Open FWA Senate: Vote of No Confidence

[The Storyteller]

The Speaker of the Free Worlds Alliance Senate took a deep breath as his staff counted down to the projector going live. As with many sessions, even emergency ones, this was to be an 'online' meeting, whereby FWA Senators could access the meeting through their holoprojectors, and 'patch in' to make their contributions, and their votes, known.



"Order. Ordeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer."



"The Free Worlds Alliance Senate is now in session. Today's session has been called in accordance with the constitution, as an emergency session with one item on the agenda."



"The Senator for Lothal moves a motion of no confidence in the premiership of Prime Minister Rae."



He paused, partly for dramatic effect, and equally for the weight of his words to sink in.



"The Senator for Lothal, has the floor."



OOC - Open to FWA Senators only.

 

[Cal Starros]

From the communications lounge on his ship, a Consular-Class vessel Senator Cal Starros began his speech introducing the motion that was today laid before the Free Worlds Alliance Senate.

"Speaker, Honourable Members of the Senate of the Free Worlds Alliance."

"But some short time ago the world of Ferrerra was devastated by an orbital bombardment, ordered by the leader of the Sith Empire, and orchestrated by its agents. In an attack that sent its echoes around the galaxy, countless citizens of the Free Worlds lost their lives to an unparalleled act of hostility, the likes of which the galaxy has not seen for generations."

"Whilst this has shaken us to the core, another crisis has been unfurling across the Galaxy claiming the lives of billions. The AMS virus and the calamity it brings in its wake is something that the Alliance has sleepwalked through, lacking direction in our approach, at the cost of many millions of lives."

"We have seen a border conflict with the Sith escalate into what is fast becoming a full-blown war, and all the while, our diplomatic efforts have become toothless thanks to a total disregard for command, and the urgent need to back our words with actions and strength - the strength of our people, when used as it has been in the past, is enough to protect us."

"These disasters have been a trying time for us all, and throughout it all, we have lacked direction, instruction and command from the office of the Prime Minister."

"We have lacked leadership."

"In the past few months, my Honourable friend the Senator for New Alderaan has been doing what he can to muster the resources of his world to support against the AMS virus and to advance the security of their space. The people of Lothal have met the challenge as well, and continue to grow in our demand for a bolder approach."

"Why? Because that is what a leader is expected to do. Honourable friends, it is why we are here in the first place."

"The AMS virus has seen the New Republic and the Independent Systems Consortium invest billions into a vaccine and a refugee agency, bolstering us all in the fight against this virus. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has said, and done, nothing. For many, this was the call we had been waiting for, to step forwards and take action ourselves. However, the attack on Firrerre has been the spark that has caused this outrage to flame."

"Inaction in the face of aggression is nothing more than cowardice."

"When the ISC has a better response to a crisis in our own space than we do, you know that the leadership of this Alliance has failed, completely and utterly. The cost for this has been immense, billions of people have died under the AMS, and millions were burned to death in their own homes, whilst this Government sat on their hands, and did nothing."

"We must act!"

"With a muted leadership, and a weak Prime Minister, Honourable Friends, I have been left with no choice but to take action myself. We cannot remain silent, we cannot remain inactive, we cannot remain weak. We cannot continue with this Prime Minister - who has shown time and time again that they do not deserve the honour of the office to which they have been elected."

"Honourable members of the Senate - I beg to move that this Senate has no confidence in the Prime Minister."

"I yield the floor."

 

[Korre Belasi]

It was not new news to Korre that the Prime Minister seemed to lack in leadership. If she recalled correctly, the Togrutan woman spoke *maybe* once during the last assembly of the Galactic Senate. Truthfully, if she had, it must have been short because the Belascan woman really could not remember. Nor was it news to her that there were other senators less-than-pleased with the woman's presence. She herself had released a statement asking that Naeva either step up her game, or step down.

Korre joined the session as a holoimage, and it seemed that it was the intention of the others to do so as well. The woman wore a plain pant suit and had her hair tied back in a low bun. While she had put the effort in to appear presentable, it would be clear to anyone who knew her that she was likely in the midst of a slew of preparations. Instead of her usual cheerful smile, the freckled senator stood with furrowed brows and a semi-tense expression.

