Kalistani Major History

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reprinted from
IZQUIERDA-  The Voice of the Kalistani Left
President of the Republic Announces Retirement
Socialist Party of Kalistan appears close to factional fight
September 8, 4015
Kaliburg, Ananto District


Popular KNBR-NR1 personality Lander MC interviews President of the Republic Carrangus, after he announces his decision to retire from Office

Long Serving President of the Republic, Thomas David Carrangus, announced his imminent retirement from Office last month in downtown Kaliburg.  Making his announcement during the popular National Radio 1 weekly old school hiphop show "Free Your Mind, with Lander MC", President Carrangus made the following remarks:

"The elections in just over a year and a half will mark the 20 year anniversary of my first election.  During my term, we have brought peace and tranquility to Kalistan, and restored much of what was damaged during the War.  Kalistan has experienced the rise of several new Parties, and even experienced a taste of divided government for a time, before they faded into memory once more.  And so, after two decades of service to the country, it is time for me to retire.  I will not seek re-election to the office of President of the Republic.  I leave it to the Party to nominate my successor.  Peace."

The President's comments seemed to unleash pent up energy in the Party as the Internationalist Faction and the Brethrenist Faction of the Party immediately put forth several nominees for the Office.  Over the next two weeks, discussions between the two factions grew increasingly acrimonious as charge and counter charge were hurled at one another.  The Party's leadership, in an effort to hold the Party together, proposed a Primary contest ahead of the planned October 4016 Convention.  Within a week, plans were drawn up to conduct a five district contest, and the winner of the popular vote would receive the Party's nomination for President of the Republic.

Seven candidates immediately threw their hat in the ring, and they are listed below.  Of the Internationalist Faction:
1)  Davjeet Bhattichariya:  Current serving Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Rahjavi Government
2)  Agnetha Hilstrom-Bennots:  Deputy Director of Kalistan ODEN, and Current Governor of Suldanor
3)  Sgt. Gina Filotimo:  Currently serving with the Militia in Vrassa District, Current City Manager in Python, Vrassa

Four candidates  are from the Brethrenist Faction
1)  Hilda Bjorksdattir, Great Granddaughter of former President of the Republic Elga Bjorksdattir-Bennots, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Doceus Rex University in Neveras
2)  Guillermo Castro, Assistant Editor of the Kalistani Republic
3)  Horace Carrangus, Host of KN-RTVN1's weekly political roundtable, "The Times We Live In"
4)  Eva Hayek, Current Minister of Trade and Industry, Director of KALNAPECO

In addition to the seven front runners, two independent candidates have also declared their intention to seek the nomination.  Though neither of these candidates are currently members of the Socialist Party, the SP has decided that they too can compete for the Party's nomination, over the objections of a small but very vocal minority among Party elites:
1)  Evo Sanchez-Guirre, a self-described Libertarian Socialist, and National Food Bank Cashier from Kaliburg
2)  Frieda Schmidt-Bennots-  Conservative heir to the fortune of her late mother and video game developer, Dianne Schmidt 

The First Primary Contests are set for March of 4016, and the voting process will be completed by the Fall Convention.