Brussels Proclamation

Location
 Result

The **Brussels Proclamation** was a speech given by President Kairos Hemlock on Friday November 28, 2042. During the speech, Hemlock addressed several elements of government policy before proclaiming the existence of a constitutional state of emergency, having signed the necessary documentation immediately prior to the speech.

The speech has been described as a self coup d'état by critics of Hemlock's presidency, with commentators noting that neither the speech or legal documents relating to it mention a timeline for the end of the enacted state of emergency. Much of the aggressive rhetoric within the speech has been claimed to have been written by then vice president Fachnan Opus, who was notably a radical figure within Hemlock's government known for his attacks on the "restrictive" constitution of Morra.

## Background

 Main articles: 2039-40 Morranian Political Crisis and 2042 Morranian Government Crisis
Following nearly twenty years of oppressive autocratic governance in Morra by the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), in January 2040, Democratic Party of the People (DPV) leaders Kairos Hemlock and Fachnan Opus were inaugurated as president and vice president of Morra respectively, whilst Wilhelm De Croo of the Party of the Labourers (PvdA) was elected speaker of the National Assembly at the head of a broad coalition government supporting Hemlock's presidency. During the early years of the government, Hemlock and de Croo cooperated in passing major government reforms, such as the National Reform Act of 2040; however, the personal relationship between the two had largely collapsed by early 2042 due to frictions over the direction of government and how to respond to the ongoing terrorist campaign being waged by Venenum against the Morranian state.

In early 2042, speaker de Croo joined with members of the VVD and other opposition parties to sponsor a referendum which would reform the constitution to de Croo's advantage, prompting a government crisis. Amidst the crisis, Hemlock and her senior advisors committed widespread election manipulation to ensure the failure of the referendum, before forcing de Croo out of government in the aftermath. De Croo's reticence to resign as speaker prompted him and his party to make several unfounded, though unknowingly correct, allegations of voter manipulation against President Hemlock. With de Croo removed from office, the Hemlock loyalist Ophelia de Ruiter was appointed as speaker in May 2042; during the early months of her government, terrorist attacks from Venenum began to ramp up in violence, prompting calls for increased security powers for the government, whilst vice president Opus personally orchestrated the government's takeover of constitutionally impartial election bodies, such as the Morranian Electoral Commission. Against this background, on September 2, 2042, the Party of the Labourers collapsed the de Ruiter ministry and forced elections, which were resoundingly won by pro-Hemlock parties in circumstances deemed unfair by foreign observers. The election returned a majority for the three major pro-Hemlock parties, and on November 17, 2042, de Ruiter formed a second ministry. With her allies now in full control of the executive and legislative branches of government, Hemlock gave her nationally televised Brussels Proclamation on November 28, 2042 in a bid to rally support for her campaign against Venenum and other domestic opponents; prior to the speech, Hemlock signed Executive Order 1872 in order to give legal authority to the announcement of a state of emergency.