Who could be relaxed when war was waiting just over the horizon?

She listened as Cal spoke, her face remaining unchanged throughout the speech. While his words seemed a bit harsh at times, she couldn't admit they were anything but true. Naeva had been an excellent Prime Minister for most of her term, but it seemed the woman had grown either lazy or complacent in recent years. It was unfortunate timing. Between AMS, the bombing of Firrerre, and tensions between the FWA, NR, and ISC, too little had been done to placate anything.

The senator of Belasco stepped forward to speak.

"I and my people believe it would be in the best interest of the Free Worlds Alliance to seat a new Prime Minister. While Prime Minister Rue has done great before, complacency and inaction are a recipe for disaster. Belasco will vote in favorite of this movement."

There wasn't much else for her to say at the moment, other than voice her planet's support of the cause. She had already spoken with Celeste and her grandfather and both agreed action needed to be taken. Belasco was located in close proximity to New Republic and ISC space, as well as taken Sith territory. It was imperative they sat a leader who would be proactive, not inactive.

tag: @Nor'baal

 

[Nicolas Clément]

It pained Nicolas to have to be here, that we have to see that this vote of no confidence being called, but it was inevitable. It was no secret that she preferred to let other worlds take the initiative in regards to bring forth and executing agenda and that her power is limited. But there were things she can do, and although she was doing good when all the galaxy knew about the Sith is they were the 'Red Sabers', it seems that she's been complacent and they can't wait for another election cycle to get the ball rolling when galactic tensions are at an all time high. Most members are content to do nothing while literal fires of war burn.

Nicolas spoke, resultantly. "I have to agree with my colleagues. Prime Minister, you were great in a time of peace" that really can't be argued. "But we no longer are in a time of peace. New Alderaan votes in favor of no confidence." The Voice of New Alderaan declared. No elaborate speeches, just a pretty simple statement. He doesn't need to further justify his vote given two others already did.

There went nothing, Nicolas mentally sighed. If the Prime Minister does indeed resign, he wonders who would be the next one to take up the reigns. The Senator of New Alderaan wondered if he should try running for Prime Minister...

@Nor'baal

Spoiler: FWA rollcall

@Darasuum? @Rhogar?

 

[Naeva Rue]

Sitting behind the desk of the Prime Minister, Naeva Rue listened well to the slew of statements delivered by other senators of the Free Worlds Alliance. Some were valid, some were hypocritical, and others were simple support for the existing statements. In truth the Togruta was far better as a peacetime leader than open conflict. War was, ironically given her species and hunter culture, not in her nature.

She'd always supported charities and public works as much as she could while she served as the leader and figurehead of the Free Worlds. When it came to war, this simply wasn't in her wheelhouse. But it was also more complicated than that.

Naeva Rue's image was projected for the virtual conference, silent while others spoke. Only one senator had anything of their own to say aloud, and that was the individual she focused on.

"Senator Starros," she began, hands folded in front of her atop an old but well cared for wooden desk. "There seems to be something of a misunderstanding. Given your position I would expect better, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt." She leaned back in her chair slightly.

"The office of the Prime Minister cannot mobilize the military forces of the Free Worlds. It cannot directly command corporations or government organizations of our many systems to do anything at all. We are an alliance, senator, not a republic. Not a consortium. Not an Empire." Each planet had its own free will to do, within FWA restrictions, more or less whatever it pleased.

"Each action must be achieved through means of diplomacy between hundreds of disparate cultures, peoples, desires, and expectations. This is the most moral course, but it is also slow to act. Nothing in our laws has stopped a single system from doing what they can to help with the AMS virus, nor in dealing with Sith. I cannot, alone, enact universal policy." She leaned forward again, bright eyes that were poorly rendered through the holonet staring daggers at the senator from Lothal.

"The Prime Minister is a guide. Not the authoritarian political figure the Republic has always favoured. Did your planet send aid after the devestation of Firrerre, Senator Starros? Did Belasco or New Alderaan?" While their speeches about leadership were sound, as Naeva preferred actual diplomacy over roaring talks to the media, their own lack of action was hardly any better.

