Matōchmizalo
| The Honorable Matōchmizalo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of Milintica | |
| Assumed office October 1st, 2018 | |
| Prime Minister | Tupai Tapihana |
| Representative Assemblyman | |
| In office September 1st, 2010 – September 1st, 2018 | |
| Constituency | Huānoch District 3 |
| Huānoch Municipal Council | |
| In office July 14th, 2007 – September 1, 2010 | |
| Constituency | Section 4 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Matōchmizalo February 6, 1985 Huānoch, Milintica |
| Nationality | Milintican |
| Political party | Milintica Peoples' Party |
| Spouse(s) | Huia Tahiwi |
| Children | Marara |
| Mother | Amatzacitl |
| Father | Tonque |
| Alma mater | National University of Milintica, Huānoch |
Matōchmizalo is the current President of the Democratic People's Republic of Milintica, a position he has held since 2018. He is a member of the Milintica Peoples' Party, the dominant political party in the DPRM. At age 35, he is the youngest President ever elected in Milintican history.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
Matōchmizalo was born in Huānoch, the Milintican capital, on February 6th, 1985. His parents were Tonque and Amatzacitl, both of whom were MPP activists and local party leaders. Matōchmizalo was thus raised within the world of Milintican politics from an early age, and would often accompany his parents to MPP events and during campaigns as he grew older.
Matōchmizalo graduated from Huānoch South Upper School in 2003, and began college the same year at the National University of Milintica's Huānoch campus. He graduated in 2007 with a degree in history, and like his parents, immediately threw himself into the world of Milintican politics.
Political Career[edit | edit source]
Early Career[edit | edit source]
In 2007, immediately after graduating from college, Matōchmizalo ran for a seat on the Huānoch Municipal Council as a MPP candidate for the city's Section 4. Matōchmizalo challenged a longstanding MPP incumbent on the Council, Talcihimiah, for her seat, a practice that was seen as daring by some MPP members and disrespectful by others. Longtime MPP members, in particular, opposed Matōchmizalo's candidacy on the grounds that he had not yet "earned" such a spot - a criticism that would foreshadow the rest of his political career. Undaunted by the criticism of his campaign, Matōchmizalo ran a campaign that argued that Talcihimiah had not done enough for her Section, and had grown content with merely holding office. Section 4 residents, long irritated by the lack of services in their area, flocked to his candidacy and voted Talcihimiah out by a landslide. Despite being completely unproven, Matōchmizalo was swept into office.
During his three years on the Huānoch Municipal Council, Matōchmizalo was a constant and vocal presence for improved services in his Section. He also became known for his daily walks through the Section to talk to residents, and also for his frequent town halls to give residents a chance to make their concerns known in settings other than Council meetings. Matōchmizalo developed a reputation during this time as a politician who took a genuine interest in the needs of his constituents. This period was also marked by a significant improvement in the quality of life of residents in the Section.
Representative Assembly[edit | edit source]
During the national elections in 2010, Matōchmizalo decided to run for a spot on the Representative Assembly, representing District 3 of the nation's 130 districts. After just three years on the Huānoch Municipal Council, this was seen as another premature and power-hungry move by many MPP insiders and establishment figures. MPP leadership tried to convince Matōchmizalo to run for a lower position, such as Mayor of Huānoch, before trying for a seat on the Assembly. Matōchmizalo dismissed their criticisms, making a counter-argument that the MPP had failed the District. District 3, at that time, was held by Piripi Taiaroa, a member of the rival Progressive Party of Milintica. Matōchmizalo argued that the MPP had lost District 3 in the previous elections in 2006 to the PPM because they had failed to show District residents why they should continue to support the MPP. Matōchmizalo argued that since MPP leadership had lost the District, they didn't have the answers that would enable him or any other MPP candidate to regain the office.
