2024 Selleaux status referendum
The 2024 Selleaux status referendum was a highly disputed referendum for Selleaux to secede from Avergnon and join Drambenburg, held on June 13th, 2024. The referendum asked voters whether they wanted to rejoin Drambenburg as a federal subject, or if they wanted to restore the provincial constitution and Selleaux's status as a part of Avergnon.
The referendum was strategically called while the pro-Drambenburgian provincial party New Front held a quorum in the legislature, despite being a minority party. Under a 1959 rule, votes can be called by any party regardless of whether a majority is present, as long as leadership of both the majority and coalition are present. New Front leader Marcel Dubois called the session to immediate vote with all 31 of his party's members in attendance, but only 4 of the majority Labour Party including their leading member Robin Desmarais in attendance. As a result, the referendum was passed 31-4, with 65 excluded from the vote. The referendum was set to public vote, a procedural stipulation so governor Arsène Larousse would not veto the referendum as a legislative act. However, the final date and ballot choices were set only two days before the referendum was held, and as such the public was generally unaware of the vote. The referendum was marred by irregularities, and the majority of the Selleaux population were seemingly unaware that it had been held until after it passed. Furthermore, polling of the Selleaux population indicated less than 25% support in favor of the referendum's passage, yet it cleared by 53%.
Chancellor Giorg Auster-Brautstadt of Drambenburg welcomed the outcome, expressing solidarity with the people of Selleaux. "The people of Selleaux have spoken clearly," he stated. "We respect their democratic decision and are prepared to welcome them back into the fold of the Holy Empire with open arms."
Following the referendum, the Provincial Council of Selleaux led by governor Larousse instituted martial law, backed by president Théo Barrault's administration, which in turn resulted in pro-Drambenburg protests, some of which turned violent. The referendum was illegal under the Constitution of Avergnon, and is not recognized by most countries. The ZIS and other WEDA intelligence agencies stated Drambenburgian espionage helped stage the referendum.