for not getting the votes they needed. "We knew it was a long shot," Senator Fujihara said, "All I could do was hope that they would heed my arguments. I stand by what I said and have no regrets about it."
"Sadly I think the fault lies in the large hurdle" Senator Whatitiri said "Perhaps in the time to come we can Amend the Constitution to change the standards for removal but for now I think my colleague and me will move on to other matters that concern our state constituents."
With the festival and rainy season ahead, it may be time for the wounds of this past couple of moths to heal but for now it seems the push to remove the Duchess is over.