2017-2018 Constitutional Crisis

From 2017 into 2018, a major constitutional crisis emerged over the President breaking convention and vetoing two Government Budgets, alongside blocking other popular bills - including the legalization of same sex marriage. The incident led to the resignation of President Alyssa Moritz and the appointment of Amelia Curtis as Parliament for the first time in it's history had to appoint a President, testing the narrow statute regarding the process. Since the incident, opposition to the Presidency has grown and the details surrounding the controversial 2016 Presidential Election have caused questions about the nature of party politics in general.

## Background

#### 2016 Presidential Election

The 2016 Presidential Election was an extraordinary election in that the Conservative Government decided to field a common candidate. Distinctly, the Government chose Alyssa Moritz, a controversially extreme member of the junior partner of the coalition - Veldenland First - to run as the Government's candidate. The Dutch National Party agreed to endorse Moritz which caused uproar in Brabant. Three other candidates stood from Green Labour, Solidarity and an independent Alex Jones (who would go on to lead the Social Patriots and Labour). The division of the left amongst three candidates allowed Alyssa Mortiz to win with 81 Electoral Votes, but just 32.99% of the popular vote. Shortly after, the Government fell, but the Government's President still had 2 years left of her term.

#### Destroyer Incident

In August of 2017, a Russian Destroyer came close to Veldenland's water, causing the Government to declare a state of emergency. This incident led to much ridiculing from many politicians and humiliation for the Government. Moritz, a firm critic entered Parliament and without warning addressed the government, which was described as an inappropriate stretching of her authority. This incident showed a disconnect between the Presidency and the Government and caused a public rift. The constitutional duty of the President seemed to become questioned

#### Budget Crisis

Having a majority, the government was expected to be easily able to pass a budget, however questions around the details led the budget to be vetoed for a first time. This broke an unspoken rule of allowing budgets to pass, as it was necessary to keep the country afloat. Just four months later, Moritz vetoes the Same Sex Marriage Bill, leading to uproar. The next month, following alterations to fix some of the concerns of the opposition, a second budget was pushed and was once again vetoed by the President. These three vetoes caused a major crisis within the Government. The Social Patriots Union which at the time was polling second began to lose popularity as Moritz - who had joined party as a merger with Veldenland First - dragged the party's reputation down. An attempt to override the veto on gay marriage failed, causing the Brabant Parliament to pass it itself.

#### Resignation and Replacement

Alyssa Moritz, facing impeachment was pressured into resigning from her post which she did in 2018. Parliament then started processes of considering replacement candidates for President. Two big names appeared - Alex Jones, leader of the SPU and Amelia Curtis, a lawyer who was also an independent. Alex Jones and Amelia Curtis both focused on a cooperative presidency who would act proffesionally, however, Alex Jones' candidacy also argued for a pro-worker President and his comments on the budget led many to believe he would be an equally controversial and overly politicized president. A third candidate considered running - Gwen Hamon. Ultimately, Hamon chose to back Curtis who won unanimously, without division.