Caesar wore a neat, custom-tailored suit. A deep black contrasted nicely against the ruby red scarf he wore, draped loosely over his shoulders, leading his sides up as he stood to take a podium. To his right, the Lictor-Magister's eagle eyes scanned those surrounding him, lingering on the representative from Wolfsea with not-entirely concealed distaste. Taking a small black book from his pocket, and placing it on the podium for Caesar, the Lictor-Magister stood back as Caesar spoke.
He spoke with an even tone, and a generalized annoyance at the state of the world, as was befitting for any disabused world leader. Unlike the Lictor, his eyes gave all in attendance a fair and measured timeslot, for which they could indicate their emotions. Any longer would be unseemly; any shorter, uncertain.
"Ladies and gentlemen; we meet here today to discuss the matter of the territory of Rhuvanland. As you are all aware, this is a matter of great portence to multiple nations in attendance. On one side, we have the Argent Alliance - Wolfsea, Nebula, Trinster, and Yeraennus.
On the other, we have the Proconsular Coalition - spearheaded by the Proconsul, Hilaria, on behalf of the Principality under Prince Varus Nascorus. Behind the Coalition, we have the myriad of nations that have supported us, both on the field and in the arena of world politics. We are indebted to the people of Cetus, who have given incomparably to the war effort, and to the people of Carrotopolis, in Guslantis, for the same. We would also like to thank the brave soldiers of the Myrorian Foreign Legion, of the Plembobrian Foreign Service and their friends in the Democratic Union, and the Syrixian military, for their participation in the coalition.
Finally, we must also acknowledge the Kannexans, operating unilaterally, as a third party, and the Tajis, who fought for their own defense.
For fear of being seen as an intentional failure to put together a comprehensive list, I'd also like to reiterate the Floregasquan welcome to the Rose Union's observers, and to Naizerre in the capacity of a belligerent in their related conflict with Syrixia.
I will not mince words. I will not stall the presentation of a working, competent government in Rhuvanland. I will, however, clarify that our proposed government structure is complex. We are not content with the mild-mannered words of the Argent Alliance, nor the appeasement policy of the Kannexans - a favourite new phrase of mine, which I picked up from a parliamentary Hansard in that nation. No - we propose not return, but reform. A radical, total, and necessary change to the governance structure of Rhuvanland - to protect the nations that they have threatened. We must not allow Rhuvanland to threaten Trinster, or Guslantis, or Syrixia. We must not permit them to set foot on the soil of Tajis again.
There is only one government here that has proposed any permanent solution. Only one nation here is prepared to take on the responsibility of governance, and not just its rights. To that matter, I invite the Proconsul, Hilaria Ignatius, to present to you her proposal for Rhuvanland."
Caesar nodded his head, and Proconsul Hilaria stood quickly. She looked nervous, to those immediately next to her - Beth Moore would certainly pick up on it, having come to know the generally laid-back Proconsul on a casual basis. Yet, as she turned to face the crowd, the nerves melted away - Beth Moore got the distinct impression that Hilaria was just scared to look Caesar in the eye.
Wait, was it Caesar? Hilaria, ever so slightly, seemed to be shifting her weight to her left.
Still, whatever was bothering her, it seemed to have taken second place.
"My name is Hilaria da Vinci Ignatius. Some of you may know me as the former Chair of New Intelligensia, during its interim Augustine government, prior to its return to McMasterdonia at the commencement of the Rhuvish Conflict. All of you will know me as the Proconsul of Rhuvanland; the leader of its interim military government, and titular commander of the military coalition spearheaded by Imperium. As Proconsul, it has been my responsibility to plan for a transition from military to civil leadership in Rhuvanland, and to that extent, I have the pleasure of presenting Imperium's plans regarding Rhuvanland.
This is a plan in multiple parts - I wish to present it in pieces, such as to facilitate fair negotiations. I feel it is appropriate to begin by presenting the civil government we intend for Rhuvanland, following the transition period."
The August security team quickly stepped forward, pulling pages from a decently sized sheaf to hand out across the room.
Before Latin Doors, before War, before Caesar, nothing can be born of nothing.
This is the Latin Peace.
The Ignatius Plan for Rhuvanland
A Strategy for the Creation of an Independent Rhuvanland with Latin Sovereignty and International Guidance
Drafted by the Proconsular Office of Rhuvanland, for Proconsul Hilaria Proconsula da Vinci Ignatius.
