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Im very excited about this issue. With us today we have the Netherlands most controversial politician. Thats right Tonie is here to answer some questions Ive had for a while. Never one to shy away from controversy or afraid to go against the majority Tonie has been embattled in issue after issue usually taking a stance against the GPN majority in the Netherlands and has been one of their toughest critics. Tonie has been very outspoken on most things GPN and has ran a couple times now unsuccessfully in attempts to unseat the centralized power in the Netherlands. However I wanted to look at things from a different point of view. What exactly was it like to look at things from Tonie's point of view? What is the biggest issue his country faces and how can it be solved? What exactly is it like to be one of the most disliked and un-respected citizens and why would he just not leave after having to put up with it for so long? I found something that I didn't really expect to find, a humble person, a person who perhaps given the chance could come back into the fold and be able to actively participate in country affairs once again.

1. RL age and occupation.

I'm 18 and still in high school. (VWO for the ones who are aware with the Dutch educational system).


2. Where does your fascination for Katy Perry come from?

It may surprise most of us, but I do actually like Katy Perry as an artist. I've been following here ever since 2008, went to some concerts; you name it.

3. Before you started this interview what were you doing?

Before I opened eRepublik to find this interview in my inbox, I was working with some friends on a mod for a game (Hearts of Iron), based on the premise of a German victory in WWII. (I'm kind of a (alternate) history freak).

4. What was the last thing you purchased?

Well, besides the occassional purchases of food and drinks: I have just gotten hold of GTA V, after weeks of it being completely sold out.


5. If you could have lunch with one famous person excluding Katy Perry and Madonna who would you pick and why?

Joseph Goebbels, Propaganda Minister in Germany under Hitler. Actually, any person involved in that period would be very interesting to speak to, because it might help the struggle we have nowadays how people could think they way the did then. I'd be especially interested in how his used tactics in the past (might) have developed in tactics used currently to influence the public somewhat.

6. If I were to ask your RL best friend, what would they say is your best characteristic?

They certainly would trait me as ironic.

7. What is the #1 most played song on your iPod?

Well, the music I listen tends to be very forgetable and burns out fast. However, ''Summertime Sadness'' by Lana Del Rey I've been listening daily to over the past 2 years.


8. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be an architect: I was fascinated by the height of buildings.

9. If you could travel any one country in the world, which would you choose and why?

I've always wanted to travel to Libya. I've always been interested in it's past (Roman era, Gadaffi, Italian era eg) and find the combination of the completely different culture with a wealth comparable to some Eastern European countries fascinating.

10. Tell us something about yourself that most people in erepublik don't know about you.

Well, I've always been very open about myself I guess, goes as far as my RL name. Perhaps that I'm really seeking a future in the diplomatic or political world?


11. For better or for worse you are one of the Netherlands most controversial politicians in recent times. You are constantly dragged back to the robbery of the treasury which has been settled since then. Do you think you are unfairly treated by the public especially when you see all the other controversy that surrounds other politicians?

Actually, I'm not being dragged that much for my actions after the robbery of our state accounts as I would have expecte😛 Most seem to have accepted that I'm not guilty and many others weren't even around back then. Of course, I deserve the controversy even more ever since those events, because my disrespect towards Congress afterwards was unacceptable. But I have faced the consequence and eventually caved in to the demands which were put upon me.

I think the fact that other politicians have controversies comparable to mine is interesting: I was being dragged for the fact I lacked in informing Congress, but over the past year it has been common practice to do so, repeatedly and in even worse forms (CP's having their own clique of Congress Members, excluding others and making sure everything passes e.g).

12. Can you tell me what you see as the current #1 issue in the Netherlands and how you believe it can be fixed?

I think the #1 issue currently is the pillar system in the eNetherlands, with the elite being firmly positioned within GPN under the lead of Van Spijck. Normally, that wouldn't be that much of a problem: It's completely understandable and unavoidable that the most powerful party has the most power. But the circumstances of the eNetherlands over the past year has made it possible for such an establishment to grow too powerful.

With the absolute majority GPN has held in Congress over the past year (without elections) they essentially made it a broken institute. Add to that the unfair control the party has in recruiting new citizens (Van Spijck having 'mentor' status and having access to everyone under the level of 20) and the continued attempts in clinging onto the dividing of their elite with the rest of the eNetherlands(establishing their own eNL IRC channels, boycotting the forums) and we have a situation in which the eNetherlands has a state within a state.

This is fixable, when the Netherlands has it's proper mechanism returned, which it will when it has free regions. Luckily, that seems to be the case currently. With that restored, other factions and individuals in the eNetherlands have the opportunity once again to build their own power base, to balance the current selfdubbed ''establishment''


13. You ran unsuccessful in the most recent Country Presidential elections, does this discourage you to run again seeing how badly not just yourself but two other candidates lost as well?

The times I ran for CP in 2013 were because of the complete lack of the opposition doing something. The last month even more so: I felt the opposition was cheated on and lost legitimacy, when DemNL suddenly supported Van Spijck. These days I seek more for a position in the background, but I am certainly encouraged when the situation calls for it again.

14. You have proven to be good at recruiting new citizens to the game but have largely been left out of the government in recent times. Can you explain why your contributions have been ignored and why there is still no place for you in the government?

I'm of opinion that I'm indeed a good option for the position of Minister of Coaching/Recruitment and my last term saw much work been done by me and Tim Veltkamp, but we were suddenly kicked of, leaving unfinished work there. Ironically, 'finishing the job' has been the slogan of the figures that ousted me.

