Henry: I now declare the tenth Diet full session open! The deadline for proposing edicts, Charter Amendments and manifestoes for Chancellor is Wednesday 8.24am UK time. There will then be a 24 hour period of voting.

I would also like to my son, Hans, for his excellent job as Chancellor. He has seen off the numerous threats to the Reich, completed the creation of Outremer, developed our economy to a position of great strength and crushed one attempted invasion by the Horse Lords, aided by the heroism of my late brother, Duke Leopold.

As this will no doubt be my last Diet session, you will grant me the indulgence of remarking on the high standards set by all the Chancellors I have known. I urge prospective candidates for the post to come forward and attempt to maintain this tradition of excellence.