Recognizing the failure of the Rhuvish people to elect an authority capable of discharging sovereign responsibility in the international community of peers, the Ignatius Plan for Rhuvanland seeks to propose a new governance structure for the territory of Rhuvanland. Utilizing an internationally familiar bicameral legislature, and a hereditary head-of-state, the Ignatius Plan would legitimize a stable, long-term Kingdom of Rhuvanland, providing an ample stop-gap solution to permit the retention of a democratic structure, while simultaneously allowing for the deradicalization of the populace.
The basic outline of the Structure of the Ignatius Plan is as follows:
LIST A
- The territory of Rhuvanland shall be formally known as 'The Principality of Rhuvanland'.
- The capital of Rhuvanland shall be Althafen, which shall have its name-change reverted, hence returning its name to the pre-Ulrich name of ‘Dunorion’.
- The Head of State of Rhuvanland shall be inherited in a variation of the Augustine fashion.1 The Head of State will be accorded the title 'Princeps of Rhuvanland', and the styling 'Their August Highness'.2
- The first Sovereign of Rhuvanland shall be Prince Varus Mac Nascorus Albinus, who shall be permitted to inaugurate a royal household.
- The capital of the royal household shall be Neuenberg, which shall have its name-change reverted, hence returning its name to the pre-Ulrich name of ‘Alzenstadt’.
- The Head of Government shall be inherited in the Senatorial fashion.3 The Head of Government will be accorded the title of 'Grand Dux of Rhuvanland', and the styling 'Their August Excellency', as well as the estate of the Duchy of Dunorion.4
- The first Grand Dux of Rhuvanland shall be Beth Moore, who will be required to take on Rhuvish citizenship as her sole citizenship, and will be appointed by Prince Varus Mac Nascorus Albinus, by virtue of his role as Sovereign of Rhuvanland.
- Rhuvanland shall be bicameral, with a Senate (Upper House), and a College (Lower House).
- Both Houses shall have the right to introduce legislation, to be passed by both Houses to become law.
- The Sovereign shall be permitted the right to veto legislation.
- The Senate shall be formed of noble estates, inherited in the Senatorial fashion.3
- The College shall be formed of elected officials, with an equal number of seats to noble estates.
- Senators will be permitted to sponsor 'Electoral Lists', on which candidates for the College may stand and be ordered, according to the constitution of such Electoral Lists, to be named and placed on ballots.
- Elections will be based on a national popular vote, through the use of Electoral Lists to allocate seats in a proportional manner.
- The Grand Dux shall propose a cabinet formed of Senators, to be affirmed by the Sovereign and confirmed by either House.
- The Grand Dux is obliged to maintain a Cabinet that reflects the Electoral List sponsors of the Collegiates.
- Should an annual budget, and a bill guaranteeing associated supply, fail to pass the College at its first vote, the agreement of the Sovereign, the Grand Dux, and a majority of either House shall be grounds to send the College to a new general election, until a budget has been passed. If, after a new general election, supply cannot be guaranteed, the Sovereign shall be permitted to pass supply with a majority vote in either House.
LIST A Clarifications
1. The Sovereign serves for life. The two Houses of Rhuvanland shall come together to elect from the eligible successors to the Sovereign in a preferential manner. If the two Houses do not produce the same winner in a preferential vote, then the two candidates (the winner in each House) will be set to the Houses again, and the candidate with the higher sum of percentage of the vote in both Houses shall become Sovereign. If the vote remains indecisive, then all eligible successors shall vote for one of the two candidates. If the vote remains indecisive, then the oldest successor capable of lodging a vote, who is NOT one of the two candidates, shall select one of the two candidates to succeed.
2. The Sovereign shall be permitted the use of the gendered variants of that title, "Prince of Rhuvanland", or "Princess of Rhuvanland", at their discretion. They shall be permitted the gendered stylings, "His August Highness", or "Her August Highness", in accordance with their use of the gendered title.
3. When a member of the relevant body passes away, an eligible successor whom they have indicated as their heir shall be put to a vote of confirmation in the relevant body. If they lose the vote, the Sovereign shall select any eligible successor to the deceased member to inherit their title.
4. The Grand Dux shall be permitted to substitute the gendered variants of the Latin word 'Dux', "Duke", or "Duchess", in their titles, at their discretion. They shall be permitted the gendered stylings, "His August Excellency", or "Her August Excellency", in accordance with their use of the gendered title.