The problem is that Van Spijck want to have a too centralized government, without too many extreme adjustions of his own course. It all started with the term of Aries Prime, where I was actually invited to continue my job: But I was kicked out (after the elections) due to ''bad synergy with the rest of the team'' on incentive of Van Spijck. I've always been open to join the government again, but have been left out so far. This is not only happening to me, but also with individuals from I&W and DemNL.

15. Soon the Netherlands will elect its first in game Congress in over 7 months. Can you explain what kind of impact you believe this will have on the nation.

It will have a large effect on the country: GPN will lose it's monster majority, a party gets kicked out, a new party gets in. The balance will be completely different, allowing for the political module functioning once again and breaking the pillar system. I'm thrilled for these elections, as my party Libertas will finally get access to Congress, too.


16. Do you think that it is possible to elect a President in the Netherlands without GPN support or do you see the future of the Netherlands being guided by GPN like it largely has been for the past year or so?

All that comes up, falls down eventually. It has happened to I&W, The Dutch Progressives, DemNL, LSD e.g Actually, we've had a DemNL CP 2 months ago. GPN is no exception in that, but they are very good in attempting to avoid that by building up a strong powerbase within the eNetherlands. I'm actually thinking the liberation of the eNetherlands will mark a turning tide: Other factions get the opportunity to grow again and many older pre-GPN players will return to the Netherlands. Of course, this is not a plea for GPN to stop existing: I see them developing into a strong force like DemNL eventually in a year or so.

17. Why do you think it is that GPN generally only nominates van Spijck for CP and doesn't really nominate other candidates?

Van Spijck seems to be a perfectionist, but I guess does not want to elaborate to much on the errors of his ways: Perhaps he doesn't feel like within GPN anyone is yet able to do a better job. Didn't he recently state he was ''grooming'' people for future presidents, while he could lay back and exert control in the background? I think it's a worrying development and one of the struggles GPN will have to deal with eventually: What is going to happen to it without van Spijck? The party has many promising individuals, who hardly get the chance to shine.

18. VVN largely supports GPN for the most part, IF VVN were to join the other opposition parties in opposing GPN what kind of impact do you think this could have on the nation and the government?

I think the position of VVN is dubious: It's a very active party, but to the public eye it's Weekstrom powerbase to guarantee his position as Minister of Finances (rightly so). I feel they've been too easy on GPN recently. Some of Van Spijck's victories can be attributed to VVN. They have power, but seem not very ambitious to make use of it. I do not see them joining the current opposition, but perhaps they will try to make themselves the dominant force (Weekstrom does have ambitions as far as I know).

19. What would you say is your biggest accomplishment thus far in the Netherlands?

I have not one single action which can be attributed to me, like a ''liberation of the eNetherlands''. But over the past few years that I've been active I've contributed on several areas: I've been very much involved in developing the coaching system, ambassador system and Immigration Office. Also, I've established two parties with promising members. VVN is derived from TDP, which was found by me: figures like Weekstrom and RikW have been introduced to the eNetherlands by me (but don't tell them!). Currently, I'm trying to do the same with Libertas: Afrikaner Meisje & TheNewMaster seem to be promising. I think such things are one of the most important accomplishments for the greater good of the eNetherlands.


20. It seems that your reputation has gotten in the way of your political career. Why do you not move abroad and start over fresh with new people where you will have a bit more of a fighting chance at a new elife?

Because I'm not only seeking to have power, whatever the cost. I reckon it would be easier to move abroad, start a party and use the same strategy I used many times before in an unsuspecting country, but that's not what I'm here for. I've grown very attached towards the eNetherlands and it's community, want to be part of it and want to work for it. Also, I believe I still have much of a fighting life left in me.

21. If I told you this was your once chance to say anything you wanted to the Dutch public to give you another chance and change there minds about you, not exactly have to join you but something that would make them give you a bit of respect and stop verbally berating you at every chance they could what message would you have for them?

I'd tell them to develop a layer between political and social parts of the game. I purely see politics as a game in here, without emotional feelings. I can laugh at how debates are being done, or how good one plays the game, but one should never become personally involved with the game of politics. Everyone who is part of the ''community'' on the forums or on the IRC channels, know I work that way and I can talk perfectly fine with even my worse ''enemies'' (even Van Spijck can vouch for that). Hate your Dutch citizens as much as you want politically, but respect them as individuals at all other times.

Thanks for doing this interview. You are in my eyes one of the most controversial politicians in Dutch history from my time at least. You career has seen many highs and lows but sadly it is mostly the lows that people will always remember. I have to mention that the two of us have clashed a bit and one time when I needed gold to upgrade my training grounds you of all people offered it to me above all others. I was so surprised and a bit lost for words. We never got along and I have said some things I do regret but I think that just goes to show what kind of person you are and given the chance what kind of person you can become. I wish you success with your future prospects and hope that the Dutch people can come to see a bit of the side of you that I have been able to see.

I want to thank you for the interview, too. I do deserve every controversy that is attached towards me, but I guess that's part of the ''game'' too: every nations needs them. At the end of the day, people should (and are in most cases) amused by the next political ''controversy'' in eRepublik. Thanks for telling the ''gold for training''-story, but in my eyes such things should be common actions in the eNetherlands between eDutch citizens and may add some weight to the answer I've given on the last question. Last, I want to congratulate you on your appointment as Vice President of Norway and am sure we'll have to get along in the future again ;- )

As always don't forget to V,S&S!

And that's how the cookie crumbles,

Joshua Morriseau