Austria's Minister of Finance, Earl Stadion, immediately chimed in. "Your Majesty, we need only expand the State Council—for example, increase its membership to two hundred, then bring in some influential lawyers, writers, and merchants. That should be enough to counter the influence of France's House of Representatives."
The "State Council" he referred to had been established during Joseph II's reforms. Its structure somewhat resembled the United Kingdom's House of Lords, with a Prime Minister appointed for overall management.
However, after Leopold II came to power, he swiftly hollowed out the institution, instead using a series of "Court Committees," such as the Court State and Foreign Affairs Committee and the Court War Committee, to wield real authority.
Thus, in the minds of Austrians, the State Council was a symbol of enlightenment and democracy.
Kobzl Jr. frowned. "Perhaps we should also hold an election, even if it is merely for show..."
Earl Spielmann immediately shook his head. "That would only make those elected feel that they had gained support, giving them the courage to defy His Majesty's wishes!"
Earl Stadion added, "We must also consider the attitudes of the noble parliaments in Hungary and Bohemia..."
The debate continued for three days. In the end, Franz II adopted a compromise—
The State Council would be expanded to three hundred members, but the so-called election would be held only among four or five thousand people designated by the Emperor. At the same time, the State Council's powers would be further restricted. It could essentially only discuss decrees, while the timing of its sessions would be determined by the Emperor.
August 9, 1800.
Switzerland.
In a villa west of the City of Basel, Metternich frowned at the document that had just arrived from Vienna, shaking his head repeatedly. "Letting those lawyers and journalists into