Nicholas Brennan
| Nicholas Brennan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 12th President of the Allied Provinces of Laeral | |
| Assumed office December 31st, 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Chen Ting-fei (2010-2012) Gérald Barre (2012-2015) Tanvi Misra (2015-Present) |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office September 18th, 2008 – November 1st, 2010 | |
| President | Eliot Ganard |
| Prime Minister | Chen Ting-fei |
| Minister of Trade | |
| In office March 3rd, 2008 – September 18th, 2008 | |
| President | Eliot Ganard |
| Prime Minister | Chen Ting-fei |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Marist, Choisel, Laeral |
| Nationality | Laeralian |
| Political party | Progressive Party |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Spouse(s) | Francette Guichard Brennan |
Nicholas Brennan is a Laeralian politician serving as the 12th and current President of the Allied Provinces of Laeral since 2010. Brennan was formerly the Minister of Finance and Minister of Trade, as well as an influential Representative in the Laeralian Assembly of Commons. He succeeded Eliot Ganard of the Laeralian People's Party as President following his victory in the second round of the 2010 Laeralian Presidential Election over Emilien Doucet of the Socialist Party.
Early Life and Education
Brennan was born Nicholas Maxence Brennan on March 27th, 1949 to Gaston and Marguerite Brennan in Marist, the capital of Choisel province. He was the second son of the Catholic couple, between his older brother Etienne and younger sister Henriette. His father, Gaston Brennan, worked as an accountant for local businesses, while his mother was a housewife.
In 1952, when Brennan was four, the Bloody Summer, a violent coup attempt, took place. Brennan's mother was injured in a riot protesting the actions of coup leader Alain Mette, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Brennan has said that he has no memory of the Bloody Summer, but has said that seeing the struggles his mother experienced under the limited welfare safety net of the ensuing decades was a major factor in shaping his pro-welfare stance.
While in high school, Brennan intended to become an accountant like his father, but decided on a career in law after his time as the leader of his high school's Mock Trial Association. Brennan attended Causse University, in Meridoc, for his Bachelor's Degree in Pre-law, and attended Emil and Adrienne University for law school, becoming certified as a practicing attorney soon after.
Legal Career
Brennan joined the for-profit legal firm Bonnet & Vidal in 1975, before joining the Laeralian Poverty Rights Compact (LPRC), a non-profit dedicated to protecting the rights of the disadvantaged, in 1976. He achieved some measure of renown while working as an attorney for the LPRC, notably by suing several major businesses for violating the Disabled Laeralites Act of 1968 by failing to provide wheelchair-accessible ramps at their facilities. During the presidential election of 1976, Brennan was involved in a case accusing Conservative Party candidate Alain Bricout of violating campaign finance laws, which was thrown out by the court. Brennan was offered a seat on the Laeralian Poverty Rights Compact Board of Directors in 1977.
Early Progressive Party Involvement
Following his involvement in the high-profile Bricout case, the opposition Progressive Party offered Brennan a position on their legal team. Brennan accepted in 1978, becoming a senior member of the Progressive Legal Defense Committee. He was responsible for defending in court Progressive Party operations and members. In 1980, he was transferred away from active legal work to become a member of the influential Progressive Executive Committee on Policy's Subcommittee for Justice, responsible for writing Progressive positions on the actions of the Justice Ministry. After becoming Vice-Chair of the Justice Subcommittee, he was offered a position on the Progressive ticket for the Assembly of Commons in the 1984 elections, at the 132nd position. The Progressives were hopeful of having Brennan in office as a legal specialist, able to write and ensure the legality of Progressive bills.
Brennan was not elected to the Assembly of Commons in 1984, and continued his work with the Progressive Executive Committee on Policy, rising to becoming Chair of the Justice subcommittee. In 1986, he was given the 97th position on the Progressive ballot, and was elected to the Assembly of Commons.
Representative
In 1986, the Progressives governed in coalition with the Conservative Party. During his first session, Brennan was involved extensively with a proposal for criminal justice reform, which passed narrowly in 1988. Brennan won reelection that year, and in 1990. In 1991, he became a Deputy Whip for the Progressive Commons Caucus, responsible for ensuring that Progressive Representatives voted in accordance with the party leadership's wishes.
Brennan continued his legislative career in this capacity for several years, achieving brief fame in 1995 for attacking President Pierre Leung's proposal for overhauling the system which appointed judges. His remarks, delivered during the President's Questions on June 3rd, 1995, were broadcast around the country. When the Progressives became a part of the governing coalition in 1996, Brennan was cited as the author of the Fair Judicial Appointment Act, which established the modern Judicial Board to appoint Judges nationwide. The bill passed in 1997.
In 2000, Brennan was only narrowly reelected (as #53 on the Progressive list, while the Progressives won only 55 seats). The Progressives refused a coalition with the ruling Socialists, becoming part of the Opposition. Brennan was selected as the Progressives' Shadow Minister of Justice. In this capacity, he was responsible for criticizing the government's judicial policies. During this period, he notably opposed Socialist attempts to decrease the power of the Gendarmerie as well as lending his support to abolishing the President's pardoning power.
Minister of Justice
In 2004, the Progressives took power, becoming a member of a ruling 'Grand Coalition'. Brennan became the Minister of Justice in late 2004, the fifth-most important role in the Laeralian government. He lent his support to major overhauls of the Laeralian justice system, culminating in the Crime Rehabilitation Act of 2005.