Pictured: Deputy Foreign Minister Alek Render
The Arquette coalition government, made up of Aurian Reason, the Social Democrats, and the Greens, has recently come under fire for comments made by its Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs during a fundraiser for Aurian refugee repatriation efforts. Kuren Alek Redner, a member of the Masterial by virtue of his membership in the Order of Prince Sebastian, allegedly got moderately intoxicated while talking to an investigative journalist from the Duvar Post who was also attending the fundraising dinner. “The fact that we can align ourselves with that psychotic leftist and her failing state… it’s a wonder that we all aren’t already living in destitute Xiomeran puppet states because of her and her train wreck of a government…” Redner said amongst a slew of other derogatory comments describing the recently-elected President Neina Arana and her cabinet.
The Aurian Reason Minister, previously an influential lawyer and leader of the Lumiere Bar Society before his entry into politics, was seen as a less controversial candidate for a role in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the appointment process. Now, the sitting government will be forced to reconcile these comments with its position on Arana’s rule of Milintica. The Aurian government has remained pointedly neutral on the subject of Arana and what her administration could mean for the UCS. However, these comments could very well force Arquette and his cabinet to clarify their stance. Alas, the Arquette government has largely declined to do anything but denounce Render’s comments and promise immediate action, effectively dodging the question of if Auria should remain aligned with Milintica while the latter nation is under the rule of President Neina Arana.
Alek Render has already had his portfolio’s responsibilities reassigned by Arquette and his Minister of Foreign Affairs Elara Morton, effectively rendering him powerless when it comes to government policy. However, his title and right to cabinet succession may only be removed with the approval of the Representariat and either the Masterial or the Queen. For her part, Queen Katherina I has almost entirely withdrawn from political life, so it is likely that she will leave this matter to the upper house of Parliament. The Masterial’s current membership, appointed back in June, is largely made up of inexperienced and unknown politicians, so it is unknown how they will react to a request to unseat one of their own from a prominent position in government.
The Aurian Ambassador to Milintica, Kōrintan Tavernie, released a statement soon after word of Redner’s remarks had reached the press. “We are strongly committed to preserving the community of unity and tolerance that is the Union of Caxcanan States, and that commitment will not change. Our dedication to a long and cooperative relationship with Milintica will remain strong in spite of whatever hardships our countries may face, from outside and within.” It is unclear as of right now if there will be any diplomatic repercussions for Deputy Minister Redner’s indiscretion.
