The president of Belmonté, Amaury Debussy, has given momentum to rumours that he intends to hold a snap election before the end of the year. The popular leader has until February 2017 to call a presidential poll. Debussy, with his centre party, dramatically claimed the top job from Sharazad Màrtin in late 2009 at the height of the military crisis in southern Gallia – as Belmonté, along with close allies in the Interlaken Treaty Organisation, took part in a stand-off with its neighbour Lierland.
Throughout his seven year term Debussy has worked with ITO partners to strengthen the nations borders, and has taken part in a series of actions attempting to topple the Solarian regime in northern Lierland. With strong approval ratings, and a popular government, Debussy’s close allies hope that a swift election could stop any resentment growing at the lack of ability for Belmonté and its partners to defeat the so-called ‘Pope’ in Torrence. Calls for an election also come as the head of the ITO alliance has suggested a withdrawal of the defence troops currently stationed on the southern Belmonté border with the Lierland. Stating that the alliance forces had successfully defeated the regime, Erlangen-Ansbach’s Hendentenberg went on to say that the strategic priority of the force was to deter and defeat Solarian action in the Long Sea.
Debussy is hoping that an election victory stating the desire of the government to continue to station troops on the border will help calm fears of a re-escalation of violence. The centre will likely face a challenge from Màrtin’s nationalist party, although their candidate is not yet clear. The former president has ruled out a return to the top job, having also served as prime minister. The decision to call an election is likely to be taken by the end of the week, with potential dates scheduled in mid-December.