In a campaign that was spirited even by Milintican standards, Matōchmizalo and Taiaroa launched fierce broadsides against each other. Taiaroa argued that Matōchmizalo was too inexperienced and questionable a candidate for an Assembly spot. Matōchmizalo, in turn, accused Taiaroa of being another incumbent who was more interested in holding office rather than serving her constituents. Matōchmizalo also argued that Taiaroa, a centrist candidate, "may as well be a MIP candidate". That statement, in which Matōchmizalo equated the PPM to the radical right-wing Milintica Isolationist Party, roiled the race and caused nationwide headlines. MPP leaders censured Matōchmizalo for the remark, but he refused to retract it or apologize for it. MPP leadership firmly believed that Matōchmizalo would lose the race due to the controversial statement, and were even preparing to expel him from the party. However, when the election results came in, Matōchmizalo had managed to defeat Taiaroa by just 6.5% of the vote - barely enough to avoid a runoff.
During his first term in the Assembly, Matōchmizalo joined a group of MPP legislators known as the New Caucus. The goal of the New Caucus was to "revive" the MPP, which they believed had become too "institutional" and set in its ways as the nation's defacto single party. While other political parties existed in Milintica, the MPP held such a large edge over them all that the MPP almost didn't have to do anything at all to remain in power. The New Caucus believed that if this trend continued, the MPP would stop being seen as a leader by Milintican citizens, and that the party would eventually fall to its rivals. As one of the leaders of the New Caucus, Matōchmizalo would continue to come into conflicts with the MPP leadership.
During his first term, Matōchmizalo sponsored legislation aimed at reducing corruption, which had become endemic in Milintican government. He also sponsored legislation to address problems caused by overcrowding and poor living conditions in Milintican cities.
In 2014, Matōchmizalo ran for a second term in the Assembly. Unlike in 2010, Matōchmizalo faced little challenge in easily winning a second term. Due to his high popularity in the district, the PPM didn't attempt to field a candidate. During his second term, Matōchmizalo began working closely with MPP reformers and also with the Green Party of Milintica on issues related to the environment. He also co-sponsored legislation with the GPM aimed at reducing violence in Milintica.
President of Milintica[edit | edit source]
In 2018, Matōchmizalo announced that he was running for President of Milintica. This decision, though not a surprise to the MPP establishment, was a great concern to them as Matōchmizalo had not let up on his efforts to force change within the MPP and drive out incumbents and longtime party figures he saw as "deadwood". In a compromise brokered between the two factions of the MPP, party leaders agreed to support Matōchmizalo's run only if he accepted their choice for Prime Minister, Tupai Tapihana, and run with him on a joint ticket. Matōchmizalo and his campaign were opposed at first, resenting the efforts by MPP leadership to force someone on him as a possible "minder". However, after conversations with Tupihana, Matōchmizalo was reassured that the older politician had no desire to "oversee" his potential Presidency, and agreed to run with him.
The combination of Matōchmizalo and Tapihana was well-chosen. As a young, reform-minded candidate, Matōchmizalo was seen as someone who could rally younger voters, and those disenchanted with the MPP, back to the party. Tapihana, by contrast, was a longtime politician who was seen as a stable and even-keeled leader who would reassure older voters and MPP party insiders, and keep them from bolting to the PPM or GPM. The joint ticket proved successful, as Matōchmizalo and Tapihana won 73% of the vote.
As President, with his responsibilities mainly pertaining to international affairs, Matōchmizalo has focused on improving Milintica's recognition and presence on the world stage. He has been highly critical of existing trade practices within the IDU, and has called on IDU nations to adopt less capitalistic practices. He has been openly critical of what he sees as misogynistic practices in Milintica and other countries, and has also been an outspoken advocate for greater LGBT rights within both Milintica and other nations. In his most controversial move as President, Matōchmizalo has linked Milintican trade and diplomatic relations to the stance that other nations take on such matters as the environment, workers' rights, democracy and civil rights, declaring that Milintica "will not trade or deal with nations that do not respect the planet or the people and animals that live on it." While this stance has concerned Milinticans worried about the nation's already struggling economy, it is a highly popular position with most voters.
Matōchmizalo has also tried to improve his relationship with the Progressive Party of Milintica, after his remarks during his first Assembly run which greatly offended most PPM members. In March 2019, he formally apologized to Piripi Taiaroa and the PPM for his remarks at a gathering of PPM leaders.
Family Life[edit | edit source]
Matōchmizalo is married to Huia Tahiwi, who he met while in college. The two have been married since 2010 and have one daughter, Marara.