1674 Talenore coup d'état

The 1674 Talenore coup d'état was initiated on 1.V.1674 and was a successful attempt by Mahmood Sadri Maleki to seize ultimate power with support of the powerful Talenore Defense Force.

Background

The Kalirion Fracture caused an economic depression in Shireroth, spilling over to the Talenore economy. The both the Erb and the Talenore currency Tali collapsed and the island was hit with higher than normal levels of unemployment as many smaller businesses folded. The government adopted the Natopian natopo as its currency, somewhat mitigating the crisis. After the independence of Elwynn and Sanama in 1671 Talenore was hit by mass emigration of Elw, Sanis and Cisamarrese to those nations. It is estimated that around two million Sanis, 1.4 million Elw and around 200,000 Cisamarrese has emigrated since 1671. This added to the already grave situation by removing almost four million taxpayers from the island. The Cisamarrese population is largely involved in the financial sector as well. These events were aggravated by foreign intervention and interference, stoking popular unrest through targeted propaganda. While the government intended to act forcefully, opposition parties and left-leaning factions within the National Development Party obstructed necessary responses and reforms. The events culminated in the 3.II.1674 attempted assassination of the Governor General Sadri Maleki. The Governor General survived, but two of his bodyguards were killed.

The coup

On the morning of 1.V.1674 the National Assembly building was surrounded by TDF Army units equipped with tanks and other armored vehicles. Several other strategic places on the island were also surrounded or directly taken under control, like the international airport and the harbor. During the coup, personnel based on the Raspur Pact base on the island refused to get involved, despite repeated and increasingly more desperate pleas from the opposition parties in the National Assembly. Units from the Gendarmerie closed of an area of roughly ten blocks from the National Assembly building. The standoff ended in the afternoon when units from the SAS breached the building and arrested the opposition leadership. Charges of treason are pending in the courts. Prosecutors are investigating possible connections between the opposition and foreign agents. Later in the evening, Mahmood Sadri Maleki declared the constitution temporarily suspended in a televised speech.

Aftermath

Public order was maintained throughout the coup. The vast majority of the population, the Babkhi, largely supported both Sadri Maleki and the coup. Crowds gathered spontaneously in the street with many people holding signs with pictures of Sadri Maleki and Kaiseress Salome. The demonstrations are largely seen as a push-back against the liberal policies of much of the opposition. Investigations have been launched regarding election tampering by powerful agents within the business community tied to the opposition, primarily the Humanist List, Liberal Party and Social Democratic Party. The Gendarmerie is also investigating possible ties between the Progressive Union-Green Society and ecoterrorists.

The Governor General laid out his plans for the future in a televised speech on 5.V.1674. According to the speech, the government will focus on prosecuting any persons involved with foreign agents and terrorists, protecting the life and property of the Tali people and eliminating any threats to national security. In regards to the constitution, the Governor General stated that he envisions a relationship with the Crown similar to that enjoyed by Sathrati and Ransenar.

International reaction

 Unified Governorates: In a statement issued on 06.VII.1674, the Political Directorate of Benacia Command, the entity with overall responsibility for the administration of the territories of the Unified Governorates of Benacia, acknowledged that a "pragmatic adjustment" had occurred in the governing structure of Talenore. The statement concluded by expressing confidence in the ability of Mahmood Sadri Maleki to restore order on the island and to reorganise the state and society in a coordinated manner so as to achieve a maximum efficiency state presiding over a harmonious society.
 Sanama: The Federal Council of Sanama put out a press communique calling for an immediate return to constitutional and democratic governance. It stopped short of recognising the new order, but did express support for Governor General Sadri Maleki as the duly elected and appointed leader on the island.

 Constancia: In a statement issued on 07.VII.1674, His Imperial Constancian Majesty's Government, "commends Mahmood Sadri Maleki on his successful attempt to crush enemies of Talenore from unlawfully seizing power," and affirmed that "The Imperial State of Constancia stands ready to offer any and all humanitarian, economic, and military assistance required in order to secure the legitimate and lawful constitutional order in Talenore, and remains confident that under the leadership of Mahmood Sadri Maleki, Talenore shall continue to grow from strength to strength."