Motion of No Confidence Launched

In a bold move, with legal action pending, Edgard Portela (NFP) and David Redstone (DLP at-large) have motioned a vote of no confidence against the leader the of the Citizens' Council, Christos Loutrado (LPT). The motion comes following the controversy of not only Loutrado's departure from San Martin or the impending trial but this time as a result of the Interior Ministry Conflicts Act.

The act was a direct response by Loutrado to the recent situation where it became apparent that Redstone had rejected a citizenship application without keeping a record of it in the national archives or the Interior Ministry. The application in question was of a Mr Montario who is known in various areas of the international community, but not really in Talamthom. A rumour arised in San Martin (fast becoming a burden on Talamthom in terms of the recent unrest involving trials) that Redstone, who is the Interior Minister of both nations, had rejected a citizenship application in Talamthom that niether the Dáil or the President were aware of.

Mr Redstone later apologised and said he was acting in the national interests of our Republic. The President accepted this and stated that maybe to prevent any future confusion that all records of applications, passed or rejected, should be kept. Mr Loutrado decided the best way to deal with this situation was a bill which he submitted to the Citizens' Council. The bill came up against strong opposition, especially from the Governor of Tománn Indo-China and the Interior Minister. Redstone felt that the bill was a direct attempt to have him removed from office as a result of a mistake he had already apologised for. The President was able to calm his fears by stating that the only person who can remove him from his position of the Interior Ministry was the man who put him there, namely the President.In the end Kevin Wilson (CPT at-large) and the President both agreed a Ministries Rules of Procedure or Code of Conduct would be prefereable to a bill.

Ultimately, the no confidence vote, which was opened yesterday, is 50% a result of the bill and 50% current circumstances. The President was unable to prevent Portela and Redstone from opening the vote of no confidence, despite his warning that it would be both "risky" and could "whip up a pre-trial frenzy". The vote finishes on Sunday night and is expected to result in Christo Loutrado keeping his job.