05-15-2026, 09:40 PM
Joseph Chavez stood up from his desk. He had been pondering the statement which lay before him for days. Ever since the National Alliance Ethics Board had informed him of his status as a now ex-member of the party, he had created, Joseph had been milling around his office. He hadn’t been kicked out yet, as his allies still held a majority of the membership of the National Alliance MSL’s, and a no-confidence motion had been put forward. Then again, who would they even pick to be elevated to Prime Minister? Not his problem, now.
It was true, Joseph had made mistakes. It was absolutely true, politics was an “old boys club” as Adande and her army of keyboard aunties had said. Yet, he didn’t have a choice in the matter. The comments, the drinks, and his favoritism were not excusable. Then again, none of that was illegal. He needed to step back. Focus on his family, his community, his country. All these thoughts had been swirling; Joseph hadn’t even been home in almost 48 hours, afraid that his wife would scold him or his children would ask hard questions.
“When is the Prime Minister going to show up?” a photographer asked Esme Zhou, the press secretary hired just 8 month’s ago.
“When he wants.”
Calls from both personal and professional friends had flooded Esme in the last two days. Had she slept with her boss? How dare she stand behind a misogynist? Esme just managed papers and updated schedules; she had been hired for hard work and professional connections. Right? Esme had been part of the National Alliance since its inception. She fought hard for her future boss in graduate school lectures at Alexander Lin. Mostly, the children of elites were upset that someone was holding them accountable. They spoke so much of women’s rights and workers’ rights, but what about the Nearanos nanny who basically raised you?
That was all in the past, and Esme snapped back to reality as she peeked at Joseph Chavez standing to the side of the stage.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Hadirin yang terhormat”
“Prime Minister Joseph Chavez”
The crowd of reporters and photographers all snapped to attention. Cameras from several news channels snapped to life, likely broadcasting live.
“I will take no questions,” he said.
“First, let me begin by saying. The following statement is not something I have taken lightly.”
Esme passed a copy of the statement to the official Slokasian translator, Jerome
“Di sini” she said
“Terima graci” Jerome said
“I am not unique. I am not above a mistake.” Joseph Chavez said
“While I deny any claims of any legal wrongdoing or any active or past connection to any criminal organization. I am not a flawless man”
“I respect the decision of the Ethics Board of the party, and encourage others to repsect there decision as well. My behavior towards my employees is unexpectable of anyone expected to hold such an office, yet let it also be known I am not the only flawed man.”
“Our country was built upon the life and labor of both men and women, yet frequently the federation does not recognize that. We teach our daughters that the only way to success is through hardwork and the courting of powerful men. We also teach our sons to sit by and accept this behavior. I am one of those sons. While I have always worked for the rights of women, equality will never be achieved until we reshape the narrative and change behavior. That’s why I am suspending my campaign for President. To send a message that misogynistic behavior should not be tolerated, especially in the highest office, myself, included. I encourage my supporters to accept this decision and mobilize the passion that they each give for my sake to be given to the betterment of our great federation. Educate the youth, clean the streets, teach the youth, run for local office.
To the anakos and the machos like me, who feel inspired by my story and are disappointed. I’m sorry. You should not blame women for my mistakes, but rather myself and the culture which bring’s about my worst behavior. To those I have wronged, to those who feel wronged by my behavior. I’m sorry, and I ask for forgiveness. To my children, Anthony, Emma, Jackson, Olive, as well as my dear wife, Michelle. I’m sorry that I haven’t been as present in your lives.”
The Prime Minister took a pause. The whole nation and the whole room sat glued to the words which they were hearing.
“I’m resigning as Prime Minister, effective tomorrow.”
Esme looked in just as much shock. This wasn’t in the prepared statement
“I don’t want my scandal to hinder the effectiveness of the government. We have so many challenges: war, poverty, crime, and the economy. This isn’t the end. Yet I need time for reflection, for family time, for personal reflection, for prayer. I wish the next Prime Minister all the best. Let this also not be the end of accountability; there are men and women much worse than me who continue to hold positions of power. I pray they may also come to their senses and sense forgiveness. May all blessings fall upon the people of this great federation, and may God be with you all.”
