The Summer of the Thousands Flowers

[Hadash]

Day 23

That morning, opposition leaders Lázár Kádár and Dorko Vörösz met with General Pál Fülöp in the parliament building. Gyöngy Székély was also present in the meeting. Kádár reportedly told Fülöp that the opposition demanded President Géza Békésy resignation, a legislative investigation on the last election, and a new provisional government until presidential elections which would be called in two months, in case that was not accepted, Kádár said that opposition would continue with the protests. General Fülöp opposed that, threatening that Armed Forces would take charge of the state institutions if there was no agreement between opposition and government. However, Fülöp promised that all citizens arrested since the beginning of the protests, including several members of the opposition, would be released immediately without charges, and that impeachment against Békésy would be started. Still without agreement, Kádár and Vörösz left the parliament building and met with other members of the opposition in Szuverén square. Minutes later, mayor Martin Grosz was seen entering the parliament building, including the rumours that Martin Grosz be appointed as "provisional president" by the Armed Forces.

Meanwhile, in Újnagyváros, President Géza Békésy addressed supporters declaring that "the coup d'etat...against the legitimate Keszarian government" had failed. He demanded the international community to condemn the events in Köszövár, and called for assistance from Keszarian allies "in case it was necessary to restore order and the constitutional government of  Keszaria".

The opposition was increasingly divided about what to do. Several members of the National Committee of Democratic Restoration called to reject any agreement and continue with the protest. When Lázár Kádár addressed the crowd declaring that a "moderate position may be needed to save Keszarian democracy", some people in the crowd booed him. A leader from one small student organization from Vízdél proposed that protestests storm the parliament the next day and a "new democratic government", receiving a huge applause. However, when opposition member Katalin Kárpáti declared that the opposition was going to start an impeachment process against President Békésy as soon as the parliament was reopened, the mood in the square seemed to calm down. Dorko Vörösz, who many believed that could be become the acting president in a provisional government, promised that "the democratic martyrs won't be forgotten" and that government officials will pay for their crimes".


Day 24

The National Assembly reopened the next day, the first day since the failed inauguration of the parliament. Protesters were surrounding the parliament, applauding opposition lawmakers and chanting any kind of proposals while they entered the building. When they saw a group of Keszarian Liberal Movement lawmakers approaching the building through the backdoor, protesters shouted at them, insulting them and some even threw some objects at them. Gyöngy Székély had some eggs impacted on her face, while other lawmakers weren't that lucky, with one them receiving the impact of a stone on the head, and it was forced to be attended by emergency services.

The session was expected to start a 10:00, but Speaker Gyöngy Székély suspended the session for two hours. It was unclear what was going to happen, and what kind of parliament would open: if the parliament before the elections, where the opposition had only a minority of seats, or the parliament according the "official result", which the opposition had rejected to recognize, and where the ruling Keszarian Liberal Movement had still a clear majority of seats.

However, it was clear soon that the parliament was almost half-empty, as many Keszarian Liberal Movement MPs had showed at the sessions. A large number of Keszarian Liberal Movement MPs and government officials, including several ministers, had left Köszövár the days before and they hadn't returned. It was reported that several ministers had even flown the country. Still, the Keszarian Liberal Movement had still a small majority in the parliament.

The opposition rejected to voted for the election for the Speaker of the Assembly, as they claimed that would imply to "recognize...a rigged election". Gyöngy Székély was the main candidate for Speaker of the Assembly, a position she had held since 1590. However, she barely received one-third of the votes by from her own Keszarian Liberal Movement MPs, so it was needed to repeat the vote at least five teams until she was elected Speaker of the Assembly with a simple majority. Then, Speaker Gyögy Székély suspended the session for thirty minutes. However, it was not still until 13:11 when the session of the parliament was reopened.

Opposition lawmaker Szabina Kecskeméti took the word as the session was reopened, proposing an extraordinary legislative proposal, which included starting an impeachment process against President Géza Békésy. The charges included embezzlement of state funds, violation of the constitutional order, and even alleged extrajudicial killings, which provoked voices and protests from Keszarian Liberal Movement MPs. However, Speaker Gyögy Székély accepted the proposal and called it to submit to a vote immediately, despite protests of lawmakers from her own parliamentary group.

