Frédéric Armand

**Frédéric Armand** (born March 5th, 1946) is a Valorian politician who currently serves as Chairman of the National Assembly, having assumed the office in 2010. Since 2002, Armand has been Spox of the Assembly's Progressive Party. Currently serving out his thirteenth term as delegate, Armand has been in the National Assembly since 1984, and is one of the longest-serving current members. He is also the longest serving Chairman of the Assembly in Valorian history.

In addition to his offices in relation to the Assembly, Armand has served as Chairman of the Progressive Party since 2014.

In early 2023, Armand announced a run for a fourteenth term, however noted his intention to step down as Chairman and Spox, instead taking a on a more advisory role in preparation for full retirement.

## Delegacy (1984 - present)

### Chairman of the Assembly (2010 - present)

#### 14th term and future (2024-)

In early 2023, Armand announced his intentions to seek a fourteenth and final term to the Assembly. He announced that he would also step down from the spoxship after the elections, only serving out a final term to help advise the new leadership and transition into the Progressive Party's next era. Although denied by Armand, some suspected he was preparing to challenge Arthur Reinhardt in a run for prime minister.

## Chairman of the Progressive Party (2014 - present)

### Succession & Dispute with Anthony Collins (2014 - 2015)

As an aging Nathan Crawford prepared to step down from the chairmanship, Anthony Collins, the incumbent prime minister, sitting vice-chair, and son of one of Crawford's most trusted allies, was widely expected to be his successor. Crawford, however, instead chose Armand to succeed him, citing his ability to lead the Assembly as indicative of his ability to lead the Progressive Party as a whole.

## Influence, Reputation and Legacy

### Reputation

Having served as spox for over two decades, Armand is regarded as one of the most influential people in Valoria. Chairman of the Assembly for nearly a decade and a half, and Chair of the Progressive Party for nearly a decade, Armand holds extensive influence over both the Assembly and his own party.

Some have criticized him as an autarch, especially amongst the Progressive Party, even to the point of being nicknamed "the real prime minister."

### Influence over the Executive Mansion

Throughout his years as Chairman of the Assembly, Armand has repeatedly been accused of wielding abnormal amounts of influence over the prime minister. Throughout his tenure as Chairman, Armand has always served with fellow Progressives in the West Wing, although he has served with both Progressive and Conservative presidents.

#### Second Republic

The Second Republic ushered in a new era of Valorian politics, although some officeholders remained the same. Armand remained chairman of the Assembly, and Collins remained prime minister. Fellow Progressive Lawrence Jackson became Valoria's first president. Armand and Collins' relationship did not improve, whilst Armand viewed Jackson, a man with no prior political experience and who was 12 when Armand was first elected to the Assembly, as a junior partner in the leadership.

Both Collins and Jackson tended to hold negative views of Armand, however remained friendly as he was an important ally in the legislature.

Armand's relationship with PM Collins deteriorated massively when he was selected to succeed Nathan Crawford as chairman of the Progressive Party, over Collins, the incumbent prime minister and vice-chair. Collins publicly accused him of usurping power, defying his selection and declaring him illegitimate. A little over a year later, Collins was removed as vice-chair, and not given the party's nomination in the 2016 prime ministerial election. Many saw Armand as behind this, punishing him for insubordination.