The assembled press immediately erupted into a sea of questions, snapping cameras. Esme quickly returned to the podium.
“There will be no questions. Thank you for your time.”
It was true, Joseph had made mistakes. It was absolutely true, politics was an “old boys club” as Adande and her army of keyboard aunties had said. Yet, he didn’t have a choice in the matter. The comments, the drinks, and his favoritism were not excusable. Then again, none of that was illegal. He needed to step back. Focus on his family, his community, his country. All these thoughts had been swirling; Joseph hadn’t even been home in almost 48 hours, afraid that his wife would scold him or his children would ask hard questions.
“When is the Prime Minister going to show up?” a photographer asked Esme Zhou, the press secretary hired just 8 month’s ago.
“When he wants.”
Calls from both personal and professional friends had flooded Esme in the last two days. Had she slept with her boss? How dare she stand behind a misogynist? Esme just managed papers and updated schedules; she had been hired for hard work and professional connections. Right? Esme had been part of the National Alliance since its inception. She fought hard for her future boss in graduate school lectures at Alexander Lin. Mostly, the children of elites were upset that someone was holding them accountable. They spoke so much of women’s rights and workers’ rights, but what about the Nearanos nanny who basically raised you?
That was all in the past, and Esme snapped back to reality as she peeked at Joseph Chavez standing to the side of the stage.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Hadirin yang terhormat”
“Prime Minister Joseph Chavez”
The crowd of reporters and photographers all snapped to attention. Cameras from several news channels snapped to life, likely broadcasting live.
“I will take no questions,” he said.
“First, let me begin by saying. The following statement is not something I have taken lightly.”
Esme passed a copy of the statement to the official Slokasian translator, Jerome
“Di sini” she said
“Terima graci” Jerome said
“I am not unique. I am not above a mistake.” Joseph Chavez said
“While I deny any claims of any legal wrongdoing or any active or past connection to any criminal organization. I am not a flawless man”
“I respect the decision of the Ethics Board of the party, and encourage others to repsect there decision as well. My behavior towards my employees is unexpectable of anyone expected to hold such an office, yet let it also be known I am not the only flawed man.”
“Our country was built upon the life and labor of both men and women, yet frequently the federation does not recognize that. We teach our daughters that the only way to success is through hardwork and the courting of powerful men. We also teach our sons to sit by and accept this behavior. I am one of those sons. While I have always worked for the rights of women, equality will never be achieved until we reshape the narrative and change behavior. That’s why I am suspending my campaign for President. To send a message that misogynistic behavior should not be tolerated, especially in the highest office, myself, included. I encourage my supporters to accept this decision and mobilize the passion that they each give for my sake to be given to the betterment of our great federation. Educate the youth, clean the streets, teach the youth, run for local office.
To the anakos and the machos like me, who feel inspired by my story and are disappointed. I’m sorry. You should not blame women for my mistakes, but rather myself and the culture which bring’s about my worst behavior. To those I have wronged, to those who feel wronged by my behavior. I’m sorry, and I ask for forgiveness. To my children, Anthony, Emma, Jackson, Olive, as well as my dear wife, Michelle. I’m sorry that I haven’t been as present in your lives.”
The Prime Minister took a pause. The whole nation and the whole room sat glued to the words which they were hearing.
“I’m resigning as Prime Minister, effective tomorrow.”
Esme looked in just as much shock. This wasn’t in the prepared statement
“I don’t want my scandal to hinder the effectiveness of the government. We have so many challenges: war, poverty, crime, and the economy. This isn’t the end. Yet I need time for reflection, for family time, for personal reflection, for prayer. I wish the next Prime Minister all the best. Let this also not be the end of accountability; there are men and women much worse than me who continue to hold positions of power. I pray they may also come to their senses and sense forgiveness. May all blessings fall upon the people of this great federation, and may God be with you all.”
The assembled press immediately erupted into a sea of questions, snapping cameras. Esme quickly returned to the podium.
“There will be no questions. Thank you for your time.”
<t>The Federation of Slokais Islands- fighting for freedom and democracy</t>