Sanctus – In a shock decision, the Democratic Left Party today announced the party would be nominating Dr. Bethany Greer, current Foreign Secretary, to be Chancellor, succeeding Ethan Ringrose who is resigning due to impending criminal charges. Nicola Allman, Deputy Leader of the DLP and current Homeland Security Secretary, will take leadership of the party until the end of the parliamentary term.
Greer is, without a doubt, the most unlikely person the DLP could have nominated – she was until only recently a politically non-aligned Ambassador, and has only been in cabinet since earlier this year when she was appointed to replace Kathryn Stewart who became head of the SIS. Greer has no power base within the DLP, nor any natural allies – sources within the party have indicated that the Greens essentially vetoed other options to become Chancellor, threatening they would rather pull out of government than have someone like Allman, who they view as too “conservative”, or even Amanda Thomas, Social Affairs Secretary and contender in the last DLP election, who they see as too “socialist” and would maybe eat too much of their own vote in a general election.
That is not to say the DLP are entirely unhappy with the decision, with one cabinet secretary saying that “Greer is unknown outside of the Parliament House bubble, sure, but is extremely competent. Her expertise in foreign policy is unmatched, and the fact she comes with no baggage, or enemies, is extremely helpful. This is a coalition government that is threatened with collapse every six months – maybe we need a skilled diplomatic chairwoman rather than an aggressive, partisan chieftain as Chancellor”.
The Green Party for their part tonight also released a statement saying they would be supporting the nomination of Greer as Chancellor tomorrow.
A change in Chancellor will, however, mean all Secretaries of States submitting their resignations too. Greer will, in theory, have the opportunity to do a complete overhaul of government, but sources in both the DLP and the Greens say she will likely nominate the same people to the same ministries; the Senate has already been notified to sit tomorrow, with the Moderator accommodating a late sitting for any confirmations necessary. It is believed that some underperforming ministers will be asked to step aside, but whether that will be a complete removal from cabinet, a demotion to another post, or changing departments altogether remains unknown.
Greer will be the first Chancellor who is not also a Party Leader, with it remaining to be seen how this works in practice. Will Allman be ultimately in charge, or will Greer be given the freedom to steer the government as she wants it? An immediate election may be avoided, but ultimately if this government serves until it’s final days is still up for questions.
JOEY SESSIONS, Political Editor