The National Assembly approved impeachment charges against President Géza Békésy for violation of the constitutional order and perversion of justice by a 139-42 vote. All votes against came from the ruling Keszarian Liberal Movement, although a few of them voted for the impeachment while about half of them abstained. However, seven other charges, including the most controversial involvement in alleged extrajudicial killings, were rejected by the majority of the Keszarian Liberal Movement MPs.

As a consequence, President Géza Békésy was suspended on his executive duties. From Újnagyváros, President Géza Békésy denounced the vote in the National Assembly as "an illegal process", arguing that the there was a lack of quorum established by the constitution an failed to obtain a two-third majority. However, General Pál Fülöp declared hours later that the Armed Forces accepted the decision of the parliament, arguing that "circumstances of extreme urgency" justified it.

As Vice-President Deszö Kerekes had resigned, the Speaker of the Assembly, Gyögy Székély, was to become acting president. However, a group of Keszarian Liberal Movement lawmakers tried to claim that Kerekes hadn't resign officially so he should take charge in case that the impeachment was confirmed by the Senate. However, Kerekes was nowhere to be seen, and Székély was confirmed as acting president.

Meanwhile, in Luykvár province, governor David Donáth used local security forces and para-military groups to break up the demonstrations against the government and disperse them by force. There were increasing rumours that Lanlanian forces could be mobilized and intervene in the coming days, although it was unclear if they would be assisting President Géza Békésy or the new government in Köszövár.

Gyögy Székély addressed the nation that evening in a television speech. She demanded unity and pacience to the nation in order to "solve this political crisis together". She announced that the Senate would vote to confirm President Géza Békésy impeachment in a week, and announced that all protesters and opposition lawmakers were going to be released immediately.

[Ayzek]

Day 24

In the evening of the 24th, Jarlssen once again called Bekesy. It would likely be their last phone call, but Jarlssen didn't say that. "It's regrettable things escalated to this point," Jarlssen said numbly. "But it seems your administration has lost control of the country." The Keszarian military had made it clear it had no interest in supporting Bekesy, and the Lanlanians had no interest in fighting the Keszarian nation. Jarlssen didn't mention that either though. Nor how it was all Bekesy's fault. "Rithlund does not feel your position is very good, President Békésy, and I agree with him. The people of Keszaria have spoken, and they have not done so for you." It was telling that Bekesy's supporters were drowned out by those of the opposition. "I'm sorry, Békésy, but I must recommend you listen to your citizens and accept defeat, if for no other reason than to save Keszaria from greater harm.

"I can prepare an escort out of the country for you, if you so wish. The Aldes is prepared to grant you sanctuary in your state of choosing. I would recommend Gynavae myself, it's a very nice place. But I am afraid Halvadag is unable to support you in this situation. It cannot afford to destabilize the Keszarian nation by attempting to stifle such a popular movement, much less when it has the consent of the armed forces. Rithlund will make a statement midday tomorrow. Please contact the consul in Újnagyváros if you wish to be extracted. The Aldes will definitely guarantee your well-being."


Day 25

True to its word, the Imperial government finally issued a statement on Keszaria the very next day. Early in the day's session of the Imperial riksdag, Nikoletta Sebestyén, an ethnic Keszarian MP from Azreae, submitted an emergency bill expressing support for the Keszarian people and condemning Bekesy and his corruption. It recognized Szekely's transitional administration and urged it to organize new, fair elections as soon as possible. It applauded the democratic spirit expressed by the Keszaria nation.

The bill was passed and signed before midday and Rithlund went on the air soon after. "The Empire stands with the Keszaria nation and commends its valiant expression of democratic spirit. This overwhelming outpour of support for true, fair democracy, uncorrupted by the small agenda of the few, is a great step forward for the Keszarian people. The Empire deeply respects that and will do everything in its power to support you.

"I urge Békésy to accede to the sovereignty of the Keszarian nation and peacefully end this crisis. While he has failed to properly protect democracy in Keszaria, it is not too late to turn back."

[Hadash]

Week 4

Many ministers and a few Keszarial Liberal Movement representatives had fled Köszövár, or even the country, and many government officials did as well. Gyöngy Székély, as acting president, had no options but to left many of the ministries in charge of minor political appointees and civil servants.

