Flemish Presidential Palace

[Sigrdrífa the Priestess 0]

Your Excellency,

 

May a High Priestess ask what the name of the Flemish Presidential Palace is?

[Gert Geens 0]

Ivoren Toren or in English the Ivory Tower. The name comes from a Dutch saying about politicians: someone who sits in an ivory tower is someone who has lost contact and touch with the common people.

 

In case you are going to ask for a picture: I'm sorry to tell you there isn't any.

[Sigrdrífa the Priestess 0]

Your Excellency,

 

May a High Priestess ask whether you ever have been president of Flanders?

[Gert Geens 0]

I was the first. I have been president from - just a second, have to research this - November '97 till December '98, from October '99 till August 2000 and in the second Republic from March '08 till February '09.

 

Though I don't have the intention personally to become president again, the current president and I are in the same party. So when his term ends, we may decide I should run for the job, in order not to automatically yield the position. What's the fun of having a democracy if you don't have elections, you know?

[Sigrdrífa the Priestess 0]

Your Excellency,

 

May a High Priestess ask when the term of the president of Flanders ends?

[Gert Geens 0]

I believe that will be in August, after serving 8 months. He'll still be up for re-election than, though.

 

And now that I think of it, if the new constitution gets approved, there won't be an elected president anymore. I will inform Stormark on the constitutional changes when and if it actually passes.

[Sigrdrífa the Priestess 0]

Your Excellency,

 

May a High Priestess ask how the Flemish president would be chosen under the new constitution of Flanders?

[Gert Geens 0]

Allow me to postpone my answer till there's a new constitution, as it would be part of a whole arrangement.

[Sigrdrífa the Priestess 0]

Your Excellency,

 

A High Priestess wishes to present you with a topic containing the description of the Vanadísarhall, the official residence of the High King. How do you like it?

[Gert Geens 0]

Being an ardent traveller I can assure you I already took several pictures of the High Palace (just easier to write for me than the official name). I think it looks very nice, though it doesn't breath royal grandeur. On the other hand, it's rather fortified looks do befit the Viking culture of Stormark very much.