For Release: 28 July 1520
Reference: MNT67-42771
Steiner Wins Chancellorship
KAPITALSTADT—After months of court battles, Schwerdt's Court of the Realm declared Felix Steiner the victor in last December's elections. As a result, Steiner will be inaugurated as Chancellor on Sunday, August first. The Court of the Realm is Schwerdt's highest court and its decision brings the bitter dispute to an end.
"We are extremely pleased to have the Court vindicate our position," Steiner said in response to the news. He added, "At issue was the validity of thousands of ballots of military personnel overseas during the election. Their voices have been heard and our democratic system upheld."
Official results of the election were called into question by Chancellor von H&uumul;rtgen after the count showed Steiner had won by a mere 1,956 votes. Hürtgen disputed the results and took the matter to the courts. The matter reached the Court of the Realm after Hürtgen continued to dispute the decisions taken at the District and Superior Court levels.
At issue was the validity of absentee ballots for military personnel on duty overseas. Hürtgen alleged that several of the ballots were duplicative or forged, noting that the bulk of those ballots came from the Kantu region where Steiner was in command. Steiner maintained all along "There were no irregularities in absentee balloting overseas and my obvious support at home is a clear withdrawel of Hürtgen's mandate."
In the ruling, the Court held that the nearly 12,000 military ballots in question were valid. "The results of these ballots will be entered into the official count," the written opinion said. As a result, the final count swung in favor of Felix Steiner.
Upon hearing the Court's decision, Hürtgen responded, "Of course I am disappointed." Resigned to the end of his tenure, he added, "We are a nation of laws and Steiner will be Chancellor in a few days. The transition will be effected as smoothly as possible."
For More Information, Contact:
Schwerdt News Service
Ministry for Information and Science
Kapitalstadt, 3 Republikplatz
Großberlin 19611
Social Republic of Schwerdt
Tel: (+77) 19611-4NEWS
Free-fone: 99611-4NEWS
Email: news-service@s-mail.com