As the Keszarian police had become greatly disfunctional, at least in Köszövár, after many police chiefs had also left the city or their whereabouts were unknown, and many policemen decided not to attend to work, at least temporarily, fearing reprisals, General Pál Fülöp declared that the law enforcement would be in charge of the armed forces. Even before both chambers of the parliament voted for a seven-day state of emergency law, soldiers were patrolling the streets of Köszövár. While the start of the impeachment process against President Géza Békésy was enthusiastically received by the opposition and protesters, the militarization of the capital was also seen as a subtle threat that the armed forces were likely to intervene if either the government and opposition weren't able to reach an agreement or the state wasn't able to establish the order.

Despite the coming end of President Géza Békésy administration, unthinkable only a month ago, the opposition was not entirely optimistic about their prospects. After all, they lacked any real control regarding the legislative and the executive, which was still controlled by the Keszarian Liberal Movement. They did not trust Gyöngy Székély, but it was not likely that she could be replaced for someone better, and they chances to get to power were very limited right now. At the same time, however, join the government in the current circumstances had a serious risk, and therefore the National Committee of Democratic Restoration vowed to pressure for legislative and presidential elections instead.

Meamwhile, in Luykvár province, the situation threatened to turned ugly with forces loyal to governor David Donáth controlling most of the province, and actively supressing any kind of protest against the local government. The Armed Forces told Donáth to step down, but he rejected to do so, probably realizing that he would lose all power in case of a new administration took power. Luykvár para-military forces allegedly blown up several bridges to prevent any military incursion, while rumours of Lanlanian intervention increased -although this time seemed that it could be only in support of Köszövár government, as the Lanlanian government had gestured toward a recognition of Gyöngy Székély government.

However, opposition leaders in Köszövár and Vízdél were still in contact with their supporters in the province. Michael Szabó, a student from Luykvár who had been active in the protest movement in Vízdél, called for a general strike and a demonstration against Donáth local government on Nueva 26. That morning, a student demonstration was started from the regional university, only to be attacked by the local security forces loyal to Donáth a few minutes after they started to march outside the campus. Dozens of protsters were reportedly injured, and soon there were rumours that several students had been kidnapped by Donáth forces - which David Donáth himself denied in a television statement. However, the violent break up of peaceful demonstration by unarmed students proved a catalyst for even larger protests later on the same day. Several thousands protesters headed to the center district to Hondvárburg demanding David Donáth resignation. The local security tried to disperse violently the demonstration again, but this time they were forced to withdraw from the area.

Demonstration in Hondvárburg continued for another week, while there were rumours that General Fülöp had sent two military elite units toward the province. After a meeting with opposition representatives in the Castleon consulate in Hondvárburg, and after realizing that President Békésy was unable to mobilize support beyond Újnagyváros, Donáth seemed to realize he was in a dead end and announced his resignation. He fled to Ceribia that same night, while his main subordinates attempted to leave the city the next day.

When Donáth resignation was confirmed the next morning, opposition leader Lázár Kádár described the events in Hondvárburg as a "second but bloodless Keszarian revolution" in front of a crowd in Szuverén square, in an event in which the opposition demanded local elections as soon as possible.

Gyöngy Székély proposed István Horváth, a former member of the Messanic Democratic Party, as governor of Luykvár. Three days later, the Supreme Court authorized a government decree that created a 12-member interim council, which included Horváth to run the local government in Luykvár.

[Hadash]

Day 34

After Donáth fled the country, President Békésy started to lose much of his political support he still maintained, after the Keszarian Liberal Movement slowly started to distance from Békésy's leadership, even thogh Békésy remained the party chairman. Even in Újnagyváros, several many law enforcement and political representatives who had initially supported Békésy decided to defect or resign from their positions.

