Fourth King administration of Empherias

The Fourth King administration was the government of Empherias, the constituent state within the High Kingdoms of Alaxia, between 2 September 2499 and 11 August 2500. It was a minority government led by Prime Minister Lucy King as leader of the People's Socialist Party in a coalition agreement with the Green party, led by Deputy Prime Minister Georgia White. It was formed on 2 September 2499 following the 2499 provisional election where the incumbent Socialists won 296 seats, a decrease of 2 from the previous 2495 provisional election and the Greens won 2 seats, also a decrease of 2 from the previous election.

The coalition agreement agreed in 2495, where the two parties combined reached 302 seats (a majority of 4 seats), was continued despite being short 3 seats of a majority themselves. This was done to avoid renegotiating agreements with other parties and to continue the stability of that administration. As such, Georgia White was re-appointed as Deputy Prime Minister. Lena Brandst also continued as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Under the coalition agreement, the posts of Minister of Food and the Minister of the Environment were set to be given to Green party MPs. However, the Green party only retained 2 members, one of which was held by party leader Georgia White. Therefore, the Greens only filled the Environment Minister post with incumbent Emmelie Reynolds while a new Minister of Food was appointed by the Socialist party. The majority of other ministerial posts were given to the incumbent ministers under the previous administration. However, new additions included Tom Marshall, who was appointed as Minister for the Cabinet Office; Anya Rettels, who was appointed as Exterior Minister to Grensalbourg; and Emmelie Perry, who was appointed Junior Minister of the Media.

There was no major reshuffle throughout the administration as it lasted barely a year.

The administration ended following Lucy King's immediate resignation on 11 August 2500 following multiple scandals and the emergence of the new Labour party to rival the Socialist's grip on left-wing voters. James Williamson was appointed as King's replacement as Prime Minister - his previous role having been Minister for the Court of Empherias since 2491.

Despite not being appointed by the Prime Minister, the Mayoral candidates are often considered as part of one's administration as they have jurisdiction over a large percent of the population. Although they do not sit in on cabinet meetings, they do sit in on emergency government meetings. One mayoral election happened during the administration, the 2500 Mayoral Elections which saw some change in leadership.

Resignation of Alexander Murray
Following the poor results of the Socialist party at the 2500 mayoral elections; a usual drop in the polls after the fatigue of nearly thirteen years in power; rumblings in the power of radical extremists Spencer Chambers and Rosie Wilson trying to gain support; and a stagnating economy; the Chief Advisor Alexander Murray announced his resignation from Lucy King's government on 24 May 2500. It was a large blow to the administration as Murray had supported King's government since she was sworn in as Prime Minister back in 2488 following the death of the incumbent Alistair Walker. Many publications theorised that the blow could lead to decreased confidence in King's administration so soon after an election victory in a government already in a coalition and without a majority in parliament.

Opposition leader William Turner called on Lucy King to fix the stagnant economy but for two consecutive Prime Minister's Questions following the resignation, she did not show up. For her first absence, Deputy Prime Minister and Green party leader Georgia White stood in, mostly answering questions on renewable power, the government's new plans on environmental regulations, and answered questions regarding the Green party's place in the governing coalition. In her second absence, Chancellor of the Exchequer Lena Brandst stood in for the Prime Minister and was grilled by the Leader of the Opposition on the stagnating economy and a recent increase in housing prices. The opposition had recently been celebrating the defection of the only Bokanist Values Party MP in parliament to the Liberal Party on 4 June 2500 which increased their size to 265 seats.

Media bashing and King's absence
King's situation wasn't helped by newspaper publications trying to destabilise the government. Journalist Joam Joakim Jonas wrote an article for the Inystan Gazette which bashed both Murray and the government and criticised the weakening Socialist government that had declined over the 2490s. She was accused of trying to weaken the High Kingdom institutions which were backed up with instances of the Socialist party advocating for further devolution. The incumbent parties experienced a decrease in the polls across May and June 2500.

On 3 July 2500, Murray was pictured with 4 government ministers (Minister of Justice Sophie Hopkins, Interior Minister to Kiavalar Peter Sukelt, Exterior Minister to Grensalbourg Anya Rettels, and Parliamentary Undersecretary to the Treasury Separd Delgar) as well as the popular Socialist Mayor of Wynnoa (Sabrina Rayner). This was concerning to many Socialist MPs and many rumours surfaced of possible major government resignations and desertions - or possible a coup of the Socialist party. The ability to trigger a leadership election would have to have the support of 30 Socialist MPs (10% of sitting MPs rounded up) which was seen as possible if many government ministers were involved on the movement. Controversially, Lucy King didn't investigate these meetings or dismiss them from government.

