Fwurg

[Nehket Aeka]

"Fellow Senators,

Previous chancellors have put forward a single-issue policy, and have lost sight of the original purpose of the Union. Recent events have shown that we should renew our efforts, and go about governing the Union in a cooperative and punctual manner. Because of this, I announce my candidacy for the turn 80 elections.

Together with my cabinet, I will return the Union to stability. A singular focus on military, or infrastructure, or terraformation, or any other singular focus is detrimental to the Union as a whole. Instead we should look at the bigger picture, as we derive our strength from cooperation.

Instead of such singular focus, we should look toward overarching cooperation without diminishing the sovereignty of our members. I promise you that I will be taking into account the interests of every Union member equally, without regard for the size or focus of their economy, nor the size of their fleets, nor their past actions.

I ask all of you to support me in for stability and cooperation within the Union."

- The message was delivered with the Senators of Mioman and the Stellarian Triad Federation standing behind the Veolian candidate, both immediately voicing their seconds for the candidacy.

((OOC: If you wish to discuss the policy of senator Nehket Aeka, do it here.))

[Representative Lophos of the Interregnum Democracy of Scir]

"Senator,

Your program proposes more cooperation. But you makes no explanation as to how you are going to accomplish this. Looking at the big picture sounds good, but what do you mean? If we elect you chancellor, what are you specifically going to do to enhance cooperation?

Furthermore, you mention that you will do this without affecting member sovereignty. So how are you going to convince members to work together without that? Judging from the recent conflicts you started with the Chancellor, can we presume it will not be through diplomacy either?

Which leaves subsidies as the most likely course of actions. But money does not magically appear just because you want it to. So that means cutting programs, or raising taxes. Are you going to use subsidies? How are you going to pay for them?

And how does that work exactly with your statement that you will look at the interests of all member worlds equally? Will all members be subjected to the same tax increase, to stand by this promise? Because that very thing received much opposition in the most recent vote. How will you overcome that opposition?

Despite your nation holding the position of ministry of defence, it was Chancellor Bolv'ar who had to come up with a funding plan for his proposal which you then disapproved of. Combined with the vagueness of your campaign speech, it leaves me to wonder what exactly you are offering besides abstract concepts such as 'fairness' and 'cooperation'.

What are your concrete plans for the Union?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"Senator Lophos, you ask a lot of questions, but it appears you haven't got your facts straight. As everyone is well aware, the Veolian Commonwealth held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the duties of the Ministry of Defence fall to the Kingdom of Meritonia. I assume that, should senator Anselim be elected chancellor you, as a running mate, will try to tend to your ministerial duties without a delay of 20 turns?"

Senator Nehket Aeka looked at chancellor Bolv'ar, before continuing.

"Senator Lophos, let me explain my actions with regard to the chancellor's behaviour. Cooperation on a level we see in the Union is preciously delicate. Because of this, we should take great care to adhere to the stipulated traditions and regulations. Chancellor Bolv'ar broke the law, and I pointed this out. I promise you that I will resign were I to break a law in such manner, even if I did so accidentally.

However, I do not fault chancellor Bolv'ar for trying to improve the defence of the Union, in fact, I applaud the effort. Had the law been fully discussed, I would have supported it wholeheartedly. As a show of commitment, the Veolian Commonwealth had already planned to gift our nearly completed Echani Hyperspace Signature Damping research, with a value of 4.500 , to the Union in an effort to augment the military strength of the whole Union.

To answer your question, senator: I will make sure that proposed laws will be applicable to all members of the Union, and not conditional on the taxable income one has. If necessary to implement a tax increase, all members will be subjected to the same tax increase -- I have complete confidence that most opposition wasn't due to the funding plan, but due the way it came to the vote. Furthermore, I promise to make the spendings of the ministries transparent, so all can see where their hard-earned tax is spent."

((OOC: See the Turn 80 Election note for an OOC rant.))

[Representative Lophos of the Interregnum Democracy of Scir]

"Ah, Senator, I do apologize. With all the hiring and firing going on with the Veolian Commonwealth, it can be hard to keep track of what position is held by whom.

I appreciate you are a woman of the law, but I wonder if you have the diplomatic qualities required for the job. The Veolian people can be very... direct. Which can lead to problems.

How do you believe this will affect your ability to govern the Union in case of a disagreement and how will you compensate for those negative effects?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"We can indeed be very direct. I see this as a strength. When we are direct, we back up our statements with facts. When we are direct, we get to the core of the problem immediately, instead of talking our way around it in analogies and metaphors for weeks. However, I am well aware that not all cultures operate this way. In fact, internal veolian politics are much more subtle and delicate; I invite you to look into the historical records of Veolia to see for yourself.

To answer your question: internal politics do not require extreme subtlety, as we are all here to improve the Union. We might vehemently disagree on how to do this, but we can present facts, and we can discuss internal issues directly. Such little conflicts are the hallmark of healthy cooperation, as it ensure everyone pays attention and no one is afraid to speak their opinion. In case of a disagreement on law, we defer to the Minister of Justice. In case of a disagreement in policy, I am open to looking at the facts, and I will most certainly take into account the opinion of all members of the senate. But whatever is the case, we can openly discuss the issue, as we have all agreed that we will not turn to physical violence.

External politics are different. They require much more subtlety, as a single wrong utterance can start a war. This is why I have asked senator Acehtoo of Mioman to second my candidacy, she has extensive experience negotiating with the other superpowers, and she and her allies are well known for their diplomatic ways. Together with my own flexibility in switching to a more delicate form of discussion, I am confident that we can open negotiations with other superpowers, should need be.

Of course, senator, you are already aware of the fact that Veolian can be subtle as well. If you really thought this was not the case, you would have objected to the role of her imperial majesty Saret Neferti as a representative of the Union in talks with the Slave Rebellion. It is thoughtful of you to ask this, so the other members of senate can share your opinion."

[Nehket Aeka]

"Fellow senators,

I would like to announce that, though Mioman seconded my candidacy, senator Mathi-ey C'b'rton of the Divine Fiefdom of Highmons is my running mate, together with the senator Maria Latharion of the Stellarian Triad Federation.

Thank you."

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"Senator Nehket Aeka,

The Teprogrenaian Consensus has a question. It has come to our attention that you or your faction are more fond of women than men for most tasks. For as far we can determine that is. Is it true that you are discriminating by gender, and not by skill, and if so, how do see this as beneficial for your cabinet?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"It is true that in veolian culture women are usually representatives and negotiators. However, your observation is biased because you, as a representative, have mostly met women following this gender role pattern. Within the embassy, and on Mirda or anywhere else Veolians are active, we recruit based on expertise and skill, though men usually end up favouring leadership roles, while women favour representative roles.

Personally, I think the most important qualification is skill and expertise, and I will rank candidates based on these criteria first, and any other criteria second. The fact that I am running for chancellor, clearly a leadership position, indicates my willingness to break with traditional Veolian gender roles."