Meanwhile in Köszövár, negotiations between the government and the opposition continued. The government was willing to accept to repeat the Ochtyr legislative election and by-elections to the Senate, although it was unopposed to accept early presidential election -even though the president was facing impeachment and the vice-president had already resigned- as they claimed that such move was against the constitution. Gyöngy Székély appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Tibor Farkasházy, who became the first active military official to serve in the government since the restoration of democracy. However, the choice of Farkasházy was highly popular, even between opposition supporters, as a local newspaper from Köszövár had reported that Lieutenant-Colonel Farkasházy had been arrested by Békésy governemnt after he rejected government orders to open fire against protesters - although that information was not exactly true. The opposition leaders were not enthusiastic about Farkasházy appointment, as they were increasing wary of motivations of the armed forces -which leadership, including General Fülöp, was appointed during Békésy presidency- but they did not make a big fuss about it.

The impeachment plenary started in the Senate at 12:00. However, their prospects were limited, as the opposition had only 39 seats of 100 in the Senate (including senators from the far-left and far-right), and the constitution required at least sixty-seven votes for the impeachment - although it was not clear if the 2/3 majority was going to be respected at this point. Only about eighty senators showed in the session. However, it was soon clear that even some Keszarian Liberal Movement who had early opposed Géza Békésy impeachment were changing their vote in order to save face of the party and themselves. Still, the result of the final vote was still unclear.

Even if President Géza Békésy survived the impeachment and such result was accepted, however, his options to be able to come back to Köszövár seemed limited, giving the circumstances. Békésy met with Lanlanian representatives in the Lanlanian consulate that morning. The meeting was not denied, but a spokesperson of the local government in Újnagyváros, who remained loyal to Békésy, declared that the meeting was to negotiate a political solution in case the impeachment failed or was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, so President Békésy could return to Köszövár and perform his duties as president as again. Despite this denial, it was reported that Békésy had left Üjnagyváros, although this was strongly rejected by sources close to Békésy, Keszarian media reported.

While the Senate had already started to vote his impeachment, but with an uncertain result, President Békésy announced his resignation in a written statement, in which he attacked both the opposition and several Keszarian Liberal Movement officials, claiming no responsability for the events nine days before he left Köszövár. In any case, the Senate vote was a final 69-8, making Gyöngy Székély officially as acting president until the next presidential election. It was reported later that President Békésy had already left the country before the last votes were cast.

Despite the uncertainty that the country was still facing, the announcement of Békésy resignation were received cheerfully by protesters in Köszövár, Vízdél, and other towns. The confirmation of the impeachment prompted euphoria in Szuverén square, where more than 200,000 protesters celebrated their victory all night long, accompanied by fireworks and rock concerts. Opposition leaders promised to continue their fight until the Keszarian Liberal Movement was gone from power.

[Hadash]

Vintyr 11, 1594

Despite the opposition demand of immediate presidential and legislative elections, the government was able to impose its will, and only legislative elections on late Vintyr were officially called by acting president Gyöngy Székély. Keszarian Supreme Court strengthened the government hand in this issue, as they ruled that the scale of the electoral fraud in Ochtyr legislative election make it impossible to establish the election result, and called to repeat election before five months. As a result, legislative election for the National Assembly were called for Vintyr 24, as well as the by-election for the Senate for twelve districts, for senators who had either resigned or fled the country during or after the political crisis that resulted in Békésy resignation.

The early polls started to give a lead to the opposition, gathered in the Democratic Alliance, which included most of the candidates of the previous legislative election along a few candidates from activists who had an active role during the protests.

The Keszarian Liberal Movement, who had rejected to support acting president Gyöngy Székély as their candidate, despite rumours of splits and internal division, remained competitive and relatively popular, coming in most polls as second, not too far from the Democratic Alliance. The Keszarian Liberal Movement, once that Békésy had been effectively suspended as leader of the party and many of his close associated had left politics, chose the mayor of Köszövár, Martin Grosz, to head the Keszarian Liberal Movement list in the Vintyr elections.

Gyöngy Székély, Speaker of the Assembly and acting president, reestablished her own political party, the National Democratic Party, aiming to continue as acting president directly or indirectly. Her chances were limited, however, as her popularity had declined in the last years, even though it had resisted better than other Keszarian Liberal Movement officials after the Ochtyr political crisis. Meanwhile, other parties such as the far-right National People's Party, the Messianic Democratic Party, or the Communist Party kept struggling in the polls as weeks advanced.

