The approval rating of both King Osvald and the Zongongian monarchy as a whole have both plummeted to historical lows following an attempt to assassinate Kerlian exile Natasha Robinson in Eiria. Recent polling has suggested that 9 out of 10 Zongongians do not approve of King Osvald’s conduct; while support for abolition of the monarchy has surged to almost 70%. The grand coalition government has remained steadfastly in support of the monarchy, triggering even more violence in anti-government riots which have been spreading through the country for months.
The capital of Sneedville has been inundated with constant protests since February, which have so far led to over 10,000 arrests – some repeated arrests of the same individuals who had previously been released. The historical town of Havkantsborg is still in the hands of anti-government rebels who are denying the authorities access to the town, although residents are now being allowed to come and go with items they can carry. Protesters are demanding the resignation of the government and fresh elections, and have pledged to continue 24/7 occupations of areas until the government relents.
King Osvald has denied being behind the assassination attempt; though most people (72.7%) believe he is lying either outright or by omission. Diplomatic relations between Zongongia and Eiria are at their most tense in history. The would-be assassin shot at Natasha Robinson outside a mothers’ group in Eiria and was killed on site by Eirian agents. The assassin’s bullet did not hit anyone and lodged itself in the wall of the community centre in which the mothers’ group was held.
Kerlile has publicly called on LIDUN’s Security Council, of which they are not currently a member, to condemn Zongongia for the assassination attempts. Councillor Lia Chiu told the Kerlian News Service: “to attack a new mother and her baby outside a mothers’ group where multiple new mothers and defenceless babies are present is the height of shocking. The cowardly actions of the Zongongian monarchy must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, and in our opinion sanctions should be considered. Even at the height of our own civil war we did not target babies.”
The Kerlian statement has led to much mockery of Zongongia online, as Chiu’s final statement is factually accurate despite numerous war crimes committed on both sides of the Kerlian Civil War during the 1990s. LIDUN’s Security Council has made no comment as of yet, and has not met to discuss the issue.
