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Seven Deaths · 05-14-2017, 10:35 PM

Calvin Coolidge Resigns Presidency Amid Controversy

By Deepest House

(Europeia – May 14, 2017) – President Calvin Coolidge resigned his office today in an announcement from the Goldenblock, the official resident of the president. His vice president, Darcness, immediately assumed the presidency and was sworn in. Calvin Coolidge’s resignation came as his administration faced increasing scrutiny regarding his handling of former citizen Trinnien’s alleged disclosure of classified information. Minister of Culture Sopo also resigned in the final hours leading up to Calvin’s departure from office.

“Over the last month, it has become increasingly apparent to both myself and the region at large that I have not been able to meet the demands of the Europeian Presidency,” the former president said in his statement. “To ensure that this region gets the leadership it deserves, I am resigning from my position as President, effective immediately.”

Calvin Coolidge discussed various challenges negatively impacting his ability to carry out his duties, which mostly related to real life concerns. He will maintain a light work schedule in the region going forward.

“I will continue in my role as the EBC Wire's chief operator, as that requires very little time, and is one of the few things I have been able to keep up with, even during this intense period of my life,” he said. “Aside from that, you may see me in the Shrine of Swift, or doing occasional Assistant Minister work, but my days of heavy lifting are on hiatus until further notice.”

In recent days, pressure concerning the handling of Trinnien’s alleged disclosure of classified information increased tremendously. At the start of this term, Director of the Europeian Intelligence Agency (EIA) North East Somerset informed the newly inaugurated president that the EIA had evidence that Trinnien leaked classified information from the External Affairs Advisory Council. Calvin Coolidge dropped Trinnien from consideration for a cabinet post, explaining the reason to him as the allegations put forth by the EIA but without providing details. Trinnien subsequently resigned his position as World Assembly Delegate and later his citizenship from the region.

Calvin Coolidge’s resignation also comes on the heels of a pair of poor polling results. An EBC poll indicated he enjoyed a mere 26 percent approval rating, with 35 percent indicating disapproval. A recent poll by the Europeian News Network, one of the region’s most important private news outlets, reported widespread support for potentially recalling Calvin Coolidge from office.

“It'd be interesting to see how much impact the Trinnien controversy had on his terrible approval rating over the first half of the term,” said Kaboom. The idea of a recall seemed a bit much for Senator Cerian Quilor. “I did not expect this much support for a recall over this,” he said. “Much as I think Cal dropped the ball, hard, it’s a little much to crucify him over this, no?” he asked.

Immediately, speculation began to turn toward President Darcness and his next moves. “I do not envy the position Darcness finds himself in; he’s come up to the presidency in the midst of a rough term, he has to find himself a VP and a culture minister,” said XIV after news of the resignation broke. The new president is expected to address the region soon, which will presumably include his nomination for vice president.

While some in the region acknowledged the inevitability of the resignation, Calvin enjoyed widespread support and appreciation for his efforts in the region since his arrival. “Your candor here is admirable,” said Senator McEntire. “The region is better for having you as a public servant, and I think we all look forward to the time when you can serve again.”

“Mr. President, I hope you will not mistake criticism of this term as total disrespect for the work you have conducted over the course of your long and distinguished career,” added Europeia founder and former supreme chancellor, HEM. “Thank you for your service, and hopefully for the service that is yet to come.”

Malshaan congratulated Calvin for his courage to resign when he did, noting the difficulty to make this decision when he did. “It is an honorable thing to do to step aside when you realize you cannot give the job the attention it deserves. I look forward to seeing what the remainder of the term brings.”

Darcness ascends to the presidency as one of the most inexperienced to hold the office in recent memory. With a term as minister of communications and a term as vice president under his belt, Darcness comes into office without the broad resume of Calvin or his predecessors.

Darcness enters the office with a full plate of tasks ahead. His first order of business will be fill the void created by his ascension to the presidency. After nominating a potential vice president, he must turn his attention to the vacancy in the Ministry of Culture after Sopo announced his resignation today.

With half the term remaining, Europeia’s new president faces significant challenges. The public will certainly have their eyes on Darcness as he completes this term. There is already speculation that he had planned his own run for president after this term prior to being thrust in the role today.