The decision by the Supreme Court of not allowing early presidential election, at least for now, as it declared it "against the constitution", threatened to turn Keszarian political system as a de facto parliamentary democracy, as the Speaker of the Assembly would be also the acting head of state and head of government. Independently of the result, the Keszarian Liberal Movement was expected to retain some of its influence, in case of the opposition failed to obtain a majority in the National Assembly, and specially in the Senate, where the Keszarian Liberal Movement would retain 48 seats of 100 at least until late 1595 Senate election.

[Hadash]

Dosa, 1595

The Vintyr election gave a clear victory to the opposition parties, gathered in the Democratic Alliance, which obtained nearby 50% of the vote and 164 of 299. It was a clear majority, but far from the more than 200 seats required for constitutional amends which a few polls had predicted two weeks before the election.

The Keszarian Liberal Movement, renamed as the Keszarian Moderate Party, with Martin Grosz as candidate, obtained 36%, showing a better result than expected, with 119 MPs, which meant that they would be able to block any constitutional reform.

"Gyöngy Székély List", the political party formed by the incumbent Speaker of the National Assembly, was able to enter into the parliament by merely a few voters to pass the minimal threshold and obtained 16 MPs. The new political party mostly obtained the support mostly by former Keszarian Liberal Movements and the far-right National People's Party.

The National People's Party could only obtain 4.2% of the vote, and therefore was not able to enter into the Assembly for first time since 1574 -the first legislative elections that the controversial political party contested. Neither the Communist Party nor the Social Democratic Party were able to enter the parliament, and for first time since the transition to democracy, there will be only three parliamentary groups in the National Assembly (although, obviously, the Democratic Alliance was formed by several opposition political parties).

Árpád Meggyesfalvi, from the Democratic Alliance, was elected as Speaker of the National Assembly, therefore becoming de facto head of state until new presidential elections.

Along the National Assembly election, there were also Senate by-elections in twelve districts, as a dozen of senators -most of them from the ruling party-, had resigned or left the country during the recent political crisis. The Democratic Alliance won eleven of those districts, while the far-right National People's Party, despite their poor result nationwide, was able to take the other seat. The Keszarian Liberal Movement lost their majority in their Senate by a mere seat. As a result, the Democratic Alliance had obtained a comfortable majority in the National Assembly, while in the Upper House, it would require to have the support of either the National People's Party and the Communist Party (with four and one senator, respectively) to pass any legislation in the case that the remaining members of the Keszarian Liberal Movement kept voting as a block in order to stop any reform.

A new national government came to power, with mostly Democratic Alliance ministers, along a few independent ministers. Lázár Kádár, the leader of the Civic Democratic Union -largest political party of the opposition Democratic Alliance- became Minister of Foreign Affairs, and arguably the unofficial head of the government.

The new government started a dialogue with the Keszarian Moderate Party in order to introduce reforms which would allow to hold presidential elections as soon as possible. However, the focus of the action of the government was to improve the national economy and to pass legislative reforms to fight corruption and improve the rule of law, to undone fifteen years of Géza Békésy's rule.

The National Assembly, with a clear majority by the former main opposition parties, established an important number of parliamentary committee and independent audits that helped to uncover many corrupt or suspect deals by the former administration. Months later, as investigations advanced, severe changes were brought against many former members of the Keszarian Liberal Movement -including sitting members in the National Assembly and the Senate, which accused the new government of indulging into a political persecution of the opposition.

The new government obtained generous financial loans from the HLE and other Southern Brigidnan governments which allowed Keszaria -although still facing an important economic situation- to slowly improve the economic situation. Along the above policies, this certainly helped the new government, which become highly popular, at least for a while, starting a promising future for democracy in Keszaria.

[Hadash]

Marth, 1598


Four years after the fall of Békésy, the country seemed to move toward political stagnation. During the last three years, many scandals happened during the previous decade were exposed and starting to erode former Békésy officials, many of them still active in the Moderate Party and the Reform Party (the renamed Békésy's Keszarian Liberal Movement and the new party founded by former Speaker of the National Assembly Gyöngy Székély, respectively). However, the government failed to pass any constitutional reform, and it was forced to deal with an institutional system damaded during Békésy's presidency. The government tried to compensate focusing on anti-corruption and economic reforms. While the former were popular -even if many feared that the government was not going far or fast enough-, the latter were not, as some of the economic reforms allowed the most radical parties such as the Communist Party or the far-right National People's Party to revive in the polls.

