1885: The Bundespartei at the top
After the dissolution of the Reichstag by the President, Franz Meningen found himself in the position he had always coveted: Chancellor of the Republic of Germany. With loyal party member Samuel von Dwyfor-Frauenkirche as his Foreign Minister, Meningen had
de facto control over the country's foreign policy. Yet not everything went the Chancellor's way, as his attempt to declare war on Poland for Africa failed, the Conclave of Stadtholders resisting such belligerence. Even when the Foreign Minister attempted to pierce the veil of Africa, he found doors closed to him at every turn; every African state looked to a European nation for guidance and protection. Only Ethiopia remained completely independent, and as a Great Power, would never sign a treaty of commercial understanding with Germany. The Foreign Minister even, clandestinely, sent feelers to local leaders in Harper, seeking perhaps to secure autonomy for them in exchange for their offices in drawing in African states. Surprisingly, the people of Harper refused, saying they were proud to be German citizens and had no desire to associate with their fellow Africans. Dwyfor-Frauenkirche's foreign policy was not entirely fruitless, however, as both Sweden and Morea signed treaties of military alliance with Germany. Denmark, however, refused any sort of military understanding until Danish provinces under German control were returned.
Domestically, new brigades marched to Kassel every day, awaiting formation into proper armies, while battleships with gleaming main guns sailed for Hamburg. Upon the completion of the existing battleships, Germany planned to create three new fleets, offering maximum flexibility to exercise German power anywhere in the world. Minister of War HF Gutfreund, at a press conference, proclaimed that Germany's navy would be the envy of the world, capable of sending her troops anywhere they were needed. The Minister of the Interior, Johannes Carile, did his part to improve Germany's security, sending the Gendarmerie to every known separatist cell in the country. The Gendarmerie also suppressed all mention of a socialist uprising in Campagna, who were angered that no President of Italy was chosen to represent them. The Parliament of Italy hurriedly convened, each member of the 100 person legislature casting ballots either for the Conservative Karl Adimari or Emmanuel Victor of the Bundespartei. In a very close vote, 54 to 46, Herr Adimari won the election. The Chancellor, fearful of an Italian uprising, sat for a daguerreotype with the new President, where Franz Meningen openly proclaimed an end to all assimilationist policies in his administration.
The UAI's representatives in the cabinet, Frederick Thiessen and Walter Hartwig, continued their own plans, to the general acclaim of Germany's people. The economy continued to hum and the navy's much needed modernization continued apace. The Minister of Education, in conjunction with the Minister of War and the Chief of the General Staff, announced a program of wargames, designed to test the decision making capabilities of all senior commanders. HF Gutfreund hinted darkly that poorly performing officers might be removed from active duty, ineligible to serve in the fleet. The Minister of Finance announced record revenues, as Germany's total treasury exceeded £2 million.
Yet not all of the ministers were popular. Dwyfor-Frauenkirche, on a state visit to Copenhagen to negotiate for Denmark's alliance in the winter of 1885, was surprised in an alley by three Danish youths. Only one of the assassins got anywhere near the mark, putting a hole in Dwyfor-Frauenkirche's briefcase. The criminals escaped into the streets, avoiding the Danish police. The King of Denmark denounced the assassins as "deranged and angry youths, who hated Germany, unlike the good people of Denmark." Otto Kant, the Commander of the Gendarmerie, promised to double the bodyguards of any minister traveling abroad.
As the Reichstag convened in 1886, Dwyfor-Frauenkirche proudly placed his damaged briefcase on the podium, to a smattering of applause.
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((Rolls 15, 8, 9 for assassins; 6 for detection. Two attempts left this cycle.
For the President of Italy elections, I had random.org generate 100 results of 1 or 2, assigning 1 to Adimari and 2 to Victor; there were 54 1s and 46 2s, hence, Adimari wins this round.
@alxeu, I didn't change NFs simply because too many states met those criteria. You need to be more specific than "empty factories."
@TheChalk, we can't form Liberia.))
Ministers may make adjustments to their proposals, if any, and any member of the Reichstag may submit legislation for our consideration. All proposed legislation must be in by Friday at 10 PM (-6 GMT). ((All assassination attempts should be by then as well.))
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court