On 14 July 2500, the Prime Minister announced a tour of Grensalbourg, the Hveden Federation and Palakkinen's major cities to meet with fellow leaders and the people. Meanwhile, many newspaper spread the ideas that the Prime Minister is trying to avoid her responsibilities and it is reflected in the polls with her disapproval ratings hitting a record low. Following the High Alaxian declaration of war against Vernikia in late July 2500, the Prime Minister made a statement whilst on tour to denounce the war - as did the entire Red Bloq organisation. However, she admitted to not challenge the decision of the central government or the use of Empheri servicemen and women but did not block the use of them officially. This came across as though she was just using the war as a Socialist popularity boost without enacting any challenge to it. She didn't end her tour either and would continue it until it's conclusion in September. During King's time on tour for the whole planned 8 weeks, PMQs would be carried out by various cabinet members however only five of these sessions took place. They were filled in by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Lena Brandst on three occasions, the Minister of Housing John Pierce on an occasion, and Minister of Energy Mylo Hawkins on another occasion.

Defections and resignations
During this tenure of absence, initially on 27 July 2500, one Socialist MP defected to the Liberal party moving the total amount of seats to 295 for the Socialists, 266 for the Liberals. This ultimately lowered the government to just 297 seats, short 4 of a majority. In early August 2500, there were rumblings of Katherine Elegsend, the Second Chief Advisor, asking for Lucy King to resign as leader of the Socialist party. Nothing substantial happened and nobody was dismissed, but a scathing speech in parliament on 4 August 2500 saw 7 Socialist MPs defect from the party, leaving them on just 288. Four would go to the Liberal party, raising their number of seats to 270, One would go to the Green party, raising their numbers to 3 seats. One would go to the Conservative party, raising their numbers to 7 seats. One would go to the Nationalist party, raising their numbers to 26 seats. The government maintained a total of just 291 seats, short of 10 for a majority, leaving the government in a big heap of trouble.

The long tour was ended early on 6 August 2500 and the Prime Minister returned to Parliament. She began long talks with her government on the future of the coalition. It became clear that King may no longer be a vote winner with her two previous election victories seeing subpar results - no majority in parliament - and many in the party wanted to see new leadership and possibly a quicker snap general election. On 10 August 2500, Lucy King told the President of the High Kingdoms of her intention to resign as Prime Minister and then delivered her resignation speech to the public outside of the government building. It read as such:"'It has become clear throughout the past few months that many have doubted my abilities to rule this country. I had and still have no doubt in my mind that I can continue to rule this great country far beyond today but more importantly, those that I represent do not. After twelve years of my premiership, I took on the policies and legacy of my predecessor Alistair Walker who tragically passed away in office. I steered the country towards my direction post 2491 and have continued to do such ever since. I have introduced new policies that have improved this country greatly. My continuous electoral successes in 2491, 2495 and 2499 attribute that the public believe these to be right. It is important in politics for the leadership to change hands and as such, I have told the President of my intention to resign as Prime Minister, and Socialist party leader. To get new perspectives on solving modern problems. I now believe that the transition to a new view on socialism to take power is necessary. I believe that my successor will be the greatest fit to lead this country forward. Now that this great time in my life is over. I leave it to my hand chosen successor, James Williamson, to lead this country into further prosperity. He is currently serving as Minister of the Court of Empherias, but has been filling in for vacancies in major cabinet positions temporarily for some time to get practice for the job. I believe that he is qualified enough to lead this country through, and stand as the Socialist candidate at the next Provisional Election. And as such he will take over as Prime Minister tomorrow, 11 August 2500. I wish my country good luck going forward and I hope to continue behind the scenes working to ensure future successes. Long live the King. Long live Empherias'"Lucy King would have one further meeting with the President of the High Kingdoms that day, and would be wished away in Parliament with many speeches in her honour. The appointment of James Williamson as Prime Minister, thus started his brand new administration. By the end of King's administration, the Socialists held just 288 seats. Including the Green party's coalition numbers of 3 seats, the total government seats reached 291 seats. The opposition Liberal party maintained 270, while the Nationalists maintained 26 seats. In theory, a Liberal-Nationalist coalition could've held more seats than the Socialist-Green coalition and could've been possible to form (although under a similar minority coalition government). Following the end of King's administration, the Leader of the Opposition William Turner demanded a new general election with the new Prime Minister to see how the country feels about the new leadership.

Cabinet
Due to the short tenure of the administration, there were no major cabinet reshuffles.

Mayoral Office
Nieuwbourg

Gateshaven

Wynnoa

Esthullen

Vreimer

Tbekien

Weskynn

Norsair

Rhequons

Rommes