Luthori

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Dr. Schnee’s luck seems to have finally ran out. Following a disappointing performance as head of government – the Prime Minister has been voted out by the Labour Party in an unfortunate display of the party’s apathy towards its own leader; with Home Secretary Trowler being announced as Dr. Schnee’s replacement as head of the Cabinet.

As Prime Minister, Schnee headed the second Labour government, having been appointed following his mentor and friend’s resignation in 5715. Following this unexpected move from the elderly Prime Minister – he immediately moved to secure a re-election following his own election as Leader of the Labour Party (and ex-officio as Prime Minister). Then, critics criticized him for his “short-sighted” objective and for his apparent “disrespect” at his predecessor.

His relationship with his mentor, former Prime Minister Holian-Keaty, would quickly deteriorate following the resolution of the 5717 railway workers’ strike. The former PM’s help was required to reach a settlement between the workers and corporations, as his strong credentials among workers helped carry the government’s weight in a way that nobody could have done.

Holian-Keaty was widely believed and credited with having stopped the railway strike, a move that deeply antagonized PM Schnee from him. During the last few years, both men have been engaged in a bitter struggle for dominance within the National Labour Party, as while Holian-Keaty doesn’t seek a comeback, having said himself that he was “tired” of electoral politics following his term as Prime Minister, he was, as confirmed by his biographer, regardless aiming at keeping influence within the Labour Party – which placed him at odds with a Schnee that tried to strengthen his position.

Schnee’s technocratic nature and background also placed at odds with Emperor William XI, which according to Palace’s insiders and royal commentators anticipated with “dread” the moment in which he and his Prime Minister were to meet in a face-to-face meeting every Monday afternoon. Schnee’s refusal, early in his term, to spend a weekend at Oshburn Castle was seen as a “personal offence” by the monarch and represented a violent break from traditional customs – in which the Prime Minister and his family would usually spend a weekend out of Fort William alongside the Imperial Family in their countryside estates.

The Prime Minister’s rather unorthodox philosophy also made him numerous enemies. First aligned with centrist “Maddoxite” (taken from James Maddox) faction within the National Labour Party, he shifted to the right and the social liberal “Hopeful” faction in the Diet and within his government. The formation of the Third Schnee ministry in 5720 is considered to have been the “pinnacle” of the influence of the faction in government – with many “Maddoxites” and Holian-Keaty's allies being sidelined in favour of “right-wing” elements of the Labour Party.

He moreover engaged in a relative economic pro-deregulation stance, specifically with the Representation in the Workforce Act, striking a clear break from Labour Party tradition that further placed him at odds with the more left-wing factions and former Prime Minister Holian-Keaty – who is widely believed to have encouraged the formation of the “Young Kalistanis” faction in October 5720, with the explicit objective of weakening the Prime Minister’s hold over his Diet delegation.

The Prime Minister’s government appointed liberal Joseph Becker as Governor of the Bank of Luthori following Doll’s 8-year term ended in 5721, marking a rightward turn for the Bank’s independent policy decision-making process. The appointment was widely criticized by the Prime Minister’s centrist and left-wing MPs, with the “Young Kalistanis” threatening a vote of no-confidence against Schnee’s government.

Ironically for a man who said that he didn't like the sport, it was the Cricket World Cup that saved the government in 5721, as the economy was still feeling the positive aftershock of increased demand and production due to the tourist influx during that year's holiday season.

One and a half year later, it seems that the Prime Minister’s luck and political shrewdness couldn’t save him – with Labour MPs demanding his resignation as the 5723 elections approaches – with his approval ratings currently low (37% favourable) and increased scrutiny over the case of cabinet secretary, Josh Blythe, he had no choice but to acquiesce to the demands and presented his resignation to His Imperial Majesty.

Under advice from the so-called “Group of 4” of the National Labour Party’s board, formed by Leader of the House of Peers, Thomas Rosboryn, the Leader of the Imperial Diet, Sylvia Reddington, the Leader of the “Renewal” faction (moderate left), and former Defence Secretary, Patrick Peterson and the former Prime Minister, Edward Holian-Keaty, the Emperor has appointed Henry Trowler as Prime Minister of Luthori.

A moderate civil servant turned politician, aligned with the Labour Party’s reformist faction – he was appointed in 5721 as part of a reshuffle, a former anti-corruption prosecutor; he was considered for the Ministry of Justice before being appointed at the Home Ministry. His appointment, clearly under the influence out of the so-called “Group of 4” was made to see the relatively inoffensive internal minister take the stage and hopefully, find a better replacement before the elections.

The new prime minister’s announcement was reacted with apathy from most of the Luthorian public, with him currently sitting at 43% approval, the lowest in years for an incoming head of government, notably as many Luthorians considers him to be a “puppet” of the Labour establishment. Besides, it seems inevitable that the Conservative Party finally seizes back the Premiership after a 15-year absence from 10 Crown Street.