## Speech

Democracy is a most sacred idea and is the fundamental building block of our modern society. As citizens of Morra, we know better than most that this is a hard fought luxury, one that sinister forces seek to undermine, twist, and corrupt. Even now, nearly three years from our victory in the decades long struggle for democracy, we stand at the precipice of collapse as reactionary elements attack and subvert our prized democratic institutions. My own government fell prey to this drive; 6 months ago, the speaker of the National Assembly attempted to use a referendum to conduct a coup d'état and seize control of the executive, before dragging his once noble party into disrepute by denying the legitimacy of his rejection. Whilst we have been open in welcoming allies in our fight for democracy, rest assured that we will not be deceived again. We will be vigilant in our rejection of the autocracy and authoritarianism which for so long has marred our society, and we will be absolutely ruthless in expunging subversives from power.
To this extent, I have directed my government to begin the implementation of a crackdown against those sinister forces who move against us. To those individuals I say this: we will find you, we will stop you, and we will destroy you. In the coming weeks, speaker de Ruiter will introduce legislation to expand the powers of the police to locate and remove threats to the state, and further legislation will ensure that all political parties who aim to influence government policy will be subject to strict regulation in order to ensure the propriety of all political groups. However, whilst I am fully confident in my government's capability to grapple with the ongoing struggle, the mounting security and political circumstances are deeply challenging, whilst our legislative opponents seek to form a coalition of chaos to undermine our progress. Amidst this background, terroristic groups such as Venenum have been allowed to freely expand with the implicit backing of the Party of the Labourers. Consequently, and with the recent mandate granted to my government by the population, I have deemed it necessary to implement the powers granted to me under Article X of the Morranian Constitution to enact a State of Emergency until the present situation is brought under control.
Under this State of Emergency, the constitution will continue to be enforced and civilian government will continue to operate with regular elections. However, the implementation of the State of Emergency will grant the government significant powers to take sweeping action which would otherwise be hindered by rigid constitutional procedure. Whilst I know this move will be treated with suspicion by some, rest assured that these measures are temporary and will only be renewed for the duration of the present crisis. For the protection of our National Assembly, this State of Emergency will temporarily suspend legislative meetings, and instead will assume that government legislation has the backing of the assembly, thereby removing the need for legislative consent. Those who reject this State of Emergency will only serve to prove the necessity of this legislation.
With this proclamation, I speak to you with a heavy heart. We can and we must do everything to protect our great state against the ravages of rightist authoritarianism, and this marks the beginning of our great national fight-back. History will remember this as the day monumental change began, when common people stood together to resist our enemies within and to support the government which has protected them from anarchy. I trust that I can count on you, the people, to lawfully and dutifully follow the new rules imposed by the changes I announced today, and know that we will forever be in debt to you for your loyalty.
In due time, speaker de Ruiter, vice president Opus, and myself will present further information regarding the State of Emergency. Thank you for your time.

## Aftermath

 **President of Morra**Koonz • De Croo • de Ruiter I, II**First Term (2039)**Assassination of Sunil Bakshi • 2039-40 Morranian Political Crisis • 2039 Morranian Vice Presidential Election • Brussels Massacre • Impeachment of Kairos Hemlock • People's Party for Freedom and Democracy**Second Term (2040 -)**National Reform Act of 2040 • 2042 Constitutional Referendum • 2042 Morranian Government Crisis • **Brussels Proclamation** • Democratic Party of the People

 **Political Career**
Derigo Disease Debate • Assassination of Sunil Bakshi • People's Party for Freedom and Democracy

 **Electoral History**2035 National Assembly Election • 2036 National Assemblu Election • 2037 National Assembly Election • 2037 Vice Presidential Election • 2040 Presidential Election

Following the speech, Executive Order 1872 fully entered into force at Midnight in the morning of November 29, 2042. With the implementation of the state of emergency, the National Assembly of Morra was *de-facto* suspended amid significant protestations from opposition leaders as all legislative powers were transferred to the executive branch of government.

## Reactions

### Domestic

* Speaker Ophelia de Ruiter and her cabinet published a statement supporting the state of emergency, praising Hemlock's "strong and decisive leadership"
* Vice President Fachnan Opus published a statement praising the "courage and determination" of President Hemlock
* PvdA leader Pierre Moscovici denounced Hemlock as having "succumbed to the very authoritarianism she once dared to fight against"
* PPM leader Alexander de Croo issued a statement calling for Hemlock's resignation and the return of power to the National Assembly
* VVD leader Ernst van Darmin described the proclamation as an "incognito coup d'état" and demanded Hemlock's resignation

### International

* Avalonia - Väldeminister Wren Lindquist voiced support for the state of emergency and offered Avalonian intelligence services to aid the government
* Isgardia - President Melinia Vicetti and prime minister Giorgia Meloni both publicly backed the move as a "necessary counter-terrorism action"
* Persia - President Tamim bin Hamad noted concerns over the democratic backsliding of Morra and the potential for it to renege on trade obligations
* Pindorama - Prime Minister Michael Temer expressed "great worry at the creeping return of authoritarianism in Morra"
* Spain - President Elena Garcia travelled to Morra to meet President Hemlock in an implicit show of support
* United Kingdom - Prime Minister Angela Rayner denounced the move as a constitutional coup d'état
* United States of America - President Mark Milley voiced support for the state of emergency, and offered to supply weapons for Morranian soliders

## See Also

* 2039-40 Morranian Political Crisis
* 2042 Morranian Government Crisis