Tagebucheintrag

Journal Entry Seven

16. März 2020

I am writing tonight’s journal entry in the library of the palace. My family and I were moved into the north wing of the castle by Jonas. The king did this out of concern for our safety due to the political unrest in Eberbach.

The protests in Eberbach turned violent over the weekend. Ludwigplatz is almost filled now with demonstrators. The protestor’s demands for the postponement of tomorrow’s elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic increasingly concerns Jonas. Two of the protest leaders pleaded this morning on national TV, to have King Jonas intervene.

When Jonas saw the news footage of the middle-aged man and woman pleading for his intervention, he immediately contacted his constitutional advisors. The response from the advisors was not what Jonas had hoped. The advisors stated that only during a war against or declared by Dorstenland, did the king have the constitutional authority to intervene with an election. Jonas does have the power to dissolve parliament under an emergency order due to a national crisis; however, his advisors stated that Dorstenland’s current situation does not constitute being labeled as a “national crisis.”

The king and I met privately together this afternoon to discuss his options. Although I would like Jonas to dissolve parliament, I know he cannot do so today. Should he try to enact such a declaration right now, dissolving parliament would be the equivalent of throwing petrol onto a potentially explosive situation. Our country has enough to worry about with COVID-19, the election, and the demonstrations.

Jonas called an early evening press conference at the palace. With me by his side, he addressed the protest leaders and all citizens directly. He explained why he does not have the constitutional authority to intervene. The prime minister, Northcott, who was standing in the rear of the press room, smiled when Jonas made the announcement. The prime minister instantly infuriated me. I felt my face redden as I looked directly into Northcott’s eyes. Once he locked his eyes on mine, his smile dissolved, and his expression suddenly chilled me to my bone. I swear this man is up to something, and as I am the private secretary to King Jonas, I must find out what the prime minister’s end game is.

Otto and Emma told me they had a lot of fun this afternoon playing with Jonas’s children. I should probably correct myself since Otto is 16; he would not be too pleased if I referred to him as “playing.” Perhaps I should have written “hanging out with Jonas’s children.” At 13, I am not sure which phrase Emma would prefer.

Both Jonas and I are trying to limit our children’s exposure to our country’s troubles. No matter what is going on in the world, teenagers still have personal issues that they are dealing with.

I have enormous concerns regarding tomorrow’s nation-wide election. Not just for the fact that Prime Minister Northcott’s political party, the NCD, will most likely remain the majority, but also the possible increase of infections from the virus, COVID-19.