Austin Merrill

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His Esteemed Excellency Austin Merrill
Merrill in 2022
26th President of Cappedore
In office 17 December 2014 – 15 May 2023
Chancellor	Ken Yates Maya Murray
Vice President	Cleveland Durand
Preceded by	Stuart Clarke
Succeeded by	Position abolished
First Deputy Chancellor
In office 15 April 2009 – 10 May 2010
Chancellor	Keir Crosland
Preceded by	Cleveland Durand
Succeeded by	Vikki Slade
Secretary of State for National Justice
In office 18 December 2002 – 3 February 2004
Preceded by	Axel Wallis
Succeeded by	Frederick Royle
Member of the Gemotern for Cumberland Forest West
In office 5 June 1997 – 11 July 2010
Preceded by	Jo Spear
Succeeded by	Herman Eldridge
Personal details
Born	14 October 1963 (age 60) Matthewsburg, Catonia
Political party	Social Democratic
Spouse	Matilda Mead (m. 1989)
Children	4
Parent(s)	Simon Merrill
Education	Robertson College, Rothswell Community College
Alma mater	Moyen-Orient University

Austin Thomas Peter Merrill (born October 14th, 1963), otherwise known as Austin Merrill, is a Cappedorite politician, statesman, and lawyer who served as President of Cappedore from December 2014 to May 2023. As a member of the Social Democratic Party, he has formerly served as First Deputy Chancellor from 2004 to 2009 and was the Member of the Gemotern for West Forest (in Cumberland Forest, New Cumberland) from 1997 to 2010.

Merrill was nominated as the CSDP's presidential candidate in 2013. His campaign, supported by Chancellor Cleveland Durand (who soon resigned in May 2014 in order to stand as Merrill's running mate) consisted of multiple reforms, including working with the Gemotern to work on term limits on the Cappedorite Chancellor and legislature. He was able to work in these reforms in the 2015 Second Great Reform Act alongside chancellor Ken Yates and later with Maya Murray.

Merrill attended the independent school Rothswell Community College, and studied law at Moyen-Orient University, in Vernalis, where he became a barrister in 1984. He became involved in CSDP politics and was elected to the Gemotern in 1997 for the West Forest constituency in the state of New Cumberland. As a backbencher, Merrill supported moving the party to the political left of Cappedorite politics. He was appointed to Peter Chayka's shadow cabinet in 2002 and was appointed first deputy chancellor by Keir Crosland in 2009. Following the formation of the coalition government in 2010, Merrill was removed from his post in order to allow Vikki Slade to become first deputy chancellor. His tenure as president began with a historic rebranding of the party, inspired by the likes of the late Michael Ramsay, who began to use the campaign label New Cappedore. The name dates from a conference slogan first used by the party in 1996, later seen in a draft manifesto which was published in 1999 and titled New Cappedore, New Opportunities, and was presented as the brand of a newly reformed party.

Merrill has been facing increasing, heated calls to resign during the Homradska or to repeal the concordat of Cappedore immediately. On 15 May 2023, the position of president was abolished by the Gemotern under control by Cathryn Gargano.

Early life

Merrill was born in Matthewsburg, in Catonia. His father, Simon Merrill, was a local banker who had served as Mayor of the town from 1967 to 1975, and was also a member of the CSDP. After attending the grammar school Robertson College, Merrill would go on to study Politics and International Relations, and further Law and Justice at Moyen-Orient University, and after graduating, would pursue a life of law in Vernalis,before moving back to Matthewsburg and working for a local law firm.

Political career

President (2014 - 2023)

2023 coup

Main article: 2023 Cappedorite coup d'état

Political views

Merrill is known in Cappedorite politics for his powerful speeches and energetic rallies against conservative ideals. He is a well-known supporter of the late president Quintin Howlett and, during his time as President, has been instrumental in replicating Howlett's policies on modern Cappedore. He also opposed the 'New Cappedore' movement in 1997 by Michael Ramsay. Politically, Austin Merrill identifies as left-wing.

Merrill is often criticised for his left-wing ideals, with many stating that he would be better off in the Momentum Party, a much more far-left party in Cappedore, and many members of the CSDP have criticised Merrill for his opposition of centrist ideals and his pro-nationalisation endeavours.

Personal life

In 2007, Merrill publicly stated that he is bisexual.