[Baranxtu]

(OOC 1: Hint: all images are clickable for fun big happy version )
(OOC 2: No, this is not blatant copying from Ceo.)

Since the early legislative elections in Baranxtu were scheduled for July 1 and 2, members of all parites (especially those running for a seat in the parliament) have been up and about, touring the countries or their districts to garner support.
With the growing importance of the IDU for Baranxtu and the Baranxtuan citizens' large interest in the region, the Prime Minister candidates of the five major parties flew to the Free Land of the IDU to introduce themselves to any random diplomats that were unlucky to pass by to the other IDU members.


The five major party's PM candidates pose for group photo.


The first to walk up to the podium was Aimala Boulea, leader and PM candidate for the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP).



"Ladies and Gentlemen, meine Damen und Herren, Mesdames et Messieurs, may I first express my gratitude to be able to talk in this place? I am very grateful to my party for chosing me as their candidate in the elections, and I also want to thank you for listening to us.
When I had the position of Foreign Minister, I remember building bridges between Baranxtu and its fellow IDU nations, and being part of forging friendships that will hopefully last. With me as Prime Minister, I promise you to fortify these relations, and that Baranxtu will not disconnect from the rest of the world.
I think that in this modern world, it is pivotal to be able to discuss matters of importance, and to try and find a consensus on any subject. I do not want to lessen the role of national souvereignty, but for the sake of the greater good, I will boldly admit that I am of the opinion that we may have to forgo this privilege from time to time.
Furthermore, I want to quickly discuss this "greater good", a phrase that is undoubtedly thrown around far too often in politics. What is this "greater good"? In short, it is liberty. Both on an individual and on a national basis, what can matter more than liberty?
My party's stance and mine has been for a long time that no personal freedom should be denied as long as it does not interfere with anyone else's, and I will continue to support this viewpoint.
For nothing great can ever be born out of shackles."


Afterwards, it was Suzanne Bourge's turn at the podium. She is the leader of the Republican People's Party (RPP), and considered the proteg? of current PM Htalui Mersagi.



"Personal liberty? It is a charming, if albeit na?ve opinion - at least, as long as it is not taken to this extent. Why, yes, personal liberty is important, but what dear Mrs Boulea kindly forgot to mention was that this greater good she spoke of is actually often endangered by too much personal liberty.
Please, do not misunderstand me - I think personal liberty is a fine and dapper thing. But only as long as it's kept personal. If people start to do whatever they want to in public, we will soon have anarchy - and let's face it, anarchy is not a desirable state.
I say we need stricter involvement of the government - and a stronger stance of supranational organizations may hinder that. I do not say that institutions like the IDU or the UN are superfluous - quite the contrary!
But both should know their place, and not meddle with internal affairs.
Because these interventions are actual shackles - and I agree, nothing can blossom in the dark."


Mme Bourges passed the microphone to Maeneo Aepilai, leader of the Spiritual Union Party (SUP).



"Zāmbahaoli thīkka - blessing upon ye, as we Leumi say.
Now, fret none - I am aware of the separation of religion and state as the IDU says in its charter - but I interpret this as saying nothing against being inspired by religion.
Naturally, I do not support any version of fundamentalism - just to make that clear. But if we follow our respective religions' rules for leading a good life, I think the world could easily be made a better place.
And this is exactly what the SUP and I stand for - a tolerant, spiritual world, where we do not place so much importance and faith in stuff, but in the soul.
Personal liberty is a fine matter, as long as we follow certain rules - striving to do good, striving to be good. As without personal responsibility, I agree with Mme Bourges that our world will descend into anarchy.
But more interference from the government in personal affairs? I doubt that is the path to such a better world. I'd rather the government tries to inspire the citizens, instead of forcing it to do things. Resistance is never helpful."


A stern looking Dareja Simhala from the National Party of the Republic (NPR) was next.



"Personal liberty! Spiritual guidance! Ha!
What my colleagues seem to forget is the essence of what a nation state is about - being one nation, and having absolute souvereignty about it.
The UN and the IDU may be fine for trying to avoid war and strengthen the economy by stabilizing the trade, but that's all they should be there for. Everything else should be one nation's own concern, and not that of gremium of nations, many of which probably do not even know where the nation concerned is.
And when it comes to governing a country efficiently, it does of course not really help to put so many obstacles in legislation's way. Do you know how many languages any law has to be translated into? Five! And during the whole legislation process, legions of interpreters have to be available to translate into six languages - and in some of our provinces, even more.
Is this really what the government should be most concerned with? Seeing to it that no minority, no matter how small, is overlooked?
Because then, money and time will be wasted - at our all expense.
As a PM, I will clean up - everywhere."


At last, Ineia Liala made her way to the podium.



"Isn't it interesting to notice what my fellow talkers have almost forgotten to talk about?
Namely, what makes a government work in the first place - money. And how do we get money? By collecting taxes. And without a strong, successful economy, we won't get too many taxes.
But why did they not mention the economy? Could it possibly, maybe, perhaps be because they have no vision, no plans, no knowledge when it comes to economy?
I, for once, know that my party is the only one focused enough to strengthen and expand our economy, and to walk any further paths from there.
I do partially agree with Dareja that it is important for supranational organizations to play their part in trade - after all, trade is the most basic, and most important, relationship between to countries.
And whereas it is only favorable if all countries work together in the matters of trade and economy, I also do think that the rest should be left to us.
Who else can celebrate our heritage the way we ourselves can? Who else can pay the necessary respect and tribute to those who came before us?
And in these fast moving, modern times, I think it is quite necessary that we focus on these, to. Tradition is a guarantee for constancy. Thank you."


With that, the introductional speeches are done. Now, we are open for questions, comments, criticisms.

[Eisophca]

Question for Ms Liala:

When you speak of strengthening Baranxtu's economy, how do you plan to implement that?

[Baranxtu]

Liala enters the podium again, this time accompanied by two aides carrying a quite ginormous chart.

"I am glad you ask this, as it gives me an excellent opportunity to show what is wrong with Baranxtu under the current coalition. And what will stay wrong if either of them will be part of the next government.
You see, right now, and also in the leftmost column of the chart, what manifold obstacles the state puts in economy's way. Taxes, payments of insurance contributions, unnecessary overprotection of the employee, and even more taxes.
And basically, what my party wants to do is simplify all this to make it easier for business to develop and grow. And what you see on the right side of the chart is how we want to accomplish this over the next four years..."

Now begins a one-and-a-half hour dissertation of the pro and con of unions, the importance of a national market and the benefits of opening new industrial branches such as poppy and coca cultivation. Arrows are drawn, pointers are held like epees and names are called. At the end, Liala's face is red, but she looks satisfied.

"...and so, I garantuee you, under my leadership, Baranxtu will grow!"