Franc Kangal

Born

**Franc Kangal** (born August 10, 1957) is an Estdanian politician and historian, who served as the President of Estdania from 1 February 2021 to 31 January 2023.

## Early life

Franc Kangal was born on 10 August 1957 in Eston. His father, Fernand Kangal, was a dockworker at the port of Eston, while his mother, Sofia Kangal, was a homemaker. From a young age, Kangal showed a keen interest in politics and history. He attended the University of Estaux, where he obtained a degree in political science. During his time at university, Kangal volunteered at various political organizations and gained valuable experience in the field of politics. To further his education, he studied history abroad at the University of Champaxe in Asdania, which gave him a deeper understanding of the region's history and conflicts.

After graduation, Kangal started working as a research assistant at the Estdanian Institute of Political Studies. He published several articles and papers on Estdanian politics and history, earning him recognition as a respected historian.

## Political career

Kangal became politically active in 1997, after the start of the Sonalali War. He was a strong advocate for the independence of Sonalalia and called for Estdanian intervention by sanctioning Sagofagia. His political stance gained attention and in 2004, he was elected to the Estdanian Parliament as a member of the Estdanian People's Party.

During the Galie Crisis, Kangal was a leading voice in calling for the resignation of Sylvia Duarte for mishandling the crisis. However, in 2022, it was leaked that Kangal had secretly supported the Galie Front, a far-right political group that was responsible for instigating the crisis. This revelation caused a stir in the Estdanian political landscape and damaged Kangal's reputation.

In 2016, the EPP suffered a defeat in the general election, and Berthe Bardin-Cazal became the acting leader for the next two years. In 2018, Kangal was elected as the leader of the EPP.

## Presidency

In the 2021 Estdanian general election, Kangal led the EPP to a victory, securing a majority in the parliament forming a coalition with The Centre and Independent Liberal Party. He was sworn in as the President of Estdania on 1 February 2021 and chose Mathias Pernet, a prominent member of the EPP, as his vice president.

The coalition between the EPP and The Centre was unstable. On 9 August 2022, Kangal shocked the nation by sacking his vice president Mathias Pernet and choosing Julie Verninac, the leader of The Centre, as his new vice president. This move was seen as a betrayal by many EPP members, as it gave The Centre more power in the government.

This decision proved to be a turning point in Kangal's presidency. The coalition became strained and on 2 November 2022, the government fell after a meeting between Kangal and far-right political commentator, Maxence Leerange. Kangal's actions were heavily criticized by opposition parties and members of his own party, who accused him of putting personal interests above the country's stability.

Snap elections were scheduled for 5 January 2023, and Kangal's popularity took a hit. He lost the election to Simon Bonnaire, the leader of the Independent Liberal Party.

In March 2023, Kangal stepped down as the leader of the EPP, citing personal reasons. His tenure as president was marked by controversy and division within the country. Many praised his dedication to the nation, while others criticized his leadership style and decisions.

### Domestic policies

Kangal's presidency was marked by his conservative policies and an emphasis on upholding Christian values in Estdania. One of his main goals was to reverse some of the social-liberal policies enacted by the previous government. This included the legalization of same-sex marriage and euthanasia, which Kangal believed went against the traditional values of Estdania.

However, Kangal faced challenges in pushing through his agenda as he lacked a majority in parliament. In September 2021, his government was on the verge of collapse, and he had to abandon his plans. This led to criticism from the opposition, who accused him of not being able to effectively govern a diverse society like Estdania.

Kangal's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was praised for its effectiveness. Estdania's economy recovered quickly after the pandemic, making it one of the fastest in Isladania.

### Foreign policies

Under Kangal, relations with Sagofagia have deteriorated. Kangal failed to get the ICN to sanction Sagofagia after the attempted coup d'état in Kovosasia. In March 2022, Kangal was invited to the 2022 Dania–Sagofagia summit hosted in Estdania. Since 2022, Kangal became more involved in the Conservatives and Christian Democrats for Isladania to uphold christian values in Isladania. On October 2022, Kangal played an important role in the appointment of Jean Martin as Chairman of the Isladanic Community of Nations.

In 2021, Kangal opposed the accession of Rigan and Heltanaga to the Isladanic Community of Nations. After the 2022 Dania–Sagofagia summit, changed his views and the two nations joined the ICN in 2023.

### Controversies

#### Galiegate

On 25 November 2022, journalists Françoise Belrose and Séraphin Angoro leaked a 2014 email from Kangal to EPP spindoctor Jean-Pierre Tripeval. In the email, Kangal suggested collaborating with and funding the Galie Front, a far-right political organization that went on to commit several terroristic attacks in 2015 and 2016. Kangal stated that he never went through with the plans and it was just a vague idea. In response, the Social Democratic Party launched a process to impeach Kangal, but it ultimately failed as the right-wing parties voted it down.

#### Leerange meeting

Kangal has been criticised for his ties to the far-right in Estdanian politics. Then-vice president Julie Verninac spoke openly against kangal's ties to the far-right. On 1 November 2022, Kangal met with far-right political commentator Maxence Leerange. Several political commentators suspect the meeting was intended as a provocation against The Centre and Verninac.

The Centre stepped down from the government in response. Kangal also lost support in opinion polling after the meeting and fall of the government.

## Personal life

Franc Kangal married Cadice Lachapelle on 25 April 1990. They have 4 children together.

Kangal called himself a devoted christian. He regularly attends mass at the Eston Cathedral and is a supporter of the Roman Catholic Church. He is also an avid reader and collects books from the 19th-century.

## Legacy

Franc Kangal will be remembered as a polarizing figure in Estdanian politics. His tenure as president was marked by both achievements and controversies. While some may see him as a bold and decisive leader, others view him as power-hungry and divisive. His sacking of his own vice president and the downfall of his government will be seen as a turning point in Estdanian political history.