Embattled Senator is Ousted, Replaced
Coronet, Corellia — Orion Karath has been ousted as the Senator from Corellia and the leader of his planet's government, as a mass defection of members from his party to a new coalition has installed Lancer Niedra, a former Senator, in his place. Mr. Karath's party—the Old Corellian Party, or OCP—owes its sudden unpopularity to a series of scandals and controversial policies, which Mr. Niedra has promised to reverse. "While I do not cast direct blame upon a war hero of the Republic," Senator Niedra said in an address to the Senate this evening, speaking of Mr. Karath who was, formerly, a General in the Rebel Alliance, "I believe that perhaps the administration of Corellia is better left in the hands of one higher achieving than the good General." He also added that his first priority will be "... attempting to correct some of the grave errors of the previous administration."
The Senator's remarks refer to a number of recent blunders made by the OCP, and Mr. Karath in particular. Last month, Mr. Karath announced controversially that a new government, headed by himself, would preside over the Corellian Sector despite the presence of the Corellian Sector Assembly, which exists for that purpose. This maneuver was condemned by the New Republic as a usurpation of power, and it is among the policies that Senator Niedra has repudiated.
The OCP was embarassed further, this week, when Mr. Karath was arrested on Morishim for an unruly protest against a New Republic summit with Imperial diplomats on the planet. The former Senator was convicted of disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment, and is currently serving a 2 month sentence in prison. A mugshot of Mr. Karath, appearing haggard and forlorn, was disseminated in the media and used by the OCP's opposition as a symbol of the party's excesses.
Mr. Niedra came to power last night as a result of 85 members of the OCP defecting to his party (the PCCC) which then formed a coalition with progressives and nationalists to outnumber the OCP. The coalition, however, is a fragile one, designed only to keep Mr. Karath's party out of power until parliamentary elections in the coming months.
Nonetheless, Senator Niedra has declared a "new generation of peace and sovereignty," and, according to his statement this evening, plans to cede emergency powers that Mr. Karath had maintained since the Twin Worlds Crisis, which ended 2 months ago. He also announced that Corellia's Kor Vella-class Battleship—commissioned by Mr. Karath—would be refitted as a medical cruiser and donated to the planet Naboo as part of efforts to restore Corellia's prestige in the galaxy.
"Considering this most surprising display of generosity to my world, I think it is appropriate that I be the first to welcome Senator Niedra to this chamber," said Senator Artemis Vanden (Naboo), "We will likely disagree on many issues, but I respect your words and principles and, indeed, I welcome you to the Senate."
The Coruscant Journal will follow Senator Niedra's term, and the upcoming elections on Corellia, as they develop.
