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// Manehattan Mayor Proposes Constitutional Republic 
// Story: The Weekly Equestria News 
// by StormLuna 
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Article written by Written Script

MANEHATTAN-  In a rally in the nation's biggest city, the city's mayor, High Rise, suggested something that nopony has ever suggested before.  He brought up the idea of scrapping the monarchy entirely and making Equestria a constitutional republic.  In his speech to his supporters, he stated that Equestria has fallen behind in the world.  He stated that every other nation on the planet has moved beyond what he described as an "archaic and antiquated" form of government.  

Also in his speech, he made bold claims that not only does he plan on rallying the nation around his ideas that he believes that under enough pressure, that the princesses would abdicate and that he could easily win election and become Equestria's first president.  When asked why he would suggest such a thing he stated, "I simply think it is time that we get out of the dark ages and allow all ponies to have a say in how the country is ran, not just the Alicorn princesses." 

The crowd at the rally was for the most part showing a great amount of support for their mayor although there were a few working class unicorns who were booing him and calling him a traitor until security had those unicorns escorted out.  The mayor took the jeering in stride though and told his supporters that unlike how it currently is where Celestia punishes dissidents, that Equestria will have free speech laws protecting all ponies if his goals are achieved. 

His statements and goals were met with mixed reactions across the country.  Many of the more progressive ponies in the larger cities seem to support him and think that it is time for the monarchy go but more traditional ponies along with a majority of the nation's unicorns and the entire city of Canterlot are opposed to his ideas and many are calling for him to be charged with treason.  The ponies that are angriest though are the princesses. 

Princess Twilight in Ponyville is not quite so angry as she is disappointed.  She is questioning High Rise on why he would suggest such a thing.  She is wondering why he would advocate for Equestria to move on to a form of government that is full of nothing but corruption, lobbyists and voter fraud.  "Why would you want this?"  she asked in a letter to the mayor, "Do you not see how horrible things are in nations that use that system of government?"

Princess Luna however was much more displeased.  She went on a rant how High Rise must obviously not pay attention to international affairs and that he is a complete moron if he thinks that system of government would work here.  She, like Princess Twilight, went on about how constitutional republics are full of bought off politicians who care nothing about their constituents, that they only care about themselves. 

Princess Celestia was even less thrilled.  While she did not say anything about the flaws of that style of government, she did bring up that advocating such things could warrant his arrest and being put on trial for treason.  While she has yet to make a decision on it, she has stated that she will have a meeting with her fellow princesses on whether or not to pursue treason charges. 

Princess Starlight however was enraged and judging by her reaction, High Rise would receive no mercy if it were just up to her.  In an interview with Princess Starlight, she was blunt and straight to the point, "My mother has been the rock that has held this nation together for over a thousand years.  If it were up to me and me alone, High Rise along with his supporters would be judged by their actions and be burned alive right here in the courtyard under my mother's balcony.  Treason is treason and the only good tyrant is a dead one."

High Rise has currently gone into hiding after learning of what Princess Starlight said.  A spokespony for him has said, "Mayor High Rise has gone into hiding and shall remain so until Princess Celestia reins in her psychotic daughter."  Needless to say though, insulting the primary princess's daughter probably isn't winning him any brownie points among the other princesses and is likely only fueling Princess Starlight's desire for his execution further.