Michael Pope
Michael Pope is a former citizen of both the Kingdom of Talossa and of the Republic of Talossa. He was a citizen of Maritiimi-Maxhestic province.
Pope became a citizen on 21 May 1998 and served in multiple offices, including as Seneschal before renouncing his citizenship and becoming one of the founders of the Talossan Republic on 1 June 2004.
Pope served as Distain to Chirisch Lauramaintsch (now known as Tamorán dal Navâ), before becoming Seneschal in 1999. Pope served continuously as Seneschal until 2002. Upon his retirement from the position, he was succeeded by his Distain, Gödafrïeu Válcadác'h. After stepping down, Pope served briefly as Immigration Minister, and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Pope also served as National Archivist until the secession, during which time he kept the Royal Archives (of King Robert I) at his home.
In his time as Seneschal, Pope attempted to give as many Talossans as possible a stake in his Government, often appointing opposition politicians to key posts. Pope's early appointment of Ián Anglatzarâ as Minister of Micronational Affairs in his first Government led to friction with King Robert I, who agitated continuously for Anglatzarâ's removal. (Pope eventually abolished the position altogether). Pope also appointed opposition member Gjermund Higraff to the position of Immigration Minister, a post he held successfully for some time.
During Pope's tenure, he developed a novel way of dealing with those who were perceived as gadflys, (including such individuals as Matt Dabrowski). On more than one occasion, Pope would appoint them to the Cabinet (often to the post of Minister for Administrative Affairs, which title he took from the classic '80s BBC television series "Yes, Minister"). Once in the Cabinet, Pope would task them with the onerous job of codifying and indexing the legal code. It was his hope that this task, which was important but not vital, would distract these individuals enough to keep them from causing trouble elsewhere in the Kingdom.
In 2003, Pope became business partners with Gödafrïeu Válcadác'h when they jointly purchased the Talossan National News from Ián von Metáiriâ. Pope later sold his interest to Válcadác'h.
In October of 2003, during the so-called Halloween Crisis, Pope became Opposition Leader after Mximo Carbonèl was appointed Seneschal. Pope also served as President of the Progressive Conservative Party at this time.
Pope was a prominent figure in the group of citizens who seceded to form the Talossan Republic, and was the author of the "Compact", an agreement made by those citizens to seek secession first and to deal with the details of a new constitution and form of government later. Pope was elected the first Dean of the Provisional Government, and was the author of the Letter of Explanation, posted on Wittenberg on 1 June, 2004 along with the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Talossa. (Although the letter appeared under his name, Pope used some wording directly from an email sent by Art Verbotten prior to the date of secession, with his permission.)
In the Republic, Pope formed the Guelph Party, a right-of-center party that contested the first elections, winning three seats. In typical Talossan fashion, Pope's party was somewhat too successful, as there were only two candidates to fill those three seats. Pope ran for President in the first Presidential election of the Republic, but lost to Tamorán dal Navâ
At around this time, Pope stepped back from active participation in Talossa to spend more time with his family.
Pope was the author of The Alfred W. Lawson Recognition Act.
Pope is a former United States Marine, and a veteran of Desert Storm. He was well-known for his conservative views on American politics. Pope was the father of two Dandelions, born after he became Prime Minister. Pope is married and lives and works in the Washington, DC area.
Offices
| Preceded by Tamorán dal Navâ |
Seneschal 18 May 1999/XX - 25 June 2002/XXIII |
Succeeded by Gödafrïeu Válcadác'h |