1967 Urcean political crisis: Difference between revisions

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==Government collapses and Daoni shutters==
==Government collapses and Daoni shutters==
On the 15th, the Archjustice of the [[Ministry of Justice (Urcea)|Ministry of Justice]] informed Donnula that charges were "almost certainly" going to be filed against him by the special prosecutor once their investigation completed in early March. On 16 February, Donnula summoned his party members for one last time, and bucked his major supporters by endorsing Thorpe Aedansson. Donnula indicated in later interviews he did so in order to try and ensure the government would continue to function, though many believe he hoped Aedansson might ask the King to pardon him. Regardless, Aedansson and his supporters' hard stance against existing ministers and 1956 ministers won them little support in the party; Aedansson now took a plurality of Union delegates, though Loughlin and others commanded large minorities. Donnula convened a special session of the Daoni that night, hoping that a unity government behind Aedansson might form. No majority could be formed, and the body was adjourned for the night. It would be the last time the Daoni met in three months.
Out of options and facing likely legal trouble, Donnula arrived at the Julian Palace on the morning of the 16th. In a private audience with the King, he asked if he might be pardoned in exchange for his immediate resignation. King Caelian II reluctantly agreed because he thought Donnula's removal might end the crisis but also because he thought a trial of a sitting Procurator would be harmful to the state. In a brief televised address, Donnula announced his resignation effective at noon on 16 February. Critically, his resignation was not only as Procurator, but as member of the [[Concilium Daoni]], reducing his party's seat share by 1. The King followed with his own address, reassuring the nation that the Urcean system of governance would overcome this crisis. In addition to announcing the indefinite postponement of his coronation, Caelian II explained in brief terms how the nation would now be governed. The [[Concilium Purpaidá]] would continue to make the day-to-day administrative decisions necessary to run the country. However, it would now exercise the executive power of the [[Procurator]] collegially, with the body being temporarily chaired by Cassio Loughlin. As man with the largest plurality support in the Daoni, the King would appoint Loughlin as "special envoy of the King to the Privy Council" which would enable him to chair the body as an ex officio member. Although unspoken, it was understood to the ministers that consequential foreign policy decisions would be made now by the [[Apostolic King of UrceA|Apostolic King]] in consultation with the [[Ministry of State (Urcea)|State Minister]]. The King would also now retain the ability to make {{wp|recess appointments}} for functionally any public office that required Daoni approval; while he imposed this condition largely as an inducement for the Daoni to choose a leader, he would instead be called upon to make dozens of appointments during the crisis.
Loughlin hoped that a short period as de facto {{wp|head of government}} might strengthen his standing within the party. After two relatively stable weeks as temporary chairperson, Loughlin reconvened the Commonwealth Union's Daoni delegation on Thursday, 2 March. The party once again could not reach an agreement on a 250-seat basis, and many delegates boycotted the meeting on the basis that Loughlin was not officially party leader and could not summon the party's delegation.
==National Pact minority government attempt==
==National Pact minority government attempt==
==Julian Palace accords==
==Julian Palace accords==