But what most was damading the new governments in the eyes of most was the increasing tension between the Speaker of the National Assembly and Acting President Árpád Meggyesfalvi and the de facto head of government and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lázár Kádár. The tension became unsustainable when Meggyesfalvi created his own political party, "Híd Mozgalom" (Bridge Movement), which was joined by 12 MPs from the Democratic Alliance. However, they still supported most of the policies and reforms of the government, but refused to join negotiations for the 1598 legislative election.

Four months before the 1598 legislative election, the Democratic Alliance held their first official congress since the end of the Békésy's regime. They vowed to continue their program of reforms and the Democratic Alliance was renamed as Democratic Center Party. Lázár Kádár was elected President of the Democratic Center Party, and Ildikó Szabó was elected General Secretary.

The Democratic Center Party performed well despite the well-known tensions between the former opposition allies. The Democratic Center Party failed to repeat the majority that they had under the Democratic Alliance, but with 42% of the vote and 147 of 299 MPs (only three short of a majority), they remained as the strongest parliamentary group in the National Assembly.

The opposition was divided, but Meggyesfalvi's Híd Mozgalom emerged as the second largest parliamentary group with 59 MPs. Surprisingly, Reform Party, the renamed political party founded by Gyöngy Székély -proving again her talent for political survival- obtained 42 MPs overcoming the Moderate Party, which obtained only 33 MPs.

The Communist Party was able to return to the National Assembly, with 18 MPs and almost 7% of the vote, mostly because they active opposition to the economic reforms of the government, which included welfare cuts and ending subsidies in order to stabilize the economy. However, the far-right National People's Party was not able to enter in the parliament for a few thousand votes, as it obtained 4.9%, short to overcome the minimu threshold.

The 12th National Assembly, at the sixth attempt, elected Dorko Vörösz, from the Democratic Center Party, as the new Speaker of the Assembly and therefore Acting President until the 1599 presidential election. It was still a bittersweet victory for the government, as they have regained control of the acting presidency, they were short of a majority in both houses of the parliament.

[Hadash]

Marth, 1599


The 1599 presidential campaign was expected to be the most consequential presidential election in decades, and it was hoped that it will broke the political impasse that had dominated Keszarian politics since 1594.

There were more than twenty candidates, but soon it became obvious that final choice will be between two men who had been allies not so long ago: the candidate of the Democratic Centre Party Lázár Kádár and Árpád Meggyesfalvi.

In the first round, Lázár Kádár obtained 31.8% of the vote, while Árpád Meggyesfalvi was second with 19.6%, a clear difference but at the same a margin enough to give both candidates. The candidate of the Moderate Party obtained only 15.9%, while Gyöngy Székély obtained 11.8% both far from getting to the second round.

As the presidential campaign was reduced to two men, the electoral campaign started getting more and more personal, signalling the distance between both men who became two of the main faces against Békésy's regime not long ago.

Lázár Kádár aimed to become the true face of the 1594 political movement, his campaign was focused on promises to keep the fight against political corruption, liberalization and political reforms. He tried to convince voters that he was the only candidate that could assure deep changes and reforms. During the presidential campaign, he declared that the country needed a constitutional reform, and that he was open to move the country toward a more parliamentary system, if that's what the majority of the parliament wanted.

On the other hand, Meggyesfalvi tried to appeal to more diverse voters, offering "reasonable change" and dialogue. He tried to present himself as the only candidate which would be able to unite the nation and heal the wounds from the Békésy's rule and the 1594 political crisis.

Although most polls predicted a victory for Lázár Kádár, the distance between both candidates was getting closer and closer as the election day was approaching.

There were not much tension during the day of the election, and Lázár Kádár won the election, with the official count of 53% of the national vote. Even before that was confirmed, Meggyesfalvi conceded defeat although declaring that the trust that so many voters had given him would not be in vain. It was not clear what a Lázár Kádar's presidency would offer, but the ghosts from the 1594 election seemed to fade away as soon as Meggyesfalvi finished his speech.

Exactly twenty years after Géza Békésy was elected president, a new era seemed to open for Keszaria.