"The honourable senator of New Alderaan has done his job as a represenative of a people historically known for helping others. But what have the rest of you done?" Naeva had arranged for aid to be sent to Firrerre. She hadn't announced it for the sake of political attention, but it had been done.

"You call for action without taking any yourselves. Ask yourselves this. Is this a genuine sentiment of the senate, or something motivated by personal gain?" Naeva paused and settled back in her seat.

"If you answer well I shall resign in good faith, with grace, and without fuss."

@The Good Doctor @lizziie @Nor'baal

 

[Cal Starros]

Waiting until the Speaker to gesture for him to speak, Cal took his time and thn activated his holo.

"Speaker."

"If ever we needed more proof as to the inactivity of this Prime Minister in the face of calamity, and their unwillingness to change, we have just heard it. I am quite aware of the position and powers of the Prime Minister, I am aware of the hard-won freedoms of the FWA enjoy, and I know full well that the Prime Minister cannot mobilize forces in person, like the NR."

"They can, however, muster support, take diplomatic action, rally the people of our world's and coordinate a response to an invasion and to a virus threatening every single world here represented."

"Yet the Prime Minister has failed even to guide that!"

"You have sat on your hands and done nothing Prime Minister, and our people have suffered and died as a result."

"Meanwhile New Alderaan, Lothal and others are investing in the AMS response, upgrading our defences and - working with each other - we are taking action, action the Office of the Prime Minister refuses to endorse, support, or even do herself!"

"You are ignorant to the threats this Galaxy poses to us all, and instead seek to preserve your own position - one you are not fit to hold."

"Prime Minister, I say this with a great degree of remorse. You had your chance to act, and you failed - and now in the last breath of your Government, you seek to suggest that I, a Senator who has no aspirations whatsoever on your office, and would not even be running to replace you, am doing this for political gain."

"I was there Prime Minister."

"I was there when Firrerre was bombed into oblivion."

"That is why I take this action - because I have seen first hand the cost of your indecision."

"Lothal supports this motion, and I move that the Speaker, enter the votes of the Senate, into the rolls, so we might see this motion decided."

 

[Korre Belasi]

"Prime Minister Rue, many of us did help."

Korre shifted her weight back onto both feet, staring straight at the hologram figure of Naeva Rue. She had not been one of those to show up in Firrerre's defense, but within minutes of receiving a message from Dr. Morata she had mobilized the newly-formed GHO and within fifteen minutes of that, she was off planet headed to the nearest medical station. For the next several days she had helped process refugees and those with immediate medical problems. It had ben stressful, but she had been there. She had helped, and yet, she was being accused of doing nothing. Korre really didn't like that.

"Belasco sent aid. Through the GHO, I sent aid, Prime Minister. Within 15 minutes of receiving notice from Dr. Morata, I was on route to the nearest medical station to help situate victims.

"You are a guide, yes, but where have you given guidance? We are only senators, Prime Minister. Some of us have more influence in our governments than others, but every planet looks to you. You were silent in the last Senate meeting. What have you done to unite the Free Worlds against the threat of the Sith?

"You cannot sit and push blame onto hundreds of us when we all look up to one of you. With war at our door, this cannot define our leadership."

Korre finished her spiel and looked to Senator Starros, then to the others present who had yet to speak. She had already confirmed with her grandfather; Belasco was in favorite of it.

tags: @Nor'baal @The Good Doctor

 

[The Storyteller]

Shuffling some papers around as the votes came in, the Speaker of the Free World's Alliance looked around the room with beady eyes and aligned his spectacles as he read from the text handed to him by a tired-looking Clerk of the House.

"Ahem."

He let out a cough, clearing his throat before intoning in a worn voice "Order! Order!"

"The motion is that this House has no confidence in the Prime Minister."

"Those in favour, Aye!"

A chorus of 'Ayes' went up from the benches.

"To the contrary, No!"

Silence. He shooked his head, an expression of sympathy for the Prime Minister, whose support had finally run out.

"I saw the AYES have it, the AYES have it. The motion carries."

The clerks ruffled papers, as the vote was recorded and the chuntering of members rose once more, as the Speaker, after a few moments, stood.

"Order! Order! The House will adjourn."

/endthread

OOC - Did it a bit differently, using your statements as your indications of support.